SweetWood Temenos Newsletter #2

January 20, 2001

SWT INTERIM COUNCIL REPORT

by Kim Ingersoll

The Council has had two meetings since the last newletter. The first was on Oct 1, 2000 at the work party at SweetWood. Council members Jack & Kim were present as well as a number of members. The second meeting was held at Jack and Kim's house on Jan 12, 2001 that also included two SWT members. Discussion of priority for our first large-scale land development came down to a choice of either putting a road back to the camping sites, or putting in electricity to the sites. Jack said that putting in an underground cable will be about $1000 more than using poles. There was consensus of those present for pursuing the underground cable.

So this will offically go to the membership for a vote:

Road: _______ Underground electricity _______
Let us know what you think!

As of Dec 15, 2000 we have $1,704.40 in our SweetWood Temenos account. Please make future checks out to SweetWood Temenos. Thanks!

Jack and Kim have obtained more information about planting screen trees along road and on the south side. Unfortunately, Round-Up will be needed to kill off the alfalfa, which has an extensive root system that severely competes with the seedling trees. On the positive side, this spraying will be far away from the camping sites and woods. All precautions will be taken to protect wildlife and nearby areas. They plan to do the spraying in fall 2001 (before freezing weather) and plant in spring 2002. A tree planting machine will be needed, as there are about 800 trees to be planted. Some of this planting may be done by the membership. Jack and Kim will be paying for this out-of-pocket, as this planting will not be on the part of the land that SWT is leasing.

Jack and Kim did not take the yearly rent of $250 this year, but will next year to defray costs lost to farmer rental when we plant the screen trees. Jack has purchased a used riding lawn mower with a small wagon for clearing trails and hauling brush, dirt etc. He has paid for this out-of-pocket.

Information packets about the SWT organization are now available to interested members free of charge. These include: bylaws, membership policies, current newsletter, lease from Jack and Kim Ingersoll, brochures, "What is SweetWood?' info sheet, copy of State of WI Charitable organization license, & copy of Church of all Worlds Subsidiary organization certificate.

Plans are in the works to set up a website. Any tech-friendly members or friends that can help do the set-up and/or commit to keeping the site updated please contact Jack or Kyril.

SWEETWOOD TEMENOS UPDATE

The SweetWood work party held on the last weekend of September was a great success. We were blessed with warm dry weather during the whole weekend. About 15 showed up to clear six new tent sites in the pine woods, making a total of 13 nice flat sites for the comfort of members and friends. An open meeting of the interim council was held so members could ask questions and give their input. Zillions of bulbs were planted near the circle and a good supply of nice dry red oak was stacked for future campfires. Anne GreenStar hosted a Native Amercian give-away to celebrate the good things that have blessed her life recently.The beautiful fall colors and drumming & dancing made for many smiles and much comraderie. Thanks to all for your help!!

SCHEDULE FOR NEXT SPRING THROUGH FALL:

Earth Day Planting Party - April 20 through 22, 2001

Jack will get topsoil for beds. Bring seeds. Jack has one more payment (again, out-of-pocket) on a polished granite top that will go on top of the altar in the main circle. He will try and get the base ready for Earth Day, weather permitting. More info to follow.

PolyCon - March 30 through April 1, 2001

Jack can forward info to those interested. Many members are planning on attending.

Pizza Work Party - Labor Day Weekend, Aug 30 through Sept 3, 2001

General campsite clearing, trails, wood-cutting etc. More info to follow.

5th Annual Freedom Gather - June 29 through July 2, 2001

(Members stay free for extension through July 4) Ritual, playshops, symposium and merrymaking. More info to follow.

THE LAND SPEAKS

by Delta Listening Wolf

The forest of SweetWood made its last farewell of the season to Richard and his friend Susan. They spent the last weekend in September enjoying the solitude and also split some wood and covered the woodpile with plastic for the winter. Hearty thanks to both of you and also thanks to the old fallen oak for its gift of warming fire. More members like you will always be welcome!!

SweetWood is sleeping under a thick blanket of snow. Jack and I ventured into the woods on sunny January afternoon, walking knee deep through the fluffy snow. All was so quiet I could almost taste it. Very few animals left their tracks - just one lonely deer explored the edge of the woods.

We walked a spiral into the circle, dug out the chairs and sat to rest. We noticed the tracks of a rabbit chased by a fox around the altar. Both sets of tracks disappeared into the woods and left us wondering about the rabbit's fate. A light wind creaks the trees as the sun slowly sets, turning the woods and circle a luminous pink. As our custom we give thanks before we head back to the road where our little red car waits.

As we come out of the woods into the field, the sky is a watercolorist's dream; blues, pinks and periwinkle colors shade into one another as I look from horizon to horizon. My eyes meet the golden ball of the Sun, still too bright to gaze upon. I close my eyes so my third eye can drink the sunlight, thinking of Spring.

Speaking of Spring and growing things, I've made a list of shade-loving perennial plants obtained from a book I have. If members want me to send it to you, let me know - Delta.

Hope your holidays were merry, safe and bright. Blessed be….

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