Otter Lake, Quebec
July 23-24, 2022 – rain or shine!

Craig’s Cordwood House Building Birthday Party!

Please join us at our off-grid, woodland property on the tranquil Picanoc River, for a fun day of building, swimming, food & music and help Craig celebrate his 62nd Birthday!

Introduction to
Natural Building
Your hosts, Carrie and Craig explain the goals and features of the low-impact eco-house project before breaking into two building groups.

Group One – Timber framing with Craig
⁃ Using traditional hand tools, we will dress and install rough sawn posts, beams and rafters for an earth roof. Goal is to install the balance of the “L” roof.

Group Two – Cordwood Masonry with Carrie
⁃ We will cover the pros of cordwood building, log selection and dressing, mortar mix, insulation, laying a course of cordwood, decorative bottle ends and tuck pointing the mortar. Everyone’s encouraged to jump in and try your hand at this ages old, natural building technique. No experience required!

Noon
Cold beverages and a nutritious Lunch provided for all helpers who donate 4 hours of labour.

2pm
Demonstration on Building with Decorative Bottle Ends

For those who wish, we will continue with timber framing and cordwooding throughout the afternoon and evening, light permitting.

6 pm
Potluck Supper
& Jam on the porch
Please bring a salad or other cold dish for the supper. (if possible, please include an ingredients list if nuts, milk, eggs or gluten is used).

Bring your favourite instrument and songs.
All skill levels welcome!

Suggestions to Bring:

For Timber Framing
⁃ safety shoes
⁃ work gloves

For Cordwood Masonry
⁃ safety glasses,
⁃ heavy, lined rubber gloves
⁃ closed shoes

For the Party
⁃ Beverages
⁃ snacks for your stay

– cold dish for potluck supper
⁃ Cup, bowl, plate, cutlery
⁃ cooler with ice
⁃ Lawn chair
⁃ bug repellent
⁃ swimwear / water shoes
⁃ Rubber dinghys, floaties

We can supply fresh water to drink but please bring your own if you can.

Campers – Saturday & Sunday

Meals for your stay are what you bring plus what we usually eat.

Breakfast – coffee, tea / porridge

Lunch – soup / salad

Supper – potluck
Please bring a salad or cold dish. We have a small propane grill for anyone needing to heat something.

Accommodations:

Camping on the River
rough tent camping on site; hot showers; composting toilets

Friday after 2pm
Campers coming Friday, can arrive any time after 2pm.
Please allow time to get your camp site set up before dusk.

Mike & Karen’s RV
1/2 km walk
Sleeps 4
$20/per person

Squaw Lake Outfitters
<4> km Housekeeping suites, log cabins.

This a free event on our private property. All guests will be asked to sign a safety responsibility contract prior to participating.

Please note, we are located on a private, gated road. All guests must RSVP.

For directions and to RSVP contact Carrie at
819-647-8321
Please leave your name (and spelling), callback number, specify what days you plan to join us, and, if you need accommodations.

Looking forward to seeing you!

To learn more about our natural building project http://moonlyte.ca/views/balsamholz/