Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. Come to any of our monthly Upcycle Circle events to share ideas, socialize, watch demonstrations, and create new items from used ones!
The first meeting is a casual meet, greet, show, and tell your upcycle ideas!
When: Thursday, February 16, 6:30-7pm Soup and potluck appetizers, 7:00 - 8:00 meeting.
Where: Open Studio, 30 Hollis Street, Groton, MA (www.openstudiogroton.com)
This first meeting is an overview/introduction to the concepts and possibilities of "Upcycling." If you're coming in time for soup, please RSVP to annabarker@charter.net and bring something to share -- bread, fruit, cheese, cider, etc. There will be show and tell -- bring any projects, if you wish. We'll pass a hat -- donations defray cost of utilities at the studio.
Future Circle meetings monthly, every SECOND Thursday
Thursday, March 8 - roadside wooden pallets (led by a special guest);
Thursday, April 12 - how to re-make unwearable jeans.
Spread the word! See you in the Circle!
Groton Local's Community Seminar Series launched this month!
Speakers were Jim Hubert, local contractor and Groton Local board member, and Tessa David, North Central Regional Solid Waste Coordinator
Here they are with their whiteboard noting what sorts of hazards lurk in our homes and should be disposed of properly.
Next Community Seminar:
Thursday, February 23 @ 7PM
Bill Stanwood will answer How does a Transfer Station work? Why is a Transfer Station important to a
community? How are Transfer Stations funded? Which pile do I put THIS
THING into? Bring your own questions! All are welcome.
NRWA Resource Center, 592 Main St., Groton, MA
Groton Local's Annual Celebration of Community on MLK Day 2012
Hostesses Lisa Hubert & Chris Thompson, Karen McCarthy showing off reusable products, GL President Tucker Smith introducing the evening.
Participants to Groton Local's MLK Day event were introduced to the 2012 theme;
Re-Think! We watched four short videos on such topics as economic consumerism, environmental concerns, and zero waste to get us all thinking. Then we broke out into four groups discussing Groton Local's upcoming year in community service, education, big events, and 12 months of Upcycling activities. Please read Tucker Smith's letter below for more information on "Re-Think!" and check our Re-Think! page on this website.
Please don’t forget to “Like Us” on Facebook!
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Letter from our President, Tucker Smith
Hard to believe Groton Local has been “alive” for over 6 years now! As with most all-volunteer organizations, its energy level and output has dipped and spiked over time but we are feeling jazzed about its 2012 theme, “Re-think!” The inspiration bubbled up from a well of creative input from our Coordinating Committee, which includes several new members this year. All members of our Coordinating Committee bring personal passion to our efforts and keep our wheels turning.
What does “Re-Think!” mean? A call to action, for sure, it will mean different things to different people. For starters, Groton Local encourages people to adopt a mindful attitude about, well, frankly, how they live today. It’s not meant to threaten or chastise. What matters? What's good? What habits or attitudes might one wish to change? What - individually and collectively -- can be contributed to Groton Local, to our neighborhoods, to our town, and to our planet to make it better? Re-thinking might mean learning a new skill, honing a talent or interest, taking a different approach (talent or resource-sharing), committing to “localness” in purchasing decisions... Think about (ha ha) how enriched, educated, enlightened, and encouraged we might become in this process.
A public letter Groton Local wrote on January 3, 2010 said, “Whether you are new to the area or long-established, politically ‘purple, red or blue,’ parents, empty-nesters, singles, worried or optimistic about the future, Groton Local welcomes your participation. Our non-profit is comprised of ordinary folk who believe in mustering positive, proactive responses to global and local challenges. Groton Local collaborates with others to build a strong community, to improve our ability to feed ourselves and others, to support local agriculture and business, to lessen our dependence on scarce resources, and to educate ourselves – to name a few priorities. Important, too, is enjoying time spent together!”
As president of this organization, I invite you “dear readers” to join us, to re-think, and make 2012 a turning point.
Sincerely,
Tucker Smith
