Winter 2001 Number 66

Demonstration: For both domestic and commercial gardeners winter, not spring is the beginning of the growing season. Furthermore, this is the time to make plans for the coming season, for designing what will be the crops, for buying seeds and for sowing the flats in the greenhouse. Besides, this is the time to harvest the holdover crops which are now rich in sugars that keep them from freezing. This is especially noteworthy during this past December, the coldest since weather data records were started in the 1870s. What suffered most here during this record cold were our Japanese radishes. Even so we have enjoyed freshly harvested carrots, Jerusalem artichokes, garlic, parsley, salsify, mustard, and well mulched dandelions along with Swiss chard from the solar greenhouse.

Solar Energy: Joshua Bills is seeking funding for a Kentucky Solar Partnerships program which may be associated with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Roof Program. This partnership involves individuals, organizations, businesses and educational institutions who wish to install or have installed photovoltaic units on homes and offices for lighting and other electric functions. We hope that groups will direct solar advocates with technical expertise and solar enthusiasts for resurrecting a solar organization like existed in each Appalachian state in the late 1970s. Joshua is intending to build a “car port” structure here at ASPI as part of a series of solar workshops. This installation is calculated to supply the complete energy needs for the ASPI Solar Car, which is now mostly charged by the current utility grid. When the carport is completed it will be the first such project in Appalachia.

Trails: Mark Spencer has done extensive work in the past few months on the Blue Warbler Trail, named for a threatened bird species which has nested in this part of our region. This trail extends to an old-growth forest overlook within the Daniel Boone National Forest. We hope to formally dedicate the trail and incorporate it into the ASPI trail network on the upcoming River Day, June 2, 2001. This will join the Irene Dickinson Trail and the Michael Zalla Trail on part of the 150 acre parcel of our recently acquired lands formerly the wooded portion of the Sand Hill Community Land Trust. The three components will bring the network to over six miles of moderately difficult hiking and scenic trails.

Chemical Laboratory: The ASPI chemical laboratory is now functioning with its hood, heating system, interior furnishings, and a sufficient amount of equipment purchased at the University of Kentucky surplus sale for a reasonable price. Jack Kieffer is working on extracting ginsenosides from dried ginseng foliage and root both for determining quality and for possible income sources for ginseng growers. We will be assisted in the late spring by a laboratory assistant from Eastern Kentucky University.
Ginseng Project: Syl Yunker will go to western Virginia in February to continue the successful workshop program of this past year (no cost but the purchase of his videotape for $20). Syl was asked to furnish some of his ten-year old organic ginseng to Professor Ellen Murphy who is doing cancer research at Southern Illinois University. Five other areas of work are being funded in 2001 by the Educational Foundation of America: two videotapes and other information; the feasibility of a ginseng marketing card system like that currently used for tobacco marketing; ginseng market coops and market alternatives; the GIS work of Dan Bond to identify ideal ginseng growing areas on any farm in Kentucky and other states; and determination of a legal structure for the Appalachian Ginseng Foundation.

Publications: The 2001 Simple Lifestyle Calendar had the second best sales in our over two decades of publication, with many compliments on the Women in Appalachia issue. Thanks go out both to the long-term customers and new purchasers. Most of our available materials are listed in the accompanying publications listing and can be received in hard copy format at the modest prices listed or found on our ASPI web site <www.kih.net/aspi>. In addition there are recent talks and reports by Al Fritsch which are on the web site alone: Care of Earth: Ten Reasons Francis is Patron of Ecology; Towards an Authentic Eco-Spirituality; Reflections on Land Stewardship; & Beyond Simplicity: Tough Issues for a New Era. For those wishing to receive an annual subscription for the Appalachian Ginseng Foundation Newsletter the price is $10.00 per year, but the text is also available on our web site.

Earth Healing Television Shows. Due to the enormous logistical problems as WOBZ-TV is moving into its new studios none of the ASPI shows produced in the latter half of 2000 and for the indefinite future will be available except for the interviewee. However, the 42 videotapes of the 1999-2000 Pollution Prevention Series are available as listed in the enclosed ASPI Publications List. We welcome the completion of the WOBZ-TV demonstration site with its dry composting toilet and other appropriate tech features.

Resource Assessment Service. This ASPI program is trying to wind down with three current assessments for the following: The Franciscan Convent & Lourdes College at Sylvania, OH; The Ursuline Community and Ursuline College at Pepper Pike (Cleveland), OH; and the Notre Dame Community and Farm at Chardon, OH. Al Fritsch is a member of a seven-person Task Force sponsored by the Legal Resource Center for Religious which began meeting at Madison, Wisconsin in January to deal with recommendations for transfer or use of real property and greenspace by religious communities. The Reflections on Land Stewardship report is now being completed thanks to funding from the U.S. Jesuit Conference and the Jonquil Foundation (The Literary Society of St. Catherine Siena).

Off-Road Vehicle. The first community meeting of about 50 citizens was held at our ASPI Nature Center on what to do about off-road vehicle trespassing. Even with great differences being voiced by riders and landholders, a consensus was reached that no trespassing should be allowed. Immediately following the gathering several federal, state and local policing agencies challenged and gave citations to dozens of the hundreds of off-road riders who converge in good weather at the famous 909-site in Laurel County from Ohio and Indiana as well as Kentucky. One landowner plans to run for local magistrate to assist in policing the area of heaviest impact. One of our recent Earth Healing shows documents the crossing of the Rockcastle River by these vehicles in areas clearly off limits by Federal regulations.

Thanks(9/1/2000 to 12/31/2000) to Laurie Webb, Nick & Julie Schnitzer, Sarah Peterson, John & Dorothy Tohill, Dan Stinnott, Mary E. Fritsch, John Stoeckinger,Ian Rudick, Steve & Erika Solberg, Aldine Rubinstein, Philip Williams, Fr. Henry Atkins, Margaret Brandt, Fr. Walt Bado, Allene Long, Maria Powers, Marion Mitchell, Lemuel Morrison, Pauline Reeser, Joyce Sheehey, Matt Cook, Robert Downey, Maura Ubinger, Gayle King, John & Jane Spurlock, John Cleveland & Artie Ann Bates, Martin Olge, Beth Grendahl, Fred Weckenmann, Connie Schmitt, Anton Prange, Donal Parks, Pat Tompkins, Myra Warner, Marilyn Cleveland, Richard Jentgen, Rev.Arthur Redmond, Ann Magner, Sr.Lucinda Moreck, Carole Russell, Mary Sweda, Nancy Jackson, Margaret Lynd, Robert Foster, Ray Graves, Herb Petitjean, Nancy Ross, Joni & Mark Morgan, Sarah Moore, Dennis Limon, Tim Lee, David & Karen Hinchen, Richard & Janet Futrell, Dan & Lauren Chapman, Edward Fritsch, Steve Swanback, Rachel Robowski, Liz Swinfen, Sr.Marge Mouch, Peter Slonek, Colleen Fogarty, Joan Kay Yeager, Margaret Hay, Daniela Handelman, Catherine Cameron, Susie Black, Patricia Wathingon, Rodney Drew Sellers & Sharon Schnall, Edward & Marylin Lorenz, John Florian, David & Betty Lollis, Donna Sue Grover, Betsy Burdett, Kedi Kaufman, Delbert & Ruth Shirley, Jane Tompson, Marilyn Geiger, Doris Magan, Lisa Schmidt, Pat Gailey, Susan Ludwig, Marjory Donn, Jennie Lee Davis, Michele Handelman, Rose Marie Muzika, Patty Kipps, Susanne Fountain, Pamela Holt, Trina Paulus, Leanne Herda, Glenda & Marcus Keyes, Charlene McAndrews, Bill Deutsch, Joseph Hacala, Ben Eissen, Dorothy Shields, Sharon McComb, Paul & Janet Haynes, Margaret Kiekhaefer, Sue Eick, Anna Belle Day, Lynne Moody, Paul O. Buterbaugh, Mary Ann Kokenge, Claire Carpenter, Joseph T. Netherland, Nancy G. Stein, Wayne & Shirley Davis, Albert Ruschman, Bruce Carter, Judson Cramer, Dawn Ramsay, Ron & Mary Nahser, William Haas/ Bellarmine Retreat House, Colin Raitiere, James Zeller, George & Rita Watkins, Margaret Gorey, John & Colleen Harmeyer, Greg & Kay Harmeyer, Henrietta Gabel, Don & Rosemary Thielke, Claire McBrien, Nancy Jackson, Dr.Andreas & Francisca Thomasen, Wayne & Imogene Margison, Barbara Holt, Eugene Kieffer, Rebecca Glasscock, John & Sandra Freda, Tom & Linda Green, Russ Tucker, Carl Callenbach, Chris Schimmoeller, William & Barbara Boeck, Casey Sterr, Sr.Catherine Schoenborn, Elizabeth Churchill, Barry Howard, Clay & Donna Goebeler, Albert & Jean Cevasco, Beth Dotson, James & Carol Lichtenberg, David & Christine Nadler, Rick Katterman, Steve & Julie Lebrun, Fr.Greg Schuler, Paschal Phillips, Dan Roche, Burton V. Barnes, Sr. Loretto Driscoll, Myrtle Hendrickson, Bill & Dorothy Harmeyer, Norma Allen, Helen Mullins, Ken Herren, Glenn & Joan Gallenstein, Jerry & Penny Clark, Lena F. Cramer, Sr.Elaine Betoneomt/St.Paul Catholic Church, Roger & Stacy Campbell, Ed & Christina Fritsch, Charles & Margaret Hollowell, Paul & Monique Winther, Elizabeth Long, Chris Klug, David & Becky Grandgeorge, David Arnold, Ted & Betty Linden, Maggie Brandt, Cherie Clark, Mary Wicksten, Helen Harms, Carrie Carter, Patrice Harris, K.Ryan, Tenley Weaver, Richard Peckham, Tricia Pace, Bob Suber, Jim Graf, Karol Osobrne, Kathryan Campbell, Daniel Coffey, Ed Perraut, Roger & Patricia Frish, Linda Ewald, Mike & Elizabeth Mattox, Sr.Alice Retzner/ Queen of all Saints Church, Bill & Val Wolff, Ralph & Elizabeth Boerner, Wendell & Tanya Berry, Jack Vetter, Mary White Goodwyn, David & Ethyl Merrick, Leslie Smith, Karen Bakita, Herbert & Karen Packard, Fr.Bob Sears, Brian & Susan Bobka, Janet Seeds, Marliese Reick, Paul Hollenback, Wes Jackson, J.D. Wulfhorst, Jenny Holmes, Robert & Mary Ann McDonald, Robert & Anna Harris, Frank & Cheryl Kazemek, Frank Fischer,Jr., Steve & Jill Acree, Anita Anderson, Kenneth & Virginaia Smith, James & Mary Payne, Lanny & Yevonnie Middleton, June Fritsch, William Martin, Joan Davison, Francesca Bartos, O.P., Linda Boggs, Ralph McCaslin, Lucy Mahaffey, Leonard Levine, Renate Craine-Sutterlin, Rev.Paul Prabell, Judith Duvall, Phillip & June Allen, Jane Adele Spear, Greg Reineke, Lilian Lawrence, Susanne Fountain, Mary & Janet Furlong, Paul & Ann Rapien, Gary Stansfield, Orie & Elinor Loucks,William & Julie Gregg, Sr.Patrice Sullivan, Martin & Brenda Evans, Daniel Shine, Connie May, Judith McCandless, Gordon & Joyce Garner, Jerry Redden, Jim & Katie Brausch, John & Eileen Yago, Jr., Donna Hanley, Bob Hoover, Robert & Barbara Perkaus, Alexander Lee, Patti Staton, Suzanne Smith, Thomas & Jill Walton, Charles Lake, George & Bonnie Estill, Ruth Kalin, Michael Vincent/ Catholic Community Services, Phil & Linda Pfeiffer, John Carrol, Tom & Carol French-Corbett, Phil & Mary Stern, Tony Witsken, Jim Fournier & Karen Zeleznak, Thomas & Kathryn Anderson, Cathy & Ihor Hlohowskyj, Phyllis Machta, Patricia Pielnik, Lynne Moody, Audrey Schomer, Lindsay MacFarlane, Carl Todd, Kristine Thonnings, Peter & Donna Ford, Robert H. McDonald,Jr., Gene & Joanne Wilhelm, Greg Kepferle & Jean Blomquist, Donald Geiger, Carl & Mary Moore, Deepak, Abeer & Myra Desai, Mother Paula Seiple/Holy Redeemer Monastery, Robert & Nannette Poe, Leonard & Donna Wrona, Paul Gade & Mary Moore, Hesperia Bevan, Joseph & Dorothy Farrell, Elizabeth Olson, Andy & Gwen McMahon, Beth Davies, James & Heather Bartos, Sara Peterson, Robert Gorman, Anne Woodard, Rosemary Leahy, Betty Graham, Marge Lakes, Fred Schwerer, Carolyn & Walter Croft, Celeste Jirles, Betsy Crofts, Nancy Jackson, Mike Shremshock, Kristy Higgs, Marlisse Reick, Ann Auteri, Ann Oliver, Elaine Potts, Beth Simpson Robie, Celeste Wojcik, Suzanne Smith, Martha Dillingham, Thomas Brudenell & Lynn Sibley, James Puglisi, Jr., Kathryn McCoy, Jan Chapman, Dana Wildsmith, Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Kathy Birmingham, Leo Babeu, Sandi & Lonnie Sears, Jane Nowakowski & Kevin Mulcahy, Everett Brooks, John Jay Chapman, Daniel Chalfant, Stuart Butler, Jack Hoffer, Nancy Acara, Jack Gessel/Cumberland Ctr, for Justice & Peace, David & Nan Fry, Ruth Fort, Starling Childs, James & Loretta Spotila, Kurt Waldhustter, Richard & Susan Pozdol, William Parke, Roberta Shaw-Reeves & Lee Burton, Jessie Lang, Kristina Peterson & Richard Krajeski, Marilyn & Bruno Jaselskis, Gregory & Ruth Maletta, Robert & Beth Gehres, Susanne Comtois, Eugene & Sonya Hirschberg, Marilyn Huegerich, John Clubbe, Richard & Barbara Blewett, George & Charlesetta Perraut, Erston Butterfield, Paul O’Brien, S.J., David Sheley, John Jeavons, Larry & Carol Ann Morrow, Robert & Mary Davis, Charles & Mary O’Neill, Patricia Perraut, Barbara O’Donnell, Mary Ellen Neill, Richard Murphy/Jesuit Community Vatican Observatory, Christine & Jim Tenhundfeld, Benjamin Urmston,S.J., William Shallenberger, John Robbins, Kathleen & Kenneth Beerbohm, Sara Peterson, Gertrude Jaggie, Syl Yunker, Ann & Paul Halverstadt, Mary Louise Perraut, Frank & Carol Schmidt, Mary Chapman, Helen Latour, James Clark, Cecile Parker, Carolyn Vadala, Loretta Galbraith, Eric Larson, Stewart Peebles, Beverly Bunnell, Karen Pillar, Anita Crofts, Susan Nachazel, Charlotte Pyle, Alan Raflo, Rick Axtell, Robert Mushaben, Dyan Jones, Theresa Cross, Stanley Fish, Elizabeth Legum, Gena Krueger, Thomas Campbell, John & Jade Myers Hargrove, Chuck Hines, Nelson French, Tobi Underwood, Charles & Rachelle Hollander, Thomas Lankenau, Kit & Ev Pilgrim, Terrie & Philip Curd, Don & Mary Girton, Wellesley Monthly Meeting of Friends, David Wheeler & Judith Hallock, Michelle Harr, Patricia Duffy, Michael Fortin, Teresa Casselman, Carole Pierce, Denise Peterson, Ron Preston, George & Bonnie Barnette, Eric Matchette, James Hall, Betsy Bennett, Larry & Rose Darpel, Alice Haberle, Robert & Rosemary Courboin, Louise Hamel, Patricia Wolf, Charles & Kathy Fritsch, Ed & Dale Harris,Jr., Doug & Pat Macneal, Jane Frantz, James & Debra Weber, John Stephen Rhodes, John Rogers, John Florian, Louise Chawla, Ron & Mary Beth Lusby, Gilbert & Margaret Switala, Margaret & Richard LaMartina, Richard & Margaret Smith, Connie Schmitt, Tom Bell, Royal Graves, Kasey Moulton, Mary Grisco, Claire Nader/Safety Systems Foundation, Joan Scanlon, O.P./ Dominican Sisters of St.Catharine, Richard & Rita Middendorf, Steven Harmeyer, Richard Fister, Belden & Louise Paulson, Frank & Barbara Creegan, Kim Reynolds, Nick Jordon, Diane McCallum, Ruben Angel, Nance Burrell, Mary Ruth Kamp, Marge Cipkar, Mike & Donna Eisenstat, Nancy Taylor, LeDene King, Mr & Mrs,Tom DeLaura, Barbara Blecka, Teresa Maurer, Leah Aasen, Richard & Jane Frank, Nancy Osborne, Joy Crosby, Ed & Tricia Cortas, Eugene Bazan, Jerry Hardt & Diane Yoder, Cecilia Bunch, James Sullivan, Michael Frances Zalla Memorial Foundation, Mary Templeton, Carol & Woody Bartlett, Robert & Roberta Guthrie, Ursuline Sisters of Mt.Saint Joseph, Robert & Angela Cox, Ron & Nancy Leeseberg, Marily Ortt, Dean Hill Rivkin, Joseph & Katherine Cayen, Sandra Hudson, Angie Johnson, Mary Jane Miller, Christine Garbutt, Julia Brauer,Glenna Altizer, Mimi Stout Leonard.

Regional Reports

Waste: Destroying America’s Chemical Weapon Stockpile. The Bluegrass Army Depot at Richmond, KY is the one of ten chemical weapon stockpiles which is located in Appalachia — and it has bothered neighbors for years. In the 1980s we spoke out against transporting chemicals out of the facility or bringing other weapons into the facility for destruction. That was settled through legislation in 1988 that all weapons would be destroyed on site. Incineration, the first disposal method suggested was immediately challenged by citizens. ASPI recently sent comments to support these persistent watchdogs of the community health. We said that incinerators were too risky and that in the NEPA evaluation process the amounts of emissions, the cost of cleaning up facilities after termination, and the cost of building and maintaining the units must be made public.

Worst Ecological Disaster in the Southeast. While the autumn newsletter was being mailed a major catastrophe happened in Martin County, Kentucky near the West Virginia border. A coal impoundment broke sending a quarter of a billion gallons of coal slurry through an abandoned mine into watershed and threatening the Big Sandy and Ohio River. ASPI documented on videotape the clean up operation by the subsidiary of A.T. Massey Coal and an array of governmental agencies and private contractors. Fortunately the late fall and early winter were dry enough to allow a window of time to clean up a portion of the spill which blackened creek banks, choked fish and aquatic life, and damaged private property. What most people do not realize is that this is part of the price of non-renewable fuel extraction. No amount of vigilance will be sufficient to keep other such accidents from occurring in the impoundment-filled Appalachian coal fields. It takes water to wash coal, and the ponds are meant to keep the waterways clean. Bring on solar energy!

Recognition. ASPI Board member, Becky Simpson, was featured in American Profile as the “Mother Teresa of Appalachia” because along with her husband Bobby she has organized over a thousand volunteers each year to repair homes. To date 600 houses have been repaired through her Cranks Creek Survival Center. Congratulations Becky and all your family members who help.

Integrity in Science. CSPI, our original parent organization, is returning to one of the earliest programs in public interest science (1970) and is investigating the influence of corporations on scientific results. ASPI fully endorses this program and would like to include the recent university/corporation relationships within the program. If you have any observations please send them to CSPI in Washington, DC.

Wish List
We are most grateful for being blessed with many good gifts during the 2000-01 holiday season. Thank you to all! It is our winter wish that you consider giving to depleted fuel funds for the poor during this last part of our cold winter.

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