Untitled Document Just a few hours from Springfield are hundreds of miles of floatable streams that offer an ideal natural playground for exploration, fishing, and relaxation. Many are crystal-clear, spring-fed, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including towering limestone bluffs and undisturbed forests. I was first exposed to some of Missouri’s Ozark streams nearly 30 years […]
Special Issues
Posted inSpecial Issues
Hot licks
Untitled Document It’s that glorious time of year when central Illinoisans whip out the sunscreen, find the bug spray, dig up the flip-flops, dust off the portable chair, and otherwise prepare for a delightfully fun-filled summer, complete with an abundance of outdoor live music activities. Downtown Springfield is one hopping place these days, and things […]
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Summer exposure
Untitled Document From far away, it might look like an ordinary field, but once you step inside, you realize that the prairie is alive with bees, birds, and butterflies — and although the prairie can be an allergy sufferer’s nightmare, it’s a photographer’s dream. Summer is the best time of year to shoot the prairies […]
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Burning up the screen
Untitled Document The summer means blockbuster films, but for some reason the three biggest sequels were released in May. A little distance might have resulted in more money for all. Don’t worry, though — the studios have many more mindless releases to fill out the summer months. All dates are subject to change, and limited […]
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Keep all rooms comfortable
During winter and summer, it is difficult to keep all the rooms comfortable for my family. They are either too warm or too cool, and it varies throughout the day. What is my best option to fix this? This is a common problem in both one- and two-story homes year-round. In addition to being uncomfortable, […]
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Paint your cracks
Our house has plaster walls with many minor cracks. Is there a special paint that will camouflage these cracks? I can’t afford to replace the walls. Texture paint, a heavy-bodied paint that leaves a much thicker coating than regular paint does, will conceal some blemishes in walls or ceilings — but if the cracks widen […]
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Choosing the best air cleaner
I need to get a room air cleaner for my son’s allergies. I see advertisements on television for expensive ones with no fans and others called “HEPA.” How can I tell which air cleaner is the best? A huge array of various room-air-cleaner designs and styles is available. Unlike the case with most home products, […]
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The power of corn
I use my fireplace for extra heat, but it is a hassle. I am considering getting a corn or wood-pellet stove instead. Are they energy- efficient and low-maintenance? What are my options? A wood-pellet or corn stove is an excellent choice for heating a portion or all of your home. I have tested many designs […]
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More cricket-catching ideas
Untitled Document A recent item on dealing with an infestation of crickets in a basement brought so many ingenious tips from readers that the subject seems worth a follow-up. My favorite tip comes from Bruce. “I had an infestation in my previous home,” he says. “Just suffered with them until someone suggested taking a young […]
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How to improve ventilation
Dear Gene: My townhouse sometimes has a stale odor. I can’t open the windows for ventilation because they have no screens. What do you suggest? I would certainly take steps to install screens in some of the windows. There are some options, however, if this is impractical for some reason. One option is to install […]
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Pile on the insulation
Dear Gene: Our house, built in the 1960s, has several inches of insulation in the attic. The upstairs rooms get warm in summer and cold in winter. Should we add new insulation to improve the comfort? “Several inches” of insulation in the attic of a house is not enough in any climate of the United […]
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Best woods for flooring
Dear Jim: I am getting rid of wall-to-wall carpeting because of the kids’ allergies. I want to replace it with hardwood floors. Will hardwood insulate as well as the carpet? Which woods are best? Hardwood, one of the most beautiful flooring materials, is a natural, renewable resource. Even though wood is a reasonable insulator, it […]
