Community is important in so many ways. Communities connect people. Communities develop in a variety of ways and in this day and age, can be vast, expanding globally. Our community is so much larger than just Boyle Street and McCauley or even Edmonton. I think of this when I think of Jerry Wood and how many lives he has touched.

Jerry and Gisele Wood are Elders who hold mixed and women’s Sweat Lodge Ceremonies at Cabine Soleil on the north side of Cooking Lake, just southeast of Sherwood Park. I first met Jerry in 2003 when he was running his lodge at Elk Island Retreat.

Anyone who has been present in a Sweat Lodge Ceremony knows the value of healing through being connected to our Creator/Higher Power and our Mother Earth. Our connection to the Earth is as important as our connections with our community. Often people will travel the distance to give their offerings and prayers. Jerry and Gisele’s Sweat Lodges at Cabine Soleil are run by donation. There are many ways to help out as there is a continuous demand for maintenance of the lodges, the kitchen and change building, repairing equipment, clearing deadfall, splitting wood, and trips to collect rocks. The help and dedication of the Sweat Lodge community is not only appreciated but necessary for the ceremonies to be possible. This also makes for the great feasts which follow the Sweat Lodge. The Fasting Ceremony and Sundance took place in June this year so the Sweat Lodge Ceremonies will resume their regular schedule in August. For information regarding Mixed Sweats email jerryc761@gmail.com. For information regarding Women’s Sweats email giselemwood@gmail.com. For location information go to the following website: www.cabinesoleil.com.

Many of my clients and people visiting McCauley have asked me about the Earth’s General Store sign on the rickshaw on Rickshaw Dave’s front lawn. Michael Kalmanovitch, the owner of Earth’s General Store, says people ask him all the time if he lives there, but it’s just that David Williamson, alias “Rickshaw Dave” is a patron of Earth’s General Store and loyal to Michael’s vision of sustainability and healthy lifestyle. Earth’s General Store, located at 9605 82 Avenue, is another place of community involvement. Not only does Earth’s General Store have its own lending library, but it also generously houses the lending library for the Edmonton Vegetarians and Vegans. Michael is also well known for offering composting advice, having an assortment of books on composting, and for his worms – to be used for composting!

Connect with your community in a meaningful way, and enhance your life.

Janice Zubin, RMT, is a certified health consultant located in Little Italy. Appointments can be made at (780) 686-6883.