Wednesday Open Line


Many of the holiday cards we receive picture either Santa Claus or families gathered around the hearth to enjoy the warmth and color of a fireplace. For much of the nation’s history, every home was heated by multiple fireplaces, and all households had to cut and stack wood for cooking and to keep the house warm. Now, fireplaces are primarily a source of charm and ambiance. Many open wood burning fireplaces have been altered to accept a metal insert, which burns wood more thoroughly and reduces pollution. Stores selling wood burning stoves are among the more than 19,000 home furnishing stores across the country, which rack up sales of nearly $29 billion annually. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.