Ozaukee Community Awareness Forum

2009 Sustainability Fair Draws
70 Participants

"Going Green = Saving Green:  Food, Water, Power"

The Green PlanetAlthough the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve building was wintery-cold and the day was rainy and chilly, approximately 70 participants enjoyed meeting our 17 exhibitors and listened to our four speakers with interest and appreciation. 

The most creative discussion group was headed by John Peck of Family Farm Defenders, who used empty food containers of all types (some organic, some worse than non-organic) and had those present read the labels.  What a revelation!  We learned with Martha Kipcak of the Kitchen Table Project that there are many things we can do to become more Mindful Eaters, like supporting farmer’s markets, preparing our own food (from our own gardens!) and connecting once again to agriculture.  Dan Collins, COWS, described the ME2 Program on energy efficiency which is being implemented in Milwaukee, and can perhaps be implemented here some day.  Tom Dueppen from our own Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Office, gave us much helpful information on Lake Michigan issues.   Many of our exhibitors said they would like to return next year, and both the Sierra Club table and the Fair Trade table did a brisk business.

A lunch sponsored by St. Mary and St. Peter Parishes, earned $200 for Habitat for Humanity - Lakeside, and was enjoyed by all, especially the hot coffee!  The winners of the four beautiful Shirley Schanen Gruen prints were:  Mary Boyle, Maureen O’Brien, Chris Culligan and Brooke Verweurth (10 years old) – see accompanying article for their ideas.

The poster contest was won by four students from Cedarburg High, where the poster contest took place:  All of the posters, including the winning four, were displayed at the Fair.

The co-sponsor of the Fair was the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, which owns the building and beautiful lakeshore property.  We have been invited to hold the Fair at that location next year.  Watch for further information on our website.  

 

Wind Farm