Reconnect to the land

"Terra, it's the only thing that matters!"

These were the dying words of Scarlet O'Hara's father in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.

Terra means 'land' or 'earth' in Latin. I assume from the man's dying words concerning his land, he felt a direct connection between the land and the future welfare of his descendants.

Our land is something we tend to have little connection to anymore, other than the fact that we know the produce we pick up at the grocery store grew on land somewhere -- we likely have no idea where.

A connection to the land is something that historically was as second nature as holding down a job is for our generation. If we're fortunate enough to be employed we know we can put food on the table. I can't help but wonder what might happen if a connection to the land, whether it's our own backyard or our local city park, became a regular part of life again.

The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is offering an event Saturday that will give you the chance to experiment with connecting to the land again, and to see how our ancestors relied on the land for their livelihood.

Caving, hunting dogs and puppet shows will all be part of "Connecting People with the Land" at the Nature Center, Saturday, Sep. 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to Nature Center Manager, Sara Turner, the event celebrates National Archeology Month and National Hunting & Fishing Day.

Between presentations visitors to the nature center will have the opportunity to:

* view artifacts from Native Americans who once called southeast Missouri home

* try skills with archery, simulated shooting and fishing

* observe longbow-making and carving demonstrations

* gain skills and techniques from hunters and fishermen

* see arrowheads and points being made by a flintknapper

* gain tips and tricks for Dutch oven cooking

* visit the Southeast Explorer exhibits

This is a great event to attend as a family and try to imagine how your family might have used archery skills or flint knapping to survive.

All ages are welcome to attend the event and no registration is required. The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is located east of I-55 (exit 99) and Hwy 61 in North Cape County Park. For additional information call the Nature Center at (573)290-5218 or visit the Nature Center website at www.MissouriConservation.org.