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Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
View the Common Ground on the Hill Catalog as a PDF HERE.
QUICK LINKS TO OVERVIEW PAGES
Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
View the Common Ground on the Hill Catalog as a PDF HERE.
~ Piano: Week 2 ~
Blacksmithing: Fire, Iron and a Hammer
Experience the joy of moving hot metal into new shapes. Beginning students learn hot forging methods, bending, twisting, splitting and welding in the forge by making several useful items. Advanced students can design their own projects to refresh and further skills already learned. All classes are taught in the blacksmith shop at the Farm Museum. Long pants and closed shoes are required. No shorts or sandals. Materials fee: $50. All levels, limit 8 students ages 16 and up. Periods 1 & 2 ~ Shel Browder
Experience the joy of moving hot metal into new shapes. Beginning students learn hot forging methods, bending, twisting, splitting and welding in the forge by making several useful items. Advanced students can design their own projects to refresh and further skills already learned. All classes are taught in the blacksmith shop at the Farm Museum. Long pants and closed shoes are required. No shorts or sandals. Materials fee: $50. All levels, limit 8 students ages 16 and up. Periods 1 & 2 ~ Shel Browder
Building Thoreau’s Cabin
Help build a facsimile of the single-story, timber frame building in which Henry David Thoreau lived for over two years, and about which he wrote in Walden. Use hand saws, mallets, chisels, slicks and brace & bits to make timber framed pegged joints that will stand the test of time while discussing Thoreau’s ideas. Proper use of hand tools, safety, and how to maintain sharp tools will be shared. Includes beam hewing demonstration. All levels. Limited to students ages 16 and up. kckcreate@yahoo.com Period 5 ~ Ken Koons
Help build a facsimile of the single-story, timber frame building in which Henry David Thoreau lived for over two years, and about which he wrote in Walden. Use hand saws, mallets, chisels, slicks and brace & bits to make timber framed pegged joints that will stand the test of time while discussing Thoreau’s ideas. Proper use of hand tools, safety, and how to maintain sharp tools will be shared. Includes beam hewing demonstration. All levels. Limited to students ages 16 and up. kckcreate@yahoo.com Period 5 ~ Ken Koons
Common Ground on the Grill
Learn open fire cooking techniques and recipes and experience the “common ground” of a communal, family style meal. Assist with fire maintenance, Dutch oven baking, and preparing and cooking “quick” dishes to accompany the main meal. Help plan the next day’s meal and clean-up. Meal ingredients come from local and sustainable harvest whenever possible. We try to meet dietary restrictions for each meal. Students should bring a reusable ceramic style plate, bowl, mug, eating utensils, and an appropriate beverage to accompany your meal. Materials fee $60. Limit 10 students, ages 16 and up. Please contact the instructors to discuss your questions or concerns. gwenhandler@gmail.com, shelbrowder@gmail.com Period 5 ~ Shel Browder, Gwen Handler
Learn open fire cooking techniques and recipes and experience the “common ground” of a communal, family style meal. Assist with fire maintenance, Dutch oven baking, and preparing and cooking “quick” dishes to accompany the main meal. Help plan the next day’s meal and clean-up. Meal ingredients come from local and sustainable harvest whenever possible. We try to meet dietary restrictions for each meal. Students should bring a reusable ceramic style plate, bowl, mug, eating utensils, and an appropriate beverage to accompany your meal. Materials fee $60. Limit 10 students, ages 16 and up. Please contact the instructors to discuss your questions or concerns. gwenhandler@gmail.com, shelbrowder@gmail.com Period 5 ~ Shel Browder, Gwen Handler
Having Your Way with Fire
Explore outdoor cooking skills and food preparation. Learn basic fire making skills including flint and steel, making char cloth, tinder, and fire building for cooking; knife skills including selection and use, sharpening and care, and cutting techniques; food preparation which will include preparing meats, bread, side dishes (such as rice, corn and potatoes); plus deserts in a dutch oven. The meals prepared and cooked during this session will be shared during Period 5, Common Ground on the Grill (above). This course is repeatable as the menu and skills will change and can focus on student interests. All levels: limit 8 students, ages 16 and up. gwenhandler@gmail.com, stonejugforge@embarquemail.com Period 4 ~ Shel Browder, Gwen Handler
Explore outdoor cooking skills and food preparation. Learn basic fire making skills including flint and steel, making char cloth, tinder, and fire building for cooking; knife skills including selection and use, sharpening and care, and cutting techniques; food preparation which will include preparing meats, bread, side dishes (such as rice, corn and potatoes); plus deserts in a dutch oven. The meals prepared and cooked during this session will be shared during Period 5, Common Ground on the Grill (above). This course is repeatable as the menu and skills will change and can focus on student interests. All levels: limit 8 students, ages 16 and up. gwenhandler@gmail.com, stonejugforge@embarquemail.com Period 4 ~ Shel Browder, Gwen Handler
Native American Philosophy, Art & Culture
Explore the myths and mythology, art and culture of Native Peoples through examples, making comparisons and find insights to appreciate the similarities and uniqueness of the diverse group know as Native Americans. By looking at Creation stories, philosophies of life, religion, history and artwork unique to Native People, we will be enlightened and encouraged to find pride, strength, personal growth and happiness in our own lives, based on the teachings and example of Native Elders. All levels. Period 5 ~ Bobby Little Bear
Explore the myths and mythology, art and culture of Native Peoples through examples, making comparisons and find insights to appreciate the similarities and uniqueness of the diverse group know as Native Americans. By looking at Creation stories, philosophies of life, religion, history and artwork unique to Native People, we will be enlightened and encouraged to find pride, strength, personal growth and happiness in our own lives, based on the teachings and example of Native Elders. All levels. Period 5 ~ Bobby Little Bear
Primal Knowledge: Arrows
Learn the thirteen steps needed to finish a lethal hunting arrow. Materials for the arrows will be collected from all natural sources. Strip, straighten, and burnish a natural Viburnum shaft. A day will be spent learning the craft of flint knapping and making stone arrowheads. Learn the process of creating a basic hot glue from pine pitch, and how to make cordage for binding purposes. At the end of the class each student will take home a lethal hunting arrow, made completely from nature. All material will be provided. Materials costs $20. Limit 10 students, ages 16 and up. guyrneal@yahoo.com Periods 3 & 4 ~ Guy Neal
Learn the thirteen steps needed to finish a lethal hunting arrow. Materials for the arrows will be collected from all natural sources. Strip, straighten, and burnish a natural Viburnum shaft. A day will be spent learning the craft of flint knapping and making stone arrowheads. Learn the process of creating a basic hot glue from pine pitch, and how to make cordage for binding purposes. At the end of the class each student will take home a lethal hunting arrow, made completely from nature. All material will be provided. Materials costs $20. Limit 10 students, ages 16 and up. guyrneal@yahoo.com Periods 3 & 4 ~ Guy Neal
Southern Plains Buckskin Moccasins
Construct a complete pair of baby moccasins. Explore the different style of footwear used by Native Peoples of America and the design and decorations used by various Nations. We will look at the traditional materials/skins used and how and when to use them. Gain the knowledge to create your own custom moccasins. Materials fee: $6 for baby moccasins only; $40 for adult moccasins. All levels. Limit 10 students, ages 14 and up. littlebearfink@wildblue.net Periods 3 & 4 ~ Bobby Little Bear
Construct a complete pair of baby moccasins. Explore the different style of footwear used by Native Peoples of America and the design and decorations used by various Nations. We will look at the traditional materials/skins used and how and when to use them. Gain the knowledge to create your own custom moccasins. Materials fee: $6 for baby moccasins only; $40 for adult moccasins. All levels. Limit 10 students, ages 14 and up. littlebearfink@wildblue.net Periods 3 & 4 ~ Bobby Little Bear
Vinegar Graining on Boxes and Frames
Vinegar graining is an Early American Art form for creating decorative finishes on boxes, frames and furniture. Students learn formulas for vinegar paint, wood preparation, texturing techniques, use of graining tools and varnishing. By the end of the week, you will have a small decorated jewelry box and an assortment of small frames to take home and the knowledge you will need to work on larger pieces of furniture. Materials fee: $28. Limit 8 students, ages 16 and up. Great for beginners. Students must contact Instructor for a list of tools to bring to the first class. kristinpaints@gmail.com Periods 1 & 2 ~ Kristin Helberg
Vinegar graining is an Early American Art form for creating decorative finishes on boxes, frames and furniture. Students learn formulas for vinegar paint, wood preparation, texturing techniques, use of graining tools and varnishing. By the end of the week, you will have a small decorated jewelry box and an assortment of small frames to take home and the knowledge you will need to work on larger pieces of furniture. Materials fee: $28. Limit 8 students, ages 16 and up. Great for beginners. Students must contact Instructor for a list of tools to bring to the first class. kristinpaints@gmail.com Periods 1 & 2 ~ Kristin Helberg
