Home & Garden 2021

YOUR DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO LOCAL HOMES, GARDENS, HOMEMAKERS, AND GARDENERS

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garden party words & photos by

PAULA BONNIN

S O M E AW E S O M E A N N U A L S A N D P R I M E P E R E N N I A L S T O L I V E N U P Y O U R YA R D

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he great actor and comedian Robin Williams once said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” Unfortunately, in the Chippewa Valley, it’s spring, and then it’s summer, and then it’s winter again – all in a span of two weeks. We all know that the weather in our area is like a Magic 8-Ball: Shake it up and it changes. Most of the perennial plants we grow in our area love warm weather and dislike freezing overnight temperatures – as do the bees and the bugs.

It’s best to wait to plant until our daytime temperatures reach a consistent 50 degrees. You want to find plants that are hardy – meaning they can survive in colder night temperatures, like we often see in early spring and fall.

There are two types of plants that can be grown here: perennials and annuals. Annuals are the one-season-and-done type of plants, unless they can be overwintered indoors. Most are difficult to overwinter indoors without humidity and the right temperature. The second is perennials, or plants that blossom annually.

AWESOME ANNUALS Annual ornamental plants include Gerbera Daisies and Sunflowers. I love to grow both of these annuals in my garden and especially love the numerous varieties of sunflowers that the bees and butterflies love. The only major problem with planting sunflowers is that squirrels, chipmunks, and birds all love sunflower seeds, so make sure to use a Liquid Fence-type product to keep your seeds from being a critter’s lunch! You can also save your sunflowers and dry them so

you can plant the seeds again the following year, or roast them and eat them.

PRIME PERENNIALS Perennials for our zone – which can range from a 2 to a 4 – are numerous. Perennials can be used for cutting and putting into vases, feeding the bees and butterflies, or just making your yard look pretty. You can find perennials that are sun-loving, shade-loving, or a mix of the two.

I’m going to touch on two plants that are sunloving plants and a plant that is a shade- (and partial sun-) loving plant.

Allium, in my opinion, is one of the easiest and best-growing perennials you can have in a garden. The stems of the allium shoot up from the foliage to present a beautiful purple, lavender, or white ball-shaped flower in all shapes and sizes.

My allium started shooting up out of the ground two weeks ago and are just waiting for the warm weather to return! Allium is great for people who live out in the country, as deer do not like them.

The shade-loving plant that I highly suggest is one that you honestly can’t kill.

For all of you plantkillers out there, this is the plant for you: hostas!

The two sun Hostas –Paula Bonnin, perennials thrive in board member for the Eau Claire Garden Club that I shade, grow and with colors love are Echinacea, otherwise that range from dark green to known as Coneflowers, and white; they have striped, frilly, Allium, otherwise known as wild and downright huge varieties. onion. Both of these flowers are Believe it or not, there are amazingly hardy, are bee and even hostas named after Elvis butterfly attractants, and can Presley and Marilyn Monroe. come in an array of colors.

So, if you live in a mostly shaded area, hostas are the easy go-to Echinacea is a flower that in perennial for you. the spring and summer attracts the bees and butterflies, and in If you need any plants, garden the fall – if you don’t cut it down ceramics, or gardening tools, – feeds the birds. The colors in make sure to come to the Eau the petals range from traditional Claire Garden Club Plant and pink to blaze orange, lime green, Craft Sale on Saturday, May 22 fiery yellow, red, and white. The at Plymouth United Church of flowers on echinacea plants Christ, 2010 Moholt Drive, Eau can get to be 4½ inches around!

Claire. You can ask gardening- or They are a beautiful addition plant-related questions to any to any sun-loving garden. of the members who are there to Echinacea is also an herb that help. can be harvested and use in a Paula Bonnin is an Eau Claire tea or even applied to the skin.

County Master Gardener (Remember to check with your Volunteer and a board member for healthcare provider before the Eau Claire Garden Club. taking any herbal supplements.)

“It’s best to wait to plant until our daytime temperatures reach a consistent 50 degrees.”

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MEET THE BEST!

inspired. individual. lasting.

LY D I A’ S I N T E R I O R S C O N S I S T E N T LY R A N K S #1 I N B E S T I N T E R I O R D E S I G N S E R V I C E . I T ’ S N O S U R P R I S E W H Y. Lydia’s Interiors has three goals: to be inspired, individual, and lasting.

tions, different fabrics. It’s nice to look at a project comprehensively.”

This full-service design and furniture studio has consistently ranked as the best interior design service in the Chippewa Valley, and this year was voted #1 in the 2021 Best of the Chippewa Valley Reader Poll. With their quality home furnishings, timeles lighting, distinctive home decor, and hand-picked accessories, it’s no wonder why Chippewa Vallians ranked Lydia’s as the best.

But that doesn’t mean they overlook

“When you walk in your home, that’s your respite from the day,” said Sarah Decker-Paul, owner of Lydia’s Interiors since January 2020. “That’s your sanctuary – where you’re spending time with the people that you love the most. So when you walk in there, you need to feel good. You need to

“That’s why it’s important to sit down with our customers and listen to them,” Decker-Paul continued, “and be that individual attention that they need, so we’re not just So when the project is done and they open the door, they get that feeling that this is home. This isn’t a house. This is our home.” And “home”looks a little different for everyone. The friendly

Interiors works with different companies around Eau Claire to provide ings, countertops, and more.

“They get that feeling that this is home.

This isn’t a house.

This is home.” and outgoing staff of Lydia’s Interiors frequently see people with all kinds of different projects – from investing in a new couch to building a completely new home from scratch. Every exciting project begins with an initial consultation to go over blueprints, goals, style, and – most importantly – to get to know a client. “Once we get a feel for their style, then we’re going to start pulling things together for them,” Decker-Paul said. “Like different light options, different furniture op-

“We want to build lasting relationships with our clients,” Decker-Paul said. “It’s very easy to take the fads and the trends that are going on right now, and plunk someone into that. But if you actually sit down with that person and design plan that is much more individual.” as the staff of Lydia’s makes the process painless and fun. “Our customers are so great because when they come in here, they come here for the experience,” she said. “And they come here because they know that they’re going to get treated well and they know that they’re going to have a great time. And, it all starts with a tight-knit team at Lydia’s Interiors. “I want (my staff) to come to work everyday and I want them to love it,” Decker-Paul said, “and I want them to feel inspired and have joy for their work. I think we should have fun.”

C H E C K O U T LY D I A’ S I N T E R I O R S I N T H E L AT E S T E P I S O D E O F O U R “ M E E T T H E B E S T ” V I D E O S E R I E S O N VO L U M E O N E . O R G !

PARTNER

CONTENT

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do it yourself or hire a pro? words by

JAMES JOHONNOTT

SOME TIPS ON WHICH HOME PROJECTS A R E W O R T H T A C K L I N G A S A N A M A T E U R, AND WHICH ONES AREN’T

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ired of your home’s old paint job or carpet? It might be time to take a crack at it and give your home a facelift. Maybe, like me, you’ve gotten a little ambitious and want to bite off a bigger home improvement project. As a recent homeowner and an ambitious renovator, I now have a more keen perspective on the difficulty, time, and resources needed for an array of basic home improvement projects. After a year spent as an occasional weekend warrior grappling my own upgrades, here’s what I’ve learned:

TILING. I was surprised at

how reasonable this process was.

Among the most difficult parts were cutting the ceramic tile and ensuring that the grout lines were straight. The process of applying mastic, tiles, and grout to the wall was a rewarding endeavor that took little more than a weekend. All of the supplies can be easily found at your local home improvement store, and a tile saw can be rented.

PAINTING. Done right,

giving your house a new coat of paint on the inside can be an affordable way to quickly provide a DIY facelift. Some poorly painted interiors have high-gloss white paint that shows every imperfection in the wall. Tidying these up with a new coat of evenly done white paint can provide a fresh interior.

Painting our old, out-dated wooden trim white was a simple way to modernize our house’s woodwork.

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DRYWALL. My relationship

with drywall is complicated, but yours probably won’t be. If you’re looking at building new walls or refurbishing old ones in a traditional box-style room, then applying sheetrock and joint compound is worth your time and money. It certainly required a bit of elbow grease and a lot of weekends, but the process itself wasn’t all that taxing or difficult. However, If you have vaulted ceilings, curves, or strange angles, save yourself the headache and call a professional.

FLOORING. If your carpet,

like mine, has overstayed its welcome, you may be surprised at what you find underneath. Beneath mine, we found beautiful hardwood floors that can be easily refurbished with a bit of sanding and sealing.

Old laminate can be updated in a weekend with modern vinyl plank flooring. In a simple, square room, even engineered tongue-andgroove hardwood installation is an affordable update to old flooring.

If your floor isn’t level, or has a lot of complicated twists and turns, you might be in for more than you bargained for.

With all of that said, I had a lot of technical advice and help from friends and family members doing these projects. Always consult with the local Eau Claire County Building Inspector’s office to see what permits you might need, and do plenty of research. In my experience, plenty of professionals in the Chippewa Valley are happy to work with DIY-ers to do parts of the job that require technical expertise.

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PEXELS.COM

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spring fling is in the air words by

SAWYER HOFF

ART AND GARDENING WORLDS C O L L I D E I N N E W L O C A L E V E N T, SHOWCASING GORGEOUS FLORA, FAUNA, AND FINE ART

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othing says “spring” quite like the smell of fresh flowers and fun-filled outdoor festivities. Both can be found at the Spring Fling event on May 22 from 10am-4pm on the corner of Golf and London roads in Eau Claire.

This event will showcase more than 30 vendors with unique art mediums, such as sign art, macrame, pottery, and much more. A lot of the art is being made specifically for this event and will flaunt the flora theme.

“A lot of the artists have been making art exclusively for this event,” said one event organizer, Kelly Speros, “so there’s gonna be a lot of floralthemed botanical art.”

baskets and pots. The main flower on display will be tulips.

“I planted 4,000 tulips last fall,” said Jody Wilhelm, another event organizer. “Hopefully we will have tulips blooming at that time, so we’ll cut the tulips as well, and have some bouquets.”

If tulips, art, and great food wasn’t enough, there will also be model train displays from Model Train Classics. There is something for everyone at the Spring Fling event.

“Spring is so exciting, and it’s so nice when the plants are coming up and you can get outside and things are green,” Wilhelm said. “There’s just no better time for people who like to plant than right away in the spring.”

There will also be food trucks available, including Munch-a-Bunch (based in Marshfield) and coffee specials from a new Eau This is the first Claire coffee shop, Plaza year of Spring Fling, Perk. On top of the vendors ARTISTS: but it won’t be the last. and food trucks, the event Kelly Speros (to p ) , Next year the event will highlight planted Mindy Huntress (m i d d l e ) , is planned to be held flowers on the grounds and Kathy Steink e (Bot t om ) in Fall Creek. If your flowers for sale by other thumb is green, this businesses, such as a new event is definitely for you. local business, Field Road Flowers.

You can also check out many plant Find more information and event vendors, including Chippewa Valley updates on the Facebook event page, Growers, who will be selling hanging www.facebook.com/springfling2021.

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old homes have a hidden history words by

GREG KOCKEN

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RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PRESERVE AND RESEARCH YOUR OLDER EAU CLAIRE HOME

f just over a year ago someone used the acronym “WFH” (work from home), we might scratch our heads pondering the meaning. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is changing so many aspects of our lives, and our homes have taken on new roles. While we spend so much time in our homes, these places still hold mystery. When was this building constructed? Who lived here before me? Why was the building constructed in this style, or what architectural style is my home?

reveal a more complete history of a local building. Some of the key sources include maps, city/county assessor data, city directories, newspapers, and architecture guides. Available online for many communities, assessment data often provides basic details about the building. For homes constructed prior to 1900, I have found consulting annual city assessment rolls accessible at the UWEau Claire archives may provide additional information.

“Every source shares only part of this history, but together they reveal a more complete history of a local building.”

City Directories, digitized and May is available Historic online up –Greg Kocken, Preservation to 1923 for vice-chair of the EC Landmarks Commission Month, an the City of opportunity Eau Claire for all of through the L.E. Phillips Memorial us to think about the houses and Public Library, provide details buildings we call home (or now about the individuals and maybe also our office). So how can families who resided in houses. we dig into the unique history of This often includes information where we spend so much of our about the occupations of former time? residents. City Directories after 1923 are available in-print There are many sources through many of the institutions available to help us research previously identified. Newspapers and understand the history of also provide details about the houses and buildings across the occupants of houses and are often Chippewa Valley. The research sources of the most fascinating is fascinating and may even lead details about the people and to unexpected discoveries! Some places of our past. Libraries vital information is available and archives provide access to online, and other sources may various newspaper databases. lead you into the archives at UWMany common genealogy Eau Claire (McIntyre Library’s websites, such as Ancestry.com, Special Collections and Archives may offer interesting tidbits and Department) or the Chippewa insights into former occupants Valley Museum. of houses and buildings. Finally, Every source shares only part architecture guides help us to of this history, but together they pinpoint specific styles and

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details about structural elements.

One of the best is A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia McAlester. The Area Research Center at UW-Eau Claire provides a great step-by-step guide to this research, including contact information for experts to help, found online at libguides.uwec. edu/HouseHistory. Have fun searching for and learning more about the house you call home – and maybe still an office.

Kocken is vice-chair of the City of Eau Claire Landmarks Commission and head of special collections and archives at UW-Eau Claire.

LOOKING

good news!

The City of Eau Claire’s Landmarks Commission recently eliminated the 3% interest rate for its historic residential rehabilitation loan program. Loans are for 10 years and can be as small at $2,000. The program helps preserve Eau Claire landmarks or those in process of receiving a designation.

Funds can be used for exterior improvements that are compatible with the structure’s architecture and history. For further information or great preservation guidance, visit the City’s of Eau Claire’s website: www.eauclairewi.gov/ government/ourdivisions/planning/ historic-preservation

BACKWARD.

Archival sources – such as this 1913 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, which shows part of Eau Claire’s Eastside Hill Neighborhood – can help you learn about the history of your home.

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building better words by

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

F O U R WAY S T O F I N D T H E R I G H T HOME BUILDER FOR YOU

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hen you are building a new home, finding the right builder is crucial. Ask friends and family for suggestions and contact industry associations for a list of members.

Check with the National Association of Home Builders, or look for a local association to help you find the right builder. The Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) is also a great source of information about local builders you may be considering, including BBB Accredited Businesses.

Many things you need to do when hiring a builder are the same things you need to do when hiring a contractor or remodeler. BBB’s tips for hiring a contractor or remodeler cover the basics like getting estimates, what to look for in a contract, and reviewing previous work.

Four specific items you can discuss with your home builder:

STYLE: If you already have a specific style of home in mind, try to find a builder who specializes in that style. Ask how many homes they have constructed in the style you like. If you are still considering different styles, find a builder with a wide range of experience and make sure to check their work in various styles.

COMMUNICATION: Do you feel you can easily communicate? Be sure you can reach the builder by phone, email, or in person, and that they respond in a timely manner. Ask how the builder will deal with changes or problems that come up. Remember that you will be dealing closely with this person through the whole process and, after they complete the work, as you live in your home.

EXPERIENCE: You also want to consider how long the builder has been in business. It takes several years to establish a sound business and you want to be sure your builder will be around to service warranties after your home is complete.

LICENSING: Talk to your builder about permits, but also do independent research with your local department of licensing or permits to find out what is required.

Make sure the builder will be able to get all required permits before starting the work. Also, make sure your builder is registered with your state or province’s registration and licensing board.

Find trusted, vetted home builders near you and get a quote.

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parade back on the march C H I P P E WA VA L L E Y PA R A D E O F H O M E S R E T U R N S

words by

TOM GIFFEY

YOUR

NEW

IN 2021 AFTER ALL-VIRTUAL YEAR

HOME?

This house by Legacy Custom Homes & Renovations is part of the Parade of Homes.

tour this year. “We’re anticipate a really strong turnout,” she said.

“This is going to be one of the first more normal events that’s going to be back.”

Last summer’s entirely virtual Parade of Homes demonstrated that – whether virtually or IRL – Chippewa Valley residents are interested in eyeing up new homes. Thrun said nearly 21,000 individuals visited the tour’s website, and individual webpages about each home got an average of nearly 5,000 views.

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ooking to buy or build a new home? Eager to find fresh ideas for a remodeling project? Are you just window shopping – or maybe just shopping for windows? After going virtual last summer because of the pandemic, the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association’s 47th Annual Parade of Homes is back to being an in-person event this year.

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Between June 12-19, participants will be able to physically explore 15 new and two remodeled homes, as well as take a virtual tour of one home.

Christina Thrun, executive officer of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, says there’s pent-up demand for an in-person

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What prevented an in-person event last year wasn’t so much COVID-19 restrictions, Thrun said, but the fact that pandemic-related supply chain delays prevented homes that would have been part of the tour from being completed on time. Last year, Thrun added, she often head that “the virtual Parade of Homes was better than nothing, but not as good as the real thing.”

This year, the “real thing” features homes ranging in price from $160,000 to $800,000. Several are on the more affordable end of the

spectrum, including three twin homes, Thrun said. Most are located in and around Eau Claire – with some in Lake Hallie, Altoona, and just south of the city limits. One home is near Lake Wissota. Because of the compact geographical area, tour participants should be able to visit all of the homes in one day, she added.

As always, contemporary building and design trends will be on display among this year’s parade homes.

“Black is kind of the new ‘in’ color,” Thrun said, explaining that the trend began a few years ago with black-and-gold accents. Black-andgrey siding, black trim, and lighter colors of wood are also popular in 2021, she said.

Want to see it all for yourself?

Tickets will go on sale soon at paradeofhomescv.com. The price will be $8 through June 11 and $10 after that. The tour will run Saturday, June 12, through Saturday, June 19, with homes open 10am to 5pm weekends and 5-9pm weekdays.

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get out there & grow something HOME & GARDEN RESOURCES + MORE

gardencenters Blaine’s Farm and Fleet 2583 S Prairie View Rd., Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-1806 • farmandfleet. com A hardy selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, and hanging baskets, all grown locally with nursery quality so you know they will survive and prosper in your lawn and den maintenance supplies, lawn decor, and more.

Bobolink Nursery LLC N6548 429th St., Menomonie • (715) 231-3901 • bobolinknursery. com large growing ranges are packed with perennials, vegetables, annuals, shrubs, and trees. Owners Dan and Amy Dopkins have been in the plant growing business for essentially their entire lives and are very happy to pass their vast stores of knowledge on to you. They also offer services such as landscaping design and installation.

Chippewa Valley Growers 7825 Prill Road, Eau

Fryszki’s Country Gardens N1956 State Road

Grinde’s Garden Center 2903 Preston Road,

Claire • (715) 839-8448 • chippewavalleygrowers. com Carries a wide variety of stock, specializing in bedding plants, flowers, and vegetables. Work with gardeners to create custom baskets and containers and check out growing ideas and tips in their spring newsletter.

85, Caryville • (715) 835-8743 • fayer@cvol.net • facebook.com/Fryszkis/ 12 minutes southwest a wide variety of unique and colorful annuals, perennials, grasses, herbs and vegetables. Keep

Eau Claire • (715) 833-2292 • grindesgardencenter.com Family owned for over three decades, duced vegetables, plants, flowers, seeds. They specialize in hanging baskets and bedding plants.

season.

Halfen Garden Center and Hosta Heaven 19130

Christensen Florist & Greenhouses 1210 Mansfield St, Chippewa Falls • christensenflorist. com Greenhouses full of beautiful hanging baskets & patio pots and full assortments of annuals, vegetables, perennials, & herbs. Daily specials available. All plants grown on site.

Down To Earth Garden Center 6025 Arndt Ln., Eau Claire • (715) 833-1234 • downtoearthgardencenter.com A relaxing and spacious environment in which potential planters can find greeneries of every kind. The garden center sells bulk materials, tools, decor, seasonal and lush plants, and much more. They host classes and events all year long and even have a cafe on-site for if you get a little hungry. They offer landscaping and lawncare services.

Green Oasis Garden Center 1403 122nd St., Lake Hallie • (715) 832-0800 • greenoasis.co This garden center offers lawn art and accessories, plus various trees, ornamental grasses, perennials, mulch, dirt, compost, and patio block. Also offers lawn care, landscaping, irrigation, window cleaning, pest control, christmas lightning, and more.

Green Thumb Landscaping & Excavating + Garden Center 6700 Hwy 12 East, Eau Claire • (715) 832-4553 • greenthumbwi.com Green Thumb Landscaping and Excavating provides garden care and maintenance. Their garden center has a wide selection of perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, mulch, decorative rock, and more.

72nd Ave, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-3414 • terrencehalfen@yahoo.com • halfengardencenter.com Halfen Garden Center is a family run business that offers a wide array of hostas, vines, annuals, vegetables, fruits, trees, and shrubs. They offer garden layouts to help you know the best place to plant around your home.

Klinger Farm Market 12756 132nd St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 288-6348 • klingerfarmmarket@ yahoo.com • klingerfarmmarket.biz In addition to 18 greenhouses full of flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, water plants, and house plants, Klinger offers a swath of freshly grown produce, home and garden ornaments, bird baths, jams, honeys, and organic gardening products. They are open year round.

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