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Inaugural Andy Van Dolder Scholarship Awarded

Tim Van Dolder presenting the award at Georgian College’s Barrie campus.

On January 30th, 2020, the first-ever Andy Van Dolder Scholarship was awarded. The scholarship’s first deserving recipient was Leah Simon, who described receiving the award as a big help towards finishing her education.

“I can now focus solely on studying, and my school work instead of having to find a second job to help pay for all my bills with school and at home. This is a major help to me and my family.”

The Andy Van Dolder Scholarship was created in honour of our late founder, father and friend, Andy Van Dolder. Andy possessed an unrivalled passion for home improvement and was known around the region for his gregarious spirit. His scholarship is presented to a student in Georgian College’s Carpentry and Renovation Techniques Program who demonstrates academic merit (+75% average) as well as a commitment to the program and profession— something Andy did for over 56 years. The scholarship is valued at $1,000 and is awarded to a student from the Grey Bruce Simcoe region twice a year.

The entire Home Team family would like to congratulate, Leah Simon on being the first recipient of the Andy Van Dolder Scholarship. We wish her all the best as she finishes her studies and begins her career, and we know that Andy would be proud of the passion she displays for her chosen field.

Information about the Andy Van Dolder Scholarship will be available online in Fall 2020 on Georgian College’s website. If you’d like to learn more about the scholarship in the meantime, we ask that you contact Tim Van Dolder at our Collingwood location so that he can redirect you to the appropriate Georgian College contact.

Congratulations once again, Leah!

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Cabin in the Woods

Our Homes Southern Georgian Bay: Cabin in the Woods

Pam met with the couple and discussed the objective of the planned renovation. Her main focus was not blocking the line of sight throughout the house and it was her suggestion to move the staircase to the front of the house. With that decision, the project became a new large addition at the front of the home. It would add a larger front entrance with lots of windows from Van Dolder’s Custom Exteriors, great built-in storage and the new stairs to the finished basement. (source)

 

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Our Homes Grey Bruce Winter 2018-19
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Swedish-Canadian Family's Minimalist Meadow Home

Our Homes Grey-Bruce: Modern Meadow View

Due to the setting, Mother Nature proved to be the most challenging aspect of the project. High winds prevail on the hilltop and when cladding the roof and exterior of the home with sheets of modern, black-ribbed steel (Havelock Metal Co.), the install had to be strategically scheduled on days the wind was less insistent.

When cosied up by the woodstove (Chantico Fireplace Gallery) in the great room, triple pane windows (Van Dolder’s Custom Exteriors) and good insulation keep the elements out when the wind is raging. Radiant heat keeps the concrete floors always warm in the colder months (Sandy Hamilton Plumbing & Heating Inc.). (source)

 

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Our Homes Grey Bruce Winter 2018-19
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Southampton House

Our Homes Grey-Bruce: Fly Fisherman Catches a River Getaway

What began as a project to simply store his boats near the Saugeen River, an avid fly fisherman’s dream soon turned into a unique build – one that stands out for custom homebuilders and renovators Ben and Dylan Freeburn of Alair Homes Grey Bruce.
With a sweeping driveway and impressive entrance, Armando Pagliari’s cottage adds charm to the historic Southampton neighbourhood. Most would assume from the outside that it is a regular home. “We went to the drawing board to come up with the best sort of plan to house his boats, allow for space and provide the one-and-a-half storey development he was looking for,” explains Ben.
The tinted, poured-concrete driveway leads to garage doors at both the cottage and detatched garage behind. Warm Estate stone (Shouldice Designer Stone) complements the cottage’s brown shingles, its beautiful wooden door with notable transoms (Van Dolder’s Custom Exteriors) and old-world lantern above (Martin’s Home Hardware). “We wanted the front elevation to be as residential as possible,” Ben says.

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Our Homes People Fall 2018

Our Homes Grey-Bruce Fall 2018: All in the Family

Tell us how your family business got its start: Andy Van Dolder began his career in the home improvement business in his teens, selling doors for his brother out of the back of his truck. In 1964, he opened Cash and Carry Aluminum in Annan and after many years of successfully growing the business, the company eventually became the Van Dolder’s Home Team. In 2009, with his two sons, Kris and Tim, Andy constructed a new village-style showroom at their landmark location on Highway 26 in Owen Sound. This spring they opened a second showroom in Collingwood.
What is the focus of your company? The Van Dolder’s Home Team sells and installs some of the best quality home improvement products. This includes windows, doors, siding, decking, awnings, pergolas, eaves, gutters, garage doors and finishing touches for homes and cottages. If it goes on the outside of your house, you’ll find it on the inside of ours!
What do you enjoy most about the fall in Grey and Bruce? The fall means a return to following the young children around to different arenas as they play hockey. It’s also a time for getting together to share family barbecues and spending time outdoors enjoying the fall colours.

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Our Homes Southern Georgian Bay Spring 2017

Our Homes Southern Georgian Bay Spring 2017: In the Window Out the Door

The owners of this century home came to us wanting to update the older existing door to a new energy-efficient door but keep the look and feel of the original. I contacted Ostaco, one of our main door suppliers. Between Van Dolder’s and Ostaco, we provided the customer with a new, custom-size, maintenance-free, energy-efficient door system in the look they wanted. We also installed a new Phantom Screen for ventilation and we reused the original interior wood trim. When we were finished, it looked like the door had always been there.

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