Memphis Democrat
May 26, 2005

This is Suzanne writing about a week of happenings I experienced through the haze of a summer cold. Nonetheless, it was an exciting week. On Saturday old friends Jess, Cedar and Skyler came to visit and brought with them the Sustainability group from Columbia, Missouri. Sustainability is a group of about a dozen ecologically-minded folks who connected with each other over the internet to discuss ways they can live more sustainably. We greatly enjoyed their enthusiasm and interest in Dancing Rabbit and hearing about their projects in Columbia. There were a number of children with the group and their running and laughing presence truly made it feel like a village around here.

While they were here, the group took part in a grass-cutting and tree-mulching work party with Ted and Sara, and they were here in the evening for the grand opening party of the All Star Rugged Outdoor Kitchen coop, our newest food coop. This very entertaining event included a potluck dinner in the newly reorganized and decorated Outdoor Kitchen, a tap dancing extravaganza, and a candle light boat launch on the pond. The food was delicious, the tap dancing (debuting performers Jacque, Nicole, Sara and Laura in duet, and Vito) was zany and exotic and the candle boat launching after dark was truly magical. Soft lightning illuminated the clouds and a few raindrops fell but the storm for the most part passed us by. One by one we launched a stream of small unique vessels carrying tea lights across the moonlit pond.

On Thursday we were treated to an exciting fire show by Josie, a former Sandhill intern, and her brother Nick, who were in town for a visit. Sandhill community came over and we all gathered in the evening in front of the common house to watch the performance. We played Frisbee until it was dark and then several Rabbits drummed while Josie and Nick did their very graceful and sinuous fire dance. It was very much appreciated.

As usual there were many comings and goings. Tony returned on Tuesday from the FIC organizational conference at Ithaca Ecovillage and Amy returned last night from her visit to New Jersey to attend her brother’s law school graduation. Congratulations, Stuart! Justine arrived this week to live with us for the summer. She is going to be Rachel’s field assistant—Rachel is very excited to have her help with research and we are excited to have her company as well.

One of our visitors this week, Rachel, a professional hair stylist from Arkansas, gave excellent short haircuts to several Rabbits, just in time for hot summer weather. It was an all day hair cutting extravaganza. Thank you Rachel!

Penn went this week with Johari and Vito and the film crew to local restaurants in Memphis and Edina to pick up used fryer oil they had kindly set aside for us. The oil was used to make biodiesel for running our vehicles.

Skyhouse had a busy week. With the help of Johari, Vito and other helpers they finished the indoor plastering in their great room. They also installed two flame-shaped tile mosaic sconces on the walls, which turned out beautifully.

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