Giving Back to the Land
Read about Karl’s experience at Turtle Island Preserve.
I had a great time at Turtle Island Preserve. Turtle Island is a one-of-a-kind place for it’s old time ways and use of traditional skill sets. It was a fulfilling experience to work alongside many like-minded people, who I am proud to now call lifelong friends.
I am honored to help to preserve Eustace Conway’s vision, relentless work and dedication, made reality. I hope that Turtle Island will continue for many years, providing a much needed education to those who seek it.
Photos by Karl Broton Jr.
Van Life
What it means to be living the “van life”.
My Volkswagon Westfalia has many sentimental and inspiring meanings for me. Having the ability to travel as self sufficient as possible, being able to find new places, and delivering me to a place where I feel most alive is priceless.
In my childhood I can remember my father having many Volkswagons, as well as a van that could be used as a camper. This propelled me into a life of exploration, creating new adventures, and seeing as much of this amazing planet that God created for us.
Just about every bolt, bushing, bearing, and gasket has been removed and replaced as I restored the van.
Through unfortunate life consequences I have been fortunate enough to spend a few years traveling. This gave me a new understanding and appreciation for all things in this life.
I can honestly say that this project, and also love, has been one of the better decisions in my lifetime. I feel as though my life would be much different not taking the opportunity to restore this van, along with myself. I smile repeatedly thinking of all of my previous adventures and the new ones that are yet to be.
Photos by Karl Broton Jr.
Strut Your Mutt
Donating time for Best Friends Animal Society’s Kanab and Salt Lake City locations.
Much like creating and building, my love and understanding of animals has been evident since I was a child. For years I have fostered and trained dogs. I have done whatever I can to help these deserving animals find forever homes. During my time out west, I was fortunate enough to tour and volunteer at Best Friend’s Kanab and Salt Lake City locations. I had an amazing experience spending time with dogs who were ready for adoption, as well as dogs who were revisiting this great organization that helped to find them a loving home. Best Friend’s “Strut Your Mutt” event was a great reminder of what passion, motivation, and determination are truly capable of achieving to make a difference. It was a very humbling and meaningful stop on my journey.
Photos by Karl Broton Jr.
Food & Wine Festivals
Create and build no matter the location.
When you are presented with a great opportunity to extend your creative abilities in a fast paced, demanding, multi-faceted project to be presented in multiple locations throughout the US, there is no answer other than “yes”.
The opportunity to build food and wine festival sets for a large company, like Constellation Brands was not just welcomed for the challenge, but was one more way for our work to shine and be admired in a new way. I was honored that Broton Contracting was recognized for our creative capabilities and quality work.
I enjoyed building, shipping, and being able to on-site assemble in the major cities hosting these events around the country.
Photos by Karl Broton Jr.
From An Idea to a Reality
Building a mobile closet and work-readiness station for Veterans.
Project Help is a local organization that I learned of who’s mission is to help Veterans and their families in times of need. Being gifted a school bus, the non-profit had hopes of transforming this platform into a mobile closet and job readiness facility for the Veterans who they serve. The project immediately sparked my interest due to my history of unique builds, whether stationary or mobile. This one was especially close to my heart and a project that I wanted to see completed.
Cardinal Glass and Andersen
Touring Cardinal Glass and Andersen Windows & Doors in Minnesota.
Being Broton Contracting’s “go to” supplier, Blue Ridge Lumber had offered a trip to Andersen Windows and Cardinal Glass to further familiarize the products that we commonly use.
At Cardinal Glass’s plant in Minnesota, I found myself intrigued in the whole process of turning sand into glass. This glass would be used to create high quality windows and doors by Andersen.
I visited Andersen’s 66 acre plant, the largest in the midwest, to tour the making of their products. I developed an even stronger appreciation for all that goes into making their products, especially all of the tests that are performed to be sure that these windows and doors can stand up to anything that Mother Nature has to throw at them.
Seeing the research and development that goes into these products that last a lifetime made me feel even more confident installing and recommending them to my clients. It was a great experience.
Lite-Way
Bringing a 1953 prototype back to life!
After WWII, the country was presented with the challenge of creating an efficient transport vehicle that would save in fuel costs. As a solution, two aeronautical engineers formed a small company and crafted this 1953 prototype hauler built from aircraft aluminum. This 17k+ pound vehicle is capable of hauling up to 80k pounds. True to form, this lightweight hauler was given the name “Lite-Way”.
Being a fan of rare and unique vehicles, I jumped at the chance to own it.
