A guide to decking from a local company that has been selling lumber for 98 years

In 1915 former Iowan H.J. Kruse built a business in Rochester that would, over the course of 98 years, outlast a host of independent competitors. Originally known as Kruse Lumber and Coal, the family-owned store has successfully evolved and continues to operate under the philosophy of its founder: Succeed by offering service and products that are a fair deal to the customer.

Taking the plunge of putting in a pool was something that Dick and Evelyn Berger had thought about many times over the years.

“We always wanted a swimming pool, but I loved the landscaping and my Eastern Redbud trees were so beautiful that we kept putting it off,” says Evelyn, whose landscape would have to be completely remodeled—including removing her favorite trees—to accommodate a pool.

In our January/February issue, we brought you part one of our two-part series, “A Tale of Two Kitchens.” This second tale, like the first, involves a staff member of RochesterWomen magazine acting as her own general contractor in a do-it-yourself project. This tale is from Editor Marlene Petersen.

As spring arrives each year, the concept of renewal inspires new projects. Pat Eckert, of Eckert Construction, remodels homes with an eye toward conservation and energy efficiency as well as aesthetics and utility.

Two years ago, Eckert purchased an older home near downtown Rochester. It is now two delightful apartments, but when he first bought the property it was a duplex with a nearly gutted upper floor, outdated interiors and an energy inefficient infrastructure.

Cumulus Radio’s Home, Vacation and RV Show celebrates 50 years

Forget wallowing in the whine of winter. Round up family and friends, and celebrate the 50th Annual Cumulus Radio Home, Vacation and RV Show, featuring vendors with products and services for home and vacationing, including RVs, at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds, March 15–17.

As a young girl living in the Twin Cities, Cindy Rapp often visited the rural Rochester home of her aunt and uncle, Paul and Marie Hennessey.

“I remember running through the pasture, swinging on the porch swing and playing with the kitties in the barn,” Cindy recalls about the 150-year-old home her relatives owned. “My Uncle Paul would open the hatch to the cistern in the kitchen floor and tell me, ‘that’s where they throw naughty kids.’”

Nicole Curtis, host of the DIY Network’s series “Rehab Addict,” was in the right place at the right time. Reality TV was just an idea when she met a producer at the DIY Network and shared her mission to save every last old house through home restoration and preservation. Now in its third season, “Rehab Addict” features Curtis up to her neck in drywall dust and old floorboards as she curses and sometimes cries to bring new life to old homes.

Tale one: opening up the floor plan makes a small kitchen live big

In our recurring home feature Remodelers Corner we proudly highlight gorgeous remodels done by local, professional contractors.

In this issue and March/April, we are presenting two do-it-yourself, small-budget kitchen projects where the homeowner—a staff member of RochesterWomen—acted as her own general contractor.

This tale is from our writer Debi Neville.

Supplies

• Plain paper tags or hand-cut tags, any color
• Scissors
• Thin, double-sided tape (1/4” wide used here)
• Fine glitter in color of choice
• Embellishment of choice
• White craft glue