Memphis Democrat September 27, 2000

This has been a week for lots of socializing. We all enjoyed the Rutledge Fall Festival. And it seems we are a very musical group, because over the course of the day Cecil, Jeffrey, Jacob, Susan, Maureen and Kurt ended up on stage. Cecil has been the real social butterfly, hanging out with folks at the weenie roast the night before the festival, in the field with the crowd watching Irwin Zimmerman's flying machine, or just stopping to talk to Emery Clark on his way biking home. Then Cecil cooked dinner on the night that we had three visitors over: Ellanor Zimmerman, Anita Zimmerman and Monica Fox. They came by for a tour and then a dinner of pasta, tofu and fried okra. It was an interesting and educational experience for all involved.

We've had a lot of visitors this week, many of which came from a community called Acorn in Virginia. Tony coordinated their efforts to get a bunch of small projects done, like building trellises and a toothbrush holder and painting signs. Kurt also coordinated lots of visitors to speed up the laying of straw bales in his house. He laid 26 straw bales in one day, a new record. Not to be outdone, Don led the effort to prepare beds for fall vegetables and planted beets, radishes, spinach and turnips, which are all already coming up.

Jacob and I went to Sandhill to harvest native grass seed, to help reseed areas of our land. Thanks Sandhill! If you have native grasses or wildflowers and don't mind us collecting your seed, let us know.

Timothy left the community this week. She and Jacob are pregnant and are moving to Detroit for many reasons, including being closer to their families. Jacob is sticking around for a few months to wrap things up here. We mourn both of their leavings, as we congratulate them.

Tony took the Oats Bus down to Columbia to see a specialist about his tendonitis. He is getting better slowly but surely.

Alline is out of town this week on a temporary job. She is flying around the country assisting with opening stores in malls for a retail candle company. Luckily she will return just in time for our Open House. So will Jess, who has been out of town selling posters on college campuses.

Please come by for our Open House, 2-4pm on Sunday, October 1st. Tour our strawbale homes and organic gardens, learn about solar energy and biodiesel and ask us those questions you've been wondering about. It is part of a celebration of the anniversary of the purchase of our land. Call if you need more information or directions, at 883-5511.