Chainsaw artists to gather at Maine Wildlife Park, Aug. 18

On Saturday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join two professional chainsaw artists to watch and photograph the process of chainsaw carving wildlife images.

Ron Carlson is a professional chainsaw carver from China, Maine. He began woodcarving in the mid-1960s and enjoyed the hobby until the early 1990s, when a friend introduced him to the chainsaw. The speed and versatility of chainsaw cutting amazed him, and his lifelong hobby became his business in 1993.

Thousands of pieces later, he now specializes in carving bears – because they’re fun to make and a challenge to give a personality and character, he says. Carlson has carved almost every animal, abstracts, and all sorts of strange custom requests: from airplanes to the Seven Dwarfs to giant gorillas on safari. He has shipped his art to a dozen countries worldwide.

Maine Custom Wood Sculpture chainsaw artist Bill Fournier will demonstrate his techniques for creating eagles, hawks, bears, wolves, mountain lions and more from pieces of white and Norway pine, fir, cedar or spruce; using only a chain saw. The carved animals range in height from 2 to 3 feet, to up to 7 feet tall.

Fournie is from the Auburn area, has been carving for nine years, and started this popular art form as a hobby. Now his work is in demand around the state and New England. He will have several pre-carved animals on display and for sale, and plans on carving a 4-5-foot-tall standing bear for the demonstration.

In addition, local Maine artist Georgette Kanach, of www.Mainenatureart.com, will be on hand to demonstrate a variety of her wildlife art mediums and techniques, including her amazingly intricate moose antler carvings. She will have several pieces available for sale as well. Kanach is currently displaying a wide selection of her art through Aug. 31 in the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters building on State Street in Augusta.

This is a great opportunity to see wildlife created out of many mediums, by talented Maine artisans. Bring your cameras and your earplugs!

Raymond Village Library holds end-of-summer tent book sale

On Sunday, Aug. 19, there will be an end-of-summer book sale at the Raymond Village Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baked goods will be available for purchase, and an activities table for tots to teens. Most books will be at reduced prices. Hardcover will be $1. Paperbacks will be 50 cents. Books of every type will be for sale, including some rare finds, as well as many children’s books and puzzles, audio books, music CDs and videos.

If you see tents and balloons, you’ve found the right place! If the worst happens and it rains, don’t worry, all will be moved inside the library. For more information, please call the library at 655-4283 or email sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.

Fundraising ride for Riding To The Top slated for Aug. 19

Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts are going to use their horsepower on Sunday, Aug. 19, so that children and adults with disabilities can benefit from horsepower of a different type – the living and breathing kind. The fourth annual Reins of Hope Charity Ride benefits the clients of Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at Jimmy The Greeks at the Maine Mall in South Portland. The suggested donation is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Riders will follow a route traveling to the RTT farm in Windham for tours and demonstrations. Other stops include the Iron Tails Saloon in Acton and the Maine Street Bar and Grill in Standish. Prizes, a silent auction and entertainment follows the 4 p.m. finish at the Stockhouse Restaurant in Westbrook.

Sponsors include: Carl A. Goodwin, Inc., Custom Hawg, Jimmy The Greeks, Stockhouse Restaurant, Michaud Distributors, Maine Potato Board, Dave Whittaker, Farrier , Maine Street Bar and Grille, Mister Bagel – Scarborough, AV Technik, BBI Waste Industries, Iron Tails Saloon, Virtual E and Local 114. To learn more about the ride, contact Tammy Jones at tammy@customhawg.com.

Founded in 1993, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center helps people with disabilities reach their highest potential through the healing power of horses. Just outside of Portland in Windham, the center is located on a 50-acre farm and is the only year-round program solely dedicated to therapeutic riding in Maine. For more information, visit ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.

Bill Fournier, who will be among the featured artists at Aug. 18’s event at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, puts the finishing touches on his chainsaw bear.Courtesy photo