Field Trips of a 4th grader

thSometimes we get groups of people come in to tour Cole Hardwood, i.e. architect students from universities, current or prospective customers, saw mill professionals, but nobody could come close to the inquisitive minds we had a couple weeks ago….the 4th grade class.  I used to give tours of the police department and it was somewhat similar.  There is one cardinal rule…NEVER ask a group of children under the age of 12 if they have any questions. Unless of course you plan on having a sleepover without sleep because you will be answering them into the wee hours of the morning until they are unconscious due to their own exhaustion, not yours:)  Randy, bless his heart, answered them all.  And we are glad he did because they wrote in to tell about it…

Seth writes, “The filthy factory was amazing to me.”  Well there you have it.  I can imagine what all that wood dust and dirt meant to a young boy, I have a son and I’m pretty sure he would be content bathing in it.  Brad wrote in on how much he learned about wood and that it was a natural resource.  Great learning tour!  He added, “The crowded factory had so many things to look at, like the vending machine.”  I would like Brad to know that we enjoy the vending machine as well.  Sierra thanked Randy for the time he took for them and for the hats.  A girl never forgets an accessory!  She said that we have a “magnificent factory.”  We agree Sierra thank you!  These letters were refreshing and reminded us what kind of impact we can have on a young mind.  Some of the 4th graders commented about how interesting that there are so many species of hardwood and how busy everyone was at Cole.  (We have become professionals at looking busy 😉   Ryan asked, ” Why are your noisy machines so big?  Why do you glue several layers of wood?”  Great questions!  I will be sure to ask them at the next IHLA Convention.  I’m kidding Dave! (my boss:o)

I’m trying to remember the 4th grade and all I can think of was recess and winning the spelling bee.  My word was ‘couch.’  I certainly don’t remember any cool field trips to places like Cole Hardwood!

I’ll close with this from another well-spoken 4th grader, “Hope you have a good time at Cole Hardwoods.”  We do! Thank you for stopping by.

2 Comments

  1. Chris on May 14, 2014 at 10:41 pm

    What can I say? Another awesome blog!

  2. Jen Buttice on May 15, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Thank you Chris!

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