Spring on the Island brings about new improvements, new business ventures and the return of birds and flowers.
Starting with news from Sievers, windows on the south side of the barn in the dormitory have been replaced. This will allow a portable air conditioner to be used in the dorm when necessary. At the same time, the south side of the barn is being prepared for cedar shingles.
We noticed in the Spring 2013 Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot magazine a photo of Mary Sue Fenner’s jacket that won a 2012 Handweavers Guild of America Award at the Wisconsin Handweavers show, Loominosity. Mary Sue is also scheduled to teach a weekend “Basic Handwoven Jacket” class on May 17-18 through Wisconsin Handweavers. Also from WHI, at their meeting tomorrow (May 11), Donna Kallner will present “Color with Willow”.
Jo Campbell-Amsler’s “Willow Gathering 2013” at Luther College in Decorah, IA is set for June 27-July 2. For description and information on classes and this special willow weaving event, go to Jo’s website, www.willowridgebaskets.com and click on “Willow Gathering 2013”. Jo’s willow work is included in the Cole-Ware Collection opening in October at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.
New on the Island and opening for a “sneak peek” today is The Lavender Shop of Fragrant Isle, LLC. Several plots of land on the Island have been and are being prepared this spring for 10,000 lavender plants with the eventual harvest used for bath, body and culinary lavender products.
From their website, http://fragrantisle.com/ : “Visit The Lavender Shop to experience the unique essence of lavender and the magical attraction of lavender based pet, home, food and bath products.” Located within the Historic Island Dairy at the corner of Range Line and Town Line Roads, the shop is both artfully arranged and wonderfully fragrant. (I’m happy to recommend the Earl Grey and Lavender tea that I’m sipping while writing this!)
In the last week, the Town has begun work at Gislason Beach (adjacent to the Sailor’s Pub/Shipyard Island Marina and across from the Red Barn Park). An alternative to the deep water of Schoolhouse Beach, this shallow reclaimed sandy beach was for years the site of youth swimming lessons and offers a child-friendly place to play in the water.
At one of the Island’s oldest continuing businesses, Mann’s Store, new checkout counters with additional automated features have recently been installed.
Outdoors, the birds and flowers are back after a slow start to spring!
Sentinel on Range Line Road.
Daffodils line the path to the Stavkirke.
Trilliums start to open on a typical Island roadside.
One week from today, on May 17th, the Sievers Shop will open and at 2 pm, the first class of the 2013 season, Navajo Rug Weaving with Betty Glynn Carlson will begin in the Sophie Studio. We’re looking forward to a new season!
