August 1987

EDITOR'S LETTER

The shirt-sleeve bagpipe player pictured at right is Eric More Marshal, a history teacher from North East, Pennsylvannia. You may have seen him on television this summer in another role. Both this year and last, Better Homes and Gardens has sent him on a nationwide tour to speak on a subject dear to his heart-- family reunions.

REUNION ALMANAC

Make your next family get-together a truly memorable occasion. Here's a sampling of expert advice from our readers.

TRASH-CAN HIDEAWAY

HORTICULTURAL BREAKTHROUGH

READER MAILBOX

THE BATTLE AGAINST BUGS

TEST GARDEN TIP

HOT-WEATHER TECHNIQUES

The Better Homes and Gardens INNOVATION HOUSE

That's the challenge Better Homes and Gardens magazine, the American Plywood Association (APA), the American Wood Council, and Progressive Architecture and Builder magazines issued to entrants in this year's Innovations in Housing contest.

DOING BATTLE WITH MILDEW

Here's how to prevent mildew or remove it from dank basements, interior walls, and bathroom tile.

PAINTED FLOORS

What a refreshing look these artful paint jobs bring to a worn wood floor! From classic colonial checks and play ful hearts to faux fringed rugs, such de signs can personalize any room.

EMERGENCY CARE FOR PETS

WHAT TO DO WHEN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN Follow the four steps below, whatever the emergency. For advice on how to treat specific injuries, turn to page 44. Your quick, calm actions can ease your pet's discomfort and minimize complications. Always take your pet to a veterinarian after administering at-home first aid.

WHEN YOU DISAPPROVE OF YOUR TEENAGER'S PALS

Lately, your son has deserted his old friends for a new, fast crowd. Their bizarre clothes are bad enough, but their parties really worry you. Still, you know that well-intentioned warnings can backfire.

NEW WINDOWS, NEW LOOK

Replacing three leaky aluminum windows with four wood round-tops brought new style and efficiency to a '50s ranch.

HOME LOAN STRATEGIES

A sudden boost in mortgage rates may sink your home-loan application midstream. With interest rates more unpredictable than ever, what are your choices?

A SPIFFED-UP KITCHEN IN THE SAME OLD SPACE

Fine-tuning a kitchen floor plan can turn around the whole room without costing you a fortune.

OUR EDITORS BUILD A SUN-ROOM

TODAY'S SUN-ROOMS COME IN A KIT. OUR BUILDING EDITORS CHOSE ONE THEY LIKED AND POOLED THEIR LABOR TO PUT IT TOGETHER. YOU CAN TOO!

SMALL-SPACE TACTICS

Small spaces become great places when you use any or all of these time-tested tactics:

FALL GARDENING

This autumn turn your garden into a vegetable factory. To show you how rewarding a fall garden can be, we planted a small plot of soil with 18 different crops and followed its progress from early August till late October.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

EVERY RECIPE ANALYZED With each recipe we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of individual servings and the amount, in grams, of protein, fat, cholesterol, and sodium help you keep tabs on what you eat.

HOW TO ORDER

Big impact architecture in modest space is just one of the challenges presented to architects and designers all over the country in the annual Innovations in Housing design competition. Every once in a while a really outstanding house comes along, and this one took top prize in the contest sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens, Progressive Architecture, and Builder magazines with the Wood Products Promotion Council.

PICK-UP-AND-GO CRAFTS

Steal a little time here and there for handiwork that has big results! These simple take-along squares are easy enough to do anywhere.

TRAVEL TIPS

Order these guidebooks from the U.S. Cousumer Information Center. The National Parks Camping Guide(Item 152, $3.50) details the services and facilities available in 103 national parklands.

THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

Autumn explodes with splendor in the South. The highlands from Virginia to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia resemble the work of an extravagant painter. Across range upon range of summits, color stretches to all horizons.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Why do otherwise rational people spend five minutes making room in the dishwasher for a serving platter that would take about 30 seconds to wash by hand?