From Mark and Pat Fullerton; "Skip’s course was thorough and yet he kept to the basics. He showed us how relatively straight forward and simple all the principles of log house construction are. We feel that we are prepared to tackle this project on our own. It makes the prospects of owning our own log home much more realistic and exciting. Especially, when we know how much money we can save by doing it this way. Thanks, Skip !!"
From Mary Farley; "Thank you for the wonderful class on log house building we attended this past weekend. ‘We’ve wanted to take your class for years, and it exceeded all of our expectations. I came away really understanding the techniques and reasons for doing things. Thanks, Skip for offering this class. We now know that it is possible to make our dream of owning our own log home a reality in the near future."
From David Davidson; "Skip, I thought of you recently when I read this famous quote from Confucius: "The strength of a nation is derived from the integrity of its homes."
Skip, When I read the following paragraph I thought of you, because it seems to me that it agrees with your philosophy. It is from John D. Mac Donald's book called, A DEADLY SHADE OF GOLD.
"We are doing something wrong. We haven't figured out what it is yet -- but somehow we have turned all these bIg glossy universities into places where the thinking young ones, the mavericks, the ones we need the most, cannot endure. The campuses are in the hands of the unaware, the incurably unconscious second class kids with second class minds -- that have the second class goal of reasonable competence, reasonable security, and reasonable happiness. Perhaps this is the proper way to insure that we will continue to live in a second class world. There is no room for mavericks. All the mavericks ever do anyway is make the sane, normal industrious people fee uncomfortable. They ask the wrong questions. Such as - what is the meaning of all this. So weed them out. They are cultural mistakes. Leave the world to the followers... racing like lemmings toward the warm sea of the Totally Adjusted Community."
From Bill Gillespie; "I signed up for this class with the idea of someday building a log home to retire in. However, after learning about the economics of log homes, as well as seeing Skip’s comfortable home, I plan on building a log home as soon as possible rather than waiting until retirement."
From Howard Hopkins; "Before I took your two day class on log home building I new nothing and had not idea of how to get started. After the two day class I have every confidence that I could not only build one, but would be able to do it right the first time. I had no idea I would learn so much. Well done."
From Harry Hopkins; "These two days of instruction and help from Skip Ellsworth have been very important to me. Without this class I would have had very little hope of ever having a home for my wife and myself. It can be done now."
From V. Michael Rossi; "I just completed Skip Ellsworth’s log home building seminar. It was most helpful in sorting out a great deal of mis-information that I had received from log home "kit" manufacturers and from reading a number of books on the subject. As a result of what I have learned from Skip, I am now ready to proceed in building a log home."
From Rob Zinns; "Skip, My partner John Lind and I are cataloging our newly acquired knowledge you dropped on us this last weekend. Right now we feel we are on fire with a renewed sense of hope, drive and determination. Thanks for the spark! We also thank you for sharing some of your political views with us, we also align with these same values, feeling we are the pivotal generation, the one's that will truly make a difference in what will become of our children...We now feel we have the tools, and have joined a like-minded alliance to certainly make that difference. We again salute you for your courage and fortitude pertaining to these matters. The divine spirit in me, recognizes and respects the divine spirit in you, Sincerely,"
From Susan Shwartz; "When you first wrote to me about your seminar, you signed the note, "Your friend, Skip." When I read it I didn't really know what to think about it, because I had not yet met you. Now that I have taken your class, I know exactly what you meant. You are truly a friend to all of mankind. I am proud to call you "friend" in return."
From Sharon Royce; "Margaret Mead once said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' Her wise observation speaks directly to what you are doing in your seminars. You are changing the world, Skip. Keep up the good work, and let me know if I can help you in any way."
From Daniel Shaw; "I want to keep in touch and found this a good opportunity. I hope you are doing well. As you may recall, my wife and I have an opportunity to build a home for someone in exchange for some land in King County… so I ask you, do you have an accounting of expenses for an "average" home as a basis for comparison ? Please forward this information as quickly as possible, as we are anxious to get started. PS. Also, let me say that I truly admire your values of using wealth to improve the quality of life for everyone, and using your wisdom and wit to defend our constitutional rights, especially the right to security of ourselves and homes – and protection from unwarranted search and seizure."
From Ralf Townsley -- via e-mail; Skip , just dropping a line to you after finding the web-site on the net. I am a former student of yours from a long time ago. Its good to see you are the same. I know this because your persona shows up on these pages in the web-site. Keep up the good work . If the world didn’t have people like you around (rebel would be a good term) then the powers that be would have taken over a long time ago. This is what makes America great! Thanks,
From Dan Barker, Building Inspector, Cassia County, Burley, Idaho; I attended Skip Ellsworth's seminar on building log homes the past two days. I would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in, or serious about, building a TRUE log house either for themselves or others. The course was great. I was very impressed with how down to earth and simple the process really is. I soon came to know that my previous concept of a log house was wrong. Had I not attended, I just might have built a home made of dowels. I am now very serious about building a REAL log home as taught by Skip. Thank you,
From Peter Koza; Skip, Great seminar !! Thanks for putting it on. My wife and her friend attended the last seminar. She came back very excited and insisted that I go for this one. Now I'm fired up. We can do this !! The information presented was clear, insightful, and very pragmatic. The multiple demonstrations and examples on the site explained details better than pictures and text. Please keep up the good work !! I hope to attend the meetings of the Association. We will have other friends attending seminars if you will give them. Thanks,
From Bill and Charlotte McDowell; Hi Skip, It is so great to hear from you. I don't know if you remember, but we saw you briefly at a log home show in Tacoma a year or so ago. We owe so much to you and your teachings. It's an understatement to say it was a life-changing event for us. We continue to love living in our gorgeous log home. We have built two log homes so far. We have our home currently listed with Windermere and are anxious to start the third. Bill is building lots of beautiful log furniture while we wait to sell. I have enclosed our web site. We seldom get to Monroe these days, but we certainly appreciate the invitation. I still remember that most delicious coffee. If you know of anyone ready to move into a beautiful 2,000 square foot log home, give us a call or if you know of anyone that needs log furniture we always appreciate the referrals. We continue to enjoy the journey. Thanks again for giving us the courage to jump out of the rat race and live our dream!!
From Ed and Bev Barksdale; We found Skip's seminar to be very informative. Up until this time it has never occurred to us that we would be able to build our log home ourselves. The basic skills and techniques Skip taught us this week-end will let us achieve our dream home in a more cost effective way. We would like to see the monthly Tuesday meetings continue for additional support and the ability to network with others in our pursuit of log home building. Thanks for your hospitality Skip and Elvie. It's been a fun week-end.
From Paul M. Earley; I found out about Skip Ellsworth and his log home seminar via the Internet. I printed out and read all 65 pages of letters like this. I signed up for the seminar almost immediately, even though I couldn't see how one could learn how to build a log structure in just 22 hours. I figured all these folks were on a "high" from having just finished the class. Now I understand. Log homes "from scratch" are simple to build. I agree with the others. With all of Skip's labor-saving tricks and tips, I am totally convinced that I am now able to build my first home.
From Brodie Ryan; A few words about the log home building seminar. I believe that the education offered at this seminar has more potential to help the average individual achieve socio-economic freedom than any other vehicle I have ever seen -- including a formal education. Skip Ellsworth is not only an incredible craftsman, but an equally gifted teacher of his well substantiated building methods, and way of life. Take the time to learn log home building correctly and it will be a good experience. Thanks again Skip. You are helping many people like myself realize there are viable options to a 30 year mortgage. Your friend,
From Richard and Gloria Christiansen; This is the best return on an investment I have ever dreamed of. My wife and I enjoyed your seminar, Skip, as did all the other students. We can not say enough about this seminar. We wish we had obtained this knowledge 30 years ago. We have owned many homes, but now our dream home will become a reality. Thank you, Skip.
From Tom and Teri Stephen; My wife and I have learned more about how to change our lives in this course than any other class in our lives. Skip has instructed us in the fine art of building a log home, which will give our family the freedom to take control of the future. We are deeply indebted to him for that, and we wish to thank him.
From Andrea M. James; To whom it may concern, My husband and I recently took the log home building seminar taught by Skip Ellsworth. We traveled from Oklahoma to take this course, during the most inconvenient time in our lives. However we came out of the course with a world of information about building log homes. We are both very anxious to get home and practice using the techniques taught by Skip. I am currently working on my master's degree in education and have been in the teaching field for six years. Skip is the best teacher that I have ever had the privilege of learning from. This course offers so much information that I would recommend to many of my friends and relatives form back home to attend if given the opportunity. Thank you for continuing to provide this excellent educational experience. Sincerely,
From Jennifer O'Neil; The log home construction class taught by Skip Ellsworth was very interesting and informative. The two day class consisted of all the information needed to build a log home no matter what your background. I would definitely take the class again, and I would recommend it to other people interested (even just slightly) in building a log home.
From G.P. Rengler; Just a short note about your seminar my grandson and I attended this past weekend. We both had a great time... The trouble now is, my grandson, Travis, wants to go out and build one today. Not tomorrow. Today -- like right now. I feel the same way, but I have to act sort of cool so as not to appear too eager. He started drawing plans as soon as we got home. Thank you for the learning experience.
From Eric Reinhardt; I'm torn between telling everyone I know or just my closest friends. I feel if everyone knows about this seminar I would lose the advantage I have now.
From Locke Ballard; To whom it may concern, Wow !! I've been working with wood for over 20 years and I learned things I never know about wood at this seminar. Skip teaches with humor and wisdom. His techniques are the simplest and strongest I've ever seen. I am very lucky to have been able to attend.
From Foslin P. Newman; I attended Skip's class and found it to be very informative. I intend to build a log house with what I have learned. I would recommend this class to all my friends and hope you will continue to offer this class in the future. Sincerely,
From George Tipping; In Skip Ellsworth's 2 day seminar he opened a world of possibilities. Concise and informative. Fantastic. Taught by a true professional from A to Z. I learned everything about building log homes.
From Doug Sweeney; I've been a framer (carpenter) for 3 years. In 22 hours, in Skip Ellsworth's log home building seminar, I learned an equal amount about building - from the foundation through the complete roof. I highly recommend taking the seminar to anyone seriously interested in building quality log homes. Sincerely,
From Ken Smith; I came to Skip's class expecting to learn a lot about log home building. I wasn't disappointed. Skip is a very effective teacher which made it easy to follow the techniques and secret tricks of the trade. I would recommend the class to anyone interested in log home building and becoming economically independent. Well worth the investment. Thanks,
From Russ Overfield; Skip's log house building school was informative, fun, and very educational. Skip was very helpful with regard to answering questions and made the seminar a pleasant and educational experience. I learned what I needed to know to build the house of my choice. I feel that Skip's log house building seminar fills a very definite need in the industry to help his students choose the type of construction they want for their house and gives them the necessary knowledge to build their home.
From Tom Clute; I greatly appreciate Skip's log building weekend course. I am eager to stay in touch and involved and work toward building one in the next 1 to 3 years. Skip's instruction is top-rate. I would come again in a heartbeat.
From Bianca Kamnitzer; Skip Ellsworth's log home building seminar is motivational, informative and entertaining. Skip teaches all the necessary information one needs to build their own log home correctly. Along with this you learn how to obtain permits and the best tools and tricks to get the job done safely and quickly. I have wanted to learn this trade for a very long time, not just to build my own home, but to market my skills and build homes for others. I was happy to discover that Skip is so adamant about warning us about the problems with log house "kit" builders and how to avoid getting screwed. Living self-sufficiently and without government interference is the only way to go. Skip for President. Thanks,
From Rachelle Mokofsky; Hello Skip, This weekend was awesome !! Thank you very much !! I have a couple of friends who are a little pissed off with me that I did not inform them of your seminar. One friend of mine has his land and has been fighting for permits, etc. for the last few years. He would love to take your seminar. When is your next one ? I know you're going back to Asia soon. Thanks for the abundance of knowledge.
From Dana D. Rohrbaugh; This course was amazing !! We covered an enormous amount of material in two days, and Skip made it so we understood each concept and technique. This is an important course. You don't want to miss it. Skip knows it all from years of experience AND he is an excellent teacher. Plus, he and Elvie (and their son, Chip) are truly nice people. You must take this course.
From Robert J. Brown; This log home building seminar has been the most informative experience I have ever had. I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in building a log home.
From Susan Castillo; Informative seminar, and entertaining. Skip has a wealth of information and gives it in an easy, understandable manner.