Local volunteers complete Window Dressers project

DEXTER — The Dover-Foxcroft Window Dressers workshop, with The Commons Energy Collaborative, completed its annual weeklong build on Saturday, October 19 at the Dexter Town Hall, constructing 300 insulating window inserts for 45 customers and with the help of over 45 volunteers.

Customers of all ages participated in the insert construction, either by building the frames, wrapping them with plastic, heat shrinking and applying foam, by helping with other sorting and phone-calling support or by bringing a meal for participants. All work was done by volunteers from local communities, churches and the Kiwanis who enjoyed meeting new people and celebrating the success of community cooperation. .

Contributed photo
HELPING PEOPLE STAY WARM — Window Dressers volunteers wrapping up at an October workshop in Dexter, from left, NeKisha Rowe, Merrill Bridges, Burleigh Rowe, Tiemer Rowe, Vesper Rowe, Marie Dow, Lesley Fernow, Lois Walker, Ken Bennett and Christine Bennett.

This annual project aims to reduce fuel costs, to improve home comfort during the cold months and to lower CO2 production for customers by building and installing inexpensive pine framed, plastic filmed reusable inserts on the inside of window frames to block draft and cold. With an R value of 3.14, the inserts reduce heating costs by up to 25 percent in the first year. They are especially effective in older, drafty homes.

This year, a special effort to increase participation of low income customers resulted in 65 percent of the customers being low income families. Grant funding from the New England Grassroots Fund and donations from generous donors was utilized to offset the expenses for these clients.

Organizer Lesley Fernow remarked that the Dexter Town Hall was an excellent facility for this year’s workshop because of accessibility and increased space for all the construction activities. “We are grateful for the support of the Dexter Town Manager for allowing us to use this great space,” she said. “We hope to use the same space next year.”

Orders are being taken now for the 2020 workshop. Measuring will start in late winter or early spring, and construction once again will be in the fall. Make note as you sit by your windows this year: if there is frost forming on the inside of the window, if the curtains seem to blow a little, if you feel cold coming through the glass or if you just want to reduce your heating bills then you can benefit from these inserts. To place your order call Window Dressers 596-3073 or go to www.windowdressers.org.