Fall Greetings from The Forest
Greetings friends,
Summer never fails to surprise us with its fervor. After a beautiful season hosting burials, celebrations, tours, painting groups, and even a Turtle Trot, the cemetery is once more turning toward the quieter half of the year. Something has undeniably shifted: fall is in the air.
Fall is a beautiful time to visit The Forest, and the slower pace of the season makes room for the document-wrangling and question-asking required to put final affairs in order. Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help.
Take care and enjoy your autumn,
The Forest Team
Upcoming Events
Gather together to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
To welcome autumn, we’re thrilled to be partnering with local artist Cory Glory for a community mandala making event at the entrance to the cemetery. Glory will guide participants using natural materials from our farm and forest to create an altar and environment of beauty, celebration, inspiration and wonder.
We will break for lunch (BYO picnic!) and offer a guided group tour of the burial grounds at 12:30. We will be available until 2pm to chat, answer questions, and bask in the glory of the seasons. Join us!
Participants are invited to join us for any portion of this free event.
All ages welcome, please leave dogs at home.
10am – Mandala making with Cory Glory
12pm – BYO lunch / snack break
12:30 – Guided group tour of the burial grounds
Interested in attending? RSVP ahead of time to let us know you’re coming!
Community Resource Fair
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 3:30-5:30pm
Wondering what resources exist in Ashland? This resource fair will have refreshments, kids’ crafts and informational booths from over 25 groups. You can learn how to get help with finding a place to live, paying for food or bills, learning new skills for a job, and getting support.
The Four Essential Tasks of Natural Community Death Care
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 11AM-1pm
We’ll be joining Michael Murphy CFA and Dr. Diana Cunningham, founders of Cathedral Trees Sanctuary, in a presentation and Q&A session on preparing for natural death care and burial.
“I know a pro!” by Aging Stages Senior Services
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 12-2pm
Learn from a panel of professionals working in adult, senior, and end-of-life care as they share what they know, and how they can help make seniors’ lives easier.
Local Resources
Senior Loneliness Line
A free, statewide service for all people ages 60 and older in Oregon who want to make meaningful connections and enjoy uplifting conversations with friendly team members who are ready to listen and chat. Call 503-200-1633 or 800-282-7035, available from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m every day.
Age Wise Age Well
A peer-counseling program that serves adults age 60+ living in the Rogue Valley who are experiencing difficulty in some aspect of their lives. Peer counselors are not psychologists, but, after special training, they serve as a supportive, listening friend who has probably faced challenges similar to yours. Call 541-646-3402 or email AWAW@retirement.org for assistance.
Call-A-Ride
Do you need help getting to and from your doctor’s appointments? Volunteer drivers transport senior and disabled residents of Jackson County with no other means of transportation to their medical-related appointments. For assistance email callaride@retirement.org or call 541-857-7783.
What’s New at The Forest
School is back in session!
The Fall term of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) SOU is online and open for registration! Over 300 courses are offered on a broad range of topics, including art, history, personal exploration, movement, and nature. You can find our course all about natural burial (“The Greenest Way to Go”) in the ‘Life Planning’ section of the catalogue alongside excellent classes on emergency preparedness, estate planning, and creating a senior living roadmap. Classes start next week! Sign up today.
The Forest Conservation Burial Ground is certified by the Green Burial Council