Once a Peaceful Neighborhood
The neighborhood didn’t think much about it when one man moved into an available property. However, the whole community of Osceola, Florida, soon realized that there was a huge problem. Oliver Lynch was just one of those people.
Once a Peaceful Neighborhood
About Oliver
Oliver Lynch was just 79 years old when the incident occurred and had lived in Osceola, Florida, for over 25 years. He actually loved living in the neighborhood and called it home. Though he was easygoing, he always stood up against wrongdoing.
About Oliver
Won’t Get Pushed Around
Oliver knew that he had to fight to get things to go his way. As an elderly gentleman, he often got pushed around and taken advantage of because others saw him as an easy target. However, he wouldn’t accept that and ensured that he was treated with respect.
Won’t Get Pushed Around
The New Neighbor
Even at an old age, Oliver wasn’t the type of man to get bulldozed. Most people similar to his age avoid conflict at all costs. However, that wasn’t Oliver. He discovered that he had a new neighbor one day, and it was clear they weren’t going to get on well together.
The New Neighbor
Everything Changed
Everything seemed normal after the new neighbor arrived. However, that changed when Oliver came home one day. He saw trouble boiling once he noticed the cinder blocks lined up in his driveway. The neighbor believed that this was his property!
Everything Changed
It Worsened
That didn’t sit well with Oliver because it was his driveway; he wanted it back immediately. However, things got worse from there because the neighbor had cemented the cinder blocks down so that they couldn’t be moved easily.
It Worsened
Growing Anger
Oliver was fully baffled by what the neighbor did. He hadn’t expected something like this in his neighborhood. However, he wasn’t only surprised. Now, he was angry because of the passive-aggressive methods the neighbor used to address him!
Growing Anger
Trying to Locate Proof
Because of the cemented cinder blocks in Oliver’s driveway, he realized there was no immediate way for him to resolve the issue. Therefore, Oliver tried to find proof that his driveway was his. He located some records that showed he was entitled to his two 12-foot driveways.
Trying to Locate Proof
The Neighbor’s Character
Oliver couldn’t understand why his neighbor acted like that, especially since he claimed to be a man of God. In fact, that neighbor worked for the church! Therefore, Oliver was completely shocked about the unreasonableness of it all.
The Neighbor’s Character
Limited Options
Their situation was worsening, and Oliver believed he was out of options. He didn’t know what he could do about his unreasonable and strange neighbor. That’s when he realized he had to go to the county to get the help he required!
Limited Options
Pulling Some Strings
Oliver knew he was running out of options, so he decided to call the local media. He believed that if he spread the word about the incident, the news stations would cause a stir so that he could get help and resolve the problem peacefully.
Pulling Some Strings
A Breaking Story
As you might have guessed, Oliver’s neighbor was painted as a nasty person once the news story broke out. Most of the public felt sorry for the older gentleman and spoke out against the new neighbor’s actions. However, others weren’t so quick to jump to Oliver’s side.
A Breaking Story
A Major Concern
Most of the neighborhood agreed that this neighbor was unfair and rude. However, others worried that the media coverage was giving the wrong impression about the friendly and peaceful community. They had no idea why someone might do a horrible thing like that.
A Major Concern
Media Gets Called Again
The neighbor didn’t budge, even when the public was on Oliver’s side. Now, the elderly gentleman worried that he was completely out of options. He called the media once more because the neighbor was too stubborn to listen to his complaints.
Media Gets Called Again
Starting to Work Out
Over time, the men made progress. They started talking and working things out. After a few conversations, Oliver got through to the neighbor. This was a huge relief for him. However, things now began to get interesting!
Starting to Work Out
A Positive Ending
Oliver showed the neighbor all the records that proved his two 12-foot driveways were owned by him. The plan worked, and it appeared that everything was going to be solved soon. Finally, the neighbor chose to remove his cinder blocks.
A Positive Ending
The Big Misunderstanding
Later, Oliver admitted that the neighbor hadn’t planned to create such a big scene. He now understood that the stunt adversely impacted his being in the community. Overall, it appeared that the entire incident was a large misunderstanding.
The Big Misunderstanding
Keeping the Peace
The whole neighborhood was happy to hear the news that Oliver and the neighbor had resolved their issues. It was also refreshing to hear that this elderly gentleman hadn’t backed down and actually won the fight and retrieved his property!
Keeping the Peace
Holding a Grudge
While it might have been easier for the older man to hold a grudge because of the grief caused by the neighbor, he maintained his friendly attitude toward him. In fact, he achieved his goal and realized that a grudge wouldn’t do any good, even if it were deserved.
Holding a Grudge
Lesson Learned
We may never understand the relationship Oliver and his neighbor had or have now. However, one thing is clear: you must stand up for yourself as Oliver did. If you’re peaceful and respectful, things will likely work out the way you want.
Lesson Learned
Some Neighbors Envious
Oliver’s neighbor was not well-liked once the news story broke out. However, he was also envied by those in the neighborhood. Most people thought he was digging his hole to get a swimming pool, but that wasn’t the case at all!
Some Neighbors Envious
Wayne’s Plan
Wayne was the neighbor in question and dug a hole large enough for a pool. However, the neighbors were very puzzled once he filled the space with a 20-foot container. Though purchased for a reasonable price, it was still odd.
Wayne’s Plan
The First Step
Once he bought the container, he had to seal it shut. Instead of using large double doors, he closed off the entry to ensure that nothing got in or out, which prevented leaks. Then, he installed an inward swinging door on the other side.
The First Step
Avoiding Mistakes
The biggest mistake Wayne could have made was to dig a hole that didn’t fit his container. Therefore, he had to ensure that it was only 2 feet larger than the height of his container, and there had to be 2 feet around each side.
Avoiding Mistakes
Lining the Bottom
Wayne then decided to line the bottom of the hole with pea gravel. This was an important step because the container required a soft surface to sit on, but it had to filter out into the soil below. What was the man planning to do with this contraption?!
Lining the Bottom
Needing Help
Wayne planned to handle most of the project himself, but some elements required a professional’s touch. Most property owners don’t have a crane that can pick up a 20-foot container and put it into a large hole. It’s also something you can’t do without machinery!
Needing Help
The Perfect Fit
There are countless reasons to make a hole bigger than the container going into it. Now that his container was in the hole and he had the sizing correct, Wayne could begin the most exciting part of this project. What was he planning to do?!
The Perfect Fit
A Sump Pump
Sump pumps are a crucial piece of equipment used in plumbing because they help drain the water out of an enclosed space. This is necessary if you want to put anything underground because you can keep it over the waterline.
A Sump Pump
A Bunker
As you can see so far, Wayne wasn’t planning on putting in a swimming pool. What was his goal? The container he bought was to be used as a bunker, though it wasn’t close to finished. In fact, there were still a few things he had to accomplish!
A Bunker
Must Be Done
The exterior of the bunker wasn’t completed yet. First, Wayne had to ensure that the staircase was built to go down to the opening for the bunker. Then, he wanted to make sure the container was as stable as possible, so he installed two I-beams.
Must Be Done
A Roof
Wayne wanted to take the necessary precautions he could to provide a stable roof. Therefore, he added a framework to support it. His goal was ultimately to have his bunker blend in with his yard, which is the reason for digging the hole deeper.
A Roof
More Than a Roof
The roof of the bunker was underground. Therefore, it was crucial for him to put down heavy metal sheets across the roof framework to ensure that it was stable enough to support a person’s weight or that of an animal.
More Than a Roof
Don’t Forget Air
Just as the sump pump was crucial to ensure that the bunker stayed above the waterline, Wayne had to think about installing air vents to provide air to his bunker. Therefore, he put in two 12-inch air vents, which were sufficient for the job!
Don’t Forget Air
Filling with Soil
Wayne hoped that his bunker would blend in with the lawn. Therefore, he filled in the space between the container and the hole with high-end soil so that grass and plants could grow later. The goal was to look like nothing had been dug or put into the ground at all!
Filling with Soil
What’s Inside
When you imagine a bunker, you often think of a safe place to hold non-perishable food items and a place to camp out. However, Wayne appeared to have another idea. In fact, a whole section of his bunker was solely dedicated to housing his wine and being a wine cellar!
What’s Inside
More Than Wine
The best thing about the 20-foot container is that you can put in many things. He wasn’t limited to his wine collection. Wayne built a cellar to use for Christmas decoration storage, non-perishable food for emergencies, and shelter during a natural disaster.
More Than Wine
Anyone Can Build It
Wayne’s project seems like an insurmountable DIY project to tackle. However, with some money and a few resources, anyone can do it. In fact, there are plans available for people to use if they wanted to create their own wine cellar.
Anyone Can Build It
Tips and Tricks
Wayne also provided tips and tricks for those who wanted to build a bunker themselves. One of the suggestions was to add handrails to the staircase for more security. This is highly beneficial if you live in cold climates where the stairs might get slippery.
Tips and Tricks
Add an Overhang
Wayne went on to say that it might be useful to build a small overhang over the bunker’s entrance. This also works well in cold regions where it might rain or snow often. You may even use it to keep animals away from your walkway.
Add an Overhang
The Cost
Building a bunker isn’t as reasonable in price as other DIY projects. However, the cost is fair when you think about what you get in return. Wayne actually spent $12,500 on his DIY bunker, and that’s not bad when you consider how functional it is!
The Cost
