Go South, Sox
Here it is early June, and as the temperature chart describes, it is still cold in Boston.  Yesterday a ball game was played in Fenway Park, which is near the sea.  It was colder in Boston than it was in the capital of Iceland, colder than Oslo Norway, colder than Helsinki, colder than Stockholm, and colder than Fairbanks Alaska. 

Enclosed is a postcard of the Phoenix, AZ ballpark that the Arizona Diamondbacks use.  As I wrote before, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Seattle have ballparks with retractable roofs that protect the fans from rain, wind and cold weather.  Perhaps the times have just passed the Boston Red Sox by as concerns moving their ballpark away from the cold seacoast and having a retractable roof.

I find it puzzling that the State of Massachusetts and the city of Boston still use Fenway Park.  With as many fans as the Red Sox say they have, I thought that by now the Red Sox would have plans for a new ballpark outside of the city of Boston, somewhere in the suburbs where land is more plentiful.

G. Taseos ‘75
Phoenix, Arizona

More Questions Before You Die
Thank you for the 5-question quiz that "will tell you if your affairs are in order" (Spring 2008).  Attorney Weisman's questions address important elements of death planning.  Yet there is another item that is overlooked even more frequently than are advance directives and estate planning:  disposal of one's body.  Along those lines, I offer one more quiz question.

6.            The best way to plan for your funeral or memorial is--

            a.            let your children, other relatives, or friends do it.

            b.            let the funeral director do it.

            c.            do it yourself, in writing, ahead of time.

            d.            what funeral?  I'm not going to die.

In keeping with questions 1-5, the correct answer is (c).  Your family, your estate, your own wishes, and your own peace of mind will be best served if you give this some thought now, before the need is upon you.  After a death, when everyone is upset, grieving, and vulnerable, is the absolute worst time to plan a funeral--but that is typically when it is done.  Do you want an elaborate ceremony with all the trimmings?  Do you want a simple cremation and scattering?  Would you like to donate your body to science?  Each of these arrangements involves different timing and costs—and is most likely to be carried out if others know what you want.  (Note that this does not necessarily mean pre-paying.)
If you need help getting started, there is an affiliate of the non-profit Funeral Consumers Alliance in most states.  To locate the nearest one, call (800) 765-0107 or visit www.funerals.org.

Carol N. Coan ’95G, ’08G
Trustee, Funeral Consumers Alliance of W. Massachusetts
Greenfield, Mass.

 

Attention: Naomi Gerstil at UMass and Natalia Sarkisian of Boston C.
As a mother of a daughter, who is an alumni of UMass, I am amazed that your magazine would publish such utter nonsense as this. Saying that marriage produces not only selfish ("Greedy") people, but that married couples do not reach out to their communities and do not socialize is an outright distortion of the true life of married couples today. They, more than those who are single, are called upon to perform many forms of volunteer work in their communities, besides running a home and taking care of children.

Obviously these "women" have no experience as wives or mothers. They should step into the shoes of one mother's daily work for a week, or follow a full time working father, who leaves work to help with community activities after a long day at work and then write their article. It is no secret that some people because of their own feeling of inadequacy need to destroy or diminish marriage - one way or another and these two have attempted to do it with this article - and lost.

These same parents that they feel the need to put down lead girl-and boy scout groups ("in their spare time"), help in their children's schools, lead non-profit organizations in the evenings(when they are exhausted from their long day of caring for their family) to benefit the poor, the sick and the homeless, which is also a form of the socializing, that they accuse them of rejecting. They attend their churches, teach Sunday schools, visit hospitals, produce tapes for the blind, deliver meals on wheels, which are just a few to mention here.

They on regular basis organize fun events with family and friends. These events teach their children to socialize and learn to be compassionate in their sharing with others. They go camping, beaching, picnicking with their family and friends. They keep up with their alumni friends from their college days on regular basis.They often have older parents to take care of as well.

Obviously these two persons have been sitting in a small room fictionalizing on how to attack the life of married couples, a life that is very full and satisfying. Maybe it is envy speaking, which they do not realize is their reason for needing to attack marriage. When writers attempt to criticize a group, a certain amount of study and research is a must before starting, or a life lived as a married person, is a must. I doubt Ms. Gerstil and Sarkision have any experience in this. A wastepaper basket is the right home for this article, which is not a study, but an attack on marriage. It lowers the reputation of UMass to allow such drivel in their Alumni publication paper.

Elisabeth Smith

Counting Contributions
Concerning David Treadwell’s article “For Richer, For Poorer,” in the Spring 2008 issue, while I am glad that Mr. Flug, (who’s work with Millennium Promise was featured in the article), has had the opportunity to apply his business acumen to a project seeking to address the needs of poor people in developing countries, I am intrigued as to why Mr. Flug’s story, and others similar to his, appears to be so attractive to the press. 

I think a far more compelling story would be about any one of what must be thousands of UMass alumni who have chosen to volunteer their time to assist the needs of people less fortunate than themselves.  Peace Corps Volunteers immediately come to mind.  They live and work in very difficult conditions, seeking to make a positive difference in the lives of people who are among the most economically disadvantaged in the underdeveloped countries served by Peace Corps.  Volunteers are doing the difficult work and making impacts that cannot be easily purchased with donor funding—building the skills and capacity of individuals and organizations at the grassroots level to initiate and implement development initiatives that respond to needs identified by community members themselves.  In doing so, the work of volunteers is sustainable and has impacts long after they have completed their service. 

While the field of international development needs the Mr. Flug’s of the world, it also benefits greatly from the (under publicized) contributions of thousands of Peace Corps Volunteers, as well as other people doing similar work to build a better world.  A greater voice should be given to their important efforts to achieve sustainable development and improve the well being of others.

Michael J. Simsik ’03G
Bamako, Mali, West Africa

Memories That Have Their Place
Thanks for the memories! My late husband, Jim '61, and I  moved to Greenfield in 1962 for his first teaching job at Greenfield Junior High School.  We always shopped at Wilson's Department Store and enjoyed our Friday night dinners at Bill's Restaurant too! I have a  poignant memory also as I was shopping in Wilson's on the day of President Kennedy's  assassination and heard the announcement over their intercom. It's comforting to learn that Wilson's is still thriving.  

J.Marie Stevenson '63, 66G,
Cotuit

Supporting Foley for UMass Amherst Hall of Fame
It was a pleasure to read the letter from Mel Foster Class of '57 (Spring, 2008) regarding Jack Foley.   Jack's basketball accomplishments, including becoming the first player in UMass history to exceed 1,000 career points, are truly outstanding.  However, they are dwarfed by the character, sincerity, unselfishness and leadership skills that he displayed on and off the court. This was an athlete whose basic character traits made you proud that he represented your school.  Certainly an athlete most deserving of a place in the UMass Sports Hall of Fame.  I don't know how that honor comes about but I join Mel Foster in urging that Jack be given that consideration and encourage all UMass Alumni who shared those golden years of the 50's to do the same.

Don Rizzo '57
Davidsonville, Maryland

Hall of Fame Honors Memory
A Response to Mel Foster ’57, Inbox, Spring 2008—A Walk-on Remembers, and UMass Officials:

On behalf of my beloved and deceased father, John J. “Jack” Foley ’57, I wish to sincerely thank Mel Foster ’57 of Lompoc, California, for taking the time to write about the great basketball accomplishments my father achieved while a member of the UMass Basketball Program from 1954-1957, and his enthusiastic support for my father’s (future) inclusion to the UMass Hall of Fame.  It was with great surprise, Mr. Foster, and with enormous gratitude that I read your letter.  Thank you.

Yes, it is true that my father, Jack, had an outstanding basketball career at UMass and made significant achievements in and for the program; culminating in being the first UMass player ever to score over 1,000 points during his varsity career.  He was feted for this school first career record, and scoring achievements with “Jack Foley Night” at the end of his senior season.

In addition to his captaincy, he was named to the All Western Massachusetts, Yankee Conference and All New England squads by panels of coaches and sports writers.  He secured top scoring honors by shooting 45% from the floor and 75% at foul shots.  Jack is a UMass All-Time Statistics Leader for scoring in ’56 & ’57, for free throw percentages for ’55, ’56, & ’57, and is one of the top contenders for most foul shots made in a career.

I am in possession of my deceased mother’s, Irene, scrapbook which contains numerous articles and clippings that highlight and chronicle my father’s achievements and successes as both a star high school basketball player for St. John’s, Shrewsbury, and collegiate stand-out at UMass/Amherst. 

He was inducted posthumously into the St. John’s Hall of Fame on November 27, 1999.  To be inducted into the UMass Hall of Fame is an honor he so truly deserves.  My father loved and supported UMass wholeheartedly, and returned to the campus numerous times annually.  To be acknowledged for his basketball achievements and be included in the UMass Hall of Fame would be the ultimate honor in his memory, preserving his legacy for years to come.  Mr. Foster, Mr. Burke, Mr. Bartley and UMass Officials, let’s keep this ball rolling!

Margaret A. (Foley) Sydlowski ‘84
Amesbury

Uplifting Education
Please pass on my thanks to Faye Wolfe for an outstanding article, "Jobs of the Future."

I found it to be uplifting on two levels; it reminded me of my own feelings of hope as I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do with my life while I was at UMass in the seventies, and it made me reflect on all the dedicated professors who cared so much back then and the professors of today who still do.....

Yours in pursuit of the Greater Good,

Matt Sepe '79
Lowell

UMass Concert Memories
I started my freshman year at UMass in the fall of 1970. I certainly know how deceptive memories can be but I swear during my first (or second year at the latest) Traffic played at the Cage and a near riot ended all shows at that venue in the future. I also "think" that Springsteen opened for Fleetwood Mac at the football stadium during my early years. I recall a writer for the Collegian describe the relatively unknown Bruce as a cross between Dylan and Van Morrison. At the time that description seemed to fit perfectly. I know my recollections contrast with Ms. Mitchell's. Can anyone help out an old hippy LOL.

Nick Minotti   '74
Pompano Beach, Florida

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To share your own memories of UMass Amherst concerts, visit The Boss.

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Designing for Readability
“The Money Issue” was excellent but I could not read page 27 – too faint; vision problems may well be the case with older alums.  Helen Bride’s name appeared in a letter, and we were sisters in Pi Beta Phi.  I met my husband, Donald Blomquist (now deceased) at UMass.  We dated six months and were married 49 years. (I don’t recall a course on “How to Stay Married” – maybe there should be one.)  My new role is great-grandmother which may be true of many of my Pi Phi sisters.  My education at UMass certainly helped with my jobs in public relations.

Nancy Blomquist ’49
Shrewsbury

Inspiring Wisdom
I just read “A Wealth of Wisdom” in the Spring 2008 issue of the alumni magazine. I just wanted to say how impressed and inspired I am by Kathy LeMay’s words and deeds. The reasons she gives for why we should care about social change, her advice to donors, and the example of her own life may be the best guidance on charitable giving I have ever received in one brief sitting. Many thanks to Ms. LeMay for giving so much to all of us, and many thanks to you, too, for giving her a forum.

Jeff Greer ’84
Charlottesville, Virginia

Marriage: The Charitable Institution
In the Science Notebook section of the Spring 2008 issue of UMass Amherst, there was a short write-up on a recent study of contemporary marriage entitled “The Greedy Institution”.   I must take exception to the disparaging portrayal of marriage in this research study.  The article stated that “… married couples spend less time socializing with friends, neighbors, and family than do singles.  The married couples studied were also less likely to provide emotional and offer help with chores outside of their own households.”  The researchers use these findings to contend that the institution of marriage is greedy.  I find this conclusion ridiculous.

I agree that most married couples have less time than singles for outside relationships and socializing à la “Friends” and “Seinfeld”.  However, what they are pre-occupied with: the raising of the next generation, is much more important to the future health of society.  Taking on the challenge of responsibly raising a family can be a rewarding, but also one of the least selfish things two people can ever do together.  The cost of raising a child to age 18 is $250,000 (not including UMASS tuition).  This is greedy?

The old adage, “charity begins at home” is particularly fitting to married couples.  Those who are married understand that their first obligation is to their spouse and children.  This is how it should be.  That this responsibility leaves them with less time for helping others is to be expected, but it should not be construed as a bad thing.  The aging pensioner who cares for his house-bound spouse is not able to get out and about much, but is none the less providing a tremendous value to society.

I suggest that the researchers broaden their view of important community activities to include those that, by my experience, are predominantly performed by married people:  PTAs, school volunteers, school boards, youth league coaches, church volunteers, and scouting leaders.  During a recent stint on our local School Building Committee, I noted that every one of the nine volunteers who attended monthly meetings for 4 years was married.  Although some might chalk this up to self-interest, a majority of this group no longer had children in the school system.  I believe the high commitment of married volunteers in these types of activities is typical, not the exception.  Even those couples who have little time left for outside community activities should be looked on as society’s heroes for rearing the next generation.  In Europe there are growing concerns about a declining birthrate that is threatening their social security programs.  Who will fund Social Security checks of tomorrow if not the responsibly-raised children of today? 

I would posit that the decline of marriage and the attendant rise in out-of-wedlock births (currently at an all-time high of nearly 40%) will be the primary cause of social problems and instability in the next generation.  If we are going to reverse this devastating social trend before it reaches the tipping point, I would suggest that our Sociology Department researchers start to focus on reinforcing the institution of marriage instead of undermining it.

Steven Neveu  ‘85
South Hadley

More on Music
There's a dim recollection. The contest was to name a dating service sponsored by a BMOC whose name I can only remember as Ed. He was quite the entrepreneur, also running a dry cleaning and laundry business from his car on campus. The winning name was "Datem." The prize dinner date was at  Toto's, which was a posh night spot on Route 5 in West Springfield. No, I was not the winner, darn it.

Ed and I were rivals for the affection of a lovely Abby-dweller. I lost there too.
There is a well-cleavaged photo of "The Singing Rage, Miss Patti Page" tucked among the advertisements at the back of the 1949 Index.

Clarence Burley '49
Paxton

From the class notes editor:
Mr. Burley's letter is in response to an ongoing discussion of UMass Amherst alumnus' memories of concerts past. This conversation was spurred by a story in our Summer 2007 issue on a campus concert by Bruce Springsteen.

 

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To share your own memories of UMass Amherst concerts, visit The Boss.

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Spending Diaries
In the most recent issue of UMass Amherst magazine, student Melissa Garber '09 writes about how she and three friends kept track of their spending to give us a look at where their money goes.  One of her friends receives free tuition because he's adopted.  Please help me understand why UMass would give someone free tuition because of circumstances surrounding the way they came into their parentage.  If this is indeed true, then UMass must also give free tuition to those who were conceived by in vitro fertilization, and  to those students who were raised by someone other than their biological parents for any reason. 

Please help me understand the rationale behind giving someone who is adopted free tuition, while those of us who were raised by the parents who created us are forced to fight for loans and other financing, and then spend years paying it all off.

 Jennifer R. Durant ’90
Cary, North Carolina

Carol Cambo, Editor, replies:
I agree, when I first read that in the story, I was confused. So I did some research; we left the language as it was, but the situation is more complex. I will post a link below; but essentially, if one has been a ward of the state (Department of Social Services), and then adopted, they receive free tuition. We felt like it was a matter of privacy for the student and his parents not be be explicit about their situation.

You can find out more about it here:
Adopted Child Waiver

 

I enjoyed reading the Spending Diaries.  As a student in the 60's ( BSCHE-67), I spent about $1100 a term which seemed like a lot of money to me at the time; tuition was $100 a term and dorm and meal plan was most of the rest.  I salute those students who look at their total annual expenses and plan how to cover them.  One suggestion they might try is a spending diet.  Don't spend anything for a whole day and then see how many days they can repeat that.  All those snacks and treats add up.  I do recall that there were great cultural events available at bargain prices and sometimes free.  Interesting speakers, great plays.  My laundry bill was about 45 cents a week for the washer and dryer in the dorm.

Chris Read ’67
Webster, Texas

Sports, Please
Our children graduated Colby, Elon, and Dartmouth, my wife from Texas, so we get a nice spread in alumni magazines. However, I was always partial to my alma mater's magazine, mainly because you all always had excellent coverage of UMass athletics, whereas the other magazines had very little, if any, coverage of their sports. Some of those schools have just about shuffled athletics out the door.

But now, the Spring 2008 UMass magazine has absolutely no mention of athletics. How bad is that!! The basketball team has done very well so far in the NIT, but nary a mention. (I actually paged through the thing twice). If the NIT is too late, the football team certainly deserves some kudos. To me, and I imagine a lot of other alumni, no sports coverage in unacceptable!!

Another reason not to make any donations to the alumni fund.

Errol N. Melander ’57 (Stockbridge), ’61
Bowdoinham, Maine

Carol Cambo, Editor, replies:
You are right, the spring issue was devoid of coverage. We are considering doing something on the NIT in the next issue, but it's not definite. And there are a couple of reasons why covering sports is a challenge for us.

First, timing. For instance, the NIT will be over next week but our next issue isn't out until August 1. As for football, we wouldn't have been able to cover our title bid until March, etc. So the best we can offer is very late coverage. And UMass Athletics has its own publications that go out to sports fans which offer more timely recaps and such. Also, we conducted a reader's survey last year and almost half of our readers (43 percent) indicated they have slight or no interest in sports coverage in the magazine.

What we have been trying to do is come up with "sports stories" that are more alumni centered or have a special theme. For instance, in our fall issue we had a long feature on walk-on student/athletes. Last spring, we did a huge feature on sport management grads now working in pro sports. Etc.

I appreciate your concern and want you to know we will try to find creative ways to deliver news and interesting stories to our sports fans in upcoming issues.

Appreciation for Wilson's
Thank you so much for the article on my all-time favorite store, Wilson’s (Spring 2008 issue).  Following a pleasant ride over the Mohawk Trail, I could always find the perfect dress or coat upstairs, the elusive kitchen item down stairs (from strawberry huller to corn holders that can be inserted before putting the cob in boiling water and come out the suitable temperature to hold) and the fun bargains near stationery and books on the main floor (cute computer companions or over-forty vitamins for example).  I had no idea of the North Adams (R. Stanley Reid) or UMass (Kevin O’Neil and Tamera Beauregard) connections but was delighted to learn about them.

Justyna Steuer Carlson ‘67G
North Adams

 

Retro Musica
In response to Janice Moak Crosby ’73 (“Inbox,” Fall 2007): As class president, I organized the concerts Crosby mentions in her letter. The Jethro Tull, Johnny and Edgar Winter, and Spooky Tooth show was risky. None of these groups had a hit record on AM radio, and the past practice had been to book only groups with hit records or successful TV shows—Bill Cosby, the Supremes, the Smothers Brothers, Johnny Carson, etc. But the times they were a-changin’. We put that concert on for a few thousand dollars, with very little publicity—only free advertisements on FM radio in Hartford, Springfield, and Worcester. The show sold out in hours. The Cage was packed and the air was thick with funny scents. Jethro Tull landed at Bradley Airport late, and we worried there would be a riot if they didn’t play. Spooky Tooth had performed the night before at the Tea Party in Boston and had with them the Allman Brothers, a group that had yet to release an album but whose record company insisted they go out on the road for exposure. Duane and Gregg Allman agreed to play for free if we put them up for a night. I think they wound up at the Lord Jeff! However, just prior to them taking the stage, Jethro Tull, with a very vain Ian Anderson, showed up and blew the place away. So the Allman Brothers instead put on a free concert later at the Student Union. Campus Entertainment would never be the same.

Ernie Lepore ’73
Guttenberg, NJ

Current letters in the Inbox about Bruce Springsteen and the Grateful Dead stirred up memories for me.

Sometime between ’45 and ’49 the campus radio station had a contest to name something, and the prize was a dinner date with an up-and-coming new singer who was going to be interviewed on the station.

The prizewinner won a dinner with Patti Page. Page hadn’t been clued in, and hadn’t brought any “dinner date” clothes, but the radio station staff scrabbled around and found an outfit she could borrow from a student. I have no memory of who the winner was, where they went, or anything else. Does anyone remember details of this momentous event?

Helen Bride Mitchell ’49
Clearwater, FL

On the Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend 1973, I was treated to the John Mayall concert in the Cage. I had agreed to write a paper for a friend who was an engineering major and thus hated anything involving writing. A ticket to see Mayall and a little-known warm-up act, Bruce Springsteen, was the payback. What a concert! We knew then The Boss would be big. While the Cage was hot and crowded as usual, the small venue was perfect. This is one of my fondest memories of UMass. And that engineering student and I have been married for 24 years!

Karen Donovan D’Agostino ’76
Westford

Regarding Stephen Hart’s letter on the U2 concert (Fall 2007): It was at Bowker Auditorium, March 15, 1982. I was there. Bono, just 22 at the time, got the audience’s attention at one point by jumping from the stage, climbing onto a light tower and into the balcony. He’s lucky he didn’t break his neck, but it was awesome.

Nick Triano ’83
North Andover

Changing for the Better
Have you changed the format of the magazine recently? I just got the Fall 2007 issue and it looks terrific! The less glossy pages are easier to read, and there is so much news, with shorter articles but many more of them. Excellent changes. Now I will read the magazine thoroughly, rather than flipping quickly through it as I send it on its way to the recycle basket.

Lorraine Kaimal ’53
Hamilton, NY

The Late, Great Clifford Brown
As the parent of a UMass Amherst senior and a jazz fanatic, it was a great surprise to see Dr. Billy Taylor on the cover and read several great jazz-related articles. Being a drummer and a huge Max Roach fan, I was, however, disappointed by Matthew M. Gagnon’s piece on Max Roach. Mr. Gagnon neglected to mention Mr. Roach’s association with the late, great Clifford Brown. It was during this brief partnership that Mr. Roach became known as a leader and a major jazz artist. Having won almost every jazz poll in 1954, Brown and Roach were becoming the top jazz group in the world when “Brownie” was killed in a tragic car accident, along with pianist Richie Powell and Powell’s wife, in 1956. To this day, Brown and Roach’s recordings are in rotation on most jazz and satellite radio stations around the world.

Louis D. Bernstein
Bala Cynwyd, PA

Chapter 99
The article “The Meaning of Life” (Fall 2007) was pointed out to me by a fellow employee in my office. Like David Osborn ’74, I also wear a green band to symbolize my support for living organ donors. I donated a kidney to a family member in June 2007. It was a very moving experience for both me and the recipient.

One major factor enabling me to be a donor was the new law, Chapter 99 of the Acts of 2005, which allows government workers in Massachusetts a leave of absence to donate organs. This law demonstrates strong support from the state to advocate for living donors. As far as I can tell, I am potentially the first person to use this statute within the UMass system and possibly the state. It was nice to see an article on how rewarding being a donor can be.

Donald A. Roy ’93
Chicopee

A Walk-on Remembers
I enjoyed the article “Walk This Way” (Fall 2007) concerning walk-on athletes. I, too, was a walk-on student-athlete who played three years of freshman and varsity basketball. You will probably hear from other walk-on's concerning your article, but probably not from anyone older than me. Even in bygone years, the student-athlete was rare, especially in the major sports. And like Matt Pennie ’07, I felt lucky to make the team and contribute sometimes considerable minutes to help the team win. In fact, during the ’55-’56 season, at 6’ 3” I was the tallest player on the team that lost only six games and won more than any other UMass team up to that time, just missing the NCAA tournament. (Then there were only half the invitees as there are now for the championships.) We played the top teams of the time in New England, with victories over Boston College, UConn, and twice over Amherst, then one of the top defensive teams in the nation.

We had two players that year who are in the campus Sports Hall of Fame, George “Trigger” Burke and David Bartley. We also had another great player, John J. Foley ’57, who should be included in the Hall of Fame. When I returned to UMass “Amherst” (there was only one campus back then), for our class reunion this past June, I toured the Mullins Center. I noticed that no athlete from the Class of 1957 was included in the portraits hanging outside the athletics offices. Jack Foley played four years on the frosh and varsity teams and was our captain his senior year. You can check the index for 1957, when Jack was honored for his accomplishments in UMass basketball. It was also noted that he was the highest scorer ever in UMass basketball at that time, and the first player to score over 1,000 points during a three-year varsity career. I have found out that Jack is no longer with us—so Trig, Dave, let’s get the ball rolling to put his name up on that honor roll, where he so richly deserves to be.

Mel Foster ’57
Lompoc, CA

Department of Corrections:
We apologize for the following errors in the story, “Towering Achievements” in the fall 2007 issue: 1. Correct terminology for the machine used at John Atwater’s sawmill is “Manitou telescopic handler.” 2. We incorrectly sequenced the sawing and curing process; correct procedure is to cut down a tree, cut it into logs, saw the logs into boards, and send the boards to be kiln-dried. After drying or seasoning, the boards are planed.