~ Park News ~ January 1, 2008 ~
Be sure to explore links
to updated pages on our website.
Park's
Calendar At A Glance
~ Check out the 2008 summer programs
already scheduled! ~
Summer
2007 Slideshow
~ See old friends and beautiful shots of the Park.~
Park's Members and
Supporters
~ Your tax deductable 2008 donations are
being gratefully received!
Congratulate
your friends who are members of the Park!
Download a pledge form for
your 2008 membership. ~
~ Thank you all who attended the annual
Winter's Solstice Bonfire!! ~
Dear
Friends,
At
EarthTeach, winter days are both radiant and stark. There
is a fragile, luminous beauty present throughout the Park
unlike during any other season: the landscape is defined in
contrasting hues of dark or light, barren rock glows under
frigid blue-toned air, sentinel trees wear cloaks of mist
and snow, and the sleepy illusion of hibernation is
regularly and playfully defied by the tracks of jackrabbit,
fox and black bear.
Visitors to the Park this time of year narrow down to only
the most adventuresome. For the children from John Muir
School, who have continued their Friday field studies
despite the cold weather, the forest is showing herself in
a whole new, wildly wonderful way. Everything is
muddy-frozen-slippery-snowy adventure. They return to
school wet, filthy, tired and completely exhilarated!
For our ancestors, winter was the time to turn quiet
energies indoors, seek healing rest in the longer nights
and find companionship and community near a glowing fire.
It was a time to acknowledge abundance and blessings that
would help them through the darkening days and keep vigil
for the joyous re-emergence of springtime – both in the
natural world and in themselves.
In that spirit, the community office – with its bustling
staff of two – takes this time to acknowledge the
generosity shown by so many of you toward the loving care
of EarthTeach Forest Park.
Thank you for venturing up onto the land, to learn, grow,
deepen family and community connections, play and find your
place in nature. As the winter solstice brings forth the
longest and darkest night of the year, we at EarthTeach
greet the light in each of you and wish you peace.
In gratitude,
Martha
Martha Phelps Cotton, General Manager
Dec. 21, 2007 Winter's Solstice