Over $10,000 was raised during the first Logging Challenge, sponsored by the Louisiana Logging Council at the Southern Forest Heritage Museum near Forest Hill September 22. All monies will benefit the Children's Miracle Network at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and the forestry museum.

Timber sports competition held throughout the day included chain saw cutting, crosscut saw, log skidding, loading, and driving skills. Louisiana State Police were judges for the Best Log Truck, based on safety and beauty.

Winners in the Logging Challenge events were:

Chain Saw: First round settled by a saw-off, Joe Lang, Atlanta, first place; Lowell Hubbard, Winnfield, second.

Loading: Paul Jeane, Evans, LA, first place; Tommy Routon, Clinton, second.

Jack and Jill crosscut saw: Sammy Nolen and Faye Breaux, Pitkin, first place; Clif Fuqua and Alesia Boone, Lecompte, second.

Best log truck: Lavespere Logging, Billy Lute, driver, first place

Two-man crosscut saw: Joe Lang and Lowell Hubbard, first; Greg Herbert and Sammy Nolen, second.

Log skidding: Joe Lang, Atlanta, first; Jacob Dodge, Centerpoint, second.

Driving skills: Sammy Nolen, first place.

Three loads of logs were auctioned, with all proceeds benefitting the Children's Miracle Network and the museum. Those donating logs, labor, and transportation, were Crowell Lumber Industries, Lavespere Logging, Billy Lutes, driver; Roy O. Martin Lumber Co., T.E. Frazier Logging; Tyler Timber Company, Virgil Traylor Logging, and Chad Deselle driver.

Ragan Nelson was auctioneer and the logs brought $8,750. Successful bidders were Roy O. Martin Lumber Co., and Willamette Industries, Inc.

"Forestry is such a big part of the Central Louisiana economy that we think it a natural way for us to raise money for children's services and our museum," said Travis Taylor, chairman of the event. Entertainment was furnished by Jay Chevalier, and lunch was provided by Thompson Home Health.

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