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Print | E-mail to a friend LIFE: HOMES

Renovated farm house a mix of old and new

August 10, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

JEAN MCCLELLAND

For The Herald-Dispatch

SPRING VALLEY -- Once Terri and Aaron Frasher found their Spring Valley house, they knew they had come home.

It spoke to them in such a way they couldn't say no. In a wink of an eye they had traded their 12-year-old modern house for a home with 93 years of farm history.

"I love the country feel," Terri said. "I love just being here and feeling all the life that's lived in this house."

The house was once the center of a local dairy industry with acres of land around it. The Frashers are only the second family to live in the Wayne County abode. Prior to that, the last descendent of the Pyles Family Dairy, the late Crete Ward, resided there. The dairy farm eventually went out of business, and the land was subdivided and sold. Now all that is left of the original farm is the Frasher house with a bit of land and a young family intent on restoring the house to 21st century standards.

In the process of renovation, the family has attempted to honor the past.

"We have tried to keep it as original as possible," Aaron said.

The asbestos siding was replaced with modern vinyl that has the look of a clapboard farm house. The shingled roof was restored with a tin roof and modern double hung windows have replaced the originals. These 21st century building materials help conserve energy but have remained true to the spirit of the older home.

"The house is a work in progress and is still under construction," Terri said.

The Frashers have been doing all the work themselves with the help of friends and family. Aaron has knocked out walls and windows, renovated the kitchen and restored the hardwood floors with Terri helping every step of the way.

The Frashers are very energy conscious, just as the original owners were when they built the residence.

"They built the house on a rise where it would be warmed by the sun all day yet having cooling breezes at night," Aaron said.

Also reminiscent of yesteryear is their wood/coal burning furnace. Granted it is more efficient than what our ancestors used but, according to Aaron, it's in keeping with the old style.

Buying the older home was a family decision with each member being granted a wish. The couple's daughter, Ashton, wanted a horse. Terri wanted a master suite with a large closet. And Aaron wanted a garage. Terri laughs and is quick to point out that Ashton got a little more than she asked for.

"Ashton not only got a horse but two dogs, two sheep, two chickens and a rooster," she said.

Aaron and Terri's main wants were addressed by taking down the old milk house. Aaron was then able to build an attached garage with an upstairs master suite.

Many of the former owner's relatives and neighbors have been interested in the house renovations.

"So many friendly people have stopped by to tell us stories about the house," Aaron said. "Often they will thank us for not tearing it down. It has been part of the lives of so many people in this area."

Terri cited a specific conversion.

"I asked one of Mrs. Crete Ward's nieces if she would have been happy with what we had done to her house," Terri said. "She told me that all Mrs.Ward ever wanted was a family to live in the house and enjoy it."

It seems the Frasher's restoration of the house is fulfilling many people's wishes.

Events

1940s Radio Hour
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, and 11-13; matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. A "live" radio show with seven performances. Complimentary tickets offered to...

J. Chris Newberg
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-7. A refreshing smart and edgy humor, delivered with a streetwise sense of philosophical...

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Lions Arts and Crafts Show
4-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7. Hosted by the Lesage and Southeast Huntington Lions Clubs. The juried show is filled with...

"The Nutcracker"
school matinee begins at 9:30 a.m. and regular show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Ashland Youth Ballet presents their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Questions...

Christmas Tour of Homes
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7. Tour six outstanding homes in the Bellefonte area dressed for the holidays. Questions, call 606-329-8888 or visit...

2nd annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
2-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A tour (inside and out) of eight prominent Huntington homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Questions, call 304-733-ARTS.

Marshall Artists Series: "Wizard of Oz"
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, "The Wizard of Oz." Tickets, call 304-696-3326 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

16th annual Joy to the World Holiday Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox. Tickets, visit www.mountainstage.musictoday.com or call...

"Cowboy" Bill Martin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-14. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music,...

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Dining

GOOD EATS: Rocco's Ristorante serves up Italian faves

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