Slow Money Southeast Regional Gathering: A Money and Meaning Summit – September 10-12, 2015
Months of planning on the part of Bob, Tami, Lyle and Carol culminate in a very successful local economy conference.
A TASTE OF MONEY AND MEANING
Preview of coming attractions at Fearrington Village Barn Thursday evening, September 10th in which Chef Bill provided tapas and Fair Game Beverage Company set up the bar.
STARS
This was Tami’s show and she brought in local economy rock start Judy Wicks to have a conversation with WUNC radio host Frank Stasio. Neighbors Sarah and Joe enjoying a friendly chat with our friend Hannah from Abundance NC.
DAY TWO AT CCCC
An impressive line-up of presentations and panels at Central Carolina Community College with lots of volunteers. Volunteer coordinator Camille and star volunteer Mario celebrate success after hours of running around. Carol, Slow Money NC co-founder and principal matchmaker surprised Charlotte, Lyle, Tami, Camille and Bob with public kudos for our efforts.
ON THE BUS
The third day of the conference featured a little road trip with a biodiesel-fueled bus driven by Mark Dragon. This one was Bob’s show.
T S DESIGNS
First stop was TS Designs in Burlington, a tee shirt manufacturer famous for their dirt-to-shirt policy of sourcing local, organic cotton and fair-trade labor. Shelley and Wilma scored several shirts out of the seconds pile.
SAXAPAHAW
A strangely-named town on the Haw River which is pronounced exactly as written, Saxapahaw is a revitalized mill town with lots to see, beginning with the General Store which doubles as a restaurant.
LUNCH BREAK
Owner/Operator Jeff Barney hustles plates from the kitchen to the courtyard while Bob takes a short sit-down.
FIVE STAR LUNCH
The portabella wrap and garden salad affirm the General Store’s billing as “your local five-star gas station.”
BREWERY TOUR
Bellies full, the group walked over to the brewery for a little tour and tasting.
BUTCHER
Next stop, the butcher where Lyle scored something for his kitchen.
OUR DAY IN THE SUN
We had a little time before leaving Saxapahaw, so we hung out near the brewery with our friends in the sun.
THE ART OF CONVERSATION
It was interesting to watch the progression of Lyle’s conversation with Mark. Their body language tells all.
FINAL SHOT
One last photo and we were back on the bus with Lyle as our tour guide.
WORDS AND MUSIC
Back at The Plant, we listened to Woody Tasch, Slow Money founder and the N4HC Free Jazz Band Featuring Anita Woodley.
NC FRESH CATCH
Jules helped shuck corn for the caterers while cauldrons of Cajun boil bubbled on the pizza oven patio.
REGISTRATION, SOCKS AND BEER
Camille hugs volunteer Eva, who expertly handled registration, Anita Woodley helps herself to salad in her music and Frida Kahlo socks, and Fair Game’s Reece pours beer after beer for a thirsty crowd.
HOLDING OFF
The storm held off for most of the evening, dark clouds making a dramatic contrast to Ed’s white tent but there was no holding Jules’ pigs off of their dinner of corn husks.