Memphis Democrat
June 13, 2002

We've really been enjoying the beginning of the vegetable season. Don has been delivering to the dinner cooks shell peas, kohlrabi, kale, scallions and whatever else the garden produces. The strawberries have been coming in like there is no tomorrow. And I can see that mulberries and sour cherries are just around the corner.

Many of you may remember that last year we had a roving fruit picking team that would pick fruits from the trees of generous neighbors, because our orchard is too young to produce much. If you have a tree and hate to see the fruit on it go to waste when you have picked all you need, let us know. We really appreciate the opportunity.

Cecil and Alyson headed off the Siberia where they are going to install solar panels there to help a town become self sufficient in terms of electricity. While over there, Alyson will reconnect with some of the folks she works with over there doing environmental advocacy. Cecil will take a hop in a plane to Beijing to visit a friend who is teaching in China.

Folks are working on the final coat of plaster on the building we call Bella Ciao. It looks great and will be terrific to have another building finished. Folks have been working hard on Skyhouse too, plastering, tiling and putting in trim.

I spent the day in Kirksville this week so I could see Ralph Duren. He works for the MDC and he makes the noises of 135 animals and birds. He was very entertaining and educational, too.

Two deaf folks who visited last summer came back through for a day. Susan and I always enjoy the opportunity to practice our sign language skills, as well as hang out with good hearted people.

If you've seen us bicycling a little more than usual, its because four of us are going to bike the Katy Trail and have been training. We appreciate how considerate our neighbors are, giving us plenty of room on the road.

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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