The Southern New England Regional Game of Logging competition was held on September 20th, 2008 at the Woodstock Fair Grounds in Woodstock CT in conjunction with the Celebrating Agriculture Fair. The event was put on by Game of Logging Instructor Bill Girard of Girard Custom Cut Hardwood. Bill hails from Lanesboro Mass. and provides training throughout southern New England. This was the first time a Regional was held in Connecticut for professional loggers. A picture perfect Autumn day greeted the spectators and the eight competitors which included: Bill Carver of Brooklyn, CT; Gerald Bellows of Sterling, CT; Matt Quinn of New Hartford, CT; Lou Saunders of Stafford, CT; Gary Culver of Chesterfield, MA; Harvey Carter of Pownal, VT; Peter Jordan of Putnam, CT and Dave LaBombard of Lebanon, CT.

Bill Carver took first place awarding him $1,000 and a trip to the 2009 Nationals. Gerald Bellows took second place going home with a new Stihl 046 chainsaw. Matt Quinn took third place awarding him $300. Moderating the days' events was GOL Trainer Bill Lindloff of Endicott, NY who kept the crowd entertained and engaged in the day's events. Kris Armstrong of WJ Cox Associates kept track of the day's scoring. Beaver Brook Sawshop of Scotland, CT provided the winning Stihl chainsaw. The Connecticut Professional Timber Producers Association coordinated the 2008 Log A Load Campaign in conjunction with the days' events.

Thank you to Bill Carver for his time and equipment to help set the event up and to Hull Forest Products for the use of their log truck to set the felling poles. A very special thank you goes to Bill Girard for all of his efforts in bringing this outstanding event to Connecticut. Anyone who is interested in participating in the Game of Logging and his training program may contact Bill Girard at 413-442-7585. Additional information on the Game of Logging is available by visiting http://www.gameoflogging.com. Congratulations to all the winners and competitors!!