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When your first name is “mud,” there’s always room for improvement… Creating more room in your mudroom.

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

By the name alone, the mudroom has low self-esteem. After all, the moniker suggests it’s okay to get it dirty. Still, if you want your mudroom to be more efficient, or if you want to create a mudroom, there are some basic guidelines to follow.

“The mudroom was designed as a way to keep wet and/or dirty shoes and clothes out of other parts of the house. Yet it doesn’t take much for the clutter in a mudroom to get out of control so that it becomes an obstacle on your way in and out of the house,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “By incorporating a few organizational ideas and using some ‘user-friendly’ materials, your mudroom can be a cleaner operation.”

For starters, Kushner suggests the following:

  • Flooring – By definition, mudrooms are prone to dirt and that means wear and tear. For material, you will probably want to install something durable like textured rubber, or ceramic or unpolished stone tile. No matter what you select, a darker color will aid in camouflaging dirt. An outdoor doormat made of rubble or bristle and an indoor mat made of a water-absorbing material can minimize the dirt that gets tracked into the house.
  • Walls – Vinyl wallpaper or high-gloss paint are viable options for walls that will no doubt need to be wiped down frequently. You may also want to consider vinyl cove as a low-maintenance, economical choice for baseboard—particularly since the mudroom is likely to need a good mopping from time to time.
  • Coat storage – You can go the route of hooks or take it a step further with cubbies for the kids’ coats. If you go with hooks, make sure to hang them at child’s height. Have a little fun with this and assign everybody their own hook/cubby and label it.
  • Waterproof area – For inclement weather, you’ll want a waterproof area for wet items like hats, gloves, scarves, etc. A drip tray/scraper topped by a removable grate can be invaluable for wet shoes. You can also create a makeshift drying rack out of an accordion-style wine rack.
  • Seating/storage – A good bench is an essential part of a mudroom. Make sure the bench is off to the side and doesn’t obstruct any doorways. The space under the bench can be used for storing shoes. Better yet, a built-in bench or window seat, hinged at the top, can help keep clutter under wraps.

“A lot of older homes, and some newer ones, were built without mudrooms. If you don’t have one, you should really designate a transitional area where people enter the house as your mudroom,” said Kushner. “Not only does it provide a storage space for bulky coats and boots, but it saves the wear and tear on the rugs and floor inside your home and makes the upkeep of your home more manageable.”

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

When your first name is “mud,” there’s always room for improvement… Creating more room in your mudroom.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces New Congregate Meal Site at The Woodlands in Plympton

From left to right- Josselyn Holmes (resident at complex), Sandra Henry, Plympton Director of Council on Aging, and Joe Freitas, Plympton Selectman at the recent opening of Old Colony Elder Services' new congregate meal site at The Woodlands in Plympton.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) has announced the opening of a new congregate meal site at The Woodlands elderly complex located at 165 Country Road in Plympton.

The new meal site will provide meals to elders who reside within the complex, which is made up of 40 apartments. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, meals will be served in the congregate. Since OCES does not yet have a Meal Site Manager for Fridays, meals will temporarily be delivered to each apartment.

“This is a start. Our long-term goal for The Woodlands congregate meal site is to be open five days a week and invite all Plympton seniors to participate,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

The number of seniors throughout the area in need of meals is growing. OCES supports these seniors by providing healthy meals to them through the Nutrition Program’s congregate meal sites and Meals on Wheels. OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.

ORLANDO, FL…

In the corporate world, if they ask you to move your office to the closet, it’s probably not a good sign for your long-term future with the company; however if you find yourself working from home, converting a closet into a home office can be an effective and economical use of space. DirectBuy of Orlando, the leading home improvement and furnishings club, has some helpful tips on converting a closet into a functional home office.

“Whether you work out of your home or not, nearly everyone has some semblance of office space in their home,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando. “By converting the closet in the guest room or in the basement, you can maintain that room’s primary function while giving yourself or other family members more than adequate office space.”

So, how do you convert a closet into functional office space? For starters, clear everything out of the closet, including clothes, rods, and shelves. Next, take precise measurements of the space, making note of wiring and lighting. Depending on your particular space and what’s available, you may also need to consider the following:

  • Installing an electrical outlet within the closet if none are nearby. Make sure you install enough to accommodate a computer, lighting, a printer, and other office necessities.
  • Installing a jack for either an Ethernet or DSL line to connect to the Internet. If possible, and to save yourself installation costs, it may be more affordable to buy a wireless router and purchase a laptop with a wireless card.
  • Painting the closet walls will make it seem more like a room and less like a closet. Lighter colors can make your workspace seem bigger than it is.
  • Installing shelves that will function as a desktop that’s the width of the closet and long and deep enough to give you space to either write or work at your computer. You may also want to consider installing additional shelves for storage purposes.
  • Purchasing small file cabinets on wheels for storage underneath your work area.

“One of the downsides to working at home is you essentially never leave the office,” said Cohen. “By converting your closet, you can literally close the door on work for the day. You can even put a lock on it for added security and to remove the temptation to work during off hours.”

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your home office—at wholesale prices direct from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers if your home improvement project is a bit more than you want to take on or you don’t have the time.

Since 1971, DirectBuy Club has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400, in Orlando, DirectBuy of Orlando offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting directbuy.com or directbuycares.com.

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services To Hold Disease Self-Management Program for Elders & Caregivers Beginning October 18th

Arthritis, diabetes and heart disease are illnesses and chronic conditions that affect seniors at a much higher rate than younger adults. One in three people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year. Two out of 10 people over the age of 60 have diabetes. 70 percent of Americans die from a chronic disease each year.

In light of this, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is helping seniors take charge of their own health through the My Life, My Health Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), which is a community workshop designed to give people with chronic conditions (such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, etc.) and/or their caregivers the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their health care.

The first six-week session begins Monday, October 18 from 10 a.m. To 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Brockton Council on Aging, located at 10 Father Kenney Way in Brockton. The program is facilitated by Old colony Elder Services’ staff who are trained leaders dealing with a chronic disease themselves or are living with chronic disease.

The workshops teach seniors how to deal with issues such as frustration, pain, isolation, and fatigue. Seniors learn how to exercise to improve strength and endurance, and how to improve nutrition by healthier eating. They will also learn how to set goals, use medications properly and speak effectively with doctors or other health care professionals.

The My Life, My Health program is FREE and lunch will be provided each week. Seating is limited.

To sign up for the program, contact Janice Fitzgerald at 508-580-7811.

Dorothy Slack, Rochelle Sugarman, Lauren Murphy and Rick Alvarnaz of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) have been certified as Leaders through the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), My Life, My Health sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Duxbury, Middleborough and New Bedford Senior Centers. OCES now has a License from Stanford University to present 10 CDSMP.

“Disease self-management programs emphasize the senior’s role in managing their illness and building self-confidence so they can be successful in adopting healthier behaviors. By empowering seniors, we are helping to ensure that they are able to continue living at home as opposed to living in an institution,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. She continued, “We would like to thank the Brockton Council on Aging for sharing their space with us so we can run this essential program.”

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES offers these programs in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Local Resort Maps expands territory adds Vail

Jessica Grentner
Jessica Grentner of Resort Maps

VAIL, COLORADO AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

 Resort Maps, creator of 100 customized travel maps across the United States, United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced the expansion of its Eagle River Valley, Colorado map to include the town of Vail. With the expansion, the next edition of the map, which comes out in December 2010, will be called The Best of Vail and Beaver Creek Resort Maps.

 “The Eagle River Valley map was extremely popular. Since the map came out in May 2008, we distributed more than 250,000 copies,” said Jessica Grentner, owner of the Vail and Beaver Creek Resort Map. “The popularity made it very obvious that there was a real demand in the area for this caliber of map. Hence the expansion to include Vail.”

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. Each map highlights local attractions and things to do, restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services. Each advertiser on the map is represented with a display ad on the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making them easy to locate. 

In addition to the hard copy map, the Vail, Beaver Creek and Avon Resort Maps will be available in interactive form on Resort Maps’ revamped Web site, www.resortmaps.com. The site also includes reviews of area attractions and businesses, including advertisers, courtesy of TripAdvisor.com. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site.

“We’re extremely excited about the new map with the expanded coverage,” said Grentner, who started the Eagle River Valley Resort Maps back in 2007 and purchased the Summit County Resort Maps in 2008. “Earlier this summer the announcement of Vail being included in the territory resulted in more than 50 new map pick-up locations and that number is growing.”

The initial distribution of the Vail and Beaver Creek map is set for December 2010, with 150,000 copies being printed. Advertising opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact Jessica Grentner at 970-688-4800 or jessicag@resortmaps.com.

For more information on Resort Maps or to inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise, please visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published.  Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Boca Raton, Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Key West, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Northern Michigan/Petoskey/Harbor Springs; Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Texas (North Texas, including Fort Worth), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes), Puerto Rico (San Juan, Vieques, Culebra) and Costa Rica (Escazu-Santa Ana).

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Jeff Borkowski joins Lift & Care Systems and SUREHANDS

Jeff Borkowski
Jeff Borkowski of Lift & Care

LAKEVILLE, MA AND SOUTHINGTON, CT –

Jeff Borkowski of Southington, Connecticut has joined Lakeville, Massachusetts-based Lift & Care Systems and SUREHANDS Lift Systems.

Borkowski will manage the Connecticut and western Massachusetts regions for the company.

Lift & Care Systems takes a compassionate approach to finding the right solutions for their clients, in many cases restoring dignity, freedom and independence.

Lift & Care Systems offers patented SUREHANDS lift systems, which are so remarkable that they have been featured on two segments of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The SUREHANDS lift & care system was installed to help make a home ADA compliant and enable the resident to transfer and accomplish his normal activities for daily living. This multi-directional SUREHANDS system was mounted to the ceiling connecting the bedroom to the bath, allowing the resident greater mobility, free of floor based obstacles.

“I really wanted to join an organization whose focus was to provide quality products and outstanding service,” noted Borkowski.  He added, “The staff of Lift and Care Systems help provide families with lifting solutions that change lives, this is a great opportunity for me to help them make an impact.”

Borkowski will work directly with families as well as health professionals, including Physical Therapists (PTs), Directors of Nursing, Veteran’s Administration, Visiting Nurses Associations,  group homes for the challenged community, Hospitals, and long term care facilities.

A former Post University, Waterbury, Connecticut, Valedictorian, Borkowski earned a degree in  Integrated Business which included course concentration in management, accounting, finance and marketing.  He also graduated from Southington (CT) High School.

Previously Borkowski worked in real estate finance and banking.  Borkowski and his wife, an occupational therapist, have two children. He coaches Tee Ball and helps direct the Adventure Guides, a youth group organized by the YMCA.

Dave Austin, Founder and President of Lift & Care Systems, notes, “We are delighted to welcome another compassionate, energized person to our staff.”  He added, “We are in the business of providing innovative products that offer both physical and emotional benefits to empower people with disabilities. Our new, expanded showroom allows us to better demonstrate how we can enhance the day-to-day life of our users and caregivers. Witnessing the daily struggles and challenges of our clients has touched our lives personally, enabling us to become advisors first and salespeople second.”

Lift & Care Systems, Inc.
Lift & Care Systems, Inc is dedicated to bringing the highest quality of life to users and their caregivers by providing customized solutions that enhance the users mobility. To achieve this goal, Lift & Care Systems offers a myriad of products, including: Body Supports, Slings, Mobile Lifters, Ceiling Systems, Wall-to-Wall Lift Systems, Wheelchair-to-Water Pool Lifts, and Frictionless Slides.

Their products are used in private residential homes; semi-professional homes, such as group homes and day programs; and professional institutions, including nursing homes, hospitals and schools. Lift & Care Systems is the exclusive distributor of the patented SUREHANDS Patient Lift systems in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In addition, Lift & Care Systems product line also includes National Ramp Systems and Bruno Stair Lifts for in home use.

Founded in 1993, Lift & Care Systems, Inc. is located at 7 Precinct Street in Lakeville, MA 02347. For additional information, or to arrange for a free personal consultation, please call 508-947-3304, e-mail liftcareinfo@tmlp dot net, or visit www.liftandcaresystems.com.

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