WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018
F
all is a great time to be outside for
winterizing chores, as temperatures
are much more tolerable. Don’t
forget these important duties to ensure
your investments will be protected
during the bitter cold.
Close the Pool
Depending on how you feel about the
upkeep required with your swimming
pool, closing season can either be a little
sad or a total relief. The process involves
critical procedures to ensure it will be
ready to go when the warm weather
returns. If you have a permanent pool,
getting help from a professional can take
most of the stress off your shoulders.
Here are a few other good reasons to
let a pro complete the job for you.
• Knowledge: Closing a pool requires
much more than throwing a cover on it
and letting it sit until next season. A pro-
fessional service will guarantee your
investment is protected by employing a
certified staff with training.
• Safety: Any time water is pres-
ent, there is a risk of drowning. Espe-
cially when handling heavy equipment
involved with closing the pool, you
could potentially injure yourself and
fall in. An expert will have a qualified
team to ensure their safety and insurance
to protect you if injuries occur on your
property.
• Save time: Allow your pool to
remain a place of leisure by not dreading
the upcoming closing process. Spending
a little money for an expert ensures your
pool is closed properly and efficiently.
HOME IMPROVEMENT & CAR CARE
HERMISTONHERALD.COM • PAGE B3
Tackling
Fall Chores
Protect Your Deck
Fall is the perfect time to winter-
ize your deck or make repairs ignored
during summer. The cooler weather
makes it easy for the DIY handyman
or an experienced contractor to protect
your deck before the cold arrives.
Bring Fall Indoors
Winter weather can wreak havoc
on wood thanks to moisture caused by
snow and ice. Warping, chipping the
paint with snow shovels and impacted
dirt are all common issues experienced
during the cold. It is a good idea to pres-
sure wash the surface during autumn,
so it will be clean before the wet stuff
T
he beginning of fall is a fun time
of the year for both children and
adults. Exciting holidays like
Halloween and Thanksgiving are right
around the corner. Spruce your home
up with accents related to this festive
time of year.
Pumpkins as a Centerpiece
If you have ever walked through a
grocery store or watched commercials
during autumn, you have witnessed
America’s obsession with pumpkin
everything. From coffee to cereal, there
is no doubt that pumpkins are a staple
during fall.
Of course, the most popular way to
use a pumpkin as a centerpiece is by
carving a face into it. Traditionally, a
small candle is placed inside to illu-
minate it in the dark. For extra safety
points, consider using a battery-pow-
ered LED light instead. Take carving
up a notch by trying out advanced pat-
terns. Find artwork online for inspira-
tion, it’s amazing what you can do with
a little patience and practice.
A few other good ideas to make a
statement with pumpkins are to add
them to an attractive display featur-
ing baskets, accent flowers and paint-
ing them different colors. Or, con-
sider covering mini pumpkins with a
clear dome and showcase them on a
EASTERN
OREGON
Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC
Residential & Commercial
“The Comfortable Choice”
Air Conditioning • Heat Pumps
• Refrigeration • Gas Furnaces
• Gas Hot Water Heaters
• Gas Fireplaces • Ice Machines
Sheetmetal • Inspections and More!
Quality Work at a Competitive Price!
541.567.3095
sticks. Before washing, make sure all
furniture and decorations are removed
so the entire area can be cleaned.
Your deck can also benefit from
applying a protective stain. Not only
will it be appealing visually, it helps
create a barrier between the wood and
moisture.
fireplace mantel.
Pinecones
Another way to tell fall is here is
seeing the ground littered with pine-
cones. Even if you don’t have a
cone-producing tree in your yard, you
shouldn’t have any problem finding a
neighbor or family member would be
thrilled to let you take them home.
Get your whole family involved to
participate in engaging crafts like:
• Pinecone roses: Paint the outer
shell in different colors and attach
them to stems from the tree for a stand-
out display.
• Make a spider: Googly eyes and
pipe cleaners can make anything look
humorous, even a pinecone spider.
• Bird feeder: Cover a pinecone with
peanut butter and stick bird frame to
its outer shell. Hang it from a tree and
enjoy the new wildlife in your yard.
For most crafts involving pinecones,
a hot glue gun will be your best friend.
Check with your local hobby store for
the right tool to fit your demands.
Hay, fall!
Hay bales are another staple during
fall decorating. With a few bales of
straw, attractive flowers and corn-
stalks, you can create a display that
makes your front entrance stand out.
600 E Main St, Hermiston, OR 97838
Simple Steps
Start Here!
RECYCLE L
OCATIONS :
We encourage all area
residents to take their glass,
bottles, jars, tin, aluminum,
newspapers, magazines and
cardboard to these depots
for recycling.
82000 Hwy 395 N., Hermiston • CCB #189229
SANITARY DISPOSAL INC.
1. Hermiston:
220 W. Harper Rd.
2. Stanfi eld:
W. Wood (by Grange Hall)
3.Echo:
Across from park (at City
Hall)
4.Umatilla:
Hwy. 730 (next to Columbia
Harvest Foods)
5.Umatilla County
• N. Hwy 395 (next to Trans-
fer Station)
• 81144 N. Hwy. 395
6.Irrigon:
198 W. Columbia Lane
7.Boardman:
S.E. Front Street
Hermiston/McNary
Highway, Hermiston
541-567-8842