2019 Lake Erie Lifestyles Home & Garden Edition by ErieTimesNews

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G LO R I O U S

gardens B EC KO N

Plus: Tips on how to decorate, declutter and sell your home.

2 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

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contents

May ’19 VOL. 12 ISSUE 7

[SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

Home & Garden Spring pring into home and garden mont month with more than 40 pages of content.

arts & entertainment

escapes

68 PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM

STUDENTS MASTER ARTISTRY Visit the TREC student art show

Where to go this summer

bon appétit 16

BEER COASTER Craft beer lovers gather

ROASTY TOASTY Puff Pastry Tart With Roasted Veggies is a crowd pleaser

home & garden 22

in every issue 8

WHERE ARE THEY Mercyhurst students share careers

74 LAST LOOK Contestant’s reaction will brighten your day

WHERE PEACEFUL WATERS FLOW Cranesville water gardens amaze visitors

BEDROOM MAKEOVER Nonproﬁt surprises child with a new room

on the cover

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G LO R I

47 BIG SALE ON A LITTLE HOUSE Sold with ideas that brought in the buyers

SELLER’S CHECKLIST Fix it before you sell

BORDER BEAUTY Hedges beat fences for natural beauty

GO GRANITE, QUARTZ, MARBLE Tips on how to choose counters

4 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

The homemade gardens at Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s home in Cranesville are a spectacular site.

garde n OUS

B EC KO

Plus:

Tips on how declutter to decorate, and sel l your hom e.

2019

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from the editor

Is it time to declutter your home?

2. Get a storage unit. ’m not Marie Kondo, We had one for a year and I don’t want to be, — something I’d recombut her take on how to mend to anyone (who has declutter your home is just too much stuff) and is one method you might want selling a house. to research while preparing a home for sale. This 3. From Kondo, I month is all about homes learned to store things and gardens, and the most in clear boxes. Duh. important rule of thumb for Take 10 minutes and every seller is to declutter. Pam and Kim Parker watch this Kondo video When my husband and I on basic rules for tidying up: www.yousold our home, people asked how we dealt tube.com/watch?v=TXzcmr2WcDA with all the years of stuff: our stuff, six kids’ stuff and stuff I couldn’t give away If you’re thinking about selling, we because I couldn’t emotionally part with have a couple of articles that can help. it. Well, my hubby is a master of getting Halle Kostansek successfully sold her rid of things, and that’s good for both of 720-square-foot home and offers some us. Here are things I learned from him, terrific tips on page 47. And if you want to Kondo, and paid experts about how to do a room-by-room inventory to prep for clean out the clutter and move on from a sale, read my checklist on page 50. My one house to the next: husband and I collaborated on that one. Happy May from all of us at Lake Erie 1. Your kids don’t want your stuff. LifeStyle. Ask them. If you’re saving sentimental stuff for them, don’t. They may want some specific things, and they’ll tell you. But don’t assume they will treasure your treasures or their own just because you did. Pam Parker Editor

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EDITOR Pam Parker pam.parker@timesnews.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER/WEB DESIGN Magazine Design by Center for News & Design ———— Web design Dave Super PHOTOGRAPHERS Jack Hanrahan, Christopher Millette, Greg Wohlford ADVERTISING Amy Izbicki, multi-media sales manager aizbicki@timesnews.com 814-878-1924 CONTACT US 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534 GoErie.com/lifestyle/lake-erie-lifestyle All content, including the design, art, photos and editorial content © 2019, Erie Times-News. No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

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contributors

“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.” — H A Z R AT I N AYAT K H A N

Heather Cass is an aspiring water gardener and nature lover who fell in love with Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s backyard via Facebook. By day, she’s the publications manager at Penn State Behrend. page 22

Marci DeWolf shares the popularity of Philadelphia as a destination vacation this year. She is a freelance journalist who covers arts, entertainment and travel, and her work has appeared in The Boston Globe and Palm Beach Daily News. page 68

Marissa Orbanek meets a group that remodels children’s bedrooms and shares the story of one little girl who beneﬁtted from the group’s charity. Marissa is the public relations manager for General McLane School District and the girls lacrosse coach for McDowell High School. page 29

Laura Firszt tells you everything you need to know about granite, quartz and marble choices for counters. She has published more than 1,000 home improvement articles. page 64

Steve Orbanek gives craft beer lovers something to look forward to at Waldameer Park in May when local brewers celebrate American Craft Brew Week. Orbanek is a marketing communication specialist at Penn State Behrend. page 16

Jennie Geisler creates a delicious tart with veggies. The Puff Pastry Tart With Roasted Veggies is a crowd pleaser. She is the resident foodie here at the Erie Times-News and she has shared recipes she makes at home for more than 16 years. page 20

Pam Parker ﬁnds more than 60 ways to freshen up your home before you sell it. She has written about real estate for the Erie Times-News for 27 years and is the editor or Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home. page 50

Jack Hanrahan capture the joy of a fourth-grader after a successful spelling exercise during a spelling bee. Hanrahan is a photojournalist for the Erie Times-News. page 74

Halle Kostansek recalls her experience in preparing her 720-square-foot home for sale. She sold it in six months. Kostansek is a communications specialist at WQLN. page 47

8 | LAKE ERIE LIFESTYLE

Betty Montgomery tells us how hedges can be a beautiful and natural border around our homes and yards. She is a master gardener and author. page 54

Brian R. Sheridan ﬁnds a great place to spend some time viewing the artistic talents of students during the TREC student art show. He is a senior lecturer and communications department chair at Mercyhurst University. page 11

COMING IN JUNE Lake Erie LifeStyle shares vacation ideas

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Where are they now ... brought to you by Painted Finch Gallery

Graduates have great careers Story by Pam Parker

One summer day in July 2014, four Mercyhurst University students posed for our cover. Each was preparing for a career but they were all headed in different directions. Here’s where they are now, clockwise, from left: Lauren Meyer,, a fashion merchandising major, worked toward her degree and spent a year at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is now a visual manager at H & M. Gregg Welty had graduated from Mercyhurst and was headed to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was the first Mercyhurst graduate to be accepted into the medical school. Now, he is in a combined psychiatry and family medicine residency at UPMC/St. Margaret’s in Pittsburgh. Pedro Rodriguez was working as a police officer at Mercyhurst’ss main campus while attending school. He had his associate’s degree, ee, had added a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and worked toward ard a master of science degree in administration of justice. He is now an adult probation/parole officer at the Erie County Courthouse. Amanda Skarlinski planned a career in medicine with her LPN degree a little more than a year after graduating from McDowell High School. hool. She is now a licensed practical nurse at Edinboro Manor and planss to return to school to become a registered nurse. LEL

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arts & entertainment

This is one of the entries for the contest in 2018. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Student art show

at TREC

Story by Brian R. Sheridan

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arts & entertainment

considerable talent and demonstrate their respect for the natural beauty of Presque Isle.” This year’s theme attracted a large number of works from students in the region. Brian Gula, an environmental education specialist at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, oversees the entries and organizes the awards ceremony and the gallery show. Submissions have more than doubled since the first year when about 60 pieces were entered. Awards are chosen by a group of community volunteers who review all of the submitted pieces. “Erie always has been very strong in the arts and, of course, Presque Isle is pretty much the foundation for the inspiration of most of that art,” Gula said. “When you think about it, in nearly every restaurant, every business, even dentist office, most you’re going to see a picture of Presque Isle or the lighthouse or something related to Presque Isle.” Gula says the theme of the show usually impacts the number of entries TREC receives each year. The theme “All Things That Flower” in 2017 drew the most entries with 300 pieces. Last year’s topic “All Things Plastic,” designed to highlight the dangers that plastics can have on the environment, was “a little more challenging” than themes of past shows. Still, Gula saw a lot of amazing works. “This one student put together this turtle and she created it all out of different plastics that she found on the beach. It was quite incredible. The talent and the quality of art from all age groups blows me away every year. There’s some art that comes out of the youngest age group that is just like ‘Wow, I can’t believe it,’” Gula said. Pfadt, who bestows the grand prize “Chairman’s Award” on the piece judged best overall, also says he has been impressed by the quality of work displayed by all of the young artists. He’s also seen the skills of individual artists grow. The work of the students has left a mark on him and those who see the works each year. “From the images of Oliver Hazard Perry to the remarkable ‘Cardinal in Winter,’ they have left a powerful impression of the talent of the students,” he said. “The photo of a snowy owl that was taking off Gull Point and the jumping trout picture painted on canvas are a couple of the highlights that we show each year at the awards ceremony. You have to be in the gallery and see for yourself the skill and detail that the students commit to the finished art to understand how truly remarkable their skills are.” Pfadt also believes that this type of show can not only strengthen the students’ art skills but create a long-lasting connection between them and the natural world and boost their confidence in an educational environment where “there is less and less space for the display of unique and individual talents.”

In 2016, “Ice Deer,” an ink marker drawing by Ereshaliz Arce, then a student at Roosevelt Middle School in Erie, was submitted during the Natural Impressions annual mixed media student art competition at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

In 2018, Tom Ridge, left, was on hand to award Isabelle Southard, center, the annual mixed media student art competition trophy at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Joe Pfadt, right, is a member of the Presque Isle Advisory Committee. [PAUL LOREI/ CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

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arts & entertainment

In 2016, this pastel drawing called “Walk in the Woods,” was submitted by Brianna Feathers, who was a student at Holy Family School in Erie and attended the Neighborhood Art House in Erie. It was part of the annual mixed media student art competition at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. All artwork in the show was related to the theme of winter at Presque Isle State Park. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

“Art has always been a place where students may bring their special talents to an item of art that they may take great pride in,” Pfadt said. “It is the connection to the park and the individual skills that each student may demonstrate within our competition. Each student that enters the competition may take a very personal and unique experience with them for life. The Park becomes a place that they take ownership in and their art reflects that ownership.” The competition and show can also be a pathway to jump-starting a career as a professional artist. Works become centerpieces of a student’s portfolio. Gula has also heard

14 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

of pieces being sold to local art collectors or through the TREC gift shop. While the awards ceremony was held April 19 at TREC, the gallery of entries remains open to the public until May 27. Ribbons mark those that won prizes in each of the competition’s categories. In the past, thousands of people have added the art show to their springtime visit to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. It not only demonstrates the talent of young people in the region but just how much Presque Isle is the crown jewel of Pennsylvania’s state park system. For more information on TREC, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov. LEL

In 2016, Jennifer Krull, a Harbor Creek High School student, won the Mixed Media Student Art Competition Award. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

arts & entertainment

This is one of the entries for the contest in 2018. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

This is one of the entries for the contest in 2018. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

This is one of the entries for the contest in 2018. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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bon appÃ©tit

BEER

COASTER

ROLLS into Waldameer Park Story by Steve Orbanek

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bon appétit

Participants in the 2018 Beer Coaster gathered in a pavilion. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

hat could be more Erie than Waldameer Park and Water World, Smith’s hot dogs and local craft beer?

You might answer nothing, and that’s exactly what the Lake Erie Ale Trail is counting on. On Saturday, May 18, the Ale Trail will host the third-annual Beer Coaster event at Waldameer to help celebrate American Craft Beer Week. From 4 to 8 p.m., attendees will sample beers from all 12 of the Ale Trail’s breweries as they chow down on some gourmet Smith’s hot dogs. Attendees are also able to come earlier and purchase a discounted beer tasting and ride-a-rama package. “This started with us looking to plan an event that was different from the same-old beer fest. We wanted to create not just a unique event but a unique experience, so we talked about how Erie has some pretty cool venues, and Waldameer was one of the ones that came up,” said Chris Sirianni, owner of the Brewerie at Union Station and secretary for the Lake Erie Ale Trail. “(Waldameer) embraced it from the start, and we explained to them this wasn’t just a big beer bash. We wanted to get people from outside of Erie to come to Erie because those are the markets we’re targeting.” According to Sirianni, the event has averaged between 200 and 250 attendees in each of its first two years. He also said that one-third of those attendees have come from outside the Erie area, which falls in line with Lake Erie Ale Trail’s mission to promote the region as a craft beer destination.

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bon appétit

Nelson DaSilva, at left, and Matt Fye, production manager for Erie Brewing Co., set up for the Beer Coaster in 2018. DaSilva was a former research and development brewer for Erie Brewing Co. but has since left the company. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO] Jennafer Skarupski, a beer Coaster volunteer, and Logan Hartpence, assistant brewer at Lavery Brewing Co., worked during Beer Coaster in 2018. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

But, perhaps more importantly than that, the festival also promotes some of the region’s other top commodities. “We’re showcasing Erie’s best craft beer; we’re showcasing one of our greatest assets in Waldameer and we’re literally showcasing one of Erie’s finest staples on bread in Smith’s,” Sirianni said. The cost to attend the event is either $25 for just the beer tasting or that can be packaged with a ride-a-rama for $45. At $25, the beer festival is among the cheapest, both in Erie and the tri-state area. That’s by design. “As far as we know, it’s the cheapest beer fest anywhere in the region and to be able to showcase a great venue at a really affordable price is important for us,” Sirianni said. “In other towns, you might have to pay $50 or $75 for a beer fest, and that gets pricey when you account for travel, gas, hotels and meals. This makes it more enticing for people to travel here.” There’s also something for everyone. Because of the festival’s location at Waldameer, it’s very

18 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Tate Warren, left, a brewer at Erie Brewing Co. prepares hot dogs at the 2018 Beer Coaster with a volunteer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

bon appétit

KNOW IF YOU GO family-friendly. The event takes place in the former Merry-Go-Round carousel pavilion located near the Scrambler and bumper cars. “I think we realized that a lot of people who visit the Ale Trail have families, and this event gives them a chance to appease both themselves and their children, who can ride rides. It’s a good craft beer scene, a good family-oriented amusement park, and you put that together and you have Beer Coaster,” said Jeff McCullor, co-founder and marketing director for Erie Ale Works and vice president of the Lake Erie Ale Trail. This year’s festival will be even more special. For the first ever during American Craft Beer Week, the Lake Erie Ale Trail plans to release multiple collaboration beers between several of its breweries. Many of those beers will be tasted for the first time during the Beer Coaster event. “We want to do multiple collaborations between multiple breweries, so there will be a few beers that at this event that no one has ever had before,” McCullor said. It’s also likely that these will be beers that no one will have again. “For us, this is the pinnacle of American Craft Beer Week,” Sirianni said. “It really is the ultimate Erie showcase where you get the best of all worlds: the local food, the local beer and one of the best Erie staple attractions.” LEL

Beer Coaster

Third Annual 0.01K

When: Saturday, May 18, 4 to 8 p.m. Where: Waldameer Park and Water World What: Join the Lake Erie Ale Trail brewers for a day of rides at the park, paired nicely with local craft beer and gourmet hot dogs. Rain or shine! Pricing options: Beer and hot dog tasting only, $25; Beer, hot dogs and ride-a-rama; $45. Tickets: www.lakeeriealetrail.com.

• • • •

Beer and Wine Events for May Beer on the Bay Tickets available May 1 Beginning Wednesday, May 1, tickets will be available for Beer on the Bay, the region’s largest craft beer festival. The event will be held Saturday, July 27, at Liberty Park. Cost to attend either the ﬁrst or second session is $40. VIP attendance at the ﬁrst session is $60 for either session. To purchase tickets, visit www.eriepa.com/get-connected/ beer-on-the-bay.

Mother’s Day Wine Tasting • • • •

Sunday, May 12 Liberty Vineyards & Winery 2861 US Route 20, Sheridan, N.Y. Celebrate your mother with this tradition at Liberty Vineyards & Winery. Special chocolatecovered strawberries will be paired with each wine tasting. For more information, visit http:// libertywinery.com/.

Friday, May 17 Erie Ale Works 416 W 12th St. The race that we train all year for returns this May to Erie Ale Works. The race begins at 6 p.m. and the cost to participate is $5. All proceeds beneﬁt the Humane Society of NWPA. Pre-registration opens May 4 at Erie Ale Works. A food truck will also be on site during the event.

A Charming Weekend in Lake Erie Wine Country • Friday, May 17, to Sunday, May 19 • Lake Erie Wine Country • Enjoy delicious wines at 23 of Lake Erie Wine Country’s wineries. As attendees travel the trail, they will collect a charm at each winery for a bracelet that they receive at check-in. A “Charming Luncheon” will also be held Saturday, May 18, between noon and 3 p.m. at the Grape Discovery Center. The cost to attend is $45 with the lunch or $30 without the lunch option. For more information, visit www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.

Public Day • • • •

Saturday, May 18 Southern Tier Brewing Co. 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, N.Y. 14750 In celebration of American Craft Beer, visit Southern Tier Brewing Co. for its eighth annual public day. There will be live music and almost every beer that Southern Tier has brewed in the past year will be available for sampling. The event, which runs from noon to 6 p.m., is free and open to the public.

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bon appĂŠtit

Puff Pastry Tart With Roasted Veggies [FILE PHOTO/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Spring parties A SPLENDID PLACE FOR THIS TART Story by Jennie Geisler

t's about time to dust off the grill and see if it made it through the winter. You might want to take this opportunity to replace any rusted parts, such as, for gas grills, the heat plates (the A-frame plates that sit over the gas flames and distribute their heat) and the tube burners. Also, take time to clean out any debris at the bottom of the grill to prevent fires. Make sure you have a proper metal can or other heatsafe container affixed underneath to catch grease so it doesn't stain or damage the surface the grill is sitting on. And, lecture almost complete: Don't just throw rusted parts into the trash, especially cooking grates. If you can't get them clean with a ball of foil and elbow grease, at least take them to a scrap yard and keep them out of the landfill. Now that you're ready to grill, of course, you'll want

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a slab of meat or two, but don't forget to roast some vegetables on the side. This simple recipe will dress them up for spring parties so that they're delicious and barely recognizable as "good for you." To roast these vegetables on the grill, it's probably easiest to pick up a grill basket, so none of the small pieces fall through. Chop them up and toss them in olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper and place the basket over a medium-high flame, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes or until slightly charred and softened. Of course, if it's raining, sleeting, snowing or just plain cold, and/or you just don't feel like dealing with the grill, the oven is a perfect place to start this recipe since it's going to wind up in there anyway. Either way, you'll be glad you dealt with the veggies when you sink your teeth into this.

bon appĂŠtit Puff Pastry Tart With Roasted Veggies doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slip around. Roll out one piece of pastry on the parchment into a 13-by-11-inch rectangle. (Cover the other pastry with a clean towel while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working so that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dry out). â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Transfer the parchment to a baking sheet and cut 1-inch strips from all 4 sides. Create a border around the tart by brushing the edges of the rectangle with water and laying the cut strips on top, trimming to ďŹ t. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Poke holes in the bottom of the pastry with a fork. Repeat the process to make a second tart crust. Place one baking sheet on the upper rack and one on the lower and bake the pastries for 5 minutes; rotate the pans, swapping the one on the bottom with the one on the top, and bake 5 minutes more. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Remove the pastries from the oven, poke them with a fork, and use a spatula to carefully press down the puffed centers. Return the pastries to the oven to cook for 5 minutes more, then cool the pans on wire racks for about 5 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Divide the cheese mixture between the pastries and spread it evenly, then divide and add the vegetables. Bake the tarts until the cheese is set, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking time, as in step 6. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Cool the tarts on racks for a few minutes, then slice each into 6 squares and serve warm or at room temperature. Online: www.parents.com Per serving: 298 calories, 21 g fat, 2 g ďŹ ber, 7.1 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 335 mg sodium, 26 mg cholesterol

Puff Pastry Tart With Roasted Veggies [FILE PHOTO/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Serves 12 â&#x20AC;˘ 2 cups zucchini cut in half lengthwise, then into Âź-inch slices â&#x20AC;˘ 1 small red onion, thinly sliced â&#x20AC;˘ 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares â&#x20AC;˘ 2 cups eggplant in Â˝-inch cubes â&#x20AC;˘ 1 pint grape tomatoes â&#x20AC;˘ 2 cloves garlic, minced â&#x20AC;˘ 2 tablespoons olive oil â&#x20AC;˘ 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped â&#x20AC;˘ Âž teaspoon salt â&#x20AC;˘ Â˝ tablespoon pepper â&#x20AC;˘ Â˝ cup part-skim ricotta â&#x20AC;˘ 1/3 cup goat cheese â&#x20AC;˘ 1/3 cup crumbled feta â&#x20AC;˘ 1 large egg, well beaten â&#x20AC;˘ 1 green onion, thinly sliced â&#x20AC;˘ 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed but very well chilled â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Place one rack in the upper third of the oven and the other in the lower third. Heat the oven to 425 F. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Put the zucchini, red onion, red pepper, eggplant, tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet. Combine the olive oil, rosemary, Â˝ teaspoon of the salt, and Âź teaspoon of the pepper, drizzle the mixture on the vegetables, and toss them. Roast the vegetables until they have softened and browned around the edges, about 30 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the vegetables cool, about 5 minutes. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; While the veggies roast, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, feta, egg, green onion, and the remaining salt and pepper in a medium bowl and set aside. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Spray the counter with cooking spray and pat down a roughly 14-inch square of parchment paper so it

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home & garden

WAT E R G A R D E N

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home & garden

At dusk, Kirk and Katie Mihalakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden shines with lights reďŹ&#x201A;ecting in the water. [RACHEL LAWRENCE/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Story by Heather Cass

hen Kirk and Katie Mihalak of Cranesville want to escape to paradise, they need only walk out their back door. The two have transformed their 25-by-40-foot backyard into an extensive and impressive water garden, with several waterfalls, a gurgling stream, dozens of fish, plants, flowers and occasionally a chubby yellow Labrador wading into one of the pools.

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home & garden

“It’s pretty hard to keep them out,” Kirk Mihalak said of their three yellow Labrador dogs. “We yell at them, but they love the water garden, too.” It’s easy to see why anyone — two- or fourfooted — would want to spend time in the Mihalak’s backyard. What was once a barren scrubby area too shady to grow grass or flowers is now a peaceful oasis. Strings of garden lights crisscross the ponds, providing the perfect evening glow. A bistro table overlooks the yard and offers a perfect place to sip morning coffee. But the best seats in the house, Katie Mihalak says, are the Adirondack chairs circling the gas fire pit next to the pond. “That really completed the space,” Katie said. “There’s just something about fire and water that is so relaxing. We don’t go away in the summer. This is our vacation spot.”

Kirk Mihalak stands near the water gardens he created at his Cranesville home. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Humble beginnings It all started with one plastic pond form from a local farm and garden store. “Kirk has always wanted a water garden, so one day I surprised him with a form,” Katie Mihalak said. That single plastic pool soon became three when neighbors saw Kirk’s handwork and offered him pond forms they no longer wanted. That was fine for a while, but Kirk Mihalak was thinking bigger. Much bigger. “I didn’t have a plan, per se, just my own vision of what I wanted to do in the backyard,” Kirk Mihalak said. “It was something that I used to daydream about.” In the spring of 2016, he turned those dreams into reality. It took Kirk nearly two months of working in their yard every evening after putting in a full day of work at PHB Inc. in Fairview. His sweat equity paid great dividends, though. He said his favorite place on earth is sitting in his own backyard with his wife and their dogs. “It’s just so serene and peaceful,” he said. With 17 years of experience from that first plastic pond form to his current backyard paradise, it’s safe to say that Kirk has learned a few things about water gardening, and he’s happy to share his hard-earned wisdom.

One of Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s dogs stands in their water garden. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

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home & garden

A variety of plants add color to Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s water garden. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

How did you form your gardens and stream? We no longer have any plastic forms. We tried a few different types of liners and found vinyl to be stiff and hard to work with. I now use a Firestone fish-safe rubber liner. It contours better to the holes you dig and makes everything look more natural. Once you use a liner, you’ll never go back to forms. A good online source is www.pondliner.com. What keeps the liner in place? There are 6 inches of bank gravel at the bottom, and then, on top, there are large, flat landscape stones that hold the liner in place. Many of those stones came from local farmers who are happy to get rocks out of their fields, but some we bought from landscape suppliers.

How do you keep the water from turning green? There are two kinds of green water: one is an abundance of string algae where it’s sort of clinging to everything, and the other is when your water turns green. Both can be taken care of with a good filter with a UV sterilizer that runs the water under an ultraviolet light, which kills the algae. If you can’t afford that, though, barley straw is a cheap way to keep your water clean (learn more at njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1171). Also, if you have fish, don’t overfeed them. Not only will it cause the fish to make more waste, but uneaten food will rot in the water. What do you use to clean algae off the rocks or liner? Just a scrub brush and water. You never want to use any sort of cleaner or soap; it can harm the fish and plants. Some algae is OK, by the way. It provides beneficial bacteria. In the spring, I drain the stream and power wash it.

Lilypads are part of the vegetation in Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s water garden. [RACHEL LAWRENCE/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO] M AY 2 0 1 9

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home & garden

Do your fish stay in the pond over winter? They do. We have about three dozen fish in the pools, some are koi, but many are just regular goldfish, including what is probably the oldest living Albion Fair fish. We have a bubbler that runs 24/7 in winter. It oxygenates the water and keeps a hole open in the ice so gasses that build up from decomposing matter can escape. Speaking of decomposing matter, how do you deal with leaves? During the summer months, I just skim the water with a net every few days. In autumn, I cover the entire area with a mesh tarp for the entire month of October and remove it once the leaves are done falling. I’ve tried several types of covering — netting, plastic tarps, etc.— and a mesh tarp works best. Did you build the waterfall yourself? Yes. I didn’t have any formal plans. I just had a vision in my head of what I wanted. I used sandstone, which we bought from a landscape supply store. Sandstone holds up well and it won’t break or crumble like shale will over time. I just stacked and fitted the rocks together. That was actually the fun part. What kind of garden plants are around the water? Flowers are hard because our backyard is in complete shade. Katie has planted hosta, begonia and hydrangea. She also uses a lot of

26 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

A fence encloses Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s water garden. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Stonework, a ﬁre pit and a waterfall adorn Kirk and Katie Mihalak’s water garden. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

home & garden

containers because she can move them around and switch them out with seasonal flowers. We do have a lot of spring bulbs because there is plenty of sunlight before the trees get leaves. Do you have plants in the water? Yes, pond plants help regulate the water temperature, filter the water, and they provide a place for the fish to hide and spawn. We have water lilies, though they don’t bloom as well as they would if they had more sunlight. We used to put in water lettuce and lizard’s tale, but they can take over the pond, so we stick to lilies. Does the pond/fish draw herons?

We had a heron hanging around, but we bought a plastic owl decoy from a farm-andgarden store and that chased the heron off. What have you learned the hard way? Never cut the liner until you let it settle in, fill it with some water, and are 100 percent certain you like how it looks. Also, water is going to go wherever it wants to, which is always to the lowest spot, so it’s important to level accordingly.

Kirk Mihalak enjoys the evening view of the water garden he built. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

What advice do you have for new water gardeners? Start small or you can be easily overwhelmed. You can always add on. It’s as easy as digging another hole or two. Also, make sure you buy the right size pump; there are guides on the back of the box. LEL

M AY 2 0 1 9

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Makeovers begin on

KIDS ’ ROOMS

LEFT: A new bed, bedding, nightstand, rugs and accents were part of the renovation of Hailey Christmas’ bedroom, thanks to Table of Grace Church. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS]

ABOVE: Hailey Christmas was excited to sit on her new bed in her renovated room — a total surprise — thanks to Table of Grace Church.

his past February, Hailey Christmas spent an entire day with new friends, participating in a handful of activities from making crafts to visiting the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum. But hanging out with new friends wasn’t even the icing on the cake for this Saegertown 6-year-old. When Hailey returned home later that afternoon, her bedroom was completely transformed. New purple paint, with a hint of pink, beamed from her walls. A cream headboard footboard set and nightstand complemented her mattress. A brand-new matching dresser with a hanging mirror above stood directly across from her bed. Artwork decorated the walls.

28 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

For Hailey, who loves math, an abacus hung next to her dresser and her very own workstation stood in the corner. “When we took her into the room, her hands flew into the air and she just screamed, ‘It’s everything I wanted,’ (and then) ‘You guys popped my head off,’ which her dad said means (that we) blew her mind,” said Cathy McGinnis, chairwoman of the Children’s Bedroom Makeover. This $1,500 makeover was completed by Erie’s Table of Grace United Methodist Church through its new outreach, the Children’s Bedroom Makeover Ministry. It was the first makeover funded by Table of Grace. “We have really been trying over

home & garden

Hailey Christmas looks out the window of her newly renovated bedroom, thanks to Table of Grace Church. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

the last few years to get outside of the walls of our church and to really be a presence and mentor to the needs of the Erie community,” said Brenda Durst, chairwoman of Table of Grace’s outreach committee. Hailey won the makeover through a raffle that Table of Grace ran during a Health Fair in October. Hailey’s mother, Stephanie Burnett, was volunteering at the Health Fair. Burnett is currently attending school to become a dental hygienist, so she was working at a Dental Hygiene Awareness Booth. “I hadn’t known that she had put her name in the raffle, so we were kind of surprised. When she found out she won, she screamed immediately,” Burnett said. Durst and McGinnis said the idea to do bedroom makeovers for kids was driven by an article that appeared in the Erie Times-News more than 10 years ago on sleeping environments and conditions among children in low-income families. The article “was about children who sleep on floors, or have to sleep on couches and just don’t have proper bedroom facilities. It very much tugged at my heart and I have thought about it and talked about over the years,” said McGinnis. “It was recently, in the last year or so, that I knew we had the pastor who would embrace it. Our new pastor (Donnie Blystone) really embraces working with inner city ministry and wants us to know what our passion is and work toward those passions. So, that time had come.” McGinnis quickly asked a member in her church, Kelsey Willats, a Realtor who has a degree in interior design from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, for help. For Willats, it was an easy answer. “I told her, ‘Absolutely, yes, 100 percent, I am in,’” Willats said. “I think the cause is extremely beneficial and something that Erie needs. I love real estate and what I do, but interior design is my forever passion and to be able to have an outlet — and for a great cause — this was perfect for me.” McGinnis and Willats soon met with Hailey to go over her interests to match the room to her personality. They discovered that she loves math and had not one but five favorite colors. “I took her love of math and her passion — she had such personality and excitement — and I wanted to marry that into design so she would be equally excited when she saw the

M AY 2 0 1 9

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home & garden

Hailey Christmas was excited to see her new room — a total surprise thanks to Table of Grace Church. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

bedroom,” said Willats. “She is such a bubbly and thankful child that we knew that God sent her to us as our first bedroom makeover perfectly. She really made this such a fun experience.” From there, they organized and planned the day for the makeover to occur. Between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. a team of 10 to 12 people transformed the room — even including framed artwork and photographs from her day with her new friends. Hailey’s mom was impressed. “I was overwhelmed. I thought they’d come in and paint and add some shelves, but they really transformed her room, I was shocked with how much they had done. The room did not look like the same room at all, it was amazing,” said Burnett. Although it’s hard to nail down a favorite in the room, Burnett said her daughter loves her desk area and artist station. “I am in school right now and my mom is really sick, so I don’t get to spend as much time as I would like right now with Hailey, so it is nice to know she has her own space to go and she loves it in there,” Burnett said. “It was an amazing experience. They did

30 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

Benefit concert • Beneﬁt Concert featuring the Lettermen • Saturday, May 18, 2019 • Mercyhurst Prep • 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. • Preferred seating, $50 • General admission, $30 • For tickets contact concert@table ofgrace.net, 814-983-1210, or visit www.tableofgrace.net

above and beyond anything I could have ever expected. It made her feel so good and so special. This whole experience was all about Hailey, everyone was there for Hailey, and that was really, really special.” Future makeovers The Table of Grace is hoping to reach more children and families. According to Durst, the goal of the outreach committee is to complete four bedrooms a year for children in the city of Erie. Students will be selected, Durst said, while monitoring the needs of Erie and with

input from school officials. McGinnis knew she needed a major fundraiser to finance future projects, and she knew just who to turn to. She and her sister, Paula McGinnis, have helped The Lettermen for the past 10 years, selling merchandise and with wardrobe. Through their personal connection, they’ve reached out to the group. Now, to help fund the makeovers, Table of Grace will be hosting the Lettermen for a benefit concert. Since local businesses and individuals have donated to cover the concert costs, 100 percent of ticket sales go directly to the Children’s Bedroom Makeover Ministry. “We are really trying to help do our part. There is so much going on to address poverty, and we want to be a part of that,” Durst said. McGinnis is eager to continue carrying out her vision and excited to see the impact it has on Erie families. “When Kelsey and I walked out of the house that day, we started to cry. We were so happy because we really felt that we had touched this young lady’s life and her parents’ lives,” McGinnis said. “We were very blessed to have that experience and hopeful that we can continue to touch more lives.” LEL

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622 FIELDSTONE CT $304,900 COUNTRYSIDE SUMMIT TOWNSHIP

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It takes a lot of collaboration to build a quality home. We’d like to say “thank you” to our employees, all of our vendors and suppliers, subcontractors, and the Erie Community for their support in helping us to create homes we are proud to say are Maleno custom-built

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40 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

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460 GODFREY ROAD, LAKE CITY Custom Designed with spectacular views from every room! Quality built home with numerous upgrades. Stunning solid hardwood flooring throughout, delightful family room with skylights and in-floor heating. This home sits beautifully on 1.86 acres of seclusion and 300 feet of your own beach! $500,000 T. SA H T N E 4 OP AY1-1 M 1

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Stunning views are endless will amaze you in this custom Laughlin Built country property. This Home has vaulted ceilings, beams in living room to include a wall of windows. New carpeting throughout. Knotty pine paneling in den, kitchen/great room has new flooring and wood burning fireplace. First floor laundry, central vac, large rooms, finished lower level includes a stone fire place and walk out. Large pole barn and block barn with newer roof. fenced pasture, spring fed creek, 11 fruit trees, gas well on property. A fantastic opportunity at just $300,000

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42 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

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s L ]sx ŠǬȰȑɛʍȑɛź¨ǬʍȑɛĞ¨ȑǬɁĻȑǷ

ĺ ɛǖȰǬź /ɛȑʩǾŠ ¨ɛǨ Ȳ¨ƷźŠȸɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔʔɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ȑʩġǬź /ɛȑʩǾŠ ¨ɛǨ ȲŠ¨ɛǨȸ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔʡɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ xǖǾƷǬź /ɛȑʩǾŠ ¨ɛǨ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʡȄɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ nǖǾź ¨ɛǨ SʩǬĻǋ ȲǬǖƷǋʍȸɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʡɶɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ nǬ¨̬ƷɛȑʩǾŠ ȑ̤źɛ Ȳɤʍ¨ʍź ĻźɛʍǖơźŠȸ Ɂ ůʔƮɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ SʩǬĻǋ nǬʩɤ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮ̷Ɂ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ȲŠȑʩġǬź ƷɛȑʩǾŠ ġ¨ɛǨ ɋ ǷʩɤǋɛȑȑǷ ĻȑǷȰȑɤʍȸ V] Ŝ ]ʭɟ ĥ¨ɟǬɨ Ě ǻʭǰĿǏžɨ ¨ɟž V] ʑɟž¨ʑžŤɅ SȕǰŤ Ŀ¨Ȃ Ơȕɟǻ ȕȂ ĥ¨ɟǬ ¨ȂŤ ̩ȕȕŤ ĿǏǚȴɨ ʑǏž̰ ¨ɟž ¨ ȴɟȕŤʭĿʑ ȕƠ ʑǏž ƠȕɟžɨʑɅ

ĺ sźŠř Ǭ¨ĻǨ ȑɛ ǋȑĻȑǬ¨ʍź ǋźɛɛ̬ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔɭɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ȑǾʍɛ¨Ļʍȑɛɘɤ Ǭ¨ĻǨ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔƤɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ

ĺ xĻɛźźǾźŠ ȑȰɤȑǖǬ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔ̷Ɂ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ .Ǭȑ̥źɛ źŠ Sǖ̪ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔɭɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ȲʍȑȰɤȑǖǬ Ė Ʒ¨ɛŠźǾ Ƿǖ̪ȸ ƷȑȑŠ Ɯȑɛ ġȑʍǋ ƣȑ̥źɛɤ ¨ǾŠ ĺ źƷƷǖźɤ ǾɤĻɛźźǾźŠ ȑȰɤȑǖǬ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʡʡɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ

ĺ S¨ɤȑǾ x¨ǾŠɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮƤɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ 9ǾǬ¨ǾŠ x¨ǾŠ ȲĻȑʩɛɤź ɤ¨ǾŠȸ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʡƤɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ȡ ¨ɤǋźŠ /ɛ¨̤źǬ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔʡɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ȡ LǖǷźɤʍȑǾźɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮƤɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ʡ ¨ɤǋźŠ /ɛ¨̤źǬ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔƮɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ʡ LǖǷźɤʍȑǾźɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮƤɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ʔ ¨ɤǋźŠ /ɛ¨̤źǬ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔɶɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ Ʈȡȡ ȲǬǖǷźɤʍȑǾź ɤʩġǐġ¨ɤźȸɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮƤɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ʡs ȲƷɛ¨̤źǬ ɤʩġǐġ¨ɤźȸɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʡȄɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ .ǖǬǬ ȲǖǾɏʩǖɛź ¨̤¨ǖǬ¨ġǖǬǖʍ̬ȸɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůɶɁ̷̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ɛʩɤǋźŠ ȑǾĻɛźʍź ̥ɾơǾźɤ ɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔʡɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ ĺ ɤȰǋ¨Ǭʍ SǖǬǬǖǾƷɤɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůʔʡɁƤ̷ ̬ŠɁ

ĺ SʩɤǋɛȑȑǷ ȑǷȰȑɤʍɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůƮ̷Ɂ̷̷ ̬Š ĺ /¨ɛŠźǾ Sǖ̪ ȲǷʩɤǋɛȑȑǷ ĻȑǷȰȑɤʍ Ė ɤ¨ǾŠȸɁɁ ůƮ̷Ɂ̷̷ ̬Š Ǿǋ¨ǾĻźɤ ɤȑǖǬ Ɯȑɛ ġȑʍǋ ̤źƷźʍ¨ġǬź Ʒ¨ɛŠźǾɤ Ė ƣȑ̥źɛ ġźŠɤɁ

ĺ ɤźŠ ƂɁƤ Ɯźźʍ ̪ Ȅ ǖǾĻǋźɤ ̪ ɭ ǖǾĻǋźɤɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁɁ ůȡƮɁ̷̷

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ĺ ɛźź ɛǖǷǷǖǾƷ ĺ ɛźź ɛźǷȑ̤¨Ǭ ĺ xʍʩǷȰ /ɛǖǾŠǖǾƷ

ĺ Lȑʍ Ǭź¨ɛǖǾƷ ĺ ʩĻǨźʍ ɛʩĻǨ xźɛ̤ǖĻźɤ

ǖʍǋ ʡ̷ ̬ź¨ɛ ź̪ȰźɛǖźǾĻźř s¨Ǿ̬¨Ǩ ɛźź xźɛ̤ǖĻź ǖɤ ʍǋź ġźɤʍ ĻǋȑǖĻź ̥ǋźǾ ̬ȑʩ ǾźźŠ ¨ ʍɛźź ɤźɛ̤ǖĻź ȰɛȑƜźɤɤǖȑǾ¨Ǭƙ

ʔƤƂȄʔȄ

ź Šȑ Ƿȑɛź ʍǋ¨Ǿ Ǧʩɤʍ Ļʩʍ ʍɛźźɤř ̥ź ¨ɤɤźɤɤř źŠʩĻ¨ʍź ¨ǾŠ ¨Š̤ǖɤź ȑʩɛ ĻǬǖźǾʍɤ ȑǾ ʍǋź ĻʩɛɛźǾʍ ǋź¨Ǭʍǋ ȑƜ ʍǋźǖɛ ʍɛźźɤɁ ź Ƿ¨Ǩź ʍǋź ȰɛȑĻźɤɤ ź¨ɤ̬ Ɯȑɛ ȑʩɛ ĻǬǖźǾʍɤ ¨ǾŠ Ƿ¨Ǩź ɛźĻȑǷǷźǾŠ¨ʍǖȑǾɤ ʍǋ¨ʍ ¨ɛź ġźɤʍ Ɯȑɛ ʍǋźǷ ġ¨ɤźŠ ȑǾ ʍǋźǖɛ ʍɛźźɘɤ ǋź¨Ǭʍǋ ¨ǾŠ ȰɛȑȰźɛʍ̬ ǾźźŠɤɁ

ź ȑƝźɛ Ɯɛźź źɤʍǖǷ¨ʍźɤ ¨ǾŠ ̥ǋźǾ ̬ȑʩ ǷźǾʍǖȑǾ ʍǋǖɤ ¨Š ̥ź ̥ǖǬǬ Ʒṳ̈̄ź ̬ȑʩ ȡ̷ȿ ȑƝƙ

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.ʩǬǬ̬ 9ǾɤʩɛźŠ n ̷ɶʔƮɭʔ

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home & garden

Make your house stand out and it will sell quickly. [SHUTTESTOCK.COM]

LESSONS LEARNED

in 720-square-foot home sale Story by Halle Kostansek

round two years ago, I sold the very first home that I owned. It was a modest 720-square-foot ranch with two bedrooms and one bath. Located in Erie’s Academy Neighborhood, near Collegiate Academy, it had been built in 1951, and I had lived there 11 years. I was a total newbie as a seller, and there was no shortage of comparable houses on the market in my neighborhood. But I was determined to maximize the appeal of my cozy abode and minimize the time from listing to closing. So I turned to Realtor Joe Bondi, with Re/Max, to ensure I didn’t miss any opportunities to make my little house shine. Most of us know the basics — the importance of curb appeal and cleanliness — but Joe

put over 30 years of experience at my fingertips, so here are a few things I learned that may not be quite as obvious. Clean basements sell houses. “When in doubt, clean it; when in doubt, paint it,” said Bondi in a recent phone interview — advice that applies to every last inch of your property. In my case, 11 years was enough time to accumulate too much second-hand furniture, Christmas decor and, in a moment of shared indiscretion, even a full-size Skee-Ball table. Guess where it all landed? The basement, of course. So to gauge how much of a dungeon I was even dealing with, I started by hiring a professional junk hauler. This was well worth the moderate investment. He cleared out the

accumulation of stuff and hauled it away in just a few hours when it would have taken me a month of Saturdays. The wide open space I was left with felt like a breath of fresh air, but it was still a basement, with a patina developed over 65 years. With less than 30 days until listing, it was worth hiring a professional painter to give the walls and floor a fresh coat of that always chic, never outmoded “basement gray.” Seeing the fresh, gorgeous results made me happy for the buyers, whoever they might be. With that scary space taken care of, it became obvious what a little paint could do to improve other secondary spaces that previously didn’t get a second thought. My wonderful dad, handyman extraordinaire,

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home & garden

No matter what size your home is, make it look clean and neat for showings. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

spruced up a crummy little shed in my garden, turning it from a spooky shanty into something positively postcard-worthy. Good ol’ dad also scraped and repainted the trim on my window exteriors, a repair that Joe pointed out would disqualify buyers who were relying on an FHA or VA loan, if left undone. Take care of things like that prior to marketing the property. Have a critical eye Beyond peeling paint and ugly basements, Realtor Kristen Byrd, with Howard Hannah Real Estate Services, and instructor at Alan Kells School of Real Estate, advises, “You really have to learn to look at your space with a critical eye.” Leave nothing out of place, sloppy, or in any way uninviting to a visitor. If you’ve lived in your home for a number of years, however, you’ve almost surely become blind to some of its less appealing character. Try seeing it with new eyes. For me, this

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meant entering the space through a different door, examining photographs of each room, and inviting straight-talking critical friends to check the place out. I had a talented friend rearrange furniture for me. I removed or relocated some cumbersome pieces to improve traffic flow for showings. I observed every object in every room, and if the space looked more photo-ready or spa-like without it, it was outta there — stashed, packed, or donated, Marie Kondo-style, before she was “a thing.” Apply the same approach to the facade. “Potential buyers will be standing at your front door, possibly waiting for an agent or even chatting after a showing,” said Byrd. “The front door needs staging just like the rest of the home.” The way your interior looks will tell a story, for better or worse, so make it a story that maximizes your home’s appeal. Is your home in a naturalistic setting? Don’t stuff your birding binoculars in a drawer — set them out

near a window or comfy chair, making a connection with nature lovers who visit. Is your place square-footage challenged, like mine? I decorated with eye-catching travelogues, suggesting that the teeny house’s tiny mortgage and itty bitty maintenance costs would allow the freedom to travel. Be a host not a home seller Consider the importance of playing host or hostess even when you’re not there. “One seller I worked with always had cookies from a local bakery, set out with a personal note thanking those who came to a showing,” said Bondi. “Things like that are a reflection of how you, as the seller, have cared for the house and how it would be to work with you. It establishes a nonverbal connection between you and a potential buyer.” So tell the story of the kind of seller you’d want to work with. And tell the story of a responsible homeowner with a home that has

home & garden

sparkle that isn’t superficial. Minor, easy DIY repairs topped Byrd’s list of the most often overlooked actions by homeowners, along with safety considerations. “Don’t leave anything on your steps,” she said. “Be careful if you have any throw rugs, secure any weapons, and secure your prescriptions — something that people often don’t do.” It would never have occurred to me. Speaking of safety, don’t forget to add Fluffy and Fido to the long to-do list. “Most buyers are pet lovers at heart,” said Bondi. “But a lot of people have allergies. While it’s not always convenient for an owner to remove a pet from the house, I think it really makes a difference to take the pet out.” Have a critical eye when you look at your kitchen before you sell. You can’t change some things, but an accent near the sink or a colorful lighting ﬁxture adds personality. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

A properly made bed gives your bedrooms a welcoming hotel or spa appearance. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

Before a showing And what about immediately before a showing? Byrd warns to clean, of course, but not to mop or dust the same day of the showing. Having wet floors is unwelcoming, and dust suspended in the air can be a real problem for buyers with allergies. Bondi has a whole list of day-of tips: “Leave all the lights on ... don’t go overboard with artificial scents. And if it’s summertime, make sure the air conditioning is on. If a buyer is looking at several houses and one is so neat, crisp, bright and cool, it makes a real difference.” Following this advice, I had an experience that was wholly positive and resulted in a sale that the buyers and I were very happy with. It sold in under six months and the negotiated price met my expectations and exceeded my Realtor’s. Here’s hoping for the same for you. LEL

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home & garden

Things to do before you sell

Before you put your house on the market, get someone to help you look at it in its entirety with an objective and critical eye. [SHUTTERSTOCK. COM]

Story by Pam Parker

f you've made the decision to sell your home, that's half the battle. Whew! Congratulations. You might be ready to move onto the next home, but is your house ready for inspection by house hunters? We've compiled an inventory of the big and little things that need your attention before potential buyers tour your home. Some to-do items might seem picky, but most are important to buyers because attention to detail says a lot about how you cared for your home. A really important reason to make the to-do list is that a home inspection will reveal the things that you need to fix. Some can be easy fixes, but some can be deal-breakers. So it's best to be proactive rather than reactive. Here are just some of the tips that are important:

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Stage your home inside and out before you take photos to market it When my husband and I first thought about selling our former home, we looked around outside with a critical eye, and whoa. The shutters looked faded. The porch pillars needed painting and the double front doors needed shined. Those were first on our list, and we had many items on our list. We took our time before we listed. Once your home is on the market, you need to remember that visitors will be riding by day and night, so it's important to light it up at night. When you think about selling, start outside and move inside. When you're done and everything is picture perfect, take your photos. Do not take photos with boxes, purses or other junk in the photos. Don't take photos of unfinished basements unless the basement is spotless. Skip the garage unless it looks spotless too.

When your house is for sale, do your best to make sure it shines inside and out. [SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

Outside to-do list: 1.

It should go without saying, but your landscape should reflect the current season: no Christmas lights, shovels, rakes or winter tools sitting in the bushes in the spring/summer. Clean up any pet debris on the lawn. This is really important. Potential buyers want to walk around your house and inspect. They don't want to play dodgems. Make sure your front porch is clean and welcoming. Do the lights work? Look at pictures of homes you will compete with. Make sure you can compete. Check all windows and make sure caulking/paint are in excellent condition. Clean/ repair screens. Make sure your garage door is in working order. It shouldn't sound like it's on its last breath. Check paint on all the doors, and doors need to be easy to

operate. Do your locks work? It's not a good start if househunters have trouble getting into your home. 7. Check the gutters. They should be clean and presentable. Â 8. You might want to have a professional check the roof, roof vents, shingles and flashing. 9. Check the chimney to make sure brick, stone and mortar are in good condition. Also, check the chimney cap. 10. Check the sidewalk and driveway for anything that could prevent a sale. 11. Talk to your neighbors. Let them know your home is for sale. They need to know traffic will increase on your street, and that's important to families with kids and pets. They might also spruce up their own homes to help you sell yours. Everyone wants to see a quick sale and high value because it could eventually affect their home sale. M AY 2 0 1 9

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home & garden

When your house is for sale, your bed should be made and look like it belongs in a hotel. [SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

Inside: Be prepared by checking each room with a critical eye.

3. 4.

Make sure your paint and trim are in good condition in every room. If you have carpeting, make sure it's clean and doesn't have any ripples or spots. Make sure all electrical outlets, switches and lamps work. Repair or replace anything that needs it.

Kitchen 1.

2. 3. 4.

Counters should be clean, and so should the sink. All appliances should be clean and working. Remove clutter from your refrigerator. Make sure cupboard doors and drawers are functional. Your garbage disposal should be working, and there should be no leaks under the sink. Make sure all burners on your stove work, along with the oven and the range hood. Keep pet bowls and garbage cans out of sight.

Make sure flooring is secure. Linoleum can curl near fixtures. The toilet should be in excellent condition.

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Closets should be neat, not full of stuff or overflowing.

Basement 1.

2. 3. 4.

Laundry room 1.

Washer and dryer should be working. Use a washer deodorizer like Refresh to ensure there are no odors coming from the washer. Dryer vents need to be clear of obstructions.

Staircase 1.

Handrails should be secure, not wobbly. Stairs should be clean and there should be no loose carpet or rugs. Nothing on the stairs should be a hindrance to visitors climbing the steps.

Bedrooms 1.

Bathrooms 1.

Make sure the caulking is neat, faucets/ shower heads are functional and nothing leaks. Replace fixtures if they are old and worn out in the sink/tub/shower. They don't have to be glamorous, but they need to look clean and neat. Buy a new shower curtain — at least the liner. Have fresh towels on display for showings. Clean glass and mirrors.

Check outlets, lighting, fans, flooring. If something doesn't work, get it fixed. Beds should be made and look like a hotel room. Don't cram things under the bed.

Your furnace and air conditioning should be in working order. Have them cleaned and checked before you sell. Make sure electronic air cleaners and any accessories to the furnace work. Make sure drains are clear. Lighting needs to work. Make sure the basement is clean, dry and free of clutter. Check to ensure that your electrical panel is up to date and within code.

Deck/patio The boards need to be damage-free if the deck is wood. Decks and patios can always benefit from a good cleaning. Garage Keep it neat — don't make this your storage facility. Attic Whether it's a walk-up or a pull-down ladder/staircase, make sure buyers have easy access to your attic, and make sure the lighting works. While this is an area for storage, people will need to see it. The inspector will go up there, and so will buyers.

home & garden

A word about storage If you do only one thing to prepare for a sale, de-clutter.Â We all have stuff, but when people are looking to buy your house, they don't want to see all your stuff piled in the garage, basement or attic. Some stuff is fine, but when you turn a garage or basement into floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall storage, that's going to scare some buyers off. A case in point came from Chris and August Fetcko, co-owners of Hiddenworth Group LLC., an appraisal and estate liquidation business located in Erie. In an article for House to Home in the Erie Times-News, they wrote about an experience during a liquidation sale in a home for sale in Erie. A couple wanted to see the basement, but they didn't want to see it with all the clutter and returned only after the home was empty"The husband jokingly mentioned that he thought the wall of National Geographic magazines in the basement, pressed up against the wall, was acting as a moisture barrier. The basement seems to be the place where things go to die, especially that particular magazine. The couple purchased the house because their inspection was easier with the clutter out of the way,"Â Chris Fetcko wrote. LEL

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home & garden

Hedging â&#x20AC;&#x201D; you bet! They're for way more than creating privacy

Story by Betty Montgomery

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home & garden

Hedges can enclose spaces and create privacy. [SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

obert Frost said, "Good fences make good neighbors." Recently, while visiting with a friend, I was asked my advice about what she should use as a hedge between her house and the home of her neighbor. Her husband had just removed a Leyland cypress hedge because it had gotten too large for their lot and it was losing lower limbs and was not as pretty anymore. She said that after removing it, she was amazed at how wide it had gotten and how much of their yard it had consumed. I have been asked many times about what type of hedge to install. Some are talking about hedges that give privacy from neighbors. They like their neighbors but would like some seclusion from time to time. Others are asking about hedges for other reasons. When the word "hedge" is mentioned, many people immediately think of an evergreen plant that conceals one from their neighbors. However, hedges can be more than that. Hedges define spaces, too. They can be used to define flowerbeds, line paths or for privacy, to name a few. Hedges can be made of a number of different types of plant material. Plus, they can be evergreen or deciduous. Choosing a hedge depends on several factors. What is the purpose? How quickly is it needed? Planting smaller plant material will be less costly. Look at all types of hedges — evergreen, deciduous, flowering, formal or informal — for traits you need to consider. Let’s assume that you want a privacy screen that will line your back yard. You want a plant that will be thick and look attractive. Do not be in a rush to make a quick decision that you will regret. Don’t be blindsided and think you have to have an evergreen hedge or that it has to be a cedar or cypress. Some of my favorite hedges are boxwood, camellia Sasanqua, holly and tea olive. Tea olive will take the sun or the shade. They can grow to 15 feet tall or you can keep them shorter. They can be pruned to be rather narrow and still be quite thick. Deer do not find them tasty and if you give them plenty of water for the first couple of years, they will grow quite rapidly. However, you have to make sure you choose the right one for your area. Some are more cold hardy than

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home & garden

Hedges can enclose spaces and create privacy. [SHUTTERSTOCK.COM]

others. A tea olive called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;osmanthus forturniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is more cold hardy than some of the others. For a more formal look, boxwood hedges are amazing. The American boxwoods grow faster than the English. My favorite boxwoods right now are the Korean boxwoods. They look like the American and English but are more resistant to disease. They will grow fairly quickly with ample water and will give you a nice thick screen, all while being less expensive than American and English boxwoods. Some varieties will grow as tall as 8 feet and some American boxwoods will grow even taller. I have seen some exquisite boxwood hedges that are quite tall, thick, and lush in more formal settings. In choosing a Sasanqua hedge, you need to find a Sasanqua that will grow tall enough for your purpose. Some grow to about 5 or 6 feet

56 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

and others grow quite tall. Sasanqua hedges, with their shiny leaves that glisten in the winter sun and have flowers in the late fall, will add to your landscape. They might be slower growing, but they make a wonderful screen. If you are looking for a taller hedge, Thuja Green Giant is an option. It looks like a Leyland cypress but does not have some of the problems that the Leyland cypress has. Thujas can be pruned, but you need to be careful when pruning not to cut past the last green branch. In using a hedge for privacy, evergreen hedges give you the most concealment. However, I have seen deciduous hedges used effectively. Hornbean (Carpinus) makes a thick hedge and one that is not easily penetrated by an animal or human. They can be planted quite close and trimmed to a very narrow width if you so desire. Beech (fagus)

home & garden

is another deciduous tree that holds onto its leaves through the winter and gives a nice screen when planted small and close together. Have you ever seen a flowering hedge? I saw a viburnum hedge once that was exceptional. We have a neighbor who has a lovely forsythia hedge that is quite thick and in the spring, it is awe-inspiring. The drawback here is it can get a little unruly, growing quite wide. Since I live in the country, I am always thinking of deer and the problems they can cause. Make sure you choose a hedge that will not be bothered by the deer. I have a friend who lives in a city that has a deer problem, as the deer use the power line as a pathway to her home. She has a hedge that has been eaten at the bottom but untouched higher up. I have not seen deer eat any of the plant materials I have mentioned above. They might enjoy the tender new growth of a Sasanqua, but they have never bothered mine. Remember, one more reason for a living fence is because in some towns, you can only build a fence a certain height. I do not know of any ordinances that deal with how tall a hedge can be. Plus, a living hedge is softer than a wooden fence or stonewalls. Hedges are a great addition to any garden. And remember, you might have great neighbors today, but an unfriendly neighbor tomorrow. Think ahead, plant small, and watch your hedge grow. LEL

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60 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

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home & garden

STONE-COLD

gorgeous Story by Laura Firszt

he ideal bathroom remodel is a winning combination of beauty and practicality. Natural stone adds both qualities. We recently interviewed Adriene Araujo, co-owner of Vitoria International — a family-owned wholesale stone supplier with warehouses in Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Find out what she has to say about quartz vs. granite vs. marble in the bathroom.

64 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

What’s your background in working with stone?

I've been in this business for 18 years. We supply stone for bathroom vanities and tub surrounds, as well as kitchen countertops, laundry room counters and fireplaces. My husband, Fabio, and I are from Brazil, where people use stone a lot in their houses because it's so hot. And we happen to share a passion for natural stone. Each slab is a piece of art.

ABOVE: Carrying the counter over the side of the cabinet makes the vanity look like it’s made from one piece of solid rock. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

home & garden

Could you tell us the pros and cons of quartz vs. granite vs. marble in the bathroom?

White and gray or a mix of the two are the popular colors in counters right now. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

Can you add curb appeal with stone in the bathroom?

Sure. When you're trying to sell your house, the bathroom is second only to the kitchen in terms of curb appeal. Buyers

Â¨Ĺ ÇžČ&#x2018;Ć&#x201D;Ę&#x201D;ĆŽĆ¤ĘĄĘ&#x201D;Ć¤

The beauty of natural stone, such as granite or marble, lies in its uniqueness. No two slabs are alike, in terms of color, shade, or veining, because you're dealing with Mother Nature. However, if you personally want a more standard appearance, go with quartz, which is a uniform, manmade product. Also, I recommend quartz for kids' bathrooms, rentals and laundry rooms, because it doesn't require maintenance at all. No material is totally bulletproof for bathroom countertop installation, but quartz and natural stone are very hard and very heat resistant compared to alternatives such as cultured marble or laminate. Some homeowners are concerned about etching and

staining. If that's true for you, avoid marble, which is more porous, and go for harder materials like granite or quartzite. Diamond tools are needed to cut granite â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that shows you how hard the stone is. If you choose marble countertops, we usually recommend a honed finish so that any etching will not be as visible. I'm really a marble person myself; marble gives a special kind of patina, a vintage look. Just think of historical buildings â&#x20AC;&#x201D; old hotels, banks and galleries â&#x20AC;&#x201D; everything was marble. White Carrara marble, for example, has been used for hundreds of years.

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home & garden

A luxurious tub can be ensconced in stone. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

walk into a nice master bathroom, and that's definitely a selling point. But if the bathroom's out of date — even if the rest of the house has been renovated — their reaction is: "What the heck? What were those people thinking?" I just redid my own bathroom; previously, I had a tile surround, but all that grout is a turnoff. To replace it, I installed a natural stone tub surround, all out of one slab rather than a lot of little cuts, so there's no seam whatsoever and no grout. It looks very nice. What's trending now in terms of stone colors and styles?

Marble is the look everybody's after, white and gray, with varying amounts of graining — if not actual marble, then quartzite or quartz that will give a marble look. Come to our warehouse and you'll see. A trendy bathroom feature is the floating vanity. Wall-mounted vanities are super cool done in marble; when you match the veining, it looks like you have this 12-inch piece of rock on your wall. The appearance of marble is a popular look right now even if it’s quartzite or quartz. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

66 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

home & garden

Quartz is recommended for its low maintenance and heat resistance. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

Any insider tips to share with our readers?

In a warehouse, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see full slabs of marble and granite where you can examine the detail and veining in the stone. [VITORIA INTERNATIONAL]

Go to a warehouse and look at the full slab. Often when you go to a dealer, they have little 5-inch-by-5-inch samples for you to choose from. Those give you an idea of color, but not the full picture. You cannot really see all the detail in that small square, but when you see the full slabs, the veining will blow you away. And then your choice is obvious. You're already spending money on your bathroom remodel, so why not spend a little extra time to handpick the slab that you like best? LEL

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escape

Philadelphia’s iconic Liberty Bell bears an engraved quote: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Each day, hundreds of visitors freely pass by those words, considering what liberty and freedom mean to them. [J. FUSCO/VISIT PHILADELPHIA]

P H I L A D E L P H I A’ S

COMPELLING STORY

reedom. Liberty. Independence.

People cheer. Flags fly. Bells ring. The cries of pride and patriotism will fill the air at Philadelphia's annual celebration of America's birthday. Starting June 30, a five-day blast of block parties, concerts and other festivities will culminate in Independence Day ceremonies July 4. A parade with colorful floats and marching bands will include diverse groups from across the land in a tribute to America. It all adds up to a civic spectacle in America's birthplace.

68 | L A K E E R I E L I F E S T Y L E

It's called Welcome America, and it is all free. Philadelphia is a walking history book. It leaps off the pages and grabs your attention. Come along as we explore one of America's unique and treasured cities. Walk among history Begin the journey with a narrated tour on the Big Bus Co. and Philadelphia Trolley Works. This gives an overview of all the main attractions. Riders can see the sights on a trolley or on a London-style double-decker bus. Both offer departures from 27

locations and include free shuttles from area hotels. Tours last 90 minutes, allowing riders to hop on, hop off. Next, go to the Visitors Center in Independence National Historical Park for tickets to Independence Hall a block away. This is where the U.S. Declaration of Independence was adopted and the U.S. Constitution debated, drafted and signed. Here, our founding fathers declared liberty and built a free nation. Next, cross the street for a stop at the Liberty Bell Center and a look at the massive 2,080-pound cracked bell

escape

that served as a symbol of freedom for the abolitionists. Two national movements â&#x20AC;&#x201D; women's and civil rights â&#x20AC;&#x201D; invoked the Liberty Bell in their struggles for equality. In 1776, when America was born, all the city's bells rang day and night. Also in the historic park is the Benjamin Franklin Museum, where the city's favorite founding father takes the spotlight. Interactive exhibits and computer animations explore the life, times and legacy of the great statesman and inventor. Nearby is the tiny Betsy Ross House, the home of America's most famous seamstress. She is credited with sewing the first American flag at the request of Gen. George Washington. Betsy, a costumed guide, welcomes visitors. Philadelphia's compelling story about the birth of our nation is

evident in the new Museum of the American Revolution. The museum delves into the lives of the founding fathers and the populist generation they represented, bringing to life the events, people and ideals of our nation's founding. And importantly, it tells the story of why the American Revolution is still relevant today. Some visitors like to devote an entire day to discovering the city's world-renowned museums. The crown jewel is the Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, boasting 240,000 works. It is also the gateway to Fairmount Park. The bi-level Sculpture Garden has terraces, lawns and water features plus a sculpture collection, a four-acre Azalea garden and Fairmount Water Works. The Rodin Museum and its

famed sculptures are steps away and truly worth discovering. Meander through the city's vibrant streets to capture the color and originality of Mural Mile. More than 3,000 works of public art and design are on display on building walls. Touted as "the world's largest art gallery," this amazing exhibit tells the story of everyday life in the city. Guided tours are available or find a map at www.muralarts.org/ self-guided. Philly for families The Please Touch Museum is housed in Memorial Hall, built for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition. It provides children and families playful learning experiences through interactive exhibits, a restored carousel, creative art-making spaces and theater productions. Another draw for

families is Once Upon a Nation, where children can get a story flag at any storytelling bench at 13 different locations. The benches are staffed by costumed interpreters who capture the kids' attention in a fun way with facts and stories about the founding of our nation. Families love the summer Rock 'n' Roar concerts at the Philadelphia Zoo. Kids of all ages dance and prance to local musicians while listening to the sounds of the zoo's amazing animal kingdom. Philadelphia also has a dynamic food scene, and the city's signature cheesesteak sandwiches are ideal for on-the-go families. The Reading Terminal Market has an array of regional specialties offered by more than 80 vendors. And, in South Philly, the 9th Street Italian Market is America's oldest outdoor market and an epicure's delight. LEL

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ȡɁ ȑ ̬ȑʩ ǋ¨̤ź ɤʍʩġġȑɛǾ Ɯ¨ʍ ȑǾ ̬ȑʩɛ ġźǬǬ̬ř ʍǋǖƷǋɤř ¨ɛǷɤř ȑɛ ĻǋǖǾɐ ʡɁ ȑ ̬ȑʩ ̥¨Ǿʍ ʍȑ źǬǖǷǖǾ¨ʍź Ɯ¨ʍ ƜɛȑǷ ¨ʍ Ǭź¨ɤʍ ȑǾź ȑƜ ʍǋȑɤź ¨ɛź¨ɤɐ ʔɁ ɛź ̬ȑʩ ¨Ǿ ɛǖź ɛźɤǖŠźǾʍř ¨Ʒź ʔƤǐɶƤɐ 9Ɯ ̬ȑʩ ¨Ǿɤ̥źɛźŠ ɕ̬źɤɖ ʍ̥ȑ ʍǖǷźɤ ȑɛ Ƿȑɛźř ʍǋǖɤ Ƿ¨̬ ġź ʍǋź Ƿȑɤʍ ǖǷȰȑɛʍ¨Ǿʍ ¨ɛʍǖĻǬź ̬ȑʩ ɛź¨Š ¨ǬǬ ̬ź¨ɛɁ 6źɛźɘɤ ̥ǋ̬Ř Vź̥ ʍźĻǋǾȑǬȑƷ̬ Ƿ¨Ǩźɤ ǖʍ ȰȑɤɤǖġǬź ʍȑ ʍ¨ɛƷźʍ ¨ǾŠ ǨǖǬǬ Ɯ¨ʍ ĻźǬǬɤ ǖǾ ̬ȑʩɛ ġȑŠ̬ř ǬǖǨź ȰȑǖǾʍǖǾƷ ¨ Ǭ¨ɤźɛ ƷʩǾɁ ǖʍǋ Ǿȑ Ȱ¨ǖǾ ȑɛ ɤʩɛƷźɛ̬Ɂ ȑʩ ǷǖƷǋʍ ġź ź¨ʍǖǾƷ ɛǖƷǋʍ ¨ǾŠ ź̪źɛĻǖɤǖǾƷɁ ʩʍ ̬ȑʩɛ ġȑŠ̬ Ɯ¨ʍ ǋ¨ɤ ɤǋǖƜʍźŠɁ ǾŠ Ǿȑ̥ ̬ȑʩɘɛź ɤźźǖǾƷ ǖʍ ǖǾ ȰǬ¨Ļźɤ ̬ȑʩ ŠǖŠǾɘʍ ġźƜȑɛźɁ 9ʍɘɤ Ǿȑʍ ̬ȑʩɛ Ɯ¨ʩǬʍɁ Vȑ Ƿ¨ʍʍźɛ ǋȑ̥ ǋ¨ɛŠ ̬ȑʩ ̥ȑɛǨř ʍǋȑɤź Ǭ¨ɤʍ ɤʍʩġġȑɛǾ ȰȑʩǾŠɤ Ƿ¨̬ ġź ɛźɤǖɤʍ¨Ǿʍ ʍȑ Šǖźʍ ¨ǾŠ ź̪źɛĻǖɤźƙ ǋ¨ʍɘɤ ̥ǋ̬ ̬ȑʩ ɤǋȑʩǬŠ ǨǾȑ̥ ¨ġȑʩʍƊ

ǋź ɕnȑȰɤǖĻǬź Sǖɛ¨ĻǬźɖ ǋ¨ʍ IǖǬǬɤ ȑʩɛ .¨ʍ xʩɛȰɛǖɤǖǾƷǬ̬ř ʍ̥ȑ 6¨ɛ̤¨ɛŠ ŠȑĻʍȑɛɤ ŠǖɤĻȑ̤źɛźŠ ʍǋ¨ʍ ĻǋǖǬŠɛźǾ ̥ǋȑ ¨ʍź ȰȑȰɤǖĻǬźɤ Ʒȑʍ ŠǖǷȰǬźɤ ǖǾ ʍǋźǖɛ ĻǋźźǨɤɁ ǋź ŠȑĻʍȑɛɤ ɛź¨Ǭǖ̳źŠ ʍǋ¨ʍ ʍǋź ȰȑȰɤǖĻǬźɤ ̥źɛź Ɯɛźź̳ǖǾƷ ¨ǾŠ źǬǖǷǖǾ¨ʍǖǾƷ Ɯ¨ʍ ĻźǬǬɤƙ ǋǖɤ ɤǖǷȰǬź ǖŠź¨ř ʍǋ¨ʍ ĻȑǬŠ Ļ¨Ǿ ǨǖǬǬ Ɯ¨ʍ ǖǾ ̬ȑʩɛ ġȑŠ̬ ̥ǖʍǋȑʩʍ Ȱ¨ǖǾ ȑɛ ɤʩɛƷźɛ̬ř ǬźŠ ʍȑ ʍǋź Ļɛź¨ʍǖȑǾ ȑƜ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷɁ

]ǾĻź Ɯ¨ʍ ǖɤ ʍɛź¨ʍźŠ ġ̬ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷř ǖʍɘɤ ƷȑǾź Ɯȑɛ ƷȑȑŠɁ ȑʩɛ ġȑŠ̬ Ǿ¨ʍʩɛ¨ǬǬ̬ źǬǖǷǖǾ¨ʍźɤ ʍǋź Šź¨Š ĻźǬǬɤɁ ȑʩ Ļ¨Ǿ ɛźɤʩǷź ̬ȑʩɛ Š¨ǖǬ̬ ¨Ļʍṳ̈̄ǖʍǖźɤ ǖǷǷźŠǖ¨ʍźǬ̬Ɂ ǾǬǖǨź ǬǖȰȑɤʩĻʍǖȑǾř ̬ȑʩ ɤźź ǖǾĻɛźŠǖġǬźř ɤĻʩǬȰʍźŠ ɛźɤʩǬʍɤ ̥ǖʍǋ Ǿȑ Šȑ̥ǾʍǖǷźɁ

SźŠǖĻ¨ǬǬ̬ nɛȑ̤źǾ ]Ǿ Vź¨ɛǬ̬ ɭ SǖǬǬǖȑǾ nźȑȰǬź ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷ ǖɤ ʍǋź ȑǾǬ̬ . ǐ ¨ȰȰɛȑ̤źŠ ʍźĻǋǾȑǬȑƷ̬ ʍȑ ʍ¨ɛƷźʍ ¨ǾŠ ǨǖǬǬ Ɯ¨ʍ ĻźǬǬɤ ʩɤǖǾƷ ĻȑǾʍɛȑǬǬźŠ ĻȑȑǬǖǾƷɁ ǾŠ Ǿź¨ɛǬ̬ ɭ ǷǖǬǬǖȑǾ ̥ȑǷźǾ ¨ǾŠ ǷźǾ ǋ¨̤ź ġźźǾ ʍɛź¨ʍźŠ ̥ȑɛǬŠ̥ǖŠźɁ ¨Ǿʍ ʍȑ ơʍ ǖǾ ̬ȑʩɛ Ɯ¨̤ȑɛǖʍź Ȱ¨Ǿʍɤɐ LȑȑǨ Ʒɛź¨ʍ ǖǾ ¨ ɤ̥ǖǷɤʩǖʍɐ /źʍ ̬ȑʩɛ ɕȰɛźǐġ¨ġ̬ɖ ġȑŠ̬ ġ¨ĻǨ ¨Ʒ¨ǖǾɐ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷ Ļ¨Ǿ Ʒṳ̈̄ź ̬ȑʩ ¨ Ǿź̥ ơƷʩɛź ¨ǾŠ ¨ Ǿź̥ ǬǖƜźɁ

ȑʩ Ƿ¨̬ ǋ¨̤ź ǋź¨ɛŠ ɛ¨Šǖȑ ȰźɛɤȑǾ¨Ǭǖʍ̬ Gźɤɤ ʩɛɛ̬ ȑǾ xʍ¨ɛ ȡ̷Ʈř ¨ɤ ɤǋź ŠźɤĻɛǖġźɤ ǋźɛ Ɯ¨ʍǐǬȑɤɤ ǦȑʩɛǾź̬ ̥ǖʍǋ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷɁ xǋź ʍɛʩɤʍɤ ʩɤ ʍȑ ǋźǬȰ ǋźɛ ǬȑȑǨ Ɯ¨Ǿʍ¨ɤʍǖĻɁ ȑʩ Ļ¨Ǿř ʍȑȑɁ

ȑ ȑʩ ¨Ǿʍ ȑ .ǖǾ¨ǬǬ̬ Lȑɤź xʍʩġġȑɛǾ .¨ʍɐ ǋź ȰɛȑȑƜ ȑƜ ʍǋǖɤ Ǿź̥ ʍźĻǋǾȑǬȑƷ̬ ǖɤ ǖǾ ʍǋź ɛźɤʩǬʍɤ ǖʍ ȰɛȑŠʩĻźɤ Ɯȑɛ ̬ȑʩɁ ǋ¨ʍɘɤ ̥ǋ̬ ̥ź ¨ǬǬȑ̥ ̬ȑʩ ʍȑ ̤ǖɤǖʍ ȑʩɛ ɛǖź ǬȑĻ¨ʍǖȑǾ ¨ǾŠ ĻǬ¨ǖǷ ̬ȑʩɛ .ɛźź sź¨Šźɛɘɤ /ǖƜʍɤ ¨ʍ Ǿȑ Ļȑɤʍř ʍȑ ɤźź ǖƜ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷ ǖɤ ɛǖƷǋʍ Ɯȑɛ ̬ȑʩɁ ǋź ơɛɤʍ ʍǋǖǾƷ ̬ȑʩ Šȑ ǖɤ ʍźǬǬ ʩɤ ǋȑ̥ ǷʩĻǋ Ɯ¨ʍ ̬ȑʩ ̥¨Ǿʍ ʍȑ ǬȑɤźɁ ǋźǾ ʍźǬǬ ʩɤ ̥ǋźɛź ̬ȑʩ ̥¨Ǿʍ ʍȑ Ǭȑɤź ǖʍ ǐ ǐ ġźǬǬ̬ř ʍǋǖƷǋɤř ¨ɛǷɤř ȑɛ ĻǋǖǾɁ 9ʍ Ƿ¨Ǩźɤ ¨ǬǷȑɤʍ Ǿȑ ŠǖƝźɛźǾĻźɁ ǋ¨ʍ ɤ¨Ƿź Š¨̬ř ̬ȑʩ ɤʍ¨ɛʍ ̬ȑʩɛ ǦȑʩɛǾź̬ Šȑ̥Ǿ ʍǋź ɤ¨Ƿź ɛȑ¨Š ʍǋ¨ʍ Ǿź¨ɛǬ̬ ɭř̷̷̷ř̷̷̷ ȰźȑȰǬź ǋ¨̤ź ƷȑǾź ġźƜȑɛź ̬ȑʩɁ ǋź̬ ¨ǬǬ Ǭȑɤʍ ɤʍʩġġȑɛǾř ʩƷǬ̬ Ɯ¨ʍ ̥ǖʍǋ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷƙ Vȑ ź̪źɛĻǖɤźɁ Vȑ ŠǖźʍɤɁ Vȑ ǾźźŠǬźɤɁ Vȑ ȰǖǬǬɤɁ Vȑ Ȱ¨ǖǾɁ ǾŠ Ǿȑ Ǿź̥ ĻǬȑʍǋźɤ ̬ȑʩ Ļ¨Ǿ ġʩ̬ ̥ǖǬǬ Ƿ¨Ǩź ̬ȑʩ ǬȑȑǨ Ƿȑɛź ¨ʍʍɛ¨Ļʍṳ̈̄źɁ ǋź ĻǋȑǖĻź ǖɤ ̬ȑʩɛɤɁ ǋǖɤ ǖɤ ¨ ȰɛȑƷɛ¨Ƿ Ɯȑɛ ̥ȑǷźǾ ¨ǾŠ ǷźǾ ̥ǋȑ ¨ɛź ɤźɛǖȑʩɤ ¨ġȑʩʍ ǬȑȑǨǖǾƷ Ʒɛź¨ʍ ¨ǾŠ ƜźźǬǖǾƷ Ƿȑɛź ¨Ǭṳ̈̄źɁ ¨Ǩź ¨ĻʍǖȑǾ Ǿȑ̥ř ̥ǋǖǬź ʍǋǖɤ ȑƝźɛ ǖɤ ɤʍǖǬǬ ¨̤¨ǖǬ¨ġǬźɁ

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.s s sɘx /9. x ɤ ¨Ǿ ɛǖź ɛźɤǖŠźǾʍř ̬ȑʩ ¨ɛź źǾʍǖʍǬźŠ ʍȑ ʔ .ɛźź /ǖƜʍɤɁ xʩȰȰǬǖźɤ ¨ɛź ǬǖǷǖʍźŠř ɤȑ ȰǬź¨ɤź ¨Ļʍ Ǿȑ̥Ɂ ȑ ɛźɤźɛ̤ź ̬ȑʩɛ ƷǖƜʍɤř Ļ¨ǬǬ ƂȡƮǐƮ̷ʡǐƂɶȄɭɁ ȑʩ Ʒźʍ ¨ǬǬ ʍǋǖɤŘ ĺ .ɛźź /ǖƜʍ ȏȡŘ ȑǷȰǬǖǷźǾʍ¨ɛ̬ ɕ.¨ʍ ź /ȑǾź .ȑɛź̤źɛɖ ȑǾɤʩǬʍ¨ʍǖȑǾř ɛź̤ź¨Ǭɤ ʍǋź ɤʩɛȰɛǖɤǖǾƷ ɤźĻɛźʍ ʍȑ ɛ¨ȰǖŠř ȰźɛǷ¨ǾźǾʍ Ɯ¨ʍ Ǭȑɤɤ ȲůƤ̷Ɂ̷̷ ̤¨Ǭʩźȸ ĺ .ɛźź /ǖƜʍ ȏʡŘ V¨Ƿ¨ɤʍź V¨ʍʩɛ¨Ǭ xǨǖǾĻ¨ɛźɁ ȑʩɛ ĻǋȑǖĻź ȑƜ .¨Ļź Sȑǖɤʍʩɛǖ̳źɛř .¨Ļǖ¨Ǭ Ǭź¨Ǿɤźɛř ȑɛ ̬ź xźɛʩǷɁ ȑǷźǾ ȑ̤źɛ ɶ̷ ɤ¨̬ř ə ǚʑǏǚȂ Ť¨̰ɨŝ ǻ̰ ƥȂž ǰǚȂžɨ ¨ɟž ĥ¨ɟžǰ̰ ʑǏžɟžɅ ǻ¨̷žŤ ̩ǚʑǏ ʑǏž ɟžɨʭǰʑɨƝɚ ȲůƤƂɁ̷̷ ̤¨Ǭʩźȸ ĺ .ɛźź /ǖƜʍ ȏʔŘ ůʡ̷̷Ɂ̷̷ x¨̤ǖǾƷɤ ȑʩĻǋźɛ ȑǾ ȑȑǬxĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷ ɛź¨ʍǷźǾʍ ¨ǬǬ Ǿȑ̥ř ƂȡƮɁƮ̷ʡɁƂɶȄɭɁ ǋźɛźɘɤ Ǿȑ ȑġǬǖƷ¨ʍǖȑǾ ʍȑ ġʩ̬ ¨Ǿ̬ʍǋǖǾƷ ǐ ǐ Ǧʩɤʍ Ļ¨ǬǬ ʍȑ ź̪ȰǬȑɛź ̬ȑʩɛ ȑȰʍǖȑǾɤƙ ȑʩɛ sź¨Šźɛɤ /ǖƜʍɤ ź̪Ȱǖɛź S¨̬ ʔȡř ʡ̷ȡȄ ȑȑǬɤĻʩǬȰʍǖǾƷ ġ̬ xǬǖǷ ȑŠ̬ xȰ¨ ǐ ȡƂȡȡ IʩǾʍ̳ sŠɁř ɛǖźř n ȡɶƤ̷Ȅ ]ǾǬǖǾź ¨ʍ ̥̥̥ɁxǬǖǷ ȑŠ̬xȰ¨ɁĻȑǷɁ ]ɛ Ļ¨ǬǬ Ǿȑ̥ ƂȡƮǐƮ̷ʡǐƂɶȄɭ

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last look

HAPPY SPELL

sabella Mattei, a student at the Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School, reacts after spelling a word correctly in the School Choice Spelling Bee on March 12 at the Boys and Girls Club of Erie. There were 20 third- and fourth-grade students from Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School; Robert Benjamin Wiley Community Charter School; Montessori Regional Charter School; Mother Teresa Academy, a Catholic school; and Discovery Center, part of the Perseus House Charter School of Excellence.

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