Green Fest 2018

One of our local high school's hosted a "green fest" focused on recycling, conservation, and various critters who live locally.

Low key display at the entrance

The first activity that drew my children was a beanbag toss that simulated sorting waste items into trash, recycling, and compost. They were better at identifying what should go where than they were at throwing the items through the right hole.

Throwing stuff away

Tea bag and broken mug, do you know where they go?

The high school students made displays on going green, giving advice on how to shop locally and use resources wisely.

Scout display

Another fun activity was painting little pots. After the pots were dry, the kids picked out plants to take home and grow to full size.

A quick painter

The highlight of the morning was a presentation in the school's media center about rescue animals. A representative from the Maryland Park Service told us about three birds currently kept at a local sanctuary. The birds are unable to live in the wild for various reasons.

Three mystery guests!

The first bird was a red shouldered hawk. The hawk was hit by a car when it was eating on the side of the road. The hawk lost its right eye!

Red shouldered hawk

Next was a barn owl who is nearly blind due to cataracts. Normally, the rangers occasionally switch the birds' habitats at the sanctuary to give them some variety. This owl stays in the same habitat since it has memorized where everything is.

Barn owl

The third bird was a turkey vulture. This bird was discovered as an egg by a nun, who raised the bird until she died. The other nuns did not want to take care of the bird, so the vulture wound up in the habitat. Turkey vultures are social birds, scavenging together. They are migratory as well. This particular bird spent too much time with people to live the vulture life style. It's twenty-nine years old and in good health.

Turkey vulture

Mighty wing span!

Back in the main room, our youngest (who bailed out on the bird program when they got too noisy and flappy for him) worked on a sail boat donated by a local big box hardware store.

A happy worker!

I was amazed at the boat on the table which I assumed he had built and painted. Later, when we got home, I saw the right boat, which was more in line with his talents as a three-year old.

What I thought was his final result

Actual result

The local library had a display of nature books and a simple rock decorating craft. My daughter tried it out. We already have plenty of books from the library at home so we didn't pick up anything new.

Library craft!

Adding a finishing touch

A local beekeeper brought a small hive and had his bees on display. He showed us the queen bee, whom he marked in the display below. Can you find her?

Look carefully

He explained that he marks his queen bees with a white dot so they are easy to find and take care of if there are any emergencies. He doesn't sell honey or wax or anything, he just keeps them as a hobby.

Close up of the marked bee

The kids were hungry at this point, so we decided that rather than eat snacks from the snack counter, we'd head home for lunch. We had a fun and educational time at the green fest!

Laurel Main Street Festival 2018

We went to the Laurel Main Street Festival, held on May 12, 2018.

A view of Main Street, Laurel, with festival in progress 

We didn't make it to the 9 a.m. parade, which featured our pastor as the Grand Marshall (since the parish is celebrating its 175th anniversary). We did run into the parochial vicar on the street later and had a nice chat with him.

Taken from the church's Facebook album!

The street was lined with all sorts of vendors from food providers to clothing sellers to home repair and renovation companies to local businesses and on and on. One vendor interesting vendor was a local beekeeper who was selling honey and soap. He had some bees on display. Our kids were fascinated to see them. We parents were happy that the bees were safely stored behind glass.

Admiring the bees

The guy told us that the bees were gathering at the top to keep the about-to-be-born bees warm. We even saw the queen bee, which they had marked with a small spot of paint to help them find her.

Testing the temperature of the bees

The attractions weren't just on the sides of the street. My son saw a dinosaur walking down the center and was happy to greet her.

Run in with a dinosaur

In addition to the sales, a couple of bands were playing. We didn't stop to listen since the kids were drawn down the street by the smells of popping corn and frying foods.

One set of singers

We eventually gave in and bought a fresh-made funnel cake, which is the best way to have funnel cake. We split it among the five of us, making it a tasty treat without it being a diet-busting experience.

Powdering our cake

By the way, that box of Oreos isn't there by accident--the stand was also selling deep-fried Oreos! Such a treat is too decadent for us.

Our funnel cake

We walked down a bit farther and bought hot dogs at one of the church stands. The church offered shaded seating which we liked very much. Another church across the street was having a book sale, which we naturally could not resist. We picked up the Bartimeaus Trilogy and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, among other fine acquisitions.

On the way back to the car, we bought some honey from the beekeepers. We enjoyed their presentation and we use honey quite a bit, so it just made sense.

We are looking forward to next year's festival!

Maryland Honey Festival 2014

We went to the Maryland Honey Festival in September 2014. The festival was held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, Maryland. The center has plenty of its own exhibits to enjoy.

National Wildlife Visitor Center

Family of timber wolves outside

L and J go for a ride

L gets a bite

Polar bear with arctic buddies inside

The main attraction for us was the honey festival since we love honey. It's great on tea or in oatmeal or in bread recipes or on toast.

Part of the festival

Several informative signs showed us how honey is collected and the impact of honey bees on our shopping choices.

Where honey comes from

How much produce depends on bees

Even better was two women demonstrating the honey extraction process. They had honey combs that they spun in a large cylinder. Then they took the combs out, scraped off the outsides into a special bin where the honey drips out and the wax (which can be used for candles) is retained.

Spin the combs

Scrape the combs

Drain the honey

Face painting was popular. Both J and L took turns getting something nice.

J in the chair

J's paint

L gets started

A butterfly on her face

Outside in a tent, members from the Maryland State Beekeepers Association demonstrated beekeeping, including opening up a hive and looking inside! It was bit hot outside (and a bit scary) so the kids went back to the air conditioned shade while I watched some of the demonstration.

Beekeeper in a tent with his bees

Suiting up for the job

Smoking the hive

Opening the hive

One rack of bees

Close up

A more populated (and honey filled) rack

I think he was pointing out the queen here; I want to point out his bare arms!!

The festival included speakers, a children's story time, and a live auction but we didn't have the stamina to stay. We did buy some local honeys which we have been enjoying immensely for months and months. Our supply is almost gone, so we are ready for another honey festival!