From a secret admirer; "Dear Skip, Although it would be inappropriate at this time for me to identify myself, please accept this small token as my thanks for an enlightening and informative weekend. I found the instruction interesting and thorough. I also found the charm in your personality distracting. As they say in the sisterhood, "You’re a pretty cool guy for a white dude."
From Candy Corbet; "An extremely worthwhile class. Skip’s knowledge about this subject was amazing. He taught us everything we need to know to build a log house, and to build it right. All the techniques were very clear and made complete sense. The class was interesting, and so was the instructor."
From Kelly Fahey; "Thanks for everything. I really learned a lot from your course, not only about how to build a log home, but about life in general. As a 21 year old I am still trying to figure out what direction to go with my life. I just hope that I can be as satisfied with my life as you are with helping people reach their dreams and goals. I will remember your course for the rest of my life."
From Tom Carrol; "I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class. I consider this last weekend to be a high point in my life, and a turning point."
From Sharon White; "I thoroughly enjoyed your weekend seminar on log home construction and appreciate you sharing your knowledge, skill, and background with myself and other interested people. The humor was an added benefit, so keep it in the show. See you at the next "log house" meeting at your house in August."
From Merle Richmond: "I took your class on log home building last December, and I still marvel at how inexpensive it was and how much I learned. I have distributed information about your classes both locally and far away. You will soon be having a fellow fly in from Florida. A self-built log house is one of the few ways a person can own a home without making payments for 30+ years. I respect you for sharing your knowledge with those of us who are willing to do it ourselves. The Clark County building code inspector said that as long as I took your course then he and I would get along nicely. He said that you definitely know what you are doing. But I guess we already knew that !!!"
From Robin and Susan Buck; "Here are a few pictures and a map to our log house. My wife Susan and I took your class in August and decided to build our own log house. I hope you can stop by some time and see our place. Your class is the best Skip. It made my life-time dream come true – to own my own log home, "paid for." For all your help, I thank you."
From Dale Anderson; "Thanks for all the good information last week-end at the log house school. My wife Annette and I feel relieved that we attended. It certainly prevented us from making a lot of gross mistakes. Our log home is so important to us not only as a structure but it combines with a change in lifestyles so we can enjoy more of what we consider to be important to us. Again, we appreciate your giving of your time and money to help people like us."
From Ed Delany; "A ‘thank you’ doesn’t even begin to show my appreciation for what your course has done for me. Right now I have a $900 per month mortgage that is killing me, no time to play , and no money. I am 25 years old working at Boeing. Your course has given me an opportunity for a change in my life. Words can not express my appreciation."
From Gerald I. Haughton; "Just a quick note to thank you for your two day shot of "mental therapy." The boost you gave my system is incredible. Your warmth, hospitality, and friendship will always be remembered. I am looking forward to building my own log house."
From Tony Trunkowski; "Skip is one hell of a guy, and his course has changed our lives. I am 35 and have been an institutional grocery and equipment salesman for 8 years. Three weeks ago I "retired" from this good job, bought 10 acres, in NE Washington, and my wife and I are going to build a "Skip Ellsworth" style log house. During my life I have done some teaching and had the opportunity to attend a number of classes, workshops, and seminars, but my weekend at Skip’s class will go down as the most interesting and rewarding of all."
From Gary Shade; "I attended your two day class one year ago. Thank you again for giving so much of yourself to us during those two days. I gained so much knowledge. After taking the weekend seminar, I feel I have a good grasp of the necessary concepts and techniques, and could easily build a log home for myself. I also wanted to thank you for the higher concepts that you were sharing with us about personal freedom, and the extent to which government is trying to regulate our daily lives. As I learn more about life, I am more impressed with the wisdom you shared with us that weekend. Lastly, I would like to thank you for passing on the kind of useful log house knowledge that I too can pass on to my children and friends. This kind of heritage is needed in our country, and seldom found."
From Rick Furnell; "I am one of your students. I attended your class a year ago. I have five acres where I am building. I can’t thank you enough, Skip."
From Ensign F.R. Welsh (U.S.S. Kitty Hawk); "It has been over a month since I took your class but I am still thinking about it. Not so much the technical data of the class, but rather the way you presented it. The fact that the details were an integral part of your outlook on living… and the ability you had to nurture the interest we had along those lines. It is not often I can sit inside a house for most of a beautiful day attending a class and not get bored, stir crazy, or have evolve inside of me any of the usual classroom symptoms. My hat is off to you."
From Mike Paul; "No words alone can describe the knowledge and motivation I have received in these 22 hours of instruction. I previously knew absolutely nothing about building log homes, or any other aspect of construction. However, after two days with Skip I know that I can construct my own log home. Thanks to Skip Ellsworth for the challenge to me."
From Rich Engebrecht; "I signed up for Skip’s class just for the fun of it. I thought I might learn a new skill that could help me down the line. What I got was an extremely thorough, thought provoking class that has changed my thinking regarding the purchase of homes and the difficulties associated with doing so. Concepts such as mortgages, loans, and the design and construction of a home are no longer intimidating to me, and in some cases they no longer relate to the process of me obtaining a home of my own. I have learned that log homes are not only far less expensive, but also easier to build, sturdier, and more practical than any other option. This class has given hope and inspiration to a young American male who previously believed the dream of truly owning my own home had disappeared because of the current economic climate in this country. Skip was not using a cliché when he said that his class is more about "freedom" than about log homes."
From Jim Birchard Home Services (a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor in Kirkland, WA.); "Having attended a two day seminar on log house building, taught by Skip Ellsworth, I have nothing but praise for Skip’s knowledge, construction ability, and teaching ability. Log homes built via Skip’s method are inexpensive, not at all difficult to erect, and stronger than any other structure I know of."
From Al E. Dillard; "I found your class to be two of the most valuable days of my life. After what you have taught me I feel that it is very feasible for me to build a respectable log home and best of all, do it without going into debt. I can hardly wait until I can move into a home that is completely paid for. Thanks for all the building information as well as your humor and especially your views on what is happening in America these days. Sincerely,"
From Heidi Hruza; "Growing up in a rural area, I have been exposed to log homes. I have previously considered possible building one, but I didn’t really have the knowledge. So the log home "kit" was my next plan (an expensive alternative). Shortly after getting married, my husband told me of this class he had heard about, which teaches you everything you need to know to build your own log home. This course was offered by Skip Ellsworth. After taking Skip’s class, we now know how to build our own log "properly" and efficiently. We’ve also learned four commonly used building techniques and also how "kit" homes are often manufactured. The doubts we once had about building a log home are no longer doubts – but definite plans."
From Lance Hruza; "I grew up in the north woods of Idaho. I never really gave much thought about living in a log house over any other type of house until I moved to the city. I then decided, since my wife and I obtained 80 acres of land in Idaho, that I could live in nothing less than a log home. I looked at several kit log homes and didn’t think it was a bad way to go except for the cost. Then I heard about Skip’s course and signed up. I had my eyes and mind completely opened and filled with more than I could ever have imagined obtaining. I learned simple and cost effective methods as well as structurally the soundest means of constructing a log home. I was informed on the ways of the kit log builder and the deceiving ways some of them have. I can sincerely say that my wife and I can now go out on our own land and construct the home of our dreams to live in – thanks to Skip’s class and his caring for the victims. Us. Thanks Skip."
From Mark Rosen; "If you have any doubts about log houses, or your own ability to learn how to build them there is a solution to the problem. Skip’s two day seminar will definitely do the job for you. After taking his class, I know that I can build a log house of my own that will be as good as any in the world. Skip has also given me a way to get out of debt and not be enslaved to making payments to a bank. I highly recommend his class to anyone."
From Nancy E. Stefanoy; "I spent two years in College and two years in a vocational technical school, but I feel that I have learned more in these past two days (that will benefit me for the rest of my life) than I learned in four years of so-called "higher education." I had previously decided to purchase a double-wide mobile home, but now that I have taken Skip’s class I have, of course, changed my mind. I grew up on a log house, and I have always wanted to live in another. For a while I had a log house in Southern Oregon, but in the split-up he got it – so now it’s my turn. When I heard about Skip’s class, I knew that it was for me. Now that I have taken the class, I know that a log house can be affordable and I can do it myself. I thank you with all of my heart, Skip."
From Todd Zurik; "What a great experience. I have wanted to build a log house since grade school. With all of the "kit" log homes available, I was confused as to what to do. Your course clarified the issue. A hand-made log house is by far the best way to go. Thanks again for all of your help."
From Dick McElhenny; "I would like to thank Skip for his class in log house building. It is unbelievable how informative the class was. I have no doubt in my mind that I can build a log home of my own. This is very self-satisfying."
From Aaron Chow; Ellsworth San is very knowledgeable in the construction of log homes. His teaching is directly on the most important principle as well as indirectly by letting student make their mistake and not feel bad. I truly believe his method is the most durable and economical log house.
From Stephan Lambert; "I took Skip’s course this weekend, and I learned how to build an exceptionally good log house – easily and inexpensively. Skip is an expert in his field. He has a great attitude about life, and he encourages others to act on their own free-wills. I will build a house out of logs, and it is Skip’s seminar that I thank for this. Thank you Skip for your empowering seminar."
From William Dean Easter; "As a college student, tutor, and teacher I have seen many sides of teaching and curriculum. Never have I seen one teacher teach more about one subject in such a short amount of time as Mr. Skip Ellsworth. His course teaches a "total approach" to log home building. You could take this course with no knowledge at all and know how to build a log home when you are done. I will forever remember this course and what I learned, and I hope to put this knowledge to work soon."
From P.J. Cullen; "I found Skip’s class to be absolutely the most uplifting course I’ve ever taken, not only for giving me the tips, special information, and tricks of the trade on building -- but for helping me to make it through the rest of my life as a man, a father, a teacher and a mentor for my own children. It was a priceless experience. I highly recommend that anyone who is looking for the truth in building their own home (and in anything else) take this course. It will change your life and revitalize you."
From William N. Blake Jr.; "How can anybody say anything to Skip but "Thank you, brother." I’ve been working for five years since I’ve been out of college. My hope has been to save enough money for a home of my own – and to become self-sufficient. Needless to say, it has been impossible for me to save much money. Skip has given the American Dream back to me -- and for that I am eternally grateful. May God bless him and his efforts."
From Colleen Barrett; "I wish I would have known about you 10 years ago. I lost sight of a dream because I did not have the knowledge you imparted this weekend. You have made everything so clear. I realize how simple it is – how important to network with people of the mind. I won’t let go of my dream again, thanks to you. About freedom – I can only "gush" in my heart to think I have found people of lime mind in this pursuit. Thank you very much for all your good energy and knowledge – and for sharing both with us."
From Robert Smith; "The log home building seminar was a no-nonsense approach to building a very solid, efficient, practical home. The seminar is the best investment I have ever made in my life. It is unfortunate that there are not more programs available in the building industry that have the down-to-earth, common sense approach that Skip Ellsworth offers in his program."
From Patrick Owens; "I’d like to thank you for one of the most entertaining classes I’ve ever had. I’m a teacher myself. I teach English on contract overseas. What is important in your classes is that you not only teach the subject matter superbly, but you also give people confidence. Looking back on the beautiful log house I just finished building on Whidby Island, I can’t believe I did it. Building this log house has given me enough self confidence to take me well into my fifties."
From Erich Schweiger; "Thought you might be interested in this material. There is mention of my log house in the next-to-last paragraph in the "Northwest Bakers" article. Still working on the house – almost ready for the chinking and then of course the big party. Hope to see you at a meeting in the near future. If not, then I will send you an invitation to the housewarming party. Enclosed are four photographs of my house. Wow !!! Your friend,"
From Terry Bonus: "I took your weekend course with my wife, Shannon. The power of that weekend is still with us as we close in on our dream of building our own log home. Since the class we have moved back east and bought a beautiful 5 acre parcel that borders a mill pond, has an old logging road through it, and black bear and moose in the area. We paid 12 K for the property and the sellers agreed to carry a five year contract. The property is in Enfield New Hampshire and is a 20 minute drive from Dartmouth College and all the amenities that go with an Ivy League school. I roughed in a driveway and cleared the building/septic sites last summer. I’m talking with loggers now and expect to start building this summer. All this from a guy who never previously owned as much as a screw driver ! You certainly have been an inspiration. I will send you a picture of the house when it is finished. Thank you, my friend."