Sun Journal Special Sections Let It Snow

8

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

Denise Scammon photo

‘Cocooning’ increases the importance of chimney inspections

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(ARA) - As Americans find peace of mind at home “cocooning” with family this fall and winter, many will be enjoying the comfort of a warm fire. However, homeowners planning to make good use of their fireplaces this season should consider some simple maintenance procedures, including a chimney inspection.”

A chimney inspection is like an annual dental checkup,” states Ashley Eldridge, director of education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards. Sometimes, maintenance requires extra diligence. That’s the case this year.”

To reduce the risk of chimney fires, the CSIA cautions people that might be increasing their fireplace use in the fall and winter to put a chimney inspection at the top of their home improvement list. This caution is primarily directed at people who might increase their wood-burning fireplace usage from an occasional fire to a weekly activity.

According to Eldridge, people who use fireplaces infrequently tend to be less informed about the important role that the chimney plays in exhausting the hot gases and smoke from a fire. When a chimney has creosote build-up, or is obstructed by a bird’s nest or debris, it has the potential to catch fire and cause damage.This impact is demonstrated by recent statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to the CPSC there were 18,300 residential fires in the United States in 1998 originating in chimneys, fireplaces and solid fuel appliances. These fires resulted in 160 personal injuries, 40 deaths and $158.2 million in

Ken Cote of The Village Sweep

INSIST ON ...

property damage.In addition to an annual inspection, the CSIA recommends these tips for reducing the threat of a chimney fire: Add a chimney cap to the top of your chimney. A cap can keep out damaging moisture, which wears away masonry and other metal components within a chimney.

Ensure that your chimney has an appropriate liner.

Chimney liners are required in new construction to separate system emissions from the structure of your home.

Have chimney flashing (the seal between the chimney and the roof) inspected and maintained. Flashing prevents rain water and snow melt from entering a house and causing costly damage to walls and ceilings.The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also recommends that all chimneys be inspected on an annual basis to prevent chimney fires. The CSIA adds that the best choice for a professional is a sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Each fall, CSIA-certified chimney sweeps work together to raise awareness of chimney safety during National Chimney Safety Week, which begins this year on Sept.

29 and runs through Oct. 5.For more information about preventing chimney hazards or for a free copy of the brochure “Chimney Inspections Explained for the Homeowner” call (800) 536-0118 or visit the CSIA Web site at www.csia.org.

The CSIA also provides a list of CSIA certified chimney sweeps online and by mail. Courtesy of ARA Content

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Ken Cote inspects a fireplace in a newly purchased home

Denise Scammon photo

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Denise Scammon photo

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

2

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Birds may rely on you for food this winter, say Audubon experts (NAPSI)-Savvy gardeners and birdwatchers have discovered they can attract beautiful birds to their yard by selecting plants that provide food and shelter. All spring and summer, when gardens are in full bloom, birds typically have an ample supply of food.

But as plants complete their flowering and fruiting cycles, it gets more difficult for birds to find food.

So this fall, the National Audubon Society reminds gardeners to think about our winged friends by planting varieties that produce fruits, berries, nectar, seeds and nuts during the fall and winter seasons.

The National Audubon Society and Monrovia, a leading grower of plants, are making it easy for

people to create a backyard environment that is friendly to a variety of birds and butterflies with the Audubon Habitat Collection of plants. Just look for plants in Monrovia’s green-banded containers with a special Audubon label in select fine garden centers nationwide.

Here are some fall planting tips for a winter bird garden: Fall is a great time to add bird-friendly plants. The heat of the summer is past, and plants have time to root before frost comes.

Select plants that provide nuts, seeds or berries in the coldest winter months, such as holly, junipers, oaks and other nut trees.

Other plants that provide late fall and winter food include: crowberry, staghorn sumac, pitch pine, inkberry, smooth winterberry, Toringo crabapple, saw palmetto, Virginia creeper, Walter’s viburnum and myrtle dahoon.

Water is essential for birds, so provide a birdbath or dripping water source. If freezing is a problem, don’t put additives in the water to lower the freezing point.

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By DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

Faye Paquet at Provencher’s Landscaping & Nursery in Lewiston with a display of bird seed and feeder products to help you get ready for feathered friends.

Instead, consider a water heater designed for outdoor birdbaths. In the coldest climates, you may want to provide supplement food, such as seeds or a suet ball.

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Winter driving can be a challenge on Maine roads even for the most experienced drivers. Is your car ready for driving conditions that call for maximum traction?

Your vehicle’s traction on the road is only as good as its tires. The tires are the car’s only points of contact with the road, making adhesion — the grip your tires have on the pavement — a crucial factor in choosing your winter tires.

“For winter driving, make sure to choose tires with a tread designed to expel snow as they turn,” advised Pete Vachon, service manager at Stratham Tire in Auburn.

“Tread design is everything,” said Vachon who went on to explain, “Sipes are slit-like grooves in the tread designed to not only add more of a biting edge for driving on ice and snow but also for not letting snow accumulate in the tread. In all-season tires, the sipes are narrower and closer together than in winter treads.”

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your winter tires inspected, installed and balanced. Those first snow storms of the season can be dangerous if you’re still driving with your summer tires. The rubber on summer tires becomes as hard as plastic in cold weather, meaning your summer tires

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Snow tires, studded tires and all-season radials.

Which one is right for you?

Snow tires, studded snow tires, and all-season tires. Which is right for your car?

snow tires can be used year-round,” noted Vachon.

Mixing different types of tires on your car can affect steering and control whether it’s front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. If studded tires are applied to the front axle, they also must be applied to the rear axle to minimize vehicle control problems, according to tire manufacturers.

“It is highly recommended to put studded

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will offer little or no adhesion on slippery surfaces.

Also, as your tires wear, traction is reduced. Tread depth should be at least 4.8 mm (3/16”) to drive through snow.

All season tires reach that depth in one or two winters, he noted. Winter tires usually last three or four winters because they begin with deeper treads and are only used during winter months.

You might be able to get by with all-season radial tires that are in good condition and have sufficient tread to grip the road in snow, slush, rain and mud. Most all-season tires are marked M/S or M+S and thus qualify as “snow” tires, but will these tires be adequate enough for your winter driving?

Consider using snow tires or metalstudded snow tires if you live in an area where roads are regularly snow-covered, particularly Maine’s rural roads.

Snow tires and studded snow tires can improve traction, reduce tire slippage and make for safer driving, giving you some peace of mind. Keep in mind that from the first day of May to the first day of October, a person may not operate a vehicle with tires having metal studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread.

“Presently in Maine the law states that studded tires may only be used from Oct. 2 through April 30. Regular

Cover designed by LINDSEY DURNBAUGH Sun Journal Graphic Artist

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Winter driving in Maine

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

tires on both the front and rear wheels.

There’s a good reason for this,” Vachon noted. “If you have studded tires only on the front wheels, in slippery conditions the studded tires would have a better grip on the road, but the rear wheels would slide out of control. Having studded tires on all four wheels will give better traction when braking.”

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Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

6

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Emergency kits for house and car

House:

Latex Gloves (2 pair)

Assorted safety pins Moistened towelettes Personal hygiene items Battery-operated radio, flashlights, clock Prescription medicines Non-electric can opener Cash, traveler’s checks, coins Over-the-counter medications Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils Drinking Water - store a minimum of 3 gallons per person Additional Water for Sanitation Cellular phone (cordless phones use electricity) Spare house key (garage door openers use electricity)

Soap Whistle Scissors Candles Pet Food Duct tape Tweezers Signal flare Disinfectant Heavy rope Toilet paper First Aid kit Aluminum foil Extra batteries Petroleum jelly Warm clothing Plastic sheeting Fire extinguisher Prescription drugs Waterproof lighter Plastic garbage bags Map of area shelters

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FOOD - How much is enough?

Start with enough to feed your own family for two weeks. If you even suspect family and/or friends will need to be fed, increase the amount of food accordingly.

Remember too that just

as the power outage effected your life, it just might have

Car:

affected your grocer’s ability to re-stock his shelves. Include food with long storage life in your pantry, such as ready to eat meals which can be good for 5 to 10 years.

Dry Cereal - consider soy or rice milk which can be stored on the shelf but which must be used or refrigerated when opened Canned Juice Canned Fruits Peanut Butter Canned vegetables Canned meats Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated) Quick energy snacks - cookies are okay! consider them ‘stress’ food

TIP: Pack it all in an old duffel bag, backpack or suitcase and keep it in the trunk.

(A special thanks to the offices of emergency preparedness city and state websites, the American Red Cross, and Central Maine Power for this important information.)

— Denise Scammon

Small siphon pump Battery booster cables Plastic jug of water and funnel Portable radio and spare batteries Large flashlight with extra batteries First-aid kit and necessary medications Spray graphite lubricant for de-icing locks Old rug, towel, shower curtain to kneel on, rags Cell phone or Quarters and coins for pay phones Drinking water supply, nonperishable food, and blankets Roll of mechanic’s wire (temporarily tie up a dragging muffler) Work gloves, extra set of mittens, socks, rain gear, and a warm hat Equipment needed to change a tire - jack and spare tire; pressurized tire inflator Hose Bandage - to temporarily repair a radiator or heater hose;

similar to duct tape Tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, rubber hammer, wrench, and shorthandled or collapsible shovel Set of tire chains, traction mats, sack of sand, or bag of kitty litter - for traction on slippery surfaces Wheel chock (piece of scrap wood placed on ground near tire - used as precaution so the vehicle will not roll away) Glow-in-the-dark safety vest and highly visible WARNING sign; also ‘Help’ and ‘Call Police’ signs for car windows

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Text and photos by DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

are some of the activities they liked best:

D

CAMPING: Most of my kids’ friends had lost their power for only three or four days. They didn’t know what it was like to be approaching the eighth, ninth and tenth day without power. We made it seem like an adventure when we took out the camping gear. Draped blankets over tables created tents in which the kids sat with

o you remember the Ice Storm of 1998? Freezing rain fell for what seemed an eternity... laying a sheet of ice on the roads and everything else. Eventually shrubs, tree branches and then whole trees were snapping under the weight of the ice, crashing down on homes and blocking roads. Power lines and

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Maid, and other simple games.

CHARADES & PUPPETS: The house was even darker at night, except for the two rooms in which we were using our only propane and battery operated lanterns.

The light cast by the lanterns was great for making shadow puppets on the wall.

We staged puppet shows and played games of make-believe including ‘charades’ and follow the leader.

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poles came down with the trees, while transformer fires lit up the sky, a sure sign of a power outage.

I interpret the words ‘power outage’ to mean ‘loss of normalcy.’ Granted, the ice storm did not have the same impact on each of us. During that January ’98 ice storm, my family was without power for 11 days.

The lessons learned during that power outage were not only about the generator we needed to heat the house and run a few appliances each day, nor were the lessons only about preparing food on a Coleman stovein the garage.

We also had to learn to amuse ourselves without electricity.

The kids stayed home from school until the power was restored to most of the city.

When the kids did return to school, we still didn’t have power at home, so it was nice to know that, for the length of time they were in school, they were not suffering for lack of heat and hot food. My kids’ friends came over after school and on the weekend to play in our non-electric house. I thought back to that time and what it was that the kids found so fun and entertaining about being without power. These





CARDS AND BOARD GAMES: The kids enjoyed the card games and board games that had been packed away years before, such as Chutes N Ladders, Candyland, Uno, Old

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PICK-UP-STICKS AND BUILDING BLOCKS: Another game the kids liked playing was a building block game in which players take turns removing wooden blocks from a stack. The removed block must then be placed on the top of the stack. The game ends when the stack falls over. This game was played on the dining room table where the sunlight was streaming through the front window.

The other end of the table was set aside for doing jigsaw puzzles.



OUTDOOR GAMES: There were no power lines down on my street, so once the trees and large branches stopped crashing to the ground, and once the ice stopped dropping off the trees, the kids played outdoors. The slick surfaces gave them plenty of areas where they could run and slide, blowing and catching bubbles in the yard.

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their flashlights, just as they do on real camping trips. kids’ friends loved playing hide and seek in the dark house — and dark it was, as there was no daylight after 4 pm at that time of year. The kids thought it was thrilling to play hide and seek with flashlights, especially in the basement playroom.



CAT’S CRADLE: It’s hard to believe that a piece of string can be entertaining, but it’s true, which is why string games have been passed down for hundreds of years.

The kids enjoyed racticing the basic moves of Cat’s Cradle and other string-twisting designs such as Jacob’s Ladder, Cup and Saucer, and Kitty Whiskers. With just a bit of concentration, the kids were soon real pros at making figures with the string.

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Entertaining the kids without electricity

(Thanks to Luci Gagnon of Emerson Toyota for help in compiling this list.)— Denise Scammon

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Gearing up for snow Text and Photos by DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

It

happens every time it snows. Citizens wonder when the plowing will start, why they’re sanding now, and when and if the salt will work. They look to the Public Works Department for answers.

In general, the Public Works Department of a city is responsible for activities relating to the overall maintenance of the city’s infrastructure.

These activities are an integral part of a city’s ability to attract and promote economic development by providing much needed services, such as highway maintenance, and that’s especially crucial during snowstorms.

“Every storm is slightly different, and I think that there’s a science to using the right snow removal technique at the right time,” explained Bob Belz, Public Works Director in Auburn, which offers 24-hour snow coverage.

“Our crew is divided into two shifts, with the majority on the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. During a storm, half of that first shift will stay and work until 11 p.m.

Those who went home will return to work from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and continue to work through that day’s first shift. It’s basically 16 hours on, with 8 hours off.”

Winter operations really begin in the summer, with purchases of equipment such as plows and sanders, and arrangements for supplies such as blades and tire chains. “We like to be ready for snow removal at the end of October, even though we typically don’t have plowable snow storms before the end of November. Anything later than that is appreciated,” commented Belz. It’s easy to see why, when 50% of Maine winters are plowable through mid-

April, making for a long season.

Roadways are classified in three ways — arterials, collector roads and neighborhood/residential — and are plowed accordingly, starting with those with the highest traffic volume.

In Auburn which has 485 plowable lane miles, and in Lewiston, which has approximately 380 lane miles, arterials are plowable when there’s an inch or more of accumulation. A liquid calcium will be used first to pre-wet arterial roads and important intersections while a sand/salt mix is used on collector roads.

“Our snow removal pattern is geared towards efficiency. We want to get the streets plowed as quickly as we can,” said Sid Hazelton, Public Works Assistant Director in Auburn. “Once a plow or sander gets to the end of its arterial route, it moves on to its collector route, and then on to its neighborhood route.

It takes four to six hours for some plows to make one pass on their route. During severe weather, sometimes before the driver gets to the end of a route, he may be sent back to the beginning of that same route because another six to eight inches has accumulated.”

Under certain weather conditions, the city of Lewiston crews will spray liquid calcium chloride on top of the rock salt as it leaves the truck but before it hits the pavement. “When the temperatures are right around freezing, say 25 to 34 degrees, this method works very well to get a melting action going quicker,” said David Jones, Lewiston Assistant Public Works Director. “Because of the storm drainage systems, we prefer to use straight salt.

We don’t need the extra sand working its way into the drainage system and clogging up the pipes. And come spring there’s that much less sand to sweep off the streets.”

Auburn’s patriotic plow

Most towns allow residents to take a couple pails of sand for home use from the Highway Department’s sand shack or sand pile. In Lew-

Auburn has named one of its trucks “Snowfighter.”

DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

iston, a sand pile is made available to residents at the Public Works facility on Adams Ave; in Auburn, residents will find the sand shack at the facility on Gracelawn Avenue.

Lewiston has had to relocate its sand making operations and shack (nonpublic) to a spot on River Road because of the new Wal-Mart distribution facility. The old salt shed held 350 to 400 tons of salt, and the city uses 6,000 to 7,000 tons during an average winter.

The new shed still under construction will be able to hold 5,000 tons of salt. A second shed at the new location will hold 7,000 tons of a sand/salt mix.

“These sheds when finished will be large enough for a tractor-trailer to Winter parking regulations typically begin November 1 and run through April 1 when no lift its back end up vehicles may park on any street overnight. Parking may also be restricted during daytime inside the building emergencies and snow removal. Vehicles left on streets during parking bans are subject to to dump a removal (towing) by the Police Department. load,” noted Jones.

Snow or ice should not be shoveled, blown or plowed into any street as it is unlawful and dangerWhen a ous to deposit snow upon public roadways. Piles of snow left on the roadway can freeze solid, and city plows create a hazardous situation for vehicles and snowplows. Property owners can be held liable for colits streets, lisions and damages caused by snow piles placed in the roadway. it is sometimes Due to the size and force of the snowplow, it is important to keep items, such as vehicles, rubbish necessary containers, etc., away from the plowable edge of the street. to make For safety reasons, children should not play on, tunnel into, or slide down the snow banks that ac- several passes to cumulate at the end of driveways and along streets. clear the This Lewiston Properly installed mailboxes accidentally toppled by the blade of a city snow plow may be restreet. Evtruck has ery effort placed by city crews, but this varies from town to town. Most towns and Maine DOT do not replace liquid calcium is made to damaged mailboxes. holding tanks. not plow Call your Public Works or Highway Department for more information. snow on sidewalks

GENERAL WINTER REMINDERS:





   

5

Minimizing winter stress Text and Photos by

and driveways, but it is sometimes unavoidable. Opening driveways is the sole responsibility of the property owner, which is best done AFTER the snowplows have finished on your street.

Out of a total of 22-24 winter storms, some 16-18 are plowale each winter; others might be rain or ice requiring only sanding or salt. The public works crew really likes to have at least three days in between storms. “Having a little breathing space in between storms gives the crews time to remove snow from parking areas. We can regroup, catch up on our work, and hopefully get some sleep before the next storm hits,” said Belz. “Winter snow removal and sanding activities take a toll on our drivers’ personal lives, especially during the holidays.”

“In addition to a dispatch office coordinating requests and answering phones, we have three foremen on the road whose job it is to know where our drivers are at all times. Two of the foremen dispatch the plows and one dispatches the drivers for the sand/salt runs,” said Jones.

Drivers must have a commercial driver’s license, which many acquire through apprentice programs. Over each of the last 20 years, Auburn has hired new drivers each winter, while Lewiston experienced downsizing this past winter.

“We have a core group of people who have been here for years and a small percentage that changes regularly. It’s important to note that everyone plays a valuable role in the work they do for us,” said Belz.

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Winter can be a stressful time for your trees and shrubs. While you can’t control the weather, there are certain steps you can take to protect your trees and shrubs from winter damage.

“An important step to take before the ground freezes in the winter is to water deeply — saturate the roots — and then cover with a mulch once the ground has frozen,” stated Rick Gammon of Gammon Landscape Nursery in Auburn.

“This is especially important for plantings under trees and eaves where light rains don’t soak through heavy mulch.”

There are two schools of thought regarding the use of fertilizers in the fall — those who think it’s important and those who feel it’s not necessary unless a plant is showing signs of deficiency.

“I feel that it is more important, when talking about winter protection, to talk about the application of an antidesiccant on broadleaf evergreens that are sensitive to winter sun and wind,” said Gammon. “An anti-desiccant ‘seals’ the foliage so as not to transpire, or lose, moisture through the winter.”

If you do use a fall fertilizer, use a high-quality slow-release fertilizer. It should contain high amounts of Potassium, vital for root development.

“Roots remain active even after the leaves drop, until the soil becomes too cold,” said Gammon. The fertilizer should also contain low amounts of slow-release Nitrogen which will remain in the soil through the winter. When spring weather warms the soil, the Nitrogen is there to help the tree leaf out.

What you want to avoid is quick-release Nitrogen,

in late summer and fall, that promotes fast, weak foliage growth. New growth damage in the winter can show up as dried up, brown foliage. It also weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to insect and disease infestation.

That new or late growth can be severely effected by the cold because it does not have mature, hardened growth prepared for the cold.

There are simple, cost-effective tree wraps that can be used on your trees at any time of year to control a variety of damaging insect pests, such as caterpillars and other crawling insects. “These

not just the ones showing signs of damage,” explained Symes.

Many trees are susceptible to frost cracks, found on the southwest side of the tree which receives the most winter sunlight. These cracks are found on young and mature trees alike, which usually repair themselves but remain vulnerable to weakening and subsequent cracking in that area.

“Sun scald is avoidable if you want to wrap your trees and shrubs,” noted Gammon.

Ice and snow accumulation on brittle branches is another winter problem. A careful pruning job in the fall can help minimize branch breakage. You want to prune out the small and weak branches, but do your pruning after the tree or shrub has entered its dormant period.

Also, removing one of the branches making up a deep “V” will make that part of the tree less vulnerable to breakage.

Many homeowners cover small trees and shrubs with ‘tepees’ - tent-like housing, especially over shrubs which are situated below snow and ice run-off.

Larger trees can be tied up, wrapped up, or placed behind a burlap screen for protection from winter sun and strong winds.

If you think rodents are gnawing your trees and shrubs, talk with an expert at your local tree care center.

They might suggest using plastic guards or moving the mulch further away from the tree so as not to offerany type of shelter for small creatures like mice, moles and voles.

“If you suspect it’s a rabbit chewing on your trees, old-timers use heavy gauge wire netting around plants to discourage them. They’re such cute animals that most homeowners don’t want to use bait and traps.”

Paint-on repellents are available commercially, but Gammon offered this homemade version, “Mix tabasco sauce with a sticking agent and spray or paint it on your trees and shrubs. The rodents don’t like the taste and will go elsewhere for food, but you’ll need to reapply this mixture periodically.”

Here’s one creative method for protecting young shrubbery. pests defoliate leaves and bore into the bark which can be fatal to a tree. At the very least, the trees will be severely damaged and more susceptible to serious diseases such as Dutch elm disease and oak wilt in those tree species,” said Lisa Symes of Mountain Greenery in Rangeley.

The protective tree wraps or bands are typically made with specially developed glue that remains effective after repeated exposure to heat, cold and moisture. “Because these wraps are a type of physical control, insects must cross the band for it to work. To prevent insect infestation, it is recommended that the wraps be placed on all your trees,

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

4

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Gearing up for snow Text and Photos by DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

It

happens every time it snows. Citizens wonder when the plowing will start, why they’re sanding now, and when and if the salt will work. They look to the Public Works Department for answers.

In general, the Public Works Department of a city is responsible for activities relating to the overall maintenance of the city’s infrastructure.

These activities are an integral part of a city’s ability to attract and promote economic development by providing much needed services, such as highway maintenance, and that’s especially crucial during snowstorms.

“Every storm is slightly different, and I think that there’s a science to using the right snow removal technique at the right time,” explained Bob Belz, Public Works Director in Auburn, which offers 24-hour snow coverage.

“Our crew is divided into two shifts, with the majority on the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift. During a storm, half of that first shift will stay and work until 11 p.m.

Those who went home will return to work from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and continue to work through that day’s first shift. It’s basically 16 hours on, with 8 hours off.”

Winter operations really begin in the summer, with purchases of equipment such as plows and sanders, and arrangements for supplies such as blades and tire chains. “We like to be ready for snow removal at the end of October, even though we typically don’t have plowable snow storms before the end of November. Anything later than that is appreciated,” commented Belz. It’s easy to see why, when 50% of Maine winters are plowable through mid-

April, making for a long season.

Roadways are classified in three ways — arterials, collector roads and neighborhood/residential — and are plowed accordingly, starting with those with the highest traffic volume.

In Auburn which has 485 plowable lane miles, and in Lewiston, which has approximately 380 lane miles, arterials are plowable when there’s an inch or more of accumulation. A liquid calcium will be used first to pre-wet arterial roads and important intersections while a sand/salt mix is used on collector roads.

“Our snow removal pattern is geared towards efficiency. We want to get the streets plowed as quickly as we can,” said Sid Hazelton, Public Works Assistant Director in Auburn. “Once a plow or sander gets to the end of its arterial route, it moves on to its collector route, and then on to its neighborhood route.

It takes four to six hours for some plows to make one pass on their route. During severe weather, sometimes before the driver gets to the end of a route, he may be sent back to the beginning of that same route because another six to eight inches has accumulated.”

Under certain weather conditions, the city of Lewiston crews will spray liquid calcium chloride on top of the rock salt as it leaves the truck but before it hits the pavement. “When the temperatures are right around freezing, say 25 to 34 degrees, this method works very well to get a melting action going quicker,” said David Jones, Lewiston Assistant Public Works Director. “Because of the storm drainage systems, we prefer to use straight salt.

We don’t need the extra sand working its way into the drainage system and clogging up the pipes. And come spring there’s that much less sand to sweep off the streets.”

Auburn’s patriotic plow

Most towns allow residents to take a couple pails of sand for home use from the Highway Department’s sand shack or sand pile. In Lew-

Auburn has named one of its trucks “Snowfighter.”

DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

iston, a sand pile is made available to residents at the Public Works facility on Adams Ave; in Auburn, residents will find the sand shack at the facility on Gracelawn Avenue.

Lewiston has had to relocate its sand making operations and shack (nonpublic) to a spot on River Road because of the new Wal-Mart distribution facility. The old salt shed held 350 to 400 tons of salt, and the city uses 6,000 to 7,000 tons during an average winter.

The new shed still under construction will be able to hold 5,000 tons of salt. A second shed at the new location will hold 7,000 tons of a sand/salt mix.

“These sheds when finished will be large enough for a tractor-trailer to Winter parking regulations typically begin November 1 and run through April 1 when no lift its back end up vehicles may park on any street overnight. Parking may also be restricted during daytime inside the building emergencies and snow removal. Vehicles left on streets during parking bans are subject to to dump a removal (towing) by the Police Department. load,” noted Jones.

Snow or ice should not be shoveled, blown or plowed into any street as it is unlawful and dangerWhen a ous to deposit snow upon public roadways. Piles of snow left on the roadway can freeze solid, and city plows create a hazardous situation for vehicles and snowplows. Property owners can be held liable for colits streets, lisions and damages caused by snow piles placed in the roadway. it is sometimes Due to the size and force of the snowplow, it is important to keep items, such as vehicles, rubbish necessary containers, etc., away from the plowable edge of the street. to make For safety reasons, children should not play on, tunnel into, or slide down the snow banks that ac- several passes to cumulate at the end of driveways and along streets. clear the This Lewiston Properly installed mailboxes accidentally toppled by the blade of a city snow plow may be restreet. Evtruck has ery effort placed by city crews, but this varies from town to town. Most towns and Maine DOT do not replace liquid calcium is made to damaged mailboxes. holding tanks. not plow Call your Public Works or Highway Department for more information. snow on sidewalks

GENERAL WINTER REMINDERS:





   

5

Minimizing winter stress Text and Photos by

and driveways, but it is sometimes unavoidable. Opening driveways is the sole responsibility of the property owner, which is best done AFTER the snowplows have finished on your street.

Out of a total of 22-24 winter storms, some 16-18 are plowale each winter; others might be rain or ice requiring only sanding or salt. The public works crew really likes to have at least three days in between storms. “Having a little breathing space in between storms gives the crews time to remove snow from parking areas. We can regroup, catch up on our work, and hopefully get some sleep before the next storm hits,” said Belz. “Winter snow removal and sanding activities take a toll on our drivers’ personal lives, especially during the holidays.”

“In addition to a dispatch office coordinating requests and answering phones, we have three foremen on the road whose job it is to know where our drivers are at all times. Two of the foremen dispatch the plows and one dispatches the drivers for the sand/salt runs,” said Jones.

Drivers must have a commercial driver’s license, which many acquire through apprentice programs. Over each of the last 20 years, Auburn has hired new drivers each winter, while Lewiston experienced downsizing this past winter.

“We have a core group of people who have been here for years and a small percentage that changes regularly. It’s important to note that everyone plays a valuable role in the work they do for us,” said Belz.

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Winter can be a stressful time for your trees and shrubs. While you can’t control the weather, there are certain steps you can take to protect your trees and shrubs from winter damage.

“An important step to take before the ground freezes in the winter is to water deeply — saturate the roots — and then cover with a mulch once the ground has frozen,” stated Rick Gammon of Gammon Landscape Nursery in Auburn.

“This is especially important for plantings under trees and eaves where light rains don’t soak through heavy mulch.”

There are two schools of thought regarding the use of fertilizers in the fall — those who think it’s important and those who feel it’s not necessary unless a plant is showing signs of deficiency.

“I feel that it is more important, when talking about winter protection, to talk about the application of an antidesiccant on broadleaf evergreens that are sensitive to winter sun and wind,” said Gammon. “An anti-desiccant ‘seals’ the foliage so as not to transpire, or lose, moisture through the winter.”

If you do use a fall fertilizer, use a high-quality slow-release fertilizer. It should contain high amounts of Potassium, vital for root development.

“Roots remain active even after the leaves drop, until the soil becomes too cold,” said Gammon. The fertilizer should also contain low amounts of slow-release Nitrogen which will remain in the soil through the winter. When spring weather warms the soil, the Nitrogen is there to help the tree leaf out.

What you want to avoid is quick-release Nitrogen,

in late summer and fall, that promotes fast, weak foliage growth. New growth damage in the winter can show up as dried up, brown foliage. It also weakens the plant and makes it more susceptible to insect and disease infestation.

That new or late growth can be severely effected by the cold because it does not have mature, hardened growth prepared for the cold.

There are simple, cost-effective tree wraps that can be used on your trees at any time of year to control a variety of damaging insect pests, such as caterpillars and other crawling insects. “These

not just the ones showing signs of damage,” explained Symes.

Many trees are susceptible to frost cracks, found on the southwest side of the tree which receives the most winter sunlight. These cracks are found on young and mature trees alike, which usually repair themselves but remain vulnerable to weakening and subsequent cracking in that area.

“Sun scald is avoidable if you want to wrap your trees and shrubs,” noted Gammon.

Ice and snow accumulation on brittle branches is another winter problem. A careful pruning job in the fall can help minimize branch breakage. You want to prune out the small and weak branches, but do your pruning after the tree or shrub has entered its dormant period.

Also, removing one of the branches making up a deep “V” will make that part of the tree less vulnerable to breakage.

Many homeowners cover small trees and shrubs with ‘tepees’ - tent-like housing, especially over shrubs which are situated below snow and ice run-off.

Larger trees can be tied up, wrapped up, or placed behind a burlap screen for protection from winter sun and strong winds.

If you think rodents are gnawing your trees and shrubs, talk with an expert at your local tree care center.

They might suggest using plastic guards or moving the mulch further away from the tree so as not to offerany type of shelter for small creatures like mice, moles and voles.

“If you suspect it’s a rabbit chewing on your trees, old-timers use heavy gauge wire netting around plants to discourage them. They’re such cute animals that most homeowners don’t want to use bait and traps.”

Paint-on repellents are available commercially, but Gammon offered this homemade version, “Mix tabasco sauce with a sticking agent and spray or paint it on your trees and shrubs. The rodents don’t like the taste and will go elsewhere for food, but you’ll need to reapply this mixture periodically.”

Here’s one creative method for protecting young shrubbery. pests defoliate leaves and bore into the bark which can be fatal to a tree. At the very least, the trees will be severely damaged and more susceptible to serious diseases such as Dutch elm disease and oak wilt in those tree species,” said Lisa Symes of Mountain Greenery in Rangeley.

The protective tree wraps or bands are typically made with specially developed glue that remains effective after repeated exposure to heat, cold and moisture. “Because these wraps are a type of physical control, insects must cross the band for it to work. To prevent insect infestation, it is recommended that the wraps be placed on all your trees,

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

6

LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Emergency kits for house and car

House:

Latex Gloves (2 pair)

Assorted safety pins Moistened towelettes Personal hygiene items Battery-operated radio, flashlights, clock Prescription medicines Non-electric can opener Cash, traveler’s checks, coins Over-the-counter medications Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils Drinking Water - store a minimum of 3 gallons per person Additional Water for Sanitation Cellular phone (cordless phones use electricity) Spare house key (garage door openers use electricity)

Soap Whistle Scissors Candles Pet Food Duct tape Tweezers Signal flare Disinfectant Heavy rope Toilet paper First Aid kit Aluminum foil Extra batteries Petroleum jelly Warm clothing Plastic sheeting Fire extinguisher Prescription drugs Waterproof lighter Plastic garbage bags Map of area shelters

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FOOD - How much is enough?

Start with enough to feed your own family for two weeks. If you even suspect family and/or friends will need to be fed, increase the amount of food accordingly.

Remember too that just

as the power outage effected your life, it just might have

Car:

affected your grocer’s ability to re-stock his shelves. Include food with long storage life in your pantry, such as ready to eat meals which can be good for 5 to 10 years.

Dry Cereal - consider soy or rice milk which can be stored on the shelf but which must be used or refrigerated when opened Canned Juice Canned Fruits Peanut Butter Canned vegetables Canned meats Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated) Quick energy snacks - cookies are okay! consider them ‘stress’ food

TIP: Pack it all in an old duffel bag, backpack or suitcase and keep it in the trunk.

(A special thanks to the offices of emergency preparedness city and state websites, the American Red Cross, and Central Maine Power for this important information.)

— Denise Scammon

Small siphon pump Battery booster cables Plastic jug of water and funnel Portable radio and spare batteries Large flashlight with extra batteries First-aid kit and necessary medications Spray graphite lubricant for de-icing locks Old rug, towel, shower curtain to kneel on, rags Cell phone or Quarters and coins for pay phones Drinking water supply, nonperishable food, and blankets Roll of mechanic’s wire (temporarily tie up a dragging muffler) Work gloves, extra set of mittens, socks, rain gear, and a warm hat Equipment needed to change a tire - jack and spare tire; pressurized tire inflator Hose Bandage - to temporarily repair a radiator or heater hose;

similar to duct tape Tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, rubber hammer, wrench, and shorthandled or collapsible shovel Set of tire chains, traction mats, sack of sand, or bag of kitty litter - for traction on slippery surfaces Wheel chock (piece of scrap wood placed on ground near tire - used as precaution so the vehicle will not roll away) Glow-in-the-dark safety vest and highly visible WARNING sign; also ‘Help’ and ‘Call Police’ signs for car windows

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Text and photos by DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

are some of the activities they liked best:

D

CAMPING: Most of my kids’ friends had lost their power for only three or four days. They didn’t know what it was like to be approaching the eighth, ninth and tenth day without power. We made it seem like an adventure when we took out the camping gear. Draped blankets over tables created tents in which the kids sat with

o you remember the Ice Storm of 1998? Freezing rain fell for what seemed an eternity... laying a sheet of ice on the roads and everything else. Eventually shrubs, tree branches and then whole trees were snapping under the weight of the ice, crashing down on homes and blocking roads. Power lines and



Maid, and other simple games.

CHARADES & PUPPETS: The house was even darker at night, except for the two rooms in which we were using our only propane and battery operated lanterns.

The light cast by the lanterns was great for making shadow puppets on the wall.

We staged puppet shows and played games of make-believe including ‘charades’ and follow the leader.

Boy, would it be nice...

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poles came down with the trees, while transformer fires lit up the sky, a sure sign of a power outage.

I interpret the words ‘power outage’ to mean ‘loss of normalcy.’ Granted, the ice storm did not have the same impact on each of us. During that January ’98 ice storm, my family was without power for 11 days.

The lessons learned during that power outage were not only about the generator we needed to heat the house and run a few appliances each day, nor were the lessons only about preparing food on a Coleman stovein the garage.

We also had to learn to amuse ourselves without electricity.

The kids stayed home from school until the power was restored to most of the city.

When the kids did return to school, we still didn’t have power at home, so it was nice to know that, for the length of time they were in school, they were not suffering for lack of heat and hot food. My kids’ friends came over after school and on the weekend to play in our non-electric house. I thought back to that time and what it was that the kids found so fun and entertaining about being without power. These





CARDS AND BOARD GAMES: The kids enjoyed the card games and board games that had been packed away years before, such as Chutes N Ladders, Candyland, Uno, Old

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PICK-UP-STICKS AND BUILDING BLOCKS: Another game the kids liked playing was a building block game in which players take turns removing wooden blocks from a stack. The removed block must then be placed on the top of the stack. The game ends when the stack falls over. This game was played on the dining room table where the sunlight was streaming through the front window.

The other end of the table was set aside for doing jigsaw puzzles.



OUTDOOR GAMES: There were no power lines down on my street, so once the trees and large branches stopped crashing to the ground, and once the ice stopped dropping off the trees, the kids played outdoors. The slick surfaces gave them plenty of areas where they could run and slide, blowing and catching bubbles in the yard.

Playing dodgeball was also fun simply because the slippery surfaces made it hard to get out of the way of the ball.

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their flashlights, just as they do on real camping trips. kids’ friends loved playing hide and seek in the dark house — and dark it was, as there was no daylight after 4 pm at that time of year. The kids thought it was thrilling to play hide and seek with flashlights, especially in the basement playroom.



CAT’S CRADLE: It’s hard to believe that a piece of string can be entertaining, but it’s true, which is why string games have been passed down for hundreds of years.

The kids enjoyed racticing the basic moves of Cat’s Cradle and other string-twisting designs such as Jacob’s Ladder, Cup and Saucer, and Kitty Whiskers. With just a bit of concentration, the kids were soon real pros at making figures with the string.

 MAKE-BELIEVE,

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SNOWS

3

Entertaining the kids without electricity

(Thanks to Luci Gagnon of Emerson Toyota for help in compiling this list.)— Denise Scammon

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

144 Pine Street • Lewiston, Maine 04240 40 Stanley Street • Auburn, Maine 04210 Tel (207) 783-2096 • Fax (207) 783-2093 Refinancing from other financial Institutions available. *Annual Percentage Rate subject to change without notice.

Membership Eligibility Required. Some Restrictions Apply. For more details, contact one of our loan officers at the number provided above.

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Denise Scammon photo

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Birds may rely on you for food this winter, say Audubon experts (NAPSI)-Savvy gardeners and birdwatchers have discovered they can attract beautiful birds to their yard by selecting plants that provide food and shelter. All spring and summer, when gardens are in full bloom, birds typically have an ample supply of food.

But as plants complete their flowering and fruiting cycles, it gets more difficult for birds to find food.

So this fall, the National Audubon Society reminds gardeners to think about our winged friends by planting varieties that produce fruits, berries, nectar, seeds and nuts during the fall and winter seasons.

The National Audubon Society and Monrovia, a leading grower of plants, are making it easy for

people to create a backyard environment that is friendly to a variety of birds and butterflies with the Audubon Habitat Collection of plants. Just look for plants in Monrovia’s green-banded containers with a special Audubon label in select fine garden centers nationwide.

Here are some fall planting tips for a winter bird garden: Fall is a great time to add bird-friendly plants. The heat of the summer is past, and plants have time to root before frost comes.

Select plants that provide nuts, seeds or berries in the coldest winter months, such as holly, junipers, oaks and other nut trees.

Other plants that provide late fall and winter food include: crowberry, staghorn sumac, pitch pine, inkberry, smooth winterberry, Toringo crabapple, saw palmetto, Virginia creeper, Walter’s viburnum and myrtle dahoon.

Water is essential for birds, so provide a birdbath or dripping water source. If freezing is a problem, don’t put additives in the water to lower the freezing point.

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By DENISE SCAMMON / Freelance Writer

Faye Paquet at Provencher’s Landscaping & Nursery in Lewiston with a display of bird seed and feeder products to help you get ready for feathered friends.

Instead, consider a water heater designed for outdoor birdbaths. In the coldest climates, you may want to provide supplement food, such as seeds or a suet ball.

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Winter driving can be a challenge on Maine roads even for the most experienced drivers. Is your car ready for driving conditions that call for maximum traction?

Your vehicle’s traction on the road is only as good as its tires. The tires are the car’s only points of contact with the road, making adhesion — the grip your tires have on the pavement — a crucial factor in choosing your winter tires.

“For winter driving, make sure to choose tires with a tread designed to expel snow as they turn,” advised Pete Vachon, service manager at Stratham Tire in Auburn.

“Tread design is everything,” said Vachon who went on to explain, “Sipes are slit-like grooves in the tread designed to not only add more of a biting edge for driving on ice and snow but also for not letting snow accumulate in the tread. In all-season tires, the sipes are narrower and closer together than in winter treads.”

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your winter tires inspected, installed and balanced. Those first snow storms of the season can be dangerous if you’re still driving with your summer tires. The rubber on summer tires becomes as hard as plastic in cold weather, meaning your summer tires

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Denise Scammon photo

Snow tires, studded tires and all-season radials.

Which one is right for you?

Snow tires, studded snow tires, and all-season tires. Which is right for your car?

snow tires can be used year-round,” noted Vachon.

Mixing different types of tires on your car can affect steering and control whether it’s front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. If studded tires are applied to the front axle, they also must be applied to the rear axle to minimize vehicle control problems, according to tire manufacturers.

“It is highly recommended to put studded

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will offer little or no adhesion on slippery surfaces.

Also, as your tires wear, traction is reduced. Tread depth should be at least 4.8 mm (3/16”) to drive through snow.

All season tires reach that depth in one or two winters, he noted. Winter tires usually last three or four winters because they begin with deeper treads and are only used during winter months.

You might be able to get by with all-season radial tires that are in good condition and have sufficient tread to grip the road in snow, slush, rain and mud. Most all-season tires are marked M/S or M+S and thus qualify as “snow” tires, but will these tires be adequate enough for your winter driving?

Consider using snow tires or metalstudded snow tires if you live in an area where roads are regularly snow-covered, particularly Maine’s rural roads.

Snow tires and studded snow tires can improve traction, reduce tire slippage and make for safer driving, giving you some peace of mind. Keep in mind that from the first day of May to the first day of October, a person may not operate a vehicle with tires having metal studs, wires, spikes or other metal protruding from the tire tread.

“Presently in Maine the law states that studded tires may only be used from Oct. 2 through April 30. Regular

Cover designed by LINDSEY DURNBAUGH Sun Journal Graphic Artist

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Winter driving in Maine

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

tires on both the front and rear wheels.

There’s a good reason for this,” Vachon noted. “If you have studded tires only on the front wheels, in slippery conditions the studded tires would have a better grip on the road, but the rear wheels would slide out of control. Having studded tires on all four wheels will give better traction when braking.”

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We’ll deal ‘til the cows come home, and that ain’t no bull.

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LET IT SNOW!

Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 8, 2002

Black Magenta Yellow Cyan

Denise Scammon photo

‘Cocooning’ increases the importance of chimney inspections

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(ARA) - As Americans find peace of mind at home “cocooning” with family this fall and winter, many will be enjoying the comfort of a warm fire. However, homeowners planning to make good use of their fireplaces this season should consider some simple maintenance procedures, including a chimney inspection.”

A chimney inspection is like an annual dental checkup,” states Ashley Eldridge, director of education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards. Sometimes, maintenance requires extra diligence. That’s the case this year.”

To reduce the risk of chimney fires, the CSIA cautions people that might be increasing their fireplace use in the fall and winter to put a chimney inspection at the top of their home improvement list. This caution is primarily directed at people who might increase their wood-burning fireplace usage from an occasional fire to a weekly activity.

According to Eldridge, people who use fireplaces infrequently tend to be less informed about the important role that the chimney plays in exhausting the hot gases and smoke from a fire. When a chimney has creosote build-up, or is obstructed by a bird’s nest or debris, it has the potential to catch fire and cause damage.This impact is demonstrated by recent statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to the CPSC there were 18,300 residential fires in the United States in 1998 originating in chimneys, fireplaces and solid fuel appliances. These fires resulted in 160 personal injuries, 40 deaths and $158.2 million in

Ken Cote of The Village Sweep

INSIST ON ...

property damage.In addition to an annual inspection, the CSIA recommends these tips for reducing the threat of a chimney fire: Add a chimney cap to the top of your chimney. A cap can keep out damaging moisture, which wears away masonry and other metal components within a chimney.

Ensure that your chimney has an appropriate liner.

Chimney liners are required in new construction to separate system emissions from the structure of your home.

Have chimney flashing (the seal between the chimney and the roof) inspected and maintained. Flashing prevents rain water and snow melt from entering a house and causing costly damage to walls and ceilings.The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also recommends that all chimneys be inspected on an annual basis to prevent chimney fires. The CSIA adds that the best choice for a professional is a sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Each fall, CSIA-certified chimney sweeps work together to raise awareness of chimney safety during National Chimney Safety Week, which begins this year on Sept.

29 and runs through Oct. 5.For more information about preventing chimney hazards or for a free copy of the brochure “Chimney Inspections Explained for the Homeowner” call (800) 536-0118 or visit the CSIA Web site at www.csia.org.

The CSIA also provides a list of CSIA certified chimney sweeps online and by mail. Courtesy of ARA Content

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Ken Cote inspects a fireplace in a newly purchased home

Denise Scammon photo

“Projected” Opening Date

Friday, DECEMBER 13th

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