People have begun asking the dreaded question: "So, have you put away your motorcycle for the winter yet?" My answer is always the same: "I never put away my bike." I like being able to ride whenever the weather is decent, including during the January thaw.
Regardless, their inquiries remind me just how quickly winter is approaching. I have cleaned up the yard, mowed the lawn one last time, and even had my wood stove going a couple of times thus far. Getting ready for winter is a little disheartening because it marks the passing of summer. Goodbye to the tan we get from splitting wood in the hot sun; goodbye to many of the fresh veggies from the garden; goodbye to motorcycle cruising sans jacket and gloves.
As we prepare for winter, now is the time to start conserving. Conserving energy, water, fuel Ñ anything that might help us weather another winter safely. Start buttoning up your home by installing new windows and weather-stripping around those not-so-tight windows and doors. Close storm windows. Keep fireplace dampers closed while not in use to avoid warm air escaping. Let the sun shine in your windows during the day to utilize the sun's heat.
If you have the opportunity, attend one of the Button Up Vermont workshops being held in the area for helpful winter weatherization tips. Manchester is hosting a workshop on October 29 at the town hall. For more information, call 362-4824.
Pownal is hosting a workshop on October 29 at the Elementary School. For more information, call 823-5111.
Save on heating costs by closing off rooms in the home that are not being used. Turn the thermostat down at night and when you are not home. According to Efficiency Vermont, each degree the thermostat is lowered on an on-going basis equates to roughly a 3 percent savings on your energy bill. A wool sweater and a heavy comforter are worthwhile investments that just might end up saving you money.
Consider your heating options. Is it feasible for you to convert to a wood-burning system? Be sure to weigh all your options carefully. For example, if you are thinking about switching from fuel oil to burning wood, consider the cost of the stove, chimney, materials, and firewood, versus the cost of maintaining your existing system and purchasing fuel oil on a regular basis.
Remember fire safety and don't try to use alternate heating sources without proper instruction and knowledge of the system. Be sure to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
Start thinking about your neighbors, especially the frail and elderly, or those with small children. When the weather turns cold, check on neighbors occasionally to make sure they are all right. We Vermonters seldom like to ask for help, but if we get into a neighbor-helping-neighbor mindset, perhaps we may end up saving someone's life.
There is much to do before winter sets in, but now is not the time to forget all that fall has to offer. Think apple picking and pie-making. Think leaf collecting and pressing those leaves between two sheets of waxed paper for preservation. And try not to let your temper get the best of you when you are stuck in traffic behind a "leaf-peeper," who is trying to take photographs through the windshield while driving.
Lissa Stark works for the Bennington County Regional Commission. She serves on the Board of Supervisors of the Bennington County Conservation District, whose mission is promoting rural livelihoods and protecting natural resources in southwestern Vermont. This time of year, she chooses to travel on the backroads to avoid traffic and enjoy a little of the scenery that Bennington County has to offer. Web site at www.bccdvt.-org
This column appeared in the Bennington Banner in October 2008, as one of the BCCD's Conservation Currents pieces, a bi-weekly feature written by BCCD board and staff members since August 2006.