Maple Plain, MN (volunteer project: Minnesota Design Team, Oct 26-29) I was a participant in this volunteer effort to assist the town of Maple Plain with their design challenges. Our team of 20 spent three days learning about, touring, brainstorming, and responding to design and development issues in the area. I’ve found the perfect volunteering fit for myself in this organization and will be part of another visit to Milan, MN, in March.
Highlights: 1) home stay with host family Gene and Mary Couser, 2) new friendships with other Minnesota designers, 3) frenetic drawing experience in Saturday design charrette, 4) potluck dinner with local kids, complete with volunteer fire department’s dramatic exit in response to emergency bell, and 5) special connection formed with people and place from being warmly welcomed for an intense few days. I still can’t believe how much effort the people of this town put forth for our visit.
Denver, CO (wedding: Allison & John, Oct 20-22) This was my second and Max’s first return to Denver since we left in 2003. We walked among familiar, former haunts, taking inventory of what was still there, what wasn’t, and what never had been.
Highlights: 1) Denver Zoo visit to see my former workmates and tour completed projects that were only drawings when I worked there, 2) coffee with my inspirational friend Mary, 3) breakfast at Mercury Cafe with Jeff and Ellen, 4) a walk through my first built project: the learning landscape schoolyard at Mitchell Elementary School–I felt like I was walking through my drawings, which finally rendered those excessive hours in AutoCAD worthwhile–and 5) time with Allison, my best friend from grad school, without whom that intense experience would have been much less meaningful and significant.
Photos of Mitchell playground – old and new – are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccharp3r/tags/mitchellplayground/
Posted by cindy 
