Homeandgarden2012

Fall Home

and

Garden

Thursday, September 27, 2012

AUTUMN ADVICE How to fix up, enjoy your fall Help those trees page 3

DRY SUMMER SAPS TREES

Burning leaves page 4 Ants coming home page 8 The perfect shop page 13 Roof repairs page 13 Leelanau skylight page 16 Watermelon giant pages 18-19 To pave or gravel? page 22

ARBORIST BO Burke is keeping an eye on a 60-yearold birch tree that is located behind Benjamin Maier Ceramics in Leland. Neardrought conditions over the summer have weakened trees in Leelanau County.

He’ll be pruning the tree, which is suffering from dieback, once cooler weather sets in. More on the severity of tree problems, and what you can do to keep your favorite trees alive, can be found on Page 3.

FA L L H E L P I S A P H O N E C A L L AWAY Alarm Systems Radio Shack 271-2755 ................................... 20 Barbecues & Smokers Larry’s Pool & Spa 946-5530............................8 Builders Harbor Construction 620-3377 ....................... 20 Portland Building 325-0330 ..............................8 Canvas Grand Traverse Canvas Works 947-3140...... 15 Excavating Products & Services Kasson Sand & Gravel 228-5455.....................3 Lake Leelanau Excavating 256-9019 ...............9 Fireplaces Fergusons 946-2440....................................... 24 Flooring Stone Mountain Carpet Mills 800-786-6333 .. 18 Floor Surfaces & Maintenance Edgewater Concrete Solutions 944-6804 ........9 United Coatings 342-8445 .............................. 21

Furniture & Furnishings Edward’s Home Furnishings 271-6600 .......... 16 Golden Fowler 946-7330 ................................ 14

Lawn Care & Maintenance Fredrickson Service 386-7059........................ 10 Whiteford Lawn Maintenance 271-3430 ........ 19

Garage Doors Overhead Doors of GT 947-3470 ................... 17

Logging LaCross Horse Logging 228-4300 ...................6

Garden Centers Plantmasters 271-4769................................... 22

Mason Contractors Connor Land & Stone 715-6630 ......................6

Hardware / Building Supplies Cedar Hardware 228-5417 ...............................4 Honor Onekama Frankfort Bldg. 325-4551 ......9 Maxbauer Ace Hardware 946-2140 ............... 18 Northport Building Supply 386-5231 .............. 12 Northwoods Hardware 334-3000 ................... 17

Mortgage Lenders mBank / Dan Stoudt, Jr. 941-6310 ................. 23

Home Staging Staged to Sell / Staged to Live 334-4885 ........6 Insurance Agencies Bonek Agency 271-3623 ................................ 22 Larkin Group 256-2523 ................................... 18 Landscaping Contractors Bob Jones Landscape 334-4300......................4 Wilhelm Landscapes 944-9661 ...................... 23 Zimmerman Landscaping 947-1170 ............... 21

Oil & Propane Bayshore Oil 386-7181 .....................................2 Outdoor Power Equipment Plantmasters 271-4769................................... 19 Painting Contractors Fortified Coatings 715-9597 .............................5 Green Earth Painting 342-8445...................... 21 Patios & Stone Work Peninsula Pavers 929-8075 ........................... 17 Paving & Asphalt Maintenance Great Lakes Striping 946-8269....................... 10 Ron Brown & Sons 800-968-2275 ................. 15

Pizza & Food Riverfront Pizza 334-3876 .............................. 21 Screens & Storm Windows / Doors John DeWeese Co. 263-3850 ........................ 21 Tile & Surfaces Stratus Marble & Granite 929-2848................ 19 TileCraft, Inc. 929-7207 ....................................9 Trash Removal Kalchik Disposal 271-3367 ...............................8 Trees, Sales & Service Carlson Tree Service 421-1885...................... 22 Deering Tree Service 228-8733 ......................11 Leelanau Conservation District 256-9783 ........4 Windows, Sales & Service Advanced Window 935-3700............................7 Window World 947-9488 ..................................6 Window Treatments Busters Blinds 271-4740................................. 23 Custom Draperies by Patrice 995-0536 ...........4 Trend Window 941-1241 .................................11

Page 2, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT WINTER!

We are a local company serving only Leelanau County for over 20 years!

PROPANE, FURNACE OIL, DIESELS & GASOLINE FOR HOMES, FARMS AND BUSINESSES

➠

Locked in Winter Price for Propane $ 1.90 per gallon

➠

(Begins Oct. 1, 2012)

➟ NO Fees to lock-in ➟ NO Fuel surcharge ➟ NO Hazardous materials hauling fee ➟ NO Hazardous compliance fees 12 Month Budget Plan ◆ Pre-Pay Plan ◆ Multiple Payment Options

CALL NOW 231-386-7181 PO. BOX 284, 5599 N. West Bay Shore Omena MI 49674

9-27-12ff

Customer Service and Satisfaction is a Priority

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 3

NICK CARLSON, owner of Carlson Tree Service in Lake Leelanau, takes down a tree in Traverse City.

It’s been a hard year for trees and extreme environmental stress has a lot of them sick, said Nick Carlson, owner of Carlson Tree Service in Lake Leelanau.

“A lot of it is due to rainfall,” Carlson said.

“Hard maple trees are having a particularly hard time with the low rainfall.”

Leelanau County saw less than an inch of rain in August, a month that usually gets more than three inches. And maple trees have an immediate reaction to the lack of water, Carlson said. That’s because the tree doesn’t have a taproot, like an oak tree, so it doesn’t feed as deep. This year soil levels are dry down to four or five feet, he said.

“If a tree doesn’t have that ability to tap into the deeper soils they’re really getting nothing as far as water,” said Carlson, who has been in business for about six Drought stress years.

Stress condieven hits trees tions go across the spectrum of tree along lakes size and, to some extent, location, with low according to Josh water tables Deering of Deering Tree Service. For instance, some small trees can be just fine because they entered dry times healthy and with enough strength to prevail. Some larger trees, however, may have been weakened by disease or other factors, and are now in trouble.

You’d think trees growing over high water tables would be in better shape, but not so, Deering said. Those trees never had to sink deep roots in search of a reliable supply of water. In fact, most tree root systems never go deeper than 8 inches.

Trees around lakes with low water levels are vulnerable, and may be stressed. “I see stressed trees along those lakes the most, because their water source has changed drastically,” said Deering.

Also adding to the poor condition of trees is the fact that many of them leafed out early in the spring due to the unusually early warm-up and are now completely defoliated, Carlson said.

One way to tell if a tree is stressed is to look up at the canopy. If it is yellowing the tree may need some help, Carlson said. Another sign of a tree not getting enough water is that the leaves will dry out and wilt, said Bo Burke, an arborist.

“The tree kind of goes through a wilting period,” said Burke, of Maple City.

But a tree can be incredibly resiliant, Carlson said. They can go through a drought, experience dieback — or the progressive death of twigs and branches that usually starts at the tips — and then rebound.

And urban trees in general go through more stress than trees in the forest, he said. They can be damaged by any number of things, including road salt, competition from other plants such as shrubs, or soil compaction caused by landscaping activities, which removes air spaces in the soil and makes it difficult for the tree to get water.

A tree’s first two years are critical to its health,

Burke said.

How much water is needed to nurse a tree back to health depends on the species, said Burke, who is currently doctoring a 145-year-old oak tree that is dying due to compaction of the sandy soil around its roots. The tree’s owner is soaking its root base with hundreds of gallons of water.

“I kind of have the philosophy that when you have a tree that’s stressed out you take it day by day,” Burke said. “It’s a process of elimination and you have to be a detective. There are thousands upon thousands of things that can go wrong with trees.”

Maples can also be affected by tarspot, a fungus that shows up in black spots on leaves and is almost impossible to get rid of. But tarspot won’t kill a tree and the tree does not have to be taken down, as long as the homeowner can live with the unattractive spots. Raking up leaves in the fall and destroying them will prevent its spread to other maples.

Carlson said the people of Leelanau County are blessed with the diversity of trees in the area.

But that can mean a variety of conditions, too, as well as predators. Affected trees species go beyond the well-publicized damage caused by an imported Both ornamental and forest oak trees may be susceptible to oak wilt, a fungal disease. The fungus plugs the water-conducting system of the oak, with the tree responding by producing resins to block the spread of the fungus, which further plug the system and cause the tree to quickly die. Oak wilt, which is easier to prevent than to cure, can be spread by insects, birds and squirrels, but also by people who work around trees and may be unfamiliar with it, such as woodcutters and road crews.

“Mainly it is a threat when a tree has been opened up,” Carlson said.

That’s why it is very important for people to wait until there have been a number of hard frosts — which kill the fungus — before pruning or trimming their oaks. The fungus should be dead by late October, but with the seasons changing people should customize when they trim from year to year and not just assume that they can do it the same time as they did last year.

“Who would have thought we would have 70 degree weather in March,” he said.

Deering is seeing more damage caused by the pine bark beetle, which is similar to emerald ash borer. The pine back beetle attacks stressed red and white pine, and has found plenty of opportunity after the dry summer.

“With the drought stress, we’re seeing a lot more of that beetle than we did in the past,” said Deering.

He said many homeowners call on his company for bi-annual fertilizer applications to trees and general inspections. “It’s real important that people take care of them, because I’m not seeing near the stress on those trees we do care for,” said Deering.

It’s generally better to do any substantial pruning in the dormant season when trees are not sucking as much food from the ground and have less chance to get stressed, Carlson continued.

Dryness hurt more than crops; trees enter winter ‘stressed out’

Stone, Lime And Sand We supply Crushed Stone, Washed Stone, Road Gravel, Washed Sand, Agricultural Lime, and Rip Rap, to the Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse Area. We also deliver for small projects.

10282 S. Pierce Rd., Maple City, MI 49664

231-228-5455

✂ Name Address City/State/Zip Email

Subscription Rates:

■ New ■ Renewal

$30.00 IN Leelanau County $42.00 Benzie/Grand Traverse counties $48.00 ALL OTHER PLACES $30.00 ON LINE only ($10.00 Active Servicemen) Mail or deliver payment to: Leelanau Enterprise 7200 E. Duck Lake Rd. • Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

(Concluded on Page 4)

Disease, insects see opportunity

Call (231) 256-9827 for Visa, Mastercard or Discover payment.

www. l eel a na unews . co m

9-27-12ff

By Patti Brandt of the Enterprise staff

Page 4, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Ash trees can be treated, saved But act quickly, as borer is taking them out Dryness hurt more than crops Homeowners with questions about their trees can go to the MSU Extension office located in the county government center on M-204 in Suttons Bay. A homeowner can send in leaf samples and get a diagnosis. Carlson also chemicals on the ground at the base of the tree and giving it a root soak.

“If you catch it at the right time, if you catch it early, you can do it,” Carlson said.

But the treatment is expensive. The chemicals also cannot be purchased over-the-counter and will need to be applied by someone with a pesticide application license.

Josh Deering of Deering Tree Service concurred. The injectable insecticide goes into the tree, and is good for two years. He suggests providing a good dose of fertilizer in the spring and fall to keep the tree healthy enough to fight off disease.

“If people want ash trees and they want to save

recommends sending in a soil sample and getting a composition test before planting a tree.

The test can identify whether the soil is lacking any nutrient.

“Those types of tests are made easy by the extension agent,” Carlson said. “People should know about them and use them.” them, they need to treat them or sooner or later they will fall victim to it. It’s very similar to dutch elm disease in the 70’s and 80’s,” said Deering.

Ash trees — and all trees, for that matter — in yards should also be safety inspected heading into winter, he added. Leelanau County was hit with up to 30 inches of wet snow in late winter, serving to break and crack limbs. Some damage may have been hidden or difficult to detect with an untrained eye.

Landscape Contractor

SUBSCRIBE

To burn or not to burn. That is the question.

In past years, the smell of burning leaves went hand-in-hand with a change in seasons. However, the practice is carried out much less frequently as Leelanau residents looking for “greener” ways to dispose of final curtain Suttons Bay nature’s call for the growing Village and season.

Open burning is Traverse allowed in two of the county’s three incorpoCity are rated villages — Empire and Northport. the only The burning of leaves is exceptions not permitted in the Village of Suttons Bay. In August 2003, the Suttons Bay Village Council voted to adopt ordinance No. 68, which allows outside fires — campfires, for instance — over a short duration in a safe manner.

But the village does provide leaf pick-up at designated times in the fall.

Outside burning is allowed in Suttons Bay as long as it does not: • Cause a general safety hazard; • Endanger any overhead obstructions; • Emit objectionable emissions causing pollution or noxious odors.

The Village of Empire has a burn ordinance, adopted in 1995, that’s confusing. Section II indicates that it will be “unlawful” to burn any “waste materials, refuse, leaves, paper or other combustible debris within the village unless done in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance.” However, the same ordinance allows

the burning of leaves under certain conditions.

They are that the fire must: • Be constantly supervised by someone 18 or older; • Not be considered a “nuisance” by others; • Be done between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; • Be no closer than 20 feet from a property line, building or street; • Be done with a permit issued by the fire chief or his designee (the DNR).

Campfires are allowed. And the burning of paper, in a state-approved burn barrel is allowed Wednesdays and Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Village of Northport allows burning within its limits provided a permit is issued through Leelanau Township fire chief Hugh Cook or township staff.

“I always take into consideration which direction the wind will be blowing before I approve a permit,” Cook said, adding that some residents complain about the smoke from burning leaves.

Permits are available by calling 386-5343.

Burning is prohibited in the City of Traverse City, which includes a portion of Greilickville in Elmwood Township.

The state Department of Natural Resources issues permits for all townships other than Leelanau. This can be done online at www.dnr. state.mi.us/BurnPermits.

While burning is allowed, the Environmental Protection Agency encourages other methods of disposal.

The open burning of leaves produces very small particles that contains toxic and irritating smoke which is harmful to those with pulmonary diseases like asthma, according to an EPA statement.

®

Make your home safer for children and pets with the innovative beauty of Silhouette® shadings with the Signature S-Vane.™ To learn more about Silhouette® with the LiteRise® lifting system, call or stop by today.

We are a full service drapery workroom serving the area since 1999. We offer a complete shop at home experience for blinds, windows treatments, bedding, fabric, trim, and drapery hardware.

Leaf burning still OK in most of Leelanau Co.

By Amy Hubbell of the Enterprise staff

Silhouette Window Shadings.

Now with Cordless Operation.

256.9827

Custom Draperies

by Patrice

231-995-0536 Call today for a free in-home consultation.

Let us dress your windows!

Leelanau County-$30 • Grand Traverse/Benzie-$42 Outside Leelanau-$48

© 2012 Hunter Douglas. ® and ™ are trademarks of Hunter Douglas.

9-27-12ff

Continued from Page 3

© 2012 Hunter Douglas ® and ™ are trademarks of Hunter Douglas

Pines Spruces Firs Cedars Beachgrass

L eelanau Conserva tion Dis trict

F all Tree Sale Seedlings and Transplants shipped to you when and where you want them, now thru Nov. 5 231-256-9783

We have The Nuts & of Home Improvement

9-27-12ff

Many of those dead trees found along county roads and lowlands are ashes. They are victims of the emerald ash borer, a serious problem affecting ash trees in this area.

While it’s impossible to save every ash in the forest, you can save the ones in your yard, according to two tree specialists from Leelanau County.

The metallic green Agrilus planipennis, native to Asia, is highly destructive, with the female laying up to 100 eggs on the bark of the ash tree in her life span. The beetle feeds on the sapwood of a tree in its larval stage, bores through the bark in Also plan its larval stage and feeds on the leaves as an adult. for safety people don’t catch inspection an Many infestation of the emerald ash borer in time, said headed Nick Carlson, owner of into winter Carlson Tree Service in Lake Leelanau. He noted that there is a difference between large ash trees in someone’s yard, which a homeowner will likely want to save, and trees located in the woods, which may be left unchecked.

A yard tree can be saved by giving it a systemic chemical treatment either by injecting the chemicals directly into the trunk, or by putting the

Bolts

Complete Landscape Design and Installation Service including

• Steps • Decks • Patios • Walkways y • email: bob obbyj yj@charte termi.net

• Paint • Seed/Fertilizer • Screen Repair • Weather Stripping & so much more

CEDAR HARDWARE 231-228-5417

8925 S. Kasson

Open 7 days a week

•

Cedar

9-29-11ff

9-27-12ff

Trust your neighborhood hardware store for:

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 5

)0.& #6*-%&34 " 4 4 0 $ * " 5 * 0 / ( 3 " / % 5 3 "7 & 3 4 & " 3 & " * / $

9-27-12FF

Thursday, September 27, 2012

PROUDLY SHOWING off their leaf collections are Northport’s third-grade class; From left Wyatt Sahs, Sophie Stowe, Davis Fredrickson, Jesse Dittmar, Sonali Rogers, Diego Campos, Dakota Agosa, Emily Reynolds and Alaina Frank.

Leaf collections create family fun

Conservation District offers fall tree sale The Leelanau Conservation District is offering a variety of evergreen trees ripe for planting at its annual fall tree sale.

Orders are now being taken for conifer seedlings, which vary in size from 4-12 inches, or transplants, which can reach up to 18 inches.

Orders are processed at the District headquarters at 112 W. Philip St., Lake Leelanau, and are shipped directly to the homes of the purchasers.

Trees for sale include red and white pine; white, Norway and blue spruce; Douglas, Fraser and balsam fir; and white cedar. The minimum order is 25 trees.

Also available is American beachgrass for $15 per bundle, with 100 plants per bundle. The minimum order is four bundles. Shipping costs and state sales tax are separate.

Orders will be shipped through Nov. 5. Call 256-9669 for further information.

OUTDOOR HARDSCAPES FIREPLACES CHIMNEY RESTORATION

231-715-6637

Getting a home ready to sell can be daunting.

Having a home "staged" can make a big difference in how fast it sells.

Combined with the right price a "staged" home sells three times faster than a home that is not "staged."

Call me, I can help!

HORSE LOGGING

Staging, Color Consultations and Project Management

I specialize in low impact, selective cutting utilizing horses. This technique provides increased tree growth, landowner income, wildlife habitat and an investment for the future, both ecologically and financially.

Karen Van Nort

Accredited Staging Professional ®

Now is the time to harvest your ash trees, before the Emerald Ash Borer kills them.

STA G E D

™

T O

S E L L / T O

TM

Call JESSE LACROSS

L I V E

231 835-0370 cell 231 334-4885 office kvstagedtosell@gmail.com

231-228-4300 for a free consultation of your woodland

9-27-12FF

Sindy Vertel of Empire Township still has her son’s leaf collection they compiled when he was a fourth grader at Glen Lake School.

“I’m probably one of the more sentimental moms around,” said Vertel, whose sons are now 22 and 27 years old. “I probably have all the stuffed animals they ever owned too. But the leaf projects were special because they were something we did together.”

The leaf project, once revered as a rite of pasCollections sage from lower elementary to upper, is no longer can part of the curriculum at Glen Lake. But the lifebecome long lessons live on. family Casey Kahler, a 2012 Glen Lake graduate, keepsakes tapped into this knowledge recently during a biology assignment at Northwestern Michigan College, completing it with ease.

“I don’t know if it was because of the leaf project or the classes I took in high school,” Kahler said. “I really enjoyed doing the project. I remember the class taking a field trip to the state hospital grounds (in Traverse City) and going out in the woods looking for leaves with my dad.”

Just a few teachers in the county continue to make this part of their lesson plans each fall. Sue Boss, a third grade teacher at Northport, is one of them.

Her students and parents recently received a letter outlining what’s expected of them.

“I ask them to take a walk and find as many kinds of leaves as they can,” Boss said.

Each collection should include a minimum of six leaves identified as dicots, monocots and conifers.

Dicots have netted veins with seeds made up of two sections. Examples are maple and apple trees.

Monocots have parallel veins and the seeds are in one piece. Included are corn, daffodils and irises.

Conifers have needles and most have cones, such as with spruces, cedars and pines.

In years past, students pressed specimens in wax paper. That allows the collector to capture some color, highlight the leaf’s structure and give it three dimensions.

The process is simple, and can still provide a fun activity for families.

After collecting the leaf, place it between two layers of wax paper with room to trim and preserve the wax “seal.” Next, cover the wax paper with a towel, preferably a thinner towel such as a dish towel or paper towel.

Now you’re ready to apply medium heat, usually with an iron, over the towel. The heat seals the leaf between the wax paper sheets.

Boss suggests another method to her students, which doesn’t involve the dangers associated with an iron.

“Press the leave between paper towels or newspaper. Lay heavy books over the papers,” she said, adding that the leaves should remain covered for three to four days. “After the leaves have dried, neatly and carefully mount them to a sheet of heavier paper.”

The Northport teacher said sometimes parents help too much with the project.

“I’ve had to say, ‘This is your child’s work.

You’re there to help and guide them.’,” she explained.

Each year, after students complete the project, Boss gives them a survey, the results of which have proven interesting.

“The kids love this project,” Boss said, adding that she’s seen more than one collection on display at graduations as a keepsake. “It’s something they do with family… Much of the time our lives are way too busy to go out and enjoy the season together. It’s a special time for mom, dad and child.”

9-27-12ff

By Amy Hubbell of the Enterprise staff

9-27-12ff

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

9-27-12ff

Page 6, Section 3

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 7

Replacing Windows?

Orders must be placed by ®®®"P° ber®® ¶th,2012 to qualify for FREE upgrade.

SORRY

by NE

NEW ORDERS ONLY

LIMITED TIME

ULTRA S TRIPLE PANE GLASS

www.advancedwindowtc.com

SCAN ME

Advanced Thermal Performance + Advanced Airtight Design = Advanced Energy Savings!

Nobody would intentionally throw away their hard earned money, but people do this everyday with old drafty windows and doors. Energy costs a lot these days and inefficient products waste energy and money.

Advance Window Systems wants to improve your homes energy efficiency when you invest in new Elements windows and doors.

For a limited time, we will UPGRADE your windows from Standard Double Pane to Triple Pane Ultra S Glass at no charge, plus we will give you a coupon for a Jet’s pizza with your free, no obligation estimate.

Imagine increasing your new windows energy performance over our best double pane glass package by 30% at NO charge to you!

Elements double hung windows boast an air infiltration of .01 CFM with 25 MPH wind. No double hung replacement window performs better.

Consider this: Element Windows are 23 times more air tight than a new traditional wood residential double hung window and up to 15 times more air tight than a new traditional vinyl residential window.

Advanced Window Systems has our own team of factory trained installers that are employees, not sub-contractors.

All work is owner supervised.

Advanced

WINDOW SYSTEMS INC

Call Today 231-935-3700 Visit Us at our Showroom • Siding • Windows • Doors • Sunrooms • Porch Enclosures • Retractable Awnings

9-27-12ff

2377 Garfield Rd. • Traverse City, MI 49686 between Airport & Hammond

Page 8, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

In fall, ants look for new homes Make them stay outdoors

The Seasons are Changing... Should You?

YOU HAVE A CHOICE!

LCHIK A K DISPOSAL Over 30 Years of Quality Service at a Fair Price Commercial Dumpsters

Love ants or hate ‘em — and few folks outside the sphere of entomologists have a reason to love them — you have to admire an ant colony.

Scientists believe there are 22,000 ant species, although they’ve only In cold found time to study and weather, name a little over half of them. Ants are social bugyou can gers, working for the good of colonies that can grow separate so large that they’ve been ant referred to as “super organisms.” visitors And they are quite impressive to watch at from work, whether moving residents into attack mode after

their hill is kicked or doubling up to haul a hunk of bread back to their “home.”

They are much less impressive if their home is yours. In fact, they’re a nuisance at best, and destructive at worst.

Fall and spring are the most common times to find ants in homes, according to Duke Elsner, who was formerly the “bug guy” who fielded questions about pests such as ants through his work with Michigan State University Extension Agency. He now concentrates on small fruit, viticulture and wine education — but occasionally you’ll hear his voice fielding questions called into a statewide hot line set up by MSU Extension to place questions with Extension agents best equipped to answer them.

Elsner, from Traverse City, said all types of ants may be trying to winter in your home this time of year. But most calls that come in are in response to visits by carpenter ants. They are big and black, and their presence in the coming months can serve

as an indicator that they are munching on your home’s foundation.

Finding them, however, can be difficult. Elsner knows first hand. He’s got a colony working on his semifinished basement.

“I thought they were just coming to visit, but I’ve found the place where their sawdust is starting to pile up,” Elsner said. The next step is treatment with any number of ant killer pesticides available at Leelanau County hardware stores, Dee Shuker, owner at Northwoods Hardware in Glen Arbor, said the aisle with ant killer in the garden center building of the hardware has been a busy place this year.

“They have been popular,” said Shuker about several types of ant pesticides. “The big black ants have been a big problem.”

The Shuker household had not been above the fray, either. She noticed nosey ants in her kitchen in the spring, and applied treatment as directed.

“I don’t have a problem any more,” said Shuker, who resides in Empire Township. She and husband Steve Shuker are partners with Georgia and Jeff Gietzen as owners of Northwoods Hardware.

The hardware handles the Terro brand name of pesticides. Two treatments seem to stand out: A “shaker” bag that can be used to spread ant killer around a house for ants that are invading from the outside, and a liquid treatment that is spread on a small piece of cardboard. Also offered are sprays and more traditional ant baits.

Ants are busy in the spring, when they seek out to colonize new areas, Elsner said. They are known to travel near and far, and may cross your

3-8 yard Temporary or Permanent Containers (Farm, General Construction or General Clean-Ups) Ask about our preferred Contractor Program

231-271-3367

9-27-12ff

By Alan Campbell of the Enterprise staff

Local, Family Owned Independent Hauler

(Concluded on Page 10)

THE “ANT AISLE” at Northwoods Hardware has been a busy place this year, says co-owner Dee Shuker.

The Ultimate Cooking Experience™ For the very finest in outdoor living...

• Caldera Spas • Sojoe Firepits • Big Green Egg Smoker & Grill • Swimming Pools • Much, much more!

Larrys ’ 946-5530

9-20-12FF

1420 Barlow St. • Traverse City www.larryspool.com

9-27-12FF

“Your Water Wonderland Store”

Thursday, September 27, 2012

GARAGE FLOOR EPOXY SPECIALISTS

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 9

Living well on Fabulous Surfaces

Epoxy Coating • Stained Concrete Polished Concrete • Trip Hazard Removal Industrial Line Striping

Residential · Commercial Fully Insured

Edgewater email: granisz@yahoo.com

5-3-12HG 5 55-3-1 5-3-12 3 12HG G

Greg Raniszewski Empire · 944-6804

9-27-12ff

Concrete Solutions, LLC

EXCAVATINGBULLDOZING • Free Site Evaluation • Site Preparation • Land Clearing & Filling • Septic Systems • Screened Top Soil • Gravel, Stone, Chips • Shoreline Protection

Porcelain & Ceramic Tile • Natural Stone • Carpet Wood • Vinyl • Granite • Marble and Quartz • Countertops

DAVE, DARYL & DAVID COUTURIER

929-7207

ROAD GRADING & BUILDING SNOWPLOWING & SANDING

Licensed & Insured

256-9019

9-27-12FF

w w w . t i l e cr c r a f t t c. c . c om om Locally and family owned for over 27 years.

Available at:

9-27-12FF

222 W. MAIN LAKE LEELANAU MI 49653

1430 Trade Centre Dr., Traverse City 400 Main St., Frankfort

9-27-12FF

Providing Sales, Service, Installation & Design.

Page 10, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

WORK AHEAD GLEN LAKE graduate Brent Garvin figures the family has about two years worth of “heat” stacked around the stove. They’ll be busy in the coming weeks getting it ready.

Ants look for new homes

Bedbugs are a growing problem

Continued from Page 8 home’s foundation seeking a new home.

And it makes sense that household ant problems were on the rise this summer because of the prolonged time without rain. Ants need moisture to survive, whether from a natural source or your sink.

So up until about this time of year, having ants in your home should only present a low-level concern. We’re coming upon a time, however, when finding inside ants indicates a symptom of a bigger problem, Elsner said.

“It’s still warm enough for all types of outdoorliving ants to be exploring inside. It may not be a nest inside a building; it could be a few hundred feet away,” Elsner said.

But the prognosis changes about the time of the first frost as ants nesting a fair distance from a heat source will go dormant for the winter. Nests in heated buildings stay active.

“If you see them inside later in the season, then the chances are they are nesting next to a building or inside a building. And then you have to ask yourself if there is an issue with any of the wood in the house. None of the other species (other than carpenter ants) will actually do any destruction to the wood in a home.”

How do you recognize carpenter ants? “They’re the biggest ants, and they are almost shiny black,” Elsner said.

In Leelanau County, where so many homes are closed up in the winter, it can be difficult to determine whether ants are nesting in a home or outside. Ants living in inside nests don’t wake up in time to become a pest over a weekend visit by a seasonal resident, and are joined by marauding ants come springs.

GREAT LAKES

CARPENTER ANTS living inside a home stay active year-round.

If you suspect carpenter ants have taken up residence with you, Elsner has some thoughts on where to look for their damage.

“They could be anywhere that moisture makes it favorable for them,” Elsner said. Likely hangouts include roofs and basements. Dry wood isn’t their favorite; it’s hard to chew through and doesn’t provide enough moisture for the colony.

You have to be a bit of a detective, searching out tiny piles of sawdust.

“You usually don’t have a good clue that they are there until the off season, and then you’ve got

to go see where they are. They’re cryptic, and that makes it a challenge.”

A carpenter ant colony may number in the hundreds or the thousands. While it’s important to kill the colony for the health of your house, it’s even more important to fix the environment that attracts ants.

“If you don’t find that problem, and correct that problem, then the door is open for another colony to come and continue the process. There is usually a structural flaw to begin with,” Elsner said.

Bedbugs are on the increase across the country, having been treated by 98 percent of pest management professionals in 2011. The rate was just 25 percent in 2000.

Be ready to recognize them in your house, and work quickly to move them out, states a bedbug bulletin provided by MSU Extension.

Bedbugs are small, wingless insects that feed solely upon warm-blooded animals such as birds, bats, and humans. They feed mostly at night by biting people who are asleep, injecting saliva into the skin that assists them in obtaining blood. The fluid often causes the skin to become irritated and inflamed. Welts develop and itch, but bedbugs have never been proven to carry disease.

If residents complain of bites that occurred while sleeping, the bedroom and other sleeping areas should be carefully examined. Look for bedbugs in folds and creases in bed linens, seams and tufts of mattresses, and box springs. A peculiar coriander-like odor may be detected in heavily infested residences.

Identification can be made by the county MSU Extension office, which can provide a bulletin explaining extinction plans.

Techniques include reducing clutter, thoroughly cleaning infested rooms as well as other rooms in the residence, scrubbing infested surfaces with a stiff brush to dislodge eggs and using a powerful vacuum to remove bedbugs from cracks and crevices. Once vacuuming is complete, empty vacuumed contents outside in a sealed plastic bag.

A more thorough cleaning may be required that includes dismantling bed frames and using special bags to permanently enclose mattresses and box springs.

When using chemicals to control bedbugs, do not apply a pesticide to mattresses or to surfaces that would be in direct human contact, except when the pesticide label specifically allows.

Leave your Fall Clean-up to US!

STRIPING & SEALING, INC.

FREDRICKSON Service

Serving Northern Michigan since 1972

PROFESSIONAL SEAL COATING

Now Scheduling Fall Clean-ups

• Complete Parking Lot Sweeping Service • Infared Asphalt Repair & Recycling • Preventative Asphalt Maintenance • Attractive Seamless Repairs • Residential • Commercial • Parking Lot Striping

Lawn Maintenance Landscaping Fertilization Hydroseeding & Prep Irrigation

Free Estimates • 946-8269

231-386-7059

www.greatlakesstripingandsealing.com

9-27-12FF

P.O. Box 283 • Traverse City 49685

9-27-12ff

Now accepting new customers for Snowplowing – Call now before the snow flies!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 11

Tom Deering, Certified Arborist

2 3 1-228- T REE Making Mulch

Fall is Here!

Let us help you be prepared!

Fall pruning of your Birch and Oaks Fall tree planting Tree trimming and removal Fall fertilizing

231-228-TREE

Owned y l i m a F erated p O d n A 973 Since 1

9-27-12ff

• • • •

www.deeringstreeservice.com

The Area's Only Full Service Tree Care Company

Duette® Architella® Honeycomb Shades

Dress Up Your Home for the Holidays.

$100*

OR MORE WITH

qualifying purchases of Hunter Douglas window fashions.

The Art of Window Dressing ideas booklet

TM

with this ad

Follow Us At Facebook or Twitter

Save September 15 — December 15 on select Hunter Douglas window fashions.* ’Tis the season for you and your guests to celebrate in style.

Trend Window & Design 817 Bay St Traverse City Michigan 49684 M-F: 9:00-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Other Hours by Appt.

231-941-1241 trendwindowdesign.hdwfg.com Since 1980

* Manufacturer’s rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/15/12 – 12/15/12. Ask a sales representative for information on qualifying purchases. All rebates will be issued in U.S. dollars, in the form of an American Express® Prepaid Reward Card. This rebate offer may not be combined with any other Hunter Douglas offer or promotion. © 2012 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

30999

9-27-12FF

SAVE

Pirouette® Window Shadings

ORTHPORT Building Supply NORTHPORT, MICHIGAN 49670 386-5231

Your Full Service, Old Style Lumber Yard 39 years of professional service under the same ownership & management.

Introducing HAAS Cabinetry American made • full line/factory direct pricing design services available

9-29-11ff

September 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 13

K E E P I N G ORGANIZED is an important part of having an excellent home workshop, according to David Coyne of Elmwood Township.

Perfect shop, perfect world

By Eric Carlson of the Enterprise staff

With fall weather setting in, people who consider themselves handy around the home are turning their attention indoors and taking a closer look at their home workshops.

David Coyne of Elmwood Township may have one of the nicest and best equipped home workshops in Leelanau County.

Years ago, he outgrew the shop in his garage — where he’s currently building a wooden sailboat — and expanded his shop into an adjacent pole barn.

An artist and sign painter whose career was ended by computer graphics technology and his failing eyesight, Coyne, 58, is legally blind and no longer drives. However, he can see well enough and has now plenty of time on his hands to follow his passion for woodworking.

In addition to making nearly all of the Legally blind furniture, cabinetry other wood furbut inherently and nishings in his home, practical, Coyne also does odd for neighbors. In David Coyne jobs addition, he volunteers regularly with shares his the Grand Traverse thoughts on a Conservation District, with the United ‘perfect shop’ and Way’s “Tuesday Toolman” program which provides home handyman services to needy people throughout the region.

“I’ve been putting my shop together and collecting tools for about 30 years now,” Coyne said, “so my wish list for tools and equipment just keeps getting smaller and smaller.”

At no point, Coyne said, did he go on any shopping sprees to put together the perfect shop.

Rather, his shop and his collection of tools have evolved over time.

“The main thing to remember about buying tools is to buy good quality tools,” he said. “It’s

worth spending the extra money for quality equipment because it will last longer and work better.”

Another key to putting together and maintaining a shop that works well, Coyne said, is keeping it organized. That’s true not just for people who may be visually impaired, but for anyone who wants to keep track of which tools are where and access them easily.

To that end, storage cabinets, drawers, pegboards and other devices are critical, Coyne said.

“Things can turn to chaos in a minute if you don’t stay organized,” Coyne said.

Coyne has only a few vices scattered around his shop that can be mounted on work benches or nearly anywhere he needs.

“More important than vices are clamps that will help you hold parts together anywhere and anyhow you need,” Coyne said. “You just can’t have enough clamps.”

The tool Coyne said he uses most is his table saw.

“In my world, a table saw is invaluable,” he said. “After that comes my band saw, which I’m also using all the time.”

With so many saws making so much dust, another “must-have” for a guy like Coyne is a dust collection system. Although a shop vacuum will help keep your shop clean, a system that sucks up sawdust directly from a table saw or band saw works best, he said.

“Some equipment simply won’t work without some kind of dust collection system,” Coyne noted. “It’s an important component of any home workshop and it saves you a lot of time and labor in cleanup.”

Roofs don’t last forever; waiting to replace only makes the job bigger

By Patti Brandt of the Enterprise staff

How do you know when you need a new roof? It’s pretty obvious when you’re putting buckets on the floor to catch the drips, but if a visual check of the roof shows cracked, curled, bald or even missing shingles, it may be time to call in a professional.

One thing you can’t do is rely on a calendar.

While many shingles are guaranteed for 25 or 30 years, they may not last that long under less than ideal conditions, according to Charlie Reinertson, who has decades in the business.

Reinertson, owner of Harbor Construction, said roofs may not have been installed properly or in extreme cases may not have met code. Or the home may be under a canopy of trees.

“When they say 25 years, it may not be 25 years,” said Reinertson. “For instance, if trees

are overhead, you may have moss. Or there may be other conditions that make a roof deteriorate faster than a warranty.”

Homeowners can do their own roof inspection, looking for rot, mold or other signs of moisture. Molds and fungus can grow very quickly and may be located under the worn or damaged shingles, as water will move to its lowest spot before dripping.

Wear can also show up as large amounts of shingle granules, which resemble big grains of sand, in the gutters.

In fact, if a roof is getting close to about 20 years old, it may be time to get a new one, said Joe Bardenhagen, who owns Bardenhagen Construction in Lake Leelanau with his brother, Dan Bardenhagen. A professional inspection will tell a homeowner for sure, he said.

“We know if a shingle is failing,” said Bardenhagen, who has been in business for

about 10 years. “Just because your shingles aren’t peeling doesn’t mean it’s not time. If the shingles are peeling it’s probably past time.”

And if the shingles have gotten to that point they are brittle and will break off in little pieces, making them much more difficult and timeconsuming to remove, he said. The roof deck, or the plywood under the shingles, will probably also be rotted. Both of those conditions will make the roof more expensive to replace.

Reinertson says some homeowners hope to save money by pounding a new layer of shingles over an old layer. While they may save some cost immediately, the result may be less than ideal.

“I always strip them off. That way you end up with a flat surface. By law you can laminate over three times, but by that time you have a (Concluded on Page 15)

Page 14, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Collection

COLLECTION

2-Sided Mattress Sets You Can Flip & Turn Handcrafted in Northern Michigan Features Features • • • • •

Extra Back Support on Both Sides - Right Where You Need It Beautifully Tailored American Materials Inside and Out Best Selection of Two Sided Models - Made in Michigan Handcrafted for Cool Comfort You’ve Never Felt Before Prices for Every Budget - Quick Delivery within 100 Miles

Chandler Lake 2-Sided MattrESS 3ET s 1UEEN OR FULL 3ET

Perfect for Guests!

Try me out coupon. Expires 12-31-12

Silver Lake

Arbutus Lake

Long Lake

Luxury Firm

Alternating Coil-Firm

Foam Encased-Plush

Twin Set Full Set

$399 $579

Queen Set King Set

$599 $799

Twin Set Full Set

Queen Set

$499 $679

$699

King Set

$999

Twin Set Full Set

$599 $779

Queen Set

$799

King Set

$1,199

Glen Lake

Green Lake

Duck Lake

Plush Firm-Support

Cool-Gel Infused Hybrid

1600 Micro Coils

Twin Set Full Set

$699 $879

Twin Set Full Set

$799 $979

Twin Set Full Set

Queen Set

$899

Queen Set

$999

Queen Set

King Set

$1,299

King Set

$1,399

King Set

$999 $1,179

$1,199 $1,599

s ’ y a d o T Golden-Fowler 9-27-12ff

HOME FURNISHINGS GoldenFowler.com

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6 • Sunday 12-4 Garfield Avenue • Traverse City

231-946-7330

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 15

Don’t go into winter with a bad roof are better for roofs in areas that are windier, as they won’t blow the roof off. more difficult time ripping the old ones up.�

And shingles come in designer colors, with Thor Holton, owner of the Manitou Roofing names like sand dune, aged copper, Pacific Company, agrees that old shingles should wave, chateau green, merlot and onyx black. always be removed before laying down the new.

Bardenhagen said the average cost to have a “Roofing over the old shingles takes away roof replaced is about $6,000 to $10,000. from the life of the new On average, Holton said, a roof shingles,� said Holton, who costs about $2.50 per square foot, has owned his Elmwood with a new roof on an averageTownship roofing company sized house of 2,000 to 3,000 for about three years. “That square feet costing about $5,000 to way you can check for $7,500. damage underneath.�

If a roof’s pitch is too steep to When it comes time to walk the job becomes more danput that new roof on there gerous and roofers will have to use Thinking about re-shinare some choices to be specialized equipment, with the gling your own house?

One made. Shingles come in difroof costing up to $3.25 per square of the first things you’ll need ferent weights, which will foot, or about $6,500 to $9,750. to know is the square footage determine how long they And putting on a new roof — barof the roof, which is found will last. Many shingles ring any unforeseen problems — by multiplying the width now last more than three should take about three to four times the length for each side decades if they are properly days, he said. and adding the totals togethinstalled. In fact, the Neither Bardenhagen or Holton er. Depending upon your 30-year shingle has become have installed many metal roofs. skill level, a rule of thumb is the new industry standard, “Metal roofs are not made for to allow 10 percent for waste.

Bardenhagen said.

Michigan because of the temperaAll shingles don’t cover Both Bardenhagen and ture changes,� Bardenhagen said. the same area, but one popuHolton recommend using “They don’t hold up, They expand lar type is what’s called a the sturdier architectural and contract too much and work “three-tab� shingle. Each shingles rather than threeloose.� bundle covers 33 1/3 square tab shingles, which are Bardenhagen said roofing is not feet. Divide the area of the about a foot wide with three a do-it-yourself job, as most homeroof — plus an amount for tabs separated by quarterowners do not have the skill it waste — by one-third to inch slot lines. Architectural takes to put a roof on. determine how many bunshingles, which look like “It’s not safe and they just don’t dles will be needed. cedar shakes, last longer know what they’re doing,� he said. and don’t leak as often, Plus, many shingle warranties Bardenhagen said. The specify that they must be installed manufacturer’s warranty is usually better, too, by a certified professional. Bardenhagen has he said. taken classes and received that certification, he “The thicker the shingle, the longer it lasts,� said.

Bardenhagen said. “By using a professional you get a better warHolton said the heavier architectural shingles ranty,� Bardenhagen said.

Continued from Page 13

Shingle orders

Grand Traverse Canvas Works

BROTHERS DAN Bardenhagen, from left, and Joe Bardenhagen, put a new roof on a home on Lime Lake.

RON BROWN & SONS, INC. ASPHALT PAVING

W Northe e’re rn Canva Michigan’s s Speci alists!

Awnings & Porch Drops • Driveway Design

Boat & RV Upholstery

• Topsoil Sales

• Parking Lot Design • Residential

Boat Canvas Specialty Covers Yard Goods and Supplies

• Asphalt Paving

• Commercial

• Drainage Systems

• Industrial 9-27-12ff

• Aggregate Sales

Visit our website!

17443 Pleasanton Bear Lake

www.gtcanvasworks.com

1-800-968-2275

0LOH 5RDG ‡ 7UDYHUVH &LW\ 0LFKLJDQ

Insured Free Estimates Family owned & operated

9-27-12ff

231¡947¡3140

www.ronbrownandsons.com

Page 16, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Skylights are inefficient; here’s a Leelanau answer Do you have skylights in the roof of your house? Are you losing energy through them?

Are ice dams forming on your roof in the winter?

If the answer to any of those questions is “yes,” then you might consider changes to your home’s skylights. Northport Building Supply proprietor Timm Sahs has some ideas.

His store is carrying a new product that he says can solve those problems.

Sahs unveiled his invention on YouTube last spring and hopes to attract more attention to what it can do for homeowners with skylights as winter weather approaches this year. His YouTube video can be found by searching for “Skylight Energy Panel.”

“This isn’t patented – yet,” Sahs said, “but I really do feel this is a unique product that anyone with skylights in their home should have installed before winter if they want to save energy and avoid the problems that can be caused by condensation and ice dams on their roof.”

Sahs’ Skylight Energy Panel consists of double Plexiglas panels in a wooden frame that fits over the inside of a skylight flush to the ceiling inside the home, covering the “tunnel” that leads to the skylight on the roof.

Sahs’ insulated panel creates a void between the ceiling and the skylight that traps air and prevents heat from escaping through the roof where ice dams can form in the winter.

“A normal skylight has insulated glass, but (Sahs’ product) increases the amount of insulation significantly while still allowing the light to come in,” Sahs explained.

The Plexiglas panels can be entirely transparent, translucent, or patterned upon a customer’s taste.

Similarly, the wooden frame for the Plexiglas panel can be of pine or other materials that can be stained or painted to blend in with the drywall or other ceiling materials.

“I know how well this device works because

I’ve measured it with an infrared gun,” Sahs said. “The temperature difference is amazing.

Any heat loss through the skylight is virtually eliminated. There is no more condensation, and ice dams on the roof are no longer a problem.”

In developing prototypes for his Skylight Energy Panel, Sahs found that traditional miter joints at the corners of the wooden frames were not doing the job adequately and could easEnergy ily twist out of shape during installation. panel, That prompted him ‘Sahs-lock’ to develop a new joinery technique which he invented by calls the “Sahs-lock.”

Instead of manufacturNorthport ing the Skylight Energy Panel frames man with a standard miter joint, he has found that his new proprietary “Sahs-lock” joint works better — and could be applied to other products as well.

Sahs said he may also seek a patent for the “Sahs-lock.”

“I’d been looking around for products I could stock that do what I wanted the Skylight Energy Panel to do,” Sahs said. “But there was nothing out there like it — so I developed it myself and I’m hoping it will take off this winter.”

Sahs said he invites anyone interested in learning about his energy saving devices and new joinery technique to check out his Skylight Energy Panel video on YouTube or visit his website at northportbuildingsupply.com.

SUBSCRIBE

By Eric Carlson of the Enterprise staff

256.9827

Leelanau County-$30 • Grand Traverse/Benzie-$42 Outside Leelanau-$48

“SAHS-LOCK” IS a new type of joinery that inventor Timm Sahs says works better than standard systems.

As cooler weather approaches, fall is the perfect time to consider installing a new storm door or repairing the one you have.

Brian Bush of Northern Lumber in Suttons Bay said the decision whether to acquire a new storm door or fix your old one is not difficult.

“Some parts of a storm door wear out and can be easily replaced,” Bush explained.

“Take a look at the weather stripping around the perimeter of your storm door. If it’s worn, it’s easy to find what you need to replace it, and replacing it is easy,” he said.

Other storm door components that are easily repaired are the “sweeps” along the bottom of the door that also help keep the cold air out. Latches on storm doors are easy to replace as well since most common types of latches are usually in stock at good hardware stores. The same is true for door closers that tend to wear out before the rest of the storm door does.

“But if it appears that the hinges on your storm door are wearing out, that’s a different story,” Bush said. “And if the frame of your storm door is bent, then it may be time for you to install a new storm door.”

Installing a new storm door is not often difficult for someone with a few basic tools and the skills to use them. The job can take less than an hour to as many as four hours.

Many hardware stores have people on staff who can install the doors for you for an extra fee.

Northern Lumber has a list of reliable contractors its staff can recommend who can install any kind of storm door quickly and in expert fashion, Bush said.

“You can spend as little as $150 or more than $400 on a good storm door,” Bush said. “Getting someone to install it for you will add to the expense, of course.”

The first key to doing the job yourself is taking the proper measurements and ordering the right door, Bush added. Most types of storm doors are

designed to fit into the standard molding found around most exterior doors.

Also standard on most storm doors are the configuration of hinges. However, hinges can be located on either the right or left side of the door, and it’s important to ensure you’re obtaining the right kind for you own situation.

Even the largest big-box hardware stores do not necessarily have the exact size and configuration of storm door needed for each homeowner, so preordering a door is a requirement almost anywhere you go, Bush said.

Storm doors come in many different styles, with frames made out of several different kinds of materials, generally aluminum, wood and various composite materials.

“We still sell a fair amount of wood frame storm doors,” Bush said, “mostly to customers who want the wood to match other wood components of the house. These are a little more highmaintenance, but they do look good.”

Aluminum frame storm doors are becoming increasingly popular, he said, because quality has improved over the years. Gone are the days when stores sell “chintzy” lightweight aluminum storm doors.

Many of the doors have wooden cores that are clad in aluminum or composite materials, adding to the sturdiness and insulation value of the doors.

Storm doors also come with insulating glass panels, and with screens that can be stored in a portion of the door when the insulating glass is in, then used as a screen door again when warmer weather returns.

“There are so many variations and types of storm doors available that you might want to spend a little time studying brochures and asking questions before you order your storm door,” Bush said. “There’s something out there for every need.”

– By Eric Carlson

Saving energy isn't only smart, it's beautiful Our staff can assist you in determining the best solution to your energy savings needs.

Now at Great Savings!

APPLAUSE Honeycomb Shades Both our single and double honeycomb construction traps layers of air within the cells to keep extreme temperatures outdoors.

Since 1971, In the Village of Suttons Bay 231-271-6600 www.edwardsfurnishings.com

Monday - Saturday 9 am-5:30 pm

9-27-12ff

When its replacement time, storm doors are plentiful,

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 17

FALL at Northwoods!

Time to close up your cottage?

Heirloom Pumpkins.

Gourds. Corn Stalks.

Carving Pumpkins.

Need your Garage Door serviced or replaced before winter?

Garage Doors & Openers Residential & Commercial Service on All Makes & Models Replacement Remote Controls

Serving all of Northern Michigan

So Much More Than A Hardware Store Located in the Village of Glen Arbor 6053 S. Glen Lake Road (M-22) Find us on Facebook

Overhead Door Company of Grand Traverse

(231) 947-3470

(231)334-3000 Home Goods

• Patios • Sidewalks

Gardening

• Driveways 0Y earr Warran ea anty tyy • 10 Year Warranty

Cookware

• Outcropping Steps • Wa Waterscapes

Don't get caught in the cold!

When you're ready for repair or replacement, we'll be there.

• Fire Pits • Seawalls

• Retaining Walls • Bo Boulder Walls

See more of our artistry at www.paverguy.com 231.929.8075 • Leelanau County

• Flagstone • Versalock

5-5-11HG

Hardware

9-27-12ff

NorthwoodsHardware.com

9-27-12FF

891 Industrial Circle • Traverse City www.overheaddoorgt.com

Page 18, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

It’s a ...

Watermelon Lake Leelanau couple grows behemoth that might go 40 lbs.

Hometown Heroes . . .

Auto-Owners Insurance ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience, Four Years in a Row,” according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Gerry and Shirley Dunklow stayed busy this summer and early fall supplying their roadside stand off West Main Street in Lake Leelanau with produce from their small garden.

Now they’ve got their hands full.

The Dunklows’ “chores” this fall include picking and finding a home for several meals of watermelon.

They’ve grown a big one.

“I’m saying it’s close to 40 pounds. I’ve never grown one that big,” Gerry Dunklow said.

One of his friends attends produce auc-

We’re independent agents, proudly representing Auto-Owners Insurance!

Call us today for your free review!

Larkin Group of Traverse City 231-947-8800

Larkin Group of Leelanau 231-256-2523

GERRY AND SHIRLEY Dunkelow watched all summer as their “baby” watermelon grew and grew.

9-27-12ff

Auto-Owners Insurance ranks highest among auto insurance providers in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2011 Auto Claims StudiesSM. Study based on 11,811 total responses, ranking 26 insurance providers. Excludes those with claims only for glass/windshield, theft/stolen, roadside assistance or bodily injury claims. Proprietary results based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March – July 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

tions, and commented that he’d never seen one that big up for sale.

So what was the Dunklows’ secret?

“I think it was just the hot weather this summer.

I watered it every night, and I picked off the vines so that other ones wouldn’t grow just to see how big this one would get. But I never thought it would get that big,” Dunklow said.

He doesn’t plan on picking the giant melon until its vine dries.

“It’s still growing,” he said.

The Dunklows are owners of Shirley’s Garden.

Red Carpet Service And Incredible Savings

Maxbauer

YOUR

We come to YOUR home at YOUR Convenience –

You save money

Trusted Brands: Shaw, Mohawk, Stainmaster, Armstrong & Kirsch Over 1200 colors and styles No showroom overhead, you save big Experienced staff, over 30 years in flooring and design Covering Leelanau County since 1994 “Great Service and Unbeatable Savings? Now that’s Smart Shopping!”

Perfect items for your Fall Projects Ace Green Turf 5k Winterizer

Call Today For Your Free In-Home Estimate 231-369-2908 800-786-6333

Ace Green Turf 5k Winterizer Weed & Feed

Winterizer Weed & Feed

Winterizer Covers 5000 sq. ft. 7134141 Limit 2 rebates.

15,000 sq. ft. 7229594… You Pay $35.99. $29.99 After $10 Mail-In Rebate.

Limit 1 rebate.

stonemountaincarpet.net

Covers 5000 sq. ft. 7174527 Limit 2 rebates.

15,000 sq. ft. 7229602… You Pay $45.99. $33.99 After $12 Mail-In Rebate.

Limit 1 rebate.

Hurry! Offer expires 10/31/12 TRAVERSE CITY

ACME

734 W. Front Street

3597 Bunker Hill Rd.

946-2140

938-2021

CHUMS CORNER 4106 US-31 South

9-27-12FF

943-8288

Carpet, Hardwood & Vinyl Flooring, Ceramic Tile, Window Treatments

9-27-12ff

*(97,; 4033:

Hardware

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 19

The Art of Stone Granite

z

Marble

z

QUARTZ

/RFDO RZQHUVKLS H[SHUWLVH IDEULFDWLRQ DQG VHUYLFH 8QSDUDOOHOHG VHOHFWLRQ DQG YDOXH IXOO VODEV RQ VLWH ([WHQVLYH VKRZURRP VKDUHG ZLWK 7LOHVWRQH ,PSRUWV

1760 Northern Star Drive, Traverse City

efco is Power You Can Trust

231.929.2848

Enhance Your “Curb Appeal�

With Our Fall Clean-Up Service!

Plant Masters of

s model Many ck in-sto o!! g o t ready

z

9-20-12FF

9LHZ URRP VSHFLĂ€F SKRWR JDOOHULHV DW ZZZ VWUDWXVPDUEOH FRP 9LVLW RXU VKRZURRP IRU GHVLJQ LGHDV DQG DVVLVWDQFH

Suttons Bay

efco provides a full line of quality outdoor power equipment that is backed by a 5 year consumer, 2 year professional warranty. You can feel confident in using your efco equipment year after year with our Five Year, No Fear Warranty. efco is power you can trust.

• Leaf Removal • Shrub Wrapping • Flower Bed Maintenance • Brush Removal • Chipping • Mulching • Fertilization • Minor Landscaping • Mowing Service

For More Information Visit Your Local Dealer at:

231-271-GROW (4769)

Only 12 miles North of TC on Beautiful M-22

M-F 9-6 X Sat 9-5 Sun 11-4 www.plant-masters.com

Sold and Serviced right here at Plant Masters!!

Commission on Aging Vouchers Accepted

Checkk the Ch h efco f website b ffor all ll the h great products d

WHITEFORD LAWN MAINTENANCE, LLC. Chainsaws

Water Pumps

Blowers

www.efcopower.com

Serving Leelanau County Since 1996

Trimmers

OFFICE: 231.271.3430 CELL: 231.313.1907 P.O. Box 84, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

9-27-12ff

Augers

9-27-12ff

Hedgetrimmers

Page 20, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Peace oo ff Mind Peace Mind Peace o f Mind of

Your home or lake cabin is a valuable asset you shouldn’t have to worry about while you’re away.

Don’t let this happen to YOU!

Fertilizer does its best work when applied in the autumn Homeowners spend a lot of time in the spring and summer fussing with their lawns, according to Ron Calhoun, turfgrass educator at Michigan State University.

But it’s in the fall when fertilizer provides its biggest benefit, MSU studies show. Under normal conditions, Calhoun suggests applying fertilizer around Labor Day — which in Leelanau County may have caused more damage than good this year — and between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Rich Zywicki, owner of Cedar Hardware, said a mid- to late-summer lack of rain in Leelanau County took its toll on many lawns. Some may not come back.

Applying fertilizer when lawns were dried out and vulnerable may have “burned” them up.

“There are a lot of people who are worried that the weather was so bad that their grass won’t come back,” Zywicki said.

Fertilizer is best applied just before a rain, which means that until last week there have been few opportunities in Leelanau County in recent months to help lawns not serviced by sprinkler systems.

Zywicki said that homeowners should also be aware that new state laws govern the makeup of fertilizer. Since Jan. 1, fertilizers with phosphorous — that’s the middle number of three that describe most fertilizers — can only be applied to new lawns or after a soil test shows the chemical element missing or in low supply.

“Most people already know,” Zywicki said. “It used to be they didn’t want you to use it around lakes.”

Phosphorous can cause excessive weed and algae growth in lakes when applied to shoreline lawns.

325 N. St. Joseph Suttons Bay

231.271.2755

9-27-12ff

Busy with fall chores

MIKE ALBRIGHT of Jackson helps his father, William, every spring and fall spruce up their rental cabin at Leelanau Rustic Resort on south Lake Leelanau. The Albrights rent the cabin out all summer except for the Fourth of July weekend.

Mike Albright was hauling clipped hostas when pictured using a wheelbarrow bought by his father 50 years ago. “We needed it at our house when I was 4, and it keeps on chugging along,” Albright said.

Their cabin is nicknamed “Seminole.”

Our line of FreezeAlarms will automatically call any programmed phone number to alert you of a drop in temperature inside your home or vacation property.

www.ohmsetech.com

QUALITY is our #1 priority

• New Homes • Decks • Additions

• Garages

• Remodeling • Sunrooms • Refurbishing

a trusted expert for over 25 years

Competitive Pricing Small, Hands-On Company Local References Available

Call for a free estimate

231.620.3377 www.HarborConstructionNWM.com 9-27-12FF

RICH ZYWICKI, owner of Cedar Hardware, says most homeowners are aware of restrictions for use of fertilizer with phosphorous.

Harbor Construction

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Section 3, Page 21

Anything e l b i s s o P is with our custom storm windows & doors

947-1170

20%

FALL HOURS D ELI S I D E : Monday - Saturday 11:00-3:00ish

OFF*

PIZZA SIDE: Monday - Saturday 11:00-3:00ish & 5:00-9:00 Sunday 5:00-9:00

* Discounted plants are not guaranteed New Stock not Included.

BARK • STONE • CHIPS STILL TAKING SOD ORDERS DELIVERY AVAILABLE

www.zimmermanlandscaping.com

• Protects your porch & screens from Northern Michigan’s harsh winter conditions • Can increase your home’s energy efficiency and SAVE YOU MONEY!

231-334-3876

Call us today!

Glen Arbor, Michigan riverfrontpizza.com

9-27-12ff

zimmland@zimmermanlandscaping.com

• Enhances the overall appearance of your home

We're more than just pizza!

9-20-12FF

Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat 8-12 9910 M-72 West • Traverse City

• Does not distort or hinder your view

231-263-3850 1-866-600-3857 toll free

9-27-12FF

ALL REMAINING PLANT MATERIAL

DOG TIRED?

• Floors that last • Durable • Eye-catching • Quality workmanship • Unmatched service

231.342.8445 www.unitedcoatingsystems.com

Find a fall chore expert in the Leelanau Pages.

Saving the Planet... one wall at a time

Your community directory in print & online

Publisher of the Leelanau Enterprise

9-27-12ff

www.GreenEarthPainting.com • 231-342-8445

9-27-12FF

leelanaupages.com

Page 22, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

DON CLARKE, owner of Clarke Excavating of Bingham Township, watches as employee Nathan Porritt uses the roller to compact a gravel driveway.

Asphalt driveways best, but cost twice as much Use deeper gravel base if you plan eventually to blacktop

By Mike Spencer Of The Enterprise staff

If you’re tired of that driveway that always washes out, you can fix it for good with asphalt or concrete.

But turning the old driveway into something more concrete, well, it usually comes down to money.

“I would say the biggest plus for gravel is the cost obviously,” said Don Clarke, owner of Clarke Excavating in Bingham Township.

Clarke said he usually discusses options with homeowners before re-doing a driveway.

“I think in the long run that a lot of people spend more money fixing their gravel driveway than they would have paving it,” Clarke said. “But the trouble is coming up with the initial money for paving all at one time.”

Clarke said the average asphalt driveway costs between $5,000 and $8,000 based on asphalt costing about $1.50-$2 per square foot. A gravel driveway can be done for about half that price. A concrete driveway is the most expensive, as concrete is going for $3-$4 per square foot.

“There are some other advantages in certain situations,” said Clarke, who has a long gravel

drive leading up to his home and business. “For us, asphalt wouldn’t work because we’d be unloading and loading heavy equipment and tearing it up.

“We’re a unique situation.”

Clarke said there are different gravel products out there, although he’d recommend a product call 9A Special or 25A Special.

“It packs like gravel and it’s expensive, but it lets water go through it,” he said.

Clarke said if you’re putting in a gravel driveway now, but have thoughts someday that it might become paved, to make sure the base is deep enough so that you can go back in and cut 2 1/2-inches out for asphalt. You won’t have to redo the base and can save some money, he said.

“One advantage with gravel is if you do want to change or move its location, you can reuse the materials,” he said. “If it’s asphalt, you can’t.”

While an asphalt driveways usually lasts longer than a gravel one, Clarke said make sure the contractor puts in an equal depth of asphalt when constructing one.

“We see a lot of driveways that we tear out where some spots are 3/4 of inch and then some (Concluded on Page 23)

Third Generation Tree Service

LAKE LEELANAU

WINTER PANSIES, HARDY MUMS AND FALL BULBS

Proudly Serving our neighbors in Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties

HELP PREVENT OAK WILT: Enjoy now and in the Spring

Home grown 30+ colors 50+ Varieties of Fall Blubs

g

50% OFF

9-27-12ff

Perennials, Shrubs, Roses, Herbs & Ground Covers

ONLY 12 miles North of TC on Beautiful M-22 www.plant-masters.com 9-27-12ff

231-271-3623 117 N. St. Joseph Street ■ Suttons Bay, MI Website: www.Bonek.com E-mail: insurance@bonek.com

House Plants 50% OFF 231-271-GROW (4769)

Like us on Facebook and keep current on our weekly sales and specials

Wait for multiple heavy frosts before trimming your oak trees.

231-421-1885 Nick Carlson w w w. c a r l s o n t r e e . c o m

9-27-12ff

75

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Continued from Page 22 spots of asphalt are three inches,” Clarke warned.

“That’s the reason you see most asphalt driveways failing ... because a poor job with a subgrade and a poor job getting the asphalt down with all the same thickness.”

Clarke recommends a four inch base of 22A for an asphalt base, depending on what kind of vehicle will be running up and down the drive.

It’s also important that there is no topsoil left underneath.

“It’s all about compaction,” he said. “When you leave the topsoil on there and you have a heavy piece of equipment go on it, the topsoil is spongy. It flexes and the asphalt breaks.”

Clarke suggests a dust control be put on top of the gravel surface.

“A lot of people don’t realize that they lose half their driveway to dust,” he said. “If they used a

dust control that will help not only set it up tight, but it helps keep it there.”

Clarke said some driveways are made limestone gravel, however, it “stays lose and has no binder.” Gravel, on the other hand, has dirt and clay to bind it.

“Limestone looks nice, but it never packs down,” he said. “That’s the trouble with limestone.”

Clarke said the reason there are more gravel driveways in rural areas like Leelanau County is that the driveways are longer so the cost of paving is higher.

Clarke said asphalt and cement driveways have benefits over gravel.

“Both have their place, but the reason people use asphalt instead of concrete is costs,” he said.

Clarke has been in the excavating business since 2000. He basically runs with one full-time employee, Nathan Porritt.

Got a spill? Try these suggestions to remove grease from concrete Did you spill something on your driveway — or worse, in your garage — while changing the oil on your car or tractor?

If oil or grease is spilled on porch or patio cement, apply an absorbent powder such as fuller’s earth, cornmeal, or sawdust to absorb as much oil as possible immediately. Leave it on the area for a few hours and sweep up, according to a Michigan State Extension Service bulletin on the subject.

The bulletin also suggests clean-up techniques for resulting grease stains that stubbornly persist.

Suggested courses of action include: • Using a stiff long handled brush, scrub stain with concentrated detergent suds. Rinse well with hose. Dry and repeat if necessary.

• Sprinkle “dishwasher” detergent (dry) on wet concrete. Let it stand a few minutes; pour boiling water on area. Scrub and rinse. Use rubber gloves on hands.

• One commercial product suggested is Garage and Driveway Cleaner by Red Devil Co. available in local hardware stores. It can also be used on blacktop surfaces. Other similar brands may be

Call for FALL

Section 3, Page 23

15%SALE Off FALL Any Window

15% OFF

Treatment Order

Any Window Treatment Order Min. $299 or More.

Min. $299 or More. Expires Not valid with any other offer. Expires 11/23/12 11/15/09

FREE FREE

Top/Down Bottom/Up UPGRADE

(Up To $300 Value) CORDLESS UPGRADE

For Cordless & Standard Cellular Shades

For all Cellular Shades

available.

• On wet oily surfaces of concrete, sprinkle with trisodium phosphate. Allow to stand 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub with stiff brush and hot water.

Rinse with clean water. Do not use on asphalt. Or as an alternative, dissolve a cup trisodium of phosphate in 1 gallon of hot water. Pour over stained cement surface generously and allow to soak 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub vigorously with stiff brush or broom. Rinse off with hose. Repeat if necessary.

Do not use on asphalt.

• Scrub the concrete with a grease solvent to remove as much as possible of the grease stain.

Have good ventilation and avoid spark or flame as solvents are flammable. Benzine, often recommended, can ignite from a spark created by friction or rubbing.

• Mix 1 part sodium citrate to 6 parts water and 6 parts glycerine and add enough whiting or fuller’s earth to make a thick paste. Spread paste on oil or grease stain. Let stand 1 week. Add new paste when it dries. Flush with water after brushing dry paste away. Repeat if necessary.

Expires 11/15/09 Not valid with any other offer. Expires 11/23/12

We Bring Samples To You

FRE E…

CO FACTORY OUTLET PRICES MEANSSULTATIO N U Residential and Commercial INSTALL RING ATIO N

Michigan Manufactured

s Roller and Roman Shades s Cellular/Pleated Shades s Faux and Wood Blinds s Woven Woods s Verticals

231-271-4740

DISCOUNTS!

9-27-12ff

Asphalt driveways best

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Dan Stoudt Jr.

Visit our Designers Showcase at 6010 M-72 West, Traverse City

AVP, Mortgage Loan Officer dstoudt@bankmbank.com

perior Lake Su s On Boulder ow Sale N

231-941-6310 direct 231-929-5600 bank 3530 North Country Dr. Traverse City MI 49684 LOI #500598

NMLSS ## 465939 # 465939

x

Michigan Based Local Servicing and Underwriting

x

Residential Mortgage Loans for purchase of your home, vacation or investment properties

x

Types of loans include Conventional, Jumbo, RD, FHA

x

Refinance, Construction, Vacant Land/Lot Loans

We are professional, skillful designers, who take great pride in every job we do!

x

Home Equity Lines of Credit

L AK E F R O NT S P E C IAL I STS

x

Consumer Loans

x

Checking, Savings, CD’s, Money Market

Landsc ape

My

Home.com & WATERFALLS I BRICK PAVING

9-27-12ff

SEAWALLS I RETAINING WALLS I LANDSCAPING I BEACH SANDING I PONDS

LANDSCAPE DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION

www.wilhelmlandsc apes.com

www.bankmbank.com NMLS # 465939

(231) 267-9267 9-27-12FF

Re

Page 24, Section 3

THE LEELANAU ENTERPRISE

Thursday, September 27, 2012

GET READY FOR

WINTER NEW Hybrid-Fyre™ Wood Insert

!DD THE !MAZING 'REEN3TARTÂť Igniter

s 7ORLD S CLEANEST BURNING LARGE INSERT

7ORLD S lRST AND ONLY PUSH BUTTON lRE STARTER

s /NLY GRAMS HOUR s 6IRTUALLY NO CARBON MONOXIDE OUTPUT s (EAT UP TO SQ FT

!SK FOR A DEMONSTRATION

s 5P TO HOUR BURN TIME

Now’s the best time to buy and save on your heating bills this coming winter!

LET US SOLVE YOUR OPEN FIREPLACE PROBLEM!

START YOUR WOOD STOVE WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON!

WATCH A VIDEO DEMONSTRATION NOW

$

INTRODUCTING THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY INNOVATION IN WOOD STOVES IN 100 YEARS!

STOP BY AND ASK FOR A DEMONSTRATION

Why forStarting a fireplace that is cold, inefficient Gassettle Inserts and smokes the house AsupLow As every time you use it?

Providing Professional Service Since 1983 955 S. Airport Road • Traverse City

231-946-2440 Largest Inventory of Wood Stoves www.fer gusonfirepl ace.co m

GET FIRE SMART WITH GREENSMART!

When aesthetics are When value, Wh value, l aesthetics h i and and nd d energy e energy nergy savings savings i are all allll important iimportant –– high-efficiency GreenSmart™ fireplaces by Fireplace high-efficiency GreenSmart™ fireplaces by Fireplace Xtrordinair Xtrordinair are are the the answer. answer. Fireplace Fireplace Xtrordinair Xtrordinair gas gas products products now now feature feature the the patent-pending GreenSmart System, the most innovative collection of components, controls and technology that when combined provides an elegant, smarter and greener way to heat your home.

Save on energy usage and lower your heating bill with something di G S d b Fi l X di i

9-27-12FF

When using an open fireplace you actually lose Why settle for a fireplace that is cold, inefficient about 90% of your heat up the chimney! A Fireplace and smokes up the house every time you use it?

Xtrordinair insert can turn that open fireplace into an When using an effective open fireplace you and actually lose efficient and cost heat source turn that about 90% theinchimney!

A Fireplace 90% loss intoofayour hugeheat heatup gain your home!

Xtrordinair insert can turn that open fireplace into an