Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 3/19/14
Greetings! NUUF will hold its regular meeting on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the Nisswa Children's Library, Nisswa. The topic will be services to the mentally ill, and will feature the film, "Hope for Recovery", a production of Twin Cities Television and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, or NAMI. In addition, there will be two representatives from recovery programs who will discuss their experiences with available services. We hope that open discussion will expose some of the stigmas that surround mental illness, and that as people become more informed, more help will be available to the patients and their families, as they try to cope with these devastating conditions. Mental illness affects an astonishing number of Americans and their families, with eleven million sufferers of the most severe kind. Probably you, or someone you know has had contact with people in this situation. We invite everyone to join us in learning more and understanding what can be of help. The service starts at 11am, with coffee available at 10:40 and a potluck lunch to follow. The Nisswa Children's Library is located at 5533 County Road 18, Nisswa. (News Release for 3/23/14)
This week also features the Thursday evening second event of Feast, Film & Forum, with a panel of local food producers leading the discussion. At 5:30, an optional potluck, program starting at 6pm, at Happy Dancing Turtle just west of 371 by the wind tower!
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
NORTHWOODS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Post 33
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 3/12/14
This evening the Public Utilities Commission held a public meeting in Pine River, to provide a forum for citizens to question Enbridge Corporation officials on issues surrounding its application for expansion of the Sandpiper pipeline into the local area. Held at the Pine River-Backus School, the meeting was well attended and many questions were asked on various aspects of Enbridge's plans. Some of these had to do with waterways and watersheds protections; with leak concerns and safety concerns; with the company's history on dealing with leaks; with alternate routes; and the fact that the company is already working on leases with land owners and has paid money out, in advance of their approval. Marty Cobenais, formerly of the Indigenous Environmental Network, spoke about the larger environmental concerns and specific problems with this pipeline company, asking questions of the officials that were left largely unanswered. NUUF members were present in force, following up on our earlier and present concerns on this issue. We are continuing to monitor the journey through the process, and will add to the commentary until a final decision is made. Barb Kaufman was one of the speakers, asking for explanations on spills. Keep tuned.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
This evening the Public Utilities Commission held a public meeting in Pine River, to provide a forum for citizens to question Enbridge Corporation officials on issues surrounding its application for expansion of the Sandpiper pipeline into the local area. Held at the Pine River-Backus School, the meeting was well attended and many questions were asked on various aspects of Enbridge's plans. Some of these had to do with waterways and watersheds protections; with leak concerns and safety concerns; with the company's history on dealing with leaks; with alternate routes; and the fact that the company is already working on leases with land owners and has paid money out, in advance of their approval. Marty Cobenais, formerly of the Indigenous Environmental Network, spoke about the larger environmental concerns and specific problems with this pipeline company, asking questions of the officials that were left largely unanswered. NUUF members were present in force, following up on our earlier and present concerns on this issue. We are continuing to monitor the journey through the process, and will add to the commentary until a final decision is made. Barb Kaufman was one of the speakers, asking for explanations on spills. Keep tuned.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Post 32
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 3/9/14
Hello. Yesterday at the March 8th service in Nisswa, we welcomed Arlene Jones as speaker, and enjoyed her talk on SPROUT (sustainable food production at the local level), and the farm enterprise she runs at The Farm on St. Mathias, south of Brainerd. She is working toward developing a Food Hub in the region, works on farm to school programs and works with USDA, and the MN Dept. of Agriculture promoting Community Supported Agriculture and with other community organizations to bring education and feasibility to local farmers and develop local markets. For more detailed information please contact: www.sprout.com; stmathiasfarm@gmail.com; or visit on the web: www.thefarmonstmathias.com. Arlene invites visitors to the Farm, which does an annual corn maze, wagon rides, hosts weddings, educational events, tours, demonstrations, festivals, and is a great destination for people interested in learning about sustainable gardening and growing.
Arlene says the Farm is sponsoring the 4th Annual Seriously Local Beer Tasting event (featuring their beer) at Prairie Bay on Saturday, April 25; the 5th Annual Midsummer Faire & Celtic Celebration at the Farm on Saturday, July 26.
Our next service is on March 29 at the library in Nisswa, 11am, with a program on services for mentally ill persons, including two Peer Consultants from the community. All are welcome!
Check out our website: mnnuuf.org.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
Friday, March 7, 2014
Post 31
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN. March 7.
The first of the five meetings, Feast, Film &Forum, scheduled at Happy Dancing Turtle was held last night, March 6th, with a pot luck and program on young farmers and sustainable agriculture.We were pleased to have the Schramm and Brakstad families talking about their experiences as local farmers, the Brakstad parents longstanding farm residents near Pequot Lakes, and the younger Schramms starting their enterprise and raising their young family, and showing such enthusiasm and love for their work. The discussion followed a film called "The Greenhorns," about young farmers around the country and the challenges they meet in the marketplace and life in general.
The next program in this series will be held on March 20 with a local foods panel, "movers and shakers in the growing local foods movement." Again, an optional potluck at 5:30, program at 6pm. These programs are sponsored in partnership by NUUF and Happy Dancing Turtle.
Check out our website soon for a resource page on available for borrowing books and other media on Unitarian/Universalism. mnnuuf.org.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
Friday, February 28, 2014
Post 30
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River Feb.29, 2014
Greetings! the March Newsletter has just been completed, and I apologize for any shortcomings. I have been plagued by printer and computer problems for the whole month of February; now up and running and fingers crossed.
A couple of things; the PUC public meeting for comments on the Sandpiper proposal by Enbridge, is scheduled for March 12 at the PR-B school between 6 and 9pm. Local people who attended our gas/oil films and meetings earlier may wish to come and face these people in the flesh! The latest notices from PUC have Enbridge's whole plan, so you might want to research this ahead of time. Of course, they do not see anything wrong with going ahead, being concerned with the bottom line, always. They see no farther than their noses. Certainly not into the future when more leaks occur and more poisoning of the environment makes life untenable. Thanks to Barb Kaufman, who submitted a well reasoned letter to the editor on this topic recently.
And I did not have room to make comment on our workshop goals and plans, some of which are beginning to start up. Melissa and I met to discuss public relations, and need to develop a source page for newspaper and other media outlets, to use for disseminating information. Melissa and Pat are working on development of music programs by revising and updating the Songbook; Alison is contributing the player and some music, Melissa has purchased some CDs as well. We need to establish this in the budget as an ongoing expense. Also Melissa has started a resource page for the website, on which books and CDs and other items of interest can be listed for lending and program planning. I am sure that as we study the workshop plans, we will see some results develop for positive change and growth of our congregation.
The first of five meetings on food issues will be held on March 6th. This one features the film, The Greenhorns, about beginning farmers, and a discussion with a panel of speakers. At the HUG campus, and in partnership with Happy Dancing Turtle, there will be optional potlucks at 5:30, programs at 6. HDT is located just off Highway2 in Pine River, on the west side. Call for further information at 218-587-2303 or google www.happydancingturtle. org.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
Greetings! the March Newsletter has just been completed, and I apologize for any shortcomings. I have been plagued by printer and computer problems for the whole month of February; now up and running and fingers crossed.
A couple of things; the PUC public meeting for comments on the Sandpiper proposal by Enbridge, is scheduled for March 12 at the PR-B school between 6 and 9pm. Local people who attended our gas/oil films and meetings earlier may wish to come and face these people in the flesh! The latest notices from PUC have Enbridge's whole plan, so you might want to research this ahead of time. Of course, they do not see anything wrong with going ahead, being concerned with the bottom line, always. They see no farther than their noses. Certainly not into the future when more leaks occur and more poisoning of the environment makes life untenable. Thanks to Barb Kaufman, who submitted a well reasoned letter to the editor on this topic recently.
And I did not have room to make comment on our workshop goals and plans, some of which are beginning to start up. Melissa and I met to discuss public relations, and need to develop a source page for newspaper and other media outlets, to use for disseminating information. Melissa and Pat are working on development of music programs by revising and updating the Songbook; Alison is contributing the player and some music, Melissa has purchased some CDs as well. We need to establish this in the budget as an ongoing expense. Also Melissa has started a resource page for the website, on which books and CDs and other items of interest can be listed for lending and program planning. I am sure that as we study the workshop plans, we will see some results develop for positive change and growth of our congregation.
The first of five meetings on food issues will be held on March 6th. This one features the film, The Greenhorns, about beginning farmers, and a discussion with a panel of speakers. At the HUG campus, and in partnership with Happy Dancing Turtle, there will be optional potlucks at 5:30, programs at 6. HDT is located just off Highway2 in Pine River, on the west side. Call for further information at 218-587-2303 or google www.happydancingturtle. org.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director NUUF
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Post 29
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Branerd/Pine River, MN 2/23/14
"Feast, Food, and Forum"...
Greetings! We have finally firmed up our plans for five food meetings, with our co-sponsor, Happy Dancing Turtle. As mentioned, we have a schedule to talk about food issues and sustainable food production for local people. To be held at the HUG campus in Pine River, with a potluck supper for those who wish to participate, there will be films, panels, and discussion. The topics and dates are as follows:
March 6: "The Greenhorns" and a panel of beginning farmers
March 20: Local foods and organic producers
April 3: Toxic Taters, and a panel discussion. About the use of chemicals in raising potato crops.
April 17: Bees, film and local beekeepers for discussion
May 1: GMOs; film featuring Jeffrey Smith, acclaimed author of "Seeds of Deception"
More details will be published as time goes on...
Schedules for March include March 8, with Arlene Jones talking about sustainable gardening, and March 29, when a panel of recovering mentally ill persons will talk about their experiences with services and what has helped or hindered their particular situations. To be held at the Nisswa library, 10:30 coffee, 11:00 service.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
"Feast, Food, and Forum"...
Greetings! We have finally firmed up our plans for five food meetings, with our co-sponsor, Happy Dancing Turtle. As mentioned, we have a schedule to talk about food issues and sustainable food production for local people. To be held at the HUG campus in Pine River, with a potluck supper for those who wish to participate, there will be films, panels, and discussion. The topics and dates are as follows:
March 6: "The Greenhorns" and a panel of beginning farmers
March 20: Local foods and organic producers
April 3: Toxic Taters, and a panel discussion. About the use of chemicals in raising potato crops.
April 17: Bees, film and local beekeepers for discussion
May 1: GMOs; film featuring Jeffrey Smith, acclaimed author of "Seeds of Deception"
More details will be published as time goes on...
Schedules for March include March 8, with Arlene Jones talking about sustainable gardening, and March 29, when a panel of recovering mentally ill persons will talk about their experiences with services and what has helped or hindered their particular situations. To be held at the Nisswa library, 10:30 coffee, 11:00 service.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Post 28
Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 2/8/14
Dates for meetings have been problematical. In February, the next date is Feb. 15, at the Nisswa Library. The Spirit of Life program will continue, from the UUA Tapestry series. Melissa will lead. March dates are being changed, so watch the newsletter and the blog for details.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
Greetings! A couple of items to report on today from this week's activity. On Wednesday, Barbara and Mary met with Happy Dancing Turtle folks, Quinn, Jim and Barb to discuss and plan for a series of programs on food issues. This will be a partnered series by NUUF and HDT. Topics will include: a potato panel; GMOs; local organic producers; bees; and young farmers. Dates were set up: March 6 and 20; April 3, 17; and May 1. These are Thursday nights, 5pm potluck dinner; 6pm, program. There will be films and speakers, either or both. We will help with publicity and other aspects as this is in development.
The other very exciting day was yesterday, Friday February 7th, when we met for a day-long workshop to set new goals for the coming year. This will be elaborated on later, via newsletter and website. But basically, we had the services of Barb Mann as facilitator, to help reexamine the mission statement, and set goals for the Fellowship, going back to the UU principles as the basis for programs and activities. Three main ideas were discussed and refined. Paraphrasing; One: practice a nurturing and stimulating format for gathering, to stretch our spiritual growth and strengthen our connections. Two: effectively serve as a catalyst in connecting with the broader community, acting on our principles and increasing our visibility. Three: grow our gathering body as a home for religious liberals. Tasks were assigned and dates for completion developed. Some very concrete 'how-to's' came out of this, concrete directions, which when set down on paper, illustrate a clearer road-map to achievement than we have had. More details will be forthcoming. This was a very inspiring way to look at our problems and figure out practical ways to address them. Many thanks to Barb Mann for guiding us through the process and making this work so rewarding!
Dates for meetings have been problematical. In February, the next date is Feb. 15, at the Nisswa Library. The Spirit of Life program will continue, from the UUA Tapestry series. Melissa will lead. March dates are being changed, so watch the newsletter and the blog for details.
Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director
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