What does the Parade of Homes mean to you?

What does the Parade of Homes mean to you? I guess you could answer that question depending on if you’re one touring, one working with or on the project, a contractor/subcontractor, or the homeowner.

From the perspective of the one writing the stories for most of the homes – I get to see the vulnerability of the homeowner. I appreciate that! I get to know who you are! From the moment I am welcomed into the home – comments are made so many times such as, “Please don’t look at the dust”, or “all my projects aren’t going to get finished before this event”, or “my home is so ordinary – why should I do this? Why would you want to look at my humble abode?”

Well, my reply to you – homeowner -

Thank you – thank you for leaving some of the velvety dust – you’re human – you are real – you are comfort! I’m so happy to know all of your projects are not completed. If you ever get them all finished with nothing to do, then I’ll begin to worry about you, and for goodness sake – please come help me with mine!

As far as being “that ordinary house/home” - thank you for being ordinary!

It takes us all to make this world go ‘round, and it’s wonderful to see the different tastes in each home on this tour.

To you homeowner – thank you for opening your home, your heart, your vulnerability – and showing me, a resident of the community, the realization of who you are as an individual – you’re opening the door to your world – to your comfort zone – to your “kick-off-your-shoes” or “scratch-where-it-itches-place”!

I get very “wrapped up” in getting to know you, homeowner. I get to see you carry around the dust cloth as we visit each room in your home. There’s the occasional apron on a kitchen counter, a pair of socks or slippers beside your favorite, comfy chair next to the unfinished sewing project with a needle and thread hanging from that fabric – the newspaper or novel ready to read tonight after everyone else in the home goes to bed – your quiet and alone time.

Thanks for giving up some of your quiet time, for opening your door, for being vulnerable for the entire world to see, for supporting this event for The Boys and Girls of Richland County.

Leave the velvet dust alone – it’s ok – you’re the lived-in kind of person, and I like those “comfort folk” of Richland County!

We thank you for your support!

The reason this event continues, The Boys and Girls Club of Richland County Fundraiser, is because of people who want to see the club flourish, and hopefully in the near future – a door will be opened that will house a facility dedicated to this club – an organization so vital to this community… a safe place for our children, our grandchildren, our next generations. The generations to follow will thrive with this after-school program, a place where children can get the help they need with homework and tutoring, a place where boys and girls receive a healthy snack and a fun atmosphere with awesome activities – a great community seed where children will grow where they are planted!

Also, if it wasn’t for the people and businesses who plan and prepare an event such as this for all of us in Richland County – none of us would reap the benefits of this great fundraiser.

Creative Solutions has been a part of our community for 9 years, and owners Brenda Larson, her husband, Tim, and their construction business, Tim Larson Construction, with 34 years under the belt – they, along with their family and friends, employees and crews, know the importance of this project.

It’s awesome to have friends in your life such as the Larsons, who want this community to flourish, who want to see the Boys and Girls Club grow and to help fit the needs of Richland County, their life-long community.

It takes a lot of time (always scheduled in the midst of harvest, normal-every-day chores on the farm, running their businesses), planning this event. I want to thank you, as friends - Tim and Brenda Larson and your businesses, for being such a vital part of this community! Thanks for your dedication and service, your love of community, a passion for people, a passion for building a home for families and the generations to come.

I’m on the front porch (lookin’ in), and being welcomed with open arms into each one of these homes. My wish for you all who partake in the event – to enjoy being that homeowner, to enjoy being the contractor, building or remodeling these homes in this community, to those who will enjoy touring through our community – through the chosen homes of The Parade of Homes 2014.

Your tour this year will include homes owned by – Sam and Fran Syth, Steve and Shanna Lunderby, Dick and Andrea Davidson, Jerry and Jackie Schlenz, Sharon Rau and Cindy Mead.

I love coming out of retirement to write these stories – and I thank you allowing me to come in from the front porch!

A retiree from hiding – Deniece Schwab