When she became principal of Ocean City Elementary 11 years ago, Kordick initiated a policy called Ask and Answer. The school abolished the practice of teachers asking questions, students raising hands and the teacher picking one to provide the answer. Instead, students pair off and answer the question between themselves.

In a kindergarten class on a recent morning, students recited the plan for a morning activity: "We will construct caterpillars and butterflies." Teacher Chris Lieb then said, "Think about what 'construct' might mean. Pair with your partner and tell your partner." Chatter filled the classroom.

In an adjoining class, kindergarten student Hunter Wolf peered through a framed sheet of transparent plastic held against a window, the better to gauge the day's weather. He turned to the class: "According to my picture, it is cloudy and rainy today." Another schoolwide rule dictates that students speak in complete sentences.

Prices vary by factors such as species and grade, as well as negotiations with buyers, but Woodyard says the price of cabinet-grade lumber has slumped in some cases to $900 for 1,000 board feet. For years that price was $1,200 and at times as much as $1,400.

Another factor has been the change in styles that are now favoring light colored hard maple and poplar over the darker red oak.

Employment in the logging and sawmill industries has dropped dramatically in recent years.

How to survive the changes in the industry is the biggest challenge for sawmills, loggers, and landowners. Urs Buehlmann from Virginia Tech:

... thinks Europe may have a solution. Surviving Western European mills have shifted to made-to-order furniture and cabinet manufacturing. “They’re pretty much customizing the kitchen to your specifications,” he says. “I strongly believe this will be the guide.”

This reminds me of other stories I have heard about organic farmers. They are able to make a profit by producing high quality vegetables and fruits that they sell in farmer's markets in big cities. The sawmill owners would have to create relationships with home builders and designers in high-income areas of larger cities, but it could certainly pay off.

Another solution that the article mentions is banning log exports, but that brings its own problems.

One way to judge a meeting is how good was the swag. The tote bag and notebook were impressive. For me, the cloth name tag with storage pouches and pen holder was that best I've seen in a long time!