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Harolds Maintenance Corner:

Old part on top, new installed.

On our entry door has a 2-Section Articulated Arm that keeps our door from opening too wide with a built-in hold open mechanism (POS-I-LOC HINGE®).  Due to living in our RV full-time, it sees more use than most RVs and was no longer holding the door open. This presented me with an opportunity to conduct some corrective maintenance.

Worn area on hold open spring

I called Newmar to check on price and availability of the part.  I was quoted $315.00 including shipping. I thought that was a bit pricey. So, I did a little internet searching and found out that our rig has a 3000 series door manufactured by PTL Engineering. A quick look on their website showed a price of what they call a Door Check of only $119.76 delivered. A $195.24 difference!!!! SOLD!

A small army of screws waiting their turn.

The part showed up just a few days later.  I borrowed a ladder and Binford screw gun from my father-in-law and got it replaced in short order.

Removing the 16 screws with Binford power, they were installed manually to avoid stripping the threads.

Now what toy that I can buy costs $195.24 or less?  Maybe an official Red Ryder, carbine-action; two hundred shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time!

Wishful Thinking

Where Are We Going Next?  

Local Shopping Favorites

 March 3 - 31, 2025    

Whenever we're in the Harrisonburg area, I always try to work in some shopping at my local favorites.  It can be a bit tricky as none of them are open seven days a week and absolutely none on Sundays. I tend to get a bit grumpy if I can't work in enough time for shopping. Just ask Harold!

The Dayton Market is a collection of small boutique-like stores under one roof. Several are run by and staffed by local Mennonites. Bulk foods, baked goods, coffee shop, butcher shop, chocolate shop, gift stores, kitchenware store, toy store, deli, and jerky shop, are all under one roof. I can easily spend an hour or more, just browsing around.

For those of you who sew and quilt, you'll want to check out Patchwork Plus, just up the hill.

Similar to Dayton Market is Shenandoah  Heritage. Located closer to I-81, it too boasts a variety of shops under one roof. I love the kitchenware store, the canning goods store with lots of jelly flavors and pie fillings, and the bulk foods pantry with plenty of sampling opportunities. There's a western store, a quilt store, a toy store, and an antique flea market area too. There's a produce store out front as well as a shed builder with lots of outdoor poly furniture. 

Then, there is the Green Valley Bookfair. It used to open only a few weeks around major holidays. Now, it's open year-round, five days a week. The inventory has expanded to include a few other things besides books too. This past visit I found children's clothing, home decor items, pickleball paddles, and puzzles. Sometimes the book prices are actually a little less at Ollie's, but oh, is there ever so much more selection here. We're talking two buildings encompassing three floors of books! For teachers, there is a decent selection of aids, bulletin board materials, etc. 

Second building, two floors of books here

Fiction section

The lower level

There's plenty of other local shopping too.  Overlook Produce, located at the same exit as the Bookfair -and the soon-to-be-open Buc-ee's, has lots of yummy things and plenty of plants. 

The Country Village Bakeshop (no website) in Dayton near Dayton Market supplied our pies for Pi Day. Not even a quarter mile away is Sunrise Market and Deli where we've had more than one hearty sandwich. 

So there you go. Those are some of my favorites. Maybe you'll enjoy them too if you're in the area. 

Where Are We Going Next?