March 2014, "Gardening With Less Water" Tinker Cavallaro, Gabe Strand calls March Square Dance, More Classes Dances and Community Events, GMO labeling Safeway Washpirg, GMO contamination, Washington State Grange Leadership Conference.


This blog is updated once a month. 

1. March 3rd, "Gardening With less Water" Tinker Cavallaro
2. March 15th, Square Dance and photos from last dance
3. More Dances, Classes and Community Events at Quimper Grange
4. GMO Issues: A Continuing Quimper Grange Concern
5.Washington State Grange Leadership Conference


March 3rd, 7:30
Gardening With Less Water 
Local gardening expert Tinker Cavallaro will give a talk on how to reduce water usage in the garden: how to create more water storage in the soil, which crops can thrive with less water, mulching techniques, plant spacing to increase water retention in the soil, and irrigation systems that conserve water.
Tinker has over 30 years of local gardening experience, from managing the Abundant Life Seed Foundation Garden to her current work managing the Rosewind Community Garden. She apprenticed at a bio-dynamic educational garden in California during one of their worst droughts and was involved in the Dryland Farming Project in Port Townsend. She says gardeners will be surprised at the improvement in flavor and storage qualities of crops grown with less water.

We live in an area with low rainfall and have a water system that depends on snowpack in the Olympics where our water supply originates, but we can’t always depend on rainfall to come at a time that also brings snow in the Olympics. This program will help people become aware of their water usage and learn to use only what is necessary.

Doors open at 7:00 Program starts at 7:30. Suggested donation $5-$10 helps maintain and improve the Quimper Grange hall.


MARCH 15TH SQARE DANCE
The North meets South Ramblers are playing traditional tunes for
square dance caller Gabe Strand on March 15 at Quimper Grange. Gabe Strand hails from Seattle and has been a key player in the traditional music and dance revival in the northwest. This will be Gabe's third visit to Quimper Grange. Gabe has experience with
Caller Gabe Strand
dancers of all ages and experience levels.

The North meets South Ramblers hail from Haines, AK, San Diego, CA, and places in between. They play southern Appalachian square dance tunes; instrumentation includes fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass.

Dancing starts at 7:30. All dances taught, experience is not
necessary, all ages appreciated, and family friendly. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and snacks to share with other dancers. 1219 Corona, Port Townsend. Adults $5.00; 16 and under free. For more information see www.ptcommunitydance.com or call Dave Thielk at 360-385-3308.

Photos from last dance :



MORE CLASSES, DANCES AND COMMUNITY EVENTS AT QUIMPER GRANGE 
To find out about them click on "Calendar of Events" at the top of the page.  Click on the event for details.

GMO ISSUES: A CONTINUING QUIMPER GRANGE CONCERN
Quimper Grange has voted to support the consumer advocacy group, Washpirg in its effort to convince Safeway CEO Robert Edwards to commit to labeling GMO ingredients on all Safeway-brand products. Washpirg’s partnering mutual fund—Green Century Funds—filed a shareholder resolution in time for Safeway’s annual shareholders’ meeting in May.
If you would like to join us in supporting Washpirg’s campaign the link to sign the online petition is:
https://secure3.convio.net/engage/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=9977

Besides labeling, another important GMO issue is responsibility for GMO contamination of organic farms and farms that grow non-GE (genetically engineered) crops. If you want to weigh in on this issue do so before March 4th. http://blog.seedalliance.org/2014/02/12/whos-responsible-for-gmo-contamination/


STATE GRANGE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Potluck at leadership conference
About 33 people from the Olympic Peninsula and beyond attended the Washington State Grange Leadership Conference at Chimacum Grange on February 1st President Marla Streator represented Quimper Grange. There was a potluck followed by a talk by State Grange President, Duane Hamp, and presentations by State Grange department and committee chairs. It was gratifying to find out that Quimper Grange is already doing much of what was suggested in the way of programs, from educating people about GMO issues to fire safety. As suggested we also donate a lot of produce to our local food bank.