Archives 2025

Today, we’re celebrating a truly remarkable milestone: Scott Cummings is marking his 32nd year with Cummings Lumber Company! As the founder’s great-grandson, Scott has continued a proud family tradition of excellence, taking the helm as President in 2014.

Under Scott’s leadership, the company has continued to thrive, upholding the undying commitment to provide customers with Cummings Lumber quality service and a quality product – a tradition that has spanned four generations.

Scott’s dedication was never more evident than in June 2024, when our mill faced a devastating fire. Through that incredibly challenging time, Scott’s unwavering direction and leadership were instrumental in guiding us through. We, the employees, want to express our deepest gratitude to Scott for getting us through that difficult period and leading the charge in rebuilding.

You can see the incredible journey of recovery, from the fire itself to the remarkable progress over the past year, in this video:

Thank you, Scott, for your incredible dedication, leadership, and for continuing the legacy of quality that defines Cummings Lumber Company!

Today, we’re giving a huge shout-out to Ryan Vargson, who is celebrating his 8th anniversary as a dedicated Truck Driver at Cummings Lumber Company!

Ryan is an essential part of our team, consistently ensuring our products get where they need to be, safely and on time. His hard work and commitment on the road are truly appreciated, and it’s clear Ryan is in it for the long haul!

Thank you, Ryan, for your incredible dedication and all your hard work over the past eight years!

We’re incredibly proud to shine a spotlight on Duane Buck Jr. as he celebrates an amazing 27 years with Cummings Lumber Company!

Duane is our highly skilled Saw Filer, and his expertise is absolutely crucial to our operation. He ensures our saw blades are always in top condition, which directly translates to the quality lumber we produce. He does an amazing job, consistently demonstrating precision and dedication.

But Duane’s commitment goes beyond his primary role. He’s a true team player, never shying away from tackling any other tasks that come his way. This willingness to lend a hand wherever needed is just one of the many reasons we value him so highly.

Thank you, Duane, for your 27 years of unwavering dedication and exceptional work. We’re incredibly fortunate to have you as part of the Cummings Lumber family!

Want to see what it’s like to be a saw filer? Check out his YouTube video!

We’ve got a fantastic shout-out this week for our dedicated truck driver, Willie Bruhl, who recently brought in a great load of logs to the yard! And what’s even more impressive? He did it behind the wheel of our trusty 30-year-old Mack Truck!

That’s right, our vintage Mack is still proving its mettle on the roads, a true workhorse that continues to get the job done thanks to the skilled hands of drivers like Willie. Big thanks to Jonathan Storch for snapping a great photo of Willie and this iconic rig in action.

It’s a testament to both the enduring quality of our equipment and the expertise of our team. Great job, Willie!

We’re thrilled to report a recent haul of truly exceptional timber at the Cummings Lumber Log Yard, thanks to our skilled truck driver, Jonathan Storch! Jonathan expertly navigated the roads to bring in a magnificent load of large diameter Cherry logs.

These aren’t just any logs – their impressive size and quality are a testament to the beautiful timber we’re proud to source. Our forester, Chris Route, was on site to capture the moment, getting some fantastic photos of this impressive delivery.

Big thanks to Jonathan for his excellent work, and to Chris for documenting these incredible Cherry logs.

This week, we want to give a huge shout-out to our fantastic truck driver, Ryan Vargson, who successfully delivered a full load of Barefoot Brand Hardwood Flooring to A Plus Flooring in Hyannis, Massachusetts!

Ryan’s dedication ensures our clients get their products on time and in perfect condition, and this delivery was no exception. We’re proud to have him on our team, helping bring beautiful Barefoot Brand Hardwood Flooring to homes and businesses.

Great job, Ryan!

Just a friendly reminder that we will be closed on Friday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.

We wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July filled with celebration and good times. We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all who have served and are currently serving in the military. Your dedication and sacrifice ensure the freedoms we celebrate.

We’ll be back in the office, bright and early on Monday, July 7th.
Cummings Lumber Company
Barefoot Brand Flooring
Barefoot Pellet Company

On Wednesday, June 25th—exactly one year after the fire that forever changed our lives—Mill employees came together to honor President Scott Cummings with a meaningful, handcrafted plaque.

Speaking on behalf of everyone, Supervisor Keith Wagner shared our deep appreciation for all Scott has done to keep as many of us working as possible during the aftermath. While many business leaders might have turned to outside contractors, Scott chose differently—he put his trust in us. He kept our team busy with the cleanup and rebuilding efforts, and the results speak for themselves. The mill looks better than ever.

In the process, we’ve not only restored what was lost but also made real improvements—upgrading equipment and enhancing operations. Now, one year later, we’re proud to say we’re nearly back to full capacity.

Pictured is the beautifully crafted plaque designed by Keith Wagner and Head Sawyer Angela Hall on behalf of all mill employees.

Thank you for everything, Scott. We’re proud to work under your leadership!

Be sure to watch the “CLC RISING FROM THE ASHES” video on YouTube.

One Year Later
On June 25, 2024, Cummings Lumber faced a devastating loss. A fire tore through the sawmill, destroying the north end of the building. Fourteen fire companies responded heroically to keep the blaze from spreading. But by morning, the full weight of the damage became heartbreakingly clear. A year later, the cause of the fire remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that despite losing part of a building that housed 95 years of history, the Cummings family remains firmly rooted. They’re not going anywhere.
For the family and employees, the loss was personal. The sawmill wasn’t just a workplace—it was where many spent their adult lives, where memories were built in every beam and board.
Small businesses like ours often face enormous hurdles when disaster strikes. Between payroll, taxes, and the sudden loss of revenue and inventory, being shuttered for a year can be financially devastating. But even in the face of adversity, we’ve fought to keep going—and now, we’re ready to fully resume production.
As with many hardships, this tragedy brought with it an unexpected gift: overwhelming community support. We were embraced by friends, neighbors, and colleagues with a level of generosity we’ll never forget. Still, some losses leave marks that time and money cannot heal. Yet our spirit remained unshaken. Instead of mourning what was gone, we chose to look ahead—boldly and with determination.
Now, thanks to everyone’s efforts, we’re ready to begin the next chapter in the story of Cummings Lumber.
By: Norm Steffy

Be sure to check out the Photo/Video slideshow on YouTube

This year, we’re celebrating an incredible milestone at Cummings Lumber Company: Dale Ostrander is marking his 40th anniversary with us! For four decades, Dale has been an invaluable member of our team in Troy, PA, demonstrating unparalleled dedication and a work ethic that inspires us all.

Many of you know Dale as our expert log scaler. It’s a crucial role that requires a keen eye and deep understanding of timber, ensuring fair and accurate measurements. But Dale’s contributions don’t stop there; he’s also our go-to guy for selling and loading bark mulch, a testament to his versatility and commitment.

Dale is more than just a dedicated employee; he’s a truly great guy, always ready with a helping hand and a positive attitude. His four decades of service are a testament to his loyalty and the strong bonds he’s built within our company and community.

Curious to see what a log scaler does? You can check out Dale in action in his video on YouTube!