A nationally known cheese sculptor will be carving 500 pounds of Wisconsin cheddar into a moose, snowshoe hare, chickadee and other classic symbols of Maine today through Saturday at the Sam's Club in Augusta.

The public is invited to watch Sara Kaufmann, also known as "The Cheese Lady," carve the cheese between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the store, which is located at 45 Marketplace Drive.

Kaufmann has been featured on the Food Network and is known for the cheese centerpieces she carves in her studios in Cincinnati and San Diego. Cheddar is not her only medium. She also carves cheese sculptures in provolone, asagio, gouda and gruyere.

In previous work, Kaufmann has transformed two-ounce pieces of cheese into F-18 fighter jets landing on a 6-foot-long, 640-pound cheese carved into the shape of an aircraft carrier. Her largest piece was a dragon carved into a 12,500-pound block of cheddar. To see her work online, go to www.sarahcheeselady.com/

The "Cheese Lady" -- Sara Kaufmann -- with one of her creations.

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