What Once Was a Peaceful Neighborhood
When a new neighbor moved into the neighborhood in Osceola, Florida, nobody thought too much about it beyond being curious about who the new guy in town was. However, it didn’t take long before they realized that the new neighbor was about to shake things up, and not in a good way. This was especially true for his elderly neighbor Oliver Lynch.
What Once Was A Peaceful Neighborhood
About Oliver
79 year old Oliver Lynch had been living in Osceola for over 25 years. He loved living there, and was proud to call it home. He enjoyed the neighborhood he lived in and was always able to be easy going with neighbors there. However, he always knew that he wouldn’t stay silent at any wrongdoings he may encounter.
About Oliver
He Doesn’t Get Pushed Around
Oliver was always aware of the fact that in order not to get pushed around, he would need to fight in order to make sure people don’t try to take advantage of him, especially since a lot of older folks tend to be targets of this kind of behavior from others. Oliver always made sure to conduct himself in a way that demanded respect.
He Doesn’t Get Pushed Around
His New Neighbor
Oliver was never the type of person who could be taken advantage of, and he didn’t intend to become one as he grew older. A lot of elderly people try to avoid conflict as much as possible, but Oliver wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself. He discovered that this was the case when he encountered his new neighbor, and he quickly realized that he was not about to let anyone bulldoze him.
His New Neighbor
Everything Changed
When the new neighbor moved in, everything changed, and Oliver saw this when he came home one day. As soon as he saw cinder blocks lining the middle of he driveway, he knew there was trouble waiting. His new neighbor decided that the driveway was a part of his property.
Everything Changed
It Worsened
Immediately, this didn’t sit well with Oliver. As far as he was concerned, his driveway was his property, and he wanted to set the record straight. Things only continued to get worse, since the neighbor had actually cemented the cinder blocks to the ground, so Oliver couldn’t move the blocks.
It Worsened
His Anger Was Growing
Oliver could not comprehend just what his neighbor was trying to accomplish. He truly never thought he would experience something like this in his beloved neighborhood. He couldn’t understand why his neighbor was acting in such a childish and passive aggressive way, and now he was starting to get angry about it.
His Anger Was Growing
Trying to Find Proof
Since the cinder blocks were quit literally cemented on the driveway, he knew that was not a lot he could do immediately to resolve the issue. Instead, he decided to find official proof that his driveway was truly a part of his property. He located the records that showed he was actually entitled to two 12-foot driveways.
Trying To Find Proof
His Neighbor’s Character
Oliver didn’t understand what compelled his neighbor to act in such a way, especially he claimed that he was a religious man. In fact, the neighbor was working for a church, and this made the whole ordeal even more baffling to Oliver. Aren’t you supposed to be taught to respect your neighbors at church?
His Neighbor’s Character
Limited Options
As the situation continued to get worse, Oliver began to feel as though he was running out of options. He couldn’t think of what the right move would be in order to deal with this neighbor who was acting so unreasonably. At a certain point, Oliver decided to get help, and he reached out to the county.
Limited Options
Pulling More Strings
As he found himself running out of options, Oliver decided to get the local media involved. He figured that maybe if other people knew about what was going on, it would cause enough of a stir in order to get him some help in figuring out this mess.
Pulling More Strings
A Breaking Story
Oliver’s neighbor was already regarded as a pretty selfish and unkind person in the community, and then the news story came out. Most of the public’s response was sympathetic towards Oliver, with many speaking out against the neighbor’s behavior.
A Breaking Story
A Major Concern
Of course, the majority of the community completely agreed with Oliver that the neighbor was being extremely rude and very unfair. Some were also concerned that he would be ruining the reputation of their usually peaceful and friendly neighborhood. They really could not understand why someone would act in such a nasty way.
A Major Concern
The Media Is Called Again
Even with the community supporting Oliver, the neighbor refused to budge. Oliver was starting to feel like he was running out of options, so he contacted the local media once again. Yet still nothing changed, and the neighbor ignored Oliver’s concerns.
The Media Is Called Again
Starting to Work Out
As time went on, the two neighbors started to make some progress. They started to talk about it and began to work out some solutions. After they spoke about it a lot, Oliver was finally able to get through to the other side. However, things were only beginning to get interesting.
Starting To Work Out
A Positive Ending?
When Oliver showed his neighbor his records that showed he was legally allowed two 12-foot driveways, things seemed to be on track to change. The neighbor finally agreed to remove the cinder blocks from the driveway.
A Positive Ending
A Big Misunderstanding
Later, Oliver went on to admit that his neighbor didn’t intend to create such a spectacle, and that he now understood how much his cinder block stunt affected his reputation in his new community. It looked like the entire incident ended up being a huge misunderstanding.
A Big Misunderstanding
Keeping the Peace
When the rest of the neighborhood found out that the issue had been resolved, and not only that, they were proud of Oliver for standing up for himself, since so many elderly people might not have the energy to do the same.
Keeping The Peace
Holding a Grudge
Of course, it would have been easy for Oliver to hold a grudge against the neighbor, but he decided against it and decided to keep a good neighborly attitude. As his goal was accomplished, he realized that holding a grudge wouldn’t accomplish anything, even if the neighbor did deserve it.
Holding A Grudge
Lessons Were Learned
While things did end up working out between Oliver in his neighbor, the story stresses the importance of not backing down when you are being wronged. It ended up paying off for Oliver.
Lessons Were Learned
Some Neighbors Envy
Of course, Oliver’s neighbor is not the only neighbor who caught people’s attention for the wrong reason. Take this story, for example, when many people thought that one man was digging a hole in his backyard in order to create a swimming pool, but that’s not what he was up to at all.
Some Neighbors Envy
Wayne’s Plan
Wayne was the man in question. He started digging a hole that looked like it was the size of a swimming pool, so when he filled it up with a 20-foot shipping container instead, his neighbors were quite taken aback. Wayne had purchased the shipping container online for a reasonable price.
Wayne’s Plan
The First Step
After he purchased the shipping container, he immediately started out by sealing the entire container shut. He made sure to seal the entry so nothing could get in or out of the container, and to prevent leaks. Next, he installed a swing door on the other side.
The First Step
Avoiding Mistakes
In order to make sure that the shipping container would fit into the hole properly, Wayne made sure to dig the whole two feet deeper than the container’s height, and also two feet along each side so that there would be plenty of space.
Avoiding Mistakes
Lining the Bottom
He continued with lining the bottom with pea gravel in order to give the shipping container a soft surface to rest on top of while still being able to fit a filter through the soil underneath. So what was this all for?
Lining The Bottom
Needing Help
While Wayne was planning on completing the majority of the project on his own, there were some aspects that needed professional intervention. For example, most people do not have a crane that’s able to pick up and move a 20 foot shipping container into a giant hole.
Needing Help
A Perfect Fit
There were several reasons for digging the hole to be a lot bigger than the container. Now that it was finally placed into the hole and it was confirmed that the sizing was all correct, Wayne could finally continue on to the next and most exciting portion of the project. What was he doing?
A Perfect Fit
A Sump Pump
A sump pump is a piece of equipment that’s critical for plumbing and helps drain water from closed off spaces. This is very important if you’re planning to build anything below ground, since it allows for keeping it above waterline.
A Sump Pump
A Bunker
As was made clear, Wayne was not building a swimming pool at all, but a bunker instead. However, at this stage, he was nowhere near close to being finished with building it. What else was needed?
A Bunker
Still Needing To Be Done
The exterior of the bunker Wayne was building was nowhere close to being done. He started with building a staircase that took you down to the bunker, and also made sure that the whole thing was stable by installing I-beams.
Still Needing To Be Done
A Roof
Next was making sure not only to build a roof, but making sure that it is very stable. He added some framework in order to make sure this was accomplished. He wanted the bunker to blend into the rest of the yard, which is a huge part of why he dug the hole to be deeper.
A Roof
More than Just a Roof
That meant that the roof of the bunker was actually going to be underground. This was the main reason why he decided to lay down heavy sheets of metal across the roof’s framework. That way, the roof would be stable enough to hold the weight or a person and a dog.
More Than Just A Roof
Don’t Forget the Air
A sump pump is a critical part of the process that would ensure the bunker could remain above the waterline. Just as crucial was installing air vents, which ensured that air would be provided to the bunker entirely. To accomplish this, Wayne installed two 12 inch air vents.
Don’t Forget The Air
Filling the Bunker with Soil Around It
Of course, after all was said and done, Wayne wanted to make sure the bunker blended into the rest of the lawn, so he filled it all with high end soil that would help grow plants and grass that would look nice. He wanted to make sure that there wasn’t just a giant hole in the ground.
Filling The Bunker With Soil Around It
What’s in the Bunker?
Usually, when people think of bunkers, they think of them as spaces that are meant to keep people safe and are typically filled with non perishable foods meant to last a long time. However, Wayne built his for a totally different reason: as a wine cellar.
What’s In The Bunker?
More Than a Wine Cellar
Wayne built the space as a multi-functional storage unit. While it is a bunker that could be used as a safe space, he created a wine cellar, a storage space for Christmas decorations, general supplies, as well as non-perishable foods.
More Than A Wine Cellar
Anyone Can Do It
While it does seem like an overly complex project to take on, with a bit of money, resources, and willpower, anyone can do this, since there are many plans available online to help out.
Anyone Can Do It
Some Tips and Tricks
Wayne came up with some tips throughout his process to help others who are thinking to build their own bunkers. His suggestions include adding handrails by the staircase for extra security, especially if you live in a cold area where it snows and the stairs can potentially get icy.
Some Tips And Tricks
Add an Overhang
He also said that building a small overhang over the entrance is a good addition, especially in colder areas where snow and rain are common. It’s also a good solution to keep critters away from the walkway.
Add An Overhang
The Cost
While building a bunker like this is certainly not a cheap venture, it is also not so outrageously priced that it is totally unthinkable for many people. Wayne shared that he spent about $12,500 for his own DIY bunker, which is not so bad considering how useful it is.
The Cost