Sacred Paths Center knows how to combine business with pleasure.  On Sunday the SPC held it’s annual meeting, elected a new Board of Directors, and hosted a Bread & Brew event.

Annual Meeting
During the annual meeting the main item of new business was to reduce the board from nine members to seven.  The proposal was voted on and carried.  The new board of six persons, all women this year, was voted in at the meeting.  They are Lola Moffatt, Nikki Wakal, Carol, Mary Oczak, Heather Roan Robbins, and Emily.  There is one board position open to be filled at a later date.

Presentation to members
The board presented a powerpoint of the past year and the impact the center has had on the community.  The board addressed one of the major challenges of the center, cash flow.  The center spends approximately $4000 a month and brings in $3000 in revenue.  Addressing the net loss is one of the goals of 2012.

The presentation also highlighted the achievements of the center.  Since opening their doors there have been over 50 rituals, 141 potlucks, 27 concerts, and over 600 classes and workshops.

Along with the goal for addressing the revenue imbalance the center hopes to complete their 501c3 status, apply for grants, and finish cataloging the library.  They noted that increasing the number of memberships, and encouraging current members to upgrade their membership, would help keep the center operating.  After the meeting was over, the board members and SPC members joined in the festivities happening in the main room.

Bread & Brew
As in previous years, the annual Bread & Brew was held directly following the annual meeting.  Approximately 25 people attended the event where bakers and brewers show the community what they can do.  SPC Executive Director Teisha Magee says the event,  “showcases the talents of community members” and is also a fundraiser for the center.

There were ten entries in the bread category and one for the brewers, which was down from last year’s entries.  Samples of breads and wine were set out for attendees and official judges to sample and vote on.  Attendees voted by placing poker chips, which they purchased for $1 each, in the jar in front of their favorites.  They could buy as many votes as they like and distribute them in any way they wished.  The bread and brew that received the most attendee votes would be declared the Peoples’ Choice winner.  Judges used scoring sheets to decide first, second, and third place in yeast breads, quick breads, beer, mead, and wine categories.

SPC board member Carol, former board member George, and Alaina judged this year’s competition.  Alaina bid on the right to be a judge at the SPC auction and fundraiser held earlier this fall.  The winners are as follows:

Yeast Bread
Third Place – “bread” by Michael
Second Place – “Portuguese sweet bread” by Judy
First Place – “Multi-grain” by Lisa

Quick Breads
Third Place – “Pumpkin bread” by Ruth
Second Place – “Blueberry bread” by Connor
First Place – “Date Bread” by Judy

People’s Choice for Bread – “Multi-grain” by Lisa

Wine
First Place – “Merlot” by Cara

People’s Choice for Brew – “Merlot” by Cara

There were no entries in the beer or mead categories.