Tony Sohns tells kids about meat-eating plants at the 2008 Wonder of Wood Fair.
Wonder of Wood Fair offers
free fun for the whole family
By Andrew Kekacs
If you enjoy the outdoors, there's no better place to spend a September day than the free 2009 Wonder of Wood Fair. Now in its third year, the fair will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the University of Southern Maine's Sullivan Gym in Portland.
The final schedule of events is available here.
The Wonder of Wood has something for the whole family. Kids can learn about forest creatures with natural history educator Tony Sohns, say hello to Smokey the Bear, or take an arts-and-crafts break with art teacher Annette Sohns.
Children and adults will be fascinated by The Chewonki Foundation's presentation on the owls of Maine. Slides and recordings show how to identify owls. Talons, wings and skulls are used to explain the lives of these silent, nocturnal hunters. The program ends with a close-up look at live owls. Chewonki will also offer a talk on water and wildlife (featuring live animals that show special adaptations to life around water).
Bob Duchesne of Maine Audubon will discuss the development of the Maine Birding Trail and offer thoughts on how Maine can better use its natural resources to bolster tourism.
Fairgoers visit the Maine Forest Service exhibit last year.
Lauren Buyofsky of Newforest Institute will talk about "The Healing Forest.” She'll focus on the identification, sustainable harvest and preparation of medicinal plants found in the forest and along its edge.
Roger Monthey of the U.S. Forest Service will explain the function and traditional uses of mushrooms, lichens, ferns and other organisms in Maine woodlands. Kennebec Home Brew will share some secrets for making beer, wine and other beverages from ingredients that come from the forest.
Numerous exhibitors will have displays and merchandise (both inside and outside the gym). Bukrap will be offering one of its Maine-made work and sports vests (a $75 value) as a door prize.
"Timber" Tina Scheer will once again demonstrate the skills of old-time lumberjacks in the “Olympics of the Forest.” Maine Forest Service personnel will offer tree identification tours around the campus. There will also be demonstrations of a portable sawmill and firewood processor.
'Timber' Tina Scheer (left) will return with the 'Olympics of the Forest.'
Stihl, the principal sponsor of the 2009 Wonder of Wood Fair, is offering classes in chainsaw safety. Huber Resources, a supporting sponsor, will host a talk on geo-caching. Other sponsors include Sawmill and Woodlot Management magazine and the University of Maine's Cooperative Forestry Research Unit.
The event is hosted by Forests for Maine’s Future. It’s all free, and it’s a great way to introduce people (young and old) to the Wonder of Wood. We hope to see you there.
Fresh from the Woods is produced by Forests for Maine's Future, a collaboration of Maine TREE Foundation, the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, the Maine Forest Service, and the University of Maine.