Happy Earth Day!

A sincere "thank you" to everyone who attended the 13th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods last Saturday. We appreciate everyone braving the cold, windy and wet weather conditions.

On a beautiful spring day we expect between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors for this event, but the weather forecast of 50 degrees and scattered showers had us a little worried this year. Surprisingly, we estimate about 800 people supported the event and we couldn't have been more pleased. We appreciate the visitors, vendors, educators, sponsors, and volunteers. It was great celebrating with you all!

We look forward to seeing everyone next year on April 21. But hopefully you won't wait that long to visit us again. Hope to see you soon!

Thank you to the Dobbs Park crew.

 The Women of Erin entertained us with their beautiful Irish music.

 Zann Carter was weaving and sharing her beautiful works.

 Families enjoyed time together laughing and learning.

 Awesome newspaper hats were created in the children's area.

 Silly Safari was a big hit with their animals and wildlife education!

 Plants for sale!

 Sister Karen Van De Walle, CSJ, traveled from Indianapolis to sell her gorgeous pottery.

 Sister Jeanne Knoerle spins alpaca fiber in the warm lodge during the celebration.

 Sister Joann Quinkert lets David try his hand at weaving.

 Thank you to the vendors who offered quality handmade products.

Healthy lunch items were enjoyed by all!

The alpacas welcomed hundreds of visitors. (Thanks to Julie O'Neil there in the background!)

 Sister Jean Fuqua explains the spinning of fiber to this little bundled one.

Mark Booth and his raptors were a big hit again this year.

Staff member called to military duty

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Tracy Wilson, our alpaca farm manager, was recently called up to active duty in the Indiana Army National Guard. She has already reported to duty in Terre Haute, Ind. Our hope is that Tracy will continue to stay in the United States for this tour of duty.

Tracy returned home in December 2008 from a tour in Iraq. She was also deployed to provide support for Operation Enduring Freedom in January 2004 where she remained stateside for one year in Jacksonville, Fla. Tracy began her military career in December 1989 when she enlisted for six years in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. She joined the Indiana Army National Guard in 1998 as a light wheel diesel mechanic in A Company, 38th MSB, Terre Haute.

Please keep Tracy and her family in your prayers.

To schedule an alpaca farm tour or for more information about our alpacas, please contact Sister Paul Bernadette Bounk at 812-535-2934 or Sister Maureen Freeman at 812-535-2930.