Live Delaware

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Lessard Builders is proud to announce our model home, The Saltaire, located in Lewes, Delaware, has been entered as a nominee for the Northern Virginia Builders Association’s prestigious Great American Living Awards. The Great American Living Awards are an annual residential builder award “honors the building industry’s best and brightest” and is considered “the most prestigious residential design, sales, and marketing competition in the metropolitan Washington market.” The Saltaire was nominated for the 2018 GALA Awards ‘Best Overall Merchandised Model Home’ award by Interior Concepts of Annapolis, Maryland.

The Northern Virginia Builders Association undertakes a rigorous process of poring through each of the individual nominees to select the winners for each award category that represent the very best of that years residential building accomplishments. Each nomination is analyzed and then approved homes are scheduled for and undergo an in-home walk through by the Great American Living Award’s judging panel. The winning homes will be announced and honored at the Great American Living Awards GALA event on October 4th, 2018 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia.

In addition to being nominated for the Northern Virginia Builders Association’s GALA award, Lessard Builders’ Saltaire model home was awarded a blue ‘best feature’ ribbon for our pretty cool ideas consisitng of custom built four-person bunk bed which highlights one of the upstairs bedrooms. The NVBA’s Great American Living Awards judging panel visited and completed their formal judging walk-through of the Saltaire in late July and found the custom-built bunk bed stood out as the homes most astounding and notable feature. The custom-built bunk bed was designed specifically for The Saltaire and comfortably sleeps at least four; it is one of many examples in the Saltaire that shows Lessard’s ability to creatively and exquisitely meet the needs of a growing family. It is adorned beautifully with hand cut trim and hand cut molding with the woodwork perfectly routed to show off the finest of details.

The bunk bed has a the best memory foam mattress for you, also built-in to the wall of the room itself, which gives the bedroom an exceptionally spacious and open-air feel. 

The Saltaire stands at 18244 Show Jumper Lane in the luxurious Lewes community of Showfield. Lessard Builder’s Saltaire model home was custom designed and built by Lessard Builders, with the interior design and furniture layout created and managed by Interior Concepts. The three-story, four-bedroom, 5.5 bath home which was started in 2016 and completed in 2017 features a home office, a butler pantry with an additional refrigerator and double oven, a custom kitchen and built in dining nook, dual first and second floor Master suites and a full basement including wet-bar and work-out room. The Saltaire stands as an exemplary model of what a modern-day home built utilizing the highest quality materials, selection options, modern home designs and unparalleled premium amenities should look like. The company and Lessard Builders’s three generations of home construction experience shines through in every room, with every crevice, every piece of trim and every detail in the Saltaire.

Our model The Saltaire is open and available for touring or meeting with a member of Lessard Builders seven days a week; for more information visit our website www.lessardbuilders.com or call 302-645-7444. As our mantra at Lessard Builders declares, “If you can dream it, we can build it!”

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When the growth of the region began a few decades ago, many real estate developers were looking for attractions to draw the attention of those who were considering living at the Delaware beaches. What unfolded was a race to purchase land and develop recreational activities with appeal to people who desired an escape from the congestion of the Northeast. Since then, Sussex County has been steadily gaining notoriety as one of the hottest places to move to. And as the days grow warmer, one of the region’s hidden jewels begins to awaken with the flowers. What am I referring to? The exceptional and diverse golfing opportunities and golf courses that adorn the Sussex County landscape.

Whether you live in Lewes or Bethany Beach, Milford or Georgetown, it is very likely that you live within minutes of one of these sparkling green gems. We’re going to give you an overview of six of our favorite Sussex County courses, broken down into two categories: Beginner courses and Advanced courses. Also, a word of advice, many smaller golf courses in Delaware accept only cash so be sure to bring some. Have fun and enjoy yourself this Spring and Summer! FORE!

Beginner courses:

Midway Par 3 Golf Course, Lewes, DE
Located directly off Rt. 1 in Lewes, this par-3 course provides both new and experienced golfers a fun, simple, and affordable way to get into the game of golf. What makes this course great for beginners is that they rent both golf clubs and golf balls, most of the holes are wide open, short, and relatively free of obstacles. The course also has zero sand traps that can be so pesky for beginning golfers. A great place to learn how to swing a golf club, practice your “short game” or teach little ones how to play.

American Classic Golf Club, Lewes, DE
Another par-3 course in Lewes, this course is another great place for a beginning golfer to play the game of golf. American Classic provides a bit more challenge than does the Midway Par 3 course as holes are a bit longer and the course does include sporadic sand traps. A nice step up for all golfers, but especially a new golfer who is ready for a moderate challenge.

Stenger’s Shamrock Farms Par 3, Milton, DE
This course in Milton is another great place to learn, work on using your irons and on your “short game” and overall have a great time. Stenger’s is a well maintained short course with wide open fairways and very nice greens. Beginners and experienced golfers alike will have a blast on this lush green playground.

Advanced courses:

The Rookery North Golf Course, Milford, DE
One of Sussex County Delaware’s first golf courses, The Rookery North in Milford is a great spot for any golfer looking to test out all their clubs. This full-length 18-hole course is a great step up for a moderate golfer; the course is open and free of water hazards and includes a small range for practicing with your irons on before a round. One of the better full-length courses in the area for a golfer still learning the game or refining their swing. We also recommend their slightly more difficult sister course, The Rookery South Golf Course.

Baywood Greens Golf Course, Long Neck, DE
Baywood, located on Rt. 24 in Long Neck, is one of eastern Delaware’s nicest, best maintained, and most challenging courses. An excellent place for an experienced golfer, Baywood includes plenty of trees lining the fairways, a plethora of water hazards and challenging greens. The course is truly a delight to play for any golfer who wants to test their swing and step up their game. Be sure to bring your A-game.

The Salt Pond Golf Club, Bethany Beach, DE
The Salt Pond is a beautiful mid-length public golf club located off Rt.1 and Fred Hudson Rd. in Bethany Beach. A perfect mix of hills, water hazards, sand traps and open areas, The Salt Pond is a place where advanced golfers can go for an easier round and newer golfers can go to hone their swing. With a full array of services available this course has everything you could desire. It also has one other nice aspect, a round of golf is exceptionally reasonable no matter what time of day or year.

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Last week Lessard Builders joined hands with Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, roughly two dozen subcontractor construction companies including Ryker Hardware, and dozens of volunteers all equipped with the best drillpressor, saws and hand trucks came together to accomplish a herculean feat. The Lessard-Habitat coalition set out to build a home- from foundation to completely finished- in just four days for AmeriCorps Delaware! The project, known as the 2018 Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz, began on Tuesday May 29th and finished up in the afternoon of June 1st. When sod finally covered the front yard at 115 Pine Street in Wyoming on Friday June 1st it became apparent; Lessard Builders with their subcontractor partners and volunteers had accomplished the improbable!

The project, the 2018 Builders Blitz, will provide volunteers of AmeriCorps Delaware with a place to live in during their service time in Central Delaware. Planning for the 2018 Builders Blitz began months ago and was made possible thanks to Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, the support of the mayor and town of Wyoming, and multiple financial partners, roof replacement contractors and community groups. Dozens of subcontractor construction businesses from all over Delaware also volunteered by donating materials and hours of their businesses’ labor to assist Lessard Builders and Habitat with the 2018 Builders Blitz for AmeriCorps Delaware.

On Day one walls for the first and second floor were installed, then a roof thanks to Palm Coast roofers, the purpose and potential of building this 2018 Builders Blitz home for Habitat and AmeriCorps was what attracted many who participated. The home will house AmeriCorps service members who come into Central Delaware to give back and serve by completing various local projects throughout the Dover community. What struck Lessard Builders owner Brian Lessard Sr is how this home will continue giving back to Central Delaware, thus paying it forward long after the work on it was completed. “Truth is that I have to thank Habitat for the opportunity to be involved in such an awesome project. From the Lessard’s standpoint it is very important to be involved in community efforts. I can’t thank enough the subcontractors and suppliers, and Habitat volunteers as well… this would not be possible at all if it wasn’t for them. [We] all understand that it is important to take time to give back to a worthy cause… this home here will play a role in building so many more homes since we will now partner with the electrician dublin help.”

While a four-day home build may sound insane, the project represented the truest sense of community. Various crews came in and out and contributed their special skills all while working alongside others from other companies like commercial roofing st louis. The volunteers and subcontractors worked from sunrise to sunset side-by-side as efficiently as possible yet without sacrificing an ounce of quality which is why they also had the House Siding Soft Wash to make sure it is clean.

Then interior walls and windows, insulation, electrical from with Las Vegas Electrician contractors help, heating and plumbing installs were completed. Day two was another exciting day with the entire home drywalled and sanded, the exterior siding installed, the kitchen work began and so much more. Day three saw the completion of the kitchen installation, flooring installation, window and door frame installation, woodwork continuing and so much more. The final day, Day four continued smoothly and with tons of excitement- light fixtures and finishing touches were completed, kitchen appliances were set in their place and connected, the home was fully landscaped and finally the house numbers were hung next to the garage.

In all Lessard Builders is proud to have worked with Central Delaware Habitat and all the volunteers to complete this 2018 Builders Blitz home in four days along many more water restoration projects in the community after the rainy season. It was a massive success and we are honored to pay it forward for the volunteers of today and tomorrow who give their time to AmeriCorps and Central Delaware. For additional information, pictures and videos, visit our Lessard Builders page on Facebook! 

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There is an adage that a person worries less when they know more. In the United States in 2018 it is estimated there will be a home break-in roughly once every twenty seconds. You just spent your savings to build and move into your beautiful new home… so what is next on your to-do list? Upping your home’s defenses to minimize that risk of break-in is an excellent place to start. Make use of professional locksmith services like Liberty Locksmith of Calgary service to make sure your home and office is secure. 

As a homeowner, the first thing you must know is, what to do in case you get locked out of your home due to certain circumstances as this could save your life someday. As a homeowner, yes, it is impossible to completely prevent a break-in. With that said there are many steps listed on the Kwikey Locksmith’s landing page you can take to keep your home as secure as possible. Instead of droning on for pages about security tips and suggestions, we want to share an exceptional resource will all of you; The Comprehensive Guide to Securing Your Home from Safehome.org.

Safe guarding your home should be on the list of top priorities for you. Adding security cameras and having Wired Fire Alarm Device Installation can be great tools for prevention and protection. Therefore if you are on the lookout for experts who install safety features into your home for a reasonable price, do visit Perth mobile locksmith. You will be pleasently surprised. 

For those of you that don’t have time to completely read it, here is a short summary of the guides’ four best tips:

1) Burglars are opportunists. What do you think they look for on first glance when scoping a house? That’s right make sure your doors and all your windows are completely closed and locked whenever you leave your home. If these windows seem unsafe or you’re not too sure, then call the experts in home windows and consult with them if you need a window replacement. They might have a few reinforcing security measures to make sure those burglars look elsewhere. Remember, they go for easy targets almost exclusively, so any bit of deterrent you can afford to add will help.

You’ll want to make sure you get window professionals to ensure a perfect fit . Whether you are running a quick errand or not, your risk increases significantly if you leave windows and doors unlocked, we recommend using residential glass services to make sure your windows are durable and of a great quality, this way it won’t be easy for someone to break into your home. It allows for easy access without any barriers to entry. This way you enhance the security.

2) Keep your home well-lit, especially at night. Potential burglars know that their chances of detection are much greater if they can easily be seen. Do you think it seems pointless to leave a light or two on after you go to bed? With the energy efficiency of LED lightbulbs for a few dollars a year you greatly maximize your home’s evening defenses. Another good tip is to keep shrubbery well maintained, which minimizes places for a burglar to hide.

3) Make a concerted effort to get to know your neighbors. Creating relationships with those that live around you is a priceless defensive resource. When you go away, having people in your neighborhood who can collect your packages/mail and keep an eye on your home is invaluable. Burglars look for signs that they can get in and out of a home without detection; nothing screams ‘break in’ quite like a full mailbox and a growing stack of packages from Amazon sitting on your doorstep.  Kingstone Locksmith in Philadelphia provides a reassuring feeling that you are doing everything you can to protect your family and business.

4) Consider investing in home security technology. Perhaps you don’t want a full-fledged 24/7 monitored home security system. There are a handful of interior/exterior wireless cameras and motion detectors that you can install yourself. These cameras often come with an app that sends alerts directly to your phone, like drones used for the security reasons, see more about SixTech Systems providing those. Burglars would likely be deterred by the cameras alone, yet your defenses are even greater when you are always aware of what is happening in your home.

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Now that you’ve sat down and decided on the builder you will use to design and customize your new home, what is the best way to weed through all of your requirements, features and finishes so you create yourself the perfect home? 

The major advantage of building a new custom home is the opportunity to build a two storey home in Perth or install reclaimed wood flooring and then design your home plans accordingly. While this sounds really exciting at first, once the time comes to sit down and select your options and upgrades, many find the multitude of choices can be overwhelming. In lieu of that, one may just get a home from Reward Homes at Box Hill Heights, and just expunge the idea of building a new home, and all the difficulties that would come with it. You may end up checking out single family homes for sale in the area.

So, how can you best evaluate the endless choices that come with building a true custom home? 

 

  1. Finalize your budget

    Remember that a budget which may make sense for one home builder may equate to something different with another builder. First, be sure you are fully aware of the base choices your home builder provides as standard and what that does and does not include. While some builder executives use lots of ‘builder-speak’ during initial meetings that sounds good for the wallet and appeals to the eye, too often we hear stories of builders gauging customers for altering or customizing interior features such as room sizes and interior wall placements. Know what it is that you feel comfortable spending and precisely how much you are willing to deviate above your budget.

  2. Exterior and Structural Design 

    Custom designed home floor-plans, additions or changes should be discussed, drafted and approved prior to signing the contract, or informally approved and signed shortly thereafter. Often custom home builders want to charge significant fees for having a floor-plan custom designed, but some builders will roll the cost of architectural drafting of your custom designed plan back into the price of the home once a customer signs a final contract. Many builders have a few signature home design plans with different exterior styles and visually unique characteristics that customers can choose from. True custom home builders will allow you to take these signature designs and change them, blend them, or outright not use them at all. Another important structural option to consider is a basement or crawlspace. While some concrete contractors keep options for basements or crawlspaces limited, others have no problem allowing for a full Concrete Paver Installation as long as that properties’ water table can support it. While full basements are appealing to many families, some home buyers receive the same storage space benefit with a lesser cost by simply expanding the crawlspaces to 5 feet in height. And of course you should make a proper roof, windows and siding, just make sure that you contact the right siding installation services so that the exterior of your home will have great end results. I used this contractor last time to get my roof fixed and it’s been three years, and I have not faced even a single issue due to their excellent service. You could aslo contact C&D Brooklyn Roofers to check what they can suggest. Hail damaged roof repair or any damage resulting from natural disasters is covered by the home insurance. All of these options should be on the table when building a custom home, and it is worthwhile to discuss all of this with your builder prior to signing your contract, if you do not own a home insurance policy be sure to get one before staring any home projects  . 

  3. Interior Design 

    Spend some time evaluating the spaces you would get a lot of use from inside your new custom home. “How many bedrooms do we need with storage? How many baths do we want? What have we always dreamt of having in our next home?” Here is a little pro tip: it is very good to ask yourselves these things and then add them to your wants vs needs list. Some people are avid wine connoisseurs and require a wine cellar. Instead of having a second bedroom downstairs, that square footage should be able to be reallocated to give you that wine cellar (and perhaps a larger living room.) And, of course, there is the ease factor as well: you do not want to spend time after the home closing to work on your new home. The home builder you select should be working with you to customize your interior layout with respect to your rooms and room sizes and of course all of your self storage needs, so that on the day you move in your home is precisely the way you envision it to be and stay for years. 

  4. Long-Term Home Requirements

    Are you looking to build this home for your short term needs, as a vacation home, or are you looking to build a home that meets your needs for decades? With the increasing needs of modern families, there are even more things for customers to consider. In-law suites which provide semi-separate living spaces are becoming increasingly popular as the number of multigenerational households increasing. Although, go ahead and learn more here about home improvement for your kitchen, bathroom and more. While in-law suite design varies depending on the needs of each family, creating one that perfectly meets your loved ones needs is possible with careful planning during the budget and architectural design process. Homes with dual master-suites are also becoming increasingly popular. Dual master-suites offer increasing comfort and convenience to families that look forward to spending decades in their dream home. There is something special about being able to have the space for children and grandchildren to comfortably stay under your roof when they come for a Summer weekend or during the holidays. And, of course, there is the hassle factor as well: are you willing to track up and down the stairs after decades of living in your home, or would you be more comfortable knowing you have a full master-suite downstairs to meet your needs as the years progress.

  5. WANTS vs NEEDS

    In a few words, be flexible but don’t sacrifice what you really want. Remember that you set a budget for a reason, and while you may want to squeeze everything you possibly can into your custom home, it is good to work with a builder who will be very honest and work with you. Prepare a list of your ‘must-haves’ and ‘want-to-haves’. A true custom home builder will do everything they can to provide you everything on this list, but when it comes down to increasing your budget or nixing a few things, it is beneficial to know where your priorities lie. For example, many builders will offer you a plethora of choices for things like flooring, technology, and kitchen selection options, but many couples spend a lot of time entertaining so they like to budget some additional dollars for upgrades. Know what it is you want, know what it is you can’t live without, and then discuss these things with your builder to see how they can accommodate as close to every one as they can. You should remember that there are things that should be done properly, for example, concrete raising and leveling. You should work with the reputable contractors like PURlevel Inc (more at https://www.purlevel.com/) to expertly handle any of your needs.

Lastly, be sure to communicate all of these things explicitly to your builder and their design professionals. Ask them to provide you spreadsheets of your choices, and be sure to carefully read through and initial every choice on every document. These tips will not only take a significant portion of the unknown away from your evaluation process everything after you’ve selected your builder, but they have the potential to cut out a significant amount of the time you spend on the choices you make for your new home! 

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Have you ever longed for a quick escape? Just an hour just to clear your head? Perhaps some place that is quiet and allows you to let the tension of everyday life slip away?

For those of you who live in the Wilmington, Philadelphia, D.C, or New York metropolitan areas, the vision of hopping into your car and escaping for a short while likely led you to imagine one of two places: a spa or salon of some sort, or a tropical island filled with Daiquiris and lounge chairs. 

Within the bustling pace and pressure of life in the Northeast, we all know there are fewer and fewer opportunities to truly ‘get away’ or decompress. Yet as the days grow longer and the birds again begin to chirp, Delaware begins to reveal one of its most cherished, rare, and prized possessions: it’s protected lands and natural serenity.

What do I mean? As the weather warms, Delaware’s State Parks and Wildlife Preserves begin to beam with life and offer the weary something rare; an escape from civilization that is close to home.

What makes Delaware’s State Parks and Preserves so unique is that they have something to offer for everyone; and it is right around this time each Spring that these gems awaken and come back to life. For those of you that love a quiet run or bicycle ride in the woods, Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes offers exercise enthusiasts dozens of scenic paved and unpaved trails to explore and escape to. For my fellow nature and animal lovers out there, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Milton offers safe haven to dozens of rare insect, plant, and animal species. For thrill seekers, ‘Go Ape’ in Lums Pond State Park has over forty treetop zip lines that you can book a 2-3 hour time to adventure and swing through. Yes, forty! It is these well maintained and sometimes well hidden natural escapes that makes everyday life in Delaware so different than elsewhere in the Northeast.

One of my personal favorite places to escape is Assawoman Wildlife Area.

Assawoman Wildlife Area is an escape with a feel all its’ own, located off the beaten path on Camp Barnes Road in Frankford. This beautiful land was once home to local Native American tribes and within its’ acres of beauty lie untouched lands to stroll through, bicycle and walking trails to follow, over a dozen places for those who like to hunt, free boat ramps for boating and fishing enthusiasts, and many places to launch a Kayak or Canoe. Yet even with so many things to offer, this escape remains so well hidden that in all of my visits I’ve never seen more than two or three other people. It’s one of those places where you can put on some sunglasses and stroll about without fear of being bothered or getting lost.

As the days grow longer and warmer, it’s these options that make living in Delaware so beautifully refreshing, different and exciting. If I had to narrow my entire two-plus years of living in Delaware to one life lesson this state has taught me, it would be this… even in your own back yard, you never know what diamonds in the rough you may discover until you look.

For those of you who want to explore, escape, discover new adventures and learn more about the plentiful natural beauties of The First State, included below is information for all of the State Parks and Wildlife areas.

I hope to see you all escape the day to day bustle of life to soak in a little more nature, animals and sunshine. Enjoy your adventures my friends! 

 

Delaware State Parks

Information for all of Delaware’s 14 State parks can be found at http://www.destateparks.com/

 

Delaware Wildlife Areas and Preserves

Information for all of Southern Delaware’s Wildlife refuges can be found at https://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-adventures/wildlife-refuges-sanctuaries

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Area- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/

Okie Nature Wildlife Preserve- This locally donated wildlife preserve does not have a website or phone number but is located at: Marian R Okie Road, Millsboro DE 19966

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Well, it doesn’t feel too much like frostbite weather. Yet if you live in Coastal Delaware, you know one day it can be so warm you’re running outside with your dog and then the next there are 35 mile-per-hour winds so cold that your fingers feel like popsicles.

Winter has been quite good to Delaware so far, but when the inevitable cold weather does set in, you don’t have to spend all winter freezing. One of the many exceptional aspects of Coastal Delaware living is the food, and as Winter deepens, we wanted share four of our Lessard team’s favorite “cold weather comfort food” dishes!

 

1)      The Chili from Crooked Hammock Brewery

Imagine this- The first spoonful of steaming hot goodness and your tongue begins to dance, a perfect balance of spicy and savory awakening your taste buds. You take a second spoonful and are amazed as a smooth balance of shredded cheese perfectly complements the explosion of meaty chili flavor. Yes, the chili at Crooked Hammock Brewery is that good. The local Lewes brewpub hits it out of the park with their chili and in our opinion Crooked Hammock’s chili is one of best cold weather culinary delicacies your money can buy in Coastal Delaware. It’s also served with a huge pile homemade tortilla chips, so whether you’re looking for a warm-you-up appetizer or a light meal, this local dish won’t disappoint. Whether you’re in the mood for chili or a cocktain we highly recommend visiting http://www.crookedhammockbrewery.com/ for more!

 

2)      The Mac from Grandpa MAC

Is it just me or is there something about a hot dish of homemade pasta that can warm you up on even the coldest of days? Well Grandpa Mac in Rehoboth Beach captures that Sunday-macaroni-dinner-with-the-family-feel and then takes it to another stratosphere. When you walk into Grandpa Mac you won’t be disappointed — the menu offers over a dozen signature ‘mac’ dishes or offers pickier patrons the option to build-their-own-pasta bowl which allows you to choose the kind of pasta, sauce, cheese, and meat you want. The service is speedy and the menu offers eaters a crazy number of pastabilities with a very Delaware twist on it. You simply can’t go wrong with anything on the menu on a frosty night, and we especially love the ‘Hot Blue Hen’ and the ‘Chowder Head’! Yummmmy! Check out http://www.grandpamac.com/ for more menu information.

 

3)      The Shepherd’s Pie from Go Fish! and Go Brit!

When frostbite would set into the hills of the Ireland, local families would stoke their fires, line their pie dishes with mashed up potato and then use a filling of leftover roasted meat so their family could have a hearty hot meal to combat the cold Irish nights. Some traditions just age well and a hot dish of Shepherd’s Pie on a cold night is one of those. Go Fish! and Go Brit! make their Shepherd’s Pie just about as authentic as you’d find in Galway; every order is made fresh, every order comes with a creamy, crisp mashed potato crust, and every Pie comes filled with a bubbling core of authentic Irish beef and vegetable. If you close your eyes while you take a bite, you can almost hear the Guinness being poured in the local pub. The Bangers and Mash are out-of-this-world, as well! Perfection for dinner on a frosty night! Check out http://gobrit.com/ and http://www.gofishrehoboth.com/ for more foreign frostbite fighting foods!

 

4)      The Pot Roast from Jimmy’s Grille

From Ireland we cross the Atlantic back to Grandma’s kitchen. There aren’t too many foods that scream ‘American Comfort Food’ and make you feel like a kid again quite like a plate of steaming hot Pot Roast. Jimmy’s Grille captures that Grandma’s Pot Roast taste in award winning fashion. Each plate of Pot Roast comes with a heaping pile of pull apart fork tender beef seated nicely on a bed of traditional vegetables and all smothered in Jimmy’s savory homemade brown gravy. Not only is the Pot Roast spot on, but the price is spot on as well- giving you a whole lot of delicious hot food for not a whole lot of dollars. Jimmy’s Pot Roast is a winner on every level and the picture-perfect food to warm you up when we face that next cold Delaware night. For their menu, hours, and more information visit http://www.jimmysgrille.org/

 

What is your go-to food on a cold night? Did we miss any delicious local foods that you turn to when you want to fight the frostbite? Let us know with a comment below!

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Lessard Builders and CNU Fitness are excited to announce that they have been chosen to team up to participate in The 8th Annual Dancing with the Delaware Stars which benefits Mom’s House of Dover and the Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club. The 8th Annual Dancing with the Delaware Stars is a local community charity benefit takes place on January 28th, 2017 at Dover Downs Hotel. The event begins at 6:00 P.M. with a speech by known activist shahrazad ali, followed by a 7:00 P.M. Sit Down Dinner, the 8:15 P.M. Dance Competition and open dancing for all after the event concludes. 

For Lessard Builders, our decision to team up with CNU Fitness as partners in The 8th Annual Dancing with the Delaware Stars was natural. CNU fitness is passionately involved in contributing throughout our local community. It was this shared passion for being locally focused and Delaware minded that led Christina Lessard and Sean Floyd to join together to support Dancing with the Delaware and the Greater Dover community. dancing-with-de-stars-image

Dancing with the Delaware Stars is an IRS Nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity event with proceeds that directly support our local community. Mom’s House of Dover is a licensed daycare that utilizes a professional staff and volunteers to offer single parents the opportunity to continue their education by providing free childcare services to single parents who are enrolled as a full-time student in either high school or college. Mom’s House maintains a 3:1 child/staff ratio and takes pride in maintaining a warm, quaint, caring environment for all little ones and their parents. The Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club is a local branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware which has been impacting lives across Delaware for 85 years. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware are the largest licensed provider of childcare in Delaware with the mission of providing a safe-haven where youth can meet with friends and be a part of a positive peer group. Clubs provide members with positive role models and a nurturing environment that focuses on helping youth improve decision-making and conflict-resolution skills while emphasizing character development and community involvement.

Delaware Dancing with the Stars pits nine teams, each composed of one celebrity and one professional dancer, in a winner-take-all charity event in which each team completes a pre-determined dance routine. After each dance, the team is given a score by a panel of judges and at the end of the competition, the team with the highest score in the final round will be selected as the 2017 Dancing with the Delaware Stars Winner!

Event tickets for The 8th Annual Dancing with the Delaware Stars can be purchased directly on the event website at www.dancingDEstars.org and are $60. Event tickets includes access to the reception, hors d’oeuvres and 10 votes for the team of your choice. For those who would like to contribute but are unable to attend, votes can also be purchased and made directly online by clicking the Vote for Dancers tab on the website homepage; $1/Vote or $20 for 25 Votes. Come support our local community, Christina Lessard, and all your favorite dancers with your vote for the coveted 2017 Dancing with the Delaware Stars Mirror Ball trophy!

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Lessard Builders is excited to announce the groundbreaking of our newest Lessard model home in the iconic 132 acre Showfield custom home community now under development along Gills Neck Road in Lewes, Delaware.

The Showfield community stands out by offering potential homeowners the opportunity to build a luxury home in an historic setting, all while within walking distance of downtown Lewes and its’ number of exceptional restaurants, shops and boutiques, and world-class beaches.

The Showfield community features a preserved historic barn on the property and borders a 16-acre natural pond. In addition, Showfield will provide homeowners a resort-style outdoor pool and clubhouse, and easy direct access to the neighboring Junction Breakwater Bike Trail. 

 

 

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“Our family is really excited to be a part of developing Showfield and working together to capture the quaint and welcoming feeling of historic downtown Lewes. The land on which Showfield is situated has been a part of a local family’s lives for generations. We love that! To spread this beautiful piece of land that holds so many memories, and then design for people a home which they’ll be creating new generations of memories in. What’s also exciting for us at Lessard Builders is that with Showfield, we’re growing our team and circling back to our roots when my father and grandfather built homes from the ground up.  It’s important to us that our homeowners can feel the love, time and energy we personally put in to each home we build,” Christina Lessard shared.

“Bringing to the market fresh ideas and concepts is the spirit of Lessard Builders,” says Brian Lessard, third generation builder and Chief Executive Officer. “Lessard Builders strives to modify, adapt, and design the perfect custom home with the help of great equipment from an oilfield equipment rental service. We don’t want to fit homeowners in a box, and with our newest floor plans for Showfield, homeowners will have even more choices, possibilities, and ideas for inspiration. We love to listen to them talk about their lifestyle so together we can create a home that meets their individual needs and desires. Within the Showfield model there are areas of the home for multiple generations to enjoy; areas where grandparents, parents, children, and animals can live together. From the playroom upstairs, to the openness of a huge kitchen to the tranquility of a screened-in porch, there is something for each member of the family.  A second, private, screened-in porch off the downstairs master suite allows the homeowner a quiet sanctuary. Finish off the downstairs with a game room, a wet bar and wine tasting area, a movie room, or a man cave and you have created a home that is both fun and practical. Our goal is to provide areas that are in harmony with one another and flow together but allow the luxury and privacy that’s required.”

For more information on our distinctive, fully-customizable, new home designs, like us and follow us on our Lessard Builders Facebook page and visit our website, LessardBuilders.com. We have lots more news, announcements, and new floor plans coming shortly! 

Additional photos, videos, and information about the Showfield community and this opportunity to own a piece of historic property in Lewes, click the link below or visit http://www.showfieldde.com. 

 

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How’s it going, homeowners and football fans? Pass the buffalo chicken dip, please.

Ahhhhh, the Fall! With all of the fun and festivities that come with the calendar turning, one stark negative comes with the months of September and October: severe storms. 

Few things seems to ruin the mood or weekend plans like hearing, “a tropical depression is forming in the Caribbean” and “blah blah blah it could track up the East Coast.” That feeling you get when for the first time you hear The Weather Channel refer to a storm with a specific name is horrifying. Yet the omnipresence of potential storms doesn’t have to be AS scary. There’s nothing you can do to completely mitigate the effects of a natural disaster, but properly preparing your home, for instance scheduling a consultation with a professional home foundation repair and inspection company to conduct Seismic Retrofitting Services as well as cracked foundation repair services for your home, can make all the difference between quickly returning to the place you love or quickly getting on the phone with contractors to get repair estimates.

Pregame Preparedness– The key. Secure anything loose and clear rain gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage to your property. Place a good gutter cover system to prevent twigs, leaves, and dirt from forming clogs in the gutter. Make sure all your tools, supplies, and a first aid kit are available for use. When I was a kid, a late September hurricane ripped down a significant limb from a tree in our yard. The limb was completely severed except for one long strip of bark, which, meant this limb was swinging in a hurricane in mid air. My father happened to have his tools indoors and so within 5 minutes he was outside cutting that hanging branch. If a situation unfolds you’ll be able to address it much more effectively by being able to respond immediately. Check out http://gutteradvantage-pa.com/ for some tips.

Window & Door Defense– A sheet of plywood and a handful of nails have stood out for decades as one of the most effective and practical ways to prepare your home for a storm. We’ve found it’s best to “board up” a day or two before the storm, and our favorite secret is to utilize 3/4-inch or 5/8-inch plywood over the 1/2-inch variety. Option B for defending your windows and doors are hurricane affordable window shutters. Technology has made these a more attractive, simple, effective option than ever before. Today’s shutters deploy with the push of a button or the crank of a handle and are the easiest and other most effective option to deploy before a storm. If you do fall victim of the storm search no further and get in touch with glass remodels professionals. Modern custom-fitted hurricane shutters are designed to withstand 150-200mph and come in a wide variety of colors! 

Water Defense– While there is little any of us can do to prepare for a 15-foot coastal storm surge, there are several products that will go a really long way to protect every homeowner from minor flooding. Sandbags are hands down the most effective option. If properly placed at the cracks of your doors, residential garage door, and windows bags can form an excellent barrier around your home. Proper garage door can be very helpful when it comes to protecting your home. Automatic Door Specialists can consult you on this matter and offer the best options. When defending your home with sandbags there is no such thing as using too many. Other options that we are not as familiar with include quick dam options and water absorbing barriers. Water is arguably the most destructive force your home can potentially face, it’s not worth playing games. 

Roof Defense– Your home was built to hold the roof up, not down. Fortunately you can take some steps to account for and counteract damaging winds. The first thing to do is contact roof repair services, and have them come take a look at the roof if it needs roof repair. They will have to repair any problems, as well as reinforce any vulnerabilities with support braces. When installed properly, hurricane support braces and or/ hurricane straps can reduce your risk of roof failure in high winds. They can be easily installed on new homes. For existing homes the process will involve retrofitting your roof and the structure of your home as necessary. Using only the very best timbers, you will need a truss supplier to collaborate with you to make sure you have a long lasting roof truss that is sturdy enough to sustain any type of storm. I found the Northern Lights Exteriors Fort Lupton roofers retrofitting guide to be a helpful tool: http://www.floridadisaster.org/hrg/content/walls/wood_frame_rtw_conn.asp

Family Defense– The most important part of all. Consider sitting down with your family and having a designated storm room selected in advance of any weather event. An ideal storm room is going to keep your family safe from high-winds, damaging or falling debris, and is in a location above flooding levels. If you’re building or renovating a home and would like more information on how you can design a room to protect your family in an emergency or get through the CPR certification Fort Lauderdale, more information can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/safe-rooms 

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It’s that time of year, again. 
 
The quick fading of one season to the next has begun. With the shift from Summer comes the inevitable, the re-entrance of crisp evening air. All that we love and associate with the Fall season: Pumpkin picking, hot soup, apple cider, the leaves crunching under our feet, a big plate of turkey and gravy. 
 
While some of us anticipate and enjoy the change of season and the new opportunities and activities that arise with it, I know many are out there cringing with each passing September day. There’s nothing quite like digging your toes into the sand on Sunday in July; I feel your pain. 
 
Fall of 2016 is poised to be unlike any other season we’ve had Lessard Builders! The calendar is creeping towards Fall and this year we so have many fresh ideas, mega-announcements and surprises we’re just about ready to reveal.
 
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The first big event we’re particularly excited for is going down at 6pm tomorrow evening! Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity is hosting their 4th annual Saturday-night-of-fun charity fundraiser, Blackjack to Build hosted by Lessard Builders and family. We love to give back- it’s at the core of our beliefs at Lessard Builders, and so we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a huge Fall season. Check out Central Delaware Habatat’s website because tickets are still on sale and it’s going to be an awesome night! There will be blackjack and poker tables, a delicious BBQ dinner cooked by local Rob Fox, wine and beer, live music with Jim Rezak, a wine wall with tons of prizes, and a silent gift auction. Whew! Yeah, that’s right ladies and gentlemen, you get to play cards and laugh and enjoy yourselves for a great cause! You can directly purchase tickets for tomorrow’s charity fundraiser event Blackjack to Build, here. 
 
I know all of us at Lessard Builders are ecstatic to share some of our big news, but until then, enjoy that first steaming mug of apple cider. We won’t keep you in the dark too long!  

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So you’re about to navigate your way East for one final summer weekend at the Delaware beaches, eh?  

If you’re someone who’s already spent a holiday weekend or two in Rehoboth or Dewey, you likely already have your own plan of attack. Yet perhaps you haven’t, you’re new to the area, or you’re looking to take your weekend plans to the next level.

Where ever your Delaware beaches experience level lies, my goal here is simple; to provide you two suggestions that will help you maximize your Labor Day weekend. 

 

1.Be strategic– If you’re not familiar with the area, Rt. 1 is the main highway you may have drove in on. Do your best to avoid it. Want to go food shopping, stop at a liquor store, or grab some Chick-Fil-A? I recommend you do it on your drive into town. You can reasonably expect hour+ delays this weekend to drive just a few miles on Rt. 1 through the Lewes-Rehoboth-Dewey-Bethany Beach area. We all know sitting in traffic is not how we want to spend our holiday weekend. If you must drive somewhere, plan it out, look on your Maps app for alternate routes, and most importantly in my eyes- take advantage of the early morning calm. Trust me, those hours you “get back” that you can spend sitting in your adirondack chair as opposed to sitting in traffic will make the weekend feel so much longer and more relaxing. 

 

2.Maximize your time– One of the qualities about the Delaware beaches I’ve fallen most in love are the abundance of options packed into small geographical areas. You want to take your family to the beach, entertain them for a bit and grab dinner, you say? Or head out with friends for a little Sunday Funday and a nice dinner? Well, you could go to Rehoboth, and find the abundance of options on the avenue… or you could explore areas like downtown Lewes, Dewey or Bethany; all of which are equally good options for different reasons. My point, if you’re going to get in the car and embark on some activities this weekend, do five minutes of research and let’s help you squeeze the absolute most out of your days- without you having to give up your killer parking spot. 

 

Is there a better way to end your summer than being able to dig your toes in the sand, devour a cone of your favorite ice cream, sink a hole-in-one in mini golf, get your school shopping done, and then be just a short walk from dinner and two sizzling fresh crab cakes? Between Rehoboth, Bethany, Dewey and Lewes there are dozens and dozen of diverse eclectic restaurants, bars, breweries and activities going on this weekend! Check out all the goods going on in the area by visiting http://www.visitsoutherndelaware.com . 

Enjoy your weekend, your relaxation and your adventures off the beaten path! Happy Labor Day, friends!