Murray River, PEI -
It's not the first time it's ever burned down, but Joel Moore hopes it's the last.
And hundreds of people who turned out for the family's Appreciation Day here Saturday (May 16) would agree.
The Moore family opened the doors to their new establishment and welcomed folks for food and drink to celebrate an overwhelming community response.
Last August, a man subsequently charged with arson burned the sawmill to the ground and put the family out of business.
But a remarkable rural reaction swept through the region. It began with a gigantic benefit concert raising over $50,000 and culminated in dozens of people turning out with hammers and saws to rebuild the structure last fall.
"We just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their help," said Joel Moore. "We wouldn't be back in business without all the assistance."
Moore's Lumber Mill has a history that extends back almost a century in this quiet little eastern fishing village. Local folk have always counted on the mill for local lumber.
The Moore family has been in the business about 50 years and supporters say "low tech" has paid off. While many sawmills succumbed to the cheaper prices offered at urban building centres or the high costs of operating, Moore's has survived by resisting change.
"Many a time there would be pressure for them to upgrade or install electricity, but Jerry always resisted," said Robert Wood, brother-in-law to the owner. "He just kept it low tech with just the simple diesel motor for power and it's worked."
Over the winter the family searched the region for used equipment and has now assembled one of the best mills in the Maritimes, according to many oldtimers gathered at the site.
