Forest Heritage Days
Annual Forest Heritage Days Aug. 9-10
GREENVILLE — A “Game of Logging” competition, Colby Woodsmen demonstration, working forest bus tour and Log-A-Load for Kids raffle are only a few of the attractions at the 22nd Annual Forest Heritage Days.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
CUT IT OUT — Chum Greaterex, left of Amherst, and Chris Maxim, of Chesterville, try to saw off a portion of wood in the speed cut as part of annual Game of Logging on the Greenville school grounds during a previous year’s Forest Heritage Days celebration. Eight lumberjacks from across Maine and Quebec took part in a dozen different events to measure their skills, with the winner qualifying for the national finals in Ohio in October.
The two-day celebration is set for Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10 at Greenville Consolidated School at 130 Pritham Ave.
A free, family-friendly event for all ages, Forest Heritage Days celebrates various aspects of Maine’s woodlands by combining education and entertainment in a unique way, while maintaining a focus on forestry stewardship and sustainability.
“With the forestry industry being such a large portion of Maine’s history, economy and future, we are pleased to be celebrating Forest Heritage Days again this year,” said Elaine Bartley, co-coordinator of the 2013 event. “The event is a fun way for Mainers to learn why and experience how our forests are such a large part of our state’s future.”
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
A NOTCH ABOVE THE REST — Attempting to make a pair of cuts meet in the double notch is Chris Maxim of Chesterville, a skill needed to bring down trees safely in areas where mechanical cutters cannot reach.
The main attraction schedule is:
• Friday, Aug. 9 – The Colby Woodsmen Demonstration – 2 to 4:30 p.m. (free)
• Friday, Aug. 9 – Working Forest Bus Tours – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (cost to participate)
• Saturday, Aug. 10 – Craft Fair – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free)
• Saturday, Aug. 10 – The “Game of Logging” Competition – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free)
• Both days – Log-A-Load for Kids wood-carved bear and chainsaw raffle – all day (cost to participate)
The Colby Woodsmen Team, a co-ed student athletic club from Colby College, practices old-time logging skills and competes in annual intercollegiate meets. Classic lumberjack events include chopping, sawing and ax throwing. Spectators are frequently invited to try their hand at these skills, too.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
TRYING NOT TO BOUNCE BACK — Andrew Marquis of St. Agatha finds just the right place to cut a downed tree to slowly relieve the tension and prevent a violent snapping, replicating the actions of a woodsman out in the field, during the 2011 Game of Logging. Eight competitors took part, with hundreds of spectators getting the opportunity to see some of the tasks the lumberjacks perform while they work in the forest.
The Forest Heritage Days working forest tour includes a coach bus trip through working woodlots, several educational stops and displays along the way and a lunch at AMC’s Gorman Lodge. Tour admission for youth aged 12 and under is $28, seniors aged 65 or older, $28 and all other adults, $35. Those interested in taking the tours can make reservations by calling 207-280-3922.
Proceeds from the Log-A-Load for Kids raffle will go directly to local hospitals through the Children’s Miracle Network.
Along with Forest Heritage Days’ main attractions, the event will offer educational displays and various food options.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
FELLING FELLOW — The final event of the Game of Logging is the tree felling, as competitors try to down a tree as precisely as possible to land in the middle of a target below the tree. Rene Valcourt of Fort Kent starts cutting after taking his readings and making his measurements.
Leading event sponsors include Town of Greenville, the University of Maine, Maine Forest Service, Plum Creek, the Certified Logging Professionals, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC), Tel-Power and the Oregon Cutting Systems.
For more information, visit www.forestheritagedays.org.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
AVOIDING TOO MUCH FIBER — The ability to cleanly saw off a section of log is measured in the precision bucking event, as Chum Greaterex of Amherst tries to leave behind as few wood fibers as possible.
Observer file photo/Stuart Hedstrom
LOGGING ARTWORK — This wood carving of a chainsaw on display at the Game of Logging competition at Greenville Consolidated School has been a mainstay at Forest Heritage Days for a number of years.
Forest Heritage Days facts
• Forest Heritage Days (FHD) takes place at Greenville Consolidated School on Friday, Aug. 9 and Saturday, Aug. 10.
• Events include a Colby Woodsmen demonstration on Friday from 2–4:30 p.m., a Working Forest Tour on Friday from 8 a.m.–1 p.m., a Game of Logging competition on Saturday from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and a craft fair on Saturday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• The Colby Woodsmen Team, a co-ed student athletic club from Colby College, practices old-time logging skills and competes in annual intercollegiate meets. Classic lumberjack events include chopping, sawing and ax throwing. Spectators are frequently invited to try their hand at these skills.
• The Working Forest Tour will include a coach bus trip through working forests, making various stops along the way for educational displays and lunch at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Gorman Lodge. For tour admission and reservation information, contact 280-3922.
• The Certified Logging Professional’s (CLP) “Game of Logging” competition is a training program that brings together the state’s most skilled loggers to compete for a cash prize in events including sawing, speed cutting, bore cutting and more.
• Other events and activities at this year’s FHD include forestry exhibits, food and the Log-A-Load for Kids raffle that raises money for local hospitals through the Children’s Miracle Network.
Proceeds from the raffle will go directly to the cause. Raffle prizes include a four foot, wood-carved bear and a chainsaw.
• FHD maintains a focus on educating the public on the issues of forestry stewardship and sustainability.
• When the Maine Forest Service observed its 100th anniversary in 1992, a group of Moosehead Lake region individuals organized Forest Heritage Days to provide an opportunity for people to learn about the working forests of Maine
• FHD sponsors include the town of Greenville, the University of Maine, Maine Forest Service, Plum Creek, the Certified Logging Professionals, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC), Tel-Power, and the Oregon Cutting Systems. For more information on the event, visit www.forestheritagedays.org.
Extension at Forest Heritage Days
GREENVILLE — Staff from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County Office will have an educational display on Aug. 10 at the Forest Heritage Days in Greenville. The display will be located in the gymnasium on the school grounds.
Sheila Norman, a 4-H youth aide, will be demonstrating how to make a bee hummer. Youngsters can make own bee hummer that makes a buzzing sound when spun in the air. She will also have information on becoming a 4-H member and how to start a 4-H club.
Donna Coffin, Extension educator, and Ana Bonstedt, home horticulture coordinator, will bring a display about container gardening and will have a tomato plant that has been growing in a bag – no container needed. They will also will have an emerald ash borer trap to demonstrate how forests are monitored to keep track of this pests’ movement. Visitors are welcome to bring their own garden questions and see if they can stump the experts.
Visit www.forestheritagedays.org for the full schedule of logging competitions, forest demonstrations and tours as well as the craft show.