February 2021
COVER STORY – Cates Logging Still Standing In Alabama – 
BREMEN, Alabama – When Wayne Cates died of cancer at age 64 in 2016, he must have taken some measure of comfort in knowing the company he started almost 30 years earlier, W. Cates Logging, would be in good hands. His older son Chris Cates, 43, had long since proven himself up to the task.
Chris had already been running the daily operations in the woods for several years by that point, but he still had his dad with him, and Wayne was still ultimately in charge. Now, the son shoulders the responsibility for safeguarding the family name, and the business associated with it – the logging and trucking concerns as well as a dirt race track, ECM Speedway. The burden isn’t his to carry alone, though; he has support from his mother and partner, Tobbie Stover.
Article by David Abbott, Managing Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
Southern Stumpin’: Cooperation
Editor’s Note: My friend at the Virginia Loggers Association, Ron Jenkins, asked if we could publish this article by Michelle Stoll, Director of Public Information, Virginia Department of Forestry. I was happy to make a space to accommodate his request. It previously appeared in the December 2020 edition of the VLA’s newsletter.
Bulletin Board
Our best leisure selections from our not-so-sharp minds
From The Backwoods Pew: Driftwood
Perhaps the most significant piece of drifting wood would have been the Ark. Built by Noah at God’s command, and according to his directions, the Ark stands as the benchmark for driftwood. Excerpted from Reflections on Rebellion and Redemption by Brad Antill
Industry News Roundup
COVID Relief Act Includes Loggers; As We See It: Let’s Get Started; Louisiana Receives Big Investment, Upgrades; Highland Receives Capital Infusion; Enviva Reports New Blockchain Program; Biewer Lumber Plans Second SYP Sawmill; Mission Forest Products Places Sawmill Order; Rambler Wood Products Plans New Mill Operation; IKEA Partner Buys More Timberland
