Natural Connections February
Our next Natural Connections event is February 10th at the Sandpoint Library, in the Community Rooms. Come for the full event or just stop in for the portions that interest you.
Check out our schedule for the day:
10 AM: Hair Trimming Made Easy
Home haircutting for friends and family. Learn ways to prevent that trim-gone-wrong from becoming a family legend they will never let you forget. Come ready to give or receive a haircut (shoulder length or longer). Bring your own model if you would like hands-on practice. Come with freshly washed hair if you would like to receive a haircut. Curly, straight, thick, or thin, we got you.
We will focus on the bottom line length, NOT layers or buzz cuts. Bring clips, shears, and drapes if you want to learn how to use your own, or use ours; we will have extra supplies for beginners.
(Note: This segment of Natural Connections will be held in the Sandpoint Library Teen Lounge.)
About the presenter:
Charis Dexter is a licensed cosmetologist and local artist who likes to play at making mundane things beautiful. Connect with her through her handmades mini shop inside “The Rusty Trunk”, Ponderay. Or on instagram @flax.and.felt.
11 AM: Imagine the PASTAbilities!
Shop for value and check the facts! Join us for a nutritious, flavorful and value-minded meal. We will be learning about and working with a traditional and a fresh vegetable ‘pasta’ for a delicious and dynamic lesson.
The class will entail a delightful blend of hands-on cooking and practical tips for navigating grocery aisles economically. Two recipes will be demonstrated and prepared with the group to enjoy at a communal meal immediately following the demonstration.
Participants will learn how to use food labels to compare the nutritional value of different foods, help control portion sizes, and to help identify whole grain products, high fiber, low-fat, and low sodium food items. We will be journeying together by selecting affordable yet high-quality ingredients to make the most of pantry staples. Armed with newfound skills and a delicious plate of pasta (we will introduce options of gluten-free and carb-free), hoping to leave not just with a satisfying meal but with the knowledge that cooking on a budget can be both flavorful and fulfilling.
A limited supply of free bags of groceries, with all the recipe ingredients and a zoodle-making tool will also be provided for participants to take home!
About the presenter & co-sponsors:
Melissa Hoit has worked with the University of Idaho’s Extension Program through Eat Smart Idaho for six years, teaching nutrition and cooking skills throughout Kootenai and Bonner Counties. Her passion for cooking and recipe development began at age 7 when she began experimenting with baking cookies! She has five children and has learned a lot about meal planning and preparing nutritious meals on a budget.
Co-Sponsor: Eat Smart Idaho provides nutrition and physical activity education for low-income Idahoans.
Co-Sponsor: Bonner Community Food Bank’s mission since 1980 has been to assist people in the community with supplemental foods in a time of personal crisis. It now serves in excess of 3,000 individuals a month.
1 PM: The Art of Storytelling
Storytelling is a very natural experience developed by our ancestors over 40,000 years ago. It is a doorway to bringing memory and the senses, creativity and community to life and together. We invite you to gather with us around the communal fires to hear stories told during this season of winter.
About the presenters:
Jeannine Tidwell and Keren Hernandez work at Twin Eagles Wilderness School, an environmental outdoor educational organization centered in Sandpoint, Idaho and serving the greater Inland Northwest. They both share a deep love for nature connection, creativity, fostering community and collaborating with others.
2 PM: The Gentle Art of Puppetry
Puppetry is an ancient visual art with a history extending back over 3,000 years. It’s not just for kids and making something from a sock. It could be that but it’s also so much more. The appeal of puppets extends to all ages and cultures. There is a connection to a process of creativity and exploration, playfulness and engagement. It is a versatile and creative endeavor practiced around the world.
So come join us as we dive into the world of puppetry. With guidance, each person will have the opportunity to return to imagination and collaboration while we craft a puppet and share the story that might emerge in the process. Storytelling is truly for everyone no matter how old you are. This is a chance to be creative and create something you might not normally make that invites a sense of your lightheartedness and inspiration.
Materials to make your puppet will be provided. We invite you to bring any additional materials that call to you to this event. Natural materials are encouraged, but certainly whatever you feel connected with to bring is great. It may be that something that you already have around your home inside or outside becomes part of the creation of your puppet.
About the presenters:
Jeannine Tidwell and Keren Hernandez work at Twin Eagles Wilderness School, an environmental outdoor educational organization centered in Sandpoint, Idaho and serving the greater Inland Northwest. They both share a deep love for nature connection, creativity, fostering community and collaborating with others.
