Threshold July 2018

JULY 2018
INSIDE
SUMMER LIVING ON A
NEW FRONT PORCH
PROTECT YOUR HOME
FROM SEVERE WEATHER
BEYOND COOL:
CEILING FAN BENEFITS
THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY
TIPS TO ENJOY YOUR
SUMMER BARBECUE

Immigr
Americ
FEATURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
IMMIGRANT BUILDS
CREDIT
and His American Dream
6
7
11
BEYOND COOL
Benefits of Ceiling Fans
HOME BUILDERS BLITZ
TOP 5 TIPS TO ENJOY
YOUR SUMMER BARBECUE
2 THRESHOLD JULY 2018
12
PROTECT YOUR
HOME FROM
SEVERE WEATHER
14
16
19
A publication of the Greater Cedar Rapids
Housing and Building Association
HONORARY MEMBER
Ralph Palmer
EVENT: TRAPSHOOT &
BARBEQUE SMOKE OFF
LAWN CARE DURING
ARID SUMMER MONTHS
Adolfo 8Murillo came to the United States six years ago,
bringing only his visa, a pair of shoes, a Nike shoebox fu
socks—and a lot of hope.
SUMMER LIVING
on a New Front Porch
“The American dream was possible,” said Murillo, who w
born in Rome and later moved to Mexico City.
He began building his life in the United States, working
a Cedar Rapids auto dealership and renting a house for
family. Paying more than
$1,200 a month in rent,
Murillo was ready to work
toward another American
dream: homeownership. But
he didn’t know how to get
there without credit.
“Our culture believes
strongly in paying your stuff
off, so I had no debt. But I
had no credit,” Murillo said.
His coworkers encouraged
him to reach out to
Dupaco’s Sylvia Miller. When
10 SAVE THE DATE
they met in February, Miller
said
17
he needed
NEW MEMBERS
to first build
his 20 credit. THE She SPIKE explained CLUB
how 23 credit GCRHBA works and BOARD
helped him open a checking
and savings account, a
Dupaco Visa ® credit card
and a small personal loan.
DEPARTMENTS
CREDIT SCORE
AMOUNT OWED
percentage of credit
limits available
NEW CREDIT
ACCUMULATION
in the last
12–18 months:
• Number of credit
inquiries
• Opening dates
TYPE OF CREDIT
• Installment (raises) vs.
(lowers)
• The more finance comp
the lower the score

EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S MESSAGE
Fourth blitz, eleven homes
MELISSA
OLSON
In our effort of “Building
Our Community,”
the GCRHBA partnered
with Cedar Valley
Habitat for Humanity
to build 3 homes in
5 days for Home Builders
Blitz 2018. Beginning
in 2012, this was
our fourth blitz and a
completion of 11 new
homes in our community!
Our members
came together alongside CVHFH to build these
homes for local families and we are truly thankful
to all that were involved in this amazing project.
A very special thank you to Jeff Capps, Executive
Director with CVHFH, and our lead builders Paul
and Andrew Brundell with Allan Custom Homes,
Wes Howard with Cedar Ridge Homes, Jim Sattler
with Jim Sattler Custom Homes, Joe Sattler with
Sattler Homes & Remodeling, and Jen Skogman
with Skogman Homes. These are the people that
made what seems like an impossible task a reality!
That reality was celebrated at the end of day 5
when the lead builders handed over the keys to the
new homeowners. This dedication and ceremony
showcased the power and love behind the project
and how our community and members came together.
That love was more than obvious when a
new homeowner and mother of 2 beautiful little
girls smiled and gave her lead builder the biggest
hug – you could just see the appreciation and a forever
bond was formed. It was special for me to see
those little girls faces light up knowing they now
had a home!
Thank you to all who attended and supported
our Annual Trap Shoot event. A special thank you
to Wayne Winn with Home Town Restyling and
Chad Kelly with Kelly Concrete for continually supporting
our association and members! A big thank
you to our committee, JR Blok, Ryan Sullivan and
Chad Williams, who once again helped make this
another successful event for us. I hope to see everyone
at our July Remodelers Night Out event!
And finally, thank you to Ralph and Linda
Palmer for taking the time to speak with me. Look
for Ralph’s story as we feature him as a honorary
member in this issue.
Melissa Olson
Executive Officer
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building
Association
MEMBERSHIP VALUE
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edge in the industry. In our competitive marketplace, differentiation is the
key to success and NAHB’s nationally recognized education programs offer
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Plus, Access to Expert Advisors who can address your specific business
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economists, tax specialists, legal research staff, financial experts and
regulatory and technical specialists.
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 3

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
MIKE FARR
Thank you for your membership and participation!
We had our Trap Shoot over the past
month. The weather was looking questionable,
but we made the decision to move forward with
it and the weather cooperated with us. We had a
great turnout! Rich Lyle was you winner of the
smoke-off. And Randy Dostal’s ribs beat my
entry again this year! I am going to have to do
something about that next year! I want to thank
our lead sponsors for this event Wayne Winn
from Home Town Restyling and Chad Kelly of
Kelly Concrete!
If you have interest in being a lead sponsor or
to be involved in one of our events, please get a
hold of Melissa, or myself.
We are acknowledging 2 lifelong members of
our association this year. We are granting them
the status as Honorary Members. The first one
will be introduced in this issue. Read about
Ralph Palmer, and his many contributions to
this organization over the years. And when you
see him, thank him for his TIME. As that is the
most valuable thing any member can offer us!
Kirkwood Carpentry program is looking for
members from our association to serve as advisors
to them on the curriculum. Please contact
Melissa and she can get you connected with the
Kirkwood folks.
Are you looking for help? There are students
from Kirkwood that are looking for internships
and jobs. Let’s work together to help you find the
right partnership. Contact Melissa at the HBA
office if you have interest in getting involved!
If you have interest in hosting an afterhours
meeting at your business, please let Melissa or
myself know. It is a great way to show our members
what you do and tour your facility!
The state is working on the State of Iowa to
allow group health care. This is going on in other
states in the nation. If we can get this going in
Iowa, your membership will be one of the most
valuable things you can do for your business!
I hope to see all of you at the Remodelers
night out on July 12 at Iowa Brewing Company.
Mike Farr
President
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building
Association
NETWORKING
AFTER HOURS
MEMBER EVENTS
Remodelers Night Out
Thursday, July 12, 2018
5-7 PM
Iowa Brewing Co.
708 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids
See page 18 for details.
Come make a splash!
Thursday, August 9, 2018
5-7 PM
Splash Pool & Spa Builders
5454 Center Point Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
See page 22 for more information.
2018 Nail Drivers’ Open
Friday, August 17
11 AM, Shotgun
4 PM, Social Hour
St Andrews Golf Course
1866 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids
See page 24 for more information.
4 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

Adolfo Murillo came to the United States six years ago,
bringing only his visa, a pair of shoes, a Nike shoebox full of
socks—and a lot of hope.
“The American dream was possible,” said Murillo, who was
born in Rome and later moved to Mexico City.
He began building his life in the United States, working at
a Cedar Rapids auto dealership and renting a house for his
family. Paying more than
$1,200 a month in rent,
Murillo was ready to work
toward another American
dream: homeownership. But
he didn’t know how to get
there without credit.
“Our culture believes
strongly in paying your stuff
off, so I had no debt. But I
had no credit,” Murillo said.
His coworkers encouraged
him to reach out to
Dupaco’s Sylvia Miller. When
they met in February, Miller
said he needed to first build
his credit. She explained
how credit works and
helped him open a checking
and savings account, a
Dupaco Visa ® credit card
and a small personal loan.
Immigrant builds credit and his
American Dream
CREDIT SCORE MAKEUP
AMOUNT OWED
percentage of credit
limits available
NEW CREDIT
ACCUMULATION
in the last
12–18 months:
• Number of credit
inquiries
• Opening dates
30 %
TYPE OF CREDIT
• Installment (raises) vs. revolving
(lowers)
• The more finance company loans,
the lower the score
What makes up your credit score?
COMPANY PROFILE
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Murillo did everything Miller asked of him, and by fall his
credit score had skyrocketed—jumping from 0 to 669. He
was ready to buy his first house.
“He was doing everything we are all doing—he earned
his money, paid his taxes, sent his kids to school. He just
needed somebody to say, ‘You’re worth it,’” Miller said.
“I told him, ‘I’m not
giving up on you.’”
10 % 10 % 15 %
%
PAYMENT HISTORY
i.e. on-time payments
or delinquencies
35 %
LENGTH OF CREDIT
Murillo, his girlfriend
and his two daughters
moved into their
Anamosa house in
September. Their family
has since grown by
two huskies, which his
girls had long wanted.
“It’s the most beautiful
house on the planet,”
Murillo said. “The
feeling of owning a
house, there is nothing
like that feeling.”
Discover the difference at www.dupaco.com/homes
As a financial cooperative owned by its members, Dupaco Community Credit Union uses sustainable money
methods to keep members’ money working here, locally.
The more our members do with Dupaco, the more we’re able to give back through better rates, fewer fees,
low-cost insurance, and freebies like on-demand credit monitoring tools, Money Makeovers and Credit History
Lessons. Empowering members to achieve financial success enriches the whole community.
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 5

BEYOND
COOL
Ceiling Fans
There are many benefits to incorporating ceiling
fans into your home’s design that go beyond
cooling off a room. Using ceiling fans
throughout the home greatly reduces energy
costs, while also providing comfort, style and
beautiful lighting.
Progress Lighting has unpacked the top five
benefits of ceiling fans which include gains in
both fashion and function.
Article provided by National
Association of Home Builders
benefits of ceiling fans
CEILING FANS LOWER
ENERGY COSTS
Ceiling fans can help lower
your electric bill by up to 30
to 40 percent. While a ceiling
fan doesn’t decrease the
temperature
of
a room,
the draft
makes the
room feel
cooler – allowing you to raise
the thermostat and be just as
comfortable.
DESIGN TIP: Energy Star-rated
fans, such as Progress
Lighting’s AirPro P2530-09
fan, are 60 percent more
efficient than conventional
fan and light units, offering
additional energy savings.
CEILING FANS ARE A STYLE
DRIVEN ACCESSORY
Ceiling fans are available in
a variety of sizes, styles, and
finishes to
complement
your
unique
interior
style. Fans
are more than just functional;
they can serve as a statement
piece or focal point of
a room.
DESIGN TIP: Interchangeable
blade sets – such as the Progress
Lighting Palm Blade Set
– allow you to easily reinvent
the design of your fan without
replacing the entire unit.
CEILING FANS OFFER
VERSATILITY FROM ROOM-
TO-ROOM
Whether a living area, bedroom,
screened-in porch or
kitchen, ceiling fans contribute
to an enjoyable environment
in almost any room of
the home. Plus, the more fans
used throughout the home,
the greater the savings on
your energy bill.
CEILING FANS
PROVIDE BEAUTIFUL
AND FUNCTIONAL
ILLUMINATION
Ceiling fans with lights allow
you to contribute
to
the layered
lighting
design of
your room.
Select a fan with a built-in
light, or easily install a fan
light kit, for general illumination
benefits.
DESIGN TIP: Choose a light
kit that coordinates with the
fixtures and appliances in
other areas of your home.
Many of Progress Lighting’s
light kits are part of larger
lighting families, such as the
Trinity collection, taking the
guesswork out of the selection
process.
CEILING FANS ADD YEAR-
ROUND VALUE
Many
people are
unaware
that ceiling
fans can
be used to circulate warm air
during cooler months of the
year. By running the blades
clockwise, ceiling fans push
warm air down from the ceiling
without creating a draft.
DESIGN TIP: Select a fan
equipped with a reversible
motor, such as Progress Lighting’s
Trevina fan, to easily
change the direction of your
fan blades to create a comfortable
living environment
any time of the year.
6 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY
Home Builders Blitz 2018
a tremendous success!
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity,
in partnership with the Greater Cedar
Rapids Housing & Building Association,
built three homes in five days.
The Home Builders Blitz (June 4-8,
2018) completed a two-year, six-home
transformation of the 900-block of
12th St. NE in Cedar Rapids.
This wouldn’t be possible without
our local team of lead builders:
Allan Custom Homes
Cedar Ridge Homes
Jim Sattler Custom Homes
Sattler Homes & Remodeling
Skogman Homes
In addition to our deep gratitude to
dozens of area businesses who provided
in-kind labor and materials, we
are grateful for the special support of
the following sponsors:
City of Cedar Rapids
Hills Bank & Trust
Housing Fund for Linn County
Ohnward Bank & Trust
D.C. Taylor Co.
Honkamp Krueger & Co.
Van Meter Inc.
Dupaco Community Credit Union
On Friday,
June 8, keys
were presented
to the new
homeowners
during Home
Dedication
Ceremony.
Thanks to all who
played a vital role
in making this
project happen!
CLICK HERE TO
SEE MORE PHOTOS
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 7

SUMMER
LIVING
NEW
FRONT
PORCH
on a
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
8 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

The front porch was described as a ‘transitional space
between the private world of the family and the public
realm of the street.’
– Andrew Jackson Downing, a well-known 19th century landscaper.
OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES are an
“essential design trend” for homes
nationwide, according to judges for
the Best in American Living Awards,
an annual National Association of
Home Builders competition, and
continue to be on many home
buyer and renters’ must-have lists.
Adding a front porch to your home
has become increasingly important,
whether you are remodeling or selling
your home.
The front porch was described
as a “transitional space between
the private world of the family and
the public realm of the street,” by
Andrew Jackson Downing, a wellknown
19th century landscaper.
While the purpose of a porch may
have evolved from a place to drink
sweet tea and gossip to a place where
families sit to enjoy a meal or the
sunset together, the fact remains that
a porch is an essential and desired
feature for many home owners.
Here are some things to think
about when planning the construction
of your new porch.
Size
The porch is an accessory, so it
shouldn’t overwhelm the main
structure of the house. It should,
however, be large enough to look
like part of your home instead of
an afterthought. Think about what
you want to use your porch for. If
you envision dining al fresco with
your family during warm-weather
months, you will want a porch that
is at least 8-10 feet deep to accommodate
a good-sized table and chairs.
However, if you just want to place a
loveseat or a couple of chairs on your
porch, somewhere around 6 feet
deep should be sufficient.
Location
If your home has the flexibility,
the side of your home
your porch is on is important.
A south-facing porch
will take advantage of the
sun’s heat but could also
get uncomfortable during
the summer. If the idea of
cocktails at sunset is appealing,
place your porch facing
west. Early risers may want
maximum light to read the
paper and sip coffee with a
porch facing east.
Don’t forget about accessing the
porch from the home, and what
design impact that may have on
the interior rooms. For example,
you may want to install French or
sliding glass doors from the living
room or kitchen to create an entrance
to the porch.
Features
To ensure aesthetic continuity, try
to use the same materials to build
your porch as are used in the home,
especially the exterior surfaces. This
includes coordinating millwork
and other design motifs so that
your new porch looks like a continuation
of the rest of your home.
Other factors that could affect
the enjoyment of your new porch.
Consider installing screens if you
live where there are lots of flying insects,
or glass windows so you can
extend the use of your porch into
cooler months. If you plan to use
the porch during the night hours,
make sure you install either sufficient
lighting or outlets for lamps.
A ceiling fan is a good idea to make
the space more comfortable in
warm temperatures.
Before you know it, you and your
family can begin to relax and enjoy
the summer season from the comfort
of your new porch—or have an
attractive feature to offer to buyers. T
Click here to find your LOCAL remodelers
when you are ready to add your porch.
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 9

SAVE THE DATE
The Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association is
the main sponsor of several events throughout the year, that
allow consumers direct access to the latest in building products,
actual building contractors of new homes, and remodelers
of existing homes.
JULY 12
Remodelers Council
Night Out
AUGUST 9
Splash Pool & Spa
Builders Mixer
AUGUST 17
Nail Drivers Open
SEPTEMBER 29 & 30
Fall Parade of Homes
AND
OCTOBER 4, 6 & 7
Fall Parade of Homes
OCTOBER 3
Members Only
Parade of Homes
Breakfast & Tour
AUGUST 30
CR-IC HBA Mixer
NOVEMBER 15
Annual
Awards Banquet
SEPTEMBER 20
Suburban Lumber Mixer
10 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

Top 5 Tips to Enjoy Your Summer Barbecue
If enjoying your home in the summertime includes a barbecue
on your patio or deck, follow these five safety tips for
your grilling equipment and the food you will be cooking.
1. Location Always Matters
Maintaining an adequate distance between the grill and
the outside wall of the house is important to reduce the
chance of fire. Gas and charcoal grills should never be
used indoors, in closed garages or on enclosed patios and
balconies. Not only is fire a threat in these areas, the toxins
released by the charcoal can be dangerous.
You should also check local regulations. Some towns
and counties impose restrictions on where you can use,
or even store, your gas or charcoal grill. For example, it is
against the law in some places to use a grill on a wooden
deck or a patio that is covered by a deck.
Make sure the grill is placed on a level floor so it
won’t tip, and set it away from any potentially flammable
objects like cars, lawn mowers, gas tanks or compost
heaps. Keep a clear walking path from the grill to the
eating area so there is no danger of tripping and knocking
down the grill.
2. Don’t Play with Fire
Always keep a fire extinguisher handy for any emergencies
and keep an eye on children in the area. Curious little
ones might be tempted to put their fingers and hands
on hot grill surfaces or barbecuing utensils, or could
knock over a hot grill, causing significant injury or creating
a fire hazard.
3. Prepare Your Food with Caution
Proper preparation of the food you are cooking is key. To
avoid contamination, handle raw meat carefully. Keep
it separate from other foods and never reuse a plate on
which raw meat has been placed. Wash your hands in
warm, soapy water after handling raw meat and clean
all surfaces and utensils that touch raw meat with hot,
soapy water before using with other food. Meat should be
thawed on a plate in the refrigerator or microwave oven,
not at room temperature.
4. Take Your Food’s Temperature
Food should be cooked to a safe internal temperature —
judged by using a food thermometer — to destroy harmful
bacteria. Don’t simply judge its doneness by how brown it
is on the outside. According to the USDA Blog, whole poultry
should reach an internal temperature of 180°F; chicken
breasts, 170°F. Hamburgers made of ground beef should
reach 160°F; ground poultry, 165°F. Beef, pork, veal and
lamb steaks, roasts and chops can be cooked to 145°F.
Don’t let food sit out for more than an hour in weather
above 90°F and promptly refrigerate any leftovers in shallow
containers. Discard any food that has been sitting out for
more than two hours in weather cooler than 90°F. For more
information, visit www.fsis.usda.gov or call 800-535-4555.
5. Protect Your Feast from Bugs
After you’ve grilled the perfect hamburger you’ll want to
relax and enjoy eating it. That means keeping the bugs
away. To help lessen insects’ intrusion on your picnic,
keep sweets and sodas covered and capped and eat while
it is still light to avoid mosquitoes in the evening. Use
spray repellent, mosquito coils or citronella-laced candles
or torches to help keep the pests away. T
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 11

Protect
Your Home
from Severe
Weather
During severe weather, your
house may endure the brutal
conditions of tornadoes,
hurricanes, blizzards and other
punishing storms.
Take the time now to equip
your home with the accessories
it will need to survive a storm.
Don’t wait until the forecast
calls for severe weather
because you may not have
enough time to take
necessary preparations.
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
12 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

REVIEW YOUR
INSURANCE POLICIES
Before you do anything else,
look over your insurance policies
to make sure you’re covered for
losses incurred as the result of a
natural disaster or brutal storm.
Damage caused by flooding,
earthquakes and hurricanes is
generally not covered by your regular
homeowner’s policy but can
be purchased separately. Make
lists or videotapes of your belongings
as documentation for the insurance
company and keep that
documentation in a safe location
away from your house.
SEAL WINDOWS AND
DOORS
Try to prevent wind
and water from
entering through
windows, cracks,
entry doors and
garage doors. Wind
funneling through
your house pushes upward, and
could lift the roof, allowing heavy
rains to damage the interior of
your home.
Especially in hurricane-prone
areas it is important to seal your
windows and doors as tightly as
possible. You can purchase and
install special storm shutters to
cover your windows.
DIY STORM SHUTTERS
You can also make your own set of
shutters out of three-quarters inch
marine plywood or metal storm
panels. Make sure they overlap the
windows on all sides by four inches.
Then mark them so you know
which window they fit. Don’t forget
to make shutters for your skylight
windows. Once made, the
shutter panels can be stored and
used when necessary. These shutters
can help protect homes from
all rainstorms accompanied by
high winds, not just hurricanes.
CONSIDER STEEL DOORS
After you’ve made shutters for all
your windows, start working on
your doors. If you live in an area
that frequently gets heavy storms,
consider installing steel entry
doors. High winds can easily tear
through double doors, French
doors and sliding patio doors that
have no structural support between
the two sides.
You may need to purchase
and install special hardware to
more adequately secure the doors
where they meet. Try bolts that
fasten the door into the framing
at the top and the bottom.
REMEMBER YOUR ROOF
A roof in good condition can
shield your home’s interior from
the storm outside. So roof work is
another essential step in preparing
your house to withstand a severe
storm. Apply sealing around your
home’s chimney or vent pipes.
This will help prevent water from
seeping into your home. Hire a
contractor to check the structural
integrity of the roof system.
Clean out clogged gutters and
downspouts. If the rain that accompanies
a heavy storm can’t
run through the gutters and
downspouts, it will spill over the
sides, landing in areas where it
can soak through to your home’s
foundation, causing flooding and
structural damage.
CLEAR YOUR YARD
Next, take steps to protect your
home from objects that take
flight during a storm. Do a little
yard work. Remove all dead and
dying limbs from your trees, and
secure lawn furniture, trashcans,
flowerpots and other
yard ornaments.
Disconnect and
remove exterior
television antennas
from the roof. Then
take all lawn furniture,
grills, potted
plants and other lawn accessories
inside your house. If you
can’t secure lawn furniture or
other outdoor items, bring them
inside as well. High-speed winds
could transform any of these objects
into flying missiles.
Tie down the larger items such
as sheds, doghouses, playhouses,
swing sets and boats.
PREPARE TO SHELTER-
IN-PLACE
Finally, stock your cupboards and
closets with anything you might
need if you have to take shelter inside
your house during a summer
storm. Keep a battery-operated radio,
several flashlights in case you
lose electricity, and plastic sheeting
to cover exposed areas.
Fill your drawers with brand
new packages of live batteries
for the flashlights. Stash canned
foods and other non-perishable
food items in your cupboards in
case you can’t get out to the supermarket
for a while. And pile blankets
into your closets in case you
lose electricity and your house becomes
cold.
When you and your house
are prepared, you’re more likely
to weather the toughest storm.
Taking time now to prepare your
home for storm season could save
you a lot of money later. T
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 13

HONORARY MEMBER
Ralph Palmer
Ralph Palmer is originally from Gilman, Iowa. After
graduating high school, he went to the University of
Iowa to play baseball. Lettering his first year, Ralph
transferred to Coe College in Cedar Rapids. While
attending Coe College, he worked and lived at the
Turner Funeral Home.
One night after a late baseball game, Ralph went
home and realized he was locked out. His bedroom
was on the third floor, so he used the outside stairwell
to get up to his room. During his climb up, the
police arrived and asked him what he was doing.
As he stood on the ladder on the side of a funeral
home, Ralph replied “going home.”
Ralph was able to work 3 jobs and graduate from
Coe College with a degree in business and biology
and no debt.
In 1960, Ralph married Linda, a graduate of the
first graduating class at Jefferson High School. The
two met through a mutual friend and had their first
date at the Ced-Rel Supper Club. A week later, Ralph
ran into Linda downtown while checking his mail
and told her “let’s go look at rings.” After a chuckle,
Ralph responded “I didn’t have a lot of time.”
Ralph and Linda have 3 children; Cindy, Becky
and Jeff. Cindy is an X-ray Technician at RCI. Becky
works for Wells Fargo in Des Moines. Jeff owns The
Top Shop. Ralph and Linda have 4 grandchildren,
2 boys and 2 girls and will celebrate their 58th anniversary
this year. When asked how they survived
“Boards must be focused and
need to work together to get
things done. “
Ralph Palmer
next page >
Ralph Palmer with his puppet Howie.
Q: What does it mean to you to be an Honorary
Member of the GCRHBA?
A: Recognition is an interesting thing. It brings a
flood of fragmented memories that were all good;
which was being a participant or helped make
things happen.
Q: What is your best memory of the GCRHBA?
A: 15-20 people that made up the core, even
though they are competitors. They came together
to help the organization and respected each other.
14 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

“When you
get involved in
something you
like, it contributes
right back to you.”
Ralph Palmer
from previous page >
58 years, Linda replied, “I gave a lot” and Ralph followed
with “and I took it.”
Ralph worked at the Ar-Jay Center for 47 years. He
has been enjoying retirement for the past three years.
During his time with Ar-Jay’s, Ralph wrote a monthly
article for a kitchen and bath industry magazine
for over 20 years.
Later, Ralph self-published a book summarizing
all his articles; “Give Yourself a Raise Starting Today.”
Ralph wanted to determine what made people
succeed and came up with the phrase, “Keep your
enthusiasm by giving it away.” Ralph is a man of
many talents including motivational speaking, auctioneer,
and a ventriloquist with his puppet Howie.
Shortly after beginning work at the Ar-Jay Center,
Ralph joined the Greater Cedar Rapids HBA. During
the early years of his membership, The Gazette would
print pictures of new construction homes open to
the public; similar to the Parade of Homes. In 1991,
Ralph contacted the GCRHBA President Mike Flynn,
Flynn Homes, and requested the GCRHBA do something
special of their own. Ralph took the lead, but
he knew the GCRHBA needed The Gazette involved
to make this idea successful. So, he reached out and
created the first Parade of Homes. The Parade of
Homes has had a huge impact on the GCRHBA in
regard to involvement, membership, and financially.
Creating the Parade of Homes is Ralph’s biggest
highpoint since he was directly involved, and
it gave the most opportunity to membership. Ralph
was President in 2000 and on the Board of Directors
through 2007. He was inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1996 and an Associate of the Year Award
recipient in 1992 and 2001.
Ralph is well-known in the community for his continued
involvement in a number of organizations. T
Ralph’s community involvement includes:
– Camp Courageous
– Cedar Rapids Ambulance Company
– Cottage Grove Place Association
– Hawkeye Horseshoe Pitching Association
– Trinity United Methodist
– Cedar Rapids Softball Hall of Fame
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 15

2018 ANNUAL
Trap Shoot & Barbeque Smoke Off
Wednesday, June 20 | Otter Creek Sportsmans Club
2018 Annual Trap Shoot, Barbeque Smoke Off & Live Music
THANK YOU TO
OUR SUPPORTING
SPONSORS
16 THRESHOLD JULY 2018
Wednesday, June 20
Trap Shoot Contest: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Barbeque Smoke Off Contest: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner provided by CR Smoke BBQ & Catering: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Live Music provided by The O’Connell Brothers Band and Raffle and Door Prizes: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Allied Glass Products
(MAKE SURE TO BRING A LAWNCHAIR OR BLANKET)
Otter Creek Sportsmans Club (9001 Milburn Road NE)
Come to shoot or network, enjoy good food, and listen to live music!
Culligan Water Conditioning
Gannon Roofing Supply
Also make sure to sign up to participate in the Barbeque Smoke Off!
Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber
Glass ConceptsWe will provide the meat. All you need to provide is your smoker, wood and seasoning.
House of Carpets
CASH PRIZES to the Top 3 Winners!
MacArthur Company
McGrath Fleet & Commercial
Suburban Lumber
Bring cash for your chance to win amazing raffle prizes:
TV donated by Grand Appliance and TV
NASCAR Racing Fire Suit donated by Menards
Gun donated by Williams Hardwood Flooring
Raffle Ticket Prices: 1/$5, 3/$10, 8/$20, 30/$50, 40/$60, 60/$80 or GO BIG 80/$100
Plus you will be automatically entered to win a free door prize!
RAFFLE PRIZES
TRAP SHOOT
CONTEST
TV This donated is a gold by card event, so one person from a member company can attend at no charge
Grand Appliance and TV
and additional guests 1st Place are - $20/person Steve Seltrecht, (payment score 47due when register)
NASCAR Racing NOTE: Fire Shells Suit and Bird Fees 2nd extra Place -- $6.50/box Greg Pauly, of score shells 46 - $6.50/round of shooting
donated by
(each
Menards
participant shoots 2 rounds: 3rd Place 25 - shots Casey from Martin, 16 score yards 45 and 25 shots from 20 yards)
1st Place - Rich Lyle
Gun donated by
2nd Place - Randy Dostal
Williams Hardwood Flooring
3rd Place - Mike Farr
Online reservations are REQUIRED by Tuesday, June 19 at www.crhba.org
Thank you to our supporting sponsors:
BARBEQUE
SMOKE OFF
Allied Glass Products Culligan Water Conditioning Gannon Roofing Supply
Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Glass Concepts House of Carpets

NEW
MEMBERS
Need a
?
Jon Shebetka
Brown Plumbing
Zechariah Garman
Garman Built
Visit crhba.org for all your
housing and building needs.
• Free Referrals • Reputable Members • Peace of Mind •
crhba.org • 319.395.0778
Skogman Homes
Home Builders Blitz
June 4-8, 2018 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jim Sattler Custom Homes
Sattler Homes & Remodeling
Thank You!
Allan Custom Homes
Cedar Ridge Homes
Cedar Valley Habitat wishes to thank the Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association
and all HBA member organizations who played a vital role in making Home Builders Blitz 2018 such
a tremendous success! Because of your support, three local families now have forever homes!!
For more photos of the project, visit cvhabitat.org
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 17

18 THRESHOLD JULY 2018
MEMBER EVENT

Lawn Care
During Arid
Summer
Months
Care and patience makes
the difference between a
lush, healthy lawn and
a coarse, brown eyesore,
especially when rainfall is
sparse.
Most people take pride
and care in maintaining
their lawns, although
weather conditions often
hamper even a green
thumb’s best efforts.
And, it’s not just a matter
of beauty — or friendly
neighborhood competition.
Maintaining your
home’s landscape is important for property values.
Instead of following a predetermined watering schedule,
check the soil moisture regularly. You can then alter
your schedule to better meet your lawn’s needs.
To check soil moisture, the OSUES suggests inserting a
screwdriver into the soil. If it penetrates the soil easily, it
is moist. If not, you know your lawn is getting dry.
During dry summers, consider watering half as much
as usual. Lawns will stay mainly green, with a few brown
spots, if they receive a half to three quarters inch of water
per week. Watering once or twice a week to apply this
amount of water should be sufficient. T
lawn care strategies
Here are some additional lawn care strategies
from the Agronomy and Horticulture department
at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln:
• Minimize fertilization. Over-fertilized, over-watered
lawns tend to lack the wherewithal to
thrive under stress. This spells trouble during a
drought because the lawn hasn’t developed a
deep root system. Heavily fertilized lawns also
require more water, so home owners may want
to wait until fall to fertilize.
• Mow your lawn properly. A good rule of
thumb for each mowing is to never remove
more than one-third of the height of the grass.
Mowing higher forces grass to develop and
use deeper roots.
• Try mulching – even if you don’t have a
mulching mower. Let clippings remain on the
grass. Lawns tend to lose more water and nutrients
through evaporation when you remove
clippings.
• If you didn’t aerate your lawn in the spring,
consider doing so this fall. Aeration creates
small holes in the ground that allow water to
soak deeper into the ground and promotes
root growth.
• Maintain your lawn care equipment. Sharpen
mower blades at least twice this summer. Dull
blades tear grass, forcing grass to use 40 percent
to 60 percent more water while it struggles
to recover from stress.
• Finally, water during hours when the sun is
not full strength, such as in the early morning
or at dusk. Irrigating during the day wastes water,
because much of it evaporates in the heat.
Even if your community has imposed water limits,
it doesn’t necessarily sentence your lawn to
a long, brown summer. Follow them. Watering
on alternate days can save 40-50 percent of
water and heeding these few guidelines will go
a long way to helping you maintain and enjoy
your lawn, even through the hot, dry summer.
Article provided by National Association of Home Builders
Click here to find your LOCAL
landscape professionals.
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 19

THE SPIKE CLUB
This month’s
SPIKE LEADER!
Growing our Strength through
Member Recruitment, Retention
and Involvement
Recruiting new members to your local association is an activity
recognized and rewarded through the Spike Club. Those who
participate are called Spikes, and they are among the most valued
members of the association.
Member-to-member recruitment and retention efforts are the
largest source of growth for the federation. Spikes bring grassroots
growth and stability. These efforts lend to the development
of the general membership and our leadership pipeline,
keeping the face of the federation true to that of our industry
and the scope of interests we represent.
Spikes are the membership leaders of our federation, building
the voice, power and influence on every level, in every state.
DUSTIN KERN
5.5 CREDITS
Watch this video and learn more about the
Spike Club.
C ongratulations
to Dustin!
20 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

SPIKE MEMBERS
SUPER SPIKE
James Sattler 465.50
Mike Farr 342.00
ROYAL SPIKE
Michael Flynn 267.00
Mike Sattler 224.50
Wayne Winn 207.00
Randy Dostal 178.50
Rob Hajek 171.25
Tom Takes 170.25
Doug Kohoutek 167.25
Jim Buresh 157.75
RED SPIKE
Mark Wood 123.50
Drew Retz 116.75
Tari Dailey 110.25
Alvin Frey 102.25
GREEN SPIKE
Joseph Ahmann 75.00
Robert Meyer 74.50
Paul Brundell 70.00
Jim McGrew 67.75
YELLOW SPIKE
Joe Sattler 42.50
JR Blok 42.00
Steve Erusha 41.75
Ron Valenta 34.00
BLUE SPIKE
Todd Frazier 23.50
Kyle Skogman 22.50
Chad Pelley 20.50
Bryan Thumma 20.50
Benton Frey 13.00
Brian Ophoff 12.50
Ray Vasser 11.00
Chris Mottinger 9.50
Dustin Kern 7.50
Dustin Lee 7.50
K Flynn 7.75
SPIKE
CANDIDATES
Six (6) credits needed to
become a SPIKE MEMBER
Jeff Platten 5.50
Bob Rathje 5.25
Tom Kurtz 5.00
Mark Ralston 5.00
Chuck Rhode 5.00
Todd Richardson 5.00
Pat Sauter 5.00
Mark Sillman 5.00
Al Sattler 4.50
Paul Scallon 4.50
Jerry Sunderman 4.00
Timothy Vaske 4.00
Jeff Melcher 3.50
Kirk Sadilek 3.50
Todd Wood 3.50
Jamie Buresh 3.00
Ben Dahl 3.00
Chad Kelly 3.00
TJ Heefner 2.50
Matt Burger 2.00
Brad Joens 2.00
Dave Vanous 2.00
Mark Bertelli 1.50
Terry Bjornsen 2.00
Marc Daubitz 1.50
Mike Delaney 1.00
Alissa Gardner 1.00
Rex Hamilton 1.00
Brian Hancock 1.00
Jennifer Hughes 1.00
Casey Johannes 1.00
Hanna Kustes 1.00
Brad Nielson 1.00
Justin Wright 1.00
2018 SPIKE
CHAMPIONS
Dustin Kern 5.5
Mike Farr 2.0
Alissa Gardner 2.0
Jim McGrew 2.0
Ben Dahl 1.5
Randy Dostal 1.0
Rob Hajek 1.0
TJ Heefner 1.0
Mike Ludvicek 1.0
Jeff Melcher 1.0
Drew Retz 1.0
Justin Wright 1.0
Gary Doerrfeld 0.5
Doug Kohoutek 0.5
Chad Pelley 0.5
WHO WILL
BE THIS
YEAR’S
GRAND
CHAMPION
“SPIKER”
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 21

MEMBER EVENT
GCRHBA Members….
Come make a Splash!
Thursday August 9th 5-7 pm
Food Truck - Beverages - Networking
Please email reservations by August 7th to eo@crhba.org
Featuring food from:
Keepinupwiththejonesess.com/menu
Complements of Splash!
Custom Inground Concrete Pools, Fountains and Aquatic Adventures.
5454 Center Point RD NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 319-200-7665 www.splashpools.co
22 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

Connect with Us
President
Mike Farr
Cascade Manufacturing Co.
Office: 563.852.3231
mgfarr@cascade-mfg-co.com
Vice-President
Rob Hajek
Home Repair Team
Office: 319.626.4663
robh@homerepairteam.com
Board Member
Jeff Capps
Cedar Valley Habitat for
Humanity/ReStore
Office: 319.366.4485
jeffcapps@cvhabitat.org
Board Member
Randy Dostal
Thomas Dostal Developers
Office: 319.431.3881
allamericanlc@hotmail.com
Board Member
Andrea Rhoades
Corridor Business Journal
Office: 319.665.6397
Andrea@corridorbusiness.com
Board Member
Robert Riley
Windows by Pella, Inc.
Office: 319.363.5768
robert.pellawindows@gmail.com
Second Vice-President
Dustin Kern
DK Land Services, Inc.
Office: 319.654.6706
dustin@dklandservices.com
Board Member
Mike Flynn
Flynn Homes, Inc.
Office: 319.366.6826
mike@flynnhomes.com
Board Member
Hunter Skogman
Skogman Homes
Office: 319.363.8285
hskogman@skogman.com
Treasurer
Justin Zimmerman
CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Office: 319.363.2697
justin.zimmerman@claconnect.com
Board Member
Benton Frey
Frey Homes, LLC
Office: 319.640.2300
benton@freyhomes.com
Board Member
Dean A. Spina
Bradley & Riley PC
Office: 319.861.8725
dspina@bradleyriley.com
Secretary
Jim Sattler
Jim Sattler Custom Homes
Office: 319.395.9157
jsattler@sattlerinc.com
Board Member
Joe Greathouse
Kirkwood Community College
Office: 319.398.5411
joe.greathouse@kirkwood.edu
Board Member
Ryan Sullivan
Amerhart, Ltd.
Office: 608.825.3322
ryan.sullivan@amerhart.com
Immediate Past President
Chad Pelley
Ahmann Design
Office: 319.395.7900
cpelley@ahmanncompanies.com
Board Member
Jim McGrew
Suburban Lumber Company
Office: 319.362.3115
jmcgrew@suburbanlumber.com
Board Member
Bryan Thumma
Affordable Heating & Cooling
Office: 319.462.3638
bryan.thumma@affordable-hvac.com
Remodelers Council First
Vice-Chair
Joe Sattler
Sattler Homes & Remodeling
Office: 319.395.9475
joe@sattlerhomes.com
Board Member
Amy Miller
Hills Bank and Trust Company
Office: 319.654.8007
amy_miller@hillsbank.com
Executive Officer
Melissa Olson
Greater Cedar Rapids Housing &
Building Association
Office: 319.395.0778
eo@crhba.org
Board Member
JR Blok
Blok Construction
Office: 319.533.4394
jrblok2@mchsi.com
Board Member
Drew Retz
Jerry’s Homes, Inc.
Office: 319.294.2290
drewr@jerryshomes.com
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 23

McGrath Fleet & Commercial/Altorfer CAT
2018 Nail Drivers’ Open
* FREE beer, Gatorade, water * FREE on-course food stations
* Flag Events * Door Prizes * Raffle Prizes * Winning Team Prize *Hole-in-one Contest
* Back by popular demand: $500 Putting Contest and the Circle Betting Game!
Friday, August 17 - St. Andrews Golf Course (1866 Blairs Ferry Road NE)
Golf - Shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. $130.00 per person. Four person best shot.
Social Hour Only - approx. 4:00 p.m. Free for golfers or $20.00 for non-golfers.
(includes beverages, door prize ticket and option to purchase raffle tickets)
COME TO GOLF OR JUST COME TO NETWORK!
BUY TICKETS WHEN YOU REGISTER OR BRING CASH FOR YOUR
CHANCE TO WIN SOME AMAZING RAFFLE PRIZES!
Raffle Ticket Prices: 1/$5, 3/$10, 8/$20, 30/$50, 40/$60, 60/$80 or GO BIG 80/$100
PLUS YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED TO WIN A FREE DOOR PRIZE!!
SIGN UP EARLY! Last year we filled up quickly...first come, first serve!
Online reservations and cancellations are REQUIRED by August 6 at crhba.org
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!
Hole-In-One Sponsor
Hole Sponsor
Beverage Sponsor
Raffle Prize Sponsor
There is a sponsorship opportunity for every budget!
Contact Melissa at eo@crhba.org or 395.0778 for more information.
24 THRESHOLD JULY 2018

HOMEMADE MORTGAGES
Dread the thought of sending your home loan to a faceless out-of-town megaloan
conglomeration? From application to loan closing and making payments,
borrow right here and pay right here with a homemade mortgage from Dupaco.
$600 OFF
MORTGAGE CLOSING COSTS *
Cozy up to a Dupaco mortgage loan for a home purchase
or refinance and sweeten the deal with $600 off your
closing costs. Now
that’s a home
sweet loan!
Get moving! Schedule an appointment
at 800-373-7600, ext. 204
*
This offer is good through August 31, 2018 and applies to Real Estate applications taken by the credit union from April 1, 2018, through August 31, 2018 resulting in an approved and disbursed real estate loan at the credit union.
This offer is not transferable and may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts, offers or coupons and may not be redeemed in cash. This offer requires Dupaco membership. To be eligible for membership in Dupaco
you must live or work in Dupaco’s charter area or have a member of your immediate family be an existing member of the credit union. Commercial loans, Mini Mortgages and Home equity loans are excluded from the offer.
THRESHOLD JULY 2018 25