Homes More SUMMER/FALL 2021
FTAREE KE ONE
Osentoski Realty Port Austin, Caseville & Bad Axe SO
LD!
Team Sunrise Caseville & Bad Axe, MI
Rosegold Realty Caro & Cass City
SU
MM 202 ER/FA 1
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Babcock Realty-Port Austin, Caseville, Harbor Beach & Bad Axe
www.michigansthumb.com
Your source for expertise & compassion. Your Hills & Dales.
Visit us at hdghmi.org to see all of the providers available for your care.
4675 Hill St, Cass City | 989-872-2121 2
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www.michigansthumb.com • HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
JILL BABCOCK MEEKS LORI BABCOCK
JEFF BABCOCK
LORI BABCOCK
SALES ASSOCIATE
SALES ASSOCIATE Broker/Owner
Broker/Owner
989-768-0070 Cell
989-550-7936 Cell Cell 989-582-0802 989-550-7936 Cell 8673 Lake St, Port Austin 8673 Lake St, Port Austen loribabcockc21@gmail.com 8673 Lake St, Port Austin jillc21babcockrealty@gmail.com www.century21babcockrealty.com loribabcockc21@gmail.com www.century21babcockrealty.com www.century21babcockrealty.com 8848 Liberty St, Port Austin 3 Bed, 2 Bath $255,000
6820 Main Street, Caseville jeffbabcock@century21.com www.century21babcockralty.com
8848 Liberty St, Port Austin 3 Bed, 2 Bath$299,000 $255,000
Stunning 4 bed/ 4.5 bath home situated on 9 acres just outside of the Bad Axe city limits. Built in 2015, this home has over 4500 sf, a full walk-out basement, Geo-Thermal heat, and AC for those extra hot days. Open concept Kitchen & Family Room; Dining Room, Office, Half-Bath, Master in-suite with walkout patio all on the main floor. Upstairs 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a Bonus Room too. Built in 2014, the 30x60 "Horse Barn" (or customize to whatever you wish) offers stalls for4.5 your animals plentysituated of Stunning 4 bed/ bath and home extra room for whatever your pleasure may be.
Location, Location is at the top of the list of what this lovely home offers. Sitting high on a large lot with great views from the great room. This 3Location, Location is at the top of the bedroom, 2 bath home has a spacious open floor plan, updated kitchen, list of what this lovely home offers. natural gas fireplace, 2 car garage, a Sitting high on a large lot with great deck off the dining area and 3rd bedroom! Located in the Village with views from the great room. This 3City Water and Sewer. This is a must2 bath home has a spacious see home, call today for your viewing bedroom, as this home will not last long! open floor plan, updated kitchen,
$269,000
natural 505 Wadsworth Rd, Bad Axe 4 Bed, 4.5 Bath $519,000
gas fireplace, 2 car garage, a deck off the dining area and 3rd bedroom! Located in the Village with City Water and Sewer. This is a mustsee home, call today for your viewing as 2852 Lakeshore Road, Portlast Hope this home will not long!
8609 Lake Street, Port Austin 3 Bed, 2 Bath, Wrap around Porch
3 Bed, 1 3/4 Bath, 1 Story
on 9 505 Wadsworth Rd, Bad Axe 4 Bed, 4.5 Bath $519,000 acres just outside of the Bad Axe city limits. $425,000 $142,900 $222,900 Built in 2015, this home has over 4500 sf, a full walk-out basement, Geo-Thermal heat, and AC for those extra hot days. Open concept Kitchen & Family Room; Dining Room, Office, Half-Bath, Master in-suite with walkout patio all on the main8609 floor. 3 bedrooms, bathrooms 3124 Shore Dr, Port Austin 2 Bed, 2 Bath $269,900 LakeUpstairs St, Port Austin 3 Bed, 2 Bath 3 $299,000 in Port Austin too. Village Built limits that charm and aHome Bonus Room in offers 2014, theand 30x60 This well-maintained lakefront home features a spacious character! This lovely home on a corner lot set on Lake and living room with fireplace, enclosed 3 season room, 2.5 car "HorseWashington Barn" Streets (or customize whatever you offers a recentlyto updated kitchen! garage and a beautifully wooded deep lot. 2100 Rose Island, Sebewaing Fireside Inn Restaurant and Bar 5733 Shady Lane 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath. 300’ lake frontage, wish) offers animals and plenty of 4070 Sq Ftstalls Turn for Keyyour Business 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath,1 Story 4 acres, pole barn $149,500 $89,900 extra room for whatever$99,900 your pleasure may be.
$371,000
Lots 1 & 2 Huron & Dean St, Port Hope Lots 8 & 9 Huron & Dean St, Port Hope
$299,000
7438 N Lakeshore, Port Hope 12.76 Acres and 30x40 Pole Barn
COMMITMENT INTEGRITY EXPERIENCE
8609 Lake St, Port Austin 3 Bed, 2 Bath $299,000
$164,900
7359 Birch Drive, Port Hope 4.5 Acres: 3 Bed, 2 Bath Manufactured
3124 Shore Dr, Port Austin 2 Bed, 2 Bath $269,900
4405 Mainfeatures St., Port Hope Home Port Austin limits that offers charm This well-maintained lakefront home a spacious 8687 LakeinSt., Port AustinVillage • Restaurant 8693 Lake and St., Port Austin • Storefront Port Hope Hotel Restaurant/Bar Turn-Key Operation Commercial building currently active character! This lovely home on a corner lot set on Lake and living room with fireplace, enclosed 3 season room, 2.5 car Washington Streets offers a recently updated kitchen! garage and a beautifully wooded deep lot.
$99,900
$149,500
$449,900
Walt’s Meat Market - Grocery/Convenience Well established meat market. Lots 1 & 2 Huron & Dean St, Port Hope Lots 8 & 9 Huron & Dean St, Port Hope
$189,900
Lighthouse Road, Port Hope 200’LAKEFRONT 1.22 ACRES 7438 N Lakeshore, Port Hope 12.76 Acres and 30x40 Pole Barn
$89,900 $59,000
Cross Road, Filion 11.02 Acres Cleared Farmland 7359 Birch Drive, Port Hope 4.5 Acres: 3 Bed, 2 Bath Manufactured
COMMITMENT INTEGRITY EXPERIENCE HURON DAILY TRIBUNE • www.michigansthumb.com
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LORI LORI BABCOCK 8673 Lake Street, Port AustinBABCOCK Harbor Beach Office Phone: 989.738.4663 119 State Street | Harbor Beach Broker/Owner Broker/Owner Phone 989.479.3100 6820 Main Street, Caseville 989-550-7936 989-550-7936 Cell Cell Phone: 989.856.8400 Bad Axe (Pigeon Road Office) 8673 8673 Lake Lake St, St, Port Port Austin Austin 2966 Pigeon Road | Bad Axe Bad Axe (Downtown Office) PHONE 989.269.5263 loribabcockc21@gmail.com loribabcockc21@gmail.com 791 S Van Dyke Rd, Bad Axe www.century21babcockrealty.com www.century21babcockrealty.com Phone: 989.269.9925 1191 Liberty South Lakeshore Road, Beach • 3 Bed, 2 Bath • $460,000 8848 8848 Liberty St, St, Port Port Austin AustinHarbor 33 Bed, Bed, 22 Bath Bath $255,000 $255,000
Location, Location, Location Location is at at the the top of of the the Gorgeous Log is Home, 3top bedlist list of of what what this this lovely lovely home home offers. offers. room, 2 bath. Pole Barn with Sitting Sitting high high on on aa large large lot lot with with great great finished upper level.room. Includes views views from from the the great great room. This This 33an extra bath Lakefront lot forspacious a bedroom, bedroom, 22 bath home home has has aa spacious totalfloor of 254’ of Lake Huron open open floor plan, plan, updated updated kitchen, kitchen, Frontage. Call Deb22 Hessling at aa natural natural gas gas fireplace, fireplace, car car garage, garage, 989-550-5258. deck deck off off the the dining dining area area and and 3rd 3rd bedroom! bedroom! Located Located in in the the Village Village with with City City Water Water and and Sewer. Sewer. This This is is aa mustmustsee home, home, call today for your your viewing viewing as as 7220 Timber Trail,see Port Hopecall • 3today Bed, 2for Bath • $153,900 this this home home will will not not last last long! long!
Wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath, home located on a large lot directly across Stunning Stunning 44 bed/ bed/ 4.5 4.5 bath bath home home situated situated on on 99 from Lighthouse Park. Whole house acres acres just just outside outside of of the the Bad Bad Axe Axe city city limits. limits. Generac Generator. Peaceful and Built Built in in 2015, 2015, this this home home has has over over 4500 4500 sf, sf, aa full full Tranquil setting. Call Deb Hessling at walk-out walk-out basement, basement, Geo-Thermal Geo-Thermal heat, heat, and and AC AC 989-550-5258.
505 505 Wadsworth Wadsworth Rd, Rd, Bad Bad Axe Axe 44 Bed, Bed, 4.5 4.5 Bath Bath $519,000 $519,000
for for those those extra extra hot hot days. days. Open Open concept concept Kitchen Kitchen & & Family Family Room; Room; Dining Dining Room, Room, Office, Office, Half-Bath, Half-Bath, Master Master in-suite in-suite with with walkout walkout patio patio all all on on the the main main floor. floor. Upstairs Upstairs 33 bedrooms, bedrooms, 33 bathrooms bathrooms 410aaBartlett St, Harbor Beach •2014, 3 Bed, Bath • $74,500 and and Bonus Bonus Room Room too. too. Built Built in in 2014, the the1 30x60 30x60 "Horse "Horse Barn" Barn" (or (or customize customize to to whatever whatever you you wish) wish) offers offers stalls stalls for for your your animals animals and and plenty plenty of of extra extra room room for for whatever whatever your your pleasure pleasure may may be. be.
Attention golfers! Great opportunity to live right on the Harbor Beach Golf Course! This is a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home, right in the town of Harbor Beach. Many updates to the home, including new windows in 2020, updated flooring, updated kitchen, and much more. Call Jessmine McCoy at (989) 550-3322
Lovely farmhouse within minutes of downtown Port Hope. This is a 3 bedroom, 1 full bath farmhouse, thatSt, sitsPort on 1.38 acres, just off of a paved 8609 8609 Lake Lake St, Port Austin Austin 33 Bed, Bed, 22 Bath Bath $299,000 $299,000 Home HomeMany in in Port Port Austin Austin Village Village limits limits that that offers offers charm charm and road. updates, including new windows, sid- and character! character! This This1” lovely lovely home home on on aa corner corner lot set on on Lake Lake and and ing, and new foam insulation wraplot inset 2018. The Washington Washington Streets Streets offers offers recently recently updated kitchen! kitchen! backyard is huge! Plenty ofaaroom forupdated kids to run around, parties, or a great spot to build your new $99,900 $99,900 pole barn. Call Jessmine McCoy at (989) 550-3322
6581 Redman Rd, Port Hope • 3 Bed, 1 Bath • $164,900
3124 3124 Shore Shore Dr, Dr, Port Port Austin Austin 22 Bed, Bed, 22 Bath Bath $269,900 $269,900 This This well-maintained well-maintained lakefront lakefront home home features features aa spacious spacious living living room room with with fireplace, fireplace, enclosed enclosed 33 season season room, room, 2.5 2.5 car car garage garage and and aa beautifully beautifully wooded wooded deep deep lot. lot. $149,500 $149,500
7751 Munford Rd, Ruth • 4 Bed • $155,000
Lots Lots 11 & & 22 Huron Huron & & Dean Dean St, St, Port Port Hope Hope Lots Lots 8 8& & 99 Huron Huron & & Dean Dean St, St, Port Port Hope Hope
$89,900 $89,900
Nice 4 bdrm country home on 3.33 acres with 40’ x 60’ pole barn, large barn, out buildings and fenced in pasture. Call Brenda Young at (989) 551-5629 7438 7438 N N Lakeshore, Lakeshore, Port Port Hope Hope 12.76 12.76 Acres Acres and and 30x40 30x40 Pole Pole Barn Barn
7359 7359 Birch Birch Drive, Drive, Port Port Hope Hope 4.5 4.5 Acres: Acres: 33 Bed, Bed, 22 Bath Bath Manufactured Manufactured
COMMITMENT INTEGRITY EXPERIENCE 4
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W
hen remodeling a home with the ultimate goal of making it more attractive to prospective buyers, homeowners can benefit from taking stock of current trends, including the style of home that’s most popular. According to a 2020 Homes.com survey of more than 5,000 adults across the United States, modern farmhouse is the most favored house style. The survey asked participants to choose from a selection of styles, including mid-century modern ranch, Spanish colonial/ southwest, bohemian craftsman, Italianate, French chateau, and Tudor. The modern farmhouse style was the most popular choice in 42 of the 50 states, proving that home style preference is not beholden to geography. Respondents gave a host of reasons for favoring the modern farmhouse look, including that the style is “aesthetically appealing but not boring” and that it looks “simple, cozy, and not too busy.”
Commercial building on M81 across from Walmart in Caro, Tuscola Co. Insulated Concrete form building, built in 2012 with almost 3,500 sq ft between the main floor and fully finished basement. Easy to maintain, efficient to heat & cool and ready for any business adventure. Asking price $319,900
Providing customers with quality products and exceptional service, for over 70 years. Circle of Excellence Dealer
707 N. Van Dyke • Bad Axe 989-269-9261 • Fax: 989-269-9821 Toll Free: 800-566-3565
Restaurant for sale in Minden City, Sanilac Co. Full Class C LIQUOR LICENSE with carry-out included in the sale! A kitchen full of beautiful commercial grade appliances. Price has been reduced to $129,900 for an excellent value. Everything is ready for the restaurant/bar to be opened back up!
Premier Properties Real Estate 810-359-2000 HURON DAILY TRIBUNE • www.michigansthumb.com
Laura Tubbs Realtor 810-404-0561 ltubbs82@gmail.com
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Tips before deciding to do a DIY demolition
H
ome improvement projects can range from relatively inexpensive undertakings to complex endeavors that cost homeowners thousands of dollars. In an effort to make expensive projects more affordable, homeowners may look for ways to pitch in, and do-ityourself demolition is a common way to cut costs. Due to geographical fluctuations in price as well as the scale of a project, it’s hard to pinpoint just how much homeowners can save by doing demolition work themselves. HomeAdvisor estimates that the average small interior demolition project costs just over $3,000, though more significant demolition projects can cost considerably more than that. Given the cost, it’s no surprise that so many homeowners volunteer to do demolition on their own. Though it’s possible to do so safely, homeowners can take steps to determine if it’s in their best interest to take on a DIY demolition or leave it to the professionals. • Conduct a cost analysis. Demolition projects seem simple, but they often require the use of equipment most homeowners don’t have on hand. Rentals can be considered in such instances, but the
Mary Buda NMLS#484618
6
Mary Damm NMLS#490488
cost of renting equipment can reduce the amount of money homeowners are saving by going it alone. For example, homeowners may be able to pull up vinyl or tile flooring on their own, but not all floors are installed the same. Some floors may have been glued more effectively than others, making it hard and/or time-consuming to pull them up by hand. A walk-behind floor scraper can make it easier to remove such floors, but that equipment must be rented. A cost analysis comparing the contractors’ demolition cost estimate and the cost of DIY, complete with equipment rental projections, can give a more accurate picture of how much money homeowners will save by going it alone. If the savings of DIY are negligible, homeowners should probably let the contractor handle the demo. • Speak with your contractor. Prior to saying they’ll do the demo work on their own, homeowners should speak with their contractors to get an accurate idea of what the project will entail. Demolition projects may seem simple enough, but contractors can illustrate the correct way to do things so as to minimize potentially costly damage. Some contractors may offer to help homeowners start the demo project
Marc Hill NMLS#500339
and then leave them to their own devices once they get a knack for what to do. Once homeowners see what it will take, they can then decide if DIY is best for them. • Enlist help. No DIY demo should ever be done alone. The risk for accident and injury is simply too great for homeowners to go it alone. Homeowners who can’t enlist some volunteers to pitch in should leave the job to the professionals. DIY demolition can save homeowners a lot of money. But such projects are not necessarily as simple as they seem. Homeowners should take steps to see exactly what they’re getting into before they volunteer to take on demo duty.
Heather Drabek NMLS#758504
7254 Michigan Avenue • Pigeon, MI • 989.453.3113
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Then you can upgrade to the next package at the price as your old package for a year.
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New sites in Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay
Port Austin, MI
and St. Clair Counties!!! Adding new sites regularly!
989-738-5202 • 800-646-9424 www.finanandschmidt.com finanschmidt@centurytel.net
New packages available soon
Give us a call today! 989-269-2306
989-269-7532 PLUMBING – HEATING – COOLING
• New Installation • Remodel • Repair • • Residental & Commercial • • Licensed & Insured Contractors • • Napoleon Furnace Dealer • • Sewer Drain Cleaning • • Name Brand Fixtures •
Quality Work at Competitive Prices
Serving the Thumb for 56 Years! 638 East Huron • Bad Axe, MI HURON DAILY TRIBUNE • www.michigansthumb.com
Timothy Lalley Kitchens
Custom Made Kitchens & Dealer of Brighton Cabinetry
Kitchens Vanities Baths Surfaces 8034 N. Van Dyke Rd. Port Austin, MI 48467 (989) 551-6890 HOMES & MORE
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Design ideas to give your home a farmhouse feel F armhouse style homes are having a moment. A 2020 survey from Homes.com asked more than 5,000 adults across the United States about their favorite house style from a list that included bohemian craftsman, mid-century modern ranch, French chateau, and Tudor, among others. Modern farmhouse was the runaway winner, as participants in 42 of the 50 states indicated this simple, cozy style was their favorite. Home renovation projects can help homeowners put their own unique stamp on their homes, and such projects can be both aesthetic and functional in nature. The following are some farmhouse design elements homeowners can consider as they look to transform their home interiors with this popular style in mind. • Exposed beams: Exposed beams instantly evoke images of a farmhouse. The home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that this rustic renovation project can utilize real wood or faux beams that look like the real thing. Decorative beams that have nothing to do with a home’s structural integrity can be installed by skilled doit-yourselfers. However, even faux beams are heavy, and BobVila.com recommends homeowners have an engineer assess their existing structure prior to installation. • Distressed wood finishes: Distressing is designed to make something look less than perfect. Distressed wood
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finishes can be found throughout many farmhouse style homes. Furniture and picture frames can provide the distressed look farmhouse fans are looking for. This is a relatively inexpensive project that many homeowners can tackle on their own after watching some online tutorials that recommend the right tools and techniques to get the job done right.
• Kitchen sink: Many components combine to create a truly classic farmhouse kitchen. But perhaps no component is more essential than the classic farmhouse sink. The renovation experts at HGTV note that a classic farmhouse sink features a deep, wide basin. Farmhouse sinks are large enough to handle all the dishes that come after a big family meal. Old-fashioned porcelain sinks are worth consideration by homeowners who want their kitchen sinks to evoke a traditional farmhouse feel. • Countertops: HGTV recommends butcher block countertops for homeowners who favor European farmhouse style. Homeowners overhauling their kitchens to create a farmhouse feel should consider installing a large island with a walnut butcher block countertop for an authentic farmhouse feel. Farmhouse style homes are wildly popular. Some simple renovations can help homeowners with a fondness for farmhouse style bring this classic look into their homes.
www.michigansthumb.com • HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
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FRESH VEGGIES
S
are not exclusive to spring and summer
pring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with gardening. But people who love to grow their own vegetables can do so even when the weather outside is frightful.
Various vegetables thrive in cool temperatures. The home and garden experts at HGTV note that some winter vegetables are hardy. That means they can handle frosts in temperatures as low as 25 F without being damaged. Others are even sturdier in the face of all that winter can throw at them, capable of tolerating temperatures that dip into the high teens. Growing vegetables in winter requires a different approach than growing in spring and summer, as gardeners must be ready to prevent damage from frost if temperatures get especially chilly. For example, the experts at Michigan State University Extension note that gardeners may need to utilize floating row covers to protect sensitive crops from frost. Gardeners interested in planting winter vegetables can speak with a local garden center professional about which crops to plant and what to do if temperatures push winter vegetable gardens to the brink. Though it’s up to gardeners what they want to plant, the following are some popular winter vegetables that can make for wonderful, fresh additions to any dinner table even after the traditional gardening season has come and gone.
Bischer
• Arugula • Broccoli • Brussel sprouts • Cabbage • Carrots • Collard greens • Endive • Parsley • Parsnwips • Kale • Radishes • Rutabagas • Spinach • Swiss chard
Landscaping suppLies
• Concrete • Pavers • Retaining Walls • • Mulch • Decorative Stone • • Top Soil • Driveway Gravel • • Play Sand • Fire Pits • Granite Benches • • Cultured Stone • Stepping Stones •
Delivery Available! May Hours: M-F 7:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 8am - 2pm
Let our friendly and knowledgeable staff help you create a backyard paradise! 1331 Thompson Road, Bad Axe • 989-269-9508 • Jill Cell: 989-551-8412
www.bischerlandscaping.com 10
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www.michigansthumb.com • HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
www.oSeNtoSki-uPPerthuMB.CoM
8736 Lake St. Port Austin 989-738-5251
Sell Or Buy yOur HOMe Three locaTions and 19 agenTs To sell your home or assisT in buying your new home.
$379,500
2210 Port Austin Road, Port Austin
$184,500
6558 River Street, Caseville
Three bedroom, two bath ranch lake access home on Beadle Island in Caseville. #040-21-0024
1006 N. Van Dyke Bad Axe 989-269-6231
Casey Bruce Broker/Owner and Marilyn Bruce Broker/Owner www.realestate-mls.com
$182,500
Beautiful three bedroom, three and half bath lake access home with two car attached garage on a little over two acres. Must see to appreciate! #040-21-0002
6906 Main St. Caseville 989-856-3887
203 Acorn Street, Port Austin
Nice three bedroom, one bath, lake access home. Short walk to county park and lake. #040-21-0045
$139,500
5340 N. Van Dyke, Kinde
Nice country four bedroom, one bath, two large porches, 1.38 acre. #040-21-0038
$219,000
$159,000
4750 Hillcrest Drive, Caseville
Two Bedroom, one and a half bath, two car attached garage on half acre. Close to all the Caseville activities and the lake. #040-21-0006
$179,500
295 N. Silver Street, Bad Axe
Nice three bedroom, two bath, ranch home with two and half car attached garage. Just under one acre. #040-21-0026
$525,000
2564 Grindstone Road Port Austin
HUNTING LAND! Munford Road, Ubly
Four bedroom, two and half baths, on one acre. Short distance to Port Austin and the Lake.
120 acres of woods, orchards and lots of deer, turkeys, rabbits and lots of other wildlife. Small hunting cabin. Call Matt Varner 989-513-5875 or Diane Ellicott 989-712-0050 – Do not walk the property without an agent.
#040-20-0040
#040-21-0002
SOLD!!
We here at Osentoski Realty with offices in Bad Axe, Caseville and Port Austin will be available for appointments and will be able to assist you in all your real estate needs.
HURON DAILY TRIBUNE • www.michigansthumb.com
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11
What to know before planting around your property
W
hen planning a landscape, it’s tempting to pick the most colorful, vibrant plants. An eye-popping property filled with yellows, purples, pinks, and other bold colors is sure to catch anyone’s eye. However, the right plant for a property is not always the most colorful.
Do so for a long enough period of time that you can get an accurate of idea of the conditions in which plants will have to grow, and then take that information with you to the garden center where you will buy your plants. Employees can then use this info to help you find the right fit given the light conditions.
Gardening novices can easily be overwhelmed on a trip to their local garden center, where employees may ask a host of questions that have little to do with homeowners’ preferences and everything to do with the growing conditions around their properties. Those questions may seem a little intense, but they’re well-intentioned. Successful gardening is more about soil conditions and access to sunlight than it is about the plants themselves. An awe-inspiring hydrangea bush will only impress if it’s planted in a location where it can thrive.
• Water availability, both quantity and quality, as well as ease of access • Exposure to wind and temperature extremes • Exposure to weather events, snow loads, erosion, and flooding: Garden center employees can likely recommend plants based on traditional weather patterns in a given area. • Soil type, drainage and compaction: Homeowners can take note of any areas of their property where water pools or the ground feels especially soggy after rainfall. Share this information with garden center employees prior to picking plants for such areas. If soil appears compacted, aeration prior to planting may be necessary.
The Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry program at UMass Amherst Extension advises homeowners to learn about the following site conditions, and ultimately share that knowledge with local garden center representatives, before they pick and plant anything around their properties. • Hardiness zone: The Plant Hardiness Zone Map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is designed to help gardeners determine which plants are most likely to thrive where they live. The map can be found on the USDA website at www.usda.gov. • Light availability, intensity, and duration, from full sun to deep shade: Prior to planting, homeowners can document this information in a notebook or on their smartphones.
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• Competition from existing vegetation, keeping in mind the roots underground that you can’t see • Above ground wires or obstructions: Trees will grow up, and the presence of power lines or other obstructions may threaten the trees or prove dangerous if trees eventually grow into or hang over power lines. Knowledge of various conditions prior to planting can save homeowners the cost of replacing plants and the hassle of dealing with plants that don’t take.
www.michigansthumb.com • HURON DAILY TRIBUNE
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Gas Grill Tank Exchange Available!
A
s more people work remotely, electricians and safety advocates are warning that various missteps may be putting people at unnecessary risk of fire and other unsafe conditions. Electrical equipment is necessary to run home offices just like it is traditional offices. Some people may find they have a shortage of electrical outlets to power their devices, and as a result they may turn to extension cords or power strips. While that may seem like an easy fix, it is easy to inadvertently overload outlets and circuits by connecting more than one power strip or extension cord together in a practice known as “daisy chaining.” According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, using a daisy chain in the workplace violates the National Electrical Code as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rules. While it may not break code at home, overloading any outlets increases risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association indicates that more than 45,000 residential fires are started each year due to electrical failure and malfunction. Overload causes products to overheat, and that can spark fires in the power cords themselves or inside the wall where electrical lines are hidden.
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Downtown Elkton
989-375-2530 ~ Over 20 Years Experience ~
Appliance Repair You are number one, so get the service from the area’s number one Appliance Technician All MAjoR AppliAnce BRAnds Steve Schulz Appliance Techs
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It’s important to note that the United States has one of the safest public drinking supplies in the world, as does Canada. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates drinking water quality in public water systems, and strict concentration levels for pollutants and chemicals have long since been established. The daily responsibility of providing safe drinking water to the public in Canada rests with the provinces and territories, while municipalities oversee the operations of treatment facilities. However, contamination can occur in source water as well as in distribution systems even after water has been treated. Contaminants can include naturally occurring chemicals and minerals, as well as materials that are used in manufacturing, local land use and through sewer or wastewater releases. The following are just a few of the contaminants that can cause adverse conditions if present in water. • Arsenic: Arsenic can enter the water from natural deposits in the earth or from industrial agricultural pollution, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This may be a concern for those who rely on well water.
Hazards that could be lurking in drinking water L ife on Earth would not exist without water. Plants and animals rely on fresh water daily, even more than some people may recognize. In fact, survival experts note that a human can survive without food for anywhere from eight to 21 days, but only three days to a week without adequate water. Even though water is such a crucial commodity, many waterways and drinking water sources are under attack. Substances people use everyday are turning up in rivers, oceans and lakes, affecting not only marine life, but people as well.
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• Benzene: Federal drinking water surveys in the United States estimated that roughly 1.3 percent of groundwater systems contained benzene. Large concentrations of benzene can be troublesome because it is known to cause cancer. Benzene is found in crude oil and gasoline, but also can occur naturally in volcanic gases and smoke from forest fires. • Chlorine: Chlorine in small amounts has been standard in U.S. drinking water treatment since 1904 and is in most Canadian drinking water. While chlorine can eradicate many pathogens, there is a downside. In the 1970s, scientists discovered that chlorine added to water can mix with organic matter and form trihalomethanes, one of which is chloroform, according to the water safety resource Water Benefits Health. THMs increase the production of free radicals that can be cancer-causing. • Giardia: This tiny parasite is found in soil or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected animals or people, advises the World Health Organization. Swallowing contaminated drinking water or recreational water at lakes or pools can cause gastrointestinal illness. • Improper pH: There are some proponents of consuming alkaline water to increase fat burning and neutralize acidic blood, as well as to act as an antioxidant. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, elevating the pH too much toward the alkaline side can affect kidney function and also cause the skin to become dry, itchy and irritated. Water is needed to maintain health, but various contaminants may be lurking in water supplies. Testing water regularly can provide insight as to what might be hiding among those oxygen and hydrogen molecules.
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Signs of septic system malfunction
H
omeowners recognize that their work is never done. Homes require maintenance that runs the gamut from daily tasks like cleaning kitchen countertops to more significant undertakings like replacing roofs. For many homeowners, keeping their homes running smoothly involves tending to septic systems. Estimates from various sources indicate that roughly one in five homes in the United States has a septic system. Homeowners who live in areas with regional sewage systems may not give much thought to the operation and maintenance of their wastewater and disposal system. But that responsibility typically rests squarely on the shoulders of homeowners whose homes have septic systems. Learning to maintain septic systems so they operate safely and efficiently is essential. Homeowners should know that recognizing signs of septic system malfunction is vital to avoiding potentially costly, messy accidents that can put the health of humans and local wildlife in jeopardy. What happens when a septic system malfunctions? The Washington State Department of Health notes that a malfunctioning septic system is a threat to the health of both humans and animals as well as the environment. When a septic system is malfunctioning, untreated sewage can be released and end up in places where it shouldn’t be, such as groundwater, surface water and marine
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water. That’s true even if it’s not visible to the naked eye. Humans and animals are in danger when septic systems malfunction because untreated sewage contains pathogens and other contaminants that can make them sick. What are the signs of a malfunctioning septic system? The DOH of Washington State notes that properly maintained septic systems should provide reliable service for many years. Part of that maintenance is keeping an eye out for these signs that suggest a system is malfunctioning or failing: • Water and sewage from toilets, drains and sinks is backing up into the home • Bathtubs, showers, and sinks drain very slowly • Gurgling sounds are coming from the plumbing system • Standing water or damp spots near the septic tank or drain field • Bad odors around the septic tank or drain field • Bright green, spongy lush grass over the septic tank or drain field, even during dry weather • Algal blooms in nearby ponds or lakes • High levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in water wells Homeowners with septic systems should make tending to those systems part of their routine home maintenance.
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Let us be the key to your new home!
Joey Kreeger (989) 912-0059
Trista Donovan
Garrett Deitering
(989) 325-8915
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Gary Bader
Eileen Allred FAhl
(989) 553-0236
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*LIVE*WORK*PLAY* Property is zoned both residential and commercial. So that means you can live in part while you run your business in the other.
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Adorable home is located on a paved road, has lots of Character and is move in ready
Sue Wiese
(989) 550-2323
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2.35 acres would be an amazing spot to build or park the camper.
2 bedroom 2 bathroom completely remodeled manufactured home on 3 acres with a 30 x 50 shed.
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2 Locations to serve you
Cass City 989-445-GOLD
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3500 Mertz Rd.
Caro 989-672-GOLD
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ROOFING • REMODELING • SIDING SERVICES We service the entire state of Michigan
Bresky Siding & Building Repair specializes in everything you need to remodel or repair your home, including roofing, siding, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and full custom home remodeling. We are proud to be a family-owned and -operated business that puts a focus on quality and customer service. We have been adding value, beauty, and function to homes just like yours with interior and exterior remodeling services. You can always trust our licensed, insured, and bonded company to take care of your home remodeling needs.
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