Wind Dance News
Barn Dance
At the Ice House
Sunday December 11, 2011 2:00 to 5:00
Wind Dance Farm & Earth Education Center is celebrating ten years of providing educational programs with a Barn Dance at the Ice House, Sunday afternoon, December 11, 2:00-5:00. Lively dance music provided by Sam and Joe Herrmann, of Critton Hollow, and calling by Leslie Devine Milbourne. Dancing will begin at 3:00. Prior to the dance learn about educational offerings at Wind Dance Farm with an ongoing slide show, dance demonstrations, and a short concert. Throughout the afternoon there will be door prizes, and refreshments and clay tiles will be available for purchase. Tickets are $3.00 for children and $6.00 for adults. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Hunter’s Hardware, Community Garden Market, and Portals. All proceeds benefit Wind Dance Farm & Earth Education Center. Leslie Devine Milbourne, environmental educator & John Devine, traditional musician, founded Wind Dance Farm & Earth Education Center in 2001. Programs include summer camps, homeschool programs, a Community Supported Agriculture program and farm tours. The farm is located near Stotler’s Crossroads in South Morgan County.
Wind Dance Happenings
Acorn Pancakes! Homeschool gatherers collected white oak acorns, took them out of the shell, soaked them for 2 weeks to remove the awful tasting bitter tannin, and then ground the acorns into flour. Mixed with a little corn and white flour and presto! We made pancakes – similar to Sam, the main character from the book we read, My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. We doused the pancakes with maple syrup we made in late winter. Some gatherers thought it delicious, others not so much.
We had two visits from guests. Karen, the worm lady, donated a warm bin and taught the kids about vermi-composting and red wigglers. Great fun handling worms. Jason & Howard Caldwell of Raptors Up Close came to Wind Dance with several birds of prey. This was a terrific program which was done in conjunction with reading the Jean Craighead George series about Sam and his peregrine falcon, Frightful. If you haven’t read the series, we recommend it!
Farming activities are still busy despite this is the last day of November. We are taking advantage of intermittent warm days and still digging the soil! Getting ready to plant thirteen fruit trees and berries. We planted seven types of organic garlic and almost all sprung from the ground with roots ready to take hold for cold winter days.
Our log cabin is staying cozy with a warm stove. Transitioning into winter with frozen and canned fruits & vegetables, herbs in jars, and potatoes, onions and squash in the cellar. Let it snow – we’re ready!