Memories of early logging sought

RANGELEY — The cold winds are blowing, the leaves are falling and the snow is coming. This is a sure sign we are fast approaching the last days of this year. This is pretty much what we are.

The hair that is still on the roof top has turned white, the memory fades, the eyes need help and for some a hearing aid is a necessity. Those of us that have worked the woods with the horses and skidders have lead an arduous journey. This journey holds a lot of memories and stories.

Some of the stories are humorous and some are just downright scary. Many times we have walked away with our eyes to the sky and gave a small thanks for those few steps, those few seconds difference that saved us from great injury or disaster.

Now, as we become the “oldtimers,” these stories will fade along with us. Our grandchildren will not have to experience these events, and yet they will not know what it was like working the woods. We really should put these stores down on paper so they can know what it was like working daylight to dark in the cold and deep snows.

Ken White would like to encourage you to write your stories down or record them and send them to Maine Forestry Museum P.O. Box 154 Rangeley, ME 04970 or email to maineforestry@gmail.com.