Posts Tagged ‘New London’
30/04/2012
Expedition 2012: From Vermont to James Bay by Canoe
Paddling Forward, Giving Back
Expedition 2012's Route
By R.Richards
Family friend, Tom Bloch is one of ten crew members of Expedition 2012, an epic 1,200 mile canoe trip from Lake Dunmore Vermont to James Bay in Northern Canada, which is underway as we post this.
The expedition is an effort to support the Keewaydin Foundation in its ongoing mission to preserve “the Keewaydin Way”, and extend its benefits to an ever-greater range of today’s youth. The Foundation has three summer camps: Keewaydin Temagami (Ontario, Canada), Keewaydin Dunmore (Salisbury, Vermont), and Songadeewin of Keewaydin (Salisbury, Vermont).
To accomplish their goal, Expedition 2012 is committed to establish a new scholarship endowment for the Foundation. Expedition 2012 is using the extended wilderness canoe trip, which is a tradition at Keewaydin’s as a fundraising platform, . They are paddling the long route over the course of 65 days in wood and canvas boats hand-crafted by the expedition members. During the course of this project, expedition members are additionally dedicated to environmental advocacy towards the preservation of the wilderness we hold dear. To learn more about the progress of the expedition, and to follow the the paddlers go here, or head over to their blog
Keewaydin states on their website, “To live for a summer in a world largely unstructured and shaped only by nature itself… this is an adventure few are privileged to know.” and adds, “Through these programs, Keewaydin builds strong, independent character while exposing young men and women to a bygone lifestyle. Since 1893, Keewaydin has withstood the temptation of change, holding firm to what is dear of the past and leaving it untouched. Keewaydin’s simplicity and special link to the undisturbed wilderness set our programs apart from traditional camp experiences. This is the Keewaydin Way.” To learn more about the camp, visit their website.
The map, drawn up by Johnny Clore, shows the full itinerary of Expedition 2012 from Lake Dunmore down Otter Creek to Lake Champlain, then down the Richelieu River to the St. Lawrence Seaway. From Montreal, we’ll head upstream on the Ottawa River for over three hundred miles and cut west for our resupply at Temagami by following the fabled “Trip In.” From there the route leads over a swift succession of smaller lakes and rivers to the Abitibi River, where we will restock and head for the bay at Moosonee. Resupply locations are indicated with yellow stars. Click the “Itinerary” tab on the left to get a more detailed look at our itinerary.
Tom Bloch, On Expedition 2012
Tom Bloch has written a personal mission statement and essay, as have the other members of the team), which starts out…”I never went to summer camp. Instead of big canvas tents and shiny green canoes, my childhood summers were filled with soccer camps and family hiking trips. Now, here’s the shocker: I turned out just fine. As of my college graduation last May, I was a reasonably well-adjusted, mild-mannered young man with sensible career aspirations and even a few healthy hobbies. The world is rife with friendly, successful people who have never paddled a canoe. In light of this, what is the value of Keewaydin? Why this grand expedition? Read the rest of Tom’s entry here..
Tags:big expeditions, Canoe, Expedition 2012, Kathy Lowe Bloch, Keewaydin, long range trips, Mountain Spirit, New Hampshire, New London, Sunapee, Tom Bloch, wilderness canoeing
Posted in Experiential Education, Inspirational People, Leadership, Power of Place, Service, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
18/04/2011
Jen White, Kathleen Hurley join Mountain Spirit Institute in Advisory Role
Jennifer White of New London, NH and Kathleen Hurley of Portsmouth, NH, have been recently named advisors to Mountain Spirit Institute. In the newly created advisory role, both White and Hurley will contribute expertise and advice to the organization based on their respective fields of experience. Mountain Spirit Institute, founded in 1998, runs wilderness based programs both domestically and internationally, as well as a wide variety of workshops and retreats. The newly created advisory role broadens the scope of the institute while providing support to the board of directors. The role also engages those individuals in the community who are interested in, and have strong skill-sets and knowledge related to, MSI’s mission.Kathleen Hurley
Kathleen Hurley
Kathleen Hurley brings a wealth of corporate and online communications skills plus enthusiasm, writing and publishing acumen and keen business management experience to MSI’s advisory board. Kathleen has been a contributing writer to various New England magazines, and a director-level Marketing and Communications executive for almost a decade. Hurley was also a founding member of the steering committee for the successful Sunapee SunFest, a holistic health, alternative energy, and sustainability festival which Mountain Spirit Institute created and ran for a number of years in Sunapee. Hurley currently serves as the Director of Corporate Communications for Actio Corp, Boston, MA.
Jennifer White brings a purpose-driven, holistic approach to sustainability education at MSI. White has been an educator for over fifteen years in a wide variety of academic and community settings, and has a multidisciplinary
Jennifer White
background in physics, psychology, systems science, permaculture design, and sustainability. She served as the Executive Director of a national nonprofit called the Simplicity Forum, and was the Co-Founder and Director of Education for the Green Heart Institute which was created to help people “understand the global impact of their choices, connect with their values and live sustainably from the heart.”White has a long history of dedicated volunteerism with community based organizations including being a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Earth Institute and Transition Town Lyons, both in Colorado. She is currently the Sustainability Coordinator and an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH and founder of the Root Systems Institute.
Tags:Actio Corp, Colby Sawyer College, Colorado, Environmental Studies, Green Heart Institute, Jennifer White, Kathleen Hurley, Lyons, Mountain Spirit, New London, NH, permaculture design, Rock Mountain Earth Institute, Simplicity Forum, Sunapee, Transition Towns
Posted in Conservation, Environment, MSI News, Power of Place | Leave a Comment »
28/01/2011
By R. Richards, Founder,
Mountain Spirit Institute
[Don’t miss the chart at the end of this post]
Once again, I’ve crossed the U.S. border, and am back in New Zealand (by way of Australia) experiencing medical system the way it was meant to be – compassionate, not based on profit over people. My wife is pregnant, and before we left, we decided to have an initial visit with a midwife in New Hampshire. Once in Australia/New Zealand, we planned to have further tests. We were traveling to Australia to be with family Christmas, not to have pre-natal tests.
After the Holidays, we returned to New Zealand and are now here on the South Island. So, in addition to our holiday trip, we’ve also been on a medical tour, getting a sampling three different medical systems, starting in the U.S. (more…)
Tags:Australia, Christchurch, corruption, Dartmouth Hitchcock, fee-for-service, Health Care Costs, life expectancy, New London, New London Hospital, New Zealand, Sunapee, Sydney, universal health care, V for Vendetta
Posted in Health, Leadership, New Zealand, Room For Improvement | 3 Comments »
17/03/2010
By: D.R. Richards
"Where's the Food?"*
We just attended a talk, sponsored by the Weston A. Price Foundation, given by author David Gumpert, who wrote The Raw Milk Revolution. The main point we took away from this informative talk was that raw milk is at the center of an issue about Americans loosing their right to choose what they eat and drink.
Says Gumpert, “The framers of the U.S. Constitution did not include the right to eat and drink what you wished. It wasn’t placed along the right to bear arms or to assemble becuase growing your own food or purchasing it from your neighbors was a given”. Gumpert also stated that international agencies such as the World Bank and others were trumping national laws via agreements and treaties that were eliminating U.S. sovereignty on such issues. This seems a bit hard to believe but true, at least on the food front. To learn more or purchase The Raw Milk Revolution, see the publisher’s website. The book comes highly recommended from audience members who had read it. * Title of another interesting book written years ago on the subject of food supply rights.
Tags:David Gumpert, Linda Howes, New London, NH, Raw Milk Revolution, Weston A Price Foundation
Posted in Animals, Health, Holistic Living, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
21/01/2010
Another Study Proves It – Live Music: Definitely good for the soul.
By Randall Richards
Images: Mike Heffernan
Fat Hands, creating good vibes, L to R: Walt Kutylowski, Gerry Putnam, Dana Flewelling, and Nic Kutylowski
OK . It wasn’t an official *scientific study, but ask anyone who was there, at Gerry Putnam’s CedarHouse Sound & Mastering recording studio when he hosted his annual music get-together, and they’ll tell you – Their souls felt better after having been there – both musicians and listeners alike. This year, I had the good fortune of being a listener. We had missed most of the day’s party which had started mid-morning, but we certainly weren’t short-changed for music.
The party has been the brainchild of Gerry and recording artist Kathy Lowe as a vehicle to showcase Gerry’s studio for potential recording artists, and to thank past artists who had already done an album (or two, or three) at this heavenly studio, complete with a concert grand Steinway piano, and Gerry’s masterful abilities to engineer top quality albums.
As the night wore on, and most of the day’s musicians had headed home, brothers Walt and Nick Kutylowski, also known as “Fat Hands” sat down and started to do a few numbers unplugged. (The day is usually fully “plugged in”). Then, Putnam pulled up a chair and started picking his classical guitar. Gerry not only recorded and mastered Fat Hands’ two albums at Cedarhouse, but ended up playing lead guitar on them as well. Enter drummer extraordinaire Dana Flewelling, (from Night Kitchen) who usually has a whole “trap set” in front of him. He sat down with a djembe and a set of brushes.
Small but appreciative audience
My wife Amanda and I, Walt Kutylowski’s partner Christy, Mike Heffernan and Kathy Lowe were all that remained of the audience. The rest of the party-goers had all headed home in the cold night air.
The music and energy that happened was nothing short of way cool. They must have played for an hour or more, and we, the privileged few, just sat there taking it in.
Fathands has a few upcoming **gigs but we’re threatening to kidnap them and take them to New Zealand the next time we head down under, and from the sound of it, they might be willing go. Meanwhile, we (at Mountain Spirit Institute) will most likely be offering to put on a house concert or local venue concert for these guys if they’re up for it. They deserve to be heard. Check out Fathands, and Gerry Putnam’s Cedarhouse Sound and Mastering through the links above.
* This is a scientific study about the healing power or music, by the BBC.
** Deerfield CoffeeHouse, NH, April 10 2010, with Gerry Putnam & Kent Allyn
Musterfield Farm, New London, NH USA June 19th, 2010
Thanks to Mike Heffernan for getting his camera out to capture the moment.
Tags:CedarHouse Sound and Mastering, Dana Flewelling, Djembe, Fat Hands Music, Gerry Putnam, House Concerts, Mountain Spirit, Music, Music Healing, Music Therapy, New Hampshire, New London, Nic Kutylowski, Night Kitchen, Sunapee New Hampshire, Walt Kutylowski
Posted in Health, Holistic Living, Inner Work, MSI News, Music | 2 Comments »
20/01/2010
Three Cups of Tea
Learn what one retired high school teacher is doing to spread the word about international understanding in local New England schools.
By Randall Richards
When Frank Hammond, of New London New Hampshire, USA, becomes passionate about something, he gets involved with no reservations. A long-time contributor to various community projects, a popular and effective high school teacher, and former Executive Director of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, Hammond recently read the New York Times Bestseller Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, and was motivated to get the book in front school children in the region. One of the strategies, he mentions “is to teach kids empathy skills, i.e., listening to others and building healthy relationships both at home and abroad with foreign cultures.” Learn more by watching the interview below…
Editor’s Note: Frank Hammond was my 8th grade home-schoolroom teacher in Sunapee, NH. He was a great teacher, and left a big impression on my me, and I’m sure on my fellow classmates as well. If his Facebook “friends count” is any gauge, he’s still just as popular as ever with alumni. Thanks for the interview Frank!
R. Richards
Tags:3 Cups of Tea, Cricenti Foundation, Frank Hammond, Greg Mortenson, Lake Sunapee Protective Association, Mountain Spirit, New London, Sunapee High School, Three Cups of Tea
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Experiential Education, Inspirational People, Leadership, Service | 3 Comments »
24/12/2009
Shop at Local Brick & Mortar Stores
By R. Richards
I was doing a little shopping at a local store called Artisan’s Workshop in my hometown today. It’s been a long-time fixture of our community and provider of good gifts for many years. Fellow co-founder of Friends of Mount Sunapee, Catherine Bushueff started the store and sold it some years ago. It’s much better than any large chain store could be. While checking paying for my purchase, I saw this flier on the countertop about shopping locally.
The facts about how one can really make a difference by shopping locally caught my eye, and thought I’d pass this along. You can find out more at www.the350project.net
Tags:Artisan's Workshop, buying local, Catherine Bushueff, Friends of Mount Sunapee, Mountain Spirit, New London, Sustainable Communities, the350project.net
Posted in Holistic Living, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
22/11/2009
The Movie Fresh attracts 106 people in small town
Good food, an idea whose time has come
By Randall Richards
Joel Salatin, Organic Farmer, Visionary
The small town of New London, New Hampshire, saw one-hundred and six people turn out for the screening of the new movie Fresh, an uplifting documentary about the local organic food movement in the U.S. The event was co-sponsored by the New London chapter of the Weston A Price Foundation, and Mountain Spirit Institute on Saturday November 21st. In addition to the showing, local vendors and food producers were invited to display, who had tables with samples and brochures, where the audience could browse and learn about the good and local food available in their community. A brief “Q&A” discussion followed the film, (more…)
Tags:Battles Farm, Fresh, Fresh The movie, Hazard Acres Farm, Joel Salatin, Linda Howes, Mountain Spirit, Musterfield Farm, New London, NH, Nourishing Wellness, Organic Foods, Springledge Farm, Star Lake Farm, Sunapee, Weston A Price Foundation, Whipple Auditorium, Whole foods, Will Allen
Posted in Animals, Conservation, Film/DVD, Health, Holistic Living, MSI News, Sustainable Living/Communities | 3 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 »
Mountain Spirit's Blog 