Happy Ho Ho Home Improvements

Fantstic new carpet fiber has permanent stain resistance

WARNING:  DO NOT TRY THIS WITH YOUR CARPETING !!!

This carpet was stained with Merlot, Cabernet, chocolate sauce, iodine and even olive oil.  The unique carpet fibers do not allow liquids to penetrate, which allows them to be easily extracted with steam cleaning. 

* Permanent stain resistance.

* Extreme colorfastness.

* Excellent durability.

* Phenomenal warranty.

* Amazing comfort.

Kitchen transformations

 

 

 

6 cheap and easy ways to boost curb appeal

https://homes.yahoo.com/news/6-cheap-easy-ways-boost-curb-appeal-204500858.html

By Mary Farrell July 22, 2015 4:45 PM

Is your house making a good first impression? If the door and areas around the front are looking like they need work, it could put off potential buyers, not to mention visitors. But it’s easy to upgrade your house’s curb appeal without spending a bundle. Consumer Reports asked home stagers (who prep properties to maximize sale prices), designers, color experts, and real estate pros for the best under-$50 fixes that make a big impact.

Freshen up the front door

Cost: $40 or less
Go for the unexpected, says Debbie Zimmer, director of the Paint Quality Institute. “A deep, almost eggplant purple works well with white or pale blue siding and on contemporary wood-stained homes,” she says. Another hue that she loves is yellow—think mustard or pale yellow, not school bus! “ It complements classic red brick or painted siding,” she says. And red is a great choice for traditional white siding and black shutters. Think barn, not candy apple. When picking door colors, consider your siding, roof, and neighbors’ homes to ensure a harmonious look.
Tips from the pros

• Follow the 60-30-10 paint ratio rule if you’re worried about going too bold, says DeAnna Radaj, a design pro based in Charlotte, N.C. “Sixty percent is the main color, on your siding. Thirty percent is the roof and trim—stick with neutrals for those. The last 10 percent—front door, shutters, and other details—is where to have fun.”
• If you’re going bold on your entryway, take a more muted approach on the garage door, especially if both face the street. That keeps the focus on the front door.

Get a new mailbox and numbers

Cost: $10 and more
Bland or worn-out house numbers and mailboxes can easily be replaced to bring the front of your house back into focus. If the ones you have are functional but dated or mismatched, consider investing in a can of spray paint. Unless it’s dented, there’s no need to replace a mailbox, says Rick Harris, a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker in Ashland, Ore. Radaj painted her mailbox, house numbers, and even the planters on her front porch. “I picked the color of the trim of the house—a warm brown— and went with a metallic paint that matched it,” she says.
Tips from the pros

• Make numbers big enough to see from the road. Create cardboard cutouts in the dimensions you’re considering, then hang them up, step back, and see what works best.
• Put numbers near a light. “There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to find a house at night when the numbers are in the dark,” says Debra Gould, president of the Staging Diva website.

Refresh the hardware

Cost: around $15 and up
If your hardware is in shoddy condition, replacements will make a huge difference. A new doorknob starts around $30; a kick plate ranges from $15 to $30, depending on the metal. Door knockers start around $13.
Tips from the pros

• Make sure all of the metal hardware on the door matches. “Many big-box stores sell series of products that work together,” Harris says. That’s a safe bet if you’re unsure; when your hardware has a uniform look, it shows thoughtfulness and ties the whole look of the house together.
• Buy hardware that’s in sync with the architectural style of your house. “You don’t want really contemporary brushed-nickel accessories or a funky doorknob on a colonial house,” Radaj says.

Lighten up

Cost: $15 to $50
Nothing warms up an entry and makes it feel welcoming like a few lights, especially once twilight falls. To brighten a porch, doorway, and walkway, Radaj uses LED lights intended for outdoor use. Our tests have shown that they instantly brighten, even in frigid temperatures, and can last for years. If you already have the fixture, it’s just a matter of switching the bulb. The $25 Feit Electric A19/OM/800/LED did great in our tests.

Tips from the pros

• Light a pathway. An easy, inexpensive way to do it is with solar-powered lights, which need no wiring. Just remember that they need to be installed in a sunny spot to function—and they don’t throw off the brightest light.
• Avoid candle-lit lanterns on a porch or walkway. Instead, use pillar and votive lights that run on batteries. They can be tucked into lanterns for a pretty glow and can be set on a timer.

Switch the doormat

Cost: around $10 and up
You can use a doormat to add a pop of color to your entry, Zimmer says. But if you have a door in a bold hue, keep the house numbers, mailbox, and doormat in a timeless style and stick with black. That will look great and won’t compete with the color, Gould says.

Tips from the pros

• Size it right. The doormat should cover about three-quarters of the width of the doorway.
• Go for textured types that catch dirt from shoes.

Hide a shabby porch or stairs

Cost: $45 to $50
If you haven’t gotten around to painting your front porch or deck, try throwing an outdoor area rug over it. Plunk down a bench and some plants, and no one will notice. A runner made for outdoor use can disguise a not-so-pretty stairway.
Tips from the pros

• Buy outdoor rugs with a nonslip backing for safety.
• Choose a colorful pattern if you want to make the rug the focal point and detract from a not-so-pretty setting.

Exterior paint picks from Consumer Reports

• Behr Premium Plus Ultra Exterior (Home Depot), $39  per gallon
• Clark + Kensington Exterior (Ace), $35
• Behr Premium Plus Exterior (Home Depot), $30
• Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, $68 
• Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, $68
• Valspar DuraMax Exterior (Lowe's), $39

—Adapted from ShopSmart magazine

More from Consumer Reports:
The best energy efficient air conditioners
5 terrific side by side refrigerators
Best places to buy large and small appliances

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

A room-by-room guide to the best paints

 https://homes.yahoo.com/news/room-room-guide-best-paints-203000122.html?soc_src=copy

By Mary Farrell June 25, 2015 4:30 PM

Choosing a color is where many of us start a paint job. But you should really begin with the paint brand. If you get that wrong, the room might not look great no matter what shade you use. Paint in a sunny kitchen, for example, can fade, and bathroom walls can end up covered in mildew. Consumer Reports tests are designed to find brands that stand up to sun, moisture, and other wear and tear.

We also check for gloss change over time—if the sheen dulls, it’s as bad as having a stain. Keep in mind that a paint’s sheen (how shiny or flat it is) should match the job. As a rule, darker rooms with fewer windows and little light need a shinier finish, such as satin, to brighten them up, and naturally bright rooms tend to look best in a light-absorbing matte finish.

To make shopping easier, we’ve grouped our top-performing paints into the best finishes for our room-by-room picks. And to make doing it yourself even easier, all of the listed paints are self-priming, so you can skip that step. Plus they’re eco-friendly, with low or no volatile organic compounds—the noxious chemicals that can make paint smell bad and give you a headache.

For high-traffic areas and dark rooms

• Valspar Reserve Satin, $44 (Lowe’s)
• Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin, $34 (Home Depot)

Why we like them. The easy-clean satin finish is ideal for any active space. Think entryways and kids’ rooms. The sheen also reflects light to brighten dark spaces. Both paints were great at hiding old paint and resisting stains. Valspar’s sheen didn’t change with scrubbing; Behr’s changed only slightly, but it left a smoother finish.

For kitchens and dining rooms

• Behr Marquee Interior Satin, $43 (Home Depot)
• Valspar Signature Satin, $34 (Lowe’s)

Why we like them. Satin finishes are a good match for walls that attract splatters. Our No. 1 paint, Behr Marquee, was especially great at resisting oil- and water-based stains, as well as standing up to aggressive cleaning. The budget friendlier Valspar Satin also earned high marks in both of those categories.

For bathrooms and trim

• Valspar Reserve Semi-Gloss, $45 (Lowe’s)
• Clark+Kensington Semi-Gloss Enamel, $33 (Ace Hardware)
• Behr Premium Plus Semi-Gloss Enamel, $29 (Home Depot)

Why we like them. The super-shiny semi-gloss finish—the easiest to clean—can hold up to sticky fingers and bathroom moisture buildup, and it’s great for highlighting woodwork. All three picks were very good at resisting mildew and stains.

For living rooms, bedrooms, sunny rooms, and ceilings

• Clark+Kensington Flat Enamel, $30 (Ace Hardware)
• Benjamin Moore Aura Matte, $54 (home centers)
• Valspar Ultra Flat, $29 (Lowe’s)

Why we like them. A light-absorbing, subdued flat finish can be soothing in a bedroom or living room and can help tone down too-bright spaces. It’s also the finish you want for ceilings. All three covered dark colors well and are durable, but Clark+Kensington left the smoothest surface and was better at resisting stains.
—Adapted from ShopSmart

More from Consumer Reports:
The best energy efficient air conditioners
5 terrific side by side refrigerators
Best places to buy large and small appliances

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Roof Sketch & Measurement

From  http://www.iroofing.org/features/

Take measurements right at the tap of your fingertips. There is no more waiting or going through a third party! It is fast, easy, and convenient. This provides incredible flexibility as you can use it on every job with no extra cost!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQGF30q1DjI

Career Fair in Brookfield draws hundreds of applicants

http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Career-Fair-to-be-held-in-Brookfield-Wednesday-302753851.html  

 Video by tmj4.com

 By Bridget Shanahan. CREATED May 6, 2015 - UPDATED: May 6, 2015

BROOKFIELD -- The summer hiring season is upon us, and a job fair in Brookfield is expected to draw hundreds.
"A lot of jobs pick up during the summer time, a lot of companies hire just for the next few months," said Sarah Ibarra with Hire Live.
This job fair at this hotel in Brookfield offers more one on one time than most -- companies have their own suite and more privacy.
"You're not going to be coming in and just dropping off your resume," Ibarra said. "You get to sit down speak with a lot of these hiring managers, head recruiters, district managers who will get the time to speak with you about the opportunity not just collect resumes."
So that means more interview time, anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
"Are they smiling. Are they happy to be here? Are they looking for a future and a career not just a job?" said Bill Cherette with Sears.
The guys at Sears are looking for sales reps for their home improvement division -- things really pick up this time of year and they say job fairs are one of the best ways to find new hires.
"We're looking for three to four [people], however with the right candidate we may bring on as many as six," Cherette said.
If you couldn't make it out today and are looking for something -- you can also...
"Go on to a lot of the job boards. We do post our jobs on monster, career builder, indeed. Zip recruiter. Reaching out to the local colleges, as well," Ibarra said.
Hire Live will be  hosting job fairs in the Milwaukee area every other month. Their next one is in July.

Happy St. Patrick's Day !!!

Five Low-Tech Ways to Burglar-Proof Your Home

 From: http://www.livewatch.com/blog/five-low-tech-ways-to-burglar-proof-your-home

Though the word burglar can bring to mind the image of a menacing villain, in reality most burglars are nothing more than common thieves, easily deterred by basic security precautions. Even if you don’t have a full home security system, there are many measures you can take to keep burglars out of your home. Here are five major tips to get you started protecting what’s most precious to you:

1. Use the right locks: Outer doors are your first line of defense, so install deadbolt locks if you haven’t already. Standard key-in-knob doors are vulnerable to basic lock-picking techniques, but deadbolts take a lot of skill to break. Also if your doors have glass panels, make sure they are at least three feet above the inside part of the lock—this makes it harder for potential thieves to smash the glass and reach inside to unlock the door.
2. Use your lights for intimidation: Lighting scares away potential burglars because it creates the illusion someone might be home, even if that’s not the case. You should make sure the entries to your home are illuminated at all times so you can see any unwanted visitors from inside before they make it to the door. Alternatively, you could use a motion sensor to turn on the lights anytime someone walks towards the entryway.
3. Secure your windows: Climbing through a window can be an easy way for a burglar to enter your house, but if the burglar has to smash thick glass, they will draw unwanted attention. Make breaking and entering harder for burglars by installing storm windows with multi-layer glazing. Also make sure the windows are equipped with locks on the inside.
4. Trim your bushes: Plants and shrubs provide an opportunity for burglars to conceal themselves, so make sure nothing green outside your window grows taller than the windowsill.
5. Make the occupancy of your garage a secret: Whether you’re on vacation or out to the store for five minutes, your garage door should be closed and windows covered. It’s best to make would-be burglars think you’re just inside watching TV.

We are looking for sponsors and participants for WomenBuild 2015

5 things you should do (and one thing you should NEVER do) if your pipes freeze

Posted 10:11 am, February 19, 2015, by Trisha Bee at  http://fox6now.com/2015/02/19/5-things-you-should-do-and-one-thing-you-should-never-do-if-your-pipes-freeze/

RICHMOND, Va. — It is advice your mother gives you each time temperatures dip below the freezing mark: “Make sure to drip your faucets.”
Mom is right.
Leaving a faucet open during freezing cold weather can help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting — which can lead to expensive home damage. But do you know how many faucets to keep running at one time? And do you know which faucets are most effective when it comes to preventing frozen pipes?
“One sink is good. Usually the farthest sink from where the water comes into the house,” Henrico (Va.) Fire spokesman Captain Daniel Rosenbaum advised. “If water comes in through the front of the house, look at the sink in the back of the house. That way, the water is flowing through all of the pipes on the underside of the house.”
Here are some prevention measures that may help protect your pipes:
FOAM
Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts.
By keeping your water warmer, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water in the cold, winter months.
DOME
Place an insulating dome or other covering on outdoor faucets and spigots to reduce the likelihood of water pipes freezing, expanding and causing a costly leak.
DRIP
Allow a slow drip from your faucets to reduce the buildup of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, the release pressure in the water system will reduce the likelihood of a rupture.If your pipes do freeze, here are five things you should do and one thing you should NOT do:
If your pipes do freeze, here are five things you should do and one thing you should not do:

• Keep the faucet open. As the frozen area starts to melt, water will flow and running water will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to frozen area using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer or towels soaked in hot water.
• Use a portable space heater, kept away from flammable materials, to warm under the house. Never leave heater unattended.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
• If you cannot find the frozen area, if the area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• DO NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.

Beware of storm chasing contractors.

  From Fox6Now.com

“He had a lot of business:” Victims of All Around Contracting come out of the woodwork

Posted 10:13 pm, February 15, 2015, by Katrina Cravy and LeeAnn Watson, Updated at 10:31pm, February 15, 2015

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MILWAUKEE (WITI) — If you’re a homeowner, you know the overtime you’ll eventually need to make repairs — especially if there’s storm damage. But, beware of storm chasing contractors. Several Milwaukee families hired the wrong company.
All Around Contracting out of Appleton had been all around Wisconsin chasing storms and telling homeowners, like LaDonna and Alford Brown, it could help.
“The guy came up and said, ‘Yeah, we do siding and I was looking at your house. We are in the neighborhood — canvassing the neighborhood,'” LaDonna Brown said.
Back in November, FOX6’s Contact 6 reporter, Katrina Cravy, went looking for “that guy” LaDonna was talking about — owner Nick Davis. Katrina showed up at the All Around Contracting office in Appleton in November, but couldn’t find Nick.
After the original story about All Around Contracting aired, Contact 6 received five more complaints about the company. In the complaints, all the stories were the same.

Eric and Wendy King came to Contact 6 after losing money to Nick Davis and All Around Contracting.

“In June, we had this big hail storm. I mean, it was rocking the house. I got out and look and I saw more damage. And, while I was looking, here comes Nick,” explained Eric King.
Eric and his wife, Wendy King, say Nick was a smooth talker and they trusted him. They signed a contract for more $15,000 and paid him $4,500 upfront. But, when the crew came — the work was horrible.
“I called him and said we got water damage. He brought some guy out here with a glue gun — went up there and started gluing it,” Eric said when describing the work done on his roof.
Then, just like the Browns, All Around Contracting, Nick Davis and his crews couldn’t be reached.
The place has closed.
Five customers have filed complaints with the state’s Consumer Protection Department and while it can’t comment on possible open investigations — it does have some advice.
“Ask for references. Call Consumer Protection to see if there are any complaints on file against a contractor. Go see other job sites from those references. Look online for circuit court access see if there’s been any small claims actions against  a contractor and weigh all that information,” suggested Michelle Reinen, Director of the Wisconsin Consumer Protection Bureau.
Eric and Wendy King are using some friends to fix their home and, luckily, didn’t pay All Around Contracting the full amount. It’s been a costly, but valuable lesson.
“We will be alright, but …some folks out there that aren’t going to be alright because he had a lot of business,” Eric said.

Contractors and volunteers work on LaDonna and Alford Brown’s home after the couple got a helping hand from the NARI Foundation.

At LaDonna and Alford Brown’s home, work is being done, but this time by contractors like Allrite Home & Remodeling.
“I’ve got a few of my guys that are helping out plus MATC is supporting in this project as well. Callen Construction is helping out. There’s also a few other companies that have also been involved with this,” said Randy Miller of Allrite Home & Remodeling.
After the last story aired, Katrina Cravy called NARI – the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s Milwaukee Chapter – to see if they could help and they came through.
Besides getting out the team of volunteers, the NARI Foundation also voted to give LaDonna and Alford up to $6,000 for the materials to complete the job.

Alford and LaDonna Brown

“Overall, I am kind of overwhelmed, of not just the professionalism of the men that came out here, but the work.  Their talent just shows off. They just come in and do their work. They’re very conscientious, very kind and that was something we had not experienced,” Alford said.
“I’m very appreciative and just writing that one paragraph and you opening up your heart and your camera crew and your team,” LaDonna said about Contact 6.
Remember to do your homework before hiring contractor because it’s not often you get such a happy ending like the Browns.

Filed in: Contact 6
Topics: alford brown, ALL AROUND CONTRACTING, Allrite Home and Remodeling, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Callen Construction, eric king, ladonna brown, nick davis, wendy king

Cut your remodeling costs - Check out the Habitat for Humanity ReStores

    Thinking about adding a splash with a new light fixture?  Need to replace that worn or outdated flooring?  Want a new look for your kitchen or bath?  Maybe you just want to freshen things up with a new coat of paint.  If you are a homeowner, you probably know that home improvements can get expensive in a hurry.  Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, buying materials and supplies at a hardware store, lumber yard or home improvement center can quickly add up.   

    What if there was a place where you could get new or gently used building materials, appliances, tools and hardware at prices 50%-75% lower than retail?  What if, in the process of saving money on your home improvement project, you were able to help families in need, disabled, or veterans in your own community to get affordable housing or home repairs?   What if…?

 

    There actually is such a place: the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  ReStores offer huge discounts on a vast array of donated new and gently used building materials including windows, doors, roofing, flooring, lighting, cabinets & counter tops, trim, bath fixtures, tools, hardware and appliances.  With new merchandise arriving daily, there is always a big selection.  In addition to the everyday low pricing, the Washington and Dodge County ReStores are offering additional incentives. 

• ·         You can obtain ReStore coupons through Groupon, providing as much as 50% off of store merchandize at:  https://www.groupon.com/deals/habitat-for-humanity-of-washington-and-dodge-county.  Just select your option -

o   $20 worth of merchandise for just $12 | Save $8

o   $50 worth of merchandise for just $25 | Save $25

• ·         Ask about  ReStore Deal-Finder’s Loyalty Club discount cards.

    The ReStores provide a great deal to their customers and all proceeds generated are used to help Habitat build and renovate homes for familes who qualify in their local communities.  The three ReStore locations In Washington and Dodge Counties help build as many as five homes and repair up to 30 more each year.  Why don’t you come in and visit us today?

West Bend ReStore

508 N Main St.

West Bend, WI 53090

(262) 334-1801

Germantown ReStore

W188N10707 Maple Rd.

Germantown, WI 53022

(262) 255-7470

Beaver Dam ReStore

 1022 Madison St.

Beaver Dam, WI 53916

(920) 885-4518

Free "How to" clinics for Habitat for Humanity Women Build participants

Lowes -12000 West Burleigh in Wauwatosa is offering two free clinics in support of the Habitat for Humanity-Washington/Dodge County's WomenBuild2015.

The two clinics are scheduled for March 7th and April 18th at the Lowes location in Wauwatosa.  The clinics run from 10:00AM - 12:00 noon.

*March 7th: How to Safely use Hand and Power Tools
* April 18th: How to Session on Framing Walls and Roofs

Please RSVP with our Volunteer Coordinator if interested in participating by calling our Habitat affiliate office at 262-338-0690.

To find out more about Habitat's Women Build program, please take a look at the following video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzSBl9btVE

With love and generosity, a home arises from the ashes

The Phoenix 

by David J. Lanska

Wisps of fiery essence

tease the smoldering embers.

The past is all but ashes now.

It seems no one remembers.

The promise of the days of old

are charred to chalky black.

We wish for that which once was ours,

But there is no going back.

Staring at the ashen remnants

of those days gone by.

with great despair and sorrow,

a tear drops from the eye.

But just when faith seems all but lost

and anguish rears its face,

a spark of hope is brought to life.

Tranquility takes its place.

With wings aflame and golden feathers

she reaches for the sky:

A symbol for eternity,

of hope that will not die.

With shrieks of joy she sings a song

sure to lift the spirit

of any downcast traveler,

fortunate to hear it.

Rebirth, resurrection and harmony

are amongst her grandest tricks.

She’s known throughout antiquity

as the fabled bird called Phoenix.

Reborn.  Risen from the ashes. Baptized by fire. Resurrected.  The mighty phoenix.  Forgive me if I wax poetic, but inspiration comes in unlikely places and at unlikely times.  On a quiet street in the neighborly city of Beaver Dam, a home was reborn this past Saturday, built on the foundation of its fire-ravaged predecessor, (the burned out remnants of a single family house that once scarred this neighborhood).  

 Rising from the ashes like a phoenix, a new home and a new hope took shape from the love, generosity and effort of the community.  The site was donated through the gracious generosity of its owner, Shannon Klein.  What remained of the structure was cleared.  The soot-encased basement was cleaned and repaired to become the foundation for the new home.  After 3430 hours of labor from a sea of volunteers, the house was ready for its new life as the home of the Ewert family.   

More than 550 amazing volunteers came from church groups, businesses and schools from across southeastern Wisconsin to participate.  Even an intrepid basketball team from southern Chicago graced the site with its effort, enthusiasm and energy.  

The 2 x 4s that frame the house very literally tell the unique story of love, encouragement and hope that this community wanted to convey to its newest members.  As part of a fundraiser, hundreds of people made a heartfelt donation to the project in cash and words inscribed onto the lumber:  a time capsule for the future - encased in the drywall.      

 

For the nearly 90 families, businesses, churches, financial institutions and foundations that partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties to provide materials, labor and much appreciated funds for the build, the dedication marks their continuing commitment to help those in need in the community.    

For Stacy Ewert, the dedication marks a rebirth of her own spirit and the hope for a better life for her sons, Colten and Nicholas.  How do you provide a future for your kids?  How do you house them, when two incomes become one?  Feeling helpless and alone, she felt like there was no safety net.  No one was there to help.  

 

Living in a scant apartment nestled between two bars, she struggled to make ends meet for her family.  With no yard for the kids and their pet dog, Harley, she sought out a new place to live.  She fell in love with Beaver Dam and desperately wanted to move there so her sons could be more involved in the sports they enjoy.  Unable to find anything she could afford, her hopes began to dim.  

Stacy didn’t know what the answer was or how she would find it.  Like the words of a country song, her answer came over the speakers in her car…in the form of a radio commercial.   Habitat for Humanity was looking for a partner family in Dodge County for a build already underway in Beaver Dam.  Cue the chorus of fiddle and guitar.  

As a single mother of two working for a local auto parts merchant, Stacy was surprised to discover that she might actually qualify for the program.  The application process was straightforward and went quickly.  Her income was verified and a committee evaluated her living situation.  Within a short time, the selection committee called her with the news: The Ewerts were chosen to be the newest Habitat partner family.  

As conditions of the program, Stacy happily performed the required 12 hours of community service, as well as the 250 hours partnering with Habitat (split between volunteering at the Beaver Dam ReStore and providing her own labor at the build site).  

She gets a little choked up talking about the experience.  While she once felt isolation, the generosity and selflessness of the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors and Habitat partners paints the picture of a community rallying to support one of its own.  She no longer feels alone because she knows she has the love and support of the community.  With the symbolic handing over of the keys by Site Supervisor Tony Koebel, Stacy was welcomed into the Habitat family. 

This dedication marked the 30^th home build in Washington and Dodge Counties.  With as many as five new homes built each year and 25 to 30 home repairs, the local affiliate continues its mission and ministry of providing  affordable housing to those in need.  Through donated labor, materials and much needed funds, Habitat is able to build modest, energy efficient homes at a reasonable cost.  Passing those costs on to the new homeowners through affordable financing packages is how Habitat provides a hand up instead of a handout.  Since its inception roughly 30 years ago, the Habitat ministry has enriched the lives of one million families worldwide with the blessing of affordable home ownership.   

As I toured the small ranch home after the dedication I was struck by the juxtaposition of old and new; of tragedy yielding to optimism.  On this very spot, a family’s home was once devastated by fire.  Through that tragedy, generosity created the opportunity for a new family to have a new life.  

For Stacy and her boys, 254 Walnut Street is more than an address.  It is much more than just a house.  It is a symbol of hope and rebirth.  It is a reminder that everyone faces challenges and adversity at some point in their lives, but they don’t have to face them alone.  The basement walls, where aged block cradles modern framing, provide a constant reminder of the love and support of those around us.  From the ashes, a phoenix has arisen.  Its wings outstretched and graced by the sun, it rises aloft oblivious to the constraints of gravity.