Our First Newsletter...Finally

The following article is reprinted from our first newsletter which is available on the web at http://www.naturallysimple.org/ICUHJune.pdf


Urban Homesteading is hard work. It is far too easy to get caught up in all of the “busy” and forget to have fun. Often, I am reminded by my family of the old ad-age about “all work and no play”.
Previous generations countered this problem by hosting community -wide musical “jams”, social dances, quilting bees and barn raisings. Part of our vision for this group is to bring back some of those traditions.
Thankfully we don’t have to start from scratch. Iowa City is full of opportunities for those who would like to participate in traditional community-building fun.
My family and I regularly attend traditional dances held at the Center in Iowa City. We also attend per-formances and sessions by local folk-musicians. It makes the winter monthsmuch more tolerable and provides a much needed respite from the busy planting and harvesting months.
I feel it is incredibly important to ensure that this knowledge is passed along to the younger generation. We proudly support local instructors of art and culture. My sons are students at the Cavan Fiddle Studio. We have taken English Country Dance classes from a remarkably talented local couple and Irish Dancing from Ghrá na Gaeilge Irish Dance studio.
There are other ways of connecting while learning traditional skills. Many of the local knitting shops host “knitters’ breakfasts” or other similar events There is a brew master club for those who would like to learn to make their own beer.
You can also do your own thing. I host a weekly craft circle among my circle of friends, during the winter months.. As soon as the harvest as in, we start getting together to work on handmade gifts for the holidays.

IC Urban Homesteaders will host events and pass along information about various community events which may be of interest to our members on this blog. Please feel free to e-mail