workshops : performances : creations : art & theater : workshops : performances : creations

Friday, December 31, 2010

This past autumn brought a merging, or a reuniting perhaps, of Mothers Moon & The Barefoot Storyteller. It was an understanding that the two parts of my life could actually exist together quite nicely after a few readjustments. (which are really still ongoing) What sense it made, as I am, as always, simply one person afterall... though my son has indeed been a wonderfull part of all I have done since his birth, and my greatest influence.

Most folks that know me, know of my doula practice & natural products business Mothers Moon. Time spent beneath the full moon by myself or with others has always been very centering, peaceful, renewing & inspiring for me…. especially as it reflects over the water here at Freedom Pond. Because of that, when we first moved here in 1996, the art that I was doing, the herbal blends I made, the beeswax candles I dipped, the women’s gatherings, and all that sprang forth from me, I half jokingly called “Freedom Pond Moon-works“... long before I had any ideas of having a business. (being anti-establishment, the idea of registering an actual business was something that I had avoided for many years) . Then it came that my women's circle honored a very special full moon here one May, called the “Mothers Moon”, which I simply thought was just so beautiful and inspiring... and Mothers Moon was born.

Some folks know that The Barefoot Storyteller is a name I was given much longer ago, in my traveling days...of gathering children for stories and daisy-chain making. It was as my son grew out of his early childhood, that my persona as The Barefoot Storyteller seemed to be growing as well, and it too became a business. Quite a few folks of more recent years assume there is a direct connection to the name and my association with Barefoot Books, but that was no more than a happy accident.

Now in coming full circle, it may be in 2011 that, with my son's serious involvement in creating more of the arts and products, there is a chance of a return to being Freedom Pond Moonworks, for it could prove to be a fitting title for all that we do, together. I'm proud to have my son working at my side, and continuing to inspire me....hopefully I inspire him too! I am looking forward to whatever projects we may collaborate on in the coming year, and hopefully beyond.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Creating Collaborative Communities


Syntiro will be having their annual Winter Retreat at Point Lookout in Northport on January 28th-29th, 2011. And I am so happy to be a part of it again! Please stop by The Barefoot Storyteller booth, and join us to learn about using arts integration and technology.
Many of the presenters are your arts education colleagues!
There is $3-4,000 available for each superintendents region in Maine for educators to attend. To learn more about this professional development opportunity click on www.syntiro.org/events/winter-retreat.html.

Monday, December 20, 2010

First Book

I'm still distributing free books across Waldo County to elementary, middle schools, high schools, homeschoolers, and community centers from my First Book* grant! So far in 2010, books were given out at Mt. View High School, Belfast High School, RSU#3 4th & 5th grades, Mt. View Middle School & Jr. High, Mt. View Elementary, Mt. View Elementary PTA, Unity Barn Raisers, Waterfall Arts, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waldo County, Clifford Performing Arts Center, Twice Loved Boutique, Waldo County Broadreach, Belfast Area Adult Ed, Granny Goat Daycare, Michelle's Daycare, and the Unity College Performing Arts Center.

*First Book works through existing community programs and literacy efforts such as myself to provide a steady stream of new free or low cost books that elevate educational programming and improve access to reading materials. All books from this grant become the personal property of the children. I'm so glad to be a part of it! If you belong to an organization (or know of one) for kids in Waldo County, please get in touch with me.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Monday, December 6, 2010

Santa is bringing books!

Santa Claus is coming to town in Unity! And he's giving out free books! All good children please come by the Unity Community Center Holiday Party from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday December 7th to visit with Santa and receive a free book! In addition there will be a coats for kids box, and they are accepting canned food to give to the Regional Food Pantry. The Unity Community Center is located at 32 School Street in Unity. You are also invited to the lighting of the three pergolas in Triplet Park before the Holiday Party, at 4:45pm. The trees will remain lit during the nighttime through January in memory of Joshua, Marcus, and Brydon and Jonesy.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Mitten

Working with the MSAD# 3 Elementary Afterschool Performing Arts Program on a Winter recital and decided to throw in a readers' theater of Jan Brett's "The Mitten"...really looking forward to it!

Saturday, December 4, 2010