Memphis Democrat
October 12, 2006

This is Suzanne. It has been a gorgeously crisp week--sunny during the day and chilly at night. It has been so bright with the full moon, walking the leaf-covered paths at night. I was born in October and this is my favorite time of year. Now, along with my birthday and Halloween there is Land Day to look forward to in October--this year we celebrated on Saturday the 7th. It was my second Land Day celebration (Dancing Rabbit's anniversary for buying the land in 1997) and I can tell that it is a holiday that will deepen with meaning every year.

This year was especially action-packed and included a potluck breakfast, the ritual storytelling of the history of Dancing Rabbit, a land walk, a relay race, soccer, frisbee, a potluck dinner, an open mic night and a bonfire. Phew! I didn't make it to the bonfire--the events of the first half of the day were enough for me.

The relay race was a lot of fun. Jennifer and Alyssa planned the event--I came upon them doubled over laughing in corners many times during the week plotting the race. It included such traditional relay favorites as the three-legged race, the wheelbarrow race and bobbing for apples but it also had some very inventive new additions--like swimming back and forth across the pond, whistling with peanut butter in mouth, painting the DR logo on boards with clay slip, walking on large rolling wooden spools and trying to recite all of Dancing Rabbit's ecological covenants very fast.

This Land Day it was especially satisfying to have Kurt and Alline back with us at last and to have so many great new residents and members here. This year brought us Geneveive, Tony B, Alyssa, Michelle and Brian. Visitors Seamus, Rory, Amanda, and Jason stayed through Land Day--all of them may perhaps be coming back as residents either next spring or within the next couple of years.

Tereza and Tom made a photo album of pictures from years past and several of us enjoyed looking at them and marvelling at how much Dancing Rabbit has changed over the years. When Tom came here in 1998 there were only the remains of an old farm here. It was amazing to see photos of our land with out the now familiar buildings. The trees and plants here have grown so much that it was hard to recognize even the landscape. It was fun also to look at pictures of our village interns from years past and to hear the stories of what summers were like when we hosted multiple interns. Perhaps next summer we will be ready to start hosting interns again.

Tony and Alyssa are still looking for wood siding for their house. If you have an old falling down barn with wood siding that you wouldn't mind parting with, email or give us a call and they will come out and get it. Also, Sunflower kitchen is looking for a used six or four burner propane oven. Let us know if you have one for sale.

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