2009 Pickards Mountain Event

Have you made your plans yet? Don't miss out on the Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute outing. Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute is one of the most extraordinary and successful demonstration experiments in sustainable agriculture and family life in the whole country and it's taking place right here in the triangle. On October 11, Harvard Club families and friends will be the guests of Tim and Megan Toben at their teaching and living environment - a jewel in the Triangle’s crown of achievement. Our outing promises to be a fascinating introduction to the promise of sustainable agriculture and family living as well as a ton of fun for all - especially the children among us.

After selling his first successful company, KnowledgeBase Marketing, Tim Toben has devoted all his efforts to seeking practical solutions to the environmental crisis. He and Megan founded Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute to create strategies and methods for living more in harmony with nature. The Institute offers educational programs for children (pre-school through high school), summer camps, internships for college students and workshops for adults. You can learn more about the Institute at their web site http://www.pickardsmountain.org/About_Us.php.

Activities for our day trip will start at 2:00 pm and will include soft drinks and a light dinner of quiche and salad. You will be able to dine in the Tobens’ incredible home and the view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking.

You won’t have to worry about looking after your children because there will be special activities for them in the garden, arts & crafts activities and a musical/movement activity like hula hooping. If your children are interested they will be able to observe and interact with animals such as baby goats and piglets – with supervision, of course.

You and your family undoubtedly will be impressed at what a few committed people have already accomplished towards creating a more sustainable environment.

Registration: The cost for this very special event is: $25 for each Harvard Club member, $25 for a member's first guest and $35 for each additional guest or nonmember. Children aged 12 and younger will be admitted for $10 each. The best way to reserve your tickets is to take advantage of our online reservation feature (see below). But if you prefer, you can mail your check (payable to Harvard Club of the Research Triangle) to Philip Carl, 8304 Glynmorgan Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Please indicate the names of all attendees with your reservation and note whether your guests are children. Please mail your reservation request with check before October 6.

Online Registration: To reserve your tickets on line, please click here (there will be a small service charge added to the price of each reservation). Online reservations may be placed as late as 2:00 p.m., October 9.

Driving Directions:

From Raleigh or Durham, travel west on I-40. Take the 54 West exit towards Chapel Hill. Just before town, follow the signs to stay on Hwy 54 west. Pass Carrboro. After a few miles, turn right onto Bethel Hickory Grove Church Rd. Travel one mile and turn left onto Jo Mac Rd.

Once you turn onto Jo Mac Rd, travel one mile. Turn right onto Pickards Meadow gravel road. This road is the driveway, but many other drives split off of it too. Follow the signs to stay on Pickards Meadow until you reach the top of the hill. Pass the sign for garden/biofuels/solar/wind systems. You will see the wood and stone house on the right. Park to the left, near the chicken coop.

Questions?

Questions about our outing should be directed to Philip Carl, pcarl@bellsouth.net, (919) 967-3530.

Questions about the Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute should be directed to the Institute (pickardsmountain@gmail.com, 919.619.5475).