We had sunshine, music, smiling faces, door prizes and great speakers. People signed their names on petitions that will be sent to our Senators and Congressman asking that they vote for bills that are designed to cut carbon 80% by 2050. Both young and old attended, including a surprise visit by the organizers grandson Matthew, which was especially uplifting. Bryan Wood, our talented young musician sang his original song, "Is That What It Will Take" - can be found on the Step It Up site. And we learned that this song will be used on the Will Steeger documentary of his current Baffin Island trip. We continue to hang our big banner (made with recycled plastic grocery bags and fabric bought at a thrift store) in our Center Dining Hall, so that more people will get the message.

Let's try this once again. In addition to my first report (and the second one)I wanted to mention that we also had two of our elected officials at the event - Rep. Tim Faust and Sen. Tony Lourey. They told the crowd about legislation that is currently being proposed at the state level to reduce carbon output and develop alternative energy sources. They didn't downplay the seriousness of Global Warming, but challenged everyone to Step It Up. We also had a representative from the winged world - Freya, the kestrel from the Audubon Center mingled with the crowd. Music, great door prizes, and petitions for people to sign that I have sent to our Senators (Coleman and Klobuchar) and Congressman Oberstar. We felt it was a successful event with 110 people in attendance - in this small, rural East Central Minnesota town.