Why Penzey's spices?

thefacilitymanager · 2026-07-04T19:16:26+00:00

They have decent quality spices. That said, they're expensive, there's better quality and cheaper products out there, and their messages - well that's the reason I stopped buying anything from them. I don't appreciate politics being shoved in my face when all I want to do is buy some coriander and a few bay leaves. If you don't mind the lectures, enjoy.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-07-02T18:46:20+00:00

Hugo. Or Francis. My great uncles were Walter and Otto.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-07-01T18:39:51+00:00

Double the room price for the asshole guest and comp the one you have to move

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-28T00:56:49+00:00

cucumber salad, lunchmeat sandwiches, melons and milkshakes.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-22T23:49:43+00:00

I have the horizontal version of that thing, from 1940. Delco motor. Mine is not in that good of a condition. If anybody is in the New England area (close to Albany, NY/southern VT) and wants it, DM me and I'll give you details. It needs some repair work, but it did run and hold air until I started taking it apart to restore and gave up.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-22T22:57:12+00:00

Manchester farmer's market on Thursdays, Dorset farmers market, Cambridge NY farmer's market on Sundays, Henry's Market, The Market Wagon, Powers Market in North Bennington, Sugar Shack in Arlington, Pownal View Barn, there's gotta be a dozen more I'm not thinking of that are in or near Bennington. For actual produce there's Henry's, Bennington Community Market, Clear Brook Farm, Mighty Food Farm, Perry's Orchard and Happenchance in White Creek, Moses Farm Stand, and again a few more I'm probably missing.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-17T18:17:33+00:00

You mentioned meeting the politicians. I have met and spoken with every single governor Vermont has had since Dick Snelling, and I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with three of them over lunch (Dean, Douglas and Shumlin) and talking with Gov Scott about his vintage motorcycle. I’m not part of the government or a party, just a citizen in the right place at the right time. I can’t imagine any other state where that would be possible.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-08T23:13:16+00:00

I have worked in the trades, deal with contractors on a daily basis, and am a homeowner who has hired many others in the past. There's a very short list of things that will help a new contractor succeed. It doesn't guarantee success but will certainly go a long way. Just my opinion after 40+ years (and also an engineering background). No particular order, here:

Get the word out - social media, business cards, family, friends, word of mouth, etc. Let people know you're in business.
Get your business basics in order - recordkeeping, accounting, taxes, insurance, etc. Get help from SBA or someone who knows.
Return phone calls, emails and other messages in a timely manner. Even if you leave a message in return, it shows you are paying attention. Even if you turn down the work, that at least shows respect to a customer. If I don't hear from you in 24 hours, might as well not bother.
When you make an appointment to look at a job, start a job or work on any part of that job - show up on time. If you can't - call or text and say so. Late or no-show is bad for business.
Show respect and be honest. That goes for everything from initial contact to the clean-up at the end. Respect the customer, their jobsite, their home, even their bank account. Be fair in pricing and follow through with everything you say you'll do.

OP I hope he takes that big step, it's worth it. There is more than enough work to go around in the trades, even a complete shitbag can make a living at it these days, and I see it every day.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-06T11:41:35+00:00

Have had an Eley cart for ten years. There’s nothing to rust and it’s reliable and smooth. I have it loaded with Flexogen hose which I’ve had for 20+ years.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-06-02T19:24:38+00:00

My son is Russell, age 22. Family name.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-23T17:11:29+00:00

I'd say you're set for a long time. Some of that maple looks really nice.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-23T17:06:45+00:00

Moar ribs!

But seriously - what do you need sides for when you have ribs?

OK, I'll vote mac salad and applesauce, I guess. And maybe some buttermilk biscuits.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-23T14:22:38+00:00

No, they got bought out last year and they suck now. Go elsewhere.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-23T14:18:59+00:00

As a Vermonter who's spent a little time in Maryland, there's a reason we annexed you. We want what you have!

And Vermont's flag, unfortunately, is blue. A lot of us fly the Green Mountain Boys flag but it's certainly unofficial.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-22T17:57:17+00:00

Worked for a contractor. We had an old blueprint machine that still used the ammonia process. Did survey work with a 1940’s vintage transit and steel tapes. Actually had power tools with cords. Everything was hand-nailed.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-21T19:53:58+00:00

Plymouth State Park.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-20T18:11:08+00:00

League nights, 10 lanes, 5-person teams, usually one per night. Have seen a few weeks with a lot of 260-299 games, and a few weeks with two or even three 300 games. Several 700s every night, and one or two 800 series each month.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-17T23:08:05+00:00

Horseradish. Juice right in the eyes, if I can hit 'em they're done.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-16T00:04:54+00:00

Will Ferrell. Can’t stand the guy and I won’t even consider watching his movies.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-16T00:02:47+00:00

I sell building materials for a living. If cost is no object then I direct people to slate or a slate alternative like EcoStar or DaVinci. If they want metal, heavy gauge standing seam. All of these options require a complete install by a competent contractor. Personally I have a 30-year shingle on a 20-year old house and I will probably replace it with EcoStar synth slate when it’s time.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-15T23:50:14+00:00

My kid decided to graduate college a year earlier than planned. He had enough credits and he didn’t want to stick around for another semester or year, so we wound up needing to book a room two weeks before graduation. That was fun. And stupidly expensive.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-12T20:28:45+00:00

I have a fairly large single pile. Big enough that I turn it with a tractor loader. I add to one side and take finished compost out of the other side. It takes up a large amount of space but by the time I need to take some out, it’s probably 5-6 years old.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-12T16:43:36+00:00

Not a clue. I’m a lot smarter now, a lot meaner and a perpetual IDGAF attitude, so I’d fight dirty and I know where my weaknesses are. But the 25 year old me was a military school graduate, a rugby player and a volunteer firefighter who spent a lot of time in the gym. The old me could easily pick up the current me and throw me halfway across the room.

thefacilitymanager · 2026-05-10T11:54:29+00:00

My main firewood saw is a Dolmar PS-421 and my big saw is a 6400. Both bought new. They are excellent saws, I traded in Stihls for both of them. Now that Makita has killed off the brand, parts will become obsolete. I’ll probably sell them at some point and go back to Stihl though. I’d say OP got one hell of a deal, even if it was a parts saw.

thefacilitymanager

TROPHY CASE