Jason Arndt, jarndt@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Allen and Marjorie Michaelson, of Shawano, learn about the latest pillow products Saturday from Wolf River Builders Association members Bob and Debbie Moran during the WRBA Home & Cottage Show at the Crawford Center.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Kyle VanOrder and Philip Kersten, of Woodstock Hardwood Flooring and Design Center, educate a potential customer about the company’s floor products Saturday during the WRBA Home & Cottage Show at the Crawford Center. Woodstock was the show sponsor.
With sunny skies and temperatures climbing, area residents' thoughts turned to homes and gardens -- good news for vendors at the Wolf River Builders Association's 10th annual Home & Cottage Show.
“It looks like we have a good and steady flow of customers coming through, even with the weather so nice outside," WRBA executive director Diane Montour said. "We never know what (the weather) will do for us.”
The event, which opened Saturday and continues Sunday at the Crawford Center, features more than two dozen vendors, including show sponsor Woodstock Hardwood Flooring and Design Center.
Philip Kersten, owner of Woodstock Hardwood Flooring and Design Center, of Birnamwood, was pleased with the number of people browsing his firm's display.
“It is a very good turnout so far," he said. "It is going well. This is a nice a territory for us. We like meeting the people here.
“We actually had a few clients come in today to see if we had anything new, and they walked in and said they loved their bathroom, tile floors, their counter tops.”
Show attendees were able to meet with vendors specializing in areas such as windows, roofing, cabinetry, painting, concrete, insurance, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Vendors new to the show included Menominee Tribal Enterprises, which also donated a hand-made cutting board for the bucket raffle.
Montour said the raffle, which was added to the show this year, drew a lot of people to the WRBA booth.
The prizes contributed by WRBA members included camping items from CoVantage Credit Union, a metal sign from the Shawano Community High School trades program, paint supplies from Sherwin Williams, maple syrup from Ted and Dorothy Foster, and goodie baskets from Crossword Custom Cabinetry.
“The bucket raffle is something people are attracted to, and it gets people excited because it is a new thing," Montour said. "I think we may bring it back, and believe it is going to be a hit.”
Montour credited Woodstock and seminar sponsor Apple Valley Nursery and Orchard with helping make the weekend event a success.
“We have always had great sponsors putting up a great display," she said, "and I think the promotion of them being out here is what brings more people in.”
Sunday's seminar topics are “Building a Habitat Home — What We Do, How We Do It and How You Can Help,” Kevin Culhane, Wolf River Habitat For Humanity, 10:45 a.m.; “Hardscape Installation 101,” Roy Brodhagen, Apple Valley Nursery, 11:45 a.m.; and “New Painting Ideas and Techniques,” Cindy Paholke and Pam Paholke, Creative Wallprinting Plus, 1 p.m.
WRBA formed in 2003, representing builders in Shawano, Menominee and Oconto counties. The show was launched in 2006.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Wolf River Builders Association Home & Cottage Show
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Crawford Center, 990 E. Green Bay St., Shawano
ADMISSION: $3 donation to Habitat for Humanity or three canned goods for the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center