Posts Tagged ‘Randall Richards’
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 »
30/10/2009
Good Energy & Great Ideas at MSI’s Board Retreat
Mountain Spirit Held its bi-annual retreat recently at the home of Founder Randall Richards in Sunapee, NH, USA. Board member Bob Stremba of Colorado, Craig Cimmons of Vermont and New Jersy, Cindy Heath of Plainfield, NH, R. Richards and Amanda Richards of New Hampshire and New Zealand, also attended.
The group discussed last years goals and achievements, plus future plans for fund raising, grant writing, and programs for the future. Randy and Amanda Richards did a presentation on last summer’s Peru program, and plans were discussed to run the program again. New programs such as India, Everest Basecamp, and a Holistic Leadership Training program were discussed and planned.
The board also talked about updating and modifying the website. Amanda Richards was also voted on as the newest member of the board, as well as being named treasurer.
A new boardmember search is planned which would focus on people with experience in donor relations and fund raising.
The following day the group, went for a day hike on Mt. Cardigan near Hanover, NH to walk and talk about ideas such as the mission and working on the board’s “elevator speech”, plus take in the view. They also had a ball getting out on the mountain for a crisp fall day in New England.
Below, four of the six board members pose for a group shot, which turned out to be a video instead.
Tags:Amanda Hamilton Richards, Board of Directors, Board Retreat, Bob Stremba, Cindy Heath, experiential learning, Fund raising, meeting, Mountain Spirit, Mountain Spirit Instite, Mt. Cardigan, nonprofit organzation, Randall Richards
Posted in 1- Video Posts, MSI News | 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 »
15/10/2009
Mountain Spirit facilitates 4th year of scholarships for Sunapee H.S. students on Outward Bound.
By Randall Richards
Linnea Circosta on Outward Bound
Two students from Sunapee High School were the 2009 recipients of Mountain Spirit Institute’s Sunapee High School/Outward Bound Scholarship Program. The two 17-year old seniors were Sean Reidy, and Linnea Circosta who chose different challenge courses both in the western U.S.
This is Mountain Spirit’s 4th year facilitating the connection between Outward Bound USA, local students, and donors such as Rotary International of New London, NH, and Sugar River Savings Bank, Newport NH.
The courses can be life changing for students who learn about community building, climbing, rafting, mountaineering skills as well as how to be more self reliant and compassionate with others under challenging circumstances.
Mountain Spirit Institute founder Randy Richards has a long history with Outward Bound and considers the scholarship program an opportunity for his organization to give back to his hometown community.
Sean Reidy on Wyo. granite
Reidy chose the Veedawoo National Park Rock Climbing course which lasted eight days north of Denver in Wyoming’s southern border area where great rock climbing abounds.
Sean had climbed a little before the program – “Some indoor climbing, but not much outside, ” said Reidy.
When asked if he had any fears or concerns, he mentioned, “When I was younger, heights definitely got me, and on this trip, being away from home was not a big deal, I’d done camps, and this was my second time in my life on a plane.” He added, “flying alone was a concern, but there were signs all over the airport.
“Are you glad you chose a program out west?” I asked. Reidy responded, “The weather was great! This was my first time out west,…. No, I did, take a road trip with family but that was four years ago.
(more…)
Tags:Colorado, Colorado River, Experiential Education, Linnea Circosta, Mountain Spirit, MSI/Outward Bound Sunapee Scholarship Program, Outdoor Opportunities, Outward Bound, Randall Richards, Rotory International, Sean Reidy, Sugar River Savings Bank, Veedawoo National Park, White water rafting, Wyoming
Posted in Climb/Ski/Mntneering, Experiential Education, MSI News, Service | Leave a Comment »
17/09/2009
Fair Trade Goods – Fundraiser, Proceeds for MSI Insurance
Boston's South End Market
Fresh from Peru, Randall and Amanda Richards will take fairtrade items they’ve purchased to Boston’s South End Market (SOWA). Proceeds from all items sold goes to not only to help defray Mountain Spirit Institute’s liability insurance and other operating costs, but to the makers of the items as well. On sale will be traditional weavings, bags, hats and other items from the Cusco and Machu Picchu area, and other parts of Peru, as well as zamponas, flutes and CD’s from the Cusco band Chimu Inka. The band visited New England in 2008, performing and teaching about Peruvian culture and music. MSI runs programs to Peru, New Zealand, India and the USA.
The New York Times says about SOWA market:
“This is Boston’s version of London’s Portobello market, with vintage clothes sellers and young fashion and jewelry designers rubbing elbows with artists and cheese makers and antiques dealers. What’s exciting about this market is that it changes each week. So, some Sundays you’ll discover a local artist who is there only that day. Everyone sells from tables beneath white tents.”
If you’d like to see some wonderful handmade items from the Andes, or learn more about our Mountain Spirit Institute programs stop by our tent this Saturday or Sunday at: 540 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA
If you would like to contribute to Mountain Spirit Institute, please click here. All donations are tax deductable and go to benefit MSI programs.
Tags:Amanda Richards, Boston, Boston's South End Market, Fundraising, Mountain Spirit, Randall Richards, SOWA
Posted in MSI News, Peru, Supporting MSI | Leave a Comment »
20/08/2009
We stumbled upon Maribel Torres Leon’s Museum of Biodiversity in Ollantaytambo, Peru, when we walking on a side street one afternoon. The motto on her business card states, “Trade rightly, Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Identity”. Check out the video, and if you like it, please support Maribel’s work by either visiting the museum (see address and telephone number below), spreading the word about her good work, and/or making a donation. Well done Maribel!
Museum of Biodiversity
Maribel Torres Leon, Director & Founder
Calle La Convencion
Ollantaytambo, Peru
Tel: 51-84-984-962607 or 984-934263
Email: info@biomuseo.org
Tags:Alternative Tourism, Biodiversity, Cultural Identity, Experiential Education in Peru, Fair Trade, Maribel Torres Leon, Mountain Spirit, Museum of Biodiveristy, Ollantaytambo, Randall Richards, Sustainable Travel
Posted in 1- Video Posts, Conservation, Experiential Education, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Inspirational People, Peru, Service, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
17/08/2009
By Randall Richards
"The Face" peering over Machu Picchu
I’ve been to Machu Picchu for over ten years, and I’ve heard tell of “the face on Huayna Picchu Mountain” for years. I have been able to pick out the stylized puma face that everyone talks about, with its ears and eyes, but the other day, human face jumped out at me as I looked at these images I’d taken, from the classic view on the sloping rock just above Machu Picchu. When I was looking through my images of the day, I clearly saw the face of an older man, wearing a “chulla” or Peruvian hat with ear flaps, as he looks over the Machu Picchu Citadel.
Details of Huayna Picchu's Face
I’d recently run across an “optical illusion” website that features the profile of an Inka man looking skyward, shown by a profile of the ridge from the ruins to Huayna Picchu Mountain, but after close examination of the ridgeline in the website’s images, and comparing them to ridgeline in my images, there is clearly some Photoshop imagery going on. A Peruvian author has used the profile on the cover of his book. I even walked by a hotel here in Cusco the other day which is using a drawing of “the profile” for its logo. The profile, whether Photoshop enhanced or not, is still a stretch, any way you look at it, and may not be the real face that has been hidden in plain sight all along.
Back to the face that I’ve observed. It clearly has eyes, a nose mouth, chin and whole face, at least in my mind’s eye. (Let me know if you see it too). The second image at right is a blow up of the image with my text and pointer lines inserted. A word about Photoshop: these images are un-retouched. Take any other image from the same location, at late afternoon during the southern winter, and you’ll get the same results.
Every time I see an image of Machu Picchu from that angle, the face now jumps out at me. I am interested in hearing your comments or experiences when visiting Machu Picchu. Do you see the face?
Tags:Dexter R. Richards, Face on Huayna Picchu, Face on Machu Picchu, Geomancy, Mountain Spirit, Peru, Power of Place, Randall Richards
Posted in Peru, Power of Place, South America, Spiritual, Traveling | 7 Comments »
04/08/2009
By Randall Richards
Kate J. at Willoc circa 1980's
The first time I visited the small mountain village of Willoc, near Ollantaytambo was about 12 years ago. Coincidently, my cousin Kate Jones spent a semester from the Lakeside School in Ollantaytambo and spent some time with a family in Willoc about twenty or thirty years before I showed up. This was before I knew where Peru was. She sent a photo of her with her host family in Willoc, which I had on my desk for a number of years. Then when I finally went Willoc, and recognized the local dress, I wondered if Willoc might be the place that Katy ended up. I called her from Peru to solve the issue, and yes it was. Another year in Willoc, I tracked down her family. I’m headed there again in a few days, and will take a copy of the picture with me again to give to them.
Shearing & Drop Spindle, Willoc
On our Peru’09 program we again visited Willoc, and were shown a demonstration from start to finish of how the weaving is done – from shearing the wool to drop-spindle making the yarn, to dying the wool and finally the back-strap loom weaving.
While there we also were treated to a traditional meal and were shown the varieties of corn that are grown on the surrounding hillsides. The diffierent types are used for the fermented Chicha drink, toasting, cornmeal and other specialties.
As in other places in Peru, visitors are occasionally brought to small mountain villages. Mountain Spirit Institute limits our group size to a maximum of eight participants. Sustainable Travel International has guidelines on how to visit such communities as Willoc.
Learning about varieties of corn, Willoc
We feel at this point, there is a benefit to both the visitors and the villages for such visits, but they must be organized and done with care. One example, I always brief my particpants at the program start, and remind them of low-impact travel techniques, such as respectful use of the camera, matching voice volumes to that of local inhabitants, and follow cues from our hosts.
Our good friend, Anna Sequeros, a former president of the woman’s organization in the region has really worked wonders in bringing equality to village women in the area. More on that in another entry.
Tags:Dexter Richards, drop spindle, Kate Jones, Lakeside School, Mountain Spirit, Ollantaytambo, Peru, Randall Richards, shearing wool, Sustainable Living/Communities, weaving, Willoc
Posted in Experiential Education, Fair Trade, Holistic Living, Mountain People, Peru, South America, Sustainable Living/Communities, Traveling | Leave a Comment »
02/08/2009
Recently, Peru program participant, and former Mountain Spirit board President Elizabeth Sofish, PhD reminded me of a technique that seemed to help her with jet lag. I actually tried it before I left New Zealand for Peru last month. The technique along with the “No Jet Lag” homeopathic pills seemed to really do the trick. Here’s an introduction, then the technique which Betsy described to me. (more…)
Tags:Jet Lag, Mountain Spirit, New Zealand, Peru, Randall Richards
Posted in Health, Traveling | 1 Comment »
29/04/2009
Moving Years of Energy
Breaking with Convention of Pent-Up Emotions
More than ever, men are seeking help to get in touch with their feelings. In the wake of the 7-Award winning Australian film, “Men’s Group”, Phil Taylor of the New Zealand Weekend Herald, reports on the trend in men to seek emotional health. View the article in a pdf document on MSI’s website.
In general, American’s are thought of as a bit “touchy feely” by Australia and New Zealand standards, however I believe that Americans are confronting, and are confronted by their past, their situation in the world, and everything from the excessive materialism, Manifest Destiny and greed, to the huge per capita use of the world’s non-renewable resources. The US is at a turning point, in which, I believe, the mainstream population is becoming more compassionate and in the moment. A calm and lighter spirit is quietly arising, and people are taking action to change the world by changing themselves.
-
- Men’s Group Movie
The fruits of inner work are starting to show through society’s fabric in every day life, on the sidewalks or commutes to work. People are awakening to the higher possibilities of who they can be. It’s my observation that New Zealand and Australia’s men have an opportunity to dip their toe in the water of healthy expression, and jump in. It’s a natural evolution from the stark existence that, less than a generation ago was the only allowed behavior. Likewise, not more than 200 years ago, one could get burned at the stake for stating one’s true feelings, if they deviated from the social norm in any way.
Regarding the Movie, Men’s Group – The author saw the movie last night here in Auckland. Be prepared for witnessing the stark extreme of the dark age of men’s pent-up emotions. Both my wife and I think it is an important movie detailing the most difficult cases of men’s situations, and at the same time, portraying the hope of change.
Mountain Spirit addresses this need in our communities by offering programs for both men, women and families in mountain and natural settings in the U.S., Peru, and New Zealand.
Tags:Communication, Dexter R. Richards, Dmaiona Stansfield, Men's Group, Men's Health, Mountain Spirit, Phil Taylor, Randall Richards
Posted in Experiential Education, Health, Holistic Living, Inner Work, Leadership, MSI News, New Zealand, Spiritual | 1 Comment »
Mountain Spirit's Blog 