Association Update

(continued from page 43)

Me.; Long Island Lumber Association Sept. l3 in Holbrook, N.Y.; Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association Oct. I in Lake George, N.Y., and New York & Suburban Lumber Association Oct. 6 in Queens, N.Y.

Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association elected John Hall,lndustrial Wood Products, Climax, N.C., as chairman at its annual conference (see photos, p. a0-42).

Ben Stimpson Jr., Scotch Gulf Lumber Co., Mobile, Al., is now 1st vice chair; Chris deMilliano, Steely Lumber Co., Huntsville, Tx., 2nd vice chair; J.D. Hankins, Hankins Inc., Ripley, Ms., treasurer, and Danny White, T.R. Miller Mill Co., Brewton, A1., past chair. Hunter McShan, McShan Lumber, McShan, Al., and George Georgiev, Tolleson Lumber, Perry, Ga., are new to the board.

Next up: fall board and committee meetings Oct.4-5 at Atlanta Airport Hilton, Atlanta, Ga.

IDEA File

Workshopping Spree

Free seminars (and complimentary refreshments) are attracting new customers to Eldredse Lumber's design center

The 6,000-sq. ft. spaceknown as the Atlantic Design Center-features full-size displays of kitchens, baths, and living rooms so customers can envision their own dream projects.

On hand to help are 11 design consultants, including Margareta Claesson, who also handles marketing and advertising for the center. It's her job to get new customers through the door, so they can see for themselves what products and services are available.

Claesson got the idea for the seminars after she invited Eldredge's in-house paint expert to deliver a product info talk for the designers. "He was so knowledgeable and such a good speaker that we decided he had to go public," she says. "So he was our first speaker."

Eldredge offers six to eight classes each year. In July, artist Pamela Sawin led a seminar on what she calls contemporary gilding, illustrating how to apply metal leaf to glass, pottery, wood, paper, and shells-a natural resource that's readily available in Maine.

This month, the topic is window replacement, presented by Eldredge's own Marvin Windows expert. After learning about the how's and why's of window replacement-including energy savings and the 20ll Energy Tax Credits-attendees can schedule an inhome appointment to begin the replacement process.

Claesson says that different topics bring in different customers, but they all enjoy the free refreshments: small tea sandwiches and cookies, plus tea and coffee.

"Whenever possible, we also raise money for a good cause, such as the local food pantry or hospice," she says. "Sometimes it is a suggested donation and sometimes we have a raffle and sell tickets."