We have been pretty quiet on the blog for a while, but that certainly isn’t because nothing has been happening. On the contrary, we have been so busy this past year that there has scarcely been a moment to sit and reflect!
Since the last time we posted exactly a (leap) year ago, we have been doing project after project after project to get the new space event and program ready. We built a greenhouse, converted our garage into living and community space, converted grass to landscaped gardens, built an herb spiral, planted fruit trees, built a composting toilet, made up-cycled spool tables, installed a cordwood floor, the list goes on…
After a winter, spring, and summer full of dawn to dusk projects, we finally had an opportunity to test the event readiness of the homestead…
On September 2, 2018, Sean and I were fortunate enough to be able to host our own wedding here at our home and the future site of Sugar Mountain Center. Loved ones came from near and far to help us break ground in a celebration of love, community, and friendship.
We were especially grateful to be joined by most of the members of our original conservation corps family, the SCA NH Corps. New Hampshire Conservation Corps is where Sean and I met in 2011 as part of a cohort of 30 young adults who lived and worked for a year in Bear Brook state park in the middle of the NH woods.
This reunion was so special because it brought together those who were such a meaningful part of where it all began. New Hampshire Corps not only helped us begin our personal relationship, but also taught us the rewards of being part of a community, showed us the value of ecologically-conscious living, and shaped our desire to share this life changing-experience with others.
We had over 100 guests for the wedding, about a quarter of whom stayed with us onsite- testing our kitchen, composting toilet, campsites, and community spaces. Amazingly, the weekend’s festivities were pulled off seamlessly. It was an incredible experience and we are deeming the test of site readiness a booming success!
We want to thank all of our friends and family who went above and beyond to help us make the weekend the most magical experience that we will cherish forever.
And now…we look towards 2019 for the public opening of Sugar Mountain Center. We plan to hold a grand opening event sometime in May 2019 and will be offering workshops and events summer 2019!
In the meantime, please check back here over the coming weeks where we will be sharing a series of how-to’s on some of our projects this past season.
