NEW GLOUCESTER — The Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village will offer a series of traditional craft workshops and educational nature walks on Saturday, Aug. 15.

Traditional craft workshops include “Shaker-Style Seat Weaving” with Sandra MacDonald, who will explain the history of Shaker chairs using original, historic examples along with contemporary replicas. The methods, tips and techniques to weaving Shaker chair and stool seat patterns will be explained. Cost for this workshop is $50.

In “Shaker-Style Bench,” local master furniture maker Chris Becksvoort will teach the techniques required for the interlocking dovetailed braces and wedged mortise-and-tenon joints on this bench. Each participant will complete construction of their own small bench, awaiting the finish of their choice. Cost is $100.

“Christmas Table Runner Quilting” will have local seamstress and quilter Dianne Devonshire teaching participants the hands-on basics of quilting. Emphasis will be placed on the tips and techniques for creating precisely matched corners, angles and seams. Participants will complete a folky holiday heirloom table runner in a fir tree and star design and leave with the skills to continue quilting. This is an excellent class for beginners and new quilters. Cost is $60.

In “Beginner’s Wood Carving Workshop: Old Sea ‘Salt,'” master-carver Norm Devonshire will teach the basics of wood carving, including proper use of the knife, types of cuts, methods and techniques and sharpening. Participants will complete their own finished carving of a New England fisherman and leave with the skill set to begin a new hobby. No previous woodcarving experience necessary.

Resident naturalist Carolyn Fensore will lead “Nature’s Outdoor Classroom”, a 2-1/2 hour hike through the Shakers’ 1,800 acres of diversified habitats while identifying and explaining flora, fauna, geological formations and Shaker history along the way. Cost is $8 for adults, $2 for children. Hikes leave the Museum Visitors’ Center at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Shaker Store and the Shaker Museum Visitors’ Center is located at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road (Route 26) in New Gloucester.

For more information about the individual programs, including start times, reservations and registration, please call 207-926-4597; email: info@maineshakers.com; go to: maineshakers.com; or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SabbathdayLakeShakerVillage.


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