Log Home Builder Earns National Recognition May 3, 2006
Bangor Daily News - Bangor, Me.
Author: Jen Lynds

OAKFIELD – A local company has earned national recognition for its work, honored with an award created especially with the business and its owner in mind.

Katahdin Cedar Log Homes recently was lauded by the Log Homes Council of the National Association of Home Builders. The recognition came during the annual Log Homes Council President's Tour in Harrisburg, Pa.

The company was presented with the national LHC Image Award for outstanding promotional contributions to the log home industry. The award was especially focused on the company's work on the television program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The ABC show, which premiered in 2003, renovates an entire house for a deserving family.

The company organized construction of the show's first ever log home for Doug Goodale, a longtime lobster fisherman from Wells who lost his right arm as the result of an accident while lobstering.

Undeterred, Goodale rebuilt his boat and taught himself to fish with one arm in order to support his family.

The family's home, however, fell into disrepair. KCLH staffers and log-home dealers tag-teamed with the show and hundreds of volunteers last October to furnish the Goodale family with one of their customized dwellings.

The company was founded in 1973 by Gordon's father, Foster Gordon, and Fred McCormick and Wayne Farrar. Most of the company's materials are bought locally, and over the years the business has expanded. Cedar Ideas, another company-owned work site that uses the cedar left over from the manufacturing process to make window boxes, toys, planters and other items, is just across the street from the mill.

Gordon, whose company manufactures about 200 homes, condominiums and camps per year, said that he was thrilled to receive the award.

Being recognized with this national award is a tribute to all the employees at Katahdin Cedar Log Homes and the many dealers that we have all over the country, Gordon said in a press release. "We know we have a quality building product, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to showcase one of our homes for a national television audience. It was quite an experience, and I appreciate being recognized by our peers nationally. That means a great deal to all of us."

Al Theriault, the incoming LHC president, credited the firm with giving log homes national exposure.

"More home buyers are considering log homes as primary residences," he said. "The increased visibility and awareness of the log home industry is a credit to members of the Log Homes Council and ... to David Gordon and the staff at Katahdin Cedar Log Homes. He was willing to make the commitment to build a new log home in five days for a national television audience. It was great for our industry, and we're happy to be able to honor him in this way."

Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.

<< Return to News page