Memphis Democrat July 5, 2000

Happy birthday to member Alline. We celebrated her birthday with a "no talent" show, which we enjoyed with much laughter and chocolate-black raspberry cake.

Lots of folks showed up this week to visit us for awhile. Rachel F., one of the original members of Dancing Rabbit who left, biked from the Ottumwa train station for a visit. She took the train there from her home in Oakland, CA. Karen ("KP"), an intern from last year, also dropped by from Staten Island, NY to work and play with us for a week. Then she'll be on her way with visitor Sarah ("Lyzrd") to volunteer at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Member Rachel's childhood friend from Kings Park, NY, Melissa, arrived and promptly co-taught a women's self defense class with Rachel to female members, visitors and interns. Both were part of a group of women in California and taught together for years there.

We also enjoyed a lovely visit from Chris Feeney of the Memphis Democrat. We all really appreciated his open minded questions and obvious enthusiasm.

Members Kurt and Alline are getting a bit of unexpected help on their house this week. Jim from Iowa, who Alline met at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair, volunteered to spend a few days at Dancing Rabbit working on their cottage.

Intern Christina has taken on the task of building solar shower stalls for summer use. Solar showers are enclosed outdoor showers where the water is in black containers and is heated by the sun. The water pressure is created to gravity.

A crew of folks, led by member Tony, is working nearly every day to denail and clean a huge pile of reclaimed tongue and groove flooring that will be the second story floor of Skyhouse.

Member Cecil has been hard at work assembling the solar panels for Skyhouse, with the help of intern Shawn. That's four down, lots more to go.

The garden has been looking incredible thanks for our gardener, Don and his helpers. We harvested the first zucchinis of the season, which already are threatening to become baseball bats. We also are harvesting the first cucumbers of the season and processing them into our famous "bread and butter" pickles.

Intern Alexis has been kicking off her stay with surveys of plants on our land to understand how to control erosion and restore ecosystems.

We welcome folks to come by for a tour Saturdays at 1pm, but please call first at 883-5511.

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