search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

Damato of the Day Is, “It’s a Curse”

By Rick Damato
Damato of the day blog feature
January 20, 2014

Following a long week that ended up with a couple of days of meetings and seminars, I was joined in Orlando, Fla., by my bride, the gorgeous and amazing Micki, for some R&R. Two people “of a certain age” may not have chosen this destination for a weekend rendezvous, but it happens that my youngest son, the bohemian artist guy, Jordan, calls Orlando home.

One of my favorite things to do here is to visit Park Avenue in Winter Park, which is not far from downtown Orlando (and not too close to the other attractions for which Orlando is known… not that there is anything wrong with them). Right there in the middle of a long row of fancy shops and eateries is the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. “The Morse” has as its main attraction works by renowned artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany who is best known for his work in stained glass.

I have been intrigued by stained glass for as long as I can remember — even as a child. My father was a commercial artist and had some stained-glass work on his resume. Not cutting or leading glass, but painting faces and hands on the panes for replacements in church windows. He only did this work on a freelance basis for a relatively short period of time, but I think he always considered it one of the more important pieces of his work as an artist.

So intrigued was I that in the 1980s I learned how to cut and lead art glass to make simple objects of art such as transom windows and other things as time and resources allow. It is great fun, and I plan on doing more once I move beyond the need to work fulltime. Visiting the Morse wakes up my interest in all things beautiful and will doubtless lead me back into my garage to work on some new creation, in spite of knowing that my work is purely amateur and is not really of the same nature as the work of Mr. Tiffany.

While spending a few hours in the Morse I found my thoughts drifting off into my work in the construction industry. Not just as part of the roofing industry, but in my work managing and maintaining buildings for my roofing-distributor employer.

A few years back the Morse added a wing to display more of Tiffany’s work that has a special focus on the home he built on Long Island, N.Y. My mind went from enjoying the beauty all around me to studying the architectural details of the home, named Laurelton Hall. I marveled at the way the buildings were designed and, of course, the roofs and gutter systems. I was intrigued by the design of the heating system and noted the obvious attention to fire protection concerns.

My work, it seems, is just part of being me. Not a bad thing, but maybe not so good when I am supposed to be “getting away from it all.” It’s a curse.

KEYWORDS: architecture gutters windows

Share This Story

Rick damato update
Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Blog Topics

Damato of the Day

Guest Blog

Recent Comments

Foundation Bolts Manufacturer and Supplier

Scratch Games

CDSCO Certification

Justin Bieber’s purple hoodie is an iconic piece...

It's fascinating to see how virtual trade shows...

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • TAMKO Titan XL Shingles
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Built for Business: How Titan XT® Shingles Keep Proving Their Value

  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

Popular Stories

The Home Depot is weighing a bid for GMS. The potential offer would pit the retail giant against QXO Inc.

UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

Brad Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QXO, offers $5 billion to acquire GMS, a major distributor of gypsum and interior building products.

QXO Sets Its Sights on GMS in $5 Billion Offer

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing