Blue Deer Celebrates 10 years of you!

For 10 years, you have provided programs to visitors from all over world including as far away as Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Guam, Greece, Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Nigeria, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. With your continued support, our programs are helping them create better relationships with the natural world around them. They are making connections with the sacred land, water and spirit.

For 10 years, Blue Deer Center doors have been open to people everywhere to come connect and renew their spirit. You have provided them a space. You have provided them a teacher. You have provided them a healer. You have provide them what they need to learn, grow and connect.  

For 10 years, Blue Deer has been open and you did it! Through your donations, people have visited, stayed, returned and left feeling the changes within themselves. Blue Deer celebrates you.  You have created a beautiful home for Ancient Wisdom. You honor and protect these ancient teachings with your continued support.

Join us in celebration of our 10 year milestone by continuing your commitment now and into the future.

Please share a short story or remembrance of your time at Blue Deer in the comment section of this blog. Blue Deer is truly blessed by your connection and relationship with us.

A Day of Connection

Blue Deer Center News

A Day of Connection

Blue Deer Center hosted our first Open House of 2015 on May 30th, welcoming more than 65 guests, of which approximately 40 were first-time visitors. This opportunity to share information about our programs and partnerships was a lot of fun and rewarding—new friends were made, several people registered for upcoming programs on-the-spot and even a generous donation was received—all before the day was through. The weather was splendid and the rain held out until after all the events had concluded.

Click this link to view video!

Open House at Blue Deer Center

Blue Deer Center Welcomes Our New Communications Director, Mace Fleeger

Indirectly my involvement with Blue Deer Center began several years ago at a large gathering when I bashfully introduced myself as a lowly magazine designer and within a matter of days, found myself up to my elbows in articles and layouts as I stepped into the role of art director for Sacred Fire Magazine. Blue Deer Center appeared regularly in the magazine and over the years I became familiar with it’s programs and always admired the accomplishments of everyone involved. Eventually, I visited Blue Deer Center as a participant in one of Eliot Cowan’s five-day Healing Camps and like so many others fell in love with the Center, it’s mission and surroundings. I returned, if not as often as I wished, certainly as often as I could. 

Last year I had the pleasure of organizing and supporting a couple events in Colorado with Eliot Cowan. When my work was done and I was saying my goodbyes, Eliot presented me with a gift and a gracious thank you note in which he wrote, “Please accept this gift from The Ancestors you’ve served so well.” With those words he had given me a gentle clue that has opened my eyes to the beauty and richness to be found in honoring and supporting this ancestral wisdom we love so much. Following this clue led me to join a small group organizing various celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the book Plant Spirit Medicine, which gave me an opportunity to collaborate with the folks at Blue Deer Center. 

One morning a couple months ago I found myself daydreaming about an ambitious project that might help the Blue Deer Center spread it’s message. As the scope of this imaginary (and frankly ludicrous) strategy ballooned in every direction, I raced back to reality wondering what had gotten into me—the last thing I was looking for on that particular morning was more work. Two hours later I got a call from Blue Deer Center Executive Director, Mark Gionfriddo asking me to consider taking the role of Communications Director. I was humbled by his offer and although I said I would like to think about it, I knew my answer would be yes. 

I feel very privileged to be entrusted with the important task of helping Blue Deer Center share it’s message, mission and gifts. Over the years my life has been enriched by the support, guidance, and friendship of many people associated with the center and I hope to honor their generosity with the work I do.

I will be visiting the Center to begin the process of orienting myself to this new role and I look forward to meeting team members and learning about all the great work everyone has been doing. 

Mace Fleeger
Communications Director
Blue Deer Center

A Visit to Tepoztlan, Mexico

I recently had the privileged to travel to Tepoztlan, Mexico for the weddings of Eliot Cowan and Victoria Reeves and David Wiley and Sherry Boatright. It was beautiful! Here are a few pictures of the weddings and the beautiful village of Tepoztlan. A wonderful time was had by all.

Victoria and Eliot

David and Sherry

At the reception, Eliot and Victoria. Simply Beautiful and Happy!

My good friend Julie at the reception.

View of the Tepoztlan from up on the hill.

 I can not express what a wonderful trip this was. I am blessed because Blue Deer has given me a very large extended family! It is a fabulous feeling to be apart of this community of loving, caring people.

Kate, Donna, K'Anna- the best friends to travel with.

Thank you to the many people who made my trip very special including these lovely ladies for helping me get there safely and who helped me find my way home. I really did not want to leave!
So many of Blue Deer's community were there celebrating this wonderful event. I can't wait for them to come and visit Blue Deer this year!

Blue Deer staff goes to Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce Dinner.

This past week, members of Blue Deer staff attended the annual Central Catskill Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) Dinner and awards. The awards dinner was held at the Hannah Country Inn and Golf Resort in Margaretville, NY.

Jenn Schuman, CCCC Vice President; Glen Pedersen, CCCC President; Carol O'Beirne, Executive Director of CCCC

.

In attendance were Mark Gionfriddo, K'Anna Burton, Liz Warren, Liza Belle, Maggie Freier, Jenn & David Schuman. It was a great night for all who attended. Mark Gionfriddo won the raffle for a Crab Apple tree which was donated to the Village of Margaretville and will be planted in the village park behind the Freshtown building.  Many local area businesses were honored including Executive Director of the Central Catskills Chamber, Carol O'Beirne for her many years of dedicated service to the local area.

Liz, Liza, and K'anna

Blue Deer Center is represented on the board of the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce by Mark Gionfriddo, board member and Jenn Schuman, Vice President of the Chamber board. Just one of the many ways Blue Deer is reaching out to the local community.

New Steps outside the Kitchen!

Our Handyman Nick has repaired the steps outside the back kitchen door as well as cleared out some brush around the main building. It is so much safer and looks great. All this was repaired by using materials that were found on the land. It looks great!

You are invited to OPEN HOUSE!

Blue Deer Center to host Open House

 May 30^th, 2015

Margaretville, New York, May 30th, 2015 – The Blue Deer Center will be hosting an Open House for visitors of all ages and backgrounds on May 30^th from 10am-5pm. This is an opportunity to visit the Blue Deer Center and find out about our mission, our programs, our sister organizations and enjoy the land. This all-day event will feature the music of “Spirit of Thunderheart” Native American Drummers; book signing with Eliot Cowan, author of Plant Spirit Medicine; indigenous art from the Huichols of Sierra Madres in Mexico will be for sale; tours of the land and facilities, food and more. You will have the opportunity to speak with Shamans around the fire, have one-on-one talks and engage in group discussions with people of ancestral ways. You will be able to participate in a river ceremony. This day of celebration, ceremony and sharing is a perfect time to visit the Blue Deer Center.

The Day will begin at 10 am with coffee and tea social hour followed by opening talk around the fire at 11. 11:30 all present will be invited to join in the river ceremony where you can walk to the river and give thanks. At noon, listen to the ancestral sounds of Thunderheart Drummers and enjoy some lunch. At 1 pm, Eliot Cowan, author of the seminal book, Plant Spirit Medicine, will be featured and lead a participatory demonstration around the fire about the living world. Thunderheart will return for more music in the afternoon and there will be plenty of time to mingle, meet new friends and reconnect with old. We will end our day at 5 pm around the fire with a few words.

 

You can also visit with representatives from the Sacred Fire Foundation, Plant Spirit Medicine Association, Sacred Fire Community Organization and local Fire keepers.

The Sacred Fire Foundation (SFF) is a charitable organization, supporting initiatives that preserve and promote Ancient Wisdom traditions—and their perspectives—to insure their continuance for our children and future generations. The world's Ancient Wisdom traditions are being threatened, and a key focus of our work is in supporting relationships with them and between them. Through events and media, the Foundation seeks to bring a greater awareness and understanding to our modern culture of the irreplaceable benefit that Ancient Wisdom provides the people of the world. Key initiatives include: Ancient Wisdom Rising to be held at Blue Deer Center August 2015, grant making programs, wisdom fellowship ward and the Sacred Fire Press.

Plant Spirit Medicine Association representative & healers will also be available to talk about their organization, medicine and healers. The Mission of the Plant Spirit Medicine Association is to support, preserve and strengthen the practices of Plant Spirit Medicine (PSM) as recognized by the Temple of Sacred Fire Healing (TSFH).

Mark May 30^th on your Calendar for a day of exploration, fun, music, food, art and new friends at Blue Deer, 1155 County Route 6, Margaretville, NY 12455.  For more information about this and other programs at the Blue Deer Center, please contact K’Anna Burton at 845-586-3225 ext 305 or email at Kannaburton@bluedeer.org .

Blue Deer Center

1155 County Route 6

Margaretville, NY 12455

Contact Information

K’Anna Burton

kannaburton@bluedeer.org

Blue Deer Center

http://www.bluedeer.org

845-586-3225 ext. 305

It’s a Family Affair: Plant Spirit Medicine Comes to San Rafael

Back on April third people began to arrive around 7pm. They quickly filled the seats we had arranged in the ornately adorned meeting room at Open Secret Bookstore in San Rafael, California. We set out more chairs and these were filled. Soon no more seats would fit in the space and people watched and listened from the adjoining hallway. I was very happy to see several old friends, all students of Eliot’s, had come. I was also beside myself with feelings of good fortune—My Mom and Dad who had been helping me organize and publicize this event for several days had come. Also my brother, Christopher had taken a bus from Los Angeles and was donating his audio recording expertise for the evening.

As always I enjoyed hearing Eliot’s stories—how he came to rediscover the spirit medicine that plants have shared so generously. When he was finished telling his stories, audience members eagerly offered their excellent questions. One woman, an herbalist asked whether the plants wished for anything in return for their generosity. Eliot’s face showed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to talk about the important roll of exchange in maintaining good relationships of all kinds. My favorite discussion was about how plants, who, unlike humans, do not see themselves as separate from everything else and therefore are eager to see us “join the party.”

 Additional shout outs of gratitude to: Porter who was very helpful at the bookstore; also to Vicky, Linda, Randy and Wendy whose engagement with the audience really deepened everyone’s experience.
 -- Mace Fleeger

BDC weather report, Margaretville, NY

BDC weather report, Margaretville, NY- For the last many weeks, it may have seemed that I was complaining about the weather. It was a cold winter here in the Catskills and cabin fever took over me. Well, Spring fever has officially taken hold. Yesterday, temperatures soared into the sixties and we expect almost 70 degrees today!  The sun is brightly shining. This brings expectations of much nicer weather ahead.  The forecast for next week is several days of 70ish weather.

With the warmer temperatures, I was drawn to the river this morning and took a river break in place of my coffee or tea break. The river is a wondrous mix of deep greens, browns and blacks. So clear you can see all the rocks and sand on its bottom. The river has calmed from its roar over

the last few weeks. Although the trees are still slumbering and have not started to bud, I expect any day now they will awake from the slumber and greet us with the bright greens of spring.

More from the BDC on Spring time and what is happening very soon.

Can’t wait to see you at the Blue deer!

New Program Year welcomes New Staff!

 We begin 2015 by welcoming our new Center Director, Kate Barrier and our new Program Director, K’Anna Burton to the Blue Deer team. They bring to these positions a long time commitment from many years of participation as volunteers here at Blue Deer.

I am very excited to be working alongside them to be in service to you and all who will visit Blue Deer this year.

Here is what Kate and K’Anna have to say about beginning their work here…

With Gratitude,

Mark Gionfriddo
Executive Director



 After the long journey to Blue Deer Center, I always feel a rush of excitement and anticipation as I drive around the reservoir and turn toward the Center.

Stepping out of the car into the cold February night I am greeted by the clean, brisk air. Turning my gaze upward I see Orion high in the sky standing bold and bright overhead. The half moon illuminates the snow-covered land.


What a beautiful welcoming!!


In that moment I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this opportunity to be on sacred ground and serve Blue Deer Center in a greater capacity as Center Director.

I am grateful to have my partner, K’Anna Burton, as a fellow pilgrim on this path of Sacred Relationship. There is much work to be done. I will need the help and support of the larger community to continue to forward the mission of Blue Deer Center to provide a place for ancestral wisdom.

I hope to see many of you here this summer. Sign up for a program, volunteer for a work weekend, come walk the land, sing with the river, or sit by the fire.

“Retreat, Discover, Heal” on this Sacred Land.

Kate Barrier











Hello everyone!

I am so very excited to begin working here at Blue Deer Center.

I come to this position of Program Director with a love of Blue Deer Center that has developed over many years of program participation, communal gatherings around the fire and as a long-time volunteer staff.

I feel, as many do, that this land, the mountains and valleys, and this sacred river hold my heart and my soul in a very deep way. It is always a beautiful welcoming when I “come home” here.

To this important work, I bring a willingness to learn, grow and share what skills and talents I have that may be needed for the continued growth and development of Blue Deer Center.

My gratitude for this opportunity includes being joined by my life partner, Kate Barrier, on this challenging and rewarding work path.

To all who come to Blue Deer Center this year for a program, a community gathering, or just to sit by the fire, I am honored to be of service. And, I humbly offer my support and hard work toward the continued unfolding of the Center’s mission and greater work in the world.

K’Anna Burton


 A HEART FELT THANK YOU!

As we move into 2015 program year and begin to cultivate and nourish our new fields, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a thank you to last year's program staff, Ted Finkle, Aaron Bauman, Maria Quintana and all the volunteers that made the work at Blue Deer possible in 2014.
                            
Without their dedication and timeless work we would not have been able to deliver the experience that Blue Deer has to offer.
 

The 20th Anniversary of the Publication of Plant Spirit Medicine

Now available in a new edition

“Plant spirit medicine works partially because it has broad perspective. It does not look only through the eyes of physics and chemistry; it sees human beings as expressions of divine natural forces. It plumbs the human mind and emotions. It gives paramount importance to spirit, the mysterious core of our lives.”
...

“By way of tipping my hat in respect, I will mention that the Huichols are an indigenous people whose once-extensive homelands have been reduced to some rugged areas in the western Sierra Madre in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Durango, Mexico. Like all indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere, the Huichols have been and are being hard pressed by the dominant culture..."
Read more...

Spring brings lots of activity and more snow!

With Spring comes activity at Blue Deer, Spring Healing Camp has just ended for the many participants. The participants were lucky to have several warm days during their stay but as they packed the bags to head back to the hussle and bussle of their lives, colder temperatures have fallen around us. On Thursday morning this week, many of us locals woke up to snow covered lawns and vehicles. Temperatures have stayed below normal most of this week and we expect warmer temperatures to return again next week. 

HAP Volunteers working to unwrap, inventory, label and getting it ready to display.

As the staff work on preparing for the next program, Huichol Art Project Volunteers have arrived today to open the many packages of Huichol Art that will be available for sale in the gift shop and around the community. Some many beautiful pieces to choose from, shopping is definitely on my list of things to do this week.

One of my favorite pieces of art so far! adding it to my shopping list.

How many pretty bracelets does on girl need? More then I have now, adding a few of these to my shopping list.

Many of the final touches in process to the new administrative offices located at 1044 County Rte 6. The floor will be finished, painting is scheduled, trimming it out and putting up doors is all that need to be done. Next time you visit the Blue Deer stop by and see the new office space.

You are always invited to stop by, come for an hour, a day or just a cup of tea.

Up coming events!-

Come to the Catskills for a day of discovery, camaraderie and just plain fun on Saturday, May 30th, 2015. The day starts at 10am. Everyone is welcome to come for the entire day or for a cup of tea or coffee. It is a day to meet new and old friends on sacred land with the beautiful Platte Kill River running through.

There will be opportunities to take part in group discussions, talk one on one with people from ancestral ways, listen to the Native American Spirit of Thunderheart Drummers, meet Sacred Fire Community firekeepers to learn about community fires, take tours of the land and facilities,  learn about upcoming programs, participate in ceremony with Saskawhihiwine (Platte Kill River), buy indigenous art from the Huichols of the Sierra Madres in Mexico, sit with Shamans around the fire, enjoy good food, and more.

Mark and Ralph unwrapping some of the Huichol Art that just came in from Mexico

Eliot Cowan, author of the seminal book, Plant Spirit Medicine, will be featured and lead a participatory demonstration around the fire about the living world.

Mark May 30, 2015 on your Calendar for a day of exploration, fun, music, food, art and new friends.

More information click here

Volunteer Work Weekend April 9-12, 2015

Please join us for a weekend of community service and fun at Blue Deer Center.

So many of you have given of your time and talents over the years to the success and continued growth of Blue Deer Center and its mission in the world.

Once again we are asking for your help and support!

We will be cleaning the Guest House and Main House and setting up for our program year. Dried wood will need to be stocked near where we use it: the areas supplying the tipi, main house, and yurt, as well as re-stacking existing piles that have fallen down, plus any new wood. General tidying of the grounds and possibly some maintenance projects will be addressed. Some painting may be able to continue if weather permits on both the Main and Guest Houses.

We invite you to join us on the land anytime after 3pm on Thursday, April 9^th. Dinner is at 7pm. Volunteer work will be all day Friday, April 10^th and Saturday, April 11^th. Everyone departs Sunday, April 12^th after breakfast clean up. If you want to stay a while to enjoy some time with the land and river, then feel free.

You can participate for the entire weekend or just a day, half day…we welcome you…

All meals and lodging will be provided by Blue Deer Center based on your participation, and your RSVP.


Please RSVP to K’Anna Burton at kannaburton@bluedeer.org. 

I think I see Spring?!

 Today, a flower bloomed in the entrance to the main house. It is a sign that Spring is just around the corner. Even though the temperature this morning was 24 degrees and we had freezing rain. We expect temperatures in the 50s today.

This will melt much of the snow and help to green up the grass that is finally showing through in some spaces of the lawn. The deer have come out of the woods to find food. They greet us each morning at the entrance by the road. They are not afraid. They just stand and stare and welcome us to the center. When day is done, they come back at dusk to find more.

The snow will soon be all melted and the mud season will begin. It is just the cycle of nature and the gifts that help to make us realize there is more to this world then just you and I. We are blessed in this knowing and thankful for it.

The Sun will shine; The clouds will come; The rain will fall; Each day will bring a new beginning.

I hope to see you at the Blue Deer.

More Snow and Ice but warmer temperatures are coming our way!

The forecast for today, Tuesday is not the best but warmer temperatures are heading our way for the end of the week. March just might break this cold snap of a winter here at the Blue Deer. The snow piles are getting higher as it seems that each week brings more snow. Here in the Catskills, it looks like 3-5 inches of snow with an inch of ice and then rain over night. It should all clear out for the Plant Spirit Medicine Class to start this week. Here is hoping it is warmer where you are!

When spring begins peaking through all this snow, I hope to see you here at the Blue Deer Center!

And the snow keeps on coming ........

The snow keeps falling in the Catskills. Yesterday we received more the 10 inches of new snow on top of the 12-14 inches we already had. We are expecting more snow on Thursday but luckily this is expected to only bring 2-4 inches. Here are some pictures from around the center. It is beautiful but this was a heavier snow and creates lots of work to shovel and clear pathways and walkways. Today is warmer with the high around 28 but the temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits tomorrow and below zero in the evenings for the next few days.

I hope you are warm and safe. It's February, the month of love! so cuttle up with someone and enjoy the warmth of the inside by a nice fire.

Entrance from the main road

Cars in the parking lot

off the side porch

Looking down to the river from the parking lot

A tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yurt covered in snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us host your next event, meeting or special event!

Looking for that perfect spot to hold a business meeting or board retreat. Want to get away from all the distracts of the office or maybe you need a space to hold a bridal shower, party or wedding? We have the space for you. There are many options available at the center. The main house houses a commerical kitchen. The yurt is the perfect space for a party or business meeting. If you are looking for a different and calming creative space, hold your next event at The Blue Deer. For warmer times, we have a large tent and fire pit that can fit more then 100 people but lots of room to expand.

Last weekend we hosted a bridal shower and it was the perfect space for the bride and her family.

There is plenty of room for all your needs with rates that vary according to need. We also have rooms available for up to 35 people. 

 We have our own seating for 50 right here and many rooms for smaller breakout sessions or intimate gatherings. We can accommodate your needs.

 Make that family event extra special by holding it at the Blue Deer Center.

Bring your own food, use our kitchen, have it catered by an outside caterer or talk to us about our in-house chef. What ever your needs, we can work with you.

For groups from 5- 45 inside or larger groups outside. We have the venue for you! Contact us for more information.  Email at jennschuman@bluedeer.org or call Jenn Schuman at 845-586-3225 ext 303.

The Blizzzard missed us but the Clipper system hit us with 12 inches.

 It's a beautiful morning after the storm. 10-12 inches of snow fell yesterday.

 I took a walk around the Blue Deer and the new snow looks wonderful against the clear blue skies.

 More snow is expected later this week with two small storms with a dusting to 3 inches expect. Stay tuned for more pictures!

Thanks to Maria for all the shoveling. Feeling blessed today by Mother Natures bounty.