Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

The North East Spring Earth First! rendezvous will be held on April 27-29 in Western Massachusetts at the Step By Step Farm. There will be camping space and fires. There will be a little food and no utensils. Bring food and a bowl and forks/spoons/knives. Also bring tarps and other such things to keep yourself dry; it is going to be a wet spring!

TIMELINE: April 27th - Arrival, prep camping space, get to know people, self provided entertainment.

April 28th- 9a.m. breakfast 10-12- workshops 12-2- lunch 2-5- workshops 6- dinner, drums, and a musical guest.

A representitive from the U'wa tribe from Colombia may give a talk after dinner. The U'wa people are fighting Oxy Petroleum who is drilling for oil on traditional U'wa land. The U'wa have vowed to commit mass suicide if the plans go through. Campfire concert- Activist/Folk singer David Rovics will be gracing us with a performance.

Plus a create your own workshop space. Some workshops: -Maine Environmentalist/Loggers alliance
-Globalization and the environment
-Colombia and the Environment
-Wachusett Mountains Ancient Forest and how to protect them
-There will be more, with a space to create your own workshop.

April 29th - Departure, Action? Let not another tree fall in the name of greed. Not one more tribe to "Civilize" for the lust of money. No more species forced extinct to fill the pockets of scum who would turn something so majestic into just another slum. -antischism speak for the trees, for they have no tongues -- the Lorax

Directions to rondez: Step by Step Farm is located approximately 12 miles west of Greenfield MA (as the crow flies). Being sizable town located at the intersection of Mass Rt 2 and Interstate 91, Greenfield should be easy to locate on the map. Directions will first be given relative to Greenfield since that will be easiest for most people. Sorry, there is little in the way of public transportation in this area. Limited service exists to Greenfield but the closest point with much regular service is Northampton MA.

From the North, East, and South: From the rotary at exit 26 of Interstate 91 (Greenfield) take Route 2 West (The Mohawk Trail) approximately 10 miles to the vicinity of the village of Shelburne Falls which route 2 bypasses to the North. Here, Rt 2 crosses the Deerfield River twice in less than a mile with Rt 112 briefly joining Rt 2. Before the second bridge, turn RIGHT onto Rt 112 South (note mileage). Proceed on Rt 112 South through the tiny village of Buckland Center (40 mph here, frequently a patrol car lying in wait). Clesson Brook Rd. is on the right 5.0 miles from Rt 2, just before the Ashfield Town Line sign and steepclimb up to Ashfield (if Rt 112 begins climbing, you've gone a little too far).

Turn right onto Clesson Brook Rd. and proceed 2.0 miles to a covered bridge on your left, big black mailbox with 117 on the right (note: this is the only covered bridge along this road). Cross the covered bridge, you've arrived.

Just be careful not to block the drive that continues straight ahead past our barn because it's our neighbor's right-of-way. From other directions and shortcuts: Kind of silly for those coming from the West to go to Greenfield and then come back. If coming via Rt 2, Look for the Rt 112 South turn immediately after crossing the Deerfield River. If you cross it a second time, see turnoff signs for Shelburne Falls, etc. you've gone a touch too far. If coming via Rt 9, Rt 112 North which has been coinciding since Cummington separates in Goshen.

Follow Rt112 North past its junction with Rt 116 (Ashfield) and begin steep descent. At the bottom is the Buckland Town Line and Clesson Brook Rd. to the left. Those coming from close to the South (Northampton) or Southeast (Amherst) can also save time by avoiding Greenfield.

From Northampton take Rt 9 through Williamsburg to Rt 112 North in Goshen or from Amherst Rt116 through Deerfield and Conway to Rt 112 past Ashfield center. If coming from South Central or Southwest VT contact us for specific instructions how to best cut through, but essentially you are looking at things like Rt 9 (or Rt 100) to Wilmington, Rt 100 to Jacksonville, Rt 112 South from there.

For further information concerning directions contact: Michael & Penny Novack, 117 Clesson Brook Rd. (Buckland) RDF Charlemont MA 10339.
Phone: 413-625-9741 ~ E-mail: Step By Step Farm

For information on the "Rendezvous" send e-mail to Take Action 2001.