|
Happening at the Crossroads
November 24, 2007
by Coggin Heeringa This
time of year, a hundred fifty or so years ago, lumberjacks
were going back into the woods, presumably on the land which is now is
Crossroads at Big Creek and throughout the peninsula.. Last
Friday, we presented the historical video:
"Loggers of Door County," and we plan to show it again this Friday at 1:00 pm.
People
seem to love "Loggers". Perhaps the romance of the north woods is still
with us. Maybe, people enjoy seeing scenes of Door County
villages during the boom years. Historical photos in the presentation
show Sturgeon Bay filled with schooners and the shorelines dotted with
saw mills and with acres of logs ready for shipping.
"Loggers
of Door County" has some lessons for us. During the boom years, it
seemed to like the lumber would last forever. Fortunes were made,
resources were squandered, and in less than a generation, the forests
were depleted. How foolish they were, we say to ourselves. How
misguided! But how is this different from our current attitudes
about fossil fuels?
On Sunday, December 2, at 4:00, Dan
Small Shivani Arjuna will offer a a PowerPoint presentation:
"Global Fossil Fuel Depletion & Energy Descent," in the Collins
Learning Center lecture hall.
Dan Small is host/producer
of Milwaukee Public Television's Outdoor Wisconsin. He also is a
freelance writer and photographer with credits in regional and national
publications.
His wife, Shivani Arjuna, is a natural
wellness practitioner. She makes a line of pure personal products
and specializes in Polarity Therapy and EMF/EMR mitigation of
living/working spaces. Shivani has done extensive research on the
global fossil fuel depletion situation and how our society needs to
“power down” to create the smoothest-possible transition to
post-industrial life.
There is no other fuel
capable of providing what fossil fuels have provided us with. We
must learn, very quickly, to live in less energy-intensive ways, and
most preparation must be done at the local community level. This free
presentation is sponsored by Sustainable Door County, a local group
dedicated to improving the environment through sustainable practices.
Monday,
December 3 promises to be merry at The Crossroads. The Door County
Historical Society will spend the afternoon preparing The Historical
Village at the Crossroads for the holidays.
At 6:30, Friends
of Crossroads will Deck the Halls of the Collins Learning Center,
sharing holiday cheer with members and visitors. Anyone interested in
joining Friends is encouraged to join in the festivities.
The
Collins Learning Center will be beautiful just in time for the Door
Peninsula Astronomical Society's December meeting. The short feature
"The Length of Wavelengths" will be presented by Mike Egan. Following
refreshments and socializing, Dr. John Beck will present an illustrated
lecture on "Unmanned Space Exploration."
Speaking of astronomy,
Comet 17P/Holmes is fading, but still striking when seen through
astronomical binoculars or a telescope. If the night sky is
clear, chances are good that members of DPAS will be at the
observatory. To learn if the observatory is open, call 746-5896.
Crossroads
at Big Creek is a donor-supported preserve dedicated to lifelong
learning in science, history and the environment. Trails are free and
open to the public. If we should happen to receive snow adequate for
skiing, trails will be groomed, and hikers and dog walkers are
asked to use designated trails. It is located across from Whitetails
Unlimited at 2041 Michigan. To reach the astronomical facilities,
please use the Utah Street Entrance located at the Cove Road turn.
The
Collins Learning Center at Crossroads is located at on County Highway T
across from Whitetails Unlimited. To reach the Leif Everson Observatory
and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, use the Utah Street Entrance. If
skies are clear, call 746-5896 for a recorded message announcing
whether the observatory will be open.
|
