July 2010

There is a point when balance is lost and action must be taken to rectify a situation. I think this is what is meant by the phrase, “the tipping point." I think all people have a tipping point, a place where compromise becomes too unbearable and can no longer be tolerated. I hunch that point is different for everyone, but it is there. The most dramatic tipping point for me was when my father died and I watched him pass into peace. The recognition of the peace was very attractive; the lack of it became my tipping point, and has remained a catalyst to me through all these years. Peace first.

I find I am growing intolerant of ignorance born of lack of kindness.
And as more and more people rise up to say “no more,” I am honored to share such good company.

A recent decision by a town board to round up and slaughter Canadian geese in the Town of Delevan, Wisconsin has caused quite a few to speak up against the senseless and unnecessary cruelty. People are realizing that these actions have lasting ramifications to all living, which we can no longer readily endure. Perhaps it is time to turn the tide, perhaps in this one instance, we can find our voice once more – and never be silenced again. Perhaps it is time for clarity and kindness to prevail. This is my hope and my effort.
Here are selections of letters of protest that have touched me:

All life is precious and each individual is a spark of the divine. In helping to protect that life, we give thanks for our own.
- Yvonne Wallace Blane

If you kill the geese in your town, and avoid humane alternatives because they may take longer, you are telling children that patience is not necessary and kindness be damned. Is that your message? I beseech you to reflect on the stones you cast into the pond. The ripples are forever. Though I am not a very religious person, I pray for a judgment day. A day when we shall all stand before the Master of the Universe and answer for our deeds. I humbly submit that on that day the King of Kings may ask you, “How did you treat my Creation?” I will say with kindness. What shall you say?
With Respect,
Buzz Alpert Lincolnwood, IL

You are welcome to help stop the slaughter by writing, or speaking your voice to:
Town Board, Town of Delavan
Dorothy Burwell, John Olson, Richard Bonsall, Barb Militello, Herb Sessner, Ryan Simons
5621 Town Hall Road
Delavan, WI 53115

Echo Valley continues with Kindness … and you are warmly welcomed.

-Dena Eakles

Also, take a minute to check this out: www.charterforcompassion.org

CLAY OVEN CONSTRUCTION
July 2 - 4, 9 - 11, and 16 - 18

Come to Echo Valley and learn to build an outdoor clay oven. We will construct the oven out of materials we have on hand: clay, sand, straw, rocks, and reclaimed wood and masonry. This class is a free offering of Echo Valley Hope. For more information, call 608.337.4871.

If you would like to stay the weekend, please reserve space by calling 608.337.4578.

Echo Valley Hope's 5th Annual
WIDENING THE CIRCLE
Benefit Concert & Sustainable Gathering
August 6 & 7

Suggested donation of $10 for one day, $15 for two days.

Beneficiaries will include
TPRF, Feeding America, and the Wilton Food Pantry.

No dogs, drugs, or alcohol permitted.

Bands: (Click on band name for music samples) Galynne and MarkOnDrums The Getaway Drivers New Territory Porterfield Rose Joe & Vicki Price Fayme Rochelle & the Waxwings Steve Schad Synister Dane & the Disco Cosmonuts Vanessa and more! Click here to enjoy a slideshow of our bees. In June, they outgrew their hive. The new queen remained safe inside this swarm of bees as they waited for the scouts' return. While the scouts were busy looking for a home...our friend Jeremy led the bees to a new abode. All is well for the flourishing family.