Michiana House and Home - May 2023

PO Box 188 • 206 South Main St. Milford, IN 46542 800.733.4111/Fax 800.886.3796

Editorial ext. 2311 & Advertising ext. 2362 www.michianahouseandhome.com

PUBLISHER

Ron Baumgartner rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

PUBLICATION MANAGER

Bill Hays bhays@the-papers.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Deb Patterson dpatterson@the-papers.com

EDITOR

Lauren Zeugner lzeugner@the-papers.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Karen Johnson kjohnson@the-papers.com

BUSINESS MANAGER

Annette Weaver aweaver@the-papers.com

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Steve Meadows smeadows@the-papers.com

FEATURE WRITERS

BethAnne Brink-Cox, Dani Messick, Julie Young

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Kimberly Zellers

MARKETING ASSISTANTS

Darlene Eichelberger darlene@the-papers.com

Taelynne Ousley tousley@the-papers.com

DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION

Jerry Long jlong@the-papers.com

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Copyright © Michiana House and Home All rights reserved, 2023

After an April where Mother Nature couldn’t decide whether to let spring be sprung or let winter linger a little bit longer, May has finally arrived. Here’s to warmer days and temperatures that don’t rise and fall by 30-some degrees within a few hours.

Like many of you, I’m in the middle of spring cleaning. I’ve been going through a major purge at home. Not only doing a deep clean to the inside of the house, but also sorting through things deciding what to keep, donate/recycle or toss.

Once the weather gets nicer, I’ll head outside and start work there. A lot of limbs have come down with the windy days we’ve had this winter and early spring, so there are lots to clean up.

With the nicer weather, Ace and Bromley have enjoyed hanging out by an open window enjoying not only the sights in the yard, but also the smells. I’m sure they’ll be up to the task of supervising yard clean up when I get to it.

We have a jam packed issue this month. Michiana Master Gardener Susan Klepinger wrote about getting the garden ready for spring planting. Julie Young followed up on that theme with an article about gardening on a budget. Both are packed with good information especially if you consider yourself a novice, like I do.

Julie also wrote an article about how to make an apartment feel like home, while not having to worry about losing your security deposit. When I moved out of the apartment I lived

in for over a decade, I well remember using a tube of spackle to cover all the nail holes in the walls. We won’t discuss how filthy the water was after I shampooed the carpets.

BethAnne Brink-Cox ex plored alternative energy sources for heating/cooling our homes. Solar has become more popular and affordable to install, but there are some other alternatives out there as well.

Dani Messick did an article on the pop ularity of hot tubs and spas. There seems to be a hot tub or spa for anyone regardless of budget. Messick also looked into en ergy efficiency and savings when it came to having a hot tub and its impact on the electric bill.

For those inspired by all those house flipping shows on TV, BethAnne explored whether it was worthwhile for the average Joe to attempt flip ping a house.

And finally Dani Messick provided us with some cool info about different types of games in Did You Know?

Ace, left, and Bromley, spying out an open window.

Safe Step Walk-In Bathtub

Thinking about adding a hot tub?

Here are some things to consider

By Dani Messick

Considering adding your own personal manmade hot spring to your backyard?

You could get an inflatable option for barely $500, or create a backyard oasis with music, lighting and a gazebo for over $20,000. The options are almost limitless.

With traditional hot tubs coming in as high as $7,000 - or more, if you’re adding a deck to accommodate, inflatable hot tub options are growing in popularity due to their lower price point and sometimes portable nature. Forbes recommends the Intex 28431EP at under $1,000 as the best inflatable hot tub option and Coleman SaluSpa Tahiti Inflatable Hot Tub at under $500 as the best portable option.

Cost options also vary drastically based on material. Rotomolded plastic, made of polyethylene, and vinyl, similar to a pool liner, costs less but they have a worse reputation for retaining heat, while hot tubs with acrylic liners can cost up to $16,000, depending on the size of the tub, and are best at retaining that even pressure warmth and remaining positioned.

There’s also a host of amenities to consider, including lighting, shelving, control panel sensors, jet positioning and entertainment packages.

Forbes also says adding a hot tub won’t increase the value of your home, but it won’t hurt it either. And the added yearly costs of electricity and maintenance are nothing to sneeze at, ranging from $500 to $1,200 per year for the electricity, chemicals, water, and cleanings for a year-round system.

Energy efficiency is also a growing concern for hot tub owners. Full foam installation options and thermal covers help to keep heat in, so costs stay as low as possible. Spa Depot’s Hot Tub Buyer’s Guide indicates the most energy-efficient hot tubs have reflective backed foam insulation, which acts as a mirror to bounce heat back into the spa.

House and Home Feature Writer

homedepot.com

When considering electricity costs for a new hot tub, Spa Depot also recommends not determining your new spa based on horsepower or number of pumps. “More horsepower and more pumps don’t always mean a better massage or a better hot tub. Spa pumps provide flow to the jets,” the company’s guide says. “A spa with outrageous total horsepower ratings or too many pumps (we’ve seen spas with 6!) will consume enormous amounts of energy.” The ideal spa will have a good jet-to-horsepower ratio for ideal efficiency and jet strength, it adds.

Instead, they say, the shell, energy efficiency rating, and a good cover will largely determine the energy savings. “Heat rises, and a quality cover will conserve energy and save money on power bills.” Opt for locking straps to protect from dirt, weather, and bugs or critters getting in, although a new spa should come with them.

The pandemic knocked hot tub sales through the roof, with so many seeking their own home oasis. The result was an increased demand that led to backorders months out. Pool Magazine reported in March hot tubs and home spas are back on track, with $19 billion in global sales in 2022 and predicted growth of $4.5 million by 2030. They also report as swimming pools increase in cost, more and more customers are opting for the less costly option that can be used year-round. n

thegreatbackyardplace.com

To Flip or Not ? That

is the question

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer

Do you remember watching these shows? Room by Room. Fixer Upper. Love it or List It. And, of course, Flip This House, which premiered on HGTV in 2005. These programs undoubtedly influenced the buy it–fix it up–sell for a profit craze about 20 years ago.

Niki Groves, the executive officer at the Builders Association of Elkhart County for the past four years, agrees. But is it still a thing, so to speak? Still a good idea? Groves said, “When everything was selling hot and heavy, it’s been happening for a long time, and it has peaks and valleys. I mean, you can still do it, but you have to have some cash flow to begin, so you can ride it out when the economy slows down. The house might not sell quickly, but then again, it might.” This was certainly a factor during the pandemic and quarantine, and the supply shortage of materials and labor added into that, as well.

What questions would a buyer ask a seller when considering a flipped house? Groves said, “That is a question, well, really, you’d ask the same questions that you would if you were buying any other house. It’s pretty much do you want this house at this price, and the flip factor doesn’t figure into that.”

When buying a house you hope to flip, apart from obvious issues, what are fixer upper points the average person might not think of? There are varying levels of fixer-upper, and there are many levels of skills required, too.

Groves said, “It’s really about the cost. Can they purchase at

an affordable cost, put in some labor–90% of that is done by the original buyer–and then resell the house for a profit? If they can, then the first thing needed is an inspection. You definitely want an inspection! A house might have no foundation, might have mold you can’t see; there are signs that an inspector would notice, especially if the basement is finished, smells they can smell, that kind of thing. To really be successful at flipping, to make a profit, you want to buy a house that mostly needs cosmetizing. You don’t really want to tear out walls, replace windows, but rather do something like fresh paint–and wallpaper is making a comeback – maybe something with the floors being refinished or the kitchen cabinetry being replaced.”

If you were thinking this might be a good way to improve some shabby neighborhoods, Groves said it’s not. “The finished houses would be too hard to sell. The clientele who would be seeking to buy a house wouldn’t go to that kind of neighborhood. It’s more likely a city would do that, or a habitat kind of thing.”

What percentage of profit should you aim for, one that is realistic to achieve? “I would think that you would want a 25% return, and that’s only a quarter, if not more. Aim for more, but to be realistic, get at least 25%,” Groves explained. How long do these houses stay on the market? “If you had asked me this question two years ago….but the real estate market has slowed down. It’s not a bad thing, though. My realtors say it’s right where it should be. So let’s say 90-120 days, obviously, the sooner it can be done and back on the market, the better.”

Conclusion: if you’ve got some cash to invest this way, you can still make a profit. Just make sure you don’t put more into the fixing up than you can successfully recoup. n

Non-invasive décor Apartment design without the damage

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer

For years, renters have been limited as to what they could do to decorate their space. However, new products have been developed that will let you infuse some personality into your apartment while preserving your deposit (and your walls!) If you are looking for some best bets and innovative ideas, we’ve got the top tips to get you started!

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

Apartment design tips to consider:

· Be guided by your apartment’s natural light

· Keep things bright to offer the illusion of space. (A dark accent wall is OK too!)

· Include the biggest dining table possible (chances are it will do double duty.)

· Push pins can be used to hang lightweight fabric at the windows (and are easily filled with toothpaste when you move!)

According to Debbie Hochstetler ASID and owner of Sweet Water Interiors, there are a number of great ways to add interest to a room while keeping your walls safe from nail marks and your floors free of scratches and snags. She suggests leaning a tall mirror against a wall to add light and open up a space. Command Strips, made by 3M are also a way to help renters hang pictures without using a nail and area rug mats featuring a vinyl pattern can help protect floors or cover up an unsightly carpet.

“One thing that I do suggest is taking a screwdriver and popping off the little plastic cap that is attached to the legs of your tables and chairs,” she said. “Those are hard on floors, and they can do a lot of damage. Instead, put some brown felt on the bottom of the legs to protect your floors and make moving things a little easier.

STICK IT OUT

Decals have come a long way in terms of giving renters options to make a space their own. Textured peel-and-stick backsplashes come in a wide range of styles and colors and are easily applied and removed. Other decals can be affixed to existing tile and contact paper can be placed on countertops to offer a customized look that you normally only get when you own your home.

“Those stick-on options are amazing because they really can transform a room,” Hochstetler said. “Removable wallpaper can be a great choice as well.”

CLIP ART AND EASY SWITCHES

Another option to personalize is to use existing holes to infuse your own ideas. Swap out cabinet hardware for options that fit your style, change out switch plates and ceiling lights for something that is more your style. Non-invasive clips and hooks can also help renters create a cozy space while allowing them to hang terrariums, tapestries, paper lanterns, fairy lights and yes, even pictures.

“I have some clients who have used clips under their crown molding and a decorative cord to hang their pictures without damaging their walls. It looks really great.”

Redecorating your rental is no small undertaking, but with time, patience, a decent budget and a little ingenuity, you can go from drab to fab and make the place your own! n

michiana

LERNER THEATER | ELKHART

• May 5-7, “9 to 5 The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, $14 to

• May 12, Oaklawn’s Got Talent, 7:30 p.m. Friday, $10

• May 14, Mother’s Day Brunch in the Crystal Ballroom, seatings at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. Sunday, $47/ adults, $28/children 4-11, $5/children under 4 410 S. Main St. 574-293-4469 thelerner.com

GOSHEN THEATER | GOSHEN

• May 12, Free Movie Night: “Mario Bros,” 7 p.m. Friday, free admission 216 S. Main St. 574-312-3701 goshentheater.com

POTAWATOMI ZOO | SOUTH BEND

• May 15, Tiny Bookworm Story Series, 9:30-10 a.m. Monday, for children 0-2 and caregiver, $5.

• May 17, Senior Stroll, 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, for seniors 55+, $10.

• May 19, Stroller Safari, 9-10 a.m. Friday, for children 0-2 and caregiver, $15. 500 S. Greenlawn Ave. 574-235-9800 potawatomizoo.org

MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | SOUTH BEND

• May 3, South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Yo-Yo Ma, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $129/$179/$349

• May 8, Brit Floyd: 50 Anniversary Darkside of the Moon, 8 p.m. Monday, $51/$61/$161

• May 13, South Bend Symphony Orchestra: Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $19 to $79 211 N. Michigan St. 574-235-9190 morriscenter.org n

garden center “cents” getthemostforyourmoneythisspring

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to bust their budgets at their local garden center. With so many flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and materials to choose from, it’s easy to get a little carried away. Of course, when you buy in haste, you typically repent in leisure so it’s best to make wise money moves in order to get the biggest bang for your garden center buck!

KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

Judy Clayton, owner of Clayton Garden Center in North Webster says it’s important for the home gardener to know what they have in order to purchase what they need. Every spring, she sees customers come in and purchase items for their yards without knowing how big their space is or how many plants they require. This can result in overbuying, underbuying or buying the wrong material entirely.

“The first thing you have to do is measure your space, then I recommend that you take pictures to give us an idea of what kind of space it is,” she said. “Is it sunny or shady? What kind of soil do you have? All of this can help us make the best recommendations as to what will survive in your area.”

It’s also important to know how much wildlife visits your yard, how much patience and time you have to nurture your plants and the level of effort your desired varieties will require. Some flowers, such as petunias (though popular) must be watered every day while a dragon wing begonia only requires watering twice a week. Clayton says even plants that are on sale can become quite expensive when you consider the amount of watering and fertilizing they may need.

“This applies to other garden materials as well, so it’s important to consider all of your options and what it will cost you in the long run,” she said. “Mulch is cheaper than landscape rock, but it has to be replaced each year while rock lasts. However, both require weed killer.”

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

Gary Schwartz at E+R Seed in Monroe said a lot of gardeners make the mistake of trying to do too much each year, which only leads to frustration and heartache. Many of his clients become enamored by the variety of options available and want to try a little bit of everything rather than sticking to the tried and true. And in many cases, they have no idea the amount of work involved to cultivate a successful outcome.

“I see a lot of people buy seeds that the average home gardener cannot successfully start themselves versus plants that you can put in the ground and grow fairly well,” he said. “While I like to see people try new things, it is easy to go overboard so if you are trying to save money, stick to those varieties that you see a lot of around here and you know will do well in your yard. You’ll be happier in the long run.” n

photos: shutterstock.com

The future is here with ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

By BethAnne Brink-Cox House and Home Feature Writer

The very first energy source we knew was the sun, which provided heat and light. Later, a lightning strike gave us fire, which was used for everything from cooking to additional sources of heat–wood fires, candles and lamps. And more than 8,000 years ago, we discovered sails could be used to harness wind energy for transportation. So it seems that a lot of what we might think of as modern technology – solar and wind power, especially – has its roots deeply embedded in the history of civilization. Wood, for example, was the first real source of energy consumption in 1775, until coal began its usage in the 1850s.

But obviously we need to move forward, more toward green energy sources and further away from fossil fuels, as well as smarter uses of, meaning less use of, electricity. How can we do that? Well, geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy that comes from the Earth’s core, originating from heat generated during the original formation of the planet and the radioactive decay of materials. Don’t let that term radioactive frighten you: in the simplest of explanations, Brittanica.com states the particles and energy that are released are a form of radiation, and change a little bit each time they release something, until the decay results in a stable form.

John Moorman, general manager of Advanced Solar in Warsaw, explained the different, most common uses of solar energy.

“We install panels for grid tied systems–that’s when your solar system is tied to a utility company. When you produce more energy than you need, the company gives you credits you can use at night, when there’s less need, or during the winter.”

They also offer a grid-tied system with a battery backup, and that gives the convenience of backup power during an outage; the system provides regular energy and storage of energy for just such an emergency.

Moorman went on to say they have off-grid systems too. “Off grid doesn’t use any electricity, so you have to use batteries, and those are charged by the sun, using power you made to power your home.” He said there are companies who put in big fields, while Advanced Solar does residential installations. “They can be done when a house is being built or retroactively.

“And they can go in just about anywhere, unless your house has a lot of trees that shade it too much. You have to have lots of access to sunlight, of course. It doesn’t take that much time –I’d say the timeline from when I first contact the customer we’re talking about 8-12 weeks, to look over what is wanted, plans, all that. But installation usually just takes 2-3 days, depending on how much electricity a customer is going to want or is used to using. Solar energy started getting big about 20 or 25 years ago, but in the last 15 years or so it has gotten more affordable.”

Though you’re not likely to see any examples around here, if you travel West or SouthWest, you’ll want to look for examples of Michael Reynolds’ creations, known as Earthships. An Earthship is a home made of recycled materials–tires, cans, bottles and the like, and they are totally off the grid, costing from $200-$400 per square foot to build.

In the same way tiny houses are a solution for some, this kind of alternative housing may do a lot of good not just for the owner but the community surrounding it. They use six green building principles governing heating and cooling, solar electricity, water collection, sewage treatment, food production and the use of natural and recycled materials.

The “Back to the Land” movement of the 60s has taken a big jump forward with alternative power sources. Watch for the six most popular: solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, and biomass. We may not have flying cars (yet) but the future is here. n

We Ma de It!

By Susie Klepinger Michiana Master Gardener

May is finally here, and we are at last opening our windows to let fresh air circulate during the extended light hours. Except for our winter performing friends, the rest of our collection is beginning to wake up and grow in earnest. Now is the time to begin to repair whatever damage the inside isolation has caused.

Start your spring clean-up by dusting or washing the leaves, pruning unneeded branches and removing injured or diseased areas. This process is cathartic for me, resulting in instant gratification.

Plant disease may begin with a small discolored circle which soon encompasses the entire leaf. It can be a bacterial, viral or fungal infection which may spread to the rest of the plant. If this happens, I first try to trim the area and rub cinnamon powder, an anti-fungal, along the cut. If the disease progresses or appears elsewhere, I discard the plant. Check new purchases carefully and isolate as needed.

Insects sneak into the stem crevices, undersides of leaves and sometimes blatantly in plain sight during the winter months. There are numerous critters, but my nemeses are mealybugs, spider mites and scale. They suck the nutrients from the plant’s sap and excrete sticky honeydew on both plants and furniture.

Mealybugs appear wrapped in a white, cottony material. They can be eradicated by touching with a Q-Tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Sometimes a brisk spray of water will suffice.

Spider mites also love our winter conditions. They appear as pin heads that can leave a trail of polka-dotted looking damage. One can tell by placing a piece of white paper under the leaf and tapping the top gently. If the tiny black spots move, you have spider mites. Usually a thorough washing of the leaves will work.

Scale looks like small shells wearing a suit of armor when attached to the leaf. Because of this protection, we need something to

suffocate the insect underneath. Neem oil is a helpful organic insecticide for this mission. A watchful eye is the best insect and disease preventative and persistence is the best solution.

We have avoided fertilizing during the winter so as not to encourage growth, but now is the time to add nutrients to the soil. Use no more than half of the recommended dosage. Some people swear by fertilizing “Weakly, weekly.”

This is the best time of year for repotting those that need help. Go no larger than the next pot size as an oversized pot with no drainage holes is a major cause of root rot. I sometimes find a plant that has been struggling can actually benefit from being downsized. Let the root system make that determination for you.

If your plants go outside for the summer, be aware that inside and outside sun is much different. Acclimate gradually. Evening temperatures must remain above 50 degrees for safety.

Now, go and enjoy this beautiful new season. With all of your hard work and care, your plants will, too. n

photos: shutterstock.com

Did You Know?

BACKYARD GAMES

By Dani Messick House and Home Feature Writer

TIC-TAC-TOE

Sure, you could just grab some chalk paint and scratch out a few rounds on the concrete, but for a more interactive and permanent option, consider using rocks. Pull out the paint and grab some rocks, and paint identifiers onto the rocks, and you have a cheap and permanent Tic-Tac-Toe set. This can also be done as Dominos, or Memory, and it’s simple enough that most kids can help out.

BOWLING

You don’t need to go to a bowling alley or even purchase a special set of pins to have a great time bowling with the family. Simply save water bottles - you only need 10, and refill them and find yourself a ball. You can even add food coloring, glitter or trinkets to make the activity of creating the bowling pins more en joyable. The blog Lindsay and Andrew recommends using pool noodles to create bumpers, but it’s not necessary.

There are plenty of excuses to have a great time outdoors with family and friends throughout the month of May. From Cinco De Mayo all the way to Memorial Day, the sights, sounds, and smells of springtime abound across Michiana, and May offers a whole week dedicated to getting out and soaking in the sun you may not have heard of.

National Backyard Games Week falls the week before Memorial Day, starting Monday, May 22, this year. You don’t need a lot of money, or even a lot of time or space to get started enjoying time outdoors early on this season. Here’s a list of ideas:

This one is best enjoyed at night. Gather up some glow stick necklaces, a thick glow stick, some tape, and a plastic party cup. Cut a hole in the bottom of the party cup, break the glow stick, and tape it just barely into the bottom. This is your score peg. Snap the necklaces, and get to playing. You can vary this game by using multiple score pegs and even space them out so it’s more like horseshoes.

KERPLUNK CROQUET

designdazzle.com

Bring tabletop games from your own childhood into the mix. All you need for this one is a tomato cage, some sticks, and plastic balls. Slide the sticks into the holes of the tomato cage, near the middle of the cage and dump the balls on top. Then, try not to drop any balls as you take turns pulling out each stick. You can even build a stand to position the structure on, that way people can collect their balls as they drop.

Okay, this one is more like croquet plus soccer. You’ll need hoolahoops that you’re willing to cut apart and a couple of soccer or playground balls. Cut the hoolahoops in half, shove them into the grass, and off they go! Just kick the ball through the hoops, no dangerous mallets are required. Painting the balls to look like croquet is also an option for added fun. You can also gather some sticks and use them as stakes to further support the hoolahoop wickets. n