Poetry in the Trees, with poet Ron Weber

July 19, 2003
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
FWMC Treehouse

We will gather at the treehouse (a pleasant rustic 10 minute hike up from Cabin or a very bumpy ride up from FWMC road) to first explore several traditions of nature poetry and then try our hands at writing some of our own (for those who wish to do so). Treehouse can seat 25. Resulting poetic creations may, by your choice, be either shared or kept to oneself. Guiding us will be Ron Weber of Accokeek, MD, a gifted editor and poet who has lived in the region for several decades. Ron feels that all of us are poets and that "poetry is a vehicle for coming to know a place, and for holding on to that place." This makes poetry an appropriate means for relating to the wilderness at the Friends Meditation Center, and for becoming even better stewards of this wild treasure. Following the program, we will share a picnic lunch and fellowship, and then the afternoon will be free for hiking, sharing, or individual writing. Please bring short poems to read (yours or others'). Ron Weber will be happy to provide constructive feedback on brief passages or short poems. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at the Niles Cabin. We suggest a modest donation for this event. This event is for:Anyone who appreciates poetry, writes poetry, likes to hear it spoken, or likes to explore poetry of nature or their spirituality. Directions: Get exact directions to Niles Cabin or to treehouse from Sheila.

Afternoon Insect Walk & Night Buggin'

Invasive Species and Beetles
June 14, 2003
3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Niles Cabin

If you see the wonder of the spirit in the diversity of the creatures we share our planet with, this program will leave you full of wonder indeed.

Come join Smithsonian Museum of Natural History entomologist Warren Steiner for an afternoon hike looking at beetles and other insects and their life cycles. This will be followed by a potluck dinner at the Niles Cabin, and then... and then... Night Buggin! At dusk, we will set up bed sheets in the woods and bright lanterns and Warren will lead us in identifying and learning about the many different insects that come in to see what all the shine is about.

In a sense, then, this is really two programs, back to back -- a very popular event last year. Warren says "That time in June is generally peak diversity for insects so if the weather cooperates, it should be great."

Those who would like to (people, not bugs…) can camp over, and a night hike to a moon- and starlight-bathed meadow might even happen.

NOTE: There will be a full moon on June 14, so camping at FWMC on Friday or Saturday nights should be wonderful!

A modest donation to the Center will be welcomed but is not obligatory.

This event is for:Anyone who really digs bugs or is given the creeps by them...plus kids from 5 to 105.

Directions: Check with Sheila, by phone or e-mail

Pinestone House Weekend Rental Available

June 6-8, 2003
Pinestone

Pinestone at Rolling Ridge has become available for rental the weekend of June 6-8. Call Nelson Good for rental details (202-332-7076).

Appalachian Trail Hike with Jim Hall and Rolling Ridge Community Staff

Saturday, May 31, 2003
9:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Keys Gap

The Appalachian Trail south of Harpers Ferry was the first section of the trail to be established south of New England. On this full-day hike we will begin at Keyes Gap (where Route 9 crosses the Blue Ridge) and finish at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat (total walking distance 12 miles).

Along the way we will take time to enjoy the views and the beauty of the spring wildflowers, azalias, and mountain laurel. We will search for nesting birds and other wildlife and listen to the stories of the ancient rock. Much of the trail is over rocky terrain and there are several short, but steep ascents; the last two miles is all downhill from the Ridge to Study Retreat, where a hearty dinner will await our arrival.

Jim Hall is an amateur naturalist and ecologist at the Dayspring Retreat Center near Washington and is a Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Board member. Contact Bob Sabath (304-724-6653) to confirm coming (we don't want to leave without you), and for last minute changes due to weather conditions.

Buddhist Insight Meditation

May 24, 2003
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
FWMC Treehouse

Insight Meditation (known as vipassana in the Buddhist tradition) is a simple technique which has been practiced in Asia for over 2,500 years. Beginning with the focusing of attention on the breath, the practice concentrates and calms the mind. It allows one to see through the mind's conditioning and thereby to live more fully present in the moment.

Join Dave Schoof and receive an introduction to this style of meditating. No previous experience is necessary. He will guide you through the principles and, as a group, enjoy the experience of meditating together in a beautiful and natural setting. Dave will introduce sitting, walking and eating meditations. He will share a brief introduction into some of the principal teachings of the Buddha (called the Dharma) and discuss its relevance in our everyday lives. He can also facilitate a discussion on the similarities and differences of this practice and the Quaker practice as well.

Dave is an experienced meditator who is affiliated with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC (IMCW). He lives in Shepherdstown, WV where he leads a weekly Vipassana meditation group. He loves to lead groups of interested people in exploring the application of the Dharma to everyday life.

In case of heavy rain, the event will be held in the Niles Cabin.

A modest donation to the Wilderness Center is suggested.

This event is for: People seeking an introduction to Buddhist meditation, as well as practiced meditators who wish to experience group meditation in a wilderness setting. Event, weather permitting, will occur at FWMC's large treehouse that can seat 25. If rainy weather than will occur indoors in Niles Cabin. Directions: Call or e-mail Sheila Bach for directions. Treehouse is c. half mile from Niles Cabin. Watch for signs on property and get exact instructions from Sheila for driving or walking on our land.

Preserving Open Space

May 17, 2003
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Niles Cabin

What is green infrastructure? Aleen Starkweather will lead a program about open space, animal passageways and biodiversity corridors, and will explain some of the concepts of green infrastructure.

Aleen's active affiliations include the Greater Sandy Spring Green Space, MAGIC (Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation), the Land Use Committee of the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County (which she chairs), and the Citizen's Advisory Committee for Legacy Open Space, an innovative program in Montgomery County.

PRESERVING OPEN SPACE is a subject dear to Aleen's heart. The program will start on the treehouse platform at 11am on Saturday, May 17, 2003.

In case of rain, meet at the Niles Cabin. Bring a brown bag lunch, water, and maybe even hiking boots!

NOTE: Full moon is on Thursday, May 15, so camping on Friday the 16th should be wonderful, with a moonrise about an hour after sunset. Or better yet, come out for a long weekend, on the 15th, and watch that evening's total lunar eclipse! (Beginning at 9:02 pm; darkest at 10:40 pm.)

A modest donation is suggested for this program.

This event is for: Anyone interested in preserving wilderness or open space -- for your soul, for your body, for your family and friends on earth and yet unborn, for total strangers,should come to this FWMC event.

Retreat House Weekend Rental Available

May 16-18, 2003
Retreat House

The Retreat House at Rolling Ridge has become available for rental the weekend of May 16-18. This is a lovely time of year, with full moon on May 16, and a wonderful workshop on Open Space at Friends Wilderness Meditation Center Saturday morning. Call Nelson Good for rental details (202-332-7076)

Total Lunar Eclipse

Thursday Evening, May 15, 2003
9:30 pm - 10:40 pm Lunar Eclipse
Camping Area

Join Rolling Ridge staff to camp overnight Thursday, May 15, and watch that evening's total lunar eclipse, beginning at 9:02 pm, darkest at 10:40 pm. Some of the folks from Friends Wilderness Meditation Shelter will also be camping that evening.

Living in Relationship to Macroeconomies

An Ecological Integrity Retreat
April 25 - 26, 2003
7:00 pm Friday - 7:00 pm Saturday
Deerspring House

Multiple thoughtful writers on economics, development, theology and ecology have written of far reaching negative effects of modern macroeconomies on human wellbeing. They also write of alternative ways in which people may relate to macroeconomies.

In the first phase of this study retreat project, the four leaders of this retreat have given themselves to learning from some of these writers, such as Marjorie Kelley, Jerome Segal, M.D. Litonjua, David Korton, and Ched Meyers. They now invite you to participate in this retreat as the second phase of this project.

When you pre-register you will be sent several brief readings which will prepare each of us to share our insights. In this retreat we will help each other find our way in relating constructively to an economy in which the person is relegated to being a consumer and a dispensable worker; where matters deemed noteworthy in the media are frequently reported as the economic value lost or gained; and where an outcome is an expanding disparity among people in multiple dimensions of their lives.

After dinner on Friday evening we will tease out themes on how we might responsively live in relation to dehumanizing economic structure, followed by an offering of music and bedtime story told by an excellent storyteller and poet. On Saturday we begin by listening briefly to two economists who work for government and in international development reflect on their interpretation of the readings we all will receive, followed by sharing of learnings by all participants. After lunch there will be ample time for walking in the forest, journal writing, or rest. After tea will learn from a video on a creative project relevant to the retreat theme. The retreat concludes with dinner. However, those who wish may remain overnight and join us for an informal "breakfast seminar."

Cost for each person is $50 if lodging is in DeerSpring, $30 if tenting. Register by mailing one-half of the retreat fee to Vivian Headings, RRSRC, Box 314K, Harpers Ferry WV 25425. The retreat leaders are Jim Hall, Cheryl Hellner, Vivian Headings, and others. Contact Vivian for details (phone: 304-725-4172 or email: vvatrr@juno.com)

Birds in Migration

April 19, 2003
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Niles Cabin

Hear from an expert about the marvels of winged migration. Although Johanna Thompson was born in Washington, DC she left the area for the Midwest after high school, and then returned in 1985 to pursue her career as a lawyer-librarian. Shortly after returning to DC, her parents invited her to join them on a trip to the island of Sanibel in Florida. Once there, the resort appeared to offer a choice between two activities: collecting seashells, or watching birds. Given the options of picking up pieces of calcium that had once housed slimy sea creatures or watching exotic living birds, the choice, to Johanna was obvious. Johanna was at the bird refuge every morning at 6 a.m. when it opened. The close-up sunrise views of egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, and red shouldered hawks were intoxicating, Johanna was hooked.

After her trip to Sanibel, she went on one birding trip after another, slowly increasing her knowledge of birds and steadily expanding the collection of bird books in her personal library. She retired in May 1999, which meant there was not only more time for birding, but also for volunteer work such as being a docent at the National Zoo’s bird house and a speaker for the Audubon Naturalist Society.

During this program Johanna will share her love for and knowledge of birds, focusing specifically on winter birds in the region.

We will begin at 10:30 a.m. Bring a bag lunch. If you have binoculars and or a field guide, bring those also. If you like, stay for a short hike after lunch.

There are at least 115 species of birds that have been seen at Rolling Ridge, including nine that are listed as endangered in West Virginia. What better time to expand your knowledge of our birds or begin to learn how to identify our feathered friends.field guide, bring those also.

We suggest a modest donation for this event.

This event is for: Anyone interested in birds, birding, or wildlife, and willing to walk the trails should come to this FWMC event.

Directions: Get specific directions from Sheila. We will meet at Niles Cabin. Follow signs on property for Niles Cabin. See our ride board feature at our idealist.org web site if you need a ride. Camping, or overnight stays in the Niles Cabin are available that weekend.

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