Memphis Democrat
May 2, 2002

Three of our provisional members became full members at this week's business meeting: Tom, Susan and Erik. Its a sort of mutual commitment that we're working on this big project together. To celebrate the decision, Susan, Erik, Tony and I joined a friend at Indian Hill Conservation Area. We tried in vain to find the Great Blue Heron rookery there, but we did see many lovely flowers, trees, birds and fungi.

Other highlights of the week included Susan Wright's delicious vegan doughnuts, a fun and creative art night, nature movies borrowed from the Department of Conservation and many evenings of good conversation. Jane has been working on her clay figures for an animation movie she is shooting. And Lindsey's family visited from Kansas City.

But we've been working, too. Tom has been mowing some of our CRP fields. Mark led a crew that planted and mulched 160 tree saplings from the state nursery, including pecan, redbud, dogwood, oak and more. Thanks folks! Don and Bob have been putting in long hours in the garden, putting tons of onions into the ground. We've been enjoying spinach that over-wintered in cold frames. Tamar shoveled a truckload of horse manure from where Lorraine Kapfer's horse barn used to be (before we took it apart). It makes her garden soil look so rich.

Susan, Penn and Tanya slaked lime which they'll use to plaster Bella Ciao. We soak the lime in water for at least a few days before we use it for plaster. Then we mix it with sand and straw to make a strong waterproof layer for the outside of our straw bale buildings.

Cecil and Alyson solicited the neighbors for donations to the Cancer Society. They came back with stories of how friendly everyone was. And those who went to the auction off of A saw plenty of neighbors there as well. And they came back with a whole bunch of cool stuff (and some junk, too).

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We give tours Saturdays at 1pm. The weather is getting really nice for it. Please call

Back to list of Memphis Democrat Columns