Events & Programs
We are happy to host you for a sustainability tour/visit. School groups, church groups, garden clubs, individuals, etc. are all welcome. Host your staff meeting here and include a pizza lunch or snack of homemade bread & jam. OR just come to hang out, walk the trails and BE. Please call/email to set a time. The labyrinth & trails are self-guided, just call / email to let us know you're coming.
TO SIGN UP: Some classes/activities are limited. PLEASE sign up by contacting us via email, phone (need: your name, phone, email & class/activity), or thru the website (be SURE to indicate class you're signing up for). Schedule subject to change, confirm before coming. Any fees may be paid via cash or check when you come to the class. (we're keeping it simple with no corporate fees on payments and such).
ABOUT FEES: BMP is open to all regardless of one's ability to pay. The last three years we practiced an economy of “reciprocity”, giving in accordance to what you receive (i.e., labor, money, goods needed, etc.), for a balance. While this has been great to offer, the reality is costs are not being covered. As a result, classes/activities will mostly be on a "SLIDING FEE SCALE" of $0 - $50. YOU still determine the rate with some basic guidelines - most are offered at suggested $15-20 range. (some classes do have a "supplies" fee which are noted in addition to class fee.)
BMP's biggest expenses relate to insurance and property tax. Currently no staff are paid, and instructors receive a stipend, which many gift back to BMP, for which we are grateful.
StoryWalk Along Forrest Ridge Trail
Self-Guided & Open most days
The StoryWalk is along the Forrest Ridge Trail for adventurers to join reading Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Place by Jim Arnosky. There is also Crinkleroot's Bingo to play as you walk through the woods. NEXT UP in Spring 2025: One Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova (Minnesota author)
Labyrinth & Trails
The Labyrinth in the woods and trails around the grounds are available for walking / meditating. Trails are no longer than one mile. We are also near trails into the Foothills State Forest. Be sure to dress properly, trails may be wet and/or have fallen brush/trees across paths in the Foothills.
* Forrest Ridge Trail (StoryWalk trail)
* Meadow Creek Trail * Twin Creek Trail
* Balsam Pond Trail * Labyrinth
Daycare groups, home-school groups, families, school groups, library groups and all ages are welcome to participate. Want a special activity experience? Let us know and we can set that up as a teacher-guided experience.
Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
Feel free to come snowshoe the trails in the winter months.
POTLUCK & PONDERINGS
Friday - Mar. 7
5:30-7:30pm
These monthly gatherings through the winter months are a way to connect with good food and great friends. We'll share potluck (bring a dish to share) and then gather round the fireplace and contemplate a question drawn from a jar of which YOU are welcome to contribute one. Questions may be: "What are you pondering these days?" "What are the benefits and drawbacks of the global market?" "When, if ever, did you first think about sustainability? and What does it mean to you today?"
This is a time to listen to each other in circle. We'll take time to reflect on our response, taking notes as we wish, and then go round the circle allowing each person 2 minutes to respond/share OR pass, pausing between each person's response. On the 2nd round, you can share further or ask another person for more info or comment on what was said limiting your time to 2 minutes. 3rd round will be more open.
It's great fun to listen and reflect on something other than the weather, and learn from each other in the process as stories are shared.
Let us know you're coming by calling (218-587-3808) or emailing (BalsamMoon3148@gmail.com). We look forward to being in community with you!
Mike has been working with wood most of his life and picked up spoon carving in retirement over the past 10 years or so. He finds the wood off his property or from tips from friends who know he's always ready for more wood to create spoons and bowls and more from. This is his first time teaching a class and he's eager to share this fun craft with others desiring to create and use natural resources for functional uses.
WOODEN SPOON CARVING 101
Mar. 15, Saturday
1-5pm at Balsam Moon Preserve
LIMITED TO 6 participants
Instructor: Mike Austad of Pine River
Join this session to learn the basics of carving a simple wooden spoon. There are tricks to the trade including being mindful of the wood grain and how it works when carving, skills using a hatchet to begin initial shaping of your wood block, the variety of carving knives available and what's best for the shaping you desire (we'll begin with 2 basic carving knives Mike suggested and for "hands-on" participation you need to purchase these ahead of class time - approx. $90 for the 2). So much of this craft is practice, practice, practice. Let's have fun together!
MOST supplies provided: wood block, hatchets, axing stumps
For "hands-on" participation, YOU NEED TO PURCHASE 2 basic carving knives (Mora 106- long knife or 120 short knife AND Mora 164 rt or left handed - approx. cost for 2 knives $90).
SLIDING FEE: $0-25
(pay by cash or check when you come to class)
YOU purchase & bring own knives before class (approx. $90) If you are just observing, no need to purchase knives.
TRANSFORMATION GAME
Mar. 21 & 22, Fri & Sat
10am-4pm each day (lunch included)
Facilitated by Barb Mann
Maximum of 4 participants/players - ONE SPOT REMAINING!
Also Offered: March 21 & 22; July 15 & 16; and by special arrangements.
Examples of personal game focus:
* What steps can I take in my relationship(s) sot that I feel greater satisfaction and happiness?
* I desire to release those personality blocks that keep me from being joyful, creative and harmonious.
* I intend to gain a greater understanding and awareness, and move through my pattern of wanting to "fix" others.
* I intend to know and clear the obstacles that keep me from full and creative service to the planet.
The Transformation Game is a joyful way of understanding and transforming the way you play your life. It's about looking at your life and the kinds of experiences you create, seeing how you react to them, and how you can use these insights for your own growth. Through the Game you can become more aware of your personal strengths and learn important lessons that can deepen your understanding of how you operate on the Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual levels. By providing new perspectives on current life issues, the Game helps you clarify old beliefs and attitudes and transform reaction patterns. It triggers your creativity and lets you realize your full power and potential.
You play with a particular focus or intention (see examples at left) and this guides your entire experience.
This is not a competitive game. It is not therapy or counseling (those of you with those skills, be mindful in playing). The other players can be helpful in bringing different perspectives to light as you decipher information you receive in playing the game per your focus/intention, as you also serve in that capacity for the other players. It IS meant to be FUN! In the midst of that fun, there may be tears and resistance along with the laughter. It's not about judgment, or right/wrong, good/bad. It is an opportunity to reflect and learn about yourself as you live your life/dream.
MORE TO COME FOR 2025
Apr 22, Tuesday, 6-7:30pm EARTH DAY Gardening 101 w/ Barb Mann.
May 3, Sat. 9am-noon - Wattle Fence Creation w/ Barb Mann reciprocity
May 15, Thurs, 1-5pm, Morel Mushroom Foraging w/ Melissa Olson,
followed by mushroom pizza from the outdoor oven. $20
June 13, July 11, Aug 8 Fridays, 5-7pm - Pizza Nights reciprocity
June 24, Tues, 4-6pm- Foraging Wild Medicinals w/ Jolene Ludeman FEE $15
June 28, Sat, 1-4pm, Mushroom Foraging w/ Tanya Villano FEE: $15
July 15 & 16, Tu & W, 10am-4pm each day Transformation Game reciprocity
July 19, Sat. 1-5pm, Foraging Wild Edibles & Meal w/ Stacey Quade of Duluth, FEE: $20
July 23, Wed., 4-6pm Wild Mushroom Delights - prepping & using wild mushrooms, w/ Tanya Villano FEE: $20
Aug 14, Sat, 9-11am Foraging Wild Medicinals w/ Jolene Ludeman FEE: $15
Aug. 23, Sat, 1-5pm Mushroom Foraging w/ Mushroom Pizza w/ Tanya Villano. FEE: $20
Sept. 6, Sat. 2-7pm, Harvest Celebration & Meal
Sept 21, Sun 10-11am International Day of Peace on the Labyrinth
Sept 27, Sat 10-noon Seed Saving Part 1 - how to basics w/ Barbara Kaufman
1-3pm Seed Saving Part 2 - hands-on
(if here for both parts, bring a sack lunch)
Oct. 4, Sat, 10am-2pm - National Solar Tour
Nov 7, Fri, 5:30pm - Potluck & Ponderings ANNUAL REVIEW
Dec. 21, Sun, 6pm - Winter Solstice
