Page 22 RAIN _December 1977 Dear R~in, My husband Karl and I are farmsteaders and educators living in Freedom, Maine. We conduct two programs yearly for kids ages 10-18, both addressed toward the need to expose young Americans to alternatives in 'the use and treatment of our natural resources. We live on the fringe of the modern world-either on our 1SO-acre, one-horse (antiquated) farm or traveling through rural Greece by horsedrawn cart. During yearly two-month sessions in both of the above settings we attempt to come in touch with what is elemental in life. We attempt to expose kids to the basic needs of human beings living in communities and help them develop a flexible and concerned _attitude toward the working of those problems. In that spirit, we have avoided the mechanization of the farm, remained isolated from electricity, use of manu· factured items, etc. Slowly we build out of natural materials, attempting to get the kids to develop a sense of what _methods of accomplishing our tasks are energy efficient; of the appropriateness and inappropriat_eness of various technologies. Our financial resources in this endeavor are limited .to the survival level, an often frustrating process because we do not seem to bring change to our own farm as fast as we would like. We find ourselves waiting for efficient wind generators to be produced or for there to be some comprehensive volume written on the building of small methane generators to be produced for a cold climate. Of late, I have come to see work being done in "appropriate technology" as a beacon of light at the end of a dark tunnel-surely there is hope where there is awareness... . . . . Maine has talked about-but not actually done anything towards allocating funds for those who would carry on experiments with small home energy projects. How to encourage it? Or apply LETJERS for it? We are both good mechanics, physically strong, energetic, responsible and reasonably intelligent. I feel that if there were ,grants we could apply for, the money would be well spent, as in exposing children to these alternatives we are not suggesting that they drop out of society, but rather thrust their energies into the positive forces of change: _ science, politics, education, psychology, anthropology, etc. We are hoping that should our kids come to po,sitions of responsibility and power they will be able to make changes which are truly approp_riate to a world growing more populated and less affluent in its natural resources. Warmly, Christina Olson Grassroots Education Expeditions Freedom, ME 04941 207 /342-5422 Friends, , I have heard of hand-cranked cassettes, phonographs and radios made in Australia and the Orient. Perhaps you have info? Sincerely, Marilyn Neuhauser Craft Center, Guilford College 6410 West Fri~ndly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27410 Anyone? Friends, In.a recent issue of U.S. News and World Report Newsletter I noted your pamphlet, "Consumer Guide to Wood Stoves" (available from RAIN for $1) was recommended. With the market now rapidly becoming gutted with various types and brands, we would appreciate your evaluation of what's available. At present we have a cast iron Ashley that we bought second hand for $150. However, the thermostat doesn't function accurately, and it gets too hot at times. So we are considering the purchase of a new model of some type. Any help you can give will be gratefully received. Sincerely, • Mrs. George T. Stebbins Box 64, RR No. 1 Frazee, MN 56544 We suggest you write to Ashley and buy ' a replacement thermostat. Then, if it still functions imperfectly, sell it. Also, it probably has other problems: Check iffor air leaks and patch them with furnace cement. Put on new gasketing around the doors. There's no point in buying a new one ifyou can fix the old one up.·- LJ Rain, Can anyone turn me on to a book or source where I can learn about natural/ native pi'gments for inks and paints? I like the idea of color of and from a place as a painter, but what knowledge I've scraped together on my own (and also from Ethobotony) is a pretty limited palette. I'm tired and still tiring of paints dependent on the technology of a heavily industrialized, chemically synthetic culture. Thanks, Jeff Jarvis 314 N.W. 46th Seattle, WA 98103 Our good friend Mary Jo Anderson had some answers for this one. If you know of any other sources, please let us and Jeff know. The following references are in Dove'/i Publications, 180 Varick St., New York, NY 10014. Painting Materi- ·als (21597-0) by Gettens and Stout. Painters' Methods of Painting (21868-6) by Laurie. Techniques of Fresco Painting (215 5 0-4) by Hale. Methods and Materials of Painting of the Great Schools of Masters, Vol. 1 and 2 (20718-8), Eastlake.
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