Fox Valley faith communities join for Day of Peace

by Rachel Baruch Yackley Daily Herald (post) 9/13/2011

A network of Fox Valley faith communities invites you to a communitywide celebration of the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. The first “Peace Day” was celebrated in September 1982 after being established by a United Nations resolution to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. The local celebration of the International Day of Peace will kick off with a gathering at 10 a.m. for the dedication of the recently installed Peace Pole at Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors, 121 S. Third St., in Geneva, across from the old Kane County courthouse. This Peace Pole is part of the international Peace Pole Project. It bears a phrase, “May peace prevail on earth,” in Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Algonquin-Native American language indigenous to the area and Swedish, along with “May peace be in our homes and communities” in English. Activities will continue a block east at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 110 S. 2nd St., Geneva. At 10:30 a.m., attend an interactive program titled “Have you heard the one about: How to respond to hate language,” presented by nonviolent communications trainer Thom Thomas. Ask questions of religious leaders in a panel on Building Bridges from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with representatives from the Islam, Unitarian, Jewish and Christian faiths. A panel discussion with young adults will follow at 1 p.m. Children of all ages will be treated to puppet shows about diversity, craft projects, along with the opportunity to meet and greet children from other religions and ethnicities from 1 to 2 p.m. Additionally, the UUSG sanctuary will be open throughout the Day of Peace event for meditation and reflection. Preceding Saturday’s event will be a free public screening of “Divided We Fall” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at the UUSG. This award-winning documentary features stories of Sikhs, Muslims and Arabs in America, and interviews with scholars, lawyers and legislators about race, religion and security in post-9/11 America. This local celebration of the International Day of Peace is a secular event, open to everyone of all ages and faiths. For a complete schedule of this event, visit www.uusg.org or www.fvjn.org, or call (630) 232-2350. Information on the International Day of Peace is available at www.internationaldayofpeace.org.

Folk Fest fun for everyone returns to Fox Valley

by Rachel Baruch Yackley Daily Herald 8/31/2011

Considering a staycation for Labor Day weekend? Then check out the 35th annual Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4-5, at Island Park in Geneva. Bring a blanket or folding chairs, and pack a picnic basket or purchase food from vendors in the park. Sit on the grass or under the big tent near the beautiful Fox River, and spend either or both days soaking in the sounds of traditional and roots folk music on eight concert and workshop stages, with more than 36 top folk music and storytelling acts from the Midwest and around the country. Traditional and roots folk music “is basically the purest form of the old ballads, from 300 to 500 years ago,” said Juel Ulven, the organizer of this annual event. “They're songs that were preserved by people who couldn't read and write, so they were passed on from neighbor to neighbor, or in families.” Each stage offers something different, from the likes of the captivating Chicago Sacred Harp Singers, to the Dulcimer Society of Illinois, and more. Hands-on teaching will be offered (so bring your instruments), as well as dancing and topical workshops, which explore music and story themes. On Sunday evening, join in a barn dance at 6 p.m., and take the kids along to hear spooky ghost stories, starting at 7:30 p.m. For the first time in its history, the Folk Festival will kick off with a local live 98.7 WFMT radio show from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Previous years' festival preview shows have taken place in the radio station's studio in Chicago, while this one will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, located at Second and James streets in Geneva. Eight festival artists, who will also perform onstage during the festival, will perform live at the radio show: Cathy Barton and Dave Para, Andrew Calhoun, Andy Cohen, Tracy Grammer, Anne Hills, David Massengill, and Sanctified Grumblers. This festival preshow is open to the public and tickets are still available in advance: $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, teens and college students, with ticket prices an additional $5 at the door. For advance tickets, call 630-897-3655. “With the city (of Geneva) behind us, they identified three places we could do this,” said Ulven. “It's a unique opportunity. Normally, live shows are only for (WFMT) Arts Circle members, who pay an initial $250 membership and an additional $250 each year.” Local support for this festival has grown by leaps and bounds, over the years. The city of Geneva “does so much for us,” Ulven said. “They're co-sponsoring the radio show to the tune of $500, and they gave us another $500 for advertising. They've really stepped up to the plate. The Geneva Park District (of which Island Park is a part) is always a good friend to us, every year.” Festival goers are charged a reasonable requested donation for each day. “All donations go to pay the performers and directly related artist costs. Performers from all over the world work the festival for a fraction of what they usually command, because of the incredible Chicago area and Midwest exposure. And the extensive CD and media sales nicely supplement the festival pay,” Ulven said. About 120 people, some who come from other states for the weekend, voluntarily work the festival. No one is paid, including Ulven, who works hard all year long to make this event happen. Although one of several annual folk music festivals in Illinois, this one, presented by the Fox Valley Folklore Society and the Geneva Park District, is considered to be the biggest in the state. Admission to the Folk Festival is a suggested donation of $15 per day for adults, and $10 per day for teens and seniors. Children ages 12 and younger get in for free. For more information and a complete schedule, visit foxvalleyfolk.com or call (630) 897-3655. Island Park is located just south of Route 38 between Route 25 and the Fox River. Plenty of free parking is available behind the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., at the south end of Third Street. Another option is to come by train, as the park is only three blocks from Geneva's Metra station.

Small family farm transforms into 5 bountiful acres

by Rachel Baruch Yackley Daily Herald 5/14/2011

Ten years ago, Tim Fuller and Beth Propst bewildered their neighbors by transforming the yard of their home into a mini farm. What began as a small effort to grow their own food flourished into Erehwon Farm, which provides healthy produce to hundreds of people. After getting things growing in their yard near St. Charles in 2001, “the neighbors were starting to comment,” said Tim Fuller. “Then (in 2005) we got in with Garfield Farm Museum (at Mongerson Farm). Last year, we got an opportunity to start over at our new location, which we are leasing and helping the owners develop.” Erehwon Farm is now at 40W248 Hughes Road in Elburn, just west of the Mill Creek subdivision. Two brothers, Hazis and Rakip Azemi, both stonemasons whose father immigrated here from Albania, own this acreage. “We have about 5 acres, here,” Fuller said. “We have a lot of trees and we're designing an edible forest garden with apple trees, peach trees, berry bushes, and lots more. We have maple trees (which were tapped this spring, yielding 5 gallons of maple syrup). “On the ground we're growing asparagus and all sorts of things. We also have an herb culinary garden. And part of our farm is designated for picking by CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members.” From the ground up, everything is unique about this farm, starting with its name. “Erehwon,” which is “nowhere” backward, was inspired by a mythical place described in a novel with the same name, by author Samuel Butler. “What I feel is our mission is to provide affordable food to local folks around here,” Fuller stated. “I believe in small and simple and in (using) a low amount of equipment. For example, one of the things we've done is develop a low-cost portable hoop house. Part of our mission is also to educate. People can grow their own food anywhere.” Traditional growing is key on this farm, with an emphasis on “natural.” No chemicals of any kind are used. Nonetheless, this is not a certified organic farm. “We don't see the need (to become organic),” Fuller said. “We mulch our own compost which we heat in an oven per organic requirements. And we don't use any chemicals. We probably exceed organic guidelines.” The farm also accepts yard and kitchen waste for composting from its customers as a way to help the environment, as well as old newspapers and cardboard for mulching. Fuller and Propst are learning how to interplant crops and keep the beds full. They transplant into beds, and also grow starts (new plants from seeds) of their own. Erehwon offers a three-season CSA program, with this being the first year of their spring offering. About 30 subscribers (or households) are participating in the spring CSA, 100 subscribers are expected for the summer CSA, and 40 subscribers for the fall. This CSA draws subscribers from all around the western suburbs, who purchase shares of what is grown at the farm and receive the freshest possible produce, May through December. This farm's produce is also sold at two local farmers markets: Geneva Green Market (June 2 to Aug. 8), and Batavia Farmers Market (June 25 to Oct. 15). Current customers and CSA subscribers have already been able to enjoy Fuller's “spicy health mix” salad greens mix, Jerusalem artichokes, turnips, broccoli raab, scallions, garlic scapes and more. Subscribers pay in advance, thus helping with the costs of farming, and deal directly with the farmer who is growing the food. They can even volunteer to pitch in and help around the farm. Farming is not without its challenges, one of which is making a living. Some of the farming costs are offset by CSA subscriptions, which are paid at the beginning of each season. Fuller also said, “Wind has been our biggest challenge, with the hoop houses. We build it so that if it fails, it falls gently and doesn't hurt the plants. We learn by doing; we look at the last one that failed and we learn.” Erehwon continues its plans to grow, while drawing ever more customers and remaining dedicated to providing quality locally grown produce. You can find abundant recipes on the farm's website (erehwonfarm.com), such as arugula and pear salad, turkey and greens quiche, kale chips, radish tart, baked squash with apples, and more, all of which incorporate fresh locally grown produce. Plenty of opportunities exist for checking out this local farm. Coming up this week is the first open house at the new location. This free event, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, is open to all, and will include an edible farm tour, cooking demonstrations, a scavenger hunt for kids, and a chance to feed and pet goats. For more information about the farm or the CSA program, call Fuller at (630) 485-9963, or visit erehwonfarm.com.