Friday, May 31, 2013

Tormek Sharpening System Promotion...And Father's Day Gift Idea

If you've been waiting to purchase the Tormek T-7 Sharpening System, they're offering another good promotion. Purchase a T-7 in the month of June, and you'll receive a free knife jig and knife holder for the sharpening system (a $70 value).

The Tormek sharpening systems make great Father's Day gifts. And if you act now, you can ask your dad to sharpen your kitchen knives once he has his T-7 set up.

More information can be found on the special offer flyer (PDF).

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Learn an Essential Woodworking Skill: Handcutting Dovetail Joints

The skill of hand cutting dovetail joints is one that is learned and perfected with practice. Join us for a morning to learn how to layout and accurately cut dovetail joints by hand. Our very own Ken Hatridge will bring in his favorite tools and walk you through, step-by-step, how best to cut your joints including a review of the best tools as well as the best techniques. You will walk away with the techniques in mind so that you can easily perfect your skill set.

Shelter is offering the Dovetail Joinery by Hand course on Saturday, June 8th, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. The course is $45.00.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Upcoming Weekend Workshop Class: Learn to Wire Your Home

Electrical terms sound familiar, but how they work in your home might be a bit of a mystery: Amp, volt, 100, 220, three pole, four pole, wire gauge, and on and on. But the fact of the matter is that with a little bit of time and instruction, you can learn how to do most electrical projects in your home and manage them safely. This is an opportunity to become competent and confident about wiring. It's actually safer than driving once you understand a few little principles.

Mystery revealed.

Shelter is offering a Home Wiring course on Saturday, June 1st, 2013 with instructor Pat Hennin, who has been teaching wiring for nearly 40 years. He shares the how of electricity, so you can understand the why. He will describe electricity and how to control it in simple, non-technical language.

Learn How Electricity Works and Wire Your Entire Home

Spend the day at the Shelter Campus, and learn how to wire your entire home. Whether you want to build your own home, be your own general contractor, or have a home that you want to understand better, this class will give you a comprehensive understanding of home wiring. You can make changes to your home and effectively deal with any problems that occur.

We will discuss residential wiring and how to wire a house that conforms to the National Electrical Code. This is followed by a discussion of how electricity actually ends up in the house. Finally, we break into small groups to practice wiring sample panels, switches, and lights. This is a small investment that can save you a lot of time, money, and worry.

Date: June 1, 2013
Time: 9:30-3:00
Tuition: $95.00 per person
Register online.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Deadline Approaching for Shelter Scholarship for High School Students

This scholarship is designed
to help jump start a career.
The annual Patricia K. Hennin Scholarship application process has begun. Shelter Institute is excited to offer the scholarship, which was established to honor company co-founder Patricia K. Hennin. The scholarship is awarded to a local high school junior or senior interested in the fields of engineering, architecture, or construction.

Eligible applicants should be high school juniors and seniors currently enrolled in school and residents of the state of Maine. Preference is given to students with a demonstrated interest in the fields of engineering, architecture, or construction. Applications may be obtained from the student's high school guidance office or directly from Shelter Institute.

The deadline for applications is 3:00pm on May 24th, 2013. Please call 207-442-7938 or e-mail store@shelterinstitute.com. The scholarship recipient receives free enrollment in the Shelter Institute course of their choice, valued at approximately $1,000.

Friday, May 10, 2013

New Skylight Product at Shelter

New Velux Solar-Powered Skylight
Shelter installs many skylights. Any penetration made in a roof should be constructed with care and with quality materials. (Read more about metal roof penetrations in an enlightening post written previously by Gaius.)

Our preferred skylight vendor is Velux, a manufacturer who makes quality skylights and roof windows with 10-year warranties.

They have a new product, a solar-powered "fresh air" skylight. It includes a solar panel that powers the opening and closing of the skylight or solar shade by remote control.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Maine Real Estate Activity on the Rise

Despite the struggling economy, Maine home sales volume and median sales prices in 2012 were improved over 2011. Signs indicate that the trend for 2013 appears to be even better. Things may not yet reach the peak we saw in 2005-2006, but an upward trend is good news. Certainly, the buzz around real estate in our office is positive. Buyers are interested in moving, so it's a good time to get your home on the market and ready to sell. With interest rates at historically low levels, it's also a great time to buy.

Buyer interest is heating up in Maine.
Shelter Realty, formerly Midcoast Realty, continues to provide clients with thoughtful and clear guidance to both buyer and seller clients in this turbulent market. If you're listing or looking for anything from a custom timber frame home, to a 200-year-old farm house, to raw or ready-to-build land, Shelter Realty has seen and sold it all.

Shelter's many years of real estate experience and our building expertise provide our clients with a unique perspective that helps guide you through the challenging but rewarding home buying or selling experience.

Potential clients or students who want to list their precious home or land will find a dedicated advocate for their investment. Learn more at shelterinstitute.com/real_estate.