MAURICETOWN — Cumberland County officials have called off the much anticipated Winter Eagle Festival scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 6 due to the severe weather that is threatening to bring heavy snow accumulations and considerable winds to our area this weekend.

The Winter Eagle Festival will return to Mauricetown in all its glory on February 5, 2011.

In addition, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River its Tributaries has postponed its annual Chili Bowl Dinner--the organization's largest fudraiser of the year-- until Friday, February 19th at 6:30 in the Mauricetown Firehall.

County emergency management people are anticipating 12-20 inches of snow and road closures- plus 45 mile an hour winds.

As this weekend's forecast calls for severe snow conditions, Cumberland County Department of Public Works is focused on keeping all county roads open and is asking residents to limit time on the roads to absolute necessities in the event that the storm's severity intensifies.

“This weekend's weather has the potential to bring large snow accumulations and very windy conditions, which can cause snow drifts that make our clean up very difficult. For the safety of all residents and to facilitate the snow clean up operations, we ask that everyone stay off the roads beginning Friday night and through the weekend should the storm materialize as forecasts predict,” said Freeholder and Public Works chair Nelson Thompson.

“We are ready with our snow removal equipment and supplies, and have additional resources on stand-by should we need them,” added Freeholder Thompson.

Don Olbrich, Cumberland County Director of Public Works explained that should the storm intensify and road conditions become increasingly hazardous for motorists, his crews will concentrate on keeping routes to the Regional Medical Center, Cumberland Manor and law enforcement facilities open and accessible.

He advises residents to be mindful as they remove the snow from their driveways not to place snow back on the roads, as this hampers the clean up effort.

Olbrich suggests residents place the snow on the left side of their driveway facing the property. “This is a good tip so your driveways don't get plowed back once you have cleaned them, and it will certainly make it easier for plows to clear the roads,” said Olbrich.

-----------------

With the latest number of bald eagles sighted in southern New Jersey to a hearty 70, Saturday’s Cumberland County Winter Eagle Festival had promised to be what authorities were calling a magnificent show of nature’s finest birds of prey.

Bald eagles, along with their other “fowl” relatives, share the spotlight at the much anticipated yearly festival, and even snow shouldn’t be daunting—at least for the eagles. But even the threat of a major snow storm has proven otherwise for festival sponsors, and everyone, in general.

For the benefit of readers who had planned to attend the now-cancelled festival this Saturday--and for those planning to attend next year, here is a brief look of what was on tap for the 2010 event:

Experts and volunteers from N.J. Audubon/Cape May Bird Observatory and Citizens United will be on hand with spotting scopes and a wealth of information to help identify wildlife and guide tours at various viewing sites.

Beginning at 7 a.m. early risers can take part in the annual guided Sunrise Walk at Turkey Point. The Eagle Festival will culminate with a sunset owl watch at 5 p.m.

Scheduled speakers include:

• 9 a.m.—Digiscoping: Wildlife Photography Through a Telescope,” Steve Ingraham, Zeiss Optical

• 10 a.m.—Bald Eagles: Life After De-listing, Kathy Clark, New Jersey Endangered Species

• 11 a.m.—Watching Wildlife in New Jersey- Keynote speaker Laurie Pettigrew, N.J. Division of Fish & Wildlife (book signing to follow)

• 1 p.m.—Birding Fieldcraft: Clothing, Gear & Tips for Better Birding, Don Freiday, N.J. Audubon/CMBO

• 2 p.m.—Birds &Birding at Cape May: The Cumberland Edition,” Clay and Pat Sutton, Naturalists (book signing to follow)

• 3: p.m.—The Owliest Place I Know, Pete Dunne, New Jersey Audubon/CMBO.