The Leaves of Twin Oaks Summer 2001 - Page 6
Some of the proposed projects under the Wigwam umbrella are building cisterns and water catchment systems, repairing broken solar hot water systems, building custom cargo and other special service bikes, building lightweight structures to support winter crops, wildcrafting, doing an ecological audit of the community, restarting the coffeehouses, siting and erecting a large yurt we have been given, building octagonal benches around trees, investigating and promoting a constructed wetlands project, diversifying our crops, promoting more cooking of our own grown food, and the creation of a new EcoVillage internship position. The goal of this project is to further root the concept of sustainability in the culture of Twin Oaks which to us means creating an attractive home-grown culture as well as building solar systems and alternative structures.
As of the beginning of October, here are a number of the projects Wigwams has funded:
The Yurt: Twin Oaks has been given a Yurt. It has an elevated wooden floor and canvas walls. It is now up at the what use to be called the Oasis by conference folx and is a pretty impressive space. It did have a roof collapse but Keenan resuscitated it (with help from Spot and Joy). Keenan has also put a beautiful door on it. It was used as a platform during the communities conference. It has been used for two rituals since its completion and will probably see a fair amount of use given its size. It would actually be a good space for a cmty mtg – it is larger than the Bijou.
The Hoop House: This interesting structure looks more space age than primitivist. The Hoop House, which is made from flexible plastic tubes and a plastic covering will be used to grow various different types of vegetables, mostly salads and maybe early tomatoes in the spring. It has about a 10’ by 40’ usable space. The plastic which is up now will be taken down in the spring to extend it’s life. There is a hydrant installed to supply reliable irrigation.
Bikes: There are many working bikes and newly completed assigned bike racks and there will soon be assigned bikes. Sean has exhausted the bike budget, so Wigwam is supplementing it with hours, at least until the end of the year. Covered bike sheds are on the horizon.
Acorn Assistance: Wigwam is hoping to trade labor for seeds for the hoop house and other parts of the garden. The labor would go to support the Acorn Seed (SESE) business, which is doing unusually good business right now (even tho this is the slow season) and is in serious need of labor, but has exhausted the near term LEX possibilities. If the dollar per hour of this exchange was calculated, it would not be especially favorable for Twin Oaks. Having discussed this with the planners and several Acorners, the wigwam honchos have decided that it is still the right thing to do; now we just have to see how the cmty feels. This is one of several plans to help Acorn which is at low population but has high labor needs.
Coffeehouses: The party keeps rolling on. The events previously at Bozo Beach have moved indoors to Tupelo for the winter. They have been well attended with several great performances. jAz and Joshua have been driving forces in coffeehouse organizing with great support from other members of Soul Couch – Tim, Val, Pele and Ezra (when he is around). jAz and Joshua are continuing to burn custom CDs for community dances and coffeehouses. Shiloh is unstoppable as emcee. New talent is always welcome at Coffeehouses.
Fixing Instruments: Pele & Griffin & Tim have returned 5 of the 8 community guitars to working order. For the first time in a long time the guitar in ZK is more than an art piece on the wall.
Ropes: Shal has split the cost of a new climbing rope between Rec and Wigwams. This has already been used for a climb in the Shenandoah’s and at the Graveyard Beach. Shal is doing climbing with various visitor groups (non-creditable for Viz’s)
Workshop Prep: Sky did workshop development work for the creating culture thru ritual workshop which he gave at the EarthHaven/FIC Community Day mtg.
Support for Magic: Kristen has taken a small number of wigwam hours for the public rituals she has been organizing.
Wigwam Interns: Dissatisfied with our own level of supervision of the summer wigwam interns, we have suspended the program until such a time that it can be more carefully managed and fully developed. We are working to get Nathan to return in the fall semester of 2002, not as an intern tho.
Wave’s Play: Wigwam and movement support funded the political play written and directed by Wave, sadly after she decided to return to Twin Oaks she was repulsed a the US border and unable to legally return.
Art Supplies: Wigwam is funding small art supply purchases by Sean to develop the art studio space. Sky has posted a 3 X 5 for people interested in working on the studio space.
Solar Systems: The planets are still revolving around the sun, the moons are still revolving around the planets. God is appreciative us for taking on this task he has had to do for, like, ever.