by Juanita | Jan 4, 2019 | Events, Rocking Chairs
Out of sheer boredom, George Martin, while volunteering in Honduras, began to carve a perfectly-proportioned, small replica of a fishing boat used in the seaside town of Santa Fe. As he carved, a small crowd of excited onlookers gathered. These onlookers had never seen a miniature replica. George eagerly shared what he knew with them. Those who trained with George in Honduras gained woodworking skills that enabled them to sell their woodcrafts in local markets, more than doubling their family income. Unknowingly, George Martin had taken his first step in creating George’s Woodcrafts.
On January 6th and 11th, 2019, the second generation will represent George at the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show. The George’s Furniture team will greet visitors and story-tell at the Pennsylvania Hardwood display—an interactive display showcasing the forest products industry.
Come and find the George’s Furniture family in the Main Hall at the Pennsylvania Hardwood Booth. George’s Furniture will be on the Secondary Processors stage on Sunday (January 6th) from 2:30 to 8 PM. On Friday (January 11th), find George’s on the Unique Wood Products stage at the Pennsylvania Hardwood booth from 2:30 to 8 pm.
George’s Furniture will showcase its famous no-tip rocking chair, as well as provide photos and handouts of some of our other products. This is the second year that George’s Furniture will participate in the Pennsylvania Hardwood exhibit at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Last year, George’s Furniture featured a white oak cutting board, a red oak foot stool and end table, a black walnut table, and a hickory coffee table with matching end table in the display.
George’s Furniture believes in incorporating earth-friendly processes into furniture-making, and doing our part in preserving our natural resources. Telling our story and sharing our environmentally-friendly furniture making process with visitors at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show is sure to be a treat! We can’t wait to see you there!
by Juanita | Dec 4, 2018 | George's Furniture, Tables
Nothing compares to the excitement and joy of the holiday season! Perhaps the biggest part of the holidays is gathering around the table for a meal together. Sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s large groups and sometimes small. No matter who is gathered around the table, the times of gathering are precious.
A recent study revealed that 40% of American families eat dinner together only three or fewer times a week. This means that the act of gathering around the table for the holidays is even more special. It provides a unique opportunity for families to connect with each other and to make memories for years to come.
A study by the American College of Pediatricians shows that the simple act of sharing a meal together has the following overall benefits in children and teens:
Academic:
Teenagers that dine around the table are more likely to get better grades. Aside from this, children expand their vocabulary based on how they hear words used in conversation. In addition, researchers have found a link between early childhood language experiences and literacy skills in high school.
Nutrition:
According to the American College of Pediatricians, children who eat their meals at the table have healthful dietary patterns and are more likely to eat healthier foods.
Less screen time:
Family dinners naturally reduce the time that children and teens spend looking at their screens and increase the time that they spend interacting with each other.
Reduced risk:
Teens who eat regular meals at the table have a decreased risk of drug, nicotine, and alcohol use and are less likely to choose friends who use these products. In addition, eating meals around the table reduced the teenagers likelihood to engage in sexual activity and/or struggle with depression.
Positive relationships:
Frequent family meals around the table results in a higher likelihood of having excellent relationships within the family unit. In fact teens were twice as likely to have good relationships with their fathers and siblings, and one and half times more likely to have an excellent relationship with their mother.
Reduced Stress:
Emotional stress is also reduced with the simple additional of family meals around the table. In fact, 71% of teenagers studied said they “consider talking/catching up, and spending time with family members as the best part of family dinners”.
Satisfaction:
Additionally, teens who ate frequent family meals were shown to be more helpful and trusting, have fewer behavioral and emotional problems, and ultimately, have a higher satisfaction with life, regardless of financial status.
Editor’s Note: To view the complete study, click here.
With these benefits in mind, the table becomes that much more important, not just for the holidays, but for the ins and outs of daily life.
At George’s Furniture, we treasure those times around the table. To us, a table means stability, strength, spontaneity, and assurance. Just as something as simple as eating meals around the table can literally change your life, the table itself can become a precious family heirloom for years to come.
Whatever your style, no matter how many seats you need, a George’s Furniture table can become that special place. Not just for the holidays, but for the every-days.
So, gather around the table and enjoy many happy holidays from all of us at George’s Furniture!
Please enjoy one of our favorite recipes as you gather around your table this holiday season. Simply right click to download the image for printing or visit Taste of Home. As always, you are welcome to visit George’s to discover the quality and craftsmanship behind each table and chair we create. Click here to schedule your tour today!
by Juanita | Dec 1, 2018 | Ava Lee's History Corner, Events, George's Furniture
Small Beginning
In November of 1968, I married George, a farmer with woodworking interests. Our beginning year was spent in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. A veneer factory, that gave away their scraps of veneer, provided material for making baskets and lampshades. George walked the forests looking for interesting shapes of wood for making live edge lamp bases. A year later, back in Pennsylvania, George worked in a sawmill. In his spare time, George cut his own trees, drying the lumber and making crosscut stools and log benches.
First large item designed
In 1970, after a discouraging search for a quality high chair for his daughter, he decided to build his first chair. This chair was the beginning of hand crafting solid hardwood furniture. He built a portable building for a showroom and moved it to a prime tourist area in Lancaster for the summertime. He sold hand-turned lamps, stools and nameplates, made while the customer waited.
Family grows
As the family began grew, he made side chairs and later a table. Remembering his experience of tipping over his Mother’s rocking chair, he proceeded to design one that doesn’t tip over. I recall his excitement when he came home that day and said,
“I know that God guided my hand when I designed that rocking chair”.
Hobby turns business
So a hobby transformed into a business. He found talented employees and the news of quality furniture spread across the country. Loyal customers continued to share their love for furniture. Looking back at the steps we took and the opportunities that came our way, our engagement motto couldn’t be more true, “Looking unto Jesus, We Follow”.
by Juanita | Nov 21, 2018 | Forestry Management, George's Furniture
Earth Friendly Handcrafted Furniture
At George’s Furniture, we believe that incorporating earth-friendly processes into our furniture-making and doing our part in preserving our natural resources ensures the success of future generations.
Forest Increases
According to Dan Meyer, editor of the Hardwood Weekly Review, hardwood growing stock inventories were 3 to 12% higher in 2017 than 10 years earlier in each of the four subregions of the East. Additionally, East-wide volumes were up 7%. What does this mean to us and to you, our valuable clients?
It simply means that despite a 10-year depression in global demand, as a nation we are turning that depression around by increasing active management of our hardwood forests to ensure their health, productivity, and sustainability.
Ultimate Quality, Little Waste
At George’s, we are very conscious of our natural resources. Our shop is set up to make the most of each slab of wood that comes through our door. Each piece of custom furniture is built with ultimate quality and little waste. We utilize our wood for multiple purposes to reduce our waste output. The wood cutoffs from our table saws are used for the construction of our drawer interiors. The unusable wood is chipped up and used to dry the walnut wood in our wood drying kiln and heat our woodshop. Our mission is to have each piece be hand-crafted to your exact specifications all the while being conscious craftsmen.
Native Pennsylvanian hardwood
Using hardwoods native to our region such as Cherry, Red Oak, Maple, and Black Walnut goes a long way in ensuring both quality and low environmental impact. We take extra measures to ensure that our wood is harvested at the right time and to rigid specifications. We slow dry our rough-sawn Black Walnut in our own kiln and moisture check the commercially dried Cherry, Oak and Maple. Why? Because, if not dried properly, the wood may form stress cracks that result in costly waste. Additionally, any moisture that remains in the wood after drying can lead to loose joints and warping. This would be a disservice to you, our client, and to the environment.
Meticulous Attention
Throughout the design process, our craftsmen are conscious of minimizing waste. Our craftsmen thoroughly review the design and carefully select the wood that will be used to create the requested piece. Each board is processed with care, while legs or finials are hand-turned on a lathe. Meticulous attention is paid during the assembly process to ensure a proper fit and finish.
If you would like to learn more about our environmentally-friendly furniture making process, please contact us to schedule your personal tour. We look forward to seeing you soon!
by Juanita | Sep 29, 2018 | Accessories, Events, Gifts
Summer is winding down, and while we LOVE all things summer here at George’s Furniture, we’re ready for cooler days and fall treats. We’re excited for all the great fall festivals and activities happening all over the county. One such fun event is The Best Kept Secret Tour which is scheduled for October 4th – 20th.
What better way to explore Lancaster Country then visiting hidden treasures like jewelers and boutiques to wineries, farmers markets, and creameries!
So while we can’t say who all is participating we’re happy to give you a minuscule hint…. Your favorite handmade furniture store is in the lineup! That’s right, George’s Furniture is excited to be one of over 40 tour stops on The Best Kept Secrets Tour of Lancaster!
Stop by our showroom for a ticket/tour bag to discover the hidden secrets of Lancaster County. Only ticket holders will see the 40 businesses selected. Each tour bag includes a guide and coupons along with many items from the participating shops.
While exploring, each tour-goer will experience a wide range of entertainments, gifts, refreshments, raffles, tours, demos, and games. A Best Kept Secret tour sponsored drawings for over $1,100 in gifts cards is part of the secret! Tour bags are $10 each and limited in quantity. Visit our showroom at Georges Furniture, 9 Reich’s Church Rd, Marietta, PA or reserve your bag by calling 717-426-1004.
Showroom Hours M-Sa 9-5. Wood Shop tour hours M-TH 9-4, F 9-2.
We look forward to seeing you in October!.
