Totem Pole Tales- The Tree Planting Crew Submitted by Nute Chapman From Onaway Outlook Septmember 6 , 2013

CAPTION:  A GROUP of hardworking men planting trees. Standing, back row from left, Ike Powers, Nibs Milligan,
Frank Powers, Oscar Robinson, ?, Cy Milligan, ?, Kenny Stoner, Martin Williams and Fred Truex.  Front row from
left, Keith Stoner, Dale Ervingham, Walt Peterman, Ernie Binack, Enic Sherman, ?, and Bill Truex.



   As one travels about the northern Michigan back roads and enjoys the scenery, I would wonder how many people
take time to stop and ponder just how the huge Norway pines got in such perfect rows.

   We have, for the most part, the Work Progress Administration (W.P.A.) and Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation
Corps (C.C.C.) to thank for the foresight to help our renewable resource, timber, to prosper for many years to 
come.  Many schools and  agriculture programs joined in the effort to practice reforestation.  Some of our
school's 40s are being cut today and this writer would like to see a tree planted for every tree cut.  The
deserts being made between Onaway and Atlanta of our jack pine plains today are being replanted with more 
jack pine.

   This program is to help the Kirkland Warbler survive.  This is good, but we need to replace the Norway pines
also, not just thin them.  Enough said.  This week's picture comes from Treva Stoner.  Looking at the 
picture one can see that each worker is holding a handful of trees and a tree-planting spud.  Also take note
that each man has the same hat, except for the foreman.

   This writer had the privilege of knowing most of these hardworking pioneers and delivered mail to them.
We can only speculate that this crew worked out of the Canada Creek Reserve at the corner of Canada Creek
Highway and M-33.  The reserve was being run by Merl Pritchard when it closed.  Many concrete pads and 
footings are left there today.



 -From The Onaway Outlook, September 6, 2013, p. 3.  
    

Retyped by J. Anderson.