WANAKENA -- After a hiatus, the Local Living Venture (LLV) is revitalizing in 2025, with rural living skills at its heart, and invites the public to a hike in the woods, followed by a "Mix and Mingle" in a casual setting (not a meeting), sharing soup and bread, to "workshop" some things you'd like to see LLV help make happen in our community.

The "Revive & Refresh the LLV" session will take place at Otto's Abode, 6 Hamele Street in Wanakena NY on Saturday, May 3 from 6 to 7 p.m., after an optional woods walk focusing on Spring foraging at 5 p.m. The setting for the meal is outdoors, but under cover, and participants are encouraged to dress for the weather. In case of cold or rain, the event will move to a nearby indoor location.

The evening will begin with an optional one hour hike in the woods at 5 p.m., including Zach Gagliardi of the North American Foragers Facebook page. At 6 p.m. the one hour check-in session will begin, over vegetable soup and bread.

An RSVP is not required, but would be helpful, at LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com or by text at (315) 347-4223. All are welcome to this free community-building event, to share both your thoughts about the direction of the organization and to grow your skills.

The LLV's core areas of interest have been centered on simple living skills around small-scale renewable energy, forests/firewood/heating, green building, wild pollinators and beekeeping, and real food in all of its forms - growing, cooking, preserving, eating, composting, and more.

These core areas will continue to be relevant, but newly nominated Board member Ember Wakefield has been helping with the community input sessions "to better understand how programming can evolve to best serve the community into the future." Another new Board member, Daniel Bellinger, who previously was an administrator for the community organization, notes that, "A re-envisioning of the LLV is in the works, and we welcome your thoughts! We are encouraging everyone to come out and help make it happen!"

Other upcoming events include a Forest Woods Walk (what are forests and how we can help them) in Colton on May 18 at 1 p.m., and a Composting Basics course for home food waste on the June 7 in Potsdam. Additionally, the Local Living Venture will celebrate its 15th anniversary Annual Meeting & Elections on May 10 at 6 pm, sharing a meal and community.

To receive notice of events or to register for an event (not required), contact LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com or (315) 347-4223.