Historic St. Mary’s City Southern Maryland’s Portal Into The Past
By Jessica Goodell, TheBayNet.com staff writer | Photos by Megan Goodell
Visitors can spend anywhere from two to four hours exploring the four living history sites located across the campus of Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC). Throughout their journey through time visitors have the opportunity to see original architecture at St. John’s Site Museum, explore the town center, listen to stories from colonists living on the plantation, and learn about the Native Americans at the Indian Hamlet. Director of Education Peter Friesen said that HSMC is multi generational and can accommodate groups of all ages. HSMC does not sell food but according to Friesen it is a great place to bring a picnic, there are many tables and benches located across the campus that visitors can use. Visitors have the option to schedule a tour with a group or school or come on their own. If coming without a group, visitors have many re-
sources and guides located throughout the campus to help make their experience more enjoyable. Throughout the different sites visitors are able to not only observe, but also interact with many of the exhibits. As a living history museum HSMC visitors are able to interact with costumed interpreters who “bring the past to life” according to HSMC. The only site that does not have interpreters in costume is the Indian Hamlet. All other sites have people of the past to help visitors along their journey. Many of HSMC’s exhibits are created by using archaeological findings from the original grounds of the colony. Everything displayed in glass throughout the different sites has been found through archaeological ventures on the campus. During the summer HSMC holds a 10 week Field School in Historical Archaeology for college students to participate in for course credit.
Many of the finds of these students during the 10 week period are used in HSMC exhibits. In addition to normal everyday operation at HSMC there are also many events held at the different sites throughout the year.
An event that is popular with the older crowd is “’Adults Only’ at the plantation”. “We discuss all those things that people are interested in but don’t always feel comfortable to ask especially if there’s lots of kids around,” said Friesen. “So we discuss some of the more R-Rated type stuff that happened in the colony.” Along with several other adults only events including adult tours that can be found here, there are many events that are fun for the entire family, such as Tidewater Archaeology Days where visitors have the chance to take a guided tour of excavations and are able to explore the archaeology laboratory. Different events that give visitors an inside look take place at HSMC throughout the entire year and a full list can be found on their calendar.
HSMC has something for everyone and whether you want to take an hour or an entire day a lot can be learned about Southern Maryland's history.
COMPLETE CONFERENCE SCHEDULES Compiled by Charles Seifert & Max Tayman, TheBayNet.com staff
2015 SMAC Football
The Southern Maryland Athletic Conference is proud to be back for another exciting year of high school football. This year’s high school football season should come in hot and fast, with some great matchups highlighting the early schedule. With Ryken kicking off their season on the 28 of August, and everyone else kicking off on the 4 of September, the anticipation is high for the upcoming season. There are lots of questions about SMAC this year. Will Thomas Stone get back into the state tournament? Will North Point get over its tremendous loss of senior talent? Who will take over at quarterback at Patuxent? All these questions should be answered in the next few weeks. And it feels great. Last season, SMAC had plenty of representation in the Maryland state playoffs, with North Point reaching the postseason in Division 4A. In Division 3A, Thomas Stone, Chopticon, and Huntingtown made the playoffs, while in Division 2A, the Patuxentv Panthers represented. Thomas Stone and Patuxent made it out of the first round, highlighted by Thomas Stone’s 40-14 drubbing of Potomac in the regional final. Football fans, be sure and get out to support your local athletes, and enjoy some of the best high school football action in continued on next page the state!
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 1-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 15-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Calvert Cavaliers
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at Northern Huntingtown at North Point McDonough Leonardtown at Patuxent at La Plata at Thomas Stone Westlake Lackey
Chopticon Braves
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
La Plata at Thomas Stone McDonough St Charles at Huntingtown North Point at Northern at Patuxent at Leonardtown Great Mills
Time
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
Time
6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 24-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Great Mills Hornets Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
McDonough at Westlake Patuxent Huntingtown Northern Leonardtown at Lackey at North Point at St Charles at Chopticon
Time
6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM
Huntingtown Hurricanes
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 24-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 15-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
Patuxent at Calvert Westlake at Great Mills Chopticon at Northern St. Charles at Leonardtown North Point at Thomas Stone
Time
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 3-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
LaPlata Warriors
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at Chopticon Leonardtown at Northern at Patuxent Thomas Stone St.Charles Calvert at Westlake at Lackey McDonough
Lackey Chargers
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at Leonardtown North Point at St.Charles at Thomas Stone Patuxent at Westlake Great Mills McDonough La Plata at Calvert
Time
6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Time
6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 1-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Leonardtown Raiders Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
Lackey at La Plata Thomas Stone Northern at Calvert at Great Mills at North Point Huntingtown Chopticon at St Charles
McDonough Rams Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at Great Mills St.Charles at Chopticon at Calvert Westlake Thomas Stone Patuxent at Lackey Northern at La Plata
Time
6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM
Time
6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM. 6:00 PM 6:00 Pm 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 15-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Northern Patriots
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
Calvert at Patuxent La Plata at Leonardtown at Great Mills Huntingtown Chopticon St. Charles at McDonough at North Point
Patuxent Panthers Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at Huntingtown Northern at Great Mills La Plata at Lackey Calvert at McDonough Chopticon Thomas Stone at Westlake
Date
Time
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM
Time
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 3-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Thomas Stone Cougars Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at North Point Chopticon at Leonardtown Lackey at La Plata at McDonough Westlake Calvert at Patuxent Huntingtown
Westlake Wolverines Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
at St.Charles Great Mills at Huntingtown North Point at McDonough Lackey at Thomas Stone La Plata at Calvert Patuxent
Time
6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 1:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM
Time
6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM
Ryken Knights
Although Ryken is not a member of SMAC, they are a local school and are included.
Date
28-Aug 4-Sep 11-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 10-Oct 16-Oct 24-Oct 30-Oct 7 -Nov
Date
4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 2-Oct 9-Oct 15-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov
Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday
Opponent
at Archbishop Spalding Howard D Woodson Mt St. Joseph at Dematha Gonzaga at St John's Bishop O' Connell at Bishop McNamara Good Counsel at Archbishop Carroll
St. Charles Spartans Day
Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday
Opponent
Westlake at McDonough Lackey at Chopticon North Point at La Plata at Huntingtown at Northern Great Mills Leonardtown
Time
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:30 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:30 PM
Time
6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:30 PM
Get Prepared For Fall! By Kevin K. Peters, Contributing writer With the leaves changing color, the chilly weather, and the kids back in school, Fall has truly arrived! It’s time to get yourself and your home organized before the season quickly changes to Winter. The following tips should help you do just that.
In the entryway. With cooler temperatures on the way, it’s time to get
out the warmer jackets and shoes. In order to keep your entryway tidy with all these extra items, you’re going to have to make some space. If you don’t have a coat closet, consider things like coat hooks to put on the wall and setting out baskets or a shoe rack for shoes.
School/homework station. If you haven’t done so already, you
might want to set up a place where the kids can do their homework and put their school supplies. Putting up some hooks for backpacks can save you from tripping on them later. Create some sort of “inbox” for any papers that must be signed, and a binder where you can put any school-related info.
Clean the fridge & pantry. The best way to clean your fridge is to take everything out and only put back in what’s edible. This gives you a chance to wipe down shelves and drawers. Do the same in your freezer. As for the pantry, keep in mind that many non-perishable foods do eventually perish! Check things like spices, rice, cereals, etc. Use what you can, and toss the rest. Now that it’s cleaned and organized, stock the fridge and pantry with healthy after school and on the go snacks and ingredients to make quick and easy family meals for those busier evenings.
Clean those closets. It’s time to start digging out the heavier blan-
kets, so wash and store away the Summer linens. You may also want to go through your closet and weed out anything you don’t feel like wearing anymore. Store Spring and Summer garments at the back,
and bring your warmer ones to the front. The same should go for the kids’ closets if you haven’t already done so. This gives you the opportunity to see what’s left and purchase some new back to school clothes.
Purge kids toys by donating. Now is a great time to start purging old kids’ toys, as the holidays are quickly approaching, and more toys will surely be on the way with them! There are two ways you can go about this project. One way is not to tell your kids what you’re getting rid of, as they haven’t played with it in a year, and won’t miss it. The other is to have your children participate. It can be a rewarding activity, in that they can feel good about helping less fortunate children by choosing the toys they donate. Organize the bathroom. The bathroom can be one of the busiest
rooms in the house most mornings. You may want to assign everyone a shelf or drawer where they can store their morning essentials. Your medicine cabinet should be gone through as well to get rid of all your expired medication, but be sure to do it wisely. Old makeup should be tossed too, such as mascara and lipstick, as bacteria can build up on them. Don’t forget to change those toothbrushes too!
Attack the dust. After having the windows open during the sum-
mer, you might want to cleanse your house of the dust that comes in with the summer breeze. You can start by taking all window coverings down and washing them. If they’re not washable, give them a good shake or vacuum. (If you have blinds instead of curtains, just wipe or dust them off.) Wash the
windows inside and out, including the sills. Artificial plants are notorious for collecting dust too, but you can easily vacuum them or wipe them down with a damp cloth. It’s a good idea to turn on your furnace before you actually need it, to ensure it works properly. If the furnace needs servicing, it’s better to have it done now, rather than when it’s zero degrees below Celsius! This is a good time to change your furnace filter too, and if you have a fireplace, have it cleaned/serviced also. Another good idea would be to check all your windows for drafts that need tending to.
Do a safety check. It’s good to do a safety check in your home at least twice a year. Check all smoke & carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in working order. You should have the pressure of your fire extinguishers checked. You may also want to reiterate or create an emergency plan with your family, to ensure that in the event of a fire or natural disaster, they are prepared and know what to do.
Don’t forget about your pets. Your pets don’t need back to school supplies or have closets to clean and organize, but they need to be prepared for Fall too! Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are up to date. Remember, fleas can survive until the first frost, so keep your pets protected! Clean their bedding and wash their food dishes and toys. If you use scoopable cat litter, empty the box completely and give it a good wipe down. If you have plans to travel during the holidays and your pets aren’t coming with you, now might be a good time to start planning where your pets will stay while you’re gone.
Think outdoor safety. Check the sidewalk and driveway for holes and cracks that could cause people to trip. Not to mention that when the Winter ice and snow gets in the cracks, it will only be a bigger problem in the Spring when everything melts. Fall weather is perfect for patching asphalt and concrete, as it will help it set quicker. With the sun setting earlier, you may want to add extra lighting along pathways and ensure all outdoor lights are in working order and changed as soon as the burn out.
Get your car ready. Depending on where you live, this could be a quick or lengthy process. Now is a good time to have the car serviced and newer tires put on, before Winter hits. You may also want to consider having your vehicle detailed to remove all remnants of Summer fun such as sand in the trunk, chips on the floor and the lingering smell of wet beach towels. Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
Prepare your garden. Prepare the lawn by removing weeds, seeding, and fertilizing. In your garden, remove weeds, pull annuals, prune perennials, and plant any spring-blooming bulbs. Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs & bulbs, as the soil is still warm, but cool enough for the roots to really take hold. Consider putting mulch in your flower beds, as it helps to protect the plants when the weather turns cold. Plants in containers should be emptied, or taken indoors.
Clean and organize your garage or closet. Fall is the perfect
time to clean and organize your garage, as the hot weather is gone and it’s not too cold just yet. If you don’t have a garage, this tip may apply to a shed, closet or basement storage area! Organize & wipe down shelves (this might be a good time to purge.) Use peg boards to hang & organize tools, and bins & boxes to store/organize the rest. Ensure all beach, camping and Spring/Summer sporting equipment is put away and move all Fall sporting & yard equipment such as football/soccer gear, rakes & leaf blowers to easily accessible areas.
Winterize your outdoor space. Clean your gutters and do a quick
check on the roof to ensure you have no loose shingles. Ensure you drain all irrigation lines and garden hoses and bring all hoses inside to prevent cracking. If you have a rain barrel, disconnect it from the downspout, empty it, and turn it over or bring it inside, also to prevent cracking. Clean all your outdoor furniture and equipment with a mild soap solution and water. If you’re able to bring them indoors during the winter, you should do so. If not, wrap them tightly with a tarp or other cover that will protect them from the winter weather
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3046030
Four Great Fall Bulbs For Your Garden By Amanda Bashore, Contributing Writer
If you love to garden and are sad to see the prime planting months coming to an end, don’t start putting your spade and trowel away just yet. Although the weather is getting cooler - there are plenty of bulbs that are meant to planted in the fall to ensure that they bloom beautifully come spring time. You’ll be able to prolong your gardening career just a little bit longer (and maybe even take advantage of some seasonably warm fall weather) and just when you’re ready to kiss winter goodbye - your garden will already have some new buds popping up. Bulbs need a required period of “cold” in order to bloom, so ensuring that they’re in the ground before the weather gets too chilly is extremely important. If you want your bulbs ready to pop their heads up at the beginning of spring - choose a planting date about
six weeks before you expect the ground to freeze. Typically - early October is prime. These bulbs, once planted, are low maintenance and you may even forget you even planted them until they begin to peek up through the melted snow. If you need some suggestions on which direction to take your fall planting in - consider some of these beautiful options; • Daffodils are a very popular choice when it comes to planting in the fall and seeing the benefits come spring time. They’re often associated with the arrival of spring and the Easter season. Known for their bright yellow color - they’ll make a beautiful and vibrant addition to your lawn.
• If you’re looking for a bit of variety when it comes to color, the Tulip is an excellent choice. Known for its multi-colored blooms, you can end up with quite a variety of shades when planting tulips in your garden. Tulips make great fresh flowers to bring into the home, as well, so if you use your garden for home décor - consider planting some tulip bulbs before the weather turns, • If it’s a very fragrant flower that you’re interested in - the hyacinth is beautiful in both aroma and looks. Like the tulip, the hyacinth is known to bloom in a variety of shades ranging from blue to white to purple to pink. Once again, these blooms are an excellent choice for a vase on your coffee table or mantle.
crease your curb appeal will certainly do the trick. • Planting your bulbs in the fall can be a quite simple task since not much work is required to get things growing. Fall bulbs, like previously mentioned, need that period of cold weather in order to grow - so mother nature will be doing most of the tending to. It’s best to plant your bulbs where they aren’t completely shaded by trees or shrubbery since sunlight does help along with the
Continued from previous page
• Finally, the crocus makes a great choice if you’re feeling a little bit impatient about waiting until spring. Crocuses are known for popping up even though snow and are considered to be the ‘firstblooms of springtime’. If you want a little bit of extra color in your front yard early on in the season, planting crocuses to in-
growing process. If you’re worried about the conditions of your yard, either consult the packaging of the specific bulb you’re planting or ask the expert at your local garden center. By putting in a little bit of extra work before the weather gets cold - you’ll be glad you did once you have a garden of beautiful, colorful blooms come spring. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Bashore
ArtsFest showcases artists, creates fun By Marty Madden, senior writer
submitting images of their works they wish to sell and a small entry fee,” explained Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center Marketing and Development Director Bill Stevenson. “Once all of the applications have been submitted, all the artists’ works are reviewed by a panel of three judges, then culminated. Some of the things that are taken into consideration are the quality and diversity of work and products. The end goal is to have a fine arts festival with a board variety of art to choose from.” More than 220 artists submitted applications this year. Stevenson told The BayNet that Artsfest 15 will feature a number of new musical performers. Two of the acts are appearing at the festival thanks to a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council. They are The Lovejoy Group, described by Stevenson as “a versatile, energetic jazz, funky blues and smooth Latin rhythms” band; and The Eric Byrd Trio, “who provide a broad, rich traditional jazz.”
It has been a late September tradition in Southern Maryland for over 20 years. The 2015 edition of the Artsfest Fine Arts Festival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomons is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19 and 20. According to a press release from the sculpture garden, “Artsfest 15 is a family fun weekend of fine art shopping, live music, delicious food and drink, wine and beer, free children’s activities and more—all set amidst the lovely trees and artwork of Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center on Dowell Road.” Over 160 artists, mostly from Maryland but hailing from 13 other states—including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee and Montana—will be participating. “Each of the artists who wish to participate in Artsfest had to complete a call for entry, which is a process of completing an application,
The musical acts will perform at the main stage tent and the garden’s Council Ring. Several “strolling” performers will provide continuous entertainment. The children’s activities scheduled for Artsfest 15 will be taking place inside the Discovery Tent and Zany Zone. Additional venues for creative free play include Fairy Lolly, the Studio School and the Children’s Garden. Artsfest always yields an impressive crowd and 2015 could be the biggest ever. “We hope to get a slight increase compared to this past year,” Stevenson stated. “The goal is to get closer to 12,000 guests for the two-day event.” The sculpture garden is using several methods, including social media, to increase awareness of Artsfest in the Tri-County region, said Stevenson.
Event parking is always free. The admission price is $6 per person. Children 11 years and younger are admitted free. Admission is also free for Annmarie Garden members. Stevenson reported that there
are a number of $1 off coupons available in school flyers, print ads as well as on the Artsfest web site page. Several food vendors, many of them local, will sell their works in the field of culinary arts at the festival should you get hungry. Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. It’s just a 60 minute drive from the Washington, DC. The facility is located on Dowell Road, just off Route 2/4 in Solomons. Can’t make it to Artsfest? There will be ample opportunities this fall to enjoy this amazing local venue. One huge event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. It’s the annual Halloween in the Garden, a daytime trick-or-treating parade. Over 70 community organizations and businesses are involved in the festivities, which will be held, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the garden is just $1 per person. For more information on all events and activities at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center, visit their web site at www.annmariegarden.org
Lower Your Energy Bills This Fall!
By Fiona Baron, Contributing writer
Around windows and doors. Drafts and leaks around windows and
The cost of heating and cooling the home has gone nowhere
doors can be costly. Add caulking to any holes that obviously allow
but up in the past few years, and this fall will be no different. More
heat to pass through, and add weather-stripping to all windows and
and more families are finding a significant portion of their budget
doors. Your door should seal properly when shut and you should not be
being dedicated to staying cool or warm during the year. As fall ap-
able to feel any draft from beneath the door.
proaches, the tips that follow will allow you to get your home ready for the cooler weather and will help you to get the most out of your heating dollars.
Checking for Leaks It is hard enough to pay for energy to heat your home, but it is even harder still to imagine that heat is being wasted because of leaks. The most effective and least expensive way to cut down on wasted energy is with caulking and weather-stripping. If your home is not properly sealed, you may be wasting as
Electrical switches and outlets can allow cold air to come into your home. You can purchase pre-cut foam gaskets very inexpensively that simply fit behind the switch plate between the wall and that prevents the loss of heat. Close the damper on the fireplace when not in use. An open damper is like having a huge window open in your home, but many people forget to close it when the fire is no longer burning.
much as fifteen percent of your home heating budget. Check for
Inspect your home’s heating ducts for leakage. You might think of
leaks in the following areas of your home:
your home’s heating ducts like giant hoses that are piping in hot air instead of water. Just imagine the loss of heat that can occur with a
leak in the ductwork of your home. Ducts may become crushed, torn, flattened, or even damaged by pests without your knowledge and may be leaking hot air. Insulate the attic. If your home is older, there is a good chance that your home’s attic may not be insulated, or may be poorly insulated. A large amount of heat can be lost through your attic due to the fact that heat rises. Also, apply weather-stripping and insulation on the hatch that opens up to the attic. Seal any holes in the attic that may lead down into the home. Any hole that leads from the attic into the home may be a huge energy waster.
Maintaining Your Heating System Once you have an airtight home with no leaks, you are ready to think about the day when you will need to fire your furnace up for the first time this season. If you are a savvy homeowner, you have likely been maintaining your heating and cooling system throughout the summer, but with fall approaching, now is the time to schedule a professional inspection with your local heating and cooling technician. This annual inspection allows the technician to check for potential problems and to make any needed repairs so that your heating system is ready to go when the fall chill sets in.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4891431
Autumn Cheesecake By AllRecipes.com
Ingredients Original recipe makes 12 servings 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 3 tablespoons white sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced 1/3 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup chopped pecans Add all ingredients to list
1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust. 2. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust. 3. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss the cinnamon-sugar with the apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans. 4. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes. With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, then remove the rim of pan. Chill cake before serving.