Outdoor Design & Living Guide - Fall 2009

North Dakota Energy Pioneers Page 16Unique Small-town Home with Big Energy Savings

Garden with a Capital G Page 30

Cabin Fever Survival Guide Page 21

Man Caves Page 8

Fall 2009

463083_kp2.indd 1 9/8/09 2:02 PM

creo

2 Outdoor Design Living guide

At Curb Design Inc., we have set the standards that all the others try to follow. We are locally owned and guarantee consistent and quality workmanship at every project, big or small.

The first and most experienced concrete edging servicein the Fargo-Moorhead area.

3310 14th St NW, West Fargo, ND701.281.2464

From new home construction to industrial applications to enhancing existing designs, Curb Design has the solutions for all of your decorative concrete andlandscaping needs.

5507 53rd Avenue SW Fargo, ND 58104 701-232-4001 www.deckmasters.net

Millions of Questions,

One Place for Answers

Locally owned and operated since 1989

DEALER

Supply Design Build

Escapes

Deck Designs Composite Decking Post CapsFraming Services Brazilian Hardwood Decking LightingDeck Packages Stainless Steel Screws FlashingACQ Fasteners Hidden Fasteners PergolasTreated #1 SYP KDAT Custom Built Decks Joist HangersMaterial Delivery Colored Composite Screws Railing KitsStructural Ledger Screws Post Hole Digger Rental Gazebo Kits

Deckmasters

full page.indd 1 8/27/09 3:18 PM463083_kp.indd 2 8/31/09 3:00 PM

creo

Fall 2009 3

At Curb Design Inc., we have set the standards that all the others try to follow. We are locally owned and guarantee consistent and quality workmanship at every project, big or small.

The first and most experienced concrete edging servicein the Fargo-Moorhead area.

3310 14th St NW, West Fargo, ND701.281.2464

From new home construction to industrial applications to enhancing existing designs, Curb Design has the solutions for all of your decorative concrete andlandscaping needs.

5507 53rd Avenue SW Fargo, ND 58104 701-232-4001 www.deckmasters.net

Millions of Questions,

One Place for Answers

Locally owned and operated since 1989

DEALER

Supply Design Build

Escapes

Deck Designs Composite Decking Post CapsFraming Services Brazilian Hardwood Decking LightingDeck Packages Stainless Steel Screws FlashingACQ Fasteners Hidden Fasteners PergolasTreated #1 SYP KDAT Custom Built Decks Joist HangersMaterial Delivery Colored Composite Screws Railing KitsStructural Ledger Screws Post Hole Digger Rental Gazebo Kits

Deckmasters

full page.indd 1 8/27/09 3:18 PM 463083_kp.indd 3 8/31/09 3:00 PM

creo

6–7 With This Ring

7 Tales of An Indoor GirlIndoor Princess Attacked by Queen Bee

8-11 Man CavesGarages Aren’t Just for Cars and Workshops Anymore

12-14 A Leading LightStargardt Home Lights Up the Holidays

16-19 Environmentally Fine in ’79Unique Small-town Home with Big Energy Savings

21–23 Cabin Fever Survival GuideA Guide for Making it Through Our Harshest Season

24-27 Deck Railing InstallationA Do-It-Yourself Project

28-29 Ask the ExpertWinterize Your Lawn and Garden for a Beautiful Spring

C O N T E N T SFall 2009

PUBLISHERStudio 7 Productions, Inc.

EDITORBrian Bestge

COPY EDITORKate Mund

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESLynn Hanson

Brian Bestge

CONTENT MANAGERMolly Bestge

LEAD DESIGNERJamie Farmen

DESIGN & LAYOUTMike Biewer

Dan Nisbet

Mei Mei Wang

CONTRIBUTORSMolly Bestge

Brian Bestge

Todd Funfar

Paula Klein

Andrea Noonan

Shawna Olson

ADVERTISING INFORMATIONLynn Hanson

Offi ce: 701-356-7770

Mobile: 701-730-4570

MAIL CORRESPONDENCEStudio 7 Productions, Inc.

503 7th St. N, Suite 104

Fargo, ND 58102

[email protected]

www.outdoordesignandliving.com

Outdoor design and Living guide is published quarterly by Studio 7 Productions inc. Total printing

is 15,000 copies per issue, and the publication is distributed in two states. no part of this publication

may be reproduced without written permission by Studio 7 Productions inc. Studio 7 Productions

assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Studio 7 Productions does not

necessarily agree with or endorse content of articles or advertising presented. For advertising information,

contact Studio 7 Productions inc.503 7th St n, Suite 104, Fargo nd 58102.

©2009 Studio 7 Productions, Inc.

i have realized how summer memories tend to fade from year to year, but i hope to lock this year’s memories in the “do you remember?” box—you know, that part of your mind that relives the important past. My wife and i experienced our fi rst full-on family vacation with our two small children, and my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, so this summer really had one central theme—how strong family bonds are.

Many of these memorable things are based not only on the event itself, but the people who surrounded us while doing them. it is so easy to get wrapped up in our daily life and forget about taking the time to enjoy our environment. Many times we overlook much of what is sitting right in front of us. it is for this reason that i have decided to slow down what i can control and enjoy each season with the people who make my memories great.

We have done something a little bit different in this issue. We have added “real people” stories—stories from everyday working families like you. We wanted to share why and how people build memories and expression in their backyards.

in this issue, you will learn what it takes to build a large backyard Koi pond, complete with rain garden, babbling brook, and, of course, lots of Koi fi sh. You will also read about a man’s need for garage time, plus all that men’s garages are starting to become.

Another story is about one small-town family who pioneered a truly “green energy house“ that provided them with long-term energy savings. The best part—it was built in the late 1970s.

i ask that as you read and enjoy our stories, take the time to think about some of your own great memories. e-mail us with any interesting people you may know that have such a great story to be told.

Thanks again for supporting our publication, and remember to always look for new and exciting outdoor information on www.outdoorlg.com Also coming in February, look for our extended home and garden issue full of great products and features available in 2010.

Sincerely,

Brian Bestgeeditor, Outdoor design and Living guide


463083_kp.indd 4 8/31/09 3:00 PM

creo

6–7 With This Ring

7 Tales of An Indoor GirlIndoor Princess Attacked by Queen Bee

8-11 Man CavesGarages Aren’t Just for Cars and Workshops Anymore

12-14 A Leading LightStargardt Home Lights Up the Holidays

16-19 Environmentally Fine in ’79Unique Small-town Home with Big Energy Savings

21–23 Cabin Fever Survival GuideA Guide for Making it Through Our Harshest Season

24-27 Deck Railing InstallationA Do-It-Yourself Project

28-29 Ask the ExpertWinterize Your Lawn and Garden for a Beautiful Spring

C O N T E N T SFall 2009

i have realized how summer memories tend to fade from year to year, but i hope to lock this year’s memories in the “do you remember?” box—you know, that part of your mind that relives the important past. My wife and i experienced our fi rst full-on family vacation with our two small children, and my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, so this summer really had one central theme—how strong family bonds are.

Many of these memorable things are based not only on the event itself, but the people who surrounded us while doing them. it is so easy to get wrapped up in our daily life and forget about taking the time to enjoy our environment. Many times we overlook much of what is sitting right in front of us. it is for this reason that i have decided to slow down what i can control and enjoy each season with the people who make my memories great.

We have done something a little bit different in this issue. We have added “real people” stories—stories from everyday working families like you. We wanted to share why and how people build memories and expression in their backyards.

in this issue, you will learn what it takes to build a large backyard Koi pond, complete with rain garden, babbling brook, and, of course, lots of Koi fi sh. You will also read about a man’s need for garage time, plus all that men’s garages are starting to become.

Another story is about one small-town family who pioneered a truly “green energy house“ that provided them with long-term energy savings. The best part—it was built in the late 1970s.

i ask that as you read and enjoy our stories, take the time to think about some of your own great memories. e-mail us with any interesting people you may know that have such a great story to be told.

Thanks again for supporting our publication, and remember to always look for new and exciting outdoor information on www.outdoorlg.com Also coming in February, look for our extended home and garden issue full of great products and features available in 2010.

Sincerely,

Brian Bestgeeditor, Outdoor design and Living guide

30-35 Garden with a Capital “G”Local Backyard Turned Into a Beautiful Retreat

36-37 Tailgating 101Uncle Pete’s Kickin’ Chili and Other Great Recipes

38-39 New Product Guide

42 What’s Happeningin the Area

Fall 2009 5

463083_kp1.indd 5 9/4/09 10:33 AM

creo


Eighty-five. Sunny. A slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky. That’s how most of us want our weather in the summertime. Meteorologist Shawna Olson has been forecasting the weather on the local NBC and CBS stations for the past five years. She is knowledgeable about her trade, and knows exactly how to communicate her excitement for fantastic weather, as well as the weather disturbances that come our way.

Shawna could never have predicted what happened to her over the extended July 4th weekend. Shawna, newly engaged to be married, was relaxing with her friends on the lake in her boat on what had to be the nicest day of the summer. Mostly sunny. Low humidity. Barely any wind. Plenty of great company. Life was good.

That is, until one of her friends (who shall remain nameless for self-preservation purposes) decided to spray the boat with a huge wall of water via jet ski. Many of her friends were laughing. However, one was not. In fact, this person’s sole job for the day was to stay high and dry in the boat and hold on to Shawna’s engagement ring. This ring had been placed ever so gently on this trustworthy friend’s pinky.

When the wall of water rocked the boat, it also shook the responsible friend, who was a little upset over getting drenched and having a wet camera, not to mention all of the food on the boat getting wet. Hands, legs, hair, and fingers were all now drenched by this tidal wave. And more than just wet pretzels went overboard: the ring was no longer on the pinky finger of Shawna’s friend.

That’s when “Mission: Find that Ring” commenced. Thankfully, the boat had been anchored in a shallow, sandy spot on Rush Lake. One friend stayed positioned precisely where the ring may have fallen, while another friend donned snorkeling gear and dove to the sandy bottom to search for the ring. The friends stayed still and focused. They were determined they were going to find the ring. It had to be there somewhere.

Shawna, who began to interject calmness into the rapidly emotional situation, would repeatedly throw out supportive but realistic things like, “Don’t worry, guys. The ring is insured, so don’t worry if you don’t find it.” None of the comments made anyone in the group look any less.

A strategic line of feet was planted in the area where the ring was believed to be in the lake. With snorkels, fins, and goggles, several

people began diving down to the bottom of the lake bed in search of a very expensive needle in an expansive haystack.

Hopes quickly began to fade. Each time the friends felt on the sandy floor, the movement would kick up a cloud of sand that made it impossible to see under the water.

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be groom was ready to join in on probably one of the most important searches of his life. Flying across the lake on his jet ski with additional snorkel gear, Kris was hoping for some sign of hope as he returned to the now dubbed “accident scene.”

When hope was at its lowest point, and the search was about to go into low gear, a final dive took place. Twenty feet from the initial anchored spot, a sparkle appeared. The partly cloudy sky parted and allowed the sun to provide added light straight through to the lake floor. Among all the sand and shells, with its diamonds plunged straight into the sand bottom, there it was – the diamond engagement ring.

As it was plucked from the water like the raising of Excalibur from the deep sea, the entire party screamed with delight. A huge sigh of relief had just renewed this 4th of July celebration.

By the way, Shawna’s ring has stayed safely on her finger ever since. Her latest forecast is for a long and happy marriage to her fiance Kris. Finding that ring—priceless!

RingWith This

* Expert Installation* New or Replacement Windows * 100% Energy-Star Rated* Tax Credit Approved* All Window Styles* Woodgrains Available

800-732-6577Visit abcseamless.com

Serving Minnesota, North & South Dakota

Get Prepared for Fall

Complete Exterior Protection

“The World’s Largest Seamless Siding Company and Much More”

Replacement Windows

ODLGpagesFALL2009.indd 6 9/8/09 9:10 AM

Fall 2009 7Fall 2009 7

Indoor Princess Attackedby Queen BeeIn theory, most “Indoor Girls” should really not like summer. It’s the time of year fi lled with everything happening outside, from outdoor concerts and festivals, to backyard barbecues and soccer games. These activities typically are fi lled with a wide array of complications for an Indoor Girl, but the one that can make our skin crawl and can stop us from faking our way through any outdoor-related activity is a four letter word—BUGS.

Mosquitoes, wood ticks, crickets, grasshoppers, horsefl ies, box-elder bugs and the worst summer bug of them all, bees, can cause not only pure fear within us, but can also affect future outdoor endeavors for years to come.

My torment by these seasonal spoilers began long ago with my fi rst encounter with a bee. It was 1979, and my brother and I were being loaded into the backseat of the two-door Chevy Impala, to head out for a little trip to the Dairy Queen. It was a hot summer day, and the cream colored vinyl seats were so hot; it was almost unbearable to sit.

My brother climbed into his retro car seat, and as I lowered the safety bar down on it, I heard the buzzing. I frantically scanned the back seat and then spotted what had to have been the Queen Bee of all bees, literally settled in the seal around the back window of the car. I immediately bolted from the car, screaming and crying and leaving my baby brother to die at the hands of the bee. My father immediately came to the rescue, stabbing the bee with a broom from the garage. However, the remnants of the bee’s corpse remained lodged in the seal of the window.

That’s all it took for me to politely tell my parents there was no chance of me getting into that car for our little DQ excursion. The chances that the bee had not fully expired, or even worse, that the Queen Bee had some live-in bee boyfriends shacking up with her in the interior of our car was just too great, and no amount of ice cream was worth taking the chance.

We never made it to the DQ that day. The Queen Bee’s remains caused torment for me until the day we sold that car. Every time we piled in, there was a certain routine of inspection surrounding the bee’s corpse, and verifi cation that there was no buzzing and the bee was still dead.

To this day, my fear of bees stands at that same level as it did on that hot summer day in 1979. One bee can ruin a golf game, lake time, or a softball game for me. One might ask if I was stung by a bee prior to the bee encounter in 1979, and the answer would be no. Actually, in my 37 years on this earth, I have never been stung by a bee, and even more amazingly, I have never even had a wood tick touch my body. If the day ever comes when a tick burrows into my skin or a bee pierces my body, this Indoor Girl will be heading inside until the snow fl ies and the bugs die.

Fall 2009 7

Vol. 2

Tales of an

by Paula Klein

Eighty-fi ve. Sunny. A slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky. Th at’s how most of us want our weather in the summertime. Meteorologist Shawna Olson has been forecasting the weather on the local NBC and CBS stations for the past fi ve years. She is knowledgeable about her trade, and knows exactly how to communicate her excitement for fantastic weather, as well as the weather disturbances that come our way.


Th at is, until one of her friends (who shall remain nameless for self-preservation purposes) decided to spray the boat with a huge wall of water via jet ski. Many of her friends were laughing. However, one was not. In fact, this person’s sole job for the day was to stay high and dry in the boat and hold on to Shawna’s engagement ring. Th is ring had been placed ever so gently on this trustworthy friend’s pinky.

When the wall of water rocked the boat, it also shook the responsible friend, who was a little upset over getting drenched and having a wet camera, not to mention all of the food on the boat getting wet. Hands, legs, hair, and fi ngers were all now drenched by this tidal wave. And more than just wet pretzels went overboard: the ring was no longer on the pinky fi nger of Shawna’s friend.

Th at’s when “Mission: Find that Ring” commenced. Th ankfully, the boat had been anchored in a shallow, sandy spot on Rush Lake. One friend stayed positioned precisely where the ring may have fallen, while another friend donned snorkeling gear and dove to the sandy bottom to search for the ring. Th e friends stayed still and focused. Th ey were determined they were going to fi nd the ring. It had to be there somewhere.

Shawna, who began to interject calmness into the rapidly emotional situation, would repeatedly throw out supportive but realistic things like, “Don’t worry, guys. Th e ring is insured, so don’t worry if you don’t fi nd it.” None of the comments made anyone in the group look any less.

A strategic line of feet was planted in the area where the ring was believed to be in the lake. With snorkels, fi ns, and goggles, several


Hopes quickly began to fade. Each time the friends felt on the sandy fl oor, the movement would kick up a cloud of sand that made it impossible to see under the water.


When hope was at its lowest point, and the search was about to go into low gear, a fi nal dive took place. Twenty feet from the initial anchored spot, a sparkle appeared. Th e partly cloudy sky parted and allowed the sun to provide added light straight through to the lake fl oor. Among all the sand and shells, with its diamonds plunged straight into the sand bottom, there it was – the diamond engagement ring.


By the way, Shawna’s ring has stayed safely on her fi nger ever since. Her latest forecast is for a long and happy marriage to her fi ance Kris. Finding that ring—priceless!

ODLGpagesFALL2009.indd 7 9/8/09 9:10 AM463083_kp3.indd 6 9/10/09 11:04 AM

creo


Eighty-five. Sunny. A slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky. That’s how most of us want our weather in the summertime. Meteorologist Shawna Olson has been forecasting the weather on the local NBC and CBS stations for the past five years. She is knowledgeable about her trade, and knows exactly how to communicate her excitement for fantastic weather, as well as the weather disturbances that come our way.


That is, until one of her friends (who shall remain nameless for self-preservation purposes) decided to spray the boat with a huge wall of water via jet ski. Many of her friends were laughing. However, one was not. In fact, this person’s sole job for the day was to stay high and dry in the boat and hold on to Shawna’s engagement ring. This ring had been placed ever so gently on this trustworthy friend’s pinky.

When the wall of water rocked the boat, it also shook the responsible friend, who was a little upset over getting drenched and having a wet camera, not to mention all of the food on the boat getting wet. Hands, legs, hair, and fingers were all now drenched by this tidal wave. And more than just wet pretzels went overboard: the ring was no longer on the pinky finger of Shawna’s friend.

That’s when “Mission: Find that Ring” commenced. Thankfully, the boat had been anchored in a shallow, sandy spot on Rush Lake. One friend stayed positioned precisely where the ring may have fallen, while another friend donned snorkeling gear and dove to the sandy bottom to search for the ring. The friends stayed still and focused. They were determined they were going to find the ring. It had to be there somewhere.

Shawna, who began to interject calmness into the rapidly emotional situation, would repeatedly throw out supportive but realistic things like, “Don’t worry, guys. The ring is insured, so don’t worry if you don’t find it.” None of the comments made anyone in the group look any less.

A strategic line of feet was planted in the area where the ring was believed to be in the lake. With snorkels, fins, and goggles, several


Hopes quickly began to fade. Each time the friends felt on the sandy floor, the movement would kick up a cloud of sand that made it impossible to see under the water.


When hope was at its lowest point, and the search was about to go into low gear, a final dive took place. Twenty feet from the initial anchored spot, a sparkle appeared. The partly cloudy sky parted and allowed the sun to provide added light straight through to the lake floor. Among all the sand and shells, with its diamonds plunged straight into the sand bottom, there it was – the diamond engagement ring.


By the way, Shawna’s ring has stayed safely on her finger ever since. Her latest forecast is for a long and happy marriage to her fiance Kris. Finding that ring—priceless!

RingWith This

* Expert Installation* New or Replacement Windows * 100% Energy-Star Rated* Tax Credit Approved* All Window Styles* Woodgrains Available

800-732-6577Visit abcseamless.com

Serving Minnesota, North & South Dakota

Get Prepared for Fall

Complete Exterior Protection

“The World’s Largest Seamless Siding Company and Much More”

Replacement Windows

ODLGpagesFALL2009.indd 6 9/8/09 9:10 AM

Fall 2009 7Fall 2009 7

Indoor Princess Attackedby Queen BeeIn theory, most “Indoor Girls” should really not like summer. It’s the time of year fi lled with everything happening outside, from outdoor concerts and festivals, to backyard barbecues and soccer games. These activities typically are fi lled with a wide array of complications for an Indoor Girl, but the one that can make our skin crawl and can stop us from faking our way through any outdoor-related activity is a four letter word—BUGS.

Mosquitoes, wood ticks, crickets, grasshoppers, horsefl ies, box-elder bugs and the worst summer bug of them all, bees, can cause not only pure fear within us, but can also affect future outdoor endeavors for years to come.

My torment by these seasonal spoilers began long ago with my fi rst encounter with a bee. It was 1979, and my brother and I were being loaded into the backseat of the two-door Chevy Impala, to head out for a little trip to the Dairy Queen. It was a hot summer day, and the cream colored vinyl seats were so hot; it was almost unbearable to sit.

My brother climbed into his retro car seat, and as I lowered the safety bar down on it, I heard the buzzing. I frantically scanned the back seat and then spotted what had to have been the Queen Bee of all bees, literally settled in the seal around the back window of the car. I immediately bolted from the car, screaming and crying and leaving my baby brother to die at the hands of the bee. My father immediately came to the rescue, stabbing the bee with a broom from the garage. However, the remnants of the bee’s corpse remained lodged in the seal of the window.

That’s all it took for me to politely tell my parents there was no chance of me getting into that car for our little DQ excursion. The chances that the bee had not fully expired, or even worse, that the Queen Bee had some live-in bee boyfriends shacking up with her in the interior of our car was just too great, and no amount of ice cream was worth taking the chance.

We never made it to the DQ that day. The Queen Bee’s remains caused torment for me until the day we sold that car. Every time we piled in, there was a certain routine of inspection surrounding the bee’s corpse, and verifi cation that there was no buzzing and the bee was still dead.

To this day, my fear of bees stands at that same level as it did on that hot summer day in 1979. One bee can ruin a golf game, lake time, or a softball game for me. One might ask if I was stung by a bee prior to the bee encounter in 1979, and the answer would be no. Actually, in my 37 years on this earth, I have never been stung by a bee, and even more amazingly, I have never even had a wood tick touch my body. If the day ever comes when a tick burrows into my skin or a bee pierces my body, this Indoor Girl will be heading inside until the snow fl ies and the bugs die.

Fall 2009 7

Vol. 2

Tales of an

by Paula Klein

Eighty-fi ve. Sunny. A slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky. Th at’s how most of us want our weather in the summertime. Meteorologist Shawna Olson has been forecasting the weather on the local NBC and CBS stations for the past fi ve years. She is knowledgeable about her trade, and knows exactly how to communicate her excitement for fantastic weather, as well as the weather disturbances that come our way.


Th at is, until one of her friends (who shall remain nameless for self-preservation purposes) decided to spray the boat with a huge wall of water via jet ski. Many of her friends were laughing. However, one was not. In fact, this person’s sole job for the day was to stay high and dry in the boat and hold on to Shawna’s engagement ring. Th is ring had been placed ever so gently on this trustworthy friend’s pinky.

When the wall of water rocked the boat, it also shook the responsible friend, who was a little upset over getting drenched and having a wet camera, not to mention all of the food on the boat getting wet. Hands, legs, hair, and fi ngers were all now drenched by this tidal wave. And more than just wet pretzels went overboard: the ring was no longer on the pinky fi nger of Shawna’s friend.

Th at’s when “Mission: Find that Ring” commenced. Th ankfully, the boat had been anchored in a shallow, sandy spot on Rush Lake. One friend stayed positioned precisely where the ring may have fallen, while another friend donned snorkeling gear and dove to the sandy bottom to search for the ring. Th e friends stayed still and focused. Th ey were determined they were going to fi nd the ring. It had to be there somewhere.

Shawna, who began to interject calmness into the rapidly emotional situation, would repeatedly throw out supportive but realistic things like, “Don’t worry, guys. Th e ring is insured, so don’t worry if you don’t fi nd it.” None of the comments made anyone in the group look any less.

A strategic line of feet was planted in the area where the ring was believed to be in the lake. With snorkels, fi ns, and goggles, several


Hopes quickly began to fade. Each time the friends felt on the sandy fl oor, the movement would kick up a cloud of sand that made it impossible to see under the water.


When hope was at its lowest point, and the search was about to go into low gear, a fi nal dive took place. Twenty feet from the initial anchored spot, a sparkle appeared. Th e partly cloudy sky parted and allowed the sun to provide added light straight through to the lake fl oor. Among all the sand and shells, with its diamonds plunged straight into the sand bottom, there it was – the diamond engagement ring.


By the way, Shawna’s ring has stayed safely on her fi nger ever since. Her latest forecast is for a long and happy marriage to her fi ance Kris. Finding that ring—priceless!

ODLGpagesFALL2009.indd 7 9/8/09 9:10 AM463083_kp3.indd 7 9/10/09 11:04 AM

creo


It might be every man’s dream. Rick Adams, lead singer for the local band Th e Roosters, has that dream right in his own backyard. Some might call it the man cave,

an oasis or a hideout. Rick calls it the “garage mahal.”

Even though it’s not attached to the house, his garage has become an

extension of the house. His home is 100 years old. He says it’s lacking in space,

so the garage adds a lot of extra square footage, even if it is a little walk to get there. Rick says it has become his living room, recreation room, or the basement he never could use because the ceilings are too low.

It has a brilliant palette featuring Budweiser red. Th e color is on the fl oor, and there’s a splash of it almost everywhere you look in the room. Th ere are beer-branded bar stools and snazzy neon signs

throughout. It’s equipped with a game table, a bar, and of course, a fridge. During the summer he has his hot tub on the deck, but in the winter it’s right inside the garage mahal. “It’s more fun to have it out here, because you can watch TV, and I’m an arm’s-length away from a cold drink in the fridge,” Rick shared. “Th e only thing missing is the bathroom. If I put a bathroom out here, I could rent it out,” he jokes.

Rick says he plans to add more to this oasis to make it even more pleasurable for all who enjoy it. Soon there will be a fl at-screen television and a Nintendo Wii in place of a window. “Th at way when people get kicked out (of games), they have something to do,” Rick chuckles. Th ose kicked out can also fi nd themselves in a game of darts.

Rick says he always wanted a nice garage, but the level that this garage has come to was never in the grand plan from the beginning. “I had a small garage fi rst;

Man CavesGarages aren’t just for cars and workshops anymore...

In Ground Pools • Above Ground Pools • SpasChemicals • Saunas • Grills • Accessories

Monday – Friday 8–6Saturday 9–2

1110 Hobart StreetHawley, MN 56549

218-483-3541www.olsonpoolsandspas.com

“More SPLASH

For Your Cash!”

Survive cold winters in a warm spa.Thinking of remolding your home this fall? Don’t forget to add a new spa. Check out our large selection.

Olson Pools.indd 1 8/28/09 3:23 PM

463083_kp.indd 8 8/31/09 3:01 PM

creo

It might be every man’s dream. Rick Adams, lead singer for the local band The Roosters, has that dream right in his own backyard. Some might call it the man cave,

an oasis or a hideout. Rick calls it the “garage mahal.”

Even though it’s not attached to the house, his garage has become an

extension of the house. His home is 100 years old. He says it’s lacking in space,

so the garage adds a lot of extra square footage, even if it is a little walk to get there. Rick says it has become his living room, recreation room, or the basement he never could use because the ceilings are too low.

It has a brilliant palette featuring Budweiser red. The color is on the floor, and there’s a splash of it almost everywhere you look in the room. There are beer-branded bar stools and snazzy neon signs

throughout. It’s equipped with a game table, a bar, and of course, a fridge. During the summer he has his hot tub on the deck, but in the winter it’s right inside the garage mahal. “It’s more fun to have it out here, because you can watch TV, and I’m an arm’s-length away from a cold drink in the fridge,” Rick shared. “The only thing missing is the bathroom. If I put a bathroom out here, I could rent it out,” he jokes.

Rick says he plans to add more to this oasis to make it even more pleasurable for all who enjoy it. Soon there will be a flat-screen television and a Nintendo Wii in place of a window. “That way when people get kicked out (of games), they have something to do,” Rick chuckles. Those kicked out can also find themselves in a game of darts.

Rick says he always wanted a nice garage, but the level that this garage has come to was never in the grand plan from the beginning. “I had a small garage first;

you couldn’t even park a Ford Probe in here,” Rick says. The small garage wasn’t useful so he decided to get rid of it. “A friend of mine took it down, so I never even had to do anything.” And that’s how his fresh palette got started. He built the double-car garage from the ground up. It was supposed to hold their vehicles. He began parking in his “work of art” during the winter the first year it was built, “but I never put a drain in, so I had to sweep out the water all the time.” So the self-proclaimed neat freak decided to stop parking in the garage and soon, the building started to take on a whole new life as a garage mahal. “One thing kind of led to another; I sheetrocked the walls and insulated.” It even has a heated floor.

The garage has become a place for fun. It’s the main hangout during football games, especially when the Vikings play. Rick says when he first built the garage they would cart his friend’s 60-inch TV over and

Rick Adams in his Dilworth, MN garage mahal.

Fall 2009 9

In Ground Pools • Above Ground Pools • SpasChemicals • Saunas • Grills • Accessories

Survive cold winters in a warm spa.Thinking of remolding your home this fall? Don’t forget to add a new spa. Check out our large selection.

Monday – Friday 8–6Saturday 9–2

1110 Hobart StreetHawley, MN 56549

218-483-3541www.olsonpoolsandspas.com

“More SPLASH

For Your Cash!”

Olson Pools.indd 1 9/1/09 3:51 PM

463083_kp1.indd 9 9/4/09 10:33 AM

creo

watch the games. After coming home late after a night of work with the band on a Saturday night, he would sleep in the next day. When he’d wake up, he’d fi nd 10 to 15 of his friends having a good time in the garage mahal without him. He says they would have crock-pots full of food and all kinds of beverages. “Sundays are great days; we never have to cook much.” Whatever the event, many of Rick’s friends will tell you that his place has become a true garage

mahal.Remember the good

old days of drive-in movie theaters? Th ey had the giant outdoor screen, and all you had to do was pull up in your car, fi nd a spot and watch the latest fl ick on the big screen. Well, Clayton Farmen of Wahpeton, ND, can do the very same thing right in his own garage. He admits he has only done it once, but his garage is set up with a giant projector screen that is eight feet by six feet. He

also has room for a few vehicles to park inside and watch anything from a movie to the latest NFL football game.

Farmen has a giant three-stall garage behind his home located across the alley. It’s equipped for fun and for work. Besides the giant screen he uses for he and his friends to watch Vikings football and NASCAR, he has comfortable

recliners, a table, a fridge and even a built-in keg. “It’s kind of a man cave, I guess. It’s a big doghouse,” Clayton says. Th e garage is also equipped with surround sound, satellite television, and a working bathroom that is not typical of any shop bathroom. It’s fi t for a king. It has a toilet, a sink and a shower. “Th at way I can clean up before I head to the house.”

Clayton tends to spend many hours in his garage. “My wife says I spend too much time out here. I might come out here by 7 or 8 am and stay here until about midnight some days,” Clayton shares. He says much of the time is spent hanging out with family and friends. He says it’s nice to have a place where friends can come over, have a drink and not worry about spilling on the carpet

as the garage fl oor is all cement. “You know in the house there’s carpet and nice furniture. You know people get excited when the Vikings score. If someone spills a drink, well, it’s no big deal. Just wipe it up.”

But Farmen says it’s not all for fun and games. He says he does

a lot of work in his garage, too.He spends several hours a day working

on vehicles, like the ’66 Mustang in his garage mahal. Th e garage is heated in the winter and has air conditioning for the hot, sultry days of summer. In the old garage, Clayton was used to lying on the freezing cold garage fl oor fi xing motors and trying to maintain vehicles. “I suff ered. You grab a wrench when it’s 10 below zero, and it’ll take the heat right out of your hands,” Clayton shares.

In 1999, Clayton built his garage mahal, spanning 34 feet by 40 feet with three overhead garage doors to serve many purposes. Right from the start, he knew it was going to be a place to work in luxury, but also be a place where he could have some fun, too. Clayton uses the space to sell items on eBay to earn money for the enhancements to his garage. He says he’d like to add a vehicle hoist to raise cars up and work on them. “Maybe we can use it as a table, too—a man table,” Clayton jests.

Taking a look around, it’s obvious a woman didn’t do much of the designing. Th is is a building built for a man. “I like to come out here and watch TV on the big screen, pour a cold one and just relax. It’s fun.”

Th e man cave. Th e garage mahal. Any way you package it, men and their spaces are truly unique.

Clayton Farmen in his man cave in Wahpeton, ND.

Custom Meat Processing Of Your Wild Game

Prime Cut Meats2434 South University Drive, Fargo • 476-1444 • Open 7 Days a Week

Get Ready for Holiday EntertainingOrder Your Meat Bundles Today!

Full Service Fresh Meats

Fresh Seafood

Meat & Deli Case

Homemade Sausage

Specialty Items

Meat Bundles

Special Requests Accepted


Do you have a “Garage Mahal”?Submit your photos [email protected] and we’ll put them up on our website www.outdoorlg.om

463083_kp.indd 10 8/31/09 3:01 PM

creo

recliners, a table, a fridge and even a built-in keg. “It’s kind of a man cave, I guess. It’s a big doghouse,” Clayton says. The garage is also equipped with surround sound, satellite television, and a working bathroom that is not typical of any shop bathroom. It’s fit for a king. It has a toilet, a sink and a shower. “That way I can clean up before I head to the house.”

Clayton tends to spend many hours in his garage. “My wife says I spend too much time out here. I might come out here by 7 or 8 am and stay here until about midnight some days,” Clayton shares. He says much of the time is spent hanging out with family and friends. He says it’s nice to have a place where friends can come over, have a drink and not worry about spilling on the carpet

as the garage floor is all cement. “You know in the house there’s carpet and nice furniture. You know people get excited when the Vikings score. If someone spills a drink, well, it’s no big deal. Just wipe it up.”

But Farmen says it’s not all for fun and games. He says he does

a lot of work in his garage, too.He spends several hours a day working

on vehicles, like the ’66 Mustang in his garage mahal. The garage is heated in the winter and has air conditioning for the hot, sultry days of summer. In the old garage, Clayton was used to lying on the freezing cold garage floor fixing motors and trying to maintain vehicles. “I suffered. You grab a wrench when it’s 10 below zero, and it’ll take the heat right out of your hands,” Clayton shares.

In 1999, Clayton built his garage mahal, spanning 34 feet by 40 feet with three overhead garage doors to serve many purposes. Right from the start, he knew it was going to be a place to work in luxury, but also be a place where he could have some fun, too. Clayton uses the space to sell items on eBay to earn money for the enhancements to his garage. He says he’d like to add a vehicle hoist to raise cars up and work on them. “Maybe we can use it as a table, too—a man table,” Clayton jests.

Taking a look around, it’s obvious a woman didn’t do much of the designing. This is a building built for a man. “I like to come out here and watch TV on the big screen, pour a cold one and just relax. It’s fun.”

The man cave. The garage mahal. Any way you package it, men and their spaces are truly unique.

“You know people get excited when the Vikings score. If someone spills a drink, well, it’s no big deal. Just wipe it up.”

Custom Meat Processing Of Your Wild Game

Prime Cut Meats2434 South University Drive, Fargo • 476-1444 • Open 7 Days a Week

Get Ready for Holiday EntertainingOrder Your Meat Bundles Today!

Full Service Fresh Meats

Fresh Seafood

Meat & Deli Case

Homemade Sausage

Specialty Items

Meat Bundles

Special Requests Accepted

Fall 2009 11

Do you have a “Garage Mahal”?Submit your photos to [email protected] and we’ll put them up on our website www.outdoorlg.com

463083_kp1.indd 11 9/4/09 10:33 AM

creo

Stargardt House Lights Up The Holidays

Most people have seen the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation where Clark Griswold is preparing to unveil his “exterior illumination.” As the Griswold house is plugged in, the neighbors are blinded by the light pollution from the millions of lights adorning the Griswold home, while “O Come All Ye Faithful” is being trumpeted in the background.

A typical homeowner has experienced this exact thing. As

soon as the lights are up and the “it’s beautiful” is shared with the

“lighting specialist extraordinaire,”

the wrestling with cords, the swearing at strings of

every Halloween. Terry and Ann’s daughter is all grown up

now and almost through with college, but they still love to create a spooky experience for the kids of Fargo and West Fargo each Halloween. Terry’s parents even come from Wisconsin to help scare visitors and hand out candy. Terry admits that he’s “just a big kid,” and loves adding something new to the mix every year. Last year was the Tunnel of Terror, and who knows what this year will bring. He wouldn’t divulge that information. Five hundred people came across the Stargardt lawn last All Hallow’s Eve. You never know what will pop out of coffi ns, fall from trees, land next to your car, or creep up right next to you. It’s a production—with six friends and Stargardt’s parents helping each year. One thing is for certain—you won’t leave having not had at least one giggle or scare! Terry

says, “If it makes some people smile, it’s worth it.” He begins his decorating two and a half weeks before Halloween. He starts hanging his spooks, and just has fun setting up. Th en they wait for the big night of scares and good old-fashioned fun.

Terry and Ann don’t stop with Halloween, though. Shortly after Th anksgiving, Terry starts planning for the next big holiday—Christmas. Th ere’s one thing about having holiday lighting as a hobby—you have to enjoy it! Terry shares that in all that he does for holiday decorating, he keeps this in mind: “It’s all about giving. Th at’s all.” And give they do!

Th e stakes are in the ground before the ground freezes. He says he has a mental map of how things go in the yard. Jokingly, he says, “When I go senile, everything will be out of whack!”

Terry and Ann’s Christmas decorations are classy. Th e driveway is lined with candy canes, and he couldn’t really share

this exact thing. As soon as the lights

shared with the “lighting specialist extraordinaire,”

lights, the hours spent testing and checking bulbs, the kicking at lighted creatures to get them to work and the hours of backbreaking light hanging via ladder are all forgotten. It’s all for the greater good...and for the sake of enhancing “holiday spirit.”

But “holiday spirit” doesn’t have to mean just for Christmas. Terry and Ann Stargardt of West Fargo, ND, have fi gured out how to make a fun hobby into something their entire neighborhood and community look forward to seeing. Terry comes by his love of decorating for holidays quite naturally. He grew up decorating for Halloween and Christmas with his parents, who weren’t afraid to create interesting and memorable experiences for their visitors. Terry and Ann’s house is known to the kids in the area as “the scary house.” It’s an urban-legend on County Road 17...and the kids can’t wait to see what Terry will add to his haunted array


DEALER

SeclusionsFencing Systems

5507 53rd Ave SW • Fargo, ND 58104701-232-4001 • www.deckmasters.net

LOW MAINTENANCE• No Painting or Staining

STUNNING LOOK• Rich Color and Finish

EASY INSTALLATION• Interconnecting Pickets

Provide Fast Assembly

WIND LOAD CERTIFICATION• Tested Up To 110 mph

DURABILITY• Stands Up To Extreme Weather• Stand-Alone Posts

New product

2009

SeclusionsFencing

TrexFencing Half page.indd 1 8/27/09 3:17 PM

463083_kp.indd 12 8/31/09 3:01 PM

creo

every Halloween. Terry and Ann’s daughter is all grown up

now and almost through with college, but they still love to create a spooky experience for the kids of Fargo and West Fargo each Halloween. Terry’s parents even come from Wisconsin to help scare visitors and hand out candy. Terry admits that he’s “just a big kid,” and loves adding something new to the mix every year. Last year was the Tunnel of Terror, and who knows what this year will bring. He wouldn’t divulge that information. Five hundred people came across the Stargardt lawn last All Hallow’s Eve. You never know what will pop out of coffi ns, fall from trees, land next to your car, or creep up right next to you. It’s a production—with six friends and Stargardt’s parents helping each year. One thing is for certain—you won’t leave having not had at least one giggle or scare! Terry

says, “If it makes some people smile, it’s worth it.” He begins his decorating two and a half weeks before Halloween. He starts hanging his spooks, and just has fun setting up. Th en they wait for the big night of scares and good old-fashioned fun.

Terry and Ann don’t stop with Halloween, though. Shortly after Th anksgiving, Terry starts planning for the next big holiday—Christmas. Th ere’s one thing about having holiday lighting as a hobby—you have to enjoy it! Terry shares that in all that he does for holiday decorating, he keeps this in mind: “It’s all about giving. Th at’s all.” And give they do!

Th e stakes are in the ground before the ground freezes. He says he has a mental map of how things go in the yard. Jokingly, he says, “When I go senile, everything will be out of whack!”

Terry and Ann’s Christmas decorations are classy. Th e driveway is lined with candy canes, and he couldn’t really share

how many lights gild their home. He just says, “10, 15, 20 thousand lights, maybe. I have a lot.” When asked about the cost to illuminate the home, he shared, “It’s like $1 or $2 a day for 30 days. Th at’s nothing for people to enjoy it (the decorations).” He does use outdoor timers to limit his energy consumption, but in the end, it’s all about what he thinks looks good and will bring enjoyment to others.

If you’re looking to embark on the hobby of holiday lighting, here are some things you may want to consider:• LEDLights.Th eyareverydurableand

use a very small amount of wattage compared to incandescent bulbs, thus emitting minimal heat. And the added bonus—they last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs!

• NetLights.Th eseareidealforlightingshrubs and drape right over shrubbery, thus making for easy take-down after the holidays.

Terry Stargardt in front of his home in West Fargo, ND.

Fall 2009 13

DEALER

SeclusionsFencing Systems


LOW MAINTENANCE• No Painting or Staining

STUNNING LOOK• Rich Color and Finish

EASY INSTALLATION• Interconnecting Pickets

Provide Fast Assembly

WIND LOAD CERTIFICATION• Tested Up To 110 mph

DURABILITY• Stands Up To Extreme Weather• Stand-Alone Posts

New product

2009

SeclusionsFencing

TrexFencing Half page.indd 1 8/27/09 3:17 PM

463083_kp.indd 13 8/31/09 3:01 PM

creo

• LessisMore.Limitthekindsofdifferentlightsyouuseonyourhome.Fewervarietiescreateaclassyeffectandwon’tgiveyouronlookers“sensoryoverload.”Haveawellthought-outplanandexecuteit.

• UseOutdoorandIndoorAutomaticTimers.Safetyfirst!Holidaylightsshouldn’tbeleftonwhenyouareasleeporwhileyouareawayfromyourhome.Setautomatictimersbothforyourindoorlightsandyouroutdoordécor.

• UsePlasticClips.Neverusestaplesornailsforputtingupdecorativelights.Asmuchaspossible,useplasticclipsthataresoldatmostboxstores.Theycaneasilybeattachedtoeaves,guttersandrailings.

• Don’tOverload.Readthemanufacturer’sguidelinesastohowmanystringsoflightscanbeconnectedatatime.Toomanycouldleadtocircuitoverloadandpowerfailure.

• TakeDownLightsPromptly.Itisn’tsafetoleaveholidaylightsuptoolongaftertheholidayiscomplete.Withourweatherextremes,thenaturalelementscangraduallydamagelightsandcreatehazards.Plus,leavingholidaylightsupuntilEastercanbeabitofaneighborhoodeyesore.

• ChangeBulbColor.Ifyourhomealreadyhasexteriorlighting,foranaddedeffect,changethecolorofthebulbtoaddafunholidayeffect.Ifyouwouldratherleavelighthangingtoaprofessional,Mark

StrandofOutdoorLightingPerspectivescanhelpyouout.Hiscompanyoffersthe“ChannelBrite”system,whichisapermanent,year-round,multi-functionlightingoption.Itisinstalledin150-footstripstighttothehouseandundertheguttersystem.Healsooffersamaintenanceagreementforcheckingthesystem,andreplacingbulbs,andsoon.

Whereveryouareinyourholidaylightingventures,rememberthat“exteriorillumination”shouldbeanenjoyableexperienceandnotastressfulone.RememberTerryStargardt’sadvice—it’sallaboutgiving.Happyholidaylightingplanning!


Complete Landscape CenterPatios & Retaining Walls • Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

Boulders & Landscape Rock • Water FeaturesOutdoor Kitchens • Concrete Edging • Lawn Care

Fargo, ND

Visit Our Showroom4347 12th Ave N, Fargo

701-232-7782www.valleylandscaping.com

Let Us Create Your Curve Appeal

vl-Fall2009.indd 1 8/27/09 3:15 PM463083_kp1.indd 14 9/4/09 10:48 AM

creo

Fall 2009 15

• LessisMore.Limitthe kinds of different lights you use on your home. Fewer varieties create a classy effect and won’t give your onlookers “sensory overload.” Have a well thought-out plan and execute it.

• UseOutdoorandIndoor Automatic Timers. Safety first! Holiday lights shouldn’t be left on when you are asleep or while you are away from your home. Set automatic timers both for your indoor lights and your outdoor décor.

• UsePlasticClips.Neverusestaplesornailsforputtingupdecorative lights. As much as possible, use plastic clips that are sold at most box stores.They can easily be attached to eaves, gutters and railings.

• Don’tOverload.Readthemanufacturer’sguidelinesastohowmany strings of lights can be connected at a time. Too many could lead to circuit overload and power failure.

• TakeDownLightsPromptly.Itisn’tsafetoleaveholidaylightsup too long after the holiday is complete. With our weather extremes, the natural elements can gradually damage lights and create hazards. Plus, leaving holiday lights up until Easter can be a bit of a neighborhood eyesore.

• ChangeBulbColor.Ifyourhomealreadyhasexteriorlighting,for an added effect, change the color of the bulb to add a fun holiday effect.

If you would rather leave light hanging to a professional, Mark Strand of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives can help you out. His company offers the “Channel Brite” system, which is a permanent, year-round, multi-function lighting option. It is installed in 150-foot strips tight to the house and under the gutter system. He also offers a maintenance agreement for checking the system, and replacing bulbs, and so on.

Wherever you are in your holiday lighting ventures, remember that “exterior illumination” should be an enjoyable experience and not a stressful one. Remember Terry Stargardt’s advice—it’s all about giving. Happy holiday lighting planning!

Complete Landscape CenterPatios & Retaining Walls • Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

Boulders & Landscape Rock • Water FeaturesOutdoor Kitchens • Concrete Edging • Lawn Care

Fargo, ND

Visit Our Showroom4347 12th Ave N, Fargo

701-232-7782www.valleylandscaping.com

Let Us Create Your Curve Appeal

vl-Fall2009.indd 1 8/27/09 3:15 PM463083_kp.indd 15 8/31/09 3:01 PM

creo

9’716 Outdoor Design Living guide Fall 2009 17

A solar-heated home built into the side of a hill in the middle of a small town in North Dakota. You’d think this was made up, but it’s not. And the kicker—this home was built 30 years ago.

Al and Sue Goehring of Wimbledon, ND, bought the home from Mike and Judy Schlecht three years ago. The Schlechts had just moved to their lake home on Spiritwood Lake. The Goehrings were dealing with Sue’s diagnosis of inclusion body myositis (IBM), a form of muscular dystrophy

affecting Sue’s muscular functions and mobility. It just so happened that the Schlechts’ home was ideal for the Goehrings, as it was all on one floor, had a ramp going into the home, had no steps, and could easily be made handicapped accessible. The bonus was that the Schlecht house was extremely energy efficient and was a stark

•BeautifulWoodGrainlook–Availableinavarietyofcolors

•LowMaintenance–willnotmoldorstain

•HighDurability–willnotscratch,fade

Cellular PVCDecking

Stop in today to see our large selection and talk to the Deck Experts about the best decking products available.

5507 53rd Ave SW • Fargo, ND 58104 • 701-232-4001 • www.deckmasters.net

South Fargo home

cellular.indd 1 8/27/09 3:16 PM

Al and Sue Goehring of Wimbledon, North Dakota..

463083_kp2.indd 16 9/8/09 2:03 PM

creo

9’716 Outdoor Design Living guide Fall 2009 17

A solar-heated home built into the side of a hill in the middle of a small town in North Dakota. You’d think this was made up, but it’s not. And the kicker—this home was built 30 years ago.

Al and Sue Goehring of Wimbledon, ND, bought the home from Mike and Judy Schlecht three years ago. The Schlechts had just moved to their lake home on Spiritwood Lake. The Goehrings were dealing with Sue’s diagnosis of inclusion body myositis (IBM), a form of muscular dystrophy

affecting Sue’s muscular functions and mobility. It just so happened that the Schlechts’ home was ideal for the Goehrings, as it was all on one floor, had a ramp going into the home, had no steps, and could easily be made handicapped accessible. The bonus was that the Schlecht house was extremely energy efficient and was a stark

•BeautifulWoodGrainlook–Availableinavarietyofcolors

•LowMaintenance–willnotmoldorstain

•HighDurability–willnotscratch,fade

Cellular PVCDecking

Stop in today to see our large selection and talk to the Deck Experts about the best decking products available.

5507 53rd Ave SW • Fargo, ND 58104 • 701-232-4001 • www.deckmasters.net

South Fargo home

cellular.indd 1 8/27/09 3:16 PM

Al and Sue Goehring of Wimbledon, North Dakota..

463083_kp2.indd 17 9/8/09 2:03 PM

creo


contrast from the Goehrings’ previous 1920s two-story home.

The home is truly unique. The Schlechts got the basic idea for the home after seeing a lake home built into a hill near Aberdeen, SD. The entire nation had just gone through the energy crisis of the 1970s, and when they decided to build a new home for their growing family in 1979, energy efficiency was on Mike’s mind. It really wouldn’t cost much more to construct a more energy efficient home, and Judy was supportive of him. He read articles from newspapers and magazines. He gleaned the necessary information to make decisions that would affect the design and construction of the home.

Mike learned that building the house on pea rock would be sturdier than using concrete, which could crack. The added benefit of the pea rock was that it would take water away from the home and to the sump area. This is important as Wimbledon was settled on a swamp. He learned that “green lumber” was good for a project like this as it already had high moisture content. He researched the construction of a mansard roof—a roof that has two slopes on each of the sides, the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope. This type of

roof would help with the extremes of winter in North Dakota and would allow snow and rain to move easily away from the home. The design of the home being built into a hill was completely on purpose. The earth would be an insulator in the winter and would help to keep the home cool in the summer.

Heating the home was his next research opportunity. Solar energy was ideal for this situation. The way he figured it, “Any b.t.u. from the sun is great, especially in North Dakota.” Added bonus—the heat was free. Mike and Judy began collecting pop and beer cans for solar collectors in their old home. Mike began building rectangular solar collection units that would go on the new home. He found out that using the bottom third of a can would catch rays from the sun at any angle. He painted them black and built the panels with covers for

the new home. He then designed a system that would click on a thermostat when the panel’s temperature reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a fan from a furnace, it would blow the warm air into appropriate rooms and bring in new air into the box to begin the cycle again. For the top of the home, he would use corrugated aluminum for the collection. The cold air behind the aluminum would move to the front side and join existing air, heat up and then move into the house.

Great Plains Lumber Yard of St. Paul, Minnesota, created the blueprints for the home and were the main contractors. Mike, his father, his uncle, and many friends had a hand in the construction. The end result

he found out

would catch rays fromthe Sun at any anglethe Sun at any angle

would catch rays fromthe Sun at any angle

would catch rays from

that using the

bottom of a can

⁄³⁄³⁄¹⁄¹⁄

Mike and Judy Schlecht of Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota.

Fall 2009 19

was a move in date of December of 1979 into a well-built and energy efficient home for the growing Schlecht family.

The Goehrings are very grateful for the forward thinking of the Schlechts. It costs under $200 a month to heat in the winter and under $100 a month to cool in the summer their 2000 square foot home. Al enjoys the minimal upkeep on the home, especially the limited amount of painting, and the ease of the care of the solar panels—simply take off the covers and put electricity to the pump. Sue enjoys the safety she feels living in the home. “I feel safe here, “ Sue states. “One of the side effects of this disease is that I fall. I can get around easily in this home.”

Some renovations have been made to the home since the Goehrings bought it. Thirty-six inch doors have been installed throughout the home for future wheelchair accessibility, laminate flooring was laid in the kitchen and master bedroom, and the bathroom was remodeled for a walk-in/roll-in shower. A brick patio was also built for Sue by her family, as good doses of Vitamin D and heat from the Sun helps with her chronic pain. All of this was added to an already solid foundation of a home.

An energy efficient home built into the side of a hill in a small town in North Dakota. Thanks to the forward thinking of a couple nearly 30 years ago, Al and Sue Goehring have a home that is accessible and light on the pocket book!

The mansard roof was a architectural innovation created by French architect Francois Mansart (1598-1666). The main purpose of the roof was to add another floor upward without physically adding another story to the home. This was an economical innovation in heavily populated cities such as Paris where building up was taxed enormously. Schlecht’s design utilizes the protection offered by the roof surround and the inherent economic efficiency that come with it. Hundreds of years later, Mansart’s design continues to save people money.

All forjust

$129

Pizza PlungePizza PlungeIt’s a party with a splash!

R A M A D A

• Two room suite• A tasty 16-inch, one-topping

pizza from Basies• 6 pool wristbands • All the splashing, swimming and

waterslide riding you can stand!

Call 701-277-9000 to reserve your date!Sunday - Thursday only, subject to availability Promo Code LPPP

WATERPARK

463083_kp2.indd 18 9/8/09 2:03 PM

creo


contrast from the Goehrings’ previous 1920s two-story home.

The home is truly unique. The Schlechts got the basic idea for the home after seeing a lake home built into a hill near Aberdeen, SD. The entire nation had just gone through the energy crisis of the 1970s, and when they decided to build a new home for their growing family in 1979, energy efficiency was on Mike’s mind. It really wouldn’t cost much more to construct a more energy efficient home, and Judy was supportive of him. He read articles from newspapers and magazines. He gleaned the necessary information to make decisions that would affect the design and construction of the home.

Mike learned that building the house on pea rock would be sturdier than using concrete, which could crack. The added benefit of the pea rock was that it would take water away from the home and to the sump area. This is important as Wimbledon was settled on a swamp. He learned that “green lumber” was good for a project like this as it already had high moisture content. He researched the construction of a mansard roof—a roof that has two slopes on each of the sides, the lower slope being steeper than the upper slope. This type of

roof would help with the extremes of winter in North Dakota and would allow snow and rain to move easily away from the home. The design of the home being built into a hill was completely on purpose. The earth would be an insulator in the winter and would help to keep the home cool in the summer.

Heating the home was his next research opportunity. Solar energy was ideal for this situation. The way he figured it, “Any b.t.u. from the sun is great, especially in North Dakota.” Added bonus—the heat was free. Mike and Judy began collecting pop and beer cans for solar collectors in their old home. Mike began building rectangular solar collection units that would go on the new home. He found out that using the bottom third of a can would catch rays from the sun at any angle. He painted them black and built the panels with covers for

the new home. He then designed a system that would click on a thermostat when the panel’s temperature reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a fan from a furnace, it would blow the warm air into appropriate rooms and bring in new air into the box to begin the cycle again. For the top of the home, he would use corrugated aluminum for the collection. The cold air behind the aluminum would move to the front side and join existing air, heat up and then move into the house.

Great Plains Lumber Yard of St. Paul, Minnesota, created the blueprints for the home and were the main contractors. Mike, his father, his uncle, and many friends had a hand in the construction. The end result

Mike and Judy Schlecht of Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota.

Fall 2009 19

was a move in date of December of 1979 into a well-built and energy efficient home for the growing Schlecht family.

The Goehrings are very grateful for the forward thinking of the Schlechts. It costs under $200 a month to heat in the winter and under $100 a month to cool in the summer their 2000 square foot home. Al enjoys the minimal upkeep on the home, especially the limited amount of painting, and the ease of the care of the solar panels—simply take off the covers and put electricity to the pump. Sue enjoys the safety she feels living in the home. “I feel safe here, “ Sue states. “One of the side effects of this disease is that I fall. I can get around easily in this home.”

Some renovations have been made to the home since the Goehrings bought it. Thirty-six inch doors have been installed throughout the home for future wheelchair accessibility, laminate flooring was laid in the kitchen and master bedroom, and the bathroom was remodeled for a walk-in/roll-in shower. A brick patio was also built for Sue by her family, as good doses of Vitamin D and heat from the Sun helps with her chronic pain. All of this was added to an already solid foundation of a home.

An energy efficient home built into the side of a hill in a small town in North Dakota. Thanks to the forward thinking of a couple nearly 30 years ago, Al and Sue Goehring have a home that is accessible and light on the pocket book!

The mansard roof was a architectural innovation created by French architect Francois Mansart (1598-1666). The main purpose of the roof was to add another floor upward without physically adding another story to the home. This was an economical innovation in heavily populated cities such as Paris where building up was taxed enormously. Schlecht’s design utilizes the protection offered by the roof surround and the inherent economic efficiency that come with it. Hundreds of years later, Mansart’s design continues to save people money.

Architectural Economics

All forjust

$129

Pizza PlungePizza PlungeIt’s a party with a splash!

R A M A D A

• Two room suite• A tasty 16-inch, one-topping

pizza from Basies• 6 pool wristbands • All the splashing, swimming and

waterslide riding you can stand!

Call 701-277-9000 to reserve your date!Sunday - Thursday only, subject to availability Promo Code LPPP

WATERPARK

463083_kp2.indd 19 9/8/09 2:03 PM

creo

20 Outdoor Design Living guide20 Outdoor Design Living guide

English Muffi n PizzasIt’s fun for everyone to make their own pizza with the toppings wanted! Use an English muffi n for the crust, spread on pizza sauce, top with desired toppings (no matter how whacky!) and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese bubbles! Everyone ends up eating their own creation, no matter how crazy!

StartersPotato soup

Mixed green salad

Main Course

Pork chop with red wine gravy

Dessert

New York Cheese Cake

MOM’S MENU

Exterior wood surfaces are exposed to a variety of harsh elements. Ultraviolet rays, rain, sleet and snow all contribute to damaging those surfaces. The wood finish experts at Sikkens understand these challenges. Cetol SRD offers a high-quality, affordable, one-coat, easy-to-use product to protect and beautify your home.

3202 13th Avenue South • Fargo, ND 701-232-8903 • scheels.com

The choice is simple

SHH_OutdoorDesignSikkens_8.09.indd 1 8/6/09 9:02:52 AM

Fargo: 1801 45th St. South, Suite L2 • 701-282-9011/ 800-850-7676

Multiple locations statewide - visit our website at www.firstcommunitycu.com

Angie RohrichFinancial Services Officer

Darlene GriegerBranch Manager

Checking & Savings • CDs • IRAs

Mortgages • Home Equity Loans

Auto Loans • Consumer Loans

Business & Ag Loans

Reward VISA

Instant Cash & Check Card

463083_kp.indd 20 8/31/09 3:04 PM

creo

Winters in the Midwest can be brutal. After last winter’s sucker punches weekend after weekend, it might be nice to have a survival guide for making it through what can be our harshest season. This guide goes beyond the obvious of watching movies or sports and eating pizza with family and friends. There’s something for everyone!

Cabin Fever Survival Guide

StartersPotato soup

Mixed green salad

Main Course

Pork chop with red wine gravy

Dessert

New York Cheese Cake

MOM’S MENU

Photo Credit: Kevin Jeff rey

Fall 2009 21

Exterior wood surfaces are exposed to a variety of harsh elements. Ultraviolet rays, rain, sleet and snow all contribute to damaging those surfaces. The wood finish experts at Sikkens understand these challenges. Cetol SRD offers a high-quality, affordable, one-coat, easy-to-use product to protect and beautify your home.

3202 13th Avenue South • Fargo, ND 701-232-8903 • scheels.com

The choice is simple

SHH_OutdoorDesignSikkens_8.09.indd 1 8/6/09 9:02:52 AM

Fargo: 1801 45th St. South, Suite L2 • 701-282-9011/ 800-850-7676

Multiple locations statewide - visit our website at www.firstcommunitycu.com

Angie RohrichFinancial Services Officer

Darlene GriegerBranch Manager

Checking & Savings • CDs • IRAs

Mortgages • Home Equity Loans

Auto Loans • Consumer Loans

Business & Ag Loans

Reward VISA

Instant Cash & Check Card

English Muffi n PizzasIt’s fun for everyone to make their own pizza with the toppings wanted! Use an English muffi n for the crust, spread on pizza sauce, top with desired toppings (no matter how whacky!) and bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese bubbles! Everyone ends up eating their own creation, no matter how crazy!

Bake as a FamilyCookies always taste better when little hands have helped to make them! Get out your favorite cookie or sweet treat recipe and make them together.

Find an Open GymFind out when the area schools or gyms are having Open Gym. Take the entire family and have some time to “play” together!

Family Game NightTurn off the TV and

get out the board games. What a great way to teach

sportsmanship and how to be a good winner and loser. Put some

snacks on the table, get everyone their favorite drink, and the entire

family will be happy around the kitchen table!

It’s Your Special NightMake everyone feel special by asking each member of the family to help plan the menu for their special night! One catch—when it’s your special night, you get to help prepare your favorite food and serve it to your family! But everyone else is on clean-up duty afterward!

Touchstone Energy Dinosaur Playland at the West Acres MallSince winter means not playing on playgrounds anymore, this indoor play area is a great way for your little ones to blow off some steam. Be sure to pack socks, as that is one of the rules to play!

463083_kp.indd 21 9/2/09 11:39 AM

creo

Indoor Water ParksThere are several great indoor water parks in our immediate area. The Holiday Inn of Fargo has Shipwreck Bay, a small indoor water park with a pirate ship play area and fi ve small water slides. The Ramada Plaza Suites of Fargo has Coconut Cove Water Park, a small indoor water play area with a 150’ winding slide, as well as a kiddie pool with a dewdrop cascade. The Governor’s Inn of Casselton has a two-story water slide, a fi ve-level kiddie structure, two swimming pools, a lilly pad water walk, water basketball and volleyball, and a large hot tub.Or if you want to travel out of the area for a weekend away, there are some great water parks near the Twin Cities and in the Grand Forks area. Grand Rios in Brooklyn Park, MN, has several water slides, a lazy river, “toilet bowl” slide, interactive children’s play area, and whirlpool spas. The Water Park of America near the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, offers fun for the whole family. They have a surfi ng simulator ride, family raft ride, tube and body water slides, an interactive play structure, children’s pool, sports activity pools, hot tubs, and a lazy river. The Canad Inn in Grand Forks has Splasher’s of the South Seas water park. It is the largest indoor water park in North Dakota. It has several slides, activity pools, a lazy river, a kiddie play area, and an adult hot tub. The Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls also has a great water park. It has four water slides, three mini-slides, a lazy river, tipping bucket, wading pool, and 2 hot tubs.

Fun OutdoorsBundle up and go outside! Go for a brisk walk, go cross-country skiing, go sledding at Dike West in Fargo or the sledding hill at Maplewood Park in West Fargo, make snow people, or have a snowball fi ght. Better yet, organize a snowball battle via your favorite social networking site. Set the time and place, and watch the snow fl y! This list could go on and on! It’s much better than sitting inside!

Attend a USCC Snowmobiling RaceUnited States Cross Country Snowmobile Racing hosts races in our area. If you’re not happy without going 80 miles an hour on a sled, then you would enjoy watching some of the best amateur and professional snowmobile racers around. Visit www.usccracing.com for the full schedule and make a weekend of it!

Snow SkiingIt’s not Big Sky in Montana, but if you want a day excursion or a weekend to snowboard or ski, we’ve got a few ski areas near us. Andes Tower Hills just outside of Alexandria, MN, is probably the closest geographically to Fargo. Frostfi re Ski and Snowboard Area is on the Pembina Gorge in Walhalla, ND, just southwest of Grand Forks. Fort Ransom is southwest of Fargo and is a great place to teach kids to ski. If you’re looking for something more substantial, a weekend trip to Buena Vista in Bemidji or Lutsen in Duluth might be more up your alley!

Winter Getaway on Lake DetroitThe Lodge on Lake Detroit in Detroit Lakes makes a wonderful getaway. You’ll feel like you’re in another world and away from it all! There are many things to do inside and out—from a spa experience to an indoor pool and hot tub to outdoor experiences like ice fi shing and snowmobiling. The Lodge offers many inclusions in their packages like a breakfast buffet, but you can add couple’s massages and even a milk and cookies turndown!

22 Outdoor Design LIVING GUIDE

The Children’s Museum at Yunker FarmAlthough one thinks of Yunker Farm as an outdoor activity, there are still lots of fun activities to explore indoors at the Children’s Museum. Bring your young children for some creative play and interaction with other children. Check their website for what is new in exhibits for the season: www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org

The Sports BubbleWhen we’re dreaming of warm weather, many of us dream of golf. Grab your clubs and go hit a bucket of balls at the Sports Bubble. Play the golf simulators, take a lesson from golf pro Matt Johnson, and enjoy a beverage and some Pizza Corner pizza. The Sports Bubble also hosts indoor fl ag football, softball, and simulator golf leagues throughout the fall and winter seasons. Check out the website atwww.thesportsbubble.com.

463083_kp.indd 22 9/2/09 11:40 AM

creo

Climbing WallsWe don’t have any real mountains around here, but we do have a couple of great climbing walls in Fargo that allow us to feel like we’re mountain climbers! The NDSU Wallman Wellness Center has a climbing wall that is 34 feet tall and resembles the geology of North Dakota. It is free standing and is 26 feet long. It’s great for beginning climbers and experts. Check out the website http://wellness.ndsu.nodak.edu/sports/wall.php for climbing wall hours and certifi cation classes. The Scholossman Family YMCA in South Fargo also has a climbing wall that is quite popular with all ages and skill levels. Belay Certifi cation classes are available for this 32-foot high wall that has six different lanes. The lanes are changed quite often to keep climbers challenged. Check out the website www.ymcacassclay.org for more information.

A Winter Cookout?Who says that grilling can only take place in the summer? Fire up the gas grill and have a BBQ! Prepare ribs, burgers, or brats on the grill (someone will have to bundle up and grill on the driveway, of course!) yet “pretend” that it’s summer. Everyone can come to the table in summer clothes, sunglasses, or bathing suits and dream of the warm! Then afterward, have s’mores microwave style. Simply put the bottom graham cracker with the large marshmallow in the microwave for a few seconds, and top with the chocolate and second graham cracker. You’ve just transported yourself back to summertime by the fi re pit at the lake. Well, sort of!

Snow SkiingIt’s not Big Sky in Montana, but if you want a day excursion or a weekend to snowboard or ski, we’ve got a few ski areas near us. Andes Tower Hills just outside of Alexandria, MN, is probably the closest geographically to Fargo. Frostfi re Ski and Snowboard Area is on the Pembina Gorge in Walhalla, ND, just southwest of Grand Forks. Fort Ransom is southwest of Fargo and is a great place to teach kids to ski. If you’re looking for something more substantial, a weekend trip to Buena Vista in Bemidji or Lutsen in Duluth might be more up your alley!

Try Ice FishingThere are like 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, right? Well, try your hand at ice fi shing. There is an entire ice fi shing culture in this area. Go to your local bait shop and fi nd out where the hot spots are. Bring an ice auger, your tackle, don the long underwear, and enjoy a day outdoors…or indoors, if you’re lucky enough to go with someone who has a decked-out icehouse!

Winter Getaway on Lake DetroitThe Lodge on Lake Detroit in Detroit Lakes makes a wonderful getaway. You’ll feel like you’re in another world and away from it all! There are many things to do inside and out—from a spa experience to an indoor pool and hot tub to outdoor experiences like ice fi shing and snowmobiling. The Lodge offers many inclusions in their packages like a breakfast buffet, but you can add couple’s massages and even a milk and cookies turndown!

Fall 2009 23

463083_kp.indd 23 8/31/09 3:05 PM

Safety fi rst! Deck railings are perhaps one of the most important components of any deck as they keep you and your guests from falling while walking up or down steps and provides protection from accidental falls. Th ere are many options when it comes to designing deck railings that create an aesthetically pleasing appearance to your deck and add to its character. When it comes to deck design, individuality sets your deck apart from everyone

else. Don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on post caps and balusters. It’s what people see when they look at your deck. Th ere are so many options in design. Make your deck refl ect your personality.

Once you’ve chosen the design, installing a railing isn’t a diffi cult proposition. But it helps to know what the experts know about the installation of posts and deck railings.

Designate post locations. Post locations are determined by the overall dimensions of the deck and the railing style selected. If you are building from a boxed kit, you will more than likely be limited to 6' or 8'. A 12' run of the deck would have a post placed at each end and one post at the midway point. Th e deck-builder’s rule is that there should be a post every 6'. If there are angles on the deck, you need to have a post in every corner.

Post Installation

Step 2

90o

90o

6'

3'v

v

v

v

4.5"v

v

Step 3

Install the rail post. Tie the rail post to the framework of the deck structure, using the rim, box and perimeter joist structure of the deck as the major support post.

Add post blocking between joists, and tie posts to the blocking to give it a solid feel. Th ere should be galvanized carriage bolts and exterior-coated framing screws to fasten the post properly to the blocking. You can also add outdoor construction adhesive to strengthen the posts.

Do It Yourself


463083_kp1.indd 24 9/4/09 10:36 AM

creo

Fall 2009 25

else. Don’t be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on post caps and balusters. It’s what people see when they look at your deck. Th ere are so many options in design. Make your deck refl ect your personality.

Once you’ve chosen the design, installing a railing isn’t a diffi cult proposition. But it helps to know what the experts know about the installation of posts and deck railings.

Posts are the foundation. How a deck post is fastened to the structure of the deck creates the quality, end results and safety of the deck.

Designate post locations. Post locations are determined by the overall dimensions of the deck and the railing style selected. If you are building from a boxed kit, you will more than likely be limited to 6' or 8'. A 12' run of the deck would have a post placed at each end and one post at the midway point. Th e deck-builder’s rule is that there should be a post every 6'. If there are angles on the deck, you need to have a post in every corner.

Post Installation

Step 1

Choose the correct post. Most people use ponderosa pine green-treated posts. Some people add galvanized inserts into the posts for strength. It is suggested that you consider using three-ply laminated KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) to prevent twisting and warping of the posts. It costs a little bit more, but you will appreciate the strength and stability of the post.

Step 2

v

Step 3

Install the rail post. Tie the rail post to the framework of the deck structure, using the rim, box and perimeter joist structure of the deck as the major support post.

Add post blocking between joists, and tie posts to the blocking to give it a solid feel. Th ere should be galvanized carriage bolts and exterior-coated framing screws to fasten the post properly to the blocking. You can also add outdoor construction adhesive to strengthen the posts.

• Suet• Bulk bird feed• Shelled roasted nuts• Fruit feeders• Weather guards• Butterfly houses• Recycled bird feeders• Heated bird bath crittersfeedandseed.com

1219 1st Avenue North • Moorhead, MN 56560 218-233-2432 or 866-700-2432

463083_kp.indd 25 8/31/09 3:05 PM

creo


Cell 701-491-0572

[email protected]

First time Home Buyers –

tHere's still time to QualiFy For tHe $8,000 reBate

Call me today for more information.The market is strong, and neighborhoods are growing!

Licensed in ND & MN

2521 So. Univ. Dr. Fargo, ND

Step 5

Railing Installation

Check your posts. Be certain that they are plumb. Taking the time to make sure they are plumb/level will make the next part of the installation go smoothly. Make sure the rail is 36" tall. Whenever the deck is more than 30" tall, by National Building Code, the rail has to be a minimum of 36".

After the posts are secure, fill in the space between posts with your desired deck railing. Deck railings are made of top rail, top side-rail, bottom rail and balusters, sometimes called pickets/spindles. Most rail sections are easily installed by laying them down on a flat surface such as your deck.

Get the desired measurement for top and bottom rails. Measure between the posts. If a rail collar or rail connector bracket is used to attach the top and bottom rails to the posts, be sure to take into account the thickness of the collars or brackets for the final length measurement of the rails.

Lay out the baluster/picket spacing. If you are using a boxed rail kit, this will more than likely be done for you. The top and bottom rails will be pre-drilled for baluster attachment. If you are working from scratch, you will have to lay out the baluster placement with a tape measure. There are a number of inexpensive jigs/spacers on the market that will help your job gofaster.Thesejigs/spacershelpwithaccuracyandspeed.Usingthemwillalsoensurethatthe balusters are level and artistically pleasing. You’ll pay for the spacer five times over by not having missed cuts.

Choose final post height measurement. This will be determined by the railing style you have chosen for your deck. If you have a style that has post caps, you will need to run the post above the top rail height. Residential code is 36", so a good finished post height should be around 39" or so. A post cap is then added to the top of the post to give it the decorative, finished look. Traditional railings don’t have the caps. Top rails simply run over the posts and rail sections.

Step 1

Cut your rails and attach any rail connection brackets.Install your railing section between posts. A great tip is to hold this assembled

section in place by laying a couple of 2" x 4" blocks on edge on the deck surface and placing the railing on them. This will keep your railing at the desired height while securing it into the posts. A little tip—to hold your rails together when the balusters are inside, use motorcycle tie downs or bungee cords to hold your work in place.

Step 4

Step 4

Step 2

463083_kp.indd 26 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

Fall 2009 27

Cell 701-491-0572

[email protected]

First time Home Buyers –

tHere's still time to QualiFy For tHe $8,000 reBate

Call me today for more information.The market is strong, and neighborhoods are growing!

Licensed in ND & MN

2521 So. Univ. Dr. Fargo, ND

After the posts are secure, fi ll in the space between posts with your desired deck railing. Deck railings are made of top rail, top side-rail, bottom rail and balusters, sometimes called pickets/spindles. Most rail sections are easily installed by laying them down on a fl at surface such as your deck.

Double check baluster/picket/spindles spacing. It is important that the balusters/pickets/spindles are evenly spaced between the posts on the end of each section. Th e measurement from post to fi rst baluster on one side should equal the measurement of the opposing side. Code is 4" maximum with a sphere at the widest opening in the baluster/pickets/spindles.

Cut your rails and attach any rail connection brackets.Install your railing section between posts. A great tip is to hold this assembled

section in place by laying a couple of 2" x 4" blocks on edge on the deck surface and placing the railing on them. Th is will keep your railing at the desired height while securing it into the posts. A little tip—to hold your rails together when the balusters are inside, use motorcycle tie downs or bungee cords to hold your work in place.

By following these steps and paying attention to measurement and correctness, you will have a successful deck railing installation experience.

Step 3

Step 4

Wrapping Up

463083_kp.indd 27 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo


If you’re like me, much of your summer has been spent trying to create the perfect oasis in your backyard —or trying to at least maintain it. You know that seeding and mowing the yard are only the beginning.

After a summer of mowing, raking and planting, don’t let winter sabotage the countless hours of work you’ve put into perfecting your lawn and garden. Although our days of sitting on the patio or deck sipping lemonade aren’t quite over, it’s time to be thinking about ways to protect your assets and prepare them so that you’ll be ready to enjoy your beautiful yard year after year!

Continue to mow grass as usual (so the lawn is approximately 3 inches long) through fall until winter. For the last mowing before the first snow, drop your mower blade about an inch, making sure to collect grass clippings. Dr. Ron Smith, an extension horticulturist andturfgrassspecialistatNDSU,offerssomeadviceontakingcareof your lawn and garden in the fall. The shortness of the grass will help to prevent incidence of disease like snow mold. When grass is long, it becomes food for organisms to feed on. If snow mold has been a problem in the past (this may occur where snow tends to build up on the lawn), Dr. Smith recommends cutting those areas so that the lawn is only 1.5 inches tall.

Fall is the best time to control weeds. Herbicide and fertilizer can be applied anytime from the end of August through September. Because weeds begin transferring carbohydrates in the fall, they are more susceptible to weed-killing agents. Besides killing the weeds more quickly and thoroughly, you don’t have to worry about doing damage to other plants, as they are dormant.

Your best bet for the garden? Wait until a good hard-killing frost; then cut back perennials and remove annual plants or veggies. If at all possible, turn over your dead soil right away. Rather than waiting until spring, this helps to rid your garden of any unwanted elements.

Tender plants or anything that normally grows outside of our

area (outside of zone 3), need to be covered with straw or leaves after being cut back. Rose cones are a good idea to protect your lovely rose plants. But be sure to put a weight on top or stake the covers into the ground for added strength against wind. Some people bring their tropical plants, such as hibiscus, indoors and store them in a cool place in moist, sandy soil.

Voles and rabbits can be especially harmful to the wonderful trees that adorn your lawn and garden. Chicken wire fence around the base of the tree will keep rabbits away; however, voles may be able to squeeze under your wire.

You know you have a vole problem if there are tiny, non-uniform bite marks circling around the base of your tree; this is called girdling. If they have girdled the tree, you may have lost it. To avoid this mishap, use hardware cloth, a welded wire mesh, to place around the trunks of the trees and bushes. You may even use craft paper to wrap the tree trunk of your younger plants or anything that may be in danger such as your apple trees. Remember: even trees that have fruited for a couple of years and seem hardy enough on their own may still be susceptible to animal damage.

If voles have girdled the tree, don’t give up hope. Some damaged trees come back on their own, or you can try using a bit of green tree repair from your local nursery to do the trick. Voles may also wreak havoc on your lawn, but keeping it short may help them from tearing up your turf.

By making these and other accommodations to your lawn and garden, you’ll be ready for another winter, and as the snow melts another beautiful summer lawn will appear!

For more information about lawn and garden care, visit NDSU’sagriculturewebsiteatwww.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu.Aspecial thanks to Dr. Ron Smith for his dedication to teaching and working in this area.

FREE In-Home Consultations!218-287-1883 • 800-824-DOGSwww.InvisibleFence.com

$99 OFFOffer valid on above packages. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Not combinable with other offers. Not valid on previous purchases. Participating dealers only. Expires 12/31/09.

Top Dog or Ultra Dog Packages

Lawn & Garden Care

Answers provided by:Ron Smith, Ph.D.Horticulturist and Turfgrass SpecialistNorth Dakota State UniversityDepartment of Plant Sciences

Extension Service

463083_kp.indd 28 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

By: Todd Funfar

OUTDOOR PRIVACY SCREENS AND FENCESWe love our decks. With our short summer season, we tend to spend as much time as possible on them. But there are times that we may want a little privacy or space away from the wind while we’re spending that precious time on our decks.

Privacy walls or fences are a welcomed addition to most decks and are used for several reasons. Some people like to block certain views, be away from their neighbors’ sight, or even passersby. Creating that space of retreat is especially great for areas near hot tubs, pools, � re pits, or just having a place of solitude. In our neck of the woods, a privacy fence can also work well right by a grill, keeping the wind away and the grill lit. It can be great for creating an outside sitting area on a windy day, protecting you and your family and friends from the wind. Privacy walls can really create a personal and intimate gathering area in your outdoor space.

There are some things to consider when building a privacy fence. First of all, you need to determine where the privacy needs to be. It’s best to sit and stand in the area you are thinking about installing the privacy wall in. Take pictures and look at them. Determine what you want to hide and where you want your view to be. Ask yourself, do you want the screen to be the focal point or do you want it to blend in to the rest of the structure?

In the design and in thinking of your next-door neighbor, you want the fence to look good on both sides. No one should get a “bad” side of the fence. This is especially nice if you own a twin home. This is your chance to express your own style and design � are by adding di� erent detailing or colors and textures. Consider using a solid media. You can also use designer tempered glass in the panel for a more artistic look. Another option is to use solid panels on the lower part and at around 5’ in height and add a decorative lattice

on the top.

Whether you are trying to create a private area so that your neighbors don’t feel and hear your every move or you are just trying to keep your grill lit in our windy area, a privacy fence or wall might just be for you.

Fall 2009 29

If you’re like me, much of your summer has been spent trying to create the perfect oasis in your backyard —or trying to at least maintain it. You know that seeding and mowing the yard are only the beginning.

After a summer of mowing, raking and planting, don’t let winter sabotage the countless hours of work you’ve put into perfecting your lawn and garden. Although our days of sitting on the patio or deck sipping lemonade aren’t quite over, it’s time to be thinking about ways to protect your assets and prepare them so that you’ll be ready to enjoy your beautiful yard year after year!

Continue to mow grass as usual (so the lawn is approximately 3 inches long) through fall until winter. For the last mowing before the fi rst snow, drop your mower blade about an inch, making sure to collect grass clippings. Dr. Ron Smith, an extension horticulturist andturfgrassspecialistatNDSU,offerssomeadviceontakingcareof your lawn and garden in the fall. Th e shortness of the grass will help to prevent incidence of disease like snow mold. When grass is long, it becomes food for organisms to feed on. If snow mold has been a problem in the past (this may occur where snow tends to build up on the lawn), Dr. Smith recommends cutting those areas so that the lawn is only 1.5 inches tall.

Fall is the best time to control weeds. Herbicide and fertilizer can be applied anytime from the end of August through September. Because weeds begin transferring carbohydrates in the fall, they are more susceptible to weed-killing agents. Besides killing the weeds more quickly and thoroughly, you don’t have to worry about doing damage to other plants, as they are dormant.

Your best bet for the garden? Wait until a good hard-killing frost; then cut back perennials and remove annual plants or veggies. If at all possible, turn over your dead soil right away. Rather than waiting until spring, this helps to rid your garden of any unwanted elements.

Tender plants or anything that normally grows outside of our

area (outside of zone 3), need to be covered with straw or leaves after being cut back. Rose cones are a good idea to protect your lovely rose plants. But be sure to put a weight on top or stake the covers into the ground for added strength against wind. Some people bring their tropical plants, such as hibiscus, indoors and store them in a cool place in moist, sandy soil.

Voles and rabbits can be especially harmful to the wonderful trees that adorn your lawn and garden. Chicken wire fence around the base of the tree will keep rabbits away; however, voles may be able to squeeze under your wire.

You know you have a vole problem if there are tiny, non-uniform bite marks circling around the base of your tree; this is called girdling. If they have girdled the tree, you may have lost it. To avoid this mishap, use hardware cloth, a welded wire mesh, to place around the trunks of the trees and bushes. You may even use craft paper to wrap the tree trunk of your younger plants or anything that may be in danger such as your apple trees. Remember: even trees that have fruited for a couple of years and seem hardy enough on their own may still be susceptible to animal damage.

If voles have girdled the tree, don’t give up hope. Some damaged trees come back on their own, or you can try using a bit of green tree repair from your local nursery to do the trick. Voles may also wreak havoc on your lawn, but keeping it short may help them from tearing up your turf.

By making these and other accommodations to your lawn and garden, you’ll be ready for another winter, and as the snow melts another beautiful summer lawn will appear!

For more information about lawn and garden care, visit NDSU’sagriculturewebsiteatwww.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu.Aspecial thanks to Dr. Ron Smith for his dedication to teaching and working in this area.

463083_kp.indd 29 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo


If you’d like to see the pond in action, go to www.outdoorlg.com and click on Videos.

463083_kp.indd 30 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGarden with a Capital

A strong partnership: she’s the boss of the garden; he’s the builder. She gets an inspiration. He draws up the plans and makes it happen. Th ey’re solid partners in the garden, and they have one amazing backyard to confi rm it. A strong partnership. He meets with clients and consults. She crunches the numbers. He analyzes fi nancials. She prepares the documents. Th ey’re solid partners in business, and a growing business proves it.

Dan and Carmen Hoefs of Fargo have fi gured out how to build a business together and also create an “oasis” at home. Th e Hoefs own Padgett Business Services—Th e Small Biz Pros in the 25th Street Market in Fargo. Th eir business provides assistance to small businesses to realize profi t and growth, while helping with monthly fi nancials, payroll, taxes, and business consulting. Dan and Carmen work together every day. Th ey say they are a “good fi t” and complement each other.

“We each play to our strengths and cooperate on the direction of the business,” Dan says. A “meeting of the minds” in their offi ce each day, Dan goes on to share that he and Carmen “see an awful lot of each other.” He went on to explain that this is an extremely good thing. Th ey get to share highs and lows together on a daily basis both at work and at home.

Dan and Carmen have been married since 1986, and have worked hard at creating a comfortable home and family life with their two children—Adam, 20, and Christine, 17. When spending time with the Hoefs, one can easily sense that Carmen is the free spirit and Dan is the analytical mind. Th ey create a near perfect partnership at the offi ce, as well as when it comes to gardening and doing projects in their beautiful 6000 square foot backyard.

Some people have lake places, but the Hoefs have chosen to have this one incredible yard in south Fargo instead. Th e Hoefs bought their home in south Fargo in December of 1993. When they bought it, there was virtually nothing in the backyard—just a weeping willow tree, another couple of trees, and a playset. It didn’t take long for Carmen to start dreaming of what “could be” in the yard.

Fall 2009 31

463083_kp.indd 31 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

how she might incorporate a new idea into her garden space while reading about the “how to.”

Partnership and collaboration make their way to the garden. The Hoefs’ Koi pond is a fantastic example of this. It all began as a hint being dropped by Carmen in a conversation with Dan—“Honey, I’d sure like a pond.” Thus began a two-year process.

The little pond ended up a much larger project in scope than Carmen had envisioned or expected. In Dan’s words, “You ask for a pond. You get a pond with a capital ‘p.’” This “go big, or go home” philosophy has also made its way to the “Shed with a capital ‘s.’” When asked why everything is bigger than expected, Dan shared, “If you’re going to build a pond, build it big enough to winter the fish. If you’re going to build a shed, build it big enough that you don’t regret it later.”

Dan maintains that Carmen is the “boss

478-6696Rental - Sales & Service Available • 2811 Fiechtner Dr. S., Fargo • www.joerents.net

• Scaffolding • Concrete Tools • Tables & Chairs • Pumps • Drills • Power Rakes • Chain Saws • Aerators

• Wheelbarrows • Basic Tools • Nail & Screw Guns• Concrete Heaters• Compact Dumpers• Saws• Rammers• Rollers

the right toolsfor the job.Rent it fRom Joe!

Carmen, a master gardener through NDSU,doesnotdescribeherselfasan“even” gardener. Her organic space is constantly changing. If Carmen sees a new plant or tree that she likes, she buys it. Only when she gets it home does she decide how she will incorporate it into the garden or yard. She looks for unique plants, shrubs, or trees with interesting flowers, bark or properties. She looks for quality in what she buys, and believes that supporting small businesses in town is important. Throughout the summer, one can catch her checking out the local nurseries and garden facilities looking for that new special something that would go perfectly in the yard.

When entering the Hoefs’ yard from the patio doors in the kitchen, it instantly feels like a different world. The sound of flowing water soothes the spirit. Perennial flowering plants including rudbeckia, day lilies, monarda, echinacea and columbine greet you while ornamental grasses rustle in the breeze. Hen and chicks of several varieties pop out, and sedums, Carmen’s favorite plant, grow throughout the backyard. It is a garden space teeming with life.

Carmen’s green thumb and love of nature might just be genetic. Dan jokes that, “She is her mother’s daughter.” Her mother has four gardens and grows her own vegetables. She spends hours in her gardens in Richardton, ND, watering and caring for her plants daily. Carmen lightheartedly jokes that her mother doesn’t come to visit in the summer because she’s worried that her plants will miss her while she’s gone! Perhaps that’s why Carmen loves spending so much time in her garden space as well.

Carmen is inspired by garden magazines, websites, and books on anything having to do with flower gardening. She is especially drawn to structures and specific plant varieties, like sedum. She loves dreaming and planning


463083_kp.indd 32 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

how she might incorporate a new idea into her garden space while reading about the “how to.”

Partnership and collaboration make their way to the garden. The Hoefs’ Koi pond is a fantastic example of this. It all began as a hint being dropped by Carmen in a conversation with Dan—“Honey, I’d sure like a pond.” Thus began a two-year process.

The little pond ended up a much larger project in scope than Carmen had envisioned or expected. In Dan’s words, “You ask for a pond. You get a pond with a capital ‘p.’” This “go big, or go home” philosophy has also made its way to the “Shed with a capital ‘s.’” When asked why everything is bigger than expected, Dan shared, “If you’re going to build a pond, build it big enough to winter the fish. If you’re going to build a shed, build it big enough that you don’t regret it later.”

Dan maintains that Carmen is the “boss

478-6696Rental - Sales & Service Available • 2811 Fiechtner Dr. S., Fargo • www.joerents.net

• Scaffolding • Concrete Tools • Tables & Chairs • Pumps • Drills • Power Rakes • Chain Saws • Aerators

• Wheelbarrows • Basic Tools • Nail & Screw Guns• Concrete Heaters• Compact Dumpers• Saws• Rammers• Rollers

the right toolsfor the job.Rent it fRom Joe!

Carmen, a master gardener through NDSU,doesnotdescribeherselfasan“even” gardener. Her organic space is constantly changing. If Carmen sees a new plant or tree that she likes, she buys it. Only when she gets it home does she decide how she will incorporate it into the garden or yard. She looks for unique plants, shrubs, or trees with interesting flowers, bark or properties. She looks for quality in what she buys, and believes that supporting small businesses in town is important. Throughout the summer, one can catch her checking out the local nurseries and garden facilities looking for that new special something that would go perfectly in the yard.

When entering the Hoefs’ yard from the patio doors in the kitchen, it instantly feels like a different world. The sound of flowing water soothes the spirit. Perennial flowering plants including rudbeckia, day lilies, monarda, echinacea and columbine greet you while ornamental grasses rustle in the breeze. Hen and chicks of several varieties pop out, and sedums, Carmen’s favorite plant, grow throughout the backyard. It is a garden space teeming with life.

Carmen’s green thumb and love of nature might just be genetic. Dan jokes that, “She is her mother’s daughter.” Her mother has four gardens and grows her own vegetables. She spends hours in her gardens in Richardton, ND, watering and caring for her plants daily. Carmen lightheartedly jokes that her mother doesn’t come to visit in the summer because she’s worried that her plants will miss her while she’s gone! Perhaps that’s why Carmen loves spending so much time in her garden space as well.

Carmen is inspired by garden magazines, websites, and books on anything having to do with flower gardening. She is especially drawn to structures and specific plant varieties, like sedum. She loves dreaming and planning

Fall 2009 33

463083_kp.indd 33 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo


More than an insurance agentLet’s get together for an Insurance andFinancial Review to talk about:

Securities products are offered through COUNTRY Capital Management Company1705 N. Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2222, Bloomington, IL. 61702-2222, tel (866) 551-0060. Member FINRA and SIPC.

♦ Retirement Planning♦ College Funding♦ 401(k) Rollovers♦ Annuities♦ Variable Universal Life♦ Mutual Funds

Steve Aune4820 30th Ave S. | Suite 100 | Fargo, ND 58104

701-356-0505 | 701-356-0507 [email protected]

0309-112

Turtles have enjoyed living near the pond, as well as a mother and father duck (aff ectionately named Fred and Ethel). One unwelcomed visitor was a peregrine falcon from downtown Fargo who was looking for lunch in the fi shpond.

Th e fi sh winter in the pond. Carmen shared that a stock tank heater is placed in the waterfall to keep the water fl owing, even when the temperatures are well below zero. Th e Koi move to the lowest point of the large pond and hibernate, barely moving for the winter. Th ey do not need to be fed the entire winter. Birds enjoy bathing in the water in the winter, too!

Th e “shed with a capital ‘s’” is according to Dan, “the largest shed you can build on a fl oating slab.” Th e 12-foot by 12-foot enclosed shed sits on a 12-foot by 15-foot slab and has 8-foot side walls. Th e sliding door has a latch that tightens the door so that snowdrifts do not form in the shed during the winter. It is a great space for storage and for organizing Carmen’s gardening tools. Th e inside of the shed is lined with the Hoefs’ old fence that was replaced a few years back so that the yard could be rabbit proofed. Carmen adds, “If you are going to invest money in a garden, invest in good rabbit proofi ng.” Th e yard is completely enclosed with a beautiful new fence, with special green rabbit wire at the bottom of each section of fence. Dan added the porch on to the shed in the design process so that he could admire the Koi pond in the evening. He can be found most evenings sipping a beverage and enjoying the sounds of the pond.

One of the elements of the yard that has been a staple has been “Mother Willow,” the Hoefs’ willow tree. Most people look at willow trees and think “mess.” Dan and Carmen think “kindling.” Th e Hoefs like to spend as much time in their backyard as possible and love having fi res in their two fi re pits using the fallen foliage and branches from Mother Willow.

of the garden.” She is passionate about gardening, and Dan likes to build and create things that complement her space. He jokes that he is “just the strong back.” Big projects in the Hoefs’ backyard usually follow the “two year rule”—the fi rst year is research and planning, and the second year is the nuts and bolts of building. In the process, the projects “tend to grow,” says Dan. He believes in doing things right the fi rst time, thus the use of his engineering background to diagram each project on graph paper to scale, laying everything out exactly, and calculating the precise amount of materials needed for each project. Carmen is always amazed at how little is left in materials when it’s all said and done. Dan’s measurements and predictions are usually right on mark. An industrial engineer by trade (it was his fi rst career), Dan uses his skills to execute the backyard projects to near perfection. But he makes it clear that a person doesn’t have to be an engineer to


do these types of projects. “It isn’t essential, but it has helped,” Dan shares.

Th e Hoefs tend to be weekend warriors when it comes to the construction of the large projects in the yard. It becomes a family aff air with Dan’s parents joining in on the process. Th e kids always are willing to help as well, and the labor goes a lot faster when it’s a team eff ort.

Th e Koi “pond with a capital ‘p’” ended up being a 900-gallon pond with two waterfalls and a creek fl owing to the larger pond. About 20 Koi goldfi sh live in the pond, along with water lettuce, water lilies, cattails, creeping Jenny and several diff erent varieties of rush. King Tut papyrus creates texture in the rock bed. Ornamental granite and fl at rocks were brought to the rock bed with love from western North Dakota one carload at a time. Th ese unique rocks create character in the water feature, each carefully chosen by Carmen from the farming rock piles back home.

463083_kp.indd 34 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

Fall 2009 35

More than an insurance agentLet’s get together for an Insurance andFinancial Review to talk about:

Securities products are offered through COUNTRY Capital Management Company 1705 N. Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2222, Bloomington, IL. 61702-2222, tel (866) 551-0060. Member FINRA and SIPC.

♦ Retirement Planning♦ College Funding♦ 401(k) Rollovers♦ Annuities♦ Variable Universal Life♦ Mutual Funds

Steve Aune4820 30th Ave S. | Suite 100 | Fargo, ND 58104

701-356-0505 | 701-356-0507 [email protected]

0309-112

Turtles have enjoyed living near the pond, as well as a mother and father duck (affectionately named Fred and Ethel). One unwelcomed visitor was a peregrine falcon from downtown Fargo who was looking for lunch in the fishpond.

The fish winter in the pond. Carmen shared that a stock tank heater is placed in the waterfall to keep the water flowing, even when the temperatures are well below zero. The Koi move to the lowest point of the large pond and hibernate, barely moving for the winter. They do not need to be fed the entire winter. Birds enjoy bathing in the water in the winter, too!

The “shed with a capital ‘s’” is according to Dan, “the largest shed you can build on a floating slab.” The 12-foot by 12-foot enclosed shed sits on a 12-foot by 15-foot slab and has 8-foot side walls. The sliding door has a latch that tightens the door so that snowdrifts do not form in the shed during the winter. It is a great space for storage and for organizing Carmen’s gardening tools. The inside of the shed is lined with the Hoefs’ old fence that was replaced a few years back so that the yard could be rabbit proofed. Carmen adds, “If you are going to invest money in a garden, invest in good rabbit proofing.” The yard is completely enclosed with a beautiful new fence, with special green rabbit wire at the bottom of each section of fence. Dan added the porch on to the shed in the design process so that he could admire the Koi pond in the evening. He can be found most evenings sipping a beverage and enjoying the sounds of the pond.

One of the elements of the yard that has been a staple has been “Mother Willow,” the Hoefs’ willow tree. Most people look at willow trees and think “mess.” Dan and Carmen think “kindling.” The Hoefs like to spend as much time in their backyard as possible and love having fires in their two fire pits using the fallen foliage and branches from Mother Willow.

Fall 2009 35

Carmen doesn’t cut down her shrubs and grasses in the fall so that seedpods stay intact and the wintering plants act as a snow catch. Clean up in the spring does take some time and work, but once everything is growing, time in the garden is therapeutic for her. Maintaining the garden takes a couple of nights a week, mainly watering plants from the 100-gallon rain catch barrel and weeding. “Come home and pull some weeds after a bad day. It just makes everything better,” Carmen shares. Raspberries that grew underneath the fence from the neighbors to the west grow near the fence. They bloom all season long so Carmen laughs and shared, “As I garden, I eat.”

As one meanders and takes in the beauty of the water feature and the huge variety of blooming perennials, unique and interesting accessories adorn the garden. There are rocks that have been carved to have funny faces; a bowling ball that was painted to look like a large red and white fishing bobber; Potted blooming plant gardens; a flower bed framed by a real headboard and footboard from an antique cast iron bed; Carmen’s token tomato plant; and a rooftop from the set of Fiddler on the Roof. There is also a unique walking path leading to the pond with stepping-stones made by Dan’s mother with the stained glass that Dan’s father made. There are designs of a Koi goldfish, keys, a beer mug, the Padgett logo, a compass rose, a yin and yang, and the saying “A Jewel of a Garden.” Such interesting ornaments throughout add

beauty and charm to the naturally beautiful landscape.

With the short spring and summer season in our area, Dan and Carmen Hoefs spend as much time in their backyard as possible. They find satisfaction in the blooms of their labor. Before long, the first snow will come, and the flowers will no longer bloom. It will be time to winter the fish and wait for the birds to come and

batheinthepond.Untilthen,theHoefswill be working on planning their next project—a rain garden. It’s already been plotted out in the western corner of the yard. “There’s also another flower bed that Dan doesn’t know about yet,” says Carmen. Maybe a few more subtle hints, and the plans will be drawn up to scale soon.

Partnership creates a strong relationship at work and at home. Partnership has created a growing business. Partnership creates the perfect backyard growing space.

do these types of projects. “It isn’t essential, but it has helped,” Dan shares.

The Hoefs tend to be weekend warriors when it comes to the construction of the large projects in the yard. It becomes a family affair with Dan’s parents joining in on the process. The kids always are willing to help as well, and the labor goes a lot faster when it’s a team effort.

The Koi “pond with a capital ‘p’” ended up being a 900-gallon pond with two waterfalls and a creek flowing to the larger pond. About 20 Koi goldfish live in the pond, along with water lettuce, water lilies, cattails, creeping Jenny and several different varieties of rush. King Tut papyrus creates texture in the rock bed. Ornamental granite and flat rocks were brought to the rock bed with love from western North Dakota one carload at a time. These unique rocks create character in the water feature, each carefully chosen by Carmen from the farming rock piles back home.

463083_kp.indd 35 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

36 Outdoor Design LIVING GUIDE

footballfootballseason

Tailgating

101footballfootballfootballTailgatingfootball

of aluminum foil. Cook 10 minutes on each side, open them up, and enjoy!

• For the afternoon games, lunch is usually the familiar barbecue—with hamburgers, brats, chips, and potato salad. When it gets cooler later in the season, it might be nice to make up a big pot of chili at home and keep it warm on the grill to serve to guests (see recipe). Bring some nice crusty bread, Fritos, sour cream, and cheese to serve with the chili.

Entertainment• Lawn games are quite popular while

tailgating. Th ey are popular with kids and adults alike. Th e washer game, bean bag toss game, ladders, and simply throwing the football around help to make tailgating a community event.

• By searching the Internet, you can fi nd all sorts of websites that sell the games already built; beanbags are for sale, too. But if you are getting adventurous and are even the slightest bit handy, there are several websites that have instructions and specs for how to build the lawn games on your own. With minimal supplies and an afternoon of work, you could have your own games for the pre-game.

Party Meatballs and Sauce

1 lb. mild pork sausage

1 lb. lean ground beef

1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs

2 eggs, beaten slightly

1/4 c. milk1/2 c. diced onion

1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients; shape into balls. Place

on lightly greased pan or cookie sheet. Bake

375 for 30 min., turn after 15 min.

Sauce: 1/2 c. apple jelly

1/4 c. spicy mustard (brown)

1/4 c. whiskey

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Tabasco sauce

Combine in large skillet over medium heat;

cook for one minute. Add meatballs and

cook for 5 minutes. Stir until all meatballs

are covered. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

Place in foil dish to be grilled; it takes 5 – 10

minutes on grill for reheating. Serve with

pretzel sticks to act as a toothpick.

Cheeseball2 8-oz. packages softened cream cheese1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded1/4 c. chopped green onion2 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce1/2 package taco seasoning mix

Mix together in a large bowl. Press into a ball; place on a sheet of plastic wrap. Shape into different forms such as a football or theme shape. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with your favorite crackers.

It isn’t fall in the Red River Valley without college football. And college football brings with it the standing tradition of tailgating. Rain, snow, or shine, diehard fans brave all kinds of weather to prepare to cheer on their home team.

Whether you are joining an established tailgating group or starting a group of your own, tailgaters create a community rooting for the same team!

Th e grill seems to be the cooking tool of choice for tailgaters. Pack’er up in the

pickup and head to the pre-game. You may also want to throw in a tent or an umbrella just in case it rains during your tailgating party. A garbage can for your tailgating area is also nice, so as not to leave the parking lot a mess after the pre-game festivities.

BBQ ChecklistPacking the following

essentials in a plastic tub works well. No matter what you’re cooking, these items are necessary!

• Grilling utensils• Paper plates, napkins, and plastic

silverware• Paper towels or antibacterial wipes• Plastic cups• Garbage bags• Tin foil• A can opener• Th e cooler—stocked with your favorite

beverages. Pack a few extra for people who “fi nd” you while tailgating!

� e FoodTh e start time of the game determines

the menu.• For 1pm games, it’s breakfast time! Use

a cast-iron skillet and the side burner on the grill to make breakfast burritos or omelets. Bring a bunch of eggs, cheese, meat, onions, peppers, and tortillas. You can also make killer potatoes on the grill by throwing diced frozen potatoes, butter, onion, salt and pepper into a folded piece

463083_kp.indd 36 9/2/09 11:21 AM

creo

footballfootballTailgating

1012 lbs. HOT ground sausage

1 lb. ground venison

1 lb. chorizo (Mexican sausage)

2 onions

1 green bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

6 cloves of garlic

1 can chipotle chilies in adobo

sauce(look in the Mexican aisle)

4 cans diced tomatoes with chilies

4 cans Bush’s HOT Chili Beans

Spicy Hot V8 juice

Chili powder

Onion powder

Garlic powder

Cayenne pepper

Course ground black pepper

Srirachi Chili Sauce

(look in the Oriental aisle)

Sugar

Brown sugar

The Play by Play: 1. Start by chopping the onions, peppers, and garlic.

2. Brown the hot sausage and the venison together (not the chorizo) while seasoning it

with some chili powder and black pepper. When that’s done, dump it into your pot.

3. Take the chorizo and your garlic, chopped peppers and onions and brown/saute until

you get a nice softening of the peppers and onions. Dump that into your pot.

4. Add the cans of tomatoes and chili beans to the pot and get a medium-low heat

going.

5. Give the pot a VERY liberal dose of chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and

cayenne pepper.

6. Take 2 of the adobo chilies from the can, chop, and add to the pot. Let that get

simmering for about an hour.

7. Then, add a liberal shot of Srirachi sauce, and check to see if you need a shot or two

of the V8 juice to keep the chili at the right consistency. Simmer for another hour.

8. Add about 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and about 4 tablespoons sugar and

thoroughly mix.

9. After about 5 minutes, begin tasting. Add another round of all the spices and

Srirachi at this point and let it simmer for about a half hour.

10. Taste again, and adjust spicing/V8 again. At this point it should be about

ready. You should have a GREAT smoky-sweet taste to the tongue with a

good after-burn to follow…complex and delicious!

11. Serve with Fritos Scoops, sour cream, and some shredded Mexican

cheese.

Uncle Pete’s Kickin’ Chili

footballfootballTailgatingfootballfootballfootballTailgatingfootballessentials in a plastic tub works well. No matter what you’re cooking, these items are necessary!• Grillingutensils• Paperplates,napkins,andplastic

silverware• Papertowelsorantibacterialwipes• Plasticcups• Garbagebags• Tinfoil• Acanopener• Th ecooler—stockedwithyourfavorite

beverages. Pack a few extra for people who “fi nd” you while tailgating!

� e FoodTh e start time of the game determines

the menu.• For1pmgames,it’sbreakfasttime!Use

a cast-iron skillet and the side burner on the grill to make breakfast burritos or omelets. Bring a bunch of eggs, cheese, meat, onions, peppers, and tortillas. You can also make killer potatoes on the grill by throwing diced frozen potatoes, butter, onion, salt and pepper into a folded piece

Fall 2009 37

of aluminum foil. Cook 10 minutes on each side, open them up, and enjoy!

• Fortheafternoongames,lunchisusually the familiar barbecue—with hamburgers, brats, chips, and potato salad. When it gets cooler later in the season, it might be nice to make up a big pot of chili at home and keep it warm on the grill to serve to guests (see recipe). Bring some nice crusty bread, Fritos, sour cream, and cheese to serve with the chili.

Entertainment• Lawngamesarequitepopularwhile

tailgating. Th ey are popular with kids and adults alike. Th e washer game, bean bag toss game, ladders, and simply throwing the football around help to make tailgating a community event.

• BysearchingtheInternet,youcanfindall sorts of websites that sell the games already built; beanbags are for sale, too. But if you are getting adventurous and are even the slightest bit handy, there are several websites that have instructions and specs for how to build the lawn games on your own. With minimal supplies and an afternoon of work, you could have your own games for the pre-game.

Photos courtesy of Mary Martin

463083_kp.indd 37 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo


Soapstone Grill $71.95The grills feature a nice thick slab of soapstone adorned with copper, brass, or stainless steel handles. They also feature a drain-groove runnel for grease and are available in round as well as rectangular as shown. The soapstone grills are recommended to be used on

the barbecue or preheated in the oven. Once heated, food can be cooked and also kept warm on them. Available at www.temperatureware.com

Par 30 Type LED Bulb $45.00The average use of light

is less than four hours a day per

household, per fi xture. At this rate, LED bulbs will last approximately 35 years. The Par 30 Type

LED Bulb operates in normal screw-in fi xtures, and it works well in a 4” can fi xture. At 50,000 hours of service life, you may never have to replace a bulb again. The energy used in lighting of an LED bulb is approximately 90% less than with a regular light bulb. It is great for indoors or outdoor environments. Available at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.

NEW PRODUCT

NEW!

� e Vermont Bun Baker!WoodstoveBake OvenBroilerCook-TopHot WaterAll in One!

Available with and without Soapstone Veneer.

Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone Co.Showroom: 1565 Main Street, Castleton, Vermont 05735

802.468.8800 • [email protected]

2x5-vtmarble062409.indd 1 6/22/09 11:39:43 AM

Kozy Bird SpaThis heated bird bath with pedestal supplies ice free water all winter long. It looks and feels like natural granite, but is made of durable polymer material. Available at Critters Feed & Seed.

Go Green!

Muck TruckThe Muck Truck is suitable for construction, landscaping, builders, parks, farmers, and the do-it-yourself enthusiast. The Max dumper has an 8-cubic foot bucket and will carry 800 lbs. It is 28” wide and will fi t through an average doorway. The 4-wheel-drive gives you capabilities of going anywhere, anytime. Many accessories are available including a fl atbed, ramp kit, tow hitch bracket, and snow plow. Available at Valley Landscaping.

Magnetic Can CooziesNow you can keep your favorite beverage nearby and free up an extra hand! The magnets in the coozie easily hold your full can or bottle of your favorite beverage fi rmly against any metal surface—like the side of a car! Velcro straps allow you to tighten the coozie around the bottle or can. Available with NFL and NCAA team logos. Available at www.americantailgater.com.

1-877-4-0-Leaks (701)478-0-h2o (478-0426)

• Complete waterproofing services• Lifetime Guarantee

www.BasementTechND.com

463083_kp.indd 38 8/31/09 3:06 PM

creo

Fall 2009 39

Soapstone Grill $71.95The grills feature a nice thick slab of soapstone adorned with copper, brass, or stainless steel handles. They also feature a drain-groove runnel for grease and are available in round as well as rectangular as shown. The soapstone grills are recommended to be used on

the barbecue or preheated in the oven. Once heated, food can be cooked and also kept warm on them. Available at www.temperatureware.com Turkey Cannon $25.99 MSRP

Infuse moisture and fl avor deep into your favorite poultry with the patented Turkey Cannon roasting cylinder. Great for ensuring juicy, tender chicken and turkey every time. Enjoy the fl avor of your favorite wine, beer or soda in the grill or kitchen oven. Roast a 12-lb turkey in less than two hours! Available at Scheels Home and Hardware.

NEW PRODUCT

NEW!

� e Vermont Bun Baker!WoodstoveBake OvenBroilerCook-TopHot WaterAll in One!

Available with and without Soapstone Veneer.

Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone Co.Showroom: 1565 Main Street, Castleton, Vermont 05735

802.468.8800 • [email protected]

2x5-vtmarble062409.indd 1 6/22/09 11:39:43 AM

Muck TruckThe Muck Truck is suitable for construction, landscaping, builders, parks, farmers, and the do-it-yourself enthusiast. The Max dumper has an 8-cubic foot bucket and will carry 800 lbs. It is 28” wide and will fi t through an average doorway. The 4-wheel-drive gives you capabilities of going anywhere, anytime. Many accessories are available including a fl atbed, ramp kit, tow hitch bracket, and snow plow. Available at Valley Landscaping.

Magnetic Can CooziesNow you can keep your favorite beverage nearby and free up an extra hand! The magnets in the coozie easily hold your full can or bottle of your favorite beverage fi rmly against any metal surface—like the side of a car! Velcro straps allow you to tighten the coozie around the bottle or can. Available with NFL and NCAA team logos. Available at www.americantailgater.com.

Supply Design Build


DeckMaster-QuaterAd-Fall2009.indd 1 8/27/09 3:17 PM

1-877-4-0-Leaks(701)478-0-h2o (478-0426)

• Lifetime Guarantee!

www.BasementTechND.com

463083_kp1.indd 39 9/4/09 10:37 AM

creo


Get Ready For Fall

• Weed Control and Fertilization

• Mosquito Control

• Mowing

• Edging

• Core Aeration

with a weed control and fertilizer application

• Power Thatching

• Fine Grading

• Hydro-Seeding

• Spring & Fall Clean-Up

• Commercial Snow Removal,Hauling & Lot Sanding

Serving FM and Lakes Area

3333 9th Street S. Moorhead, MN 56560 • 701-729-LAWN • www.JTLawnServices.net

JTLawnfall09.indd 1 8/20/09 1:32 PM

Snow Blower Tune Up!

Financing Available On All Products

Premier Lawn & Power, Inc.701-365-07073241 Main Avenue, Suite A • Fargo, ND

on all makes and models$5995

Stop in today to checkout our year end promotions!

Financing Available On All Productsyear end promotions!

Financing Available On All Products

Quality Products, Quality ServicePick up & Delivery AvailableWe service all makes and models

463083_kp.indd 40 8/31/09 3:07 PM

creo

Fall 2009 41

Get Ready For Fall

• Weed Control and Fertilization

• Mosquito Control

• Mowing

• Edging

• Core Aeration

with a weed control and fertilizer application

• Power Thatching

• Fine Grading

• Hydro-Seeding

• Spring & Fall Clean-Up

• Commercial Snow Removal,Hauling & Lot Sanding

Serving FM and Lakes Area

3333 9th Street S. Moorhead, MN 56560 • 701-729-LAWN • www.JTLawnServices.net

JTLawnfall09.indd 1 8/20/09 1:32 PM

Snow Blower Tune Up!

Premier Lawn & Power, Inc.

$5995 www.outdoorlg.com

Outdoor design and Living guide is proud to bring you, iSpy. This new feature brings you what our team thinks is one of the best outdoor

designs in the FM area. The winner is judged on gardening, decoration, innovation, and function of the outdoor space. Our writers and

photographers will be on the hunt for a special home each month so please check out outdoorlg.com to see if your yard has been chosen. if

you think your space deserves recognition, please feel free to submit your photo or send us an email at [email protected].

Char Maas’s yard in South Fargo has been chosen as the fi rst OdLg iSpy pic. Her hobby and passion of fl ower

gardening was a seed planted by her grandmother and parents. The seed grew to full fruition about 15 years

ago when she experienced a career change, joined the Fargo garden Society and met her neighbor who

is a master gardener.The planning of her yard begins early in

the new year. each January as seed catalogs begin arriving in the mail, Char begins making decisions as to which seeds to order and what arrangements will be placed in her numerous containers, which now number in excess of 100. When March fi rst rolls around, the grow lights are set up and planting begins. numerous transplantings take place to insure larger size plants.

Char, like many gardeners, plans out her yard with different themes. “My front yard is primarily a pink theme with impatiens bordering the curved lawn edges on the north end.” She also has the south garden, which has been divided into three themes: the front portion is a ‘white’ garden; the back portion is pink/purple, and the center portion is a combination of white and pink with splashes of yellow. Another bed occupies space to the south of their home and contains an assortment of perennials and a lot of the annuals she grew during the winter. The back yard has a kidney shaped lawn bordered with assorted rock and mulch. displays of containers, garden art and fountains are situated as accents throughout this area.

A raised bed has been created featuring annuals and perennials in yellow and purples/

blues.This passion is always a project in process.

“if something does not do well, it is replaced as i have limited space,” Char says. Perennials

and annuals are combined. “You cannot have one without the other if you want color all season. “ A

notebook is always kept on what has been planted and how well it did. She gathers ideas from gardening

magazines, tours of public and private gardens, and the internet. if you’d like to view Char’s yard, visit her at 1732

23rd Street South, in Fargo.

463083_kp.indd 41 8/31/09 3:07 PM

creo

September 19 & 20West Fest Community Dayswww.wfparks.org

September 19 & 20Valley Vintage Car Club Car ShowVeterans Memorial Arena

September 19, 20, 26, 27Fall Festival10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays12 p.m. – 5 p.m. SundaysRheault Farmwww.fargoparks.com

September 24Plain Food Farmers Market4 – 7 p.m. Plains Art Museum, Fargo

October 10 & 1119th AnnualParty in The Pumpkin PatchOctober 10: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.October 11: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.Children’s Museum at Yunker’s Farmwww.childrensmuseum-yunker.org


October 24 & 25Night Eyes Howloween EventRed River Zoo, Fargo

October 29Halloween Party5 p.m. – 7 p.m.Veteran’s Memorial Arenawww.wfparks.org

October 30, 31, & November 1Not too Scary Haunted HouseOctober 30: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.October 31: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.November 1: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.Children’s Museum at Yunker’s Farmwww.childrenmuseum-yunker.org

November 14Sleddin’ Xpo3 – 9 p.m.Sports Bubble, Fargo

November 24Xcel Energy Holiday Light Parade 20096:30 p.m.Downtown Fargo/Moorhead

November 28 – December 23Santa VillageRheault Farmwww.fargoparks.com

December 1 – 31Lindenwood Park LightsLindenwood ParkFargo

December 5Comstock House Holiday Treats and Tours1 – 4 p.m.Historic Comstock HouseMoorhead

December 20Skating with Santa7 – 8:30 p.m.Veterans Memorial Arenawww.wfparks.org

January 23Winter Getaway….Sand, Sun, Surf, & Sailing10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Children’s Museum at Yunker’s Farmwww.childrensmuseum-yunker.org

January 23Indoor Ice Fishing TournamentYMCA Downtown Branch1 – 3 p.m.

February 14Family Winterifi c Day1 – 4 p.m.Edgewood Chaletwww.fargoparks.com

What’s Happening in the Area

www.oasisplantscapes.comPhone: 701.361.2401

Landscape Maintenance

• Planting Bed Maintenance• Patio and/or Retaining Wall Maintenance• Water Feature Maintenance• Exterior Containers and Planters

Contact Oasis Landscape Maintenance for:

Professional landscape maintenance enhances the health and natural performance of your trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns, improving the overall asthetics and beauty of your property, and as a result, increasing the value of your home up to 15%.

463083_kp.indd 42 8/31/09 3:07 PM

creo

Fall 2009 43

December 20Skating with Santa7 – 8:30 p.m.Veterans Memorial Arenawww.wfparks.org

January 23Winter Getaway….Sand, Sun, Surf, & Sailing10 a.m. – 5 p.m.Children’s Museum at Yunker’s Farmwww.childrensmuseum-yunker.org

January 23Indoor Ice Fishing TournamentYMCA Downtown Branch1 – 3 p.m.

February 14Family Winterific Day1 – 4 p.m.Edgewood Chaletwww.fargoparks.com

What’s Happening in the Area

www.oasisplantscapes.comPhone: 701.361.2401

Landscape Maintenance

• Planting Bed Maintenance• Patio and/or Retaining Wall Maintenance• Water Feature Maintenance• Exterior Containers and Planters

Contact Oasis Landscape Maintenance for:

Professional landscape maintenance enhances the health and natural performance of your trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns, improving the overall asthetics and beauty of your property, and as a result, increasing the value of your home up to 15%.

463083_kp.indd 43 8/31/09 3:07 PM

We are grateful to have been a part of this community for over 120 years. We appreciate the quality of life we enjoy here in the Red River Valley and our time spent with family and neighbors.

The Knight dedication to care of resources began with founder Fred Knight in 1888. This unparalleled commitment remains steadfast as we continue to pursue green measures and implement change to reduce our environmental footprint.

Your Knight Team

701.235.1121 / knightprinting.com 3401 Fiechtner Drive South Fargo, ND 58103

463083_kp.indd 44 8/31/09 3:07 PM

creo

Documents

Outdoor Design & Living Guide - Fall 2009