This is probably not the page you’re looking for CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Sterling Homes’ Macquarie Terrace 125 design I love it so much I’m even going to the Champagne region on my next holiday So when I saw the shimmering tone of some divine-looking kitchen cupboards in a display home at Andrews Farm – and then found out the colour was called champagne – well They are one of the many features in Sterling Homes’ new three-bedroom two-bathroom Macquarie Terrace 125 display at Brookmont estate that set a benchmark in terms of what a first home can be This gleaming choice of finish takes what would otherwise be a standard cupboard or drawer and elevates it to the next level So does the Caesarstone benchtop with its crisp lines and expensive-looking style Both will be upgrade items in terms of your budget but when it comes to a home you plan to live in for several years No longer does ‘first home’ have to mean basic amenities and that’s because builders have clued on to what the Millennial first-home buyers’ want and need often with regular specials and extras offered when you sign up This home is priced from $125,050 and that includes a double garage and 2.7m-high ceilings Then there’s the polished large-format floor tiles They look great so they are an easy choice but also a clever one as the light reflective quality is always a good option in courtyard homes the Macquarie Terrace 125 design isn’t a small home even though it will fit on a 12.5m-wide block including one main living zone in a L-configuration plus the bonus of an outdoor terrace under the main roof older downsizers looking for something less than what than had But it also will be good for investors wanting to build one or more as a subdivision investment project Sterling Homes’ operations manager Robert Argenio says the Macquarie Terrace 125 is a larger and more luxurious courtyard-home option that is still reasonably priced and has good-size spaces for a comfortable lifestyle has a charm to it as your secluded piece of the world that you call home,” he says “The colour palette keeps things feeling light and traditional With no use of a bold feature colour that demands attention the entertaining area blends into one symbiotic space “To emphasise this calming and light feeling and to bring some extra colour and life into the home we used indoor plants which really enhance the feel of the home.” But structural inclusions will always help sway your mind on a design (there are several versions of this home to choose from) having a terrace under the main roof as part of the base design is a fabulous find and means no extra needs to be spent on an outdoor entertaining area “This home is proving popular – the Macquarie design series is one of our best sellers and the Macquarie Terrace 125 with its specific features tailored to a more modern and spacious living area is a great option for many people,” Robert says a recessed wall acts as a focal point and provides a niche for a television and the entertainment unit to sit in streamlined modern fashion The U-shaped kitchen is practical with wraparound cupboards as well as that stunning benchtop in subtle Frosty Carrina – one of my favourite Caesarstone colours The dining also has its own zone which is another favourable feature and looks out to the backyard “The open living area is perfect for both everyday family life and for entertaining with friends,” Robert says “This home’s layout allows for a more flexible set out of furniture in the living area and a dedicated nook for a TV dining and kitchen all have a great outlook on to the terrace as well.” The design’s three bedrooms are scattered from the front to the middle portion of the home and in terms of street and neighbourhood noise Each has built-in wardrobes as standard – and the master with a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite – and this is something you should look for on the plan to see if they are standard or come at an extra cost the long laundry is fitted out with a simple but long benchtop plus cupboards while the three-way bathroom down the hall offers a practical layout and a tall linen cupboard – just what families and renters alike will require these wet areas have been specced to look fabulous which appear in both bathrooms and on the laundry and kitchen splashbacks to great effect a large mirror and the soft pink-coloured towels in the bathrooms it’s a glamorous look I’m sure many home buyers will love you want wet areas to be usable,” Robert says the shower’s size and the ample bench space all create a usable no-fuss design which is what you want when you’re waking up early and getting ready for the day.” there’s internal entry from the double garage as well as an extra space on one side of the garage While this may not seem like a big feature it will offer valuable storage space or perhaps a workbench for home DIY fans to organise their projects – maybe even a beer fridge I would fill mine with beer and the odd bottle of champagne third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. The Mirage by Fairmont Homes on display at Brookmont estate It might go by the name “Mirage” but there’s no illusion about this Fairmont Homes design – it’s a very real option when it comes to contemporary living Featuring all the elements a family needs – such as four large bedrooms a long laundry and two main living zones – the Mirage is proving to be one of the most popular designs in the Fairmont portfolio the 248.58sqm home boasts a host of other standout features designed to meet the demands of modern life With the display home offering plenty of stylish luxe upgrades to showcase to buyers what they can enjoy the Mirage is striking a chord with people looking for quality says Fairmont Homes’ sales and marketing manager Graeme Baird “The response from the public has been amazing,” he says “The Mirage is one of our top-selling homes It’s popular with both young families wanting space to grow but equally popular for those downsizing but not wanting to settle for a courtyard living space.” Graeme says careful thought was directed into the layout to create a warm “We’re delighted to say the designers got it right,” he says “From the minute you step through our front door you will know you’re in a special place – the design exudes space light and openness and people can imagine themselves living here “This house design was formed by evaluating how we use space to entertain while also wanting the ability to retain our own privacy “The result is an open flowing plan offering a huge central gathering area complemented by an alfresco while allowing for privacy through large bedrooms and separate recreational areas.” Featuring quality fixtures and fittings throughout – luxe kitchen finishes higher-than-standard 2.7m ceilings and a luxury bathroom package with marble-look tiles in the shower recess – the Andrews Farm display home demonstrates the Mirage’s elegance “It’s a clever design that has all the features of much larger homes but is offered at a very affordable price,” Graeme says stone benchtops and decorative cornices gives it an air of elegance.” Sleek kitchen appliances and the smoky dark glass splashback add a touch of glam to the heart of the home as well – the kitchen is a stylish hub that’s hard to go past It’s a perfect combination of polished surfaces and gleaming benches leading to the walk-in pantry which also boasts a convenient access door to the garage The dining zone opens directly out to the alfresco area while the family lounge is located further back The carpeted lounge room at the front of the home is a light-filled alternative area to escape to and even though it’s open to the entry hall it feels relaxing and snug despite its generous 3.87m by 4.46m dimensions Likewise the master bedroom offers good proportions which can come with mirrored built-in wardrobes adds a pleasant ambience within this private zone which also has a walk-through wardrobe leading to a discreet ensuite grouped around a smart three-way bathroom and a long laundry The Mirage is a medium-large sized home so it will require a wide frontage of at least 17m and a minimum 30m deep block This display home is situated at Andrews Farm the latest development in the northern suburbs within the Playford Alive Council zone which has good links to both the Northern Expressway and Main North Rd “The northern corridor is a popular growth area for families and this home is designed to offer amazing features at an affordable price,” Graeme says He says the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder stimulus scheme – in which owner-occupiers are being offered $25,000 cash grants to build or renovate a home – only adds to the price appeal of the Mirage “It’s an exciting opportunity for buyers,” he says of the plan “For many it will be a genuine chance to gain home ownership for others a truly once-in-a-lifetime chance to gain instant equity How hard is it for any of us to save $25,000?“The grant offers opportunity not just for those who are financially secure but for average families or individuals to gain home ownership home ownership has always been something to aspire to and we are lucky that the grant is going to allow another generation of Australians to fulfil that dream.” And Fairmont Homes can help deliver that dream – with a Mirage you can live in AtlantisTrudy Oram that makes you unwind from the day’s tensions Well, that is what it felt like as I walked through Fairmont Homes’ Atlantis display at Brookmont estate It is one of three displays on show there – each with a completely different aesthetic – but it was the softly-toned interior of the Atlantis that felt calm and contemporary as soon as I walked in yet the Atlantis offers more than I was expecting from its sweet villa-style exterior Inside you’ll find three tranquil bedrooms light coloured tiles and higher-than-standard 2.55m ceilings work together to create an elegant home that feels far more spacious than its 196sqm proportions sound Fairmont Homes’ sales manager Graeme Baird says it will attract particular buyers: either those starting out in the property market or those looking for less upkeep but with all the charm of a bigger home “The Atlantis is suited to those seeking space and lifestyle on a smaller allotment; it could equally suit a young aspiring professional or those downsizing from the family home but still seeking large rooms and space,” he says if it has dimensions at least 12.5m wide and 30m deep So taking care of the garden will be a breeze particularly as part of your backyard will include an alfresco which is built under the main roof (and is a standard inclusion) An open-plan living zone takes up the width of this home and it transitions seamlessly to the alfresco And windows on three sides of this space ensure there will always be enough natural daylight flooding in “This generous area is also designed around a large alfresco for those days when you just want to sit outside and relax or when your entertaining in larger numbers,” Graeme says “The rear opens up to a huge gathering zone; with kitchen family areas all open to facilitate space for families to meet the kitchen’s U shape design is a clever feature that allows ample benchtop space and breakfast bar seating for families and friends to gather around It also comes with a corner pantry to keep all the essentials handy and the light laminate finishes on display are a stylish look that allows you to keep the budget in check the dining zone takes full advantage of the backyard views the lounge showcases Fairmont’s smart design points and standard inclusions such as the niche to streamline a wall-mounted television and entertainment unit and is a clever way to maximise your floor space “It’s ergonomically designed so that each and every room is impressive giving the feel that you are in a much larger home,” Graeme says “The elevation and high ceilings are an upgrade but this home includes a very high level of standard specification … items that traditionally many builders charge extra for clients will be eligible for our designer kitchen upgrade and luxury bathroom bonus packages.” The Atlantis is filled with features that emphasise space shown as a rather elegant formal space with plush carpet and all you would need to do is add a couple of doors “A second living zone gives the option of a fourth bedroom or perhaps a home theatre,” Graeme says The central part of the home is the sleeping zone positioned to keep it as quiet as possible for residents I particularly like the bedrooms in this design not just for its lush decor in cream and baby blue but because your family’s privacy will be assured all have wide windows to draw in the light and even the laundry The main bathroom is modern and well equipped with storage and the master bedroom’s ensuite retains the same soothing tones to create a tranquil environment as you get ready in the morning giving privacy to each part of the home,” Graeme says this home competes well with much larger designs.” This is the kind of design I can imagine I would like to live in when I’m ready to downsize as it doesn’t feel confined or small as the rooms are generous and it does have a great connection to the outdoor spaces “This design certainly represents value – mid-ranged in size but size is not always a defining point when it comes to creating a stunning home,” Graeme says “The trick is to design around what is important to you and your lifestyle “It is important to have good room sizes; so never compromise on room size to create additional rooms.” Fairmont Homes’ Mirage display at Brookmont estate activities and time for family and friends A new home design called the Mirage, from Fairmont Homes It also has what you will want: a walk-in pantry an alfresco for outdoor entertaining plus a study nook for children to do homework or to keep as your media station This is positioned just out of sight of the main living zone so you’ll be able to keep your living room for relaxing rather than technology What the Mirage also has is a really nice aesthetic and an easy flow is zoned into three parts and the display has been given a number of stylish designer upgrades to showcase to home buyers what they can have With items such as stone benchtops and luxury kitchen finishes higher than standard 2.7m ceilings and the luxury bathroom package with marble-look tiles in the shower recess there’s certainly a range of ways to luxe up your look “This design has already attracted attention… it offers amazing value,” says Fairmont Homes’ sales and marketing manager Graeme Baird with beautiful cement-look tiles in the main living areas a clever choice of wide windows to draw in natural light and a soft colour palette complemented by timber furniture with dashes of black in the interior adding a modern contrast It’s a look that will attract a range of buyers from young families wanting to get a start on the property ladder through to downsizers looking for a new home that’s minimal maintenance “This home is designed specifically for the lifestyle needs of today’s busy a dedicated entertainment area and a large open recreational area The additional outdoor alfresco for entertaining just makes this home a perfect family choice.” Impressing me as I walk through is the attention to detail features such as the routed internal doors which add a stylish elegance and the industrial pendant lights which create a modern ambience Sleek kitchen appliances and the smoky dark glass splashback add a touch of glam as well the kitchen is a stylish hub that is hard to go past without admiring It’s enough to make you feel happy every day and long gleaming benches leading to the walk-in pantry which also has an access door to the garage stools so the family can gather for breakfast or lunch The dining area is adjacent and this also opens directly to the alfresco with the focus on a bulkhead niche which cleverly streamlines where the entertainment unit built-in joinery and sofas/furniture will go Built-in joinery in the display home showcases just how sleek it can look and the clean lines enhance the space within lounge this design allows us to congregate and socialise together while still giving us the space to do our own thing,” Graeme says The carpeted lounge room at the front of the home is a light-filled alternative space to retreat to and even though it’s open to the entry hall Likewise the master bedroom has good proportions it all ties in to create a family friendly design particularly with features such as the children’s study nook Graeme says it is also one of his favourite parts of the home “The beautiful wide hallway and study area… it transforms a dark passage into something functional and quite special,” he says The Mirage design is a medium-large sized home so it will require a wide frontage of at least 17m and a minimum 30m deep block Locals say corellas have returned to the area over recent weeks, damaging street lights, signs and trees. (ABC Open: Gemma Deavin) Link copiedShareShare articleThousands of noisy corellas in search of food are terrorising residents in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, wreaking havoc to street lights, signs and trees. The local council has tried using everything from drones to pyrotechnics to disperse the birds, but now they are calling on the Environment Department to take charge. A flock of corellas captured on a mobile phone flying over a house at Andrews Farm shows the level of noise the birds make as they pass over homes. Sandy Bandtock said that scene and sound were all too familiar to her in nearby Munno Para West. "Five past six in the morning they come past and then they come past in the afternoon and then they do it again probably at 10 past six that night as well," she said. Ms Bandtock said the noise could be "quite frightening, until you know what it is". Glenn Docherty says the birds have caused massive amounts of destruction. (ABC Open contributor Greg Sylvia) In recent years, the corellas have been frequent visitors to the northern suburbs. But over the past few weeks they have returned with a vengeance, laying siege to Adelaide's northern suburbs. Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said the birds have caused massive amounts of destruction. "[We have] experienced a lot of bird business on the roofs, on the bitumen, all over our cars, damage to lights in the street because they like to get the insects," he said. "The trees have got no leaves on them from them eating it all. Ms Bandtock says the noise of the corellas can be "quite frightening." (Audience submitted: Rod Squire) Mr Docherty said good weather and ample food had brought the birds further south from their usual home. "There's a couple of distinct groupings of birds, they've sort of emigrated out of the RAAF Edinburgh air force base, and they can be in flocks of a couple of hundred or up to a couple of thousand at a time," he said. "It's not a problem just unique to Playford, but across the northern suburbs and even into the inner parts of Adelaide." The council have tried a range of ways to try to disperse the birds, which have caused thousands of dollars in damage across the area. So far Mr Docherty said they have tried using a falconer — falcons are a natural predator of the birds — to help disperse the flocks. Playford council have even tried using drones to scatter the birds. (ABC News) They have also used drones to scatter the birds away, as well as pyrotechnics and bird scaring devices. While those techniques move the birds elsewhere, Mr Docherty said ultimately the Environment Department needed to take charge. "We're very keen on the State Government to take some proactive action, because Council's trying to do its best but we don't have any legal power to manage or control them on a long term basis. "The flocks will continue to grow and they'll move closer to Adelaide and cause more issues for the community. "It's something only they have control of about how they disperse numbers and how they help to control numbers." In a statement, the state's Environment Department said it was "regularly reviewing approaches to mitigate impacts from corellas and is working closely with local councils and land managers to improve the outcomes for concerned residents." It also suggested residents use noise and lights to deter the birds, but admitted a variety of disturbance measures might be needed to move them on. Mr Docherty says ultimately the Environment Department need to take charge. (Supplied: Australian Drone Mania Photography) The Sierra may be the home for youTrudy Oram I GET the distinct feeling Fairmont Homes’ Sierra design is going to attract first-home buyers who love to entertain The clue is in the layout and it’s all about entertaining On this visit out to bustling Andrews Farm I was here to see the new three-bedroom Sierra display and it was soon easy to see how the whole indoor/outdoor entertaining zone will work when the doors open the Sierra comes with whopping great big alfresco and adjacent the home’s living/dining and kitchen zone It took a couple of minutes to realise just how big as I wandered outside to take a closer look at it and the surrounding garden Its 5.07m x 3.5m will fit an 8-10 seater table easily and you can tell this zone has been planned for those who love to entertain and get outside in the summer months or just enjoy life outdoors The 11.5m-wide Sierra will fit on a minimum 375sqm block and as you can see in the display there’s still enough outdoor space to put up the kids’ swing set maybe a cubby or park an extra car to tinker with in the backyard And the fact a massive Bunnings is just down the road I get the feeling that people wanting to build the Sierra may choose to do so in this new part of Andrews Farm – it’s just way too convenient for DIY-ers who like to make regular weekend trips to the hardware giant The affordable starting price of $134,290 is also bound to attract home buyers looking to get into their first or even their last home “Young aspiring professionals or those downsizing from a larger home but still seeking large open spaces and lifestyle will like the Sierra,” says Fairmont Homes’ sales and marketing manager Graeme Baird it’s designed to accentuate a feeling of size and space The main gathering area is huge and designed to facilitate interaction and entertaining.” “It’s ergonomic design makes this house very affordable This design comes with one main living zone which spans the width of the home and incorporates the kitchen all carefully placed to have its own space Walk in to this rear-facing open plan and the lounge is zoned by a bulkhead which sleekly integrates the TV and joinery cupboards with views out to the alfresco and side yard Further back on the other side of the room the dining area also looks directly outside and there’s a decent amount of space around the immaculately styled table But what brings it all together and creates a real presence in the open-plan is the bold black and white L-shape kitchen The window splashback with its green wall outside makes a stunning impact contrasting against the matt black on upper cupboards white lower cupboards and the island with its timber-grain laminate “The kitchen is an entertainer’s delight… it’s light-filled thanks to a feature glass splashback window and the generous bench space and island offers versatility,” Graeme says connecting and entertaining and having the space to move freely don’t underestimate the value of living areas that capture a northern aspect and the value of outdoor entertaining areas design should incorporate storage and rooms that allow for privacy.” the laundry is close by and a pleasant bright room that will serve the household chores with ease in a three-way design (vanity/toilet/shower-bathroom) is next to it and conveniently central to all rooms in the home and the main has a walk-in robe and ensuite “From the minute you walk in the front door whether collectively gathering around the kitchen or sitting back relaxing,” Graeme says “Even the bedrooms are designed to give each occupant their own place to retreat to.” The ceiling height shown in the display is 2.55m which is higher than the standard 2.4m ceilings and it’s amazing how much this slight variation can make to the internal space particularly in courtyard homes such as this one but this home showcases beautifully the high level of items included by Fairmont as standard,” Graeme says giving the feel that you are in a much larger home.” Leanne and Steve Nusbajtel with their two boys Seth and Levi outside their home in Hewett easy access to the city and a strong community feel are attracting more families to the northern suburb of Hewett than any other South Australian suburb According to a joint report commissioned by mortgage broker Aussie Home Loans and data analyst CoreLogic released today Hewett is the state’s most popular suburb for families with 65.1 per cent of households occupied by families with children situated 41.1km north of the city near Gawler has boasts an average block size of 889 sqm The report attributes Hewett’s popularity to its affordability and supporting infrastructure “The suburb is well positioned with efficient access to arterial roads and railway and housing prices are reasonably affordable with a median house value of approximately $460,000,” the report reads Hewett is for sale with Ray White Barossa/Two Wells and has an asking price of $495,000 to $545,000 Leanne and Steven Nusbajtel have lived in Hewett since 2010 and Mrs Nusbajtel said the suburb was perfect for her family The northern and southern suburbs dominated the top 20 suburbs for families David Washington of Harcourts Gawler said Hewett attracted a great deal of defence force personnel due to its proximity to the northern expressway “Couples with two to three children are the main buyer group I sell to,” Mr Washington said “Block sizes there range from probably 700 sqm up to half an acre and a lot of these allotments have side access for boats and caravans and it’s probably in the top couple of suburbs for resale and growth in the Gawler area.” When it comes to suburbs within 10km of the city Colonel Light Gardens was the most popular with families Hewett is for sale with LJ Hooker Gawler and has an asking price of $432,500 More than half (57 per cent) of the households in the character-filled southern suburb just 6.3km from the CBD contain families Colonel Light Gardens’ median house value is $724,383 and properties have an average land size of 758 sqm It came in just ahead of Mansfield Park (54.2 per cent) Wattle Park (53 per cent) and Angle Park (50.6 per cent) Of all South Australia’s suburbs most favoured by families “The most affordable suburb in the top 20 is Andrews Farm where 59.5 per cent of households are families with kids and the median house value is just $272,000,” he said Top 10 Adelaide suburbs for families within 10km of CBD PA went to his heavenly home unexpectedly on Tuesday Allan is survived by his beloved sons Tyler Allan Andrews of St Thomas and Austin Douglas Andrews of Orbisonia He was the loving brother of Chad (Amy) Andrews Also survived by his grandma Doris (Dottie) Crider He was a 1996 graduate of James Buchanan senior high school in Mercersburg Allan was previously employed by Target Distribution and IMRS and later returned to work on the farm with his father and brother at Andrews Farm Market and orchards in St.Thomas He was always the first to arrive an hour early at family get togethers needing to make sure the food was just right He was a Steelers football fan and loved a good game of poker He had an unmatchable sense of humor and a contagious smile that will be dearly missed Allan’s wishes were to be buried on the family farm Graveside services for close friends and family will be held on the farm at 3 p.m memorial contributions can be made to Chase-ing the Dream to help with medical expenses for Allan’s nephew To send flowers to the family of Allan Andrews Jr., please visit the Heartfelt Sympathies Store MORE OBITUARIES Patriot Federal Credit Union has provided a construction progress update on its Spring Mills and Greencastle offices Antrim Township Community Park is undergoing several upgrades and improvements The park’s Natural Water Play Area is nearly complete and will soon be available for children’s recreational and educational use a 2009 Shippensburg University applied mathematics graduate and former student assistant men’s basketball coach is helping Philadelphia students gain essential financial literacy skills Notice is hereby given that the Borough of Chambersburg Zoning Hearing Board will hold a Public Hearing as provided in the Zoning Code for the following Appeals in Council Chambers Notice is hereby given that the Borough of Chambersburg Planning and Zoning Commission will meet to review and discuss the items below on TUESDAY The Shippensburg University men’s outdoor track & field team finished its regular season Friday at the West Chester Last Chance Meet with several athletes earning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) The Shippensburg University women’s outdoor track & field team completed its regular season Friday at the last-chance meet at West Chester Key results included: The 2025 PSAC Championships will take The Franklin County Free Press is your local news website We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from Franklin County PA The Franklin County Free Press is a Neil Publishing, LLC Any views or opinions expressed in this publication are of the individual or entity who submitted it and not the publication Our publication is open to the public to weigh in on matters of public interest AI technology assists in content creation on this site; verify independently for accuracy Call or Text: (717) 862-5656   Email: info@fcfreepress.com leaving local authorities in a flutter about how best to deal with them owned by the same family since the 1930s and considered one of Falmouth’s historical and cultural gems The 50 acres off Old Meetinghouse Road known as the Tony Andrews Farm is being offered for $4.4 million While the property has been broken into five separately priced pieces the listing agent with Robert Paul Properties expect it to be purchased as a single piece of land by one buyer The six surviving sons of Tony and Marina Andrews the couple who started and maintained the strawberry farm and are now deceased said the decision to sell was not easily made is the only Andrews still involved in the farm and he said he was ready to wrap it up,” said Joe Andrews “We had talked about selling for a number of years It was a challenging and emotional decision His parents had been approached by developers numerous times over the years “I believe at times they thought of selling the farm,” he said The sons say they believe they are doing what their parents would want The land would be a prime acquisition for the community based on two recent surveys of Falmouth’s properties But Kevin Andrews said “it is not our intent to donate it and that wasn’t our parents’ intent either.” “We’d be open to selling it to the town if they give us a fair and reasonable price,” Kevin Andrews said a nonprofit group that has worked with the town on other historic purchases said Wednesday the organization does not comment on a property that’s up for sale Conservation Commission member Elizabeth Gladfelter agreed that the Andrews property is significant “It’s the biggest farm that still exists in town,” Gladfelter said The story of the Tony Andrews Farm begins with Antonio de Andrade a Portuguese-speaking immigrant from the Cape Verde Islands who arrived in Falmouth in 1926 and started out working in the local bogs He took on an Americanized version of his name “East Falmouth became a base for Portuguese immigrants,” said Meg Costello research manager for the Historical Society “They were well known for growing strawberries Anthony’s church ‘the church strawberries built’ because the farmers would skim off the top of their profit from the crops for the church.” Andrews and his uncle purchased about 17 acres off Old Meetinghouse Road to start a strawberry farm Tony and Marina Andrews were married in the mid-1930s just as Andrews started to get the farm up and running joked that the sons were a ready-made workforce for the family farm “My dad worked two jobs: the farm and the Air Force base,” he said “We remember him being up at 4:30 in the morning setting up the plow He would be out there at night with the lights on the tractor Marina Andrews handled the business end of the farm Tony Andrews was able to keep the farm viable by changing with the times Andrews initiated a “pick your own” arrangement at his farm that was highly popular The couple were heavily invested in the community serving on several boards and acting as town meeting members went to college and went on to professions other than farming But Geoff Andrews’ interest remained in the farm “Geoff did a wonderful job,” Kevin Andrews said “He’s the one who developed ‘agri-tourism.’” The farm stand has historically been a magnet for Upper Cape residents from June when piles of pumpkins are available along with events such as haunted hayrides While there already has been interest in the farm the family is committed to waiting for the right buyer “The farm was active last summer and we’ll continue to farm it until it sells,” Kevin Andrews said — Follow Christine Legere on Twitter: @ChrisLegereCCT who are still struggling to secure their water supply for the long term find themselves stuck in the middle between state agencies and local authorities The conditions under which the Andrews Farm Water Company (AFWC) would operate in this 40B development were set by the Boxford Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) but the law governing comprehensive permits was enacted at the state level when alleged violations of the Andrews Farm permit surfaced what entity is responsible for enforcing the 40B permit The permit signed by developer Doug Conn and the Town of Boxford in 1990 specifies in Condition #14 that “Adherence to the conditions of this permit shall be monitored and enforced by the Boxford inspector of buildings.” The building inspector was to act on behalf of the ZBA When asked about this condition and if the town bears some responsibility for the current situation Boxford Town Administrator Alan Benson said “I would say that over the many years since that comprehensive permit was issued active monitoring of the permit by town officials was not complete.” the town’s position is that enforcement rests at the state level He said that AFWC’s having overcharged the homeowners for water -- until the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) stepped in earlier this year -- is the most egregious of the non-compliance issues Benson noted that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) publishes information about public water supplies and AFWC’s had been on the list since inception although the DPU was not overseeing it is one of the eyebrow raising revelations that came out of DPU’s investigation of AFWC “The other surprise that came out of it was that DPU’s investigation was so focused on the rates and whether the rates were correct -- not that there was no DPU action on the non-compliance issues,” Benson said Current Building Inspector Robert Aldenberg who has been with the town for less than five years said that as far as he knew everything at Andrews Farm was running smoothly until there was an explosion at AFWC’s pump house in 2016 That’s when AFWC came onto the DPU’s radar According to a spokesperson for the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) responsibility for enforcing the Andrews Farm 40B permit rests with the Town of Boxford EOHED Deputy Director of Communications Samantha Kaufman said that because the development involves home-ownership the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) does not maintain oversight responsibilities for it the permit was signed by the developer and the Town of Boxford The Transcript asked a spokeswoman for DPU how AFWC was able to fly under DPU’s radar for over two decades press secretary for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said it is the responsibility of the water company to ensure that it is in compliance with all statutes and regulations There is no doubt in the minds of Andrews Farm homeowners about who should enforce the permit: the Town of Boxford the Transcript met with homeowners Karen and Stephen Guilmette Marie Raphael and Nils Nugteren at Andrews Farm They said they are concerned that while state and local officials say they’re working on finding a resolution with Conn trying to distance himself from AFWC “The only question that has to be answered is at what point does the town start to manage the water company,” Fullerton said The homeowners do not want to run a water company That wasn’t what they signed up for when they bought their houses “This issue has nothing to do with the homeowners,” Stephen Guilmette said He questioned the wisdom of the town having structured the 40B such that the water system would stay in the control of one person “What if we have no water because Doug walks away?” he asked Condition #12 in the 40B permit stipulated that the land not included in the lots and roadways be acquired and remain in the ownership of the water company According to Town Administrator Alan Benson the ZBA’s aim was to protect the water supply “The thinking at the time was that the water company would be run by [Conn’s] successor or taken over by the homeowners.” That hasn’t happened Conn resigned as president of AFWC without naming a successor and in an email to the Transcript in April “I’m only an advisor.” (AFWC’s business registration certificate on the Secretary of State’s website lists Conn as the agent for the company but the only named officer is Conn’s attorney she had received messages from Conn indicating he didn’t want to own the water company he suggested the homeowners buy the land and AFWC for $500,000 since they had already been overcharged for water for years the $500,000 price tag goes against the whole idea of a 40B development “It would be double-dipping for him to have charged those rates he did all those years and then on top of that sell the assets for profit,” Benson said The Transcript emailed Conn and Favaloro for comment “We were contacted by the Massachusetts attorney general office several months ago to see if we along with the town of Boxford and the Andrews Farms neighbors would agree to mediation in an attempt to resolve all issues the Town of the Boxford and the Andrews Farm neighborhood apparently have not We are hoping at some point that town and the neighbors will agree to try to resolve this matter Since the explosion at the AFWC pump house the homeowners have lived with the uncertainty of whether their water will run “The fear is that something else could happen,” Raphael said “They won’t do anything until there’s a disaster and it becomes a bigger story,” Stephen Guilmette said what are you paying your taxes for?” Raphael said “The irony of 40B,” Stephen Guilmette said deputy press secretary for the office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said the AG’s office is continuing to work to facilitate discussions between the parties to reach a resolution without resorting to litigation Boxford town officials have been meeting in executive session to discuss Alarmed by the disconnection between his food and its source And roast pork shoulder with crispy crackling I’ve used cured pig’s cheek to make carbonara But I’d never recognised how disconnected I was from my food until I visited a pig farm I realised I’d no idea where the pig that provided me this meat came from I discovered the pigs are smaller than I expected some have floppy ears which cover their eyes The farm is a fine-tuned operation devoted to efficiency and innovation And the farmers who own it are compassionate and committed to their animals And I learned that for the animals to be happy for the environmental effects of the farming to be well managed and the cost of the final product to be reasonable Helen and Mark Andrews’ pig farm sits beneath the Southern Alps in South Canterbury and tourists stop to take photos of the giant sows and their piglets It’s a perfect crisp autumn Canterbury day when I visit the farm I change my Nike sneakers for a pair of Red Bands and we head out into the paddock with the couple and their two daughters The field is full of waddling sows and piglets charging around the grass you’re all right,” she says in her comforting Yorkshire accent assuring the new mothers there’s nothing to worry about as we approach aware that she’s brought a couple of strangers into the pigs territory and letting them know with the sound of her familiar voice that everything is OK We are in the middle of what Helen calls the maternity ward of her farm The first sows we meet have just given birth The new piglets are snuggled in their huts Some of the mothers are basking in the sun others are more protective and sit in the doorway of their shelter and let out a “bark” to show us we shouldn’t mess with Mum Each of the sow’s teats belongs to an individual piglet and you can hear the squeal as they fight over it while they feed in the hut “At this stage you still want to be really cautious If she’s barking and grunting around you know she’s not and you need to keep your distance,” says Helen Each sow owns a small piece of real estate and will stay attached to the hut they claim when they’re first brought into the maternity paddock they come out and poo in front of their hut and that’s how the piglets know which one belongs to them “We try to get them in a week to 10 days before they give birth so they get comfortable with their surroundings and it’s up to them where they go,” says Helen After the sows give birth they’ve got two important jobs – putting back on all the weight they lost during pregnancy They get a sophisticated performance-enhancing diet of barley and grow themselves so they’re ready for the next round “We hand-feed all these girls; they’re the girls who need the most attention You need to make sure they’re well and feeding You can’t just chuck them a few cabbages or something These girls aren’t going to perform on a cabbage In the opposite field there are older piglets chasing each other around in sudden gallops and moved into the row of deep straw shelters where for the next 12 to 14 weeks they will be grown to slaughter weight and then the sows come on heat four to five days later and are impregnated again The Andrews have 400 sows divided into seven batches in a rotational cycle Every three weeks one batch is giving birth and involves careful management of the animals and if you’re going to get the best out of them you need to look after them in every respect,” says Helen Helen grew up on a dairy farm in Yorkshire Her father taught her stockmanship and respect for animals At 21 she travelled to New Zealand and worked on dairy farms in Waikato Six weeks before she was due to return home she met Mark (after quite a few beers at the pub) “Everyone had talked to me about this hot boy that played rugby The hot Andrews boy who played for the Hurricanes Then I found out [the rugby player] was his brother,” Helen says which was obviously the sign of true Southland love.” and Mark followed her a couple of months later They worked together on dairy farms in the UK After a year they came back to New Zealand But they were desperate for something of their own – something they could run their way So in 2004 they brought their own farm – a pig farm “We made the decision – if I was going to stay here we needed to own something We had a little look in the bank account to see what we could afford So we came up with a brain wave – what about pigs?,” says Helen rolling around on the tray of the Navara ute One day while the family were watching Mark’s Hurricane brother Luke play their Crusaders Uncle Luke had the audacity to ruck Richie McCaw “He can’t do that to Richie!” they shouted at their uncle on the television Canterbury is the perfect place for this type of pig farming making outdoor breeding safe and comfortable for the pigs They started off with a 40ha bare land block and the built everything from scratch themselves – from the sows’ huts to the water troughs producing piglets and selling them at four weeks old “Pigs are really rewarding for a stock person Because it’s about noticing all those little things: is she eating properly Helen and Mark began working with Freedom Farms as one of the first farms to sign up to the new brand’s independent standards of animal welfare and environmental sustainability By selling their products under the Freedom Farms brand Helen and Mark’s farming is independently audited and certified The standards were initially designed to protect animal welfare based on an amalgamation of a number of global guidelines in collaboration with the SPCA The standards have been constantly reviewed especially as an understanding of the expectations for environmental management become stronger And the Andrew’s commitment to those standards is presented for consumers to see on the packets of their Freedom Farm’s pork “You do it because it is the right thing to do and it spins your wheels then someone rocks up and you’ll talk to them and they’ll say we love what you’re doing down there That’s not a natural thing for a farmer to do,” says Helen “I think we sometimes we underrate what a good job we do.” Two years ago they expanded their farm and added a pig finishing unit where they grow the animals all the way to slaughter ready and now they raise 8500 pigs for sale every year The growth has allowed them to take on extra staff and find more time for their family And it meant as a family you couldn’t go away together We decided to go that much bigger so we could have two full-timers and that meant we could go away,” says Helen We jump back in the Navara and take a short trip across the property to the finishing unit the pigs are moved from the open fields into what are called deep-straw shelters – open-sided covered enclosures with concrete floors covered in layers of straw The pigs are prescribed a minimum area (both lying down and total) based on their weight – and the size of the enclosures are increased as they grow At the back of the shelter there’s feeding and drinking stations “The saying ‘like a pig in shit’ is it true?” I asked Helen The shelters are designed to provide the pigs warmth and comfort with straw while managing the environmental effects of their waste allowing for it to be collected and reused as fertiliser They provide enough space to range and play but proximity for the pigs to lie on top of each other The size is designed to encourage the pigs’ natural social behaviour but prevent the bullying culture that can develop when larger enclosures allow for groups to form “You’ve got a welfare code that gives you a minimum and we go about 30% more than the minimum welfare code The conditions in the enclosure are closely monitored When they first arrive there’s extra straw to make it warm like they’ve come off Mum After four weeks in one enclosure together they’re spread across two pens as they grow There are four different development stages of pigs spread across the finishing unit in eight different enclosures Each time they’re moved the old straw and pig excrement is used to create fertiliser to grow winter feed for the cattle It’s part of a holistic approach to running the farm in the most efficient way possible Each Friday 160 pigs are weighed and loaded out and sent to the abattoir just 25 minutes east of the farm on State Highway One (MPI allows up to 12 hours’ travel time for farm to abattoir) The farm is contracted to provide 130 pigs for bacon and 30 lighter pigs to independent butchers where they’re carved up into different cuts This deep-straw shelter pig farming is the sweet spot where Helen and Mark are proud of the their pigs’ welfare happy with the environmental footprint of their approach comfortable with the cost of their product and the farm is financially sustainable too They’ve been able to scale their farm without making welfare or environmental sacrifices The price of feed has climbed over the last 12 months and the price of imported pork has dropped sharply And while surveys say New Zealanders want to making better purchasing decisions it appears they love cheap bacon even more “We’ve probably come through eight to ten months of very little profit from what we do And so you are really aware that it doesn’t really matter how hard you work you can’t do anything about that and the market is what it is,” says Helen “You don’t always get the reward that you should for the work you put in And you know another day will come where it won’t be like that She’s holding on to the idea that consumers will commit to making more ethical purchasing decisions acknowledging the cost that comes with that Meeting the Andrews family allowed me to understand the thought and care that goes into the way they farm Watching the pigs sniff my gumboots made me value the gift this animal has made to us but also comfort eating their meat knowing the way they’re treated and the way they’re raised it allowed me to understand the power I have every time I buy food to help define what I want the world I live in to look like This content was created in paid partnership with Freedom Farms. Learn more about our partnerships here.  A complaint must be first directed in writing the complaint may be referred to the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz along with a link to the relevant story and all correspondence with the publication A farm near Bisley has scooped four gold medals in the Taste of the West food awards have been producing free range meat on their farm between Bisley and Edgeworth for the last three years This year they submitted four of their products to the Taste of the West food awards Their beef shorthorn fillet and sirloin steak as well as back and streaky bacon were scrutinised and Kate and Mark are thrilled to report that all four of the products have been awarded gold “We are chuffed to bits that all our hard work rearing free range pork and grass-fed beef shorthorn has been recognised by Taste of the West We’d hoped for one award but to receive four golds is amazing,” exclaimed Kate “Our animals are raised outdoors in open fields and woodland and we strongly believe that this high standard of living produces great tasting meat with very low environmental impact.” Bisley Lane Farm sells their produce in a number of pop-up markets including: Tuesday – Stonehouse Milk 10-11am; Wednesday – Old Neighbourhood Car Park Chalford Hill 8.15-9.45am; Thursday – The Painswick Centre 8.15-9.45 and Godsells Cheese 10-11am; Friday – Rodborough Community Hall 8.15-10.15am and Saturday – Stancombe Beech Farm Shop 8.45am – 1pm For further information log onto www.bisleylanefarm.com To contact the Stroud Times team, please visit our contact page to find the appropriate email address or send us your story via email on news@stroudtimes.com Website built and managed by Hewlett Photography & Design DISCLAIMER: The currency conversion is provided for illustration purposes only It is meant only as an approximation based on the latest information available and should not be relied upon for any other purposes We are not responsible for any loss that you may incur as a result of relying on these currency conversions All property prices are as stated by the listing agent Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website Top hats were in fashion and people connected through telegrams rather than texts And the need for family and friends to come together Planning your funeral in advance means your family won’t have to when the time comes >>LEARN MORE Services that honor the individual and provide peace of mind for families >>SEE OUR SERVICES Unparalleled care at every step with unique and personalized memorial services >>SEE OUR SERVICES Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Bridgewater Chapman Funerals & Cremations - East Bridgewater Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Falmouth Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Harwich Funeral Home Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Harwich Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Marstons Mills Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Martha’s Vineyard Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Mashpee Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Wareham Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth Funeral Home Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Yarmouth © Chapman Funerals & CremationsSupported by SRS Computing Your browser may not work with certain site. 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FALMOUTH — For farmers like Geoffrey Andrews summer on the Cape isn’t about lounging around in beach chairs or seaside lobster dinners With only a five-month window to grow and harvest a year’s worth of crops Andrews sets a weekend aside to celebrate Cape Cod’s often-overlooked farming culture by hosting an antique tractor and truck show at Tony Andrews Farm in East Falmouth where farmers from across the Cape can display their collections As people walked around the farm on Saturday afternoon snapping photos of over a dozen restored John Deere tractors and antique trucks Geoffrey Andrews reminisced about the Old Cape Cod of open land “I do this for one reason and one reason only: to represent the farmers on the Cape,” Andrews said “A lot of people think the Cape is all about the beaches.” who was born on the Island of Fogo in Cape Verde moved to Cape Cod with his uncle in 1928 and purchased the farm in East Falmouth in the regular season and strawberries in the spring gather lumber and thoroughly repair the tractors they had quickly “fixed” every 400 hours during the busy season “There’s a lot of maintenance to be done with tractors,” he said When Tony Andrews suffered a stroke in the 1970s Geoff took the summer off from his job at the Xerox Corporation to help out because He continued to run the farm for several summers while still working at Xerox In the early '80s he took over the farm full-time and expanded it about a decade later Andrews and about six of his employees maintain a traditional farm running tractors and selling produce from a market off Old Meeting House Road he also began working with chefs at several high-end restaurants on the Cape to plan their menu based on what can be grown at the Andrews’ farm who grew up in East Falmouth picking strawberries at his father’s farm does his part by restoring antique tractors he drove about eight of them the 2 miles from his property to Andrews’ to be displayed “It’s about keeping the younger people interested in them,” Williams’ wife Elisabeth said on Saturday While 15-year-old Marcus Cunningham and 13-year-old Zac Mello Renie and Jorgan Bruun watched their 2-year-old grandson’s eyes light up “He is obsessed with tractors and trucks,” Renie Bruun said who was walking hand-in-hand with his older sister It’s hard to say what sparked the toddler’s fascination but his grandfather thinks he played a part which he calls ‘the tractor,’" Jorgan Bruun explained Jacobi also enjoyed seeing the three cows that were contained to a pen on the farm He wasn’t aware that one of those cows escaped the farm early Friday morning and spent six hours gallivanting around town and waking neighbors before returning to the pen on its own  Follow Haven Orecchio-Egresitz on Twitter: @HavenCCT Sign in Join now, it's FREE! This article first appeared on HaltonHillsToday April 8 experimentation and advocating for his fellow farmers have borne fruit for Bert Andrews He is one of six people who've been inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame this year A ceremony on June 9 will officially recognize his accomplishments alongside his fellow inductees.  Many of the people he has worked and studied with will be present at the ceremony for sure,” Andrews said when asked about how he felt knowing his friends would be in attendance it’s kind of a culmination of all the agricultural work and support that I have done my whole life.” The groundwork for the honour was laid in he and wife Lauraine’s property Andrews' Scenic Acres - also known as Andrews Farm Market and Winery the farm has been feeding Halton Hills and the surrounding area Locals have been well-supplied with strawberries Their accomplishment of turning a farm into a local institution and destination is all the more impressive considering the odds were stacked against the couple “We bought the most rundown farm that you could imagine,” Bert said Lauraine said it was the soil that made Bert fall in love with the land “because it certainly wasn’t the looks of it.” the Scotch Block Winery further enhanced the farm But it wasn’t just the business of farming that helped the Andrews make a name for themselves Community service earned Bert the admiration of his peers As a board member of the Fruit Wines of Ontario he pushed for fruit wines to be included in local farmers' markets He advocated for farmers at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation led research for Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee and educated hundreds of thousands of students “We like to particularly mention we had 15 Mexican farm workers that came in on the farms (government) program Bert always said they were the backbone,” Lauraine said.  As a graduate of agriculture from the University of Guelph educating the next generation was of particular importance to Bert The experimental farmer took the time to play around with the plants on his land incrementally learning what he could with them This spirit of learning carried on as students from the university would often come and have a hands-on education in horticulture.  now manages the farm under a new owner as Bert and Lauraine had to step away from the business in recent years He's one of the many people who wrote to the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Association (OAHFA) to nominate Bert.  hands-on approach to teaching about agriculture by farming opening the farm every day to the public and inviting everyone to witness and participate in farming activities - Bert was a significant Ontario local food ‘influencer,’" Setzkorn said in his letter to the OAHFA “Over the past 44 years since Andrews' Scenic Acres was created more than 500,000 students have participated in the agricultural education offered by Bert at the farm." Inductees are chosen on their "lasting legacy to the Ontario agricultural sector," according to OAHF President Kathryn Goodish "Bert is a leader and his commitment and many contributions to the agricultural sector in Ontario have been unwavering."