Some talked about mud. Others played in mud. Thus was the balance of fun and learning present at the weekend's Simply Living! festival in Third Street Park.\nSaturday brought in a large crowd, often creating packed workshops with as many as 60 people in one small room, as was the case with Steven Conrad's talk about "Solar Home Design." The workshops were spread across four rooms in two buildings, but it didn't seem to faze the participants, who seemed to be determined to have a good time at the environmental extravaganza. Many participants from prior years found themselves returning to Simply Living! because of its environment.\n"I really like the variety of events," said junior Mary Armstrong-Rogers. "The atmosphere here is really beautiful." \nGary Paul Nabhan kicked off the weekend's events by speaking to a packed house at the Waldron Arts Center Friday night, reading inspirational passages from many of his 14 books. Third Street Park was a festive flourish of music, vendors, sun, and smiles, complemented with the occasional playful puppy and even one ferret led on a leash by a group of small children.\nSome of the group felt compelled to dive into discourse with many of the vendors or activist booths present, while other were content to slip into a welcoming massage compliments of Energy Tree Associates. Old friends hugged and smiled warmly while new friends chatted eagerly about the festival's events, creating an aura of community and cooperation.\n"It's nice to connect with who is here" said Mary Meyer, of Hearthlight books, and presenter of "The Strawbale Life."\nThe attendees ranged from the elderly to toddlers -- each seen having an equally good time. Older attendees spent time with Sarah DeLone of the Monroe County Humane Association learning how to "Live in Harmony with Animal Neighbors," while kids spent time playing "Bat and Moth," a version of Marco Polo. Workshops spanned numerous topics as knowledgeable presenters such as Dan Cheeseman spoke of the medical miracles of Chi Gong, while in another building a workshop dealing with the wonders of worm composting was in action.\nRain brought a bit of challenge to the second day of the festival, but workshop attendees and presenters refused to let the little outburst of nature slow them down. Some of the festival's younger participants took advantage of all things wet, creating homemade paper in a very wet hands-on activity.\n"We made some paper, banana newspaper," said Nolan Moss, 10. "It was fun, just made it out of blended pulp." \nSaturday brought periods of warmth and sun as Bloomington resident Cathi Norton played an acoustic guitar softly throughout the afternoon, with a passerby or two laying reclined in the grass nearby. Norton was one of many performers of the weekend that also included the likes of Janssen Jones and the Bloomingtones.\nWith its largest turnout yet, both organizers and attendees are looking forward to next year.\n"I've always been into supporting Simply Living," said Carol Bridges, a Feng Shui presenter. "It's nice that it's small enough to still come have a good time and see people you know."\n
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