Whether because of changing lifestyles or simply because houses are becoming outdated, millions of North Americans are renovating their homes every year, spending more money annually on renovation than on new-home construction. But renovations can be fraught with unintended consequences like indoor air pollution. How do you remodel in a healthy, environmentally friendly way?

Green Remodeling is a comprehensive guide. It first points out the advantages of remodeling. Buildings are responsible for 40% of worldwide energy flow and material use; so how you remodel can make a difference. Upgrading furnaces, cabinets and toilets means less fossil fuel pollution, reduced resource depletion and fewer health risks. Green remodeling is more energy-efficient, more resource-conserving, healthier for occupants and creates buildings that are more affordable to build, operate and maintain.

The book then discusses simple green renovation solutions for homeowners, focusing on key aspects of the building, including foundations, framing, plumbing, windows, heating and finishes. Room by room, it outlines the intricate connections that make the house work as a system. For example, how new windows may affect the structure and mechanical systems of the rooms below, the health of the family and the future of old-growth forests. Then, in an easy-to-read format complete with checklists, personal stories, expert insights and an extensive resource list, it covers easy ways to save energy, conserve natural resources and protect the health of loved ones. Addressing all climates, this is a perfect resource for conventional homeowners, as well as for architects and remodeling contractors.

David Johnston was named one of the top 50 remodelers in the U.S. in 1990. He developed the first green remodeling program in the U.S. and is creating a national green certification program for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Kim Master is a green building consultant. Both are from Boulder, Colorado.

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Green Remodeling : Changing the World One Room at a Time ...

The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room is a small theater in the West Wing of the White House where the White House Press Secretary gives briefings to the news media and the President of the United States sometimes addresses the press and the nation. It is located between the workspace assigned to the White House press corps and the office of the Press Secretary.

The first presidential press conference was held on 15 March 1913 in the Oval Office, during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Subsequently, through to 1969, communications from the President and general press news conferences took place in various locations, including the Indian Treaty Room, the State Department auditorium, and the White House East Room.[1]

In 1969, to accommodate the growing number of reporters assigned to the White House, President Richard Nixon had the indoor swimming pool, which had been installed by the March of Dimes for Franklin D. Roosevelt, covered and turned into press offices and a lounge that could double as a briefing room.[2][3]

In 2000, the room was renamed the "James S. Brady Press Briefing Room" in honor of James Brady, the press secretary who had been shot and permanently disabled during an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981.[3]

In December 2005, the White House announced the intention to renovate the aging Press Briefing Room and cramped press corps offices.[4] On August 2, 2006, the final briefing was held, and President George W. Bush hosted several previous press secretaries at a closing ceremony and there was some hesitation and concern about whether the press would be allowed to return to the White House.[5][6] In the interim, the White House Conference Center was used as temporary location for press conferences.[citation needed]

President Bush reopened the renovated room in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of July 11, 2007. He held his first formal press conference in the new briefing room the next day, following the release of a report on the progress of the Iraqi government.[7] The modernization cost nearly US$8.5 million. Of that sum, $2.5 million was funded by the media, and the remainder was funded by tax dollars. Each correspondent's seat was priced at $1,500. Beneath the current press room lies the former White House swimming pool that has since become a computer server room.[8][9]

The most noticeable change to the briefing room was a different backdrop for the press conferences, which now featured a softly lit screen flanked by mock columns, instead of the previous blue curtain. The new podium contained video screens for teleconferencing and multimedia displays. For safety reasons, the trapdoor which provided access to the old swimming pool (a popular stop for visitors) was replaced by a discreet staircase.[citation needed]

Despite complaints about the previous briefing room's lack of space, the current briefing room has only one more press seat than it did prior to renovation.[citation needed]

The seating assignments are organized by the White House Correspondents' Association, not by the White House press staff.[10]

Media related to James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 385352N 770208W / 38.89771N 77.03567W / 38.89771; -77.03567

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James S. Brady Press Briefing Room - Wikipedia

The fact that bedrooms are personal spaces often shared with another person makes decorating tricky. One crucial tip to keep in mind as you consider bedroom ideas is to forego popular trends or styles in favor of what makes you happy. If there arent any significant bedroom remodeling changes, determining your furniture layout is the first (and biggest) decision you will need to make. Once you've settled on a bedroom layout, take the time to select colors and decor that reflect your personality, but also take into consideration the serene nature of a bedroom. If adding new decorations and furniture isn't enough of an aesthetic change, you can turn your bedroom makeover into a full blown remodel by creating your own master bedroom suite, complete with a sitting room and master bathroom. How do I pick bedroom colors and decorating ideas?Although your bedroom color scheme is often a personal opinion, there are some paint colors that are more relaxing and better suited for your sleeping area. Studies have found that people with blue bedrooms often get more sleep because of the calmness it elicits. Brighter colors may lead to a better mood, but they also might keep you up longer at night. If you have a significant other with opposing tastes, consider master bedroom colors falling within the neutral range such as variations of green, gray or brown to keep everyone happy. Sharing many bedroom pictures that youve saved to your ideabook can be a great way to help your significant other get a sense of your bedroom remodeling ideas.

If youre looking for feng shui bedroom design ideas, then consider that its recommended you use warm earthy colors to create a welcoming environment, or softer blues and greens to create a tranquil ambiance. Bright colors, such as fuchsia and orange, are too stimulating in huge blocks, so use them as accents around the room to brighten up the space and provide hints of passion, an important part of a romantic bedroom.

When it comes to bedroom decorating ideas, your options are endless. When nailing down your bedroom design, its helpful to start by tackling the more permanent things, like furniture. Artwork and photographs that put you at ease are a great addition (although some advise against having family photos around, as they can hinder that sexy bedroom vibe), and mirrors are a must-have if you use the space for dressing. When considering bedroom ideas, bedding is always important your duvet and decorative pillows should play nicely with the paint color and bedroom wall decor, but can also be swapped out easily, which makes it easy to incorporate an interesting print or texture. Lastly, add some accessories to style your nightstand or dresser; just be careful not to go overboard too many knickknacks can make your room feel cluttered and disorganized, which can actually cause sleep trouble. If you keep these bedroom decorating ideas and color considerations in mind you should be well on your way to creating the perfect bedroom design.

Before you buy a new furniture set, be sure to consider the bedroom size. Even though you might need three dressers and two nightstands in your bedroom, you might not have the space for them. Measure the furniture and visualize or tape out where it will go so you can judge what will actually fit. Be sure to leave plenty of walking space, and double check that drawers and cabinets have enough room to open properly. When picking a spot for your bed, consider all the windows and doors. Placing a bed underneath a window or close to the door can be a bad idea, especially for light sleepers, as even the smallest crack of light can cause sleep disturbance.

When it comes to feng shui bedrooms, a free-flowing layout is crucial. The ideal placement for your bed is as far away from the door as possible, but still in a position that lets you see the entrance; usually, the corner diagonally across from the door is the best spot. Try and avoid having your head under a window due to the ebb and flow of energy going in and out; this causes disturbed and interrupted sleep. Do not position your bed so as to have your feet point out the door while youre sleeping; this is called the Death Position as the deceased are carried out feet first, and sleeping this way is said to drain your life force.

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Bedroom Design Ideas, Remodels & Photos | Houzz

How do I decorate my living room?When it comes to living room design, there are really no hard-and-fast rules. When considering different living room ideas, youll want it to be a space that makes your family and guests feel comfortable, but is also functional for day-to-day living. When thinking about living room colors, most people have a tendency to go super neutral or boldly colorful in living rooms, but be careful of going overboard with either. If you go with neutrals for the big items, like sofas, armchairs and ottomans, then go a bit bold with decorative accessories that way, you can easily swap out the small things when a new color scheme is in order. Likewise, if you want your sofa to be a statement piece then scale back the decor so they dont fight for attention.

Dont forget about the mid-sized living room decorating ideas, like rugs and curtains, which can double as functional and decorative when done right. Lighting is also an important feature to consider when decorating a living room. Do you have the ability to do overhead lighting, or will you need to use table and floor lamps? Either one can be design features in themselves, as well as putting the spotlight on other decor you want to showcase. In your living room design, position lighting in accordance to any art you want to illuminate, and remember to have a well lit spot for reading-related activities. You can also change the light of the space by the paint color you choose; a room with little natural lighting will benefit from a light and airy color, while one with plenty of sunlight may have more leniency in color choice.

You will no doubt need some seating options incorporated into your living room design, which can range from small accent chairs to a big roomy sectional. Be careful of cramming a too-large sofa into a too-small space its tempting to go big, but sacrificing walking paths or potential storage space is not always worth it. While there are a lot of different options in living room designs, you definitely want to have enough seating for those living in the house, plus an extra seat or two for the occasional guests. A place to put down drinks or snacks, like side tables or a coffee table, is a must. If you have the depth for it, an ottoman or coffee table where people can prop their feet up is always a welcome living room decorating idea, but skip out on this if the living room is on the narrow side and go for a deeper sofa instead. Whatever size your space is, theres plenty of living room inspiration to choose from - to get started on your living room remodel, add living room pictures which spark creativity to an ideabook on Houzz.

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Living Room Ideas & Design Photos | Houzz

Selectmen flatly rejected a proposal to add individual computer monitors to the boards desk as part of a proposed remodeling of the groups town hall meeting room.

Chairman Susan L. Moran worried the computers would isolateor appear to isolatethe board from residents in attendance. Monitors disrupt selectmens line of sight with taxpayers and potentially hurt attempts at increasing community engagement, she said.

Its not a good idea from the board of selectmens perspective to not be engaged with the audience, Ms. Moran said.

The objection arose at the boards Monday, August 28, meeting as Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub outlined potential upgrades to the room. A working group composed of Mr. Johnson-Staub, former selectman Mary (Pat) Flynn, town information technology director Valerie OConnor, executive director and president of Falmouth Community Television Debra Rogers, and town facilities director Shardell Newton undertook the redesign effort.

Among the changes, Mr. Johnson-Staub proposed an L shaped desk rather than the oval currently used by the various municipal boards meeting in the room. The configuration allows town staff members to sit at the desk rather than a folding table, giving them a more professional look. A portion could be removed to fit in additional audience seating, he said.

A suggestion to make the desk narrower by a foot drew criticism from selectmen who worried the reduction in size would render it more difficult for committee members to review documents, particularly project design plans.

Although Mr. Johnson-Staub argued that increasingly more developers are digitizing draft plans, selectmen still preferred a deeper desk.

Selectmen also raised concerns about employing large monitors for presentations. The draft proposal called for a large screen behind the boards desk and a smaller, side monitor for audience viewing. Officials could add a rear-wall screen if necessary, said Mr. Johnson-Staub, as well as one outside the chamber and another in an audience overflow room.

Presentations, controlled from a computer installed at the speakers podium, could be displayed on the monitors, he said. The system would replace the existing projector.

Selectman Samuel H. Patterson wondered where the town seal and two flags would go if a monitor were installed behind the desk, telling the assistant town manager that those are pretty important icons to this town.

Vice chairman Megan E. English Braga asked whether laser pointers could be used during presentations. Mr. Johnson-Staub said with a monitor-based system, the presenter would use a computer cursor to highlight important items on the display screens.

Selectmen noted that during particularly popular meetings, the rear of the chamber becomes standing room only, potentially blocking off view of any monitor placed along that wall.

Mr. Johnson-Staub admitted that audience members bumping into the screens could be a potential problem.

In all, the renovations are estimated to cost between $35,000 and $53,000, depending on the choice of materials and equipment. Mr. Johnson-Staub said more than $20,000 from cable franchise fees and $42,040 from an agreement with Comcast would cover the cost.

More than $130,000 from the cable account would pay for upgrades to the cameras and audio equipmentused by FCTV to record and broadcast meetingsinstalled in the room, he said.

After acknowledging the amount of work leading up to the draft, Ms. Moran suggested Mr. Johnson-Staub phase in the alterations. Ms. English Braga also asked that reactions be solicited from the other boards that use the room for meetings.

We really are for less comfort and more on the facilitating of communication, Ms. Moran said.

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Remodeling Of Falmouth Selectmen's Meeting Room Planned - CapeNews.net

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) The Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show is your one stop shop for anything and everything related to home renovation.

CBS4s Lisa Petrillo got a sneak peek inside just hours before opening day at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The Home Design and Remodeling Show is everything that encompasses home. Everything from major home improvement to small decorative ideas, said Adam Kayce, the show director. You can literally come in a build an entire home in all in the one stop shop.

One of the highlights of the show is the designer rooms for the stars dream spaces for local TV personalities.

What? This is amazing said Petrillo, looking at her new room.

Petrillo was lucky enough to have a living room designed for her by interior designer Reginald Dunlap.

You told me on the phone that you liked a Tommy Bahamas look, that you love the Bahamas. I tried to give you that with a modern edge, said Dunlap.

From a beautiful Moroccan mirror made with mother of pearl to candlelit fire places, emerald green chairs and even custom-designed crazy cool graffiti walls.

Its totally me and I didnt even know it, said Petrillo.

There are 250 exhibitors under 175,000 square feet of space. Youll find everything from fancy chandeliers and closets to landscaping, the newest in bathtubs made from antibacterial composite materials to the best in interior and exterior doors.

This is a pivot door. See how it opens? said Adam, pointing out beautiful outdoor glass and wood doors. And all hurricane impact.

If you want it, its at the show. And there are deals to be made.

There are deals to be made. There are floor model specials. People want to sell whats here on the floor and make deals with everyone who comes here This is the place to be to be for all your home remodeling needs for sure, said Adam.

The Miami Home Design and Remodeling Show is on now through September 4th at 7:30 p.m.

For more info, visit: http://www.homeshows.net.

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Deals To Be Made At Miami Home Design & Remodeling Show - CBS Miami

CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park, a nonprofit animal shelter that specializes in the adoption of cats, birds and small mammals, celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday. The shelter recently completed a remodeling project as well, adding a surgery and recovery room so that it can do low-cost spay and neuter services not only for the shelter, but also for the general public and other rescues.

Nina Bafundl of Elmhurst holds a kitten that is in health evaluation with her mother before they can be adopted at CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park which celebrates its 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

May will be ready for adoption after she clears a health evaluation. CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates their 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

Alia Grey, 2 1/2 of La Grange Park, finds a package of cookies she'd like her mom to buy at a bake sale at CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

Connor David, 12 of Brookfield, plays with Legs, a three-legged cat ready to be adopted. CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates their 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

Barbara Clayton of Lyons has a chat with Madison. CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates their 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

Dr. Chrissy Braun (from left) goes over the details of a cat adoption with Samantha Tierney of Alsip and Cossitt School crossing guard Janis Tierney of Oak Lawn. CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates their 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

Bree Aikens of La Grange Park plays with a kitten. CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates their 20th anniversary, following a recent remodeling project, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017.

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CatNap from the Heart in La Grange Park celebrates 20th anniversary - Suburban Life Publications

Over the 17 years we lived in a 1939 brick Colonial, my husband and I periodically flirted with more modern houses. We came close to buying three of them but never went for it until last summer. After 15 years of writing about home design, I knew going in that several spaces were more before than after. Still, the post-and-beam home in Arlingtonbuilt by the Acorn Deck House Company in 1990checked all our boxes for style and setting, with its open spaces and huge windows framing a nature trail and a wooded hillside.

Thanks to all the time Ive spent writing about other peoples projects, I wasnt too worried about diving into one of my ownwhich isnt to say everything went as planned. Initially, we budgeted about $115,000 to focus on remodeling the kitchen and waterproofing the basement. We wound up redoing both areas, plus two others, spending more than $140,000, and living in the house for all but two weeks of the construction. Here are my notes on what we learned along the way.

Budgeted:$100,000.

Spent:$100,675.

Time estimated:Six weeks.

Time it took:Eight weeks.

Among other problems, the original kitchens laminate cabinets were nearly hanging off their hinges, and the island was inexplicably small. Though the galley layout was sound, we enlisted Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design to figure out how to fit a larger island, extend the counters the length of the wall, and help us pick countertops and cabinets. Her team seamlessly incorporated our choices for appliances, hardware, and finishes into the layout. When you hire a professional design firm like Subarans, you can expect to pay for an initial site visit, measurements, and drawingswhich cost about $2,500and to buy the big-ticket items such as countertops and cabinetry through that company.

I think its worth hiring pros because they shepherd the whole project for you, helping keep you on time and budget. Of the money we spent on the kitchen, more than $52,000 went to Aidan Designand, full disclosure, that was after Subaran gave us an unsolicited 10-percent discount because were friends. We still went slightly over our original budget because we splurged on handmade pendant lights from Hubbardton Forge and custom barstools from Willem Smith.

Biggest headache:The main living areas were behind plastic sheeting for two months, and the construction dust still got everywhere. Meals consisted of frozen dinners zapped in a microwave set up in the lower-level family room.

Unforeseen issue:We had major problems with the down-draft vent that rises behind our stove. The appliance salesman gave us incomplete measurements, so the cabinet guys didnt leave enough space for the exhaust ducts when they installed the cabinetry around the range. Luckily, this kind of ductwork can be installed in a variety of configurations, though it took two more weeks to come up with a solution and about $250 in extra parts to get it right.

Best bang for the buck:Our quartzite island countertop, called Taj Mahal. Its coloring and scale unify the kitchen and family room. The 12-foot-3-inch slab cost more than $10,000but makes me smile every day. We eat most of our meals there, and it doubles as a buffet.

Budgeted:$0.

Spent:$13,282.

Time estimated:Two weeks.

Time it took:Four weeks.

A gigantic space overlooking the entry was large enough for two rooms, but it didnt have a clear purpose and it felt cold and unfriendly. While we didnt initially planor budgetto redo it, we decided it was now or never. Like the basement, it felt like a monumental waste of space not to get any real use, and we still didnt have a place for our books and record albums. So we raided our savings accounts to turn it into an inviting library and office area, with plenty of storage.

Grasscloth-like vinyl paper now covers the walls, which are wrapped in custom oak shelving. I got advice from several interior-designer friends during the reno, including a tip from Andrea Houck that vinyl paper is ideal for shelves

because books and other items wont scuff it. My husband, Jim, designed the shelves, which include a built-in desk and clever hanging wood panels that screen the TV and stereo equipment.

Biggest headache:Jim had a hard time explaining to the carpenters how he envisioned the TV/stereo screen workingit hangs on a roller track, similar to sliding closet doorsplus they kept losing his plans.

Unforeseen issue:What were supposed to be 13-inch shelves to hold 12-inch record albums were cut an inch too shallow. The carpenters installed and stained all that beautiful oak before we realized their error. They had to cut, stain, and attach an extra inch of hidden wood in back. Because it was their fault, they didnt charge for the extra work and materials.

Biggest bang for the buck:Using screen panels instead of fully enclosed cabinetry to hide the TV and stereo components saved us thousands.

Budgeted:$0.

Spent:$1,500.

Time estimated:Two days.

Time spent:Two days.

This is another room that wasnt initially on our renovation radar, but with each passing day after we moved in, the dark, depressing little space became more of an irritation. Wed already finished the basement, then the kitchen, then the library. After making it through nearly six months of work, tacking on a two-day update to the powder room seemed well worth it. We found a fantastic vanity for $875 on Overstock.com that complemented the aspen-tree wallpaper Id been eyeing. Sconces from Schoolhouse Electric added a mod touchand we kept the rooms only attractive feature, a white-framed mirror from Ikea.

Biggest headache:We initially bought peel-and-stick wallpaper, but our paper-hanger, Michael DiGuiseppe, told us to return it and get the real stuff. Peel-and-stick isnt printed on paper, he explained, and tends to have a cheap, plastic-like sheen. Also, real wallpaper is easier to install. DiGuiseppes advice was spot-on, but the return process was a pain.

Unforeseen issue:Not a big deal, butthe light switch. Normally, switches are to the right of door frames as you enter a room, but because this door originally opened inward and to the right, the switch is on the left. I still reach to the right every time I go in.

Biggest bang for the buck:When the door opened inward, it blocked the vanity and you had to back up to the toilet just to close the door. We asked our contractors to change the hinges so the door opens out. This tiny changewhich cost nothingmade the room feel so much bigger.

Budgeted:$15,000.

Spent:$24,800.

Time estimated:Two weeks.

Time it took:Five weeks.

We went in for waterproofing reasonsan old French drain needed to be replaced. But we quickly realized that with a little sprucing up, we could fit much more than storage in the 1,000-square-foot basement.

We tiled the concrete floor, installed decent lighting, and painted. Now the kids can watch TV while playing pool, and my husband and I can use the workout area. We kept the other half of the room for storage.

Biggest headache:Not being able to store stuff down there for so long. We had boxes crammed in everywhere upstairs.

Unforeseen issue:Painting the ceiling, rafters, and overhead ductwork achieved the intended effectit almost feels as if theres no ceilingbut we didnt know that when you paint ducts, youre not supposed to turn on the air conditioning until theyre dry. Because the cold air created condensation, it was raining paint the morning after we moved in, during the thick of Julys heat.

Biggest bang for the buck:Painting the space for $2,850 rather than spending an extra $10,000 to install drywall. The crisp white walls and dark ceiling truly transformed this dingy basement.

Jennifer Sergent, a design writer in Arlington, blogs at dcbydesignblog.com.

This article appears in theAugust2017issue of Washingtonian.

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Before and After: Behind the Scenes of My $140000 Home Remodel - Washingtonian.com

BASSETT, Neb. Mandy Davis is behind the front desk of the Bassett Lodge at 11 p.m. to hand you your room key a big, old-fashioned brass thing on a hefty blue key chain.

Shes there at 7:30 a.m. the next morning, making sure the coffees hot for the local womens bridge group.

Shes there through the Sand Hills high tourist season, when the Range Cafe and historic hotels rooms fill up with sand-covered Niobrara River tubers. Shes there in early fall, when Sturgis bikers stop on their way to the South Dakota rally. And shes there in the middle of winter, when a raging blizzard that drops a foot and a half cant keep locals out of the dining room.

That dedication can be expected from Mandy and her husband, Dale, who, with no experience in either hotels or restaurants, took over the architectural gem to ensure it stays open and Bassett, population 562, stays on the map.

Mandy laughs, and shakes her head when she thinks about the past year and a half, 18 months that changed her life and Dales life, and their six childrens lives, too. She laughs when she thinks about how taking over the about-to-close Bassett Lodge and Range Cafe the heart, some say, of this north-central Nebraska town changed everything for them.

You want to know the truth? Mandy asks. We love this community. I dont know what it would be like without this place.

The Bassett Lodge opened in 1951 on the town's main street to cater to livestock buyers and Sand Hills tourists.

The Bassett Lodge and Range Cafe is the sort of place that nowadays exists only on picture postcards, a relic of a past when cattle buyers descended on small Nebraska towns like this one for booming livestock sales. Those ranchers needed a place to socialize and spend the night, and the Bassett Lodge became famous for providing just that. Now, livestock sales have consolidated, and only a handful of sale barns remain.

The Lodge opened in 1951 on the towns main street, a fine example of art moderne architecture, with its glass-block windows and simple dark-brick facade with rounded corners.

The vintage lobby a time warp of decor, changed little since 51 is made of mahogany wood and trim, with padded green wainscoting and a low fireplace along one wall. Green couches and comfortable chairs fill the space, dating from a time when guests preferred to mingle in the lobby instead of hunker down with cellphones in their rooms.

A switchboard that used to send calls to guests still sits behind the front desk. To its right, a painting of a curly-haired bull called Grand Pappy seems an especially appropriate welcome committee. In the adjoining Range Cafe, a long diner-style bar has its original low, swivel stools. Green and brown booths mirror the color scheme of the lobby. Its a comfortable spot both for tourists and locals, and its story, by this point, is Bassett legend.

Two generations of the Lackoff family ran the hotel for decades. Under their hand, the decor remained unchanged for a half-century. A group of business owners took the hotel over and kept it open.

Gale Simmons and Tony Ford, brother and sister, took it over around 2012. They added and renovated bathrooms, updated the beds and added television sets. Simmons and Ford put the hotel on the market in 2015; few buyers came forward. Late that year, they announced the hotel would close. The plan was to auction off the historic decor and contents of the cafe.

Potential buyers came forward. The Davises were the only ones from Bassett.

Dale had moved to town in 2001, when he started working for Nebraska Game and Parks. Mandy moved there in 2012.

Hes originally from Decatur, and shes from Sargent. Though theyre not natives, they both said sustaining the Lodge became a passion.

The Lodge closed for two weeks in December 2015, before the Davises officially took over, and opened again in January under their control. Ford stuck around to cook and help Mandy and Dale learn the ropes a huge help, she said, especially because they had not worked in the hospitality world. (Mandy formerly worked as a medical lab technician, and Dale still works for Game and Parks as a conservation officer.)

There was a lot of relief, said Marty Moravec, vice president of the Bassett Chamber of Commerce. When one of the major businesses in town closes, it seems like the rest of them arent far behind. It was a huge relief knowing it would stay open.

The hotel and cafe are no easy beast to care for, and Dale has become intimate with the quirks of this old place.

The main short-term goal: to keep everything running. The long-term goals: to install individual climate controls in each room. Dale would like to update one of the pods of rooms on the hotels second floor that have one shared bathroom for a few rooms and market them to cyclists riding the nearby Cowboy Trail. Theyd like to install more electrical outlets and finish remodeling every room.

We have never done anything like this, Dale said. I was in the Marines. Thats similar.

Someone has to stay at the Lodge every night Its a 24/7 business, Dale said and back in the day, the Bassett Lodge had a full staff. Not so these days. Either Dale or Mandy is there four nights a week, and an employee stays the rest of the nights. When the Davises spend the night, they stay in an apartment thats big enough for the two of them and the four of their children who still live at home. (The two oldest are in college.)

Its been a big change for the whole family, Mandy said. Our kids are being raised here.

Clockwise from left, Bassett residents Mary Morton, Faye Smith and Sharon Bussinger play bridge with Melissa Osentowski of Rose, Nebraska.

The familys gotten support from travelers, especially this time of year, but also from Bassett residents.

We have a lot of return guests, Dale said. People who come here every summer, or people who grew up here and come back.

When class reunion season comes around, the Lodge lobby is busy with parties. The same goes for graduation season. And the cafe gets packed with locals on the weekends and, on weekday mornings, with retirees.

Small towns are very supportive, Dale said.

Mary Morton, who plays bridge in the Lodges lobby, saw the hotel being built as a child in Bassett and said little has changed since then, both in how the hotel looks and the role it plays in Bassett.

The cafe is a social hub, she said. It means a lot to the town. If it closed, the town would just kind of shut down.

Moravec agrees: From a tourism standpoint, its huge. And for the locals, it provides another place to eat, which is a nice option in a town of 600-some people.

Since the Davises took over, Moravec said even more locals are supporting the cafe.

The scare of it not being there maybe influenced more people to give them some business, he said. People love seeing, especially in todays day and age, the whole family working together for a common goal.

The Davises do rely on their kids for help around the hotel. But even after theyre all grown and gone, Mandy and Dale are in the Bassett Lodge for the long haul.

I couldnt face the people in town if we sold it, she said. We arent quitters.

Food critic Sarah Baker Hansen is from Omaha. Columnist Matthew Hansen grew up in Red Cloud. As a married couple they travel Nebraska to share with each other little-known people, unexpected stops and memorable foods. Come along and discover more of what the state has to offer in "The Better Half," an occasional series prepared with support from the Nebraska Community Foundation.

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With no experience, family keeps hotel, cafe and small Nebraska town from shutting down - Omaha World-Herald

Thanks to help from BB&TOswald Trippe and Company, visitors to the Kids' Room at Hope Hospice House in Fort Myers will be greeted by new toys and DVDs, a TV, artwork and fresh furnishings in a completely updated space that serves as a cheerful respite for children with family members in Hope's care.

After selecting Hope Hospice as the recipient of its Safeco Lighthouse Project grant, BB&T team members worked together with Hope to coordinate renovations throughout the summer.

"We had a great time remodeling the Kids' Playroom. We helped to create a warm and inviting place for children and parents to unwind while visiting their loved ones," said Stacey Mercado, marketing and sales development specialist at BB&TOswald Trippe and Company.

Photo provided

BB&T representatives, from left, Peaches Gendron, Melissa Wisniewski, Stacey Mercado, Eric Riemenschnei-der and Shernette Atkinson, with Samira K. Beckwith, right, the CEO and president of Hope Hospice

Updates to walls, flooring, furniture and decor completed the new playroom.

"We are so grateful to BB&T for volunteering their time and making the Kids' Room renovation a reality," said Samira K. Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope Healthcare. "Caring community partners like BB&T help us make a difference to the families we serve."

Hope Healthcare is a nonprofit health care organization dedicated to providing care and comfort to every individual and their loved ones as they fulfill life's journey.

Call 239-454-3100 or visit http://www.HopeHCS.org.

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BB&T - Oswald Trippe and Company helps with renovation of Kids' Room at Hope Hospice House - Cape Coral Daily Breeze