If you have an item and you would like to know what it is worth, send digital pictures with a brief description to paulhconnor@gmail.com,
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• On Oct. 6, 1847, “Jane Eyre,” the book about the struggles of an orphan girl who grows up to become a governess, is published. Author Charlotte Bronte wrote of her experiences at being sent to a boarding school at the age of 5.
• On Oct. 8, 1869, future auto inventor and mechanic Frank Duryea is born. In 1893, his Duryea Motor Wagon made its first successful trip, 600 yards down his street in Springfield, Massachusetts, before the transmission blew. • On Oct. 1, 1908, in Detroit, the first production Model T Ford is completed. Its 22 horsepower, four-cylinder engine could reach speeds up to 40 mph and run on gasoline or hemp-based fuel. • On Oct. 9, 1936, harnessing the power of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam begins sending electricity over transmission lines spanning 266 miles to Los Angeles. The dam was built for the collection, preservation and distribution of that most precious of all Western commodities, water. • On Oct. 2, 1948, the first American road race since World War II takes place in Watkins Glen in New York. The New York Central railroad agreed to suspend train service so the drivers could safely cross the tracks. • On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union inaugurates the “Space Age” with its launch of Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite. The 22-inch sphere weighed 184 pounds. In January 1958, Sputnik burned up in the atmosphere when its orbit deteriorated. • On Oct. 7, 1960, the television drama “Route 66” first airs on CBS. It followed two young men as they drove across the country in a Corvette. “Route 66” was shot on location all over the U.S. instead of in a studio. • On Oct. 10, 1973, Spiro Agnew becomes the first U.S. vice president to resign in disgrace. He pleaded no contest to a charge of income-tax evasion in exchange for dropping charges of political corruption, which included accepting bribes even while vice president. • On Oct. 3, 1981, a hunger strike by Irish nationalists at the Maze Prison in Belfast in Northern Ireland is called off after seven months and 10 deaths. Afterward, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher agreed to several of the protesters’ demands, including the right to wear civilian clothing. • On Oct. 5, 1986, after his plane crashes in Nicaragua, ex-Marine Eugene Hasenfus confesses to shipping military supplies into Nicaragua for use by the Contras, an anti-Sandinista force created and funded by the U.S. and run by the Central Intelligence Agency. The resulting Iran-Contra scandal would rock the Reagan administration. © 2021 Hearst Communications, Inc.
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What To Ask When Hiring A Contractor
Asking the right questions of potential contractors can help you feel sure they’ll do the job right.
(NAPS) — With record-high real estate prices, a growing number of homeowners are remodeling or renovating their existing homes rather than buying new. Increased demand and continued supply chain issues, however, have led to delays in getting quotes, uncertainties in the availability of materials, rising costs and an increase in homeowner frustration.
Whether you’re looking at a new roof or siding, adding a deck, upgrading windows or insulation, you want to find a contractor who gets it right on the first try (and can meet today’s fast-turn demand). What To Ask To help, here are three important questions to ask potential contractors so you can find the right resource in a challenging environment: 1. “Do I need to meet with you in person to get a quote?” Contractors have followed the same manual transaction processes for decades. But home visits with pad-and-paper estimating is outdated, especially with digital- savvy homeowners. Today, roofing, fencing and even siding companies can provide a preliminary quote without sending representatives to your house. Satellite measurements and a quick phone call are all you need to understand basic pricing and inventory availability for shingles, siding or lumber. Digital sales platforms help homeowners quickly compare contractors and reduce the time to get multiple estimates. 2. “How soon can you start?” How quickly a contractor can begin depends on pricing and availability of labor and materials. Be wary of contractors who offer services for unbelievably low prices — it’s safer to pay more for a premium, professional job than take a gamble on a risky contractor. Top contractors will prepare a digital estimate, taking current pricing into account. Using dynamic tools, your contractor should be able to make real-time changes to estimates and contracts to show how the materials selected will influence the schedule and cost. Similarly, such contractors will have access to real-time inventory via a mobile device so you can choose products, such as shingles, that are actually available, reducing delays. 3. “How do you handle changes?” This is another area where a contractor using a digital sales platform can add value. By plugging in different options, your contractor should be able to tell you exactly how changes will affect cost and timing. No need to wait days for a return phone call — using digital documents means a revised quote and contract can be sent quickly, helping to keep projects moving. Learn More For further facts about digital tools to look for in a contractor, visit www.leaptodigital.com. |
