Simpson Paper picnic

Former employees of Simpson Paper in Anderson are invited to the eighth annual Reunion Picnic from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 29 in Anderson River Park's gazebo pavilion.

The picnic features a menu of hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips and all of the condiments, said Jerry Jones, 65, one of the reunion's organizers.

Lunch will be served at noon. Beer, soft drinks and water will be provided.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and donate $5 per person towards the food costs if they are financially able to do so, Jones said.

The event typically draws 150-200 Shasta Paper Co. mill employees.

Some, like Jones, started with the mill's construction in the early 1960s. The mill began producing coated and uncoated paper in 1964 and was operated by Kimberly-Clark Co. until 1972 when it was sold to Simpson Lee Paper Co.

In 1977, the Lee was dropped and the mill was known as Simpson Paper Company's Shasta Mill.

The Anderson mill was eventually acquired in January of 1999 by the Plainwell Group, which included Plainwell Paper Company.

Plainwell shut down the mill on Aug. 19, 2001, Jones said.

The reunion picnics allow all mill employees, whether hourly or salaried, laid-off or retired, to mingle, get reacquainted and swap stories, Jones said.

"It's a fun thing for everybody," he said.