http://www.valdersstone.com/news.asp Valders Stone and Marble News and Press Releases en-us http://www.valdersstone.com/news.asp?id=27 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:00:00 CST (By: Jim Lucas - Technical Representative for Prosoco) Valders Limestone is a very durable, freeze resistant, Wisconsin Limestone. There is no need to seal for the purpose of resisting freezing and thawing. That said, deicing salts will eventually deteriorate any limestone and it can be stained by almost any type of oil (vegetable, animal, petroleum or body oils). Stand Off Limestone and Marble Protector (LMP) by PROSOCO, Inc. is very effective at protecting against both salt and oil and will not change the slip resistance, color or gloss of the stone. LMP will provide salt protection for up to ten years and oil protection for two to five years, depending on UV exposure. In Wisconsin, all container sizes are permitted. VOC Regulations in many states limit the purchaser to quart containers but one can always purchase 20 quarts where five gallons are needed. Stand Off Stone Tile and Masonry Protector (STMP) is 50 state VOC legal and is effective against oils but not salt. STMP will provide oil protection for two to five years, depending on UV exposure. Both products are available from Valders Stone and Marble. If you have any questions, contact PROSOCO Customer Care at (800) 255-4255. http://www.valdersstone.com/news.asp?id=26 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:00:00 CST This summer, I had the fortunate opportunity to spend a month in Northern Italy. The trip was sponsored by Rotary International, and I was chosen to be one of four team members to represent the great state of Wisconsin and Rotary District 6270 on an outbound Group Study Exchange. The purpose of this trip was to help build goodwill and bridge continents on behalf of Rotary. As ambassadors of our state, country, and Rotary International, our team was selected to meet with individuals and organizations to learn more about Italian culture and the global market. An interesting aspect of this trip is the accommodations. Each member of our team lived in the homes of several different Italian host families during the month long stay. Italian family life became part of the overall experience which allowed us to better understand Italian perceptions of Americans. It also offered a very personal view of their day to day life. Several vocational visits and tours of businesses were also part of the trip itinerary. While in Italy, I visited six different stone companies, and numerous quarry/production locations. It was a very interesting experience to travel to a place that is so deeply rooted in the natural stone industry. For centuries, natural stone has been the building material of choice in this region of the world. In addition to building and landscape applications, stone is widely used in many infrastructure applications such as streets and sidewalks because of the long-term performance of the material. Much of the stone that I was able to view while in Italy was similar to our Valders Dolomitic limestone. The mineral composition was virtually the same, and the colors were similar as well. This gave me the unique advantage to learn about how different production facilities shaped and quarried dolomite. While some of our processes are the same, there were some unique methods being employed in Northern Italy that our company may be able to employ to help us grow. The opportunity to travel provides an exciting venue for personal and professional growth. An opportunity to tour international production and fabrication facilities in the natural stone industry made this travel experience all the more unforgettable. My thanks to Rotary District 6270, The Fond du Lac Morning Rotary Club, and member Sharon Holmes - Exchange Coordinator, and Eden Stone and Valders Stone and Marble for their assistance and support that made this trip possible. http://www.valdersstone.com/news.asp?id=24 Wed, 6 Jul 2011 08:00:00 CST Officer Craig Birkholz died from gun shot wounds sustained in the line of duty as an officer for the City of Fond du Lac Police Department. Eden Stone and Valders Stone and Marble provided a Valders Gray Limestone memorial bench in his honor as a remembrance of his service to the community and the police department. We salute Officer Birkholz and all of the police officers who are called upon to keep our communities safe. http://www.valdersstone.com/news.asp?id=23 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 08:00:00 CST SALT LAKE CITY – Say backyard water feature to most people, and they automatically assume a swimming pool – especially when a home’s design evokes Southern California and the Mediterranean. When the new owner of one historic local home chose to return it to its previous glory, however, the pièce de résistance for the landscape portion of the job turned out to be only 14andquot; deep. Two scupper basins carved from Wisconsin dolomitic limestone spill their wares into a reflecting pool, with jet sprays along the coping and a custom mosaic lining echoing a new mosaic installed in an existing arcade. Or, as one of the principals involved in the project observes, “It goes way beyond the landscape client who asks, ‘What can I get for $100?’” To read the full article By: K. Schipper, along with project photos of Valders Stone and Marble finished products please click: Courtyard Centerpiece