Fall 2023 Retreat
DeKoven Center, Racine, Wisconsin
October 6-8, 2023
Our keynote is Sue Balaschak!
Sue Balaschak is the creator of Primal Rhythm and a founding member of Burning Sage. She has produced and engineered many CDs and records. She owns her own record label, Fireband Records. Her first CD received rave reviews in national publications and is featured in the Cleveland documentary, "Return of the Cuyahoga" which aired on PBS.
Sue has been playing the drums professionally since the age of 12 and has taught drumming since she was 17. She has facilitated drum circles and drum workshops within the Pagan community for the past 20 years. She has taught accredited classes for Licensed Music Therapists. She has facilitated healing circles at Memory Care facilities and has performed journey work. Sue blends her professional musical career and her spiritual life.
She lives in Cleveland with three canines, one feline and a turtle, her totem. If she is not drumming, she can be found hiking in the National Parks or on the Appalachian Trail, with her backpack and her dogs. She hosts the show "Drumming Ceremony," an internet radio show that airs on International Pagan Radio on Sundays.
Summer 2023 Retreat
We gathered in-person August 11-13 at Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center, Watervliet Michigan. We really enjoyed the spacious New Grandma's House, a brand-new accessible facility! There was fresh native plant landscaping by our sister Kimberly Ginn!
Nourishing workshops, wildflower walks and worship circles made this weekend "back to the land" on the 400+ acres of woodland and lake within the spirit-filled place called Ronora. A few workshops, plus time to explore, relax, drum, sing and commune with nature and each other.
Many of us made the trek down to the private Lake Sherwood and were pleased to see it is well-maintained and a welcoming space. Kayaks and paddleboards were available and the beach area is small but clean. Some took long walks along the trails. We all enjoyed the view and the breeze from the open windows, hearing birdsong in the mornings, and yet were grateful for air-conditioning in the warm afternoons. The great room had lovely acoustics for singing. Ronora helped accommodate those of us with mobility issues by supplying aids in one of the spacious bathrooms. We'll be back in 2024!
PHOTOS