About Us

Steve and Judy Cottingham are the proud builders/owners of Wilder Lodge. The plans for the home are a modification of a design by Oregon architect Alan Mascord. Mascord is most well- known in the Pacific Northwest, but Steve and Judy’s five-year relocation to California instilled a love for craftsman and lodge-style homes.

The “Wilder” part of Wilder Lodge comes from Steve’s nickname given to him by his oldest brother, Richard. Richard was the general contractor for the home, and the name was chosen in his honor.

Steve was born in Dillon, SC to John C. and Elizabeth Cottingham, as the youngest of five children. The family lived in a home built on the location where his father was born in 1910. Dillon is near the coast of SC and the I-95 icon “South of the Border.” Steve worked summers there in the gift shop and the restaurant. Steve has degrees from Clemson University in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, with a minor in Computer Science. He is currently employed as a Senior Applications Engineer at Electrolux in Anderson. The plant in Anderson manufactures over 9000 Frigidaire refrigerators every day!

Judy was born in Louisiana to Porter and Marlene Green. Judy has two half-brothers and one deceased half-sister. The mathematician in Judy had her adding her two half-brothers into a whole brother by the time she was 5 years old. Judy has degrees from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) in Computer Science and from Clemson University in Mathematical Sciences. Judy is currently employed as Senior Lecturer, CMPT Director, and Assistant Department Chair in Mathematical Sciences at Clemson.

Steve and Judy are members of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca. Steve has a Methodist heritage; his mother’s father was a Methodist minister and his mother’s grandfather was a circuit rider in SC.

Steve and Judy’s love of music is what brought them together. They began dating after getting acquainted in Foothills Chorale, a local community choir. Steve and Judy have both had vocal training and love listening to and singing music of all kinds. Steve is the Director of the Clemson United Methodist Church Handbell Choir, and he is the founder of Foothills Chorale. Steve and Judy's appreciation of music is what prompted them to begin the concert series in their home.

“There is no experience quite like live music filling your living space and resonating throughout your own home. Sharing our passion with neighbors, friends, and family is our pleasure.”

-- Steve and Judy