Save the Dates for the 84th Oregon Logging Conference

May 2021 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol.5 Issue 11

In this issue: A theme is selected for the 84^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference and the plan (hopefully) is to gather in person next year, President Scott Melcher will again this year lead the OLC, meet the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd OLC VPs, and Ole Olin’s artwork donated to the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation.

84th Oregon Logging Conference

Theme Selected

Family, Friends & Forestry 2.0 will be the theme of the 84^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, planned for February 24, 25, and 26, 2022.

The theme was selected at the May 8^th OLC Board of Directors meeting. “At the meeting, we as a Board decided on the theme,” OLC President Scott Melcher said. “Even though this is the same theme as 2021, we feel this theme reflects the glue that kept everyone together over the past year and a half,” Melcher added, “and the 2.0 was added to the 2021 OLC theme, as we move forward together into 2022.”

Moving Forward with Planning

the 84^th Annual OLC

As discussed at the May OLC Board of Directors meeting, the plans for the 84^th Annual gathering are to go back to the traditional conference activities, including:

Wednesday pre-registration meet & greet at the Graduate Hotel Eugene
Thursday opening breakfast, meetings, and social networking at the well-known OLC Sawdust Bowl.
Friday breakfast, meeting, break-out seminar sessions, and social networking at the OLC Sawdust Bowl (takes place both Thursday and Friday)
An opportunity to sign up to compete in the 11th Annual Log Loader Competition
The largest equipment show in North America, with millions of dollars of equipment on display.
Attend meetings and earn Pro Logger credits

As we go forward, watch for updates in each monthly issue of the OLC NEWS newsletter and on the OLC Facebook page.

(Re)introducing OLC President Scott Melcher

Melcher is a third-generation logger, living with his wife of 28 years Wendi, in Sweet Home, OR. The family also includes sons Nate and Chris; daughter in-law Shan (Nate's wife) and the newest addition, granddaughter Elliott. Both Nate and Chris are working in the family business, Melcher Logging.

Looking ahead with optimism, Melcher also reflected on the challenges of the past year. He said it was a great disappointment not to be able to hold an in-person OLC, but the focus was on what could be done, not what could not be done.

The traveling sawdust bowl was a new way to celebrate that Oregon Logging Conference tradition. And pre-recorded seminars were available for viewing and earning Professional Logger credits.

“It was all about keeping our connection,” Melcher said, “and doing so within all the existing restrictions The continued support we received was and is amazing,” he continued. "We would not be where we are today without it.”

Melcher said he is very proud of his family logging history. Grandfather Nick Melcher moved to Sweet Home OR in 1946. Nick Melcher had been working in the logging camps of western Oregon when he met his wife, a cook in one of those camps.

Scott’s dad, Mike Melcher purchased Melcher Logging in 1970. Over the years, several other companies were established – 4M Fiber and Timber Harvesting Inc. And the Fun Forest was established, a tree farm purchased in 1999.

Scott said even though his dad tried to discourage him from following in the family logging footsteps, it was something he always wanted to do. He did follow the advice of his dad by going to college and getting a degree in business. After graduation Scott Melcher went into the logging business full time.

Scott has served on the OLC Board of Directors since 2011. His father Mike Melcher also served on the OLC Board.

OLC THREE VICE PRESIDENTS

COMPLETE THE TEAM

OLC 3rd Vice President Eric Gehrke retired from Weyerhaeuser on May 14th. He elected to resign from the OLC board and move to Colorado to be closer to his son and grandchildren. Eric had served as an OLC director since 2013, the board will miss his dedication and hard work.

At the May board meeting the OLC directors elected Jayme Dumford, foresters for Thompson Tree Farm, Corvallis, Oregon to fill the open position of 3rd Vice President.

Jayme will serve with 1^st Vice President - Craig Olson, Weyerhaeuser, Castle Rock, Washington and 2^nd Vice President - Steve Henson, PotlatchDeltic, St Maries, Idaho

Plan to attend the 84th Oregon Logging Conference, February 24, 25, & 26, 2022.

Scholarship Recipients to be Announced in June

Recipients of the 2021/2022 Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) scholarships will be announced this month (June). Several scholarship applications were received by the twice-extended application deadline of June 1^st.

The OLCF scholarship committee is reviewing the applications and the recipients will be announced in the June OLC NEWS newsletter.

The 2021/2022 scholarships will be awarded for the school year beginning in August/September 2021. Applicants are typically students engaged in the study of forestry related subjects such as forest engineering, forest management, diesel mechanics/heavy equipment maintenance and operation, and welding.

Ten to 15 scholarships are awarded annually in amounts ranging from $750 to $3,000. The scholarships are sent directly to the recipients school and deposited into the student’s account to help cover costs of tuition and books.

Since the OLCF scholarship program was established in 1968, more than 385 scholarships have been awarded, with a value of more than $925,000.

The OLCF is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation and all donations are tax deductible.

Click here for details on the OLC Foundation scholarship program.

Olin & Olin Donate Art Inventory to

OLC Founation Scholarship Fund

There are probably very few people within the timber industry who are not familiar with the artwork of Eldon “Ole” Olin.

The Oregon Logging Conference Foundation is pleased to announce that it is the owner of Olin’s reproduced works of art, now that Olin’s widow Bunny has decided to retire from the family business.

Bunny transferred the artwork inventory to the OLCF in January of this year and all sales will benefit the OLCF scholarship program. To view the color prints and ink sketches available for purchase click here .

"After more than 50 years in business, it is time for me to retire,” Bunny Olin said. “I have donated my business inventory of Eldon’s reproduced works of art to the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (a 501c3 charitable foundation),” she added, where they will continue to make Eldon R. Olin prints available.”

"We are honored to be the recipient of Eldon "Ole" Olin's inventory", said conference manager Rikki Wellman. "Ole's artwork is a very important part of the history of our industry."

Ole Olin was born in 1921 and passed away in 2014. He was born in Chinook, WA to the logging family of John A. and Ellen Olin. In his early teens he became interested in illustrating, an interest that continued throughout his career as a timber cruiser and road surveyor. He often researched the subjects of his illustration by taking samples of plant material and making color notes while on the job. Olin’s curiosity about the natural world and that he worked in it every day, brings an important dimension to all his drawings and paintings.

The subjects of Olin’s artwork are friends, family, and acquaintances that he worked with throughout his lifetime. His are the most authentic works of art that depict the essence of the Pacific Northwest timber industry.

Olin’s artwork celebrates the lifestyles and occupations of people in the timber industry, and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest from the perspective of someone with a deep connection to both.

Here are just a few of the limited edition numbered prints that are available.

Roy's Tired

Monday Morning

Foot Long

And a few of the ink drawings that are available as 5" x 7" note cards or 8" x 10" stationary.

Monday Morning

Donkey Puncher

Trying To Fill Dad's Boots

High Climber

Old Model T Log Truck

Timber Fallers

Career Education a High Priority

Despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented in the realm of education, the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) stayed focused on and assisted with the development of several timber industry career videos.

OLCF worked in partnership with the Sweet Home High School Forestry Club and Sweet Home High School instructor Blake Manley to develop several logging and forestry career videos. Topics include cut to length forestry, reforestation, and forest engineering, operating a feller buncher, ground-based jobs in logging, and truck driving.

To view the videos visit Oregon Logging Conference Foundation website career videos page (https://www.oregonloggingconferencefoundation.org/career-videos).

As planning continues for the 84^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference in February of 2022 as an in-person event, it is anticipated that the 4^th Annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day next year will be as popular as in past years, with more than 400 high school students attending hands on activities event.

Photos credit Natalie Foglio.