spring home improvement
DESCRIPTION
Spring Home ImprovementTRANSCRIPT
Wednesday, April 27, 20112 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
All Season Home
Improvement Co.. . . . . . . 4, 7, 11, 19
Audette's Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bob's Cash Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Bolster's Rubbish & Recycling . . . . 19
Boucher's Construction Services. . . . 5
Brad Hendrickson
General Contractor . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Budget Blinds of Augusta . . . . . . . . . 5
Canty Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Central Maine Equipment . . . . . . . . . 7
Central Maine Hydroseeding. . . . . . . 9
Century Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
D.H. Pinnette & Sons, Inc. . . . . . . . 13
Dead River Company . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Furlongs Home & Yard Care. . . . . . 19
Gagne & Sons Concrete. . . . . . . . . . 17
Gerald MacKenzie, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 16
Gosline's Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Hammond Lumber Company . . . 9, 18
Houle's Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 18
Jason Brothers Painting Co. . . . . . . 19
Kennebec Savings Bank. . . . . . . . . . 19
Kitchen Encounters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
KSW Federal Credit Union . . . . . 6, 19
LaPointe Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Longfellow's Cedar Shingles
& Shakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Longfellow's Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . 3
Longfellow's Hydroseeding, Inc. . . . . 5
MacKenzie Landscaping, Inc. . . 18, 19
Maine Energy Pros, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 10
Mason's Lawnmower & Power
Equipment Service . . . . . . . . . . 8, 13
McKenney Tree & Landscaping . . . 19
Murray's Pools & Spas . . . . . . . . . . . 9
North Country Power Sports . . . . . . 14
NuImage Awnings of Maine . . . . . . . 6
Power Equipment Plus . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Quinn True Value Hardware . . . . . . 16
Rocky's Stove Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Selco Plumbing & Heating . . . . . . . . 5
Shop from Home Flooring . . . . . . . 19
Skowhegan Savings Bank . . . . . . . . 15
Somerset Stone Center &
Excavation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Stebra Roofing Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Stevens Siding & Window . . . . . . . . 11
Sunset Flowerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Taconnet Federal Credit Union . . . . 12
Teague Distributors . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5, 8
Trailside Performance . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Ware-Butler, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Waterman Farm
Machinery Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Wish - Home & Garden Décor . . . . 16
Index to Advertisers
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BY BONNIE N. DAVISCorrespondent
For property owners seeking to refinance their
homes or renters wanting to spruce up their living
space, inexpensive renovations are in demand this
spring.
Local professionals have great tips for a variety of
those projects and the budgets on which to do them.
“I actually grew up learning a lot of this stuff
from my dad growing up in Portland,” said Steve
Aucoin, a local contractor and unit director of the
North End Boys & Girls Club. “I’ve moved between
doing this and desk jobs for around 30 years.”
When Aucoin met Harvey Klugman, a skilled
contractor from Brooklyn and master of drywall
installation, he perfected his craft, including hanging
drywall in horizontal rather than vertical planes.
“I must have been in my 30s when I ran into
Harvey,” Aucoin said. “He was all about renovations
and how to do them with little money.”
Aucoin learned the technique of applying drywall
tape and feathering thin layers of mud — joint com-
pound, still known as the Klugman Method.
“It’s so minimal in the amount of dust it creates
— it’s more efficient and there’s less clean up,” he
said. “Bumps come from too much mud — most
people use too much. Klugman was meticulous
about edges and using wide feathering — 12 to 16
inches on both sides of the seam — saving time and
materials. Your savings are all in little bits, but when
you add them up, it becomes larger.”
Aucoin often is called in when do-it-yourself proj-
ects go wrong.
“We’re trapped in a world of manufactured
goods. There aren’t many carpenters anymore, but
we have a lot of building material installers used to
4-by-8-foot products,” he said. “When renovating
older homes, it’s hard to hit the studs. If you’re used
to new construction, you may not know how to
make those adaptations.”
According to Aucoin, consumers are misled by
builders who say they are licensed — Maine
requires licensing for plumbers and electricians, but
not contractors. He advises homeowners to ask if
contractors carry insurance, look at previous work
and find out if they are problem solvers who can
think their way through difficulties.
“There are very few repairs or renovations that
most homeowners can do adequately,” he said. “Of
course, if you have no money, you have to try. If you
are good at reading the written word and translating
it into an effectively-done job and have some hands-
on experience, give it a try or work alongside a qual-
ified contractor and learn.”
Joe Roy, with Campbell’s Building Supply in
Madison, works with contractors as well as with
people wanting to do their own work. When a home-
owner comes in, he starts his process.
“Well, first I would show options on what’s avail-
able — I don’t want to show my hand on what to
spend. For a bathroom, I show faucets, toilets, light
fixtures and tubs,” he said. “I show options and that
leads into what they can spend — I don’t want to
insult anybody about their budget.”
Roy uses a five-step process with customers:
• Show options.
• Learn their vision or dream.
• Help design what they want.
• Figure out the budget.
Renovations on a budgetcan add value to a home
Bonnie Davis photos
Above, Steve Aucoindemonstrates theKlugman technique offeathering mud to createa smooth painting sur-face. At left, since ama-teur installation andmudding left severeridges on new drywall,an easy fix was texturedsea sponge painting witha painted chair rail.Installing inexpensivemolding fixed the non-taped gap between walland ceiling.
More on RENOVATE, Page 4
3| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
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• Design or spruce up a room
within that budget.
As is the case with many build-
ing supply companies,
Campbell’s has outside salespeo-
ple who go to homes to measure
and take material samples.
“If a customer comes in and
wants to do-it-yourself, we help
them through the process just as
we would work with a contrac-
tor,” Roy said. “There are a lot of
upgrades people can do with a
wrench, screwdriver and paint
brush. If your budget is under
$200, new paint, faucets, toilet
paper holders, towel racks, light
switch covers and decorations
make a big difference in appear-
ance. You can add molding or
update by repainting; to remove
and install tubs, toilets, etc., you
need a contractor.”
With locations in Waterville,
Skowhegan and Livermore Falls,
Ware-Butler Inc. also offers a
variety of services.
“Basically, I’m an outside
salesperson,” said Bill Veilleux,
from the Waterville store. “I take
rough drawings — sometimes on
paper napkins — to full scale
drawings; I figure out materials
for a project and the cost of mate-
rials. Then, when it’s settled and
approved, we start the tedious
process of ordering; 28 years ago,
people would just come in and
take things off the shelf.”
According to Veilleux, product
lines are enormous, with many
special products available.
“We come to a job site, figure
out materials, order and ship to
the house at no cost,” he said.
“We have three stores with trucks
going in different directions —
the last time we had to charge,
was way up in Millinocket.”
During the summer, vendors
offer barbecue demonstrations at
Ware-Butler’s. Invitations are sent
to contractors and individuals in
their customer base to introduce
new products and methods.
“We’ve build a deck out here
6-feet-by-6-feet or 8-feet-by-8-
feet; we’ve done replacement
windows,” Veilleux said. “We
have a good relationship with
local vendors; we’re here all day.
If we don’t have an answer, they
send a rep over and help measure
or whatever.”
For some jobs, Veilleux recom-
mends contractors.
“If you need a contractor, we
give you two or three names of
people who match your budget and
personality. It costs money to get
an education, whether you go to
the school of hard knocks or hire a
professional,” he said. “If home-
owners need assistance, we help.
Most manufacturers have manuals
on line, or you can watch YouTube
demos. I have years of experience
on what not to do — drywall and
garage doors are almost a trade of
their own. I work with people who
just build stairs or just build mil-
lion-dollar homes.”
“I think planning is important,”
said Judy Higgins, the kitchen
and bath wizard at McCormack
Building Supply in Winslow.
“I’ve been doing cabinets for over
25 years — 15 years here. We
offer the service of going to a
client’s home and measuring. I do
a design on my computer; it gives
the customer a visual.”
With her software, Higgins
offers a few design options to
help customers make decisions.
Aided by knowledge of promo-
tions and sales, clients often find
renovations affordable. Higgins,
who recently renovated her own
kitchen, said she spent about
$1,200 removing wallpaper,
repainting walls and installing a
new Formica countertop, quartz
sink and high-arch, brushed-nick-
el faucet.
“The floor and appliances were
fine,” she said. “My husband and
I did the work — it helps to be
married to a talented guy. We had
someone come in and do the
plumbing —that made the total
cost come up to $1,500.”
Supplying customers with the
names of qualified tradespeople is
another part of the services,
according to Higgins.
“I can recommend people with
different abilities,” she said. “I
trust giving their names so clients
will be comfortable with them
and with me. Planning, I think,
gives you a good start, so you
don’t rip something out and find
it’s not in stock. Some people
can’t see beyond what they have;
you can move the fridge and open
up the space.”
She said clients have come in
wanting total renovations with a
budget of just $400, which is not
realistic for major renovations;
$2,000 is more realistic.
“But you can repaint cabinets,
change hardware or install a new
countertop for a fresh look,”
Higgins said.
All of the professionals sug-
gested being realistic about limi-
tations and calling a professional
prior to getting in too deeply.
“Don’t bite off more than you
can chew — people underesti-
mate the task. Stop before you
get too far — these are not skill-
less tasks,” Aucoin said. “Start
small and have fun.”
Wednesday, April 27, 20114 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
RenovateContinued from Page 2
Bonnie N. Davis photo
Bob Van Gordon and Jerry Saint Amand of Ware-Butler in Waterville discuss flooring options.
Garages • Additions • Interior and Exterior Home Renovations
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BY J.P. DEVINECorrespondent
And so it is with those in
Maine who would journey out in
the noonday, or any other time of
day, to sow the seeds of summer
gardens. It is madness of course.
We are all driven by the media-
inspired myth of fresh veggies,
herbs and gorgeous flowers filling
our vases. Madness.
But go we will, with spade and
rake, seeds and pesticides, knee
pads and sensible shoes. So here
are a few things one must consid-
er before heeding the call of
Mother Nature.
First, apparel. You’ve scanned
the magazines, visited L.L. Bean
and succumbed to all those fash-
ion pamphlets about what is
trendy to wear in the garden.
Discard them. Those are aimed at
wealthy folks who live in
Connecticut, the Carolinas and
California. This is Maine. There
are precautions to be taken here
that transcend fashion.
First thing to do is discard the
Bermuda and khaki shorts. There
are monsters out there in the new
spring grass, creepy, crawly,
slimy, infectious monsters. There
are ticks and fleas, gnats and mos-
quitoes that have been busy laying
eggs all winter to provide issue
that will infect you and bring pain
and discomfort. Any medical jour-
nal dealing with these issues will
warn you of bacteria that can
cause leptospirosis, Legionnaires’
disease, asthma, tetanus and con-
niption fits.
You will need to wear strong
pants tied at the ankles, long-
sleeved upper garments with a
high collar to protect the neck,
and gloves, certainly, not those
ladylike white things, but strong
work gloves, the kind that have
reinforced palms so thick that they
make it almost impossible to pick
up any stray coins you might have
lost there in the fall.
For protection against the dead-
ly rays of the sun, you will need
good sunglasses, not those “glam-
my” things you wore on the beach
in Bermuda, but good ones with
proper ultraviolet ray protection.
Those rays can cause photokerati-
tis, pingueculae and permanent
retinal damage.
Are you writing any of this
down? I know the big ones with
rhinestones and lacy side plates
are glamorous, but you want to be
able to see in October when you
plant the garlic. Oh! You thought
garlic grew in the market?
In addition, the Maine gardener
needs a sensible hat — a pith hel-
met is a good idea. You can pick
up authentic ones online, the kind
Dr. Livingstone wore when he
was lost in the jungle. They also
sell them in trendy pastel colors.
Peach is nice this time of year.
Check out the upscale garden cat-
alogs. They’re lighter, like the
kind the mailmen and women
wear.
Don’t forget to slather on the
right skin creams. The sun is an
unfriendly companion. It may make
the blossoms bloom in May, but it’s
very good at producing skin can-
cers, blotches and wrinkles.
As for shoes, forget the popular
Crocs. They’re fun to wear on the
deck when having lunch, but the
dewy spring grass is full of water
and bacteria that will seep through
the cute holes and give you a fun-
gus infection.
Instead, wear good boots,
preferably knee-high rubber
jobs. But in a pinch, those snow
boots you have been wearing
since Christmas will do. I think
it’s equally smart to include the
cotton face mask you often see
on Asian faces. They know what
they’re doing. It will keep a lot
of those pesticide fumes from
your lungs. Bright colors and
colognes are fine for summer
weddings, but they seem to
attract insects that have yet to be
identified by medical science. If
you must smell nice, try your
husband’s aftershave. Gnats are
annoyed by it.
Yes, it’s healthy and fun to ven-
ture into the wilderness of your
garden, to spy the early crocuses
'neath the trees. And of course you
will want the neighbors to wave,
talk about you in the market and
copy you. But fashion is for the
brave, who are very often, stupid.
Take care. Perhaps a photographer
will stray by and snap you. You
could be setting your own trends
for next season.
5| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Maine gardeners need to apply practical fashion sense
“Mad dogs and Englishmen go out inthe noonday sun,”
BRITISH WRITER NOEL COWARD
J.P. Devine photo
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BY NANCY GALLAGHERCorrespondent
If the grass is always greener
on the other side of the fence —
or if there is no grass — it’s time
to contact Norman “Norm”
Vigue at Central Maine
Hydroseeding. The business
shares quarters with Vigue’s
Furniture Restoration at 99
Church Street in Oakland.
Vigue has operated his wood
furniture restoration business at
that location for the past 19
years. Four years ago his yearn-
ing to work outdoors inspired
the addition of Central Maine
Hydroseeding.
Hydroseeding involves spray-
ing a mixture of wood fiber
mulch, grass seed, fertilizer, and
water onto prepared ground,
using a hydroseeding machine.
The mix will have a lumpy,
green, wet, appearance.
Wildflower seed may also be in
the mix, if desired. You’ve prob-
ably seen it alongside new and
recently resurfaced roadways.
Why hydroseed instead of
other grass planting methods?
Because it eliminates the draw-
backs or challenges.
The traditional do-it-yourself
method of broadcasting seed,
adding fertilizer and covering it
with hay is an invitation to every
bird in the area to a grass seed
buffet. Weeds from the hay can
also sprout along with your new
grass. Spreading the seed evenly
is another challenge, and raking
up all that hay later is a nui-
sance. Laying sod is expensive,
may not always take and con-
sumes a great deal of water.
Hydroseeding provides even
coverage and speedy results at a
fraction of the cost of sod. Water
in the mixing tank initiates seed
germination. When the mix is
sprayed, the wood fiber mulch
sits atop the seeds, retaining
vital moisture while shielding
the germinating seeds from
birds. Growth is visible in three
to four days and the lawn will be
fully established in three weeks.
“During the summer when the
dew is early in the morning, it
holds the moisture and releases
Wednesday, April 27, 20116 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Spraying of the green spreads modern-day magic
Contributed photo
BEFORE: Central Maine Hydroseeding owner Norman Vigue hydroseeds a new residential lawn.
More on HYDROSEEDING,Page 7
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it throughout the day,” says
Vigue. This helps roadside
applications succeed. He
emphasizes that “moisture is the
biggest thing about growing
grass.”
For the first two weeks after
hydroseeding, the lawn should
be watered two to three times
daily, making sure the seed mix-
ture remains thoroughly moist.
For the following two weeks, a
once-daily watering is recom-
mended until the first mowing.
The lawn should be fully estab-
lished and be about 3 inches tall
in most areas before that first
mowing. Central Maine
Hydroseeding guarantees its
work 100 percent to every one
of its customers following these
guidelines.
One month after the applica-
tion, Central Maine
Hydroseeding returns and fertil-
izes the new lawn at no addi-
tional cost. This replenishes
nutrients drawn from the soil at
the beginning of the growing
process.
The hydroseeding season usu-
ally begins when the earth’s
temperature is 50 to 55 degrees
Fahrenheit. It continues until the
snow flies. A late fall applica-
tion will go dormant and germi-
nate in the spring.
Vigue hydroseeds large com-
mercial and educational facili-
ties, as well as smaller residen-
tial properties. Square footage
will determine pricing.
Estimates are free.
For more information or to
schedule an appointment, tele-
phone Central Maine
Hydroseeding at (207) 465-2250
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
7| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Contributed photo
AFTER: Lush new grass surrounds this residence following hydroseeding.
HydroseedingContinued from Page 6
Hydroseeding involves spraying a mixture of wood fiber mulch,grass seed, fertilizer and water onto prepared ground, using ahydroseeding machine.
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BY VALERIE TUCKERCorrespondent
Making plans to paint anything
inside or outside the place one
calls home can be an emotional
process.
Decisions abound. What colors
work well together? Should it
match the furniture or the drapes?
How does one get rid of peeling
paint, mildew or grime on the old
clapboards? Is a primer coat
required? What is the difference
between linen and eggshell, or
matte and pearl?
Garnett Johnston, Hammond
Lumber’s 28-year veteran of the
subtle art and science of painting,
soothes the worries of anxious
customers in his Auburn store.
Four key questions get them on
track.
“I ask whether they are
repainting or starting from
scratch, what condition the sur-
face is in, what tools they have or
might need and what preparation
options they are planning,”
Johnston said.
The best time, money and
energy savings start with the right
tools, according to the pro.
“You can rent a power washer
to get flakes and grime off the
exterior,” he said. “Spend a little
extra to get a scraper that stays
sharp longer and a brush that
doesn’t leave its bristles or
clumps and drips behind.”
Good paint rarely fails, so if
exterior house paint starts peeling
within two years, the preparation
steps may have been the culprit,
Johnston suggested.
Quality paint lasts much longer
than the bargain brands, but it is
a waste of money and time if a
person has painted over a poor
surface. Painting wood, clap-
boards, shakes, shingles, stucco,
masonry, primed metal, asbestos
shingles and masonry block and
brick all require proper prepara-
tion, he said. Painting inside the
home provides a chance to be
creative with walls and trim. The
right colors can inspire, soothe,
create the illusion of space, or set
the mood and atmosphere for any
particular room.
“I ask customers if they want
to bring out the tones and colors
of the flooring, cabinets, uphol-
stery, or a special piece of furni-
ture, and I always suggest bring-
ing a sample of the color they
want to match or accent,” he said.
Planning to sell your house? A
fresh coat of paint can work won-
ders in the kitchen, bathroom, or
entryway. Cooler colors, especial-
ly blue, can make a home seem
fresh and clean during the sum-
mer. A person’s real estate bro-
ker, who probably has seen the
best and worst home decorating
ideas, can give advice. Paint
manufacturers can offer samples
of complex colors, but endless
choices of off-whites can be
daunting for those who just want
a light color, Johnston said.
Painting a light earth tone over a
maroon wall could require fewer
coats than repainting that same
wall with a yellow or red.
Wednesday, April 27, 20118 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Color adds punch and pizzazz for spring do overs
Photo contributed by Hammond Lumber
Garnett Johnston of Hammond Lumber is ready to show all that is available.More on PAINT, Page 9
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9| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Hammond Lumber stores carry California Paints (www.california-paints.com) and colors are grouped to complement each other,Johnston said. The Historic Colors of America collection, for exam-ple, includes interior and exterior colors replicated from Colonial,Federal, Tudor, and Craftsmen periods to those more popular laterin the late 20th century. For people with youngsters in the house,the line offers a collection of “Super-Scrubbability” choices in matte,satin/matte, semi-gloss, and eggshell finishes that have low-emis-sion and environmentally-friendly finishes.
CALIFORNIA PAINTS
“I try to help customers under-
stand that some colors which
look great in their dreams might
not be what they see when they
are finished painting,” he said.
Do the homeowners expect tp
buy some new furniture or appli-
ances after they paint? Plan
ahead, Johnston advised.
“Occasionally, a customer will
come in with a complex fabric
swatch with lots of colors and
shades, hoping I can pick the
perfect paint to match,” he said.
“If they want an accent color for
woodwork, that’s probably a bet-
ter choice that trying to match
the wall color.”
What’s trendy? Forty years
ago, Harvest Gold and Avocado
Green were popular appliance
colors, but today’s stoves, wash-
ers, dryers, and even fixtures can
be boldly-colored focal points.
“The great feature of paint,
though, is that you can always
paint again if you decide you
hate it,” he said.
PaintContinued from Page 8
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BY BONNIE N. DAVISCorrespondent
Whether the weekend garden-
er is concerned with rising pro-
duce costs, contaminants in the
commercial food supply or just
wants to dabble in gardening,
starting a small vegetable garden
can be easy and inexpensive
when following tips from sea-
soned professionals.
“You need to pick out one
spot in your yard that gets a
minimum of six hours of direct
sunlight per day,” said Oakland
farmer Ernie Ames.
Although his 100 Acre Farm
on 10 Lots Road in Oakland is
not certified organic, Ames start-
ed organic practices long ago.
“When my daughter was little,
she’d walk right into the garden
to eat,” he said. “I didn’t want to
use chemicals — that was about
30 years ago and I’ve never used
chemicals since.”
According to Ames, raised
beds for home gardens can be as
small as 4-feet-by-4-feet or 4-
feet-by-6-feet and produce a lot
of yield. He suggests buying
inexpensive landscape ties or
non-pressure treated boards.
“Use old boards to make a
container,” he said, “but if you
have to buy them, don’t get pres-
sure treated — the chemicals can
leach into the soil.”
Placing fabric, cloth, old
boards or layers of cardboard
(without ink) on the ground
before setting up the frame, cuts
down on weed control and saves
time as well as labor, he said.
Ames suggests using old-fash-
ioned Yankee initiative by recy-
cling old bathtubs or a plastic
children’s swimming pool for
container gardening.
“Make sure you punch holes
in the bottom of the pool for
drainage,” he said. “You can put
it in your driveway and move it
out of the way. You can line the
bottom with pea stones, but that
adds weight.”
Izzy McKay, proprietor of Half
Moon Gardens in Thorndike, said
moisture is important.
“Whenever you plant anything
in a container, you have to watch
the water requirements,” said
McKay, whose business is locat-
ed at the intersection of Routes
139 and 220. “They tend to dry
out more, and don’t assume the
soil in a container from last year
is good — replace or amend.”
Wednesday, April 27, 201110 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Small vegetable gardenscan be easy and practical
Bonnie N. Davis photo
Ernie Ames offers sturdy, organically-grown seedlings at local farmers’markets and from his farm starting in mid-May.More on GARDEN, Page 11
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Ed Domasinsky, educated at
the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst as a plant and soil
specialist, agrees that watering
is important.
“The weekend gardener
waters too much or not enough,”
Domasinsky said. “I’m a hard
core organic farmer. It’s my
forte – I love plants and I like
getting info out to people.”
When starting a garden, soil
is the single most important fac-
tor, according to Domasinsky.
For container gardening, pur-
chase pro mix from one of the
local garden stores because it
drains well and is nutrient rich.
Buying bags of compost or
manure is also an option for a
small garden.
“You’re fighting a losing bat-
tle if you don’t have good soil,”
he said. “You want humus –
black gold. It’s the end of the
biological chain – it can’t break
down anymore. If you add lime
in the fall, it takes six months to
take affect in the soil. If you
know somebody, get compost.”
Ames agreed. “ Most farms
have compost piles or you can
go to a garden center and get a
trash barrel full.”
Once the planting area is ready,
selecting the right plants is the
next step. Domasinsky suggests
buying seeds from Johnny’s
Selected Seeds in Winslow
because its products are acclimat-
ed to grow in this region.
“They’re suited for this envi-
ronment,” he said, “and it gives
the plants a healthy start.”
McKay recommends that
inexperienced gardeners buy
seedlings for small gardens and
containers. She grows both cer-
tified organic and non-organic
seedlings and herbs.
“One thing about buying
seedlings from a reputable grower
is they’ve gotten a good start —
they’ve already germinated and
made it through the critical
growth phase,” she said. “If
they’re ready to sell, they’re
ready to be planted and you’re
not dealing with water dripping
all over the kitchen table. Plus,
you don’t have to buy seed pack-
ets just to grow a few plants and
worry about seed storage —
there’s a trick to seed storage.”
However, for lettuce,
Domasinsky suggests planting
seeds. “Plant a row every few
weeks,” he said. “Once lettuce
reaches maturity, it goes by and
gets bitter.”
Hardening seedlings from a
greenhouse is also essential.
11| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
GardenContinued from Page 10
Bonnie N. Davis photo
Small gardens are easy to build using inexpensive landscape ties, non-pressure treated boards and containers.
More on GARDEN, Page 13
“When my daughter was little, she’d walkright into the garden to eat, I didn’t want touse chemicals — that was about 30 yearsago and I’ve never used chemicals since.”
— ERNIE AMES
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BY J.P. DEVINECorrespondent
Doug Hebert, executive manag-
er of Century Pools on Church
Street in Oakland, is a glass-three-
quarters-full kind of guy. For
more than 20 years, Hebert has
been marketing and installing
above-ground pools for his com-
pany. Along with Sabrina
Williamson, his sparkly-eyed,
energetic assistant, Hebert knows
all the ins and outs of the popular
business.
We wondered how, in these
fragile economic times, the swim-
ming pool business was floating.
“Things are little slow now, as
in all business areas, but it’s still
winter,” Hebert said. “I know it’s
April, but home landscapes are
still jammed up with the snow
from the April Fool’s Day bliz-
zard. But pretty soon, when the
temperatures start hitting 85 and
90 and the humidity kicks in,
we’ll be busier than ever.”
Williamson, who once ran a trav-
eling carnival company, knows well
the seasonal quirks of the public.
“Summer brings the heat, and
everyone will want to get outside
and enjoy the season, and that
means soaking and splashing in a
pool,” she said.
So what’s new in swimming
pools?
“It’s all pretty much the same
good stuff. We install quality
pools, ” Hebert said during a tour
of what’s available for the average
overheated Mainer.
Pools, also installed by Bill
Douglas, include the Cypress STR
with an impressive 54-inch wall
height and an ultimate steel frame
bolstered by seven-inch steel
uprights that are stronger than the
industry standard. It boasts
Cypress Pools’ “stainless steel
service panel” that locks out wall
corrosion. The Cypress starts at
$3,595 plus tax and installation
fees, and comes with a sweet 50-
year warranty.
“On the slightly lower end,”
said Hebert as he moved to the
next pool, “there’s the XL 7000,
priced at $2,595 plus the taxes
and installation fee.” The XL
boasts a 25-year limited warranty
and comes in sizes to fit most
families.”
Century Pools is a one-stop
summer fun bonanza. The compa-
ny stocks all the materials a fami-
ly will need to start enjoying its
pool, according to Hebert.
“We’ve got a great selection of
pool covers, liners, heaters, filters
and pumps, plus the proper chem-
icals to control algae,” he said.
Williamson pointed out the
variety of pool toys, inflatable
items and balls for the kids, a
major plus.
“Gas prices are really skyrock-
eting and I think more and more
people are going to be staying
around home,” Hebert said. “And
if you’re not lucky enough to have
a camp, but still have ample
ground space, an above-ground
pool is the way to go.”
Travel may be more than a luxu-
ry this summer, what with gas,
hotels, motels and restaurant dining.
Hebert and Williamson agree that
with a lighted XL 7000 or Cypress
STR and a barbecue and beer cool-
er a few feet away, a Maine family
can turn its backyard space into a
summer paradise. It’s getting dark,
do you know where your teenagers
are? Right outside in the pool,
that’s where.
Wednesday, April 27, 201112 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
C’mon in, the water’s fine
J.P. Devine photo
Doug Hebert is getting ready for summer’s pool season.
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A backyard can be a sanctuary for some people. It’s a
place to which individuals can retreat, offering an exten-
sion of living space in the great outdoors. Chances are,
a homeowner prefers to have his or her yard fenced in
to maintain privacy. But homeowners aren’t always
fond of traditional fencing materials. A natural fence
can be an option that offers a bounty of benefits.
The purpose of a fence is to keep things in or out.
Fences are often erected to serve as a barrier between
properties and offer privacy. To achieve these goals, a
homeowner doesn’t necessarily have to construct a
wooden, plastic or wire fence. Many plants can serve as
natural fencing options and be very attractive to look at.
TreesHow about planting trees on the property? Evergreen
trees, like Leyland Cyprus, may grow quickly. The dense
foliage will quickly fill in and can create an attractive
border around the house. But evergreens aren’t the only
options. Deciduous trees can also be planted. The thick
leaves will form a privacy screen and in the winter the
leaves will drop and let light into the landscape.
ShrubsMuch in the same way that evergreen trees can offer
privacy on a larger scale, so can shrubs. There are
scores of different shrubs that can be as dense or thin as
a homeowner desires. Rose bushes can look very attrac-
tive and serve as a deterrent to animals and people try-
ing to get through the thorny brambles. The same can
be said for holly bushes, which will be prickly but
attractive with their shiny, dark green leaves and bright
berries. Certain shrubs are even marketed as natural
fencing. A chat with a landscaper can yield many ideas
of species that make great fences.
Flowers and PlantsShrubs and trees aren’t the only fencing options.
Many homeowners like the cottage look of a garden full
of wildflowers and other plants. Congregating certain
plants on the perimeter of the property can make an
informal fence. Trailing vines like ivy or vinca can be
trained to climb vertically. A thin mesh material or verti-
cal slats can be installed and the vines tied to these
items before they fully establish.
HardscapesInstead of living natural fencing, rocks and boulders or
even water features can also be used as fences. This type
of fencing may be more aesthetic than practical, however,
and can be used intermittently with other fencing options.
The possibilities for natural fencing are endless and
can be mingled to create a landscape unique to any
homeowner.
— Courtesy Metro Creative
“Let them out during the day,”
McKay said. “Let them play
around in the wind and bring
them in at night —they’re your
children, you know.”
“Go with vine crops – cucum-
bers, summer and winter
squash,” Domasinsky said.
“Don’t plant watermelon or
peppers unless the plants are
started early. Beefsteak and the
big slicing tomatoes are harder
to grow, so try grape, cherry or
Roma varieties. Break off the
bottom 25 percent and extra
shoots once they start flowering
and producing — it puts energy
into producing the fruit rather
than vegetation.”
“Herbs are great for pots. I’ve
done lettuce and leafy greens in
containers, even beans with
structure,” McKay said.
“Remember, we all make mis-
takes — don’t be afraid, and
have fun. No one else has to see
your garden — it doesn’t have
to be perfect. We’re not all try-
ing to be Martha Stewart.”
“There’s one book I recom-
mend to everyone called ‘The
Vegetable Gardener’s Bible.’
You can find it at Barnes and
Noble or online for less than
$25,” Ames said. “Whenever I
run into a problem, I look it up
to refresh my memory.”
Visit Half Moon Gardens
online, in Thorndike, at the
Waterville Farmer’s Market on
Thursdays or the Augusta
Farmer’s Market at Mill Park on
Tuesdays. Ames sells seedlings
from his farm. He will also be
at the Waterville and Augusta
markets as well as the new mar-
ket at Viles Arboretum across
from the veteran’s hospital in
Augusta on Fridays. These sum-
mer markets open the first week
of May between 2 p.m. and 6
p.m. Check local listings for the
times and dates of other markets
to find seedlings or just to seek
advice from reputable farmers.
13| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Bonnie N. Davis photo
When fall sets in, mulch perennial herbs, garlic and strawberries withstraw or leaves to protect during winter and early spring.
GardenContinued from Page 11
Natural fencing options for the yard
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BY KRIS FERRAZZACorrespondent
WINTHROP — The 25th
anniversary season of D.R. Struck
Landscape Nursery started off
with a bang. The doors opened
April 1 but closed just several
hours later as a snowstorm blan-
keted the region.
“It was our shortest workday
ever,” Robin Struck said, smiling.
A year ago, temperatures were
hitting 70 degrees and the U.S.
Route 202 business was selling
mulch to customers who already
were raking their lawns and gar-
dens, working the ground and
planting shrubs and pansies.
“It was gorgeous; we never had
a mud season,” she said.
This year, so far, has been a
whole different story. Despite
the chilly temperatures, late
snow and ice-cold puddles, how-
ever, spring has sprung inside
the gift shop that has been filled
with new and colorful garden
accessories such as spring gar-
lands, wreaths, lotions, candles
and Stonewall Kitchens goodies.
New items this season include
useful and decorative garden
stakes that feature flowers in
bright colors made from recycled
plastic. Struck said she found the
stakes while in Florida and
thought customers back home
would enjoy them.
“It’s kind of a neat way to recy-
cle and also have something nice
for your garden,” she said.
To bring spring indoors, she
has expanded the popular Michel
Designs line of botanical lotions
with new scents and added
cheerful mugs that have lids and
can be used for hot or cold
drinks.
“I know a lot of people are trying
not to use Styrofoam or plastic cups
in their break rooms, so these are
nice,” she said. Struck said she
Wednesday, April 27, 201114 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Spring has sprung in Winthop nurserydespite chilly temperatures outside
Contributed photos
Outside landscaping can turn the back yard into a summer paradise.
More on D.R. Struck, Page 15 Spring has sprung inside D.R. Struck Landscape Nursery.
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often has customers who are look-
ing for teachers’ gifts and the
mugs, lotions and other new addi-
tions are perfectly suited for giving
as a little token of appreciation.
Stonewall Kitchen is celebrat-
ing its 20th anniversary and has
expanded its line of specialty
foods to include things such as
champagne blueberry jam.
Bridgewater Candle has jar can-
dles, votives and melting wafers
in several new scents, including
peachy Paradise Punch and baby
blue Water Lily. The store con-
tinues to carry its line of Pretty
Tools, which are small hand
tools, desk accessories and other
items designed for women and
featuring floral designs and ani-
mal prints. Struck said she added
to that line a manicure set, which
has been a popular choice in the
store for several years now.
The store is open seven days a
week.
The nursery greenhouse is fill-
ing up fast with more than 30
kinds of Hostas, loads of
daylilies, bleeding hearts, and
lupine and other varieties for a
total of 3,800 perennials that have
been divided and potted on site,
Struck said. Soon, they will be
joined by colorful annuals, hang-
ing baskets, herbs, roses, orna-
mental trees, shade trees and
evergreens, she said.
“Growers bring varieties in all
season,” she said, noting that
lilacs and rhododendron bushes
are especially popular around
Mother’s Day.
In addition to the gift shop and
garden center, which offers more
than 700 varieties of plants, the
business includes a design-build
landscape company. Several
teams of landscape contractors
build decks, patios and green-
houses.
Struck’s business partner and
former husband, David Struck,
oversees the landscape business,
supervising landscaping crews and
doing design work for customers.
“His passion all his life was to
own his own landscape business,”
she said. “He knew it in junior
high.”
There are two or three crews of
landscapers with three or four
employees on each crew, she
said. They build decks, patios,
greenhouses, rock walls, walk-
ways and other outdoor designs
for both commercial and residen-
tial customers.
While there are no major cele-
brations planned for the anniver-
sary season, the company’s
Spring Open House is scheduled
for later in May. To mark the
company’s 25th anniversary, cus-
tomers will be able to select one
plant of their choice and receive
25 percent off on the 25th day of
each month all year long.
The season will end Christmas
Eve, as usual, but not before the
company’s annual Holiday Open
House, held the first weekend in
December, and Candlelight
Night, held the following Friday.
For more about D.R. Struck
Landscape Nursery, call 395-
4112 or visit their Facebook page
at www.facebook.com and search
for D.R. Struck Landscape.
15| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
D.R. StruckContinued from Page 14
Contributed photos
Flowering trees make a colorful addition to backyard ambiance.
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BY KRIS FERRAZZACorrespondent
WINTHROP — Keeping a
home warm is getting cleaner and
more convenient all the time, and
customers need not skimp on
ambiance or efficiency in the
process.
Kaplan Electric may be best
known for the teams of licensed
electricians who work out in the
field, but back at the home office
there is a showroom is filled with
a wide range of heating systems
designed to make staying warm
clean and easy.
Whether a homeowner wants to
heat with wood, gas or pellets, the
company’s new “Home and
Hearth” division has options rang-
ing from stoves and fireplaces to
inserts. Product lines include
Kozy Heat, Regency, Archgard,
Vistaflame and Supreme.
“Right now, gas is pretty popu-
lar because it’s clean and easy,”
said Kristen Frost, business man-
ager for the company. “It’s like
turning on your TV. You hit the
remote control and they light right
up.”
Even on the coldest mornings
last winter, Frost reported she
could count on the fireplaces and
other heating units in the show-
room to warm the place up in no
time.
“It’s clean, it’s pretty and it
heats up quick,” she said of the
new heating products. “They act
like a furnace” but without the
expense of oil or having to carry
wood or build a fire.
“There are lots of styles, and
even if you want to use them year-
round for ambiance, some of them
come with what is called a ‘dump’
so you can dump the heat,” she
said.
Many of the heating units do
not require electricity, so if the
power goes out, the units still
work. For those looking to avoid
loss of power entirely, Kaplan
Electric sells Kohler generators.
The standby units come on auto-
matically when the power goes
out, so the owner does not even
have to go out and get it started.
Fireplace inserts are heating
units that can be set into a tradi-
tional fireplace to provide the effi-
ciency of a wood stove without
the inefficiency of a fireplace.
With nearly 20 licensed electri-
cians on staff at any given time,
Kaplan Electric serves the region
and beyond, doing residential and
commercial projects. The contrac-
tors do new construction, remod-
els and service. In addition to
installing electrical service, they
also sell and install generators,
solar panels, lightning rods, fire-
places and stoves.
Purchasing Agent Dick Morin
is familiar with Efficiency Maine
programs and can assist customers
interested in filling out applica-
tions for rebates and other pro-
grams.
The company’s solar program is
put into practice right at Kaplan
Electric, where one building is
equipped with solar panels that
make the company electric meter
run backward as the system gener-
ates energy independently.
“It’s pretty fascinating,” Frost
said. “I notice it when the electric
bill comes in and there is a zero
balance on one of our energy
bills.”
She said that, in addition to
energy savings, using solar power
has other benefits.
“It’s an excellent way to use the
sun, it’s obviously green, and it’s
turned out to have entertainment
value,” she said, noting that
employees enjoy tracking how
many kilowatt hours the system is
generating and seeing the meter
run in reverse.
The business, owned by broth-
ers Dan and Steve Kaplan, has
teams of electricians on various
jobs all the time, offers emergency
service and does an equal amount
of electrical work on commercial
and residential jobs, she said.
“We have a really good crew,
with top-notch guys,” she said.
“We do a lot of cross training, so
we have a lot of informed people.”
The company also sells light-
ning rods. It installs them locally,
but more often on barns and build-
ings nearer the coast. Designed to
give lightning a direct line to the
ground, the rods protect property
and prevent injury, she said.
Located on U.S. Route 202,
Kaplan Electric also sells acces-
sories and supplies for the home
and hearth, including fireplace
tools, firewood storage racks, fire
starters, grills, fans, thermometers,
hearth rugs and chimneys.
For more information, call
Kaplan Electric at 377-3066 or
visit the Web site at www.kaplan-electric.com.
Wednesday, April 27, 201116 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Heating systems provide warmth and ambiance
Photos courtesy kaplanelectric.com
Kaplan Electric serves the regionand beyond. The contractors donew construction, remodels andservice. In addition to installingelectrical service, they also selland install generators, solar pan-els, lightning rods (photo above,)fireplaces and stoves. At left is afireplace insert which can be setinto a traditional fireplace.
14 Madison Ave. , Skowhegan Open: Tue. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
474-7352
WISH Offering you a fine selection of
home and garden decor
Hardware 125 Waterville Rd. Skowhegan, Maine
Tel: (207) 474-3449 Fax: (207) 474-0207
www.quinnhardware.com
Mon - Fri. 7:30 - 5:30 Sat. 8-5 - Sun. 9-3
GERALD MacKENZIE, INC. General Contractor
Paving • Sewer and Water Lines • Excavation • Backhoe Bulldozer • Frontend Loader • Sweeping • Grading • Demolition
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P.O. Box 220 • Waterville, ME 207-547-4787 207-873-7837
Dedicated To Safety And Quality for over 30 years!
563 Maine Avenue Farmingdale • 582-1900
“We Know Stuff” www.goslineshardware.com
We have 1375 square feet dedicated to paint and painting accessories!
BY WANDA CURTISCorrespondent
May is National Lyme Disease
Prevention Month. The disease is
named after Lyme, Connecticut,
where it was first diagnosed.
According to the web site for
Maine’s Center for Disease Control
and Prevention, a woman in that
small coastal town in Connecticut
notified Yale researchers in 1975
regarding a cluster of mostly pedi-
atric arthritis cases. That led to the
eventual discovery and naming of
the physical disorder now referred
to as Lyme disease.
According to the Center’s 2009
annual report, 970 probable and
confirmed cases of Lyme disease
were reported in Maine during
that year. Fifty-five percent of
those cases were reported among
males with a median age of 45
years. However, the ages ranged
from 1 to 94 years.
Lyme disease is one of several
diseases that may be transmitted
through the bite of an infected
deer tick.
One of the first manifestations
of the disease is often a bull’s-eye
rash at the site of the tick bite,
according to Maine’s Center for
Disease Control. That rash,
referred to as erythrema migrans,
reportedly shows up within 3 to
30 days in 70 to 80 percent of
people with Lyme disease. Fever,
headache, fatigue, and muscle and
joint pains are also common dur-
ing the first weeks of the disease.
When diagnosed early, Lyme
disease usually can be treated with
antibiotics. If left untreated, Lyme
disease can lead to arthritis, lym-
phocytic meningitis, Bell’s palsy,
cranial neuritis, encephalitis, and
atrioventricular heart block.
The disease has been reported
in every county in Maine, accord-
ing to the Maine CDC’s 2009
Lyme Disease Surveillance
Report. More than 55 percent of
the 2009 cases occurred in
Cumberland and York counties.
The majority of cases are report-
ed during the summer months
between May and August, however,
Lyme-infected ticks have been iden-
tified earlier than that.
Maine CDC officials make the
following recommendations for
the prevention of Lyme disease.
• Pregnant women should avoid
grassy and wooded areas that ticks
inhabit because Lyme disease can
cause serious complications dur-
ing pregnancy and can be trans-
mitted from a mother to her
unborn child.
• Dress in light-colored cloth-
ing so that ticks can be seen
more easily.
• Wear long pants and sleeves
when walking in woods, brush
or grassy areas. Tuck pant legs
into socks and tuck shirt into the
pants. Deer ticks attach them-
selves to clothing and then move
upward.
• Use a repellent containing
DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
following label directions. Avoid
high concentrations on the skin,
especially on children.
• Pretreat clothing with a perme-
thrin-containing product that repels
and kills ticks. Follow directions.
Don’t apply this to the skin.
• Ask a veterinarian about tick
repellents or Lyme vaccines for
dogs and other outdoor pets.
• Inspect oneself, the family,
clothing, and pets for ticks imme-
diately after leaving a wooded or
grassy area. Check body folds,
behind the ears and in the hair and
scalp.
• Shower, using a wash cloth, as
soon as possible. Heat drying
helps to kill ticks.
• Mow grass and cut back brush
frequently to prevent tick habitats
in the yard. Keep woodpiles in
sunny areas.
Remember, that just because a
person had Lyme Disease once,
does not mean he or she is
immune. They can get it again.
Remove ticks promptly and
carefully. The Lyme disease
spirochete bacteria are rarely
transmitted before the ticks have
been attached 36 hours. Don’t
handle ticks with bare hands.
Avoid crushing the tick on the
skin because its bodily fluids can
be harmful. Consult a physician
for instructions on how to safely
remove ticks.
Save the tick in 70 percent alco-
hol. Ticks can be mailed to the
Vector Borne Disease Lab at Maine
Medical Center for inspection.
Consult a physician if the tick
is engorged with blood or if a per-
son develops a rash, fever, muscle
or joint pains or other symptoms
of Lyme disease after being bitten
by a tick.
17| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Lyme disease reported in every Maine county
Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick.Consult a physician if the tick is engorged with blood or if a per-son develops a rash, fever, muscle orjoint pains.
• Grab the tick as close to its mouth(the part that is stuck in the skin) aspossible. The body of the tick will beabove the skin.
• Do not grab the tick around its bloat-ed belly. It might push infected fluidfrom the tick into the body if a person squeezes it.
• Pull the tick straight out until its mouth lets go of the skin. Donot twist or "unscrew" the tick. This may separate the head fromthe body.
— Courtesy WebMD.com
TICK REMOVAL
Deer ticks are one of two types of ticks in the United States that carry Lyme disease bacteria. One of thefirst manifestations of the disease is often a bull’s-eye rash at the site of the tick bite, as shown on right.
BY NANCY GALLAGHERCorrespondent
Spring is finally here and
many people are looking around
the house, thinking how tired it
looks. If they are ready to perk
up the nest without breaking the
bank they can consider David
Mathieu Company.
No, really. If, when the name
David Mathieu Company comes
up and it brings up thoughts of
vehicle collision repair, it’s time
to broaden one’s thinking —
vastly.
In their 83 years in business
they’ve painted a lot of items
other than cars and trucks. In the
1940s, founder David Mathieu
painted Army helmets as part of
a government work project.
They have painted airplanes,
motorcycles and boats. But more
to the point, they also paint
household furniture and fixtures.
“We’ve got a facility (in
which) to paint, so we can paint
in a safe environment,” says
third-generation owner Jim
Mathieu.
Just pick a room in the house
and they can probably help add a
wow factor with paint while
extending the useful life of a
wide range of pieces.
How about the kitchen? If
there is a dated refrigerator or
dishwasher color silently beg-
ging for an update, David
Mathieu Company can do it.
Cabinets looking a bit tired?
Don’t even think of doing them
yourself. Painting cabinet doors
and even cabinet bases can rede-
fine your kitchen.
If a claw foot tub has seen its
better days, one can restore its
original elegance or give it a
21st century twist with new
paint. The company will sand-
blast off the rust and old paint,
epoxy prime it and apply the
color of a customer’s choice.
Even bath fixtures can be paint-
ed to create a historical match.
After the paint is applied, they
will keep the item for the three-
day period during which 90 per-
cent of curing occurs.
If a person finds a vintage
iron bedstead that would be per-
fect for the guest room, it can be
aged stylishly with new paint.
Even wooden toys can be
refinished. David Mathieu
Company paints a wide variety
of surface materials, including
plastic, metal, and fiberglass.
Outdoors, a homeowner may
want to examine fiberglass or
metal exterior doors, too. A
refinish by David Mathieu
Company can create a new first
impression. A person also may
want to consider extending the
impact with repainted aluminum
or vinyl shutters.
Looking out into the yard, the
homeowner may find that the
metal lawn furniture needs some
jazzing up. Mathieu’s can give it
a new lease on life. They can
even paint the wicker furniture.
A peek into the storage shed
may make a person think about
painting the lawn tractor.
All paint is lead-free industrial
or automotive paint, according to
the people at Mathieu’s. It is
waterborne paint, as opposed to
oil-based paint, as a further nod
to respecting the environment.
No special care or treatment is
necessary after the item has been
retrieved. Call for an appoint-
ment for more information or to
schedule painting. Pickup and
delivery is available. A delivery
charge may apply for heavy
items, such as bathtubs.
David Mathieu Co. Inc. is
located at 6 Allen Street,
Waterville, Maine 04903.
Telephone: (207) 872-5518. Fax:
(207) 873-0880. Website:
www.DavidMathieuCompany.com.Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Wednesday, April 27, 201118 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Paint can add pop to spring decoratingJust pick a room in the house and they canprobably help add a wow factor with paintwhile extending the useful life of a widerange of pieces.
Contributed photo
A stately bronze finish applied to this faucet coordinates with the periodlook of a clawfoot tub.
Landscape Supply Center Augusta Road, Winslow • 873-1621 873-1621
• Bark Mulch • Pavers • Granite • Loam • Natural Stone • Trees • Crushed Stone • Slate • Grass Seed
• Retaining Wall Blocks
Landscaping Needs For The Homeowner Do-It-Yourselfer Pick up or Delivery Available
www.mackenzielandscaping.com
19 North St., Waterville 872-6762
www.houlesphac.com
Y O U R K I T C H E N & B AT H R O O M
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19| Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special SupplementWednesday, April 27, 2011 SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT
Call Randy Dutremble at the Morning Sentinel (861-9203)
or Matt Sargent at the Kennebec Journal (861-9293)
to include your business in this promotion.
Windows and doors, cabinets and fixtures, paint and wallpaper... whatever your home improvement plans, you’ll find everything
you need at reasonable prices at these businesses. Stop in today! McKenney Tree
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133 Mount Vernon Ave., Augusta
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338-5160
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JASON BROTHERS PAINTING CO.
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Jeff 453-8038 Brad II 872-5856
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from
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Rocky’s Rocky’s STOVE SHOPPE
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823 Church Hill Rd., Augusta
Call 1-800-464-3039 www.all-season.com
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Brad Hendrickson General Contractor
Residential - Commercial Custom Homes and
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153 Smith Rd., Farmingdale 623-2093
Featuring:
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North Belfast Ave. Augusta
622-5025
22 Pushard Lane Gardiner
582-7500
BOB’S CASH FUEL
To Heat or Cool and Propane too, Call...
MADISON
24-Hour Service 696-3040
Premiere Dealer
“Our family serving yours for over 74 years.
• Oil Heat • A/C Service • Diesel Delivery
Furnace Cleaning Sales and Service 24 Hour Service
Bolsters Rubbish
& Recycling A weekly or at-your-needs service
Residential and Commercial Services Containers Available
P.O. Box 6 Burnham, Maine 04922
487-5048
We do more than just mow your lawn!
• Rototilling • Bushhogging • Backhoe Work • Fence Installation • Loam/Mulch • Crushed Stone • Snowplowing • Sanding • Fully Insured
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49 Hinkley Rd. West Gardiner
www.furlongslawncare.com
Residential and Commerical Lawn Care
CANTY Construction
189 Indiana Road, West Gardiner, ME 04345-3358
Septic Systems • Excavation Site Work• Gravel • Fill • Loam
Residential – Commercial 582-1687 • Fax: 582-4356
Since 1973
Member Better Business Bureau
• Granite Pavers • Wall Blocks • Stone • Bark Mulch • Loam • Compost • Trees
• Shrubs • Gravel • Stone Engraving
Augusta Rd. Winslow
873-1621
Augusta Rd. Winslow
873-1621
Route 3 Vassalboro 445-5552
Route 3 Vassalboro 445-5552
www.mackenzielandscaping.com
Wednesday, April 27, 201120 Kennebec Journal | Morning Sentinel | Special Supplement | SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT