The Fence Post

Marking Time: The Little Moments That Last a Lifetime

“Let’s go measure your height on the wall!”

“Mama won’t let us write on the wall,” cried Isla.

“Oh, she will for this,” I said.

We marched into the kitchen, where Rachel had already heard the conversation and picked out the perfect wall for our little tradition. The three-year-old backed up to the wall first. I made a pencil mark and wrote his name and the date: 09/17/2024. Next in line was the six-year-old schoolteacher, who corrected me a couple of times before I got it just right. Then came the one-year-old baby. And finally, Dada.

A Feast to Remember

We sat down to a delicious dinner of pork tenderloin and grilled peppers fresh from the garden. Rachel, the queen of sauces, had outdone herself with a lemon caper sauce for the pork that was simply divine. A colorful salad of heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and fennel rounded out the meal perfectly.

The baby finished eating early and was set free to wander and play. Within minutes, she found the mechanical pencil, toddled over to the marking wall, and started drawing. Wow! She’s smart. I’m grandma, and I’m biased, but this girl is something else!

Daniel quickly grabbed the pencil from her tiny hands and told her, “We’ll save that for next time!”

We all had a good laugh, but it got me thinking...

The Marks We Leave

How much do we measure our lives by the marks we make—not just on walls, but in our daily actions? Every small step we take matters, whether it’s building a fence, protecting our environment, or making lasting memories with family.

At Louis E. Page Inc., we believe in leaving the right kind of mark. Whether it’s our American-made wire mesh, fencing products, or service, we stand by the quality and reliability that our customers can trust. Just like the marks on that wall, we’re committed to helping you build something that lasts for generations to come.

Let Us Help You Leave Your Mark

If you’re ready to start your next project or need help finding the perfect solution, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to be a part of the mark you leave on your world.

All my best regards in gratitude,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893

 Finding Beauty Amidst the Storm—and Protecting What Matters

Yesterday, I took a moment to step outside and breathe in the crisp autumn air. As I approached the bridge over the river, I heard the sounds of giggles and joy from a young couple, lost in each other’s company. It reminded me that even with the chaos of the world, life continues to offer moments of truth, goodness, and beauty.

A Time for Resilience

But it’s impossible not to think of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene in the South. Families have been displaced, loved ones lost, and communities are facing a long road to recovery. Yet, even in the darkest times, kindness and resilience shine through. Organizations like Samaritan’s Purse are on the ground, providing much-needed goods and services, while Elon Musk’s Starlink is helping restore vital internet connections to the area.

In times like these, I’m reminded of J.R.R. Tolkien’s powerful words:

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”

Even amidst hardship, love and beauty continue to shine through.

Rebuilding with Strength and Peace of Mind

Just as communities are banding together to rebuild, we at Louis E. Page Inc. are committed to providing the fencing solutions that help protect what matters most. Our American and Italian-made fencing products are built to endure, offering strength and peace of mind—whether you’re securing a farm, repairing storm damage, or starting fresh.

From durable wire mesh to sand erosion and field fencing, we’ve got what you need to safeguard your property and restore security. Terry, our fence expert, is here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

We’re Here to Help

Let us know how we can support you as you rebuild.

All my best regards,

Debbie Page

P.S. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene. If you need assistance in securing your property, we’re here to help.

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893.

 Up to the Ledges and Over: A Hike Through History and Fencing Tales

It was one of those perfect summer days in New Hampshire—the kind where the air is crisp, the sun is warm, and the world feels alive with possibility. Yesterday, we hiked to the knoll beside my farmer boy’s mountaintop farm. Baby snuggled on Papa’s back, the six- and three-year-olds trotting alongside the rest of us, and my dear roommate from nursing school—all the way from Charleston, South Carolina—joined in the adventure. What a delightful walk it was!

A Symphony of Nature

The kids and I sang as we climbed, our voices blending with the rustle of oak leaves and the occasional crunch of acorns underfoot. The hailstorm the day before had left the forest floor carpeted with acorns and leaves, and we spotted ripe blackberries glistening like tiny jewels in the sunlight. The newts were out in full force, much to the children’s delight. Summer in New Hampshire truly is magical.

The Stone Walls: A Lesson in History

Daniel, ever the guide, made sure to point out the stone walls winding their way up the mountain. What caught my eye was how one wall climbed to the granite ledges and then continued right on top of them. I’d never seen a stone wall do that before! These walls, Daniel explained, marked the old property boundaries—a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of those who farmed this land long ago. They’re a common sight throughout New England, silent witnesses to generations of history.

I’ll admit, I assumed these stone walls had once fenced in farm animals. But Daniel set me straight—nope! That’s not what they were for at all. (Thanks, Daniel, for the history lesson!)

Fences That Tell Stories

As we hiked, we passed remnants of old wire mesh fencing in the woods, sometimes strung between cedar posts, other times just remnants of barbed wire. If only those fences could talk! Imagine the stories they’d tell—of farmers and their livestock, of homes and barns, of laughter and hard work. Fences aren’t just boundaries; they’re keepers of memories.

Thinking of Fencing? Think Louis E. Page!

Speaking of fences, if you’re considering putting in some fencing of your own, check out Louis E. Page Inc. We’ve been delighting customers since 1893—that’s 131 years of craftsmanship, durability, and trust. Our family has been building fences that stand the test of time, just like those old stone walls on the mountain. Whether it’s for farm animals, property lines, or just adding a touch of charm to your land, we know fencing inside and out.

Warmest regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893.

 Pass the Skewer and Dangle the Dog: A Lesson in Fire Pit Fun and Fencing Wisdom

Jerry and Ramona invited me over to enjoy their fire pit this summer. They like to roast marshmallows for s’mores, but since I don’t eat sugar, I suggested we roast hotdogs instead. Ramona was thrilled.

I cooked up some fabulous “hotdog chili” (as we call it in the South), made coleslaw, bought my favorite hotdogs and buns, and headed over for an evening of outdoor roasting. Their friend Bill came too. The guys got a nice fire blazing, and Ramona and I joined them with a tray of dogs to roast.

Ramona ran back into the kitchen to grab the skewers. When she reappeared, I burst out laughing.

The Skewer Dilemma

“Ramona, those are your skewers?” I exclaimed, staring at the tiny 10-inch metal skewers. “Is this what you normally use?”

“We’ve never roasted hotdogs,” she replied.

“What? I thought you’d been roasting all summer!”

“Only marshmallows,” she sighed.

“How will we keep from burning our hands with such short skewers without handles? Oh, my word,” I declared.

Jerry and Bill were laughing, but Ramona didn’t quite get the dilemma. Jerry tried to explain, but it didn’t sink in at first.

Creative Solutions

Always wanting to make the best of a situation, I speared a hotdog and tried to hold it over the hot coals. I couldn’t get it close enough to cook. Jerry excused himself to find an alternative.

Meanwhile, I looked over and saw Bill dangling his hotdog vertically over the coals. I followed suit. Ramona returned, and now she began laughing.

Jerry, a fine woodworker, rejoined us with narrow pieces of wood about 20 inches long. His idea was to thread the wood through the eye of the skewer to lengthen it. Bill and Jerry managed to do it, but every time I tried, the skewer with the hotdog rotated upside down. I was laughing so hard I could barely function. Ultimately, I dangled my hotdog vertically and got a bit of a char on it.

We decided to head indoors to eat.

Chili Slaw Dogs and Nekkid Dogs

“Ramona, are you having a chili slaw dawg or a nekkid dawg?” I asked with a smirk.

“What in the world are you talking about?” she inquired.

In the little town of Lincolnton, North Carolina, there’s a famous café on the square across from the Lincoln County Courthouse called City Lunch. They serve good ole country cookin’, including hotdogs. I’ve been told they sometimes sell upwards of 10,000 hotdogs in a day when supplying a fair or rally. When you order your hotdog, it comes with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw. If you want none of that, you order a naked (nekkid) dog.

It’s a family tradition to order these chili slaw dogs whenever I’m in town. They only take cash, and they don’t have an ATM. A reputable source told me that the late owner, Lynette Greer, took the cash home each night. By her death, she had a million dollars in cash in “safe” keeping. Urban legend? I don’t know.

I hope she had a tall security fence, a burglar system, and a fireproof safe for all her money! Though she dressed simply and didn’t wear makeup, she was a smart, savvy woman and always had a smile for you. She made a fortune selling her hotdogs—the diner still serves up an average of 700 a day, and they fry chicken the old-fashioned way in a cast iron skillet every Thursday.

What Do You Need to Protect?

What do you need to protect from the outside world? Hopefully, you aren’t keeping a million dollars of cash in your house! However, I hope you have a million dollars if that’s your dream.

Fences will keep your children and your dogs in and keep the deer and foxes out.

Call Terry today! T2C – She’s waiting to hear from you!

All my best regards,

Debbie Page

CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893..

When the Fire Trucks Came Up the Hill: A Lesson in Backyard Fires and Southern Charm




It all started with a simple question from my 16-year-old son. We had just moved from Georgia to our new home in Exeter, New Hampshire, and he asked if he could burn the brush he’d cut down.

“Sure, honey, that’s fine,” I answered. And didn’t give it another thought.

Until.



The Chicken Incident

I was babysitting for Gavin, the three-year-old neighbor, and we were busy weeding the front flower garden. Dinner time was approaching, so we went inside to put the chicken in the oven. Market Basket had a special on chicken legs, and I’d bought a ten-pound bag.

As I cut open the bag, the stench escaped. Oh, my gosh! Ten pounds of spoiled chicken.

What do you do with ten pounds of rotten chicken? I’ll toss the whole thing on the fire.

We walked out the back door to the roaring fire and threw the chicken on top. Then, back out to the front yard to dig in the dirt.



The Sirens and the Fire Chief

It was a hot, sweaty kind of day. Barefoot and dirty, we continued to weed. Then we heard sirens, and Gavin became hysterical! He was terrified of sirens. I assured him they weren’t coming here, and then they stopped, so he calmed down.

Then I heard the powerful engines and knew they were coming up the hill.

I ran into the house, caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and saw my dirty, sweaty face. Out the back door and onto the deck, I spotted a bucket full of water. I picked it up and yelled to David, “Throw this on the fire! The fire trucks are coming!”

I ran back into the house with a crying Gavin on my hip. And I waited.

Before long, the fireman appeared at the door and asked if I knew I had a fire in my backyard.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Who started the fire?” he asked.
“My son,” I answered.
“How old is he?”
“16.”
“The fire chief wants to talk to you.”



The Hillbilly Moment

Let me set the scene a bit more.

I was barefoot, sweaty, with dirt on my face and hands, and a screaming three-year-old on my hip! Oh, and the neighbor had removed the stairs to the front porch as he was building new stairs! My license tag was still a Georgia plate.

We must have looked and sounded like hillbillies to these New England guys!

The fire chief asked if I knew having a fire without a permit in Exeter was illegal.
“No,” I answered.

He then proceeded to state the various requirements for having a backyard fire. Here’s the best part of all:

“Ma’am,” he continued. “You can burn brush, or you can cook food outside, but you can’t burn brush and cook on the same fire.”

Oh my gosh! He actually thought I was cooking those chicken legs on a brush fire!

How I wish that I had a bucket full of barbecue sauce and a mop and could have said,
“Here! Take this mop and go slosh those chicken legs with this here barbecue sauce!”

It was all I could do to keep from dying laughing! Those Southern hillbillies!



The Aftermath

Later that evening, David informed me that the bucket of water he threw on the fire had a frog in it. Did the fire chief think I was cooking frog legs as well??

All of this took place before I met Duncan. I met him two years later, and he loved this story! If he were cooking chicken on a brush fire, he would have put down a piece of hardware cloth to cook it on!



A Word on Hardware Cloth

Speaking of which, hardware cloth is such a helpful product. It’s available in galvanized, vinyl-coated, and stainless steel. Whether you’re securing a garden, protecting your property, or just keeping things in order, it’s a versatile solution for durability and peace of mind.

Check out our hardware cloth options at Louis E. Page Inc.



Warmest regards,
Debbie Page
CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893.