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Greetings!
Merry Christmas!
Christmas is an amazing time of year and even after passing the years of my youth, I still find it to be magical. This is the time to be thankful and thoughtful to all of those who help us make it through the year. It is also time to dream about what is to come. I have so many things to share with you about our industry and NADRA that I am eager to jump ahead to 2010. However, for the next couple of weeks, we need to focus on those around us who make it all possible. Everyone from that crossing guard at your Children's school to those who share the roof over your head. We all have so many reasons to be thankful and I hope you take the time to do so and reflect on all things good in your life. We really are blessed.
At NADRA, we are thankful to all of you who have supported us through the year. Many of you have given far more than your membership fee and I hope you have gotten more back in return. There is no way that we could accomplish anything without the help of others and truly thank you for your sacrifice of time and energy. As I dream about Christmas and all of the magic my list includes more people joining us in our efforts and good times shared by us all.
Merry Christmas to you and yours,
Shawn
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Deck for a Soldier (D4S) Update:
As of this writing, the Maryland Chapter of NADRA recently completed their Deck for a SoldierŪ (D4S) 2009 project. This year's recipients were selected through a renewed partnership with the Maryland Army National Guard and are a husband and wife both of whom are Staff Sergeants in the 290th Military Police Company and Baltimore County Police Officers.
Joseph and Anastasia Robinson are a young couple with an adorable two year old daughter living in Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. Robinson submitted an application with an attached letter detailing the military service of both her and her husband. Most notably among their sacrifices was the recalling of Joe's deployment immediately following their marriage with their daughter born in his absence. When notified of their selection, they were shocked and elated. Now, with their deck completed they have even more reason to celebrate.
The deck they received is almost 500 square feet and built with some of the finest materials the industry has to offer by some of the best deck builders in the country. Ray Steward, NADRA Director and D4S Committee Chair states, "The most amazing thing for me to witness is the eager willingness and partnership from our manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and builders. Here we are, all competing in the same market, yet out of a sense of patriotism, and with a desire to recognize and express our gratitude for the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, we set aside our relationship as competitors in the industry, and work closely together for one common goal." (See names of The Enlisted here.)
A ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration was held on Veteran's Day, November 11th, 2009, at the Robinson's home - on their new deck! In addition to the festivities of an outdoor barbecue there will be a dedication and blessing of the deck by a contingent from the MDANG and a Color Guard from the VFW. The celebration will also be attended by friends and family members of the Robinsons, as well as the many participants in this year's project.
The New Jersey Chapter of NADRA has also completed their D4S campaign. This year they worked side by side with Homes for our Troops in Union Beach, New Jersey to build the deck on a newly constructed, donated home for Army SSG Mike Minard. While on his third tour in Iraq, Sgt. Minard lost both of his legs to a roadside bomb. Local Chapter President, Gustavo de la Cruz, relates, "Our chapter and its members are humbled and grateful to be a part of such a worthy cause." Read full Press release Here
A Note from NJ Chapter Board Secretary, Jen Sheridan:
Hi Team,
I was lucky enough to witness a very special ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, 12/21/09 that despite freezing temperatures warmed my heart for the holidays!
On behalf of the NADRA NJ Chapter, we want to say thank you to everyone who helped make this Deck for a Soldier Project such a big success! I am so grateful to be a part of NADRA and to know such generous and dedicated individuals such as all of the volunteers. Let's hope that the Minard family will have many wonderful holidays to come in their new home. Check out the story in the Asbury Park Press today (also notice that NADRA was mentioned towards the end)!
Thank you all!!!!
Happy Holidays!
Best wishes,
Jen
"The Enlisted"
Ribbon Cutting, 12/21/09
Ribbon Cutting 12/21/09 with Sgt. Minard
The Pennsylvania Chapter is also in the selection process for their D4S 2009 campaign. It is to be completed after the new year.
Deck for a SoldierŪ is an inspirational component to NADRA's growing success. Director Dave Lombardo, Membership and Local Chapter Committee Chair states, "We fully expect as our membership grows and new chapters are added, that our D4S program will continue to play an integral part in highlighting the achievements and innovations of our industry."
Ray Steward, D4S Committee Chair, receives Adjutant General
of Maryland coin in ceremonial handshake from Brigadier General James
Adkins on behalf of Maryland Chapter of
NADRA for their continued support of our Citizen Soldiers. |
Hi all.
Here in New Jersey we're in a perpetual state of forward energy, having just completed our annual Deck For a Soldier (D4S) project, gearing up for our trend-setting, annual Deck Awards, and putting together plans for a NADRA members-only trip to tour the production facilities of NADRA member, TimberTech, who produce a wide range of industry-specific products. And since you're all doubtlessly well-informed of our D4S accomplishments and annual Deck Awards, I'd thought I'd tell you about our impending trip.
It was during the first day of our 2009 D4S project that local TimberTech rep Mike Schwartz offered the idea of the members-only escapade, asking if I thought we could fill the better part of 30 seats with Pennsylvania and New Jersey NADRA members.
It was a welcome proposal.
You see: I had been harassing Mike, for some time, to get me and my motley crew of decknicians a tour of the facilities, which are located in and around Columbus, Ohio. And so it was without any hesitation that I embraced his offer for me to find the people to fill those seats.
Among those who have committed to attending are owners and decknicians/deckologists from the following proud NADRA member companies: Barrett Contracting, Millstone Twp., NJ; Professional Deck Remodelers, LLC, South Brunswick, NJ; Hunterdon Builders, Flemington, NJ; Breyer Construction, Reading, PA; Natural Wonders Landscape Design, Schuykill, PA; and DeckBuilder Custom Decks & Railings, Barnegat, NJ.
The tour will allow attendees to depart from either Newark Liberty International Airport, or Philadelphia International Airport. We'll fly out to Columbus on the morning of February 10th, and head straight to Wilmington, Ohio, for a tour of TimberTech's production facilities there. We've been promised a comprehensive experience, including hands-on product demonstrations and a questions and answers session with TimberTech executives.
When we're done in Wilmington, we'll head back to Columbus, where we've got seats reserved at a Blue Jackets hockey game--after dinner, of course.
The next morning we'll tour TimberTech's XLM and RadianceRail production facilities in Columbus, and then head back home.
And while all expenses are included in the tour, the most valuable component can't be measured in dollars and cents: The people at TimberTech, who are among the major players in the production of composite and cellular PVC products, will acquire a better measure of the quality of our ranks--of NADRA. It can only be through direct interaction between our manufacturers, distributors, dealers and builders that we can announce our position--that we can show that we are a cut above--that we can increase our associative value.
Couple those immeasurable benefits with the educational and networking opportunities available through such programs, and this type of multi-faceted journey could set a new level of cooperative opportunity for our Association, and for those interested in connecting with the best in the business: the members of NADRA.
I am,
Gary J Daley, America's DeckBuilder
DeckBuilder Custom Decks & Railings
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Code Corner:
Note from Diana Hanson - Chairman of NADRA Codes and Standards Committee
During three weeks this past October and November, NADRA was able to participate in the 2009 International Code Council Annual Conference and Code Development Hearings in Baltimore, Maryland. The hearings were attended by code officials from all over the country, industry and manufacturer representatives, as well as engineers and other interested parties. Thousands of code change proposals were heard between the International Residential Code and the International Building Code.
These hearings were the first of two such hearings toward the development of the 2011 model codes. The Development Hearings take place before a committee of ICC member representatives who vote for or against code changes after hearing testimony. May and October 2010 will see ...read on |
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Upcoming Chapter Meetings / Events:
- Western Washington Chapter Meeting Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 @ Billy McHale's
- Pennsylvania Chapter Meeting, Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 @ Bear Creek Ski Resort - contact Matt Breyer for more information: matt@breyerconstruction.com
- Pennsylvania and New Jersey NADRA Members Take Tour of TimberTech February 10th, 2010 - contact Gary Daley for more information: DeckBuilderMail@aol.com
- Colorado Chapter Initial Formation Meeting - January 2010 - contact Scott Cathcart: 720-236-8306
2nd Annual
NADRA NJ Chapter
DECK AWARDS CEREMONY
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
NADRA builder members have the opportunity to compete each year by submitting photos of their best decks for the NADRA NJ Chapter Deck Awards contest. The NADRA NJ Chapter Deck Awards is a great way to get noticed by your peers. Please contact Bob Desilets for contest rules and regulations at rdesilets@olyfast.com
Opportunities for sponsorships are still available.
Thank you, Trex for being our first Platinum Sponsor!!!
Please contact NADRA HQ at Info@NADRA.org to get involved!
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Not a member of a local NADRA chapter? Want to get one started? Contact Info@NADRA.org to learn more. Take advantage of NADRA's "Chapter Stimulus Incentive Program" Currently, there are NO Chapter Dues... $175.00 value.
Get Involved Today! 1.888.623.7248
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In closing, NADRA received a beautiful letter of thanks from the parents of Staff Sergeant Joseph Robinson (Recipient of MD Deck for a Soldier). We wanted to share this with all of you.
"... The heartfelt gratitude expressed by a proud and loving father gives us yet one more reason to be thankful this holiday season. It serves as a powerful reminder of what and why we do it - take a minute to read it. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you. Well done, NADRA - well done." ~ Ray Steward NADRA Deck For a Soldier, Chair.
From all of us at NADRA,
We would like to wish you a
Happy & Prosperous 2010! | |
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