Acorn Community

One of the many perks of living at Acorn includes our town trip system.  Whenever members need something from town—be it a library book, ice cream, beer, materials for a project at hand, etc.—all they have to do is put it on the trip request sheet, and whoever has signed up for the next town trip will pick it up.  Since our allowances can be adjusted digitally, the requestee never has to even see their money to have their needs and modest wants met: the tripper deducts the expenses of the items purchased on each town trip and charges them to the appropriate accounts.  Upon the tripper’s return, the acquired items are delivered to their expectant owners.

And, for the tripper, personally fulfilling everyone’s tri-weekly Christmas list is a fairly enjoyable task in itself.  Whereas the non-communitarian may feel drudgery in running their own errands, the consolidated, utilitarian, and of course, labor-creditable act of fulfilling the communities’ errands inspires selfless heroism and virtue.  A handful of routine and semi-routine activities serve to establish a familiar pattern that each tripper can look forward to and plan for in the most efficient means possible:

-pick up the PO box mail for the Business (every trip)
-drop off community mail at the Post Office (most trips)
-go to the bank (most trips)-pick up food and alcohol requests (almost all trips)
-drop off excess produce at the local food bank (often)
-pick up parts/garden equipment/misc. supplies at a hardware store (almost all trips)
-dumpster at the local grocery stores (preferably every trip, at the discretion/preference of the tripper)
-pick up/drop off books at the library (often)
-check thrift store for commie clothes/misc finds (at tripper’s will)

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Despite the project of Acorn community encompassing enough engaging and essential endeavors to keep us indefinitely busy, many members here are deeply committed to activist causes.  When word of the March to Blair Mountain reached us, nine out of twenty people here quickly signed up to participate, along with a small group of Twin Oakers.

Blair Mountain is the site of the 1921 historic battle between coal companies and pro-union coal miners.  With between 10,000 and 15,000 participants clashing against heavily armed police and coal operator backed union busters, it was one of the largest armed insurrections in United States history.

In 2009, Blair Mountain was enlisted as a historical site, which contemporary coal companies instantly sought to reverse.  The political and legal clout of coal companies quickly had it unlisted and seized control of the property, slating it as the sight of a future mountain top removal operation.

In response, a coalition of anti-mountaintop removal groups organized a reenactment of the historical march of Blair Mountain with hopes of raising awareness of the historical and environmental richness of Blair Mountain.  Since the full length march was scheduled to take five days, us Acornistas weren’t able to get away from the garden and business that long, but we were able to meet up with the marchers for the final day of rallying and marching.

To make the five and a half drive there, we left Friday after lunch to get there in time to set up tents.  In order to encourage an early bedtime (we were forewarned that we would all be woken up at 5:30 AM), dinner and speakers for that night were combined.  My favorite speech from the night will probably be available soon–stay posted for a link.

New High Tunnel at acorn.  Just finished the roll up sides.  We had some problems with these sides blowing in the wind and tearing through straps, which are intended to hold them down.  This time we used some old drip tape, attached by washers and screws.  We will see how it holds up to the high winds.  Now we have to figure out why the roll up sides collect water…when rolled up, with the roll being on the inside of the tunnel.  Now on to finishing the removable east and west sides.  More information to come.

The first signs of spring are upon us.  Daffodil flowers are blooming, warmer weather has come, and we are very excited to have our first set of ducks.  Cute ducklings, that will follow folks around.  These ducks will live at our newly restored pond, and acorn will enjoy their services.  Our population of animals is ever increasing: 11 ducks, 2 goats, 20 hens, 2 Rooster, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 1 guinea pig.  I hope to see meat rabbits in the future of acorn.  There is also talk of dairy goats, a Nubian breed. Photos by Cora.

I am not the only one whose excited.

It’s finally winter!!!!  And to prove it there is a light dusting of snow covering the gardens left from the last snowstorm.  I have been looking forward to winter for a good long time.  Temperatures have dropped from triple digits to the occasional single digit, which is cause enough to merrily sing the glories of winter. But, I have also been looking forward to the legendary busy season.

Ashley chipper as always picking orders at 5:00am Saturday morning.

I have been hearing the tales post late night customer order assembling (picking) marathons, and pleas on the message board to help ship orders.  As a new member who arrived for a visitor period just after Land Day picking is something you do for about a half an hour to an hour after breakfast.   And shipping is something that just magically happened — not something I learned.  But, the whole enchilada is different during busy season, so the legend goes.