Bill Miller is no stranger to adversity. In fact, one could surmise that it has made him stronger. The founder of Bill Miller & Sons Logging, Inc. has survived four decades of logging by turning stumbling blocks into opportunities for growth—a skill he no doubt learned from his youth.

In mid-October America’s heartland attracted the attention of both presidential candidates as well as Timber Harvesting magazine. While politicians stumped for votes, TH went to the stump to meet some of the heartland’s hard-working populace.

Most of those connected with the American Loggers Council surmised that ALC’s 10th annual meeting would be special, but they had no idea the President would show up. George W. Bush didn’t actually get to the meeting, but he got close, staging a campaign rally at the Bangor airport not far from the meeting site.

You need to realize and understand the world exists outside the tract you are logging on. And if you don’t, then that world will eat you up. This is my constant reminder to our loggers, timber producers and truckers, as well as anyone who will listen. Outside forces such as state and local governments can exert enormous pressures on our businesses.

In Florida, in the wake of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, approximately 2.3 million acres of forests have been altered or destroyed, according to Florida Forestry Assn. This would represent 7.5 times the normal state annual timber harvest of 310,000 acres, says Jeff Doran, Executive VP of FFA.

Most of those connected with the American Loggers Council surmised that ALC’s 10th annual meeting would be special, but they had no idea the President would show up. George W. Bush didn’t actually get to the meeting, but he got close, staging a campaign rally at the Bangor airport not far from the meeting site.

Demo International 2004, which drew more than 10,000 to the Montmorency Forest north of Quebec City in mid September, was a success for most exhibitors. But it was particularly notable for some, including Rotobec, Inc., a leading manufacturer of attachments and loaders. Rotobec’s staff welcomed customers to a heated tent where it housed many new or recently introduced products.

Softree Technical Systems Inc. has released Terrain Tools CE. Developed specifically for the forest industry, this new product provides traverse note entry on a handheld computer. The traverse screen operates like a spreadsheet. Bearings distances and slopes are checked as the user enters them.