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www.michianahouseandhome.com PUBLISHER Ron Baumgartner rbaumgartner@the-papers.com PUBLICATION MANAGER Bill Hays bhays@the-papers.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deb Patterson dpatterson@the-papers.com EDITOR Lauren Zeugner lzeugner@the-papers.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Karen Johnson kjohnson@the-papers.com BUSINESS MANAGER Carrie Goralczyk cgoralczyk@the-papers.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Steve Meadows smeadows@the-papers.com
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contents
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kimberly Zellers MARKETING ASSISTANTS Darlene Eichelberger darlene@the-papers.com Taelynne Ousley tousley@the-papers.com
Servin’ Up Good Eats
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Dive In: Choosing The Right Pool To Beat The Heat Around Michiana
Michiana House and Home (MHH) is a newsmagazine with emphasis on home decor, design and remodeling. MHH does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does MHH or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.
Collaboration Is Key - Finding The Perfect Builder For Your Home
MHH reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. Michiana House and Home has not independently tested any services or products advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. MHH makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products.
NO. 1
Brick By Brick: Landscaping Allows Homeowners To Create Their Own Oasis
FEATURE WRITERS BethAnne Brink-Cox, Dani Messick, Julie Young
DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Jerry Long jlong@the-papers.com
May 2022 VOLUME 19
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What Happens If I Mess Up? Twychendale Uniques Offers Novel Vision Of Home Year-Round Gardening: Creating A Welcoming Garden
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| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 3
editor’s note...
Recently I was involved in a photo shoot for a non-profit where I’m a board member. After taking head shots, we decided to do a group shot of the board and headed outside. As we were looking for a place to take the photo, another board member mentioned it was typical early spring in Northern Indiana, everything was “brown sticks” or green. And to an extent, he was right. Yet if you look closely, tulips and daffodils are in full bloom as is forsythia, a favorite of mine. The first house my family moved into had a border of forsythia bushes that would burst into full bloom in the spring. Even now, I look for forsythia to be in bloom as spring nears. Turquoise the Wonder Kitty is loving having the windows open now that the weather has warmed up. Since I live on a pretty busy road, she is definitely an indoor kitty, but she loves sitting in the open windows enjoying all the different scents and watching the world go by. Recently she spent the morning spying on two good sized rabbits who were enjoying their breakfast in the planting bed in front of the house. And she’s back to supervising me as I do lawn work such as picking up all the small branches the wind has blown out of the trees on my property. I have about 12 trees between the front and back yards. This month’s issue is full of ideas for summer home improvement projects. In our Brick-by-Brick feature, we continue with the process of building that dream home with how to find the right builder. There are articles about what’s trending in landscaping, to give your home not only great curb appeal, but to create your home into an
oasis. We’ve talked to local landscapers and those who do hardscapes about what to plant and how to turn outdoor spaces into an extension of the home. Thinking about adding a pool to your backyard? Be sure to check out the article on pools. There’s lots to learn and think about if installing a pool is something you’re considering. And be sure to check out Loanne Harms’ column on creating a pollinator garden. Pollinator gardens have become extremely popular, especially when the plight of the monarch butterfly began to make headlines a few years ago. I have a friend who has a pollinator garden that is just gorgeous. Not only does it attract bees and butterflies, but the variety of plants she has ensures the garden blooms all summer long. And since all are native plants as well, they come back again and again. This month’s recipe is from another one of my favorite Food network chef Chef Michael Symon. I personally haven’t road tested these recipes, but the photos in his cookbook looked good. I’m thinking I may have to try these out some weekend morning when I’m not rushed to get out the door. And for a change of pace, I picked two breakfast recipes to highlight. Remember, if there’s a recipe you’d like to share or maybe a chef’s recipe you’d like me to include in a future issue of Michiana House and Home, feel free to contact me at lzeugner@the-papers.com and I’ll see what I can do. Until next month,
Lauren
Lauren Zeugner, Editor
Email: Lzeugner@the-papers.com Shutterstock.com
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| BRICK-BY-BRICK |
Landscaping allows homeowners to create their own oasis
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By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer
Memorial Day used to be known as Decoration Day, and every spring you see flats of flowers and plants everywhere. But they’re also out there for landscaping needs that include more than the resting places of loved ones. And landscaping these days goes far beyond those humble beginnings, encompassing not just your lawns and gardens, but patios, decks, gazebos and the like. That can mean beautifully designed works of wood, stone and concrete. Bontrager Concrete Specialties, of Nappanee, specializes in some of the most incredible pieces of work you’ll ever see. Their family-owned business, now in its third generation, serves 44 (and counting!) local towns, and has done so for 57 years, said Kevin Bontrager. I asked what the biggest demand is these days, and Bontrager said, “Stamped concrete patios,”
which are a far cry from the cement blocks I remember in backyards around the grill. “They seem to change patterns from year to year; one year, you will do a lot of one particular pattern, and next year it will be something else.” He added, “Placing a stamped overlay on steps is challenging, but rewarding, with the detail we put into it.” What he most enjoys creating? “When we start with a clean slate, and when the project is finished, the customer looks at it and tells you that it is beautiful.” Stone Ridge Landscaping of Goshen has much to offer, as well, from outdoor living rooms to swimming pools, and everything in between. And to increase your experience, it also offers 3-D design and planning, giving you the most realistic view imaginable of your wishes and vision. Those designs can incorporate planting beds: flowers and plants interwoven with mulch, river rock or stone. Terry Taylor said “Stone Ridge Landscaping started in 2001, and has been improving the outdoor experience for our clients for 21 years!” Like Bontrager’s, Stone Ridge is also family-owned.
I asked Taylor if Stone Ridge has their own nurseries or greenhouses for all the plants they use, and he replied, “We have built two greenhouses during the 2021/2022 winter season to expand our plant offerings. Now we can offer hanging baskets and potted plants as well as flats. Our Garden Center grand opening will be Mother’s Day weekend.” As so many other businesses have experienced in the last two years, the pandemic made a difference to Stone Ridge’s business. Taylor affirmed that saying, “Yes, with people spending more time at home due to the pandemic, we saw a lot more interest in outdoor spaces–specifically with patios, outdoor kitchens, fire features and pergolas. These days, what’s most requested is a paver patio, which is usually accompanied with a landscape block outdoor kitchen.” Trends come and go, and Taylor said, “While color palettes are always changing, we are seeing more of a contemporary layout preferred in planting beds and landscape designs. Clients used to ask for pools with a replaceable liner system, but these days they are almost exclusively looking for fiberglass, one-piece pool systems.” | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 5
Photo courtesy of Bontrager Concrete Specialties, Nappanee
Photo cour tesy of Ston
e Ridge Landscaping,
Goshen
Photo cour tesy of Bont
6 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
rager Concrete Spec
ialties, Nappanee
Photo courtesy of Stone Ridge Landscaping, Goshen
RE BEFO
R AFTE I asked Taylor what kinds of projects he most enjoys creating for customers, and he said, “Any project that the client is passionate about. From sales, to designer, to the installation crews and everyone in between, it is the best feeling when you take a client’s vision, make it a reality, and leave them speechless!” He went on to say while there have been many memorable projects, a particular favorite was “The Yoder project. It required multiple facets of what Stone Ridge has to offer: multi-tiered patients, outdoor kitchen, gas fire pit, pergola, outdoor lighting, decorative stone planting beds, and even a pond fountain and waterfall feature.” Looking again at the portfolio of their designs and finished projects made me wonder, and I asked if Stone Ridge ever gets special requests to landscape for a wedding or other large outdoor event? Taylor replied, “No, however, we would love to speak with anyone who would be considering doing so.” As the summer wedding season approaches, you’d do well to drive by this business and let your imagination run wild–it’s a pretty good bet Stone Ridge can make those fancy fantasies a beautiful reality! n
Photo courtesy of Stone Ridge Landscaping, Goshen
Photos courtesy of Bontrager Concrete Specialties, Nappanee
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| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 7
Free On-Site
Garage Design Consultation
Locally Crafted Furniture Standard or Custom Designed
Rodney Rouch • 574-534-1400 www.coachhousegarages.com
1100 N. Chicago Ave., Goshen 108 S. Main St., Middlebury
574-534-9663 574-825-1902
Avocado and Tomato Egg Scramble Serves 1 Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra- virgin olive oil 2 large eggs, beaten Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper
1/2 avocado, diced 1/4 cup halved grape tomatoes 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Set a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. Add the eggs and cook, occasionally stirring with a silicone spatula, until the eggs just begin to set, about 2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and twist of black pepper. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the avocado, tomatoes and cilantro and serve. n From Fix it with Food by Michael Symon and Douglas Trattner, By Clarkson Potter/ Publishers, Copyright 2019
8 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
Dive-in Choosing the right pool to beat the heat By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer
Summer and swimming go together like peanut butter and jelly and it’s no secret the installation of an in ground or above ground pool can transform your backyard into a staycation destination. However, with several options to choose from as well as pros and cons to each, how can homeowners decide which pool is right for them and more importantly how long will it take to get it?
Photos: Shutterstock.com
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE According to Don Bontrager of Bontrager Pools in Elkhart, the pool industry is still feeling the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. When stay-athome orders and travel restrictions derailed vacation plans, many homeowners decided to create their own backyard escapes instead. This led to a backlog in both in ground and above ground options which have been further impacted by supply chain issues and the rising cost of materials, which are unfortunately passed along to the customers. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” Bontrager said. “Everyone who installs pools is scheduling them a year out and while the pricing remained fairly stable for several years, it’s gone up considerably. A pool that cost $35,000 a few years ago will probably cost $50,000 or more and won’t be installed right away.”
INTO THE DEEP END As an installer of high end, customizable gunite pools, Bontrager says his clients are typically folks who are in the process of building a home and understand there will be an extensive wait before they can go for a dip. They also understand when their pool is completed, they will have a nicely
loaded product that will enhance their outdoor living spaces and will add to the resale value of their home when it is time to move on. Homeowners looking for a less expensive option may choose a molded fiberglass pool, which offers a low maintenance option that is resistant to algae growth, does not develop wrinkles that must be smoothed out and, in most cases, does not have to be resurfaced. Although they come in several sizes, they are not as flexible as a gunite pool and while fiberglass pools are usually faster to install than gunite, these models typically experience delays during peak season (or when the entire industry is facing backlogs.) Vinyl pools are typically the least expensive type of pool to purchase and install, but they make up for the immediate savings in terms of maintenance and care. Available in both in ground and above ground models, vinyl pools come in ready-to-assemble kits that can be installed by a homeowner or professional pool installer. A typical liner lasts between eight and 10 years and can be susceptible to pin sized leaks which can lead to a myriad of problems including: bubbling, lifting, or wrinkling of the liner. “When it comes to pools, we are in a unique market right now and when I talk to clients about what is going on, I can hear the air go out of their sails,” Bontrager said. “However, if you have the time and do not have your heart set on a pool in the immediate future, good things come to those who wait.” n | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 9
michiana around
MULTI-EVENT VENUES LERNER THEATRE | ELKHART •
MAY 6 | GOSHEN
First Friday
Theme: “‘Eat, Drink, Shop” (chance to win $250 gift certificate) 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday Free admission Downtown area 574-312-9922 www.downtowngoshen.org
MAY 3-31 (SELECT DATES) | SOUTH BEND
Farmers Market
Indoor market featuring homegrown produce, dairy products, meats, eggs, maple syrup, jams and jellies, handcrafts, artwork, jewelry, more. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday 1105 Northside Blvd. 574-282-1259 www.southbendfarmersmarket.com
May 6-8, “SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, $12 to $15 • May 8, Mother’s Day Brunch in the Crystal Ballroom, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., $5 to $36 • May 15, Elkhart County Symphony: “New Directions, New Possibilities,” 4 p.m. Sunday, $14 to $35 • May 19, “Continuing the Conversation — ‘Si, Se Puede’” with civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, held on The Central Green of Civic Plaza, free admission • May 20, “Oaklawn’s Got Talent,” 7 p.m. Friday, $10 • May 21, Gordon Lightfoot, 8 p.m. Saturday, $39.95 to $79.95 • May 26, “Lerner on the Lawn” with Hooked Like Helen, 6 p.m. Thursday, free admission • May 27, free community tours every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. All donations benefit the Lerner Volunteer Program • May 27, lunchtime Kimball organ concert featuring Clark Wilson, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., free admission • May 27, Kimball organ silent film series: “The General, Chasing Choo Choos,” 7 p.m. Friday, $10 to $12.50 410 S. Main St. 574-293-4469 www.thelerner.com
MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SOUTH BEND •
MAY 21-22 | NILES
Renaissance Faire Re-enactors, demonstrations, games, music. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday $5/person Plym Park, 401 Marmont St. 269-683-4700 www.nilesmi.org
10 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
May 13, Pulse FM Downtown Summer Series: Switchfoot with Colton Dixon, 8 p.m. Friday, $28.50 to $103.50 • May 21, South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Paris Impressions, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $15.20 to $86 adults, $10 children and students • May 25, 525 Foundation Presents a Night with Terry Bradshaw, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $25 to $200 211 N. Michigan St. 574-235-9190 www.morriscenter.org
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PARKS | SOUTH BEND •
May 1, Parent-Child Fishing Derby, friendly catch-and-release competition. Bait and fishing equipment available. check-in 9:30 a.m., fishing 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, BB. Ages 5-10, Registration required by April 27. • May 1, Park-O Challenge orienteering competition. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, BB. $6/ person, free for children under 10. Registration required by April 26. • May 4, 11, Boomers and Beyond: Spring Walking Club, 50- to 60-minute walk, 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, BB. $15 for five sessions or $4 drop-in fee. Registration recommended. • May 6, Spring Fling for the Little Ones, outdoor activities for children five and under. 10 a.m. to noon Friday, BW. $5/family. Registration required by May 4. • May 7, Mother’s Day Pottery, learn the “slump” method of pottery making. Materials and light refreshments provided. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, BB. $12/person. Registration required by May 2. • May 7, Wildflower Hike, 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Runnels Shelter. Free admission. Registration required by May 6. • May 7, Coffee with the Eagles: “A Vision to Behold,” glimpse bald eagles while hearing their history and lore. 10 a.m. Saturday, St. Patrick’s County Park. $8/person. Registration and payment required by May 2. St. Patrick’s County Park and Brown Barn (BB), 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend Bendix Woods County Park (BW), 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle 574-654-3155 www.sjcparks.org
GOSHEN THEATER | GOSHEN •
May 14, Drama Club May Meetup!, acting class for 8-14 year olds, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, $10/student 216 S. Main St. 574-312-3701 www.goshentheater.com
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MULTI-EVENT VENUES WELLFIELD BOTANICAL GARDENS | ELKHART • •
Through May 31, “Spring Splendor,” regular admission May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Bird Walk, 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays, regular admission. Venue is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, $10/adults, $5/children 3-12 1011 N. Main St. 574-266-2006, ext. 105 www.wellfieldgardens.org
POTAWATOMI ZOO | SOUTH BEND •
Eat and Drink at the Zoo, food, wine, beer vendors, musical guests, unlimited train and carousel rides. For adults 21 and over only. 5-8 p.m. Saturday. $85 general admission, $125 VIP. $12/adults 15-61, $10/children 3-14 and adults 62+, free for members and children 2 and under. Call for zoo’s operating hours. 500 S. Greenlawn Ave. 574-235-9800 www.potawatomizoo.org
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THE BARNS AT NAPPANEE | NAPPANEE •
Through May 7, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” various show times Wednesday through Sunday. Show only: $33.95 to $37.95 adults, $23.95 to $27.95 students, $13.95 to $17.95 children. Meal and show: $63.95 to $67.95 adults, $53.95 to $57.95 students, $28.95 to $32.95 children. • May 13, Jonnie W., family-friendly comedy, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $15 balcony/$20 main floor. Add $30 for restaurant dinner. • May 26 through July 2, “When Calls the Heart, The Musical,” based on the beloved series by Janette Oke. Times vary. Show only: $33.95 to $37.95 adults, $23.95 to $27.95 students, $13.95 to $17.95 children. Meal and show: $63.95 to $67.95 adults, $53.95 to $57.95 students, $28.95 to $32.95 children. 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee 574-773-4188 www.thebarnsatnappanee.com
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RUTHMERE MANSION | ELKHART May 1, Founder’s Day, Free Family Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Havilah Beardsley House • May 3, Gallery Talk: “After Alice: The Development of Modern Children’s Literature,” 11 a.m. Tuesday, free admission • May 5, Spring Concert Series: Youmee Kim, 7 p.m. Thursday, regular admission • May 8, Mother’s Day, free admission for mothers, 1-4 p.m. Sunday • May 19, Book Club, 3 p.m. Thursday, free admission • May 19, Spring Concert Series: Fischoff, 7 p.m., regular admission • May 28 through Sept. 4, free admission for active duty service members and families. All events at Ruthmere, 201 E. Beardsley Ave., unless otherwise specified. Havilah Beardsley House, 102 W. Beardsley Ave. Ruthmere: $10/adults, $4/students, free for children under 5 with adult. Havilah Beardsley House: $5/adults, $2/students, free for children under 5 with adult. Tour times on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 574-264-0330 888-287-7696 www.ruthmere.org n
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www.bontragerconcrete.com
574-773-7311
598 Shawnee Drive, Nappanee, IN 46550 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 11
collaboration is key
finding the perfect builder for your home
By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer
BEFORE YOU SIGN
When it’s time to turn your dream home into a reality, it’s important to have the perfect partner by your side throughout the process. Your builder will not only help you decide on your home’s architecture and square footage but will guide you through a million major (and minor) details along the way. That’s why it is vital to find a true collaborator who will understand your wants and needs to bring your vision to life! DO YOUR HOMEWORK The first step in finding a builder for your dream home is to find out which firms are available in your area. Make inquiries through your own personal network as well as local builders’ associations and other organizations such as the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce to find reputable builders you can trust. Chances are, the same names will come up time and again and when they do, put those firms on your short list. After you formulate a list of potential builders, research each firm to find out if they have experience in building the style/ size home you have in mind. Does their typical price range fall within your bud-
get? Will they build on your private lot or do they stick to specific neighborhoods/ developments? Narrow your list down to four or five builders who can meet your needs and then set up appointments to meet them. It’s during this meeting you will determine whether a particular builder is right for you. Come to the meeting with prepared questions about the firm, any concerns you may have about the building process, how well they stick to a timeline and the state of the industry in your area. (Supply issues, delays, etc.) Be sure to ask for references and follow up to determine whether this firm is one you will feel comfortable working with for a year or more.
Lumber ~ Shiplap ~ Flooring Hardware ~ Makita Tools Milwaukee Tools ~ Valspar Paint Therma Tru Entry Doors
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12 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
After you’ve met with your builders, have contacted their references, and looked at their finished product, it is time to make a final choice. However, before you sign on the dotted line with your chosen firm, take a step back and compare your builder’s communication style to your own. If this does not mesh, then it’s unlikely your build will be an enjoyable process. Do you like to speak face-to-face, or will a quick e-mail or text suffice for simple questions? How often do you expect to meet with your builder? Does your builder provide regular status updates? Are you able to effectively share your desires with others so there is no conflict later? While it’s important to find a builder who complements your communication style, remember communication is a two-way street, and you must do your part as well. Laying the foundation with your builder right from the start will lead to a great working relationship until move-in day and will ensure that they create a house that you will one day call “home.” n
I f i s n e p p “What ha
” ? P U S MES
By Dani Messick House and Home Feature Writer
Hendrick Construction says the first question you should ask when planning a DIY home repair or remodel. “If there is a chance that you could be harmed in the process of completing a DIY repair, it’s best to call a professional,” Shawn Hendrick says in a company blog. A wealth of tools online exist for educating DIYers on how to complete certain projects.
basements, chopping down trees, and fixing garage doors, the couple admits HVAC is out of their scope of knowledge. “Look, we’re all about DIY and taking on a challenge. But, we’re also all for not screwing up expensive, complicated equipment. Plus, it doesn’t matter how many tools you have. You don’t have the right ones.” Then there’s cost. Can you afford to fix your mistakes?
My DIY University is one of just many locations where homeowners can take free and paid online classes in a variety of topics ranging from smart home tech to bathroom remodeling to complete home building.
“Often, a problem will seem simple but is actually the result of a larger underlying issue,” Hendrick says in his blog. “Attempting to solve the problem yourself can lead to unnecessary waste of time and money. Be honest with yourself about your knowledge and skill level.”
YouTube boasts channels including the DIY Network, Flannel Guy DIY and The DIY Mommy, among hundreds of those. They’ll tell you, too, that sometimes it’s best to call a pro.
He sites roofing and electrical work as particular areas where an expert should be called,
In a YouTube video from Jan. 2015, MyFixitUpLife show’s DIY couple Mark and Theresa acknowledge there are just some projects they won’t take on alone. Despite framing
“Simple mistakes can lead to an electrical fire,” Transworld, Inc. Electrical Contractor says in a blog. “Electrical fires are dangerous and unlike regular fires, it’s dangerous to use water to extinguish the flames.
The water will conduct the electricity and electrocute anyone nearby who gets wet.” Mistakes as simple as incorrect bulb wattage, or faulty installation of switches and outlets, seemingly basic projects, can lead to complicated fires- and then there’s municipal codes and permits. “Remember that unlicensed electrical work is against the law so individuals guilty of this can face severe fines of up to $100,000, while companies can be penalized up to $500,000, depending on the state or territory. You can also serve a prison sentence of two years. If your violation causes deaths, you’ll have to deal with larger penalties and a lengthier prison term.” Lifehack.org, known for being a DIY haven, agrees with Hendrick that DIY roofing can cause more problems than is worth the potentiwal savings. Blogger Cassie Costner explains, “Depending on what field you are specialized in, you might have absolutely no knowledge of how roofing works, and what the best techniques are.” “You don’t want to make an experiment out of your home—get the roof replaced properly the first time
to prevent further projects from being needed,” she said. “By doing a poor job yourself, you will only be spending more money hiring somebody else to come take care of the mess you created.” Examples she includes are finding leaks, which licensed professionals are trained to investigate. “When you are learning a new skill, most of your attention is dedicated to completing the task, not your surroundings,” she adds. “In some cases this is just fine, but when it comes to fixing the roof, this is downright dangerous.” Still, handymen exist for just about anything and the truth of the matter is you can and should call a professional any time you feel you may not be able to do the project safely by yourself. Blue Collar DIY says his most lucrative projects are things like drywall repair, and ceiling fan or wall mount installation. “You should always ask, ‘What could happen if I mess up?’,” says Hendrick. “If the answer is death, serious injury, or substantial property damage, the best option is to call a professional.” n
| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 13
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Twychendale Uniques offers novel vision of home By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer
We all have our favorite ways of commemorating sentimental times and places. Pinterest shows some incredibly clever ideas for celebrating your home, whether it’s your first house, or one of many. But you’ve never seen anything like Twychendale Uniques, the hand sculpted creations of Elaine Baell, who said, “I never studied art in school or anything like that, but I was always drawn to ceramic art. In 2005 I saw that classes were being offered at Century Center and I said to myself, you know what? I could do that, and I did. I made the house my daughter and son-in-law lived in, and it was pretty crude, but I’ve evolved. In the past year, I’ve done 7 or
liked doing last year was meant to go with a Christmas village,” explained Baell. 8 plaques to hang or to place on an easel, and they’re the front of the house.” And the more her work is seen by others, the more elaborate new orders will become! But Baell has a very clever way to get into the mindset she needs. “Before I start a new piece, I work a jigsaw puzzle. Because it didn’t dawn on me that’s what I was doing, but it sets the mind to creating the houses – to work a puzzle you have to figure out how they’ll go together, and so it is with sculpting,” said Baell. Baell said she considers her work a craft, not a business, with most of her finished pieces being given as gifts. “A couple of local realtors have seen my houses and commissioned them as gifts to new homeowners, and one I especially
She went on to say that she’s partnered with someone who does 3-D printing, “And we get together and he creates pillars and everything right down to the inch in perfect proportions. Clay moves so much when it’s fired, and you have to account for 10% shrinkage. The pieces are fired twice and the first time is pretty dramatic, but they still shrink the second time, too.” Baell said she makes a variety of things, “But I only work by hand, not the wheel. I’ve made so many things now that when I visit my daughters’ houses, I see things there I forgot I’d made!” When asked what her favorite pieces were, she laughed and said, “Every one that turns out well! You have a vision when you start creating, but sometimes when it comes out of the kiln you no longer recognize it. So it’s a happy surprise when it does come out right. If it doesn’t, I incorporate it into my landscaping, because I love to garden, too.” Baell works at home as well as in her studio; this is hardly a kitchen table craft, after all. “I do work at home and deliver my pieces when I have finished them, but you have to be very careful transporting them!” She went on to say that she’s helped a lot of people with their craft, but wouldn’t want to teach, “Because, like I said, I only do hand built pieces, and not the wheel.” She’s 75 and said it has been interesting to look at some of her earliest pieces and compare them to recent works, seeing how far she’s come.
14 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
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Baell said she doesn’t really make a profit on her houses, which sell for $200, because of the amount of time involved. “And I can kind of understand the thinking because I’m guilty of seeing things at craft shows and thinking hey, I could do that. It’s hard for some to factor in all the time that goes into creation.”
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This is an issue a lot of handcrafters face when selling their wares for a decent price. She likes to photograph the house she’ll be recreating, but she’s also used photos customers have sent, even houses that are out of state, “But it’s best for me to see the actual house when I can.” Talent is in your brain; your eyes and hands are the tools to implement, and Baell has passed her gift on down to her twin daughters. “They are both artistic, but not with clay. One paints pet portraits, both watercolor and acrylic. The other one taught herself to crochet, and has always liked to draw, as well.” Baell keeps busy with far more than sculpting clay. She volunteers at Potawatomi Zoo and the Pet Refuge Animal Rescue. She donates a house for the fundraisers each time they’re held. She loves to travel, saying, “This is the seventh state I’ve lived in. The East Coast was fascinating. I’ve traveled all over Europe and Russia. That’s probably how these houses got started, because I’ve always been involved with architecture.” Just as painters often study anatomy to really draw bodies well, Baell knows the bones of the houses make a difference between something ordinary and something that seems like a miniature world you could walk into, if you could only open the door. n Photos courtesy of Elaine Baell
203 Wayne St., Middlebury, IN (574) 825-8824
| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 15
| YEAR-ROUND GARDENING |
Creating a
WELCOMING GARDEN By Loanne Harms, Guest Feature Writer
There is a major push in the United States right now to create habitats that invite pollinators into our gardens in an effort to reverse the decline of bees and monarch butterflies in particular. Pollinator gardens feature native plants with a variety of bloom times. They add color and interest to the landscape while also helping to conserve and attract native pollinators. Pollinators such as hummingbirds, bumble bees, day moths, and flower beetles are important to a healthy and vibrant garden. Yet, nature is complex. Tara Mitchell*, landscape architect, warns that “if we plant only for pollinators, we potentially reduce diversity, disrupt naturally existing plant communities, and don’t provide for the variety of other insects that have important, though less visible, roles.” She continues, “The plant-insect relationship is dependent on many insects besides pollinators. Non-pollinating insects tend to feed on other insects and on the saps and foliage of plants. Because many of them damage foliage and may contribute to plant decline, they are often considered pests and eradicated. However, in a balanced ecosystem, these species keep plant and insect populations in check. Like pollinators, they are also an important source of food for larger insects, birds, reptiles, and other creatures up the food chain. Although these insects have less marketing appeal than monarchs and bees, they are an essential part of the system.” A welcoming garden means we remain mindful, curious, aware and non-judgmental of who is visiting. Looking for and watching the variety of creatures that visit can be exciting, educational, and relaxing. Having a welcoming garden means being willing to have a few plants eaten, a few plants lost, and a lot less control over what grows where. It means watching plants spread, multiply or die on their own at times. Creating a welcoming garden means one is willing to work with nature in partnership, not as a ruler, but as a co-creator. It may be a bit ‘messy’ but it doesn’t have to be. One will still remove invasive plants, prune back over-active varieties and fill in bare spots with transplants. In return, one is spared from mulching, fertilizing and watering.
Audubon Society suggests the following: • Use native plants and provide a variety of heights, colors, and bloom times for nectar. • Minimize or eliminate pesticide/insecticide use, especially those containing neonicotinoids. • Create shelters: bee boxes and twig bundles, brush shelters, dense shrubs, standing dead trees, pocket meadows. patches of sandy ground. • Include water: shallow containers, wet sand or mud. • Provide larval food plants for caterpillars. • Allow a few wild patches and un-manicured natural areas. • Full sun should cover at least half of your pollinator garden site. Provide basking structures (rocks, fences, logs, etc.).
A welcoming space can be as small as a window box or as large as one’s entire lot. The important point is to create a space that puts out the welcome mat for creatures of all sorts, and then stand back to watch. All are part of the bigger picture, a part of the balance of nature.
It remains a surety, ‘If you plant it, they will come’!
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*Tara Mitchell is a landscape architect with Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Her focus is on ecological restoration, naturalistic landscape design, native seeding, and vegetation management. Additional information about Welcoming Gardens can be found at https://www.pilotonline. com/life/home-garden/article_c78c2236-8619-11e9-b428-ffabc51446f6.html. n
So what does a welcoming garden need?
16 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
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| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 17
Did You Know?
There may not be a lot of holidays in May, but there’s something to celebrate literally every day from National Mother Goose Day falling on May 1 all the way down to Autonomous Vehicle Day on May 31. There’s another holiday in May you don’t want to forget about, though. Traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday of the month, Mother’s Day falls on May 8 this year, so it’s a little earlier than usual. The newest Kindle Paperwhite or maybe an Instant Pot 3-in-1 Coffee Machine or a personalized puzzle by Minted might brighten her day.
Not at all coincidentally, the Friday before is also National Public Gardens Day. It’s the perfect time of year, and hopefully, the weather, to calm your mind and spend some much-needed time together. If you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to get out and celebrate with the sounds of running water and the smells of fresh flowers. The flowers, themselves, are also a popular gift for Mother’s Day. At DeFries Gardens, the Elkhart County Parks Department is hosting a spring plant exchange on May 7. Bring your healthy plants, bulbs, and seeds to exchange with other gardeners for new ones for Mom. Plants must be potted and labeled. It’s a free event and there’s no registration required. If that’s not up your alley, the South Bend Cubs play on Mother’s Day at Four Winds Field, Water Circus I: Silver Unit runs all weekend in University Park Mall’s Parking Lot, and so does SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical at the Lerner Theatre, special Mother’s Day brunches, and performing artists can be found all over the region, so there’s all kinds of things to do.
Whatever you choose, don’t forget to spend the day with the woman who made you who you are today. n
... and now you know!
18 | Michiana House and Home | May 2022 |
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