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The following insect pests bear special mention for early-season scouting in cranberry bogs:

Blackheaded fireworm Blackheaded fireworm eggs overwinter on the bed and usually hatch by around mid-May. It is important to catch the first generation, if possible, because the second generation occurs during bloom and is typically much more destructive. Blackheaded fireworm larvae can be detected by sweep net sampling and it is a good idea to look along the edges of beds where vines first begin to grow. Remember: blackheaded fireworm is much easier to control if detected during the early part of the season.

Spotted fireworm This insect overwinters as a 2nd instar larva. They complete two generations a year. Larvae feed between uprights they have webbed together. First-generation larvae injure the foliage causing it to turn brown as if burned. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge the first week of June, followed by a second-generation of adult emergence in early August. Eggs are laid in masses on weedy hosts. Larvae from second-generation adults emerge in mid-August, and may feed on fruit. Populations of spotted fireworm are regulated by their natural enemies, in particular Trichogramma wasps that parasitize the eggs.

Sparganothis fruitworm This insect is a serious pest in most cranber

Blackheaded fireworm Larva (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

ry-growing states. Sparganothis fruitworm completes two generations a year and overwinters as an early-instar larva. Larvae from the 1st generation feed on foliage. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge from mid-June through the first weeks in July; pheromone traps are commonly used to monitor adult flight and population size. Second-generation eggs are laid on cranberry leaves, and larvae will feed on fruit.

Cranberry blossomworm Adults lay their eggs in October in cranberry beds. The eggs overwinter and hatch over a period of several weeks. Early instars can be found during the first week of May. Larvae go through 6 instars to complete development.

Because the first instars feed during the day (and also at night), scouting can be done during the

Spotted Fireworm Larva

daytime using sweep nets to estimate larval abundance. Larvae turn nocturnal during the later instars. At this time, night sweeping (9 pm 1 am) is recommended for sampling. Larvae complete their development by June-July. Older instars are very voracious and capable of destroying 100 blossoms within a 3-week period. There is a pre-pupal that lasts until the end of August and a pupal stage that lasts until October. Adults emerge from end of August to end of October.

Lepidopteran Pests Monitoring and

Sparganothis fruitworm Larva (Photo by D. Schiffhauer

Control Use sweep netting for monitoring early lepidopteran pests (pre-bloom). A sweep set consists of 25 sweeps and 1 sweep set is recommended per acre (this may vary depending the size of bogs). The action threshold for false armyworm, blossomworm, other cutworms, and gypsy moth (we use a combined threshold from adding all these caterpillars per sweep) is an average of 4.5 caterpillars in sets of 25 sweeps. For brown and green spanworms is an average of 18 per sweep set. The action threshold for blackheaded fireworm and Sparganothis fruitworm is an average of 1 to 2 per sweep set. We recommend the use of the reduced-risk materials Intrepid, Delegate, Altacor or Exirel if populations exceed action thresholds. Exirel is a newly-registered insecticide in cranberries. These are reduced-risk, softer insecticides that are very effective against lepidopteran pests. More information on these (and other) lepidopteran pests will be provided as the season progresses.

Leafhoppers There is concern among New Jersey cranberry growers of a potential increase in leafhopper populations because of recent changes in pest management strategies (e.g., adoption of new reduced-risk products and decreased applications of broad-spectrum insecticides). Blunt-nosed leafhopper is of particular concern because

Cranberry blossomworm Larva

they can transmit cranberry false blossom disease. This leafhopper has one generation a year. Adults are found in highest numbers during July, although nymphs or adults may be found from the end of May until October. Eggs are laid in August-September. The eggs overwinter and hatch in May or June. The nymphs go through 5 instars to complete development.

Leafhopper Monitoring and Control: Leafhopper nymphs can be sampled using sweep nets (as described above for lepidopteran pests). Nymphs before bloom are small; thus, you may need to freeze the samples (to kill them), and then count the number of nymphs under a microscope or using a magnifying lens. There is no threshold based on sweep net counts, so decisions should be made based by comparing current numbers with prior infestation history and/or incidence of false blossom disease on those beds.In cases of high numbers of blunt-nosed leafhopper nymphs, we recommend application of a broad-spectrum insecticide, such as Diazinon (no aerial applications allowed) or Lorsban (only pre-bloom applications allowed for Ocean Spray growers). Broad-

Blunt-nosed leafhopper Nymph (Photo by D. Schiffhauer)

spectrum insecticides will disrupt biological control particularly the natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of Sparganothis fruitworm, so their use should be restricted only to areas of high leafhopper populations.

Read more:
Early-Season Insect Pests of Cranberries - Rutgers Today

For eight hours a day, from March until May, research biologist Will Hawkes surveys huge swarms of insects landing on the Karpaz Peninsula on the north-east corner of Cyprus. This place is a migratory hotspot for millions of painted lady butterflies, drone fly hoverflies, seven-spot ladybirds and vagrant emperor dragonflies its like nothing Ive ever seen before, says Hawkes, a PhD student at the University of Exeters Genetics of Migration lab who first studied the phenomenon here a year ago.

This island is a pit stop for millions of insects that fly at high altitudes over the sea then come to land to rest as they migrate, possibly thousands of kilometres from the Middle East to western Europe. Its just astonishing that these creatures migrate such long distances and in such vast numbers in order to find the right food to eat and to reproduce in environments at particular temperatures, he says.

One grass fly we found at Cyprus is just 2mm long, so, for their body size, these migrations are quite incredible. Most of the time theyre completely invisible to us, adds Hawkes, who explains that the distances travelled by insects flying via Cyprus are as yet unknown. The furthest insect migration recorded is the 18,000km journey of the 4cm-long globe skimmer dragonfly between India and Africa.

Hawkess PhD supervisor, Dr Karl Wotton, describes his research at Karpaz as significant. Migration hotspots like this are a window into processes that normally go on unseen, high above our heads, as huge amounts of insects make seasonal movements, says Wotton. This Cyprus hotspot shows how distant ecosystems can nevertheless be connected. Its part of an emerging global picture of insects on the move.

Hawkes collects insects flying along a gully using a butterfly net in a Victorian-style study, then puts them into an insect cage to identify the species before releasing them. He also sets up tiny cameras to record insects flying past for timed periods at set intervals back in the UK, he spends weeks manually counting the numbers in every shot, frame by frame.

We can record thousands of insects flying past per minute its a big challenge, says Hawkes who, by returning annually, is building a long-term data set to let scientists observe trends and patterns over time. Some butterfly, dragonfly and hoverfly migrations have previously been studied but very few studies look at the bigger picture of insect migration. There are huge gaps in our knowledge; were genuinely at the very beginning of understanding these insect migrations.

Radar studies show that 3.5 trillion insects (3,200 tons of biomass) migrate annually above southern Britain alone, as published in the journal Science. Many of these insects are key pollinators and play a major role in pest control, so theyre absolutely vital to agriculture simply due to their sheer numbers, says Hawkes. Flies are the most numerous migrants and they have such an enormous impact on the biodiversity of our ecosystems and pollination of crops and plants.

In July 2019, Wotton, a senior lecturer at Exeter, revealed in the journal Current Biology that 1-4 billion hoverflies migrate into and out of southern Britain each year. As larvae, these hoverflies consume 3-10 trillion aphids, a species that would otherwise be damaging to crops. As adults, hoverflies eat nectar and pollen and are second only to bees in terms of their importance as pollinators.

Wotton recorded that migrant hoverflies each carry on average 10 grains of pollen, flying up to 100 miles a day. By transferring pollen between different populations of plants as they travel, migratory insects help maintain a diverse gene pool for wild plants and crops, increasing resilience to changes in environmental conditions and the effects of climate change.

Remarkably, insects are multigenerational migrants one full circuit involves between three and six generations of adults moving north from springtime to late summer, followed by one generation travelling back south during the autumn migration. The adults die once eggs are laid, before larvae hatch, so these long-distance migrations are not learned behaviours. These migrations are purely genetic. Insects use the sun as their compass and only migrate on days when the winds are favourable, says Hawkes, who also surveys insects flying along the valleys in the Pyrenees mountains on their autumn migration south. Its also likely that when a huge volume of adults dies at the end of each leg of the journey, their biomass provides a seasonal input of nutrients in each location which could be a key food source for other species.

But with plummeting insect populations, conserving biodiversity has never been more crucial. A global review published in the journal Biological Conservation found that more than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered.

Insects are crucial to the health of functioning ecosystems that are vital for food production and security. Pollinators like bees get a lot of attention because three quarters of crops producing fruit and seeds for human consumption depend on them, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Other types of insects include herbivores, detritivores, parasitoids and predators that are crucial to ecosystems humans rely on to survive, acting as pest controllers, recycling nutrients and performing other tasks.

How do humans harm insects?Habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, the climate crisis and over-harvesting are all human-caused issues that put pressure on insects, say experts. The heavy use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers is the primary driver of harm to insects by humans, according to the first global scientific review of the literature in 2019.

How bad is it?Bad. Insect populations around the world are plummeting, with 40% of species declining and a third endangered, according to the same literature review. On average, insect biomass on Earth has fallen 2.5% a year for the last three decades or so, which could mean they vanish within the next 100 years.

What happens if insects become extinct? The survival of mankind would be at stake. With no insects to pollinate the crops humans rely on to eat or perform vital functions in ecosystems, humans would be in trouble.

What can we do about it?Insect experts have devised a roadmap for conservation and recovery. In the short term, humans must phase out pesticide use, prioritise nature-based farming methods and reduce light, noise and water pollution. In the long term, scientists have called for an international body to monitor the health of insect populations and action taken to help them.

Migratory insects are vulnerable to habitat loss beyond the boundaries of one country, and climate breakdown could affect the migration routes and ranges of these insect species so we need to take a more global, holistic view of conservation, says Hawkes, who believes farmers can make an enormous difference by reducing the use of pesticides and leaving field margins to grow wild.

Its easy to see the difference in numbers of insect types between a patch of wildflowers at the edge of a field and the middle of a crop we need to move away from monoculture towards agro-ecology.

Matt Shardlow, chief executive of invertebrate conservation charity Buglife, warns that spray drift and soil transport of pesticides into field margins pose a risk and that wildflower-rich habitats should be prioritised in urban areas, on road verges and railways, away from crops sprayed with pesticides.

Were restoring wildflower grassland to increase the availability of pollen and nectar for dispersing wild insects along a network of insect pathways called B-Lines throughout the British countryside and towns, says Shardlow, who is keen to persuade the authorities and EU partners to roll the network out across Europe.

These B-Lines will enable better dispersal of migrants and enable more species to start dispersing north again something thats prevented by increasingly fragmented habitats and the polluted nature of intervening land.

On an international scale, further research is required before the science of this Cyprus migration hotspot can influence policy and conservation management. We need further understanding of the biology of the species involved, natural variation in numbers and the routes taken before any strong recommendations can be made, Wotton says.

Conservation of entire migratory tracks takes collaboration between farmers, conservationists and politicians, Hawkes adds. We need to think beyond borders and consider how habitats link together along these migratory routes.

At an international level, we need politicians to realise that insects are playing a vital role so that governments create consistent policies that protect the diversity of insects and the plants they rely on.

Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield on Twitter for all the latest news and features

Link:
Its like nothing else: insect swarms on Cyprus reveal incredible journeys - The Guardian

Stinging caterpillar species include the buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar.

Getty Images

As the weather warms up and people begin spending more time in their yards, parks and forests, more people will be coming home with a rash or bug bite.

However,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceexperts say before you blame a flying insect or a poisonous plant for a skin ailment, you may need to consider another culprit stinging caterpillars.

Spring foliage has brought on an abundance of caterpillars, a few of whom carry irritating or even venomous hairs, said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management for schools statewide specialist, Dallas.

We normally havefact sheetsavailable for schools this time of year, but with most children out of school due to COVID-19, we wanted to make sure parents are aware that there are stinging caterpillars in Texas, what they look like, and how to avoid them, she said.

Stinging caterpillar speciesinclude the buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug caterpillar, hickory tussock moth caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar and Io moth caterpillar.

Perhaps the most painful caterpillar in Texas is the southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar. An encounter with apuss caterpillaris very painful and may even require a trip to the hospital, according to AgriLife Extension experts.

Hurley said she recently received her first tussock moth caterpillar question confirming that just about every species of stinging caterpillar has now been spotted in our state.

A good rule of thumb is if a caterpillar looks fuzzy dont touch it, said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management and entomologist, Bexar County.

Although many fuzzy caterpillars are not dangerous, do not pick up a caterpillar unless you are sure it is not of the stinging variety. The puss caterpillar, for example, looks deceptively soft and can be especially tempting for children to want to pick up or pet.

Theseteardrop shaped caterpillars look touchable, but they are not, said Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension specialist in integrated pest management for Travis County. Asps have spines attached to venom glands that can lead to a nasty sting, rash and other issues.

The southern flannel moth caterpillar, also known as the asp or puss caterpillar, is perhaps the most painful stinging caterpillar one might encounter in Texas.

Getty Images

Sincethese caterpillarstend to hide, you may not even know youve encountered one until you feel the sting, Hurley said.

If you are stung, you may feel immediate pain and reddish colored spots may appear where spines entered the skin. Some people may not feel pain until several minutes after they are stung, while others can experience intense throbbing or radiating pain. Other people may not feel much discomfort, and a red rash may be the only telltale sign.

Brown said different people respond to caterpillar toxin differently. Some people may have a more severe reaction than others, and where on your body you are stung and the thickness of that skin can affect your reaction too.

If the caterpillar is still on you, immediately brush it off if possible and then use tape to remove the spines that may still be in your skin, Brown said.

Washing the area with soap and water and applying an ice pack to the sting may offer some relief, and an oral antihistamine may help to relieve itching. Over-the-counter insect sting and bite relief products can also help.

The pain often goes away within an hour, said Mike Merchant, AgriLife Extension urban entomologist, Dallas.

Other symptoms after a sting can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, respiratory stress or shock. Since reactions to the toxins from stinging caterpillars can vary, seek medical advice or treatment immediately or go to an emergency room if you are concerned. Merchant also stressed that any contact with eyes or an allergic reaction to a sting requires immediate medical attention.

You are more likely to encounter stinging caterpillars when they leave their host plant in search of a spot to pupate, which is currently happening with many caterpillars, Keck said. They arent aggressive and wont come after you, but they can drop from trees.

Keck has reported sightings of both buck moth caterpillars and tussock moth caterpillars in the Bexar County area already this spring. Texans statewide need to be on the alert and keep an eye on trees and shrubs for caterpillar development, which typically occurs now into the fall.

Some common tree hosts are apple, basswood, cherry, dogwood, elm, maple, plum and oak, which is a favorite of the buck moth caterpillar. Some stinging caterpillars may even be found on crops such as corn.

Adult puss moths emerge in late spring or early summer to lay several hundred eggs on favored host trees, Merchant said. Caterpillars may also be seen feeding on dwarf yaupon and other shrubs. One to two generations occur each year, though southern flannel moth caterpillars tend to be more common in the fall.

Avoid stinging caterpillars by not sitting under trees and wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, although even that is no guarantee of protection.

I had the misfortune of getting an eastern buck moth caterpillar on my pants the other day and accidentally brought it inside, Keck said. When I rested my hand on my leg, I encountered the hairs/barbs and it didnt feel good. It itched and left an uncomfortable feeling on my thumb for a couple hours.

Keck said there isnt much you can do about managing these caterpillars until they all pupate and go away. You dont need to worry about harm to your garden however, as stinging caterpillars typically do not do enough feeding to harm plants.

If you have large populations of stinging caterpillars and decide you need to try tomanage them, you can tryBacillus thuringiensisvar.kurstaki, BTK. However, this will also kill all the non-stinging or good caterpillars, which are an important food source for songbirds. You may also look for a pesticide with active ingredients such as spinosad or azadirachtin, which are naturally derived products.

Merchant saidpuss moth caterpillarscan also be controlled when they become abundant by spraying with a residual pesticide such aspermethrin, cyfluthrin or similar sprayslabeled for control of caterpillars on ornamental plants.

The best solution to dealing with stinging caterpillars may just be educating adults and children on what these caterpillars are, what they look like, and the importance of not touching them with bare hands, Merchant said.

Read more from the original source:
Stinging Caterpillar Season Has Arrived in Texas - Texas A&M University Today

NEW ALBANY A street closure could take effect as early as Monday to continue improvements on Slate Run Road.

Sidewalks are being added and stormwater upgrades are being made in the area.

City Engineer Larry Summers told the New Albany Board of Public Works and Safety on Tuesday that the contractors work on Garretson Lane last week in association with the project was delayed due to the weather. If the contractor can get back on schedule this week, Summers anticipated the road closure for Slate Run Road could begin Monday and last until Thursday. The roadway will be closed between Slate Run Elementary School and Lochwood Apartments for a pipe to be installed.

Thats going to be the last major stormwater thing theyll have to do. Theyre still working on sidewalks and driveways, Summers said.

The initial schedule called for the project to be completed by late July. The major goal of the effort is to improve walkability in the area.

This helps tie the school system with the sidewalks and its also, of course, going to have new asphalt and stormwater system, said Summers referencing curb and gutter upgrades.

Summers added that the city is in talks with Duke Energy about improving street lighting along the corridor.

Signs will be posted at Charlestown Road and Old Ford Road warning of the closure. Summers said drivers will be directed to take Old Ford Road as a detour.

In other action, the 2020 paving effort for the city moved forward Tuesday with the selection of a contractor.

Contingent upon legal and engineering review, the board of works unanimously approved Libs Paving for the project. Libs submitted the lowest of five bids for the paving plan at $2,081,879.99.

Link:
Portion of Slate Run Road to close for construction; paving contract awarded - Evening News and Tribune

SIOUX CENTERThe Sioux Center City Council approved paving the driveway access to the ballfields at Open Space Park and adding ADA compliant sidewalks to the bleachers.

City manager Scott Wynja told the council at its meeting Tuesday, April 28, that the project is part of ongoing efforts to create better accessibility, among other improvements to the area.

During a public hearing, the council heard the estimated cost of the project was $107,600 with an alternate of $18,000 for adding sidewalk that would connect the new paved roadway to existing trails in the park area.

An anonymous comment was made during the public hearing that this was a much needed addition.

After closing the public hearing, the council reviewed four bids for the project and approved the low bid of $88,305.68 with the cost of the alternate portion at $16,524.42. The bid was submitted by Firm Foundation of Sioux Center.

The four bids ranged from the $88,000 up to $116,000, with the alternate additions ranging from the $16,000 to almost $22,000.

Though the city approved the total low bid of $104,830.10, Wynja said it is a joint-use project, so the city will pay 50 percent, or $52,415.05, of the project cost with the remaining 50 percent to be covered by the Sioux Center School District and Dordt University.

Wynja noted that once paved, the access road would be gated off, so the paving also includes creating a handicap accessible area on the edge of the existing paved portion of the Sioux Center High School parking lot.

Where theres gravel to extend the current parking lot that will be removed and turned back to grass as there wont be a need for the parking lot extension once the high school moves to its new location, Wynja said.

Visit link:
Open Space Park ballfield drive to be paved - nwestiowa.com

Crews will install sewer pipes and structures in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection, closing this intersection during the weekend of May 16. Work hours are Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The contractor plans to open the intersection in the morning of Monday, May 18. Follow detours on Division Avenue, J Street, Sprague Avenue and S. 9th Street. Access the hospitals, medical centers and emergency department on MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave. The contractor may keep an eastbound lane on 6th Avenue open and allow traffic to turn right (southbound) onto MLK Jr. Way, if possible.

In other areas, crews continue to install track on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, moving to the area between S. 11th And S. 10th St. Crews continue to install track, the platform for the Stadium District Station, and curb, gutter and sidewalks on N. 1st St. On Division Ave., crews are excavating and will move rail into place later this week. Commerce Street is closed in both directions between S. 7th St. and I-705 for utility work.

COVID-19. The health and safety of all workers on Sound Transits construction sites are of utmost importance to us. Our contractors have primary responsibility for their wellbeing while working on our projects. Sound Transit is actively working with the contractors and construction management teams on all our projects to assure that public health guidelines are being followed.

Construction and traffic restrictions on Commerce Street, Stadium Way, N. 1st Street, Yakima Avenue, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 6th Avenue, S. 10th Street, S. 11th Street, and S. 17th Street

Week of May 11

In addition, the contractor continues installing a sewer line on S. 10th St. and MLK Jr. Way. After completing work in this intersection, crews will install the sewer line on S. 10th St. on the west side of MLK Jr. Way to the alley.

Read more:
Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection closes for utility work during the weekend of May 16 - soundtransit.org

Wow- a lot of progress this past month. So busy I have not had time to update the blog. But finally I have some time so I will show you what we have been doing.

Mid March we were still working on the driveway.

Rain has been a big problem. You cant pour concrete in the rain. So Jeff Copeman has been doing sections in between rain as best he can. Here he has the forms laid out for the section leading to the workshop and then halfway down the driveway. Slow going!

We have all the utilities crossing the driveway at the entrance, so these had to be marked for when they dig this portion out. The driveway apron has to be dug deeper as they will be laying in 7 inches of concrete here.

Aside from this work we are doing various indoor things. Measuring toilet rough-ins to make sure the toilets will fit, measuring the HVAC outlets for the floor vent covers, measuring the stairways to determine size of stairway skirts, treads and risers.

Coleman Nurseries is starting to plant trees. The first to go in were four river birches we are installing on the right side of the driveway.

They were starting to bud so Randy wanted to get them in the ground. The grading is mostly done on that side so this was OK. There still needs to be some grading on the left side so I didnt want anything planted there at this time.

It will be nice to have a driveway. To get to the house means slogging through this mud.

In early April we had the living room wood stove delivered. It is a NEO 2.5. Very nice model.

It is sitting on a black granite surround. Looks very nice there.

They finally got to the driveway apron. Ah- we will soon be able to walk on actual pavement up to the house!

That is Jeff Copeman on the left. He and his crew have done a great job on all the concrete in the house- starting with the basement slab oh so long ago!

I installed the vent cover for the rangehood. And we got all the floor vent covers for the HVAC vents and started to install these.

And finally by the first week of April the driveway was finished!

While this was completing, Dayna wanted to repaint the master bath walls (already and we havent even moved in!). So I did that- from a flat white to a flat gray. Looks good.

And then a key moment arrived- the mailbox!

It was great to finally get the mailbox in, and we got rid of the dumpster. It is really starting to look like a house.

Grading on the left side of the house was completed by Terry Hicks, so Coleman Nursery was able to start planting on that side. We had three river birches going there, so these were installed first.

That weekend Dayna and I went up to Richmond to check out a granite countertop supplier. We actually have settled on a quartz product.

We can get the same stuff at Home Depot for much cheaper. They contract out to the same company but get a much better price.. This will look good with the maple hardwood flooring and the dark walnut cabinetry in the kitchen.

Yes, in spite of the Coronavirus, the building community remains active. We have not had any slowdown in the building of our house- except for delays caused by rain, of which there have been many.

Another big milestone in early April the hardwood flooring arrived!

It is prefinished Mirage maple hardwood. The model is Element Hudson in 3 1/4 inch planks. Very good quality wood from a Canadian company. Dayna really wanted the prefinished wood because it has that hard aluminum oxide coating that is impossible to get with wood finished on-site. Our previous house at Ashleigh Road had such wood and it lasted for 20 years without any need for refinishing. It looked just as good when we sold the house as when we got it installed.

We hired Hampton Roads Flooring Solutions to install the floor.

Alot of wood! While this was going on, I had my workshop delivered by Packrat.

There were sporadic showers in the morning so I called the movers and told them to wait until the afternoon. Sure enough the rain subsided enough that we could move stuff into the house without getting soaked.

It was pretty quick work getting everything moved in. For awhile there it looked like it all wouldnt fit, but after doing some preliminary arranging it looks like it will work out. It will be good to start woodworking again after 2 years!!

At about the same time my workshop tools were delivered, they delivered the outside deck substrate material

These are 30 X 48 composite panels 1 inch thick that are screwed to the deck joists. I will then be cementing porcelain tiles to this. I thought this would be an interesting alternative to your typical composite plank decking material. We shall see.

On top of all this, I got my VW truck delivered. Out of storage after 2 years it is finally home.

The guy who stored it would start it up every month just to keep the engine in shape. He said it was starting hard and recommended a carb overhaul, so I put that on my small list of things to do

Meanwhile the flooring guys were making good progress.

What a difference flooring makes! Wow, I feel I could almost move in. Just a couple cabinets to make and boom, we will have a certificate of occupancy. Well- it will take a little time, but we will get there.

A key is getting my workshop in shape. I have been organizing it and it is getting to the point of being very useable.

I have pretty much all the tools I need except for a lathe which is sometime in the future.

One of the first things I built were wood storage racks.

I designed these racks to be able to store wood horizontally and vertically. The shop has a great ceiling height so I can easily store 12 ft long pieces of wood vertically to save on space.

I continue working in the Master bath with installation of a towel warmer rack and clothes hangar rods in the master bath closets.

I tested the under tile floor warmer in the master bath. Works like a charm! Nothing like warm tile under foot on a cold winters day.

They completed all the hardwood install except for the entrance foyer. We need another 90 sq ft of wood so this will be completed later.

It all turned out very well. Dayna and I are really pleased with the look.

While they were finishing up the hardwood flooring, I was starting to work on the deck.

The panels are not that heavy, maybe 30 pounds a piece. Alot easier than hauling long planks of composite decking. The trick is to fit them so that the ends fall on joists. Unfortunately Scott OBrian did not strictly space the joists at 1 foot, due to location of deck support beams, so in some cases the ends of the panels didnt fall on joists and I have to install blocking for the panels to rest on.

Coleman came and did the final landscaping- installation of trees, bushes, mulch and sod. Wow- the place was transformed in one week.

We didnt originally want any grass, but unfortunately along the right side of the house there is alot of water flowing from the front to the back and mulch would have just washed away. Sod is a very effective erosion control so we elected to sod this entire slope. It is only about 4000 square feet, so not that much to mow!

Grading and landscaping are for the most part done. We need to look at a sprinkler system for the grass, as the summers here in Williamsburg can be hot and dry. I will probably install some drip irrigation on other parts of the property as well, but we want to minimize water usage to the extent possible.

I completed the chop saw/storage bench on the one side of the workshop.

So the workshop is now fully operational. I will start making cabinets next weekend (hopefully).

Oh, and I did overhaul the VW carburator. Runs great, although something is going on with the choke because it takes a while to start when cold.

I took it for a spin to the Ace hardware store. I must say the old car sure does attract attention. Not often you see a full bed VW Type 2 pickup!

I hope to be updating this blog more often, but I am getting pretty busy, going every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to work on the house. When will we be able to move in? I tell everyone- in a couple months. Ive been saying this for a couple months already. Haha.

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11 May 2020 Light at the end of the tunnel! - stopthefud

North Texas families havespent more than a month and a half under safer at home orders. A good bit ofthat time might have been spent playing board games.

A family in Fate, near Rockwall, took that to the next level. Jaime Way and her children are now known for their elaborate art-scapes made of sidewalk chalk in their driveway.

It started as just painting rocks and then hiding them for the neighborhood kids to find. Something that would help pass the time.

Then we started doingthe movie characters, Way said. Then, my daughter says Mom! I really want tomake a giant Monopoly [board]. I thought about it and was like the foursections of the driveway kind of look like the Monopoly board folded up so Isaid, lets do it and it kind of sparked from there.

The family has now created so many works of art the neighborhood can enjoy, including a replica of the video game Pacman.

Way, who is an elementaryschool counselor in Garland, said while its fun for her and her family, itsalso a way to help people forget whats going on, even if its just for alittle while.

I like to see people smile and I kind of miss that about school. Working with the kids and seeing them smile. [I like] the togetherness that this has kind of brought families here. Seeing a little kid coming up and looking at it, or trying to play on it, its just nice to see that, Way said.

Every time it rains, theycome up with a new idea, wait until the old one washes away and get to work.

Every morning, NBC 5 Today is dedicated to delivering you positive local stories of people doing good, giving back and making a real change in our community.

Way also said their chalk art wont stop here. She and her daughter are already thinking of some cool things they can do on the pavement at her school, once the kids are allowed back in class.

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Local Family Gets in the Chalk Art Game - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Westford Food Pantry continues to help community

WESTFORD The Westford Food Pantry at 20 Pleasant St. is open Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. The food pantry is currently limiting its number of volunteers to minimize risk exposure to COVID-19.

Clients can receive a prepackaged bag of goods and protein such as chicken, fish, eggs or cheese. Contact the pantry at 978-692-5523 or info@westfordfoodpantry.com for more information.

Boutique travel company goes virtual

LANCASTER Lancaster-based Womens Adventure Travels has found ways to adapt amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The boutique travel company recently developed a quarantine routine, which includes virtual work sessions for interns and a Zoom speaker series. The series features professionals such as John Sessa, executive director of The Vanderpump Dog and co-founder of Vanderpump Pets.

Even when safety measures meant that all of their work would have to be completed remotely, team WAT found ways to work together and stay motivated and inspired, a news release states.

For more information, visit womensadventuretravels.com.

Cultural Council hosts sidewalk chalk art contest

AYER With school still closed and only so much paper to color on, local kids have been taking their art skills to the pavement lately.

The Ayer Cultural Council will be hosting a monthly Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition from May through July. Local kids up to 18 years old looking to participate can draw their own creation on the sidewalk in front of their home, the street end of their driveway or anywhere theyre allowed to draw. Participants then take a picture of their work and post it on the councils Facebook page by the 25th of each month. Four finalists per month will be chosen by the council and then submitted to the public for a vote. Winners can receive a $25 gift card from the Ayer business of their choosing.

Those looking for more information can email jgovang@ayer.ma.us.

Shawsheen Tech School Committee to vote on superintendent contract

BILLERICA On Tuesday, the Shawsheen Tech School Committee will meet to vote on the contract for incoming superintendent Brad Jackson. Earlier this month the committee voted to appoint Jackson to the position, pending contract negotiations.

Jackson currently works as Hollistons superintendent. His contract with Shawsheen is expected to last for two or three years.

The public will be able to watch the meeting live through Wilmington Community Television (WCTV), which will stream the virtual meeting online. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Those interested in watching can do so at http://www.wctv.org/meetings.

Emma Murphy

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The Five Minute Read - Lowell Sun

Tiny homesare still all the rage within the minimalist and wanderlust communities of the world, and what better place to consider tiny living than in the warmth of the big island, Hawaii? If equatorial location is on your must-have list, this tiny home might be just the serving of simplicity and decadence youre looking for.

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Designed by the brother and sister team, Ellie and Dan Madsen, the Oasis Tiny House lives up to each aspect of its name. Measuring in at just 260 square feet, thistiny homeprovides an oasis with an abundance of luxury features inside and out. An A-frame ceiling and curved roof leave an airy feeling of space far beyond what is actually there. Complete with a ceiling fan, stained beams and an octagonal window at the peak, the eye is drawn to all the features above. Copious windows provide an abundance of light that embraces the tropical vibe of the home.

Related: 7 tips for decorating a tiny home

This theme continues inside the bathroom with a skylight roof above the shower for an outdoor feel, where you just might think youre actually under a rain shower. The shower design projects out onto the tongue of the trailer for a spacious overall bathroom design. A space-efficient corner shelf holds a vessel sink, and the corner islit naturallyand with added track lighting.

The kitchen features stainless steel counters with husky tool drawers and black cabinetry, but theexotic curly mango woodwindowsill ledge and large pass-through window are the focal points of the space. A subway tile backsplash and mounted shelving round out the accents. This space-conscious design still manages to incorporate a washing machine into the kitchen, a feature many tiny homes lack.

The mango wood laced stairs leading to the bedroom loft offer copious storage underneath, and a row of submarine-style bubble windows offer a 180-degree view. The living room allows space for furniture as well as a multi-functional bar-height table for work, dining or entertaining. Since the tiny house is located in Hawaii, outdoor living is an essential component. The design welcomes this with an outdoor bar located directly below the pass-through kitchen window.

Paradise Tiny Homes combined the talents of the two Madsen siblings, who, after having lived in different states for a decade, came back together after the passing of their mother. Feeling reunited by the importance and love of family, they saw that their two different but compatible skill sets could come together beautifully to produce some of the most unique and remarkable homes in Hawaii.

+ Paradise Tiny Homes, LLC

Images via Paradise Tiny Homes, LLC

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Brother sister duo create tropical tiny home in Hawaii - Inhabitat