| Wanamaker Restoration

Dear Ron,

Thank you for the clarification your provided the Front Porch Forum.  I feel vindicated.  In 2001 we purchased a 160 year old house, and did exactly as you have recommended despite the number of people encouraging us to put new Marvin’s all over the house.  It is good that the general public is helped to begin to think about all of this in a more reality-based and nuanced manner.

Janet R. Kahn, PhD
Executive Director
Integrated Healthcare Policy Consortium
Maple Street
Burlington, VT 05401

I applaud Mr. Wanamaker for pointing out that the old system of storm windows is just as good as expensive new double-glazed windows. Windows that open down from the top also provide extra-ordinary cooling effects in the summer as well, thus saving fan , air conditioning expenses and cutting down on indoor pollution. How many such contraptions- first promoted in America by Thomas Jefferson- actually work in Burlington’s rental housing units?

The trouble is, naturally, very much the same as the case of the pre-prepared food isles at your local supermarket. Actually, studies have show that by the time “frozen scalloped potatoes” arrive on the dinner table ( how marvelously convenient!) a huge black footprint has completely overshadowed your self-admiring “stewardship” of the environment, not to mention all the so-called “health benefits” on the label. Better just bake em yourself- with a ceramic lid on!
5/16/2008 4:21:12 PM

John Shaplin