Monday, November 21, 2011

Community Work Day a Success

Our last community work day of the season was a success! Many thanks to all who were able to come. I saw volunteers shoveling, raking, pushing wheelbarrows, digging, planting, harvesting, and so much more. What a spectacular day and a fantastic community! Make sure you scroll to the bottom to see the video clips and photos! But first, many thanks to today's sponsors!

Donated Materials: In the order of installation on site

Climbing Mounds:
Soil for Climbing Mounds: Bill Renaud Excavation and Trucking
Labor and machines for constructing climbing mounds: Chuck Hugo Landscape with Travis and Paul
Labor and Machines for Climbing Mounds and tree planting: Steve Prisby of All Terrain Landscape

Stone Infinity Circles:
Stone and stone masonry to install Stone Infinity Circles: William F. Avery, Jake and Josh Avery, Rachel (Avery) and Mike Wakefield with Terrence Parker.

Planting and Site Grading:
Labor and Machines for grading and planting: Steve Prisby of All Terrain Landscape
6’ Tall Blue Spruce:  Salmon Falls Nursery
Compost: Piscataqua Landscaping and Mike Wakefield
Top Soil for site: W.F. Avery

Amphitheater:
Labor and Machines for constructing the Concrete Block Amphitheater (forthcoming): Site Structures Landscape, Inc
Concrete Block for Amphitheater: Genest Concrete, Sanford

And there was amazing food, water and coffee too! These were provided by Nature's Way, Carpe Diem and Brixham  General Store. Thank you everyone. 

Such progress! Take a look:



















Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Giving Thanks

I had the opportunity today to take a few pictures of the outdoor classroom. Neither the grey skies nor the wet clay around my feet could dampen my spirits. I am simply amazed and humbled at all that has been accomplished in just over a year. We are so grateful to have this space for our students. Here are a few of the shots I took today. See how the students have taken ownership of their space. What a wonderful community to make this possible. And it doesn't end- next work day November 20th from 10-2 PM to plant birch trees and lay down mulch.









Stone Soup!

Kindergarten friends did more than read "Stone Soup" in their classrooms. On Tuesday, November 8th, kindergarten friends harvested vegetables from the hoophouse for their stone soup. This included a gigantic carrot that took many hands to pull out. The vegetables were prepped by parent volunteers, loaded into crock pots by the students,simmered on Wednesday, and sampled on Thursday. Who knew stone soup could be so good?!?









Our Infinity Path and Climbing Mounds

If you haven't checked out our two newest additions to the outdoor classroom, you need to add it to your to-do list! Terrence Parker introduces us to the Infinity Path and Climbing Mounds. Many thanks to the Avery family and Bill Renaud. What a fabulous space!

If you look carefully, you might just spot a new friend... this is a picture of the first stone on the southern side of the Infinity Path. Don't worry, he's friendly! Carved by Bill Avery.