The Fisherman’s Picnic Wood-Mizer/Central Boiler Lumber Camp had some exciting competitions, including a stock saw father-son face-off. Paul Higgins (left) and his son, Winchester, competed in the Husqvarna and Steve’s Sports head-to-head contest. It was close, but Winchester beat his dad. It was all good fun, they shook hands after the contest.
Most visitors to the Fisherman’s Picnic Lumber Camp, presented by Wood-Mizer and Central Boiler, welcomed sprinkles of the cool Lake Superior water as Jenny Atkinson performed her fancy footwork on the log rolling logs, showing different techniques used to dislodge opponents in competition. “A splash right in the eyes is a perfectly legal move,” says the 8-time world champion.
Her husband, Niel, and crew were busy milling four cords of salvage logs with their LT40 Wood-Mizer portable sawmill. The white pine, salvaged from the 2007 Ham Lake wildfire, was donated by Hedstrom Lumber. “People were amazed I was able to produce 2,000 board feet of quality lumber from burned, salvaged, and low grade logs,” Niel commented.
The theme of six presentations on Thursday and Friday was forest sustainability. “Not one scrap of wood is wasted in our approach to managing timber. We are proud to work with companies focusing on efficient use and preservation of renewable resources and leading the industry in environmentally friendly technologies,” Niel said.
Top left: Sgt. Harmon of the MN Army National Guard faced lumber camp champ Jenny Atkinson on the axe throw—he won! He didn’t do so well at log rolling, though. Lower left: Olivia Knutson, Grand Forks, ND, was fast on the crosscut saw. Top: Tarin Hanson of Grand Marais dashed across the latheturned logs at the Sunday Boom Run.
The North Shore Rollers from Grand Marais were also on hand helping with the millpond log rolling and showing off their skills. They had their own tournament. Jessica Berg-Collman and Lucy Shaw took home gold in their respective age groups.
The big local attraction was the Husqvarna and Steve’s Sports sawing dock, which hosted the head-to-head stock chainsaw contest. CoLee Johnson of Hovland took home the gold and a new Husqvarna chainsaw, followed by Dennis Burton of Grand Marais in second and Tom Stockman in third.
The coin splash sponsored by the Cook County ATV Club was great fun for all the kids who jumped in the millpond searching for coins and the grand prize “gold” coin.
The MN State Championship Log Rolling competition was a big hit with a strong amateur field and 16 world-class professionals.
The crosscut contests sponsored by Hedstrom Lumber and the Grand Marais Lion’s Club was a big hit. Competitors got to try cutting wood the traditional way with a crosscut saw slicing through eight inches of fresh aspen. A combination of singles, mixed doubles (Jack & Jill) and doubles (Jack & Jack or Jill & Jill) made for a great deal of fun on the Husqvarna and Steve’s Sport’s sawing dock. Competition continued at the Wood-Mizer axe throwing target competition sponsored by the MN Army National Guard.
On Sunday, all logging gear and lumber was loaded and moved up the Gunflint Trail to the Atkinson millpond where professional and amateur boom running excited spectators. Alyse Schroeder from Hayward, WI won both women’s contests. In the first men’s competition, the gold went to Jacob Rick from Onalaska, WI and the second contest on the lathe-turned “boom of doom” went to Tyler Berard of Hudson WI. Tarin Hanson of Grand Marais won the amateur division. Lucy Shaw of Grand Marais also put down a stellar run.
This year the Lumber Camp was pleased to improve its operation with the support of the MN Army National Guard. “We were proud to have the MN Army National Guard on board providing our on site security. The personnel on the ground at the event from the Guard were absolute professionals and a pleasure to work with.”
The Guard helped out with the boom run as well. On Sunday, lumber camp promoter Niel Atkinson was presented with a special plaque from the Army National Guard that read “Presented to an American Patriot for Support of National Guard Soldiers who is Defending Freedom at Home and Around the World.”
“I was honored to receive the plaque and proudly and respectfully support the history and ongoing sacrifice of our armed forces. The plaque will go in my office next to my father’s Navy flight jacket and a WestPoint saber presented to me a number of years ago,” said Niel
“We are very appreciative of the support of the Grand Marais Lions Club, Wood- Mizer, Central Boiler Outdoor Furnaces, Husqvarna, Steve’s Sports, Wildfire Protection Systems, Nace Hagemann Construction, the MN Army National Guard and Hedstrom Lumber Company for making it possible to keep this full-scale event growing at the Fisherman’s Picnic. Thisis a one of a kind event,” Niel said.
Now that lumber camp season has come to an end it is time to work on equipment, rest and prepare for the 2011 Lumber Camp.
Leave a Reply