Our Country Home - Late Summer

SUMMER 2015

At Blue Stone Farms with Cooper Boone An upcycled cottage in the woods

Greening your barbeque

Everything has its place A permaculture farm embodies sustainability

CONTENTS

Our Country Home

FEATURES

Letter from the editor 4

An upcycled cottage in the woods Beaverbrook Cottage: a Quonset hut transformed

By ISABEL BRAVERMAN

8

Living close to the land Justin Young’s permaculture farm embodies a vision of vital change

By JANE BOLLINGER

12

Green gold It makes fabulous mulch, a great kitty litter and a biomass fuel—and it’s already growing on our farmers’ fields

DEPARTMENTS

By ANNE WILLARD

16 20 22

ASK THE EXPERTS: Sustainable septic

By LINDA DROLLINGER

Saving Energy

Tips from the Tusten Energy Committee

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: Greening up the bathroom

By FRITZ MAYER

24

HOME AND GARDEN: Bug off!

By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX

26

EATS: Greening your barbeque

By ANNE WILLARD

The principle of sustainability— the idea that humans must learn to employ resources in a way that sends them back into the natural cycles of the biosphere where they can be reused indefi nitely—has long been a concern of The River Reporter. In the late summer Our Country Home, which you now hold in your hands, we accentuate that issue.

Sustainability is about transforming things rather than discarding Photo by Helen Bach them, as Mary Greene did by upcycling the Quonset hut that has now become a gracious B&B and our featured home in this issue. It’s about viewing things in the round, seeing what they’re connected to, where they come from and where they’re going—and making sure that the place they are going will keep the cycle of life turning. The scruffy grass and weeds growing on a farmer’s marginal land, for instance, can be transformed into “Green Gold,” a valuable mulch and soil enhancer, fabulous kitty litter, and potentially a carbon-neutral fuel source that renews itself each year.

This kind of thinking can be applied to anything from the humdrum things we take for granted—like our bathrooms and septic systems—to the things that make life fun, like summer barbeques. You’ll fi nd tips on how to do so in these pages, as well as some nontoxic ways to keep insects—a vital part of the ecological web—at bay without disrupting the ecosystem, and ideas from the award-winning Tusten Energy Committee on ways to reduce your energy usage over the colder months.

Justin Young’s permaculture farm is the apotheosis of sustainability: it aims to be a complete ecosystem in itself, with each stage of life nurturing the next stage, and each inhabitant, plant or animal, Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox interacting with and supporting the vitality of those around it.

Young’s vision is beyond what most of us aspire to; but even if you’re just trying to keep the bugs away or reduce your energy bills, we hope we’ve provided you with enough to think about here that you can make your country home, too, a more integral part of the circle of life.

Anne Willard Section editor

Cover photograph by Adam Marcus

Our Country Home, a special publication of The River Reporter, is published by Stuart Communications, Inc. Entire contents ©2015 by Stuart Communications, Inc. Mailing Address: PO Box 150, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 Phone: 845/252-7414 • Fax: 845/252-3298 Have a comment or idea for the magazine?

Contact: Anne Willard at 845/252-7414, ext. 29 or copyeditor@riverreporter.com

2 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Publisher: Laurie Stuart Section Editor: Anne Willard Production Manager: Amanda Reed Staff Writer: Isabel Braverman Sales Manager: Tanya Hubbert, ext. 34, tanya@riverreporter.com Ad Sales Associates: Eileen Hennessy, ext. 35, eileen@riverreporter.com Michelle Labatte, ext. 25, michelle@riverreporter.com If you would like copies for your place of business: Contact: Amanda at 845/252-7414, ext. 23 or amanda@riverreporter.com

Contributed photo

Yes, that’s pigs you see in amongst the greenery, at their country home on Justin Young’s permaculture farm.

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An upcycled cottage in the woods

By Isabel Braverman When you think of a cottage you think small and cozy.

While Beaverbrook Cottage is certainly cozy, it’s also spacious, with high-arched ceilings, large windows and an open-plan great room. The cabin tucked away in the woods of Narrowsburg is available for rent all year long from proprietor Mary Greene.

The house is a refurbished Quonset hut. This type of huts was built from a kit during World War II to house airplanes. They are made out of lightweight steel, feature an arched design, and are generally small. After the war, when the storage space was no longer needed, there was a shortage of housing, so people started to live in the Quonset huts.

This Quonset hut was situated near Greene’s property, and even though a family owned it as a second home, they rarely came to visit. Greene and her daughter would often hike their property to get sneak peeks at the metal structure in the woods. The owners were a married couple who were television actors from Los Angeles and their children. The hut was in no condition to live in, having no electricity, no septic, and no well. That’s a lot of “no’s.”

But, when they decided to sell it, Greene jumped at the chance to own the quirky unit, and bought it and its land in 2004. She had moved to the area from New York City, and bought her house and land in 1993.

The renovation, as you can imagine, would be a thorough one. The tasks were many; Greene built a road, dug a septic system, put in pine wood floors over the cement, created doors and windows, sheet rocked the walls and created a second bedroom. Greene said it was done “from the ground up,” and after the base work was done to make the space livable, the design came into play. Greene hired a carpenter who would use the existing design and décor elements, such as the pine wood and wood stove. The exterior has a Swiss chalet design, and the inside was created to be rustic, yet modern and elegant. Much of the furniture and other odd trinkets (like a unicycle and old dressing screens) were left by the previous owners, and Greene decided to keep some of it in the space. She also added antique family furniture.

The great room features a generouslysized greeting area/mud room to hang coats and dry boots, as well as a table, a couch, some chairs and a television. There is also a small bathroom and kitchen and a dining area on the fi rst floor, as well as ample closets for storage. The bedrooms are on the second floor—a smaller bedroom with a window looking down onto the fi rst floor and the master bedroom. The bedrooms are charming, and you could instantly picture yourself cozying up with a cup of hot tea and a good book on a rainy day (too corny? I’m OK with that).

The grounds are as lovely as the house itself. The yard features a rain garden. Greene says the area used to be swampy, and so this rain garden helps alleviate that by using stone and piping to draw water off the ground.

The gardens have native grasses, and on my visit to the cottage on a damp summer’s day, it was very fragrant in an herby way. The highlight of the yard, though, is Continued on page 6

4 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Photo by Courtney Novak

The greatest room in Beaverbrook Cottage is quite possibly the great room, a large open-plan room with a table, couch, chairs and television.

Contributed photos

The bathroom in Beaverbrook Cottage features an airy view.

Beaverbrook Cottage has a fully equipped kitchen with an adjoining dining room.

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Photo by Courtney Novak

A cottage Continued from page 4

a screened-in Amish gazebo, perfect for relaxing in on a hot night. There are also some back roads off the property for a relaxing country stroll, and Greene even provides buckets for blueberry picking to her guests (along with bells to warn off any bears).

The renovation of Beaverbrook Cottage began in 2005, and by 2009 Greene was open for business. She knew she wanted to rent the space, not live in it, and originally it was used for performances and workshops. But soon she realized she wanted to rent it to guests who would stay there for vacation, and so she created a business plan and a website. She also posted it on Craigslist, and now on the websites Airbnb and Glamping Hub. The fact that the cottage is available yearround makes it the perfect winter retreat, where you can cross-country ski right out

the front door. Of course, it’s also popular in the summertime, with so many things to do in the area. Greene’s website offers an extensive list of activities and sights, from Bethel Woods to favorite hiking trails to brunch at The Heron. Many guests are families from the city who come to relax and enjoy outdoor activity.

Greene said a couple even got engaged there. During this summer, however, the cottage was rented out for three months by fi lmmakers from Brooklyn.

Although it has a camping-in-yourbackyard feel, don’t worry, there are many modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, central heat, washer and dryer, dishwasher, cell phone service and more.

It is also available for parties, retreats and workshops. For more information, visit www.beaverbrookcottage.com.

The queen bedroom is on the second floor and has cozy linens.

This is the Quonset hut before the renovation. You can see the metal walls on the right side, which was the original construction material for this kind of hut.

6 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Contributed photos

The double bedroom is also on the second floor, and has a window that looks down onto the great room.

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Living close to the land

By JANE BOLLINGER In this day and age, a farmer on a vast spread of land in the nation’s breadbasket can program a computer on his tractor and then go along for the ride in enclosed, airconditioned comfort as the machine plants or harvests his crop. Livestock and poultry are raised on mechanized factory farms, often indoors for their entire lives, tended by only a handful of workers to feed and water them. For 10,000 years, farmers lived and toiled close to the land, but this is no longer necessarily the case. Today science and technology have changed what it means to be a farmer, and incongruously, far too many farmers no longer live close to the land at all.

For Justin Young, living close to the land in harmony with nature is the whole point of farming. It is the focus of his personal mission to practice a kind of sustainable, environmental, back-to-the-land agriculture called permaculture. The word was coined in the 1970s by two Australians whose idea was to create an agricultural and interconnected social system whose “ultimate purpose… is to develop a site until it meets all the needs of its inhabitants, from food and shelter to fuel and entertainment” (www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/permaculture-101). The term permaculture is often seen as shorthand for both “permanent culture” and “permanent agriculture,” and in this second case, it is closely related to both sustainable and eco-agriculture. But to Young it is more than that; it is about mimicking nature and natural systems. “I generally describe permaculture as looking at nature and at patterns in nature and transforming to a system that doesn’t battle nature,” he explained.

At age 30, Young is a newcomer both to farming and to the Upper Delaware River region, having left the big city behind (he was a paramedic for the New York City Fire Department and later a trained herbalist) to pursue his permaculture vision. The Vital Farm is located on 24 acres of forest and open field on a backcountry road near Liberty. With less than a year of farming under his belt (he just moved onto the property in January), this venture (or adventure, if you prefer) —is very much a work in progress.

To date, he and his two live-in workers—farmhand Josh Luistro and intern Asdrubal Gutierrez—manage a breeding stock of 41 winter- and summer-hardy heritage Icelandic chickens, both meat birds and layers plus some Freedom Rangers exclusively for meat; two heritage-breed turkeys (ducks to come later); eight pigs that arrived at the beginning of summer; two llamas; and bees, established in a series of special, homemade, hand built Warré hives (aka The People’s Hive). Still to come will be the farm’s keystone animal—a flock of Icelandic sheep. Young chose the breed for its healthy genetics, excellent quality meat, fi ne wool and rich milk.

In permaculture, you work with what Mother Nature gives you, and so with half of the farm forested (“This is a forest ecosystem,” he explained), The Vital Farm will be based on agroforestry and silvopasture. Agroforestry is “the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmen-

8 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox

Justin Young, a former medic with the New York Fire Department, is starting his first year as a farmer in Sullivan County, NY. A forest ecosystem dominates the farm’s 24 acres, although there are also some acres of open field.

Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox

Brand new farmer Justin Young (seated on the tractor), intern Asdrubal Gutierrez (in the foreground) and farmhand Josh Luistro practice permaculture farming on The Vital Farm near Liberty.

tal, economic, and social benefit” (source: USDA), and silvopasture practices combine forestry and the grazing of domesticated animals to the mutual benefit of both animals and the soil, “with timber and pasture managed as a single integrated system” (also: USDA).

With these practices and with permaculture principles and ethics in mind, Young plans to create a “edible food forest” that will be 95% perennials—with fruit trees (apples, pears and pawpaws) and nut trees (highoil nuts to produce bio-diesel), mushroom cultivation in the woods, and medicinal herbs. “Go back in history to ancient civilizations,” Young said. “They started clear cutting the existing perennial system. When you do that, you’re tilling up land and removing its fertility. Water is not going [to run off] where it’s supposed to go. Here by mooring to perennial systems, we are able to create resilient farm systems that provide more food per acre, increase soil fertility and catch carbon from the atmosphere. At the same time we’ll be storing water by using methods that slow, spread and sink water for future use; the alternative is allowing the water to run off, carrying our topsoil into the rivers and oceans as so many annual farmers do.”

Young looks at his farm holistically. “Everything has its place, and everything has multiple purposes.” Take the llamas, for example: besides being raised for their wool, he chose them because they have many of the same requirements as sheep, and they make good watch animals to guard livestock (who knew?). The sheep will have three purposes: to be raised for dairy, for meat and for their wool. The chickens, both layers and meat birds, will be encouraged to scratch in the compost pile, turning and aerating it to speed up the composting process; the compost itself will be used to enhance the farm’s soil.

The ducks will have a job, too: to eat the slugs that get into the mushrooms. And underlying every decision is the importance of building healthy, organic soil.

In farming, “inputs” are all the things a farmer needs to “put in” to grow or produce his products (his output).

In conventional farming, inputs include fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides and feed for the animals, and most of these inputs need to be purchased off the farm.

Young’s long-term goal for The Vital Farm is to have zero outside inputs, growing or making everything needed right there on the land.

In the meantime, true to his no-waste ethic, he is building The Vital Farm’s infrastructure with repurposed and reused items he can scrounge in the region, including wood gleaned from hardwood pallets, old fencing and repurposed hardware to build pens and shelters for the llamas and sheep; a crate with an old piece of siding for a roof to shelter the pigs; mobile chicken “tractors” from repurposed scrap wood and old billboard tarps, built to move regularly to new spaces in the pasture.

So how, you ask, was this city fellow drawn to the farming life, and why permaculture?

“Even when I was a paramedic, I often needed to get away from city,” Young recalled. “In my job, I was seeing Continued on page 10

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death all the time, I was seeing drugs and their side effects all around… Beyond that, city life to me doesn’t feel natural.

Night and day, there are always lights on; you can’t work in life’s natural rhythms.”

And then came the life-changer for Young, when he became a medic for Occupy Wall Street. “I even housed some of the other medics in my apartment in Queens,” he said. “I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, but Occupy changed my entire worldview and philosophy of thinking.”

During Occupy, Young visited a farm in Wassaic, NY to teach a class on “protest medicine,” and it was during a break there that he fi rst heard about permaculture. “I went to a nearby valley where I saw farmland that didn’t need to be spread with chemicals. [The farmer] was working with nature for more human and animal yields.” Young began to read and research about permaculture, and since his fi rst permaculture class, he has taken many more, “connecting with many other permaculture people and traveling to see

Contributed photo

Some of the farm’s breeding stock of winterand summer-hardy heritage Icelandic chickens roost in their coop. Young selected them not only because they are winter hardy, but also summer hardy and are both good layers and meat birds.

Icelandic chicken

Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox

Contributed photo

Once captured, this swarm of bees will find a home in hand-built Warré beehives.

Pallet shed

Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox

Photo by Jonathan Charles Fox

Contributed photo

Recycled scrap wood, old crates and pallets that have been foraged in the Upper Delaware River region are used to build some of the infrastructure needed on this brand new farm near Liberty.

10 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

In Warré beehives (named after their inventor Abbe Emile Warre), the bees build a natural honeycomb in the top box, and the comb extends down into boxes below.

New boxes can be added to the bottom without opening or disturbing the hive.

different permaculture systems at work.

I started to build a permaculture vision for myself.”

Looking for land in upstate New York brought him to Sullivan County. “When I fi rst visited this property, one walk around and I saw the magic. There is so much diversity on this farm. The house had a well and a septic system. I knew this was the right place. All I could see were visions.”

The name Young chose for his farm reflects his life experiences and the lessons he’s learned along the way. “Eating the right foods,” he said, “increases your vitality, your ‘vitalist energy.’ [In addition] there’s a type of herbal medicine called vitalism; it’s similar to Chinese medicine and Ayurveda [Indian medicine] but using herbs found in western countries.” And there’s one fi nal aspect to the name The Vital Farm, based on what Young has learned about restorative farming and permaculture. Pointing to conventional agricultural practices as destructive to the soil, the environment and nature, Young has concluded, “We need a vital change to agriculture.

In truth, we need a vital change everywhere.”

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Green gold

It makes fabulous mulch, a great kitty litter and a biomass fuel—and it’s already growing on our farmers’ fields

By ANNE WILLARD When Damascus Citizens for Sustainability (DCS) held a forum on pellet boilers in October of 2013, the audience of 100 people or so seemed delighted to hear about recent advances that have made the delivery and burning of wood pellets in advanced boiler systems just about as convenient as burning fossil fuels. But nothing seemed to turn them as much as a presentation by Larry Hartpence of Hartpence Farms in Moscow, PA, who enthused about the possibilities of burning grass pellets. The idea of something that could simultaneously be a cash crop for our beleaguered farmers and a sustainable biomass alternative to fossil fuels, seemed to fi re everyone’s imagination.

DCS has since done further research on the possibility of using grass pellets as a biomass fuel. As described below, that avenue has promise, though there are still some hitches that need to be worked out. But in the process they discovered that grass pellets are not just for burning.

They make fabulous mulch and a great kitty litter, made from the grasses that are already growing on farmers’ marginal fields.

Happy soil microbes If you want to fi nd out about the wonders of grass pellets, a great place to start is by taking a trip up to Unadilla, NY, where Bob Miller and his son Mike run a grass pelletizing operation, Enviro Energy Corp. Miller makes some pellets using canary reed grass, one of the hybrids that has been specially developed to produce biomass fuel. But he also makes pellets out of plain, ordinary meadow grass, including all those nasty weed shrubs like multiflora rose that grow all by themselves without the farmer having to buy seeds, or plant anything, or fertilize anything, and Miller thinks they’re just as good.

Originally, Miller ran his operation with the intention of creating grass pellets as an alternative to wood pellets for burning, and his pellets have been tested for that purpose by several organizations.

One interesting lab fi nding was that ash from Miller’s meadow grass pellets actually had the lowest chlorine content tested, making them less corrosive than

TRR photo by Peter J. Kolesar

These pellets, made of ordinary meadow grass such as you see in farm fields all over the area, create a thrivingly healthy soil environment when used as mulch. The ones shown here were on display at Damascus Citizens for Sustainability’s booth at Riverfest.

This is the first year (after nine years of gardening in this location) that the tomato plants in the author’s garden (seen here) have not succumbed to an unidentified endemic spot disease, which in the past has caused at least half the tomato leaves to wither and die by this time of the summer. This year there is no sign of disease, after using a grass-pellet mulch.

Coincidence? Maybe. But apparently many such diseases are transmitted by water splashing up from infected soil to the plant, and this mulch provides a particularly dense barrier that appears to prevent such splashing.

12 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

other varieties. He hypothesizes that that may be because the marginal land on which the meadow grass is grown hasn’t had any chemicals applied to it for years.

But Miller also discovered that selling grass pellets for burning might not make sense for him. That’s because there is another use for them that commands a higher price: mulch. The Millers discovered that grass pellet mulch creates an environment in which the microbes needed to create and maintain a healthy and nourishing soil flourish, producing spectacular results. Earthworms—vital soil aerators—apparently love it too; the Miller’s boast they are not only larger, but so lively they fairly jump out of the soil. Nor are the Millers the only ones who testify to the quality of the mulch.

Dick Riseling of Apple Pond Farm in Cochecton Center has been using the pellets as well as a biochar (essentially a charcoal made by intense heating of the pellets that is used as a soil amendment).

He told us, “The grass pellets really help with moisture retention but for me, the main help has been that it has allowed plants to grow well in soil that is full of clay and requires a great deal of air space.”

Happy kitties (and noses) In the process of investigating the possibilities of grass pellets as biomass fuel, DCS co-founder Jane Cyphers stumbled over another household use for them: they make a dynamite kitty litter. Cyphers, with her husband (also a DCS co-founder) Joe Levine, owns a house in Milanville, PA, but also lives part-time in Brooklyn and teaches fi fth grade at PS 10. The story of her discovery is in a brochure that was handed out by her “Green Dreamer” students as part of a class test marketing project for the grass pellet kitty litter: “One day she ran out of her regular cat litter, so she tried a bag of Miller’s mulch pellets… To her delight, she found that she wasn’t changing the litter box as much! The odor was diminished! And it was much cheaper!” Cyphers asked the Millers if they had thought about using the pellets for kitty litter, and they told her they supplied the Upper CATskill Humane Society in Delaware County with pellets, which saves thousands of dollars a year using them.

TRR photo by Anne Willard

Continued on page 14

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Green gold Continued from page 12

Cyphers’ class measured the pellets out into 10-pound sample bags that they gave away for free, asking the recipients only to fill out an online survey. The results of the class project were presented at PS 10’s STEAM Fair in May. In every category, the majority of participants liked the litter as well as or better than conventional litter, with the smell making an especially big impression: 83% loved the smell fresh out of the bag; 43% thought the smell of the litter in use was also better; another quarter thought it was about the same and 10% marked “don’t know.”

Biomass fuel The idea of grass pellets as a biomass fuel has huge potential for the Northeast, which consumes 85% of the fuel oil in the United States. It is also oversupplied with marginal farmland that is not generating income for its owners—mostly small farmers—and that is perfect for growing grasses. For purposes of sustainability, the match seems perfect: a fuel source that’s both local and renewable, and that would help turn idle land into a stream of cash for farmers.

But there are some challenges that still need to be met in order for grass pellets as a biomass fuel to become a viable commercial alternative. Ash residues are

This graphic was created by a parent of one of the students in Jane Cypher’s fifth-grade class in PS 10 in Brooklyn, working together with the children. A “Green Dreamers” team from the class did a project test marketing grass pellets for kitty litter, obtaining very positive results. higher than for wood pellets, and more corrosive, and stove designers do not seem to have found satisfactory solutions to those problems yet.

But Hartpence thinks the problem may also be that we haven’t been looking at the right grass. Right now, he is raising a test crop of miscanthus grass on his land in Moscow. Not only does it produce higher yields, but he says ash content and

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This student-created graphic was used on the brochure distributed for The Green Dreamer’s test marketing project.

corrosiveness are minimal. DCS is working with Hartpence to see if they can fi nd the right marriage between stove and grass to make the dream of grass as biomass a viable alternative. If they succeed, the Upper Delaware stands to become a pioneer in this area.

In the meantime, if word gets around about the benefits of grass pellets for soil enhancement and kitty litter, maybe we

can prime the pump by getting a viable market going for this promising local asset. Currently Miller’s pellets are available only in locations well to the north of us in the area of Oneonta, Cooperstown and Stamford, NY (visit www.enviroenergyny.com/where-to-purchase).

But per-haps if enough people make inquiries about them at our local markets, we can get some of them down here.

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845-252-3000 1850s farm, Elm Hollow Road Livingston Manor,bNYb12758 Call for price

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Beaverkill River Reserve: A rare opportunity to buy a lengthy portion of the Upper Beaverkill! Private ownership of .46 mile (nearly 1/2 mile) of left bank, and .29 mile (more than 1/4 mile) of right bank of the historic and world-renowned Upper Beaverkill, famous for its ȴrst-class trout ȴshing! This signiȴcant stretch of ‘big water’ has widths from 75 - 80 feet and is large enough for a lengthy backcast, and to share with angling friends. This special property includes 100+ acres of meadows and wood lands, a 15+acres lake and a 5-acre parcel with scenic building site overlooking the lake.

180 acres along a quiet country road, this property, with its 3-bedroom farmhouse, shed, barn, 2+car garage, oɝce with darkroom/bathroom, o΍ers many amenities - hiking trails, pond, trout stream, private tennis court. 1/2 mile trout stream ȵows through the property, with abundant numbers of native brook trout; spawning tributary of famous Beaverkill river.

Imagine your country home as a welcoming haven – a place to rest, recharge, rejuvenate….providing bawesome space, and a sense of tranquility and peacefulness. The Church at Shandelee is a wonderful opportunity to own such a paradise, in a stunning residence that was constructed from a century-old church, built in 1917. The original red maple ȵoors, bead-board ceilings and walls were preserved, with the 30 ft ceilings. 10 large stained glass windows featuring sapphire blue, ruby red, emerald green and gold create patterns and splashes of jewel-like colors on walls and ȵoors - even on overcast days, the interior basks in a warm glow of light from the golden glass. The kitchen: custom-made Thomasville cherry cabinets, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances. 4 BR, 3 Baths with granite counter, ceramic tile ȵoors/ shower; Kohler ȴxtures.b b An addition with soaring heights, surround wood ceiling and walls assures compatibility with original main structureb features Napoleon gas ȴreplace. Bright, spacious basement. With the separate entrances, double kitchen and livingrooms, bedrooms and bath the house could easily accommodate a bed & breakfast setup – or a wedding venue – with the great room used for weddings, with accommodations.bb Quiet neighborhood, within 5 min. walking distance to Shandelee Lake, a 90-ac. Springfed lake for swimming, ȴshing, boating; trails for hiking, snowshoeing/X/C skiing.

$625,000.

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845. 887. 6100 Tiffany A. Picone

8870 state route 97 . callicoon, ny www.tiffanyapicone.com CUSTOM LOG HOME : priced to sell!

6.5 acres : Callicoon : NY

situated on 6.5 acres this magnificent 3,800 sqft log home features 3 br, 2.5 bth master Suite on 1st floor with jacuzzi, bidet and walk in closets, 2 grand fireplaces; one on exterior back deck, 50’ front covered porch, open floor layout, radiant heat, CAC, central vac, full walk out basement with plumbing ready for 3rd full bath, 10’ exposed beam ceilings, 2.5 car attached garage with huge attic, only 2.5 miles to downtown Callicoon, 2 hrs from NYC, Sullivan West S.D MLS # 40951…………….….……$496,500

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED : just listed!

9.9 acres : Youngsville : NY sitting high on the hill and overlooking 9.9 acres, this beautifully renovated 4 br, 2.5 bth colonial featuring wide plank hardwood floors throughout home, new paint, foyer, kitchen with office nook, formal DR, breakfast room, LR, master suite features large Walk in closets and bathroom with jacuzzi tub, full basement, a large backyard deck, and stonewalls. very clean and well maintained, minutes to the village of Jeffersonville, 2 hrs from NYC, Sullivan West S.D. MLS # 40554………...................................................................................….. $299,000

Licensed NY Real Estate Broker Property Manager Notary Public

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5.7 acres : Callicoon : NY beautifully nestled on 5.7 park like acres this 3 br, 2.5 bth colonial features a large wrap around screened sitting porch for additional living space, updated EIK, formal DR, LR with fireplace, tv / sitting area on 2nd floor, large master bath with Jacuzzi tub, professional landscaping, gardens, mature trees, lots of deer, dead end road, only 2.5 miles from downtown Callicoon, 2 hrs from NYC, Sullivan West S.D. MLS # 40365………....……………………………………………………………… $279,000

A CLEAN SLATE : ready to build home!

10 acres : Callicoon : NY peaceful & private acreage ready to build home, 5 – 250 adjacent acres available, miles of country side views, town maintained paved roads, electric @ site, located on dead end road, no thru-traffic, only 2 miles from downtown Callicoon, 2 hrs from NYC, 15 minutes to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Sullivan West S.D. MLS # 40366……………………………………………………………………………… $55,000

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 15

Sustainable septic A householders’ guide

By LINDA DROLLINGER HONESDALE, PA — “There’s a definite yuck factor in any discussion about wastewater. But the discussion should happen anyway.” Chris Ravenscroft, spokesperson for Koberlein Environmental Services (KES), is talking about a subject close to his heart and his business: sustainable wastewater management, specifically residential septic systems.

Are septic systems more sustainable than sewer systems? Ravenscroft said, “In my opinion, they are. Most municipal sewer systems dispose of the solid waste in sewage either in landfi lls or by incineration. Both of these methods increase greenhouse gases. Residential septage, the water pumped from home septic systems, is fi rst fi ltered to remove inorganic materials, like paper, cardboard and plastic, then lime is added to the remaining water until its pH level reaches a measurement of 12. When pH has been sustained at that level for 30 minutes, all harmful pathogens will have been killed.

The remaining product, much less odorous than septage, is ready for land application.”

Back to the land KES leases a 195-acre dairy farm in Waymart, PA; it is to those farm fields that the treated septage water is applied.

KES receives numerous requests for its “magic water,” recognized by local farmers as a fertilizer par excellence, but Ravenscroft emphasizes that sophisticated agronomic science underlies successful land application. The high nitrogen content of treated septage calls for plants and soil composition with matching nitrogen needs. Determining that match requires advanced knowledge of biology, chemistry, agriculture and agronomy. Ravenscorft has devoted years to mastering it; consequently, he reserves the right to oversee all land applications of KES resources. Documented benefits include increased yield, weed control and recharging of ground water.

every three years. There are some caveats to that rule, however. Septic systems installed in the mid-20th century or earlier were usually designed to handle wastewater from toilets only, with a separate drainage ditch for gray water, the wastewater from sinks, showers, tubs and washing machines. Obviously, those systems would need to be pumped less often. But, as Ravenscoft pointed out, How often should a septic tank those systems also do not comply with be pumped? Ravenscroft likens septic today’s building code ordinances. system maintenance to changing the oil Seasonal, weekend, or limited use of in a car. On average, a septic system for a septic system will also lengthen the a family of four should be pumped once intervals between pumping, as will fewer household members. Other factors affecting intervals are absorption field conditions, like drainage and slope as well as the size and type of septic tank.

What is the lifespan of a septic tank? A septic tank should last between 30 and 35 years, depending on a number of variables. Septic tanks come in a variety of materials, some more durable than others.

Older 20th-century tanks were often made of metal, which is subject to both rust and corrosion. Newer tanks are made of concrete, fiberglass and plastic, concrete being the most durable. But Ravenscroft notes that all materials are subject to deterioration from the forces of nature.

Who is qualified to install a septic system? There is no licensure for septic system installation, says Ravenscroft, Graphic courtesy of Koberlein Environmental Services adding that all KES techniThe septic tank collects and digests solids in wastewater. Regular pumping of the tank is required. Effluent or cians have passed a state cer“gray water”, which eventually is absorbed into the soil, is displaced into the field when wastewater flows from tification exam. “Contractors, the house into the septic tank. plumbers, excavators can all

Maintenance

16 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Contributed photos

Koberlein Environmental services leases a 195-acre dairy farm in Waymart, PA, where it applies treated septage that local farmers regard as a “fertilizer par excellence.”

install septic systems, provided that they are familiar with applicable state and local building code ordinances. All septic systems must pass inspection by a code enforcement officer.”

What does a new septic system cost?

A state-of-the-art septic system can cost between $25,000 to $35,000 for a household of four.

What can homeowners do to enhance efficiency and extend the lifetime of their septic systems? In addition to regular pumping, homeowners should do the following: • Plant grass only (not trees or shrubbery) on the mound or around the absorption field, as roots will fi nd their way into the field.

• If possible, locate the system where it will have either a southern or western exposure. Some sun exposure during the day is conducive to better absorption field function.

• Do not drive heavy vehicles over the mound or absorption field. The weight tends to compact absorption field soil and can damage pipes, risers and other system components.

What new septic system developments are on the horizon? Newer septic systems are designed to make inspection of the system and pumping of the tank quicker, easier and less costly. A riser, a pipe that comes out of the tank, permits pumping of the tank without excavation of the ground above it. Aeration pipes promote an optimum enzyme and microbe environment. Some of these latter-day improvements can be added to existing systems for under $500.

[KES serves Wayne and Pike counties in PA, Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties in NY. See www. koberlein.com or contact by phone 888/345-6688.]

21 Lower Main Street PO Box 335 Callicoon, NY

845-887-5640

www.fredarealty.com email:tom@fredarealty.com Real Estate Inc. Upper Delaware Country Properties

MLS # 41740 1860 farmhouse on 51 acres with frontage on Ten Mile River. Home has 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, newer kitchen, hardwood Àoors and woodstove in living room. Property is open and wooded good for hiking, gardening, light farming etc. Close to Narrowsburg, Callicoon and Jeffersonville. Minutes to the Delaware River - $ 239,000

MLS # 41471 Riverfront farmhouse in Narrowsburg. Turn-of-the-century farmhouse in beautiful down town Narrowsburg also zoned commercial. Nice covered front porch as well as an enclosed screened back porch to sit and relax. The back yard is level with some mature trees and a one car garage. 4 bedrooms, one full bath plus 2 half baths. Nice ¿replace with a woodstove insert - $ 164,900

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THOMPSON SANITATION A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 17

The River Reporter’s 20th

Annual

THE BEST BALLOT IS BACK!

We have revamped our ballot and it’s better than ever! We ask that you simply vote for the people, places or businesses that you think are the BEST. Thank you for your participation and we look forward to receiving your votes. If there is a category that we are missing, let us know!

We will publish our 2015 WINNERS in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards “BEST” supplement in January 2016.

Good Luck to all!

BEST PLACES FOR FOOD & DRINK

2015 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

BEST BUSINESSES & SERVICES Auto Service Station _________________

Mortgage Company _________________

Bank __________________________

New Business of the Year ______________

Child Care Provider__________________

Pet Boarding/Pampering ______________

Christmas Tree Farm _________________

Pet Grooming /Groomer ______________

Customer Service

Pharmacy _______________________

Eye Care Center ____________________

Photography Studio _________________

Elder Care Facility __________________

Plumbing & Heating Supply ____________

Emergency Room ___________________

Rehabilitation Services________________

Engaging Facebook Page ______________

Recycle & Transfer Station ______________

BEST PEOPLE Accountant _______________________ Architect ________________________ Auto Mechanic _____________________ Baker/ Specialty Cakes________________ Bank Teller_______________________ Barber _________________________ Bartender _______________________ Builder _________________________ Butcher _________________________ Caterer _________________________ Carpenter _______________________ Car Salesman _____________________ Chef ___________________________ Chiropractor ______________________ Clergy __________________________ Coach __________________________ Custom Cabinetry ___________________ Dentist _________________________ Doctor__________________________ Electrician _______________________ Event Planner _____________________ Excavator ________________________ Friendly Staff _____________________

Green Developer ___________________ High School Athlete _________________ Holisitc Practioner __________________ Interier Decorator __________________ Landscaper_______________________ Lawyer _________________________ Law Enforcement Officer_______________ Local Hero _______________________ Massage Therapist __________________ Medical Specialist ___________________ Painter _________________________ Pediatrician ______________________ Plumber ________________________ Politician ________________________ Postmaster _______________________ Radio Personality ___________________ Real Estate Agent ___________________ Roofer _________________________ Teacher _________________________ Veterinarian _____________________ Waiter/Waitress ____________________ Web Designer _____________________ Yoga Teacher _____________________

Appetizers _______________________

Ice Cream Parlor ___________________

Fitness Center _____________________

Rental Center _____________________

Authentic Meal ____________________

Italian Restaurant __________________

Funeral Home _____________________

Real Estate Office ___________________

Bagels _________________________

Locally-Sourced Menu ________________

Green Business ____________________

Salvage Company___________________

Bakery _________________________

Local Watering Hole _________________

Hair & Nail Salon___________________

Septic Service _____________________

Barbeque________________________

Lunch __________________________

Heating Fuel Company _______________

Spa or Personal Pampering_____________

Beer Selection _____________________

Martinis_________________________

Home & Garden Store ________________

Storage Center ____________________

Breakfast ________________________

Menu __________________________

Hospital/ Medical Facility ______________

Towing Service ____________________

Brunch _________________________

New Restaurant ____________________

Insurance Agency ___________________

Truck Center ______________________

Budget-friendly ____________________

Pasta Dish _______________________

Kid’s Camp _______________________

Tuxedo Rentals ____________________

Buffet __________________________

Pizza __________________________

Kitchen & Bath Store _________________

Veterinarian Clinic __________________

Candy Shop ______________________

Off The Beaten Path _________________

Maternity Unit _____________________

Well Driller ______________________

Cheeseteak Sandwich ________________

Outdoor Dining ____________________

Modular Homes ____________________

Women’s Health Center _______________

Chinese Restaurant __________________

Overall Restaurant __________________

Coffeehouse ______________________

- Delaware County __________________

Deli ___________________________

- Orange County ___________________

Ambulance Squad __________________

- Golf Pro _______________________

Desserts ________________________

- Pike County _____________________

Amusement/ Fun Park ________________

- Musician/Band ___________________

Diner __________________________

- Sullivan County ___________________

Animal Shelter ____________________

- Photographer ____________________

Dinner _________________________

-Wayne County ____________________

Art Gallery _______________________

- Potter _________________________

Dinner Specials ____________________

-Region _________________________

Atmosphere ______________________

Local Products:

Early Bird Specials __________________

Ribs ___________________________

Bed & Breakfast ___________________

- Beer / Spirits ____________________

Family Restaurant __________________

Romantic Restaurant _________________

Bowling Lanes_____________________

- Cheese ________________________

French Fries ______________________

Salad __________________________

Canoe Livery______________________

- Eggs __________________________

Gourmet Restaurant _________________

Sandwiches ______________________

Campground______________________

- Meats _________________________

Grocery Store /Supermarket ____________

Seafood_________________________

Chamber of Commerce________________

- Maple Syrup _____________________

Hamburgers ______________________

Soups __________________________

Chicken BBQ (Volunteer) ______________

- Wine _________________________

Happy Hour ______________________

Steakhouse ______________________

Cider Mill ________________________

Meditation Center __________________

Health Food Store __________________

Vegetarian Food Restaurant ____________

Civic Club or Organization _____________

Movie Theatre _____________________

Home Cooking Restaurant _____________

Wine Selection ____________________

College _________________________

Museum ________________________

Hot Dogs ________________________

Wings __________________________

Community Festival or Street Fair _________

Neighborhood _____________________

Conference Center __________________

Pancake Breakfast __________________

OFFICIAL "BEST" BALLOT ENTRY FORM

Dance Studio _____________________

Parade _________________________

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Day Trip ________________________

Penny Social ______________________

Home Décor ______________________

Fair ___________________________

Place to Hold a Prom ________________

Auto Parts Store____________________

Jewelry Store _____________________

Family Night Out ___________________

Places to Play Bingo _________________

Baby/Kids Store ____________________

Knit Shop________________________

Farm Market______________________

Place to Take out of town guests __________

Boat Dealer/Rental __________________

Liquor Store ______________________

Fire Department ___________________

Place to Take the kids ________________

Bookstore _______________________

Locally-made products ________________

Golf Course ______________________

Playhouse Theatre __________________

Botique _________________________

Lumberyard ______________________

Historic Site ______________________

Post Office _______________________

Car Dealership ____________________

Medical Equipment __________________

Horseback Riding ___________________

Private School _____________________

Clothing Store _____________________

Motorcycle Shop ____________________

Hotel __________________________

Radio Station _____________________

Collectibles Store ___________________

Music Store_______________________

Law Office _______________________

Resort __________________________

Consignment Shop __________________

Novelty Shop _____________________

Library _________________________

Shopping Area ____________________

Electronics _______________________

Outdoor Recreational Vehicles ___________

Live Music Venue ___________________

Ski Lodge _______________________

Farm Equipment Retailer ______________

Pet Store ________________________

Local __________________________

Special Area Attraction _______________

Flooring Store _____________________

Place to Buy Art ____________________

- Artist _________________________

Sullivan Renaissance Project ____________

Florist __________________________

Pottery Studio _____________________

- Author ________________________

Wedding Reception Location ____________

Furniture Store ____________________

Speciality Store ____________________

- Celebrity _______________________

Winery _________________________

General Store _____________________

Sporting Goods Shop_________________

- Farm _________________________

Youth Center ______________________

Gift Shop ________________________

Tattoo/Ear Piercing Shop ______________

- Getaway _______________________

Youth Program ____________________

Hardware Store ____________________

Vintage Shop _____________________

BEST PLACES TO SHOP Antique Store _____________________

18 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

BEST OF OUR COMMUNITY

HOW TO VOTE: Pleast print clearly your choices for “THE BEST” from the categories listed. Best choices are limited to Delaware, Orange, Pike, Sullivan and Wayne counties. You may also VOTE ONLINE: www.RiverReporter.com/BEST HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Additional ballots are available at The River Reporter of¿ce at 93 Erie Ave, Narrowsburg, NY. Ballots MUST be complete and include full name, address and phone number of voter. All ballots must be received by December 17, 2015. Employees of The River Reporter and Stuart Communications are permitted to vote but not eligible to win prizes. Entries that are late, damaged, illegible or missing voter’s name will not be eligible. One entry per person. Mechanically reprouced or Photocopied entries are not eligible. A business, organization or person may win no more than three (3) categories. Winners will be chosen based on the number of votes received by December 18th, 2015.

HOW TO WIN PRIZES: All ballots will be included in a random drawing for prizes.

Drawing will be held in January 2016. No duplicate winners. BEST Winners will be noti¿ed in January 2016.

Name __________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________ Phone _________________________________________________________ E-mail _________________________________________________________

I am a current subscriber I buy TRR on newsstands Sign me up for a free 4 week subscription

PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORMS TO: The River Reporter “BEST” PO Box 150, Narrowsburg, NY 12764

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City/State/Zip_________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________ Phone #_____________________ Email ___________________ Check or money order enclosed.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HONESDALE

Credit Card #_____________________________________________

Expiration Date__________ Billing Zip Code__________________

Church & 6th Sts. 570-253-1860 CHARMING MILFORD

Water St. 57 570-296-9610

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845-252-7414 PO Box 150 www.RiverReporter.com Narrowsburg, NY 12764 A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 19

Saving energy Tips from the Tusten Energy Committee NARROWSBURG, NY — Earlier this year, the Tusten Energy Committee (Brandi Merolla, chairperson; Charles Blanchard; Star Hesse; and Tusten Town Supervisor Carol Wingert) received an Upper Delaware Council Community Service award, and with good reason. Through their efforts, the Town of Tusten will become the fi rst municipality in Sullivan County to go solar, and, as Tusten Councilman Tony Ritter wrote in his nomination, the members “have not only brought solar to Tusten, but they have generously educated other towns in Sullivan County with their knowledge, so that others do not have to stumble in the dark and reblaze yet another trail to solar for their municipalities.”

Investigation of the solar energy option is only one of the committee’s projects; it’s turned its attention to everything from insulation to efficient street lighting. It has also provided The River Reporter with a number of energy-saving tips that will help our readers reduce their carbon footprints, and lower their energy bills. Here are some that can help you over the coming colder months:

• Before you go to sleep, lower your thermostat 10°to 15° for eight hours and save 10% on your heating bills.

• If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.

• Close the fireplace damper when not in use.

• Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

• Tightly cover the inside of your old window frames with heavy-duty, clear plastic.

• Use locks on your windows and doors to make them tighter and more draft resistant.

• Insulate or increase the amount of insulation in your attic, basement and outside walls.

• Keep shades and curtains open during the day on the south side of your home and close them at night to retain heat.

• Don’t block your radiators or heating vents with furniture. Close vents and doors in unused rooms.

• Keep your radiators, registers and baseboard heaters dirt and dust free.

• Have your heating system serviced once a year. Replace and clean furnace filters once a month.

• Turn your water heater down to 120° Fahrenheit to save money on your energy bill.

• Install water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets.

• Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.

• Clean your dryer lint trap before every load. You can save up to $34 a year.

• Microwave small amounts of food instead of heating them up in the oven; you can reduce cooking energy by up to 80%.

• Cut your shower time in half to reduce your water heating costs by 33%.

• Use your dryer’s energy-saving moisture sensor to turn the machine off automatically.

• Run your ceiling fan on low, going clockwise. This will push heat down in the room. Turn off when done.

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Well Maintained 1973 Ranch Home.

This Home Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths, Kitchen, Dining Room & A Spacious Living Room W/ A Beautiful Wall To Wall Bluestone Fireplace. It Is Freshly Painted W/ Updated Bathrooms & Also Features A Full Basement, A Screened In Porch, A Heated Breezeway & An Attached 2 Car Garage. Located Only Minutes From Town On 3.6+/Country Acres W/ Fruit And Shade Trees. This Is A Great Home & It Can Be Yours For Only $159,000. MLS # 41857

6569 State Route 97 • Narrowsburg, NY 12764

Phone 845-252-3085, Ext. 12 Serving the Upper Delaware River Valley • Licensed NY & PA, Realtor-MLS

WWW.EAGLEVALLEYREALTY.COM Amazing Ten Mile Riverfront Home!! This One Of A Kind Property Has It All, 280’ On The Beautiful TMR, A Spring Fed Pond, A Charming House, 2 Car Detached Garage With “Man Cave” & A Cute Guest Cottage! The House Features Hardwood Flrs, Large Sunken LR, Stone Fireplace, DR, Country Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, Woodwork, Enclosed Porch. Guest Cottage Has A LR, Kitchen, 1 Bedroom, Full Bath. Plus A Large 2 Car Garage With A Finished 2nd Story. Peace And Tranquility Are Yours On 3.7+/- Acres. Come Home To Country Living At Its Best! Priced @ $349,000 MLS#41828

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Like us on facebook A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 21

Greening up the bathroom Conserving water, reducing carbon footprints

By FRITZ MAYER Most people in the U.S. use most of the water they consume in the bathroom. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the average person consumes about 80 to 100 gallons of water each day, and the highest percentage (27%) of that goes, quite literally, down the toilet. So the most important thing a consumer can do to live more sustainably is to swap out the toilet if it was built before 1994.

In 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act, which took effect for homes in 1994 and required new toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, instead of the three or up to seven gallons that they had used in decades past. Initially, some of the low-flow toilets were inefficient and required double flushing, but these days the toilets have evolved and are every bit as good as the old-fashioned kind.

However, even if a bathroom is fitted with a low-flow toilet, there is a way to save even more water by purchasing a toilet with a dual-flush option, or purchasing a dualflush kit for your current toilet. Dual-flush kits can be purchased online for about $25 and up, and they come with an option that allows the user to use less water when flushing liquids and more water when flushing solids.

One manufacturer of the kits points out that four out of five times a toilet is used, the lesser amount of water will do the job, resulting in a significant savings of water. Some kits advertise that they can be installed by the homeowner without tools, but people who have never changed a float or flapper may feel more comfortable calling a plumber.

After the toilet, the shower uses the most water in most houses, and this water has been heated, so using more than needed can be costly. The easiest way to save money in the shower is to take shorter showers, and always to choose a shower rather than a bath. But there is also the option of a changing your showerhead. Low-flow showerheads are available online and at most hardware stores and home centers for just a few dollars.

The old-fashioned showerheads allowed up to five gallons of water per minute (GPM) to fi nd its way down the drain, but these days many showerheads restrict the flow. To be eligible to earn a WaterSense label, which is offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for products that use water efficiently, a showerhead must restrict the flow to two GPM. Many manufacturers now display the GMP rate on the showerhead itself, and heads offering rates of 1.5 GPM are common.

One of the largest energy costs in the home comes from the hot water heater, which can consume 30% of a house’s energy budget. Most people have a tank in their homes somewhere that holds a certain amount of heated water in reserve until it is needed. But over the years,

many manufacturers have offered tankless water heating options that are designed to heat the water only when the user calls for it, and thus save the homeowner money and energy.

But is it a good idea? If the most important goal is reducing a home’s energy footprint then the answer is “yes.” One study found that gas-powered, tankless water heaters were 22% more efficient than gas-powered tank systems. But tankless gas systems were so expensive compared to the traditional ones, that the payback time could be 20 years or more.

What about tankless electric water heating systems?

Many of them exist, but according to several sources, the electric supply system to most homes might have to be upgraded to power a unit intended to serve an entire house. Here, again, the number of years to pay back the upfront investment may be lengthy and may influence a decision. Still, many systems do have enough power and enough positive customer reviews on the Internet to suggest that careful shopping will result in the right system for a specific house. One good source of information is tinyurl.com/ng8zj2b.

Finally, what about solar? This comes from the U.S. Department of Energy: “Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup system for cloudy days and times of increased demand. Conventional storage water heaters usually provide backup and may already be part of the solar system package.” Certainly, there are a great many solar hot water systems on the market. but once again, price and pay-back times will be important considerations.

Contributed photo

This is a converter kit that can turn any toilet into one that has a dual-flush option, which will reduce water consumption and save money.

A low-flow showerhead like the one pictured here is a lowcost option that can reduce the amount of water used in the shower.

A WaterSense label is offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for products that use water efficiently.

A solar-powered water heater is an option for greening up the bathroom.

22 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Dorflinger Glass Museum At the Top of the Hill in White Mills Long Ridge Road, White Mills, PA 18473 570-253-1185 • www.dorflinger.org

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 23

Bug

By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX While not a big fan of creepy-crawlies, I know they are an important part of our ecosystem and therefore, I have a healthy respect for the part they play in our everyday life. That said… they belong outside. Like many, I fi nd the hideous insects repulsive and the adorable ones quite tolerable, but hosting their parties in my bedroom (or any other room) is unacceptable. So I am constantly searching for non-toxic ways to keep them at bay, and my neighbors are tired of hearing me scream in typical manly fashion. In fact, just the other day, I got a call from next door expressing concern that I was being murdered, but when I explained that there was a big hairy spider in my sink, he sympathized. “Oh we grow ‘em big here in the country” he said chuckling. “But what can we do?”

Those words inspired me to scour the Internet for organic solutions to my arachnophobia, since chemical treatments are out of the question, and awakening my neighbors shrieking in terror equally so. I began my search with concerns over the many-legged monsters (who belong in the garden) and worked my way down the list in order of the decibel level they induce. Here are a few of the recipes I’ve discovered that might help some of you sleep a little better. I know they’ve soothed my jangled nerves.

Spiders According to www.healthyandnaturalworld.com, all spiders “have their taste buds (OMG—they have taste buds?) on the tips of their (hairy, icky disgusting) legs, and there are certain scents they hate that will repel the spiders both inside and outside the home”—and hope-

24 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

off! fully, off my pillow. It would appear that “essential oils” are a part of many solutions to Charlotte’s web. The website provides this recipe for avoiding night terrors: Add up to five drops of the oils and another five of natural dishwashing liquid to one quart of water. Citrus, lavender and especially peppermint (I hear they despise peppermint!) all serve as repellants, and should be reapplied to sills and doorways once a week. Done and done.

TRR photos by Amanda Reed

Ants Like Hansel and Gretel, constantly leaving a trail of crumbs in my wake, I am naturally followed everywhere by ants. Clearly the solution is cleaning up after myself, but the dog is not too good in that department, so searching for an answer that won’t harm her was important.

I found that borax will kill house ants and powdered sugar will attract them, so I followed the advice found at www.diynatural.com, which suggests that I “make a homemade bait (sorry, fellas!) by mixing one part borax with three parts powdered sugar.” Fill tiny containers (like bottle caps) with the bait and place them close to the suspected point of entry. Done.

Mosquitos Apparently borax (20-mule-team not included) works on mosquitoes as well, and (don’t judge!) killing them softly gives me a certain sense of joy, since they seem to derive pleasure from pestering me. A New York Times article says, “making an attractive (come into my parlor!) toxic sugar cocktail using juice and brown sugar as a lure, laced with boric acid will both lure and kill simultaneously.” I know they’re good for the environment, but not in my bed (where I’ve been known to snack), so this tasty concoction seems like a win/win. Alluring and deadly? Sounds like my date last Friday.

Keeping not only mosquitos, but other annoying pests off my impressive, Adonis-like body while I’m outdoors is important too, so I checked for an all-natural solution to simply keep them away, without the kill. I discovered a homemade bug spray at www.wellnessmama.com that hopefully will do the trick. Mama suggests fi lling an eight-ounce spray bottle half full with distilled [or boiled] water and adding witch hazel almost to the top. Once again, essential oils are recommended, but this time, she says to simply “use a desired scent” and to “add 30 to 50 drops of rosemary, clove, lavender, or eucalyptus.”

There are organic solutions to avoid being pestered by a myriad of insects, so I suggest you “let your fi ngers do the walking” and seek solutions to your list of offenders online and in print, while I continue my search. Sure, I’m all for “live and let live” but not on my home turf, guys.

Bug off!

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 25

Greening your barbeque Tips for an earth-friendly summer cookout Environmentalism is not exactly the fi rst concept that pops into mind when considering a barbeque, but as with any human activity, there are a number of choices you can make that will increase the sustainability and

decrease the carbon footprint of your event. Here’s a list of tips that can up the green quotient of your barbeque, for a delicious summer feast that’s also environmentally friendly.

Gas vs. charcoal vs. wood

Lighter fluid vs. chimney Don’t use lighter fluid. Set a match to it, and you are releasing cancer-causing VOCs into the air. Fire-starting chimneys are just as easy, a lot healthier, cost between $10 and $15, can be found in local grocery stores like Peck’s—in fact, Peck’s Callicoon graciously provided the one in the photo—and last indefi nitely. You just crumple up a piece of newspaper and put it in a chamber at the bottom, put the charcoal in the top TRR photo by Amanda Reed chamber, and light a match to Choose fire-starting chimneys rather than the newspaper. lighter fluid

Vegetables vs. meat—and what kind of meat?

TRR photo by Anne Willard

TRR photo by Amanda Reed

There are pros and cons to both charcoal (left) and propane grills.

The two most common heat sources for a barbeque are charcoal and propane.

Charcoal is created from wood, which is in principle renewable; propane is a fossil fuel, but burns cleaner. Studies done at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory show that a gas grill produces about 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide each hour, compared to 11 pounds for charcoal. And the comparison for carbon monoxide is much worse— about 100 times as much emitted by charcoal as for propane.

But of course emissions don’t tell the

TRR photo by Amanda Reed

Opt for lump charcoal over processed briquettes. It’s also better than wood.

whole story, because they don’t take into account the entire lifecycle of the fuel. If the charcoal comes from wood in a sustainably managed forest, it is renewable.

The trees that grow to replace the ones used to make the charcoal will re-absorb CO2, completing the cycle, and making the process overall carbon neutral. Propane gas, on the other hand, is a petroleum product, and it releases carbon into the air that has been sequestered for millions of years, without any counterbalancing absorption.

The kind of charcoal you use also makes a difference. Standard briquettes contain toxic chemicals to bind them, and can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are dangerous to your health. A better choice is chunk charcoal, with the “FSC” logo of the Forest Stewardship Council, which ensures the ecological integrity of the forest from which the wood for the charcoal has been harvested, and that it does not contain toxic additives. Best of all is to obtain charcoal from local or regional sources, to keep emissions associated with transportation at a minimum.

26 OUR COUNTRY HOME LATE SUMMER 2015

Different types of food have different carbon footprints. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that livestock production is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and other organizations have come up with estimates as high as 50%.

Few Americans are prepared to give up meat, especially for a barbeque, but even without doing so, you can reduce the carbon footprint of your barbeque both by adding more vegetables into the mix and by choosing “greener” meats.

Beef generates about 30 pounds of CO2 (or equivalent gases) per pound, poultry 19.5 pounds, and pork is best, with 13.3 pounds of CO2 equivalents per pound of meat. Transportation costs matter, as do feed, with pasture feeding being superior to corn feeds as far as greenhouse gas concentrations are concerned. Choose locally grown, pasture-fed meat—ideally pork.

And remember to add in plenty of locally grown vegetables, many of which, including not only corn, but also squash, eggplant, peppers and asparagus, are delicious grilled.

Less meat and more vegetables is a recipe for lower carbon footprint (not to mention good health).

Continued on page 27

Many vegetables are delicious grilled. The more you add into the mix, the “greener” your barbeque. And for meat (as well as vegetables), go local.

Barbeque

21 Lower Main Street PO Box 335 Callicoon, NY

Continued from page 26

pectedly, foam disposable cups consume much less energy than paper. You’d have to use a glass 393 times and plastic 450 times before manufacturing and using it becomes more energy efficient than manufacturing and using a foam cup.

This analysis does not take into account landfill space, whether the materials out of which the cups are made are renewable, and health issues. On that basis, foam cups are a definite “no no.” They never break down in the landfill, and there are concerns about styrene leaching into hot beverages. In fact, it’s admittedly a lot more work, but if you want to go all out on sustainability, your best bet is to serve beverages in reusable pitchers (or a growler from your local brewery) and glasses, and wash them.

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Plates and implements Photo contributed by Roscoe NY Beer Company

It takes more elbow grease, but reusable vessels like growlers (used by many of our local microbreweries) and washable cups or glasses, have the lowest carbon footprint.

Beverages: the great cup controversy The question of how best to dispense beverages is a great example of how holistic thinking is often necessary to analyze the impact of our activities on the environment. Many online articles advise serving beverages in large vessels like pitchers as opposed to individually bottled beverages for sustainability. None of them acknowledged the hitch: you’ll still need to provide some kind of cups for your guests. So which cups are the most sustainable?

The Institute for Lifecycle Analysis of Tufts University did a study comparing glass, ceramic and plastic reusable cups to paper and foam disposable cups, in terms of energy usage. The energy consumption of dishwashing was included.

The study notes, “In order for a reusable cup to be an improvement over a disposable one on an energy basis, you have to use it multiple times, in order to ‘cash in’ on the energy investment you made in [manufacturing] the cup.”

Of reusable substances, glass is the most energy efficient: you only have to use the glass 15 times before it becomes more energy efficient than using a paper cup. Plastic, interestingly, is not far behind—though remember, that’s only if you wash and reuse it. Using a plastic cup one time and throwing it away is about as inefficient as manufacturing a glass and smashing it after one use. But unex-

A similar set of questions arises for plates and implements as for cups. Many paper plates are compostable (though not the ones that have a waxy coating on them). But there are some implements and plates that are made of plastics that are touted as compostable, but don’t do so well when tested. They will degrade only at high temperatures available only in commercial facilities—and there is some evidence that even that may not be enough (see e.g. myplasticfreelife.com/2010/03/ are-compostable-utensils-really-compostable). Bamboo plates and implements are compostable as well as reusable, but relatively expensive, so it’s unlikely you’ll want to use them once and then throw them in the compost heap. As with cups, your best green choice may be simply to use reusable plates and implements, whatever they’re made of, and wash them.

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If we all put a little thought into it, we ought to be able both to enjoy our delightful outdoors cookouts, and help ensure that the outdoors remains a delightful place to be for us and others in the years to come.

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Cleanup Brushing your grill with oil before every use will make cleanup easier.

Use natural grill cleaners, rather than harsh chemicals. If you start cleaning your grill while it’s still somewhat hot, baking soda and a wire brush will work fi ne. Some experts recommend leaving the grill dirty between cooking sessions, and cleaning it after the coals have just started to heat up before you cook the next meal.

Provide clearly marked containers for your guests for composting and recycling.

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A RIVER REPORTER MAGAZINE 27

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