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All that's changed now, however, thanks to Domestic Environmental Alternatives, a dry-toilet contracting firm headed up by Jan and Mike Skenfield and licensed plumber Tom Scheller.

Working in cooperation with Calaveras County health officials, Jan and Mike and Tom haveover the past three years—installed waterless, composting toilets on an experimental basis in several Calaveras County homes. In the process, they've managed to convince homeowners and health officials alike that total water conservation (via on-site waste disposal) is a viable long-term goal.

One of the many myths that DEA has had to deal with over the past three years is the idea that dry toilets are (like outhouse-type pit toilets) smelly. Mike Skenfield is quick to point out that, in fact, a well-designed, aerobic (functioning in the presence of air) commode has such a strong seat downdraft that no odors can ever escape. Mike proves his point by lighting a match over an open seat, whereupon the smoke is actually pulled down into the commode. "I've seen this a hundred times," Mike says, demonstrating. "And still I'm amazed at it. Just look at that flame!"

Calaveras County may someday need the large, water-wasteful sewage system envisioned by local health officials three years ago. Thus far, howeverperhaps due in part to the efforts of DEA?such a system hasn't been necessary. It'll never be necessary, if Jan and Mike Skenfield and Tom Scheller have anything to say about it! — Cathy Bauer.

JAN AND MIKE AND TOM:
WATERLESS PLUMBERS MUSHROOM MAN: DR. HENRY MEE

Henry Mee's love affair with mushrooms goes back a long way ... all the way to his teens, in fact, when (heeding his father's advice) Henry began to seek better ways to grow edible fungi. What began as a hobby, however, has since grown to become a fullfledged career.

In 1964, Henry earned his Ph.D. in plant pathology at the University of Wisconsin, where he met his wife, Miyoko. Dr. Mee's new bride encouraged her husband in his research efforts and hoped he might one day be able to grow the delicious Shiitake (Black Forest) mushroom that Miyoko had-as a girl-loved to pick and eat in Japan.

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