Homeowners flock to Eastmoreland Remodeling Faire

Why pay to visit the Convention Center or Expo, when you can meet contractors right in your own neighborhood? Looks like the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association is on to something‚

Nearly 300 Eastmoreland neighbors came to see the exhibits and talk with the vendors at this Faire.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While it seemed like a good idea, board members of the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association (ENA) wondered if anyone would actually come‚ on a weeknight‚ to their first Remodeling Faire.

The organizers looked delighted on March 8, when a steady stream of homeowners poured into, and circulated around, the exhibits set up at the Duniway School cafeteria.

Steve and Mary Baker, organizers of the Remodeling Faire, say it was a success.

“A lot of remodeling and restoration goes on in Eastmoreland,” said Steve Baker, ENA, board member and webmaster. “We thought it would be good to bring the contractors here to meet with homeowners.”

Baker credited fellow board member, Bert Sperling, with hatching the concept a few years ago.

“In addition to providing a good event for the neighbors,” Baker added, “this event is helping us raise money for street trees, as well as our neighborhood garden, which needs a lot of maintenance.”

Steven Klingerman with Sovereign Construction explains his company’s services to neighbor Rosalind Schreiber.

Homeowners and contractors pleased
Taking a break from looking at exhibitors, Eastmoreland neighbor Rosalind Schreiber told us, “We did a major remodel about four years ago, but we’re looking at other projects. This is great. Having everybody in one place is convenient, but isn’t overwhelming, like the Remodeling Show.”

Most important to her, Schreiber commented, was that all of the exhibitors at the event have done work in Eastmoreland.

“This event helps us meet people who might use our work,” is how Steven Klingerman with Sovereign Construction felt about it. “Even more, it gives us the chance to meet, face-to-face, to answer questions and learn about homeowners’ needs.”

Jane Morrison, Architectural Heritage Center.

Old and new, and ice cream too
For those who needed a quick pick-me-up at the four-hour, evening event ‚Äì or wanted to appease antsy kids‚ Woodstock’s Island Creamery was on hand, providing coffee, soft drinks, ice cream, and cookies.

“This is the place to be!” exclaimed Jane Morrison, with the Architectural Heritage Center. “We have been around for a number of years helping people who like old buildings. We have classes and exhibits about old buildings. Being here with businesses in who restore and repair older buildings is a good match for us.”

What is the ENA up to next? Find out by checking their website at www.eastmoreland.org.

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