Spring Spruce Up 2012
-
Upload
i-75-newspaper-group -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
5
description
Transcript of Spring Spruce Up 2012
A Special Publication of the
I75 Newspaper Group
Piqua Daily Call
Troy Daily News
Sidney Daily News
SpringMarch 2012
SpruceUp!
We know stone!
Come Visit us Today and view all of our products!937-492-4722 • 1-877-4STONE1 (1-877-478-6631)
www.westernohiocutstone.com • 1542 Riverside Drive, Sidney
• Natural Landscape Stone• Natural Building Stone
• Natural Thin Veneer• Decorative Aggregates
• Driveway Stone
2264
728
RUSSIA 937-295-2300SIDNEY 937-498-7023
TROY 937-339-4299CELINA 419-586-3700
• Garage Doors• Entry Doors• Windows• Patio Doors• Electric Garage
Door Openers
Celebrating 48 Years!
A Name you know.A Company you can trust.
WissmanDoor Sales, Inc.
Choose the Original
2265695
Sod & Hydroseeding
Sod Deliveries Available Installation
Hydro-Seeding Complete Landscape & Irrigation
35 East to Valley Rd.turn right to
Upper Bellbrook-Xenia
Quick Job CompletionNo Wait Sod Pick-Up
Deal Direct With One Of Southern Ohio’s Largest Grower Of Quality Turf Grasses Since 1913
1-800-877-8386 Fax 426-4474
www.gerdesturffarms.com
426-4489426-4489
LAWN RESTORATIONRESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
2265943
Any Amounts’s Available For Daily Farm Pick-Up
(937)
Gardeners anxious to spring into action
BY SHERYLROADCAPOhio Community [email protected]
PIQUA — With theabundance of warmweather and sunshinelately, it seems as ifspring has arrived earlythis year, and as a result,it is likely that many gar-deners are itching to getstarted. If you are amongthe anxious with a greenthumb ready to get towork, perhaps the follow-ing information will behelpful for sprucing upyour garden this spring.
John Anderson, sec-ond-generation owner ofAndy’s Garden Centersaid that it is importantto pay close attention tothe weather this early inthe season, as the officialfrost-free day in this areais May 15. However, heexplains that some plantsthat do not grow well inthe heat of the summer,like pansies, cabbage, let-tuce and cauliflower, dogreat in early spring —and then can be re-planted again in late fall.In fact, Anderson saysthat fall is really whenone should begin prepar-ing for planting in thespring by clearing awaydebris, leaves or weeds toprevent disease and fur-ther weeds from spread-ing once warm weathercomes.“Weeds are a big issue,
and really you just got tostay on top of them.Therereally is no substitute forwork by pulling them orusing a pre-emergentweed killer, like Preen,which we have availablehere,” Anderson said.A pre-emergent, like
Preen, is a granular fer-tilizer and weed killerthat prevents weeds fromgerminating. Andersonrecommends using a pre-emergent in mid-March,as long as you are notseeding anything, andsays that it will not hurtpre-existing plants. Aweed killer spray, likeRound Up, will kill every-thing and should only beused in areas away fromplants; this type of weedkiller will not hurt thesoil, and so it is useful forkilling grass prior to ex-tending a flower bed or
garden area. After usinga product like Round Up,Anderson advises waitingat least two weeks beforeplanting anything new.He also stresses the im-portance of always closelyfollowing the instructionson the label.Other important
things to consider beforeadding new plants arethe soil and the elements,like sun, wind and ice, forhow well the plant, tree
or shrub will tolerateOhio’s climate changes.Anderson said that themost common mistakepeople make is notamending the soil.“The soil is the most
important thing, next towhere you place them, asfar as light; the soilmakes all the differencein the world. It really isthe major factor whetherthey are going to surviveor not. So, you definitely
want to treat your soiland make sure it’samended. And you can’tgo wrong with anythingorganic, like compost orpeat moss” Anderson ex-plained.Those who live in a
fairly new housing devel-opment, which is builtupon mostly subsoiland/or have had difficultygetting plants to survive
Expert offersoffers advicefor novices,veterans, alike
See Gardeners/Page 3
in certain areas,may wantto have your soil tested toknow exactly what type offertilizer is needed for suc-cessful growth.The MiamiCounty Ohio State Exten-sion Office is a great re-source available to MiamiCounty residents for freeagriculture advice fromMaster Gardeners/Agri-culture Educators, andsoil tests (usually for asmall fee); their websitealso offers a bevy of freeinformation and tips forsuccessful planting.For the novice gardener,
Anderson suggests start-ing with “container-gar-dening,” whether it be forflowers, vegetables orherbs — just be sure touse a large enough potwith a hole in the bottomfor drainage, and toclosely follow the plant’sindividual label forgrowth. For the more ex-perienced gardener, An-derson said that “the skyis the limit,” but suggestsjoining a club to make gar-dening more fun, like per-haps the Hosta College,which is open to the pub-lic on Friday nights at theUpper Valley Career Cen-ter in Piqua. He said thatpeople come from all overthe country, as well asCanada, to be a part of
this gardening club(which focuses on a vari-ety of plants besidesHostas).Anderson said that both
of Andy’s Garden Centersin Piqua and Troy, whichis celebrating its 50th an-niversary this year, are al-ways available to answerquestions face-to-face, orfrom the informationavailable on their website.
Cutting Edge OutdoorPower Equip.
(Previously Bill’s Small Engines, Houston, Bill Dill)
1310 South Street, Piqua • Ohio30 Years Experience
Servicing ALL Brands!!
Phone/Fax
937-615-9511Email
[email protected]: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturdays 8:30am-noon2173271
Servicing ALL Brands of Equipment!
2265066www.simplicitymfg.com
See dealer for details
COBALT™ZERO TURNMOWER
4522 State Route 66Houston, OH
937-295-2364
Michael'sMowers
2264
939
Over 20 Years Of Quality Work!Call Doug For A Free Estimate!
Troy, Ohio • 937-335-4425Cell # 937-287-0517
CCUURRTTIISSPainting Service & Home Repair
CCUURRTTIISS
Andy’s Garden Center employees Dan Perreira, left and Tom Bigelow are busy container-planting roses in one of Andy’s greenhousesfor the gardening season.
SHERYL ROADCAP/OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA PHOTO
GardenersContinued from page 2
Andy’s also offers lightlandscaping and in-homeconsulting services.Andy’s Garden Center
in Piqua, located at 522Ann St., has seasonalhours, March throughJune. The Piqua store canbe reached at 773-3081.The Troy location, 2310W.State Route 55, is openMonday-Friday 9 a.m. to5:30 p.m., and Saturday 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., and can bereached at 335-5550 or atwww.andysgarden.com.For more information
about soil tests or agricul-ture help, the MiamiCounty Ohio State Exten-sion Office can be reachedat 440-3945 or at www.ex-tension.osu.edu. Informa-tion about the HostaCollege club can found atwww.ihostohio.org.
Imagine the possibilities.
PIQUA:215 N. Wayne St. 615-10421603 Covington Ave. 778-46171300 E. Ash St.-Wal-Mart 773-9000212 N. Main St. 773-0752TROY:1314 W. Main St. 339-66261801 W. Main St.-Wal-Mart 332-6820TIPP CITY:1176 W. Main St. 667-4888
2265
049
UnityNationalBk.comMember FDIC
Create your dream kitchen.Design your master suite.Remodel your bathroom.
The possibilities are endless.
Unity National Bankcan help make your dreams
become reality.
2261560NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 12-5PM2640W.Michigan St., Sidney (937)497-1101
Hours: Mon,Wed, Fri 9am-8pm,Tues, Thur 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-2pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
Make Your House A Home
• FREE Estimates,Measurements
• Financing Available
Area’s largest selection of:Carpet • Vinyl • HardwoodLaminate • Ceramic TileFultz
Warehouse Carpet &
Flooring
“Still Serving the Area”
FOR ALL YOURFLOORING NEEDSHardwood Flooring - Ceramic
Tiles - Vinyl - Carpet - Laminates
SPRUCE UP FOR SPRING
2265052
Spring good time for home maintenanceBetterBuildersService Inc.of Tipp Cityis one ofmany op-tions forthose look-ing for roofand gutterrepair thisspring.
PROVIDED PHOTO
BY DANAE KINGOhio Community [email protected]
Spring is a time formore than just cleaning,it’s also a good time to domaintenance on your roofand gutters.
“There’s been so muchwind and hail damage thelast three years,” saidTerry Gallimore, supervi-sor of Better BuildersService Inc. in Tipp City.
“It’s good to look forloose shingles or shingleson the ground.”
Gallimore also advisedhomeowners to check forleaks on the inside oftheir house. ”Checkaround fireplaces forleaks, around plumbingpipes and in bathrooms,”
Gallimore said. “Checkfor any stains anywherein the house, if there’s astain it means there’s aleak somewhere.”
Rick Phillips, owner ofCouchot and PhillipsRoofing in Sidney, alsohad some tips. ”It’s goodto have an overall inspec-tion done,” Phillips said.
Phillips offers inspec-tions for $25 and recom-mends that homeownershave an inspection soonerrather than later.
“Do the preventativemaintenance to beginwith,” Phillips said.“Twenty-five dollars isbetter than several thou-sand.” It’s best to notwait until you start hav-ing a leak, Phillips said.If there is a stain on theceiling or walls of a house,Gallimore recommendsthe homeowner call a rep-utable contractor and get
Experts say roof,gutter inspectiongood practice
See Maintenance/Page 5
NEW OR PRE-EXISTINGDriveways • Farm Lanes • Parking Lots
Re-Gravel • Re-Grading • HaulingComplete Gravel, Excavation & Hauling
ASPHALT PAVING - SEAL COATINGCommercial • Residential
Call Us for All Your Driveway Needs!
937-875-0153 or 936-698-6135
Can Help!
Was the Winter Hardon Your Driveway?
and GRAVEL
2264
467
Dave’s Services Proudly ServingMiami County Since 1984!
on a New BryantComfort System!
Call today to find outhow you can
$2000$2000SAVE UP TO
davesservices.com 335-14232265561
ecivreS&selaS
WWiitthh tthhee pprriiccee ooffFFrreeoonn SSkkyyrroocckkeettiinngg
NNOOWW iiss tthhee ttiimmee ttoorreeppllaaccee yyoouurr
AACC//CCoommffoorrtt SSyysstteemm
See our coupon in Val-Pak for seasonal maintenanceor visit our website www.davesservices.com
a free inspection of theirroof.
“Get advice on what todo to solve the problem,”Gallimore said. As far asgutters go, Gallimore saidit’s good to check them aswell.
“Make sure it’s up inplace against the board,and that it hasn’t comeloose with the ice, snowand wind,” Gallimoresaid. Water can go be-tween the gutter and
what’s called the fasciaboard and after that itcan possibly get into thehouse, Gallimore said.
“Don’t use gutterspikes,” Gallimore said.“Use hidden hangers,they screw into the gut-ter.” Gutter spikes aresimilar to nails and gointo the board the gutteris connected to, while hid-den hangers screw di-rectly into the gutter.”
For spouting and gut-ters, Phillips said to keepthe down spouts clean.
”If they’re too heavy (andfull) it pulls them awayfrom the house,”
Phillips said. Phillipsrecommended cleaningyour gutters out twice ayear, once after the leavesfall off the trees in the falland then once in thespring as well.
“It depends on thetypes of trees you have,”Phillips said. If there area lot of trees around thehouse, it’s good to cleanout your gutters once ayear, Gallimore said.
MaintenanceContinued from page 1
With the upcoming ar-rival of spring, homeown-ers should examine theirdriveway and other pavedsurfaces, including thoseof indoor garages. Identifyall the potholes andcracks in the asphalt that
will have to be repaired.Stepping stones in
walkways that have bro-ken, chipped, lifted, orsunk over this past win-ter will also need repair-ing.
Also check the home’s
foundation to ensure thatno new cracks have ap-peared and that existingones have not increasedin size. Call in an expertto fill the cracks and solvethe problem once and forall.
Check paved surfaces for damage
Outdoor FireplacesStone for Ponds and
LandscapingPatio StonesPaversTumbled Garden Wall
Cultured StoneBrick & BlockPorcelain TileParking BlockStepsRetaining Wall Blocks
$20 OffA $100 or more
purchaseExpires May 12, 2012.
SnyderBrick & Block
to spring
VISIT OUR TROY SHOWROOM3246 N. County Rd. 25A Troy, Ohio
(937) 339-7577Our Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 5 PM
Open Saturdays 8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
2265447
The fireplace, rekindled.
PAVETHEWAY
Snyder
*Read the owner's manual before operating Honda Power Equipment. Not all dealers carry all products. Consult your localYellow Pages. *The Honda Power Equipment Visa® credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special termsapply to purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. Regular minimum monthly payments are requiredduring the promotional period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the regular APR if thepurchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period or if you make a late payment. For newly opened accounts,the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR may vary. The APR is given as of 10/01/2011. If you are charged interest in any billingcycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5% of theamount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Offer expires 12/31/2011.
!"#$% '()*+&'%,*-
HRX217HZA- MicroCut Twin Blade System with four cutting surfaces for finer clippings- Honda cruise control variable speed Hydrostatic transmission- Honda Roto-Stop® BBC: start and stop the blades with the enginerunning- 4-in-1 Versamow System with Clip Director- 5-year residential warranty
HHT25- Honda 25cc Mini Engine Runs on straight, unleaded gas (No Mix)- 17" Semi-matic (bump feed) Standard with "Quiet Line"- Excellent Balance and Feel- 2-year residential/1-year commercial warranty
FG110- Powerful Honda Mini Engine runs on regular gas- 9" Tilling width - Weighs less than 27lbs.- Transport wheels are standard
EU2000- Super quiet - 53 to 59 dB(A)- Lightweight (less than 47 lbs.)- Advanced inverter technology provides reliable- 3-Year Warranty
HRR216VYA- Exclusive Honda QuadraCut Twin Blade System for superior mulchingand bagging- Honda Smart Drive Variable Speed Transmission with adjustable comfortcontrol- Honda Roto-Stop® BBC: start and stop the blades with the enginerunning- 3-year warranty
PRENGER IMPLEMENT STORE, INC.2424 ST. RT. 364 (IN EGYPT)
MINSTER, OH 45865(419) 628-3045
www.prenger.comWE TAKE TRADES!
2263342
BY TOM BARNETTOhio Community [email protected]
Spring brings new life,color, warm days and yes,yard cleanup. In springeverything begins to growrapidly after winter’s longdormant period.So, it’s time to turn at-
tention toward gettingthat lawn back into shape— applying fertilizer, deal-ing with bare patches andmole hills — and mowing.And, after the long win-
ter, there are bound to beold leaves, tree branches,weeds and the previouslymentioned problems, sincevery few people do yardwork during winter.And landscape experts
say effective spring lawncare can prevent grassy
weeds like crabgrass fromgetting a head start.Where to begin? Do it
yourself or hire a profes-sional?Randy Harvey, lawn
care supervisor at Ever-greenTurf and Landscapein Troy says “the mainthing early is to fertilizethe yard and put down acrabgrass pre-emergenceproduct.” He cautioned,however, not to seed rightaway a lawn that has beentreated for crabgrass.“If seeding bad lawn
areas, it’s often best to addtop soil,” he suggested.“Last year was a good yearfor lawnswith all the rain-fall. There was a lot ofseeding after hot and dry2010. Lawns are in bettershape.
“It’s been a mild winterand could be a banneryear for insects,weeds andlawn diseases since theyprobably didn’t die out likein previously cold, snowywinters,” Harvey advised.Harvey said he recom-
mends fertilizing againgoing into late spring orearly summer and putdown broadleaf weed con-trol for dandelions, clover,buckhorn and otherweeds.“In fact,” he said, “it
pays to fertilize everyother month throughoutthe year.”Asked about mowing,
he said most people mowtheir lawns too low, caus-ing damage from heat
Start lawn projects now
See Lawn/Page 7
stress. “The best thing is tomow regularly at a height of 31/2 inches.”
Harvey also advises home-owners to keep eyes open formoles and large numbers ofbirds on the lawn — “a sureindication of insects.” He alsopredicted the mild winter willcreate more insect problemssince they’ve not had to win-ter as deep in the ground.
At Kah Nursery and Gar-den Center near Botkins,NickBaughman, landscape divi-sion vice president, sharedmaintenance tips for land-scape beds.
“Now is a good time to cutall perennials back about twoinches from the ground andornamental grasses to aboutsix inches,” he began, “Cutroses and hydrangea, butdon’t trim plants that bloomin spring. Trim lilacs afterthey’re done blooming around
Mother’s Day.”After trimming and pre-
emergence, Baughman saidmulching and slow releasefertilizer should be placedaround shrubs along with anapplication of slow release fer-tilizer for ornamental shrubs.
“That’s about all that’sneeded nearly spring,” hesaid. “After the threat of frost,annuals of seasonal colorsmay be planted.”
Kah Nurseries offersmonthly free clinics to gar-deners and landscapers whoregister at kahnursery.com.Annual plant design will bediscussed onApril 21. Pre-reg-istration is required.
For do-it-yourself home-owners, www.ehow.com offersthe following tips for yardcleanups:
Clean up yard debris —limbs, leaves, trash and any-thing else accumulated overwinter months — with a rakeand lawn bags. Start a com-
post pile in a corner of thebackyard and use it to disposeof both dry, dead leaves andgrass clippings.
And a warning. Alwayswear gloves when cleaning upold leaves, spiders and insectsuse dormant vegetation forshelter,
Cut back overgrown bushesand shrubs with pruningshears or loppers, dependingon branch diameter as falland winter have providedgrowth opportunities.
Reseed any grass areaswinter may have killed off.Doing so prevents such areasfrom becoming mud puddlesonce spring rains arrive.
Water the yard if it is dry.Providing it water via sprin-klers or a hose may be justwhat it needs to green up andgrow.
Cut grass if needed, Doingso will not only improve ap-pearance of a lawn, but alsohelp grass grow.
• ShreddedTopsoil....$30/yd
• Bulk Mulch....$26/yd
• Drive Way Stone• Waterways• Trucking
• Excavating• Ponds• Land Clearing• Demolition
Kut
her
Rd. St. Rt. 47 W
1 Mile West ofSidney
2264023
3680 St. Rt. 47 W • Sidney, OH937-497-7161 • Fax 937-493-0766
“Serving SidneyArea Since 1987”
LLC
LLCSpecializing In:
• Residential• Remodeling• Repairs• Kitchens
• Light Commercial• New Construction• Additions• Baths
937-726-2468
Call For AFree Estimate937-726-2468
Email us at: [email protected]
083
Those leaves, twigs and bare spots are back again. It’s time to clean upthat ratty lawn. Local experts offer advice and suggestions.
TOM BARNETT/OHIO COMMUNITY MEDIA PHOTO
LawnContinued from page 6
DOUG’S LAWNMOWERS4066 Farrington Rd., Covington • (937) 773-4292
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8-6, Friday 8-5, Sat. 8-1, Closed Sunday– Serving the Community for 26 Years –
Huge Inventory!
The all-new Z Master Commercial 3000 Series offers the perfect blend ofperformance, durability and value. These models feature Toro’s exclusiveTURBO FORCE cutting decks and 12cc unitized pump and wheel motorsfor professional results and dependability.
The Toro® Z Master®Commercial 3000 Series...Time-Tested Zero-Turn Riders.
20 DifferentModels of Riding
Mowers In Stock
2265034
Spring is Here!
SomeClearance
Priced MowersAvailable
www.toro.com
TREAT YOUR LAWN TO THE BEST!
Spend more time enjoying your lawn and less time mowing it. A lot less time. In fact, customersusing Toro® TimeCutter® zero-turn mowers report that their mowing time has been cut almost inhalf. And with the SmartSpeed™ control system, TimeCutter mowers are an even smarter choice.
2265350
Your house is in ship-shape condition after agood spring cleaning. Now,even after a mild winterit’s a good idea to haveyour car or truck thor-oughly inspected eachspring.
Typically, after all thatsnow, ice and salt, you’llwant to give your vehicle agood cleaning both on theinside and out. When itcomes to cleaning the body,a specialized shop can en-sure a topnotch job. Theyknow how to clean all thetrims and crevices wheredirt and salt love to infil-trate. A good cleaning fol-lowed by a wax job will
leave your vehicle lookingas good as new. Now thatthe weather is more enjoy-able, this type of job can bethe perfect way to spend aSaturday afternoon — justbe sure to use the rightproducts and tools.
Come springtime, theinterior of your vehiclecould also use some clean-ing. The carpets are cakedwith dirt and salt.And thesmell. If you have the timeand energy, you can tacklethis job yourself. On theother hand, a specializedworkshop will know howto leave your vehicle’s in-terior looking andsmelling incredibly fresh
and clean.Finally, don’t forget to
rid your trunk and glovecompartment of all theuseless items and garbagethat have been collectingover the winter. Youshould also check the pres-sure of your tires —includ-ing that of your emergencytire.You never know whenyou may need to use it.
Spring can also meanthe need for a new vehiclebut what if you just don’thave the money?
Fortunately, there is asolution to your dilemma:it’s time to go shopping fora used vehicle.
But where do you start?
Chances are you’ve al-ready heard lots of horrorstories about those whobought a used car andlived to regret it. But notall used vehicle purchaseslead to misery. Dealingwith a reputable used cardealer will ensure you finda vehicle that is virtuallyimpeccable and, more im-portantly, guaranteed.
However, there is aprice to pay for this peaceof mind. While it’s notnearly as expensive asbuying a brand-new vehi-cle, it will still cost you.
Alternatively, you canturn to those businessesthat specialize in the sales
of used cars and trucksthat are a bit older but stillin good working condition.Their prices tend to bemore affordable, but theycan still be out of reachfor some people. In thiscase, look at what thesmaller dealers in yourarea have to offer. Theirvehicles tend to be moreaffordable, but they’llprobably be older, too. Fi-nally, there are alwaysprivate sales, which tend
to be the most affordableoption. If you choose thisroute, be sure to have thevehicle inspected by afriend who’s either a me-chanic or who knows a lotabout vehicles before youbuy.
As you can see, buying aused car or truck isn’t easy,but that’s the price youhave to pay when youdon’t have the money fora new vehicle.
Call usfor all your
HomeImprovement
needs!
937-492-8640
2264738
Remodeling
Windows
Gutters & Downspouts
Get ready for Spring!J.E.B. Bros.
Mowing & Lawn Maintenanceare now accepting new customers.
Please call us to schedule a free estimate.
• Mowing • Mulching • Hedge Trimming
• No job is too small
Joshua & Ethan Burns5150 Holfinger Road
Piqua, OH 45356
937 473-330450% off
first timewe mowJ.E.B. Bros.
Expires: 4-30-12
Coupon
2263
162
9040 Co. Rd. 25-A North, Sidneyfax 937-492-1465 • email: [email protected]
BARKERINSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
2264724
Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm • Umbrella
It’s not justyour home,It’s your life.Trust BarkerInsurance Agencywith 70 yearscombinedexperience
9 3 7 - 4 9 2 - 1 8 5 7 • 1 - 8 0 0 - 5 3 5 - 5 4 1 0
Winter is overTime to treat your vehicle to some spring-cleaning
After enduring thelong, cold winter months,our skin is now dried, paleand lifeless. But not allhope is lost. It’s time toget busy with some in-tensive spring-cleaning.We are all anxiouslyawaiting the sensation ofthe warm rays of the sunon our skin, but beforeyou store your wintercoat at the back of thecloset and pull out yoursummer wardrobe, youfirst have to shed yourwinter skin.
When it comes to revi-talizing your skin, exfoli-ation is vital. Not onlywill it make waxing eas-ier by bringing out hairthat is trapped beneaththe skin’s surface, but itwill also result in moreeven tanning by removingdead skin cells. The bestway to exfoliate your skinis to start at home withan exfoliating gel de-signed for your type ofskin. As summer ap-proaches, finish theprocess at a spa with aprofessional treatment.The treatments offered atthese centers are wor ththe money because theyare often combined with
a massage and skinwrap. A trip to the es-thetician is also a goodidea because you cantreat your face to a deepcleansing, leaving it softand glowing.
All that’s left to do is togive your skin a hint ofsummer color. You canbook a few sessions at atanning salon (just besure to protect your skinbefore and hydrate itafter). If you’re con-cerned about the safety ofUV rays, you can opt fora self-tanning cream.Many of these creamscan even enhance the nat-
ural protective abilities ofdelicate skin against thesun’s harmful rays.
After a long, cold win-ter, pamper your skin ... itneeds it.
Flooring & Window Fashions
• Carpet• Vinyl• Ceramic• Hard Wood & Laminate• Curtains & Drapery• Blinds & Shades• Professional Installations
Our prices
beat the big
box stores!
440-8800105 W. Market St.,Troywww.lauriesflooring.com
2264491
F L O O R I N G & B L I N D S
937-498-BIRD( 2 4 7 3 )
529 N Vandemark Rd(Vandemark Center)
Sidney, Ohio
Quality Children & Toddler Toys
Famous Lifetime Bird FeedersShirtsMugsGifts
Easter Savings on Bird & GardenGREAT Easter Gifts from Melissa & Doug
Easter Savings on Bird & GardenGREAT Easter Gifts from Melissa & Doug
2264994
Quality Wild Delight & Kaytee Bird SeedWild Bird, Garden & Nature Items
1000’s of Quality Puzzlesfrom toddler to 18,000 pieces
2264
498
1700 S. Main St., Piqua (Cty. Rd. 25-A next to Starfuel I-75 Exit 78Go north 1.6 miles on left corner of Fox & 25A, Paul Sherry Industrial Park
(937) 778-9301 • Fax (937) 778-9309
Kitchen Cabinetry
Hours: Mon thru Sat 9am-5:30pm
www.craft-interiors.com
2265
146
MARCHSALE
Spring-cleaningfor the body
(NewsUSA) — Springis all about fresh starts,which makes this theperfect time to reflect onyour finances and re-think your saving strate-gies. Whether buyinggroceries or filing yourtaxes, here are a few tipsto help you save this sea-son:
— Make every dollarcount. As long as you payoff your balance eachmonth, a credit card tiedto a rewards programwill earn you extra cash,points towards travel orother savings. One com-pany, Upromise, gives itsmembers money for col-lege -- either for theirsavings account or to al-locate towards studentloans -- by offering 1 to25 percent back on mostpurchases.
— Make travelingmore wallet-friendly.What's bad news for thetravel industry is goodnews for consumers --major price slashing.With the down economy,destination hot spotssuch as DisneyWorld arenow offering huge deals.Do some online researchto find out which pack-age works best for you.Additionally, save ad-
ministrative fees bybooking directly throughthe airline's Web site. Ifyour schedule permits,try for a Wednesday de-parture, typically knownas the cheapest day tofly.
— Never pay full priceon groceries. While someexpenses are easy to cut,groceries are a line itemyou can't ignore, but witha little preparation be-forehand, you can save
big. Check your local su-permarket's circular forweekly sales, and stockup on non-perishables oritems that are freezable.In addition to checkingyour Sunday paper,check Web sites such asCouponMom.com andSmartSource.com forprintable coupons. Anddon't forget UpromiseeCoupons, which are pa-perless and can save youup to $25 a month.
— Save on your taxes.This year, save moneyand trees by filing elec-tronically. Programssuch as TurboTax orH&R Block's TaxCutallow you to e-file and re-ceive your refund withintwo weeks. Plus, don'tforget all your deduc-
tions. Easily overlookedwrite-offs include yourhome office, student loaninterest and any clothingor vehicle donations.
— Take advantage offreebies. In this day andage, it's easy to forgetthat some things are ac-tually free. Instead ofpurchasing the new best-seller or latest DVD, bor-row it from your locallibrary. There are alsogreat ways to find itemsyou need, secondhand.Since now's the time forspring cleaning, checkout FreeCycle.org or yourlocal swap shop forslightly used items.Someone else's throw-away could be yourtreasured find.
3)0,00),-..( 7 %,*##,)-#,-..(
P A' <NIL ?!)L&)O+C 2)LH$+)P @I+J B")-O$O&P DN$")L ;OKJ-"" . 7-$OJ)O-O+)P 1-O#")KK /-J)L 2CKJ)!KP <N!) =)O)L-JNLKP ?O)L&C 2J-L /$O*NGKP 2J-J) 9$+)OK)* ?")+JL$+-" BNOJL-+JNLP @I+J")KK 2M"$J 2CKJ)!K
P 2%))J 7)J-" >-,L$+-J$NOP ?E%-IKJ 2CKJ)!KP :$J+%)O <NN*KP 3NN(JNM 0O$JKP 7-#)80M F$L 2CKJ)!KP 5IJ*NNL 4)L&N"-KP 0M JN 6A 7NOJ% >$O-O+$O&P G3"" "1/B;(/"1
!/"4+2/! $ &"'1526!
E"9/C"3;(=H .48 5*, )7%'F5 -F5! >< )*:H 1*0% %>%7#+ @ ?<>%+ -F5!* !F#!D%$J)F%>)+ 6+65%?
H 1*$% @ )A%*> D >< I*?%&>< I2%& >< <'<7
24)4( 3) &( (!" 5*,# 0!&/%"* 1')4.")) -$+,-!.21%(+$ &32:7 )* ; , 3"6" 9 / 3"6" ; 84'(20 &2#5(
NowOfferingPlumbing
FreeWater H
eater
with Furnac
e &
Air Conditio
ner
Purchase
Call for Det
ails
2265055
Don’t attack everything at once. Make a list of the chores that need to be done and complete them one at a time. Do collect everything needed to complete the task beforehand. The more time you spend searching for cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner attachments and whatnot, the more time it will take you to complete the task. Don’t try to tackle everything yourself. Get your husband, kids or friends to help out so you can get things done faster. Do read manufacturer labels. If a label says dry clean only or advises a spot test, heed the warning, else you may wind up having to make some purchases. Don’t invest too much time in any one task on any given day. A few hours a day on one or two tasks should suffice. Spend more time than that, and you risk burnout. Do clean from top to bottom. The dust will settle as you clean, so you will want to start at the top to avoid having to go over what you have just done. Don’t dismiss the importance of decluttering. If you see something you no longer use or want, get rid of it. The less you have to clean and put away, the quicker you will get a task done. Do take steps to simplify spring cleaning in the future. Have your granite countertops sealed and your carpet protected to prevent stains from setting in. Don’t be afraid to bring in pros for tasks that call for it. Go ahead and drop off your drapes at the dry cleaners rather than attempting to clean them yourself.
Spring to savings
Used ZERO-TURNS
USED RIDING MOWERS
GRASSHOPPER'07 223 / 52" $5,495 '96 616 / 48" $1,995 '01 721G / 52" $6,250'08 227 / 61" $6,595 '04 618 / 52" $5,000 '99 721G / 52" $5,450'11 227 / 61" $7,450 '92 720 / 52" $2,500 '05 722D / 61" $6,500'97 614 / 44" $2,295 '97 721D / 61" $6,250 '10 727T ' 61" $8,750
'09 BADBOY LIGHTNING Z / 60" $6,499 '06 JD 997Z TRAK / 72" $9,850'05 BUSH HOG ES2044B1 / 44" $4,495 '08 LANDPRIDE ZT72 / 72" $5,495
CUB CADET M60 / 60" $6,950 '03 LANDPRIDE ZR44 / 44" $3,750'00 DIXON ZTR4423 / 42" $1,995 '04 KUBOTA ZD28 / 72" $7,200‘04 DIXON RAM / 50" $2,750 '06 KUBOTA ZG23 / 54" $3,995
CUB CADET 185 LO BOY $2,750 JOHN DEERE 235 / 48" $1,995'02 CUB CADET 2518 / 48" $1,200 JOHN DEERE 240 / 46" $950‘96 FORD CM272 / 72" $6,900 ‘95 NH LS45 / 48" $1,495
GRAVELY XDZ2722 / 72" $9,800 NOMA LXT1646 $500
Covington, Ohio • Botkins, Ohio
2264
331
10120 W. Versailles Rd.Covington, OH 45318
937-526-4851800-860-4851
19161 Kentner Rd.Botkins, OH 45306
937-693-3848800-646-1091
2265365
Because our mood is often influencedby the season, it’s common to get the sud-den urge to redecorate when the colors ofspring start to emerge after the winter.Beautifying our surroundings is akin
to carrying nature’s awakening into ourdecor, to the renewal of life, especially asit centers around the pleasure of enter-taining and living comfortably in ourhomes.This year’s design trends are influ-
enced by four key factors: cute, raw, re-
fined, and a mix of these.All these influ-ences are inspired by the 1950s,meaningthey are a combination of kitsch and con-temporary. The cute element is found incarefully designed small objects, the rawin natural materials such as varioustypes of wood and natural fabrics, andthe refined is represented in the carebrought to elegant decors and in thechoice of accessories.Once again this year, the colors of
walls, accessories, and floor coverings cre-
ate a lively atmosphere, springing fromall these latest trends. Our decor be-comes a tonic to draw us away from thewinter blues. Among this year ’s colors,candy pink and lemon yellow are defi-nitely at the top of the list, along withturquoise blue, apple green, and all theacid tones.Neutral shades inspired by nature
keep their role as a base color to contrastwith brighter shades. They are availablein warm, cold, or metallic tones.
Inspired by spring
You don’t have to renta cottage, travel south, orspend a fortune to fullyenjoy spring break. Hereare a few ideas to breakthe routine and havesome fun with your kids.There are many ways
to get active. One optionis to go bowling as a fam-ily. You can award prizesat the end of the game:highest score, best aver-age or most enthusiastic.For entertainment,
popcorn hour is the best.Go to the theater to seethat anxiously awaitedmovie that is sure toplease everyone. You canalso organize a movienight at home and inviteyour friends.You can embark on a
culinary voyage; simplychoose a country and pre-pare one of its traditionaldishes. During the day,everyone does a short re-search on one aspect ofthe chosen country (dress,music, geography, history,wildlife). Then, as youshare the traditionalmeal, you can also sharewhat you have learnedabout this country withthe other members of thefamily.To connect as a family,
big and small can rallyaround a board game, oryou can organize a quizby preparing a series ofquestions that everymember of the familymust answer: favoritefoods, favorite movies,small quirks, bad habits,biggest qualities, bestmemories, etc.
Take a culturalspring breakSpring break doesn’t
mean that your brain hasto remain idle.Why not take advan-
tage of this week to learnwhile having fun?How?Simple, just visit places
that sharpen children’scritical reasoning and firetheir imaginations.The first destination:
the museum. Every re-gion is full of beautifulexpositions waiting to bediscovered by the public.In a few hours, young-sters can learn a lot aboutthe history of their com-munity, or many otherentertaining subjects.
Very often, because thefacts are so bizarre, theyremain imprinted in thememory of children for-ever.Later during the week,
why not head to the pub-lic library? Invite the kidsto research the subjectthey explored at the mu-seum, or help themchoose a good storybookso they can practice read-ing as they entertainthemselves.For a grand finale to
this cultural week, whynot drop by the movietheater? A good movie forthe whole family is al-ways a popular treat.With a bag of popcorn
to top it off, what could bemore pleasant?
Our Other Convenient Locations to Serve You
INTERNET BANKINGAccess your account 24 hours a day!www.greenvillenationalbank.com
Corner of 721 & U.S. Rt 36 • Bradford, OhioCall Direct 937-448-6300
1-800-759-9476 or 937-548-1114Serving Miami & Darke Counties
Check our rates at www.greenvillenationalbank.com
YOUR LOCAL
SAFE SECURE
INDEPENDENT
BANK
WE HAVE
$ MONEY $
AVAILABLE!
MAIN OFFICE ..............................4TH & BROADWAY........................548-1114*ANSONIA BRANCH......................100 SOUTH MAIN ........................337-3151*ARCANUM BRANCH....................2860 ALT. ST. RT. 49 N ............692-5105*BRADFORD BRANCH ..................11929 US RT 36W......................448-6300GETTYSBURG BRANCH ................100 EAST MAIN STREET ..............447-2141CONSUMER LOANS & VISA ..........114 WEST FOURTH STREET ..........548-1114*NORTHTOWN BRANCH ................480 WAGNER ................................548-1114*SYCAMORE BRANCH ..................4TH & SYCAMORE ........................548-1114GNB INFOLINE—24 HOUR BANKING................................................548-6540............................................................................TOLL FREE 1-888-548-6540*Denotes ATM Location (STAR Network and Plus National Network)
Now you can applyfor your mortgage online at
www.greenvillenationalbank.com
SEEUSFORAHOMEEQUITYOR MORTGAGELOAN.
MattKolb
BranchManager
GreenvilleNationalBank BradfordBranch
2265
054
QUICK LOANAPPROVAL
“We Work Year ‘Round”Your Tree CareProfessionalsYour Tree CareProfessionals
STEWART’STree Service LLCCOMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
Serving Logan, Shelby & Champaign Co.For Over 30 Years
937-585-4981
• Trimming• Complete Removal• Stump Removal
• Chain Sharpening• Storm / Seasonal Clean Up• Insurance Work
QualityWork At
ReasonableRates
FREEESTIMATES
2264593
No need to break thebank for spring breakHome entertainment, culinary voyage
ManningtonBlack Isle Hickory
5” Engineered Hardwoodreg. 6.99 SALE 3.79 sq.ft.
Ol’ Virginian 3”x 3/4” SolidHardwood *Made in USA*
reg. 4.99 SALE 2.89 sq.ft.Color: Oak Saddle
(while supply lasts)
Natural Stone3x6 and 4x4
reg. 5.99 SALE 3.99 sq.ft.
Pergo Unibest Laminatewith Attached Pad35 Year Finish
Walnut and Almond Cherryreg. 2.99 SALE 1.99 sq.ft.
NO WAX VINYLS in stockreg. 10.99
SALE AS LOW AS 4.99 sq.yd.
SELECT8X11 Area Rugsreg. 199 SALE $179
Many to Choose From
Carpet with Attached Padreg. 9.99 SALE 4.99 sq.yd.
CeramicTile
As Low As$.79 sq.ft.
Hundredsof Carpetand VinylRemnants!
MAKE YOURDOLLAR COVERMORE FLOOR!
MOHAWK • SHAW • CORONET • BEAULIEU • QUEENS • ALADDIN
HOURS:MONDAY-FRIDAY 8-8
SATURDAY 9-5
WHOLESALE CARPET OUTLET301 EAST MAIN ST., GETTYSBURG, OH
447-426522
6550
6
SILVER STERLING Flatware & OtherSterling Items
WE BUY OLD PAPER MONEY!We carry coins for collectors, gold and silver bullion coins- a complete line of coin supplies. We have proof and mint
sets and proof silver eagles.Call or stop in and browse.
We Pay Top Prices!For old Military Medals and Badges, Pilot Wings,Leather Fighter Jackets, Flight Helmets, Gear andGoggles, U.S. Military Insignia, Paratrooper Wings,Boots WWII Jump Jackets and Pants, Air CorpsSquadron Patches, Shoulder Patches and JacketInsignia, Fighting Knives, Bayonets, Daggers,Swords, Field Equipment, WWI and WWII Germanand Japanese Souvenirs. Any American Army, Navy,Marine Corps - WWI-WWII, Spanish-American Waror Old Indian Wars, Uniforms, Hats, Helmets,
Award Documents, or Medals.
TDN0107
8476
71
PleaseCall forCurrentPrices
PleaseCall forCurrentPrices
TDN/PDC/SDN
75¢ ea.
PM 300153
2265
178