House to Home 6-21-18 by The Mining Journal

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THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2018

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SCYTHING ZEN:

In the Garden

This June 8 photo shows writer Cain Burdeau using a scythe to cut the grass on a property in Contrada Petraro near Castelbuono, Sicily, where he lives with his wife and two boys. He has chosen to cut the grass on his property with a scythe in part because he is following the example of his father, a longtime scythe user, but also because he prefers hand tools over mechanized ones. In Sicily it is important to cut grass as prevention against summertime fires. (AP photo)

This undated photo shows application of an organic fertilizer in New Paltz, NY. Soybean meal is only one of a number of organic material that can be used to fulfill plant nutrient needs. (AP photo)

How to fertilize your garden organically In gardening, whether you’re talking about pest control or fertilization, “organic” generally means natural. The word “organic” refers to “organic matter,” the linchpin of organic gardening and, traditionally at least, all good gardening. “Organic matter” is material derived from what is or was once living. Plants are most hungry for three nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — and organic fertilizers can supply them just as synthetic (chemical) fertilizers can. The three prominent numbers on any fertilizer label indicate the percentages of these three nutrients that the bag contains. In the world of organics, many different sources exist for each of these major nutrients. NITROGEN, MOST IN NEED BY PLANTS Let’s begin with nitrogen, because it’s the nutriLEE REICH ent needed in greatest amounts and the one most readily lost from the soil. The richest organic sources of nitrogen are manures, ground-up animal parts (blood meal, feather dust, leather dust) and seed meals (soybean meal, cottonseed meal). Nitrogen concentration in any manure varies not only with the kind of animal, but also with the kind of bedding used, the age of the manure and how it was stored. Ground-up animal parts and seed meals generally have the highest concentrations of nitrogen. Because they undergo some processing, they are more consistent in their nitrogen concentration. ORGANIC SOURCES FOR THE TWO OTHER KEY PLANT NUTRIENTS Major organic sources of phosphorus include, again, certain manures, as well as bone meal and pulverized rock phosphate. Rock phosphate is a phosphorus-rich rock that is ground into fine particles that release their phosphorus slowly and over the course of many years. Hence, only infrequent applications are needed — I spread some every 10 years. Colloidal phosphate is especially fine, so releases its phosphorus somewhat more quickly. Manures contain some potassium as well as nitrogen and phosphorous, but richer sources of potassium include seaweed, wood ashes, and the minerals greensand and granite. Wood ashes are alkaline so should not be used on rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, mountain laurels and other plants that thrive only in very acidic soils. Some commercially available organic fertilizers are blends of one or more individual organic fertilizers, so can offer a balance of all three major nutrients. Particular blends vary in their nutrient concentrations and in how quickly these nutrients are available to plants. For instance, blood meal, bone meal, seaweeds and wood ashes release their nutrients into the soil relatively quickly, while leather dust and pulverized rocks release their nutrients slowly. Read the label carefully if your plants need food quickly. COMPOST FOR ALL The Cadillac of balanced organic fertilizers is compost. Besides offering a wide spectrum of nutrients, especially when made from a wide spectrum of raw materials, compost also is a good source of organic matter. So good, in See Garden p. 2D

Ancient way to cut grass also a state of mind By CAIN BURDEAU threat and long grasses fuel Associated Press flames. The idea of our olive, CONTRADA PETRARO, almond, ash and fruit trees — Sicily — Spring is ending not to mention a hundred and summer approaches. The grape vines I planted this grass is now long, finished spring — catching fire is a growing. For us, it’s time to ghastly one. scythe. So, off into the fields we go This is a beautiful, and to scythe — an ancient slightly sad, time of year for method of cutting grasses that my wife and me, when the few people do anymore here fields of grass and flowers on in Sicily or elsewhere. our 3 acres of farmland in the Landowners here have mountains of northern Sicily many ways to prevent fires must be cut. We would prefer from raging across the counto let them live on: There are tryside. Some use a tractor to deep pink French honeysuck- “pulire il terreno” (“clean the les, purple thistles, yellow land”). Many take out weed dandelions, pale pink and whackers, masks and gasowhite acanthus, and wispy line cans to tackle the grasses. and lazy grasses. Old-timers used to simply But that’s not prudent in the pull plants out by the roots dry Mediterranean summer, when fires are an annual See Scythe p. 2D

This May 17 photo shows Giuseppe Piro, an agronomist and naturalist, standing with an old scythe in Contrada Marcatagliastro near Castelbuono, Sicily. He demonstrated how old-timers used to use scythes, in particular in the higher mountains where a variety of cereals are grown on extensive tracts. Today the scythe is rarely used in Sicily to cut grass. (AP photo)

Gwinn woman wins ‘This Old House’ award GWINN — Gwinn resident Diane Bostow was recently chosen as one of six finalists in a competition hosted by “This Old House.” Bostow was listed as the winner of the Best WholeHouse Renovation category, on www.thisoldhouse.com. Competitors “came from all across the country to be recognized for their truly amazing home projects,” the website states. “I’m nearly 70 years old, and until three years ago, I had never used a power saw,” Bostow said in the website post. Her project involved renovating and building a new addition to a 575-squarefoot 1940s home she shares with her husband, Lanny Cross. Beyond learning how to

Gwinn resident Dianne Bostow, right, recently won a Tommy Award, named after Tom Silva, a contractor who has made many appearances on the PBS television show This Old House. (Courtesy photo) use a power saw, Bostow also used a CAD program to

NEW LAWN STARTER

design the 1,800-squarefoot, two-story addition, as

well as using other tools throughout the project, the website states. “Now I am proficient with my radial saw, circular saw, skill saw, table saw, router, oscillating tool, and a couple of drivers,” she said for the website story. Bostow also met This Old House host Kevin O’Connor and longtime contractor and show participant Tom Silva when she accepted her Tommy Award June 6. To read more about Bostow’s project and view other winners in the competition, visit www.thisoldhouse.com/more/see-winners-tommy-awards.

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2D The Mining Journal

Thursday, June 21, 2018

House to Home Mortgage Index 30-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pts.

15-YEAR Rate-Fee/Pt.

High rate

4.500

4.250

Low rate

4.375

3.875

Average rate

4.542

4.042

Garde n

from 1D

fact, that its nutrient concentrations are not high enough for compost to be legally sold as “fertilizer”; it must be classified as a “soil amendment.” Nonetheless, compost spread over the ground can provide all the nourishment

Scyth e

from 1D

and cut grasses by sickle and scythe. This is our second year of “cleaning up” our land — and we do it the old-fashioned way. I chose to scythe because that’s how my father, Bob Burdeau, has been cutting his grass in Puglia for years. He swears by it, both because he dislikes using machines but also because there is something therapeutic in scything. On cool spring evenings, we talked by telephone about the differences between scything and using a weed whacker. “With a weed whacker, the aim is to get the work done,” my father told me. “And you get it done as efficiently as possible ... Because you’re trying to earn money, you’re trying to do something, and you’ve got other things to do.” “But it’s not as efficient really because you have to get your machine fixed all the time; you’ve got to buy gas and additives for the gas,” he said. “But the sensation is that you’re getting it done. And when you’re doing the scything, you’re not really in that same state of mind. You’re in another state of mind.” Surprisingly, I found many local farmers of the same mind — even though they use weed whackers and tractors. I helped a friend cut grass in a beautiful olive orchard inside a valley that runs into the Tyrrhenian Sea. “This is the part of the work I hate the most. I despise weed whackers,” my friend said. And sure enough it was stressful: Both machines we

This graphic represents a Tuesday survey of regional lending institutions. Figures are based on rates at Range Bank, First Bank of Upper Michigan and mBank.

that even the hungriest plants need for a season. All that organic matter that hitchhikes along with the nitrogen has far-reaching benefits, indirectly bolstering biological activity in the soil, and helping it retain air and moisture. Sometime each year, usually in autumn or early spring, all the beds in my

organic vegetable garden get blanketed with an inch of compost. Nutrients in compost are available slowly over the span of a number of years, so yearly additions keep my plants very well nourished.

used broke down, starting and stopping, needing a mechanic’s hand. Clothes got ruined. We smelled of gasoline. I had to wear a mask, safety goggles and ear muffs. After using a weed whacker for a while, your arms are numb from the vibrations. I have a weed whacker, and I might buy gasoline and raze the edges of the property to make solid firebreaks. But other than that, our grass is being cut by an Austrian scythe I bought last year from a hardware store in nearby Castelbuono. I am also using a pair of long clippers for cutting around trees and rocks. When I told Giovanni Spallina, who runs an agriculture shop in Castelbuono, that I used a scythe, he approved. “The work is better with a scythe,” he said. “It comes out better.” Sure enough, as we spoke, a farmer showed up at his busy shop, Spallina Natura, with a weed whacker in need of fixing. This year, I’ve taken a different approach to cutting grass: I decided not to panic about the encroaching sea of grasses and let them grow. Last year, urged by locals and overwhelmed by fastgrowing grass, I went out scything in May, in the very heart of flowering — and the experience was excruciating. I suffer from allergies, and after scything for a few hours I’d return to our little farmhouse drenched in sweat and with stinging rashes and welts on my calves and arms. My nose ran without pause, my throat felt like a sandpaper rattle and my eyes were blurry from tears.

The same happened this May when I attempted to cut. But then I realized that the grass didn’t need to be cut in May. In fact, it is better, local agronomist and naturalist Giuseppe Piro told me, to wait until grasses have reached their maximum growth. Piro showed me an old scythe among the rusty tools on a property where he makes olive oil with his son. He took the scythe in his hands and demonstrated how old-timers used them, in particular in the higher mountains where vast fields of wheat, barley and other cereals are grown. Sicily was the breadbasket of the Roman Empire. “Look at the blade,” he said. He ran his finger along it. “Fifty centimeters. With every stroke, 2 meters by 50 centimeters (of grass) go down.” He talked of the ancient culture of cereal cultivation in the mountains, where he worked as a boy. He remembered seeing men, women and children cutting grass by hand and with the help of mules, working through “waves of grass which sway like the ocean.” The grasses are used for animal feed and human consumption. Piro said cutters sheathed their fingers with pieces of bamboo to prevent them from getting cut as they used sickles. He remembered how bales of hay were made, how he piloted an oxpulled sled piled high with hay.

http://www.leereich.com/ blog http://leereich.com

In this March 28 photograph, a sold sign is shown outside a single-family home on the market in Denver. On Wednesday, the National Association of Realtors reports on sales of existing homes in May. (AP photo)

US home sales fell 0.4 percent in May amid inventory crunch By JOSH BOAK AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON — U.S. existing home sales slipped 0.4 percent in May, as the prolonged shortage of properties on the market is deterring home-buying. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.43 million in May, the second straight monthly decline. Sales have tumbled 3 percent over the past year, despite steady job growth that has boosted demand from would-be homebuyers as the unemployment rate has fallen to a multi-decade low of 3.8 percent. The housing market is caught in a vice grip of fewer sales listings and rising mortgage rates, both of which have made home ownership less affordable for many Americans. The number of sales list-

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ings has dropped 6.1 percent over the past year to 1.85 million. That forced would-be buyers to act quickly and sign contracts on average in just 26 days. It also pushed up home values as the median sales price in May rose 4.9 percent from a year ago to $264,800. Because of declining inventories, sales of homes worth less than $250,000 have declined over the past year. But in a sign of greater income inequality, sales of homes worth more than $1 million have surged 14.4 percent this year. Adding to the pressure are rising mortgage rates. The average interest charged on a 30-year, fixed rate mort-

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1103444 OWNER JUST UPDATED KITCHEN with new countertops, cabinet knobs and handles and gorgeous backsplash. Plan your summer now - living at the lake!!! What a bargin - 3 BR log home on 101’ of pristine Powell Lake - sandy shoreline with fire pit and dock for daytime and evening enjoyment!! This home features a full walkout finished basement, front and rear roofed decks, metal roof, fireplace in dining area for the cozy atmosphere, open beam ceiling on main level with spiral stairway to upper level loft - PLUS a 26’ x 26’ pole building for all your toys. New indoor wood boiler located in pole building provides HWBB heat plus there is an LPFA furnace. $184,900 1103844 Beautiful and secluded!!! 3+ acres with 300’ lake front along the North shore of Driggs Lake. Cozy little barn styled furnished camp with pull down ladder to loft, 3/4 bath, kitchen area and glass sliding doors to deck overlooking the lake. Separate building for generator (included in sale). A small stream meanders through property. A must see!!! $79,900 1105046 Beautiful lake front lot on Powell Lake - property slopes from road to lake. Older one room camp on property is in need of remodeling OR remove camp and rebuild your own design. $69,900 1105064 Looking for that perfect hunting spot? This is it!!! 190 acres with DEXTER CREEK meandering through - blinds set up throughout the property - select cut a few years ago making it excellent for deer habitat! A 3 bedroom hunting cabin (third bedroom is the loft) featuring a full basement, bath, kitchen-living area with cathedral ceiling, fireplace, wrap around deck and year round access. $229,900 1096959 What a great place to get away for your home or camp - Sturgeon River out your back door, property adjacent to USA lands on the North boundary, frontage on year round blacktop road!!! Furnished and features 2 bedrooms, spacious LR with fireplace, enclosed front porch as your family room with glass sliding door to deck overlooking river . Plus spacious storage building/shed for storing toys, wood, etc. $69,900

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Saturday, June 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Directions: From Washington St: Take Front Street North to Ridge Street, turn right (East) on Ridge Street, continue to home on left. Historic Victorian East side home close to Lake Superior has original woodwork, hardwood floors, stunning fireplaces and exquisite chandeliers adorning every room. This home is the perfect setting for your treasured antiques, formal furnishings and relaxed entertaining. Every room has a unique feature not found in today’s modern homes. The kitchen was recently updated with granite counter tops, newly finished hardwood floors, refurbished cupboards, induction stove, dishwasher and refrigerator/freezer. The current music room could be a first floor bedroom with a connecting half bath. The second floor has six bedrooms and four baths. The third floor has a large family room and two additional rooms. The back stairway leads to the side entrance where you will find your lap pool. The lower level has your laundry, bathroom, kitchenette with sitting room and a large wine cellar. The yard is adorned with lovely gardens, and a three car garage. This is a once in a lifetime chance to own an exquisite piece of historic Marquette real estate. $749,000.00

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gage was 4.62 percent last week, up from 3.91 percent a year ago, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Higher mortgage rates have the risk of further suppressing sales listings, even if the higher home values encourage some people to list their properties. The Realtors found that 15 percent of homeowners wouldn’t list their properties for sale due to the increased mortgage costs, up from 11 percent in April. Sales rose in the Northeast in May. But sales fell in the Midwest, South and West.

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The Mining Journal 3D

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Real Estate Classifieds                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Open Houses

                                                          

                                        

                                                    

Call The Classifieds 228-2500!

                                                                

   

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                           

4D The Mining Journal

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Northern

FEATURED LISTINGS

Michigan

Land Brokers

433 Green Garden Road, Marquette

Three bedroom/two bath home on the Chocolay River.

$189,900 MLS#: 1108784 BOB SULLIVAN

21714 Petticoat Lake Road, Michigamme

Three bedroom/two bath on private Petticoat Lake for under $200k. Well maintained home with new roof, flooring, indoor sauna, and with 200+ feet of frontage.

$195,000 MLS#: 1108728 NATHAN BRABON

203 Sunday Lake St., Wakefield

Fantastic opportunity for someone interested in a small business consisting of a bar and restaurant!! The Club 28 in Wakefield is a well known, established and extremely popular venue.

$235,000 MLS#: 1108757 SUE FELDHAUSER

12651 Goodreau Rd., L’Anse 140 acres of rolling hardwoods on the Huron River with a solid, log hunting camp.

$199,900 MLS#: 1108668 ROB SULLIVAN

54 Blue Road, Champion

Five bedroom/four bath home on Lake Michigamme with over 641 feet of frontage.

$825,000 MLS#: 1108908 BOB SULLIVAN

W504 Co Road 426, Arnold

Custom built log home on 22 acres on the north branch of the Ford River.

$395,000 MLS#: 1108256 BRIAN OLSON

1075 Ortman Road, Marquette

2011 County Road 456, Little Lake

Four bedroom, four bath executive estate home on 10 wooded acres just outside of Marquette. MLS#: 1108550

Immaculate and move-in ready home with 180 ft of frontage on Farmer’s Lake. MLS#: 1107316

TBD Yellow Dog 550, Marquette

N4950 Manistique Lakes (aka H-33) Road, Curtis

$449,500 ROB SULLIVAN

Peaceful cabin tucked among the towering maples on a beautiful 24 acre parcel of paradise on the legendary Yellow Dog River. MLS#: 1108456

$65,000 BRIAN OLSON

Love the Land!

$339,900 BRIAN OLSON

Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn in Curtis is well known and an extremely popular bed and breakfast, restaurant, bar, and gift shop on the shore of Big Manistique Lake. MLS#: 1099205

3557 Co Rd FFB, Champion

24 Acres, Co Road KB, Big Bay

$445,000 NATHAN BRABON

$175,000 ROB SULLIVAN

Year round access on a private Estate-type property with approximately 700’ of frontage on Fish Lake. Now explore this listing in 3D view. MLS#: 1102975

3147 Maple Ridge Road, Rock

N106 Corner Lake Road, Wetmore

$160,000 NATHAN BRABON

$299,900 BOB SULLIVAN

Start your own hobby farm or just enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Upper Peninsula with 38 acres and a lovely 5 bedroom 2 bath home. MLS#: 1103593

$749,900 SUE FELDHAUSER

Bob Sullivan

Associate Broker/ Owner Cell: 906-361-4212

Rob Sullivan

Associate Broker, Office Manager Cell: 906-362-3337

Lake Superior frontage with over 24 acres of beautiful rolling hardwoods on a well maintained County Road. MLS#: 1108553

Brian Olson

Associate Broker Cell: 906-869-6446

Nathan Brabon Agent Cell: 906-869-8451

Family style cottage on popular Corner Lake in the Chain of Lakes in Alger County. MLS#: 1108361

Sue Feldhauser Agent Cell: 906-360-2891

Charles Drury Agent Cell: 906-235-3198

Toll-free 1-866-231-LAND • www.northernmichiganlandbrokers.com • 2552• 2552 USUS 4141West, Marquette 906-225-LAND (5263) • www.northernmichiganlandbrokers.com • www.premiumupproperties.com West, Marquette