November Green Drinks: Meet Janine Gibson from the Green Party

Twenty of us had a stimulating, enjoyable evening with Janine Gibson, Green Party candidate in the Provencher bi-election.  It was good to sense Janine's passion for life, which includes us humans, the environment and democracy. We learned that the Green Party is not a one issue party, and that it has well thought out positions on the issues facing Canada today.

An unanticipated end to the meeting was a decision to have an election night party. Gary Martens invites us to his home at 26025 Hanover Road, right in Kleefeld. That's November 25 at 8:00pm. 

AGM Highlights from the September Meeting

SETI had its AGM in September. Why are we hearing about that in November [you may ask]?! Well, mostly because of commitments to “putting up the harvest.” But that's done now, and we are moving into winter mode. Highlights of the meeting are attached.

At the AGM we brainstormed ideas on how SETI can continue to make a difference in the Southeast. Remember please that SETI is only as strong as the commitment of concerned people to exert themselves to make a difference. Below is a list of places you could plug in this winter. Or you have a vision we do not list. Check out your available energy and passion, and see how you can strengthen our ability to make a difference in this community.

• Write an article for Rethinking Lifestyle

• Assist in the planning of events and workshops
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of a presentation to Steinbach City Council and the Municipal Councils of Southeastern Manitoba

• Promoting the consumption and sale of locally produced food
• Planning and preparing a display for Summer in the City and/or the Niverville Fair
• Some Transition Groups have collected pledges to encourage people to live more sustainably, we would like to try that.
• Help to organize and build an environmentally responsible home in this area.

If any of this catches your interest, explore it further by emailing eric@southeasttransition.com.

New SETI Membership List

At the AGM a significant decision was that we want to build a membership list. We agreed that the membership fee will be $20. Workshop fees for members: $5.00, non-members: $10.00. Event fees for members: $2.00, non-members  $5.00. David Dawson will give leadership to the implementation of this decision. Attached is a letter from our new “Membership Secretary”.

Movie Night: We The Tiny House People

This is a journey into the tiny homes of people searching for simplicity, self-sufficiency, minimalism and happiness by creating shelter in caves, converted garages, trailers, tool sheds, river boats and former pigeon coops.

 

During a five year period, Kirsten Dirksen made a documentary about people living in tiny houses.

 

Come watch and hear testimonies that proves again that we can live happily with less. Way less. Sharing time and mint tea (maybe cake) will follow. Cheers!

To watch the trailer click here.

 

Where: Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale St., Steinbach

 

When: Oct. 23rd at 6:30pm until 9pm

 

Contact person: Gabe at gjrgagne@yahoo.ca or 204-346-9615

Upcoming Fall Workshops!!!

Jelly Making Workshop

Make your own delicious jelly from wild plums and chokecherries.  David Dawson will take us through the steps and with help from attendees make two kinds of jelly.  He will show how to test for pectin and whether extra pectin is necessary.  It is still not too late to pick a pail of chokecherries for your own jelly, but freeze them until after the demo.

When: Thursday October 17, 2013 at 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Where: Steinbach Arts Council, 304 2nd St, Steinbach
Cost: $5 per person

Raising Rabbits

Come to this workshop to learn about how to raise rabbits for meat. Rabbits are a wonderful addition to any hobby farm, they are a quiet, hardy animal that reproduce easily and grow quickly. The meat is tasty, tender and higher in protein than chicken. Rebecca Hiebert will tell us how raising rabbits has worked for her family.

When: Tuesday October 29, 2013 at 7pm-9pm.
Where: Jake Epp Library, Steinbach
Cost: $5 per person

Raising Goats

Jason Rempel has been raising cashmere goats for a number of years. Join us as he educates us on how to feed, house and care for goats. Chevron or goat meat, is an excellent food source that is extremely popular in other parts of the world. Goats are wonderful animals for a hobby farm, they are small, birth multiples, and eat what other animals don't want. As a bonus cashmere goats have a extremely soft, warm coat that can be spun into luxurious yarn.

When:  Monday November 18, 2013 at 7pm-9pm.
Where: Jake Epp Library, Steinbach
Cost: $5 per person

Please register in advance for these workshops by calling 204-326-3919 or emailing rebecca_hiebert@yahoo.com. THANKS!