Named in the Top Ten

Our hometown, Mount Pleasant, SC, recently received one of the All-America City (AAC) awards, a title that's given to only ten cities across the United States. Each year, the National Civic League selects cities that demonstrate innovation in the areas of improving education, job creation, community revitalization, reduction in crime, work with youth and much more.

Each AAC finalists tells their community story, lists two of their most pressing challenges and three outstanding community projects. This year, we had the privilege of hearing the Town of Mount Pleasant called out in Kansas City!

Great things that are taking place in this incredible town of ours. . . but it's also a reminder of the many opportunities we have to give of our time, gifts and resources. Want to get involved in a great ministry or charity? Here just a few to consider, but there are many more that would love our helping hands and support!

• East Cooper Habitat for Humanity
• Crisis Ministries
• Big Brothers Big Sisters

Congrats Dave on Celebrating Your 5th!

Your role as a key player on the Structures team for the past five years remains true as clients regularly attest to your ability to problem solve, communicate clearly, and manage jobs. With candidness and extreme care, you oversee every detail and aspect of the job as if it were your own. Each year the skill and perspective you provide as Project Manager instills confidence and gratitude in our clients’ building process. Thanks for all you do and will continue to do- Congratulations!

Let Freedom Ring

The city of Charleston is known for its preservation and celebration of historical events and society, so why should the 4th of July be any different? Celebrating the anniversary of our nation's independence stretches far beyond Historic Downtown Charleston and far exceeds any sparkling display of loud booms and lights I've ever seen.

The Structures family is thankful for the freedom we have in this country and the freedom to enjoy 4th of July celebrations from many locations in town. The USS Yorktown, located at Patriot's Point, did not disappoint this year by providing great music and a colorful array of bright lights that could only merit genuine "oohs and aahs". If you didn't make it over the bridge to Patriot's Point, you may have seen firework shows light up the beautiful Sullivan's Island or James Island sky. Many found themselves at Joe Riley Stadium, home of the Riverdogs for a fun-filled evening for the whole family! Delighted fans and onlookers definitely enjoyed a nighttime display after the minor league baseball game.

Hopefully you took advantage of the opportunity to feast on hotdogs and spend time with friends and family while enjoying the warm summer night in celebration of independence and freedom on this 4th of July, we sure did!

Here to Stay!

Congratulations are in order for some very special members of the Structures family, Herb and Dolores Kemp! They were just handed the keys to their Daniel Island Park custom home this month. We couldn't be more excited that they are swapping one "C" for another and making the move from Connecticut to Charleston.

Herb and Dolores built their custom home using Structures' HouseSimple process. We were able to create their "dream cottage" over the course of just three trips to Charleston. Each trip was both fun and productive as we finalized the custom selections for their home. In between trips their email inbox was continually brightened with progressive pictures of the interior and exterior details of their home.

Even with all of the pictures and updates, nothing could have captured the pure joy that spread across Herb and Dolores' faces as they arrived at their new home to take in every detail in person. It was such a pleasure to walk them through and share in their excitement as they pointed out every detail and finishing touch that made this home their own.

So glad we could be a part of truly making Charleston your new home. Can't wait to stop by when you're all settled!

Spoleto 2010 Has Something for Everyone!

Take a stroll through any setting from Starbucks to the public library on Calhoun in Historic Downtown Charleston and you are sure to see colorful posters adorning the walls, boasting of Charleston's Spoleto Festival.

If these images don't peak your interest, allow me. Today marks the beginning of the 34th season of Spoleto Festival USA. Over the next 17 days, more than 140 performances will take place throughout the downtown area in venues such as the Gibbes Museum of Art and Dock Street Theatre. Renowned artists as well as emerging performers in opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral and jazz music will fill the charming city of Charleston. I have to admit, one of my all time favorites is simply the "one man band" who stands on the corner just drawing a constant crowd of onlookers.

If you're anything like me you'd want to rearrange your entire schedule to fit in as many shows as possible. The combination of charming Southern hospitality coupled with historic buildings, rich culture, and harbor sunsets will only make the artistic expression more enticing. Hopefully you and I will take time to experience just another great tradition this beautiful city has to offer!

Woman's Work!

I've been a huge supporter of the mission of Habitat for Humanity for many years, but this was the first year I've been a part of the National Woman Build Week where all volunteers are. . . you guessed it, women! Since I've done most of my volunteer work through Structures Building Company, this was the first time I was going to experience it on a completely different level. The biggest difference was, (for the safety of the volunteers) no power tools were allowed. You think to yourself, "no big deal". . . but anyone in the industry knows that a switch like that takes framing to a completely different level and time schedule, slightly different when you're using hammers and nails as opposed to nail guns. Did that deter any of the woman who came out to work on the framing? No Way! We all went at it with gusto! I have to admit, it was quite humorous as you looked around to take in the different "hammering styles". You saw the "two handed swing", the "right up on the neck of the hammer to get the most ump" and one of my favorites was, Tori Stein, of Atlantic Builders Inc., who insisted that this side of the hammer had better coverage to hit the head of the nail. No worries, Tori made up for anything she didn't bring to the workday by bring a Lead Carpenter Morgan who was THE BEST female volunteer! Morgan truly knew what in the world she was doing! (of course Tori knows how to really swing a hammer but as you can see, we were all determined to have humor and fun incorporated into our hard work!

This home is being built for the Martinez Family - Maribel is a single mother of three, Maria, Ivan and Tonya. Maria is currently serving in the Marines, Ivan will graduate from high school this year and Tonya was just accepted into the Charleston Collegiate High School! It was fun to have just a small part in this exciting journey for this incredible family!

I'm so glad the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association (CTHBA) gathered up stellar women, near and far to come out for this opportunity! It's great to be a part of a company and the CTHBA, which places a huge value on the community and actively looks for opportunities to bring our hands and tools to the table!

My Island Town Interviews Members of the Structures Family

Rick and Linda Pylant were interviewed today by My Island Town about their CustomHome process.

"It's been fun participating in the process, says Linda, adding that building a new home isn't as scary as some people think. The great thing about building is you get exactly what you want, " she says.

The Structures Team feels so privileged to be working with Rick and Linda! Everyone who walks into their home is amazed by all the beautiful features found in their beautiful Daniel Island Park home, designed by Herlong and Associates. Click here to read the entire interview.