The Lives of Trees | December 2014 Newsletter

The Lives of Trees | December 2014 Newsletter

“When we carry wood into our lives, we carry a piece of the primal forest as well—something of which we are all a part.” —David Spangler

Last year on the Winter Solstice, we made the difficult choice to remove the beautiful white pine trees which had stood beside the Farmhouse for over 100 years until weakened by old age and disease. This year, we’re marking the return of winter with a tribute to the trees.

This issue also includes an interview with Land Care Coordinator Robert Mellinger, an excerpt from a novel-in-progress by a Y-WE youth author, a Thriving Communities article from the Orton Foundation, and more!

Click here to read our December Newsletter and read on.

Header photo by John Harvey.

December 8, 2014

The Great Work | November 2014 Newsletter

“From here on, the primary judgment of all human institutions, professions, programs and activities will be determined by the extent to which they inhibit, ignore, or foster a mutually-enhancing human/Earth relationship.” —Thomas Berry

The great work of our era is to reimagine human life in alignment with all life. The work of the Whidbey Institute, in support of positive social and environmental change, is inextricably tied to the work of humanity as a whole. There is no one among us who can do this alone.

We’re compelled each day by both the magnitude of the challenges at hand and by the promise of what is blossoming here and around the world. This organization, which so many of us have loved and nurtured through 40 years of evolution, stands on the cusp of an exciting new adventure.

Click here to view our November newsletter and read on!

cover photo by John M. Dier, at Pacific Rim Institute (Coupeville)

November 6, 2014

Sparks! | October 2014 Newsletter

“Each of us has a spark of life inside us, and our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that spark in one another.” —Kenny Ausubel

Sparks are flying at the Whidbey Institute! Our board, staff, and volunteers are working furiously to put on an incredible weekend in celebration of our community and the great work that’s being done here at Chinook. We’ll have some thanks to extend, as well as some big news to share about Institute strategy and direction, leadership evolution, recent and upcoming accomplishments, and the next steps we’ll take together. We can’t wait to share this time with all of you: our friends, supporters, program leaders, and program participants! You make this work possible, and for that we are truly grateful.

Click here to view our October Newsletter and read on! 

October 13, 2014

Heartsongs | September 2014 Newsletter

“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.” — Robert M. Pirsig

As our remarkable Executive Director for four critical years, Jerry Millhon has led with wisdom, passion, and perception. During this time, he has also birthed our Thriving Communities Initiative: connecting and supporting local communities that are learning from one another around key issues such as food, economy, health, and shelter. He’s helped build a powerful and impassioned team, fostering a leadership-rich community at Chinook. Now, we’re excited to announce that he’s honoring his heart’s calling by stepping more fully into Thriving Communities leadership. We’re proud of Jerry, both for what he’s done as the Institute’s Executive Director and for what he’ll do next in his evolving role.

Click to view our September newsletter and read on! 

September 8, 2014

A Chinook Summer | August 2014 Newsletter

“There is pleasure in the pathless woods; There is rapture on the lonely shore; There is society, where none intrudes, by the deep sea and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more.” —Lord Byron

We are so grateful for summers at Chinook!

The Westgarden, under the loving care of our staff, apprentice, and volunteers, has been exploding with growth and bounty. The halls and houses have been home to some truly amazing people and their work, and the programs being held at the Institute this year have been rich, powerful, and transformative.

As the growing season peaks, before the Earth begins to whisper hints of autumn—a foggy morning here, a turning leaf there—before the harvest, and the months of home and hearth . . . go outside! Kick off your shoes! Breathe deep! Rejoice!

Enjoy this summer, for it truly is a gift.

Click here to view our August newsletter and read on!

August 7, 2014

Currents | July 2014 Newsletter

“If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in Water.” Loren Eiseley

Part of what makes Cascadia great is our water: the beauty and power of the Salish Sea; the moist fertility of our green farming valleys; the abundant variety of our friends the aquatic creatures; the delicious potability our freshwater wells; the mildness of our coastal climate.

On this island home, water is all the more powerful. The lapping waves define the borders of our Whidbey community, and even the region as a whole is defined by our proximity to the Puget Sound.

At the Institute, we’re celebrating water in a big way now that the Westgarden is fully irrigated! Hear about the intrigue, challenge, and satisfaction of this big project under Learning from the Land, further down the page.

Personally, I’m cheered to be returning to the water’s edge this summer. My family and I have just made the move from inland Whatcom County, in the Cascade foothills, to Whidbey Island. We are delighted to live closer to grandparents and to Chinook! You can read more about this transition in my Spotlight article, below.

Click here to view our July Newsletter and read on!

July 4, 2014

The Living Land | June 2014 Newsletter

This month, we would especially like to thank our community for joining us during our recent Spring Workday. We accomplished a lot. Thank you for your presence, good work, and leadership!

Amber Hamley, with her two daughters Faith and Jade, did a great job working with the kids and parents of Cub Scout troop #4089. The Labyrinth is completely weeded! It was wonderful to have the kids working on the land with us.

Cary Peterson led the garden trenching group, with help from Beno Kennedy and many people who came through to dig for a bit.

Abigail Lazarowski led the Thomas Berry Hall herb garden rejuvenation with Laura Boram, Owen Boram, Phil Jones, Sonya Ekstrom, me (Maggie Mahle), and many others who joined in at the end of the morning after completing their projects. It looks great.

Kimi Hoover and Michael Hoover led a small but enthusiastic crew—Maureen Jones and Detmar Straub—to clean up the area at the bottom of the orchard and erect a gazebo which they had donated to the Institute. It’s turned a beautiful spot into a nice shady destination on these hot days!

Thomas Anderson orchestrated some serious wood splitting and hauling with the help of Chris Hamley, Dan Mahle, and Tim Clark.  At the end of the morning, there were a few Cub Scouts helping out with the wood too!

Allison Tongate led the hardworking pine cleanup crew: Ben Thomas, Judy Strong, andLeslie Seeche.

Our good friend Tim Morley volunteered his morning to take photos.

We ended a wonderful morning by sharing each other’s good company and a beautiful lunch prepared by Christyn Johnson.

With deep gratitude,

Maggie Mahle, Land Care Coordinator

Click here to read our June 2014 Newsletter!

June 4, 2014

Sharing Gratitude | May Newsletter

OUR 2013 GRATITUDE REPORT NOW ONLINE

May 6, 2014

Poems by Heart | April 2014 Newsletter

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” —Rainer Maria Rilke

In this liveliest of seasons, we invite you to spend a moment with us in quiet, joyful reflection on the well-lived life of a dearly beloved friend.

Judith Pickard Yeakel—In Loving Memory; Sunrise, Mar. 14, 1929—Sunset, Jan. 28, 2014

Her impact on Whidbey Island was profound. Her presence in all discussions was appreciated. Her ability to listen to those around her was unique. Her care for so many is her legacy.

There are many organizations that have felt Judith Yeakel’s impact. Stories of her care and support go far beyond Whidbey Island. For the Whidbey Institute, the story is very clear, and Judy’s legacy will long be felt. The Sanctuary at Chinook is one of the most cherished and unique structures in this bioregion. Judy just wanted to be sure that there was a chapel-type structure on the land: a place for quiet, for contemplation and for prayer. The Sanctuary was a gift to the Institute which Judy envisioned as necessary to provide balance to the other structures (Farmhouse and Thomas Berry Hall) that had their own place  on the Chinook land.

Today, the beauty of her thoughtful insight—her vision of need, structure and balance—is evident. The Sanctuary holds space for deep contemplation, for reflection, and for small gatherings that invite connection between people. As important is the seamless and visible connection with natural world, the spirit within, and the people who grace the building. It is her permanent way of sharing with all of us. The structure is indeed a metaphor for Judy’s life and a permanent gift, a legacy, for all who enter.

To Judy’s wonderful family we send our love and appreciation for her life well-lived. To Judy Yaekel, we cherish her memory and offer our thanks for leading us down the right path.

Click to view our April Newsletter online and read on!

April 4, 2014

One World | March 2014 Newsletter

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”     —Henry Ford

March 4, 2014