Folklore Film Series

The Martha Wagbo Farm and Education Center presents:
Folklore Film Series

For traditional cultures throughout the world, many stories were reserved for Wintertime and few were children’s bedtime stories, but tales to open the minds of all ages. At 7pm every Friday in February we will be honoring this tradition with a film version of a classic Folktale from various cultures throughout the North.

February 5th will be our monthly “First Friday Potluck” at 6pm followed by the film The Secret of Roan Inish, a hauntingly beautiful tale set along the Irish coast, this story concerns an infant that some say has been taken by seals! 1hr 43min. PG.
February 12th we will be showing The Storyteller. (PG) This HBO series from Jim Henson patterned its tales from old, often dark tales from the bards of Northern Europe. We will be watching three 22 minute episodes: The Three Ravens, The Heartless Giant, and The Luck Child.
February 19th will show the award-winning Spirited Away. (2hrs. PG.) This intense and surreal animation borrows it’s themes from Russian as well as Japanese traditions. A highly acclaimed movie, it is the highest grossing film in Japanese history!
February 26th will conclude the film series with the rare film Ofelas aka Pathfinder (1hr 26min. PG-13 for scenes of blood and violence.) Academy award nominated, this film is a 1000 year old tale from the Sami people – Scandinavia’s last remaining nomadic Reindeer herders. This harsh Arctic tale sheds light on the tragic loss and resiliency of indigenous people in the face of conquest.

Come re-awaken your imagination and reclaim our mythic past with traditional tales and modern filmmaking! Refreshments will be provided. Call 231-536-0333 for more information.

First Friday Potluck

Potluck: Folklore Film
Friday, February 5th, 6:00 pm

Come to the Wagbo Farm’s monthly potluck for food, fun, and good company! A dish to pass is always welcome, but not required. Wagbo provides drinks and table service. Then stick around after dinner for the kick-off of our Folklore Film Series with “The Secret of Roan Inish.” A hauntingly beautiful tale set along the Irish coast, this story concerns an infant that some say has been taken by seals! 1hr 43min. Rated PG. For more info, call Wagbo at 231-536-0333.

Storytelling with Chris Evans

Join Wagbo as we celebrate winter with East Jordan's Annual Sno-Blast Festival! On Saturday, January 16th, at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm, storyteller Chris Evans of Wild Ginger Children's Arts will be telling stories and doing puppet plays of winter tales including:"Rabbit and Carrot," a story of friendship, and the Chippewa story "Shingebiss," about a duck who defeats the fierce north wind. The children will be able to help act out the story "The Mitten" as Chris tells it. We'll also move together as we sing songs, recite poems, and play games full of wintery themes. Probably most suitable for ages 2-12 but all ages are welcome.

Hope to see ya there!

Sno-Blast Winter Festival

The Wagbo Farm is joining in with East Jordan's Annual Sno-Blast Festival on Saturday, January 16th and Sunday, January 17th. Come out to the farm on Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm to enjoy sledding with full view of the beautiful Jordan River Valley! Hot chocolate, tea, and baked goodies will also be served in the farmhouse. Chris Evans of the Wild Ginger Children's Group will be doing a puppet show and storytelling at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.

Join us Sunday at 3:30 pm for a film showing of The Neverending Story. Wolfgang Petersen made his first English-language film with this 1984 fantasy about a boy (Barret Oliver) visualizing the stories of a book he's reading. The imagined tale involves another boy, a warrior (Noah Hathaway), and his efforts to save the empire of Fantasia from a nemesis called "the Nothing." In this epic tale of danger and heroism, more than just an empire is at stake - it is childrens imaginations the world over. Rated PG.

For more information, call the East Jordan Chamber of Commerce at 231-536-7151, or call Wagbo at 231-536-0333.

Winter Ecology Walks

Winter Ecology Walks in the beautiful Jordan Valley!
Every Sunday in January at 2pm
Meet at the Wagbo Farmhouse

Join us for a naturalist-lead hike through forest and field as we experience the beauty of Winter at one of Antrim County's Nature Preserves. Learn more about trees, Natural History of the Valley, and search for animal tracks and sign while we hike along a tributary of the Jordan - our 1st designated "Wild and Scenic River." Then warm up indoors with Hot Chocolate! Suggestion Donation $5 per person. Come dressed for the weather as the snow may be deep. Snowshoe rental is available. Call 231-536-0333 for more information.

Second Friday Potluck: Living off the Grid

Our regular “first” Friday potluck will be held on the second Friday of January. "Living off the Grid" will take place January 8th at 6:00 pm at the Martha Wagbo Farm. A dish to pass is always welcome, but never required, so don’t feel overly obligated to bring one! Drinks and table service are provided by Wagbo.

The program will start at 7:00 with a powerpoint presentation about living off the grid. The speaker will be Michael Buttigieg, who has been living off the grid with his wife Tammy since they moved from Detroit to the East Jordan area in 1998. Michael has been an active and influential part of the community: he was president of the Lake Charlevoix Association for four years; served as a board member for Friends of the Boyne River;and is a current board member of Tip of the Mitt Watershed and the Water and Aire Team of Charlevoix. He is also the proud owner of Michael's Solar and Wind. Don't miss this intriguing and educational presentation!