The News from Four Quarters

August 16, 2019

A Stones Rising Update

Planning proceeds, with lots of work too, for this years very ambitious Rising. What are some of the ingredients you ask?

    Well... with the Rainbow Bridge fundraiser currently at about $7,000, we purchased the +$2,500 in materials to install the handrails. That's 250 feet of steel pipe and the same number of fittings... most of which had to be custom machined in our shop. It took days to prep and position all of the materials, but just 4 hours to assemble the handrails on the bridge. We think it looks spiffy!
    There is lots more yet to do. Over 1,000 board feet of toe and hand boards to install. The long ramps to allow golf-cart access. And more lighting! Stay tuned.

August 12, 2019

LIL' DUB FAMILY REUNION

October 4-6, 2019 at Four Quarters

We are pleased to welcome Lil' Dub, the first ever Big Dub re-union event to Four Quarters, home of Big Dub Festival!

Lil' Dub is a weekend camp-out experience for Big Dub veterans, newcomers, and Four Quarters regulars. In  partnership with Proper Ops, we're putting together a weekend experience that will be jam-packed with activities, art, and music

Drum circles, nightly bonfire, flow arts workshops, spirituality discussions, group meditation, moonlight yoga, sunrise yoga, and of course the best regional musicians from past Big Dub Festivals, performing from The Pavilion. Four Quarters will be providing a Saturday Backyard BBQ Social, Ceremony and Sweat Lodge.

August 8, 2019

Building the North Copse

    Our Pennsylvania quarry came through for us and after two more deliveries we now have enough of the very special stone required to begin construction of the North Copse.
    And what is the North Copse you ask? With The Great North Stone as it's northernmost minor axis, the Copse is a 45'x30' ellipse set with the stones almost touching. Intended to create a sanctuary within a sanctuary, very much in keeping with the "Fore Courts" associated with British neolithic long barrows.

     In order to follow the very tight curves of such a small ellipse, we need stones no wider than 4 feet, and hopefully in the 12 foot range in height, and all of the same beige colored sandstone of The Great North Stone. Such stones are not easy to find, even when our good quarry-men are setting their blasting charges just for us. So part of this years Stones Rising involves the trimming of our stony friends to fit into such a narrow envelope.

August 8, 2019

Big Dubbers at Stones

    Stones Rising at Four Quarters, Labor Day Weekend
    An Invitation to our Big Dub Family

You've seen the Stone Circle and you've danced with the Standing Stones.
Four Quarters wants you to be a part of building the Circle too!

    We raise the Stones Sunday, Sept 1st;  Labor Day Weekend. We make ceremony, raise the Stones and share a great feast together, prepared by The Starvin' Artist Kitchen.
    Traditionally we don't charge for Sunday arrivals; but we do ask for a telephone RSVP and what ever donation you care to give, so that we can plan for the feast.
     This year will be an especially demanding Rising, as we are working on a set of Stones set very close to The Great North Stone. Bring your gloves and boots, and become a part of how we raise the Standing Stones! 

The pair of length-wise split, book matched stones. Showing their interior colors for the first time in millions of years.

August 5, 2019

Big Dub – The Road Less Traveled

We went to Big Dub this year to help out and experience it for a first time. We where a little worried about what kind of experience we where in for. Would we fit in or stand out? Exactly how crowded would it be? I’m not too sure about this music or all these young adults half my age. Would they respect the land and each other? Was there magic to be found?

We arrived on the land super early Wednesday morning and where greeted by security guards who immediately knew we where Farmies. Guess it was grey hair that gave us away LOL. We had arranged ahead of time to camp on the periphery, remembering the Gaian Mind days where the music NEVER stopped …. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM OMG. This turned out to be a great idea for Maura’s sanity, although we realized there was quiet time and we could rest easily. We shuttled back and forth into camp as we needed fairly easily.

We spent very little time in the crowds at the stage, just kinda hanging back and watching the vibe blossom. I enjoyed most of the music even though it’s not my favor, Maura loved it. The lack of judgement on body image and flavor was impressive. There was Big Love to everyone and all where respected. They care for each other, look out for each other and jump in to help each other without even having to ask. Everyone was extraordinarily open and friendly.

August 1, 2019

Rocks!

     Our Pennsylvania Quarry opened a new vein of stone last year that is now producing the largest stone we have ever had access to, the stone above measuring over 18 feet long. These stones are of the same black and reddish staining that we have used for the South West and North West quadrants, and will be used when we continue with the main circle.
     This is the same quarry that produced the Great North Stone that was raised in 2017, a stone which came from a different bed at the quarry that shears in a thinner plane and is of a beige body coloring.  It is this kind of stone that will be used for the North Copse over the next 3-4 years.

     Because of the road washout last year we were not able to get any more of this beige stone to continue with the North Copse, but our quarry-men spent the season setting aside select stones from this beige bedding. And this week we brought the first load home!