Livvie DeLuca has a love of old things, even chalkboards.

When the old school was being torn down on Fourth Street, I wanted a piece of chalkboard and John Howard was there taking pictures. He asked them for me and instead of a piece, a got a whole chalkboard, DeLuca said.

That chalkboard, she said, is now in the sunroom of the home she shares with her husband, Michael, and her daughter, Rosalia, in Penn Borough.

My husband does woodworking and he framed it. It is a lot of fun. We write to each other on it, said DeLuca. Her family home once belonged to her husband's grandfather.

After meeting Howard, who is one of the founders and longtime members of the Jeannette Historical Society, DeLuca joined the group.

I started going to the historical society meetings when they were at the library, but my daughter was very small and I didn't do much then, said DeLuca.

Now that her daughter is in fifth grade, DeLuca is part of what Howard calls the Thursday Group, a dedicated group of city historians who meet at the historical society office on Clay Avenue every week to catalog, archive and take care of any business that needs to be handled.

I come every Thursday and I work on the old photos. I scan them into the computer and organize them, said DeLuca.

In addition to her chalkboard, DeLuca, who was also a substitute teacher at Jeannette McKee Elementary, salvaged a gate across from the Dollar General when they were building the store.

I use it as an arbor in my garden, said DeLuca.

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Penn resident enjoys history and repurposing old things

Time Lapse Video of Construction Addition in LaGrangeville
Time lapse video of New Dimension Construction #39;s recent project. Watch a sunroom addition get built from the ground up in under 5 minutes!

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Time Lapse Video of Construction Addition in LaGrangeville - Video

29 CHAUCER DR, NEWARK, DE 19713 - SPACIOUS BROOKSIDE PARK RANCH!
Welcome to single floor living! Enjoy this spacious 3bedroom Ranch home in Brookside Park. Situated on an oversized lot, this 1700 square foot home backs to...

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29 CHAUCER DR, NEWARK, DE 19713 - SPACIOUS BROOKSIDE PARK RANCH! - Video

Sunroom Addition in Tampa!
"An All-Weather-Room is a great addition, even in Florida!" - Angi Brittain. These clear vinyl windows create screen rooms and open in a variety of ways: sta...

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Sunroom Addition in Tampa! - Video

BLOOMINGTON Keith Thompson is a self-admitted "sucker for historic properties."

So when Diane and Bud Sullivan approached him in 2008 about investing in the historic Asahel Gridley property at 301 E. Grove St., neither Thompson nor his wife, Diane, could resist. Gridley was a state senator credited with getting the Illinois Central Railroad to roll through Bloomington, was a friend of Abraham Lincoln and the city's first millionaire.

"It looked like something that might be OK," said Keith Thompson about the restoration project.

Granted, the 1860s Gridley mansion and the 1937 apartment buildings in front needed a lot of work, but Bud Sullivan was a contractor and Diane Sullivan, then president of the Old House Society, was passionate about restoration work, so the Thompsons were convinced it could work.

But two years went by and little work had been accomplished. The city began citing numerous code violations. By 2012, the property went into foreclosure, the Sullivans owed $807,558 on the property, according to legal documents. Their original loan from Thompson was $644,500. Diane Sullivan had already moved from the community and Bud Sullivan moved away later.

Thompson was the highest bidder at a foreclosure auction ($700,000) and the property, and all of its problems, were now his.

"It came down to an emotional decision rather than a financial one, stupid for a banker," said Thompson, a senior loan officer with Mortgage Services Inc. "I'm sure someone would have knocked it down."

But now, about $1 million later, the renovation is complete and Thompson can focus on finding tenants for the mansion apartments.

One of the eight apartments already is taken, by Thompson and his wife.

"I'm glad he took it on," said Laura Walden, coordinator of the Old House Society's Architectural Salvage Warehouse. "It was too overwhelming for anyone else. He's done a great job. Hopefully it will last forever."

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'Emotional' restoration of historic Gridley mansion nearly complete

23482 Glenmoor Drive Parker CO 80138
For more information contact Dave Umphress at or 303-330-7894. This fabulous two-story in the king-pin cul-de-sac of Villages of Parker was the jewel in the ...

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23482 Glenmoor Drive Parker CO 80138 - Video

Christmas bouquets light up a room

image credit: photo SUBMITTED

According to research, fresh flowers lift everyones spirits and are the gift that makes people the happiest, especially so during these cool, dark days.

Fresh flowers add so much colour to the festive season and they do not have to cost a great deal. Garden centres, florists and some larger stores all have super selections at this time of year. Although prices will vary, always buy quality and look for both fragrance and varieties that last.

With proper care, their lifespan can be almost doubled. Cleanliness is the single most important factor in making fresh flowers last. Dirty vases are no place for fresh flowers. Not only should they be clean but a few drops of bleach should also be added to the water to kill any bacteria that can reduce the capillary action of water flowing up the stems. The water should be warm and the addition of a packet of floral preservative will greatly extend the lifespan of your cut flowers. Curiously, Sprite soft drink is one of the best floral preservatives.

It is always a good idea to re-cut the stems on all fresh flowers the moment you receive them but it is very important for you to make that cut while the end of the stem is held underwater. Special machines are available to florists for doing just that. Another re-cut should be done in about a week to keep that water flowing. Research has also proven that exposure to constant, rather than fluctuating temperatures, increases the lifespan of flowers. In other words, keep them at a reasonably cool room temperature rather than in a hot sunroom by day and in the cold at night.

With so many great local growers in our region, the selection of fresh cut flowers is truly amazing. Fresh cinnamon-scented carnations and long-lasting chrysanthemums are very traditional but I would suggest trying a few different flowers that have great keeping qualities as well. Locally grown anthuriums are unique and look stunning when combined with Christmas greens and berries. They are also very reasonably priced, as are cymbidium orchid stems, another long-lasting flower. Colourful, exotic alstromerias fit in nicely with any bouquet and will go the distance even with mums. If you are really tropical minded, South African proteas last and last.

Spring flowers are now here and ready to bring a breath of fresh colour to brighten our winter spirits. Tulips, pussy willows and iris push aside those winter blues.

Some of the most fragrant flowers are Oriental lilies, Polianthes tuberosa and freesias. Just a few stems are sometimes enough to fill your whole room with a delightful perfume.

To accompany these flowers, I suggest you use some traditional Christmas greens. Noble and silver fir boughs are very dark green, fragrant and classy looking. They are also flat and easy to work with. The soft, wispy branches of white pine are certainly another favourite, both for perfume and longevity.

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IN THE GARDEN: Christmas time is a time for a little colour

Texas Rooms And Windows is YOUR Best Choice for Custom, Room Addition Quality Sunrooms. AND...Texas' ONLY Source of Composite Patio Rooms & Enclosures!

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Sunroom Secrets... ... and everything else you need to know! Soon we''ll be updating our remodeling blog with weekly and monthly specials, and information about sunrooms, additions, conservatories, windows and all types of home and garden related tips and advice for homeowners. Come by and let us know what you think! You can also ask any type of question and will post answers to help other homeowners in the future.Thanks for stopping by... Click the link below to go see: Sunroom Secrets... ... and everything else you need to know!

NEW!- We have added new blog sites that we will be updating monthly with Remodeling Ideas and helpful links for Exterior Remodeling specific projects such as Siding, Roofing, Windows and Doors, Coatings, paints and more... Check out our new Exterior Remodeling and Home Improvement blog!

We have most recently added and will be working on the latest blog that will deal with all things GREEN and Energy Efficient. We are constantly testing, using and trying all types of energy efficient products and technologies, so we are going to share them with you in our Green Remodeling Ideas blog. We will give you links to suppliers of energy efficient products, other sites to help you learn more and insider information about the products we have used along with the results of our testing.

PLEASE Don't forget to subscribe to our blogs so you will know when we post new and helpful information. And...Don't forget to let us know about any type opf remodeling, home improvements or energy saving upgrades you have tested your self. We always love to hear from you!

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Sunroom, Window, Patio, Additions & Remodeling Information ...

Dec. 16, 2014 11:35 a.m.

Dear friends,

When Kirk, my husband of almost 43 years, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in January 2012, we were stunned. Kirk hadnt been in the hospital since he was a teenager and when we met the surgeon that evening in the emergency room, he told us he was afraid, since Kirk had been so healthy and had annual physicals, he was going to find cancer. For 15 months, we rode a mixture of tidal waves and calm watersbut nothing was more comforting than the compassionate care we experienced, at home, with Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Because of hospice care, Kirk spent nine weeks at homewhere he desperately wanted to beuntil he passed. Hospice provided everything we needed for his medical needs, physical equipment and anticipated his needs of care.

Theres something therapeutic about being at home. Kirk felt comfortable in his familiar surroundings. His diagnosis didnt stop him from living strong, just like the LIVESTRONG yellow bracelets each member of our family wore and still wear.

Although he was bedridden in the hospital and too weak to walk, Kirk rebounded at home. He regained some strength and advanced from riding in the wheelchair provided by hospice, to shuffling around with a walker to and from our sunroom to read the paper every morning. We watched him show interest in daily happenings, watch some of his favorite TV shows and visit with family and friends. At times we could ride a wave of calm.

Our family time had always been important in Kirks life, and it became even more special in those weeks. Kirk was able to laugh and cry with us, reminisce through conversations and old photos, smile and say his goodbyes, and others could say their goodbyes to him.

Kirk passed away peacefully in our home on May 4, 2013. Even now, I ask why but also know even though we did not get the hoped for miracle of remission or a cure, we did get the gift of life. We took short trips by car, plane and even on his Harley motorcycle, and we celebrated Kirks 65th birthday. But most of all, we were able to share our love and make more memories of our time with Kirk.

Looking back, I cant imagine not having the support of Hospice, and I wouldnt ever change our decision to have them in our lives during those nine weeks. In addition to the medical, emotional and spiritual care Kirk received, Hospice of the Red River Valley helped prepare me and my family. I didnt know the stages of end-of-life and didnt realize everything Hospice could do for our family. Hospice of the Red River Valley made the journey more gentle.

Kirk always had a spirit of giving back, and he led a rich life filled with volunteerism and generosity. He had decided which charities would receive our financial gifts, and now its my turn. Hospice gave Kirk and our family nine weeks of time and comfort. Please join me and my family in giving a gift to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

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Why We Give: Kirk & Stephanies Story

Home Additions Before and After - Albany, NY
Are you thinking about adding a sunroom onto your Albany, New York home? Watch this time lapse video and see the step by step transformation of adding a sunroom addition onto your home. Want...

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Home Additions Before and After - Albany, NY - Video