The kitchen at the Merrill School Forest Lodge was remodeled this past summer to provide a state approved, code compliant upgrade to the cafeteria. The remodel was funded by private donations. Local contractors and local businesses handled all the major renovations.
Many thoughtful discussions addressed how to appropriately “face” the cafeteria so that it reflected the woodsy motif of the School Forest Lodge. It was eventually decided to use cordwood siding, appropriating wood from the surrounding area.
One-inch rounds of various trees were cut, dried, sanded and sealed by Roy Arseneau of Arseneau’s Sawmill. A crew of volunteers was assembled. The slices of cedar, pine, oak and tamarack were applied to painted plywood. The “panelized cordwood” was then attached to the existing wall framing. Six-inch wooden slabs were set in place to make the wall look like it was timber framed.
The results have drawn rave reviews from visitors and students alike. Additionally there are visual gems hidden within the cordwood panels. Students have fun playing “I Spy” while searching to find: a muskie, a sunflower, a panfish, a turtle, a duck, a wolf, a mushroom, many stars, the moon, a fox and a sand dollar.