Quote of the Month
 (photo by Skeet Sutherland)
"A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?" - Author Unknown
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Gift Ideas - It's Not Too Late
by Kate Jones, Sticks & Stones Communications Assistant
If you're receiving this newsletter, chances are you might eventually want to enroll in a Sticks & Stones program... why not suggest to your parents, significant other, friend or relative that if they're stuck for a gift idea for you- ahem- that they can check out our list of courses and order you a gift certificate!
Our 2011 schedule is coming very soon, and will include the following, as well as a few additional new programs:
- Winter Wildlife Tracking
- Traditional Bow-Making
- Traditional Arrow-Making
- NEW! Canoe Paddle Making
- Empowering Ancient Ways
- Flint Knapping
- Wilderness Skills Intensive
- Cordage, Fibre and Containers
- The Way of the Hunt
- The Way of the Caretaker
Please visit http://sticksandstoneswildernessschool.com/full_schedule/ for more details on any of these courses.
Gift Certificates can be made out for a certain monetary value, or they can be the equivalent of a specific course.
For more info, or to order a Gift Certificate, email us at info@wildernessschool.ca, or call 519 216-6842
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What's Happening at Sticks & Stones:
by Sue Steffes, Sticks & Stones Assistant Director
The woods surrounding our school here in Honeywood tell tales of a great deal of White Tail Deer Activity. Whether it be tracks, antler scrapes, disturbed ground, or actual sightings, we know a lot is happening in the woods and fields right now. We have followed the deer's lead and have had a busy month ourselves.
Four programs ran in November including: "Traditional Hide Tanning", "Cordage, Fibers and Traditional Containers", "Using the Whole Animal", and "The Way of the Hunt". A busy month but what a wonderful one. So much learned, and many new friends made. Thanks to all who shared their time with us.
December will be quiet, at least for the school but certainly not for Skeet and Kate (Owners of Sticks and Stones) as they are expecting a member to join their family early December! It will certainly be a time for family. Congratulations Kate and Skeet!
January will see the start of the 2011 Sticks and Stones Program year.
January - 2011, Winter Tracking will be held at the Honeywood workshop.
THANK YOU - From Skeet and Kate
Kate and Skeet would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Sue, Mike, Drasko and Dave for all the hard work, growth, and commitment that they offered over the past few months while staying at Sticks & Stones Wilderness School. We had a great time getting to know you all better, and feel the community growing stronger. Thank you all so much. |
Sticks & Stones and HERBS!
Winter Warmth
By Kate Jones, Sticks & Stones Communications Assistant
Over the past two days, we have accumulated almost a meter of snow on this windy Headwaters hilltop-- not including some of the huge and wonderful drifts gathering in those key spots where the conditions are just right. Winter is here, and as Skeet and I hunker down and prepare for the birth of our first child, we acknowledge the importance of staying strong and taking care of our minds and bodies during this time of rest and energy conservation.
Sometimes when we think about herbalism, we can be intimidated by the vastness of the plant world and how much there is to learn. Some herb names are foreign and exotic-sounding (Sarsaparilla? False Unicorn Root?), and it seems that it might be difficult to find or obtain the herbs we need to make certain medicinal remedies (incidentally, both of the herbs mentioned above can be found in Ontario). So you may be happy to learn that some of the best herbs for preventing illness and keeping you strong can be found at almost any grocery store.
Rosemary
Aids in stimulation of the central nervous system and circulation which helps to keep the extremities warm, as well as making it beneficial for low blood pressure and fatigue. Thyme
Has antiseptic properties, and helps to expectorate mucus from the lungs. It is especially useful for coughs and other respiratory conditions. Thyme induces sweat and helps reduce fever. It is a good infection-fighter.
Garlic Is an excellent antibacterial herb, and creates unhospitibale conditions for any invasive bacteria. Gargling with garlic and salt is especially useful in the prevention of colds and flus, if you feel like you've been exposed. Both garlic and onions encourage ciculation and the thinning of the blood, by preventing platelets from sticking together, and are therefore considered invaluable in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Try making this yummy, simple stew for a comforting, strengthening winter meal. I also encourage you to research more about what these and other common grocery-store herbs can do for your health.
Venison Stew (In the absense of venison, beef, bison or lamb can be substituted)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced
4-5 large cloves garlic, grated or pressed 3-4 large potatoes, cubed
3-4 large carrots, thickly sliced
1 lb venison, cubed
1 bunch fresh kale or collard greens, chopped or torn into manageable mouth-sized pieces
1/3 cup chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped fresh thyme
water
sea salt & pepper
1/3 cup miso paste (optional, but delicious and very nutritious!)
Directions
In a large pot on low-med heat, head olive oil. Add onions and garlic, soften. Add potatoes and carrots, and enough water to just cover. Bring to a boil and let simmer 15 minutes. Add venison, let simmer another five minutes.* Turn off heat, stir in fresh kale or collard greens and add miso. Add salt and pepper to taste (salt may not be necessary with the miso).
*If meat is tough, consider marinating it in the miso or red wine for a few hours before adding it to the stew. The active cultures present in the miso help to break down and soften the connective tissues in the meat, effectively predigesting it.
Enjoy immediately, store for 2-3 days in the fridge, or freeze large batches for future ready-made meals. |
Story of Integration- Community Life
by Mike Peters, Sticks & Stones Intern
It's the start of the winter, and many things have changed. A blizzard has piled the snow around the doors, and the air is chilly. Interns Dave, Drasko and Mike have packed up and shipped themselves home. The workshop, for once, is still and empty... but Kate's stomach is full, and she and Skeet are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
The term started with Mike's arrival in May. From the get go, it was an experiential learning experience for the interns and Skeet. The Residential Program will be in full swing in 2011 -- the interns of 2010 all signed up early to act as guinea pigs for the program, and in return were provided with the opportunity ahead of time.
After taking the Empowering Ancient Ways course at the school in April, Mike was passionate enough about what he'd learned to make Skeet the offer of helping to establish a baseline for future interns, in return for his mentoring. And so arrived the first intern, full of excitement and ready for the challenges that would come.
Mike came to the school with a military background, and was eager to expand his worldview. He began his internship with a passion for all things primitive, and "Back-to-the-Earth" living, learning about wild edibles, sleeping outside in debris huts, making bow drill fires, and studying the animals that lived in the forest with him. He made his own bow and arrows, helped harvest a local steer, and pushed his outdoor living skills from the get go in May up until the end of November.
The depth of growth that would come from Mike's experience was past what he had expected. In living simply, in touch with all the realities of life, he developed a sense of everyday meaning and focus. He began to understand the complexities of the modern world that had so troubled him. He's since realized that you do not have to sleep in a debris hut to attune yourself to the natural world, as everything is, in essence, natural... (For the rest of this article, please visit our blog |
Headwaters Community
by Sue Steffes, Sticks & Stones Assistant Director
Tracking Club
Join us for a day of exploring the natural mysteries of our local ecosystems through tracking and wilderness awareness skills. Our meetings are open to anyone of any age.
Next Meeting: January 2011
Headwaters Gathering
A traditional & ancient earth-based skills gathering, people of all ages and experience converge for a weekend of workshops, story telling, trading goods, sharing knowledge, stewardship projects and celebrating life. It's a wonderful place to gather and reconnect with each other, the earth and the natural world.
Sticks and Stones hosted this past gathering, in October. What a weekend!
Link: http://www.earthmentorship.com/Headwaters/index.html
Next Gathering: May 6-8, 2011
Stewardship
We welcome your support whether through your energy or by way of financial or equipment donations. Please contact us if you wish to take part in any project or would like to make a financial contribution. If you would like to donate equipment, please visit our "Wish List" to see where our needs lie.
If you have a stewardship project in mind or have access to land that is need of rehabilitation, please feel free to contact us, we'd love to talk with you about it.
Community News - November Events
It seems the community is busy, spending this month preparing for the coming winter months. Stay tuned for more events in January!
Eastern Woodlands Clan - Tracking and Wilderness Skills Club - Next meeting Sunday, December 12th , 11am at the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat, Algonquin Park (West Gate).
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