1/6-1/10 Week in Review
Hello Friends,
Word of the week: Motivation
Happy 2025!
We were all excited to dive back into programming after a restful holiday break. We kicked off the week volunteering at People’s Place, sorting through their generous soap donation from Bearsville Soap. The room filled with the crisp, clean scents of lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus as we carefully packaged the bars for care packages.
Our lunch on Monday was a sensory delight. Nina from Sky High Farms joined us, and each staff member—Lesly, Ravin, Suzi, and Lissy—brought a dish to share with the fellows. The table was a vibrant mix of smells and tastes: savory lasagna with bubbling cheese, the spicy tang of kimchi fried rice, creamy potato salad, and the rich, chocolatey smoothness of pudding pie.
As we shared these dishes, we also shared their stories. From a 95-year-old grandmother’s cherished pudding pie recipe to the resilience in a "struggle meal," each plate carried a memory. Fellows reflected on how food connects us to culture, family, and identity. They explored how certain smells, tastes, and textures evoke feelings of home and belonging.
Inspired by this sense of connection, we prepared baked ziti and roasted broccoli to donate to the Community Fridge on Clinton Avenue. True to our values, we wiped down the area and broke down boxes, leaving the space better than we found it. Fellows shared during reflections how this act of care deepened their sense of connection to both their peers and the larger community.
Aurora guided us to the Neighborhood Print Shop, where we explored the legacy of Ben Wigfall through a presentation and print workshop. The smell of ink and the sound of rollers echoed in the workshop as fellows learned about Ben’s work. We were honored to welcome two of his mentees, Theresa and Dina, who shared their stories. Their heartfelt words and the tactile process of printmaking reinforced the value of learning and community connections.
On Wednesday morning, Suzi, our co-manager, set a mindful tone with a yoga session inspired by her training in Sadhana’s Untraining/Reframing Teacher Training in Hudson. Max from the Hudson River Maritime Museum joined us as well, adding to the sense of community and preparation. The gentle rhythm of deep breaths and flowing movements helped everyone find their center. Refreshed and focused, we transitioned seamlessly back into the woodshop, where the earthy aroma of fresh-cut wood and the steady, rhythmic sounds of tools filled the air, grounding us in our boat-building project.
We closed the week with a listening party. Fellows gathered to hear Kingston immigrant oral histories from the Kingston Library’s collection. While listening the fellows doodled, drew, or painted, engaging their creativity while they listened. Later, fellows shared the oral histories they had prepared for their Place Story presentations. The voices and experiences brought warmth to the space, fostering a deep appreciation for storytelling and active listening.
Take a moment to listen this weekend—whether to a story, a song, or the world around you.
Have a good weekend,
Place Corps Team
:)