The Selection Committee has chosen the Conlin family to be Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity’s next partner to obtain the house we will build in the coming year (2012). Let’s all congratulate Jennifer, Madison, and Shianne Conlin as they now work with our Family Support Committee in selecting the plan and materials for the project. Jennifer, who is employed as a Nursing/Foster Care worker, will find time to contribute “sweat equity hours” to the undertaking, while she also cares for her children, ages 9 and 4.

Here are the exciting details about CCHfH’s venture to build the 24th house for a deserving family in our community: The building site is located on 208 James Street in Cheboygan, and the ground-breaking ceremony has already taken place. Ron Hart will work as Instructor and Oversight Manager. This is good news. The project will again signal our partnership with the Building and Trades Program at the Cheboygan Area High School. We can be sure that Ron’s upper-level students will construct the dwelling on school grounds, taking care that the home receives the highest rating for energy conservation, the Energy Star Rating.

Pictured: Gina Eustice (Family Support), Madison, Shianne and Jennifer Conlin

Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity started a housing repair program last fall. The program was a new experiment. We call it A Brush with Kindness. It is part of our service to help qualified homeowners obtain low-cost repairs on the exteriors of their residences. These repairs may cover far more areas than one thinks. Do your fences, porches, stairs, roofs, doors, or garages need fixing? We can do this outside work as long as you qualify.

Is your home’s paint peeling or siding missing? We can find the volunteers to do the job. Do you know of elderly neighbors who need their yards tidied? Check with us.

Here is how A Brush with Kindness works. The homeowner pays for materials, and CCHfH will provide the labor and expertise. We might even be able to clue you in on a low-interest loan at a local bank.

And yes, you have to fill out a form telling us who you are and what work needs to be done. To apply, get a form at the Habitat Office, 102 South Main Street, Cheboygan or phone (231) 597-4663, and we will mail it to you.

The Bolinger family can now make merry on Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in the new home it has purchased, thanks to Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity and its many volunteers. First of all, the Cheboygan High School Building Trades staff and students constructed the home on school grounds and then moved the dwelling to Wolverine. From that point, other volunteers joined the Oversight Supervisors to finish the interior and exterior. Building inspectors approved the building on site and thus certified it was up to code. Congratulations to Brady, Raven, and Remington Bolinger, who worked side-by-side with us. Think of us when you taste that roasted turkey and fixings and when you sit around the decorated tree on the next two great holidays.