Rockland Book Fair

Rockland Retreat And Book Fair

Chestnut Ridge, NY. July 29 – 30, 2023

WELCOME

Rockland

Retreat And

Book Fair

July 29 – 30, 2023

Chestnut Ridge, NY

Pre-conference activities (pre-registration required):

Saturday

10:00 am to 11:00 am

Hike with Mike through the woods https://www.endeavor21.org/outdoor-classes. You can enjoy the serene beauty of the woods in the countryside, take a rest whenever you want, and jot down your best thoughts. Do not forget to ask Mike about bee farming on your way, and the adaptive pull-ups up the hill. Bring your hiking shoes or boots and relaxing clothes.

10:00 am to 12:00 am

Yoga with Ora. Make life Bora Bora. You can enjoy Hatha Yoga, six to seven in groups on the green grass surrounded by shrubs and trees under the blue sky. Each session is 30 min. Total two sessions.

11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Body tuning and stretches with Gyana make you Fit and Tiana. Relieve stress and get into shape to enjoy the program with greater energy and concentration. Four in a group. 30 min sessions. Total two sessions.

1:15 pm to 1:45 pm

Farm tour https://threefoldcommunityfarm.org/. Stroll through the farm where you can see the grazing cows, horses, goats, and sheep and occasionally catch a glimpse of flying birds or grazing deer. You can walk to the farm store to buy fresh milk, yogurt, and cheese made on the farm. There would be no attendant. Just pick up the items and drop the money in the cash box. Do not worry if you do not have cash. Just put your name on the notebook and drop the money off when you return the next time.

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Swimming. Bring your bathing suits and towels and enjoy swimming in the modernized pond with a man-made beach where you can taste the ambiance of the sun and shade. https://threefold.org/threefold-pond/

2:00 pm

Going to the tent if you are registered for the tent or designated room to get ready for the main event.

Main Events (registration required):

3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Welcome addressed by the BILS founder, Dhanonjoy Saha, Monsey, NY, and the event convenor, Mou Modhubontee, Toronto, Canada (www.Bilsus.com)

Inauguration by Jeanette Rodriguez, Founder and Executive Director of Otto Specht School, Spring Valley, NY, USA (https://www.ottospechtschool.org/), will touch upon Rudolf Steiner’s three-fold philosophy. https://threefold.org/

Opening remarks by Mohammad Nurul Huda, Executive Director, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://www.banglaacademy.gov.bd/

Authors’ introduction and reception by the MC (TBD)

4:35 pm to 5:25 pm

Opening of the authors’ bookstalls, local crafts stalls, and photo session.

5:30 pm 6:25 pm

Short story readings

6:30 pm 6:35 pm

How to eat, run and rest to increase energy to write. Mohammad Nasir Sikder, marathon runner.

6:45 pm to 7:25 pm

Dinner and social hour at Threefold café https://www.threefoldcafeny.org/. Enjoy organic food (American) most of which is grown on a biodynamic farm next door https://threefoldcommunityfarm.org/

7:30 pm to 8:15 pm

Poetry slam (featured)

8:15 pm to 8:25 pm

Bengali literature and the Indian Subcontinent especially in Nepal, a discussion by Yuyutsu Sharma, Poet and Publisher, Kathmandu, Nepal

Reading from David Ray’s Translations of Tagore, “After Tagore” and from the South Asian issue of the magazine, Pratik. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSKRGP4F?ref=myi_title_dp

8:30 to 9:00 pm

Dance by groups from New Jersey, North Carolina, and New York

9:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Song and music

9:35 to 10:30 pm

Open mic (three min each person) and adda (social mingling).

10:30 pm to 7:00 am

Quiet time and reflection in the place wherever you are staying.

Sunday

8:00 am to 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:15 am to 10:00 am

Welcome address by TBD. The second-day session opens

Welcome message by the three-fold community leaders (TBD)

Song and dance under the open sky

10:05 am to 11:00 am

Round table discussion.

Dr. George Gopen, Professor Emeritus and Director. Duke University Writing Center, Writing from the reader perspectives

Dr. Howard Rankin, Neuropsychologist. Author, and Publisher. I think therefore I am wrong – How not to think.

11:05 am to 11:15 am

Tea break

11:20 am to 12:15 pm

Poetry, chora (rhymes)

12:20 pm to 1:00 pm

Bookstalls and crafts store re-open, social hour, and photo session

1:05 pm to 1:40 pm

Lunch and social hours. Enjoy organic American food most of which is locally grown on the biodynamic farm

1:45 pm to 1:55 pm

Kids corner: How to write poems

1:55 pm to 2:40 pm

Poetry, stories, and songs from the special needs talents

2:45 pm to 3:25 pm

Discussions on books displayed in authors’ stalls

3:30 pm to 4:15 pm

Articles, essays, and humor

4:20 pm to 4:30 pm

Bengali literature and culture in France, Amirul Arham, Film Director and poet. Paris, France

4:35 pm to 4:45 pm

The award ceremony

4:50 pm to 5:30 pm

Closing ceremony: song, dance, chorus poetry, recitations

Vote of Thanks by the host

Post-conference event and business meeting (donations will be accepted; suggested $50 per person)

Sunday evening

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Barbecue with the best. Enjoy fine WJ wine, cheese and more….

Event Attendance and Registration fees:

The event attendance is free and open to the Threefold Community and the special needs participants. Pre-registration is not required, however, pre-notification to attend the event would be appreciated.

The event attendance is virtually free for local audiences, but a $50 registration fee is required, which will be returned upon arrival to buy books and crafts (by Endeavor 21+) on the premises.

Full program participation with pre-gathering events. $200 per person or $300 per couple which includes one-night accommodation, three meals, two snacks, and beverages. Each person shall receive a $50 coupon to buy books and crafts (by Endeavor 21+) on the premise

Only event participation with no pre-gathering events. $150 per person, which includes three meals, two snacks, and beverages. Each person shall receive a $50 coupon to buy books and crafts (by Endeavor 21+) on the premises.

No registration fees for anyone participating from outside the USA. They shall receive two nights of accommodation and food, and a $50 coupon per person to buy books and crafts (by Endeavor 21+) on the premises.

Children up to age 10 come free. Children’s activities would include face painting and drawing.

Menu and accommodation for program participants:

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Food served would primarily come from locally grown next door in the biodynamic farming system.

Four types of accommodation would be provided depending on the choice of the participants and availability, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Single room at the event venue. https://threefold.org/visit-us/accommodations/
Airbnb-type house/room within 2-5 min walking distance from the event https://threefold.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Threefold_Home_Stay_List.pdf
Marriott Courtyard, 2.3 miles from the event place
Tent on the campground-like place surrounded by woods, 200 steps from the event where you would be able to see the clear sky, roaming deer, and blinking fireflies. Listening to the soothing sounds of the brooks would be a bonus.