May Programs and Events: Shrimp: Alfredo Quarto, Square Dance, Biochar Stove Building, about April GMO Salmon Program, Labor Leaders

                                                          ( most photos get bigger if you click on them)
May 18, Last  Square Dance of the Season

Jim Ketterman the Guitarist

Jeanie Murphy the Banjoist

Scott Marckx the Fiddler

Joanne Pontrello the Caller

The last Quimper Grange sponsored square dance of the season falls on May 18th (the ususal 3rd Saturday).  Our caller will be Joanne Pontrello from Whidbey Island. Joanne calls squares and related sets all over western Washington and will bring great energy to our final dance.  The tunes will be served by the Puyallup Valley String Band, featuring Scott Marckx on fiddle, Jeanie Murphy on banjo, and Jim Ketterman on guitar.  

Dancing starts at 7:30.  No experienced necessary.  All ages and abilities welcome.  Come alone, with a partner, or in a herd.  

For more details see  ptcommunitydance.com  or call Dave Thielk at 360-385-3308.



May 25 9AM-4PM Biochar Stove Building Workshop 

Want to make biochar?
Want to build a biochar stove?

-Biochar is the product of pyrolosis in a simple gasifier stove
-Biochar can be used as a soil amendment: retains moisture and nutrients, and promotes healthy soil fauna
-Biochar sequesters carbon in the soil for thousands of years



At the workshop we will:
                 --Build five 55 gallon biochar stoves
                 --Operate a variety of different gasifier stoves
                 --Cook lunch on the stoves
                 -Learn how to apply biochar in your garden

Things to bring:
-Safety glasses(power tools used)
-leather gloves
-Potluck contribution

This is a Fundraiser for Quimper Grange that is donating the
use of the space at 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend
If you want one of the 5 stoves, the cost is $90 (all inclusive).

Register early to secure a stove. Contact Francesco at
360-385-5068 or francescot@gmail.com
Suggested Donation for workshop participants: $20

                  NO ONE TURNED AWAY

Grange Garden Transformed.....

               "Labor Leaders"Accomplished A Lot!

                                                                                                                   

"Before"

In one week "Labor Leaders" got weeds out of beds and walkways and turned a weed patch into a garden. It's ready to plant. Hurray!  

Our Grange Garden is testament to the quality of work done pairing "Labor Leaders"youth with mentors for the purpose of learning job skills.

"After"...One week later ...where are those pesky weeds?

 More information about "Labor Leaders" http://www.laborleadersnw.org

May 6th "Farmed and Dangerous, a Deadly Shrimp Cocktail" 

Shrimp aquaculture and its impacts will be the topic of Alfredo Quarto’s talk at Quimper Grange, May 6^th at 7:30. Quarto is Co-founder and executive director of the Mangrove Action Project and has spent 35 years working on environmental and social justice issues for Greenpeace, the Freedom Fund, and Ancient Forest Chautauqua.

Here in the Northwest many are familiar with the debate over salmon net pens, yet often unaware of devastation caused by the shrimp aquaculture industry on tropical and sub tropical ecosystems or how it is displacing fishing communities.  And few know that we take health risks ourselves when eat these shrimp that are often contaminated with pesticides, antibiotics and other harmful substances.

Shrimp is now the most popular seafood in the US. In just the past 10 years our consumption of shrimp has doubled. Industrial scale shrimp farms along the coasts of Asian, African and Latin American countries produce most of the shrimp Americans eat. Alfredo Quarto and the organization he co-founded, the Mangrove Action Project (MAP) have been engaged in reversing the degradation of mangrove forest ecosystems worldwide and promote the rights of local coastal peoples, including fishers and farmers, in the sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. Although he works with international organizations and communities, he also works at the "grassroots" level at home, where he land his family live on a small organic farm in Port Angeles, Washington.

Quimper Grange is located at 1219 Corona St. in Port Townsend. Doors open at 7pm. Program starts at 7:30. Suggested donation $5-10

Judy D'Amore and Marla Streator

Anne Mosness' GMO Salmon Program Sparks Interest

Anne Moseness talks about pitfalls of genetically
engineered salmon.

Our April program was well attended with many new faces in the audience, some of whom traveled from out of town to hear activist Anne Moseness talk about impending legislation regarding genetically engineered salmon and speaking about why genetically engineered food should be labeled. Anne, long-time fisherperson and advocate for wild stock spent 22 years in Bristol Bay, largest source of wild salmon, perhaps world wide. Bristol Bay is presently threatened by open-pit mining development that would endanger this resource. Another major threat to wild salmon stocks is genetic engineering where the DNA of ocean pout is inserted into the Atlantic salmon producing a nutritionally inferior, faster growing fish that is susceptible to illness. These fish would be products "owned" by the corporations that developed them, and if approved will be regulated by the FDA as a "new animal drug". As such consumers cannot be made aware of what is in the fish and dangerous allergies may cause harm when unknowingly ingested. Another problem with GMO fish is that their “containment systems” cannot be guaranteed. Here in the Pacific Northwest the economically important wild salmon market might collapse due to flooding of the market by these cheap and inferior fish.  

Anne encourages us to both to ask our lawmakers to vote against allowing the genetic engineering of salmon and to support initiative I 522 which would require the labeling of genetically engineered foods.

O' Neill Louchard and Marla Streator

Plant and Seed Exchange a Success, Despite the Rain....

Ashley Kehl gives out helpful information about plants

Indoor seed exchange

People came in waves to the Grange sponsored plant and seed exchange organized by Ahley Kehl and Jennimae Hillyard. There was great variety:  ground cover plants, fruit trees, tubers, lettuce starts..., a lot to choose from and all free. The exchange took place both outside under a canopy and inside where things that needed to stay dry like seeds and reference books would be protected.

April Events: GMO and the Right to Know; Plant and Seed Exchange; Third Saturday Square Dance and Teaming up with Labor Leaders

Quimper Grange Teams up 
            with Labor Leaders' Mentors and Youth 

Before "Labor Leaders" get to work Jacob and Jo survey the weeds

Jo Yount, Grange Garden manager, and Jacob Talamante,  founder and director of Labor Leaders, survey what needs to be done at the Grange Garden.  Watch for coming photos of what workers from Labor Leaders accomplish in the Grange Garden in one week!

Labor Leaders a non profit organization is teaming up with the Quimper Grange.  Watch our garden bloom this summer with the help of local young adults. Labor Leaders educates young people through good old fashioned hard work.  These days more than ever young people need guidance and direction and Labor Leaders provides mentors that lead through example and are good role models for our youth.  Come support Labor Leaders grand opening April 27^th, 12:00-5:00 at their new location 1531 Sims Rd, (the old Houston motors).  Food and beverages will be provided. See first hand Labor Leaders in action! Cash and tools donations will be greatly appreciated.

For more info about Labor Leaders visit their website: http://laborleadersnw.org/

Anne Marie Schaefer and Grizzle Grazzle for the Third Saturday Square Dance and Social

Caller Anne Marie Schaefer The Third Saturday (April 20th) Quimper Grange Square Dance and Social features Olympia caller Anne Marie Schaeffer with Cobbler (Jesse Partridge and Jay Finkelstein). Partners are not necessary, all dances will be taught; all experience levels are welcome. Dancing starts at 7:30.  Admission is $5.00 for adults, and free for those under 16.   See  ptcommunitydance.com   for more details.

April 13 (Saturday) Plant and Seed Exchange at Quimper Grange, 11-3:00

Bring plants. Take plants. Bring seeds. Take seeds. The second annual plant and seed exchange organized by Ashley Kehl and his partner Jennimae Hillyard will take place at Quimper Grange outdoors under canopies, or in the Grange hall if the weather requires. Ashley says “When my fiancé Jennimae and I got together a few years ago we discovered a mutual excitement for gardening and bartering which has led us down the path of lots of playing in the dirt, seed saving, food preservation and trading with friends.” 

Ashley grew up in a farming family and traveled with his father, Michael Pilarski to many agricultural sustainability and Permaculture festivals and events. His father hosted a plant and seed exchange for many years in Okanagan and was the main source of inspiration for the upcoming plant and seed exchange. 
   There will be many books on hand at the exchange to help answer plant and seed questions and Mountain Spirit Herbals will be providing hot tea. For more information call: Ashley Kehl at 360-821-2092.

Ashley Kehl and Marla Streator

“TAMPERING WITH NATURE AND OUR RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE EATING”, about GMO Salmon

Risks of genetic engineering of salmon will be the main topic of Anne Mosness’ program at Quimper Grange on Monday, April 1st. Anne has spent many years as captain of salmon fishing boats and comes from a commercial fishing family. She is a long time advocate for wild fish, healthy coastal ecosystems and economies. Her background includes representing wild fisheries at the UN Forum for Food Sovereignty, Slow Fish, Slow Food and organizing Blue Festival educational events.
When the genes of unrelated species of fish are combined it is possible to them to grow bigger and faster however there has not been adequate research on human health risks, the environment, or impacts on traditional food producers and businesses. If a GE salmon patent is granted it will open the floodgates for patenting other species of transgenic fish. Several laws and regulations currently being considered are very important and will be discussed at the Grange program.
Anne will talk about the potential for pollution of the gene pool and how open cages have proven incapable of confining farmed fish which could have dire consequences in the in the marine environment. 
In 2006 Quimper Grange authored a resolution in support of labeling genetically engineered organisms that was adopted as Washington State Grange’s policy position. Now, in light of impending legislation Quimper Grange reiterates its support of labeling genetically engineered foods and presents the public with an opportunity to learn about current and urgent genetic engineering issues. Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street (at the N. end of Sheridan). Doors open at 7:00 for socializing (potluck finger foods encouraged). Suggested donation $5-10 Program starts at 7:30 for more information call Marla Streator at 385-6924.
Marla Streator

March Program, " Gardening Near the Salish Sea" Well Attended

Our second program of the year was presented by Marko Colby and Hanako Meyers of Midori Farm and based on their book "Vegetable by Vegetable, a Guide to Gardening Near the Salish Sea".

Here is some of what was discussed: Hybrid seeds (F-1) are mostly corporate controlled and more expensive but also more vigorous; Heirloom seeds which are popularly touted as being ”better” are not always in our climate. There are lots of “bad” heirloom seeds. For example in Port Townsend most heirloom tomatoes need to be grown in a greenhouse the exception being heirloom tomatoes from Russia. “ Glacier” is one of Marko and Hanako’s favorite varieties”; GMO seeds are very rarely if ever sold for home garden use although it is possible that there are low levels of cross contamination that could end up in organic seed.
For those who could not attend the talk Marko and Hanako’s book “Vegetable by Vegetable” covers some of what was discussed and is available at the Coop, and local farmer’s markets. 
Thank you Marko and Hanako!
Marla Streator

March 2013 - Gardening by the Salish Sea; Third Saturday Square Dance and Social

Hanako Meyers and Marko Colby
of Midori Farms

Midori Farmers Present “Vegetable by Vegetable” Gardening Talk

March 4^th Quimper Grange will host a talk by highly regarded organic farmers Marko Colby and Hanako Meyers of Midori Farm. The presentation will be based on their recently published book, “Vegetable by Vegetable, Gardening Near the Salish Sea” and will cover: how to care for your vegetables based on crop families; when to plant; water and fertility; how to choose seeds for your garden; and how to deal with basic pest and disease issues. This information should prepare you to take better care of your garden and help you to get to know and understand how to grow your own food.

Marko and Hanako enjoy the dynamic nature of the vegetable garden and have gained their knowledge from direct experience and from their mothers. Their curiosity and interest have led them not only to grow high quality produce and plant starts on their farm but also to contribute to plant breeding and crop improvement projects in conjunction with the Organic Seed Alliance. Recently they won national recognition for three of their traditionally fermented products in the Good Food Awards. To learn more about Midori Farm visit their website: midori-farm.com.

The program begins at 7:30, at Quimper Grange hall, 1219 Corona St, (end of Sheridan) in Port Townsend and is preceded at 7:00 by a social half hour. Potluck finger-foods appreciated. Suggested donation is $5-$10.  For more information contact Marla Streator 385-6924.

Last Chance String Band and Caller Dave Thielk play for the Third Saturday Square Dance and Social

The Third Saturday Quimper Grange Square Dance on March 16 will be hosted by local caller Dave Thielk.  Live music will be provided by the Last Chance String Band with Gary Pasco, Katya Kirsch, Carol and Hardy and Roger Pick. Dancing starts at 7:30.  Partners are not necessary, all dances will be taught; all experience levels are welcome.  Admission is $5.00 for adults, and free for those under 16.  see ptcommunitydance.com for more details.  

Tree Grafting Expertise Shared at First Program of the Year

Father and son grafting duo, Tim Kubica and son Carter, demonstrated three types of grafts to an attentive audience at the February 4^th program: whip and tongue, side veneer, and bark grafts using apple trees as the example. We learned why to graft, when to graft and the ins and outs of collecting scion wood. Tim makes his own tools because he likes the way they work better than commercially available ones, his favorite grafting knives being altered kitchen knives. Much  “you–had-to be-there” knowledge was imparted, but here are a few of the basics Tim spoke about:

1. The reasons for grafting include: increasing the number of varieties of fruit on a tree; adding a pollinator branch that will aid in getting fruit to set; repairing damage that has been done to a tree; completely changing the variety of fruit produced on a tree; or, to improve tree form, letting in light and air.
2. The best time to collect scion wood is when trees are dormant. There is still time to collect scion from dormant trees now for grafting later onto rootstock when the sap starts running, the ideal time to graft being the four days just after flowering. Tim theorizes that grafting should take place to mimic nature’s process of healing branches after breakage from a winter storm.  The graft being an artificial ”break”.
3. Tim likes to cut long scion (about 2’ long); he advises against using water sprouts; says to select straight, smooth wood showing no sign of disease or insect damage, and without spurs. After scion is cut roll it up in moistened newspaper, place bundle in a plastic bag, label and date, then store in a refrigerator until it is time to graft.
4. During the program Carter cut scion into short pieces about 5”or 6”long, then Tim made grafting cuts, and lined up cambium layers between rootstock and scion, wrapping each graft with special tape made for the purpose. Carter then painted the union with Doc Farwell’s Grafting Seal, dabbing sealant on scion tips so they won’t dry out. 

A special thanks goes out to Judi Stewart who, on short notice, provided us with rootstock for this event and, of course, thanks to Tim and Carter.

February 2013 - Looking Ahead, Grafting Program, and Square Dancing

Grange Members and Guests discuss
2013 and beyond!

“Refining the Dream” Potluck Follow-up... 

A little music, a little food, and a lot of conversation made this past Sunday evening potluck a good way to start the gears turning for a new year at Quimper Grange. Suggestions ranged from examining the feasibility of building a commercial kitchen to bringing together young/beginning farmers with old timers to form mentor relationships, share skills and address succession planning of farm land.

Some novel fundraising ideas were put forth, ranging from organizing a St Patrick’s Day ceili to instituting birthday party fundraisers: you invite friends to celebrate your birthday at Quimper Grange and ask them to make a donation in lieu of presents to support hall maintenance and improvements. Clever. Clever.

To those of you who did not attend the potluck, let it be known, it is never too late to put in your two cents. Let us know what you would be willing to help bring into being: events, educational programs, workshops, hall improvements, you name it.

Tree Grafting Basics for the Home Orchard

Quimper Grange will present a talk by professional tree grafter, Tim Kubica on Feb 4th at 7:30 PM. Tim gained his expertise through apprenticeship and on the job training and for more than ten years has been grafting orchards along the Columbia River, from Oregon to Canada. During the off-season he is a landscaper. The past two years his eleven-year-old son Carter has been working with him and hopefully will be able to help his dad demonstrate grafting technique at the Grange. Those who attend this program can expect to learn how to graft a tree branch onto a new host root system and reasons for doing so. Tim’s aim is to give newbie grafters confidence that they can do this themselves. For this reason the apple tree will be used as an example because it is among the easiest trees to graft. Tim will talk about varieties of apples that are suited to our maritime climate and reasons a home orchardist might want to graft several types of apples on one tree.

The program will be at Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St, Port Townsend. Doors open at 7:00 program starts at 7:30. Suggested donation is $5-$10. Info: Call Marla Streator 385-6924 

The Bristletones Play the Tunes for Caller Amy Carroll

The Bristletones may make your hair stand on end and
your feet run wild!

Seattle caller Amy Carroll will be calling squares on February 16 for the monthly Third Saturday Square Dance and Social.  All ages and experience levels welcome.  This event is a monthly event that is moderately priced ($5.00 for adults; under 16 free).  Amy Carroll has been calling square dances, contra dances and family dances form many years.  She is bringing the Bristletones with her to play old time dance tunes on fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar.  It is not necessary to come as a couple - singles are welcome and encouraged.  Ditto for whole families as this is a child friendly event.  For more information, check out ptcommunitydance.com or email Dave Thielk at edavidt@gmail.com.

January 2013 - Refining the Dream - Quimper Grange Potluck and Other Events

“Refining the Dream”

 The Quimper Grange has a venerable history. The core of this Grange is the charming little building up on Sheridan, known as the community dance hall with a terrific dance floor for tripping the light fantastic. There are monthly Contra and Square dances, Cajun/Zydeco, Tango and Swing and it is available to the community for programs, meetings, parties, and workshops.

But there is more to the Quimper Grange than the hall. The annual potluck coming up January 27 is when we join together to gather up ideas for Grange activities for the coming year.

The Quimper Grange has sponsored numerous programs over the years focused on local and small agriculture: building soil with local inputs; growing food from cane fruit to mushrooms; husbanding animals from fowl to milkers; oiling and sharpening tools; and preserving wildlife habitat.

Quimper Grange members have been actively involved in our local history for several generations. Now we are engaged in developing programs and services with a focus toward the future in and around Port Townsend:  We want to expand offerings for young families, foster new kinds of programs and plan for some remodeling. The community hall has the potential for a commercial kitchen; the garden grows abundant food. The possibilities are endless.

The Grange organization is active in promoting legislation at the state and federal level. Issues such as GMO labeling, local rights vs. corporate privilege, and the fledging concept of a State Banking system have got our attention.  What else?

Come to the potluck supper to share your ideas, wants and needs: workshops, practical information, and fun events. You are invited to become a member of the Quimper Grange. Join with friends and neighbors on January 27 to talk about programs and projects for the coming year.

“Refining the Dream” Potluck on January 27^th, 1219 Corona St. Doors open 5:30, potluck 6:00, dreaming 7:00. Call Marla 385-6924 for more information.

Also - On January 19th, Wild Phil and the Buffalo Gals play for squares, with Laura Me Smith calling. All dances taught. All ages and experience levels welcome. Come with or without a partner. Family friendly. Beginners tutorial at 7:30. Dancing commences at 8:00. Be there, be aware, be square, play fair, and dance, if you dare! Adults $5.00; 16/under free. Dancers encouraged to bring snacks to share. Work trades available if arranged in advanced. For more details, contact Dave T. at 360-385-3308

December 2012 - New Year's Fundraiser Dance and Social

Quimper Grange is hosting a third annual New Year’s Eve event featuring square and contra dancing as a fundraiser to support ongoing hall maintenance and improvements. Quimper Grange is Port Townsend’s premier traditional dance venue and on any given Saturday night there is bound to be a lively dance going on: a square dance, zydeco, contras dance or tango.

All that dancing takes a toll on the old floor so the floor has had to be refinished twice in the past four years. Many other improvements have been made from putting on a new roof this year, to getting a new projection screen, from hanging energy efficient window covers to upgrading the heating system. Some of the improvements are outside of the hall such as the curtain drain installation and the graveling of the parking area. Much has been done but there is still more to do.

This year’s fundraising event will be split between traditional southern square dancing and contra dancing. Any and all proceeds will be used for hall maintenance and improvements.  

From 8:00 to 10:00 Dave Thielk will call squares, circles and mixers.  From 10:00 until Midnight, expert caller, Nan Evans, will call contras. Local bands, Susannah Gals and Rose Street Ramblers will provide the music. This is will be a family friendly event. Potluck snacks are encouraged.

The Rose Street Ramblers

Susannah Gals

Suggested donation is $12.00, however, no one will be turned away at the door and donations of any size are greatly appreciated.  Drop in to check out the venue, or stay and dance the night away.  Doors open at 8 PM.  Quimper Grange is located at 1219 Corona (at the end of Sheridan).  For more information, call Dave Thielk at 360-385-3308.

December 2012 - Holiday Dancing!

Airstream Traveler is ready for travelling!

Two dance events at the Grange this month.  The Third Saturday Square Dance/Social features Airstream Traveler playing hot old time tunes and Carol Piening calling traditional and New England Squares.

Caller Carol Piening

Also, the Grange is holding a Square and Contra Fundraiser Dance extravaganza on New Year's Eve!  Two bands (actually, one and half) with two callers.   From 8:00 to 10:00 Dave Thielk will call squares, circles and mixers.  From 10:00 until Midnight, expert caller, Nan Evans, will call contras.

Susanah Gals, with Becky Evasick, Carol Hardy, Carol Sword, and Lori Bernstein, will play old time tunes for the squares.   The Rose Street Ramblers, again with Becky Evasick on fiddle, will slow things down just a touch for the contra dance sets.

The evening is intended to be family friendly.  Come as a single, a couple, a family, or a tribe, and be ready to dance.  Some holiday treats and beverages will be provided, and dancers are encouraged to bring their own if they are so inclined.

Suggested donation is $12.00, however, NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY AT THE DOOR!  Please dance the night away at the Grange and help us continue to maintain

Third Saturday Quimper Grange Dance features Tony Mates calling and live music by the Onlies. Saturday, November 17, 7:30 to 11:00, at Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street

The November 17 Quimper Grange Square Dance features veteran square dance caller Tony Mates with the Onlies!  Tony Mates has graced the Quimper Grange calling mic numerous times in the past two years, and is a favorite among Port Townsend and Seattle dancers alike. The Onlies return once again (they were here in April of 2011) to play old time dance tunes like they have never been played before.  The Onlies play with a style, drive and determination of bands that are twice their age.   We are very fortunate to be able to schedule these three high school freshmen to play a dance over here at our Grange. 

Jeff County DCD Director Carl Smith Discusses Departmental Improvements, Monday, Nov 5, 7:30pm, Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street

Left: Carl Smith, Right: Jim Coyne, County Bldg Inspector 

On Monday, November 5, Quimper Grange will host a talk by Jefferson County Department of Community Development Director Carl Smith, who will discuss the ongoing improvement program in the Department of Community Development (building & development permits). Smith will address the need for changes in the department with an overview of the DCD including staff, budget and recent years of permitting activity. He will also cover the process, elements and results of the improvement efforts. Attendees will learn how and why DCD is working toward providing improved service, the ways in which DCD will track performance over time and inform the community, and the preliminary signs of the improvement.

Carl Smith’s background includes more than 20 years experience as a land use planner,including more than ten years of senior management experience directing community development departments for local governments in Alaska and Washington State.

He was most recently the Lands Manager for a Native village corporation and also served as Planning Director for Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska. He previously held a management position with the Port of Tacoma, and before that, directed planning and permitting for the cities of Fife, Woodinville, and Mountlake Terrace. Smith holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Planning, a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science, a certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds numerous other professional certifications. Because of his affection for the area, he has owned 5 acres of property in Quilcene since the late 1990s where he built a house in 2006 and now resides.


The program starts at 7:30 pm and is preceded by a potluck dessert/fingerfood social half-hour from 7pm to 7:30pm. Suggested donation: $5-$10. For further information contact: Charlotte Goldman at 385-3455

THE GREENHORNS, a documentary about the New Farming Movement, sponsored by the Washington Young Farmers Coalition, Sunday, November 4, 7PM, at Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona Street

please join us

 The Washington Young Farmers Coalition and Quimper Grange 

will be screening 

The Greenhorns

A documentary about the New Farming Movement in America

Sunday, November 4th at the Quimper Grange in Port Townsend

 The film will begin at approximately 7 PM*and  an informal discussion  will follow

Suggested donation: $5-10

 *light refreshments, snacks, and appetizers will be served at 6:30 PM, so please bring a small pot-luck item to share!