August 2021 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 6 Issue 2
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In this issue: Highlights of the OLC President’s Family Get-Together, current status of planning the 84th Annual OLC, and a charity has been selected for the Desserts for Dreams luncheon.
Easy Quick Links to the 2022 OLC program schedule, panel and seminar topics, social events, competitions, and other activities can be found on the last page of this newsletter.
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OLC President's Field Trip Celebrated
This Year as Family Get-Together
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This month, Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) President Scott and Wendi Melcher hosted a fun and relaxing gathering for OLC Directors and their families. The event included a family style barbeque and bingo for the entire family and concluded with a train ride on Sunday.
“For the past two years we haven’t held our annual spring family meeting, so this year instead of our traditional president’s field trip, I decided to invite our Board and their families to this get together, which includes our Board meeting,” 2022 OLC President Scott Melcher said.
The OLC Board of Directors met to discuss the 2022 Oregon Logging Conference and continuing planning for this event (see article for specifics about current plans). The 84th Annual OLC is scheduled for Feb 24 – 26, 2022.
At the Lebanon, OR train station, the group boarded the Santiam Excursion Train, operated by the Albany and Eastern Railroad, and enjoyed a round-trip ride in an open top flat car to Radiator Supply House. There the group enjoyed lunch and a fishing tournament at the on-site pond.
Here is a brief history of the train: The Albany and Eastern Railroad is privately owned and was acquired by the current owners in 2007. The goal of the company is to revitalize the railroad to offer both passenger excursion trips and a faster, more efficient means for customers to move goods to and from markets. The rail line was first established in 1880 as the Albany-Lebanon Railroad, with approximately 11 miles of track. The line changed hands several times over the years and it was in 1930 that the Sweet Home branch of the railroad was constructed by the Oregon Electric Company.
Here's a few photos of the fun time!
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W & C Suspensions Donates to OLC Fire Relief Fund |
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W&C Suspensions (formerly known as Watson & Chalin) has donated $28,500 to the Oregon Logging Conference Repair & Recovery Fire relief Fund. The check was presented recently by W & C Suspensions District Sales Manager Ellen Cameron-Price to Heidi Lieb, OLC Board Member and Boise Cascade Crop. Logging Contract Coordinator and Rikki Wellman, OLC Manager.
A post on the W & C Suspensions website says “2020 has been challenging on all fronts and Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc. (“W&C”) recognizes it will take years to fully recover from the historic wildfires that have ravaged the Northwest. To that point, W&C would like to assist those affected and contribute to the rebuilding of our logging community as all start the journey of getting back on their feet and returning to normal.
As part of its Fire Relief Program, W & C Suspensions designated a portion of sales during the period of December 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021 to be a donation to the OLC Fire Relief Fund. Also during that period W & C Suspensions offered logging fleets a credit on the purchase of a new W & C 50K single point suspension, “to shoulder a little of the burden of estimated equipment losses of over $100 million (due to wildfires).
“Thank you W & C Suspensions for your generous donation, we very much appreciate your support", said Heidi Leib, OLC board member and committee chair.
W & C Suspensions is a pioneering, global supplier of lift axles, axles, truck and trailer suspension systems for the commercial vehicle industry. With a market focus and customer driven approach, W&C is committed to deliver durable products in the marketplace which are custom engineered for demanding applications. Whether a dump, mixer, bulk hauler, tanker, flatbed or logger, W&C invests in comprehensive research and development to help truck and trailer end users benefit from improved uptime.
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Ellen Cameron-Rice, Watson Suspension, presents $28,300 check to Heidi Leib, OLC director (Boise Cascade Corp) and Rikki Wellman, Manager, Oregon Logging Conference |
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Oregon Logging Conference Manager Rikki Wellman and OLC Board member Heidi Leib present Thank You plaque to Ellen Cameron-Rice, Watson Suspension
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OLC Planning Traditional 2022 Conference |
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Everyone is aware of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions associated, even after earlier this year, it seemed we were closer to that light at the end of the tunnel.
Despite the continuing uncertainty, OLC is moving forward with plans to have the 84th Annual gathering as a traditional in-person event.
We are closely watching and monitoring the current situation and the associated restrictions that are in place.
Here is where the COVID-20 restrictions stand (as of August 27th):
- Masks are mandatory inside all public buildings and all outdoor public gatherings, which would include all buildings and outside areas at the Lane County Event Center and Fairgrounds.
With that said, we are hopeful that this situation will be under control and much less of a serious issue facing us in the coming months.
As plans proceed for the 84th Annual OLC, we are still aiming to have the event in-person, including the outdoor and indoor equipment displays, panels and seminars, the Future Forestry Workers Career Day, Desserts for Dreams luncheon, and other traditional activities associated with the OLC.
“We are monitoring the situation daily,” OLC Manager Rikki Wellman said. “We want to make sure that whatever restrictions may or may not be in place next year, do not affect the quality of the conference.”
The OLC Board of Directors is receiving regular updates and is anticipated to make any decisions on altering the current plans later this fall.
“This has been a very difficult couple of years,” 84th Annual OLC President Scott Melcher said. “We want to be sure to be able to hold our conference in a safe and appropriate way,” he added. “I am hoping, in fact we are all hoping that we will be able to celebrate our 84th Annual OLC in a traditional in-person way next year,” he said,.
At this time, renewal contracts have been emailed to inside booth exhibitors offering vendors the opportunity to reserve their same booth location as they had at the 82nd Annual OLC in 2020. These contracts must be returned by October 1, 2021, to reserve the same location. Contact the OLC office (541-686-9191) for more information.
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Seminar and Panel Topics Possibilities at
84th Annual OLC
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Oregon Logging Conference committee chairs are hard at work selecting topics and speakers to address current rules and regulations, the latest technology in the industry, and forest practices.
Following the theme “Family, Friends & Forestry, 2.0,” topics being considered for the OLC in 2022 are Your Voice & Vote Count, Using Your numbers to Improve Your Bottom Line, and Better Ideas/New Technology in Logging. There will also be Forest Practices seminars for Oregon and Washington. Updates will be posted on the OLC website.
NEW THIS YEAR. Plans for the upcoming conference include adding a local mill tour opportunity, with attendance limited to the first 25 people who sign up on the first day of the OLC. More information about this opportunity will be available soon.
Paid and registered members of the Oregon Logging Conference will be able to earn up to 10 Professional Logger (Pro Logger) credits by attending panels, seminars, and other OLC presentations. These credits are applicable toward Pro Logger certification and fulfillment requirements outline in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Please note: 2021 Pro Logger credits are still available by registering online to view the pre-recorded sessions until December 31, 2021.
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Planning for In-Person
Future Forestry Workers Career Day in 2022
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The 4th Annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day is planned (COVID-19 restrictions permitting) to take place February 25, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event was modified in 2021 from an in-person gathering to providing high school students the option to watch several specially produced logging career videos.
Thanks to Sweet Home High School instructor Blake Manley and Manley Jobs, and with financial assistance from the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation, several career videos were produced.
Topics included being a log truck driver, mechanical tree falling, logging equipment operators, and a first hand account of the multi-generation and family owned Melcher Logging.
For the 2022 OLC, the plan is to bring this back to an in-person event, where high school students get hands-on exposure to four specific logging topics: forestry/reforestation, firefighting, heavy equipment, and diesel mechanics.
The hope is to also have students participate in guided tours of the OLC state-of-the-art equipment on display, talk one-on-one with industry professionals, and observe a logging skills competition.
More than 2000 high school students have attended the past three career events at the Oregon Logging Conference, also learning about current job opportunities and the skills required to state work in these well-paying jobs.
Photos: 3rd annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day
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CHARITY SELECTED FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL
DESSERTS FOR DREAMS BENEFIT
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The Sweet Home High School (SHHS) Forestry program has been selected to benefit from the proceeds generated by the 18th Annual Dessert for Dreams luncheon, which is currently planned for February 25, 2022 as an in-person event. This is one of the many traditional activities associated with the Oregon Logging Conference
OLC First Lady Wendi Melcher selected the SHHS Forestry program to benefit from the luncheon fundraiser.
"Growing up in Sweet Home, Oregon, a timber dependent community, I have been around the industry all my life,” Melcher said. “My husband and his family are 4th generation loggers, so it was only natural for both our boys to participate in the local high school forestry program,” she added.
She said the SHHS Forestry program offers students who are interested in the industry the opportunity to grow and learn about the many trade and career opportunities. “We have so much to offer kids who don’t want to go to a four-year school,” Melcher said. “It’s time to get back to our roots,” she added, “and teach kids how to work and be part of a great industry.”
This year, the raffle at the luncheon will have a purse theme, and 100% of the proceeds raised at the planned luncheon will be donated to the SHHS Forestry program. The event traditionally includes a light lunch and desserts donated by local restaurants and bakeries.
Tickets are $30 per person and for more information, contact the OLC office at 541-686-9191.
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INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS AND NEWS |
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Environmental groups sue over post-wildfire roadside logging plans. Read more.
Thinning Work Lowers Oregon Fire Impact. Read more.
Healthy Forest Healthy Communities - Call to Action, Don't Make Oregon Wildfires Worse. Read more.
Convoy delivers hay donations to Southern Oregon. Read more.
ODF - Forestry Department Invites Comment on Proposed Activities on Santiam State Forest in Fiscal Year 2022. Read more.
ODFW Seeks Candidates for Sport Fishing and Commercial Salmon Industry Representatives on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program Board - Apply by Sept. 7. Read more.
Sierra Pacific acquires Seneca Sawmill and its four Oregon plants. Read more.
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PUBLISHER / EDITOR / WRITER
Mary Bullwinkel, Freelance
Rikki Wellman, Conference Manager
Office 541.686.9191
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Quick Links To OLC Events
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