::ORP COMMUNITY BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 2012 ::

Greetings ORP friends and family …

Depending on your part of the country or continent, the groundhog has predicted our early return to spring this year. We’ve awoken earlier than usual to begin scheming, dreaming, playing and planning.

This year is special no doubt, with another 7-year cycle come and gone, the emergence from 2011 into the mystery and expectations of 2012, and the groundswell of energy that will lead us to the solstice.

We have experienced much CHANGE in recent months and We are eager for MORE! ...though we don’t know what that means - right now. CHANGES to spark our imaginations and creativity, to inspire our courageous kookiness and lift our community through to its next phase, whatever that may be....

ARE YOU EXCITED?

...because it’s coming...

:::Summer Solstice 2012 :::

WOW!

...that (looks and) sounds sexy. Whimsical. And oh so spooky too!

So save that date with gosh goly glee, because we promise you an event ripe with character and fun, and so much more - perhaps like nothing you’ve ever experienced before!

Monday, June 18th - Sunday, 24th 2012

Don’t miss out! Book your vacation time, tie string around your fingers, synchronise your watches, update the calendar app.... do it NOW!

The night sky will be dark that week, with a new moon just emerging. This time promises power and inspiration and a fresh start for all of us. Dare to dream ORPies … dream big this year. Start thinking about how you are going to contribute through art, music , food and performance … Bring it on with enthusiasm this year and be sure to let us know how you can help!

Stay tuned! You’ll be hearing from us soon!

P.L.U.R.
ॐ

IN LOVING MEMORY - JOHN PANAGAPKA

Dearest ORP Community,

As you may be aware, unfortunately, just a few weeks before the Winter Solstice, we lost a very dear friend and major contributor to the summer solstice festival and the community as a whole.

John Panagapka - January 9th, 1965 – December 5th, 2011
John passed from this world to the next on December 5th, five weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. John was very active in the annual Summer Solstice festivals, as a coordinator and builder of necessary infrastructure, participating in and assisting with many other events and projects within our community. John had wisdom and character like none other. He shared his knowledge and joy with the world without expectation. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting John he most likely made a lasting impression on you. We know that John would want us all to shine his light forward in our own lives as he did while living his.

An individual to the end, John died at home, surrounded by the community that he loved and we love and miss him still.

John was buried in a casket made by hand by those closest to him, that was painted with love, and adorned with tools to assist him on his journey.

At John’s memorial funky hats and animal ears arrived en mass. He was remembered through laughter and tears, stories and lessons. Messages left for John in his last days were shared, giving everybody present an impression of the strength, joy, beauty, patience and love by which John lived his life.

We watched John’s natural burial and said our good-byes with an OM.

Namaste,
ORP