Debunking home energy myths
Whether you are a renter or a homeowner, you can upgrade the efficiency and comfort of your space without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Victory Garden Revival
A growing trend Victory gardens and community farming show small plots can reap a bounty. By Amy Paradysz As Americans poise for a return to ‘normalcy’ by the Fourth of July, for many of us the new normal comes with bigger gardens. Tanya Dunton of Herman joined a Facebook group for victory gardeners last year…
Native plant finder
By Julie Mcleod Would you like to attract more birds and pollinators to your yard? Native plants support and restore our ecosystems. And now, thanks to the Maine Audubon Native Plant Finder, you can find which plants are the best fit for your yard/property, available sunlight and more. And then pick them up at one of the…
Ten things you can do to save the bees
You may have heard, there is growing global concern about declines in bee abundance and species diversity. In the United States, bees pollinate agricultural crops and plants in gardens, lawns, meadows and forests – so landscape converted for residential and commercial uses eliminates natural bee habitats. Also, many insecticides and herbicides are either toxic to…
Find your Feng Shui flow
By Heather Chandler You know the feeling. You walk into a room and immediately feel good. Maybe it’s the colors and the flow, the way the tables and chairs and rugs are oriented. Some of us might say that the space has good energy. It’s possible that this is because the room follows the principles…
7 Reasons to install solar in 2019
You may have heard that the price of solar panels has dropped considerably in the past ten years. In fact, they’ve dropped by 75%. Whether you are motivated by saving money, freeing yourself from foreign energy sources or reducing your environmental impact, 2019 is a great year to consider installing solar. Here’s why: 1) Federal…
Home-made modeling dough
Rainy day? Keep little hands busy by making craft dough using just a few simple ingredients! If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, no problem – you can make this dough with just flour, salt and water. The vegetable oil is added to make the dough easier to work, and the alum (used…
Q&A with Portland architect Caleb Johnson
PORTLAND ARCHITECT CALEB JOHNSON is pushing the boundaries of vernacular architecture by using wood in modern ways. His forms are clean, his craftsmanship is high, and his materials run heavily to wood grown in Maine. A signature element is the use of plain cedar siding woven together at the corners for weather tightness. He spoke…
Bridge of Many Barks
By Lee Burnett A GRACEFUL FOOTBRIDGE NOT FAR FROM the main drag in Bridgton is a great learning test for anyone who thinks they know Maine wood. Entering the timber frame structure, the eye is drawn to a “live edge” of bark on the overhead cross ties. There is smooth bark and deep-fissured bark, whitish…
Riley Pratt has touched the future
AMONG EMERGING WOOD TECHNOLOGIES, few have as much buzz as mass timber, or cross laminated timber (CLT). The pre-fabricated, solid-wood panels are touted as a climate friendly, labor-saving alternative to concrete and steel in the construction of large buildings. Recently, two companies have announced plans to open separate CLT manufacturing plants in Maine. To date,…