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MASTERING THE HOUSE useful tips for homeowners
Good Water
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Tim Paino Owner/Inspector Heartland HouseMaster
The water supply to many homes in rural areas throughout the county comes from private wells. There are a few simple maintenance tasks those on private wells need to do to help insure a good supply of safe water.
First, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Health both recommend an annual water test. You should have the water tested for coliform bacteria, nitrates, nitrites, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If your home still has lead pipes in the supply system, it should also be tested for lead. You can collect the water samples yourself and take them to a nearby lab, but they need to be collected in the proper bottles in the proper manner. I suggest visiting a lab for instruction and they typically will provide you with the proper bottles. Delta Water Management Group in Brownsburg and ESG Laboratories near the Indianapolis airport both provide excellent service.
Many of the harmful elements that appear in our water are odorless and tasteless and we are unaware of potential harmful levels. Pregnant women and young children are especially vulnerable to harm from some of these elements. Sometimes the residents of the home become immune to a bacteria’s harm and it is a guest or new homeowner that can feel the affect.
Second, protect the well head. The top of the well casing should extend at least a foot above ground level. This is to prevent surface water from being able to run down the inside of the casing and pollute the aquafer. The cap needs to completely cover the casing and be securely fastened.
Third, we never want anything harmful on the surface to work its way into our drinking water. Make sure surface water runs away from the well location and nothing dangerous is being dumped in the area.
Fourth, confirm good water flow and pressure at all the faucets. If a faucet has a screen, remove it and rinse off any debris that may have been caught. Make sure your shower heads have not clogged with minerals. Next check the pressure tank. Typically, there will be a pressure gauge you can check to confirm your pressure is between 40 to 60 psi. While you are next to pressure tank (typically blue steel), tap on the top half with something metal and see if it rings. The bottom half should be full of water with a rubber bladder separating the top half that has air inside. If it has a solid sound all the way up the tank, the bladder has split and will cause your pump to be overworked. Time to call the professional.
Lastly, check any filtration system you may have. Depending on the quality of the water coming from your well, you may have a single inline filter or a complex system of filters and purifiers to provide you with a quality glass of water. Most of these systems require periodic maintenance to continue functioning as designed. Know your system and follow the owner’s manual.
Water is essential for life, make it good water.
5 Things Dogs Need to be Happy
Megan Bonifacius Certified Canine Training Specialist APDT Member Owner of Ruff Lyfe
Mental Stimulation
There are so many dog products and opportunities out there. How do you decide what your dog actually needs to be happy? There are five things: good health, physical exercise, mental stimulation, a regular routine, and clear communication.
Mental simulation is the number one thing that I, as a dog trainer, see owners forgetting about the most often. Dogs were bred to do so many amazing things! Over the years they have helped us hunt, guarded our flocks, herded our livestock, gave us medical alerts about ourselves, guided the blind, protected our homes, pulled us by sled, retrieved fishing nets for fishermen, and so much more!
Having a dog in the home has become more and more popular over the years. We love breeds that can do amazing work, but we bring them into our homes without a job to do. This is when you start to see hyperactivity, excessive barking, destructive behaviors, digging holes in the yard, stealing items, jumping fences, and more.
How can you mentally stimulate your dog if you cannot give them the job their breed was created to do? Training is an awesome way to get your dog’s brain working! If you are too busy to work in a training session that day maybe you should consider taking your dog to a daycare. Doggy Daycare can offer lots of new scents to smell and plenty of time to run around and socialize!
Another way you can mentally stimulate your dog is by making meal time a game! You can purchase puzzle toys that hide your dog’s meals. You can research puzzle toys that you can make yourself at home. Ditch the bowl and make your dog problem solve to earn their dinner! You will be happy you did when your dog becomes more calm after they work out their brain.
Don Marquis
A Note From Bee
In the past we could only communicate in person, by telephone or letter. We can still communicate in these ways. However add to that texting, e-mail, snap chatting, or skyping, zoom, etc. Young people can do all these things . My husband and I only know how to text and e-mail.
The other day I texted my 20-year-old grandson and asked him if he liked the smoothie I had made only for him. It was a small gesture to show I loved him. I had given it to his mother to give to him.
When he didn’t answer I texted him again and reprimanded him for not answering. This was not the first time he had not answered my text. He did finally answer and said he never reads texts. He also told his mother about me reprimanding him. She in turn gently reprimanded me and said he was using snap chat to communicate. She could not tell me how to communicate with him.
I think it is important that we keep in touch with grandchildren but primarily we have to initiate the communication. So what is the answer?
Bee Jones
P.S. I really enjoy Noel Gatlin’s stories. I wish he would write the rest of the story about meeting the young redheaded lady in the diner.
The Case Against Cannabis Use
Written by Chase Cotten, Executive Director at The Willow Center
“I got my peaches out in Georgia…I get my weed from California,” sings pop megastar Justin Bieber on his most recent hit song, playing on every radio station in the country.
Cannabis and its derivatives are known by many different names: “Marijuana”, “Weed”, “Hash”, “Ganja”, “Grass”, “Broccoli”, “Mary Jane / MJ”, “Wax”, “Dab”, “Shatter”, “Bud”…the list goes on. Whether it’s being preached about in the Senate by legalize-it-advocates, being sung about by Dave Matthews, or being chuckled about in the Cheech and Chong movies, the normalization of cannabis use and its unusually fervent culture of promoters is nothing new.
Since as far back as the 1920s, it has been a hot topic of conversation, celebration (for some), and debate. Both sides of the debate have surprisingly ample amounts of scientific research to support their views on the matter, which complicates the decision the reader must make on how to feel about it.
Often, the reader will hear positive messages from certain celebrities and/or media outlets about research that supports cannabis for medicinal use to treat anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Recently, folks involved in the “California Sober” movement have even begun advocating for cannabis as a replacement substance to use instead of “harder” substances such as opioids like pain pills and heroin.
The Willow Center cannot refute some of the research that supports cannabis use to temporarily treat anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. And of course, cannabis indeed has less severe immediate effects on a person than substances such as pain pills and heroin. However, many celebrities and/or media outlets are not sharing (nor are they paying any attention to) the entire other body of research that suggests cannabis use may do more harm to us than good.
To start with, the cannabis being grown, manufactured, and used today is approximately 8% more potent than its originator plants in the 1990s according to a research study in 2016 supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the Department of Health and Human Services (Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Ph.D. et. Al.). Higher potency is based upon a higher-level of THC found in the product, the psychoactive ingredient of cannabis.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, 18-25 year-olds are the largest demographic currently using cannabis, many of them on a daily basis. Approximately 1 in 10 folks who start using cannabis regularly will become addicted to it, contrary to popular belief. The addictiveness increases to 1 in 6 individuals if use starts before the age of 18. Cannabis is typically smoked, however edibles and vaped THC are growing in popularity.
ASK MR. TRAFFIC
By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/ Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com
Rate the Driver in Front of You How Many Stars? Any Comments?
Take your dad for a drive and ask him to provide tips on how to drive better and where to turn. Ask him to rate your driving. Dads love to do this.
Feedback is an effective way to improve something. Want to make something better? Track it. Rate it. How many stars? This works for me but what about all those other cars?
Unfortunately, the general nature of driving makes this kind of feedback impossible. There’s no way to rate nearby “anonymous” drivers. Uber has a system. At the end of each trip, you are able to rate your driver from 1 to 5 stars. Driving with your mother-in-law provides similar information.
Granted, the diagnostics port on many vehicles provides some interesting data including speed, unusual acceleration, and unusual braking. Newer vehicles provide this data (and much more) to their manufacturer about every three seconds. But still, this information is limited to your vehicle — not the car in front of you or the car behind you (or the car in front of the car behind you). How can we provide feedback to the cars around us?
In 2008, a website called Platewire.com was created to provide a means for rating nearby vehicles. According to their website, “PlateWire is a public repository and electronic forum of drivers by drivers. Using a drivers license plate, commuters can communicate their thoughts and feelings in regards to driving on today’s roadways.”
Although feedback ratings sounded like a good way to improve something, recording license plates and entering information on a website was too cumbersome.
It’s only a matter of time before there’s an iPhone app allowing instant tagging and vehicle rating. And a smart windshield would, of course, display this information for each vehicle. Threshold alerts could be programmed for “problem vehicles.” My advice? Get in the habit (now) of borrowing someone else’s vehicle whenever possible…
A Squirrel About Town
By Archy
I decided to enjoy a little of the nice early Saturday morning weather on the bench just outside The Republican office. That’s where I found Archy.
“Nice view from this side,” he started. “ I don’t get over here as often as I should. Traffic, you know.” I sat down beside him. “The morning light is flattering to the court house, don’t you think? Of course, moonlight brings out its romantic side.”
I had to agree. Traffic was sparse as we watched the vendors at the Farmers Market setting up their tents.
“Nice to have them on this side of the square,” the squirrel said. “After all, this is where the first market was in the 1840’s.” He summoned his ancestral memory. “There was an open frame building called ‘Market House’ on the southeast corner of the court house yard. The court house bell would ring to let the people know the market was open.”
“We don’t hear bells much these days,” I said. “The bell that sounded for the court house clock sits on the ground instead of the roof. The Christian Church got rid of its bell when they build a church without a steeple. The Unitarian Universalists still ring their bell on Sunday, but they haven’t had services in the building since the start of the pandemic.”
“It’s a shame,” Archy said in agreement. “So many forgotten sounds. The blacksmiths pounding on their anvils. The whistle at the light plant. The fire siren that would tell you what part of town the alarm was for - 1 blast for the southwest, 2 blasts for the southeast, 3 blasts for the northeast, and 4 blasts for the northwest. Primitive communication, but it worked.”
A bird was perched on the blade sign next door, chirping. I asked Archy if he knew what it was saying.
“Bird language is difficult,” he said, holding back a giggle. “Like Mandarin, much depends on intonation. I can only manage a conversation in pidgin.”
“Very punny,” I said as the squirrel began to roll in laughter.
Mark Twain
Queen of the Climbers: The Clematis Vine
By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener
Every garden should have at least one clematis.
The vines bloom with lots flowers in different flower forms, colors and a wide range of heights. Later, they have attractive fuzzy seed heads.
Use clematis to grow up pergola or arbors or fences or just trail over the ground. Choose from a 3-foot-long beauty to 20 ft long fall blooming autumn clematis! There are lots of choices. Flowering times can be late spring, summer or fall. Also, there are re-blooming types that flower both early and late in the season.
Clematis are long-lived; they don’t like to be moved. The ideal location will have well drained soil that’s rich and loamy.
Plant the crown of plant 6 inches deep, spreading the long roots down, cover and water well.
I make sure clematis receive enough water all year; after all the plant is up in sun and wind. I give them some water solviable fertilizer for first 2 months, too. It takes the plant the first year to get established, so has fewer blooms. I add a little lime to soil. Make sure you keep their feet cool-- mulch works.
Clematis vines can break very easily. Older stems look woody but will crack if they’re bent. Young stems appear to be supple but are brittle. Use care when you tie up new vines. Begin tying weekly as the new growth starts.
Clematis come in a variey of colors, from rich burgundy to deep purple and light pink.
The Autumn Joy clematis has fragrant tiny white flowers and blooms in late summer and early fall. The plant produces a prolific amount of seeds and seedlings and can easily and quickly spread.
Clematis need to be pruned in spring to prevent them from becoming a tangled mass of stems. Group #1 the early-flowering and evergreen clematises-- Group #2: early and mid-season large-flowering, double and semi-double clematis--Group #3: Late large-flowering, late flowering species, and viticella clematise. All require different types of purning. Go to: Pruning Clematis- FineGardening https:// wwww.finegardening.com for detailed instructions.
I have several clematis. For fun, I put three different colored vines on one support for a very attractive look.
Got Questions? Call The Home-Landscaping-Garden Help Line and Master Gardeners will answer your questions every Tuesday. May 18 to Sept 28. Hours 9:00-Noon and 1-4:00pm call 317-745-9260 (Hendricks County Extension)
Exploring Hendricks County
By Jackie Horn
Now that John and I have bikes, we’ve been riding the local trails. Having walked a couple of miles of the B&O Trail in Brownsburg, we were excited to check out the remaining four miles. While totally doable in one trip, it’s taken us three excursions, but we’ve finally completed the entire Hendricks County section of the B&O Trail.
Work on the B&O Trail began in late 1993 as a dream to connect Montezuma in Parke County with Indianapolis in Marion County passing through Putnam and Hendricks Counties along 65 miles of abandoned railroad bed. To date, only 6.25 miles of paved path have been completed. BOTA (B & O Trail Association) currently owns 19 miles and with recent grants plans to continue extending the trail.
For the first leg, John and I started at the parking lot at the intersection of SR 267 (also known as Avon Avenue and Green Street) and the B&O Trail in Brownsburg. Heading east we rode the corridor lined by shrubs, trees, and wildflowers. We traveled through residential and industrial areas, crossing farm fields and a creek. Between mile markers 137 and 136, the B&O intersects the north leg of the Bicentennial Trail, circles a roundabout, ducks through tunnels under Northfield Drive and CR 300 North before intersecting the Bicentennial south branch. Our time was limited and it was a bit windy this day so we stopped at the junction of the B&O Trail and CR 900 East. Turning around we returned to our vehicle.
Our second ride covered the western leg. We started at the gravel parking lot off of CR 500 East and headed east. Bushes and trees shaded the path as we breezed by walkers and joggers. A quick stop at the CR 575 East crossing and we were off again. The trail traffic got a little heavier on this section as we met other cyclists and zigzagged around moms with strollers and dog walkers. We crossed the bridge over White Lick Creek and continued to the trailhead parking lot at SR 267. Turning around, we headed back west toward our vehicle. The paved path currently ends at the parking lot but the B&O Trail continues as a gravel and rock path. Walkers would have no problem continuing but on a bike, it was too bumpy for me! This day we met Hall Virgil of Brownsburg and Steve Moore, Danville, hard at work clearing downed trees from the undeveloped western section of the trail. It was Hall who suggested we check out the far eastern section of the B&O, paying special attention to the murals in the tunnel under Ronald Reagan Expressway.
To see this final segment of the B&O, John and I parked on Northern Dancer Drive in the rear of Wynbrooke Addition off of East CR 200 North. A large sign marks the access point to the B&O Trail. Not sure which way to go, we turned right and headed east. Less than a mile later, we arrived at Raceway Road, the eastern terminus... for now. The recent announcement of NEXTLevel Trail Grant includes funding to extend the B&O eastward to Speedway in Marion County and eventually all the way to Indianapolis.
Turning around, we headed west. Passing our access point, stopping for vehicle traffic at CR 1000 East, and just after mile marker 135, we reached our destination. The tunnel under Ronald Reagan Expressway is truly worth the ride.
The Ronald Reagan underpass built by Hendricks County was a magnet for graffiti. The call went out to transform the tunnel into an art gallery. Interested mural artists were required to submit their designs for review and approval by a selection committee. The final artists included students from Kingsway Christian and Tri-West High Schools, an art teacher, two prisoners on an early release program, and a couple of professional artists. A grant was obtained to seal and protect the final product from further vandalism.
After admiring the murals, taking some pictures, and enjoying the park-like rest stop, we returned to Wynbrooke and our van.
The B&O Trail is open to walkers as well as cyclists. Depending on your starting point, the walk is between two and 10 miles round trip. Don’t let the lack of wheels stop you from experiencing this amazing and inspiring artwork.
If you’re interested in learning more about upcoming events or supporting the efforts of the trail association, check out their website at: botrail.org.
Our Readers Write
Dear Editor,
I would like to present a point of contention abou the article on April 29, 2021 concerning “We Need to Do More...Thoughts and Prayers Are Not Enough,” I believe that prayer is vital; thoughts and feeling may not be helpful to “get things done.” But God tells us to pray. Philppians 4:6 “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation prayer, petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests ot God.” There any many plaes in the Bible that commands us to pray! But for someone to say, “Prayers arae not enough” is an insult to our Powerful, Awesome, Caring, Mericiful Gracious God. Yes, I agree more needs to be done for mental health. But, please, do not exempt prayer, especially May, the Month of Prayer in U.S.A. But now I know I know who re need to pray for in this national crisis. Maybe thankfulness has been forgotten in this nation.
Sincerely I thank you for the privilege to speak my mide and heart.
Teresa Coverdale
