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Supplement to The LakeviLLe JournaL, The MiLLerTon newS and The winSTed JournaL

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September 2011
From building to
decorating, a few ideas
on improving the season,
and life too
2 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
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busnoss. Woudnt you ugroo:
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lno Art & owory Cooctons
Domostc Workors Componsuton
usnoss lnsurunco
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Lukovo 1orrngton
Porsonu usnoss Houth & Lfo


Furniture Repair
French Polishing
Veneer Gluing
Period Finishing
Refnishing
In Home Polishing
Fall Improvements, september 2011 3
Get Your QualitY ScottS companY productS From aGwaY
with aGwaY You Get
FriendlY & KnowledGeable SaleS StaFF convenient parKinG carrY out loadinG Service
Suet caKeS
bulK buY
mix and match
nuttY, beeF, oranGe, or berrY
12 for
$
8.
88
Feathered Favorite
mixed birdSeed
20 lbS . . . . reG.
$
9.
99
$
6.
99
(limit 5)
SunFlower chipS
all meat
no waSte
50 lbS
$
54.
99
Fall iS the time to
lime Your lawn
40 lb pelletS
4 For
$
12.
99
50 lb powdered
5 For
$
12.
99
pool winterizer
Solution
Gallon container
treatS 10,000 GallonS
$
5.
99
8 mumS
aSSorted colorS
3 For
$
12
we alSo have mumS in
hanGinG baSKetS
and biG potS
$
9.
99
a baG Feed Sale
Your choice
eGG laYer pelletS or crumble
all StocK 12% Sweet Feed
cracKed or whole corn
16% cow, calF & heiFer
compare our priceS to anYoneS!
StateSman bootS
checK theSe eaSY
Slip on bootS out
(Similar to mucK ShoeS)
Get 20% on one pair
natural brown
cedar barK mulch
biG 3 cu. Ft. baGS
3 For
$
10.
99
did You Know that Your local
aGwaY SellS all tYpeS oF itemS
For rabbitS, FerretS, Guinea piGS,
hamSterS and caGed birdS
Get 20% oFF on 1 item
checK uS out
premium made in
new YorK
drY creeK pellet Fuel
40 lbS
$
5.
99
Full ton
$
275.
00
dont be Fooled bY inFerior pelletS
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2574 Rt. 66 Chatham, NY
518-392-3241
HOURS: M-S 8am-5pm;
Sun. 9am-3pm
Millerton Agway
Rt. 22 Millerton, NY
518-789-4471
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Sun. 9am-3pm
Claverack Agway
52 Rt. 9H Claverack, NY
518-851-5391
HOURS: M-F 8am-6pm;
Sat 8am-5pm; Sun. 9am-4pm
Great Barrington Agway
30 Maple Ave. Great Barrington, MA
413-528-2390
HOURS: M-S 8am-5pm;
Sun. 9am-3pm
www.agwayny.com
Fall Seed mix
GraSS Seed
reG Sale
3 lbS
$
9
.99 $
6
.99
10 lbS
$
26
.99 $
19
.99
25 lbS
$
59
.99 $
44
.99
Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11 Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11 Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11
Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11 Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11 Valid 9/22/11 - 10/1/11
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4 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
Pinos European Masonry LLC
From Chimney Tops to Garden Terraces
860.364.5365
CT Reg. No. 520358
PO Box 184
Sharon, CT 06069
Over 35 Years Experience
Brian ORourke Carpentry
Customs Homes & Renovations
2 West Street
Sandisfeld, MA 01255
(413) 212-9865
brianorourkecarpentry@yahoo.com
www.brianorourkecarpentry.com
Countrytown Marble & Tile
fabulous tiles from around the world
Ali Williams & Judy Gardner
Ali & Judy Are Here To Help You Design Unique Layouts For Your Home
Proprietor
Judy Gardner
Route 23
Hillsdale, NY
518-325-5836
Serving the Tri State Area Since 1990
Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles Stone Glass
For the highest
quality and
craftsmanship,
at a competitive
price, call the
professionals at
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If youre not satisfed, neither are we!
Please visit our website at: www.adrroofngandremodeling.com
Free Estimates / Fully Licensed and Insured
860-824-7487
Specializing in all aspects of roofng,
siding and remodeling.
About Fall Improvements
I
mprovements can come in all kinds of
ways, from building a porch to cutting
flowers for the dining room table.
Looking ahead is one improvement
Karen Bartomioli favors.
Michael Marciano likes to see local history pre-
served.
For Dick Paddock, a roof that will last forever
and will repel moss and other kinds of flora is his
idea of a big improvement.
Getting sound advice on remodeling kitchens
is the way to start a complex and expensive im-
provement, Shaw Israel Izikson figures; and Asher
Pavel makes the case for remodeling what you
have rather than investing in a new house.
We pass all this along in the hopes that you will
be aided in your own improvements.
Marsden Epworth, editor

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FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011 5
F
ences make good
gardens. The real
trick is to make a
good fence. And if
youve been think-
ing about it all summer long,
the best time to do it is now.
The best thing about garden
fences is that form totally fol-
lows function. That means its
OK to build them from materi-
als one has lying around.
It never ceases to amaze me
that people can still come up
with innovative approaches.
But nothing is better than
watching the true do-it-your-
selfer approach the task. He or
she will spend as little as pos-
sible to protect that vegetable
plot, no matter how much
time and money is invested in
the growing produce. Thats
the way it should be.
One spring day, a pile of
wooden pallets began to grow
Karen Bartomioli does a little
backyard construction
K
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B
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Looking Ahead
Please turn to page 6
6 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
Hogon Gass
Painting By Marge, Inc.
No Job Too Big or Too Small
Call 860-379-4748 and Hire a Painter for the Day
All your bathroom needs:
Tiles, Radiant Heat, Shower Installation,
Frameless Glass Doors, Custom Fabricated
Vanities, Thresholds, Corner Shelves,
Shower Seats, etc.
All your kitchen needs:
Tiles, Countertops, Sinks, Faucets, etc.
Marble, Granite, Limestone, Soapstone,
Slate, Glass, Ceramic, Porcelain, Corian,
Cambria and more
**Contractor Specials:
Cement Board, Tile Tools, Sealers, Setting
Materials, Etc.
Stocking Mapei Dealer
(all grouts, color matched caulks, etc)
Laticrete products available
Junction of Routes 4 & 7
(Next door to the Cornwall
Bridge Post Offce)
860-672-0602
Fax 860-248-3056
E-mail:
rfrith@afstoneandtile.com
Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:00pm
Closed weekdays from 12-1pm for lunch
Saturday 7:00am-3:00pm
Closed Sundays
Please visit our showroom for all your
tile, design and installation needs
Bring in this ad and save
10%
off of any order
over $200.00
TILES
Authorized Stocking Schluter Dealer
and Certifed Installer
Continued from page 5
on the ground, creating a step-over fence. My son had the
idea to weave bright yellow rope along the top edge, prob-
ably after we tripped over it a few times. It doesnt physically
keep anything out, but the dogs could be trained to recog-
nize it as a boundary.
Still working on the cats.
In the fall, we roll it up and rake leaves right into the gar-
den.
Out for a walk one quiet evening, I heard a sound that
didnt make sense. Suddenly, sparks of reflected light caught
my eye from deep in another neighbors yard. I spied a fine
example of a garden fence. Yet, it obviously could not keep
out their specific pest. Birds. The sunny garden twinkled with
aluminum pie pans that banged when the wind blew.
So it seems there is really no such thing as a perfect garden
fence. What looks good may not solve all problems.
My favorite example of a highly functional fence is in
my own garden, for the tomatoes. Although I will admit to
stealing the idea, my variation (again with my sons help) is
cheaper and easier.
The original (or maybe a pirated idea itself) was a long zig-
zag fence of 4x4 posts and many rolls of chicken wire. Toma-
to plants being vines, it made sense that they would want to
spread out, not be confined in a cage like some bush in need
of discipline. With a little diligence, they could be trained
with plant ties to cover the fence. It is actually fun to coax
them here and there along its length. When the fruit comes,
leaves are out of the way of the sun so they can ripen quickly.
Checking off Chores
Whats Inside
LOOKING AHEAD
by Karen Bartomioli .................. p. 5
REMODELING KITCHENS
by Shaw Israel Izikson ............... p. 8
HOUSING IN A RECESSION
by Asher Pavel........................... p. 11
REMODELING HISTORY
by Michael Marciano ................ p.16
FALL IMPROVEMENTS
September 2011
2011 The Lakeville Journal Company, LLC
TRADING MOSS FOR METAL
by Dick Paddock ..................... p.16
Hogon Gass
Painting By Marge, Inc.
No Job Too Big or Too Small
Call 860-379-4748 and Hire a Painter for the Day
All your bathroom needs:
Tiles, Radiant Heat, Shower Installation,
Frameless Glass Doors, Custom Fabricated
Vanities, Thresholds, Corner Shelves,
Shower Seats, etc.
All your kitchen needs:
Tiles, Countertops, Sinks, Faucets, etc.
Marble, Granite, Limestone, Soapstone,
Slate, Glass, Ceramic, Porcelain, Corian,
Cambria and more
**Contractor Specials:
Cement Board, Tile Tools, Sealers, Setting
Materials, Etc.
Stocking Mapei Dealer
(all grouts, color matched caulks, etc)
Laticrete products available
Junction of Routes 4 & 7
(Next door to the Cornwall
Bridge Post Offce)
860-672-0602
Fax 860-248-3056
E-mail:
rfrith@afstoneandtile.com
Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:00pm
Closed weekdays from 12-1pm for lunch
Saturday 7:00am-3:00pm
Closed Sundays
Please visit our showroom for all your
tile, design and installation needs
Bring in this ad and save
10%
off of any order
over $200.00
TILES
Authorized Stocking Schluter Dealer
and Certifed Installer
Published by
The Lakeville Journal
Company, LLC
33 Bissell St.,
Lakeville, CT,
800-339-9873
tricornernews.com
Marsden Epworth
Editor and Designer
James Clark
Production Coordinator
Elizabeth Castrodad
Advertising Coordinator
Sara Morales,
Adriana W. Smith
Composing
Cover Photo
by Marsden Epworth
Fall Improvements, september 2011 7
Floor Polisher
Upright Vacuum
Carpet Cleaners
(Just a Few Items Listed)
Ladders
Log Splitter
Blower, Leaf & Debris
JUST ASK RENTAL
(AT DEUELS HOME CENTER) RT. 82, PINE PLAINS, NY
518-398-7171
Buy What You Want,
Rent What You Need
The Right Tool Makes Any Job Easier!
We Have What You Want From A to W
Generator
Chimney Brushes
Heaters
Submersible Pumps
Back-Pack Blower
Lawn Vacuum
william perotti & sons, inc.
plumbing - heating
air conditioning
Francis Perotti, sr. charles Perotti Francis Perotti, Jr.
11 furnace hill road tel. 860-824-5181
east canaan, ct 06024 fax 860-824-5183
Louis E. Allyn & Sons Inc
Well Drilling 7 Water Systems 7 Installed & Serviced
1917-2011
Allyndale Road, East Canaan, CT
Telephone 860-824-5600 Fax 860-542-5600
9
4
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ars In Busin
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s
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Mini-Storage Self-Service Units
Personal & Commercial Use Variable Sizes
Reasonable Monthly Rates 24-hour Access
Climate Control Units
860-824-0604
13 Clayton Road, Canaan, CT 06018
413-528-4141
Rt. 7, Gt. Barrington/Sheffeld, MA line
Mine is much like my neighbors pallet fence. The
stakes are plastic, 8 feet long, bought from the same
hardware store. The cost about $3 each.
We took rolled wire fencing on hand probably
hauled back from the dump and cut it into two long
pieces. The length should be about a third longer than
the depth of the area where they will be placed.
The plastic stakes were easily woven through the
fence at intervals and hammered halfway into the
ground in a pattern that made the fence zig and zag.
The 4-foot fence height is perfect. Plants have devel-
oped enough sustaining leaves at that point, and any-
thing that grows beyond the top of the fence should be
cut.
I am still amazed there were no glitches or frustra-
tions or return trips to the hardware store for that
project. Several years later, the fences remain like new.
I leave the plant ties (mostly cut pieces of Velcro fas-
teners saved from bunches of supermarket lettuce)
wrapped randomly around the fence in the fall, after I
pull the spent vines down. They are readily at hand for
the next season.
The moral of this story is that fall gardening can be
about creating, not just cleaning up. No waiting for the
ground to thaw or being sidetracked by too many plant-
ing projects.
Nothing is better than checking off now at least one
of those spring chores. Those seed catalogs will be that
much more welcome for it.
. . . For Next Spring
8 Fall Improvements, september 2011
Wayne-Dalton
MaDsen overheaD Doors, Inc.
Serving all your overhead door needs since 1954.
673 Route 203
Spencertown, NY12165
tel. (518) 392-3883
Fax (518) 392 3887
Carriage House
S p e c i a l t Y W o o d d o o R S
Here is proof that a garage door does not have to look like a garage door.
carriage House Specialty Wood doors look like swinging type doors,
yet offer all the convenience of traditional sectional doors.
theyre available in a wide variety of styles, from rustic to elegant.
septic tanks
YEAR
ROUND
SERVICE
FLOODS
SANITATION SERVICE, INC.
518-789-4678 Route 22, Millerton, NY
cleaned

repaired
installed

portable toilet
rentals
Serving Your Community
Since 1928
g
g
g
F
or the employees of Lowes Home Im-
provement in Torrington, kitchen remodel-
ing is all about the details.
The store has a very large variety of
cabinets, counter tops, flooring and pretty
much anything that a well-designed kitchen would
need.
But as store Interior Specialist Kathy Lubitski points
out, even with the wide variety of kitchen furnishings
available at the store, a well-designed kitchen cannot
be created without a well-planned strategy.
You would start by asking questions about what you
want to do, Lubitski said. Do you want to update a
little bit with the cabinets and the countertops, or do
you want a full remodel? Do you want more space or
more storage? Its all about if you want more of this or
that. The whole thing is about discovering the drive of
the remodeling.
Lubitski said the store offers her services as an inte-
rior specialist at no charge to help guide the customer.
A lot of customers are used to doing things on their
Shaw Israel Izikson checks
out remodeling strategies
On Remodeling
A Kitchen
FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011 9
Overnight Delivery On All Parts
NAPA BRAND quAlity PARts
Foreign and domestic
Brakes shocks Mufers
Heavy duty Parts for trucks
518-789-4474 FAX 518-789-9012
6024 Rt. 22 Millerton, NY
Overnight Delivery On All Parts
NAPA BRAND quAlity PARts
Brakes shocks Mufers
Millerton AUto & trUck sUpply
Phillip Lovett
Landscape Construction
Norfolk, CT
(860) 542-0146
www.PLLC.intuitwebsites.com
Advantages of the Forestry Mower:
The Forestry Mower will cut & mulch up brush, vines, small trees
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This is the fastest & most effcient way to clear land.
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Can be used to clear overgrown felds, hiking trails, views,
building sites, wildlife habitat improvement, control of invasive plants,
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Being on rubber tracks this machine has very low ground pressure resulting
in minimal ground disturbance especially in sensitive work areas.
All cut material is mulched up & returned to the soil
which feeds the soil & reduces erosion.
Call today to see how we can put this amazing machine to work for you
Forestry Mower
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`We are WHOLESALE to the TRADE ONLY!
Have your landscaping professional give us a call today!
Watertown, CT 496 Bunker Hill Road
tel. 860-945-6588
Newtown, CT 140 Huntingtown Road
tel. 203-426-4037
planterschoice.com
Wholesale Nursery and Growers


Huge selection oI everything
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Wholesale Nursery and Growers
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own. Many of them end up getting a mismatched look, she
said. So now I am here to help them coordinate the remod-
eling project. If we are installing items for the project, I am
there to manage the whole project for them.
When it comes to purchasing countertops, Kitchen Design
Specialist Danielle Stevenson said a homeowner should look
at two factors.
Please turn to page 10
10 Fall Improvements, september 2011
Continued from page 9
The first thing that a
person should look for
is color, Stevenson said.
Either you love a color
of a countertop or total-
ly hate it. If you dont
see a countertop color
you love, then keep
looking, she says.
The second factor in
purchasing a counter-
top, according to Ste-
venson, is maintenance.
How much mainte-
nance can you put into
the countertops you
purchase? Stevenson
said. Many Realtors say
that granite is the best
thing when it comes to
countertops, but they
havent caught on to
quartz yet. Granite is
hard and a really great
stone, but it is not neces-
sarily scratch resistant.
It has to be sealed every
five to 10 years. Quartz
requires little main-
tenance and is much
more durable.
As for cabinets, Store
Manager Fred Munk
said structure and mate-
rial should be a big fac-
tor in what a homeown-
er decides to purchase.
As the old adage
goes, you get what you
pay for, Munk said. Fea-
tures, benefits and qual-
ity have to be consid-
ered as well as cost. If
you want to have cabi-
nets that last through
the ages, I would go
with cabinets with ply-
wood construction.
They are much better at
dealing with moisture
and fluctuations in tem-
perature. Particle board
construction has more
of a tendency to absorb
moisture and humidity.
If you have a leak under
your sink, he said, the
cabinet could be ruined.
Munk said that floor-
ing is what ties the
whole room together.
When it comes to
flooring, you should
get something durable,
Munk said. People
should consider wheth-
er or not they wear
shoes in the house as
well as how many pets
and kids they have. It
can make a difference
in what type of floor
you get. Durability is
the main thing.
Lowes Home
Improvement
is located at 420
Winsted Road in
Torrington.
The store is
open Monday
through Satur-
day, 6 a.m. to 10
p.m., and Sun-
day, 7 a.m. to 8
p.m.
For further
information,
call 860-618-4273.
Will Calhoun
Green View Building & Design Company, Inc.
d.b.a. Renovation Specialists
PO Box 98 20 Everest Hill Rd.
Cornwall, CT 06753
(860) 672-0131
(860) 672-6112 fax
www.greenviewco.com
. . . Above All, Durability
Fall Improvements, september 2011 11
Are you ready for the Heating Season?
One Toll-free call is all it takes for Prompt, Professional delivery.
Call us for:
Carlson Propane
413-229-3328 800-542-2422
24 Hour
EmErgEncy
SErvicE
24 Hour
EmErgEncy
SErvicE
CArlSon ProPAne ASkS
Residential & Commercial Use Competitive Pricing Dryer - Generator - Pool Heater
Heat - Hot Water - Cooking Budget Payment Plan Automatic Route Deliveries
Serving Northwest Connecticut
and Southern Berkshire County Since 1979
Division of Carlson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
79 Pike Road East, Sheffeld, MA
Mass. Lic. #912 Conn. Lic. #302776
carlsonpropane.com
W
hen thinking
about a recession,
homes and home
ownership are
often the first things that come
to mind. After jobs.
A local Realtor told me
that in this area, as elsewhere
around the country, sales of
existing homes and new home
construction are below 2007
levels. Rick Meehan, a sales-
person at Bain Real Estate in
West Cornwall, said, The only
parts of the market that are
still active are homes priced
above $2 million and those un-
der $200,000. People who can
afford big homes are gener-
ally not deeply affected by the
recession. People with limited
funds to spend who must buy
a home are still active.
Northern Litchfield County
has many home building and
remodeling companies. To un-
derstand how the recession af-
fects these firms, I interviewed
contractors, salespeople and
architects. Their responses are
enlightening and offer stories
of economic survival.
Cornwall architect John
Harding said, It is much
cheaper to remodel than buy
a new home. These days many
people are not doing anything
to their homes; they are scared
to death to spend money.
People are certainly not
buying new homes.
Will Calhoun, owner of
Green View Building and
Design Company in Cornwall,
said, The recession of the past
couple of years has had a big,
bad impact on the home re-
modeling and improvement
business. The recession has cut
into everybodys confidence in
spending money on improving
their homes.
Florian Palmer of Palmer
Construction Company in Sha-
ron said, One way we know
new home construction is
down, there are fewer permits
being issued for new septic sys-
tems. In speaking with Paul
Prindle, building inspector
for Cornwall, I learned that in
2010 there was but one permit
Please turn to page 12
. . . Above All, Durability
Nobody Understands Recessions Like
Builders, Architects and Realtors
Asher Pavel talks about housing in a recession to those who know most about it
12 Fall Improvements, september 2011
For each Regency sold
we plant a tree
AmericanForests.org
(860) 693-3404
www.valleyfreplaceandstove.com
WI N D O W WA R E S
At Window Wares we can also help with all your storage needs.
Closets, Pantries, Basements, Garages and Attics.
Hours: Tues. & Turs. 12 - 4:30 & By Appointment
184 Main St., Lakeville, CT 860-435-8026
Pleated & Vertical Sheers, Honeycomb & Roman Shades,
Wooden Shutters & Blinds, Hunter Douglas,
Comfortex, Graber
Continued from page 11
issued for new home construction. Through mid-August
2011, Cornwall had not issued any new home construc-
tion permits, though Prindle said they expect to issue one
in the near future for a modular home.
Palmer said, Three to five years ago we were tearing
down existing homes to build new ones on the same site.
That does not happen anymore. Now homeowners are re-
pairing and remodeling their homes. It is less expensive
than building a new one.
In the current situation, local contractors are doing a
variety of jobs including general maintenance and re-
pairs; replacing rotted siding; redoing aging roofs; add-
ing small additions to existing homes; adding decks; and
replacing old windows with energy efficient ones. Palmer
said, People are making do with what they have for
smaller cash outlays.
The state of economic uncertainty was best described
by Palmer. Years ago it was a given that if you invested
X amount of money into your home, you would get it
back when it sold. That is no longer the case. Today, your
home improvement investment is like any other kind of
investment. Over time it could just as easily go down as
go up in value.
Cornwall architect Ira Shapiro said, As a recommen-
dation, when your house is built or when doing major
renovations to an existing home, energy upgrades are al-
ways valuable. Even in todays market, energy upgrades
almost always pay for themselves, both immediately and
when selling your home. They can make your current
monthly outlay of cash lower, make your home more
comfortable, reduce drafts and create a more healthy
environment. Energy upgrades are usually easily accom-
plished in an existing home.
Pat Redman, a Cornwall builder, shed light on how
the economy affected his business and how he survives
the recession. Im not a typical builder. I mostly do pole
barns. But as a result of this economy Ive branched out
into other areas. I did pole barns exclusively for 20 years
. . . Like Other Investments,
Housing is Riskier These Days
Please turn to page 14
Fall Improvements, september 2011 13
Please turn to page 14
14 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
Ziggy Oskwarek
Cell: 860-913-4473
PO BOx 1013
email: Zig@aCninC.net
tel/fax: 860-824-5192
Canaan, Ct 06018

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Continued from page 12
but now I am doing a lot of
remodeling and small repair
jobs, which usually do not take
more than one week.
Previously we never did
many repair jobs, now that is
our business. We have had to
change with the times.
Redman added, You can see
why the unemployment line
is so long. Even at the lumber
yards people have been laid off
and owners and managers are
doing the work.
Since the end of April 2011
I have seen a significant in-
crease in activity in the second-
home market for significant
remodeling and additions,
remodeling of desired changes
in an existing structure. Weve
also done deferred mainte-
nance, where the homeowner
has to do something or things
will fall apart, Calhoun said.
While the impact of the
recession is very real in the
Northwest Corner, it has pro-
vided opportunities for savvy
entrepreneurs to be flexible
enough to change their busi-
ness models to meet changing
times.
It is also a very good time
for homeowners who want to
make repairs or renovations
on their homes.
As noted by some of the
people who were interviewed,
renovations and additions can
bring new comfort, style and
potential cash savings to hom-
eowners without the tumult of
building and moving.
. . . Changing With the Financial Times
M
a
r
s
d
e
n

E
p
w
o
r
t
h
Fall Improvements, september 2011 15
ECER Springs Farm
& Excavation
Bill & Billy Linkovich
Stumping Driveways Foundations Ponds Land Clearing Patios
Estate Work Feed Hay Mulch Hay Reseeding Brush Hogging Trucking
CT, MA Lic. Septic Installers
(860) 824-0298 41 Trescott Hill Road
E. Canaan, CT 06024 Bonded & Fully Insured
We Specialize in Septics
Natural Compost
LAWN SEED
PASTURE SEED
WEED CONTROL
FERTILIZERS
Proft From Our Experience
845-373-9913

Monday - Friday 8am 4pm
3530 Rte 343, Amenia, NY
Buy Locally,
Live Locally

Locally owned businesses
such as those seen in the
pages of this directory give
character to our region
and offer an alternative
to the chain stores that
now seem to control so
much of the American
landscape. Please support
these businesses, and
the people who work at
them. They drive the area
economy and improve the
quality of life for all in the
Tri-state region.
Support your
area businesses!
16 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
T
he word construction conjures up images of
wooden beams forming the frame of a new
building. From a new foundation, bare slats rise
from the ground to connect with other pieces
to form an invariably incomplete structure that
evokes a spirit of growth and change.
But construction applies to much more than new devel-
opment, as any steward of historic structures will attest,
and techniques of the trade are constantly being used to
preserve great buildings of the past, which have become
beloved landmarks and literal cornerstones of our commu-
nities.
One such edifice is Winsteds Soldiers Monument, a mes-
merizing stone tower on Crown Street that will celebrate its
121st birthday this year. Dedicated on Sept. 11, 1890, to more
than 300 Winsted residents who served in the Civil War, the
Soldiers Monument is the town of Winchesters proudest
A Different Sort
Of Building Job . . .
S
h
a
w

I
s
r
a
e
l

I
z
i
k
s
o
n
Fall Improvements, september 2011 17




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structure, and volunteers are doing everything they can to
save it from the perils of Mother Nature.
The past 20 years have been some of the most difficult for
maintenance of the monument, with water creeping through
its ceiling and into cracks between its stone and brick walls,
expanding and contracting as it freezes and melts.
External and internal construction projects have been nec-
essary to keep water out and stones in place, while volunteers
have struggled to raise money to pay for the work.
The Civil War soldier depicted at the top of the monument
has had numerous brushes with disaster, as its supporting
tourelle has begun to crack away from the main structure.
Stones have repeatedly been repointed, with work to rein-
force the base of the structure completed in the past year.
Faced with the realities of a slow economy, volunteers have
been working harder than ever to promote and preserve one
of Connecticuts most important links to the Civil War era.
The good news is that members of Winsteds Soldiers Mon-
ument Commission have been resourceful in their search
for contractors to complete jobs at the monument. Little by
little, one project at a time, the structure is being cleaned,
repaired and reinforced. The all-volunteer commission holds
regular fundraising campaigns for the sole purpose of fi-
nancing these construction efforts.
Using $100,000 from a municipal bonding package, plus
$50,000 in donations, members of the Soldiers Monument
Commission have also put in their own time to work on res-
toration projects in recent years.
Throughout Soldiers Monument Park, granite walls have
been restored and a portico leading to the monument has
been re-roofed. Stairs have been fixed and new drainage sys-
tems have been installed, while new floodlights illuminate
the area, making it safe for visitors at night.
Each year on four different, special days, the Soldiers
Monument opens to visitors to give them a glimpse into
the past. The structure can be seen on Memorial Day, Inde-
pendence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Each time the
monument opens, people familiar with the structure notice a
small improvement. Whether its a repaired door, a new win-
dow or repointed stone, this historic building reminds us that
construction can be used to help us preserve our heritage
and history.
Michael Marciano takes a look at a
community treasure
. . . Reconstructing History
18 Fall Improvements, september 2011
The Accessory Apartments Program is a project of HousingUs, an initiative of Berkshire Taconic
Community Foundation. HousingUs is a tri-state collaborative effort of nonprofit organizations
and community leaders to promote broad-based affordable housing options throughout our area.
Moving Forward by Giving Back
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Earn rental income to help pay your mortgage
Get help from tenants with chores & errands
Provide inexpensive housing for teachers,
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The Accessory
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Download a step-by-step guide to creating & renting
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S
ometimes a home improvement project is a mat-
ter of necessity rather than convenience. One case
in point was my roof garden. I discovered late last
year that the steep sides of my roof had become
home to a really luxurious growth of very bright
green moss. It really didnt look that bad, although I cant
claim a bright green roof really goes with my cedar-sided
house. By the spring of this year the moss had trapped seeds
and I had a nice line of ferns, maple saplings and other
shrubs growing on my roof. It was clear that something had
to happen before the roof started to leak.
I have been told that the moss took hold because the air
is cleaner nowadays and there is less acid rain. The roof
contractors I talked to said that moss is now a problem and
that they now use zinc strips on shingle roofs to suppress
the growth of the moss. In any case, the moss made work-
ing on the roof a real production. It was clear that because
of the steep slope, any work on that part of the roof needed
scaffolding to be set and would be time consuming, thus
running up the cost of any maintenance. I decided to let the
shake roof age out and replace it with something that would
not need continuing maintenance.
Candidates for the new roof were asphalt shingles like
those used on the shallow portion of the roof, fiberglass
shingles and metal roofing. Based on the performance of
the shingles on the upper part of the roof, I suspect that
asphalt or fiberglass even with zinc protective strips would
likely succumb to the moss in time and thus bring back the
roof garden. Because of that I took a long look at metal.
Metal roofing has been around for centuries. Metals used
include lead, copper, zinc alloy, tin-lead alloy (terne), alumi-
num and coated steel. Each of these has pros and cons, with
copper being incredibly expensive and lead being undesir-
able for weight and environmental reasons. I was also told
by several friends that I should expect to pay three to five
times more for metal than good quality shingles.
I decided to see for myself and had some estimates done
for my particular roof. It turned out that for my project a
coated steel roof would cost just about twice what shingles
would cost. While significant, this difference was not a deal
breaker.
Dick Paddock takes on a large project
a new roof
Trading Moss for Metal
Fall Improvements, september 2011 19
I continued to talk to some people who lived under metal
roofs to see if some of the stories I had heard were true:
Did rain make a lot more noise? Did the roofing sweat
and cause moisture problems? I did not get any negative
feedback at all from those folks, so the decision was made
to go ahead with a metal roof. One compromise I did
make was choosing to replace only the steep part of the
roof this year. The shallow portion is still in good shape
and delaying replacement of that section helps spread the
cost out over multiple years.
We selected a roofing contractor based on the recom-
mendations of several local home improvement contrac-
tors. One name came up more than any other, Mario Lal-
lier in Winsted, and we asked him for a detailed proposal.
Then we discussed my preferences for getting the work
done: set a schedule, show up on time, finish my job be-
fore starting another, no final payment until I approve the
job. We shook hands and scheduled the job. While weather
did affect the original start date, we kept in touch and all
of my preferences were met. The crew arrived, set up and
did not leave until the last detail was complete.
I was a bit apprehensive as the old roof, garden and all,
was removed to expose the plywood roof deck. Much to
my relief, the plywood looked brand new. None of the
moisture from the garden had penetrated far enough to
affect the roof deck at all. Once the shakes and plants
were gone it was time to apply the new roof.
The new roof is made from coated steel sheets formed
into roof panels at the site by a large machine installed
on a trailer. The raw material comes in a large roll, mak-
ing it easy for the contractor to transport and store. Each
section formed by the machine looks like a shallow pan,
open at both ends. The upturned ends are bent over and
tightly crimped to prevent entry of any water. The coat-
ing is baked on and available in a variety of colors. We
chose terra cotta as it looks good with the color of our
house. There is a composite underlayment sheet that pre-
vents any moisture from entering the plywood roof deck.
We now have a handsome new roof without the roof
garden. There has been enough rain to prove there is no
additional noise and no leaks. I look forward to living un-
der this roof for the rest of my life with no need for on-
going maintenance. I dont know how well it sheds snow
yet, but I have no reason to believe it will be a problem.
Well also have to see about the moss, but I am optimistic
about that, too.
If things go as expected, I will replace the shallow sec-
tion of the roof with the same metal roofing material
when it ages out in a few years.
20 FALL IMPROVEMENTS, September 2011
Toll Free: 800-791-2916 Local: 860-364-0261 Fax: 860-364-9834
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Quality service is our most important product
EXCAVATING:
Excavators, Large & Small
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Dumptrucks
Electric /water Lines Dug
Road/Driveway Repair And Construction
Foundations Excavated
Landclearing
Athletic Field Construction
Riding Arenas
Grading / Seeding
Drainage
Ponds Dug / Dredged
Power Stone Rake
LANDSCAPING:
Lawn Repair / Installation
Lawn Treatments For Weeds /Insects
Stone Walls / Retaining Walls
Paver Terraces / Walls
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Landscape Construction
Bed Maintenance
Edging / Mulching
Tree And Shrub Planting
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Fencing
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Serving the Tri-State Area since 1984
CELEBRATING 27 YEARS
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