Logger Days

Logger Days may be one of the most important festivals for the community of Libby right now.

The Kootenai Kiwanis has been doing a journeyman's job in resurrecting the annual event that celebrates a big part of the comunity's heritage — it is our history.

Far too many places turn their backs on the past. That baffles me because there is a quote that says "you can't know where you're going until you know where you've been."

Logger Days helps us do that. It celebrates our colorful logging past and our present and future. No, it's not over yet nor do we wish it to ever be. Logging is an important tool, essential protection, for people living amidst millions of acres of timber.

In some of the southern Rocky Mountain states, they are reinventing their logging industry to tackle the problem of big, dangerous fires and unhealthy forests. Those places no longer have the infrastructure to adequately log the forests no less deal with the fiber once it is down. In other words they don't have any mills.

Somebody approached me during Logger Days and shared their worst nightmare: changing the name of the high school sports teams from Loggers. At this time I couldn't fathom such a change or why it would be made. It's both unique and descriptive of the people who settled this corner of the state and remain active here today.

Thanks to the Kiwanis for keeping Logger Days alive; for working so hard on this event. If you don't like what you're seeing, there is a simple solution: Get involved! — Roger Morris