There were educational and entertainment opportunities of all kinds at the North House Folk School Winterer’s Gathering November 19-22. Above: This was the scene that greeted visitors to the Winterer’s Gathering. The temperatures were unseasonably warm with not a flake of snow anywhere. That may have made the weekend more enjoyable for some and disappointing for others. Left: Kurt Buetow of Menominee, Wisconsin with one of the rocket stoves he has made. The stoves create a smokeless fire that burns particulates and captures heat rather than sending it up a chimney. The stoves work well inside yurts. Buetow was one of several who put up yurts by the beach at North House Folk School during the Winterer’s Gathering.
Left: A lot of smiles showed up at the Snowshoe Shuffle on Friday. Above: Doug Jurek (seated) of Center City works on a moccasin while instructor Jim Dahn of the Chicago area looks on. Dahn, who had a long-time interest in Indian art, took a course in mukluk making at North House several years ago that led to extensive research in moccasin-making. These moccasins last at least five years even if worn outdoors. Students had a choice of deer, elk, or buffalo leather. Dahn is planning to start making especially soft moccasins by using an old method of tanning with deer brain and tree ash. “We can learn a lot from the Indians,” Dahn said.
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