Hey, thank you for providing me with a map, so I can see where you are located. Atlanta was mentioned in the context of having a huge casino, when I was in CAL. Otherwise, I know nothing about the area. Compared to it, your village looks idyllic.

I don't know whether Singer and the Japanese production company partnered with each other. My mother used to sew with a treadle machine that is a bit older than your model. I forgot the brand. We now use it as a coffee table/station at my brothers house.
I am also living kind of a frugal live, I like it to improvise and make something out of "nothing" :) Scarcity can be quite nice if it's self chosen and not forced upon one.

For making hems for pants or curtains you certainly will do a fine job. Over time I found out that I like it better to sew hems by hand, it gives a nicer and more clean finish for my taste. It takes longer but I use it as a meditative form of getting things done (in slow motion).

Bye from the northern part of Germany!