By The Gathering Volunteers Chris Anderson
with contributing writer Caroline Urbania
 
BLUEMONT, VA – Sample a new indigenous treat at the Indian Village Sept. 17-18 during the 47th annual Bluemont Fair.  Blended with Virginia red clover, dandelion and alfalfa this indigenous tea spills over with plants found at Northern Virginia’s Sky Meadows State Park and seen along many Virginia roads. It is called Sky Meadows Sunset Organic and is built upon black Rooibos tea.
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"Let us share our knowledge with you about the second most consumed beverage on the planet and connect you with the people and plants that make this beautiful drink,” says Hillary Coley, co-owner of Dominion Tea in Purcellville, Va.

Native American Indians have endless combinations of berries, leaves, roots, flowers and even bark to make flavorful teas. These are used as tonics, in ceremonies, consumed for health and well-being as well as comfort and enjoyment.

Dominion Tea will be offering brewed samples of Sky Meadows Sunset Organic at the Indian Village and will talk about the tea, how it is made and explain the science behind how a blend of tea is constructed.

“Dominion Tea is a locally owned family business in Purcellville, Virginia dedicated to sharing great tea and the stories behind its history and cultural influence,” says Coley, who along with her husband David, offer more than 100 loose leaf teas. “We are in awe of the impact that specialty tea has had on global history and culture. It is a product that symbolizes cultural awareness, personal connections, adventure, and a connection to the land. Dominion Tea is honored to search the globe for authentic tea and tisane products, satisfying individual growth and curiosity.”

“In creating Sky Meadows Sunset Organic tisane, we followed our passion to find ingredients that grew natively in Virginia, like red clover, dandelion and alfalfa, which would blend nicely with our favorite tisane Rooibos,” says Coley. “We added Sunset to the name in acknowledgement of the golden orange brew of this tisane and how it is the color of many sunsets here in Virginia."

The health benefits of red clover are well documented as are the properties of dandelion. Alfalfa is also well-known for its nutritive properties. Herbal blends pack flavonoids and may help with many issues. Their specific chemical compositions vary depending on which ingredients are utilized and how, where and when they are harvested. Generally, any tea has some beneficial aspect, even if it is consumed just for a pleasant taste. 

At the Indian Village, Dominion Tea will also offer samples of a new apple tea – they are seeking people to try and offer names for the new tea.
The Indian Village is open for two days only at Stone’s Field 33834 Snickersville Tpke, Bluemont, VA 20135. The fair opens at 10:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm daily. Free parking is available.
 
Bluemont is located in the western-most Loudoun County, Virginia about 60 miles from Washington D.C. Arriving from highway 7 between Leesburg and Winchester take Snickersville Turnpike to where the entire town comes alive with music, crafts, activities, and food.
 
For more information visit www.HarvestGathering.org or www.dominiontea.com. ​

​An exciting new feature this year is an authentically replicated Indian Village in Stone’s Field, designed to educate children (and adults!) about Native American culture. Funded through an award from the Virginia Commission for the Arts: Artists in Education Program to Sanctuary on the Trail Inc., (and supplemented by a generous donation from Ken and Julia Falke of Boulder Crest Retreat, and additional grants and donations), a residency collaboration between Sanctuary on the Trail. Inc. and the Village Montessori School created the village, which will be open to the public during both days of the Fair.  Come celebrate with dance, regalia, storytelling, survival skills, living history exhibitors, trading post vendors, North American Bushcraft School, music from Dark Water Rising, and Military veteran and uniformed services tribute. Purchase authentic Native American Indian jewelry and watch these artisans create unique works of art.

Event times at the Indian Village can be found within the Fair schedule at www.bluemontfair.org   Requested donation for entrance to the Indian Village is $3 per person or $15 per family.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University recently donated set pieces from their production of The Wedding Gift. The pieces will be used for the Indian Village that opens Sept. 17-18 during the 47th Annual Bluemont Fair.

The Indian Village theme is, "Where the Past and Present Meet Under a Harvest Moon," and is part of a cultural rescue by artists to teach children how to build the Indian Village while working alongside Native American Indians.

According to multiple reports, "a staggering 87 percent of references to American Indians in all 50 states' academic standards portray them in a pre-1900 context."

That means students are graduating from high school without even basic knowledge of contemporary Native challenges or culture.

A team of more than 100 volunteers are creating this interactive experience that combines modern technology with traditional sustainable living to give visitors a glimpse into the lives of Native American Indians who lived in the past and those living today. A full agenda is posted online.

CATF donated 16 various-sized panels averaging 20 feet tall to the host for the Indian Village non-profit Sanctuary on the Trail.

The panels were part of the set (designed by David M. Barber) for playwright Chisa Hutchinson's The Wedding Gift, a provocative 90-minute play that received its world premiere at the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Due to the size of the flats, and the inevitable damage that occurs during disassembly, the walls were slated to be discarded. However, Rene Locklear White, president of Sanctuary on the Trail, learned that the Festival was open to the idea of donating the pieces.

"I saw The Wedding Gift with my neighbor, June Krupsaw," said Rene. "After the show, the audience was invited to stay and watch crew members transform the stage in preparation for that evening's performance of 20th Century Blues, by Susan Miller. This involved changing sets. Trent Kugler and Joshua Midgett-CATF's Production Manager and General Manager-indicated there was a possibility of obtaining The Wedding Gift's panels after I inquired about their use for the Indian Village. As soon as the Festival ended, Trent contacted us. We're so excited and thankful to CATF for this priceless contribution to our past and present theme."

The panels are currently stored in Bluemont waiting for September installation.

"Visitors will see many of the panels at the Indian Village along with a wigwam, and see all the panels next year during The Gathering 2017," said Chris (Comeswithclouds White) who admitted they are seeking a few strong volunteers to help install the panels this year and next year.

To volunteer or contribute to the Indian Village visit www.HarvestGathering.org, email info4TheGathering@gmail.org or call Rene at 540-554-8730 or www.BluemontFair.org. This is a 501(c)3 non-profit initiative and all contributions are tax deductible.
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"The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University produces and develops vital, topical, and engaging new American plays," according to Gabriel Zucker, Director of Communications and Marketing for CATF.

"The Festival tells daring and diverse stories and strives to create a profound dynamic between the audience, the artists, and the work."

"Inclusive of the 2016 season, CATF has produced 115 new plays, 43 world premieres, and 10 new play commissions. 56 of the Festival's plays have been penned by women; 59 by men, which puts the female to male ratio at 49 percent--nearly twice the national average," added Zucker.

The Festival's 27th Season will run July 7-30, 2017. For more information about CATF visit www.catf.org.
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“U” are in “commUnity.” Our connections are “community.” And our “unity” is also in “commUNITY.” Our unity gives us strong footing, to do, to help and to be.

OUR MISSION/VISION.  Our mission is helping leaders first and bringing recognition to the contributions Indigenous have given and continue to give to the globe. As we do this, we reduce suffering in the world.
     By volunteering with us you are taking an active role in reducing suffering in the world. As long as you and we keep volunteering, we are transforming peoples’ opinions, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors.
     Thank you for being part of a group of people who care about community and are doing something about it! Thank you, thank you and thank you. We are proud to serve with you.

Chris and Rene' White
Sanctuary on the Trail™
CEO and President

     Thank you to those who were able to attend Saturday’s, July 30 BBQ at Sanctuary on the Trail. Currently we have 75 volunteers signed up by email to help out with the Indian Village and The Gathering; this does not include Facebook friends, partners, Boy Scouts and news media who are helping.
     If you were unable to attend this past weekend's BBQ, you have another opportunity in ~ a month, then again to help during the Indian Village event. We had close to 40 of you attend the BBQ this weekend.
     Our small volunteer gatherings are vital to making this year’s Indian Village, at the Bluemont Fair Sept. 17-18, 2016, and The Gathering 2017 next year Oct. 20-22, 2017, even more successful than last year’s. 
     MEMORIES FROM SATURDAY.
Many of you and a few of you:

• Visited the Indian Village site.
• Helped set up for the BBQ.
• Shared gifts for giveaway. 
• Brought delicious food, flowers and plants.
• Ate together.
• Indulged in ice-cream and shameful desserts.
• Gave donations.
• Brought sacred Tobacco.
• Prayed for friends.
• Prayed with friends.
• Laughed out loud. 
• Won door prizes.
• Drank coffee.
• Sat through four rain showers.
• Shared stories.
• Drank BB&T water.
• Met new people.
• Reunited with old friends. 
• Took pictures.
• Saw butterflies.
• Ran in the rain.
• Played drum.
• Played flute.
• Sang songs.
• Laughed at Sue’s Tea-Shirt, Glenda’s Angel Shirt, and Tracy’s Drank Shirt. 
• Danced around a fire.
• Planned next steps. 
• Looked at the stars.
• Stayed over night.
• Helped clean up.
• Took home paper butterflies.

TO: Sanctuary on the Trail, Inc
René White, President

It is a pleasure to inform you that the Virginia Commission for the Arts has awarded Sanctuary on the Trail, Inc a matching grant of $1950 in the Artists in Education program.

The Commission is grateful for your dedication to providing the schools and the community with arts in education activities designed to enhance the scope and sequence of a school’s basic arts instruction and to provide arts education resources for teachers and parents.
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Please accept our best wishes for your continued success.

Original letter signed by Margaret Vanderhye Executive Director

LOUDOUN MIRROR NEWS article

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