Happy New Year! A 2019 Update From the Vineyard

Hello to all you wonderful supporters of Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard as we open 2019.

Our past year has been, like so many other years, eventful, to say the least:

• We had a fun and financially – rewarding Fall Fund Raising Party on Saturday, September 8, raising over $4000 for our 3 outstanding charities.

• Our Prairie Star grape harvest was a bust due to a storm which tore off our netting at a time that we were out East and unable to get the netting back on in time.

• We planted 15 more apple trees, Honeycrisp on semi-dwarf Geneva 935 rootstock , down the hill where we have 6 other healthy apple trees. We planted them in September , so we are hopeful that all will be vigorous and healthy.

• We plan to plant another 15-20 semi-dwarf apple trees in May .

This year we will have several volunteer helping opportunities , as well as our Fall Fund Raising Party on September 14:

• Spring Pruning: On the Saturdays, February 16 and 23, and March 2, we will be pruning our 275 Prairie Star vines and 40 some apple trees. We will plan to start at 1pm and finish about 5. We will either serve some dinner or all go out to eat at someplace local. It’s cool at that time , so plan to dress too warmly ( you can always take something off ).

• August Netting: The birds would eat every grape otherwise. We do this when to grapes get sweet ( version ).

• Fall Fund Raising Party: On Saturday, September 14. This will be our 4th annual party, and we plan to have nothing but great fun while helping out our 3 outstanding charities. Set your calendars for this , more info coming up this Summer.

• Fall Grape and Apple Harvest: Date is unknown, but should be mid to late September, and won’t know until 2-3 weeks prior, will keep you informed.

We will try to keep you informed regarding exact dates for the netting and harvest events, asap, by this News section.

All are invited to visit us anytime we are at the farm and vineyard and apple orchards, anytime you may be in the area this Summer. Just give me a call at 763-354-0880. We would love to see you, chat, and get a break !

As 2019 opens, we want to reflect on what each of our 3 great charities are doing to improve the lives of our local and international neighbors on this beautiful planet if ours, reducing ignorance, hatred, and poverty. Peace, prosperity, and understanding of each other increase, thereby improving our lives and communities, as we are all ultimately connected to each other.

- People Serving People in Minneapolis continues to help homeless families find success in achieving housing, education, and employment thru several programs:

• A Strategic Plan Update focused on what creates the greatest stability for children , both at the homeless shelter and in the community. This has led to changes, with a goal to achieve stability for these children . It is known that children succeeding in stable environments become successful adults, contributing back to their communities.
• An Advocacy Services Coordinator , focusing on mental health and addiction services to guests when indicated.
• A Center of Excellence Preschool and Learning Center serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age provides licensed child care, with a heavy emphasis on education.
• A Community Partnership Program works with 46 community partner organizations to improve services provided to homeless shelter guests and Center of Excellence families in the larger community.

Check out the annual Gala Fundraising Event planned for Saturday, April 13, 2019. We attend each year, and it is a fun time to help PSP raise donations and meet other people. Hope to see you there!

- Habitat For Humanity of Minnesota continues annually to work to help build simple, decent, and affordable housing in partnership with people in need. This stabilizes and makes healthy our local Minnesota communities .

• The website is exceptionally well designed, clearly showing how a person in need can access help and advice regarding all the myriad of issues which can make home ownership a challenge. It also outlines multiple specific programs in this regard, and clearly shows us how we can become involved in their efforts.

• The Habitat For Humanity Restores are retail outlets throughout Minnesota , selling quality donated construction materials at a fraction of the cost, providing a revenue

- Central Asia Institute helps children, mainly girls, in Pakistan , Afghanistan , and Tajikistan achieve education, opening their paths to financial and social success, thus transforming their communities away from poverty and ignorance, and towards prosperity and peace. When you educate a girl or woman, you help transform a society.

• The CAI Focus and Vision has been updated to respond appropriately to the changing environment in this troubled region of the world. They are focusing on their vision: Educate a Girl, Change the world .

• The Journey of Hope, Fall 2018 details the success that CAI has daily, and outstanding and beautiful story of one girl growing into a woman, Shhabnam, from a village in the Phandar valley of Pakistan. It is a heartwarming tale of success in the midsts of hardship, and really makes us all feel that we who support CAI share in her success.

All 3 organizations that we so proudly support bring forth all that we can be proud to support: Education , financial stability, individual freedom, social progress, and peace. We continue to believe that we are all connected; when one of us succeeds, we all share the joy and benefit.

So, Spring Pruning in February and March is next. Give me a call if that might work : 763-354-0880

Charity and Peace,

Lost Creek Hippies Vineyard