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Should you want to know how to tell the difference between male and female ostriches, all you have to do is ask Barbara Cummings, an education volunteer at Asheboro's North Carolina Zoo.

Cummings, a zoo docent for 25 years, was honored in 1997 as volunteer of the Year at the zoo.

From March to Nov. 1, she makes the two-hour round trip from Greensboro to Asheboro weekly, arriving at 9 a.m. and not leaving until 2 p.m. She wants to enlighten children and others as she discusses "taking care of God creations."

"I find such satisfaction and pleasure in the work that I do there in that lovely environment that the commute is no problem," Cummings said.

Before moving to Greensboro five years ago, she lived in Liberty and taught at Liberty Elementary School for 10 years. She is a Meredith College graduate with a major in upper elementary education and a minor in history.

In Liberty, she had a friend who was a docent at the zoo. Knowing of Cummings' love of teaching and exceptional teaching capabilities, one day she said, "Barbara, you must come and do this, too. You would love being a volunteer at the zoo, and we need you."

Keeping her friend's suggestion in mind, she attended a volunteer meeting in 1983, taught by Jane Owen Parker. Her presentation persuaded Cummings to become a zoo volunteer.

She had 21 hours of required class instruction and practice with a mentor before she started giving tours in the aviary. The zoo also requires volunteers to agree to give 70 hours of service to the zoo each year.

Cummings said North Carolina school children are admitted to the zoo free, as well as one adult for every 10 children, when arrangements are made by a teacher.

About 60,000 schoolchildren visit the zoo every year. In the spring, there are more than 1,500 students a day in the park.

"To be able to reinforce their studies in such a beautiful, meaningful setting and in such an interesting hands-on way appeals to my schoolteacher nature," Cummings said, "and I have the best of good times sharing with them what I have been taught."

Cummings' specialty is being a "smart cart volunteer." There are four smart carts in the African area and four in the North America area.

The yellow carts with big umbrellas look like lemonade stands. Inside, the carts are filled with biofacts, such as animal and creature skulls, bones, fur, tail hair, eggs and feathers. There are also pictures and maps.

Arriving at the park, Cummings goes to that day's cart. She changes locations each week. She arranges the biofacts on her cart and raises the umbrella.

As curious children and adults come over to the cart, Cummings explains about what is on display and the unusual and "neat things" about the animals and plants they're seeing. She answers lots of questions and said she always tries to incorporate the message that clean air, clean water and adequate space are vital to the well being of all plants and animals.

Her message to them is also, "We humans are responsible and can achieve these things if we don't pollute the air and the water."

The three main purposes of the N.C. Zoo, Cummings said, are conservation, education and wholesome recreation.

During the winter, Cummings also volunteers at the Greensboro Historical Museum. She has done this for the past four years.

Shortly after moving to Greensboro, Jane and Bill Lambert introduced her to the idea of becoming a docent at the museum.

About 6,000 students visit the Historical Museum each year. "The programs for them are coordinated with the school curriculum by grade level," Cummings said, "with lots of opportunities throughout the museum for hands-on experiences with replicas of things in the exhibits."

Cummings wears a costume when sharing with students at some of her favorite exhibits, such as the houses and the blacksmith shop in the Historic Park. Inside the museum, she feels the Belle Meade and Gate City exhibits are special.

She loves to hear the students say, "This is neat," and for the adults to say," I didn't realize this was here. I want to come back when I can stay longer."

Museum training started on Jan. 8 and will also be held Jan. 13 and 15. For information, call Betty K. Phipps at 333-6831.

Cummings said the next program at the museum will be Jan. 17 when the Bright Star Children's Theater will present the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Call 373-2043.

"To be a good citizen in a democracy, it is vital for everyone to know the story of our leaders, one's community and one's country," Cummings said. "The education programs in the museum do this so very well, thanks to Betty Kay Phipps and her staff."

Cummings and her husband, Monk, live at Friends Homes West, where she serves as vice chairman of the library committee and member of the wellness center committee.

She is an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, substitute children's Sunday school teacher, and vacation Bible school teacher.

Contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.