AFR: Your July issue has two of your best articles for a while. The Scott family (“Scott sawmill is a family affair,” by George Fullerton, pg. 28) are mentors to so many. Logging the same land for generations, for wood of so much value, with markets that are so close for everything that leaves the operation. And real people who remain fit from the work to a good age. That is the type of community operation that should exist all over this province, in some form or other.

The planters and thinners (“A young person’s gig,” by Nicole Dixon, pg. 38) are another healthy endeavour that we need so badly to bring back our forests to some value beyond the fibre and biomass market. We have to respect those people that do that work, and encourage more participation. We really need them.

Charles Jess

Yarmouth, N.S.

AFR: I want to share pictures of my Dad, Frank MacLaughlin, and Uncle, Kent MacDonald. Both men are in their 80s and are still working in the woods!

Brother-in-laws, Frank MacLaughlin (86) from Sherbrooke, N.S., and Kent MacDonald (83) from Linacy, N.S., share a passion for the woods, spanning seven decades now. Both men started their forestry careers as teenagers, and they are still working in the woods. Their love of anything forestry-related is obvious when they talk about the woods.

Kent is still running a logging business, now with his son Kirk, and Frank enjoys cutting firewood on his woodlot, and doing line work and woodlot maintenance with his son Shawn. These men are an inspiration!

Janis MacLaughlin

Fredericton, N.B.

(An inspiration indeed! It’s great to hear about people whose love for the woods has brought them not only a livelihood, but also a lifelong sense of purpose and engagement. Thanks for sharing this, Janis. We’re going to try to get in touch with Kent and Frank, to learn a bit more about their experiences and accomplishments. I bet they have some stories to tell. Watch for follow-up coverage in an upcoming issue of AFR. DL)