Manhole Fan Mail and Testimonials

Jane and Randy Schachtili- Scottsdale, AZ
The complete floor of our home was recently tiled (by the strength and expertise of Randy); and included a new hearth for the double sided fireplace.  After purchasing the manhole cover and returning home to Scottsdale with this GREAT souvenir, I could only think that it would repose in a storage closet until it could be used as a "hot pot" trivet, or whatever, on occasion.  Randy surprised me by replacing one of the tiles on the hearth with the cover, to my delight and the favorable comments of all of our friends.  Considering the decor of our home (leather, pine, cool colors, comfortable ambience, etc., etc.), this small piece of Vail is a strong focal point, in the scheme of things.

Ted Smathers- Vail, CO
I wanted to feature the cover in the kitchen design and the result is the placement of the cover in a premium location. I secured the cover with epoxy to a tile and then featured the tile on the wall (see photo). It really looks good and is quite tasteful (especially knowing its legacy).
 
Kenneth Morris- Plainview, NY
I have an in-ground pool in my backyard, with flagstones leading up to the pool. I replaced the last two stones (closest to the pool) with the manhole cover. I like the irony of skiing and swimming being so closely intertwined.

Gretchen Schaefer- New Palm Beach, FL
I use it as a hot plate when needed. I know it's not very exciting, but it's not in my closet!

Judy Stevenson- Indianapolis, IN
Displayed on the mantle (see photo) I built above the fireplace in the house where we are now living. It is a constant reminder of where I first visited in 1960, and to where I want to return- and soon!

Gary and Teresa Kembara- Garland, TX
Our favorite nephew, Kevin, got married Dec. 28, 2002 and he and his beautiful bride Kristin honeymooned in Vail. Uncle Gary and I have purchased the manhole cover to give to them on their one-year anniversary as a forever keepsake and reminder of the beginning of their wonderful life.

Joe and Dortha Skinner- Sterling, CO
In August of 2002, our two sons and their families gave us four days in Vail to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. They joined us in Vail. We thought the manhole cover is a perfect memento. I made a wall hanging quilt of special memories of our 50 years. The manhole cover makes a perfect accompanant (see photo). Your idea of selling the manhole covers is so clever.

Leejun Ivie- Gloversville, NY
We're car collectors and are in the process of building a building for all the cars we have in upstate New York. The large manhole cover will be mounted on the wall to remind us of good times we have had in Vail.

Bob Louthan- Vail, CO
The large manhole was originally lying on our basement ski-storage room floor. We told our 7-year-old grandson it was the opening to a "secret tunnel" leading to Vail Village. Later in Vail Village we showed him the "other openings"- a manhole cover (matching ours) on Bridge Street! This summer we plan to embed our cover in a granite table top and use it as a patio table.

Judith and Thomas Townsend- Alberquerque, NM
Our manhole cover was given to us by our kids, Jay and Jan Townsend, for Christmas. Right now my husband is still on active duty in the Air Force and we are renting our home in New Mexico. However, we are building our retirement in home in Idaho and plan on installing our cover in the cement patio, in our great room or in the cement approaching the front doors. It will be done in May!

Allan Heymann - Highland Park, IL
Covers up the old sewer cover on our courtyard. The new Vail manhole cover is a great addition, especially during parties and events in the courtyard (see photo).

Steve Rowland- Georgia
A while back I purchased a retired 2-seat lift chair that had been pulled off a mountain in California as part of a conversion to a high speed quad, and had it shipped to Georgia.  I have since removed the wooden seat slats, had the chair sand blasted, and painted with primer.  I am in the process of getting a swing frame made for it from tubular metal.  When this is done, I will hang the chair as a swing in my back yard.  On the ground around the swing frame I will place a wooden frame.  In the center of the frame, under the swing, will be the manhole
cover.  I will fill in the rest of the interior of the wooden frame with burnt red walkway bricks, cut where necessary to circle the manhole.  It's a lot of work, but it should look great when I am done.

Brian and Debbie Burzinkski- Orland Park, IL
We keep the manhole cover on a standing plate holder on an island in our kitchen as a reminder of the wonderful vacation that we had in Vail. But we creatively use it as a door block. We live in a 3-stepe ranch home and have a great breeze from the west through the master bedroom. To keep the door from slamming shut, we put felt on the back of the manhole cover and use it to block the door open.

Jim Andretta- New York
I own a home on Buffehr Creek Rd. and I am out there with regularity year round so I have known about the manhole program from the beginning. It was only now that my son, who is building a new home here in N.Y., and is a devoted Vail skier, wants to embed one in his new driveway, that we finally found a use for one.