Wellspring in Bloom....
Magnolia blossoms are a bold magenta against the blue Spring sky, the Navarro River is running full, and Wellspring welcomes a new season of guests, programs, and visions in this 30th anniversary year. . . 
Read on to get news of the land and extended Wellspring community, and join us for the seasonal return of longer days, gatherings of friends and families, fresh organic vegetables from the garden, and the continual emergence of connections with spirit, community, and the earth!
From the President of the Board -
I am pleased to share that Wellspring leadership has begun a strategic planning process for the revitalization of Wellspring, with the intent of creating an ever more vibrant community engaged with our mission. We are tremendously excited to undertake this renewal of our organization, and feel inspired to be reconnecting with and expanding our community. It is for these reasons that I am both deeply honored and profoundly proud to take on my new leadership role, and work with the extraordinary and dedicated members of our Board, management and staff.
A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing board member, Tom Meyskens, for all his work to find ways to make the Wellspring facilities more sustainable. Tom, we will miss your thoughtful insights, thorough research and poem recitals! Rev. Mike Turgeon also leaves our Board this April. Mike, we have treasured your expertise as a board member, your conscientious approach to all our work, and your dedicated presence on the personnel team more than words can say. We will miss you both!
A big welcome to David Hatton, who joined our board last fall, as well as his team members, wife, Yvette and baby Beatrix. David works at PG&E in San Francisco, and brings experience in strategic planning, finance and an interest in marketing to Wellspring.
I invite you to come share in this wonderful time at Wellspring as soon as possible! We have an exceptional line-up of programs this season. Our 30th anniversary is coming up this June - a time to remember how Wellspring has already enriched our lives, think about how we can all contribute now, and keep building the foundation that will take us through the next 30 years.
Sincerely,
Jenny Long
People and Land ... "The Work that Reconnects"
by Rev. Laurie Adams, Programming & Outreach
"When I went down to the river,
I had never in my life seen so
many different stones. I wasn't
sure - 'should I take one, or leave
them there?' When I picked one
up, it was like I could hear this
stone's connection to all of
history. I couldn't believe
I was thinking like that, but I
kept that stone, and not it goes
everywhere with me, reminding
me of that moment and
realizing all those connections."
- Aries, life-long New York City
resident and first-time
Wellspring guest with "The
Work that Reconnects."
On Martin Luther King Memorial Day weekend a gathering of young people organized by Joanna Macy and Generation Waking Up, and representing organizations working on issues from climate change to anti-racism, came to Wellspring to learn Macy’s teachings, which she calls “The Work that Reconnects” -principles and practices that remind us of ourprofound connection with all beings, with the ancestors and futurechildren, and that will support us to create a life-sustaining society.
“The Work That Reconnects” is grounded in Macy’s study of systems theory, Buddhist wisdom and a life-time of experience as an activist. These practices help us remember the power we have through connection and honor our gratitude as well as our pain for the world so we can keep our hearts open to love and courage in this time. Core to the teaching is the knowing that what Macy and others call “The Great Turning” to a life-sustaining society, will depend on all of us - spiritual teachers, activists, farmers and city planners, musicians and business owners.
As a Wellspring staff member and facilitator of “The Work that Reconnects”, I am inspired by how many of the guests who come to Wellspring – from young families to elders, Sufis to Christians, youth choirs to silent contemplatives – are doing work deeply connected to “The Great Turning”; I imagine the invisible web of vision and passion that runs through you, is strengthened by the trees, open sky and Navarro river of Wellspring, and then runs back out to the cities and coast, to our schools and businesses and homes.
Wellspring Mission
TO PROVIDE A SACRED SPACE IN A UNIQUE SETTING FOR
RENEWAL OF THE SPIRIT AND
FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY OF THE EARTH
Volunteers Needed!
Want an inexpensive getaway?
Need work-study or community service credit for school? Want to help Wellspring?
Come volunteer on your own or with a small group and stay for free!
Garden and Nature Nook
by Scott Rosko, Gardener
Around Wellspring: The Plum, Choke Cherry, Almond, Peach, Manzanita, Flowering Quince, and Ornamental Pear trees are all near full bloom. The meadows are a bright green sea of surging grasses and the powerful, emerald green waters of the Navarro River have once again welcomed the arrival of the steelhead.
In the forests, the first flowers to appear are those of Fetid Adders Tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii) and California Sweetgrass (hierochloe occidentalis), soon to be followed by our treasured Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa) Lantern (calochortus albus), Fawn Lily (Erythronium albidum), and many others.
Garden Chores: I pruned most of the fruit trees, grape vines, roses in and around the garden. I wait on the Cherry trees until they have pushed out leaves. If you haven’t gotten to them yet, don’t worry, you’re never too late. You can lose opportunities to create the structure you want if you put it off a year; I found this to be true last year after I didn’t prune our big standard apple trees last winter – a mistake, plain and simple. Now is also a great time to plant strawberries, asparagus crown, rhubarb, berries, as well as sharpen, clean and prepare tools for another season of use. Order seed, sleep in late, write poetry, share a walk in the garden with someone close, and, of course, pull or hoe weeds.
Late winter seeding is always a joy as long as chickens, dogs, birds and slugs don’t have it out for you. Our snow peas sprouted up a few inches under the row cover (the birds here get them otherwise). My first seeding of carrots has already come up and I’m already awaiting those sweet juicy crunchy treats of spring. The broccoli, kale, chard, onions, parsley, cilantro and first lettuce seeds have recently sprouted happily in the greenhouse and await transplanting when I get back from vacation in Hawaii! Get out, get dirty, get grounded!
... In Community
Welcome...
To Lupita Guerrero, who blesses us with her competence and gracious presence as our Administrative Assistant. After receiving her B.A in Sociology and Spanish from St. Mary’s College last year, she has returned home to the Anderson Valley to teach Spanish, help with the youth leadership class and translation at Anderson Valley High School while she discerns her direction for graduate school. Lupita spent several summers working at Highland Ranch and we are lucky to have such a great new team member with experience to welcome and support our guests and retreat leaders!
And Gratitude...
For Kristen Walker, who after six years of thoughtful, diligent work and caring presence at Wellspring, leaves her staff position to dedicate more time to her calling as a yoga teacher-instructor. Kristen continues to teach weekly yoga classes at Wellspring as well as 2-3 yoga workshops throughout the year. Keep an eye out for her Yoga in Balance retreats! Best of luck to you, Kristen!
2010 Wish List items:
Dish towels..... new or used!; Cloth napkins;
Large stainless, heavy bottom stock pot + lid;
Bread pans; large Pyrex baking dishes;
Canning racks for glass jar canning;
Silverware: knives, forks and spoons;
Flatware: knives, steak knives, forks, spoons;
Serving Utensils; plastic storage containers.
• • • • • • • •
Summer at Wellspring....
a chance to slow down, listen to the inner life,
take a break for a private retreat in the redwoods,
and enjoy a yoga class or silent meditation.
In Memoriam...
"Oscar" beloved Wellspring dog passed on January 5, 2010.
He was about 13 years old and developed inoperable cancerous tumor in December. He went quickly and peacefully with Kristen, Terry, Ismael and Blake at his side. One of 4 puppies seemingly abandoned in the bushes down by the river, Oscar was adopted by Terry and Ismael and quickly became a treasured fixture of Wellspring. He had a unique heart shaped mark on his side that seemed to outwardly project his incredible capacity to love us and let us love him…from the minute I saw this puppy with the heart on his side I knew he was meant to be at Wellspring….he knew it too. In his older years, he chose to live with Kristen in the garden cabin and then moved off site with her in the fall of 2008…but he would joyfully come to work and hang at Wellspring three days a week. Most retreat guests will always remember him as the swimming hole dog…he spent hours and hours watching the fish and loved to catch pebbles and play with Wellspring visitors. He was a great, well-behaved dog and I believe had a truly wonderful life….we miss him. He was laid to rest overlooking the swimming hole and we are encouraging his Wellspring friends to place heart shaped rocks on his grave as a memorial. In loving memory….
Terry McMillan, Executive Director
Just Around the Corner ...
August 1 - 8, 2010
Art and Music Week!
Spend a week with professional artists doing watercolor, mixed media 
projects, pottery, poetry, singing, drumming... re-discovering the natural world. The swimming hole is perfect, the people are fun and the meals are delicious! Classes offered for all ages over 5 years. Beginners of all ages are very welcome!
Lodges/improved: $750 adults, $430 kids
Rustic Cabins: $675 adults, $420 kids
Tent Cabins: $540 adults, $345 kids
Camping: $495 adults, $335 kids
Commuters: $425 adults, $295 kids
**Single occupancy an additional $16.50/day
Kid’s prices are for 4-17 years old
*Commuter includes lunch and snack everyday, two add'l meals of your choice, materials and instruction
Also...we offer a discount for couples or family members sharing a bed. 1st person pays full price; 2nd person pays 50% less for accommodation.
September 16 or 17 - 19, 2010
Harvest Weekend!
Enjoy the Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show and get your hands in the good Wellspring dirt as we harvest the summer's bounty, make home-made crafts and celebrate the season with music and community!
Come early! Thursday night is Fair "entry" night. Join the festivities as we prepare Wellspring's prize-winning entries! Enjoy special Friday Free Kids' Day (12 and under) at the Fair, and help prepare for the Sunday Parade!
Thursday:
Add just $50 (adult) or $30 (youth) for dinner, lodging and Fri. breakfast
Friday - Sunday (lodging, meals, program):
Lodges/Improved: $240 adults; youth $120
Rustic Cabins: $219 adults; youth $120
Camping: $160 adults; youth $120
Communters: $85 adults; youth $35
2010 Wellspring Sponsored Programs....
& Partnership Retreats open to the public
-Visit the Events page for program registration, more information, additional offerings and programming updates-
May 21-23 Hum Drum: A Singing and Drumming workshop
-renewing the spirit, regenerating
community, relinquishing fear and shouting out with
drumming and singing.
Lead by Terry Garthwaite and Barbara Borden.
Program information: terrygarthwaite@sbcglobal.net
Jun 11-13 Wellspring's 30th Anniversary Celebrations!
Come help us celebrate Wellspring
past, present, and future... with workshops, music,
great food, and hoopla!
See information below.
July 25-30 Buddhist and Christian Meditation: Living and Breathing on a Common Path
a Silent Retreat. Contact Pacific Center for
Spiritual Formation, Susan: 650-969-3452
somurphy@earthlink.net
Aug 1-8 23rd Annual Art and Music Camp
-a cherished retreat for participants of all ages
to explore painting, mixed media, self-discovery
through art, pottery, singing,
drumming and more!
Aug 27-29 Yoga In Balance
-contact Kristen Walker: kwyogabalance@yahoo.com
Sep 10-12 Mendocino Women's Retreat
-contact Wellspring for more information.
Sep 17-19 Wellspring Annual Harvest Weekend!
Enjoy the Mendocino County Fair and get your
hands in the good Wellspring dirt as we harvest
the Summer's bounty, make home-made
crafts, and celebrate the season with music and
community.
Returning to Our Roots - has changed!
-Instead of a week-long camp, nature-based discovery and play will be integrated into Art and Music Camp this year. Returning to our Roots program material can also be available for other retreats and workshops.
Call our office at 707-895-3893 or email wellsprg@pacific.net for more information,
or visit the Events page for details as they become available.
WELLSPRING FOUNDERS
Todd & Marge Evans
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jenny Long, Tim Boeve, Daphne Macneil, Benna Kolinsky,
Linda Mollenhauer-Meyskens, David Hatton, Todd Evans
STAFF
Pilar Duran, Cook
Lilia Jimenez, Housekeeper/Cook
Scott Rosko, Gardener
Lupita Guerrero, Administrative Assistant
Ismael Sanchez, Facilities Manager
Rev. Laurie Adams, Director Programming &Outreach
Terry McMillan, Managing Director