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HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

Plain Or Fancy Steps To Save Energy

Stair Runner Store Shop At Home Simplicity

Secrets In The Attic

Cover photo: David Ames

Clean But Do Not Disturb

Special Section to: The Valley Gazette • The Oxford Gazette • The Stratford Star • The Milford Mirror • The Amity Observer • The Trumbull Times • Fairﬁeld Sun • The Huntington Herald • The Monroe Courier • The Easton Courier • The Shelton Extra

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• November 6, 2008 •

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THE RIGHT STUFF AT

Tubs & Stuff

by Robin E. Glowa

In a constantly chaotic world, there is an increasing need to find refuge from the relentless hubbub. Creating relaxing comfort zones at home can provide a respite. Slipping into a warm bath and soaking away the stresses of the day can be a wonderful way to escape. If your tub leaves you half submerged, with your kneecaps exposed and your elbows catching a chill, perhaps it is time to consider creating a new comfort zone in your home. Upgrading your bathroom will provide you with hours of pleasure as well as being a lasting and worthwhile investment. All the “stuff” you need to assemble a beautiful bathroom can be found at Tubs & Stuff in Ansonia. Owners Ken and Yvonne Shortell have assembled a showroom filled with an amazing array of tubs, showers, sinks, faucets, and enclosures. Here you will find all the options you need to create your own restful oasis. Yvonne says, “Today people are very interested in creating an “in home” wellness center. They want to walk in and have everything right there, so they can close out the world.”

Tubs & Stuff will help you create a restful oasis at home.

There are many levels of luxury available. Today’s products offer tubs that include hydrotherapy — pulsating jets provide pressure relief; air therapy — a blower delivers a tingly, effervescence that is harmonious with the jets; thermotherapy — extra heat zones to deeply penetrate the back muscles. Chromatherapy provides mood enhancement by adding color to the bathing experience, and aromatherapy uses essential oils to add a heightened sense of relaxation and release. Ken adds, “Today’s products really are amazing. We sell showers with dual shower heads, body sprays and steam. We have walk-in tubs, where you open the door, walk in and then sit down in a relaxing bath or whirlpool. We offer an array of toilets, including a $5,000 model that does everything but talk to you!” The seat automatically lifts, and there is a deodorizer and a bidet. Many people are purchasing convenienceheight toilets, which were originally developed for customers with back problems. Now the added height has made these toilets quite a popular item.

Tubs continued on page 10

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NOVEMBER 2008

VOL II, ISSUE 11

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Special Section to: The Valley Gazette, The Oxford Gazette, The Stratford Star, The Milford Mirror, The Amity Observer, The Trumbull Times, Fairﬁeld Sun, The Huntington Herald, The Monroe Courier, The Easton Courier and The Shelton Extra.

1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton CT 06484

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• November 6, 2008 •

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Secrets in the attic

(or clean but do not disturb) by Joanne Greco Rochman There’s something about an attic that attracts the most unusual and often most mysterious salvaged items. Old love letters, photos of unfamiliar faces, an old trunk filled with treasures of the past, these are some of the articles that make their way to the safe haven of an attic. Too precious to be discarded, yet not pertinent enough to be included in everyday use, these objects often reside in the attic for decades, where their secrets and old lives lie undisturbed until the ultimate cleaning expedition. Holding keys to the past, these items never fail to jolt memories. Therefore, it is imperative that when cleaning an attic, one take care in deciding what ultimately gets tossed and what is reassigned. Most important, do it yourself and do it with tender loving care.

Thanks to the organizational skills of my husband, who knows too well my tendency to squirrel away every souvenir and every meaningful greeting card, he had built big, wide storage cubicles and even installed clothes racks for me. This is really the trick to keeping a well-organized and neat attic. He even brought up an old chest of drawers for extra storage.

It’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, but for me, autumn is the perfect time to climb those stairs to the eerily quiet uppermost room of the house. Armed with plastic garbage bags, shiny new storage bins, paper towels, broom, mop, vacuum cleaner, and the determination to finally clean and even get rid of all the junk in the attic, I knew I had my work cut out for me. After all, I had dresses from my junior and senior proms hanging up there.

Take it from me, no one can clean an attic in one day. Try as you will to wipe away spider webs and suck up the dust, something will catch your eye and slow you down.

Here’s the trick to keeping a well-organized and neat attic.

Still, when you’re in a rush and just stuff something into a cubicle or drop it on top of a pile on the floor, before you know it, you have a mess. Who isn’t guilty of sticking something in the attic with the best intentions of properly placing it as soon as extra time allows? When you can’t find an item that you know is in the attic, then it’s time for a super clean.

The first thing that stopped me in my tracks was a hobby horse. It was once the pride and joy of my older son, now a full-grown man living across the country. I started to wipe it down with a moist towel, but as I did I could see the child decked out in a cowboy hat and wearing a fringed

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• November 6, 2008 •

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leather vest, bouncing up and down and smiling from ear to ear. After a sigh and a decision to keep the horse for possible future generations, I promised to stay focused and homed in on the floor-to-ceiling cubicles. Careful not to break anything, even when I determined it was going to be tossed, I began sorting. Allocating different sections of the attic for various categories helped immensely. One section of the floor was for recycling. After all, someone out there must want this stuff.

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For years I had been looking for my silver charm bracelet that I had in high school. I knew I put it somewhere special the last time we moved. For the life of me I couldn’t track it down. But as I reached deep into a storage box, I found a strange wooden box, and inside that a little velvet envelope. I recognized it immediately. Each charm has a special memory attached to it. That’s why I put it in a special box. Oh, the secrets one finds in an attic.

Another section was “to be washed” — things that would be put back on the shelf. Oh, the things one rediscovers while cleaning the attic! I found a lot of ceramic and pottery items I had made during my “I have to get out of the house” years. And I did found my sack filled with special greeting cards. I still couldn’t part with them. Too many were from my family. Each shelf was vacuumed, washed and dried before I replaced anything. Then I cleaned each of the items as I put them back. That took me a few days, and I hadn’t even gotten to the other side of the attic. What I discovered in deciding what stayed and what went was that each remaining item held a secret for me. Maybe no one else will understand why I’m saving the half-painted canvas I started just before I delivered my first son, but I know I’ll finish it — someday. I’ll remember exactly how I felt when I painted that happy blue sky and the memory will be as vivid as the paints. Perhaps no one else will cherish the rudimentary spatula my younger son made in middle school metal shop, but how could I forget that day. He was so proud when he presented it to me. OK, I know you’re thinking that I probably didn’t discard anything, but I did. I got rid of old dishes, knickknacks and many souvenirs. I did find a few letters from a pen pal I had in grammar school, and in that same box, I found something very special.

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• November 6, 2008 •

Hersam Acorn Newspapers •

THE STAIR RUNNER STORE

Shop at home simplicity by Robin E. Glowa John and Eileen Hunyadi are long-time experts in the carpet field. As the owners of Creative Carpet & Rug, “The Stair Runner Store,” they have provided superior design, installation and fabrication services for 25 years. John and Eileen feel the entryway is where a home makes its first impression, so 10 years ago they began to focus on the stair-runner part of the business. Now they offer clients a wide selection of stair and hall runners, which add elegance and warmth to their customers’ homes. As the only business in Connecticut offering a shop-at-home stairrunner store, they have also created a unique and incredibly easy buying experience. Eileen explains the process. “We work by appointment. When new clients call I direct them to our Web site, or, if they prefer, we discuss their project on the phone. But it’s the site that can be really helpful. You can search through our huge number of samples by color, style, size, and fiber. As customers browse through the Web site, they can make their selections and create a list of samples they would like to see in person. They fill in the appointment-request form, and I then coordinate the appointment. When I arrive at the client’s home, I have their samples. I take the necessary measurements, determine footage needed, and within a day, I can create a written quote for them.” By shopping online, customers enjoy a no-pressure, no-commitment ease in decision making. The Web site has a comprehensive selection of samples. Eileen says, “We have everything people could possibly want. They could shop at eight different stores and still not find all the samples we offer.”

Stair runners add an elegance and warmth to a home’s entryway.

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It is easy to see all the lovely details in each of the online samples. Customers can click on a sample and enlarge it to see the particulars, including width, fiber content and whether a coordinating area rug or broadloom is available. A save-sample button allows the customer to keep browsing, while assembling a shopping cart full of attractive choices, which they can then inspect during an appointment with Eileen. John does all installations. Stairs and hallways come in different configurations, and John is highly skilled at interpreting what the customer wants and doing a superlative job of installing it. Eileen proudly points out that John does excellent work. “We have customers who have called us when their previous installation was not done properly. He has replaced other’s work and is able to do the jobs that others have said can’t be done. He would never say this, but John is able to get things to match that don’t match.” “We concentrated on making ourselves the best,” John adds. “This is all we do, and we want to do it better than anyone else.” “People are investing in their homes and working with what can be expensive material, and it needs to be handled professionally,” Eileen says. “Take a look on the Web site — the photos are actual installations that John has done.” The Web site does reveal an many examples of John’s fine craftsmanship, and a diversity of ways to beautify staircases and hallways. Seemingly, there is no configuration that John hasn’t worked with. There are examples of

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staircases with extreme angles, as well as curved ones, also known as winding staircases. There are double landings, T-landings, pie steps, and straight staircases. The images also include a selection of hallway runner installations. The photos give customers inspiration and a wealth of ideas for their own projects. Hallways vary greatly, and runner treatments can be done in a number of ways, from custom application to loose-laid area rugs and runners. Coordinating area rugs to stair runners with decorative hardware gives a home a sophisticated look. The Web site aptly demonstrates just how lovely these extra details can be. Covering stairs and hallways with rich, warm colors and fantastic patterns not only makes a striking statement and adds value to a home, but it also makes it safer. Eileen says, “It’s the absolute truth, uncarpeted stairs are often overlooked as a safety issue. Not only do people have issues with falling down hardwood stairs, but we have clients who are now installing stair runners for their pets’ safety, particularly for dogs.” “Stair runners are decorative, they’re pretty and they will provide safety and pleasure for the entire family,” according to Eileen and John. Along with a wide range of pricing, an unmatched selection and outstanding craftsmanship, customers may enjoy the benefits of convenience, highly personalized service and gorgeous results. For more information, call Creative Carpet & Rug at 1-888-590-5566 (toll free) or 203-888-5566; stairrunnerstore.com.

Carpeting stairs provides safety for both homeowners and pets.

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WIC answers the call of the wild by Kelly Coleman It’s not every day that one gets to feed oatmeal cookies to dozens of baby raccoons or mend the wing of an injured hawk, but for the volunteer staff at Weston’s Wildlife in Crisis (WIC), it’s every day, ALL day. The round-the-clock caretakers answer calls at the little desk in WIC’s office from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day of the year. When I visited, it was summertime, the animal mating/breeding season, so the phone rang off the hook with calls from the wildlife-conscious public. The director of Wildlife In Crisis, Dara Reid, founded the facility in 1989 after working at a similar center. During the 80s, it was the only one that rehabilitated wild animals. When that center closed, she decided to take it over, because “there was still a definite need.” Today, Wildlife In Crisis is still the only facility of its kind. If Mrs. Reid is the backbone of the facility, the heart of WIC lies in the committed interns. During the summer, the three primary interns were Kat Sylvester, Chelsea DeBay and Anna Clark. Each intern brings a unique background to the facility, and usually ends up finding her calling while working there. For instance, Ms. Sylvester, a senior in college this year, with a biology major, had her heart stolen by the countless baby raccoons. Ms. Clark, who graduated from university two years ago with a double major in marine biology and zoology, worked in public relations for two years. She became interested in WIC because she thought it would be a good way to ease back into her interest in environmental science. While working here, she soon found herself becoming “the bird lady,” primarily excelling in handling all the avian residents. Prospective interns, who are interviewed by Mrs. Reid, are required to have a bachelor’s

WIC continued on page 12

Anna Clark cradles a baby screech owl at Wildlife in Crisis in Weston.

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Homeowners can take steps to save on energy costs by Jane K. Dove With the coldest months of the year now almost here, area homeowners are looking to save on energy expenditures. Although winter energy costs may not hit the extreme highs predicted earlier, they will still be up significantly from 2007 to 2008. There are many ways to save, some basic and some more advanced. They all result in achieving the goal of conserving energy, and the ever-increasing chunk of the family budget that goes to pay for it. Simple And Effective “If I could give only one tip to homeowners, it would be to insulate their attics,” says David R. Leopold of Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection of Fairfield. “Up to 70% of heat loss in a home can be through the attic because heat rises,” he says. “A well-insulated attic means you will burn less oil in the winter. Oil is a non-renewable fossil fuel, and less oil consumption means less pollution and contributing less to global warming.” Attic insulation also means using less air conditioning in the summer, David says, because it cuts down on the summer sun’s “radiator” effect — hot attic air trapped above the home’s living space. David recommends using either cellulose or soy-based, water-blown insulation instead of traditional fiberglass. “They are way more effective and efficient insulators, and their installation techniques eliminate all the gaps and holes you find with fiberglass,” he says. Tuning up heating equipment is second on his list. “As home inspectors, we often see heating equipment that hasn’t been tuned up in years,” he says. “If you need an incentive, remember that a 78% efficiency really means that 22 cents of every heating dollar is going straight up your chimney.”

David says another simple fix is a programmable thermostat, available for about $20 at home-improvement stores. “By connecting just two low- voltage wires, following the instructions, and you can automatically set back your sleeping and ‘daily away’ temperatures by 10 degrees.” Other tips include closing the fireplace damper on the chimney and installing a spring-loaded chimney-top damper to trap warm air. “When you leave your house in winter, close the shades on the north and east sides of the house, and open them on the south and west sides for insulation and solar gain,” he says. “Also, caulk every cold-air penetration point you detect around your house, including where the air conditioning lines and the pipe for your hose faucet enter from outside,” he says. “Put an insulated “cozy” over the hose bib to prevent drafts in winter. Install foam electrical outlet gaskets to prevent air intrusion.” Finally, David recommends purchasing special tape and sealing all air ducts. “Don’t use regular duct tape for this,” he says. “Duct tape might hold the world together, but it doesn’t work on air ducts — it falls off.” Integrate Systems For Big Savings “When it comes to helping homeowners save on their energy bills,” a systems-integration approach can yield excellent results,” says John Davis, head of Davco Custom Electronic Solutions of Norwalk. Mr. Davis says his company takes a “whole house” approach to reducing energy, since controlling electricity consumption is a high priority for many homeowners. “Electric costs are high and going higher,” he says. “We install automated lighting-control systems that handle dimming, timers and adjustments for times and events of the day. Our typical system can save 20 to 25% a

year on a home’s electric bill. Systems can be installed during construction or retrofitted.” John says most new luxury homes feature automated energy-control systems. “Even if you start with a basic system, it can be upgraded and expanded over time. For example, automated shades are becoming more and more popular. When the sun comes up, they open. When it goes down, they close. This has become a big seller over the past couple of years.” John says automated HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) control is also quickly gaining in popularity. “We can provide clients with a central ‘smart thermostat’ tied in with all the other thermostats in the house,” he says. “In effect, it can ‘talk’ to the other automated systems in the house, providing an advanced level of control over energy expenditure.”

Davco also installs complete power-management systems. “These automatic systems monitor consumption of water, electricity, gas, and oil,” he says. “The system can produce a real-time graph that pinpoints consumption levels and costs in each category. We can then amend the usage through automation. When we are done, all you have to do is press a button to change your consumption levels.” John says he believes automated energy-conservation systems are the wave of the future.

“The abilities of automation to save energy are really endless,” he says. “New technologies are constantly springing up, and it is no longer just used in large luxury homes. As technology improves and takes hold, automation is becoming more mainstream. One day in the not too distant future, every new home will use the technology in some form or another.”

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Tubs continued from page 2 While luxury is a highly desired component, both Ken and Yvonne point out there are many details to a proper upgrade. Ken says, “People need to consider what works best in their space. For example, do you have the right water supply, do you have all the correct sizes and parts? We help people with all the details, with their design and all the way through to completion. We really have everything you need, except the ceiling and the floor,” he says with a chuckle. “With so many variations in products, finishes and sizes, we really focus on providing personalized service for our customers, educating and walking them through their project.” Luxury is perceived to come with a high price tag. Yvonne says, “You don’t have to have a big bathroom to have a beautiful bathroom. Many customers come in thinking they need to have a huge space, but we can help them create a great, modern update in any size space. We try to get the person into what they can afford.” “Our concept is to stay within budget,” Ken adds. “Our industry is headed toward becoming very high-end. We want to steer people in the right direction, teaching about the practicality of certain products, while helping our customers

You don’t need to have a big bathroom to have a beautiful one.

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The showroom at Tubs & Stuff is full of inspiration. Customers will find graceful pedestal sinks, elegant faucets, shower doors with such intricate details as etching or the textural appearance of falling rain, vanities built from stunning stone, sumptuous sinks fashioned from copper, oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, stone, and glass, as well as the huge variety of spaquality, soak-away-the-world tubs. Ken says, “It’s a well-kept secret, but we’re not just bath stuff. We also do kitchen stuff! For example, we offer kitchen countertops in all the major finishes — Corian, quartz, marble, and granite. For the gourmet cook we feature great kitchen products, like pot fillers and faucets with electric eyes. In the industry for 30 years, Ken is a highly respected expert in his field and has been

quoted in the Wall Street Journal. When he and Yvonne met, Yvonne was working in a related field, and they knew they wanted to build a business together. Yvonne says, “This was something we wanted to do together, as a family. Everyone who works here with us is considered part of our family and is very important to us.” Ken adds, “We have a very comfortable atmosphere here. Our philosophy is when the customer comes through the door, we’re not here to sell them. We don’t do high-pressure sales, we’re here to help them.” Expert service, extensive selection and a lowpressure environment, all the “right stuff” for a superior shopping experience at Tubs & Stuff. Tubs & Stuff is at 41 Clifton Ave. in Ansonia, 203-734-8827, with another showroom at 336 Hazard Ave. in Enfield, 860-749-4114, tubsandstuffct.com.

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achieve their goal of a good looking, highly functional bathroom that’s within their price range.”

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The showroom at Tubs & Stuff is full of inspiration.

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Find Your Peace of Mind...

WICs continued from page 8 degree in biology, but as for any previous experience, Mrs. Reid said, “there really is no way you can get an experience similar to the one you have here. All our methods of healing are completely unique to this center, so the only way you can learn them is by interning or volunteering here. No other place can give you the same hands-on experience.” Selected interns then move into a cozy apartment located above the Wildlife In Crisis office, to eliminate commuting to work. Ms. Clark felt that living on site was important because “on our busiest nights we don’t finish until about midnight, and then we’re up again at 7 to start again.” Interns usually sign up for a specific season. Summer season is considered from April until early November, and winter season lasts from November through April. Of the three interns, Ms. DeBay is notable for staying at WIC the longest — nine months. When it comes time to release an animal, Ms. DeBay described the center’s approach. A vital point is that WIC does not believe in euthanasia. If an animal cannot be returned to the wild, it becomes a permanent resident at the center. Some of the current ones are Stevie the blind blue jay, two seagulls and numerous hawks. Ms. DeBay said that all animal releases are “soft releases,” ones that are planned to ease the animal’s transition into the wild. One tactic, Ms. DeBay said, is to “try to mimic whatever they would get from nature, or anything they would need from their parents as best we can.” Healed animals are released only into designated “‘safe spots,” areas where there are few predators and where it is known that food will be available on a daily basis. These areas are usually the properties of people affiliated with WIC. The patients at Wildlife In Crisis are brought to the center by a concerned public. Ms. Clark said, “We don’t discriminate against any species here. You name it, we have it.” Wildlife In Crisis now has between 30 and 50 permanent residents who receive quality care every day. Permanent dwellers included,

Young hawk at Wildlife in Crisis.

WIC has approximately 300 animals to care for every day. Mrs. Reid depicted her work as “allconsuming.” To find out more about WIC in Weston, go to www.wildlifeincrisis.com. If you have any questions concerning a wildlife situation, call 203-544-9913. The phone continually rings for 12 hours a day, signifying the public’s ongoing sense of duty to come to the aid of any wildlife in crisis. Kelly Coleman, a Ridgefield Girl Scout, is working on her Silver Award Project, which requires 40 hours of community service. Choosing to work with WIC, in addition to writing this article, she is baking cookies for the raccoons and will teach other scouts about the importance of wildlife conservation. Photo credit: Wildlife in Crisis

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HOME OF THE MONTH ■

HiddenValley Farm LOCATION: A long, winding drive brings visitors past meadows and an orchard of apple and pear trees to this contemporary house in Easton. PROPERTY: Thirty-nine acres encompass a pond with dock and paddle boat, five meadows, two smaller ponds, wooded trails, and portions of an old stagecoach route, which ran from Norwalk to Bridgeport. There are also preliminary plans for a nine-lot subdivision. HOUSE: Notable for its picturesque views and open space, the house has six to seven bedrooms and four and one half baths. A huge great room with cathedral ceiling and stone fireplace has a full bar and beautiful views of the pond and woods, especially lovely in the fall. There’s a formal dining room, and the gourmet kitchen has vaulted ceilings, granite countertops and a fieldstone fireplace. The firstfloor master suite has a spa bath and glass doors that wrap around a deck with hot tub and outdoor fireplace. OUTBUILDING: A 4,000-square-foot barn built by Amish craftsmen. GARAGE: Three-car attached. PRICE: $3,500,000. REALTY: Higgins Group. Agents: Julie Vanderblue & Megan Smith, 203-257-6994 or 203-893-0540, vanderblue.com. Photography: David Ames.

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