Briggs and Lodes were able to produce 15 of the cutting boards. When the schools were shut down, Briggs came to Lodes seeking ideas for woodworking projects that could be done through distance learning. Lodes eventually developed the cutting board idea.

The cutting boards were assembled from exotic woods. Lodes said the American Flag pattern was not created with wood stain, but uniquely color wood. The white stripe was made from domestic white maple, but the blue was derived from purpleheart wood found in Central and South America. The red came from padauk wood that is native to Africa.

Briggs said it was a great community partnership to work with Wood-n-Windows to make a difference in students’ lives.

Lodes said he felt bad the senior students were unable to take home a final woodworking project before the schools and the shops closed.

At left, Wes Lodes examines one of the boards.

Briggs said many of the students had already ordered material for their year-end project but never got a chance to complete it.

The cutting boards were seen as a way to keep the woodworking students engaged. Its partnership with Wood-n-Windows also shows students the different career options available.

Lodes said as a student he loved woodshop and took every class in high school. He was able to turn that passion into a successful business. Wood-n-Windows has recently installed a new C&C router in the shop to make the business more efficient with quicker lead times.