Genealogy workshop

AUGUSTA – The Maine Genealogical Society is sponsoring a one-day workshop, “Finding Your Ancestors in Courthouse Records,” with Diane Rapaport, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Discussion will cover probate records, naturalization records and bankruptcy records, led by national speaker Diane Rapaport. She is the author of “New England Court Records: A Research Guide for Genealogists and Historians.”

The registration fee, which includes buffet lunch, is $50 and spaces are still available. Preregistration is required.

For a registration brochure and workshop agenda, visit the Maine Genealogical Society Web site at www.maineroots.org or e-mail mainegenealogical@ yahoo.com.

Loyalty Day program

JAY – District 9, Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts, will join for the annual Loyalty Day program and district convention at noon Sunday, April 20.

The Jay VFW will hold a banquet, with the Loyalty Day program by Chairman Erlon B. Rose.

The District 9 Convention will follow with election and installation of officers for 2008-2009. State Commander James E.N. Bachelder of Sanford will visit. All members are asked to attend.

The district consists of Post 1603, Auburn; Post 1641, Rumford; Post 3335, Jay; Post 9150, Lewiston; Post 9459, Lisbon; Post 9787, South Paris; and Post 11032, Greene.

Wood expo features owls, mushrooms

PORTLAND – All Things Woods Expo 2008 will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Portland Exposition Building.

There will be live owls and other wild wonders and topics will include geo-caching, spring mushrooms and old-time logging.

Fifty exhibitors and a full day of activities for kids and adults are planned. Admission is free. For more information, visit forestsformainesfuture.org.

Commercial farming workshop

MONMOUTH – University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association are sponsoring a workshop, Commercial Vegetable and Berry Farming: Getting Started in Maine. The forum is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday May 3, at Highmoor Farm.

It is an introductory class covering vegetable and berry crop production, soil health, equipment, business planning and marketing basics.

Preregistration is required. A $50 registration fee includes lunch, the book, “Sustainable Vegetable Production from Start-Up to Market,” and membership to the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association. To register, call 800-924-5258 or e-mail [email protected].

Highmoor Farm, the University of Maine’s apple, small fruit and vegetable research facility, is located at 52 Route 202.

Forest of Maine tour openings

AUGUSTA – The 11th year of the Forest of Maine Teachers’ Tours still has openings for this summer.

Renewable energy from Maine forests and mills and bioproducts and biofuels will be the focus of tours.

A Project Learning Tree workshop will be offered on each tour, with Maine Forest Service Biometrician Ken Laustsen leading a discussion on meeting society’s needs for materials, chemicals and fuels through research and development of bioproducts from Maine’s forests.

The registration fee and cost to teachers for the four-day tour is $75. CEUs and a course taught by University of Maine faculty members for graduate credits are also available.

Space is still available on both tours: Aroostook County and the Baxter State Park Region (July 15 to 18) and Moosehead Lake (July 29 to Aug. 1). For more information or a registration brochure, call Debie Singleton, 621-9872 or e-mail [email protected].