CONCORD, N.H. — For the first time in two years, members of the Granite State's forest industry -- loggers, truckers, foresters, sawmill operators, and equipment suppliers -- met together in person to honor graduates of the Professional Loggers Program and to "pass the ax" of leadership of the New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council (THC). Last year's Loggers & Truckers Convention was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic; this year's Convention, the 29th annual, was held at the Holiday Inn in Concord, N.H.
As part of the festivities, outgoing THC chairman Matt Magoon of Magoon Logging in Loudon, N.H., passed the ax to incoming chairman Bruce Bovill of Bovill Brothers Logging in Moultonborough, N.H. In addition, a total 21 people were presented with certificates showing their certification or re-certification through the THC's Professional Logging Program, which is one of the most comprehensive logging certification programs in the U.S. And as part of the Log-A-Load Program, more than $10,000 was donated at the Convention to the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD).
Several elected officials from both political parties were on hand at the Convention to show support for the industry, as well as officials from the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, the University of New Hampshire Extension, and the N.H. State Police.
A special presentation was made to Hunter Carbee, former chairman of the THC and longtime and well-known New Hampshire logger and forester, who is retiring.
Guests at the Convention were entertained by a presentation titled "People of the THC" by retired landowner Ned Therrien. Retired UNH Extension forestry expert Sarah Smith and logging contractor Jeff Eames, owner of the Fort Mountain Companies in Allenstown, N.H., gave presentations on the history of the THC and the Council's accomplishments.
The 29th Annual Loggers & Truckers Convention concluded with a raffle and live auction run by Paul Morrissette of Regal Auction Services, Pembroke, N.H., to raise money for the N.H. Professional Loggers Program.