Posts Tagged ‘Amanda Richards’
27/12/2009
By Amanda Richards
An Eco-fable about planting trees
I picked up an excellent book on the week-end – one that I hope you will read. It’s an oldie but a goodie. This book is a magical and inspiring tale about a man who planted trees. It is also known as The Story of Elzéard Bouffier, The Most Extraordinary Character I Ever Met.
It was first published in 1953 and is a timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth. The hero of the story, Elzéard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Tags:Amanda Richards, Elzéard Bouffier he Most Extraordinary Character I Ever Met, Mountain Spirit, Provence
Posted in Books, Conservation, Environment, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
18/11/2009
Mountain Spirit Institute Attends Grant Writing Seminar
Plymouth, NH
Hosted by the the New Hampshire Center for Non Profits and Council on Fundraising, a three-day seminar held in Plymouth New Hampshire has been covering the essentials on grant writing. Randall and Amanda Richards are attending the seminar which wraps up tomorrow.
The following panelists presented during the first day, covering “Understanding the Grantmaking Universe, What are Foundations looking For”:
Christine Grenier – Citizens Bank
Marianne Jones – The Women’s Fund
Mary Kaplan – Endowment for Health
On day two, the following panelists presented on “What Great Proposals Look Like”
Bryon Champlin – Lincoln Financial Foundation
Kathy Cook – Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation
Ellen Koenig – The NH Charitable Foundation
Says MSI Development Director, Amanda Richards, “This seminar gives us vital tools and information to move forward with our development goals to further the mission of Mountain Spirit. ” She added, “We’re very excited to put these new skills into action.”
MSI plans to search for funding for the Peru/USA Music Exchange Program, Board of Directors development and training, and capacity building, that will strengthen MSI’s ability to deliver important programs.
The seminar has been presented by Elizabeth Sunde. If you would like more information about this new program, which will be repeated, please check out the links above.
Tags:Amanda Richards, Bryon Champlin, Christine Grenier, Citizens Bank, Council on Fundraising, Elizabeth Sunde, Ellen Koenig, Endowment for Health, Kathy Cook, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Marianne Jones, Mary Kaplan, Mountain Spirit, New Hampshire Center for Non Profits, New Hampshire Grants Institute, Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation, The NH Charitable Foundation, The Women's Fund
Posted in MSI News | Leave a Comment »
12/11/2009
DEC 4-6 Burlington VT
Mountain Spirit Institute will be attending Burlington Vermont’s International Festival on December 4th-6th. MSI will have a booth explaining the mission and programs of the organization. In particular, the Peruvian/USA Music Exchange with the Cusco band Chimu Inka, that was so popular in 2008 will be featured at the booth. Also our Peru and New Zealand programs will be presented, where visitors will have a chance to find out more about going on an MSI program in those countries or here in the U.S. MSI will also have Peruvian Fair Trade products and Chimu Inka CD’s and instruments for sale to help raise funds for their return, and to fund other MSI programs as well.
The Festival has been running for over fifteen years, and according to Amanda Richards, the organizers of the event are excited to have Mountain Spirit attend the festival. We look forward to being there as well!
Tags:Amanda Richards, Chimu Inka, Fair Trade, Mountain Spirit, Peru/USA Music Exchange, Vermont International Festival
Posted in Fair Trade, Film/DVD, Focus on MSI People, MSI News, Music, New Zealand, Peru, South America, Supporting MSI | Leave a Comment »
06/11/2009
"eco" now in U.S.
New Zealand’s eco brand, now available in USA,
Just might take U.S. by storm, one good product at a time.
By Randall Richards
My wife has been living in Kiwi-land for a while now, and when we got married in NZ, I couldn’t help but run into eco products throughout the country. Now back in the USA for a while, I was about to have my sister-in-law ship some organic eco coconut soap stateside. Fortunately while on the phone with her I Google’d “eco usa” and found, lo and behold, their new USA website.
Here’s an excerpt on their voyage from Down under:
“Eco NZ was founded more than 15 years ago by Melanie and Malcolm Rands from their home in an eco village in New Zealand.
eco founder, Malcolm Rands
All of the families that lived in the farm based eco village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living, making this an ideal environment in which a young, environmentally conscious business could thrive. Each household in the village was responsible for their own waste water, which quickly highlighted the problems caused by using regular supermarket cleaning products that relied heavily on cheap, petroleum-based, synthetic ingredients.
(more…)
Tags:Amanda Richards, eco products, Eco store usa, Malcolm Rands, Mountain Spirit
Posted in Holistic Living, Leadership, New Zealand, Sustainable Living/Communities | 2 Comments »
03/11/2009
"Fresh" Screening, in NH, USA
Mountain Spirit Institute is co-sponsoring the screening of the movie Fresh in New London, NH on Saturday November 21, at 7PM at the Whipple Auditorium on Main Street.
Says MSI director Randall Richards, “We saw the oportunity to get involved and help with the screening of this movie. We’re providing some desktop layout skills, and equipment for the showing.
Marketing and Development director Amanda Richards, had heard about the movie Food.Inc, and having just arrived from New Zealand, had been concerned about what she was seeing in the U.S. food supply. When she heard that Linda Howes, CN, HHP, CBE was preparing to show the movie Fresh, she decided to get involved. Howes is the local chapter representative of the Weston A Price Foundation and owner of Nourishing Wellness, in New London, NH. (more…)
Tags:Amanda Richards, Fresh The movie, Healthy Eating, Helath Foods, Holistic Living, Mountain Spirit, New London, NH, Randall Richards, screening Fresh, Sunapee, Weston A Price, Whipple Auditorium, Whole foods
Posted in Environment, Health, Holistic Living, MSI News, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
29/10/2009
Amanda Richards, MSI Board Member
Amanda Richards was named to the board of Directors of Mountain Spirit Institute, at the organization’s recent annual retreat held in Sunapee, NH. She was also elected treasurer.
Amanda brings a wealth of marketing and business background plus great energy and ideas to MSI. She has also been a backcountry hut Ranger for the Department Conservation in New Zealand’s Mt. Aspiring National Park. Amanda has trekked extensively in the Himalaya, climbed Kilimanjaro in Africa, and done extensive adventures in New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world. She is a classically trained Homeopath and has a degree in science. She speaks conversational Spanish and English.
Says Richards of her new appointment, ” I’m thrilled to be part of the Mountain Spirit team, and look forward to contributing.”
Tags:Amanda Hamilton, Amanda Richards, Dexter Randy Richards, Mountain Spirit Institute Board of Directors
Posted in MSI News | Leave a Comment »
28/10/2009
Randy and Amanda Richards have purchased a small parcel of land near Hauraz Peru, which if their plans come to fruition, could mean a basecamp for Mountain Spirit Institute. The couple would eventually like to build a small retreat center/basecamp on the spot which overlooks the Cordillera Blanca range in northern Peru, including the highest peak in Peru, Mt. Huascaran.
Possible MSI Basecamp, Peru
Richards first saw the site 12 years ago when we was taken up there by his godchild’s family. Richards was guiding Huasacaran at the time. He always had it in the back of his mind that the site would be ideal for either a small cabin or retreat where participants could come and take Mountain Spirit programs.
Huascaran from MSI's Basecamp(?)
The site had only been accessible by foot – a 1.5 hour hike from the valley floor below, but two years ago a dirt road was put in to access the area, and Richards thought it was better to act now than wait any longer.
Although Richards purchased the land, depending upon funding from Mountain Spirit, the organization could become involved if the board thinks it would like to expand operations in Peru by offering a basecamp. Regardless, The Richards will enact conservation and stewardship practices, maintaining the protecting the area from further development by possibly purchasing additional acreage or seeking others willing to put the land into protection. The location is particularly special and deserves protection from hotel interests that have been interested in the area. The area us currently used for farming, and the couple will encourage their “Peruvian family”, the Sanchez family to add the parcel to their nearby fields.
Tai Chi on Land near Hauraz, Peru
Says Richards, originally of Sunapee, NH, “I never thought I’d be purchasing land in Peru, but the time and situation seemed right.” He added, “It has a special spirit of the place,” which would be a appropriate for an organization called “Mountain Spirit”.
Tags:Amanda Hamilton, Amanda Richards, Conservation, Huaraz Peru, land protection, Mountain Spirit, NH, Power of Place, Purchase land in Peru, Purchasing Land abroad, Purchasing land in Peru, Randy Richards, Sacred Summits, Sunapee, Tai Chi in Peru
Posted in Conservation, Environment, Mountain People, MSI News, Peru, Power of Place, South America, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
20/10/2009
Daniel & Maria Sanchez, Huaraz, Peru
Bridging Cultures with Laughter in Peru
By Randall Richards
“Laugh Dancing” – I’m not sure if that’s the name, or if there even is a name, but I first saw it at our wedding reception last spring, when someone pulled this out of their bag of tricks. Laugh Dancing is a misnomer. Maybe it should be called “StoneFace Dancing” because while you’re dancing, the object is actually to not laugh, to keep a straight face. He who laughs first, loses the round. The object is to get the other person to crack up before you do – Great fun.
Then, add the international element, in this case, my godchild’s family in Huaraz, Peru, and instantaneously, you’re breaking culture barriers with laughter.
For those too shy to dance, there’s also Laugh-Sitting, (or StoneFace sitting) where opponents face off, and stare each other down, till one starts smiling, after which it’s a slippery slope from there.
Below, the first clip is of Maria Sanchez Figeroa, my godchild’s grandmother, facing off with Amanda in the kitchen of Restaurant Salud y Vida. Instantly, this laughter, brought us one more step closer together in our 12-year friendship. The second clip is Amanda facing off with Elizabeth, a vegetarian cook in the restaurant. Next, she finally wins a round against our godchild, Joseph Sanchez. Try it on your next trip.
Tags:Amanda Richards, Fun Games, Humor Therapy, Joseph Sanchez, Laugh Dancing, Laughter, Laughter bridging cultures, Party Game, Play, Randall Richards, Restaurant Salud y Vida, Smiles, Travel
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Focus on MSI People, Health, Mountain People, Peru, Traveling | 1 Comment »
14/10/2009
Sustainable food and a healthy future for all our children
By Amanda Richards
Fresh, The Movie
A friend of mine had just mentioned she’d seen a movie called Food Inc. , a film that documents where our food in the U.S. comes from. It shows how our food supply is seriously compromised. After seeing the film however, she was wondered what she could do for her family and community – what action steps could she take? She finds that she is still shopping in supermarkets and has felt a bit ‘powerless’ to change her buying habits. Answers to her questions can be found in a new film by Ana Sofia Joanes called ‘Fresh – New thinking about the way we are eating.’ It is an optimistic movie offering a ‘gateway to action.’ Exactly what my friend is looking for. ‘FRESH is a grassroots efforts for a grassroots movement’. Instead of being distributed in cinemas, it is being offered to communities as a way for people to get together and screen the movie for themselves. In this way, it can be used as a tool for action.
I have just signed on to help Linda Howes,CN,HHP,CBE, owner of Nourishing Wellness, organize a showing in the Kearsarge Region of New Hampshire. It’s important. Have a look at the website and get involved. The ‘FRESH movement is a constantly growing community striving to alter the way our food system works.’
“We all just watched FRESH…and we were mesmerized and empowered. Every American needs to see this. You will capture hearts with this. I can’t wait to sit in an audience watching this. It is absolutely masterful. “
Joel Salatin
“We all know about the problems with the American food system, but what about the solutions? FRESH is a bracing, even exhilarating look at the whole range of efforts underway to renovate the way we grow food and feed ourselves.”
Michael Pollan
Tags:Amanda Richards, Food Supply, Fresh, Linda Howes, Mountain Spirit, Nourishing Wellness, Sustainable Living/Communities
Posted in Animals, Conservation, Environment, Fair Trade, Film/DVD, Health, Holistic Living, MSI News, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
21/09/2009
MSI’s First Peruvian Trade Goods Market, A Success
Amanda Richards at SOWA, Boston
Director Randy Richards, and Chief Operating Manager Amanda Richards traveled to Boston, a few days after having arrived back in the U.S. with tons of goods purchased in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Huaraz and Lima, Peru. The goods were sold to raise funds for liability insurance and other costs associated with running Mountain Spirit. Although they didn’t sell everything, they re-cooped their costs of goods purchased in Peru.
MSI's Booth: SOWA'09
“Although we’ve been running programs since the late ’90’s,” says Richards, “in many ways we’re still a start-up organization.” He adds, ” We still don’t have the funding quite yet to earn a salary from MSI, but we feel we’re over the hump. We’ve been around long enough, that some people are recognizing the name, plus we’ve got more experience in what we do.”
If you would like to make a donation to help fund operating costs for worthwhile programs that help children, families and adults get into nature, please contact us or send a check now to:
Mountain Spirit Institute
POB 626
Sunapee, NH 03782
Tags:Amanda Richards, Boston, Dexter R. Richards, Fundraising for MSI, Mountain Spirit, SOWA Market
Posted in Fair Trade, MSI News, Supporting MSI | Leave a Comment »
Mountain Spirit's Blog 