Barn-raising bees were once a common sight in Prince Edward County but with the arrival of modern equipment, contractors and construction firms, they have become quite a rare event.

Last Saturday a miniature version of the traditional bee was held on the property of Karen and John Sorenson of East Lake.

The barn being erected is not large but its construction is imperative in order to protect a prize winning Arabian mare from the perils of winter.

The Sorenson stables, partially destroyed by the fire which engulfed their home, will be levelled to the ground in the near future. Because of this friends, neighbors and fellow competitors in horse shows, gathered together to construct a dwelling for the prize animal.

Morris Munro of Hillview Arabian Farms, RR 1, Shannonville, has spent his spare time with a number of others, building walls for the stables. Two weeks ago he and Joyn Leth of Carrying Place poured the cement for the foundation. Last Saturday they arrived at the construction site with a large truck filled with lumber, shingles and pre-fab walls.

Upon the arrival of the truck, some neighbors arrived to give a helping hand in unloading the heavy walls. Work progressed well throughout the morning, except for the minor setbacks of the wall not fitting like the carpenters expected them to.

All too soon the efforts of the volunteers were slowed down by an onslaught of rain. With three walls standing and the fourth started, the workers returned to their vehicles to head for home.

The workers hope to have the barn up and completed by next week.

“We could have had the thing almost completed if the weather had held out,” said Mr. Munro. “We will just have to come up some day when it is nice out to finish it.”

The design for the stables was made by Mr. Leth, a friend of the Sorenson family.

The idea for the barn raising originated in the minds of those who have watched the great white mare compete in shows.

Hopefully she will have shelter before the cold winds of winter bring the snow. Meanwhile a neighbor, George Young, is caring for the Arabian.