Stelle Earth Day Open House

Sunday - May 6, 2007

10 A.M. - 2 P.M.

With Afternoon Permaculture Seminar
2 P.M. - 4 P.M.

One of Stelle's most popular events of the year, our Earth Day Celebration is an opportunity for visitors to get an idea of what it is like for those of us living here. You will have the opportunity to learn of the different aspects of sustainability we have pursued over the years. Upon arrival, guests will be given a community map (with highlighted points of interest) along with a schedule of events. Feel free to just wander around the community on your own, or if you prefer, join one of the tours.

There is no entrance fee for the day nor is there a fee for the tours. We are offering an introduction to permaculture seminar following the open house this year for a modest fee.

We hope you can join us for the entire day!

Featured Events:

Wilkerson Home

1 Hour Community Guided Tour –
Beginning at 10:30 , 11:30 & 12:30
Our guided tours begin at the Stelle Community Center with a short introductory talk about Stelle before heading out around town. The first stop will be at Stelle's newest eco-friendly home (the Wilkerson's) followed with a walk by the solar powered Stelle Telephone Company.

 

Haeme Strawbale Home

Strawbale Home Open House 10 A.M – 2 P.M.
All visitors will receive a map describing how to get to Jon and June Haeme's strawbale home (3.6 miles from Stelle). Walk through their home and learn how they built it and why. Jon will also discuss his solar and wind applications which help reduce his electric bills to around $20 per month in the summer time and $60 to $80 per month in the winter using electric baseboard heaters. That includes both the house and Jon's workshop. Click here for an article on construction of their strawbale home - the first in Illinois.

 

Hayride Garden Tour

 

Hayride Tour of Gardens, Pond and Orchard – 12:00 , 1:00 and 2:00
Take a short hayrack ride to our community gardens and orchard for a quick look at how we raise some of our organic vegetables and fruits. Sample fresh asparagus or rhubarb. Learn about the Ruth Stout method of mulching to minimize labor and watering.

 

 

Steve and Jan Bell's home with solar panels and windmill.
(click on photo to enlarge)

Steve and Jan Bell Home Open House 10 A.M – 2 P.M.
Steve is one of the top residential and commercial PV and wind system design engineers in the US today and walks down the street daily to his work at Sunwize Technologies. Steve will be available to talk with visitors about his home and some of the more technical aspects of solar and wind technology. (Click here to view a Home Power article on Steve and Jan's home.)

 

 

 

Mark Giving a
Permaculture Tour

Permaculture Seminar – 2:00 to 4:00
Mark Hoffman will provide a general overview of permaculture and how it could revolutionize the way we view agriculture by focusing on how we integrate ourselves into the ecosystem in which we live. Mark will give a tour of his yard where he and his wife Guia have built permaculture principles into their organic gardening system. Click here to see some examples of permaculture application in the yard at their Bed and Breakfast. This two hour introduction will provide many examples of how you can apply permaculture to your own garden and yard.
Cost $25 per person.
Note: This presentation will be held at the Greenhouse Bed and Breakfast which is located 2 miles directly south of Stelle (click here for directions to the B&B).

Other Planned Activities:
•  Several Yard/Recycling Sales
•  Fun, earth friendly crafts for children
•  Plant sales
•  Herb based bath salts, lotions, etc available from
    The Herb Basket
•  Organically prepared lunch, snacks, & beverages     at the Community Center

 

Click Here for Directions and Maps to Stelle

VISIT THE STELLE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR 

LUNCH  ·  SNACKS ·  BEVERAGES

(Activities Subject to change without notice. Thanks!)