This spring brings us our second potential subentity within the DR town structure, Ray Watkowski, the creator of the Missouri Renewable Energy Association. Ray came to us from Jefferson City, MO equipped with his own off-the-power-grid living unit. Ray is an ace at researching and developing alternative energy technology. He has set up his trailer to use sun energy for electricity and cooking, wood for heat, and rain catchment for water to sustain himself. Ray's trailer has a composting toilet and during the summer he has solar hot water. Ray prefers to bicycle rather than drive, which fits in well with the rest of us Rabbits.
Ray has given DR the chance to make our first alternative energy support loan. We are purchasing an Air 303 windmill for him and he will be able to pay for it in installments. It's a great deal for both of us because Ray has wanted to go wind powered for a while and the rest of DR will be able to observe the results of using a rooftop windmill in the Missouri hills.
Ray recently set up a CB radio system between his trailer (across the road and up a piece) and our house so that we can communicate about dinner time, or just chat without slogging over in the rain or mud.
Our DR membership policy is still on the drawing board, so we aren't ready to ask Ray to become a member yet, but we are glad to have him here as part of DR anyway!
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