Little Playhouses . . .

by Rick McCluskey

When someone mentions the word playhouse to me, I think of cute little dollhouses. Those Disney castle versions, maybe 2 feet by 3 feet with the back open so dolls and furniture can be moved in and out by my granddaughter or one of her friends over for a visit. Imaging one slightly larger, oh, say in the range of eight feet by ten feet by ten feet, has never crossed my mind. I mean who would build something like that?

Jerde Builders would. So would Korndoerfers. And don’t forget Gustaveson Homes and their buddies over at Newport Builders. They all would. In fact, they already have. You can see them on display at the Racine Zoo.
Not too long ago a call came into The Racine Kenosha Builders Association in Sturtevant. The Junior League of Racine was calling. They had an idea. They needed a playhouse built, one they could raffle off. Only they didn’t know who or where or how to get one built. Like I said, they had an idea.

Enter Michelle Dawson and Tamara Walters. A couple of doers in the local building industry. They kicked around the idea the way doers do, looking at it from all different angles until they had an idea of what they needed to do. Yeah, it could be done, but there were questions. Who would supply the materials and who would build it? That stuff didn’t grow on trees.
They decided to ask the boys. Those guys you see crawling all over new homes under construction. The same guys who could blister the ears of Mother Superior should they hammer a thumb instead of a nail. Not that they use hammers anymore. Pneumatic nailers do the job just as well, only quicker.

At a recent membership meeting the question was posed and wouldn’t you know it they all jumped at the chance. And that’s not all. One playhouse quickly became four when the boys decided to have a friendly competition. Nothing special mind you, just build a custom playhouse. Each would design their own version, supply their own materials and build it from scratch. The winner declared by the whoever received the most votes from the visiting zoo public. All to prove who could do it better.
And my, oh my! Did they ever do it better!

We’re talking hardwood floors, drywall, paint, cedar shake siding and shingles, windows that open and doors that close. These my friends are not your average playhouses. These are miniature mansions built by the best builders in the area. Why, if I was one of Disney’s Seven Dwarfs, I’d trade in that thatched roof hut and move into one of these in a instant. One of them even has a functioning loft! What kid wouldn’t love to have their own loft! I don’t even have a loft and I got a 2500 square foot house!
So it’s kudus to you my cantankerous builder friends. May I be the first to congratulate every one of you. You’ve done yourself and the Racine Kenosha Builders Association proud. In a time of economical strife, you have ignored conventional wisdom and followed your hearts. Kudus. For that you are all winners.

Now for the rest of you wondering how to get your hands on one of these beauties, here’s all you have to do. You can have one built and it will cost you somewhere between $5,000 and $7,000. A little more should you decide to add that loft, cedar shakes and whatever. Or, you can visit the Racine Zoo by July 18th, buy yourself a raffle ticket for $10.00 and hope you’re one of four lucky people.
In addition to helping the zoo, proceeds will also go to sponsoring two scholarships, one by The Junior league of Racine and the other by the Racine Kenosha Builders Association. And yes, buying several tickets will increase your chances of winning. This is not the lottery. While you’re at it vote for the playhouse you like best. The winner will also participate in the Fourth of July parade.
Ah, there’s one last problem and I know what some of you are thinking: How are you going to get something that big home? It sure isn’t gonna fit in the back of Dad’s truck unless he drives a big dumper. And mom’s SUV is definitely out of the question as well. Even a Hummer won’t help. Solution? The Junior League of Racine has made arrangements for Merchants Delivery to deliver all four playhouses anywhere in Racine or Kenosha Counties. FREE!!! Wow, how’s that for a solution. Free delivery.