IHLA Today

New Atmosphere in Washington, DC

2011-02-21T11:43:00.000-08:00

It occurred to me sometime during this trip, that I had been coming to Washington almost a quarter of a century, since my first visit with the Indiana Builders Association in 1987. For some reason, Washington DC trips always energize me. I think it's a combination of the patriotic feelings that are evoked just from being amidst all the historic landmarks and the feeling that you are participating in democracy at its very essence.

A few of the Indiana seats in Congress haven't changed in that entire span, such as Senator Lugar, Congressmen Burton and Visclosky, but for the most part, Washington trips often remind me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The protocols, the impact of influence on getting results, and the familiar rhetoric that remains while different mouths take over the words.

Several members of Congress made it over to the breakfast reception held by the Hardwood Federation last week, and each spent a few minutes talking to the group.

So why did this year's trip feel different? Why did the speakers actually catch my attention based on what they were saying, not how they were saying it?

I guess we first point to the fact that, in the House alone, there are 87 new representatives! That's 20% on the nose! And while I like to think I have seen just about every type of personality in Congress in 25 years, I found myself this year listening to what sounded like a bunch of regular men and women, who might actually be in tune enough, and steadfast enough, to make a difference.

There was a hint of this in 1994, when there was another wave of freshmen elected and a Republican takeover, but somewhere between Newt Gingrich and their pledge, they lost their resolve for change and blended in.

Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) was the first to really strike a chord with me. A successful car dealer who didn't like being told his multi-generational family car business was going to be closed in the government takeover of GM, Kelly put it simply:

"I'm here for a cause, not a career."

Time after time, with each speaker, we heard messages from regular guys - wrestlers, farmers, and others who were ready to make the tough decisions to bring the country out of debt and restore our economic might. We heard them acknowledge that everyone wants smaller government, just as long as its not their own pet program. We heard them promise to be Americans first, Republicans or Democrats second.

It was an upbeat trip, in which, at least for now, I have increased my optimism in the process and in Congress to act responsibly and serve selflessly. The Hardwood Federation continues to work daily on your behalf, whether you support them or not. Please consider giving to the Hardwood Federation PAC, even if it's just $25 to $50 per year.

When Jim Steen, IHLA's Representative to the Hardwood Federation, calls tell him you'll support the cause by contributing to the PAC or, better yet, by joining us in calling on Congress again this September. It will restore your faith in the process. Call me for more information.

Grunwald Legacy to be Honored this Spring

2011-01-26T05:21:00.000-08:00

There is an annoyingly over-used expression these days, "It is what it Is." We hear it so often in our daily lives and in sports interviews, that it's on it's way to cultural extinction.

However, for those people who knew John Grunwald, and there were many, a modified version of the adage seems to be the perfect way to sum him up: "He was who he was."

If you talk about people with "passion" for forest management, the discussion begins and ends with John. I didn't get to know him until he was near retirement, but even after his career ended, his work on behalf of our industry did not. John continued to represent us at the Federal policy-making level right up until the time of his passing in 2010.

His passion drove him, and his feelings were never left bottled up. No speaker at any meeting was left unchallenged. I was fortunate enough to attend many of the same meetings as John, often in Washington, DC, and from those meetings have some great memories, all of which involve his passion in his beliefs.

My favorite "John moment" came during a Hardwood Federation meeting, where a prominent Congressman had come to address our luncheon at the request of a constituent who served on the HF Board. Not only was the Congressman already a friend of our industry, but they are exceptionally well-briefed on the issues before attending meetings, and this was no exception.

He spoke flawlessly in tune with the audience, showing that he knew our positions on every key issue. A rousing appreciation was returned by the audience as he finished a job well done. There was but one problem, however - no one had briefed him that John held an opposing view on a key issue. As John drove home point after point of disagreement on that issue, the Congressman became clearly unnerved at the horror that he had gotten our issue wrong, and you could tell he was thinking of which aide would be fired today.

The rest of the audience winced until John finished, seeing the dilemma, and a quick-thinking chairman eased the Congressman's with a quick disclaimer and a end to the questions!

This is the side of John that so many of us came to admire and respect. He had an unwavering conviction in his beliefs, along with the energy and fearlessness to spread our message. I'm sure he's doing the same in his new, celestial wooded homestead.

At this year's IHLA convention you'll receive a flyer asking for a very modest contribution to the Hardwood Forestry Fund, so that a special tree planting can take place in John Grunwald's name at Yellowood State Forest. Eighteen acres will be the home of 16,000 new trees, to be managed for timber products and a lasting legacy to an unforgettable champion of forestry.

Yellowood Forest is in Brown County, where John made his home, and just off the same highway that tragically took his life. The convention flyer will give instructions on where to send donations. The industry couldn't possibly repay John for his contributions, but you can show your thanks with a small donation.

Habitat House Generates Warmth and Unexpected Exposure

2010-08-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

There's never a bad time to give back, and it's understood that the vast majority of folks give to good causes because they want to, not because of anything that's in it for them. That was certainly the case when the IHLA Executive Committee agreed to participate with the rest of Indiana Agriculture and help build a Habitat for Humanity home this summer. It was also in the spirit of giving back that the association helped secure the materials for the spectacuar wooden bridge built on the state fairgrounds to commemorate the 100th anninversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

However, good usually begets good, and our efforts did not go unnoticed. The Habitat home generated great media publicity for all of the participating ag-related organizations, dating back to its June construction start, and then viewed by roughly a million fair-goers. The bridge garnered the same level of attention, both from media and punctuated by the following event:

The Executive Committee, and a half dozen other IHLA members were walking from the completion of their last "shift" on the Habitat house on August 18, sweaty and hungry. The wanted to see the finished Boy Scout bridge, and when they arrived, they were greeted by a lady with the BSA organization who proceeded to tell them all about the bridge, making a point to specifically thank all the great people who help build it. We stopped her mid-rave in talking about the hardwood association, letting her in on who we were. She sounded like she'd already told the story about half a million times, but with no less enthusiasm each time.

Later that day, the Executive held their monthly meeting, and it was suggested that IHLA try to build our own home with the Habitat for Humanity program next year, perhaps even adding some Premium Indiana Forest Products upgrades here and there.

I believe that everyone in that meeting felt the same good feelings I did after working alongside the eventual homeowner to complete the home for her and her five children. That was the spirit motivating the suggestion to build an "IHLA" Habitat house next year. Of course it is likely that exposure will follow if done at the fair - they are media-generating monsters for 17 days each year.

I believe our members would do it in the same spirit with or without the publicity of the fair, and in fact would do it even if no one was watching. But.......... the Super Bowl is only about 17 months away........

2010-06-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 10, members of IHLA's Executive Committee helped build wall panels for a Habitat for Humanity home that will be constructed during the 2010 Indiana State Fair. With about 100 people (above, bottom) from Indiana's agriculture industry fitting, nailing, and lifting, it only took a few hours to frame the entire house.

The home will be completed during the fair, then moved to its permanent home on North College Avenue in Indianapolis, where Tamika Allen and her 5 children (Essence, Ezene, Lee, Le'Nay, and Leeah will take up permanent residence, thanks to the Habitat organization. Tamika is picture in the photo above and top, with Chris Moore, Jeff Manges and Darin Hollingsworth).

IHLA has also committed to being a day sponsor to this worthwhile project, and on August 18, more IHLA members will participate in a different phase of the construction. In total, the house will be built by Indiana Ag in just 15 days!

The hammer-toting framers last Thursday included IHLA President Chris Moore; Vice President Jeff Manges; Past President Darin Hollingsworth, and the much-maligned Yours Truly. The latter probably outworked the other three, but was less at ease with the tools and blueprints.

We hope you can join us for a while on August 18, as IHLA shows its pride and its ongoing commitment to helping others. For more information on how you can participate, contact Ashley at the IHLA office.

That's DOCTOR Burke to You.....

2010-05-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 14, Robert D. Burke received the highest honor that Purdue University can bestow, when he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from President France Cordova during Purdue's 210th commencement ceremony.
Dozens of family members and friends looked on as Burke was honored, and most attended a pre-graduation reception in his honor put on by the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, who nominated Burke for the award.
In receognizing Burke, department head Rob Swihart acknowledged that Burke received his forestry degree from Purdue in 1960, before a distinguished post-war career at Pierson-Hollowell Veneer Company in Lawrenceburn, IN, where he served as a log buyer for the tri-state region of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. He also managed the timber properties owned by the company. Swihart went on to say, "As one of the first foresters certified by the Society of American Foresters, Burke is an acknowledged authority on hardwood foresty. He is sought out regularly by industry, private landowners, state and federal government leaders for advice and direction in the management of hardwood forests. In recognition of his contributions to the advancement of forestry, he was elected as a SAF fellow in 1985."
Swihart detailed some of Burke's leadership history as well, noting that he is a co-founder of the international Walnut Council and a co-founder of the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center at Purdue. He serves on the Forestry Committee of the Chicago Climate Exchange, and the National Association for Conservation Districts.
Swihart went on to relate other honors and recognitions far too lengthy to list here, but truly mind-numbing when taken in total. He's literally known around the world for his work in forestry, which spans over six decades. We will put the entire biographical summary that was prepared by Swihart on www.ihla.org for all to see. Now in his seventies, Bob's involvment in forestry and related organizations has not slowed, in fact it has possibly grown. While clearly and understandably proud of his contributions to hardwoods tree management and improvement, Bob is as humble as can be, and the same friendly individual to everyone he meets. His genuine heart and good nature is the reason he has friends of all ages and backgrounds, and there are droves of people from Indiana to other continents who are proud to call Bob their friend.
Congratulations to a real Hoosier legend, Dr. Bob Burke!

Logging on the High Road

2010-05-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

On one of my first days on the job with IHLA, Greg "Tree Boy" Koontz gave me a windshield tour of the woods, and took me to a timber sale at Morgan-Monroe State Forest. Suffice to say that you won't find a better logger than Greg, especially when measured by his passion for the job.

The day was eye-opening in many ways, including the chant from the protesters (whose arms were interlocked by some contraption) "Bur-ney Fish-er take a stand....no more logging pub-lic land." I found myself singing it under my breath days later. Ultimately, that day merely served as the first of many instances where I saw the disconnect between the logging community and the perception of the public about them.

Without doubt, many if not all of the misconceptions about loggers come from the actions of a few bad apples. Add to that the humble nature of most loggers and the preference to fight their battles locally, and you begin to understand why today we still fight the same misconceptions that we were fighting decades ago.

A few years back, the IHLA Executive Committee made several trips to the evening county council meetings in Pike County, to express our opposition to their strict road bonding requirements for loggers in the county. At the time, the ISDA had just conducted regional economic development meetings, where Pike County identified the hardwood industry as the number one priority for economic growth. However, due to the ordinance, no logger would bid on timber sales in Pike County. Who were the real losers? The landowners of Pike County, of course.

As it turned out, the reason the ordinance was enacted in the first place was because a well-known "bad apple" had left behind some terrible logging sites, giving the entire industry a bad name. More recently, this month two loggers were arrested in southern Indiana for timber theft, a problem which the DNR says has gotten very bad in the last year or so. In most cases, the theft results from landowners getting taken advantage of, either by agreeing to "cut on shares," or simply not being aware that property lines were crossed intentionally.

In Monroe County, loggers have always fought uphill battles against public perception, often due to previous jobs from shoddy loggers. In each of these examples, from Pike County to timber theft, the situation could have been avoided if the landowner, or county officials, could have had a better way of knowing with whom they were doing business.

The DNR has been promoting a multi-state cooperative marketing effort known as "Call Before You Cut," which has been designed to help assist landowners in taking the proper steps before a timber sale. In addition, the Indiana Forest Industries Council (IFIC) is working on a "Preferred Logger List," which will separate loggers by levels of training.

With such a list, perhaps Pike County officials could decide to require performance bonds from loggers who had not completed Cutter, Skidder, BMP and safety training, and make the requirements less stringent for those who had. A landowner could instantly become more confident in choosing a logger or considering a bid based on seeing his name at the top of the list of most well-trained loggers. Further, every logger in the state would have to make a decision about completing his training based on this criteria, which would automatically raise the bar for the entire industry.

Who could possibly be against this? The DNR has agreed to help subsidize logger training over the next two years in an effort to increase the number of trained loggers in conjunction with their certification of state and Classified private lands. They are also requiring trained loggers to work on these sites. Any good logger should welcome the training requirements to help weed out the bad apples who are giving the industry a black eye. Legislators can be more confident when helping us pass laws, as we have done recently, such as making timber theft a felony and the Right to Practice Forestry Act, because the industry is being proactive in policing itself.

Bottom line: All of the problems the loggers have been facing for years can be overcome by letting the public know which loggers have invested in training to help ensure healthy, sustainable forests. The bad actors will eventually be run out of town.

Government Service and Then Some!

2010-05-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

If you want to see an example of your tax dollars at work, look no farther than the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Governor Daniels created the agency in 2005, when Indiana was inexplicably one of only two states without an Agriculture department.

For the hardwood industry, the creation of the department coincided with the release of the BioCrossroads report on Indiana agriculture, which showed that hardwoods were, far and away, Indiana's largest agricultural industry.

The following year, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, who oversees the department, showed even a greater commitment to the importance of hardwoods to our state by creating a position in state government for a Director of Economic Development in the Hardwoods sector. She created the position to be jointly shared by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources. Wait, it gets better.

State Forester Jack Seifert hit a big home run with his hire for the position. Mike Seidl had recently announced his retirement as COO of Frank Miller Lumber Company, and Seifert seized the opportunity to capitalize on Seidl's wealth of experience in the hardwood industry.

The result is that Indiana enjoys a seasoned hardwood professional, who understands the hardwood business and global markets, who is in the position of helping the entire industry in our state. For over four years now, Seidl has worked tirelessly in trying to bring buyers and sellers together around the globe. He has participated in trade missions and trade shows in Vietnam, India, Dubai, Turkey, and elsewhere, and taken many Indiana hardwood producers with him.

Last week, he hosted a delegation of hardwood professionals from Turkey on a three-day tour of Indiana hardwood companies, a trip that will likely yield both sales and new relationships.

Seidl has vision, determination, and a keen understanding of how to create win-win situations. He loves the hardwood industry with a passion, and is driven to succeed at whatever he sets out to accomplish. Seidl served as the 1991 president of IHLA, and is one only ten individuals chosen as Life Directors of the association. His service did not end with his presidency, as he continues to be active with the commerce and convention committees, and served as chairman for the 2010 South Golf outing.

If you haven't taken the time to thank Mike for all that he does for Indiana's hardwood industry, drop him an email at mseidl@isda.in.gov.

IHLA Webinar Series Opens April 28

2010-04-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

You will see a lot of new things from IHLA this year, all brought to you without a dues increase, and each will serve the purpose of giving our members even MORE bang for their buck!

Wednesday, April 28 will mark the debut of IHLA's monthly webinar series - designed to bring the latest in information, education and training to our members, without ever having to leave your office! Each webinar will be approximately 45 minutes in length, with time for questions and answers -- and it's as easy as talking on the phone and watching your computer screen.

The series will begin with an overview of the current hardwood outlook, led by Judd Johnson, editor of the Hardwood Market Report. Participants will be able to watch a Powerpoint presentation and listen in as Judd narrates the slides.

Cargo Services has stepped up to sponsor the 2010 webinar series, so these events will be absolutely free to our members - but live participation, for now, is limited to the first 25 registrants. If you can't make it live, we will be making the presentations available to watch online at a later date.

Again, there's a lot more to come in 2010, but for now, we urge you to take part in this debut webinar. Register by fax at (317) 875-3661 or email at info@ihla.org.

Reasons to Attend IHLA Convention - Part 1

2009-11-30T11:57:00.000-08:00

For a number of reasons, the annual IHLA Convention is one of the hardwood industry's "can't-miss" events of the year. Every year, our promotional materials try to convey, as best as we can, all of the reasons why you should attend.

While this year is no different in that regard, we've decided that we'd enhance that process by giving you the BEST reasons to attend - those reasons that come from the mouths of others!

"I've been attending the IHLA meeting for more than 20 years. These meetings have been a great place to meet and talk with others about business and family. I look forward to seeing who has changed hats and who has move up to take over the reins within the member companies. I like the fact that this meeting is the first large gathering of the year and folks are usually optimistic about the coming year. There is always a good time when the guitar pickers get together in the president's suite. I hope to see everyone there in 2010." - Thom Brown, SII Dry Kilns, Lexington, NC

"I personally attend the meeting for only one reason...to dress up in a costume that applies to the theme of the convention! No, actually, I like to attend to see my customers and suppliers in person instead of talking to them on the telephone or communicating through email. I visit the exhibit hall and see what is new in the industry. I would say the networking opportunity is the best thing about the convention. -- Mista Feist, Holmes and Company, Columbia City, IN

"I have attended the IHLA annual meeting/convention for each of the last 34 years. The reason I do this is we gain more than we invest. We gain new sales contacts, renew old ones; learn updates on the market, new sources of supply and discover what are the most current industry challenges. In addition, I see friends that I would otherwise not see. Lastly, I have fun and that is important in today's sometimes grim world" -- Sam Smith, Koetter Woodworking, Borden, IN

Norm Murray's 2010 Outlook

2009-11-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

Norm Murray is the president of IHLA Member U*C Coatings Company, and he is one of the truly dynamic leaders within our industry. He gave me his permission to share his 2010 outloook with you:

"Our Anchorseal index shows is that hardwood production has bottomed out, moving within a range which is about 35% below a year ago, which was already down 15%. That means that overall hardwood production is down 45% - 50% from two years ago, but has firmed up at this level.

We should see very modest but regular increases in hardwood demand during the next six months, as the recession actually ends during early 2010. The improving housing market will lead the economy out of the recession, but it will be slow and gradual. The hardwood business will lag the general recovery by 6 - 9 months, so we need to be operating in a conservative mode for the next year, adjusting for slow, incremental growth and preparing for larger late-2010 improvements in hardwood demand.

There are still buying opportunities for those who have the capital to invest in businesses, equipment or real estate. The low interest rates will not continue past mid-2010 as the national deficit, debt and increasing entitlement programs begin to drive up the cost of money.

The business for hardwood producers, processors and users will improve markedly as we move through 2010 and we will have 18 – 30 months of improved, stable business going into 2011 and 2012."

Best regards,

Norm
Norman E. Murray, CEOU•C COATINGS CORPORATIONPO Box 1066 • Buffalo, NY 14215tel: (1) 716-833-9366 • fax: (1) 716-833-0120US/CN Toll Free: 1-888-END-COAT (363-2628)email: norm@uccoatings.com • web: www.uccoatings.com
“We’re In This Together”

366 Years in Business

2009-11-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday, several dozen companies were invited to a very nice ceremony at the Statehouse, where they received the Governor's Business Awards. The event celebrates longevity of Hoosier businesses, and this year's class included 4 hardwood companies who, between them, have served Hoosiers for 366 years.

Leading the class was Jasper Desk Company (133 years), which began making wood office furniture when Ulysses S. Grant was president, and is the oldest wood office furniture manufacturer in the United States. The company has been continually owned by Indiana families since 1876, which means they probably had to wait a few months for the telephone to be invented after they opened! Company president Philip Gramelspacher was on hand to receive the award.

Next to be honored, also from Dubois County, was Inwood Office Furniture (62 years). President Glen Sturn accepted the award for the company that was originally called The Jasper Table Company. Although not yet an IHLA member, I decided that this post would be read by hundreds of IHLA members who would call Glen to convince him of the benefits of belonging to the only organization that works every day to improve the business conditions for his industry!

Our next IHLA member honoree was yet again from Jasper, this time Mike Elliott accepted the award on behalf of the Jasper Group (80 years), which was founded in 1929 and is one of the nation's most diverse furniture companies. They continue to set the industry standard in quality of materials, workmanship, and manufacturing processes, and has been very generous in donating items to worthwhile causes.

Moving to the far north, Ford and Brenda Frick accepted their award on behalf of Frick Lumber Company (91 years), located in Brimfield and a purveyor of high-quality hardwood lumber to the furniture and cabinet makers across the United States.

IHLA salutes these great companies, who symbolize the rich tradition our industry has in the state of Indiana.

Learning from One Another

2009-11-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday was about as interesting as it gets for a handful of IHLA members. First, about a dozen or so showed up at the Statehouse, where a legislative committee met to discuss the proposed ban on logging in the Back Country Area (BCA) of Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

I'm sure no one on the committee or in the crowd expected nearly four hours of testimony on the proposal, but they got it, and the IHLA members got a taste of the sausage-grind of public policy making. They also heard very passionate appeals from both sides of the issue, surely enough to gain an understanding of the other side's point of view.

In the end, those taking our side prevailed this time, with the committee being convinced that sound management is best for our public forests, to the point that not a single committee member would move to recommend endorsement of the proposal. Our association members who were there waited for their turn to speak, or just to listen, as a very patient Chairman Bob Bischoff (D-Lawrenceburg) allowed everyone a chance to be heard.

Here's where it gets interesting. After watching one testimony after another pick apart his proposal, Represenative Matt Pierece, the bill's sponsor, headed back to Bloomington - not to sulk about the outcome, but rather to attend a tree farm tour, at the invitation of IHLA, and at the Monroe Country property of Robert Woodling. Still in his suit, Representative Pierce trudged up and down the somewhat muddy landscape, asking questions and taking in the tour.

The next day, he addressed the IHLA Board meeting in Bloomington, to share his thoughts on the timber industry, and harvesting on public lands. I think many of the 30-some in attendance were surprised to hear Pierce recognize the importance of the industry to the state's economy, and were therefore more open to his constituents' views about public lands as he expressed them. He also respectfully fielded questions and comment for over 30 minutes. Those questions collectively conveyed to him a very palpable feeling of the passion that our industry has for taking care of our state's forest resources. There was also agreement upon a common enemy - urban sprawl.

At the end of the two days, everyone heads back to their regular way of life, but for a couple of dozen people last week, a feeling of coming closer was shared.

Time to Do Your Part

2009-10-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

This morning, seven IHLA representatives met with Senator Greg Walker in Edinburgh, Indiana, in a wonderful example of the IHLA's grass roots lobbying potential. Those attending were Carter Rothrock, MacBeath Hardwoods, Bill Costoplos, Amos-Hill, Inc.; Gary Cox, Troy Law and Larry Leonard, all of David R. Webb Company; IFWOA President Robert Woodling, and myself.

This coming Thursday, October 29, there will be a meeting of the legislature's Interim Study Committee on Natural Resources. On the agenda for that meeting is a proposal to ban logging in the Back Country Areas of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowood State Forests. Senator Walker is one of eight members of this bi-partisan, bi-cameral committee.

This committee will decide whether this proposal has merit to be recommended for passage to the General Assembly in January, 2010. With a positive recommendation from this committee, the bill would have a good chance of passage, since the issue will have been studied thoroughly. Without the committee's "thumbs-up," a bill might still be introduced, but its chances of passage would be greatly diminished, especially if it was defeated soundly in the Interim Committee.

When I first joined IHLA nearly 11 years ago, members were still smarting that our industry had been asleep at the wheel while these types of initiatives eventually led to a no-cut policy on the Hoosier National Forest. No matter what other issue we may address, nothing seems to rile our members more than efforts to keep the DNR from doing their statutory duty of managing the state forests for multiple use.

So here we are, with an opportunity to nip it in the bud. Time to show up or shut up. If we want to send a message to our legislators that we are an industry united around the issue of sustainable forest management, then our members need to be seen in numbers that day. Your association has done its part. We have met individually with the member of this committee, and in some cases those meetings have inlcuded our members who are constituents of these lawmakers.

The hearing is at the Indiana Statehouse, Room 404, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Hope to see you there!

October 21 - Feeling at Home in Northern Indiana

2009-10-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

Travels to northern Indiana today provided some great enlightenment. I stopped at the Bremen home of State Senator Ryan Mishler, who chairs the Senate Natural Resources committee. Like his father before him, he represents far north-central Indiana. It's hard to think of Bremen without thinking about former Governor Otis Bowen, the first governor I really remember as a pre-teen in the early 70's. I'm not sure I had been in a state legislator's home before, but it was great because it is so important to see our elected leaders for who they really are - Indiana citizens.

Like us, they have children, businesses, hardwood floors and cabinets. He was enjoying lunch and pre-nap Wii tennis with his four year old son, Grant, who oozes cuteness. It's a luxury of living right next door to the family funeral home business. (When Ryan grew up, it was customary to live in quarters within the funeral home). I'm sure the district knows what a sincere and dedicated Senator they have, but I hope they also know the sacrifices made by those who live so far from the capitol, especially when they have small children.

From Bremen, I headed due east on Highway 6 to Brimfield to visit Ford Frick, Sr at his sawmill. I had to think it would be so cool to have his name as I passed through a tiny burg called Mawaka, where a highway sign marks the birthplace of hhis grandfather's second cousin, another Ford Frick who just happened to be a legendary former commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Ford is facing the same challenges as everyone else, with huge inventories of lumber, low log supplies, and a prolonged housing slump. (He does have some beautiful new walnut logs on hand). However, like Dan Wooley, Chris Moore, and so many others I have visited recently, the tough times can't dampen Ford's attitude, or compromise his friendliness. He hurried in from the mill tour to needle a customer, whose dad had gone to school with him.

Next time through town, we're checking out Ford Jr.'s legendary baseball card and memorabilia collection, if I give him enough advance notice to get them out of the bank's lock boxes.

October 20 - Senators Lewis and Young

2009-10-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's trip to southern Indiana reinforced my ever-growing resolve about partisan politics. As major political issues continue to be more and more partisan, good public policy takes a backseat to posturing and election fodder. We are so lucky to live in Indiana, where we are governed by citizen legislators who are content to be good people first, good representative second, and party-oriented last. And how fortunate we are that so many of our state legislators recognize the importance of the hardwood industry to the state's beauty, its landscape, and its economy, regardless of political party.

Senators Jim Lewis and Richard Young, both veteran leaders among Senate Democrats, joined Sam Smith, IHLA Legislative Chairman Matthew Smith, and myself for lunch at Joe Huber's. During lunch, they did a great job of telling us why proposed bans on timber harvesting in state forests is bad public policy. On October 29, this issue will come before the legislature's Interim Study Committee on Natural Resources. The hearing will be at 10 a.m. at the Statehouse, Room 404, and this committee will decide if they want to recommend passage of legislation in the 2010 General Assembly. If you agree that our state's Division of Forestry is justified in managing our state forests, as mandated in state law, then show up next Thursday and be part of a big group who opposes this proposal.

An effort which began in Monroe County will be proposed, that would ban harvesting in certain areas of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowood State Forests, which could eventually lead to a state-wide no-cut policy like we see in the Hoosier National Forest. I feel confident that our legislators will see the forest for the trees and reject this proposal, but they need to see evidence of forestry's serious commitment to this issue.

Senators Lewis and Young are on that committee, and being from southern Indiana they see first-hand the value of trees and good forest management. Democrats and Republicans alike in the legislature, in very large numbers, are true friends of Indiana hardwoods.

October 19 - Hardwood's Annual Fall Spectacular

2009-10-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

A drive to Starlight, Indiana today provided a picturesque backdrop that simply cannot be described in words. It got me thinking...of all the time any money we have spent over the last 4-5 years telling the story of Hoosier hardwoods, we might be missing out on an opportunity that wouldn't cost anything, but could generate big bucks for many Indiana communities.

The hilly landscape simply lights up on a sunny day, and creates the fiery scenery that has become legendary in such places as Brown County and Parke County. Certainly the local economy of Nashville peaks when the leaves do. I can even recall the area being featured on the Today Show several years ago.

Well, guess what? The magic moments are brought to you by none other than Premium Indiana Forest Products! Those are OUR hardwoods at work, casting off their annual spectacular blaze of glory before blowing away to meet their eventual fate at the teeth of a rake or a damp forest floor. The window of time to see the fall colors is brief, and closes quickly.

It's time to take ownership of this show. It's a two week infomercial waiting to happen, and a chance for us to tell our story to the masses, who annually flock to the highways to take in the beauty. Are we bold enough to resolve ourselves to a mission? By this time next year, could IHLA jump start our state's tourism industry, by producing Indiana's first annual "Hoosier Fall Spectacular?"

Just as our annual convention draws so many from industry, so too could this event draw thousands to many, many communities throughout the region, all following along special maps that we provide to download on the Internet. Between now and then, we could work to provide opportunities for hotels, restaurants, Beds & Breakfasts, wineries, markets, furniture companies, cabinet makers, the Forest Discovery Center, and many others, to purchase a listing on the map. Those preferred "attractions" could also be featured in an event magazine, which would showcase towns, sights, and articles promoting Indiana's forests and our industry. It would also include educational articles about our sustainability and economic impact, blended in among keepsake pictures, local recipes, and history.

There could even be a "blow-out" event, rotating from Bean Blossom to French Lick, or Turkey Run, or anywhere else, that would be the "Woods-stock" festival, with music, art, maple syrup chain saw carvings, pumpkins, and more. It would be like sponsoring the state fair every year! What better way to put the Premium Indiana Forest Products logo in front of so many, so often.

Nothing like Highway 60 to Dow Knob Road to inspire the imagination. Who's in??

October 18 - Shotguns and Radar Guns

2009-10-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

Before today, I'd never shot a gun of any type, save for the junior-sized Daisy bb gun that I so adeptly use to strike targets with uncanny accuracy from my back deck. Those targets will remain anonymous. There is a divine order to things, I'm convinced, that allowed my first gun shots to come after the "trip from hell" drive from Indianapolis to Linton, which was punctuated by a speeding ticket and the odds-defying feat of getting behind EVERY god-awful slow vehicle on the road that morning. Not to mentioin the ridiculously slow and long coal train and jack-knifed semi thate delayed my date with NRA destiny.

The Triple H Gun Club would surely note the phenom in their presence when I show up for the 13th annual IHLA Fun Shoot, which benefits Riley Children's Hospital. Dwayne Feltner, event organizer, had stalled the delay for my arrival and provided me with the 20-gage beauty that had no idea she was about to become part of history. My group of six seemed keenly aware of my being a "first-timer," a veritable virgin of the rifle range. It was a bit offensive at first that they never took their eyes off me, and shouted "SAFETY" in unison every time I loaded, aimed, or hoisted my rifle. I knew, though, that once they saw me shoot, their worries would subside. (Note: the junior Daisy has no such "safety" feature).

Let's make the rest of the story short. Turns out the speeding ticket was the only thing I was awarded that day, and nobody bothered to tell me that the targets would be MOVING! Actually, I thought I had done okay, until the scores were tabulated and out of about 70 shooters, my score bested only that of a 7-year old boy (by one). I was told the boy had an extremely "off" day. I truly sucked at it. Fortunately, I narrowly avoided (again by one) setting the course record low score, and it seemed the record would stay in place for another year. Apparently, that will come as bad news only to it's holder, a guy named Ray Charles....

October 12 - Nobel Surprise

2009-10-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

Norm Heikens, a former reporter for the Indianapolis Star, and now with the Indianapolis Business Journal, called this morning to get my take on the just-named Nobel Prize winner from Indiana University, as her research relates to Indiana forestry.

Being the ever-careful spokesperson, I asked Norm what his deadline was, and then asked for for five minutes to finish a task and get back to him. He had an hour, so I was okay. I didn't tell him that the "task" I had to finish involved looking up the Nobel Prize winner and finding out exactly for what she received the prize. I knew it involved Economics, so why is he calling me? Oh wonderful Internet. Thanks, Al Gore.

Well the interview became part of Norm's blog that day, and he probably knew all along that I was looking her up in that five minutes, but I was able to use the opportunity to compare her work to our recent efforts to convince USGBC and state legislators that LEED is bad policy in Indiana because the private landowners, who own 90% of the resource, cannot affordably certify their lands in order to prove that we can do what we are already doing - managing our forests sustainably!

Her work, as best I could tell in four and a half minutes, centered around studying whether economies, when left alone, can flourish as well as when regulated by central authorities or privatized. The lesson here is that almost any opportunity to tell hardwood's positive message can be achieved, simply by looking at all the forces at work to make it harder and harder to be in the business of selling the world's greenest, most abundant renewable resource!