A group of locals interested in fiber arts and fiber production has been meeting for several months to discuss creation of a fiber processing mill in the Pine River Valley. Their group is called the Los Pinos Fiber Alliance. They will hold an organization meeting from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at the Pine River Senior Center. The Senior Center is south of Joe Stephenson Park near the rodeo arena, with access from South Street.
Appetizers will be served. Please RSVP by March 26 to Vera Beye 884-2339 or e-mail to lospinosfiber@gmail.com.
Beye told the Times, "This started through Pine River Shares and the mapping (of local food producers) of the valley. We did that. Now we've invited fiber artists, ranchers, growers, so we could present our facts and see if opening a fiber mill would be sustainable. A lot of artists have to ship their yarn out. One sends it to Michigan. It took seven months to come back, and she missed part of the art fair season."
Beye continued, "This (April 2 meeting) is kind of an off-shoot off Pine River Shares, to see where this takes us. We'll talk about what we've done so far, see if (key participants) would be interested in supporting a fiber mill." Meeting invitations were sent to fiber artists, weavers, and people who raise fiber animals, but Beye said, "we won't turn anyone away."
Pine River Shares operates out of the Bayfield Family Center, 884-4747, and hosts monthly community potlucks in Bayfield, parent leadership training and various other projects to assist local families.
