We hope your week, like ours, has been one of blessings and busyness and beauty… Scroll on for details! Here’s the lineup:

Summer Budget Request

Frolic Report and Invite

Hope Kitchen Meal

Labor Day Weekend Music Right Next Door

Book & Bake Sale for Library

Emergency Prep at AuSable Valley Grange

Sustainability & Energy Fair

More Great Pics

Summer Budget Request

As we continue with our request to fund our operations for the next several months, we are so deeply grateful for all donations of any size. Here’s a look at how we plan to be careful stewards of your gifts:

If you’d like to send a check, our address is 1044 Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville NY 12911. If you’d like to make an online contribution or see how the fund is progressing, just check this link:

SRCF Summer Budget

Kelsey offers this poem as her inspiration…

The Man Born to Farming by Wendell Berry

The Grower of Trees, the gardener, the man born to farming,
whose hands reach into the ground and sprout
to him the soil is a divine drug. He enters into death
yearly, and comes back rejoicing. He has seen the light lie down
in the dung heap, and rise again in the corn.
His thought passes along the row ends like a mole.
What miraculous seed has he swallowed
That the unending sentence of his love flows out of his mouth
Like a vine clinging in the sunlight, and like water
Descending in the dark?

Wow, that’s awesome. My favorite line is “He enters into death
yearly, and comes back rejoicing.” What’s yours??

We’re already at the 65% mark; thank you to those of you who have helped us get that far! Maybe you might pass the word to a friend who also wants to make a positive difference in the neighborhood we call Earth… we’d appreciate a shout out!

Frolic Report and Invite

Last week we harvested almost a third of the corn patch and we’ll be back at it again this Sunday- would you like to join the charge? Just show up at 1044 Mace Chasm Road just outside of Keeseville at 2:30pm, where we will begin in our Circle of Gratitude and hear the plans for the day. You can choose field work, kitchen work, or low-impact tasks as you feel led. Besides the corn assignment, we will harvest and chop tomatoes for roasting in our wood-fired oven and see who might like to take our calves for a walk.

But wait; there’s more! As if all those revelries aren’t enough, please plan to stay for dinner at 5:30 when we will gather in the barn for a farm-sourced feast of whatever salad inspiration the garden provides, with our fabulous corn bread and soup made from last year’s harvest. There will also be lively conversation, laughter, and perhaps a song or two. We often have folks just show up for dinner because there is no requirement to work for the meal. So bring a friend and your appetite, and help us celebrate how community feeds more than stomachs. If you’d like to see some great pics from last week’s corn harvest, keep scrolling!

Hope Kitchen Meal

Happy first week of September and Back To School! Let’s celebrate by having dinner together- tonight, Friday, 5-7 pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville! The menu this week is Chef Ben’s Creamy Tuscan Sausage Soup. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge, so bring your family, meet new friends and share your school stories!

Labor Day Weekend Music Right Next Door

AuSable Chasm is a Fantastic touristy place right (literally) in our back yard!! People come from all around the world to be dazzled by its natural beauty, the result of eons of geological transformation by the river of the same name. If you ever do visit it, let us know because we are exactly a stone’s throw away and would LOVE to welcome you!

The Chasm also offers free music concerts at their Welcome Center, and on Sunday September 6 from Noon to 3pm, Neil and the Natives will be rocking the sounds of previous (and future😊) decades: old and new tunes that you probably have on your personal playlist- think Earth Wind & Fire, Fleetwood Mac, Pink, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Patsy Cline, Chappell Roan, Coldplay… that’s just a short sampling of a LONG list! The wide genre variety and their talents are real crowd pleasers, and they take requests as well. Keyboard/Sax player Neil and vocalist/percussionist Maggie were raised here in the North Country and over the years have performed professionally all across the USA. (Editorial comment; they really are terrific!)

Here’s some more info:

Sunday Chasm Concert

Come check them out and look for me!

Book & Bake Sale for Library

BACK TO SCHOOL SALE –

COME ONE, COME ALL, FEED YOUR MIND AND YOUR SWEET TOOTH!

This sale will take place at 1691 FRONT STREET, KEESEVILLE (the yellow house across the street from the stone Methodist Church)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 - 10am TO 2pm

The Book Nook:

They have children’s board books, “I can read” early chapter books, teen and young adult books. They also have many novels and a wide selection of non-fiction books.

Pricing: Children’s books and Paperbacks 2 for $1.00; Cookbooks, Gardening books; Craft books and Special Collections, i.e. Photography books $1.00 each;

The Bake Shop:

Fresh baked goodies to feed your sweet tooth- come early for the best selection!

ALL PROFITS GO TO THE FRIENDS OF THE KEESEVILLE FREE LIBRARY WHICH BENEFITS THE LIBRARY IN MANY WAYS

Sustainability & Energy Fair

If you know us, you know we’re all about being responsible stewards with our natural resources- and we bet you are as well, so take note of this informative event. It will take place in a village upriver from us on Saturday September 12 from 10am to 2pm. There will be entertainment, kid’s activities, food, seminars, vendors, and more!

Emergency Prep at AuSable Valley Grange

No one plans on having an emergency, but you can plan to be ready for one. Come to the Grange at 1749 Main Street in Keeseville on Saturday September 19 at 11am to learn how to be ready for any natural or manmade disaster. There is no charge for the event, and everyone who attends will receive a backpack of super useful supplies…

Registration is required, so click the link below.

Grange Emergency Prep Registration

More Great Pics

We husked and braided the gorgeous corn last week, and marveled at the beautiful variety inside each package. As we chose another ear, one never knew what color would be revealed~ it was almost like a treasure hunt! So we took several pictures to share the loveliness with you…. Thanks to Doliah who braided and taught, and to Ben for the pics😊

This is Flint Corn, so unlike sweet corn it isn’t very palatable at harvest. Although Maizey gave it a try…😉

Look; we found another treasure in the harvest! Tobee gives it a 4/10 for comfort😄

And now it is stored in the barn rafters to dry. Next year it will be ground into the main ingredient for our yummy Corn Bread. If you haven’t had any yet, come to a Frolic for a fabulous treat!

That’s it for this week, friends- we hope you have a week of treasures and blessings!

With gratitude,

Allison

The gardens are doing what gardens do this time of year in our neighborhood: pumping out a harvest of abundance and deliciousness. And our neighbors (from near and far) are doing what neighbors do; showing up for help and harvesting relationships. It’s a lovely yield! See below:

Summer Budget Update

Frolic on Sunday with Us!

Keeseville Butterfly Festival

Hope Kitchen Meal

Some More Sweet Pics

Summer Budget Update

Wow, we’ve blasted past the halfway point towards our $9,000 goal thanks to the generous support of so many of you; THANK YOU!!💖😍💕 At this time our current total is $5,855 and if you’d like to join our efforts or check our progress, just click here:

Summer Budget Link

Gifts of any amount are welcome, and we deeply appreciate each of you who responds with such kindness to our vulnerability as we request your partnership in this bold experiment in the commerce of relationships.

Frolic on Sunday with Us!

At this point in the season, our Frolic has developed a life of its own as every Sunday at 2:30pm there is a convergence of willing bodies and smiles at 1044 Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville… great folks who are choosing to do something positive in the world, right in our back yard. 😍 Come join the flow!

We had over 20 people here last Sunday, including folks from down the road in Keeseville and all the way from the Carolinas. They show up to help us tend this land as we work toward our goal of feeding anyone who is hungry for any reason. Each week there are brave new volunteers as well as familiar faces, and before we begin we stow our phones away, share our gratitudes, and then divide into work groups to address the day’s agenda.

This Sunday we’ll begin picking the corn! Maizey the Corn Dog has been diligently defending the crop against hungry critters, and now it’s time for us to gratefully reap the results of her labors.

Last summer Doliah taught us the skill of braiding corn for storage and she’ll be back to see how well we remember it😉, and cheerfully re-train. Here’s Frankie from last year with the finished product, and Doliah bearing a portion of last year’s harvest- will she carry even more this year?? I am awed by her talents and determination!

Once it’s braided the corn will hang in the rafters of the barn, but we still have garlic drying there so we will move that into the processing room….

It’s all a cycle, and these are good projects if it’s a rainy day.

We’re also looking to get our calves (Theodore and Maurice) back into the social scene, so we’re hoping some folks will be willing to pet and brush them, as well as learn how to take them for a walk!

These handsome youngsters will be earning their keep in the months ahead by hauling firewood and other heavy loads, but first they need a lot of practice walking on halter with the yoke. If you’re a fan of young oxen, we’ll happily train you to train them. They’re adorable!

At 5:30pm we’ll gather in the barn for our regular-but-definitely-not-ordinary meal of soup, garden-fresh salad and freshly-baked cornbread….

However, there is No need to work to eat: simply swing by and we’ll be happy to make room at the table so you can meet the great folks who keep us chugging along. Bring your appetite, a friend, and a smile!

Keeseville Butterfly Festival

This afternoon, Friday August 28 from 5-7pm, Keeseville will host its very first Butterfly Festival…

This family-friendly event will also feature face painting, crafts and games, so load up the car to check it out! The site of excitement will be the marvelous Butterfly Wing Sculpture and Pollinator Garden on the lawn across the street from the AuSable Chesterfield Keeseville Civic Center, 1790 Main Street. Along with its twin located downtown in front of the Credit Union, these recently created beautiful works of art are perfect photo opp sites!

Because their epic migrations span continents, monarchs serve as a key warning system for deeper ecological changes affecting many other species. Bring your family to this community-wide event to discover the importance of these amazing creatures and the plants that support them. Thanks to the Anderson Falls Heritage Society, here’s a link for more info:

Deeper Butterfly Perspective

Hope Kitchen Meal

If after spending some time at the Butterfly Festival you discover you’re ready for a great meal, just bop down to 124 Hill Street (less than a mile away) to the Keeseville Hope Kitchen where you’ll find a delicious, home-cooked meal and good conversation at tonight’s Community Supper.

They’ll be serving from 5-7pm and this week Chef Ben is making Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Garlic Bread! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat (but donations are always greatly appreciated).

Some More Sweet Pics

Our friends at the Essex Farm had a plethora of gorgeous peppers, so Ben, Catherine and Courcelle gleaned the crop and brought them to us for management- Thank You! Their fresh flavor was amazing , and the ones that didn’t make it into Jody’s massive salad bowl were chopped and roasted for days in our wood-fired oven. The finished product smells fantastic and tastes like a sweet pepper-infused veggie leather. Wow! 😋

Also, the tomato production continues apace- Ben and his crew are Garden and Kitchen Superstars as they pick, chop and roast the abundant harvest.

Ellie enthusiastically helped with table setting and hopes to see you at dinner!😍

As we say in the blessing that precedes every meal; “For all this goodness and mercy, we give thanks!” And we hope you discover many blessings in your week ahead.

With Love and Gratitude,

Allison

August has one foot out the door with these cool nights, but still wants to linger in the heat of the gardens to conjure its magic of generating yummy food from seeds, sun, water and soil. And oh my, those gardens! The magic surely is happening; check out this amazing harvest from the tomato patch- it’s only a fraction of what we’ve collected thus far!

Here’s what’s in store this week in our news:

Summer Budget Update

Come Frolic with Us!

Hope Kitchen Meal

Harkness Church Michigan “Brunch”

Library Activities

Keeseville Butterfly Festival

More Great Pics

Summer Budget Update

We’re at 40% of our $9,000 goal, thanks to the generous response to our Summer Budget Request- just $5,405 left to go! It’s been a few weeks since we shared the overall picture, so here it is:

We so appreciate those of you who have chosen to partner with us! Perhaps you’ve received a card of gratitudinal art that conveys our thanks to you for helping to keep us strong and vital in our mission to feed our hungry neighbors…

Any size gift is welcome; check out the link to donate and see how close we are now!

Summer Budget Request Info

Come Frolic with Us!

As presented above, we’re deep in harvest mode and we’ll continue that assignment this Sunday as weather and work force allows. All those tomatoes need to be chopped before being slooooowwwwly roasted in the wood-fired oven….

There’s also mulching and paint removal waiting for willing hands, too. If you prefer to operate in drier conditions, we have lots of cardboard that will be used as mulch but first it needs to have all tape removed so that’s a task which can be addressed in the big kitchen. There are also loads of art supplies for Thank-You card creation, and dinner to prepare. So invite a friend and join us if you can, we’d love to work and laugh and sing and tell stories with you! Just show up at 2:30pm on Sunday, 1044 Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville and you can choose the task that matches your superpowers. If your superpower happens to be eating delicious food, you must stay for dinner! Or simply arrive at 5:30pm and we’ll be happy to greet and feed you our fabulous farm-sourced meal of soup, salad and that legendary cornbread. No need to work to eat- the only requirement is that you’re hungry!

Hope Kitchen Meal

Have a craving for some delicious food and good company? Join us for our weekly community supper, tonight (Friday, August 21) from 5 to 7pm, 124 Hill St in Keeseville!

As a special treat, Chef Ben is making a Moroccan Lamb Ragu served over a veggie-packed rice with freshly baked Homemade Focaccia; you won’t want to miss this…

The meal contains tomatoes, potatoes, beets, corn, zucchini, cabbage, almonds and dairy (butter). The focaccia contains gluten but the lamb and rice are gluten free.

ALSO- we’ve got some produce up for grabs tonight! Take whatever you need! Bring your family and share a meal with us! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat.

Harkness Church Michigan “Brunch”

Remember to skip breakfast this Sunday and come to the Harkness Church Hall at 776 Hallock Hill Road in Peru for a Michigan “Brunch” served from 11am to 2pm!! It’s a crazy meal deal for just $5.00, and only $2 for an extra Michigan. The church buys ALL the supplies for the meal, so ALL MONEY that comes in the door for the Michigan Sale will be donated to the AuSable Valley Central School District‘s programs to assist our neighbors who may need help making ends meet to feed their families- through the BackPack program at the Elementary schools, and the Food Pantry at the MHS. The Keeseville Church will also have goodies at their Bake Sale Table. Take-out meals are available, but the Dine-In option gives a chance for connecting and relationship so bring your family and meet new friends while supporting this great mission; hope to see you there!

If you’re not from around these parts and wonder “What in the love of radical carnivores is a Michigan??”, here’s a little piece that was produced by North Country Public Radio which explains its background and lore. Keep in mind that it’s from way back in 2012, so some content may be outdated but it’s still very relevant and entertaining!

What Makes a Michigan?

Library Activities

Butterfly Talk

To learn about the role monarch butterflies play in our ecosystem, join Greg Gaul at the library for an education presentation on Tuesday August 25 at 6pm. Learning about monarch butterflies helps us track environmental health, protect vital pollinators, and understand the impacts of climate change and habitat loss.

Trivia Night

Learning new facts, laughing with friends, and Robyn’s Nachos: three of my Favorite things! Come join us at the Library on Wednesday August 26 at 6pm to see what all the fun is about… no experience necessary!

Keeseville Butterfly Festival

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the marvelous Butterfly Wing Sculpture and Pollinator Garden on the lawn across the street from the AuSable Chesterfield Keeseville Civic Center, 1790 Main Street. Along with its twin located downtown in front of the Credit Union, they are perfect photo opp sites!

On Friday August 28 from 5-7pm, join us at the Main Street spot to discover the importance of monarch butterflies and the plants that support them; this family-friendly event will also feature face painting, crafts and games.

Because their epic migrations span continents, monarchs serve as a key warning system for broader ecological changes affecting many other species. Thanks to the Anderson Falls Heritage Society, here’s a link for more info:

Butterfly Festival & Perspective

More Great Pics

Whether it’s making art, moving mulch, taking pics or harvesting the bounty, we are SO Grateful for our wonderful volunteers who give so generously of their time, talents and smiles!

And we thank you for keeping in touch with us by reading, Friends- your interest and participation are what keep us motivated to be the change we want to see in the world. Wishing you a Blessed week!

With Love,

Allison

It’s all fun and games until someone’s painted hand decorates everything within reach…😉

Here’s what’s in store this week:

Summer Budget Request

Frolic Report and Invite

Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse

Hope Kitchen Meal

AuSable Valley Grange News

Library Activities

A Few Great Pics

Summer Budget Request

We have received gifts totaling $3,255 in our summer budget request!! That’s 36% for those who think in Math, and we still have $5,745 left to go. Would you be willing to make do with less and vote Yes to the lights staying on with your dollars? We’re looking for anywhere between $5 and $500 donations to intermingle and cover this request before summer’s end. Please see the link below or mail a check made out to Sand River Community Farm @ 1044 Mace Chasm Road, Keeseville NY 12944.

Budget Request and Info

We are SO GRATEFUL to those of you who are partnering with us in this radical experiment in Neighboring!!

Frolic Report and Invite

It’s always like a mystery with a wonderful ending when we anticipate who might arrive to help us with our weekly Frolic. Surprise us this Sunday at 2:30 by rolling up the driveway at 1044 Mace Chasm Road, and you may also surprise yourself as you discover new friends and skills! We had a lovely mix of familiar faces and brave first-timers who worked and played well together, sharing stories and fellowship while pushing us assertively into a strong mid-summer.

This weekend we will finally stamp the completed letters that have been crafted by the collaborative hands of kids and adult participants over the past month. The last of them will get finishing touches as well.

Plus, we’ll welcome folks who are willing to chop those tomatoes for roasting in our wood-fired oven.

If you prefer physical and movement types of chores, we’ll be “harvesting” mulch and compost from the sheep barn that will nourish rhubarb, the apple tree nursery, and fortify topsoil around Henry’s cabin. We will also continue to work our way through trellising and pruning the hearty tomato patch that is beginning its summer tour of abundance.

And we’re still looking for hoses; do you have an extra one in good shape you might contribute? You can drop it off any time during the week, or bring it with you to the Frolic, or just show up for Dinner at 5:30pm- remember you do not need to work to eat! We love to have guests come just for the meal, to meet the kind workers who make it possible for us to feed anyone who is hungry for any reason.

Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse is Open this weekend!

If you’re looking to do renovations or construction and save some cash, stop by 397 State Highway 9N just outside of Keeseville and peruse the inventory on site for that special one-of-a-kind touch to set off your decor, at bargain prices.

You’ll find everything from windows to doors, light fixtures to bathtubs, and much more! They’ll be open Friday through Monday this weekend from 10am to 3pm. Click here for more info:

AARCH Warehouse

Hope Kitchen Meal

Local friends, we are celebrating Eden’s first birthday at this week’s Keeseville Hope Kitchen community supper!

Join us this Friday, August 14 from 5 to 7pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville for Tuna Wiggle (tuna noodle casserole)! We will also have birthday cake for dessert (at 6pm). Very low key/laid back. No gifts necessary, but we’d love to see you and have you help us celebrate Eden’s first year of life! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, hope to see you there.

AuSable Valley Grange News

Join us at the Grange, 1749 Main Street, on Wednesday August 26 at 5:30 for this presentation which will be relevant and crucial to many property owners in our area. Knowledge is power!

Library Activities

Check out these terrific opportunities this coming week!

Our Library Director Robyn Pray will be hosting the Memory Cafe at the AuSable Forks Library (9 Church Lane) on Wednesday August 19 from 10 to 11:30am. Please spread the word about this compassionate and congenial gathering for anyone who is facing memory challenges and their family members or friends.

If you missed Robin Caudell’s first workshop, don’t let that stop you from joining us next Thursday the 20^th at 6pm~ you will learn a lot and enjoy this session just as much!

How often does a ventriloquist visit Keeseville?! Your youngsters (and the young at heart) will have a super fun time with Doug Mickan and his special guests! Mark your calendar for Friday the 21^st at 1pm and bring a crowd; Doug will have his own!

A Few Great Pics

Ready for more Cutting Board Art? Here’s a pic I had lost (and just found) from last week’s Junior Kitchen Crew😍

And here’s one of them holding some of the “before” Beets

Remember that Battle of Valcour mural (left) from last week? Here it is (on right) all painted! Looks Awesome on the side of the Civic Center!

We hope you have a Fabulous week, Friends- find joy where you can, and spread it as widely as you are able. We shall attempt the same!

With Deep Gratitude for all your encouragement,

Allison

What’s the balancing point between too much sun and not enough? Even as the dewpoint depletes our energy, how is it that the tomatoes keep tomato-ing no matter how humid it is?

We take our inspiration from the dazzling gardens that continue to burst with life, from our determination to develop meaningful relationships with our neighbors, and from the wonderful folks who venture up the driveway and into our hearts to join us in that mission. Myriads of miracles surround us and Wow, we are so Grateful!!

Here’s what we offer in return this week:

Summer Budget Request

What’s Up for This Week’s Frolic?

Got Hoses? Or Cardboard?

Hope Kitchen Meal

Grange News

Library Fun

Farm Pics

Summer Budget Request

We’re at 33%, Folks! If you’ve already decided to send a gift to support our goal of growing food for hungry neighbors near and far, Thank You!! If not, Kelsey sends these thoughts…

Please consider the ecstatic bliss that might befall you by setting your dollars loose upon this plot of land where nothing is for sale. We’re looking for donations between $5 and $500 dollars or more. You can find our budget request at the button below or mail a check made out to Sand River Community Farm to 1044 Mace Chasm Rd. in Keeseville NY, 12944.

SRCF Summer Budget Request

We have already raised $2,955 local dollars to fulfill the summer budget and have $6,045 left to go. If money isn’t your gift, come to the address above on Sundays for our volunteer work days called the Farm Frolic at 2:30pm or for supper after at 5:30pm. You can read more about my first experiences at the farm in the post below.

Kelsey's Fabulous Substack

What’s Up for This Week’s Frolic?

We’ll be ready for rain or shine! The outdoorsy physical agenda aims to accomplish tasks like harvesting and trellising and pruning the vigorous tomatoes, and scraping tape off the windows of Henry’s cabin as well as cleaning the inside. We’ll also continue writing our Love Letters to folks who have kept us in mind over the past year(s), so we’d love to have you join us at 2:30 on Sunday to see where you fit in!

And remember that you DO NOT have to work for our Farm Dinner! Please keep in mind that you can show up at 5:30 any Sunday afternoon and you will be greeted by kind folks who helped make the meal possible because they want to be a part of this remarkable experiment in neighboring where we feed anyone who is hungry for any reason. And not everyone is hungry for food; come nourish your spirit with conversation and connection to each other. You are welcome here!

Got Hoses? Or Cardboard?

If you’ve upgraded or have any hoses in decent condition that you don’t use anymore, we’d love to help you keep them out of the landfill… and we can always use large sheets of cardboard with minimal ink, for mulching. Your discards are our treasures! You can initiate this win-win just by dropping items off here at 1044 Mace Chasm Road, or bring them with you when you come to the Frolic. Thanks so much!!

Keeseville Hope Kitchen

Our friends at the Hope Kitchen are in the midst of a Delicious Fundraiser~ between now and August 12, you can support their ministry and score some Homemade Roasted Red Pepper and Cheddar Focaccia at the same time! Click below to discover how it works:

Hope Kitchen Facebook

And join them tonight Friday, August 7 from 5-7pm for the weekly Community Supper; Chef Ben is cooking up sloppy joes, coleslaw and fridge pickles.

All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, so bring the family and some friends to enjoy food and fellowship at 124 Hill St in Keeseville.
Thanks to Juniper Hill Farm and Rehoboth Homestead for the veggies for tonight’s meal!

Grange News

From our friends at the AuSable Valley Grange:

Join us for our regular Monthly Grange Meeting at 6pm on August 12th!
We had scooped ice cream at our July meeting, but hey, it’s summer! A generous person left a NEW SOFT SERVE MACHINE on our doorstep for the Treasure Sale. We’re expecting it to make regular appearances at our functions, and will generate donations via a tip jar.

After that tasty treat, we’ll get down to BUSINESS with our usual updates and project planning. Key topics will be:

• Reports on the Arts Festival and Treasure Sale

• Fall projects and events

• The Long Awaited Windows Campaign

Hope to see YOU on August 12th! Bring a friend who might enjoy being part of our Grange. No need to be an official member to participate.

Barn Quilt Session 2 begins Monday, August 17th!

The Barn Quilt Makers Group had a great display of their work for the Keeseville Community Arts Festival (above photo). After a “summer break” Session #2 will begin on August 17th. The group meets 10am - noon on Mondays. If you’re interested in making a barn quilt, just email the Grange at avgrange973@gmail.com - it’s free to get started, and fun!

Library News

It was a SUPER BUSY July for our intrepid Library Director Robyn Pray and her posse of awe-inspiring volunteers. They not only celebrated their 100th Library Anniversary with a blowout party, they also crushed their inaugural year of coordinating the stellar Community Arts Festival- and still maintained their usual fun program events. KUDOS to all involved!!

August will probably seem quieter to them, but there are still loads of great activities in store. Here’s what’s on the schedule for next week:

Brain Exercises

I’ve really enjoyed this challenge; I always learn a lot and it’s a fun group that’s open to newcomers every month. In spite of struggling with some of the “assignments” we get, we know that it’s great exercise for our mental capacities. Give it a try!

Got Books?

The Used Book Shop will be open on Wednesday August 12 and Saturday August 15 from 10am to 1pm; stop in and browse for your next summer reading favorite!

Some COOL Community Art in Keeseville

You might remember a post from several weeks ago encouraging local folks to participate in making ceramic tiles for a Community Mural; well, the magic continues! If you’re anywhere around Keeseville, be sure to stop at the ACK Civic Center (1790 Main Street) to check on the development of this new piece of public art: a Battle of Valcour Mural has been mounted on the north side of the Civic Center!

Over the past several months, AVCS students, teachers and volunteers worked with visiting artist Gerald Gardner to create this masterpiece, and soon the water section will be painted. For more details on the back story of this one-of-a-kind work of art, click below:

Mural Display on ACK Civic Center

I am honored to say that I participated in glazing some of the pieces for the mural! Here is a pic of the sections I painted: can you pick them out of the big picture?

Farm Pics

Apparently we’re approaching the conclusion of the Dog Days of Summer around here. But don’t tell Maizey the Corn Dog! She’s been a valiant guardian of the precious crop since nearby critters discovered it ripening. Which is the more cherished asset? Don’t ask!😉

Many thanks to Elisabeth, Eliana and Blake for photos, and to you for your interest and support. Please reach out if you have any questions- or answers!

With Gratitude,

Allison

Another Friday, another yummy SRCF newsletter… what’s up in the our neck of the woods? Funny you should ask! Here are the headlines…

• Summer Budget Request

• Come To This Week’s Frolic!

• Got Sheets?

• Hope Kitchen is Back!

• Keeseville 250

• Some Great Music

• Life On the Farm Pics

  

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Summer Budget Request

Here’s my story.

When I first met Adam (maybe four years ago?), I was carrying a burden of longing for my church family to be more of an active presence for Jesus’ love in the world around us. We have a very small congregation but we were doing good works of compassion in association with local and global agencies. The kitchen facilities in our social hall are a mighty asset, and I felt they had great potential to accomplish much more than a few fundraising dinners a year. When I realized that Adam’s vision was “feeding people who are hungry for any reason” I wondered if we might collaborate to do just that in the Harkness Church Hall. What about a creative design where we feed people from a site that we provide, with food gifts and a work force that would supplement the modest numbers of our congregation? I felt it could achieve several meaningful goals with a courageous win-win arrangement.

As I learned more about Adam’s vision I discovered that it would be a significant challenge to implement such a plan logistically. But I was so impressed with the gorgeous people I met at the Farm, not only from nearby communities but also from countries across the globe; they demonstrated an extraordinary spirit of love and acceptance, generosity and unselfishness; Jesus’ attributes. My kind of people! And along with blessing us here, they transplanted this quality of neighborliness and community back in their homes; …or perhaps they brought it from there? No matter, the end result is the spread of finding creative ways to love and relate to your neighbor. My kind of goal!

As time passed I was even more convinced that I wanted to contribute what I could to this venture, because I was becoming so disturbed by the political climate of calculated and cruel disrespect for our human and non-human brothers and sisters, and the earth. My involvement with Sand River is driven by the adage “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem” so my dedication to the work helps to bring me peace when I witness in despair the challenges our world faces. It’s a discouraging situation but there is hope, and for me it begins right here.

I admit that I still have one foot firmly planted in the capitalist society. But God is working in my life to help me stay balanced and sane through the precious relationships I cherish here, and my drive to make the world a better place in whatever way I can.

If you feel encouraged to sustain this radically important work in my neighborhood that has ripples across the globe, I hope you’ll click the link below to keep the lights on, the neighboring strong, and the food shared.

SRCF Budget Update and Request

If you prefer, you may instead send a check to

Sand River Community Farm, 1044 Mace Chasm Road, AuSable Chasm NY 12911

So far, we have received gifts totaling $2,655 which is 30% of our $9,000 goal. We thank you for your precious partnership!

- Allison

Come To This Week’s Frolic!

If you want to witness some amazing talent, please join us at 1044 Mace Chasm Road at 2:30pm this Sunday. We have such a massive array of superpowers on display during every Frolic, it boggles my mind. Planters, weeders, heavy lifters, bakers, cooks, harvesters, baby tenders, pruners…. come see for yourself!!

But if you feel like you don’t have any of those skills to offer, don’t stay away! Because right now we are in the midst of one of the most fun Frolic duties of the year as we create beautiful cards and generate heartfelt Thank You notes to some of our beloved supporters. It’s awesome! Check out some of the marvelous and beautiful Veggie Print Art that Joy and Zary crafted for our note cards-

So there’s no need to sweat in the sun or get soaked in the rain, we’ll be comfortably under cover making beauty of the visual and verbal sort. Here’s what we looked like last weekend:

It’s a fun and delightful exercise in artful gratitude! And plan to stay with us for Dinner at 5:30 where there will be more superpowers of storytelling, song leading, joking, food-passing, connecting… A fabulous way to spend a summer afternoon. Come see!

Got Sheets?

If you happen to have any excess sheet sets in good condition (not ripped), we would gratefully accept them as we welcome guests in Henry’s cabin. We’re looking specifically for three or four linen sets for Twin sized beds, and two to three sets for a Full size bed. That would be fitted sheets, flat sheets, and pillow cases. If you think you might be able to help, please reply to this newsletter or email us at sandrivercommunityfarm@gmail.com. Thank You!

Hope Kitchen is Back!

Skip lunch and join us tonight (Friday July 31) for our weekly community supper from 5 to 7pm! You’ll want to bring a friend too, because Chef Ben is making Chicken and Biscuits! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, at 124 Hill St in Keeseville.

Keeseville 250

Our neighborhood is pretty quiet this week, mostly because we’re recovering from the abundant schedule of activities of last week. Keeseville’s America 250^th celebration was Epic! If you’ve followed here, you know that there was something happening pretty much every day in the hamlets in and around the towns. And the overwhelming response has been enthusiastic appreciation and a deeper sense of pride in our community. One of the most amazing things about the whole endeavor is the enthusiastic chorus of positive responses; the Facebook pages have been loaded with compliments and gratitude, and practically NO social media criticism! How rare is that!?! Click here and scroll for a review of activities and thanks:

Town of Chesterfield Facebook

As part of the event, Wheat Paste Radio and the Anderson Falls Heritage Society created a community-wide recording of 40 persons reading the text of the Declaration of Independence, exactly as it was written in 1776. It has never been amended or revised. Here’s the full recording made especially dynamic by a multitude of community voices.

WAVG: Declaration of Independence

We offer our sincere Congratulations and appreciative Gratitude to all who worked so hard on this remarkable community-building venture!

Some Great Music

One of the best-kept musical secrets in our area seems to be the Adirondack Jazz Orchestra. It’s an extraordinary array of impressive professional talent, and they play the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9pm at Olive Ridley’s Taphouse & Grill, 37 Court Street in Plattsburgh.

There is no charge to attend the performance and once you’ve seen them in action, you’ll be wondering how you didn’t know about them before…. But now you do! Here’s a link to one of their performances from a few years ago; they are even more awesome now!

Adirondack Jazz Orchestra

Life On the Farm Pics

We hope this week finds you enjoying many types of harvest- garden, spirit, gratitude… insert your own treasure here. You are surely one of ours!!

With Love,

Allison

How many different ways can one say that we are Blessed and Grateful? Far be it from me to say the same thing differently twice in a sentence redundantly😉, so here’s the news:

• Summer Budget Request

• Frolic Invitation

• Last Sunday’s Frolic Report

• Keeseville Methodist Church Summer Festival

• Keeseville 250 Celebration Continues

• AuSable Valley Grange News

• Gorgeous Pics by Elisabeth

Summer Budget Request

Greetings Neighbors,

This is Adam writing. It can be difficult to describe the work of Sand River Community Farm in a sentence or two. The bones of the project’s story go like this:

1. A single financial gift of half a million dollars purchased the historic Schermerhorn/Adgate Farm in in 2022, removing it permanently from the marketplace. Written into the Farm’s bylaws: nothing from this place will ever be sold again, including the land herself.

2. A year later, the Town of Chesterfield accepted the Farm’s application to abate the property taxes, encouraging us to find other ways to contribute to the shared life of the town.

3. We invite people of all ages and ability levels to gather every Sunday at 2:30 from April through November to learn and lend a hand in the old-fashioned work of growing, harvesting, preserving and sharing local food. Some weeks four people show up, other weeks twenty-five. At 5:30 we share a simple Farm supper. No money is required for participation in any of the Farm’s activities.

4. Outside of Sundays, the Farm runs on the labor of one full-time resident steward (that would be me, Adam) and a whole bunch of passionate, part-time folks who assist in the work of keeping animals fed, tablecloths and dishrags washed and folded, flyers printed and hung, buildings maintained, and so on. We are able to do all of this work for less than $20K per year because the majority of what keeps the effort going is received as a gift, including 100% of the labor.

5. Beyond what we eat during the week and serve at our Sunday suppers, all of the food grown at the Farm is shared as a gift with anyone who is hungry for any reason—as frozen quarts of chili at the library through the winter months, as boxes of grass-fed beef at a stand downtown, as warm bowls of soup around a fire on the main street where neighbors meet one another for the first time, and so on. Here at the Farm, where access to food is no longer determined by dollars, hunger begins to look less like a problem to solve than a deeply humanizing force, a daily invitation to turn toward one another and the land that feeds us.

When I describe this unusual outline to people, I hear a few repeating responses. Most common is, “How do you pay the bills?” Occasionally, someone shakes their head in disbelief, saying, “There must be a trust fund somewhere behind the scenes.”

The only trust fund we rely on is the goodwill of ordinary folks who have chipped in to cover our few monetary expenses. Over the past three weeks, for example, a dozen people have taken the time to drop off a check or make a financial gift online, contributing $2000 out of our $9000 summer budget request (for the 6-month period of June-December 2026).

If you think about it, the phrase “trust fund” is actually quite descriptive of the work we do. Neighbors entrust the Farm with a few dollars or a few hours of labor that they might have otherwise kept to themselves, and we work to pass that goodwill along as quickly as we can.

Would you consider joining the circle of trust that underwrites our work? You can join us for one of our Farm Frolics each Sunday at 2:30, or make a check out to Sand River Community Farm (see address below), or contribute online here-

SRCF Summer Budget Request

Once our $9000 Summer Budget Request is covered, no further money will be needed until wintertime.

During the opening circle at our Sunday Farm Frolic, we pause to offer spoken gratitudes before setting into the day’s projects. People say the darndest things when their turn comes around. As it turns out, there is a lot to be grateful for.

As the Farm’s only full-time resident, I can’t help but notice, every hour of every day, that I live from the labors of others. I eat just the vegetables, corn, beef and lamb that grow here, plus a few gifts of honey, syrup, milk, eggs and cookies from neighbors. The firewood that keeps me alive through the winter has been cut, split, and stacked by the folks who show up on Sundays. The dollars that keep the lights on and the well pump running have been gifted by ordinary people who choose to make do with a little bit less so that I might also live and labor on behalf of the possibility of a shared, neighborly life.

The gratitude that builds in the wake of such a chain of goodwill is considerable. It is the deepest honor of my life to be granted the opportunity to work as a community servant and organizer. If enough people vote “yes” with their dollars, their time, and their attention, the work will continue. If not, the Farm will quietly go dormant.

Would you consider joining the circle of trust that allows this Farm to continue sharing food as a gift with anyone in town who is hungry for any reason? A gift of any size, from $5 to $500, would be gratefully received. This Sunday at our weekly Farm Frolic, neighbors will be adding compost and water to the thirsty tomato patch, from which we might yet harvest a winter’s worth of Farm chili to share with folks in town. Others will write notes to people who have supported the Farm in the past. Still others will finish painting one of the Farm’s outbuildings. Others will bake cornbread, warm up soup, harvest a salad, and set the table for Sunday supper. Perhaps we’ll see you there. Everyone is welcome.

With gratitude,

Adam Wilson, Sand River Community Farm, 1044 Mace Chasm Rd., AuSable Chasm, NY, 12911

Frolic Invitation

Adam just described the plans for this Sunday, so need I say more? - I don’t think so! We just ask that you arrive at 2:30 so we can get a head count for dinner and register any dietary requirements, then we’ll divide into work groups that suit your interest and ability level. Be sure to bring your appetite and plan to stay for dinner at 5:30!

Last Sunday’s Frolic Report

Oh my, what a FABULOUS crew surrounded and invaded our hearts last Sunday! The garlic that was planted last fall was finally freed from the nurturing earth that has sustained and held it for so many months. It was cleaned, clustered, and hoisted to the rafters of the work space of the kitchen, to dry until ready for use.

Susan and Elisabeth wrapped the garlic for storage

This was a terrific and beautiful harvest!

We also accomplished the important task of transferring the latest batch of our signature delicious Tomato-Squash Soup from large pans, into the quart containers that will be given as gifts to neighbors, visitors, and folks who spend time with us at our dinner table after our Frolics.

Jody and Elijah filled 100 quart containers of soup!

There’s no requirement to work for dinner; if it better suits your schedule, you are welcome to just show up at 5:30 and join us at the table for a yummy farm-sourced meal, convivial conversation, songs and fellowship!

Keeseville Methodist Church Summer Festival

You know that the bakers of the Harkness and Keeseville Churches are superstars at their craft; and you also know you’ll need to get there early for the best selection!

This Friday and Saturday July 24 & 25, you’ll find a whole lot more than baked goods at the Summer Festival, 1691 Front Street between 9am and 2pm-

Besides live music on Saturday from 10 to noon, there will be books, plants, jewelry, lunch and even the Thrift Shop will be open for more steals and deals. Hope to see you there!

Keeseville 250 Celebration Continues

If you live in our neighborhood, you are well aware that we are right in the thick of Keeseville 250, a week’s worth of superb activities all around the towns. Here’s the schedule of events for the next few days:

The Town-Wide Yard Sale is in full swing; here’s a link for a map of where to get the deals.

Keeseville Yard Sales

And here’s more information on the rest of the weekend and other news:

Town of Chesterfield Facebook

AuSable Valley Grange News

The Grange folks aren’t going to be left out of the Yard Sales around town; check out just a few of the great items that will be available at 1749 Main Street on Saturday from 8am to 2pm!

Gorgeous Pics by Elisabeth

It was such a treat to have Elisabeth stay with us for a few days along her travels from Denmark. As if her presence and spirit weren’t enough blessings, she took some dazzling photos for us as well! We gratefully share some of them here, to give a peek into the week.

Thank You for taking the time to read this dispatch, to keep track of how we are dancing along with this unique experiment in trust and neighboring! We treasure your attention and support, in all the lovely forms.

Blessings!

Allison

July is steaming right along and picking up speed in more ways than one…. read on for the deets!

• Our Summer Budget Request

• Frolic Invitation

• Last Sunday’s Frolic Report

• Need Heat?

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Keeseville Community Arts Festival

• Keeseville 250 Celebration

• More Gorgeous Pics by Blake

Our Summer Budget Request

Our amazing Kelsey is extraordinarily talented on SO MANY levels! She offers this eloquent message for our budget request.

I’ve spent the past several months participating in the labor of farming, feeding, and primarily coordinating the frolic program at Sand River Community Farm— a place where the food isn’t for sale. It’s offered as a gift to anyone who is hungry for any reason.

A couple times a year, we reach out to neighbors near and far and make a budget request to cover financial expenses that we haven’t yet figured out how to manage relationally.

I’ve been lucky enough to be a player in the game of how we DO manage this place relationally and without dollars. And that is through our infamous farm frolics.

All growing season, roughly from April to October, we host Sunday farm frolics where volunteers are welcomed up the driveway to participating in growing food and raising livestock that will feed the community. We’re practicing for the day when there’s no more food on the grocery store shelves, in a way. We gather, share in gratitudes, get a whole lot of projects done, and have a big ol’ feast in the barn from yearly provisions and the garden’s bounty.

This project is underwritten by an enormous amount of goodwill pulsing through this small rural neighborhood as well as gifted dollars from folks who see the vision and want to be a part of a different way of living. Is that you?

One of our interns this summer came from the high-paced world of direct-action activism at the national level. He has spent many years tackling systems of injustice that ought to be destroyed. He came looking for what will replace it once they fall. Your dollars help feed not only young people like him while he comes here to learn and contribute, but neighbors and strangers from all over who get to taste food from land that has been set free from the scarce and tight grip of the market. Food that is singing quite loudly— if you’ve come to a gratitude feast, you know the songs.

If you’re feeling like livening up by releasing your dollars into a culture-feeding project, the link is below. The cows and sheep will be quite thrilled to get their hay this fall because of you!

Here’s a link to donate or check our progress:

Sand River Community Farm Budget Request

Thank You!!💕

Frolic Invitation

Come join us this Sunday as we unearth the lovely garlic that was planted months ago- it’s been maturing underground over the winter, and is now ready to emerge into the summer sunshine and our cooking pots!

There will also be more tasks and chatting and eating and laughing, so please join us this Sunday at 2:30pm, 1044 Mace Chasm Road. Bring a friend and a smile, and if you can’t get here until the meal at 5:30, no worries! Just show up with your appetite, and get to know and thank the folks who have worked to keep our small but mighty farm vital and healthy. Hope to see you!

Last Sunday’s Frolic Report

We had a Fabulous crew converge on our little patch of joy last Sunday! Such a beautiful range; so different in ages and abilities, but all sporting the same smiles and filled hearts. There was building scraping and painting, corn shucking, tarp moving, swimming, food prepping and eating, singing, and lovely community building. Heartfelt Thanks to Simon’s friend Blake for these striking photos of the day.

Need Heat?

Some of us who have been experiencing the HHH (hazy hot humid) weather here lately are saying “heck, No!” However, if you or someone you know has need of a used electric stove, we have a surplus one!

To the best of our knowledge it’s in good working condition- and it’s yours if you want to come collect it! It’s a 220 volt unit, so will need one of those high-power, high-tech plugs😉... Reply to this email or message us on Facebook if you’d like to connect.

Hope Kitchen Dinner

Join us this Friday July 17 from 5 to 7pm, when this week’s community supper will be turkey and bean enchiladas! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat; 124 Hill St in Keeseville. Bring your family and meet your friends; dine-in or takeout.

Keeseville Community Arts Festival

It’s finally happening this weekend! 40 Plein Air artists who traveled from near and far have been working enthusiastically for the past four days to create over 100 stunning images featuring the landscapes and architecture of our neighborhoods. Perhaps you’ve seen them around our region! Now, after months of planning, tonight Friday July 17, come to the Old Stone Mill (126 AuSable Street) between 5 and 8pm where those freshly painted works are on display and up for sale. If you can’t make it tonight, stop by tomorrow Saturday the 18th between 10am and 2pm to check out the local scenes we all see on a regular basis, but now interpreted through the eyes of these talented visitors. If you’d like to make a donation to support this amazing event, you’ll be able to enjoy refreshments and can receive a beautiful commemorative glass as well. It’s the place TO BE this weekend!

Not excited by artwork? Got kids? The front lawn of said Old Stone Mill will be buzzing with boatloads of fun activities for youngsters during the same time frame on Saturday (10 to 2); tie-dying t-shirts, face painting, balloon art, magic, coloring books and more, and it’s all free! Do you prefer to shop for and buy neat creations? Cross the river and head for the back yard of the Library (1721 Front Street) for the Artisan Fair and music from 10 to 2. There’s also tons of other great things happening around town: Raku, Painting, Ceramics, Tattoo and Barn Quilt workshops to name a few. Click on the link below for a map and a detailed schedule, to help you plan your day!

Keeseville Arts Festival Schedule

Keeseville 250 Celebration

Honestly folks, there is SO MUCH happening between now and our next newsletter… an amazing boatload of special events. Clear your calendar so you can catch as many as possible of the festivities planned for this week-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday! It begins on Sunday July 19; here’s a summary-

As you can see, there’s something for everyone throughout the week; the planning team has worked incredibly hard to make this fabulous celebration one that we will remember for decades! For more detailed information on each event, scroll through this Facebook page-

Town of Chesterfield Facebook

More Gorgeous Pics By Blake

Simon lovingly tending the tomatoes and Maizey diligently patrolling the Swiss Chard crop😊

Thank you again Blake, for your exquisite gifts💖💕

Whew, friends; it’s quite The Much that’s been happening (and will take place) this week! Until you open the next edition of this newsletter, we hope your time is filled with great times and much love. That’s what we send to you!

With Deep Gratitude for your support,

Allison

Harvesting Lettuce and Waiting for Corn. Calves and Frolics and Visitors, Oh my!…. But first, here’s a look at this week’s rundown.

• Our Summer Budget Request

• Frolic Report and Invitation

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Keeseville Community Arts Festival

• Other Keeseville Library Activities

• Some Lovely Pics

Our Summer Budget Request

Because our underlying philosophy is that nothing from our Farm will ever be sold, we are somewhat uncomfortable with the topic of asking for money. However, acknowledging that there are specific operational resources needed here and recognizing that there are many of our precious fans who are unable to join us in person and appreciate an opportunity to partner with us in a different way, we place this information before you.

Here is a perspective on our Summer Budget Request from our Vision Circle, which guides us with sensitive discernment:

It is an odd task being on the Vision Circle of Sand River Community Farm.

Obviously, for the readers of these online publications, you see images of the farm, and updates about the plants, animals and friends. If you are fortunate, maybe you join regularly or have joined once for a frolic or worked alongside a neighbor at the farm.

When all of these things are happening, there is another crew of people who sit in a circle, share gratitudes, and then ask questions like “How can the farm center relationships more deeply?” “How can we do less with money and more with neighboring?”

Mostly, it is an awkward dance to exist like Sand River Community Farm in a world where everyone seems to understand and gravitate towards the value of dollars and cents.

We end up fumbling around these conversations, realizing there is no perfect answer, and we are left with the best effort we can come up with.

Our approach right now is this. After looking carefully at the upcoming year budget request of $9,000, we practice asking the question: Is there anything here that can be fulfilled through relationships instead of dollars? Then we begin thinking about who we could make requests from, that wouldn’t include money.

Once that process is done, we are left with the budget request to put forward to the local neighbors. Some of whom aren’t able to gift their labor, skills or knowledge, but are thrilled to be asked to support the farm with dollars.

After that, we ask our non-local neighbors. We have friends and neighbors who live all over the world, who watch keenly to see what is happening in our little corner of Keeseville, NY, and are also equally thrilled to feel connected to Sand River Community Farm through a gift of dollars.

We are incredibly grateful to all those who have responded in the past and those who will respond in the future, by the gift of their skills, their time, their relationships and their dollars. We are constantly aware of your gifts, as they weigh heavy upon our shoulders as we think and act through this work.

With Love,

The Vision Circle of Sand River Community Farm

Here’s what our Team of Financial Thinking has proposed for the numbers:

And if you’d like to participate or just check our progress, here’s a link to our online donation platform:

Donate to Sand River Community Farm

We are immensely grateful for any and all of the ways you sustain us!

Frolic Report and Invitation

A terrific crew joined us last Sunday; there was weeding, painting, mulching, baking, relating, and more! (See photos further below.) MANY thanks to all who gave their time; whether you’re a reliable regular or an occasional drop-in, we LOVE to see your smiling face coming up the driveway and around the dinner table!

We invite you to lend your hands and heart again this Sunday at 2:30pm as we’ll maintain weeding, do some reseeding, trellising, and Oh By The Way- our Lettuce rows are Exploding….

So if you would like to help us dispatch some of that abundant harvest, you have two choices:

1- Show up at 5:30 on Sunday for Dinner! Our enormous salad bowl will be filled to the brim and it’s not just for the folks who come to work during the Frolic. We love to have drop-in visitors who join us for the companionship as well as the delicious food at our farm-sourced meal.

2- If you can’t make it for dinner, just swing by between 2:30 and 5:30 on Sunday. All we ask is that you BYOBAAS- Bring Your Own Bag And A Smile😊.

Hope Kitchen Dinner

This week’s community supper will be the Comfort Food Classic: Baked Macaroni and Cheese!😋

Join us this Friday July 10, from 5 to 7pm. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, bring your family and meet new friends at 124 Hill St in Keeseville.

Keeseville Community Arts Festival

If you haven’t already heard about it, where have you been?! 😉 The Keeseville Community Arts Festival brings color, connection, and creativity to the heart of our small Adirondack town. It starts on Tuesday July 14 as forty Plein Air artists arrive from near and far to witness the beauty of our region, document it in gorgeous paintings, and display them for sale on July 17 and 18. Make plans now to attend as much of this amazing event as you can manage; there’s something for everyone!

You might choose to be one of the first to admire the artwork (over 100 pieces!) for sale at the Opening Reception at the Old Stone Mill (126 AuSable Street) on Friday night from 5 to 8pm, or catch it on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. However, Saturday is going to be packed full of other activities: among many options, there will be a Fun Run, an Artisans Fair with Music behind the Library, a Raku Workshop, a Tattoo demonstration and Barn Quilt making, to name just a few choices around town. And don’t get me started on the Arts In The Park Festival for kids and families at the Old Stone Mill: face painting, tie-dying, free ice cream, coloring books, magic, historical games, (did I mention free ice cream?)…. OK, just click on either of the links below for more information. Scrolling down on the first one will give many more details about the myriad of activities: the second one is a summary of everything- and there’s a LOT!

Keeseville Library Facebook

KCAF Schedule of Events

Plan to catch at least a portion of it- you’ll be amazed, and glad you did!

Other Keeseville Library Activities

Summer Reading Program

As if the amazing folks at the Keeseville Library didn’t have enough going on as they coordinate the Community Arts Festival, they are also presenting a Summer Reading Program to keep youngsters engaged during their “school down time”. It’s called “Unearth a Story” in collaboration with the AVCS summer youth program; each week features a different topic, and there’s an activity table set up for everyone to enjoy. It happens on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11am.

There are also teen and adult reading challenges available. Give a call to the Library to participate, 518-834-9054.

Haiku Workshop

Robin Caudell is a powerful, regional treasure. Award-winning author, reporter, advocate, amazing human being; she will be visiting the Library on Thursday July 16th at 6pm to host an evening of literary discussion and unique creative expression.

If you don’t feel confident in your creative writing skills, then bring a friend who is- and you will most likely discover that you have more to share than you expected. Hope to see you there!

Some Lovely Pics

We’re so grateful to Simon’s friend Blake and to Kelsey, for these wonderful photos.

Thank you Blake, these are Fabulous!

Henry’s cabin getting a facelift; in progress and finished product😊

The corn is Chest-High, already tasseling, and Susan’s beautiful flowers are thriving as well💕💕

We hope this growing season is proving to be a splendid one for you, folks- so much surrounds us for which to give thanks!

With Love,

Allison

The gardens are humming right along, so you know what that means- you’ve been waiting for it….

The Return of Cutting Board Art! 😊

July will be busy in many different ways! Here’s a look at what’s in this week’s newsletter….

• Come Frolic This Sunday

• Hope Kitchen Closed this Friday

• Keeseville Library Events

• Keeseville Community Arts Festival

• Keeseville 250 Activities

• Some Pics and Thoughts

Come Frolic This Sunday

By now, you have seen the invitation to join us for our Frolics every Sunday at 2:30 many times. And you may have been courageous enough to show up~ Yay You, we thank you!! However, there’s another layer to our Frolics that enhances the day. Kelsey offers this observation:

In the early summer heat of these first few June Sundays, I’ve noticed a heartwarming pattern forming as Frolic participants gather up our tools at the end of a project and head towards the feast barn. Around supper time, farmers from near and far, sweaty and salty from their own day’s work, make their way up the driveway to join us for old world conviviality-- sharing in the reckless generosity of the land. There’s a weaving that begins around the feast table when neighboring farmers join in, food and stories passing from hand to heart. There’s something special about having that time to pull up alongside each other after a day in the field, even if the work occurred in different locations.

It’s lovely to have folks attend the whole Frolic . It’s even more lovely for people to know their mere unearned existence is welcome at the table. There’s really only one hard and fast rule on the farm: the food is offered as a gift to anyone who is hungry for any reason. So come to sweat in the field, or just come for the meal. Either way, we are weaving the fabric of this world right back together.

See you there, Kelsey

So come on up the drive at 2:30 if you can work, or at 5:30 if you just want to see what’s for dinner! If you are able to work, here’s what’s on this week’s agenda: some folks will transport and distribute a mixture of waste hay/manure bedding to address some erosion behind Henry’s cabin, and if numbers and time allow, we may convene a crew to paint the interior. There will be tarp moving, minor weeding & some raspberry mulching. Dress for the (sunny) weather and bring a friend!

Also, if you have access to LARGE sheets of low-inked cardboard, we are always happy to accept such donations to keep them out of the landfill. If you can’t bring it to a Frolic, it can be dropped off anytime near the workshop on your left as you drive past the farmhouse and before you reach the kitchen. Just look for the metal cage outside the workshop door; we keep it outside so that the rain can give us a head start on peeling off the tape. Thank You!!

Hope Kitchen Closed this Friday

In observance of Independence Day, Hope Kitchen will be Closed this Friday, July 3 to give their fabulous crew a well deserved break! See you next Friday, July 10 from 5 to 7pm. Have a great week!

Keeseville Library Events

Zowie has a unique collection of pets that she will be bringing to the Library on Tuesday July 7 between 11am and 1pm! This will happen right after the regular Story Time for little ones that we host at 10am; join us for that, and stick around to get a close-up look at not-your-average pets!

100 Years of Excellence!

The Keeseville Free Library is pleased to invite you to its Centennial Anniversary Celebration, marking a major milestone in its history. The commemorative event will take place on Thursday July 9 from 5-8pm at the Ausable Brewing Company, where attendees will enjoy an evening of local food, live music, cake, and an assortment of craft beers, including a specially brewed beer with a custom-designed label that honors the Library! So join your friends and neighbors in celebrating the library's remarkable achievement, and express your appreciation for its services.

Keeseville Community Arts Festival

Do you like art or music? How about magic, coloring, pottery or balloon animals? Perhaps you’re a fan of ice cream, tattoos, tie-dying, color runs or face painting. If none of these options sound good to you, maybe you should check your pulse!

All these activities and much more will be jammed into Friday and Saturday July 17 & 18 during the Keeseville Community Arts Festival~ click below for a full schedule of what will be happening; it’s crazy that so many choices are packed into such a short time, but it promises to be a Whole Lot of Fun!!

Keeseville Community Arts Schelule

So block off your calendar and plan to bring as many merriment-lovers as you can mobilize, to make memories and generate joy. From hands-on art activities the whole family can enjoy, to an Art Show and Sale with works painted by Plein Air Artists, everyone is invited to convene, learn, be inspired and entertained. Almost all events are free; check the website for details. See you there!

Keeseville 250 Activities

Many Months have gone into planning Keeseville’s own celebration of the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence. It’s such a Big Deal that it’s not just one big event; it’s a WHOLE WEEK of festivities!! The Celebration begins Sunday July 19 and runs all week with a wide variety of events happening every day, including a Town-Wide Garage sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To close out the week on Sunday July 26 there will be a parade at 12:30, ending at JC Park with bands, free community picnic, a huge craft fair/farmer’s market, and free events and games for the kids. It promises to be one of the largest celebrations in Keeseville’s history, so make sure you plan to attend as much of it as you possibly can!

These are just the highlights of what’s happening in late July- plans are still evolving each day. Check out the link below for updates and more details!

Keeseville 250 Facebook

Some Pics from Last Week’s Frolic

It was a warm Frolic last Sunday, so Colleen, Simon, TJ and Kelsey stayed hydrated and took breaks- and accomplished a whole lot of great work!

Whether you’re waiting for rain or sunshine or family events, we want you to know how deeply we appreciate your care and attention for our work here at Sand River Community Farm. Your support inspires, encourages and comforts us. We so appreciate you!

With Love and Gratitude,

Allison

We are awash in lettuce and love here! Adam describes a snapshot:

Heavy rain washes gullies in the Farm drive, pools in a cow’s hoofprint, soaks the roots of a thirsty corn plant. Pasture grasses lay down, exhausted by the sheer weight of themselves. Lettuce spills from garden beds into wash bins and plastic spinners, and then into salad bowls up and down the road.

And if that doesn’t paint a vivid enough picture in your brain, we offer this proof:

Someone donated this fabulous salad spinner to us and you can tell that Simon loves it… when he gets it going at full speed it sounds like a small aircraft coming in for a landing! 😉

Here’s what’s up for this week:

• Join us for the First Full Frolic of Summer

• Keeseville Hope Kitchen

• Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse

• Great Music and Remarkable History

• Be a Part of Making a Mural!

• Keeseville Library News

• Pics from The Front; and the Back 😉

Join us for the First Full Frolic of Summer

The frolic on Solstice Sunday was one of our longest and strongest thus far! There were lots of trellises assembled, raspberries mulched, loads of lettuce harvested, and 25 gallons of chili created, as well as songs sung and dinner devoured.

For more good work and good times, come join us this Sunday at 1044 Mace Chasm Road with an open heart and a smile. At 2:30 sharp we’ll get a head count, assign tasks, and register any dinnertime dietary concerns for the kitchen. We’ll be weeding the corn rows, doing more mulching, and pruning tomatoes as we guide them to grow upward on the trellises that await their heavy harvest.

Connect with a friend and bring them along to experience this rare combination of work, stewardship and relationship-growing that helps feed our neighbors who are hungry for any reason. And please plan to stay for dinner at 5:30 for a farm-sourced meal; you never know what amazing things you will learn in the fields and around the dinnertable!

Keeseville Hope Kitchen

This week’s community supper is chicken in a roasted red pepper cream sauce over pasta! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat; 5-7 pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville!

Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse

The Construction Salvage Warehouse operated by Adirondack Architectural Heritage opened up last weekend and already they have had tremendous success! Stop by on Fridays and Mondays between 10 and 3 to see what treasures have been rescued from the landfill and are waiting to find a new life and home; perhaps with you! They have everything from light fixtures (antique and modern) to doors, hardware, furnishings, windows, lumber and much more. It’s all very reasonably priced- and (as we all know they don’t make things like they used to) they are quality products. If you have surplus items in good condition you realize you won’t need, reach out to see if they might need the exact donation of what you have to give. Call (518) 565-7134 for more information, or click here:

AARCH Salvage Warehouse

Great Music and Remarkable History

For a unique program celebrating the significant accomplishments of a remarkable North Country woman, come to Craigardan in Elizabethtown tonight (Friday the 26^th) at 5pm to hear how Marjorie Lansing Porter recorded hundreds of folks songs and interviews in the 1940s and 50s, preserving a significant cultural heritage that would have been lost forever without such a colossal effort. Porter was an editor, journalist, author, historian, and co-founder of the Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown. Many of the songs she preserved will be performed by Sand River’s own Board member Steven Engelhart, and by Marjorie’s great-great-granddaughter, Sarah Ward, a harpist and music therapist.

Make the time to attend; you’ll be glad you did!

Look here for more information:

Celebrating Marjorie Porter

Be a Part of Making a Mural!

A beautiful ceramic mural commemorating the Battle of Valcour is in the process of being constructed, as part of a collaboration with teachers at AuSable Valley Central School, students, and any interested community members. Come help create it! It will consist of dozens of pottery tiles that need to be glazed (painted) before they are fired and mounted to make this awesome collective artwork. On Tuesday June 30 from 11am to 5pm, come to the AuSable Valley Middle-High School Art Room (use the side entrance near the Pool) and make your mark by glazing some tiles to be included in the mural.

You will be given instructions; no experience necessary as long as you can drive a paint brush!😉 The mural will be installed at the Keeseville Community Center in July as part of the “Keeseville 250” celebration of America’s 250^th anniversary, creating a lasting public tribute to the region’s history.

Keeseville Library News

School’s out for the summer!

And if you’re seeking some activities for the youngsters that are both fun and educational, check out the Library’s Summer Reading Program, tailored for kids aged 5-8 every Wednesday from July 8 to August 5, from 9:30 to 11am. To participate, please register at the library or call (518)834-9054. Advance registration is essential to ensure availability of materials for all activities.

Pics from The Front; and the Back 😉

We love having Simon with us this summer! Here are some gorgeous pics that he took with a FILM camera- you don’t see this texture much anymore!

As always, we are deeply grateful for our amazing workers and for your kind encouragement. We hope that you find the same encouragement with these reports of good work being done here. As we revel in these longer days that will soon begin to shrink minute by minute, our hearts send the joy of garden and neighbor-tending in your direction,

With Love.

Allison

Here’s what’s on our agenda this week:

• Come Frolic with Us!

• Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse

• Keeseville Hope Kitchen

• WAVG Radio Wants You!

• Keeseville Library Trivia

• More Pics from Last Week

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Come Frolic with Us!

Come on over to 1044 Mace Chasm Road on Sunday afternoon and join us for our Inaugural Sand River Farm Father’s Day Chili Making Extravaganza! Yes that’s a mouthful, and we intend to generate many more mouths full of Sand River Meals, because we still have loads of last year’s produce in our freezers. It’s time to introduce the smoky tomatoes, herbs, spices, and corn to the ground beef so we can restock our supply of our delectable Sand River Chili. Please come share the fun!

We’ll start at 2:30pm sharp so we can get a head count and register any food considerations; then we’ll prep some trellises for our already gangly tomatoes, weed some garlic, and mulch in the fields. If you prefer kitchen work, never fear! Did I mention we’ll be making chili?? We can also use help preparing the crew meal if you prefer that task. Speaking of dinner, we’ll eat at 5:30 but there is no requirement to work for the meal; it is offered as a gift to anyone who is hungry for any reason. Come meet, thank and eat alongside the great folks who make our plentiful harvests possible!

Also- if you have any large cardboard boxes with little or no ink decorations, please bring them by anytime and leave them outside near the workshop on the left as you approach the kitchen. We really appreciate your collaboration in providing this effective mulch for our gardens!

Adirondack Architectural Salvage Warehouse

Have you heard about a new project called Adirondack Architectural Salvage? It’s a nonprofit salvage warehouse that aims to recycle a wide range of gently used construction materials, and provide those materials at reasonable prices to North Country residents while keeping them out of the landfills. It’s a win-win-win!! This creative initiative, sponsored by Adirondack Architectural Heritage, is located at 397 Route 9N, Keeseville in the former Pray’s Family Farm Market building. Learn more here:

Adirondack Salvage Warehouse

It’s their Opening Weekend from today (Friday the 19^th) through Monday June 22, hours are 10AM to 3PM each day, and afterwards the regular warehouse hours will be on Fridays & Mondays 10 to 3 and the Third Saturday & Sunday of each month, 10–3.

In the future they will be offering training opportunities such as hands-on trades workshops. They will also accept donations of quality building materials in good condition, from windows and bathtubs to doorknobs and light fixtures. Be sure to check out this great approach to bringing pieces with character and history into your home!

Keeseville Hope Kitchen

Our friends at the Keeseville Hope Kitchen are having a Bread Fundraiser! All profits go to help fund the meals given out at the Keeseville Hope Kitchen. Here’s a message from them:

One of our core values at the Keeseville Hope Kitchen is gathering around the table to share a meal together. A big part of finding community can be found in sharing a warm, homemade slice of bread, slathered with butter.

We love creating good, quality meals for our community and a big part of this is Chef Ben’s homemade bread. Now you can take home a loaf for yourself, or share with friends and family, or both! The Details:

-Bread order is open until Wednesday, June 24.

-Suggested donation of $10/loaf.

-Order pick-up is on Friday, June 26 from 5 to 7pm at 124 Hill Street in Keeseville.

-Donations can be made online or with cash (due no later than June 26).

Here is the link to order:

Hope Kitchen Bread!

Also, here’s the menu for this Friday’s meal: Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches with Mashed Potatoes! Join us this Friday, June 19, from 5 to 7 pm for this week’s community supper at 124 Hill Street in Keeseville. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat.

WAVG Radio Wants You!

As Keeseville moves closer to having its own Low Power Radio Station on the air, WAVG-LP (also known as Wheat Paste Radio) is seeking volunteers who would like to gain a super fun skill: here’s your chance to turn yourself into a real radio DJ!

There will be a Training session on Saturday June 27 from 4 to 6pm at the studio, located on the second floor of the AuSable Keeseville Civic Center (1790 Main Street) via the stairway at the far end from the main entrance. The Training will cover the basics of equipment like the mixing board, CD and record players, along with key operating procedures and station rules. There will be time for hands-on practice and questions. Click below for more info, and then click the “Check Availability” button to register.

WAVG DJ TRAINING

With a projected air date of late July, WAVG will broadcast on the FM dial at 100.5 and streamed online as well. Seize your opportunity to be a part of local history and have a bunch of fun at the same time!

Keeseville Library Trivia

Do you like gathering with friends, eating, laughing and learning new things? That sounds like the Trivia nights at the Keeseville Library! RSVP now for the next fun evening on Wednesday June 24, call the Library at (518) 834-9054.

Pics from Last Week’s Frolic

Those large sheets of cardboard we ask for are placed on top of fast-growing weeds…

And then a lot of hay is added to weigh them down, making an effective and attractive mulch

We haven’t seen many pics of Maizey lately, so here are a few sweet ones of her loving some Fetch time before dinner

Helena, Ryan and Grace wait patiently for their yummy dinner after a great afternoon of work. A vigilant Maizey however is still on duty, scanning the horizon for rodential intruders😊

We have a wonderful start on the growing season, Friends, and are so grateful for your encouragement on all levels. As the weeks pass, if you’re able to visit we would LOVE to welcome you at a Frolic, or at any time… just message us if you are planning to be in the neighborhood and we’ll set something up!

In the meantime, we wish you many blessings and much joy.

With Love,

Allison

We hope your week has gone well… Here at the Farm we are finding a dandy flow and ramping up for more of the same. The headlines play out as such:

• This Sunday’s Frolic

• Last Sunday’s Frolic

• AuSable Valley Grange Community Garden News

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Cemetery Fundraiser

• WAVG DJ Training!

• AVCS Budget Vote

• Keeseville Library Activities

• Adorable Pics!

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This Sunday’s Frolic

The early pre-season planting is showing beautiful progress and beans planted just last week are popping up, down in the lower beds.

Lettuce season is upon us! Please join us as we prepare to trellis the tomatoes planted just a few weeks ago. We’ll also weed, mulch, and take breaks to stay cool in the heat. We encourage all participants to arrive promptly at 2:30 so the kitchen crew can get a head count and register any dietary restrictions or allergies for the yummy meal we will share together at 5:30. And in order for you to fully experience the beauty of the Farm and the fellowship of working and learning together, we also ask our volunteers to leave electronic devices in the car for a few hours.

And as far as that aforementioned dinner at 5:30; besides a warm dish and our signature cornbread, we’ll share a massive salad that gets more amazing by the week as new ingredients appear for our grateful consumption! PLEASE NOTE: if you just want to show up for dinner, you will be most welcome! Work is NOT required for the meal! Our mission is to feed anyone who is hungry for any reason. If you can’t make it this weekend, think about planning a visit with a friend on some future Sunday!

Last Sunday’s Frolic

AuSable Valley Grange Community Garden News

The AuSable Valley Grange has resurrected the Keeseville Community Garden!

Volunteers did a major cleanup throughout last week, and it looks Terrific!! Except that it’s a little….. Empty! So they are now in search of folks who want to claim a raised bed.

These sweet plots are manageable, composted, and looking for good stewards! The Garden is located in downtown Keeseville, at the back of the parking lot between the Credit Union and the Hardware Store. If you would like to conjure up your own garden magic, contact the Grange at avgrange973@gmail.com, or call 518-643-4040 and leave a message.

Hope Kitchen Dinner

Hungry? Not feeling like cooking dinner? Come grab a meal or two and find a friend to share it with! NOTE: Due to volunteer scheduling and the heat, this week’s community supper is Takeout only.

And it’s a picnic classic! We’ll have assorted sandwiches (turkey, ham or roast beef) with homemade broccoli salad, fresh fruit (watermelon or apple), and chips all ready for grab and go. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, Friday, June 12 from 5 to 7pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville.

Cemetery Fundraiser

For over a century, the Evergreen Cemetery has been a beautiful and peaceful resting place for so many of our neighbors’ ancestors. You are invited to the Keeseville VFW Post 1505 at 1309 US Route 9, from 3 to 6pm on Saturday June 13 for a multi-faceted fundraiser to help keep the Cemetery Association a vital and important asset to our community.

WAVG DJ Training!

With every day that passes, Keeseville is closer to having its own Low Power Radio Station on the air! WAVG-LP (also known as Wheat Paste Radio) already has an impressive studio, located on the second floor of the AuSable Keeseville Civic Center, 1790 Main Street, via the stairway at the far end from the main entrance. Why am I telling you these details? Because they are looking for programming, from folks who want to be semi-famous: like you!! Do you have a passion for a certain type of music you’d like to share? Would you like to learn how to be a DJ and operate all that cool equipment? Here’s your chance to learn how to host your own radio show! Click here to sign up for a Training Session on Monday June 15 at 4pm, or Saturday June 27 at 4.

WAVG DJ TRAINING

The Training will cover the basics of the mixing board, CD and record players, along with key operating procedures and station rules. There will be time for hands-on practice and questions. Come be a part of the team that helps build this little station into what will soon be a really neat community resource, found on the FM dial at 100.5 and streamed online as well.

AVCS Budget Vote

There will be a second vote on a revised 2026-27 AuSable Valley Central School Budget on Tuesday June 16 from Noon to 8pm, at the Cafeteria of the Middle-High School on Route 9N in Clintonville. Vote informed; click here for details of the revision.

More Budget Information

Keeseville Library Activities

USED BOOK SHOP

It’s the Second Saturday of the month on the 13th, so that means the Used Book Shop will be open from 10am to 1pm at 1691 Front Street- stop in and take a look to see what gems you will bring home! If you miss this Saturday’s chance, you can also find them open every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm.

WITS WORKOUT

If you’d like to enjoy some fun company while exercising your brain, stop in on Tuesday June 16 at 11am for a Wits Workout. Every session stretches your mental abilities and provides social interaction while offering lightly challenging activities. Give it a try; you’ve got nothing to lose and a lot to gain!

CYANOTYPE PRINTING

On Saturday June 20 from 10am to Noon, come discover the gee-whiz experience of an Art form based in Science!

Cyanotype printing is a historic photographic process that produces striking blue-and-white images using UV light and iron-based chemicals. We will be experimenting with paper and cloth to make amazing nature-inspired prints.

This workshop is for all ages and no experience is necessary. All materials supplied. Space is limited so please contact the library to register at (518) 834-9054.

Adorable Pics!

Breaking news: We Have Calves!!! Check out the delightful and adorable Timothy, Maurice, Edith, and Liza!

Thanks to Kelsey and Zary for the pics and for their terrific work as part of an awesome team last week. Perhaps we’ll see you at this Sunday’s Frolic? As always, we are SO Grateful for however you lift us! We hope your week is as wonderful as you are!

With Love,

Allison

Here’s what’s in this week’s newsletter:

• Come Frolic With Us This Sunday!

• Report on Last Week’s Frolic

• Keeseville Free Library

• Keeseville Elementary School FSA FUNdraiser

• AVCS School Budget Vote Information

• Cemetery Fundraiser

• More Pics

Come Frolic With Us This Sunday!

We can’t promise perfect weather, but we can promise you will be greeted with our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your company! For weeks we’ve planned to mulch those Raspberry bushes, but other tasks lure us away; this Sunday will be the day! We’ll also weed around the Black Currant bushes and other crops, continue to thin the Corn, throw down a few tarps and even do a little landscaping to prevent some erosion. As always, there is cardboard which needs tape removed; a good choice for those who don’t feel comfortable with field work. And of course we’ll gather afterwards in the barn at 5:30 for a terrific farm-sourced dinner based on cornbread and salad with whatever else the creative kitchen crew conjures for us!

Hey Folks, do you still need a few Tomato plants to round out your own plot?

We invite you to come anytime between 2:30 and 5:30 on Sunday to pick out a few (or a lot) of the orphan starts we didn’t have room for. They will be waiting for you in the driveway near the kitchen; please collect them and give them a good home!

Our Sunday schedule works best if folks arrive promptly at 2:30pm so that we can get a head count for dinner and register any dietary requirements. We also ask that electronic devices stay in your vehicle so that you can focus mindfully on your Farm experience. We’re quite sure you will find that that decision enhances your afternoon and frees you to more fully appreciate your fellow humans 😊.

Report on Last Week’s Frolic

Keeseville Free Library

Do you love Sushi? Join us at the Keeseville Library on Thursday June 11 at 6pm to explore how to make your own right at home! Remember to register so a space can be reserved for you.

We love the innovative and creative variety of programs offered- if you have an idea for expanding the listings, stop by and talk to Robyn. She has a superpower of making terrific things happen!

Keeseville Elementary School FSA FUNdraiser

If you like to play Corn Hole and want to support a wonderful cause in the process, join the Keeseville Elementary Family School Association for their first ever Corn Hole for Crayons Tournament!

All proceeds from the tournament will go towards the amazing gift that the FSA gives each September, providing all school supplies for every student at Keeseville Elementary. Don’t play Cornhole? That’s OK, there will also be an auction and basket raffles with LOTS of generous donations from local businesses and crafters! The Dogfather Food and Ice Cream truck will also be there to satisfy culinary requirements, and there will be a school supplies collection as well. The FUN starts at 10am Sunday June 7 at the Keeseville VFW, 1309 US Route 9. Help the FSA put the FUN in Fundraising!

AVCS School Budget Vote Information

As the time for a re-vote of the school budget approaches, there will be another informational meeting on Monday June 8. Please bring your questions and friends so the vote will be based on facts and knowledge!

Budget Hearing - Middle-High School Auditorium

Monday June 8, 6PM

Budget Vote - Middle-High School Cafeteria

Tuesday June 16, Noon to 8PM

Cemetery Fundraiser

The Evergreen Cemetery is a local treasure and a beautiful resting place for so many of our neighbors’ ancestors. You are invited to the Keeseville VFW Post 1505, 1309 US Route 9, from 3 to 6pm on Saturday June 13 for a multi-faceted fundraiser to help keep the Cemetery Association a vital and important asset to our community.

More Pics

Dear friends, you know we treasure all of your encouragement and support. It animates our mission of giving ALL the food this farm produces as gifts to anyone who is hungry for any reason. We hope you can feel our appreciation from a distance through these words and pics…. if or whenever you have a chance to visit in person, please come! We’d love to welcome you with smiles, hugs (if that’s your style) and whatever you or your loved ones may need from our gardens.

With Love and Gratitude,

Allison

• Plans for the Frolic This Sunday

• A Few Asks- Mostly, For Us to Give to You

• Report on Frolic Last Sunday

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• AVCS Budget Info Session

• Keeseville Library Activities

• More Pics, Of Course

Plans for the Frolic This Sunday

If you’d like to try becoming one of those abovementioned courageous first-timers, come on over to 1044 Mace Chasm Road and join us this Sunday at 2:30pm! Some of you might remember my report a few weeks ago about how just the scent of the Black Currant leaves startled my taste buds….

Well, here’s your chance to experience it for yourself! Dress for the weather as we’ll be weeding around those fragrant, fruiting bushes as well as mulching raspberries and tending to the rhubarb plants. If you have good waterproof muck boots, you will be well-equipped to plant squash in the lower field. And there’s always the less-strenuous task of removing tape from cardboard, if that better suits your ability level.

We ask folks to arrive promptly at 2:30pm so that we can get a head count for dinner and register any dietary requirements. We also ask that electronic devices stay in your vehicle so that you can focus mindfully on your Farm experience. We make pretty good company if we do say so ourselves; your phone can’t offer the same meaningful conversations that we will!

A Few Asks- Mostly, For Us to Give to You

If you need Tomato Seedling starts, we have an “overstock” situation; PLEASE come and collect some! Anytime during the Sunday Frolic (2:30 to 6pm), you can roll up the drive at 1044 Mace Chasm Road and the Tomato starts will greet you in the driveway. They need good homes- help them out!

Bring a dish or some container to transport them in so you can get them home and introduce them to your garden. There’s no need to stay to work- just grab and go!

Also, even if you can’t come to work during the Frolic, please consider joining us for Dinner at 5:30! There is NO obligation to work before you dine with us. We would love to share our amazing Corn Bread and Stew or Soup… and every week the Salad is more outrageously delicious as new greens jump into the huge bowl. Come and meet some of the awesome folks who are working to feed our neighbors- see the pic below!

If you happen to have LARGE sheets of cardboard that have very little ink on them, we would love to collect them to mulch our plants and save you a trip to the landfill. It’s called a Win-Win; can you help?

Report on Frolic Last Sunday

Hope Kitchen Dinner

Yes it’s almost June but it’s still soup weather- bring your family and meet your friends tonight, Friday May 29, for dinner! We’re having chicken noodle soup and homemade bread. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat, 5-7pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville.

AVCS Budget Info Session

The difficult process of finding a balancing point to provide basic services and adequate programs for the students continues. Before the Revote on June 16, there will be an informational meeting on Monday June 8 at the Middle High School Auditorium, 6pm. Knowledge is power.

Keeseville Library Activities

This month, the focus art experience will be one of my favorites because it’s so simple, Extremely Cool, and produces awesome results!!!

Cyanotype Photography is an innovative, camera-less technique requiring objects to be placed on paper or other material coated with an iron salt solution, exposed to UV sunlight, and washed with water to generate remarkable white and Prussian blue images. Join us Saturday June 20th from 10- noon. All ages are invited to participate in this workshop, either as families or with friends. Pre-registration is required, please call the library at (518)834-9054 to secure a place.

More Pics, Of Course

We are SO GRATEFUL to the kind folks who uplift us in so many ways. The awesome workers pictured above give so generously of their time and labor. There are many others who offer all different kinds of support. We could NOT do this without each of you! We hope you will all be as blessed as you bless us!!

With Gratitude and Love,

Allison

Thank you for tuning in once again! If you’re expecting news of workers working and plants growing, you are in the right place…. we had another lovely crew of Frolickers last Sunday. Won’t you consider joining us? See Below for deets plus more news:

• Of Course: Frolic This Sunday

• Report on Frolic Last Sunday

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Keeseville Library Activities

• Some Pics and Thoughts

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Of Course: Frolic This Sunday

You are WELCOME HERE!!! Please, join us this Sunday at 2:30, 1044 Mace Chasm Road in Keeseville for our third Frolic of May.

In the field we’ll be mulching raspberries, planting squash seeds and tomato seedlings…

If you’d like to be part of the crew but prefer lighter work, there is plenty of cardboard that needs tape peeled off. And if you have large boxes, we would love to collect them from you if they have little or no ink.

We encourage all participants to arrive promptly at 2:30 so the kitchen crew can get a head count and register any dietary restrictions or allergies for the yummy meal we will share together at 5:30. And in order for you to fully experience the beauty of the Farm and the fellowship of working and learning together, we also ask our volunteers to leave electronic devices in the car for a few hours.

And as far as that aforementioned dinner at 5:30; we’ll serve our yummy beef/cabbage stew, signature cornbread, and the salads get more amazing by the week as new elements offer their deliciousness! PLEASE NOTE: if you just want to show up for dinner, you will be most welcome! Work is NOT required for the meal! Our mission is to feed anyone who is hungry for any reason. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Report on Frolic Last Sunday

It was a day of wonderful collaboration, thoughtful communication and fun learning, followed by a fabulous dinner. The garden workers began the Frolic with a Corn Ceremony. Kelsey was there and offers this witness:

Under the warm mid-May sun, an eager group of farm Frolic participants stands adjacent to the freshly prepped Sand River corn patch. Colleen casts spells of ancient history and blessing over the kernels, soon to be pressed into readied soils. We’re about to plant like peasants. Low squats, dirty fingers, flat forks, no machines..

She opens the circle for a moment of sharing about corn.

Adam gushes of his love affairs with corn. “…to the plant that has me completely wrapped around her finger…”

Ben offers, ”We will enjoy the hominy filled cornbread tonight from last year’s harvest…a reminder that today in this garden bed we are paying it forward. People who plant today might be different than those who harvest in the fall. But we’re setting something in motion with the land.”

I look down at my feet. The first thought that enters my mind makes me wince.

Kelsey has been a blessing beyond description as she leans into the work and bliss of farming, sharing the load with Adam. Why in the world would she be wincing at this moment? For the answer to that and for more of her introspective perspectives of her work here and elsewhere, please click:

Kelsey Rosenblum on Becoming A Mushroom

As mentioned above, there’s much still to be done here. We’d love to see you if you’re able; just dress for the weather and bring your work gloves and a smile!

Hope Kitchen Dinner

From our generous and hospitable friends at 124 Hill St in Keeseville:

Join us this Friday, May 22 from 5 to 7pm!

Chef Ben is cooking up some Michigans with his famous sauce! We’ll also have homemade potato salad and fruit! Come share a meal with us! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat!

Keeseville Library Activities

Author Nancy Rumney grew up in Keeseville and has written several children’s books. Join us as we welcome her on Saturday May 23 at 11am to chat and explore her work!

If you’re a fan of Trivia, come to the Library next Wednesday at 6pm for a fun evening! Skip dinner because there will be Pizza, as well as questions, answers, laughs, and lots of learning. Space is limited- call (518) 834-9054 to reserve your place.

Some Pics and Thoughts

Being part of a project like Sand River Community Farm that looks outward as well as inward is both a joy and a challenge. It’s always a balancing act. For instance, over the winter we were grateful to have enough harvest from the generous earth and last year’s work crews in the gardens so we could generate large amounts of soup and chili, freeze it, and offer quarts to our neighbors. Now as our preserved supplies are diminishing, we have reluctantly unplugged the freezer at the library and will use the remaining provisions to feed our Frolic workers. But as the growing season proceeds (as noted above, there is already a dazzling variety of salad greens), we have hopes of finding ways to deliver food on other platforms. Last summer we offered a weekly Sunday lunch downtown. We have the desire to do something similar this year, but do we have the capacity? The answer remains to be seen. Stay tuned….

As always, your support in any form is a treasured gift for which we are deeply grateful. Thank you for your attention and support!

With Love and Appreciation,

Allison

Just a few weeks ago the fields and gardens had scarce hints of green, and we haven’t had a huge amount of sun and rain to chase the brown out of them.

However, it’s a different scene now! Way at the bottom of this newsletter you’ll find more Exhibits and Evidence to support my position…. but first, what does this edition hold below the fold? Here’s a look:

• Details for Our Frolic This Sunday

• Report on Frolic Last Sunday

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Harkness Church Michigan Meal

• AuSable Valley Central School Budget Vote and Art Show

• Big Weekend for the Keeseville Library

• A Few Pics- Brown, Green and Others In Between

Details for Our Frolic This Sunday

What a Fabulous First Frolic of the season we had last weekend; it was so awesome that we will be doing it all over again this Sunday! Please, join us this Sunday at 2:30, 1044 Mace Chasm Road in Keeseville for our second Frolic of May.

We encourage all participants to arrive promptly at 2:30 so the kitchen crew can register any dietary restrictions or allergies for the yummy meal we will share together at 5:30. We also ask our kind volunteers to leave electronic devices in the car in order to fully immerse in the sensory delights of our lovely grounds. You will be amazed at the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes that surround you (sometimes subtle, sometimes not so much 😉).

We will be working primarily on planting corn this Sunday, a hallmark in our incredible Sand River Chili.

Here’s what it looked like just a few weeks later in June,

And here’s the patch of ground awaiting the same attention this year:

So, the challenge is set! If you’re not feeling the Corn Muse for whatever reason, no worries! We’ll have tasks for all ability levels as we will have other teams mulching the raspberry patch, peeling tape off cardboard, shelling corn, and who knows what else. As mentioned, we are collecting large pieces of non-colored cardboard— please bring if you have any laying around! We will continue to mulch garden beds with them.

Report on Sunday’s Frolic

Wow, what a wonderful team of folks we had to help us last Sunday! Here’s an account from Adam:

[On Monday] we hosted the first public Farm Frolic of the season. After a morning of steady showers, afternoon Sun brought a grinning group to the Farm, including a couple of courageous kids. While Colleen and I filled the feral salad bowl and slid skillets of bubbling cornbread batter into the oven, the big group pushed and pulled in the corn patch where next week we’ll press those yellow-red-orange gems into the freshly-forked rows. Growing food without machines is shockingly joyful. If you squinted your eyes yesterday, you might have seen a group of Mexican peasants out there. The dinner table was a songful affair.

We hope to welcome you so you can join the fun and marvelous push that will set us up for another awesome Summer season here at Sand River!

Hope Kitchen Dinner

Join us for dinner (tonight) Friday May 15 for Spanish rice with chicken and beans, and Nutella cheesecake for dessert (dessert is dine in only)! 5-7pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville. All are welcome, dine-in or take-out and there is no charge to eat.

Big Weekend for the Keeseville Library:

Grand Opening of Book Shop with Bake Sale!

What’s better than Books and Snacks, you ask? It’s the opportunity to enjoy them right in town! After many months of preparation and diligent work, the Friends of the Keeseville Free Library are thrilled to invite you to their spectacular Book Shop Open House and Bake Sale on Saturday May 16 from 10 to 4 at the Keeseville United Methodist Church Social Hall (1691A Front Street) across the road from the church.

To kick-start the excitement, bring some extra cash to indulge in a scrumptious treat at the Bake Sale! The Book Store will be open on Wednesdays and the Second Saturday of each month as well. There are almost 30 friends at this time; if you are interested in becoming a Friend, please stop by the library or call (518) 834-9054.

Harkness Church Michigan Meal

If you’re a fan of Michigans (or if you’ve never had one and want to encounter your next Favorite North Country Treat), skip breakfast on Sunday May 17 and have a Michigan or two for Brunch at the Harkness United Methodist Church, 776 Hallock Hill Road in Peru!

Meals are available as Takeout or Dine In, and the super-reasonable price of $5 covers a Michigan, cookie, drink and chips. If you’d like something more substantial for dessert, never fear!

The women of the Keeseville UMC will be happy to greet you at their Bake Sale table where you can decide which goodies you’ll eat there, or bring home for later.

Please also plan some extra time for a tour of the church. They are participating in the Sacred Spaces event sponsored by the NY Landmarks Conservancy on Sunday, between 11 AM and 3 PM. The sanctuary will be open for visitors who would like to discover interesting facts about the architecture and history of the church; click here for more info-

Harkness Church Sacred Site

AuSable Valley Central School Budget Vote and Art Show

All across New York state, folks will be voting on school budgets on Tuesday May 19. In the AuSable Valley School District, polls will be open at the Middle High School Cafeteria from Noon until 8pm.

And remember to plan some extra time to be gob-smacked by the District-wide Art Show, on display for just that day in the Gymnasium down the hall. With every student in the district represented at least once, there will be over 1,500 pieces of artwork on display, showcasing the Fantastic talent of our young artists. Every year it’s a stunning exhibit and this one promises to dazzle as well.

A Few Pics- Brown, Green and Others In Between

So as teased above, here’s more evidence of the arrival of Spring.

The black currant already has baby berries!, and the transplanted lettuce is settling in nicely… depending on where you look, we are enjoying much progress and the livestock are super happy!!

Your attention and support mean the world to us, Friends. We so appreciate your kind thoughts and encouragement. Please visit if you can, and have a great week!

With Love and Gratitude,

Allison

We’ve been eagerly anticipating this weekend as I suspect many of you have as well; I hope you’re ready?? Because we are, and it’s Time!! Time to dig out the work gloves and make a difference as you put your love into action! The work we do in the upcoming Sundays will empower us to continue our mission of feeding anyone who is hungry for any reason,

This call to action comes from Kelsey and Adam:

Finally starting this Sunday May 10- please join us for our First Official Farm Frolic of the growing season! It’s not just a Community Work Bee; a Frolic is a place for neighbors and strangers to come together and find a common rhythm growing food, tending to the land and each other. This Sunday we’ll be thinking about mothers of all kinds as we prepare garden beds for next Sunday’s big Corn Planting Celebration. Frolics are a place for all people, regardless of bodily ability. We have projects for shade and projects for sweating in the field. We encourage the joyful participation of all, from children to elders and everyone in between.

Upon arrival we will request that participants leave the phones in the car and immerse fully in the Frolic experience. So, pull up alongside the farm team and other volunteers, and allow the Farm to creak open the doors of your heart— to bliss, sorrow, song, neighborly conviviality, and more.

Frolics begin promptly at 2:30 and a delicious Farm-sourced supper will be served at 5:30. Please come!

Check the weather before heading out so you can adjust your attire for the weather if you prefer fresh air work. For indoor and seated projects, we will be removing tape from cardboard bound for mulching and rubbing kernels off corn ears for next week's planting day. The crops we’re focusing on in the weeks ahead will be primarily the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash) as well as various greens and tomatoes. These plants will become soups, stews, and mostly lots of scrumptious chili!

What else is happening in the community, you ask? Here’s a sample-

• Hope Kitchen Dinner and Food Distribution

• AuSable Valley Central School Presents Vital Information

• News from the Keeseville Library

• Even the Plants are Volunteering!

Hope Kitchen Dinner and Food Distribution

From the Good Folks at the Keeseville Hope Kitchen:

Hi Friends!

Could you or someone you know use some food? We will have potatoes, carrots, bread, and meat available tomorrow night at Keeseville Hope Kitchen, Friday May 8 from 5 to 7pm.

Bring a box or a bag to pick up what you need, and then stay for dinner! First come, first served. Chef Ben’s Community Supper will be Sloppy Joes with potato salad and coleslaw! We’ll look for you from 5-7 pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat! Come share a meal with us!

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AuSable Valley Central School Presents

Vital Information

For more information on the difficulties our school district faces and the plans to tackle those issues, come to the AuSable Valley Central School Auditorium on Monday May 11 at 6pm for a public forum on the AVCS budget situation. Superintendent Mike Francia and Board Members will make a presentation and then address questions and comments. There are no easy answers to the challenges our district faces, but the best way to tackle the problem is with knowledge and communication. This is a vital opportunity to be informed with facts when you vote! Click here for a link to a comprehensive explanation of the current situation:

AVCS Budget Information

STUDENT ART SHOW DAZZLES AND INSPIRES

Every year on the day of the Budget Vote, the Gym at AuSable Valley Central School is bursting at its seams with an overwhelming display of students’ artwork. Be sure to plan enough time for a tour of the more than 1,500 works of art on May 19th at the Middle-High School Gym from 12pm to 8pm! Besides being astounded by the range of talent, you will also discover the joyful experience of witnessing young artists eagerly shepherding their families and friends around the Gym searching for, and then proudly pointing out, their works. This FANTASTIC EXHIBITION of handiworks by all the pupils is absolutely stunning. EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT has at least one piece on display in the District-wide Art Show, and several Seniors are featured with special exhibits. Kudos not only to the students, but also to the Art Teachers from all three school buildings who spend countless extra hours carefully curating and constructing this wonderful event!

News from the Keeseville Library

SKY WATCHING TONIGHT

As a NYS Guide at ephemeradk, Ed Guenther helps people to make the most of Adirondack moments. Meet him tonight at Jaycee Park at One Kent Street in Keeseville at 7pm when Ed will host a Dusk Skygazing Party. Bring binoculars, friends and warm clothing for a unique tour of the evening sky as only Ed can do!

Here’s a link to Ed’s Instagram account-

ephemeradk

AN EXCITING NEW PLACE FOR “OLD” BOOKS!

Get ready for an extraordinary celebration next weekend! The Friends of the Keeseville Free Library are thrilled to invite you to their spectacular

Book Shop Open House and Bake Sale

on Saturday May 16, from 10-4. The excitement will take place at the Keeseville Methodist Church Social Hall (the yellow house1691A Front Street), where you will also be able to enjoy a scrumptious baked treat (or ten) to kick-start the festivities! The superstars Friends of the Library have arranged this creative channel to provide a new service in town, keep books out of the landfill, and generate some valuable support for the Library. The Used Book Store will be open on Wednesdays and the Second Saturday of each month as well. There are almost 30 Friends of the Library at this time; if you are interested in becoming one, please stop by the library or give a call at (518)834-9054.

Huge shout out to the Keeseville United Methodist Church for allowing the Friends to utilize the front room of the Church Social Hall. We are so grateful for the neighborly support!

EVEN THE PLANTS ARE VOLUNTEERING!

Just like these Pansies that brighten up corners of the garden, we know your presence will enhance our day and bring joy to our hearts~ we hope to see you Sunday!!

With Great Love and Gratitude for All your Support,

Allison

We have made a leap of trust, to launch Sunday Frolics for the Last Four Sundays in May!! Read On!!

Frolic Season Opens Starting May 10

This call to action comes from Kelsey and Adam:

Mark your calendar for May 10- you are invited to join our First Official Farm Frolic of the growing season! It’s not just a Community Work Bee; a Frolic is a place for neighbors and strangers to come together and find a common rhythm growing food, tending to the land and each other. Over the course of the next four Sundays, we’re looking at many projects in gardening, bed prep, and planting. Frolics are a place for all people, regardless of bodily ability. We have projects for shade and projects for sweating in the field. We encourage the joyful participation of all, from children to elders and everyone in between.

Upon arrival we request that participants leave the phones in the car and drop in fully to the Frolic experience. So, pull up alongside the farm team and other volunteers, and allow the Farm to creak open the doors of your heart— to bliss, sorrow, song, neighborly conviviality, and more.

Frolics begin promptly at 2:30 and a delicious supper will be served at 5:30. Please come!

What else is happening in the community in the meantime:

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Grange Gatherings

• Library Events

• Former Frolic Pics

Hope Kitchen Dinner

Chef Ben is whipping up quite the homemade feast: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo with focaccia, and lemon bars for dessert!

Come share a meal with us this Friday (May 1) from 5 to 7pm. All are welcome and there is no charge to eat at the Good Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, 124 Hill St in Keeseville.

Grange Gatherings

LET’S TACKLE TRASH!

Once again the Grange is asking for volunteers to help tackle roadside trash in and around the Keeseville area. Our 2026 event will be on SATURDAY MAY 2^nd from 9 to 11am.
WANT TO JOIN IN? It’s simple. Show up between 8:30-9am, properly dressed for the weather in the downtown Keeseville parking lot between Adirondack Hardware and AmeriCU Credit Union (The Credit Union has generously donated Coffee and Pastries!) At 9am we’ll issue trash bags, safety vests, and instructions. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. This year’s project is dedicated to James Williams, an extraordinary individual who has spent hundreds of hours walking the roadsides of our neighborhoods collecting trash on a weekly (mostly daily) basis.

BARN QUILTS RETURN!

BARN QUILT MAKERS SPRING SESSION starts Monday May 4th, 10am to Noon in the Grange (1749 Main Street).

Sessions will continue each Monday in May and June. FREE materials and instruction for several barn quilts for each participant (thanks to a grant from the Pearsall Foundation). Sessions are casual - come and go as you choose. Want to join in? Send an email to avg973@gmail.com to get on the list.

Library Events

GOT WORK?

North Country Public Radio will be visiting the Library with their North Country at Work Project to gather your work stories!

Whether you run a farm, work in healthcare, or do anything in between, NCPR wants to know what it’s like to make a living in our neighborhood. Stop by the Library on Tuesday May 5^th between 3 and 7pm to share your North Country at Work story.

For more information, ask questions at work@ncpr.org

SOLVING WOMEN’S GENEALOGY PUZZLES

Tracing your roots can be a complex but rewarding experience. However, oftentimes the challenge is compounded because records of our female ancestors are hidden between the lines. On Wednesday May 6 at 6pm, Nancy Smith will offer strategies for tracing the lives of often overlooked women in the family tree, including interpreting historical context clues, discovering community networks, and more.

Space is limited; call the library to register or for more information, (518) 834-9054.

Former Frolic Pics

Loads of Thanks and Love to our dear ones who have been such wonderful and joyful workers in the past… and to those who have preserved such moments to give us delight as we remember them!

We hope these will inspire you to be a part of the crew next Sunday May 10!

As always, Thank You for your support and interest that fuels our bodies and spirits. Fond Wishes for a Great Week ahead!

Gratefully,

Allison, Kelsey and Adam

Things are getting there, slowly, but in the meantime we’ve had a wonderfully productive month as we’ve planted, cooked, cleaned, organized and cast our eyes upward searching for those first leaf buds on our tree neighbors-

What will you find in this week’s missive? See below, and below:

• A Request

• Hope Kitchen Dinner

• Library Story Time

• Gravestone Cleaning Training

• Check Out Susan’s Work!

• Several Farm Pics

A Request

We have a request, friends. When Maizey first came to live here over a year ago, one of her chief tasks was to make our grounds So Immensely More Adorable with her charm and spirit. I am quite confident in declaring, Mission: Accomplished! 😊

Another goal we had for her was that we hoped her Fox Terrier hounding instincts would deplete the rodent population (i.e. mice, chipmunks) that might try to invade our areas where we focus on food prep. However, Maizey has decided she really prefers hunting for groundhogs. Like, a LOT. I won’t go into the gory details, but she can (and does) spend hours barking excitedly at the stone fences and digging her way into their burrows, and dispatching them with great enthusiasm…

However; she doesn’t seem to have any interest in pursuing the smaller targets. And so we have made the decision to move on to another strategy; in the form of a Feline Assistant. We have been offered a very sweet candidate with great potential by one of our faithful workers, and we are seeking someone(s) who might be willing to underwrite the veterinary cost and/or undertake the process of having him neutered so that he can focus on the “Critter Population Elimination” assignment. If you feel so inclined to help in either aspect of this manner, please message us at the end of this newsletter, or send an email to sandrivercommunityfarm@gmail.com. Thanks so much for your help!

Hope Kitchen Dinner

This week’s community supper is Pork Pozole! It’s a slow cooked pork stew with hominy and a rich chili broth, garnished with fresh veggies and lime. Yum! We will also have birthday cake for dessert! All are welcome and there is no charge to eat.

Join us this Friday, April 24 from 5 to 7 pm at 124 Hill St in Keeseville and be sure to wish Ellie a Happy early 4th Birthday! 😊

Library Story Time

If you didn’t know it before, you know now that the Keeseville Library hosts a wonderful weekly Story Time for little ones! Miss Sally and Mr. Doug are retired school teachers who decided that they missed working with their students so much that they show up Every Tuesday morning at 10am and give so much of their kind spirits as they read stories, lead educational crafting projects, laugh, sing and lovingly encourage each child to be their best selves.

If you have (or know of) any youngsters who like those kind of activities- or could even use help getting more comfortable in groups (this is especially perfect for Pre-K bound kiddos), just show up any Tuesday at 10, or call the Library for more information; 518-834-9054.

And remember that any time the Library is open, we invite you to grab a quart of one or all of our products: Chili, Tomato Soup, or Beef/Cabbage Stew to take home and/or bring to a neighbor… there is NO CHARGE and it’s available in the freezer for anyone who is hungry for any reason!

Gravestone Cleaning Training

Have you ever heard of Cemetery Revival?

They are an amazing group that assists individuals, families, organizations and towns in cleaning and maintaining local gravestones to preserve family and local history. On Saturday April 25^th they will host a Gravestone Cleaning Hands-On Training Class at the AuSable Chasm Cemetery (2085 US Route 9) from 9am to Noon. These classes are designed for those who want to learn the proper techniques for cleaning and preserving gravestones. Bring a hat, drinking water, a stool/chair and kneeling pad, and wear your grubbies. Spaces are limited for this valuable training opportunity, so sign up today to secure your spot and become a part of important preservation efforts. Click below for more info and to register:

Gravestone Cleaning Training

Check Out Susan’s Work!

Adam’s mother Susan is a exceptionally skilled potter with MANY years of experience creating gorgeous works of art and function. During a recent visit to the Farm, she spent some time preparing for an upcoming exhibit called “Decades In The Making”.

If you find yourself in the vicinity of the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester VT between May 19 and July 19, stop in to see her marvelous work included with five other artists; click below to discover more…

More about Susan's SVAC Exhibit

Several Farm Pics

Parsnip seeds that were planted last spring finally saw the light of day as they were harvested last Sunday!…. And new seeds were entrusted back to the earth for a gorgeous, sweet harvest next year. The cycle continues 😊

We are SO GRATEFUL for our phenomenal core crew of stewards who love and tend our gifts of land and livestock! There is no way we could operate without them. Doliah and Kelsey also offer some photos for you to enjoy:

We hope that you are finding beauty of all kinds in your world too! Thank You So Much for all your support, and interest, and encouragement. Blessings on your week!

Gratefully,

Allison