Programs – Current Programs
2010 Summer Schedule on Mallard Island
For more information, contact Beth Waterhouse, (952) 401-0591 (office); cell # (952) 607-6879 also good on the Island; beth@bethwaterhouse.com
Last updated June 12, 2010
Week 1 Work Week / Gull Island Focus May 23 – 29 no fees
The main focus of this first week is to open and clean living spaces and to address immediate maintenance needs. Since the Foundation’s acquiring of the Frigate Friday, there will be more focus on Gull Island in this week. Don Maronde and Mark Granlund, caretakers.
Week 2 Work Week / Gardening May 30 – June 5 no fees
This week will focus on the garden spaces, with at least three experienced gardeners leading the crew. Others will pay attention to areas that need deeper cleaning or renovation and repair. Thanks to crews who come willing to do most anything for the Mallard summer.
Beth Waterhouse and Don Maronde, caretakers.
Ober Board Meeting: June 5
Week 3 Readers’ / Book Inventory Work Week June 6 – 12 no fees
Each summer for at least this one week, Ober's vast book collection becomes the central focus. Jean Replinger will again lead this effort, which has volunteers inventorying and cleaning books and their shelves. In the evenings, individuals share their "prize book find/s of the day," which inevitably leads to endless connections and ramifications. While this week is already filled, if your goal is only this week, put your name on Jean's waiting list. Openings do happen.
Beth Waterhouse and Jim Fitzpatrick, caretakers.
Week 4 Minnesota Writers Group June 13 – 19 * fees
An always evolving and dedicated group of experienced writers from Minnesota gather to write daily and to share the skills of their craft in evening discussions. This group includes Ober’s biographer, Joe Paddock, as well as several who know well the Mallard’s legends.
Beth Waterhouse and _____________________, caretakers
Week 5 Bird Banding and Photography June 20 – 26
In this new, Foundation-sponsored week, the focus will be warblers, sparrows, phoebes... During a week full of their springtime song and nesting activity, humans will gather to listen, photograph, and learn. Bird banding allows close-up attention, and photography catches our winged friends in the wild. Beth Waterhouse and Jane Lund, caretakers
Week 6 Psychiatry: Servant Leaders / Servant Healers June 27 – July 3
Led by International Falls’ physician, Jeff Hardwig, several Psychiatric Physicians intend to disengage from their feverishly paced work lives in order to absorb the soothing balm of Mallard Island. One focus will be the production of a white paper on The Psychiatrist as Servant Leader. “Healthcare reform will challenge the institutions of medicine, and we must be firmly grounded in our values to produce positive changes for the public we serve. History may conspire to elevate the importance and timeliness of this island opportunity.” [a self-filled group]
Beth Waterhouse and Mark Granlund, caretakers.
Week 7 Rest Week / Tree Trimming July 4 – 10
Elaine and Steve Thrune, co-caretaking and doing tree work. No program this week.
Week 8 Individual Artists’ Week July 11 – 17
This is the annual “individual” artists’ week where each person comes to Mallard with their own goals about an art or writing project that they are working on. Creativity comes in the media of music to painting to photography and way beyond. Ten artists, many new to the island.
Beth Waterhouse and Danielle Sosin, caretakers.
Week 9 Storytellers July 18 – 24
Storytellers including people from central Minnesota (Alexandria and Evansville areas). Stories and great humor will “fly around all week.” Drumming may be incorporated this year. Sharon Henneman and Barbara LaValleur co-hosts.
Mary Swalla Holmes and Mary Doerr, caretakers.
Week 10 Solon Spring Writers Group July 25 – 31
Writer Jan Jenson leads this group, all from central Wisconsin, to “enhance creativity through solitude, renewal, inspiration, and reconnection with the world of nature.” They will create evening workshops in poetry, dreams and writing, memoir, and other sub-topics in the area of written expression. Mary Swalla Holmes and Mairi Doerr, caretakers.
Week 11 Jon Romer Flute Workshop August 1 – 7
Romer, from Cass Lake, has taught traditional flute music for over a dozen years. Specific, hand-made wooden flutes, required of all participants, will be offered for sale (est. cost $135). The cost is $150 plus flute or $285 total. Jean Replinger, host. Beth Waterhouse and Stephanie Humphrey, caretakers.
Week 12 Ojibwe Language Group August 8 – 14
Dennis Jones (American Indian Studies, U of M), family, and colleagues will enjoy and share the island and teach the basics of the Ojibwe language within the life experiences of the week. Last year, this week included abundant blueberry picking, good fishing, and sharing of homemade bannock. Beth Waterhouse and Don Maronde, caretakers.
Week 13 Rest Week August 15 – 21
Minimal use is made of the island so that all ecological processes can rest. Two caretakers will be present on the Mallard. No program this week.
Week 14 Songwriters August 22 – 28
L.J. Booth, guitarist and songwriter, will lead this week of music writing, using the beauty and privacy of Mallard as “incredible catalysts for going inward, finding inspiration, and having the freedom of schedule to do the work at hand.” The group excels in collaborative or co-writing experiences. Beth Waterhouse and Michael Quick, caretakers.
Week 15 Children’s Writers Workshop August 29 – Sept 4
Feeling that “no other place blends wilderness and arts into such a perfect whole as Mallard Island,” this group of children's writers and illustrators intend to gather on the Island to soak in the gifts of nature, the history and legacy of Ober, and to do creative work. They plan to cook, eat, canoe, write, nap, ponder, write some more--and gather each evening to share their works-in-progress. Mary Casanova and Sheryl Peterson, caretakers.
Ober Board Meeting: September 5
Week 16 Mallard Island Tours September 7, 8, and 9
Giving highest priority to local Ranier, I-Falls, and Rainy Lake residents, Mallard Island will be open for daytime tours these three last days of our summer season. Apply if you did not come to the tours last summer and would enjoy the experience of a day on Mallard. Each day will bring a different themed talk in the late morning. Lunch will be served. Donations encouraged but no fee set for the day. Call Beth Waterhouse @ (952) 607-6879 on Mallard. Diane Tessari and Elaine Thrune are co-hosts with Beth for these days.
*Suggested Donation – per participant per program week is $150 plus food (subject to change in 2011). Cost for the Jon Romer Flute workshop is $150 plus flute, or $285 total.