Archives June 2025

THANK YOU, SCOTT CUMMINGS!

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.

CUMMINGS LUMBER COMPANY SAWMILL FIRE – RISING FROM THE ASHES

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

Dale Ostrander: 40 Years of Dedication at Cummings Lumber Company

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!

Celebrating Cassy Dygert: 11 Years of Excellence at Cummings Lumber Company!

Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Cassy Dygert’s 11th anniversary as our HR Director/Finance Manager!

Since joining Cummings Lumber Company, Cassy has been an indispensable part of our team. Her dedication, professionalism, and unwavering hard work have been instrumental in our success. Cassy approaches every task with integrity, ensuring our HR and financial operations run smoothly and ethically.

We are incredibly grateful for her years of service and her commitment to excellence. Thank you, Cassy, for everything you do!

“The Forest and the Trees” – Mountain Home Magazine cover story by Gayle Morrow.

Be sure to pick up the June 2025 issue of Mountain Home Magazine for “The Forest and the Trees” cover story. “After a fire at Cummings Lumber, Scott had his millwork cut out for him.”

We’d like to sincerely thank Mountain Home Magazine for taking the time to cover our story. They did an incredible job.

Here’s a link to Mountain Home Magazine
https://www.mountainhomemag.com/2025/06/01/533092/mountain-home-june-2025

And a Link to view the June 2025 digital copy.
https://issuu.com/mountainhome/docs/mountain_home_june_2025

SPRING INTO SUMMER BARK MULCH SALE! Please Share!

Get your yard summer-ready with our incredible bark mulch deals!

Save big on Double Ground Bark Mulch:
• $5.00 OFF 1 to 3 yards!
• $10.00 OFF 4 to 7 yards!
• $15.00 OFF 8 yards and up!
🗓️ JUNE 20TH & 21ST, cash or check only.

📞 Call Kelly Root at 607-857-3265 for delivery details.
• Delivery fee determined by location

Don’t miss out on these savings! Find us at:
Cummings Lumber Log Yard
21756 Route 14
Troy, PA 16947

Visit our website at https://clc1.com/ to learn more!
Cummings Lumber Company

Celebrating Randy Holdren: 18 Years of Dedication at Cummings Lumber!

Join us in celebrating a truly remarkable milestone! Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Randy Holdren, who is celebrating 18 years as a Lumber Handler at Cummings Lumber Company.

For nearly two decades, Randy has been an integral part of our team. He’s known throughout the company as a kind, reliable, and incredibly hard-working individual. His dedication to his role and to Cummings Lumber is evident every single day, and we simply cannot thank him enough for his unwavering commitment.

Randy’s consistent efforts and positive attitude have made a significant impact, and we are so grateful to have him.

Four Years Strong: Celebrating Jonathan Storch!

Today, we’re thrilled to celebrate a milestone for one of our own: Jonathan Storch is marking his fourth anniversary as a Log Truck Driver here at Cummings Lumber!

Jonathan’s hard work ethic and incredible dedication truly don’t go unnoticed. He consistently goes above and beyond to get the job done, and that kind of commitment is what makes our team so strong. We are incredibly proud to have him as part of our work family.

THANK YOU, JONATHAN, for your outstanding contributions over the past four years! We appreciate everything you do.

Celebrating 32 Years of Dedication: Kelley Murray at Cummings Lumber

At Cummings Lumber, we recognize that our success is built on the hard work and dedication of our incredible team members. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone—Kelley Murray’s 32nd anniversary as our Credit Manager/Administrative Assistant!

For over three decades, Kelley has been an essential part of our company, bringing unwavering commitment, an exceptional work ethic, and a positive attitude to everything she does. Whether managing credit operations or ensuring seamless administrative functions, Kelley’s expertise and dedication have been invaluable to the Cummings Lumber family.

Kelley, we sincerely thank you for the years of hard work, professionalism, and the uplifting spirit you bring to our workplace. Your contributions have not only strengthened our operations but have also made Cummings Lumber a better place for all of us.

Please join us in celebrating Kelley’s incredible 32-year journey with Cummings Lumber! We are truly grateful for everything she has done and look forward to many more years of success together.