THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506020097
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND THE HOUSE
SOURCE: BY MARY FLACHSENHAAR, SPECIAL TO HOME & GARDEN
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
SOME DAYS YOU want privacy in the backyard. And some days you'd rather have the view.
A product called the LouvreRail mechanism can create a fence that goes both ways. With a flick of the wrist, fence slats open or close in tandem, just like louvres. The mechanism, patented by the Pennsylvania company LouvreRail Enterprises Inc. in 1992, can also be used to control the amount of light or wind coming into the yard.
The kit, which retails for $30 to $40 depending on its size, is easy enough for the do-it-yourselfer to install, according to the manufacturer. It is best suited to new construction, renovation and upgrades to existing fences.
Made of acetal resin, the material used in ski bindings, the mechanism is guaranteed to operate in a wide variety of temperatures and to resist moisture, solvents and UV rays.
The kit is available at Kempsville Building Materials in Virginia Beach and the Home Quarters stores on Virginia Beach Boulevard and at Janaf Shopping Center.
Consumers with questions are invited to call the manufacturer at 610-558-3515 or write LouvreRail, P.O. Box 507, Concordville, PA 19331-0507. HUMMELS IN THE WORKS
While the kids are riding the Big Bad Wolf, their less courageous parents might prefer a visit to the Hummel exhibit that will open soon at the German gift shop at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
This summer the theme park will be home to a reproduction of the Goebel factory in Germany, which began producing porcelain Hummels in 1935. Each figure is based on a drawing of Sister M.I. Hummel, whose artistic talents were discovered by Franz Goebel in 1934.
Visitors to the re-created factory will go step by step through the making of a Hummel figure and will view archival pieces. Master artisans from the German factory will demonstrate the craft throughout the season.
You may be dazzled but you won't get dizzy. GIFT TO BLOW DAD'S SOCKS OFF
If you've been striking out on ideas for Father's Day gifts, here's a wild pitch.
With the recent introduction of the baseball ceiling fan, Hunter Fan Company in Illinois has reached new heights. Even diehard sports fans will take their eyes off the TV screen to admire this unusual accessory. Its blades resemble baseball bats, the motor housing looks like a catcher's mitt, the light globe is a baseball. And yes, you're right, that is a home plate applique attaching the fan to the ceiling.
The fan, with a suggested manufacturer's retail price of $100, will be in area home improvement centers sooner than it would take many umps to say the word ``strike.'' Right now, Lowe's stores can special-order the fan, but you might have to move like a base stealer to get one in time for Father's Day.
With the major leagues and the baseball fan in full swing, Dad will have a grand slam of a day. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
LouvreRail Enterprises Inc.
LouvreRail allows you to open or close fence slats with the flick of
a wrist, suitable for hot tubs, pools and gardens.
by CNB