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Annual Golden Oak Awards

(The “Oakie” Awards)

The Druid Academy Nomination Award Committee (DANAC) consists of members of the Henge of Keltria (HoK), Ar nDraiocht Fein (ADF), the Reformed Druids of North America (RDNA), Order of the White Oak (OWO), the Order of the Mithril Star (OMS), and the Missionary Order of the Celtic Cross (MOCC).

The DANAC members wish to learn more about happenings in their own and in other groups and encourage the best by acknowledging the accomplishments of Druids.

In order to provide potential nominations to the DANAC, Tony Taylor (HoK) solicits submissions for the Oakie’s in the following categories from members of the Henge.

• The most interesting grove project.
• The most inspiring activist project.
• The greatest hardship overcome by a member. (Publicly admissible.)
• The best poem released.
• The best art project. (Include photo.) Examples include: painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, clay, collage, photography, etc.
• The best craft project. Examples include: leatherwork, metalwork, clothing, needlepoint, moulding, weaving, jewelry, basketry, woodwork, stonework, etc.
• The best (nonfiction) book.
• The best novel or short story.
• Best "Druidical" essay or article.
• Best movie or video-clip or instructional video that advances the positive perception of Druidism.

All projects must have started or completed in 2009, Other entries must have been released or published in 2009.

Submissions need to be by a member of the Henge of Keltria. Write-ups describing the action should be 50-150 words.

Provide a web links and e-mail contacts as appropriate.

Submissions must be received by Tony by Yule. Tony will submit up to two candidates in each category to the DANAC for further consideration.

We will publish both the Henge of Keltria results and the DANAC results (if released in time) in the Imbolc issue of Henge Happenings.

Winners of each the 7 DANAC awards will receive a $33.33 prize from the Druid Academy, a blessed pretty rock, and international fame and kudos.

Passages

Loui Pieper, former owner of Evenstar bookstore in St. Paul, Minnesota,passed over in April from an asthma attack. Evenstar hosted many workshops over the many years including “Introduction to Keltrian Druidism” which provided the framework for meeting many potential Druids. May her butterflies and butterfly garden always remind those who knew her in this cycle of her lives.

Wolfhawk, also known as Joel D. Gainer, died on March 25th 2009 after a long battle with cancer. He and his wife, Lady Cybele, were part of the Pagan Spirit Gathering for many years and regularly visited the Druid Camp’s Bardic Fires. Wolfhawk was 60 years old. We wish him fair travels across the veil.

Lynda Hanke of southwestern Wisconsin died on, May 16, 2009. Lynda and her husband Dick owned and operated Eagle Cave Campground of Blue River which hosted the Pagan Spirit Gathering from 1984 through 1996. The campground was the site for many Keltrian events, including Tony and Sable’s initiation and elevation in Druidism, the infamous letter on Isaac’s van, and probably the largest Keltrian rituals ever performed. Lynda’s friendship and support over the years made her “a friend of Druids.” We wish condolences and support to Dick, and to all of her family and friends.

Tony's Druid Blog

From Tony's Druid Blog; reprinted here with permission of Tony.

Newgrange Lodge near the Newgrange Heritage Site.

I received an e-mail from Sara Farell of Harcourt Hospitality regarding the Newgrange Lodge near the Newgrange Heritage Site in County Meath in Ireland. They are offering “preferential introductory rates” for our next visit. It appears that they are interested in business from special interest groups who visit “close to ceremonial times.” Interesting phraseology. Anyway, I'll probably give them a try when I next head to Ireland and am interested in the "Mythical Boyne Valley Tour"

Formerly an old farmhouse, the Newgrange Lodge B&B provides a unique venue that offers hotel accommodation and traditional Irish hospitality at bed and breakfast rates to groups and the independent traveller alike. They are located opposite the world famous UNESCO Heritage site of Newgrange, which is a tomb predating the Pyramids and Stonehenge by 400 years.

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