Hamilton's Icefest

It turns out Hamilton puts on quite the event when it comes to Icefest. It's been 3 years since the last one, but this year seemed to be bigger than ever. People from all over the country and world showed up to either carve their own ice or simply peruse the myriad of sculptures and art, including Olympic athletes (didn't know it was an event!). Props to Hamilton for putting on such an event, which included many other mediums of art displayed at the Government Services building as well.
To support this and our local community, we sponsored our own sculpture. It may not be the most appealing architectural house design we've done, but it is the only one we've ever built out of ice...

Looking back, looking forward and celebrating in-between

Another year has come and gone. 2010 was marked most significantly by our shop and office move, upgrading our paint shop, wood shop, office space and "showroom." Also a year of work diversity, starting the year off with a couple custom kitchens, then a couple garages, an addition, a few bathrooms, basement remodels and many window replacements just in time for the tax credit to expire. Our big commercial job at Berkeley Square Retirement Community ended our year strong and is beginning 2011 the same. In addition to Berkeley, we will be starting some more basements, custom cabinetry and more window replacements. Personally, 2011 will be the year of celebrations: Joey & his sister Bitsy are engaged, as well as Drew, and Rick is expecting his second child and 3rd generation of the family business.
Here are some pictures and video of the celebrations in-between:

Happy 50th Jerry!

Thanks for 27 years of loyal service to Meyer Brothers & Sons!

Here are a few pictures of the good 'ole days:

The typical lunch hour with Andy Griffith in the background

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 I'm pretty sure that is still what he looks like with his shirt off...

 Arlin, brother Ray, Jerry, Dick & Murry!

Dick, Joe & Jerry camping out

Shop Party

We shot this video in our old shop last year and thought it was worth sharing. We received alot of views the first time around, so here it is for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Enjoy!

Hard Working Americans

First post, always a challenge and sometimes awkward, so I'll jump right in. As I was walking around a house in Liberty Township where we were replacing windows, working with Joe (father of Joey), Joey, Jerry (father of Alex) & Alex, moving from one window opening to the next, the cold, bitter wind pierced my innards. That prompted a thought, not of how cold I was (for that was an unmistakable reality), but of how we are a bunch of hard-working Americans. That despite the cold (roughly 13 degrees, wind chill around 0 degrees) we were out here working, doing our best to make a living. That despite our age, experience, education, social status or lack thereof, we were willing to do whatever it took to see our company succeed.
* side note explanation: we jokingly refer to that, usually after some noble gesture that we pat ourselves on the back for, as "I'm a company man.", which insinuates the possibility others are not, but usually in good fun.*
Now that I'm done patting ourselves on the back, I also recognize the blessing it is to have such work to do. That in a time where unemployment rates are high and continue to be so, where small businesses especially in our industry are struggling to stay afloat, when every job we get refills our sometimes depleted glass of hope for future work, we have enough work to keep our men busy. With the risk of sounding like a GM commercial, I still will say I'm thankful to be an American with a job to do, great or small, to put food on the table for my family and those less fortunate, but no less blessed, than I.