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OUR GARDENS ARE BLOOMING!
Our deepest thanks to Shari Fife for her tireless work weeding, planting, watering and restoring
our gardens around the house. Our plants obviously know they are loved and are responding with vigorous growth and color. She still has a way to go to achieve her goal, but her vision of what our grounds can and will look like is exciting.
Our heartfelt thanks also to Johanna Henning, with an assist from Cheryl Harvey, for her work loving our labyrinth back into use. Jo has been weeding, placing rocks, defining the path, making room for a sitting bench. They also have more work to do, but it is so encouraging to us to see their dedication to creating this sacred space.
And lastly, our Memorial Meditation Garden is almost finished. We will be having the dedication of this space, along with a tribute to each woman memorialized in it, on Sunday, September 18th, at 1:00 PM. Please join us as we celebrate the amazing women we come from.
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Upcoming Events
 MOVIE NIGHT and ICE CREAM SOCIAL: August 5, 6:00pm:
(note the earlier gathering time.)
Forget heavy food and even heavier films - we're going light and sweet for our August movie night! Starting at 6:00pm, we'll be dishing up your favorite flavors of creamy cold ice cream and all the toppings. At $3 per person (to cover expenses) it's the best summer deal around. Let us know if you're coming so we have enough ice cream!
After we've licked our lips (and fingers), we've a sweet romantic comedy lined up: "It Could Happen to You". The movie is free - but a donation to the Inn is always appreciated!
It Could Happen to You : "Inspired by an actual incident, this unassuming, wonderfully good-natured romantic comedy tells the story of a New York City street cop named Charlie (Nicolas Cage) who makes a promise to a coffee-shop waitress named Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) that will change both their lives. One day after coffee, Charlie is embarrassed to discover he doesn't have money for a tip, so he tells Yvonne that he'll share half of his winnings if the lottery ticket he's holding comes up a winner. Sure enough, he wins the jackpot--a whopping $4 million payoff--and Charlie's wife, Muriel (Rosie Perez), goes ballistic when he tells her about his deal with Yvonne. From this point, It Could Happen to You follows Charlie's dilemma as he is forced to decide the proper course of action, and director Andrew Bergman smoothly incorporates a gentle love story into this amusing crisis of conscience. --Jeff Shannon" Looking ahead: Due to the Labor Day Weekend, we will be screening our September film on the 9th at 6:30 PM. Come watch "The Miracle Worker" with us and talk about the miracles we can work in the lives of those around us. Ennobling and uplifting, this inspirational story of courageand hope is one of the finest works of art in the history of motion pictures. Locked in a frightening, lonely world of silence and darkness since infancy, 7-year-old Helen Keller has never seen the sky, heard her mother's voice or expressed her innermost feelings. ThenAnnie Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher from Boston, arrives. Having just recently regained her own sight, the no-nonsense Annie reaches out to Helen through the power of touch the only tool they have in common and leads her bold pupil on a miraculous journey from fear and isolation to happiness and light. ~*~ |
POTLUCK AND DRUMMING CIRCLE: August 17, 6:30pm
Our August potluck will be followed by a drumming circle rather than our usual meditation. Drumming is a wonderful way to connect with the rhythm and heartbeat of Mother Earth and to be re-energized by tapping into the Universal Energy. No experience or musical training is necessary. Drums and other hand percussion instruments will be provided or you can bring your own. Let us know if you're coming and if you're bringing an instrument.
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 SUMMER BOOK DISCUSSIONS: August 14 & 28, 9:00 am- Noon
(don't forget we are starting at 9 AM in August)
We're wrapping up our summer reading of"The Heroine's Journey" by Maureen Murdock. The discussions so far have been so good that the group has added another gathering time. Even if you didn't attend the earlier discussions, we welcome you to drop in on the last sessions and become a part of our introspective dialogue. Come join us!
"The Heroine's Journey offers a map of the feminine healing process. Murdock writes in a clear and compassionate voice which draws inspiration from her experiences as a mother, artist, and therapist and from the collective wisdom of the community of women on the path of the goddess. This book speaks to each woman who longs for a spiritually alive feminine self, one who is actively engaged in the world, and who embraces the masculine principle as a mirror of herself. The Heroine's Journey guides the reader in reweaving the threads of her life story into a mantle of empowerment for herself, for other women, and for Gaia, the Planet Herself."-Patrice Wynne, author of The Womanspirit Sourcebook and co-founder of the Gaia Bookstore and Catalogue Company
Looking Ahead: The September Book Discussion will take place on Sunday, Sept. 18th, with the start time moving back to 9:30 AM. We will be reading " The Alphabet vs. the Goddess" by Leonard Shlain "Literacy has promoted the subjugation of women by men throughout all but the very recent history of the West," writes Leonard Shlain. "Misogyny and patriarchy rise and fall with the fortunes of the alphabetic written word." A bold claim - can Mr. Shlain convince us? Let's talk about it together! ~*~ |
 FALL YOGA CLASSES in THE STUDIO
On-going:
All Level Hatha Yoga: This popular class with Jen Baum continues on Mondays at 7pm.
( find out more. )
Something New:
Moving Mantras: Music, Movement, Spiritual Practice with Phyllis Pomerleau begins Tuesday, September 13th, at both 9:00-10:00 AM or 7:00-8:00 PM. September 13th introductory class is free! This 8-week class will strengthen and stretch your body while getting you in touch with your soul. Sacred chants, attunement with your own inner rhythms, experience harmony and unity with universal vibrations, optimize physical benefits. ( find out more. )
Yoga for Healing with Phyllis Pomerleau begins September 15th at 7:00-8:15 PM. We are all healing on some level, whether psychologically, emotionally or physically. This class will incorporate restorative yoga, gentle movement, breath work, imagery and meditation. Come relax, refresh, renew, and allow natural healing to take place. ( find out more. )
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POTLUCK DINNER AND GUEST SPEAKER - FREE!: September 14th, 6:30-9:30 PM
"What is Naturopathic Medicine and How Can It Work for Me?," by Dr. Esther Perreault, MS, ND.
Bring a healthy dish to share at the table and then stay to be introduced to Dr. Esther Perreault and learn about her medical specialty: Naturopathy. This branch of medicine addresses the physical, environmental, genetic, nutritional, mental, emotional, and spiritual contributors to health and dis-ease using natural therapies such as botanical medicine, Homeopathy, Therapeutic Exercise and Nutrition.
We are hoping to offer more workshops with Dr. Perreault in the near future, so this free overview will be a great way to begin to understand all the benefits of Naturopathic Medicine.
Follow the link for more information. ~*~ |
TAKING IT ON THE ROAD:
The Gathering Inn will have a booth at two big events this September and we'd love to have you come by to visit and support us.
September 10th, 11 AM - 4 PM. Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce's Working Women's Committee's 9th Annual Family Fest at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA. Hayrides, crafters, music, exhibitors, petting zoo, kids games, and family fun.
September 24-25th - Spirit of Change's Natural Living Expo at the Sturbridge Host Hotel! New England's largest holistic event with 75 workshops and 135 exhibits. Don't miss us at Booth #37.
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NIGHT SKY STARGAZING SERIES:
Constellation Recognition and Mythology, Friday, September 30, 7:00-9:30pm
Meteor Shower, Wednesday, November 16th, 7:00-8:30 PM
Winter Solstice Celebration, Wednesday, December 21st, 6:30-9:30 PM
Are you fascinated with the stars? Would you like to be more knowledgeable about the constellations? Do you know the mythology connected to the stars? This exciting new series, facilitated by Gathering Inn regular, Tina Morin, is offering three opportunities to get out under the night skies and experience the magic and power of the stars while learning a bit more about our universe. More info and sign up here . ~*~ |
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MEDICINE WHEEL WORKSHOP, October 1, 10 AM - 4 PM
facilitated by Les "Eaglewind" Lambert.
Optional POTLUCK AND DRUMMING: 5 PM - until the last drumbeat quiets
During this workshop we will learn the significance of each aspect of the Medicine Wheel, the materials used, the 4 directions, the elements, the colors, the animals, the offerings, and the prayers associated with each direction. As the day progresses, we will actually build a permenant Medicine Wheel on The Gathering Inn's property.
Following the workshop, there is the option of staying for a potluck dinner (bring something to share) and a drumming circle. Overnight accommodations are also available if needed. More details about this event are coming soon,but for now, just save the date. You won't want to miss this one.
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MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER Walk, Sunday, October 23rd, 10 AM. How far will you go to end breast cancer? Saving lives from breast cancer starts one team, one walker, and one dollar at a time. Join us, and together we will create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. Join The Gathering Inn Team, help us meet our goal, promote our Inn, get the T-shirt! Click through to join the team, get more information or make a donation. Or ALL OF THE ABOVE! ~*~ |
LEAF PEEPERS DISCOUNT FOR COLUMBUS WEEKEND
The Gathering Inn is offering a Leaf Peeper's Special Rate for Columbus Day weekend, October 7-10, 2011. Our usual overnight rate of $65 per person, per night for a shared room, will be reduced to $50 per person, per night and will include a delicious New England Fall breakfast. For more information, click here . ~*~ |
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KAIROS LIVING IN A CHRONOS WORLD: October 14 - 16
Joan Borysenko says "In Greek, chronos means "clock time". Kairos means "the eternal present". Now is where chronos and kairos meet, creating a space of limitless possibility. Greek Orthodox priest Killistos Ware, says "The present moment is where time touches eternity."
Do you sometimes feel like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland- with the clock dictating how fast you move, where you go, what you do? In what ways does your relationship with time impact the quality of your daily life? How might your life be different if you could break free from this bondage to clock time?
Join us for a weekend of sacred time. Discover how to break free from the limitations of time by learning to live life on the basis of eternity, rather than the temporal man-made standards of the world.
For more information, click here .
~*~
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