HYPATIAINTHEWOODS
A RETREAT AND
RESOURCE CENTER
FOR WOMEN IN
THE ARTS
AND ACADEMIA
News from the
Woods
Winter 2011
Special Points
of Interest
Inspiration, Contemplation, Exploration….
 The Labyrinth and
Woodland trails project
 Poetry trail signage
 Holiday Decorations
Fundraiser with Lynch
Creek Farm
 Memorial Tree
Dedication Ceremony
Inside this issue:
Labrinth and Trails 2
Developing
Jeanne Lohmann
Poetry Trail—
Adopt a Poem!
2
Workshops:
Writing and
Wild & Wooly
Yarn Works
3
Elspeth Goes to
Ocean Shores
3
Holiday
Decorations
Fundraiser
3
Memorial Tree
Dedication
Ceremony
4
Residents Report
4
Just as a walk through a labyrinth is a journey
to the center of yourself, to healing, selfknowledge, and peace, the journey toward the
creation of Hypatia-in-the-Woods’ labyrinth in
the meadow and Jim Holly’s Orchard, along with
walking trails through the property, has included
a series of twists, turns, and minor setbacks, but
never a dead end.
In 2001 Melissa Hardie, of Cornwall, made a
generous donation in memory of her mother. In
2002 the call went out for interested parties to
participate in creating the “Vera Wagener
Labyrinth”. However, the project was waitlisted
as money was raised for Holly House to be
renovated.
When Holly House was completed and the
idea of the labyrinth surfaced again, Don Freas,
of the Freas Family Foundation, made the dream
possible through a generous donation. A
designer was located, plans were germinating—
and Elspeth had the stroke.
Thankfully, Carolyn Maddux took over,
wrote the formal grant, did all of the
investigation, sought volunteers, and has done
a huge amount of physical labor herself. The
creation is still a work in progress, but
wonderful progress has been made.
In the spring of 2011, when we have our
annual membership meeting, it is our intention
that you will be able to meander back and forth
through the labyrinth shifting your awareness
with each change in direction, or bring family
and friends to take a walk, consider a decision,
or say a prayer. As you walk, we hope you keep
in mind all of the people who are making your
journey possible.
See the article inside by Carolyn…
The Vera Wagener Labyrinth takes shape
A wheelchair accessible path will make
it available to everyone .
No dead ends here—just possibilities.
Page 2
News from the Woods
The Labyrinth and Trails Developing
By Carolyn Maddux
With the aid of a Freas Family Foundation grant and a corps of volunteers, Hypatia-in-the-Woods has
developed a meadow labyrinth and several walking trails through the cedar woods near Holly House. In March,
a working party that included Allen Roth, Pat Edmondson, Mike Heimann and his chainsaw, Shelley Kirk-Rudeen,
Allan and Norma Borden, and Carolyn Maddux cleared and expanded an existing trail from the back of Holly
House to a viewpoint overlooking Hammersley Inlet. Next year we hope to install a platform and bench as a
area for working or contemplation. Mike cleared away mounds of fallen-tree rubble along the route.
March also saw the beginning of work on an east-west trail running the length of Elspeth’s wooded property.
Forestry consultant Guy Lusignan gave of his expertise in locating a long grown-over skid road from early logging days and also gave us advice about soils conditions in the meadow where our labyrinth was to be located.
Later, landscaper Rhoda Pykonen also visited and advised, suggesting that we take advantage of the meadow’s
openness for the labyrinth walk. Norma and Allan Borden added to flagging on the east-west route. Once soil
conditions became dry enough for work, groups of volunteers hacked and raked a way trail to the west end of
the property, then veered south to the driveway to create a walking loop. Volunteers included Ed Aceto, Bill
Young, Jean Busch, and David Snyder—all members of a local writers’ circle; Deb Wolslum, Peggy Hosford, and
Mike Heiman, cedar-finder extraordinaire. Bill Yake and Jeannette Barrecca spent a morning grooming the trail
waterward from Holly House. Stringers are in place on two bridges over watercourses on the east-west trail,
and Mike Heimann plans to see those decked before spring.
Meanwhile, after arrangements with a labyrinth designer fell through, we found that our own friend and
supporter, Shannon Klasell, had labyrinth-design experience. Shannon drew a suitable design and Carolyn
Maddux adapted it on the ground, winding through sun and shade in the meadow and Jim Holly Orchard. Our
contractor has cut the sod, laid barriers, and placed gravel on the paths; as this article goes to press, a top layer
of pathway bark is being placed to create stability and make it handicap-accessible.
A loop path accessible from the labyrinth and the driveway has been cleared and will be graded and
developed for handicap-accessibility. This path, with poetry installations, will become the Jeanne Lohman Poetry
Trail (see related story). Shelley Kirk-Rudeen, who has designed interpretive trails for the Washington
Department of Natural Resources and other entities, worked with Jeanne on the poetry and with our crews on
trail implementation.
Winter saw us working on signage and way-pointers. Spring will bring a new bout of trail work as we continue to groom the paths and develop rest points, benches, and other improvements. We hope our friends and
supporters will visit Hypatia-in-the-Woods and enjoy these walking paths.
Adopt a Poem on the Jeanne Lohmann Poetry Trail
We are delighted to announce that we have embarked on the development of a trail system that includes
the Jeanne Lohmann Poetry Trail. Jeanne Lohmann is an Olympia poet and teacher of poetics who has
inspired emerging poets across the country through her writing and her workshops. An annual poetry
competition was established in her honor by California friends in conjunction with the Olympia Poetry
Network. She has personally chosen the six poems for the trail installations. A number of these poems are
still available for “adoption”.
A donation of $400 to Hypatia-in-the-Woods pays for the poem on a metal plaque with a metal stanchion.
Several donors can combine forces, if they choose, to underwrite an installation.
We are able to offer a dedication inscription honoring a special individual attached to the plaque at the end
of the poem.
Contact Carolyn Maddux at [email protected] to adopt a poem today.
This spring the poetry pieces will be installed along the loop trail through the beautiful cedar woods near the
Holly House. Visitors, workshop participants, and Holly House residents will be able to enjoy them in this
spectacular natural setting.
Page 3
Workshops: Writing Deeply and Wild and Wooly Yarn Works
In August we enjoyed a workshop at Holly
House with Casey Fuller, whose focus was on
writing more deeply. He furnished us with a number of exercises and most of the writers there left
with some satisfying new poetry.
Casey, who earned his MFA in the Rainier Writing
Program at Pacific Lutheran University, is an insightful teacher as well as an inspiring poet; we
were honored to have him lend his expertise for
the Hypatia cause. Thanks,
Casey!
Coming in spring of 2011 will be a multi-genre
writing workshop. Children’s author and poet,
Terri Cohlene, who has presented workshops at
Write on the Sound in Edmonds and Write in the
Woods at Olympic College Shelton, will lead this
workshop in March; date TBA. Anyone interested
please contact
Carolyn Maddux at [email protected] to get on
the list for notification of this & all workshops!
In both July and October, Holly House was awash in
yarns, hooks, needles, and people with a love of yarn arts.
The knitters, crocheters, spinners, and felters came from
all over the Puget Sound region to share patterns and
stitches, make friends, and contribute to Holly House
upkeep. In July, Myra Gomez of Fancy Image Yarn in
Shelton brought products, door prizes, and her Knit-ARow project where each participant was invited to knit a
row onto a throw that will be donated to Turning Pointe,
a shelter for abused women located in Shelton. Participant, Rebecca, also led the group of 17 in non-wool knitting projects, and another participant brought her spinning wheel and handcrafted yarns for display.
In October there were projects for show-and-tell and
donated door prizes. Ideas were flowing and fingers flying
as everyone exchanged tips and suggestions.
In both July and October Peggy Giza added zip and variety with her demonstrations of felting.
Special Thanks to Pat Edmondson for organizing these
two events.
SIGN UP NOW FOR “APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS”
Workshop on Saturday, March 26th, led by Dr. Billie Ann Davis, a nationally acclaimed speaker, personal
coach, and consultant on reconciliation. This workshop is aimed at people who would like to free themselves
from issues of the past, reclaim their personal freedom, and find healing. Please contact Carolyn Maddux at
[email protected] to register.
Elspeth Goes to Ocean Shores
Elspeth, along with board members Pat Edmondson, Vivian Bliss, and Allen Roth, attended a two day conference in Ocean Shores this past October. The focus was helping non-profit organizations effectively find
grants. Please visit our Facebook page to check out the pictures from that event, and others. All reported
that the conference was exciting. The four Board members left armed with information about what is possible and a belief that some funding from grants can be in our future.
Decorate & Donate:
Help during the Holidays from Lynch Creek
Lynch Creek Farms, a local firm that makes and ships wreaths and holiday decorations using fragrant Northwest greens included us in their fundraising program
this year! Our supporters reached Lynch Creek’s Web site via a link they provided
us, and Hypatia-in-the-Woods automatically received 25% of the price of the products that were ordered (which are beautiful). Shipping was free,
products came in a fancy red box, and you were able to choose your delivery
date ,add a personalized message, and give a gift to us all at the same time!
Watch for this opportunity for the holidays next year—what a great way to
spread some cheer and support Hypatia-in-the-Woods at the same time.
Don’t forget to “like” us at Facebook, in order to get timely announcements
about this and other opportunities to support Hypatia-in-the-Woods.
Board of Directors
Elspeth Pope, Director
Vivian Bliss
Pat Edmondson
Mary Ann Fraser
Robert G. Holly
Colleen Keoski
Susan Lawrence
Carolyn Maddux
Allen Roth
HYPATIAINTHEWOODS
A RETREAT AND
RESOURCE
CENTER FOR
WOMEN IN THE
ARTS
AND ACADEMIA
P.O. Box 58
Shelton, WA 98584
Email:
director@
hypatiainthewoods.org
Find us at Facebook
and on the web at
www.hypatiainthewoods.org
How can I become that which I know I am?
The Memorial Tree Dedication...
Those attending the dedication included Cyndi Eaton, the
artist who crafted the tree,
and family of loved ones being
remembered. Mike Holly
installed the leaf on which his
father’s name, James Holly, is
name inscribed. Elspeth
watched her beloved husband
be remembered. Collleen
Keoski helped install the leaf
for her husband, Joel. Allen
Roth installed the leaf for his
daughter, Tammy, and Susan
Lawrence for her daughter
Irene. We all shared, tears,
laughter, and memories.
Everyone agreed that the
Memorial Tree is a beautiful
way to say “We Remember
Them”.
Leaves are available.
Please contact us for
information.
Check out all of our photos albums at Facebook
Fabulous workshops
coming up soon—see
Facebook for a list.
Upcoming Events
Heart Sparkle Players
special performance
March 6th
Mary Lou Sanelli, poet
reading/performance
April 17th
Both at GDP Studio
in Shelton
“Creative endeavor requires physical and mental space, without privacy, solitude,
and time, it suffocates. It is impossible to pursue original thought in the scattered
remnants of a day or of a lifetime.”
-Judith Groch
Hypatia-in-the-Woods was created to provide that physical and mental space.
Our residential retreat and study center has been designed for women seeking to
pursue their muse undistracted by everyday demands.
Our workshops and community programs are open to everyone.
Report on Residents


Watch for details.
There are still openings
available for residencies
in 2011. Applications
and instructions can be
downloaded from our
website. Look under the
Contact Us menu item.


TaraShea Nesbit of Tacoma,
WA, worked on a series of
essays that explore the once
secret town of Richland,
Washington.
Lisa Wells of Portland, OR,
took time to complete two
manuscripts, one of poetry
and another of short fiction.
Marilyn Vogler of Chassell,
MI, spent time journaling
and reflecting on a variety
of changes in her life over
the past decade.
Jennifer Brown Lawrence of
Poulsbo, WA, a poet who
works full time in the field of engineering, worked
on her third collection of poems which explore the
effects of war on intimate relationships.
 Alison Mandaville of Seattle, WA, wrote new
poems sparked by her recent time in Azerbaijan
and shaped a book-length poetry manuscript
 Ann Batcheler Hursey of Mount Lake
Terrace, WA, plans to write new poems and
revise accumulated work to create her first full
length manuscript.
 In April Robin Smith of Littleton, Co, will be in
residence
 In May, Judit Fay Pulman of Portland, OR, will
be translating poetry of Joseph Brodsky and
starting a series exploring the story of Job.
Watch “What’s Up at Holly House” on the
website and Facebook for updates and more
details.