Hoo-Hoo's hundredth anntversary

THE FLAGS and rhe narional I anthemsof fourcountries marked the opening of the centennial convention of The International Concatenaoed Order of Hoo-Hoo as members from around the world gathered to celebrate the founding of the oldest industrial fraternity in the world.

Held in Hot Springs National park at the aging Arlington Hotel, the location was but an hour and a half from Gurdon, Ar., the tiny town where tle order was founded in 1892.

On the day when the more than 400 members and their families bussed to Hoo-Hoo headquarters, the townspeople of Gurdon produced an impresiive sampling of southern hospitality. The local high school band, complete with cheerleaders, led Hoo-Hoo members october 1992 down the blocked off main street. Locals cheered while the fratemity marched from the Hoo-Hoo museum to the monument marking the group's founding spot

Harry Medo, chairman and President of Louisiana-Pacific, was the featured convention speaker. A 42 Yeu member of the fraternlty, he spoke of the progress of the wood products industry in the last 100 years, its contributions to the country and its proud environmental record.

In a personal reminiscence, Merlo told how his mother had taught him never to waste anything, a lesson he has applied in business as LouisianaPacific now gets an economic return from what others either don't use or under-utilize. He said products made from aspen and other so-called weed trees and from waste paper will be increasingly important in the future, along with more wood fiber from tree plantations.

Merlo stunned the caPacitY crowd with a $50,000 donation of LouisianaPacific stock to a foundation for HooHoo. He said that if it did not double to $100,000 in five years, he would personally make up the difference.

Officers for the frst year of the second century are: chairman of the board Jeff Loth, President Dave Blasen, lst v.p. Manny Litvin, 2nd v.p. Eddie Z. Hunt, sec.-treas. Bernie Barber. Directors: jurisdiction l, Jerry Rivet; jurisdiction 2, Bob Carper; jurisdiction 3, Fred Scheffler; jurisdiction 4, Gerry Ryan; jurisdiction 5, Jan Evert Hermans; jurisdiction 6, Ed Gavotto; jurisdiction 7, Frank Aranza, Jr.; jurisdiction 8, RoYce Munderloh; jurisdiction 9, Pat Story. Seer of the House of Ancients is Ernie Wales.

Next year's convention will be held in Sioux Falls, S.D., in SePtember. This year's convention was held September 9-D.

Story at a Glance

Lumbermen's fraternitY visits founding site for its centennial convention 400'Plus participate from four nations Louisiana-Pacific donates $5O,ooo.