Camp Meade Community Arts Circus 9/9/09

In honor of Red Hen Bakery’s decade of breadbaking the artists of Camp Meade are hosting a circus-themed event that is fun for the whole family!

On Wednesday 9/9/09 at 5 pm a smorgasbord of spectacular events will unfold. From 5-7 pm the Bread and Puppet Band will blast their brass while attendees delight in live circus acts, fortune and story-telling, horse-drawn carriage rides, a 50/50 raffle and free local hot dogs and sauerkraut on Red Hen buns.

Then, in true old time Vermonter spirit, a fast-talkin’, wheelin’, dealin’ Auctioneer offers local goods ranging from fine oil paintings to a cord of wood at 7 pm sharp. The proceeds will benefit the Camp Meade Artist Fund, in hopes that the former Civilian Conservation Corp camp will continue to host working artists in the 17 cabin studios.

To end the night, musical luminaries Mad Dub bring the dance party, and for those who wish to take it easy, a bonfire isn’t a bonfire without a crowd.

The artistic community at Camp Meade is in in infancy. Spearheaded by Jaquelyn Rieke in the ‘Nite Office’ you can find local talent such as painters Maggie Neal, Cheryl Daye Dick and up and coming Danny Hendershot. Also, stain glass sculptor Margaret Blanchard and object theatre performer Trish Denton, just to name a few.

Be certain you’ll see the property owners Don and Lise Wexler happy to see the camp brought to life by creative energy and the support of the community. The inspiration of the community is fed by tenants Red Hen Bakery, Ann’s Weavery, Angio’s Artisan Ice Cream and Nutty Steph’s Vermont Granola and Chocolate Shop. Celebration attendees can be certain to eat chocolate treats and much more.

Fair Trade Make-Over

We are in the Fair Trade spirit!

Last month, renowned artisan baker, Nessa Rabin visited us. She was thoroughly impressed with the old-time confectionery fashion of our humble little shop. The one critique that she offered was a need for better signage in our showcase.

Jaquelyn suggested that I find a new means for framing and displaying our signs. For inspiration on moving towards our goal to offer a Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate Bar, I was compelled to find some handcrafted Fair Trade frames to help with the beautification process.

Fair Trade is an internationally-recognized approach to trading which aims to ensure that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. A fair deal includes a fair price for goods and services, decent working conditions, and a commitment from buyers so that there is reasonable security for the producers.

After much convoluted Internet searching I was led to the World of Good shop (www.worldofgoodinc.com). What a relief! World of Good, Inc. was founded in 2004 to create sustainable, market-based solutions to global poverty alleviation. They offer an array of gorgeous goods that you can feel good about hashing out some capital for.

Thanks to Amelia Smith and Juli Bittner I was able to purchase a large sum of fabulous petite frames made by The Happy Friendly Movement in India. They are dazzling: skillfully made with durable, all-natural materials and of the highest quality. Just what we were looking for.

We LOVE to support fellow artisans working towards equitable trade, and hope to further support each other to actualize a just and creative economy.