Volunteer Highlight - Molly Kissinger

Saludos!  Me llamo Molly.  Yo soy la madre de Leo, Mary Rose y Patrick y la esposa de Kenny, el cocinero extraordinaire de Peace Village!

I am honored to share with you a little bit about me, memories of my  past with Peace Village , my hopes for its future and this present moment, the gift that it is.

Our family has lived bi-culturally since my oldest, Leo, was born in Dec 2000.  For the most part, we have spent half of our time here in Hood River and the other half of the year in La Ventana, Baja CA Sur, Mexico.   There we live, work and recreate.  The kids go to the local schools.  One of the things I love about Peace Village is the cultural diversity.  Me gusta pasar tiempo con mi communidad.  Convivio!  Estoy a mi casa en mi corazon en los dos lugares☺

I am a yoga practitioner, wellness advocate, and kiteboard instructor. Each year of camp I get so excited to share some of my passions with the Village.  Sometimes it feels like Peace village is a canvass and we are all part of the creation☺.  Each year what I really want to be is a camper☺

I am so grateful for the Columbia Gorge Peace Village’s Principles of Peace:  Authentic Self Expression, Connection and Empowerment.   They have facilitated so much growth for me, my family, my clan, mi comunidad, and on and on.

I appreciate how Peace village continues to evolve and change and grow. I am grateful for the opportunity to be connected with PV throughout the year as a member of the Dream Team.
The Dreamers continue to dream. Kids grow up, needs change and we know that we are not alone, that we are connected…

Additionally, after having lived here seasonally for the past 21 years,  I am spending my first winter in Hood River! WoW, so THIS is what it is like??)  
I have an exciting new job as the Organizer for the Hood River County Water Protection Ballot Measure 14-55 for the Local Water Alliance.  The measure is on the May ballot.

I feel compelled to share with you some of my ramblings, memories of PV past, hopes for the future and observations of the present, the gift that it is….


Bird by Bird

The first year of camp:  Patrick was an infant.  Mary Rose was a camper in-waiting; we didn’t have “Turtles” back then like we do now!  Leo was a Salamander, I think☺
I remember Dee and Karen and Geri and Bill.  I remember John with his magnificent bell, the time keeper☺,
I remember amazing peaches, hardboiled eggs and cheese sticks.  
I remember Suzanne Wright bringing her oh-so fresh, brand new baby to camp simply to be with us all☺
I remember carpooling with Sullivan, the UU’s, Faith Traditions, Native Storytelling, Non-violent Conflict Resolution.
I remember being comfortable and at ease.
The Middle Years:   I remember Mary Lee Hattenhauer’s  food explorations and discovery which the kids loved so much☺.  I remember veggie sculptures, of course! Erika and ham sandwiches☺, veggie ones too☺, kitchen witches, of course.  And warlocks too…

I remember Village Fair and Althea Hukari.  Laurie Vancott. Art and Theatre.  Clay, and Recyclables and Re-usables and Reducing.  We didn’t’ realize how much impact one camp for one short week could reduce so much waste!  Here here!! Master recyclers…Jody Behr...  So many amazing and talented and generous people.

I love the Rites of Passage program!
The Future of Peace Village:  Peace Within, Peace Among and Peace Around.

Thank you Columbia Gorge Peace Village y Namaste,

Molly K

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