It’s no secret that the McIlvain family has a long history in the U.S. lumber industry that extends back to before our country was even a nation. But did you know that throughout the Colonial era, Walnut lumber was also exported? British and European artisans were quick to notice this native species’ distinctively appealing hue […]
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Essential Foot Care Tips for Dancers, Part 1
If you’re a dancer, keeping your feet in great shape should be a top priority. Considering that they contain over 52 of your body’s 208 bones, your feet are an essential and complex part of your body. After all, injured feet can wreak havoc on your ability to balance, leap, twirl, and perform all your […]
Poolside Safety: Protecting Your Skin Against Sun Damage, Part 1
There’s no doubt about it: installing your own backyard swimming pool is an excellent option for those wanting to accommodate — or encourage — a healthy lifestyle, both for themselves and for their friends and family members. However, in addition to other hazards, such as drowning and other water-related injuries and risks, spending extra time […]
Ready, Set, Jump into the Pool: Swimwear Tips and Tricks, Part 2
Selecting quality swimwear and reducing your swimwear’s exposure to various harmful elements are certainly important (see Part 1); however, so is how you care for your swimwear. Particularly after wearing swimwear in chlorinated water, caring for it properly will increase the lifetime of those garments, leaving you more time to enjoy your swimming pool and […]
Extra Perks of Having Your Own Swimming Pool
We’re sure you’ve already realized or read about a few key perks of owning your own pool. But there are probably a few more you haven’t even thought of yet! Better Sanitation for Your Family When you do the math, having your own pool might not seem like it stacks up against a membership to […]
Good News for Rainforests: Green Building with Exotic Lumber, Part 1
“Leave the Rainforests alone!” and “Stop buying exotic lumber!” seem to be the status quo when it comes to making green choices in some circles. But in reality, such advice couldn’t be further from truly accomplishing environmentally friendly aims. You might say it’s as green as a blue moon. While so-called “green” manufactured building products […]
Long Range Planning: 20 Years After Swimming Pool Installation
As you consider having your new in-ground swimming pool installed, maybe the last thing you want to think about is necessary renovations that will need to take place decades from now. On the other hand, perhaps you’re the type that likes to plan ahead. If the latter describes you, then this post is definitely a […]
Turning Childhood Into Art: Creative Fine Art Photography for Children & Teens
Most parents have thousands of photographs of their children. There are pictures from birthdays, vacations, holidays, school events, sports seasons and countless ordinary days at home. Phones have made it easier than ever to document childhood, and those everyday photographs can become incredibly meaningful as the years pass. But what if, instead of simply documenting a […]
Encouraging Healthy Habits in Your Childcare Center: Movement, Part 2
Movement is a healthy part of life for those of all ages (see Part 1), but it’s especially important for preschoolers. While educational standards soar, the youngest children are being robbed of the very thing that they need in order to lay the foundation for healthy emotional, social, and cognitive development. Exercise and Experience Many […]
TFP Modeling Photo Shoots in York, Lancaster & Baltimore Counties
Build Your Modeling Portfolio with PhotoArtGraphy’s Complimentary TFP Photo Shoots. Are you an aspiring model ready to take your first steps into the industry? A parent of a child or teen who dreams of modeling? Or perhaps an established model looking to refresh and expand your portfolio with new, professionally edited images? PhotoArtGraphy invites you […]
What You Need To Know Before Getting a Diving Board, Part 2
One of the most significant additions you can make to your pool itself is a diving board. Of course, as with any pool-related addition or activity, safety is extremely important. In Part 1, we suggested some ways to ensure that you keep your pool a safe place, even with the addition of a diving board. […]
Pool Choices: Vinyl Liner Types
If you’ve decided on a vinyl liner for your soon-to-be-installed new swimming pool, congratulations on that important step! Don’t get too excited, though: you have another big decision to make. Vinyl pool liners come in four basic types; choosing which one will best suit your situation will be the next big choice you’ll need to […]
Tips for Keeping Your Pool Water Looking Great
Your pool’s contents are comprised of two basic variables: water and chemicals. Those two need to be in proper balance in order for your pool to remain a healthy environment. In addition to weekly testing of pool chemicals, sometimes you will need to shock your pool, alter your pool’s water levels, or remove excess oil […]
Pool Owner’s Guide to Algae Prevention
No matter how much of a designer shape your pool takes on, and regardless of the water features that you add or the liner you select, none of that will make up for poor water quality and an algae-infested pool. And if there’s one thing about pool algae that we all know, it’s that once […]
Pool Safety: Policies To Consider
Pool safety is an important part of being a responsible pool owner. In addition to the four basic steps we mentioned in a previous article, you can increase your pool’s safety component by considering implementing even more careful pool-side policies, as suggested by the American Red Cross. Supercharge Your Barrier No, not just any fence […]