A Seasonal Note From Chris
There are many memories of my father, Francis Cloud Schellinger, that I have from my youth. One that came back recently was how he would frequently say goodbye to people who came to visit us in the Avon Hills, where the Folk School operates today. He would thank them for coming to visit because it allowed him to see the land again for the first time and appreciate all that we enjoyed on a daily basis. We realized there were times we’d taken it for granted.
I had that experience during our 9th annual Artists and Maker’s Camp when Jen, who had not been able to attend for several years, shared her amazement on all that had been accomplished since she last visited. Her appreciation provided me with a moment of recognition of how far we’ve come in just the last two years.
This past summer and on into September has been filled with new and exciting ways to build and enrich our community at the Avon Hills Folk School. Here is a partial list:
The second year of Timber Framing for FLINTA welcomed sixteen students to campus, from four in our first year.
Each month community members gather for Mending and Felting Circles at the Folk School where they gather together to visit, work on their projects and enjoy each other’s company.
Completed our pilot project with the St. Cloud School District to provide over 400 kids an outdoor experience through our TimberNook programming.
We welcomed members of our Somali Community and others to the folk school to learn about and experience many aspects of Somali art and culture.
New projects and completed projects: a roof on the Pizza Temple, timber frame storage, covered timber frame bridge to the workshop second floor, completion of our new wood fired oven!
9th Annual Artists and Makers Camp, formerly known as Hand Camp, with 31 attendees and six instructors!
Special songwriting workshop with Grammy nominated singer/songwriter John McCutcheon. John said, “The first place I went after graduating from St. John’s was a folk school (Highlander in Tennessee). If there had been a place like this I may have stayed.”
Looking Ahead.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being associated with the Avon Hills Folk School are the many opportunities we have to collaborate with other organizations and the individuals they serve. This October we are offering an Introduction to Timber Framing course that will build a frame for Spark-Y, a youth organization in Minneapolis. Our instructors Clark Bremer and Alo Osberg are leading twelve students (four from Spark-Y) through the five day course, resulting in the completion of a frame that will provide new programming space for them in northeast Minneapolis.
As I write this our annual Bouja Party is just two days away - preparations are in full swing, we have an experienced team working on it and a great slate of volunteers helping to make it a memorable experience for everyone who will attend. Hope we got to see you there!
New Board Members.
We are delighted to welcome Ayan Omar and Tom Wicks to the Avon Hills Folk School Board.
Tom has been associated with the folk school since living off the grid for two years in a cabin on the banks of Spunk Creek in the early 1980’s. He worked with the Boys and Girls Club for nearly his entire career, beginning when there was one location and ending with over 12 locations. Tom has been working closely with us since 2021, helping us to add youth programming and being able to do just about anything needed.
Ayan Omar is a long-time resident of central Minnesota and is currently in the role of Director of Equity with the St. Cloud School District. We got to know Ayan during the planning and execution of our pilot project with the district to bring the TimberNook outdoor learning experience to children within the St. Cloud area who would otherwise not have the opportunity. We are excited for her to join us, her commitment to community and youth in St. Cloud is impressive.
With Gratitude
As I pause to look around and take a moment to appreciate all that we have accomplished together in just a few short years I am filled with gratitude and wonder. This special place in the Avon Hills is fast becoming an irreplaceable asset in the minds of many. We look forward to continuing to grow our programming and impact. Always seeking new ways to build and enrich community for everyone.
I’ll share the parting words of a first time visitor to the folk school as he was about to leave, “This place is special. I could tell the moment I stepped out of the car today. I want to come back, bring my family with me, and have our organization’s entire team come together in this place.”
We think this place is special too - and we couldn’t be happier to be able to share it with each and every one of you.
With gratitude,
Chris Schellinger
Executive Director and Founder
