NEWSLETTER

December 16, 2008

HOLIDAY EARTH GREETINGS!

I had hoped to send this earlier and prettier, but my word processor has crashed and it has taken me too long to admit it and stop trying my own brand of repairs. Then the email did the same! Hope this is timely.

FIRST of all, there is NO December Meeting on the14th. You have a free day to welcome in the Season.

And MAINLY, and on behalf of your Board, I want to wish you all a very Happy and Sustainable Holiday Season. It has occurred to me that if we need an enduring example of sustainability, you could say that the Christmas portion of these days is a good one. For whether you see it from a secular (or other faith) viewpoint, or with Christian eyes, the selfless giving and receiving of Love is at its core. The more we give away, the more we have to share. Now taking that particular characteristic, what if we treated each other and the Earth and all its inhabitants and resources with the same spirit we like to think we practice—estpcially at this season? Think about it. The nearly universal “Golden Rule” also applies to the whole living environment of our “neighbors.” In Earth Charter terms we call it “Ecological Integrity” and “Respect and Care for the Whole Community of Life.”

In that vein of sharing, may I suggest that our own home towns have plenty of opportunities for our generosity. In East Haddam, consider a gift to the town Youth & Family Services, Toni McCabe, Director—873-3296. Or the town Fuel Bank, c/o Dr. Karl Stofko (the Senior Center on 15 Great Hillwood Road can see that it gets there; 873-5034), or the Food Pantry at the old Middle School (on Tuesdays only), Sophie Soja, Director, 873-9859 (h) or 873-5017, (the pantry—when staffed), or the Clothes Closet adjacent to the Pantry, run by Church on the Move. Even CL&P is providing gift certificates to apply to the account of your choice; call 866-855-8686 for details. Other towns have similar programs that those residents can use to spread the gift of love right here at home.

Important Question: Would anyone have any objections to similar gifts from the Earth Charter budget surplus? Or ideas for such giving? I need an immediate response so we could distribute same within the next few days so recipients can benefit for Christmas. R.S.V.P. – A.S.A.P!

For other gift ideas consider:
Our own Earth Charter Summit T-shirt, organic, sage green, emblazoned with Earth Charter emblem on front, and 10 Sustainable Ideas on the back. Sizes s, m, l, xl, $10 if picked up from me, or $16 if mailed. A great way to gift someone and help ECCoLoV all at once! One man just purchased ten of them for his loved ones!

Mike Harris suggests the health drink, Mona Vie gift packs available for $60: 2 bottles plus a shot glass. This is an $85 value. Call to order or email: ctmonaviegroup@gmail.com

Even some healthy organic food for the Christmas feast for yourselves or others from Deb Marsden’s CT Farm Fresh Express would sure brighten someone's holiday eating. Farm fresh and delicious. Order via her new, simplified process at www.ctfarmfreshstore.com

And for your Holiday Internet Searching, click into goodsearch.com for mega-shopping opportunities that will financially benefit ECCoLoV. When the page comes us, under the bar “Who Do You GoodSearch For?” just write in ECCoLoV, and begin searching. Clicking “Shop Now” will show you a huge number of source businesses, and before that you can also make GoodSearch you prime searcher by clicking where indicated.

Good News for your own stockings: We have just learned that the CL&P House Energy Audits we’ve been hoping would become reasonable have just been funded! Now, instead of a $300 for this $800 + service, we pay only $75 to have your home thoroughly checked and improved for energy efficiency. Drafts of all kinds identified repaired where possible, insulation is checked and help is available to improve it, and energy-efficient light bulbs liberally inserted throughout. This and other benefits too numerous to mention are obtainable ay calling 1-877-947-3873 or at www.CTEnergyInfo.com for an application. DO IT NOW while the funding lasts!!!

Meanwhile, Volunteers are always being sought for various ECCoLoV tasks and roles. For instance, is anyone interested in being on the Board of Director’s backup list? Great fun, good camaraderie, important work! Let me or any other Board member know. Besides me they are: Mike Harris, Martha Hanson, Gordon Cobleigh, Lars Ahlquist

NEXT YEAR: For now, just let’s look ahead to our January 11 meeting at the Grange Hall, East Haddam, when we’ll hear from Heidi Green, President of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, who will speak to us about the much discussed “Smart Growth” process of our state’s and towns’ land development efforts. It’s something we all need to know about to keep our own towns “smart” in their development plans.

Finally! if all the foregoing hasn’t tweaked you interest, paste to your browser: http://www.scribd.com/doc/7403955/guessaaC9En (sent by Lynne Meyer) for a quick and amazing view of why we all have too much ‘stuff!’ And if you weren’t here for our film showing earlier this year, click onto storyofstuff.com for 20 minutes of the most informative and guilt-producing, easily understandable teaching about sustainability you’ve ever seen!

SO, again, our best wishes to you for Peace, Love, and Sharing in this season and upcoming New Year!!

Sustainably yours,

Dick

 Richard A Watson, President
Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley, Inc. (ECCoLoV)
Box 32, 9 Westwood Drive
Moodus, CT 06469
860-873-1251
Email us
Website: http://www.earthcharterct.org

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