WRBA show links customers with vendors

Area residents will be able to meet contractors from multiple trades when the Wolf River Builders Association presents its 10th annual Home & Cottage Show on April 11-12.

Thirty-one vendors will participate in the show at the Crawford Center in Shawano to “provide consumers with remodeling, building and landscaping ideas,” show chairman Cap Wallrich said.

Wallrich said residents can find vendors at the show who specialize in windows, roofing, cabinetry, painting, concrete, insurance, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

“Getting to meet face-to-face with contractors and other builders is a great experience,” said Mark Flunker, WRBA president.

Flunker noted the show can provide consumers with a first-hand glimpse of new styles in the construction and building trades, and others, such as vinyl windows and siding, that have transcended time.

“You can always look at new trends and see what is fresh on the market,” he said. “But there are things that have stood the test of time and will always be interesting.”

Woodstock Hardwood Flooring of Wittenberg is the show sponsor for the third straight year.

In addition to the traditional lineup of vendors, Menominee Tribal Enterprises in Neopit will display its kitchen cabinetry and millwork at the show for the first time.

Diane Montour, executive director of WRBA, said vendors have always been pleased with the turnout.

“Our vendors are generally very happy with the quality of the leads that they receive from our show,” she said.

Apple Valley Nursery and Orchards of Bonduel returns as the seminar area sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

One of the show’s six seminars will be a presentation by Ruth McGrath on repurposing furniture with organic paints.

“A lot of people would be interested in that because it is a new trend,” said Flunker, who also is executive director of Wolf River Habitat for Humanity.

“We get a lot of items that come in that need repurposing,” he said. “We are able to restore it, instead of junking it.”

Habitat for Humanity will present another of the seminars, “Building a Habitat Home: What We Do, How We Do It and How You Can Help.”

Apple Valley Nursery and Orchards will present two seminars, one on growing fruit trees and another on landscaping installation.

“(Attendees) will get some interesting tips … and landscaping advice, including pruning of trees,” Wallrich said.

Other seminar topics are spring cleaning tips and new painting ideas and techniques.

WRBA formed in 2003, representing builders in Shawano, Menominee and Oconto counties. The show was launched in 2006.

Admission for the event is either a $3 donation to Habitat for Humanity or three canned goods to the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center.