Newsletters
Alton L. Collins Retreat Center
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A letter from the director:
In our weekly staff meetings at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center we devote time to talking about hospitality: where we have seen it, where we have not been so successful in fulfilling it, and what we have discovered about hospitality in the past week, so that all may benefit from our sometimes hard-learned lessons about gracious hospitality.
We include in our conversation a biblical story or a quote about hospitality. We have talked about 
Abraham (and Sarah) in the story from Genesis 18, Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38, and Jesus feeding the 5000. Many quotes about hospitality can be found with a simple internet search. These quotes may challenge us to think of hospitality in new ways, they may reflect our own approach to hospitality or they may confound us.
I recently came across the following quote from Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest who died a few years ago. In his book, “Reaching Out,” Henri wrote, “Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”
This is a quote that seemed to ring true for our staff. We realize that it is not up to us to cause change in other people, especially when we are not leading the program. Yet in our work of cleaning rooms, our care for the facility, our preparation and serving of food, and our work with the land, forest and water on the property, it is clear that we are engaged in offering space for change.
The change of which Nouwen writes is meant for those of you who come here to learn and be transformed through the work of spiritual renewal, community building, board retreats, silent retreats and the important business of leading civic, government, school and non-profit organizations. We have come to realize that it also includes our staff as we learn and grow and yes, CHANGE because of the way that we serve you.
Because we are always looking for ways to improve our hospitality, I would like to hear from you if you have any suggestions as to how we can improve in offering you gracious hospitality. Please click here to send me an email.
Peace,
Todd Bartlett
Director, Alton L. Collins Retreat Center
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Peace path additions:
In March of 2010 we began to lay out the plan for our Peace Path on the lawn by the lodge. It began with painting the lines on the grass and then adding cardboard (an organic weed barrier), followed by the brick outline for the walking path. By May the mulch and compost for the herb beds had been placed and the gravel for the walking path was added so that the path was functional for walking meditation.
As the summer progressed, hand-made benches were added at the center, herbs were planted and a rock (as a place holder for the Peace Pole) gave a more finished look and feel to the path. This winter we have transplanted a lace-leaf maple (sometimes called a Japanese Maple), day lilies (the flowers are edible), lavender, an azalea, crocosmia and more herbs. We also transplanted some trees in the area around the peace path. We have created a place for a bench which will be built later this year using a cedar log from the property. We have ordered more language plaques to proclaim “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” We are still awaiting the milling of the log for the Peace Pole on which these plaques will be attached.
More bricks need to be cleaned (the bricks came from the fireplace of the old lodge at Camp Leewood, the original youth camp on our property) and dirt moved to create the outer garden bed that will have edible flowers and more herbs for our use in the kitchen. We are planning some work days for the Peace Path in April. If you are interested in working on this project click here to let us know. We will include dates in our next newsletter.
Upcoming programs:
Many of you have attended retreats here at the Collins Retreat Center sponsored by your church, non-profit or other organization. We would like to invite you to return to the Center for one of the increasing number of programs that we are sponsoring here. Take a look at what's coming up; click on the program title for more information, or visit our events page to see all our 2011 programs.
Clergy Book Discussion Series--March 11
Knitted Together in Love: A Prayer Shawl Ministry Retreat--March 14-16
Liturgical Arts Renewal@Collins (LARC)--March 15
Clergy Book Discussionn Series--April 14
Work Days (To Be Announced)
Clergy Book Discussion Series--May 12
Liturgical Arts Renewal@Collins (LARC)--May 24
Great Hymns of the Faith I--May 26
Bridge washed out:
This winter we again lost walking access to the Leewood Garden across Deep Creek due to the foot bridge washing out during heavy rains in late 2010. In fact, the bridge broke as one section was ripped off and became lodged in a log pile downstream. As the weather dries out later this spring, we will eventually be able to reclaim the section that was washed downstream, put it together with the piece still securely cabled to the bank, and once again have walking access to the garden.
Todd Bartlett, our director, did some research on a bridge that would span the creek AND (more to the point) the flood zone. This bridge would cost approximately $48,000. As Todd investigated other options he has come up with a plan to build a bridge on a large, solid cedar log that fell across the creek a number of years ago. This new bridge location is not directly across from the garden but will add some additional trails to our present trail system of two-plus miles, as well as offer a glimpse of part of the wetland area on one’s way to the garden.
Because of the generosity of two donors, $5,000 has been pledged for this project. Todd has estimated that this will cover the materials. Where we will need help is in the construction of the bridge. We are planning on doing most of the work during July or August. This will in part depend upon the water flow in the creek. If you are interested in working on this project please send Todd an email and he will keep you informed or work with you as to when would be the best time for you to assist on this project.
Recipe: Chef Guillermo's Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
Sauté until soft:
1 c. carrot, small diced
½ c. parsnips, small diced
1 c. celery, small diced
2 c. onion, small diced
1Tbsp. Garlic, freshly minced
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
½ c. olive oil
¼ c. balsamic vinegar
1 c. white wine, Chardonnay
1 tsp. herbes de provence, dry
½ tsp. basil, dry
1 tsp. cumin, dry
1 tsp. salt, kosher
½ tsp. black pepper, fresh ground
Roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes:
6 c. butternut squash, peeled and medium diced
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. salt, kosher
1 tsp. black pepper, fresh ground
Mix together in a food processor until well mixed to form the Basil Pesto:
4 c. basil, fresh
1 ea. Garlic clove
1 ea. lemon, zest and juice
½ tsp. salt, kosher
¼ tsp. black pepper, fresh ground
1 c. olive oil, extra virgin (add more if needed)
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
¼ c. Parmesan cheese, shredded
2 Tbsp. pine nuts, toasted
Add 4 c. of the roasted butternut squash to the vegetable mixture and combine with:
6 c. chicken stock, low sodium
At low heat with cover on soup pot, simmer for 30 minutes, stirring regularly, then add:
½ c. yogurt, plain
½ of the basil pesto
Use an immersion blender to break down the vegetables in the soup until they are small chunks, but stop before they are puréed. Add the remainder of the butternut squash and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
Garnish:
¼ c. parmesan cheese, shredded
¼ c. parsley, Italian, fine chopped
Before service, add ½ of the parsley to the soup and stir in.
For service, place soup in serving bowl topped with parmesan cheese and then parsley. Enjoy!
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