Winter Happenings

What a welcome relief this January has been compared to last.  Normally this time of year we're busy clearing snow in the yard, but this year we've been able to focus our time on keeping our production on track.  Here are some happenings from around our operation.

Sawmill:  We were sawing Red Oak last week - had some big logs come in, largest measured at 24"!



4/4 Hard Maple loading into drying kilns



Maple set in drying kilns ready to be processed; we dry all hardwoods 6-8% moisture content.



Rustic Cherry flooring ready to be end-matched





Rustic Cherry flooring processing through end-matcher; note the tongue and groove on the end of the board.



Small Business Saturday

This coming Saturday, November 26th, 2011 is the second annual Small Business Saturday.

The purpose of Small Business Saturday is to support the small businesses within the thousands of communities across our country on a day when many people begin their holiday shopping at large malls and big box retailers.  Truly the backbone of our economy, small businesses are the entrepreneurs and families in your town who offer unique items that larger chains often do not carry.  It is in small business establishments where you find friendly, knowledgeable staff offering quality customer service.
By shopping at the small businesses in your community this holiday season you are supporting your neighbors and helping to keep the people of your community employed. 
Please consider supporting your local small businesses and help fuel your local economy.  When we all shop small, it will be huge!

A Hero

First established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 the important purpose of Veterans Day is "A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good." We commend and deeply thank all members of our Armed Forces who have and continue to proudly serve our country.

We also think about the meaning behind this holiday and the acts of heroism performed by ordinary individuals each day.

Consider the thousands of men and women across the country that routinely volunteer their time to help others: those who cook in soup kitchens, organize clothing drives and food banks, make hats and blankets for local hospitals, volunteer in nursing homes, and perform countless other acts all in the name of helping fellow citizens. These are the everyday heroes of our communities.

There are also those heroes, like the current owners of Faribault Woolen Mills, who provide new opportunities for their local community. Founded in 1865 this small Minnesota company became a household name with their wool blankets that warmed families, airplane passengers and even soldiers in World War I. However, in 2009 the company went bankrupt due to poor management and a weak economy. For 2 years the factory remained untouched until two cousins from the town of just 23,000 people took a chance and purchased the mill. Both retired, neither Chuck nor Paul Mooty invested in the company for financial gain, rather they wanted to bring opportunities back to the area. Fairbault WoolenMills now employes 35 people, most of them former employees, and expects to have 50 by the end of 2011. (Click here to read the full story)

Take the opportunity this Veterans Day to celebrate and honor all the heroes in your life and consider following in their footsteps.

18th Annual Fall Festival

18 years ago we hosted an Open House offering people to tour our facility to learn more about how our wood products are made.  That was back in 1993.  18 years later our small Open House has blossomed into a wonderful Fall Festival.  The main event of the day is still the tours through our plant, however we have added many activities to make the day a fun and educational experience for the whole family. 

Seminars:  With countless topics on wood to choose from, we have chosen this year to focus on the forests.  Mike Zagata, President and CEO of The Ruffed Grouse Society and former DEC Commissioner will discuss "Forests and Wildlife - Debunking the Myths".

Demonstrations:  A picture or demonstration is worth a thousand words.  If you're interested in woodworking, Dan West of West WoodWorks will be demonstrating how to turn wood on a lathe.  Dan is an extremely talented woodworker and teacher.

Kid's Activity:  Children of all ages become little builders. This year our featured activity is building an abacus.

Live Music:  What would a festival be without music?  Doug Decker and Willy Wood of Just Throw Money will entertain with an eclectic mix of popular music.

Refreshments:  Coffee, tea, donuts, hot dogs and more will all be sold throughout the day to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Please stop in and join us!

The arrival of Fall

We wanted to share with you some of the exciting things we have going on and coming up at Wightmans.

Save 15% off all Rustic Cherry Flooring during our End of Summer Sale through September 30th.

Our Open House is fast approaching.  Stop in on Saturday October 8th from 9:00am - 3:00pm for mill tours, woodworking sales, demonstrations, seminars, kid's activities, food and music - a great way to spend a fall weekend!

Finally, we are hard at work on our new catalog set to debut at our Open House - stay tuned!

New Catalog

We are excited to share with you that we are currently in the process of designing a new catalog!

Available for the first time at our Open House on October 8th, the catalog will include brand new photographs of projects completed over the last 2 years using our wood materials. Also featured will be some of our new products including Stair Treads and Custom Joined.

Many thanks go to our talented photographer, Richard Walker of Richard Walker Photography. Richard is an amazing photographer right here in Cooperstown. Known for his still-life compositions of products, antiques, and sports memorabilia, Richard's work has been featured in highly regarded media such as the Smithsonian Magazine, Architectural Digest, the New York Times, and many more.

Summer Sale: Hard Maple Flooring

Last days to save 15% off all Hard Maple flooring.

This creamy white, smooth grain patterned wood has excellent shock resistance, making it a great choice for any area of the home. (Fun fact: Maple is the premier choice of flooring for basketball courts).

Sale ends August 15th.

Pine flooring

Check out Frugal Farmhouse Design's completed kitchen project using our Pine flooring! "Early American" stain by Minwax was used in this beach cottage renovation. This really illustrates the beauty and versatility of Pine.

Open House

Our Annual Open House will take place Saturday October 8, 2011.

Over the last 17 years this event has grown to become one of the areas great fall activities, brining both local and out of town guests to enjoy a day of entertainment and learning.

The featured activity is of course the tours through our manufacturing plant. We take you through the entire process of how we make our products - from raw log materials all the way to the finished floorings, sidings and many other wood products that we make.


For those interested in woodworking, this year the talented woodworkers throughout our area will have select pieces available for sale and also on display. Various talks and demonstrations relating to woodworking and forest management will take place throughout the day.

Mary Peterson of Amazable Science Adventures leads children through the construction of unique pieces, food is sold to support Habitat for Humanity and live music by Just Throw Money is enjoyed throughout the day.

We welcome you to enjoy a nice fall day with us and learn about wood products made right here in central New York State!

Solid wood Cypress

Cypress is a great wood specie for use in exterior projects due to the presence of natural enzymes within the wood that make it resistant to decay and insect attack. Native to the southern coastal region of the United States, Cypress has been used for centuries as decking, covered porch flooring, siding, fencing, and outdoor structures. The wood will age to a silvery greyish color if left untreated, or it may be finished to maintain its original coloring.

Pictured here is Wightman Cypress flooring to be installed at the Catskill Forest Association in Arkville, NY.

A good resource for information on Cypress is the Southern Cypress Manufacturers Association.

Check out Clapper Hollow Designs beautiful solid wood frames made with Wightman hardwoods. Solid wood offers a high quality frame material that not only looks nice but is sure to last a lifetime. We have many different hardwood species available for making custom frames, as well as picture frame mouldings in Red Oak and Pine.

Summer Sale!

Have your home looking great by fall! Take advantage of our summer flooring sale: 15% off all Hard Maple flooring now through August 15th.

Hard Maple is a beautiful hardwood. Creamy white in color, it is one of the strongest hardwoods famous for its use on basketball courts and sporting equipment.

Mark your fall calendar!

Our Annual Open House will take place Saturday October 8, 2011!

American Made Matters

From http://www.americanmadematters.com/ :

"Over 5.5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the US in the last decade. This has a “rippling effect” of four to five other jobs lost. That means, in total, there have been some 30 million jobs lost. In the last six years, over six million jobs have been outsourced. Many American factories have closed their doors and laid off their workers because they could not compete with lower cost producers. Many others have moved jobs offshore to survive and compete with lower-priced foreign made alternatives. Some have downsized to cut costs and survive in the face of reduced orders.

Today, American workers have to fight to keep their jobs. Only about 11 million people still make things in the US which is the lowest since 1941. American producers cannot compete on price but we can still compete on quality, safety, service, durability and speed to market. American workers and companies recycle money back into our economy. Please help to keep our jobs here in American by supporting American made products and companies."

Ash Flooring Sale!

Final week to save 15% on all Ash flooring!

Ash is a wonderful wood native to New York State. Famous for its use in baseball bats and other sporting equipment Ash is a very hard, strong wood ideal for high traffic areas of the home. It has an open grain pattern with distinctive white to gray/brown coloring and accepts stain well.

Clapboard siding

Clapboard siding, also known as bevel or lap siding, is a horizontal siding material in which 1 edge is thicker than the other. The boards are placed on the exterior of a home such that each board overlaps the next. Popular throughout the northeastern region, Clapboard siding is made in different widths to appeal to different style preferences.

Basswood

Basswood is an excellent hardwood specie for use in carving. The 'softness' of this hardwood makes it very easy to carve both with and across the grain. Basswood contains hardly any grain pattern and is almost white in color. It has enough structural integrity to allow for intricate designs and is very dimensionally stable so it holds its shape well.

Check out local artist Stephanie Rocknak's use of Basswood in her amazing carvings!

Building a Deck

Do you have plans to build a deck this summer? If so you know that it is a complicated project. Constructing a deck involves load calculations, precise measuring, pouring concrete footers and much more. A deck is, after all, a structure that will hold the weight of your family, guests, furniture and anything else you choose to put on your deck. You want this structure to be safe.

For your safety be sure to consult or hire a professional with extensive construction knowledge so your deck is built correctly. Here are some tips on deck safety.

Eastern Hemlock

Eastern Hemlock is an excellent wood material for outdoor use. Here in central New York Hemlock trees are abundant and the wood is widely used for many different types of exterior applications: siding, fencing, arbors, pergolas and many more. Here rough Hemlock beams create the structure for these distinctive porches.

Open Garden Days

Excited to see some beautiful gardens this weekend at "Open Days" in Ulster and Westchester counties!

2011: International Year of Forests

Did you know that the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests?! Check out how we practice sustainable management, conservation and development of forests in our part of the world.

Custom Cypress clapboard siding

will be stained and placed against white trim of house!

Reuse and Recycle!

Check out these really cool ways to repurpose old windows & doors. Have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend!!

Flooring Sale!

Now through June 30th save 15% off all Ash Flooring!

Meet local artist Jeremy Holmes!

Featured in galleries throughout New York and art fairs in Europe, Jeremy is taking Wightman wood to another level!
Check out his work at: http://www.holmesarts.com/

Happy Mother's Day!

How are you planning to honor Mom this weekend? A wam wish for a very happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful moms!!

A wood fence keeps out unwanted critters and adds definition and beauty to your home. Check out these tips on how to create one for your yard!

Still 2 more weeks left to save 15% off Red Oak Flooring for your home!! Have a great weekend - weather is suppose to be fantastic, hooray for spring!!!

Looking for a fun event this weekend?

Check out the TAP NY Craft Beer and Fine Food Festival taking place at Hunter Mountain!

$25 Amazon Gift Card drawing!

Who doesn't want some extra cash right? Just "Like" us on Facebook and enter to win $25! Drawing our winner on May 15th!

Happy Earth Day!

Tony Musso continues to lead the way in green design. Check out Part 3 of his project - water conservation, recycled steel framework and green panel system!

Earth Week!

It's Earth Week! Do your part to keep our planet healthy - buy local produce, recycle everything possible, plant a tree! Check out A Billion Acts of Green and get involved!

Weekend activities!

LOTS of fun events happening throughout the Catskills and Hudson Valley this weekend! Easter egg hunts, concerts, spring festivals & more. Check out the Calendar here!

Outdoor Flooring Options

Great tips from DYI network on outdoor flooring options for your deck, patio or driveway - can't wait to enjoy the first al fresco meal of the season!

Spring Savings!

Now through May 15th save 15% off all Red Oak Flooring!

Think Spring!

Click here for some good tips on cleaning up your yard this weekend (if it's not covered in snow!)

Last day to save 15% on all Select Cherry flooring is tomorrow!

Meet a local artist!

Walter Putrycz makes gorgeous cutting and serving boards from local hardwoods. I just bought the Apple in Maple wood! Check out his work at WallyWoodShop.com

It's tax time again..

With April 15th just around the corner be sure to have your tax information in order - check out the IRS website for tips & answers. Have a great weekend!

In Cooperstown this weekend?

Check out the Epicurean Food Tasting Festival! A great event held at the beautiful Otesaga Hotel to benefit the Catskill Area Hospice.

Latest project!

We are proud to announce our latest completed project - Ash flooring and trim for 77 Reade Street. Stay tuned for more updates and photo's!

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week!

Through March 27th enjoy lunch or dinner out and support our local restaurants! Check out Valley Table.

"Spring" into your new flooring project by taking advantage of our extended sale on Select Cherry Flooring - now through March 31st!

Weekend events!

Check out the Maple Sugar tours at the Hudson Highlands Nature Center in Cornwall. Or head over to Goshen for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday at 2pm!

Cherry Flooring Sale!

Last few days to take advantage of our Cherry Flooring Sale! 15% off all Select Cherry Flooring. Ends next Tuesday March 15th!

Watershed Wednesday!

Check out "Watershed Wednesday" this Wednesday at 1:00pm on WIOX 91.3FM where I will be chatting with Tara Collins and Josh VanBrakle from the Watershed Agricultural Council about wood products in the Catskills! You can stream online at 91.3!

Spring Garden Shows!

There are so many spring garden shows coming up in the next month! Happening this weekend is CNY Blooms in Syracuse (http://www.cnyblooms.com/) and the Philadelphia Flower show (http://www.theflowershow.com/). Check out this article for a full list!

Hudson Valley Builders Show tomorrow!

March 2: 2:00pm - 7:30 pm
Anthony's Pier 9
New Windsor, NY

In the New Jersey area this weekend?

Check out the Woodworking and DIY Show at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset for demonstrations, ideas, and expert advice to get your spring projects going!

NAHB Green Building Standard

When building or renovating a home today it's important to consider "green building practices" in your plan. The National Association of Home Builders Green Building Standard is a great tool to guide you in the right direction.