Memphis Democrat
June 6, 2002

Wow, has it been hot. And it felt even hotter because it had been so cold. Between the arrival of the heat and the ticks, there have suddenly appeared many short summer haircuts. And when Tony, Erin, Martha and I volunteered at the butterfly count in Kirksville, we thought we were weather wimps, until we saw the weather was in the high nineties.

Despite the heat, folks have been busy at Skyhouse. Alyson and Erin have been tiling the windowsills. The windowsills are as deep as a straw bale is wide. The tile was laid to provide a nice surface for plants and other objects that might damage plaster. Skyhouse had a big clean up day. About ten people spent all day cleaning up building materials that have been part of putting up that six bedroom house.

Susan, Penn, Tanya and Martha have been putting in long hours with the earthen plaster on the building Bella Ciao. They seem to have a good time though. We mix plaster in a pit with our feet, and they were caught dancing to salsa music in the pit.

Kurt has been continuing to work with Kent Kattleman. He's been helping with the foundation for a biodiesel factory in Bethel. We're glad to see that soy-based fuel gain popularity in Missouri.

It was both Don and Tony's birthday this week. Alline baked delicious cakes for them both. For Don's birthday folks tried to go bowling, but the lightening storm meant no power at the bowling alley. So everyone went to Kelly's Kitchen for another french fry extravaganza.

Paul and Sydney visited us again from Portland. They are exploring moving here in the fall with their dog, Austin. The enjoyed a lovely dinner over at Kurt and Alline's with Cecil and Alyson. They especially liked Alline's renowned chocolate cupcakes. I wonder how I get an invitation.

We have two new interns: Nicole joins us a garden intern. She just graduated from the State University of New York in Buffalo, where she learned to drink strange beverages made from flax seeds. Ann is a village intern who grew up in Singapore. She just graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine where she studied Spanish. We hope she'll help us get going a regular Spanish table at dinner.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage is a nonprofit and a residential community that demonstrates ecological sustainability in Rutledge, MO. We give a tour every Saturday at 1pm. Please call first before coming by, at 883-5511.

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