Count Down to the 79th Oregon Logging Conference

February 2017 Issue Vol.1 Issue 8

As of sending of this newsletter we are 13 days until the 79th OLC convenes at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon.

In this issue: Seminars, panel discussions, speakers, hands-on opportunities, social activities, all sizes of equipment, and much, much more await all those who attend. Easy Quick Links to the 2017 OLC program schedule, panel and seminar topics, social events, competitions and other activities can be found on the last page of this newsletter. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

BEHIND THE SCENES

The People Who Pull It All Together

And Make it Happen!

It doesn't happen without a lot of hard work and effort from a very special group of dedicated individuals. Meet the people behind the scenes who work long hours making sure all the pieces of the puzzle are in place and ready to go by the time the first OLC member walks through the gate. Be sure to say hello to us at the OLC. We really appreciate your participation and your support.

The 2017 OLC Officers, Staff and Board of Directors work year round to put together a top-notch program that addresses the latest issues facing the industry. OLC Officers and Directors volunteer countless hours to make this conference happen.

Meet the people who work year round gathering the pieces of the puzzle.

Rikki Wellman

Conference Manager

Rikki's first day with the OLC was February 12th, 1973. Over the past 44 years she has seen many changes with the OLC as well as the industry.

She truly enjoys the industry, the OLC board of directors and what the Oregon Logging Conference stands for. She takes tremendous pride in the planning of the OLC each year, working beside the board and the many dedicated staff who come back to work the conference each year.

Rikki looks forward to continuing with the OLC for a few more years.

Anitra Franco

Hospitality Hostess

Anitra has been involved with the OLC for nearly 20 years. She enjoys meeting everyone each year.

You may recognize her from the Eugene Hilton where she works full time as their Concierge

Katie Dills

Conference Assistant

Katie has worked the pre-conference and the week of the OLC for the past 5 years. She is currently conference assistant in training.

Katie has a family cleaning business. She looks forward to learning more about the Oregon Logging Conference over the next few years.

Mary Bullwinkel

Freelance Public Relations

Mary has 38 years working in media relations and communications and for the past 28 years, has been involved in the timber industry in one way or another. She lives in Fortuna, California, where she stays involved with the Redwood Region Logging Conference (RRLC), where she served as the first and so far the only woman President of RRLC in 1999.

Sara Tena
Pre-Conference Staff

Sara has been involved with the OLC for over 15 years.

She has a family cleaning business and looks forward to the time away each year to help before and during the conference.

For the exhibit staff, it takes dedicated and commitment to put together the "big pieces" of the puzzle.

Scott Harpole
Outside Exhibit Supervisor

You could say Scott grew up with the OLC, considering he is related to the conference manager. The conference has been a part of his life since he was 9 months old.

Scott started working for the OLC in 2007. He enjoys the challenges each year and looks forward to the continued growth of the show.

Scott takes the week off from his day job, where he is Construction Foreman at Ehlers Construction.

Scott enjoys, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Jennie, Garrett Kleiner and Gunny

Inside Exhibits, Program and Seminars

(and anything else that needs to be done)

Jennifer (Jennie) has worked for OLC for three years. She currently works for Stuntzner Engineering & Forestry, LLC full time in their Coos Bay office as their accounting clerk.

She loves going to the beach with her dog to search for agates, relaxing outside and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. She is a huge Beaver baseball fan.

Garrett is an Oregon State University graduate, getting his B.S. in Forest Engineering.

He has been with OLC since 2007. He currently works for Stuntzner Engineering & Forestry, LLC as their Forester in Coos Bay. He has worked for SPI as a District Forester, Western Timber Services, as a Forest Technician and at LEI Engineering as an Engineering Technician in Alaska.

He has recently been appointed to the Southwest Regional Forest Practice Committee.

Garrett keeps busy with work but in his free time enjoys hunting, fishing, backpacking and golfing.

Gunny, OLC Support Staff

Gunny Highway is a five-year-old lab, hound. This will be his second year with OLC, where he enjoys meeting people.

He works full time at Stuntzner Engineering & Forestry where he enjoys plenty of treats and attention from his co-workers and clients.

Gunny loves to daydream in the sun.

and has a large collection of stuffed animals and balls that he loves to play with. If you see him walking around the show, he would love for you to stop and give him a pat! That's how he gets paid.

Ryan Kleiner
Inside / Outside Exhibits

Ryan started working for the OLC in 2004 while attending OSU and studying in fisheries and wildlife.

He grew up in Humboldt County, California and is a third generation forester.

He currently works as a forester and CFO for Western Timber Services, Inc. and Humboldt Engineering out of Arcata, California.

Joey Latkiewicz (right)
Inside Exhibits / Signage

Joey Latkiewicz worked his first Oregon Logging Conference in 2008.

He is currently employed at Courthouse Fitness in Salem, OR. He has held various roles with the company over the past three years, and currently serves as General Manager of the Battle Creek, OR location.

Joey has a B.S. in Wood Science and Technology from Oregon State University. He previously worked in management in the manufacturing industry for five years.

Joey enjoys staying active and being in the outdoors with his two young daughters, Hayden and Ryleigh and lovely wife Erica.

He teaches a group ride class at Courthouse and cycles in his spare time. He is a loyal Beaver football fan.

Group Photo of Conference Staff

Belinda, Julie, Dianna, Dianna, Dawn

Meet the Conference Registration Crew - You will see these smiling faces when you stop by the OLC registration desk in the main Exhibit Hall to pickup your registration packet. They are eager to answer any questions you may have.

OLC Logo Shop- Stop by the Logo Shop near the registration desk and pickup your OLC logo gear: hat, sweatshirt, tee shirt and more.

Don Wimer 1991 OLC President

16 Years Later Passes the Gavel to His Son

Jeff Wimer 2017 OLC President

William H Wimer and sons Lyle and Wayne went to work in the logging industry for Schmitt Brothers in Grants Pass OR around 1900. William was the logging superintendent, and all three Wimers owned and drove logging/lumber trucks.

In the 1930s (Depression) both William and Wayne were killed in logging-related accidents. Lyle Wimer went into bankruptcy, and then went to work logging in the Snow Peak area. In the early 1940s, home base was established in Albany, OR…what was first known as W & G Logging changed its name to Wimer Logging in 1948.

In 1957, Wimer Logging went to work for Willamette Industries, a relationship that spanned 45 years. The family owned a minority interest in the logging business and Willamette owned the majority interest. This long-term relationship would only end after Weyerhaeuser took over Willamette and its holdings in February 2002. The announcement was made in July 2002 that Weyerhaeuser would sell Wimer Logging, giving employees of the three-generation family business 60 days notice of what was coming. 81 employees of Wimer Logging received the bad news.

Don Wimer started working in the family business in 1956, when he finished his commitment to the US Army. He first started out managing the trucking fleet at Snow Peak camp. From there he grew into managing more and more of the business, particularly after the merger with Willamette Industries. The company grew to employ just over 100 employees at its peak, with shops in Dallas, Albany and Snow Peak, later to be Sweet Home. They ran 3 large tower sides, a small tower side and 48 trucks. Wimer Logging was fortunate to be able to employ some of the best loggers and truckers in the industry. He retired from Wimer Logging in 1996 leaving the company in the capable hands of sons; Steve and Jeff Wimer.

Don served as President of the OLC in 1991. The decade of the 1980s was a tough one for the timber industry, and in his President’s Message that year he noted how difficult the past several years had been. “Some timber workers have lost their jobs and the income to support their families,” he said. “Other families have lost their loved ones who have gone elsewhere to find work. Many timber companies have lost the businesses that have helped them to remain prosperous,” he continued, “and old time timber companies who have been the backbone of our industry for many decades have now closed their doors.”

Then he mentioned an even greater impact on the timber industry brought about by the losses he mentioned…”and that is the loss of pride in the jobs we do and the memories we have held so very close for all these past years.” Wimer said his pride in the industry was a generations-deep emotion. “All my life, my grandfather, my uncles, and my father have all told me how we should be proud of how we provide for the needs of the nation, and yes, even for the needs of the world with the products we produced.” And he continued, “I have continued to tell the same thing to my children and now to my grandchildren.”

Theme that year was “Forests Forever…Facts About Logging, and President

Wimer said in his speech, “We’ve heard comments about the changing of our industry and we know it’s going to happen. The question is,” he continued, “whether we’re going to make it happen, or somebody’s going to make it happen for us.” He encouraged all attending the 53rd Annual OLC to “go back home and return to work on Monday morning with a resolve to look at what we do and how we do it, and see if we can’t make some changes so that those generations yet to come can all enjoy the benefits of the great Northwest, just like we have. The fact is ladies and gentlemen,” he continued, “each of us can be the difference. Each of us can continue to be proud of what we are and what we do.”

Photos:

Left Column: Wimer Logging Log Truck Door, Don, Ryan, Blake (sons of Jeff) and Jeff Wimer; Logging the 'big logs'; Tower Logging at Black Rock; Wimer Logging full load; Jeff and Don Wimer.

Right Column: Marilyn, Don, Marianne and Lyle Wimer; Big Stump, Don Wimer, brother Jerry and their mother Pearl; Wimer Logging early years in 1960; Link-Belt Log Loader with a 'one log load'; 1965 Link-Belt Log Loader; Full load of big logs.

Bottom: Wimer Logging Fleet in 1992; 1991 OLC Program and Proceedings Cover;

1991 OLC President Don Wimer delivers President's Message.

CLICK ON LOGO ABOVE TO REGISTER ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE

79TH OREGON LOGGING CONFERENCE

For less than $100, you can register and be a part of the 79th OLC (Logging, Construction, Trucking and Heavy Equipment Expo). Here's what is included in the $95 registration fee:

Wednesday pre-registration meet & greet at the Eugene Hilton
Thursday opening breakfast, meetings and social networking at the well-known OLC Sawdust Bowl.
Friday breakfast, meetings, break-out seminar sessions, and social networking at the well-known OLC Sawdust bowl.
An opportunity to sign-up to compete in the 79th Annual Log Loader Competition.
The largest logging equipment show west of the Mississippi with millions of dollars of equipment on display
Attend meetings and earn Pro Logger credits.

Who Will Be At The

79th Oregon Logging Conference?

There is something for everyone at the OLC. Click this link to find out who will be exhibiting at the OLC, as well as who are this year’s sponsors and donors.

Drones, Loggers for the Future, Fire Prevention - Just a few of the Seminars Scheduled

Thursday Afternoon a seminar titled Better Ideas / New Technology will explore how drones can be used in forestry, diesel laptop diagnostics, an update on tethered logging, timber-navi system and timber- innovation, and smart-device solutions for timber measurement. This panel discussion will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on February 23rd.

Friday Morning, there will be both Oregon and Washington Forest Practices seminars. The 3-hour Oregon Forest Practices seminar will start at 8:30 a.m. and will focus on tethered logging, safety concerns with tethered logging, and update on new riparian management area rules, industrial fire operations permits. The 2-hour Washington Forest Practices seminar also starts at 8:30 a.m. and will include topics such as one year to understand the challenges we face, and life after RMAP.

Friday Morning:

Business Seminar 1: How to Build a Kick @$% Crew.

Friday Afternoon:

Business Seminar 2: Loggers for the Future.

Business Seminar 3: Updates on Steep Slope Logging with a Feller Buncher.

Hands on Seminar 1: Log Scaling Basics and Sorting Logs for Export.

Hands on Seminar 2: State of Oregon Fire Prevention and Suppression Requirements for Industrial Operations during Fire Season.

Hands on Seminar 3: The Evolution of Diesel Exhaust Engines.

A complete list of speakers, their background, and topics they will address is on the Oregon Logging Conference website. Click here to view.

Sweet Tooth? This is an Event You Won't Want to Miss... And it's for a Great Cause!

Oregon Logging Conference First Lady Marla Wimer invites you to join her at the 14th Annual Ladies Desserts for Dreams charity event, Friday, February 24, 2017, at the Eugene Hilton. The 2017 event will include a light lunch to go along with the delicious desserts from many bakeries in the Eugene and Springfield areas.

Enjoy delicious desserts and salads from the Valley River Inn / SweetWaters, Olive Garden, Original Roadhouse, Oregon Electric Station, Coburg Pizza, Eugene Hilton, Cornucopia, Cafe’ Soriah, McGrath’s Fish House, Sweet Life, Steelhead Brewery, Ambrosia Restaurant, LeCafe’ Maison, Excelsior Inn, Belly Taqueria, PF Changs, Sixth Street Grill, Hole In The Wall, Placido's Pasta Shop, BJ's restaurant & Brewhouse, Dickie Yo's, Mucho Gusto Mexican Kitchen, Billy Macs Grill, Pourhouse Tavern, Rye Market of Choice and many more.

Thank you for cash donations from Prime Time Sports Bar & Grill and Nelson Bros.Trucking.

Tickets for this event are $30.00 and include a light lunch, desserts, wine, champagne, and an alcohol free beverage choice, which will be served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Proceeds go to the charity of choice of the OLC First Lady, and this year Marla has selected the SafeHaven Human Society, an organization that is very dear to Marla. 100% of the funds from Desserts for Dreams will go to support this wonderful organization. For more information, visit their website at www.safehavenhumane.org.

A special thank you to the wonderful restaurants, bakeries and the Eugene Hilton. For information on how to purchase tickets please call 541.686.9191.

Click on logo below to download the 2017-2018 Scholarship Application

Auction Proceeds Support Scholarship and Educational Activities

Thanks to the generous support from the 2016 OLC Foundation auction, more than a dozen college students received scholarships to further their educational pursuits.

Join us this year for the OLC Foundation auction be held both Thursday (February 23rd) and Friday (February 24th), starting at 8 a.m., in the Wheeler Pavilion during the opening session breakfasts both days. Auctioneer will be Jaime Yraguen of Basco Logging Co. Your generosity this year at the OLC Foundation auction will help shape the lives of many young students who will be the up and coming leaders of our industry.

The big item on the auction list on Friday, (February 25th) is a popular steep slope 750 felling head, donated by Southstar Equipment. All proceeds after the reserved bid has been met will be donated to the OLC Foundation Scholarship fund. The head will be auctioned off at 8 a.m. on Friday, February 24th during the "members" breakfast in the Wheeler Pavilion. The felling head will be on display at Southstar's inside exhibit area. Click here for more information. If you can't attend, call the OLC office to make arrangements to place a "proxy" bid - 541.686.9191.

Washington Contract Loggers Association Credit Union is offering 12 months interest free financing to the lucky winning bidder. Must be credit approved and you can call Brian Bahs for more information 360.352.5033. Click here to see full details.

There are many more great items available at the OLC Foundation Auction. You can cast your bid for a $5,000 gift certificate towards purchase of a set of Olofsfors tracks, donated by Ponsse Coburg location, truck seat donated by Pape' Kenworth, a $1.000 gift certificate towards purchase of a set of Michelin pickup tires, donated by Superior Tire Service, a pair of truck seats donated by DSU Peterbuilt, front truck tires donated by Farwest Tire Factory and Firestone / Bridgestone, truck seat donated by Tec Equipment and Gold Coast Truck Repair, and a youth bow and adult bow donated by Radiator Supply House and Bowtech Archery, patio pellet stove donated by Wood Products / Tyson Traeger and pallet of pellets donated by Bear Mountain Forest.

Click here to see a complete list of items that will be available at the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation Auction. As the OLCF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization,Tax ID # 45-5045072, all donations and purchases are tax deductible.

"Watch the Mail for the Official Show Guide Coming Your Way Soon"

The official Show Guide for the Oregon Logging Conference will serve as your go-to source for anything and everything that is happening in conjunction at the show. Click on the magazine cover below to download a condensed copy of the show guide.

Plenty to See and Do at OLC

Download the program schedule (click here) and look it over today. Highlight the panels and seminars that peak your interest and mark the dates and times. Then you can plan ahead and get the most out of the many program topics, seminars and social activities that are planned.

The best of the best will be on display and there are many activities planned...all in one location. This opportunity comes along just once a year, and this is it!

Click on the images and logos below to learn more.

8th Annual Log Loader Competition

Click to Sign Up Today

Click on Photo Below to Watch Video

Oregon Department of Forestry Selects

2016 Operators of the Year

and Merit Award Recipients

The 2016 Operators of the Year have been announced, and Oregon Logging Conference is proud to salute all winners, but in particular the company of one of our Board of Directors. Plikat Logging Inc. of Camas Valley, OR (Jeff Plikat is on the OLC Board) was selected to receive the Southern Oregon Area Operator of the Year. This award honors Plikat Logging for protecting a fish-bearing stream and its buffer while using a suspended cable system to move logs and minimize ground impact. Plikat’s planning and careful work left the land ready for replanting. (Video: https://youtu.be/cwwpQzpcPrc)

B&C Logging of Baker City, OR earned the Eastern Oregon Area Operator of the Year award for helping landowners after the Stices Gulch wildfire, and protecting fish streams. B&C’s work also improved public safety because they removed trees from urban areas damaged by the wildfire. (Video: https://youtu.be/LSB7z-_-dUc ).

Wayne Stone Logging Inc. of Sandy, OR earned the Northwest Oregon Area Operator of the Year award for protecting water quality and taking extra efforts to prevent fires. Wayne Stone Logging completed a difficult downhill harvest. (Video: https://youtu.be/81WgwqJ8fSA).

The Oregon Board of Forestry also issued Merit Awards to three companies: Mike Pihl Logging Company of Vernonia, OR (Video: https://youtu.be/OkY-EjA77HQ ), Western Helicopter Services Inc. of Newberg, OR and Starker Forests, Inc. of Corvallis, OR (Video: https://youtu.be/5njgK20Rrq0 ), and B&M Timber of Burns, OR (Video: https://youtu.be/zhp41CteXSY ).

All nominees exceeded Forest Practices requirements to help improve Oregon’s forests. The Board of Forestry honors operators who consistently meet or exceed the Forest Practices Act, to encourage sound forestry.

While all award winners will be honored by the Board of Forestry at its March 8th meeting, these companies will also be recognized at the Oregon Logging Conference. Operators of the Year and Merit Award winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in the Wheeler Pavilion on the Lane County Fairgrounds.

The Associated Oregon Loggers and the Oregon Small Woodland Association will also provide recognition to the award winners, at their respective meetings.

Oregon Women In Timber

Oregon Women in Timber invites you to the 79th Annual Oregon Logging Conference and Oregon Women in Timber’s 26th Annual Auction to benefit its award winning forest education program, Talk About Trees! The Auction will be part of the Meet & Greet festivities at the Eugene Hilton Hotel & Conference Cente r on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017. The doors will open at 4:00 PM, and the fun begins with hosted beer & wine (hosted by the Oregon Logging Conference) and a hearty buffet while viewing the amazing silent and live items offered. Click here for more details.

SCHOOL TOURS - On Thursday, February 23, the Oregon Logging Conference and Equipment show provides an opportunity for an interactive and fun lesson in forestry for 4th and 5th graders. More than 700 students and teachers learn about trees, logging, and reforestation during this one day event, as professional loggers and forester guide the students on a tour of the outside equipment used in today's logging operations.

The complete program is a 1.5 hour lesson/ tour provided in partnership with Forest Today & Forever, Oregon Woman in Timber, Talk About Trees and the Oregon Logging Conference. Click here for more information.

Remembering Robert Wampler

OLC Honorary Life Member

Robert “Bob” Wampler was raised on the family homestead on Seven-Mile near Fort Klamath, OR, until the family relocated to Chiloquin, OR to be closer to schools. After graduating from Chiloquin High School, Bob joined with his father to operate the family’s logging and ranching business. He assumed responsibility for the family business and operated it until 2007, when he passed the logging business on to his sons. Wampler continued working on the Seven-Mile ranch until he suffered a stroke in November 0f 2012.

Bob and wife Alice, whom he asked out for a first date on her 18th birthday, were married for almost 67 years and raised four children: Mike, Joe, Scott, and Kristi. The family built their dream home on the banks of the Williamson River in 1978, which is where Bob died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family, on February 5, 2017.

Bob is remembered for his close family ties, his generous spirit, his large network of friends and business associates, his love of the outdoors, his volunteer work with the Collier Park logging museum, for not saying more than what needed to be said, for his love of animals including dogs, horses mules and cows, his fondness of bringing home strangers in need, who seemed to stick around for years, for always crying at graduations, weddings and funerals, and for learning to communicate clearly with just one word "yeah" after suffering his stroke.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill and Jim, and daughters-in-law Meredith and Barbara Wampler. He is survived by his wife Alice; his sister Bidge and husband Art; his son Mike and wife Mona; his son Joe; his son Scott and wife Sandi; his daughter Kristi and husband Michael Strizich; his grandchildren Josh, Jake, Tara, Shawna, Christopher, Ryan, Tyler, Mandie, Conor and Lauren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bob's deep love for family was felt by all of his immediate and extended family.

Service were held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Klamath Falls followed by a reception at the Klamath County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Friends of Collier Park or a donation of your choice.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

LOST TOWNS: REVISITING LOGGING COMMUNITIES EXHIBIT AT LANE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Do the towns of Dorena, Wendling, Acme, Idana, or Bohemia sound familiar? Maybe and maybe not. But you can learn about these and other old logging communities as an exhibit that is free to Oregon Logging Conference attendees.

Be sure to read the article on Don Wimer, as his family logging company worked in Dorena in 1958!

The Lane County Historical Museum is located at the Lane Events Center, close to the OLC headquarters. Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and the exhibit will be on display through September of 2017.

For anyone interested in timber heritage, this is an experience not to be missed! More information is available by calling 541.682.4242.