March 21, 22, & 23
You are invited to our twice-annual gathering, where we celebrate the change of seasons with classes, forays, and meals in good company. You don’t need to know anything about herbs to join the weekend. We offer a variety of classes to share our knowledge about herbal medicine and other passions.
From the Forest Senior Apprentices organize and teach most of the classes as part of their apprenticeship. By the time they have finished the junior apprentice program and graduated to senior status, they are accomplished instructors. During the hands-on classes each participant is involved in the process, creating items to take home. This is why classes are small and usually last 2 hours or longer. You will receive a stout cloth bag to collect all your projects plus items from the popular Saturday afternoon Barter, Buy, and Bicker!
Our facility at Mavens’ Haven is small and intimate. We can comfortably handle 45 day visitors and 8 instructors. There is limited lodging at the Haven during this event. Local accommodations and camping are recommended on the last page. You can read more under “What to Expect” at mavenshavenidaho.com.
Please arrive each morning between 8 A.M. and 10 A.M. to make your brown bag lunch. Everything will be supplied for you to make a hearty and nutritious lunch including meat salads, fresh organic produce, condiments, home-baked cookies and quick breads, organic sandwich bread and wraps, and organic chips.
Throughout the weekend we feature a Docu-Rama of current documentaries on health-related issues. The downstairs movie room is the perfect place to relax between classes or during your lunch break. Film titles, descriptions, and screening times will be posted.
Everyone is welcome to bring items for Barter, Buy and Bicker! Herbal items, crafts, and homemade goodies all qualify for this popular event. Arrange your items in the display area Saturday afternoon so they can be admired before the start bell.
$45 per person Spring Equinox Herbalist Gathering Registration Fee
(The fee includes meal tickets for the Brown Bag Lunch Buffet Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Dinner ticket for Saturday’s Apprentice Potluck, participation in the Mullein Torchlight Parade, and Barter, Buy or Bicker event, plus evening saunas, Docu-rama in the movie area, and Darcy Williamson’s workshop Establishing Wild Medicinal Mushroom Gardens.)
Total Attending ___
Check the Classes in which you will be participating:
FRIDAY 21 MARCH
10:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Establishing Wild Medicinal Mushroom Gardens, Darcy Williamson (No charge) _____
10:30 A.M.- 1:30 P.M. Herbal Soap Making, Cindy Greer $35 ____
2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M. Cattail! Forage, Porridge, Foliage & Fluff, Eloris Rogers Wilhite $25____
2:30 P.M.- 3:30 P.M. Making Felted Soap, Brandy Vernay Henson $15 ____
4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. The Hero’s Journey, Renée Silvus _____ $15
7:00 P.M. Sunset Mullein Torchlight Parade across Cow Creek Bridge (No charge)
8:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Fabric Mordanting, Betsy Hinze, donation.
7:00 P.M.– 11:00 P.M. Sauna’s Hot! No charge
7:15 P.M.– 8:30 P.M. Women’s sauna
8:30 P.M.– 9:45 P.M. Men’s sauna
9:45P.M. – 11:00 P.M. Couple’s sauna
SATURDAY 22 MARCH
8:00 A.M – 9:00 A.M Nordic Walking with Robert Sweetgall, no fee.
10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Floral Arrangements from the Woods, Marilyn Giddings $20 _____
10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. Easy Crusty Bread in 5 Minutes, Leah Harvey _____ $5
10:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Making Coulommiers Cheese, Leah Harvey _____ $40
11:00 A.M. – 12 Noon Pickleball Workshop with Robert Sweetgall. No fee.
1:00 P.M. Easy Crusty Bread in 5 Minutes continued, Leah Harvey
1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Thai Massage, Renée Silvus _____ $25
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Making a Healing Salve, Sister Carlotta Maria Fontes $35 ____
5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Barter, Buy or Bicker! Bring your herbal wares, crafts, canned goods, etc. to participate. (No charge) ____
6:30 P.M.– 8:00 P.M. Apprentice Pot Luck Dinner (No charge) ____
7:00 P.M.– 11:00 P.M. Sauna’s Hot! (No charge)
7:15 P.M.– 8:30 P.M. Women’s sauna
8:30 P.M.– 9:45 P.M. Men’s sauna
9:45P.M. – 11:00 P.M. Couple’s sauna
SUNDAY 23 MARCH
8:00 A.M – 9:00 A.M Nordic Walking with Robert Sweetgall, no fee.
10:00 A.M. – 12 noon Pine Trees~ Medicinal, Edible & Basket Uses, Eloris Rogers Wilhite $30___
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Wire-Wrapped Idaho Stone Pendants, Anna Stark ______$30
11:00 A.M. – 12 Noon Pickleball Workshop with Robert Sweetgall. No fee.
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of Slate Creek, Darcy Williamson ______ $20
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M Homemade Vinegar, Marilyn Giddings $20 _____
1 P.M.- 3 P.M. The Art of Intentional Listening and Appreciation, Renée Silvus _____ $15
Name: ____________________________________________
email: ___________________________: Phone ____________
Address:____________________________________________
Total Fees:__________ (Including the $45 per person registration fee)
Mail form with fees to:
From The Forest * PO Box 4190 * McCall, Idaho * 83638
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
FRIDAY 21 MARCH
10:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. Establishing Wild Medicinal Mushroom Gardens, Darcy Williamson. Meet at Trading Post
The first event of the Spring Equinox Herbalist Gathering is how to establish wild medicinal mushroom gardens. Participants will learn how to identify the proper type of wood for each mushroom species to be “planted”, plus how to locate a wild wooded area that won’t be logged or used for firewood so that the newly established colonies can flourish. The “secret” mushroom garden that we establish will bear mushrooms within four to five years. Some of the species we will be “planting” will be Lion’s Mane, Artist Conk, Red Belted Polypore and Oyster Mushrooms. If you have a battery powered drill with a . to 1 inch bit and a four to six inch long shaft, bring it along (with the battery fully charged). Bring sturdy hiking boots or shoes, gloves and a warm jacket or rain poncho. Each participant will go home with the knowledge and materials needed to establish their own Wild Medicinal Mushroom Garden!
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Darcy Williamson a practicing herbalist, instructor and author from Idaho. Wild medicinal plants have been a passion of hers for as long as she can remember. For the past 30 years she has taught hands-on classes on locating, identifying, preparing and using herbs growing in the Rocky Mountains, finding it to be a glorious and humbling occupation ~ to be the go-between for the medicinal herbs and those who need their healing powers.
10:30 A.M.- 1:30 P.M. Herbal Soap Making, Cindy Greer. Main Haven Kitchen
Cindy is excited to dispel the mystery about soap making. Creating customized soap is truly rewarding and fun, discovering the pleasures of synthetic-free bubbles and creating a personalized bar. You may find time to daydream while stirring that wooden spoon round and round the bucket.
She is passionate about combining soap making and medicinal wild plants. She started Salmon River Skincense featuring handmade soap, body and lip butters. Not only do the plants add softening, antiviral, antiseptic, and soothing properties, but half the fun is foraging in the forest.
Equipment: Please bring an apron, rubber gloves, and safety glasses. Class participants will go home with an herbal soap booklet and a bucket of sixteen soap bars.
About the Instructor: Life is an adventure for Cindy, all about taste, touch, and embrace. She is passionate about cooking, picking berries and mushrooms, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, playing the piano and violin, painting, horseback riding, dancing, and enjoying all her special relationships.
2:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M. Cattail! Forage, Porridge, Foliage & Fluff, Eloris Rogers Wilhite. Deck by Koi Pond or Consultation Room, pending weather conditions.
Your edible, year-round, survival plant that contains 10xs the starch of an equal weight of potatoes! Gathering Cattail through the seasons:
Spring: New root, stem, green flower pods (raw, cooked or pickled)
Summer: Root & stem, leaf shelter, pollen, utility & survival crafts
Autumn: Root, reed weaving, fluff stuffing, utility & survival crafts
Winter: Root, fluff tinder, utility & survival crafts
Common Cattail is not only one of the best wild edible plants, but one of the best wilderness plants to know for wilderness medicine, survival food, shelter and many utility purposes. What other plant can boast eight food products, three medicinal applications, and at least 12 other functional and survival uses? It is affectionately known as the “Super Wal-mart” of the Marsh. Hikers, foragers, backpackers, hunters and others who spend time in the wilderness should get to know the cattail before all other plants.
Our not so ‘common’ Cattail Class Presentation Will Include:
· A brochure to keep with all the class information · Cattail recipes & Cattail medicinal formulas
· “How to” hands on for identifying and gathering the Cattail parts · Learning a craft from foliage weaving to take home
· Plus, Cattail ‘treats’ to taste.
About the Instructor: Eloris Rogers-Wilhite, Wild Plant Devotee’ Yes, I really did. I Quit My Day Job! Then, I slipped out of my red high heels and grinned all the way into my mountain boots. Now, along with taking care of our herd of American Buffalo, I am enjoying full time, what I have been foraging and researching for the past 40 some years. Now, I’m finally able to share what I’ve learned and experienced as a Wild Mountain Herbalist. I’m making alternative therapies for my family and started a cottage industry of Herbal Pet and Animal therapies, Buffalo Butter herbal soaps from the wild herbs at our ranch and our mile high Idaho mountains. I have been inspired for over 23 years and continue to be mentored by my dear friend, herbalist, teacher and author, Darcy Williamson.
2:30 P.M.- 3:30 P.M. Making Felted Soap, Brandy Vernay Henson. Main Haven Kitchen
Take your soap to a new level! Delve into fiber arts using alpaca fiber to wet felt around a bar of handmade all natural soap. Felted soap is an excellent exfoliant for your body and hands, and can also be used for washing dishes. You will learn some specifics about alpaca fiber that will help you with future fiber arts projects, the basics of wet felting, and of course how to felt your own soap. All the supplies will be provided. You may bring your own handmade soap if you prefer.
About the Instructor: As the owner of Alpaca Harmony, LLC, Brandy has established a small herd of award-winning huacaya alpacas through years of careful breeding with a focus on excellence in fiber quality and well-being. Throughout her 15 years involved in the alpaca industry, Brandy has sheared hundreds of alpacas, become a practitioner of animal massage and acupressure, superintended fleece shows, and vastly enjoyed exploring the creative side of fiber arts. The beauty, softness, and warmth of alpaca is both irresistible and inspirational.
4:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. The Hero’s Journey, Renée Silvus. Haven Living Room
Every few years we enjoy yet another film that tells the same story~ The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, The Matrix, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings. Why does the same storyline continue to fascinate and attain blockbuster status? The research of mythologian Joseph Campbell tells why. It is the story and archetypes of the hero’s journey that resonate most deeply with our human experience. In this session, we will map out the steps of the storyline with film clips, art, poetry and discussion. You’ll gain a richer appreciation for the timeless beauty of these stories and an eager eye for variations yet to come.
About the Instructor: Renee Silvus taught high school English for fifteen years where she created curriculum for film and literature courses in two high schools. She contents herself now by using archetypes and the hero’s journey to assist her bodywork and coaching clientele. He lifelong dream is an entire weekend exploring these themes at the Haven.
8:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Fabric Mordanting with Betsy Hinze, donation.
Due to popular request, artist Betsy Hinze is offering a natural dye class! But before students dye, they need to prepare the fabric and this is best done several weeks (or even several months) in advance to allow the mordant to age.
Mordants are fixatives that allow for more permanent dyes and brighter/altered colors. Betsy will be focusing on earth-friendly, natural sources of mordants. Betsy will lead a pre-mordanting and fiber-preparing workshop at this Spring Equinox Herbalist Gathering. It will be very informal. She will give instruction on how to prepare various fabrics for dying. Bring your undyed cotton, silk or wool to the gathering if you plan on attending the
workshop. If you don’t have fabric, there are some wonderful natural alpaca wool skeins and roving available in the Trading Post. Even without fabric, you are welcome to come and learn about mordants.
Notes on appropriate fabric: The fabric you bring should be natural fibers, or at least a majority of natural fibers. Examples of such fibers include protein fibers (such as wool, silk, alpaca, etc.) or cellulose fibers (cotton, bamboo, hemp, linen, etc.) Protein fibers tend to take on stronger and more intense colors, but are more expensive and not always applicable to certain projects (silk tablecloth, anyone) You are welcome to bring raw fibers (carded and cleaned wool) or finished clothes ~ or just fabric or yarn. PLEASE WASH YOUR FABRIC BEFORE BRINGING IT. Wash it one with your usual laundry soap to remove grease and dirt. Then wash it well in plain water to get the soap out (this is very important). If you want to dye garments, a great place to locate “dye-ables” is second hand or consignment shops. Just read the tags carefully!
SATURDAY 22 MARCH
8:00 A.M – 9:00 A.M Nordic Walking with Robert Sweetgall, no fee.
Walking is good for the body and the mind. Just ask our Special Event Nordic Walking presenter Robert Sweetgall — he’s walked and run across the United States seven times, which has earned him the title “The Real Forrest Gump.” Nordic Walking builds muscle, burns fat and gives the ultimate total-body workout. Nordic walking is a bit like cross-country skiing without the skis. Walkers use special Nordic walking poles that they hold at an angle. Robert will bring Exerstrider poles for attendees to use during the workshop.
According to Robert, the upper body movement involved in using the poles allows walkers to burn 40 percent more calories than traditional walking. With the poles there to absorb some of the impact of each step, this style of walking is also easier on the joints. The left-foot-right-pole, right-foot-left-pole rhythm keeps the mind engaged with contra-lateral brain activity.
While anyone can benefit from Nordic walking, the activity is especially ideal for senior citizens with balance problems, women with bone density issues and folks who need an extra metabolic
boost to shed 10 to 20 pounds.
10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Floral Arrangements from the Woods, Marilyn Giddings. Deck by Koi Pond or Consultation Room, pending weather conditions.
Create a lasting “floral” centerpiece from nature’s garden. Class participants will take a short adventure into the woods to collect moss, stones, twigs, bark and other colorful textures. Back at the Haven, we will arrange our collection into a charming centerpiece which can be used year round as a living foundation for seasonal color. With each season the garden display can be transformed by adding dafodills, lilacs, beebalm, chrysanthamums, or holly, etc. as the seasons progress. All materials for the completion of the project will be provided in class but participants may wish to bring a special container from home for their arrangement.
About the Instructor: Marilyn Giddings, one of the three White Bird Mavens, is happy to spread the wealth, herbal wisdom and other lost arts, to family, friends, and neighbors through teaching, talking, and sharing. Her favorite passions are quilting, gardening, and self-sufficiency in a world gone helplessly crazy with technology. The Haven brightens with Marilyn’s lush, creative centerpieces and tilts to center when she commands the kitchen.
10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. Easy Crusty Bread in 5 Minutes, Leah Harvey. Main Haven Kitchen.
Leah will demonstrate how to mix up a loaf of no-knead bread in 5 minutes. Ever wonder how they make those beautiful crusty rustic breads? You will learn the easiest way to make the yummiest bread. Due to oven availability, this will only be a demonstration, with some hands on. We’ll mix up and bake a couple loaves to serve with our potluck dinner.
10:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. Making Coulommiers Cheese, Leah Harvey. Main Haven Kitchen
Coulommiers (pronounced KOO-lom-yay) is a cheese made in farm kitchens near Paris. Though related to Camembert, it has a tangier taste and is not aged as long. Participants will learn how to make Coulommeirs, take a batch of fresh cheese (to be aged), instructions and cheese making supplies to make more at home.
About the Instructor: “Eating real food from real ingredients” is a motto that Leah Harvey lives by. From harvesting her own herbs to harvesting local fish and wild game, every meal has a special connection. growing up on a farm in Montana set her up in the art of preserving and putting up foods for the winter. in White Bird, ID, she cans, freezes, dehydrates,sells and shares produce out of her garden.The closer we get to our food, the healthier we can be. Among gardening (and harvesting weeds) Leah enjoys cooking, baking, hiking and her new love; painting.
11:00 A.M. – 12 Noon Pickleball Workshop with Robert Sweetgall. No fee.
The gold medal winner of the Idaho Senior Pickleball Olympics is Darcy Williamson’s husband, Robert Sweetgall.
Don’t miss out on the fun and hilarity (because watching Darcy’s husband’s competitive spirit is always a guffaw!) and learn the fundamentals of the fastest growing game in the United States.
“Pickleball Recovery Kits” ~ put together to aid the victims of her husband’s grueling games are available in the Trading Post. However, Robert has promised to take things easy and teach in a kind-hearted spirit during this Special Event.
So, what is Pickleball? Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center. It is played with a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a whiffle ball) and wood or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
We will have plenty of paddles and balls for all who wish to learn and play! The Pickleball court will be available throughout the entire weekend, with paddles and balls available to borrow at the Trading Post, located right next to the court. So, this weekend is the perfect evening to learn the basic rules of the game.
1:00 P.M. Easy Crusty Bread in 5 Minutes continued, Leah Harvey. Main Haven Kitchen
The bread will be ready to form into loaves and bake, gifting us with yummy bread fragrance until dinner!
1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Thai Massage, Renée Silvus, Downstairs Consultation Room
Come learn and RECEIVE the comfortable, therapeutic benefits of Thai Massage. This tradition offers a unique blend of stretches and pressure. You will learn how to use your body weight, feet, knees, elbows, and palms of your hands to give a gentle yet firm massage. Thai massage is fully clothed, easy to learn, and fun. Please wear loose and layered clothing.
About the instructor: Renee took a break from teaching one year and decided to attend massage school in Santa Monica just for fun. She had no idea that learning about Chinese Medicine and energetic anatomy would change her life. She has offered healing bodywork and massage in McCall since 2005.
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Making a Healing Salve, Sister Carlotta Maria Fontes. Main Haven Kitchen.
Learn how to make salves using herbs that you can either grow or perhaps find in your own back yard. We will talk about herbs and essential oils being used in a salve and their benefits.
About the Instructor: At the Monastery of St. Gertrude if people happen to be in search of me, they are likely to find me either in my herb garden or in my laboratory, making salves, soaps and lip balms.
I received my Master Herbalist certificate by correspondence from the Global College of Natural Medicine in Santa Cruz, CA, in May 2007. In this one year intensive program, I studied herbs and their effects on the human body. I learned how to identify and grow herbs and prepare them for use in making teas, tinctures and tonics.
I make the soaps, salves and lip balms for our Monastery book store. Through LCSC in Grangeville I also teach a class on soap making. Learning about herbs is a life long journey and I love to get with other herbalists to exchange knowledge. Our backyard is an abundant source of God’s gift of healing plants. I enjoy being out in nature exploring and searching around to see the different kinds of herbs we might have up our hill. If I can’t identify them I will research them. I still have much to learn and I am looking forward to an ongoing nature education.
SUNDAY 23 MARCH
8:00 A.M – 9:00 A.M Nordic Walking with Robert Sweetgall, no fee.
Walking is good for the body and the mind. Just ask our Special Event Nordic Walking presenter Robert Sweetgall — he’s walked and run across the United States seven times, which has earned him the title “The Real Forrest Gump.” Nordic Walking builds muscle, burns fat and gives the ultimate total-body workout. Nordic walking is a bit like cross-country skiing without the skis. Walkers use special Nordic walking poles that they hold at an angle. Robert will bring Exerstrider poles for attendees to use during the workshop.
According to Robert, the upper body movement involved in using the poles allows walkers to burn 40 percent more calories than traditional walking. With the poles there to absorb some of the impact of each step, this style of walking is also easier on the joints. The left-foot-right-pole, right-foot-left-pole rhythm keeps the mind engaged with contra-lateral brain activity.
While anyone can benefit from Nordic walking, the activity is especially ideal for senior citizens with balance problems, women with bone density issues and folks who need an extra metabolic
boost to shed 10 to 20 pounds.
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Pine Trees~ Medicinal, Edible & Basket Uses, Eloris Rogers Wilhite. Deck by Koi Pond or Downstairs Consultation Room
Basket-weaving is one of the oldest known Native American crafts–there are ancient Indian baskets from the Southwest that have been identified by archeologists as nearly 8000 years old. As with most Native American art, there were originally multiple distinct basketry traditions in North America. Different tribes used different materials, weaving techniques, basket shapes, and characteristic patterns.
We will cover the medicinal and edible gifts from the Pine Tree and then learn the art of making needle baskets using the technique of tightly coiled pine needles.
You will receive an instruction booklet, a coiling needle, and ‘sinew’ for coiling. Although it is always great fun to gather them together, we will have the pine needles ready for your creativity.
Your baskets will last for years and years. It can be a thoughtful gift, cool decoration, a useful item for forays or an heirloom for your descendants!
About the Instructor: Eloris has been an apprentice to Darcy for more than two decades, making wild plants a part of her life. She has been making pine needle baskets for over 40 years. Many have been gifts that are still used today by their recipients. All things made from nature (including buffalo) are an inspiration to her and a challenge to see how every plant can be used as a helpful medicinal friend, an edible, a ‘survivalist,’ or as a spiritually inspired craft of art such as a shape or design that represents how your heart feels at sunrise.
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Wire-Wrapped Idaho Stone Pendants, Anna Stark. Main Dining Room Table
Turn a simple stone into a beautiful pendant by learning the technique of wire-wrapping. This is a simple technique that anyone can accomplish. Each piece will be different as individual creativity is applied to the basic technique. If you have jewelry tools, bring them. I will have tools for your use and may have some you can purchase at my cost. The key to successful wire-wrapping is good tools. The cost of other materials is included in the class fee. Basic tools needed are bent-nosed pliers, flat-nosed pliers, and fine-wire cutters. A choice of stones to be wrapped will be provided; however, if you have your own stone to wrap, please bring it.
About the Instructor: Anna Stark has raised the bar on jewelry-making at the Haven. You may see a number of Mavens wearing Anna’s magical silver-wrapped stone pendants. Anna has been making jewelry for about 10 years and traipsing with Darcy through the woods for about 20.
11:00 A.M. – 12 Noon Pickleball Workshop with Robert Sweetgall. No fee.
The gold medal winner of the Idaho Senior Pickleball Olympics is Darcy Williamson’s husband, Robert Sweetgall.
Don’t miss out on the fun and hilarity (because watching Darcy’s husband’s competitive spirit is always a guffaw!) and learn the fundamentals of the fastest growing game in the United States.
“Pickleball Recovery Kits” ~ put together to aid the victims of her husband’s grueling games are available in the Trading Post. However, Robert has promised to take things easy and teach in a kind-hearted spirit during this Special Event.
So, what is Pickleball? Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center. It is played with a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a whiffle ball) and wood or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
We will have plenty of paddles and balls for all who wish to learn and play! The Pickleball court will be available throughout the entire weekend, with paddles and balls available to borrow at the Trading Post, located right next to the court. So, this weekend is the perfect evening to learn the basic rules of the game.
1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens of Slate Creek, Darcy Williamson. Meet at Trading Post.
The study and use of medicinal and edible mushrooms has become increasingly popular in worldwide. Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to boost heart health, lower the risk of cancer, promote immune functions, ward off viruses and bacteria, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, help balance blood sugar levels, and support the body’s detoxification mechanisms. Lichens offer antibiotic, antifungal and antiseptic properties. Participants of this class will spend the day amid the lush green of springtime seeking medicinal fungi and lichens. The class includes a booklet describing the mushrooms that we will likely encounter during our Slate Creek hike.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Darcy Williamson a practicing herbalist, instructor and author from Idaho. Wild medicinal plants have been a passion of hers for as long as she can remember. For the past 30 years she has taught hands-on classes on locating, identifying, preparing and using herbs growing in the Rocky Mountains, finding it to be a glorious and humbling occupation ~ to be the go-between for the medicinal herbs and those who need their healing powers.
1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M Homemade Vinegar, Marilyn Giddings. Main Haven Kitchen
This class will provide students with all the experience and knowledge they need to make their own vinegar. We will be observing and understanding the fermentation process, exploring the health benefits, and discussing the many practical uses for vinegar. Students will have the opportunity to sample a variety of all natural vinegars and compare those with infused vinegars. Students will take home a cruet of homemade vinegar.
About the Instructor: Marilyn Giddings, one of the three White Bird Mavens, is happy to spread the wealth, herbal wisdom and other lost arts, to family, friends, and neighbors through teaching, talking, and sharing. Her favorite passions are quilting, gardening, and self-sufficiency in a world gone helplessly crazy with technology. The Haven brightens with Marilyn’s lush, creative centerpieces and tilts to center when she commands the kitchen.
1:00 P.M.- 3:00 P.M. The Art of Intentional Listening and Appreciation, Renée Silvus. Downstairs Consultation Room
One of the greatest gifts we can give is to fully listen to someone. We can cultivate some skills with a few simple steps. In this session, we will explore how to generate curiosity and reflection, examine how we create assumptions and projections, and learn some basic tenets of ‘nonviolent communication.’ Each participant is invited to bring a personal concern so we may practice. By learning to listen and being genuinely heard, we cultivate greater understanding, connection, and acceptance.
About the Instructor: Renee recently completed a Whole Health Educator™ and Coaching program with the National Institute of Whole Health along with facilitator training from Authentic World San Francisco and the Integral Center Boulder. She has created Holistic Health & Healing to offer coaching, health education, community-building games, and retreats.
LODGING
LUCILE GUEST HOUSE ~ located a short walking distance from Mavens’ Haven. Fully Equipped Kitchen and Dining room, Satellite TV, bathrooms, hot showers.
Front bedroom with Queen and sofa: $70.00 per night
Rear bedroom with full bed: $60.00 per night
Bunk room: Three single beds (Two are in bunk bed configuration) $25.00 per bed per night
Upstairs bedroom: Two full size beds, $40.00 per bed per night
Phone (208) 628-3254. http://lucileguesthouse.com/
STEELHEAD INN ~ Located approximately three miles south of Mavens’ Haven along Highway 95 overlooking the Maynard Hole on the Salmon River in Lucile, Idaho, the Steelhead Inn delivers spacious, clean rooms whose true beauty comes from the loving care and atmosphere created by new owners Kenn and Nancy Brown. Phone (208) 628-4279 and www.steelheadinn.com.
There are also numerous free camping areas along the Salmon River between Riggins and Lucile, as well as between Lucile and Slate Creek. There is trailer camping in Riggins (Riverfront Gardens and RV Park 208-628-3777), (Riverside RV Park 208-628-2698).