July 30, 2026
Welcome to the 17th issue of our newsletter.
I hope you’ve gotten a chance to go to the beach this year because it’s been beautiful out. As always, if you have a project that you would like to feature in the next issue or know someone that would be interested in receiving our monthly newsletter, send us an email.
Ravenna Gemignani
Editor in Chief
Media Consultant
Project Spotlight
Kelly Builders is leading the reconstruction of an Oceanport home that was unfortunately lost due to a house fire in 2025 and it has been a privilege to work alongside them to help bring this family back home. Thankfully, the family escaped safely during the fire and no one was injured. Everyone in the local community played an important part in aiding the family after the tragic event. Oceanport residents organized a clothing/necessities drive and raised over $95,000 through the GoFundMe page. Representatives from the schools, Board of Education, Town Council, and Emergency Services also collaborated efforts to collect donations. We are so happy to be a part of this project to turn this fresh start into a reality, working with partners and a dedicated community that steps up when it matters most. This is what makes New Jersey strong.
Builder Spotlight
For over 30 years, Kelly Builders and Developers has been setting the standard for quality craftsmanship in homes along the Jersey Shore. Led by Michael Kelly, Matthew Kelly, and Anthony Licata, this firm specializes in their classic seashore Colonial style homes that combine traditional, symmetrical architecture with relaxed coastal elements. If you’ve visited Fair Haven, Little Silver, Long Branch, Oceanport, Rumson, or Monmouth Beach this summer, you’ve likely seen a home designed by Kelly Builders. Michael and Matthew Kelly got involved in construction when they were only in high school. While they were on job sites, they learned what was working and what needed to be improved in the construction industry. After gaining extensive experience in building homes, they formed Kelly Builders in 1993. We’ve been working with them for over 15 years and are proud to be a part of their story and build so many fantastic homes along the coast.
Employee Spotlight
Ruben is one of the hardest working employees at Louis & Sons. He’s been with us since 2019 and has helped us with countless projects over the years. He’s a brilliant craftsman who can bring any vision to life. Not only can he install sheetrock, he can also build garages and design backyards as well. On the weekends, he loves spending time with his kids: Ruben (26) , Melanie (23), and Ender (22). He loves cooking and watching TV too. We appreciate everything that Ruben does for us and are proud to have him on the Louis & Sons team.
Battle on the Beach 2026
On Saturday July 18th, we sponsored NJGAKAD’s 10th annual Battle on The Beach boxing event at Gleason’s Gym in Long Branch. New Jersey Give a Kid a Dream (NJGAKAD) is a program that supports at-risk youth through Olympic-style amateur boxing, along with fitness training, mentoring, and academic support. It’s an amazing cause and we highly recommend supporting it if you can. We had a great day at the boxing event and got to bring up the belts to the winners! This year, we had an even bigger crowd with us. We want to give a huge shoutout to Alicia and Jackie for organizing such an incredible event! Thank you for changing so many lives.
Gemini Website Makeover
Our sister company, Gemini Spray Foam Systems, got a complete website redesign this month. The new website retains most of the elements as the original, but incorporates new fonts, layouts, and supports a more responsive contact form with more social media integration.
News
This month, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, officially became law. This legislation seeks to increase the nation’s housing supply by reducing development barriers and strengthening financial opportunities for construction projects. It also expands support for modular homes, mixed-use developments, and affordable housing units. Many industry professionals believe that the law has the potential to help redevelop underutilized commercial properties and vacant land in communities that are actively pursuing housing growth. This is especially important for New Jersey where home construction has become one of the state’s highest priorities. With these new funding tools, the state can increase efforts to make homes more affordable.
Source: nhrepartners.com
Mike’s Message
Is it me or is it slow this summer? I find myself asking that question every year. I have to say this summer wasn’t as bad as last summer. We were really off.
I’ve been doing this for 40 years and every time, it comes as a surprise to me that things slow down in the summer. I immediately go into panic mode. It’s the economy! It’s politics! It’s interest rates! No, it’s just summer. People go on vacation and homeowners put off making decisions. Inspectors and builders start to take off and delay permits and work schedules.
Some towns have moratoriums so you can’t even work in certain areas. The heat slows down productivity which starts a chain reaction on the trades. Sometimes extreme thunderstorms can spread heavy rain and slow progress down. HVAC guys are crazy busy and may put off new construction projects in favor of more lucrative repair work again, causing a chain reaction.
All the reasons and maybe the economy tends to slow things down, but as soon as September rolls in, things get back to normal. I figured I’d share this because if you’re like me, every year I need to be talked off the ledge, but as soon as summer is over, I immediately regret how fast it went. Stay happy, healthy, and busy everyone! Enjoy the summer!
Mike Gemignani
President
Cartoon
Caroline’s Corner – Words of Wisdom
Anyone who has met or talked to our Office Manager will know that she is the most positive, optimistic and wonderful person you will ever meet. She often has quotes and stories that get us through our tension-filled days. Here is a list of her favorite places to visit in New Jersey in the summertime.
Caroline’s NJ Summer Favorites
- Smithville
- The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach in the Highlands
- Huber Woods
- Cape May
- Little Falls
- Grounds for Sculpture
- Asbury Park
Jokes
Which flag is the most highly rated?
The American flag. It has 50 stars!
What is the best tool in the ocean?
A hammerhead shark.
How do you prevent a summer cold?
Catch it in winter.
Quotes
“Make today worth remembering.”
― Zig Ziglar, American salesman
“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.”
― Muhammad Ali, American professional boxer and activist
“In order to do great things, you must be unafraid to recreate yourself. You can’t do that holding on to a glory from yesterday.”
― Pharrell Williams, American musician and songwriter
Louis & Sons Drywall, Inc. 