Boothbay Region Land Trust invites the community to attend a logging demonstration Saturday, Feb. 9, at Ovens Mouth (East) Preserve. The demonstration, including horse drawn log skidding, a portable sawmill and firewood splitting, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bonus for those attending will be beans and ham served from a giant pot over a fire, and long sticks will be provided for those attending to cook hot dogs and marshmallows. Cookies and beverages will also be supplied at this event, open to the public, free of charge.

Wolf Schumann, BRLT lands and stewardship coordinator, in charge of the event, said the purpose is to show the public how BRLT promotes forest management on its properties. Ovens Mouth, enrolled in the Maine State Tree Growth Program, has been the site of BRLT logging demonstrations in 2001 and 2004. This year's demonstration serves to salvage trees blown down in storms last year. Previous logging on the site removed dead trees and those not expected to survive, as well as trees which, left standing, could pose a safety hazard to the hiking public.

Logger Lance Chadwick will be on hand to direct the demonstration and answer questions. Tony Finocchiaro will provide the portable saw mill. Jim Dun is in charge of wood splitting, and food will be organized by BRLT volunteers Kathy Bugbee and Pamela Wilde. BRLT Executive Director Julie Lamy will welcome those attending and Schumann will talk about logging and other forest management issues.

Lamy noted that the event is the second in BRLT's series of 2008 Cabin Fever Reliever programs, providing diversion for year-round residents during the winter months.

"This is a good opportunity," she said, "for families to have fun enjoying an outdoor day, and to learn something about forest management."

Other Cabin Fever Reliever programs include the visually stunning film, "Baraka," at Harbor Theatre, Feb. 24; a program on birds of prey, March 30; and a program on "Ponytail" (a.k.a. Bob Speed) and Lower Mark Island, April 27. More information is available on the BRLT Web site, www.bbrlt.org.

Directions to Ovens Mouth East, one of BRLT's most popular hiking preserves: From the monument at Boothbay Center, travel north on Route 27 for 0.3 miles. Take a left onto Adams Pond Road. Proceed 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Dover Road. Continue 2.4 miles to the dead end. Parking is on the left and along the road leading to the preserve entrance.