Monday Night Dinner Co-op & Potlucks

For 40+ years we have had some form of community dinner gathering on Monday evenings. Sometimes it’s a potluck, sometimes it’s the dinner co-op where one family makes dinner for the 25 or so people that are part of the co-op, and then for the next 10-Monday nights this family just show up while the next family in succession makes the dinner. Regardless of how we organize it, we have found that sharing meals is an easy and enjoyable way to stay connected with each other. Many of us feel like we have extended family here in Stelle and look forward to seeing each other in such an easy and informal way.

the Festival of Joy

On July 4th we host our Festival Of Joy – it is an all day Open House celebration of American Independence and the promise that freedom holds for us all. Neighbors, friends of Stelle, and sometimes guests from far away attend. The day begins with a flag raising followed by our hometown community parade. Because our community is small, the crowd often races through the back yards to reemerge on the parade route to cheer on decorated bikes and floats before repeating this process yet a third time. The day has games, sunbathing at the pool, lawn-tractor races and a potluck dinner at the Community Center.  A Variety Show sometimes develops in the evening until dark when the fireworks ends the festivities!

Friday evening Social Hours

In the warmer months, sometimes residents or our community center managers host an open-air gathering. People might bring their favorite beverages or foods or it could be a fundraiser with all food provided.  Children and pets are always welcome to attend to enjoy some time on the grass surrounded by community.

Community Garden Co-op

There are a couple of nice areas down on the CSC land near the pond (used for irrigating) where Stelle residents have been gardening since the earliest days. The Co-op is sponsored by Center for Sustainable Community (CSC) and open to anyone who would like to participate. Every year is somewhat different in that those who are interested in gardening together decide what they wish to grow at the beginning of each year and how to divide up the projects. No pressure. Great opportunity to grow super-healthy food while enjoying time with one’s neighbors. Beginners and experienced gardeners all welcome.

Work Parties

Shed building, tree maintenance, community clean-up and more -- neighbors helping neighbors. Most work days are organized and sponsored by our SCA Grounds Committee. It can cost a good amount of money to get everything done in a village but when there is plenty of volunteer service, the financial overhead is lessened.

Holidays

Stelle residents follow their individual beliefs, some attending churches, synagogues and places of worship as they choose. We often have a non-denominational Easter Breakfast on Easter. At Christmastime we sometimes have a children’s program followed by caroling at neighbors' homes (known as The Christmas Tree walk) and ending with a Holiday social gathering. Our events are planned and carried out by volunteers who choose to create them. All fun is voluntary, and volunteers create the fun.

Harvest Celebration

This autumn day begins with pumpkin carving, followed by the making of ‘stone soup’ (story telling of this special soup included) with many gardeners contributing to the ingredients. After this delicious dinner, and weather permitting, a bonfire is lit after dark.

CSC Tool Co-op

The most popular items in the tool co-op are the lawn mowers, weed whips, air compressor, pressure washer, chainsaws (gas and electric), log splitter, garden carts, utility trailer, a pole saw and a long-handled fruit picker.

It all started 40-some years ago when a few neighbors all chipped in to purchase a single lawn mower to share. Over the years, more and more items and people were added.

How incredibly nice it is to have access to an assortment of useful tools and equipment and not have to own it, store it or pay the full price for it. Today the tool co-op is hosted by CSC (Center for Sustainable Community) and is open to anyone in Stelle who would like to participate. The costs remain low as everyone looks for ways to carry some of the load.

Wine tastings

A chance to sample an assortment of wines and have a fine dinner.

Textile Arts

We have a fair number of people who sew, knit and quilt in Stelle who enjoy sharing their work with each other. Some of it is displayed in our community center adding color and beauty.