Woo hoo! Moving to Conservers. We are doing amazing things through study, conversation, and local action!
As I made my list of topics to cover in the upcoming newsletter, I was stunned by what we have going on! So many of you are bringing zero-waste suggestions to other groups. Many of you are modeling the behavior and aiding the group as they move to a zero-waste practice.
Thank you.
I wish I could share the joy I receive in emails and on phone conversations when guiding someone in our community who wants to incorporate zero-waste practices in their lives.
I remember the smile on a friend’s face as she told me she had gone to Spice it To a Tea with her own tea jar and eliminated tea boxes, wrappers, and bags from life. She composts the tea leaves and now has a waste-free cup of tea. She said it was a little thing but it felt good.
Exactly. But it is not a little thing. It is changing our community one cup of tea at a time, one relationship at a time, one conversation at a time.
Moving to Conservers has been gathering for zero-waste events for over two years. It has changed my way of thinking. Our home went from bags of trash to having 1 or 2 a year. It isn’t hard. It is fun. It is different. It has built a community of relationships. Some of my fondest memories of this past year are of watching volunteers wash dishes in a makeshift wash line at Rise and Shine’s zero-waste fundraiser. It was a lot of work and we had a blast. It is a fantastic memory that always makes me smile and warms my heart.
Moving a 200 plate dinner to zero-waste was a lot of work. Transporting that much dishware is labor-intensive. It was worth it. The beauty of seeing our neighbor’s good china set, anticipating being part of a celebration, was divine. Other table settings were informal and fantastic.
What if…everyone brought their own instead of one person providing 200? Something to think about. Can we give that gift to those in our community who organize events? Can we reduce the burden on the amount of our expense and garbage they need to wrestle with in order to entertain us and include us? Can we “own” our impact and make it a kinder and gentler one?
When Moving to Conservers gather for potlucks, each person brings their own non-disposable place setting. I realized recently the comfort I feel when I sit down at a table and see familiar place settings. It has worked well for us for years now. Interested in moving in that direction? Start by carrying your own napkin. We thought it would be fun to have a community napkin making party so we are having one. Please join us.
Cup and Saucer and Moving to Conservers are hosting
Maker Space for a Napkin Party
When: November 14th, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Where: Cup and Saucer
What: A napkin making party and a potluck. Please bring a covered dish to share and your own non-disposable place setting. Have a sewing machine and expertise? We could use that too. The material will be provided but feel free to bring your own. If you have a sewing machine or any sewing experience, please email Gail Kinard at gailrkinard@gmail.
Let’s hang out in the coffee shop for a while, enjoy a delicious potluck and wonderful coffee and create napkins. I am hoping some folks good a sewing help so that I can learn from them.
