This past weekend was our second annual artist retreat. On Friday night, Murray Wilson treated us to a musical workshop, playing us recordings that he had taken of local music from years past. On Saturday, Xakkula started things off with a drum workshop, where he taught some basic drum techniques as well as how to re-head a drum. One of our staff members, Nikki, followed him up with a mosaic workshop, where she instructed our guests on mosaic techniques, and they were then able to turn old wine bottles into new pieces of art. Another staff member, Mikey, lead the next workshop. He showed us that anyone can be a poet. After dinner, a hilarious play was put on, one which consisted of nine short pieces. The Hostel team, as well as several of the guests, put on quite a show that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Sunday started early with a candle-making workshop by Christopher Collard (aka Woodchip). Woodchip educated us on different types of candles, wax, wicks, and the engineering and art behind candle making. Those attending the workshop were then able to make two different candles, one in a jar and another which was molded in their hands to make unique and beautiful shapes. Amanda Szabo lead the net workshop, on how color and art influence the way that we feel. Everyone made their own pieces of art, then went around and discussed their meaning, in a truly opening experience. Next was a workshop entitled “From Gravel to Jewels,” where Bergere Stevenson shared his love of rock carving with us. He showed us some special stones that he had collected, and then allowed us to make our own sandstone sculptures. Finally, an open mic was held around our makeshift candle-fire, a nice way to end the weekend’s events. The open mic was started with a solo singing performance by a young boy named Eli Wolf, who sang beautifully for all of us.

Finally, one last, unexpected workshop happened on Monday. Two of our staff, Nikki and Jeremy, recently purchased a new Volkswagen. This weekend Murray, Jeremy, and Nikki successfully converted the car to run on waste vegetable oil, and then led an impromptu workshop on veggie oil conversions.

We’re also very happy to report that the pool is done! After an intensive cleaning and repair, the pool has finally been refilled and is open for use! We broke it in this weekend with a late-night pool party, and we’re very glad to have it back (as are the hostel frogs).

And finally, this coming Friday, four of our staff are leaving the Hostel. Nikki Vandergriff, Jeremy Wilson, Mikey Tietz, and Joey Brandt are all leaving at the end of this week to go off traveling. These folks have been part of the Hostel family for a long time, and we are sorry to see them leaving. The four of them have been integral to all the growth that the Hostel has had in the past few years. It is impossible to say how much they have done for the Hostel, and equally impossible to describe how much they will be missed. As sad as we are to see them leave though, we look forward to hearing of their coming adventures, and look forward to seeing what the incoming staff will add to this place!

And that’s it for now,

May The Forest Be With You…