SCHOOL OF LIVING NEWS

Welcome to our School of Living electronic newsletter where you can catch up on what is happening in our land trust communities and SOL committee work.

Image is courtesy of Common Ground Community.

SAVE THE DATES

Q1 Meeting of the School of Living Board of Trustees

Zoom Conference Call

January 22, 2022

9am - 12pm EST

• Q2 2022 April 23-24 - Heathcote Community

• Q3 2022 July 23-24 - Julian Woods Community

• Q4 2022 October 15-16 - StellaLou Farm
  
  If you are interested in participating, please, contact hello@schoolofliving.org

WELCOME TO COMMON GROUND

by Rita Jane Kiefert

Emma Parent has just become a full member of Common Ground Community. She has also just become the proud owner of the house she grew up in, making her the first second generation member owner at Common Ground. She became the proud owner of Smoky the dog many years ago. She wanted me to let you know that she is very proud of her wood cook stove. She still hangs her clothes to dry. Emma is in her second and final year of nursing school. It is exhausting but she is pulling close to straight A's. She has been manager of a large horse barn, and for many years manager of Sunflower Flats farm that serves several local farm markets and restaurants. We are so lucky to have her. I hope to bring her to SoL once her schooling is finished.

Images in this article are courtesy of Common Ground Community

GOATS AT JULIAN WOODS COMMUNITY

by Deborah Fisher

Hazel, Heidi, Snow and Ollie

Image is courtesy of Deborah Fisher

This December our family grew by 4! After several years of “ thinking about it”, we finally got goats. My daughters helped to push the idea, wanting goat milk for cheese and soap making. My inspiration is more along using the goats for ecological landscaping of invasive species like multi flora rose and Barberry. The trick will be keeping them out of what we don’t want them to eat! But, so far we are having lots of fun with them. We go on hikes and find that they really like to stay with you, and just browse along the way.

SHADOW PLAY

by Michaelann Velicky

Image is courtesy of StellaLou Farm

We have the really good fortune to gather regularly as an intergenerational group at StellaLou Farm. This holiday season, we've rediscovered the magic of shadow puppetry. No matter the age or ability, everyone can join in imaginative improvised play as performers, storytellers, artists, or audience. All that is required is easy to find materials: cardboard (we reused food packaging like cereal boxes), sticks, something to cut with, tape or hot glue, a stretched translucent screen (we used a shower curtain stretched on an old blanket rack) and a light source such as an LED desk lamp. Whether your characters and props are super simple or complicated; there will be surprises, fun and laughter!

We can, sometimes, find ourselves feeling the weight of the mundane, work, or crisis management. Giving safe space for connection and play can bring a sense of lightness and well-being that serves ourselves and our communities. How do you inspire play in your communities?

Let me know if you have any questions about setting up a basic shadow puppet theater.

RECOMMENDED

The Agrarian Land Trust gives a wonderful presentation of its work and mission. You might find it inspiring with regard to CLT work. Here's a good place to start to learn about their work.

RCP Network Virtual Gathering 2021: Land Justice: The Heart of Resilient Regions and Communities is recorded here. In this recording; panelists, speakers, and moderators, from across conservation, land planning, development, farming, human health, and communities share their perspectives and approaches to advance justice work and collaborative conservation.

Did you know that School of Living has a YouTube channel? The Education Committee looks forward to adding more content to the channel in the future. Consider subscribing and keep an eye on the channel!

YOU CAN HELP

Stellar Roots is a collective of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people rooted in healing and in service of land based community living. They have been operating as a partner of the School of Living Land Trust since 2018 and are working and living on the Itsodi land, a School of Living land trust property. Learn how you can support this project. Note that Stellar Roots is not a non-profit organization and your donation will not be tax deductible.

The newsletter archive lives under the "Publications" tab in the primary menu of the School of Living website. From there, you will be able to access each newsletter and use its link for sharing. Contact mvelicky@schoolofliving.org if you need any assistance in retrieving these newsletters.