Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A letter to my Dad.

Hi Dad.
I've been thinking about you quite a bit lately. I really miss you when big things happen. Isuppose you already know we've decided to sell the lumber yard. I hope you don't mind too much. When we were deciding, Dennis asked "What do you think John and Dick would do? I said "I don't know about Dick, but you would really buckle down and somehow save the place.". I also said that I don't have the guts for that.

Well we now have a verbal agreement to sell it. We saved it from sure ruin. The company we are selling it to is a good company. They are a family owned small chain from Indiana. It really is a perfect fit. I wish we had the skill and fearless spirit you and Dick had, but we don't.

Thanks for setting everything up for us. We tried, but this recession has been such a long one, we just couldn't make it through. To be honest, I'm relieved it's almost over. Failing is really hard to accept. Now maybe I can do something positive and self fulfilling.

I'm really sorry Dad.

I love you and respect you more than ever, even though you have been gone for a while. You were the biggest man I have ever known.

Love Bill

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Yes, It's True.

After 87 years (three generations) of the Lutterbein family operating a business at 444 N. Michigan Ave. in Edgerton Ohio, the last Lutterbein living in Edgerton has decided (along with the board of directors of Building Concepts, Inc.) it's time to sell the business and try something different.



We have just begun to activly market to sell Lutterbein Lumber Company.  As most people know the building industry has been hit hard by the current recession.  There are a number of things that I could site as problems, but you don't want to hear any of them.  Let it be said that if things were better, we wouldn't be doing this.

I just hope we can find a good buyer so there can be a quality lumber / hardware store in Edgerton.  I love Edgerton and the people in Edgerton.  I hope you will continue to support us during this time of transition and if I can find a buyer, I hope you will support them as well.  Thanks!  Bill Lutterbein

Monday, November 07, 2011

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

The Edgerton Historical Society

A couple of weeks ago Don Allison spoke at our local historical society.  Here is an article he put in the Bryan Times newspaper.  I thought it was worth blogging.  Enjoy.

The Bryan Times - September 2, 2009

On My Mind – Don Allison
Moving ahead means using
rearview mirror sometimes, too
I was feeling good about life, kicking back and enjoying my drive home on a beautiful summer evening.

It had been a long day. I was tired to the bone, but it was a good tired — I had just been a small part of something much larger than myself.

That evening I was guest speaker for the Edgerton Historical Society’s meeting. I was flattered to be invited, and excited to see what this relatively new historical group was all about.

When I saw three rows of tables and chairs already set up when I arrived at the church fellowship hall, I was somewhat taken aback. I hadn’t expected as large a crowd.

But the meeting organizers had pegged it right, as nearly all those chairs were occupied when the meeting began.

The Edgerton memorabilia brought in for display by the society’s members and guests was impressive. I was particularly excited to see discharge papers, photos and other memorabilia connected with the Civil War — the group’s focus that night, since the Civil War was the topic of my talk.

A digital slide show of Edgerton High School senior class composites was on display as guests arrived, and I enjoyed spotting people I knew among the decades-old photographs.

Darwin and Shirley Krill were the meeting’s organizers, and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. I felt very much at home, as a number of old friends and acquaintances were there — Edgerton residents I’ve come to know through my work at The Times, or through my historical endeavors.

The Edgerton community is fortunate to have people willing to work hard to preserve the heritage of the town and outlying areas. Preserving and copying historic photographs and documents — and recording the facts and memories that go with them — is creating a priceless treasure trove.

And it’s a treasure that will be mined far into the future, by generations of Edgertonians yet unborn.

We are a society that tends to be very ignorant of our history. We are slow to learn that we can’t understand where we are — much less where we’re going — unless we’re aware of how we got here. To quote from the late philosopher George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

 A bit of remembrance. I believe, can head off considerable condemnation.

I’ve been very fortunate over the last few decades to be a part of the Williams County Historical Society, to see knowledge, artifacts and even buildings from our past preserved.

More recently I was able to be part of the ground floor organization of the Stryker Area Heritage Council, another group that is laying away treasures for our future generations. Restoration of the Stryker railroad depot as the home for a museum is an endeavor well worth the effort by the many people involved.

I’m thankful for the chance to experience the Edgerton Historical Society firsthand. It is a group with focus and energy, and I wish them well — especially their efforts to find a building to house their own museum, a mecca for those who appreciate Edgerton’s heritage.


Don Allison is senior editor
of The Bryan Times. He can be
reached at 419-636-1111 or

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Is a Housing Construction Boom Coming? - Daniel Indiviglio - Business - The Atlantic

This is a big..... who the hell knows. I've been predicting an upswing for the last four years and it's only gotten worse. This article simply says.... sooner or later thing will improve, duh.
Too little, too late for many of my lumber friends. Let's hope sooner rather than later.

Is a Housing Construction Boom Coming? - Daniel Indiviglio - Business - The Atlantic

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

It is unwise to pay too little...............

The quote below was written a well over 100 years ago by John Ruskin, but still rings true.  I especially like the last line.

Thought for the day....... "Save big money (or waste big money) at....    "

“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you loose a little money; that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything.
Because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.
It cannot be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.
There is hardly anything in the world that someone can’t make a little worse and sell a little cheaper – and people who consider price alone are this man’s lawful prey”.    - John Ruskin 1819-1900

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Building Material Stores Continue To Close.

It is still happening at an alarming rate. The latest two in our area are McComb Lumber in McComb Ohio and T&M Supply in Stryker Ohio.
The Stryker one isn't on this map yet, but it has closed. Jim Haddox owner of McComb Lumber is a good friend of mine from back in the Ohio Lumbermen's Association days.
It's really sad for me to see this. I think the hand writing is on the wall for all of us independent lumber dealers. The old fashion yards without the large retail stores seem to be going first in our area, but I think the time is coming when even that walk in retail trade won't help much. It really bothers me when someone comes in for a chalk line and staples for their roofing felt, when I know they went to a big box for everything else. I guess the thing that irritates me the most is those same people come in and want donations for their kids baseball team, or post prom party.
I had a customer ask why I was not open Sundays anymore. The answer I wanted to give them was that twenty years ago, there were no big boxes between Fort Wayne and Toledo. People from the surrounding towns would shop here on the weekend. Now with four big boxes within 30 minutes of me, the surrounding town and many Edgerton people go to them. I can't afford to stay open five hours on a Sunday and sell only two or three hundred dollars worth of goods. The answer I told the guy is that I decided to have a life. After working 72 hours a week for twenty years, now that I'm working only 60 it seems like I'm semi-retired.
I still love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else. And even though I may not sound like it, I appreciate and treasure every customer I have.

PROSALES Online: news, trends and sound business advice for America's pro-focused building materials dealers.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Obama announces steps to speed US oil production

Obama announces steps to speed US oil production

The President is finding it's easy to sit back and criticize until you have to be the adult in charge; then the "pie in the sky" ideals have to be set aside and real decisions made.
This is what has to happen. He has to give up many of his precious ideals or the whole country will fail. We need oil and gas for energy and more importantly we have to kill the debt spending.
A compromise would be equal amounts of dollars of budget cuts and dollar amounts of new taxes for the short term. Then real reform to hold down spending and not spend any more than we take in. All new spending should not be allowed unless it is shown how we will pay for it NOW, not in the future.
Good luck with that in this political climate!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Nation & World | Emanuel faces big money woes as next Chicago mayor | Seattle Times Newspaper

Hold onto your wallets tax paying citizens of the United States. Mayor elect Emanuel does have a lot of political ties and he will be reaching out for federal dollars. His ex-boss wants to help too. Chicago is the most unionized city in the US. If there is anyplace where the unions rule, it is there.
If our government just keeps handing our money out, problems will not and can not be solved.
Nation & World | Emanuel faces big money woes as next Chicago mayor | Seattle Times Newspaper

Monday, February 21, 2011

taxfoundation.org/files/bp60.pdf

Who wants to do business in your state. Ohio is currently not a good place to do business or start a business. Governor Kasich plans to change that. The big question is can he do it.
The link takes you to a report discussing all 50 states. How does your state rank. Check it out.

taxfoundation.org/files/bp60.pdf

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Fuzzy, Frustrating Economics

I had an appraiser do our spec house and he told me they don't count the basement. Finished or not! So for instance in my house I probably have over $40,000.00 just in my basement that counts no more than as if it were just a concrete slab floor. What's wrong with this picture? It's no wonder so many nice houses are appraising so low. Bank and appraisal problems are discussed in this article.

Fuzzy, Frustrating Economics

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The New American Past Time

Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie
and Remodeling!

It's almost February and I've been thinking of spring.  I'm ready for some baseball, the all American past time and all the trimmings that go with it.  I think baseball is my favorite spectator sport.  It's a slow paced game and it's just nice to sit back, relax and watch the game with friends.  A hot dog and a cold beer helps with the whole experience as well.

  And what can be more American than good old apple pie!  Man, I can almost taste that warm apple pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on it.  Mmmm, is it lunchtime yet?

You might have noticed that I replaced Chevrolet with Remodeling in the title above.  When I think of a good American past time, I think of remodeling,  No offense Chevy fans, I just do.  There's something about working with your hands that's good for your soul.  And if you can get your son or daughter to help, it builds more than a finished room, it builds memories for a lifetime.  So, this spring, take time for the baseball, hot dogs and apple pie (and maybe a beer), but also take on a project to improve your home.   Remodeling: The other All American Past Time!
Have fun and remember, hammer the pointed nail, not the finger nail.