While researching Maine wood banks, the New York Times discovered a volunteer group made up mainly of senior citizens in the Boothbay region. That research led the newspaper known for reporting “All the news fit to print” to the Boothbay Public Works lot on Jan. 16. The research is part of a February feature story about wood banks. 

At 1 p.m., on a windy and rainy Maine Saturday afternoon, about a dozen Woodchucks were interviewed and photographed by a New York Times news team. The Woodchucks formed in 2008 as an independent group of volunteers who cut, split and deliver firewood to needy families.

From time to time, the Boothbay Register and Boothbay Region Community Television have profiled the group whose membership largely consists of men in their 70s and 80s. But earlier this month, Billy Smith, 70, of Boothbay received a call from the New York Times. Fellow Woodchuck Lloyd “Ole” Olson calls Smith the “Head Chuck.”

The New York Times told Smith, the newspaper wanted to interview the Woodchucks. “They were researching wood banks and came across us. That’s as much as I know about why they wanted to interview us,” Smith said. So the Woodchucks demonstrated how they arrive twice a week at the wood lot working for a couple hours providing firewood. “They talked to us for about 45 minutes and we posed for pictures in front of the wood splitter,” Olson said. 

Neither Smith nor Olson read the New York Times. “Never read it,” Smith said. “I love working with wood and enjoy coming down here with the guys. As far as the publicity, it really doesn’t matter to me.” Smith is a former Bath Iron Works employee who retired after contracting health issues. In 2009, he looked for an activity and saw a Woodchuck advertisement seeking members. “It’s a bunch of old guys who get together. It’s hard work and we all have a great time. Also,  at the day’s end, you know you’ve done something good,” Smith said. 

Olson, 74, lives in Boothbay. He moved here 45 years ago from South Dakota. Like Smith, he needed a project to keep him busy. “I think it’s kind of neat New York Times’ (story), but it really doesn’t affect what we do down here,” Olson said. 

Smith believes the group receives the best publicity from the annual Windjammers Parade. “This story isn’t really going to change anything we do,” he said. “I think the (Windjammers) parade provides us with the most publicity. We haven’t done it for a couple years, but that really seems the best way to attract attention,” he said. 

When Smith started with  the Woodchucks, the group used a small wood splitter and truck. As an experienced woodsman, Smith provided additional equipment of a larger wood splinter and an additional truck to the operation. And Boothbay Region Community Resource Council brought the Woodchucks under their organizational umbrella which allowed for receiving grants to buy equipment augmenting their work. 

The current Woodchuck crew has 18 members with about 10 who regularly participate in their bi-weekly sessions. According to Smith, the New York Times will follow up with phone interviews and publish the article in February.