The 2008 Woodworking in America Conference is filling up fast – and we hear that a lot of you are bringing people along and making a mini vacation out of the weekend.

So what’s a non-woodworker to do while the sessions are going on? There’s quite a lot from which to choose.

The Berea Arts Council is hosting a number of how-to workshops from Nov. 14-16, ranging from Introduction to Lampwork Beads to Making Paper from Plants, to Coptic Bookbinding. You can check out everything on offer and register at the Berea Arts Council web page.

Plus, Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill – America’s largest restored Shaker community – is close by. There, visitors will find 34 original Shaker structures, more than 25 miles of striking rock fences and 3,000 acres of preserved land. It’s truly a stunning place and a must-see when in central Kentucky (in my opinion, the pulled cream candy is reason enough to visit!).

And of course, Lexington, Ky. Is less than an hour away, with it’s myriad nearby distillery tours, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Henry Clay Estate, the University of Kentucky Art Museum and many more attractions.

For those who prefer a sylvan setting, the Daniel Boone National Forest and Red River Gorge are also nearby, with hundreds of miles of hiking trails, a spectacular natural arch, stunning sandstone cliffs, winding rivers and more (I grew up in Kentucky, so you’ll have to excuse my bias when I say that the Red River Gorge is one of the most gorgeous places on earth).

There is plenty to do in central Kentucky – much more than we can list here. But if you have specific suggestions for non-woodworkers, we invite you to post them in our comments section.

— Megan Fitzpatrick