Memphis Democrat
August 28, 2003

I had the most fabulous weekend. I organized a trip down to St. Louis and Columbia to do nature-related activities for my birthday. We rented a van and piled ten of us into it for a weekend of botanical gardens, rock climbing, and more. It was great to have adventures with the folks I live with every day, but who I rarely see outside of Scotland County.

It's been a pretty exciting week overall. Ann Zimmerman is a folksinger from Salina, KS and she gave us a concert in the common house one evening. Then the next night we had a celebration dinner in the common house with Cecil's parents, Louise and Alan Scheib. They were visiting for a few days and they helped make the common house possible. This was their first time seeing the building and it was fun to show them how well it is going. With the walls framed in and the tin on the roof it is starting to look like a real building.

Folks came back from the ultimate frisbee tournament they attended sore and bruised, but happy. And they brought home with them last year's intern Betsy to stay for a few days. But she has returned home and we also said goodbye to Doug, who has been working on Skyhouse all summer. Good luck on your travels, Doug!

Sandhill also said many goodbyes and hosted a big going away party. I was away on my little trip but I heard that it was a big bash. Sandhill intern Josie and her two visiting brothers put on a fire show, where they were doing things like twirling balls of fire. Very impressive.

People have been working hard, even in the unbearably hot weather. Don and his garden crew have been hauling buckets of water and praying for rain. Andra's been toiling away in the biodiesel shed. Ted and Sara have been putting in the foundation for their house. They hope to get it done by winter and are looking for a small used wood stove (Give us a call if you have one available). Skyhouse is just finishing up the sixth (and final) bedroom in their house, and doing all sort of things with plumbing equipment that I don't understand.

But you'll get the full explanation (if you want it) when you come to our Open House. It will be on Sunday September 28, from 1-4pm. Bring your friends and family and see all the changes that have been going on around here. You'll hardly believe it!

We also have tours the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at 1pm (though not September 27th). Please call before coming by, 883-5511.

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