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Pagan Spirit Gathering looks to secure zoning permit – possible park closure

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Stonehouse Park, a campsite where Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG) is scheduled to be held, has come under fire by local residents for loud music festivals and illegal activities.  None of the complaints or arrests have occurred during PSG.  The park could be shut down by the County Board if members agree with  DeKalb County’s Planning and Zoning Committee’s decision to deny the park owners’ permit request.   PSG is now seeking a “special zoning permit that would allow Pagan Spirit Gathering to be held at Stonehouse Park this year even if zoning processes currently underway are not resolved this Summer.”

Originally, the county was looking to reduce the number of people permitted at the park to just 500.  After the first public hearing, Stonehouse Park was hopeful the limit could be raised to 4000.  But those hopes were dashed when 200 residents signed a petition to shut down the park.  If the county zoning board agrees with the petition and denies renewal of the Park’s 2008 permit the property would revert back to Agriculture-1 zoning, which means no public use would be allowed.

Concerns voiced by community memebrs and law enforcement include loud music late at night, underage drinking, and arrests at two events last summer where witnesses say multiple people were selling and smoking marijuana.  Park owners say they have improved procedures at the park and have barred those two groups from Stonehouse Park.

This is not the first time PSG has faced uncertainty due to drug charges at a campground by other events not related to PSG.  In 2009, PSG moved to Camp Zoe in Missouri.  In November of 2010 Camp Zoe was shut down by federal authorities after a four-year-long investigation allegedly uncovered rampant drug use and sales on the property.    In 2011, PSG moved to Stonehouse Park.  Now Stonehouse Park has come under increased scrutiny.

PSG’s Sharon Stwart has been working closely with Stonehouse Park, county officials and park neighbors in seeking a solution to the park’s Special Use Permit possible lower capacity restriction.  Today PSG sent out this message:

 As we reported in March, Stonehouse Park has been in the process of amending their required Special Use Permit with Dekalb County, Illinois.  Pagan Spirit Gathering Manager Sharon Stewart and others continue to be in frequent contact with a variety of local officials as well as neighbors and Stonehouse Park campground owners as part of the campground’s zoning process.

Although the outcome of the campground’s application for amending their existing zoning permit is not yet known, work also has begun on a special zoning permit that would allow Pagan Spirit Gathering to be held at Stonehouse Park this year even if zoning processes currently underway are not resolved this Summer. Circle Sanctuary is making contingency plans and continuing with preparations for holding Pagan Spirit Gathering 2012 at Stonehouse Park.
The DeKalb County Board is scheduled to vote on the petition to shut down Stonehouse Park at its May 16 meeting.  PNC-Minnesota continues to follow this story and will bring you updates as we receive them.

Pagan CD wins award

Jennifer Cutting’s OCEAN Orchestra’s CD Song of Solstice has won “Best Traditional Folk Album” from the Washington Area Music Association.  Cutting says she made the album, created over seven years, as a labor of love for the Pagan community.

Song of Solstice beat out six other albums to take the award including The Great American Folk Song by the Children’s Chorus of    Washington and Them Bones by David LaFleur.  Singer Lisa Moscatiello  won “Best Traditional Folk Vocalist” for her work on Song of Solstice.

Jennifer Cutting holds both awards. photo credit facebook

PNC-Minnesota reviewed Song of Solstice last December:

Song of Solstice includes original songs, old world classics in French, orchestra accompaniment, hints of steampunk, Renaissance recorders, electric guitars, female singers and male singers.   All the songs celebrate the winter solstice in some way, and while most have a distinct Pagan vibe to them, your Lutheran mother would enjoy it, too.

Jennifer Cutting’s OCEAN Orchestra
Song of Solstice
12 tracks – Original music, Rare Celtic, and Medieval Songs
CD – $17.97 + shipping on CD Baby
Download Album (MP3) – $9.99
Or talk to your local metaphysical store – shop local!

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Bread and Brew with new officers, too

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.