Jason Simonson Menomonie WI, Realty Executives

Home Maintenance Tip -
It's Fall: Time to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Fall maintenance is important because it helps make homes more energy efficient during the winter months, and will safeguard homes against potential seasonal 'disasters' such as leaking roofs or home fires caused by neglected chimneys. Here are ten tips to a safer, warmer winter.

TIP #1 -- Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. Have the specialist inspecting your unit show you how to change the filter and then you should change it at least once every 2 months. Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants. Ducts should be professionally cleaned about every three years.

TIP #2 -- Have the chimney inspected by a qualified chimney professional. Chimneys should be checked and cleaned, if necessary, on an annual basis. If you are using a wood stove this season, be sure that the stovepipe was installed correctly according to the manufacturer's recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed. If you have a chimney that will not be used, consider having it sealed shut.

TIP #3 -- Test fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum out the dust. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they're working.

TIP #4 -- Remove excess leaves and damaged branches from trees surrounding the house. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs, decks, or vehicles and the possibly causing injuries to people.

TIP #5 -- Maintain gutters. Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Make sure gutter water drains away from your home.

TIP #6 -- Inspect the roof. Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney.

TIP #7 -- Inspect exterior walls, doors and windows. Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which helps keep the home weather tight and lower heating bills. Check windows and doors to make sure locks work properly and that they are in good condition. Clean tracks and lubricate hinges. Repair or replace any cracked windows.

TIP #8 -- Maintain steps and handrails. Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters and handrails. Broken steps can cause a dangerous fall. Similarly, a person slipping will grab a handrail for support.

TIP #9 -- Inspect the attic and basement or crawlspace. Insulate voids in the attic - the entire attic floor above a living space should be insulated with at least six inches of insulation, except around electrical fixtures such as recessed lights that aren't rated for contact with insulation. Damp basements and crawl spaces can become mold and mildew problems. Watch for leaks from your water heater, plumbing system and seeping rain water from the roof. Locate and maintain a clear access to your main water shut off valve. If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it.

TIP #10 -- Shut down sprinkler systems and outside faucets. Homeowners can shut down outside faucets, however weatherizing the underground sprinkler system is best performed by industry professionals who will flush the system before the cold sets in, preventing cracked pipes.

Please share this with your clients and friends. You could make someone's day.

Diversification is Dunn County's middle name for recreation. From public hunting grounds to fishing, from golf to hiking and snowmobiling, you pick the activity and Dunn County has the place to do it. There are 15,823 acres designed for recreational use. Over 864 acres are developed.

Dunn County has 3,364 acres of lakes and 198 miles of trout streams. Panfish, bass, walleye, northern pike and trout are all residents in Dunn County's lakes and' streams. Whether amateur or pro, there is a lake or stream in Dunn County for you.

Canoeing is a favorite pastime in Dunn County. Since the time of the early explorers, Dunn County waters have been traveled by canoe. At present, there are three canoe trails covering over 77 miles of beautiful scenery, with many public access points.

There are numerous launching sites in Dunn County for the boating enthusiast. Whether it's water skiing, sail boarding, fishing, or just a scenic ride, Dunn County will fill your needs.

Bowling establishments in Dunn County are located in Boyceville, Colfax and Menomonie. Tennis courts are available throughout the county. Four different golf courses are located in Menomonie and Colfax. Horseshoe courts are available in many area parks. Horseback riding trails are available in the northern part of Dunn County.

THE HISTORY OF DUNN COUNTY

Dunn County was formed out of a portion of Chippewa County on February 19, 1854. At that time it embraced all of the present Dunn and Pepin Counties. The "Seat of Justice" was to be located at Amos Collburn's at or near the ferry across the Red Cedar River near its mouth at Dunnville. The courthouse in Dunnville burned to the ground in October 1858. After several months of moving from place to place the county seat was moved to Menomonie on January 1, 1861.

Its name was derived from Charles Dunn, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Wisconsin territory, appointed by President Andrew Jackson in 1835.

Caddie Woodlawn Park

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SURGE. The Time Magazine Reports that. U.S. Army suicides, which have steadily increased over the past five years, reached an all time high in 2008. An Army report released on January 29th confirms that at least 128 soldiers take 128 soldiers took their own lives last year. The first time since the Vietnam War that the military suicide rate has surpassed the civilian rate. Army officials point to the mental stress of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as the primary factor in the rising rate and proclaimed a commitment to addressing the issues with an increase in mental-health resources ans access to counseling...

THE HISTORY OF MENOMONIE WISCONSIN DUNN COUNTY

The years 1822, 1830, 1846, 1853, 1893, and 1901 are all of historical significance and importance in the early history of Menomonie. In 1822, Harding Perkins, representing James H. Lockwood and Joseph Rolette, erected a lumber mill at the confluence of Wilson Creek and the Red Cedar - former site of the Wisconsin Milling Company. A sudden overflowing of the river swept away the dam and mill.

In 1830, after a lengthy disagreement over the authority of the Indian agent to grant permissions, Lockwood and Rolette again set up lumbering operations on the site after receiving permission from the federal government. This first permanent settlement on the site of the City of Menomonie preceded the settlements of Madison, (1837), St. Paul (1838), Hudson (1841), and Eau Claire (1845).

Capt. William Wilson and John H. Knapp purchased the milling operation in 1846. Captain Wilson, his wife and family established residence in the Menomonie Wisconsin area the same year.

In 1853, Andrew Tainter and Henry L. Stout acquired interest in the company and a corporation was formed known as Knapp, Stout & Company. In 1873, Knapp, Stout & Company had grown from a mill producing 100,000 feet of lumber in 1830 to the greatest lumber corporation in the world turning out 5,706,602 feet of lumber. The company owned 115,000 acres of pine land and employed 1,200 men.

One of the area's most famous landmarks, the Mabel Tainter Memorial Building, was built in 1890.

From these early beginnings, Menomonie has continued to grow and develop around the shores of beautiful Lake Menomin.