SPOTLIGHT
PAST: GOLDEN ERA OF J&R HERRA
August is a special month for our community as it marks the town’s beloved Elburn Days festival weekend. We couldn’t miss the opportunity of posting this iconic Elburn Days parade family photo. In addition to running a successful plumbing and heating shop, our two founders (Jack and Rich) were actively involved as volunteer firefighters for the Elburn Fire Department. Each year they would help showcase the department’s vintage truck in the annual Elburn Days Parade. This picture was taken over fifty years ago on the Elburn Days parage route. Jack is actually sitting as the passenger, alongside his lifelong friend, Marty Strausberger. Jack served as department “Captain” and Marty served as department “Chief” for years, each leading and protecting with a servant’s heart. We are so proud of this picture as it showcases our commitment to community from the very beginning.
PRESENT: MEET WILL H.
It is our pleasure to celebrate Will, J&R Herra’s Staff Spotlight for August. For almost a decade, Will has headed our shop team. Tool maintence, organization, shipping and receiving, ordering, inventory management, scheduling, and sustaining a safe work environment are just a few of his countless responsibilities. Our shop would be lost without his experience and leadership. We are unbelievably grateful for all he does around here. Beyond applauding his contributions around J&R Herra, there is much to commend when it comes to Will. We proudly boast that Will is the ultimate “girl dad” to his daughter, Eleanor. In fact, much of his time (vacation time included) revolves around her ice-skating practice and show schedule. When he is not at the rink, Will is either cooking, woodworking, or hanging with one of his beloved pups (Holly, Archy, or Monday). Finally, we must proudly note Will’s service to the United States Navy. He is a U.S. Veteran who honorably served as a “Seabee” steel worker in the United States Naval Construction Battalion. We are beyond appreciative to call Will part of our J&R Herra team.
FUTURE: MOMENTS WITH MOLLY
Every August we get “back-to-school” ready. In addition to shopping for school supplies, we go through our closets and drawers to get rid of stuff that no longer fits and to make room for our new school year shoes and clothes. It took me all day, but I completed this chore today. Would you believe I filled two large garbage bags and a box of shoes? My brother pretty much did the same. There are so many places to drop your gently used clothing, but this year we opted to donate our bags to Beautiful U Resale Shop in our very own, Elburn, Illinois. Honestly, we will probably only donate our things to their ministry from now on. Did you know that people working there are mostly volunteers? Also, the proceeds made from all of the sales go to support unwed, pregnant teen mothers. The money Beautiful U makes helps pay for food, housing, medical support, education, and life skill training for these young girls. Those all sound like wonderful reasons to drop your donations with them. Just pull around back and drop your things in their back entry space. They are doing some really great stuff for our community and my family is proud to support them. You can find their resale shop at 112 N. Main Street, Elburn, IL 60119.
GOOD TO KNOW
Isn’t it the worst when you’re A/C starts acting up on a hot and humid August afternoon? There are a few things we’d like you to try BEFORE you call for service.
- If Your Coil is Frozen – Shut off your A/C and turn on the fan! Our techs won’t be able to perform needed tasks if coil is frozen!
- While you are waiting for our tech to arrive… Check Air Filter -Dirty filters can cause poor airflow, which can lead to freezing. You can replace them if needed.
- Check System for Water Damage – Once the coil starts to thaw, the water will collect inside the system. It will likely overflow because there is more water collected within the unit than is able to drain out. Be aware that water damage can occur if your primary drain pan located inside the evaporator coil overflows.
- Check Thermostat Batteries – This might seem obvious, but if your batteries need to be changed, the A/C could stop working!
DIYlicious DESIGN
CUSTOMIZE. CREATE. INSPIRE.
Back-to-school season is upon us. Here is a fun DIY for your family to kickoff the 2024/25 school year and snag a memory along the way. The creative visionaries at Mimi’s Dollhouse have this clever DIY “First Day of School Chalkboard Sign.”
Materials:
- Canvas/board
- Chalk board spray paint
- Chalk marker (The marker is recommended over regular chalk as it has a cleaner/crisper finish.)
Instructions:
- Choose Your Surface: Decide whether you want to use a canvas, piece of wood, or another sturdy/flat surface.
- Spray the canvas with the spray paint: One pretty thick coat should do the trick…if you feel you need another coat, let the first coat dry and repeat.
- Plan Your Design: Sketch out your design on a piece of paper. Think about what information you want to include, such as:
- “First Day of School”
- The date
- The child’s name
- Grade level
- School name
- Favorite things (like a favorite color, book, or activity)
- What they want to be when they grow up
- Draw Guidelines: Use a ruler to lightly draw guidelines on the board or poster to help keep your writing straight and even.
- Write the Main Heading: Start with the main heading, such as “First Day of School.” Make it bold and decorative. Again, use chalk markers for a vibrant and clean look. If using a poster board, use markers or paint.
- Add Details: Fill in the details you planned. Write clearly and use different colors or styles for each section to make it visually appealing. You can use stencils or stickers to add decorative elements or to highlight important parts.
- Decorate: Add some fun decorations like stars, hearts, or school-related drawings (books, pencils, etc.). If you printed graphics, cut them out and glue them onto the sign.
- Final Touches: Erase any visible guidelines from your initial sketch layout.
This keepsake sign can become a cherished part of your family’s back-to-school traditions, capturing special memories year after year.
RECIPE
Tis the season for tomatoes. Is your garden like Molly’s Summer Salsa Garden? What do you do with your surplus of tomatoes? We tend to have weekly BLTs and a lot of fresh salsa. When it comes to fresh salsa, Aunt Dana Herra’s recipe CANNOT be beat! She was kind enough to share it with Molly for this year’s 4H project. It was met with such rave reviews at the fairgrounds, that we thought you might want to try it as well. From our family to yours, ENJOY!
TESTIMONIAL
Thank you, Jacques for taking the time to leave this thoughtful review. We always try to inform our customers as we complete a job. From repairs to the installation of new equipment, we want to leave you feeling confident with your investment.
“Everyone at J & R Herra from the office team to the plumbers Marcus, John, and Micheal are all fantastic people that go an extra mile. They made sure we were well informed throughout the process and took our safety and satisfaction as top priorities. I could not be more happy with their service and staff.”
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Philanthropy is a cornerstone of J&R Herra. We work tirelessly to support the community that supports us. In addition to the sponsorships and seasonal donations, 10% of all Herra Home Shield profits are donated back into our community. Thanks to you, this month we were able to be a sponsor the Elburn Days festival, hosted by our community Lions Club. From Friday’s parade to the evening concerts in the park, we are happy to contribute to such a well-loved and nostalgic event. Please join us this year, August 16th-18th, down at Lions Park: 500 Fillmore Street, Elburn, IL 60119.
