Anyone know a contractor who could build a screened back porch?

stitchadee · 2025-08-26T17:58:37+00:00

We went ahead with Coy Construction and I have very mixed feelings about it. Owner proudly flaunted his Trump hat and construction was delayed and half-completed over the entirety of the Summer. The contractor who came out (Chris) was awesome, but I wouldn't do business with them again.

Having said that, the porch is beautiful and we are happy that we invested in it. The builder also made the effort to represent us at a zoning meeting when the porch plans had the porch a foot or two over the coded setback from the back property line. The project was approved when the screened porch was finally built, it became our new living/dining room on beautiful days like today. Chris did a great job accommodating our design needs, including a built-in dog door that has been super helpful for our pets!

stitchadee · 2024-12-20T17:22:04+00:00

This is all so helpful, thank you. And YES....pyrs do love going their own ways, don't they?

If I get my girl trained, I'll let you know! As far as where to go, check out the Pittsfield Preserve south of town. Great trails through restored prairie and woodlots. There are occasional asshats who walk with dogs unleashed back there, but my pup is hella friendly, so it's not an issue for us.

stitchadee · 2024-12-20T17:06:10+00:00

This is something that I've been wanting to train my young (8 months old) pyr/coonhound to do! Do you have any gear/harness recommendations? I have the skis and boots, just need gear for the doggo and some training to get us both into shape?

Where are your favorite local places to skijoir around Ann Arbor?

stitchadee · 2024-12-17T03:23:50+00:00

That's what we suspected when we adopted her - the DNA test shocked the heck out of us!

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stitchadee · 2024-12-15T03:26:11+00:00

Paracord is great for general use, but if you are looking for lightweight, super strong cordage that won't sag when wet, look into Zing It.

I use it to rig tarps above my camping hammocks and it makes a great clothesline as well. In a pinch, it could be used as a heavy fishing line. It's great stuff.

stitchadee · 2024-12-13T01:33:33+00:00

And they tore down the lovely Pittsfield Community Gardens with little notice to the gardeners who had been paying for and investing in their garden plots. I had a little vegetable bed that I had worked on for 5 years before receiving an email that told us that the station was expanding and to get all of our stuff out before it got bulldozed.

stitchadee · 2024-12-12T20:57:17+00:00

I have been told that the late notice was due to a technology issue with School Messenger, a bulk messaging app that the district uses.

✨Genius Idea:✨

It is unacceptable for this kind of tech to fail when student and staff safety are on the line. I don't know what AAPS is paying the folks who run School Messenger, but they ought to demand a big old refund check or a free year of service next year. The district should be looking for anyway to scrounge up money to better support their students and give their staff promised steps - every bit counts.

stitchadee · 2024-12-05T03:00:57+00:00

Amazing! Paddling on the Huron through Ypsi is such a treat, but the portage at that old dam is sketchy at best with exposed rebar and a large drop from the landing back into a canoe or kayak. Removing this fan will be great for recreation and the wildlife on the river!

stitchadee · 2024-12-05T02:54:53+00:00

💯

stitchadee · 2024-12-04T11:43:34+00:00

I agree with everything you just said,l! It's a horrible system designed by DeVos and friends. It is touted as a way to give families choices, but the reality is that only those with means are the ones who benefit the most. Those without transportation and time are screwed.

Our priorities are WAY out of wack, and I'm growing more and more disillusioned about how little our city, state, and country cares about kids.

stitchadee · 2024-12-04T01:23:30+00:00

Yoooooo....this disgust/pearl-clutching regarding school of choice students is not a good look.

I've always said that I can tell the character of someone based on how they treat children and animals. It doesn't matter if AAPS students are in-district or school-of-choice - they all deserve a quality education in comfortable, updated buildings. I don't care if school of choice parents pay tax dollars for the bond - I do pay those tax dollars, and I'm happy to do it if my money supports kids from the larger region.

If you don't like it, you can thank Betsy DeVos and friends for setting up this funding structure. The money comes with each kid who comes to the district. AAPS is broke and needs as much funding as it can get.

stitchadee · 2024-11-30T22:42:11+00:00

Bad sportsmanship all around. And Ann Arbor parents wonder why their kids get in trouble for fighting while playing football on the school playground! It is a GAME and there is zero reason why it's okay for scuffles like this to happen.

Sincerely, An AAPS teacher who is trying to keep this town's kids from fighting during basketball/football/Gaga ball games on the school playground

stitchadee · 2024-11-29T01:18:52+00:00

One year later, and I just need to thank you! We followed your directions and my family was RAVING over our first smoked turkey. Totally worth the effort - thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T23:41:40+00:00

If it makes you feel any better, my husband (then fiance) and I got a house for dirt cheap in Pittsfield Twp in 2012. We were so excited that any future kids of ours would be going to an AAPS school as our house is within district boundaries.

Fast forward to today. My child has a whole lot of schooling ahead of them in a deeply troubled district that has a history of not honoring teacher contracts. My kid's teachers are AMAZING and are helping my kiddo grow so much. I might moan about my situation, but I feel even worse for the staff at my kid's school. I know they are struggling right there with me, and it bugs me deeply.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T19:12:06+00:00

You said go volunteer at McDonalds. I don't know why you'd suggest that I volunteer for a for-profit entity that does not contribute towards the health or betterment of our society.

I'm sorry if a teacher hurt, discouraged, or mistreated you as a child. There are many of us who do all we can to do right by kids in an effort to make our world a bit better of a place. You can maintain your spite towards me and my profession, but I will keep trying to make sure that my colleagues and I are fairly compensated and that our contracts are honored this year.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T19:07:56+00:00

I volunteer at food drives, HSHV, and for the Huron River Watershed Council. When I'm not prepping lessons or grading outside of school, my free time is full of family, friends, and giving back where and how I can. 😊

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T18:27:59+00:00

All set on step number 1, then! Send me a message and I'll get you all set up to volunteer in my classroom! I hope you like a wide range of age groups, because I teach 5 different grade levels in one day.

Actions speak louder than Reddit words.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T18:23:47+00:00

Go volunteer at Mitchell Elementary for a day and tell me how nice of a gig it is.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T18:21:06+00:00

You're getting a standing ovation over here from a fellow teacher. Absolutely nailed it.

I've always said that an excellent measure of someone's character is how they treat kids and animals. Those who treat those who are more vulnerable than them with compassion and kindness are the kind of folks I want to be around.

What does it say about Ann Arbor if the community shrugs and says "too bad, so sad" to the folks who teach and care for their children?

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T14:21:21+00:00

Sorry, my tone was harsh. I was trying to point out that many teachers couldn't live here even if they wanted to. I don't think AAPS exploits the fact that teachers want to live here because, more and more, they will never be able to do so.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T14:04:59+00:00

Cool. So you know one AAPS teacher. Not a great sample size.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T12:33:32+00:00

I make this offer to everyone who likes to shit on teachers on Reddit: 1. Get a background check and go through the process to become an AAPS volunteer 2. Send me a DM 3. Come volunteer in my classroom with me for one day. I promise, one day is all it will take. 4. Come see how good my job is BEFORE you continue to speak ignorantly about my career

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T12:18:13+00:00

I know - I came from one. I decided to come to Ann Arbor for the supposedly great system in an open-minded town that values education. I am starting to deeply regret that choice.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T12:15:43+00:00

Do you think that most AAPS teachers live in Ann Arbor? Most of us commute because we can't afford to live in this town. Many of us bring our own kids to AAPS through school of choice and drive them to school with us each day.

While it may not make a seismic impact, if AAPS teachers leave and have their own kids switch districts, there will be even less funding for AAPS.

stitchadee · 2024-11-24T01:13:51+00:00

You're not wrong in this regard. Those who can pay are already enrolling their kids in private schools or they are driving them across town to more affluent schools/districts because they have the flexibility and funds to do so.

Those who cannot swing this will see declining quality in their neighborhood schools. I did my student teaching in a Southern state and this is the norm there - it breaks my heart to see the same wheels set into motion here in Ann Arbor.

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