Sustaining Tradition

Sustainably Sadie

Sustaining Tradition:

Enhancing, Enriching, Fulfilling

Jumping Rainbow Espresso catered dinner and lunch and provided concessions for the Montana Draft Horse and Mule Association (MDHMA) Memorial Day event at the Madison County Fairgrounds this past weekend.  We served roughly 40 Baron of Beef dinners; my parents who used to be active participants in the MDHMA said it was the most people they ever saw attend a MDHMA meeting.  You’ve heard me say it before, draft horses are the impetus of my family life.  It was such an amazing way to grow up-- around the work horses.  And listening to Doc Hammill (www.dochammill.com) speak on slowing down to work with your horse can teach even non-horse people valuable life lessons. 

Despite the crummy Montana Memorial Day Weekend Weather, 65 teamsters from all over our state turned up to learn from Doc and work their horses, mules, and minis with the help of draft horse legends like Rollie Hebel and Al Lien.  The Doc Hammill clinic was free to MDHMA members (membership is $30 per year) and the public was invited to watch the teamsters work their horses for free.  The snow and hurricane winds kept outside audience numbers low, particularly youth numbers. 

Events like this one, affordable workshops that allow you to visit with folks who have the same passions as you, are priceless and irreplaceable. Classic cars and Quilt shows are other such examples of hobbies that enhance, enrich and fulfill our lives.  I was reminded of the Vanessa Wright workshops (www.theliteraryhorse.com) the Sheridan Public Library featured last fall.  The creative writing workshop was an amazing chance for my daughter and I to share not only time together writing but also time together loving horses. 

Getting kids involved is up the grown-ups in the child’s life.  Parents, Grandparents, family friends have to reach out to kids, maybe even drag ‘em along to spark love and excitement for these traditional hobbies.  Keeping the traditions alive, working with horses, creating artwork out of fabric, is something parents have to foster in their children. 

Keep your eye out, keep your ears open and track down these affordable hobbies, communities, and lifestyles.  When it comes to reaching out to find community, a little bit of effort can go a very long way. 

Twin Bits

Do you have a travel trailer or RV sitting in your yard that you are not using?  Jackson’s Garden is getting some much needed assistance by acting as a host site for a Montana Campus Compact Summer Associate.  Jackson’s Garden needs to find a travel trailer/RV for the Associate to live in for 3 months.  The trailer will be parked at the garden.  Having someone staying on the property will help with the opening and closing the greenhouse and high tunnel in the mornings and evenings, and help monitor the watering.  The Associate will also be working with kids in the new youth led "Kids Club.” Jackson’s Garden members will come and get the trailer and then return it clean.  Your donation of the use of the trailer is tax deductible so it's a win- win situation.   Call Paul Marsh at 842-7956 or Linda Day at 842-5678.

Farmer’s Market Time!!

Correction—The Jackson’s Garden/ Sheridan Farmer’s Market will be Thursdays from 5 – 7pm, NOT Tuesdays. 

The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market is Open!!  Bring your market bag/ basket and load up on local goodies. Contact:  Coree Martin, Market Master, cmartin@3rivers.net, 406-596-1978.    If You Grow It, Raise It, Bake It or Make It - MARKET IT.  *WANTED*  VENDORS for 2012 Twin Bridges Farmers Market at Main St. Park.
Saturday's starts at 9:00am until 12:00pm  May 26th thru Sept 29

Booth Fee is $3.00.  Booth size unlimited space- for now!
Prior approval. Youth Groups & Fund Raisers - no booth fees (Letter from
Group & type of Fund Raiser required).

The next GRVCCA meeting is Tuesday June 5 in Sheridan.

The next TBCA meeting is Friday June 8, 8:30 am at The Old Hotel. 

Garage-A-Rama is June 9 at the Madison County Fairgrounds. 

Sheridan High School Graduation:  Saturday June 2, 1:00 pm

Thursday May 31, Last Day for Seniors

Thursday June 7, Last Day for Students

Contact me with information you’d like to share with the public.  Check out the blog, www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com or email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  Thanks for reading!