AROUNDAROUNDT H E H O U S E

I

Winter has come to an end at last, and spring is a time of renewal. Here are a few fun, productive ways to celebrate the season and get ready for an active, fun-filled summer.

1. Clean Your Closets. Changing seasons is a perfect time to go through your clothes and get rid of things you no longer wear. Make room for new purchases to update your look, and bless someone else with your castoffs by donating them to a thrift store or holding a yard sale.

2. Clean Your Carpets. Get rid of those muddy paw prints and the salt and grime the kids tracked in on their boots this winter. Look for spring specials from professional cleaners, or do it yourself with a rented machine from the grocery or hardware store.

3. Spruce up Your Houseplants. It’s a great time to give your indoor plants some attention: re-pot those that are root bound or need new soil, fertilize them for spring growth, examine them for insect or fungal problems, and wipe dusty leaves with a damp cloth.

4. Wash Your Windows. There’s no better way to enjoy the brighter sunlight of springtime than through clean Champion windows! Take some time to wipe window frames and tracks, too, and examine windows to see if maintenance is needed for screens or seals. Call

your Champion store if you have any concerns or questions.

5. Add Color. Why not cycle out your old accessories and replace them with some new, colorful décor? Simple additions such as a new tablecloth, scented candles, a few throw pillows, or a new area rug can make your home bright and cheerful.

6. Detail Your Car. Spend a couple of hours out in the sunshine washing your car’s exterior, wiping the inside surfaces, cleaning floor mats, vacuuming seats and carpets. Use organizational tools such as nets, bags that slip over seat backs, and bins to contain the toys and tools that clutter up your car. Add a new air freshener for a final touch.

7. Start Seeds. Grab a few peat pots and some potting soil and get a head start on your garden! Whether your want to grow a vegetable garden or

just plant a few flowers, getting the seeds growing in early spring instead of buying seedlings later on can save you a lot of money. All you need is a sunny window or, depending on your spring weather, a sheltered spot on the porch.

8. Plant a Tree. Early spring is the perfect time to plant trees. Why not try growing a fruit tree this year? It won’t bear fruit right away, but the sooner it’s in the ground the sooner you’ll be enjoying its bounty. Try an easy shade tree or a lovely ornamental such as red maple or magnolia.

9. Plan a Summer Reading List. Check out the bestsellers, and try some classic favorites too. Save money by visiting the library - you can place popular titles on reserve. Many older publications in public domain are available free online in eBook format. Why wait till summer?

10. Evaluate Your Winter. Was there anything you would change? How could you save on next winter’s heating bill or make your life easier when the snow falls? Remember, Champion is always happy to help you plan for the future, whether those plans include new siding, windows, or a new insulated exterior door. We make home improvement easy, and we can make next winter a lot more enjoyable!

10 Ways to Celebrate Spring

One of the best reasons to buy a Champion product is the savings in your energy bill! Tell us how your utility bills have decreased. We would love to feature you and your story on our website, an ad, or our brochure!

E-mail your story to ath@mycwm.comDeadline is May 31, 2010 for a chance to win!Please include your name, address and phone number.

Tell Us Your Story... And You Can Receive A $25 Visa Gift Card!

Puzzle - Earth Day C E Y S G C C R E O T R C L G

N O L Y N I L C Q D N E A N Q

T O I C N A O E E O E S C A J

V Q I A Y S E R A N M O S T G

A P G T Y C E C E N N U N U F

E R Z S A G E R O R O R V R B

O O T R N V G R E M R C R E P

F E C A E Y R T G W I E T L J

M X D W A N A E E A V S A B B

P N N N W W E C S Y N K T R E

E F I L D L I W A N E E I E J

C L I M A T E M A R O J B T P

P O L L U T I O N B B C A T F

N E D R A G R E E N L O H I O

N K F Q G I J T P W N E N L K

Recipe - Banana Bread What does banana bread have to do with Earth Day? You can “recycle” those bananas that are starting to turn brown!

Make Every Day Earth Day

and appreciation for the Earth’s environment. Considered the beginning of the modern environmental movement, Earth Day celebrations and programs have helped to educate the public about risks to the environment and concepts such as recycling. Visit these web sites for some great ideas and tips on how you can get involved in saving the planet every day!

Directions

bananas. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture, just enough to moisten. Add nuts, if desired.

before removing from pan.

Champion IsGreen Seal Certified

If you have a delicious recipe you would like to share with us in our

next issue, e-mail us atath@mycwm.com for a chance to be published. Deadline 5/31/10

Plant A Fruit TreeEveryone is looking for ways to

save money these days, and growing your own food is always a great idea. If you’re looking for the best return on your investment and effort, you can’t beat a fruit tree. Your trees may not produce right away, but in a few years you’ll have a great payoff - food, along with shade in the summer and a beautiful floral display in the spring.

How do you choose what to plant? While there are varieties that claim to be hardy outside their usual region, it’s best to stick with trees well-suited for your zone. Apples do well just about anywhere in the U.S., as do pears and plums. Peaches may not do well north

Consult your local garden center to see

what will grow well in your own backyard.

Choose the right size. Unless you crave a big, old-fashioned fruit tree, consider dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties. Ranging in height from

for small yards and easy to harvest. Smaller varieties also tend to produce fruit sooner than larger ones.

Provide pollinators. Some are self-pollinating, but others need companions in order to produce fruit. You might get lucky with your neighbors’ trees, but sometimes you’ll need to put two compatible varieties close together. Ask your local nursery for help in

choosing trees that bloom at the same time.

Get off to a good start. Dig a generous hole for the root ball, and make sure the graft line is just above

the dirt level. Gently firm the soil with your foot, and stake if needed. Water well, and be sure to water regularly until your tree is well established.

Train and prune. You’ll want to snip off branches that cross, encouraging an open pattern of growth around a central leader. This is best done in winter or

CARBON

CLEAN

CLIMATE

CONSERVATION

ECOSYSTEM

ENDANGERED

ENERGY

ENVIRONMENT

GARDEN

GREEN

HABITAT

LITTER

NATURE

OCEANS

ORGANIC

POLLUTION

RECYCLE

RENEWABLE

RESOURCES

WATER

WILDLIFE

The Environmental Protection Agency has new rules to protect homeowners against lead exposure during renovations. Could it affect your projects?

If your home was built before 1978, chances are the new rules will impact every renovation and improvement you make to your home, including window replacement, door replacement, siding installation, patio room construction, and more! These projects can create lead dust and chips, which can create a health risk. This health risk is especially dangerous to young children and pregnant women. The EPA’s new rules are aimed at protecting residents of these older homes - but as a homeowner, how can you protect yourself against violating these rules?

The EPA requires that homeowners and tenants be made aware of these risks before renovation begins. It also requires the business to be a Lead Safe Certified Firm with special training, certification, and work practice requirements for all workers involved in renovations of both

residential and commercial buildings. Workers need to be trained in lead-safe work practices to minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards.

Champion is an EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm. You can trust Champion to be on top of all these new requirements - all of our installers are regularly trained and their skills updated, so we can continue to provide you the very best quality service, and to protect you during all phases of your project. Champion really does deliver your easiest home improvement project ever!

New EPA Rules for Lead & Renovations

Show us how you feel about your Champion product by sending us your best family photos enjoying your Champion products! Top 10 winners could be in our new brochure, on our web-site, and will win a

$100 VISA gift card Suggestions:Reading and relaxing by your bay window, enjoying your kitchen garden window, partying in your patio room, posing by your beautiful new front door, tossing a football in front of your siding. Whatever you do, the important thing is this: you’re not scraping, scrubbing and painting - you’re enjoying the day!E-mail your photos to ath@mycwm.comPlease make sure your digital photos are the highest quality your camera can take. Please include your name, address and phone number. Any questions? E-mail ath@mycwm.comDeadline is May 31, 2010.

By submitting photos, you are giving Champion Window permission to use your photo in all advertising communications. Good Luck!

For most people, feeding the family dog or cat is a simple matter of opening up a bag or a can and dishing it out. But did

you know that all pet food is not created equal. Choosing the right food can make a big difference in your pet’s health and longevity, and commercial pet foods are not the only option?

You Get What You Pay For

Everyone wants to save money whenever possible, but cutting corners by purchasing

a cheap brand of pet food can actually end up costing more money in the long run- not to mention shortening your pet’s life. Low quality ingredients, excessive chemical additives, and poor labeling standards can result in many health problems for your pet, including allergies, skin problems, diabetes, and cancer.

at a specialty pet supply store or through

standards, do not add artificial dyes, and add supplements such as vitamins and antioxidants. Super premium foods are made with human-grade ingredients, and pack concentrated nutrition into smaller portion sizes. According to Nan Weitzman and Ross Becker in The Dog Food Book, the main difference between Economy, Premium, and Super Premium dog foods is the clean up. Less goes in ... less comes out! You may end up feeding at least half as much, which means your

total food bill will be lower or equal to what you’d be spending on budget brands.

Make It YourselfYou don’t have to feed your pets

commercially manufactured foods. The best diet for your dog or cat may be one you create yourself, using common ingredients that are just as healthy for people. To save time, you can prepare several days’ food in advance. There are many resources in print and online to help you create the perfect homemade diet for your pet, including fresh meats, eggs, vegetables, grains, and even fruit.

Ask your veterinarian for advice when choosing the right type of manufactured pet food or creating a homemade diet. A little attention to what goes into your pet’s food will really pay off in terms of his health and happiness, and you may actually save money in the process.

A Few Photo Tips

1. Make sure your picture is in focus

2. Make sure your camera is straight

3. Make sure your picture is interesting

4. Play around with your flash on/off outdoors

5. Try changing your white balance outdoors from auto to cloudy for a warmer picture

6. Make sure the resolution is high

7. Use a tripod if possible

Eating Right: It’s Not Just For People

Photo Contest

Wild about your windows?Passionate about your patio room?

CHAMPION IS AN EPALEAD-SAFE CERTIFIED FIRM

Referral Program

AROUNDAROUNDT H E H O U S E

12121 Champion WayCincinnati, OH 45241

The EASY choice is the BEST choice.

ChampionFactoryDirect.com

Check Out Our WebsiteChampionFactoryDirect.com

To Find Out Why Champion Is The Right Choice!

Are your family, friends and neighbors noticing your home’s new look? If they express an interest in what you’ve done, please give us their name. If the referral leads to a sale, we will

Refer as many people as you like. Simply complete the referral coupon and mail it to your local Champion office.

Look inside for great Spring tips and stories andChampion Contests!

Your Contact Information:

Name _________________________________________________ Phone _____________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________ State_________ Zip __________________

Referral Information:

Name _________________________________________________ Phone _____________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________ State_________ Zip __________________

Comments _____________________________________

Date Submitted _________________________________

$100 HOMEOWNERREFERRAL COUPON

Tell Us Your Story... And You Can Receive A $25 Visa Gift Card!

Send Us Your “Champion” Picture...And You Can Receive A $100 Visa Gift Card!

Details Inside