Gaining Speed
Friends of all types,
Thank you for tuning in once again! If you’re expecting news of workers working and plants growing, you are in the right place…. we had another lovely crew of Frolickers last Sunday. Won’t you consider joining us? See Below for deets plus more news:
Of Course: Frolic This Sunday
Report on Frolic Last Sunday
Hope Kitchen Dinner
Keeseville Library Activities
Some Pics and Thoughts
Of Course: Frolic This Sunday
You are WELCOME HERE!!! Please, join us this Sunday at 2:30, 1044 Mace Chasm Road in Keeseville for our third Frolic of May.
In the field we’ll be mulching raspberries, planting squash seeds and tomato seedlings…
If you’d like to be part of the crew but prefer lighter work, there is plenty of cardboard that needs tape peeled off. And if you have large boxes, we would love to collect them from you if they have little or no ink.
We encourage all participants to arrive promptly at 2:30 so the kitchen crew can get a head count and register any dietary restrictions or allergies for the yummy meal we will share together at 5:30. And in order for you to fully experience the beauty of the Farm and the fellowship of working and learning together, we also ask our volunteers to leave electronic devices in the car for a few hours.
And as far as that aforementioned dinner at 5:30; we’ll serve our yummy beef/cabbage stew, signature cornbread, and the salads get more amazing by the week as new elements offer their deliciousness! PLEASE NOTE: if you just want to show up for dinner, you will be most welcome! Work is NOT required for the meal! Our mission is to feed anyone who is hungry for any reason. Hope to see you on Sunday!
Report on Frolic Last Sunday
It was a day of wonderful collaboration, thoughtful communication and fun learning, followed by a fabulous dinner. The garden workers began the Frolic with a Corn Ceremony. Kelsey was there and offers this witness:
Under the warm mid-May sun, an eager group of farm Frolic participants stands adjacent to the freshly prepped Sand River corn patch. Colleen casts spells of ancient history and blessing over the kernels, soon to be pressed into readied soils. We’re about to plant like peasants. Low squats, dirty fingers, flat forks, no machines..
She opens the circle for a moment of sharing about corn.
Adam gushes of his love affairs with corn. “…to the plant that has me completely wrapped around her finger…”
Ben offers, ”We will enjoy the hominy filled cornbread tonight from last year’s harvest…a reminder that today in this garden bed we are paying it forward. People who plant today might be different than those who harvest in the fall. But we’re setting something in motion with the land.”
I look down at my feet. The first thought that enters my mind makes me wince.
Kelsey has been a blessing beyond description as she leans into the work and bliss of farming, sharing the load with Adam. Why in the world would she be wincing at this moment? For the answer to that and for more of her introspective perspectives of her work here and elsewhere, please click:
As mentioned above, there’s much still to be done here. We’d love to see you if you’re able; just dress for the weather and bring your work gloves and a smile!
Hope Kitchen Dinner
From our generous and hospitable friends at 124 Hill St in Keeseville:
Join us this Friday, May 22 from 5 to 7pm!
Chef Ben is cooking up some Michigans with his famous sauce! We’ll also have homemade potato salad and fruit! Come share a meal with us! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat!
Keeseville Library Activities
Author Nancy Rumney grew up in Keeseville and has written several children’s books. Join us as we welcome her on Saturday May 23 at 11am to chat and explore her work!
If you’re a fan of Trivia, come to the Library next Wednesday at 6pm for a fun evening! Skip dinner because there will be Pizza, as well as questions, answers, laughs, and lots of learning. Space is limited- call (518) 834-9054 to reserve your place.
Some Pics and Thoughts
Being part of a project like Sand River Community Farm that looks outward as well as inward is both a joy and a challenge. It’s always a balancing act. For instance, over the winter we were grateful to have enough harvest from the generous earth and last year’s work crews in the gardens so we could generate large amounts of soup and chili, freeze it, and offer quarts to our neighbors. Now as our preserved supplies are diminishing, we have reluctantly unplugged the freezer at the library and will use the remaining provisions to feed our Frolic workers. But as the growing season proceeds (as noted above, there is already a dazzling variety of salad greens), we have hopes of finding ways to deliver food on other platforms. Last summer we offered a weekly Sunday lunch downtown. We have the desire to do something similar this year, but do we have the capacity? The answer remains to be seen. Stay tuned….
As always, your support in any form is a treasured gift for which we are deeply grateful. Thank you for your attention and support!
With Love and Appreciation,
Allison