"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."

These words were penned by James Beard, probably over a five-course meal complemented by several selections of fine wines.

He was a world-renowned cook and media luminary.

Curiously, his words have been adapted by those who run the Common Ground Fair.

This annual event will be held next weekend in Unity, about 20 minutes east of Waterville.

I say "curiously" because I have never equated the fair with food, per se.

(An aside: Clearly Your Scribe is a slow study. The event is run by the Maine Organic Farmers Association).

I think of the fair as a celebration of the earth, and the people who are trying to save it.

The event will be held for the 30th time, and Your Scribe plans to attend.

Though this is fair season throughout the state, the Common Ground event must be among the largest.

Organizers expect 50,000 visitors, who will be shepherded by 1,500 volunteers.

Last year I met one of my neighbors from New Sharon, who was a vendor selling Alaskan chainsaw systems.

(Aside No. 2: I am in the early evolution of my chainsaw career and am not ready for a "system").

I do not attend the fair because I want to learn more about raising food (though based on our yield this year that should be a motive).

At the cabin, we have only anemic corn that was planted late and pumpkins that appear to be infertile.

No, I go to appreciate the demonstrations that might help me at the cabin.

I will attend the Energy and Shelter exhibition, to learn more about how I can use solar power and the wood stove.

The presentation by the Maine Stoneworkers Guild is also on my list, as I want to build a stone wall in front of the cabin.

And I will visit the social and political action tents, which provide provocative information about various environmental assaults throughout the state that are not reported in detail by the mainstream press.

I will NOT be stopping by the Harry S. Truman Memorial Manure Toss. . . .

So there it is, one week and counting.

Conceding to the food theme, here's a quote from the organization's website: "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop." Ovid

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