Beginning each day with a seed of hope

By Candace Minster, garden manager/fiber projects coordinator

Candace Minster, standing at left, gives a greenhouse reflection
during the dedication of White Violet Center's new greenhouse.

I've always loved greenhouses, especially in late winter.  As morning’s light begins a little earlier, we have to layer a little bit less, and the occasional warm, sunny day hints at spring soon to come. 

These longer days mark the beginning of the garden season. 

We get out the garden maps and choose what goes where and how much to plant.  Then we begin the process of fumbling with tiny seeds and plug trays, and watering religiously to coax the little plants into existence. 

One of my favorite garden chores is watering in the greenhouse.  Waving the wand over the flats, I like to search the soil for the first seeds to break through the surface. 

Even David and Gideon got in on the game with me, as we all try to be the first to spot the newest sprout.  Searching the seedlings for the one that is just...NOW breaking through fills me with wonder, excitement, and hope. 

At this point in the season, all we have are plans and hopes for the garden that is to come.  We look at the plots of cover crop and see only possibility.  We haven't yet struggled with the weather, pests, weeds, and diseases that try our patience in the hottest days.  We begin each day with a little seed of hope.

Young plants inside the greenhouse this morning.

In this way, the greenhouse becomes a house of hope.  It feels good to walk in from the cold and be greeted by hundreds of eager green leaves reaching upwards.  To be surrounded by such life when there's little growing outdoors is rejuvenating.  Besides, whether they be two-legged, four-legged, or rooted — it’s pretty hard to resist babies.
 
White Violet Center is dedicated to hope and healing for Earth and I see the greenhouse as the heart of our mission. It's only fitting that our greenhouse be a functional, vibrant place, inviting visitors to come in and take a peek. 

For years, we struggled with a beautiful, historic structure that was falling apart.  Each garden season began with a ramshackle attempt to make mini greenhouses within the greenhouse, stretch heating cables, plug in space heaters, and layer numerous layers of plastic.  Even though it was integral to the garden, it was time to let that that aged building go. 

Now, through many generous donations and with the able work of David and Dick’s hands along with other volunteers, we have this little house of hope.

To me, this building not only ensures that we'll have the best start for our garden plants, it also represents the hope that we have for White Violet Center's future — continuing to plant seeds of hope and healing for Earth for many years to come.

14th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., April 21

The 14th Annual Earth Day Celebration
at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., will
be fun and educational for the entire
family. Times are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EDT)

Need a remedy for spring fever? Well, White Violet Center for Eco-Justice staff members have an awesome event planned and it will be here before we know it.

The 14th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind., is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.

The 2011 celebration was cold and wet, so we're expecting good weather this year. Well, that's our prayer anyway.

Under those expected blue skies will be live celtic music by the Women of Erin; live animal conservation education with Silly Safaris; magnificent raptors — hawks, owls, falcons — up close in the Take Flight! Wildlife Education program with Mark Booth; a butterfly program by Dobbs Park Nature Center Naturalist Carissa Lovett; and alpaca shearing demonstrations.


See alpaca shearing demonstrations
at the 14th Annual Earth Day Cele-
bration at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods,
Ind., on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

Enjoy food from local restaurants and other groups; educational and informational booths; children's activities; spinning and weaving demonstrations; and shopping for handmade and eco-friendly wares made by local artists and other small businesses owners.

The theme this year will follow the United Nation's Declaration of 2012 as "The Year of Renewable Energy for All." Gain knowledge about the most cost effective solutions to energy needs from One Planet Solar and Wind, of Terre Haute.

Kids will enjoy fun and educational
activities at the 14th Annual Earth
Day Celebration at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods, Ind., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

See the Earth Day celebration schedule. Other details will be added to our website as they are finalized.

Admission is free. There will be free-will offering opportunities at the gates to help with the cost of the event.

Use this address for GPS: 3850 U.S. 150, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

If you've been to any of our past Earth Day celebrations please leave a comment below and let us know what you enjoy most about this springtime gathering. Hope to see you on April 21!

Caring for Earth: Climate Change as Moral Choice

Our actions reflect our values. Climate change is a complex issue that can be used to explore our values about the environment.

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice will offer Caring for Earth: Climate Change as Moral Choice from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

The book, "Moral Ground,"
will be used as framework
to examine varied moral
stances in Caring for Earth:
Climate Change as Moral
Choice on March 24.

After introducing climate change as an issue, the framework of the recent book, "Moral Ground," will be used to examine the varied moral stances that underlie and support choices we make about our planetary home.

Presenter Sister Mary Lou Dolan is a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet. She is the director of the Master's in Earth Literacy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She has taught biology at the College of Saint Rose, in Albany, N.Y. and has been a staff member at Spiritearth, an ecological spirituality center.

The cost is $35, which includes lunch. The book "Moral Ground" will be available for purchase. (Moral Ground, ed. KD Moore and MP Nelson. San Antonio: Trinity University Press, 2010 is available in hard, paper and Kindle editions and is recommended.)

The registration deadline is March 20. For more information or to register, contact Robyn Morton at rmorton@spsmw.org or 812-535-2932.
 
Click here to see other eco-spirituality offerings at White Violet Center.

What do I do with all this alpaca fiber?

We had a wonderful group attend the "Alpaca 102: What Do I Do With All This Fiber?" workshop on Feb. 18. We spent the day sharing the ins and outs of alpaca fiber for the alpaca owner.

The first three photos below show Sister Maureen Freeman, CSJ, director of White Violet Center, instructing the group on sorting fiber. (This happens to be Rosie's blanket of fleece.)

The next photos show Candace Minster, White Violet Center fiber projects coordinator, demonstrating how to wash and dry the alpaca fleece.

Fiber Frolic 2012

It's been a busy couple of months at White Violet Center and White Violet Farm Alpacas! We have enjoyed having so many awesome people attend our workshops.

Here are some photos from our Fiber Frolic 2012 on Jan. 29 — felters made vases, weavers made scarves and spinners made yarn.

 

A few craft ideas

The iconic Hudson Bay Blanket.

By Candace Minster

As the fiber projects coordinator for White Violet Center, I’m always on the lookout for new fiber art ideas, so I follow a number of craft blogs and email lists.

Here are a few of my favorite craft ideas that I’ve seen over the past month or so. Please feel free to share some of your favorite craft ideas too!

I love fabric designer, Laurie Wisbrun’s, whimsical llama print fabric. (FYI, llamas are in the camelid family; cousins to our beloved alpacas.)

While it would be a shame to cut up a good book, I love this idea for repurposing damaged books into planters!

No concerns about fair-trade with these chocolates! Even though Valentine's Day has passed, this adorable box of crocheted chocolates would make a sweet gift any time of year.

As a weaver, I’ve always admired the iconic Hudson Bay Blanket. As a knitter and a mom, I can’t resist this pint-sized version.

New Zealand oil spill

Penguins

The staff at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice would like you to be aware of a major oil spill off the coast of New Zealand.

If you're a knitter looking for practical ways to help, you can knit sweaters for penguins.

Read more about these efforts at the Audobon Magazine online.

Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai

Those at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice are saddened by the news of the death of Wangari Maathai, who passed away on Sept. 25 in her home country of Kenya surrounded by her three children.

As founder of the Greenbelt Movement and as an Earth Charter commission member, she worked closely with thousands of people around the planet to create a world based on ecological integrity, social and economic justice, democracy, non-violence, and peace.

Her vision, dedication, and courage were recognized when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.

May her love of Earth continue in all of us. We hold her family and her life's work in our hearts.

Earth Charter Initiative tribute to Wangari Maathai.

White Violet Center anniversary celebration

White Violet Center's anniversary harvest dinner is Oct. 8.

It was September of 1995 when Sister Ann Sullivan was named the first director of the Sisters of Providence effort to establish Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as an eco-justice center. It was a pivotal moment for the Sisters of Providence. White Violet Center for Eco-Justice was dedicated and blessed on June 16, 1996.

This fall we are planning to celebrate the past 15 years of environmental justice work expressed through Providence Spirituality with a first-ever for us event.

Our 15th Anniversary Harvest Dinner will be Saturday, Oct. 8.

The hors d'oevres, local wine from Oliver Winery, in Bloomington, and beer from Bee Creek Brewery, in Brazil will be served and a silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. in the orchard at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. This will be a time to mingle with the alpacas, bid on fabulous items and visit with friends, staff, and sisters.

We’ll continue the fun with a delicious meal of locally-grown foods prepared by local chef Kris Kraut served in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at 6:30 p.m.

Attire is casual-nice. Tickets for this dinner fundraiser are $80 for individuals or $500 for a table of seven. Tickets may be purchased by sending donations to: White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

We hope you’ll join us for this special celebration. If you are unable to attend, but would like to give a donation in support of the future of White Violet Center, please use the same address above.

The Universe Story

New Cosmic Walk at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.

A group of White Violet Center for Eco-Justice (WVC) staff members, volunteers, interns, and guests, and Sisters of Providence gathered for the inaugural Cosmic Walk at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind. this afternoon.


The Cosmic Walk is, “A ritual, a prayer, a time of remembering and being in awe of how the Universe began and how it got to where it is today,” explained Sister Maureen Freeman, director of WVC. “You can go in and out in six minutes or it could take three hours. It depends on the individual.”
Sister Maureen said the project has been in the works for several years. When Sister Kara McKenney was searching for an internship project this summer Sister Maureen recommended completing the Cosmic Walk. Sister Kara and another WVC intern, Matthew Bush, took on the finishing step of creating and putting up the signage and mowing the area.

Ribbon cutting:  S. Kara and Matthew.

Sister Kara and Matthew built the oak frames with the help of Tony Dubois, Sisters of Providence carpenter.

Matthew and Sister Kara cut the yellow ribbon that opened the walk today.

“I’m very happy to see people using it and to know that people will enjoy it for many years,” Sister Kara said.

Sister Maureen looks forward to the same.

Cosmic Walk.

“There are a lot of butterflies here right now, so you really feel that you are united with the Universe when you walk it today,” Sister Maureen said. “Divine grace surrounds us.”

The public is invited to visit the Cosmic Walk. For more information, call  812-535-2932 or email rmorton@spsmw.org.