Southern Loggin’ Times magazine Managing Editor David Abbott visits with H.J Shelton Logging, Inc., located in Danville, Virginia. As the beer commercial reminds us regarding the game day rituals of the football fans who do “whatever it takes,” it’s only weird if it doesn’t work. Well, Buddy Shelton, 61, and his son Chad, 42, aren’t above a little good-humored superstition of their own. Throughout the summer of 2013 it had been raining, and the whole time Chad had been hauling his canoe with him. “People asked why I had a canoe in my truck, and I told them I might need a ride home tonight,” he laughs. His dad finally, jokingly, threatened to take it off the truck for him, blaming the canoe as the reason for the incessant rainfall. At long last he convinced his son to put the canoe away. And wouldn’t you know it—the rain stopped the next day. Hey, it’s only weird if it doesn’t work. It rained so much last year, Chad says, that the operation he and Buddy run together has had to work some tracts out of their intended order.

Featured Story: “All In Together”

Written By: David Abbott
Company: H.J Shelton Logging, Inc.
Location: Danville, Virginia
SLT Issue: January 2014

Check out other featured articles in the January 2014 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
Southern Loggin’ Times January issue mentions Mike Pennington, who didn’t start logging until after he retired from forestry. Young gun Ryan McKenzie has something to prove as he takes over the family business. Father-son duo Buddy and Chad Shelton do whatever it takes together for their business. The historic logging/lumbering series features Allison Lumber Co. of Bellamy, Alabama.