A Festive Environment in the Gap

The very 1st Enviro Film Fest and DWG Earth Fair took place at The Antoine Dutot Gallery and Museum located in Delaware Water Gap (DWG), PA on Sunday April 15th. The festival featured numerous vendors whose desire to do what is right by the Earth and all who dwell upon it takes great precedence in all they do. The festival also offered opportunities for attendees to become active in the decisions government and other entities make in regards to the environment  through the signing of petitions and other means. A modest number of people came out to the festival, but their modesty was in their size only and did not extend to the voicing of their thoughtful opinions on how to protect and improve the environment.

Many conversations could be overheard as topics pertaining to environmental issues such as a process known as “Fracking” which is utilized to extract natural gas from underground shale deposits through the use of various chemicals were discussed. Some of the participants of these discussions included Liz Forrest who is seeking a seat representing the 189th District of the Commonwealth of PA in the state’s legislature and Maureen Madden is seeking a seat for the 176th District. Representatives of other candidates running for office were also there to listen to the concerned voices of their potential constituents and to offer their views on how their presence in the position they’re seeking would help remedy the damage caused to the Earth and how to prevent such practices to occur in the future.

Aside from the conversations, a number of films were presented giving further explorations into the issues related to the care of the Earth and the effects that often occur when that care is forfeit by those who seek to enrich themselves regardless of the local and worldwide consequences. The films were titled “Living Downstream”  and “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees telling us?” There were also musicians to underline the message of the day which was to care and protect the Earth and all who dwell in it as if the life of the entire planet depends upon it because it does.

I was unable to see the film titled, “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees telling us?” but I was able to view “Living Downstream.” The film was released by The People’s Picture Company Inc. and is based on the book of the same name written by ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. This film follows the author as she travels across North America examining the causal links between cancer and certain environmental conditions. The film adequately links Dr. Steingraber’s private struggles with cancer and her public quest to bring attention to the urgent human rights issue of cancer prevention. In doing so, the film creates not only a human face to the issues it raises but an urgency as Dr. Steingraber’s life is effected by the answers to the questions she asks throughout her journeys. You can watch a trailer of “Living Downstream” at www.livingdownstream.com/trailer and a trailer of “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees telling us?” at www.queenofthesun.com/about/trailer.

As mentioned earlier, musicians filled the air with their song as the dominant message of the day echoed within their performances. These included Guitarist and Activist Lois “Earth Lovin’” Heckman, Jazz Icon Bob Dorough, and World Music by African Drummer Maxwell Kofi Donkor and company. Each lent their distinctive style and approach to the musical form they presented but the underlining theme of the day not only remained a focal point as a result of their creative endeavors but was enhanced by them. In other words, they made the seriousness of the topics discussed throughout the day fun by setting them to music.

As also mentioned earlier, numerous vendors participated in the festival. They included Josie Porter Farm and CSA, Brodhead Watershed, Pocono Wildlife Rehab, Dierdre Nonnemacher Jewelry, Youth Infusion and Trips for Kids, Lehigh Valley Gas Truth, Stop Fracking PA, Seed Mandala Necklaces for Kids with Flora and Friends, and snacks and munchies were provided by Black Bear Farm Organic Catering. It was a great time and a very informative one. This was first festival presented by Christine Griffin and Sustainable Pennsylvania with hopes this will become an annual event. You’ll be able to see more photographs taken during this year’s festival at The Enviro Film Fest and DWG Earth Fair 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150815580885421.470778.636000420&type=3.

Sustainable Pennsylvania is a group committed to 100 percent individual, local, and community sustainability. These include in areas effecting the health of individual persons, the economy, and the environment. You can learn more about Sustainable Pennsylvania and how to become involved by visiting them on face book at www.facebook.com/groups/200278456668937.