<\/p>\n
For chain saw competitions, it helps if you\u2019re raised in the timber industry.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s certainly the case for the Raglands, owners of Stoner Top Lumber, during the main event of Escalante Days in Dolores.<\/p>\n
The family took home top honors in the competition, which drew hundreds of onlookers Saturday morning in front of town hall.<\/p>\n
In the big-saw category, Harold Ragland took first place, his grandson Luke Ragland took second, and Bill Ragland took third.<\/p>\n
In the small-saw category, Bill Ragland took first place, Jerry Rose took second, and Doug Ragland took third.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we know our way around a log,\u201d Bill Ragland said. \u201cI\u2019ve been doing this for 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fifteen competitors revved up their saws, and fine-tuned chains for the traditional event. They were timed on making three cuts through a ponderosa pine secured to the back of a trailer parked in the middle of Central Avenue.<\/p>\n
A self-described old-timer, Bill Ragland had the technique down, buzzing his 7910 Domar to a 6.45 second victory that evoked huge cheers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a tough time to beat, but maybe my grandsons can do it,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can\u2019t make any bobbles, or its over. We never miss this day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muscled 20-somethings foundered as they tried to force the saw, binding it. Others had hard luck with stubborn knots.<\/p>\n
Older loggers know how to finesse the saw more, said Terry Rose, a retired logger from Dolores who took a first place last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, more CCs doesn\u2019t hurt either,\u201d Rose said.<\/p>\n
Harold Ragland battled younger competition, but prevailed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fourth-generation logger. There\u2019s a bunch of us here today. The trick is to let the saw do the work and avoid human error,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The event attracts newcomers each year, said organizer Debbie Valerio, who won the women\u2019s division.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s part of our history, and gets pretty competitive, as you can see,\u201d she said, pointing to a youngster throwing his hat after a disqualification.<\/p>\n
Mike Williams, of Dolores, entered for the first time. He has been working for Tree Tender for the last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019d give it a shot. I make a living climbing trees and working with my chain saw,\u201d he said. \u201cToday is a rush, and the crowd makes it pretty intense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arm wrestling<\/p>\n
Later on, tattooed muscle-heads faced off in the arm-wrestling competition.<\/p>\n
Rich Morris won the heavyweight class. Robert Hunter won the middleweight, and Chaz Thompson won the lightweight title.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe (Justin Smith) was a really strong dude. It was a great competition,\u201d Morris said.<\/p>\n
Among the women, Winnie Reed gave herself an early birthday present by winning first place by beating Janet Hugg. She turned 59 on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was going to retire after winning last year, but they talked me into it again. It was fun,\u201d she said about beating the youngsters.<\/p>\n