The Southeastern Dry Kiln Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary at its Spring Meeting to be held in Hickory, North Carolina, on May 5 and 6, 2000.

The Club serves as an educational association where dry kiln operators can discuss improved techniques for increased kiln production and quality. Fifty years ago, the Club sponsored the first dry kiln operator's course in the South and continues annually to host two meetings, as well as dry kiln short courses and hardwood lumber grading courses.

The Southeastern Dry Kiln Club president, Dave Anders of Merillat Industries, formed an Anniversary Committee to oversee the celebration. The committee consisted of Trina Bradshaw of Broyhill Furniture, Dee Darnell of Ethan Allen, and D.L. Turbyfill of Catawba Valley Community College.

A tour of Catawba Valley Community College's new Irvington-Moore computerized kiln controls was planned for the meeting as well as a tour of the W.M. Cramer Lumber Company's drying facilities in Hickory. An Awards Dinner will be held Friday night to recognize outstanding contributions made to the wood products industry by Club members. On Saturday morning there was a dry kiln equipment display by vendors, a technical session, and a business meeting.

The Anniversary Committee would like to encourage all interested parties to attend. The Committee is seeking old pictures of lumber drying operations and kiln club meetings. If you have any memorabilia to contribute, or would like to attend the meeting, contact:

• Trina Bradshaw at Broyhill Furniture (828) 754-5337
• Dee Darnell at Ethan Allen (828) 428-9361, or the
• Southeastern Dry Kiln Club via fax (919) 515-8739.