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This is a bittersweet weekend for Danna Beech.
Her Husband's dream has come true, but Wayne Beech did not live
to see the opening of Black Mountain Forestry Center - an exhibition
in Silver Lake Park, north of Maple Falls, devoted to the history
and evolution of logging.
Wayne Beech worked on the center for 2 1/2 years, until he died
unexpectedly in his sleep last October at age 59.
"He spent his last week out here by himself digging 15-foot
holes in the ground," said Danna Beech, the U.S. Postmaster
at Maple Falls.
Volunteers carried on after Wayne Beech died and are marking the
opening of the center with this weekendıs World of Wood Festival.
Many people braved the rain and mud on Saturday to see the educational
displays, old logging equipment and a log cabin turned into a homestead
museum. Wooden furniture, crafts and chainsaw sculptures, live raptors
and a barbecue also were on hand.
Karen Sundell came from Gig Harbor to see her dad, Larry Jacobson,
sing with the Bellingham Blend Barbershop Chorus. Sundellıs 6-year-old
son, Sam, was fascinated with Rocky MacArthur, who was delicately
carving a face out of a log using a chainsaw.
"He won't leave," Karen Sundell said as her son watched
MacArthur work.
Henry and Vivian Maleng, of Acme, were glad to see the center.
"Most people don't have an idea of what all is involved in
logging," said Henry Maleng, a former logger. Many do not realize
that loggers are more environmentally sensitive and use logs better
than they did 15 or 20 years ago, he said.
Vivian Maleng said she hopes city school groups come to the center,
so children learn where wood comes from. The good words from visitors
like the Malengs pleased center volunteer Dawn Buckenmeyer, of Kendall,
who staffed the museum gift shop.
"That's what's so exiting is to hear the comments," Buckenmeyer
said, "It's fun talking to people too." Danna Beech said
she was sure Wayne was watching over the opening. "We've certainly
had our ups and downs with this whole thing, but it's just great,"
she said.
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