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Ottawa resident wins $25,000 home makeover from DirectBuy of Ottawa

GLOUCESTER, ON…

DirectBuy of Ottawa, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently delivered a $25,000 check to Ottawa resident Deborah Logue as part of the company’s national Home Makeover Program. Logue was presented with the check on September 19 at the Gloucester area club.

“When I received the letter in the mail notifying me that I was DirectBuy’s $25,000 Grand Prize Home Makeover winner, I didn’t think it was real,” said Logue. “It wasn’t until I called the DirectBuy corporate headquarters that I realized I had truly won.”

Excited about her newfound fortune, Logue didn’t waist any time figuring out how she would spend it all. In fact, Logue replaced her living room carpet with brand new hardwood flooring before she even received her grand prize check.

“The actual ceremony and check presentation was weeks away and I couldn’t wait to start making improvements to my home and life,” said Logue.

This fall, Logue also plans on replacing her kitchen flooring with granite tile. She is looking forward to the arrival of family to help with the project.

Even though her home improvement projects are first and foremost, Logue is also planning a vacation in the island country of Cuba.

Regis and Lise Girard, who own the Ottawa location, were excited that their club was able to help someone from their community.

“We are so happy that our club was one of the lucky ones to have a Home Makeover winner,” said Lise Girard, co-owner of DirectBuy of Ottawa. “It was a great experience for our staff, members and visitors. We will never forget Deborah and we wish her the best with her new home improvement projects.”

Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than a half million dollars in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Program, designed to help consumers create the home of their dreams.

DirectBuy of Ottawa, located at 1392 Cyrville Road in Gloucester, offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 500 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Ottawa employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Ottawa are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

Ottawa resident wins $25,000 home makeover from DirectBuy of OttawaRead More

Relationship Expert Encourages Single Seniors to Take Advantage of Technology and Practice New Dating Etiquette

As Unmarried and Single Americans Week (September 20-26th) is upon us, it is important to remember that a significant number of singles today are seniors.

According to U.S. Census Bureau News (July, 2009), there are 15.8 million single Americans who are 65 or older. These older Americans account for 16 percent of all unmarried and single people age 18 and older. Many of these seniors have found themselves single again after a divorce or the death of a significant other. Although many single seniors don’t wish to remain single, it can be hard to get back on the horse again after so many years out of the dating scene.

According to relationship expert Paul A. Falzone, CEO of The Right One and Together Dating, “Dating isn’t just for the young. It’s for the young at heart. Age doesn’t matter.”

As the CEO of one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services, Falzone has paired thousands of clients during more than 35 years in business. A large number of these singles were people over the age of 55 looking for friendship and love.

“When you’re a single senior, you’re looking for many of the same things that singles of any age are looking for – someone to spend time with who shares your interests and who has those qualities that you find attractive,” explained Falzone.

Take Advantage of Technology

Falzone encourages single seniors to learn more about and take advantage of technology. A traditional brick and mortar dating service that uses high-tech matchmaking software to match members in conjunction with matchmaker consultation services is ideal for single seniors. This type of “high touch” matchmaking service, such as The Right One or Together Dating’s, will help you get back out into the dating scene. Even if you don’t think you’re ready to look for love just yet and are more interested in making new friends, this type of dating service can be instrumental in introducing you to others who share your interests and who are also looking for friendship.

Many seniors are already knowledgeable about social networking sites such as Facebook and use it to correspond with their children and grandchildren. For those who aren’t familiar with it, Facebook is a great way to communicate with family members but you can also use it to get back in touch with folks you probably haven’t seen in a while such as former colleagues or high school and college classmates.

Have a hobby? Then there’s probably a “Meetup Group” for it. From quilting, photography and sports to dining out and more, you may find others with similar interests online at Meetup.com.

New Dating Etiquette

For single seniors who haven’t dated in a long time, perhaps even decades, Falzone advises of the new dating etiquette:

· Meet in a public place by your own transportation. Play it safe until you get to know the person.

· Men and women now split the bill. Don’t commit the faux pas of expecting one person to pay for everything. Both parties should offer to pay their share and be prepared to do so. Be sure to have cash on hand in case plastic isn’t on the menu.

· Don’t air your “dirty laundry”. Problems with your ex or your adult children? Conflicts with families or former partners are a natural part of life, yet there’s no need to share the burden early on.

· Dating is about BOTH people. Dating is and always will be two-way, with plenty of listening and communication. You should work around both of your schedules and interests when arranging a date and deciding where to go. One person doesn’t get to call all the shots.

· Guard your personal information and your assets. Know that there are many people who are quick to take advantage of the loneliness of seniors. Be aware that not everyone you meet may be a person of substance, ethically and morally.

· Be safe. Tell a friend or someone else close to you, where and with whom you are going on your date. If you can’t reach anyone, call your own voicemail and leave a detailed message and any contact info you have about your date.

Falzone continued, “Something that hasn’t changed is courtesy. Courtesy transcends the generations. Confirm your date, be on time and conclude it comfortably. If you want to see each other again, great, but if not, that’s okay too. Go on your date with no expectations, and be sure to end it on a polite note. Most importantly – be yourself and be honest and sincere.”

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region.

Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in: Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel); Kentucky (Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio and Austin) and Virginia (Falls Church); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include: California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford, Normal, Schaumburg and Chicago); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); New York (NYC); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

Relationship Expert Encourages Single Seniors to Take Advantage of Technology and Practice New Dating EtiquetteRead More

Boot Camp for New Dads to Hold Master Coach Certification Training in Denver October 2-3, 2009

Boot Camp for New Dads (http://www.bcnd.org), a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, will hold a Master Coach Certification Training session October 2-3, 2009. The two-day training session will be held at the National Boot Camp Training Center, Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital, 1900 Lafayette Street in Denver, CO.

Only those that are licensed facilities are eligible to enroll in the Boot Camp for New Dads Master Coach Certification Training.

This all-new, specially-designed, cutting edge event will be led by three Boot Camp National Trainers with over 25 years of combined experience leading Boot Camp workshops across the United Sates and England. According to Boot Camp for New Dads’ program evaluations and statistics, Master Coaches get Boot Camp for New Dads programs off to the strongest possible start while existing programs see huge gains in rookie satisfaction and veteran return rate.

Master Coaches act as facilitators for the Boot Camp for New Dads programs. A Master Coach’s role is central to important issues regarding the return of veteran dads to the program, excellent outcomes for rookie dads, media attention, and general excitement about the program within the community. 

Tuition is $400 and covers both days of training. It also includes lunch on Friday and a continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Pre-training materials will be sent to those who register. For more information or to register, visit BCND.org.

About the Boot Camp for New Dads Program

Boot Camp for New Dads has worked with more than 200,000 new dads at their workshops held over the past 19 years. After attending a Boot Camp for New Dads “hands on” educational workshop, dads-to-be are better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow. They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes. For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Now celebrating their 19th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program. Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years.

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics), and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org. To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

Boot Camp for New Dads to Hold Master Coach Certification Training in Denver October 2-3, 2009Read More

New teachers at Plymouth North receive Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s “Driven Student” award for September.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

Being the new kid at school is never easy. You could make the same case for being the new teacher. In addition to getting to know the students, there’s also meeting new colleagues, getting around a new building, etc. To help that assimilation and welcome them to the school, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac welcomed the 20 teachers new to Plymouth North High School with September’s Driven Student Award.

“To be a teacher takes a special kind of commitment and dedication. Unfortunately, it’s an often under-appreciated occupation. By awarding our ‘Driven Student’ award to the new teachers at Plymouth North, we’re hopefully getting the message across in some small way that teachers, whether you’re new to the school or a long-time faculty member, are appreciated,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac.

In honor of being selected for the “Driven Student” award, the teachers received a pizza party courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet.

“Teaching is one of the most challenging and demanding careers out there and we wanted to honor those who have chosen education as their passion,” said Kevin Farrell, Freshman Academy Housemaster. “We all [faculty members] were once new to this school and recognizing these individuals is just a nice way to get their Plymouth North careers off to a good start.”

Teachers attending the September’s Driven Student award celebration included: Jeremy Adelmann, Lauren Anderson, Nicholas DiRenzo, Christina Friedmann, Derek Harding, Kevin Hava, Nicole Jalbert, Jonathan Murphy, Amber Roderick, Karen Smith, Jamie Sorge, Meghan Strawn and Jim Wooten. Principal Mary Mortensen and Vice Principal Mary Callahan also attended.

Accompanying Tracy was Dr. Gareth Lynch, chief professional officer of the Plymouth Boys & Girls Club. In addition to welcoming and providing an overview of the Club’s work programs, he shared some stories on how current North students are benefitting from the Boys & Girls Club program.

“As a member of the Boys & Girls Club board of directors, I’ve seen the good work the Club is doing firsthand,” said Tracy. “I was glad to be able to bring Dr. Lynch to the Driven Student ceremony to not only make the new teachers aware of the opportunities out there for their students but to facilitate additional opportunities down the road.”

Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student program recognizes Plymouth high school students for their performance and achievements in and out of the classroom. Awarded on a monthly basis, recipients are selected by faculty and advisors at the student’s given school.

So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac

For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (800) 640-2884.

New teachers at Plymouth North receive Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s “Driven Student” award for September.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services Launches Supportive Housing Program in Plymouth

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) with main offices in Brockton has launched a Supportive Housing Program in Plymouth that provides supportive services to senior residents enabling them to live longer in the community and preventing premature institutionalization.

OCES (http://www.oldcolonyelderservices.org) has a longstanding relationship with the Plymouth Housing Authority (PHA) which manages five different housing sites: Northfield, Cherry Hill, Southfield, High Cliffs and Castle Court. OCES has incorporated the Supportive Housing Program at each site and currently serves over 100 elders in these buildings. Each building offers community rooms and a kitchen. Northfield is also a congregate meal site and serves meals at noon Monday through Friday (except on holidays). Every resident is eligible for the Supportive Housing Program.

Maura Shepard is the Supportive Housing Specialist (SHS) for all Plymouth locations and is on-site at Northfield. Shepard is responsible for overseeing the Supportive Housing program which includes organizing and implementing various structured social, educational and recreational programs as indicated through a resident needs assessment and through the provision of care management. These services are meant to encourage and build a community atmosphere among the residents. A “Falls Prevention” class has already been offered and there are plans for other programs including nutrition, money management, caregiving and chronic disease management throughout the summer and fall.

Shepard also serves as a liaison between the senior residents and the PHA, home care agencies providing care, OCES’ Care Managers and resident families; this helps ensure that seniors are linked to the specific supportive services that are needed in order for them to remain safe and independent in their homes and maintain their dignity.

“The Supportive Housing program is a win-win. We’re very fortunate to have the support of the Plymouth Housing Authority and partnerships with a variety of community based resources. We’ve had a good response from residents and they are very comfortable with the program,” noted Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To learn more about the Plymouth Supportive Housing Program, contact Maura Shepard at OCES at 508-746-9750.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Old Colony Elder Services Launches Supportive Housing Program in PlymouthRead More

Michelle Ayer Joins Damon, Topham & Company of Marshfield

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC of Marshfield, a full service multi-disciplined firm of Certified Public Accountants, providing accounting, taxation, business development and financial services, has recently appointed Michelle Ayer as Semi-Senior Accountant.

In her new role as a Semi-Senior Accountant, Ms. Ayer will prepare individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns as well as, performing audits, reviews, and compilations for corporations and not-for-profit entities.

Previous to joining Damon, Topham & Company, Ms. Ayer worked as an accountant at a local firm.

Ms. Ayer holds a BA in Business Management from Bridgewater State College. She attended Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.

She is a resident of Quincy, MA.

About Damon, Topham & Company

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Business Development Advisor, has twice been named as one of the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Accounting Firms”.

Utilize the “Damon, Topham Advantage” – go beyond the traditional services of auditing, accounting and taxation.  Damon, Topham & Company provides business valuation, estate, individual and corporate tax planning and savings, financial planning, consulting and financing solutions for you, your business and your family.  A full service multi-disciplined firm, Damon, Topham & Company has been serving the South Shore for over 20 years.

Damon, Topham & Company, LLC offices are located at 475 School Street, Suite 8 in Marshfield and at 21 Custom House Street, Suite 910 in Boston.

For more information contact (781) 837-1993 or visit the company’s website at www.damtopcpa.com.

Michelle Ayer Joins Damon, Topham & Company of MarshfieldRead More

Silent gesture speaks volumes. DirectBuy of Buffalo donates auction items for Owl Family Picnic Chinese Auction.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently donated $800 worth of furniture to the Chinese Auction held during the 21st Annual Owl Family Picnic at the George F. Lamm VFW Post in Williamsville on August 23.

Proceeds from the Chinese Auction went to several area non-profits, most notably Camp Good Days and Special Times, Mercy Flight of Western New York, Former Troopers Helping Hands and the St. Adalbert’s Center.

“We’re happy to donate those items to efforts like the Chinese Auction at the Owl Family Picnic because of the phenomenal work the charities involved do, particularly with sick children. said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “It’s an absolute privilege to take part in this event each year.”

The charities benefitting from the Chinese Auction include:

  • Camp Good Days and Special Times – a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges.
  • Mercy Flight of Western New York – an independent, not-for-profit provider of emergency air medical transport.
  • Former Troopers Helping Hands – an organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of all children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
  • St. Adalbert’s Center – dedicated to helping poverty-stricken individuals and families. They empower people to take responsibility for their lives and encourage self-sufficiency through dignity and compassion.

DirectBuy clubs across Canada and the United States are active contributors to many local non-profits and charities, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Salvation Army, YMCA, Homes for Our Troops, and various Children’s Hospitals. Locally, DirectBuy of Buffalo sponsored a Habitat for Humanity effort on Guilford Street in Buffalo and regularly donates to charitable efforts like The Ride for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Buffalo Humane Society, and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Silent gesture speaks volumes. DirectBuy of Buffalo donates auction items for Owl Family Picnic Chinese Auction.Read More

Tips for Creating Your Dream Space: Back to the drawing board and other extras for your kitchen remodel

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the more expensive home improvement projects you can undertake. It’s also a project that recoups more of its cost at resale than most others. And with a few extra touches–like a chalkboard area, exhaust fan and sliding kitchen cabinet doors — your investment in a kitchen remodel can dramatically improve your quality of life while you’re in your home and put more in your pocket at resale.

Back to the drawing board

The kitchen has become the hub of activity and an information center for many households. But rather than forcing a dry erase board into an existing spot once you’ve remodeled your kitchen, why not make it part of the plan from the get-go.

For example, many new kitchen remodels include wall space painted with chalkboard paint. This gives families a great space to keep important lists and dates and is very easy to maintain since chalkboard paint is easily cleaned with an eraser or damp cloth. You also don’t have to concern yourself with fitting in a drab white dry erase board. And, last but not least, your little ones will finally have a place to draw their favorite pictures without causing permanent marks.

Exhausting your new kitchen’s possibilities

Adding an exhaust fan to your kitchen is another nice touch to a kitchen remodel. Exhaust fans not only help eliminate obnoxious smells from your kitchen; they can be a beautiful design accent as well. 

Besides being functional, exhaust systems are available in different materials such as wood or stainless steel, which can coordinate nicely with your cabinetry or countertops. So in addition to getting rid of unwanted smells from last night’s seafood dish or the peas you accidentally burned, you further accentuate the beauty of your remodel.

Letting your kitchen cabinets slide

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, especially the cabinets, it’s easy to get hung up on looks. But you also want your new cabinets to be functional. To that end, sliding cabinet doors are a functional and attractive alternative.

Sliding kitchen cabinet doors work in a similar fashion to sliding patio doors—on a grooved run–only on a smaller scale. So, if you’re sick of bumping your head or other body parts after somebody left a cabinet door open, it’s an option with great functionality.

In terms of looks, kitchen cabinetry with sliding door fronts tend to work best in contemporary, modern, or Asian-inspired designs. While available in a number of attractive wood styles, sliding cabinets are also offered with clear glass doors. This gives you not only a stylish design, but an opportunity to display your dinnerware or barware.

With or without these extras, remodeling your kitchen is a major renovation that can dramatically improve the quality of your day-to-day life. Take your time, get several opinions and don’t forget those little extras that can elevate a good remodel to a great one.

Sara Shragal is a staff writer for DirectBuy. For more information or other helpful tips for your home, or to submit a question, please visit www.directbuycares.com or write us at questions@directbuycares.com.

Tips for Creating Your Dream Space: Back to the drawing board and other extras for your kitchen remodelRead More

Area resident wins $50,000 grand prize from DirectBuy. Kelly Clarkson, of Moore, Oklahoma, plans to use winnings to purchase first home.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK…

Just when Kelly Clarkson thought her life was caving in around her, she got a second chance to change everything.

That second chance was a letter from DirectBuy, the second such notification sent by the company, notifying Clarkson that she was the winner of the DirectBuy’s $50,000 Home Makeover promotion. And, thankfully, she called DirectBuy’s corporate headquarters just in time to claim her winnings.

“When I received the first letter, I thought someone was playing a trick on me and completely disregarded it, but I’m so glad they sent a second notice and I called,” said Clarkson.

DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, named Kelly Clarkson of Moore, Oklahoma as their 2nd national Home Makeover winner this year. Over the past few years, DirectBuy has distributed more than a half million dollars in prize money to both members and non-members as part of their Home Makeover Program, designed to help consumers learn more about DirectBuy, and in the process, help them create the home of their dreams.

On September 10, 2009, Clarkson visited the company’s Oklahoma City location for the formal check presentation. 

Weeks prior, Clarkson was summoned to court in a foreclosure dispute on the home she is currently renting. Clarkson, who is disabled, and hasn’t worked for more than two years, didn’t have the finances to purchase the home from the bank and was preparing for a move this year.

But, with a little luck and a second chance, the Clarkson family can now make their current residence a permanent home.

“Just as quickly as things turned for the worst in my life, they just as easily made a turn for the better,” said Clarkson. “I truly feel so blessed!”

Clarkson’s children, 15-year-old Tyler and eight-year-old Samaya, are looking forward to the comfort of knowing they will be staying in their current home and school. And three-year-old Yzabella is thrilled that her mom can now afford to buy her the pink PowerWheels jeep she’s been wanting.

DirectBuy of Oklahoma City franchise owners Brandon and Adriana Parker were excited that their club was able to help someone from their community.

“Having a chance to present a family with a check for $50,000 is one of the most exciting events I have ever participated in,” said Adriana. “There couldn’t have been a more deserving family than the Clarksons, and I am truly happy that DirectBuy could help turn their luck for the better.”

DirectBuy of Oklahoma City, located at 8330 Glade Avenue, offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 700 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design club where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy of Oklahoma City employs interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Oklahoma City are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For 38 years, DirectBuy has been showing hundreds of thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

Area resident wins $50,000 grand prize from DirectBuy. Kelly Clarkson, of Moore, Oklahoma, plans to use winnings to purchase first home.Read More