Saturday: The Recorder published a thorough
story by Janet Bond on the top half of their front page,
with a full color picture of Friday's walkers! We were thrilled to see
the Ark-of-Hope web site address at the end of the article. Many
more drivers honked and waved, as they saw us on the road, Saturday.
After a morning visit at Farmers' Market we walked to Historic Deerfield,
visiting with one another along the walk. We encountered a mix of parents,
faculty and folks visiting the colonial village on a beautiful day, somewhat
sleepy day in old Deerfield.
Sunday: Three mid-day stops caught people's eye, as the Ark visited
All Souls Church, a peace vigil on the Greenfield Common and neighbors
preparing to depart for the Crop walk. Traffic was heavy on Route 5 &
10.
Monday: As people came to school Monday we were waiting,
asking, "Would you like to hear some good news?" From 7:20 to
10:20 about 150 students at Frontier Regional School in South Deerfield
visited the Ark and heard about the Earth Charter. When art, social studies,
history and English classes visited the cafeteria students had a chance
to add poetry, art and letters. Later this week the school's video crew
will air an interview with Theresa Elder of Vermont and Sunny Miller of
Traprock Peace Center. Traprock is providing contact information, phone
support and help with housing and publicity while the Ark tours western
Massachusetts. Volunteers are passing out about 100 flyers per day suggesting
neighbors bring the Earth charter before town meetings this spring. Vermonters
set a brisk pace today as 3 Vermonters and 3 locals moved the Ark south
along a quiet River Road. They lunched on the lawn at the home of Leela
Whitcomb-one of the walkers' The Ark awaits interest at the garage of
Desmond's Barber Shop on Main Street.
Tuesday: The Hampshire
Gazette's Carolyn Lorie wrote a helpful account of the
walk as it comes to Hampshire County. Walkers plan to leave Hatfield
Center at 10:30 am, just south of the Library, Main St. Elm St, Rt. 5&10--about
5-6 miles. Tuesday evening Kip Moeller, a nurse and foot specialist who
has walked for four days, will bring the Ark to Sirius, Community in Shutesbury.
We'll use the truck of veteran civil rights activists and simple living
experts, Wally and Juanita Nelson, organic farmers in Deerfield.
Wednesday, October 24 is United Nations Day: The walk came
to Northampton in the morning. Sunny took the Ark to a United Nations
Association luncheon, co-sponsored by many local groups at the Red Barn
at Hampshire College, Route 116, South Amherst. That evening, a pot-luck
was hosted by Kelly Gallagher, Assistant Minister of First Churches on
Main Street.
Thursday: The Ark went south on 10, Later west on 20 and 23. The
walkers visited Holyoke Community College with the Ark that evening.
Friday: Visited the Islamic cultural Center in West Springfield
