Bates hosts its annual do-it-yourself day.
LEWISTON – Beer-making, home childbirth, political activism and vegan cooking were among topics taught at an annual do-it-yourself workshop day at Bates College this weekend.
Student Ari Rosenberg, 21, an organizer of the Saturday event, said the purpose was to help people broaden their skills and “to show people there are things they can do themselves.”
Rosenberg kicked off the morning sessions at the Benjamin Mays Center on Russell Street, making a batch of chocolate beer with friend Sarah Mazur, also 21. The pair walked a handful of onlookers through everything from sterilization of the brewing equipment to the gradual mixing of yeast, malt and hops.
As the beer cooled and was poured into a bucket for fermentation, Mazur moved into the kitchen with a bunch of helpers to prepare a vegan lunch.
Everyone then munched on chocolate chip muffins (vegan) while listening to a guest lecturer talk about the process of giving birth at home, without a doctor or midwife.
Gabriel Ycas, 21, a staff member in the physics department, was among the small crowd that gathered for part of the day.
“It’s just something new,” he said, “something to do for a couple of hours in the afternoon.”
Demonstrations in bike repair, felting wool and Gymcraftics – rumored to have something to do with pole vaulting – also were offered. The campus groups putting on the workshops included the New World Coalition, Friends of Fair Labor, the Environmental Coalition and People Eating Plants.
Emmett Adam, 20, a student at the Landing School of Boatbuilding in Kennebunkport, said he wound up at the do-it-yourself day by happenstance. A classmate was traveling north to visit friends and he decided to tag along. Next thing he knew, a new world was opening before his eyes.
“I’m really happy that I’m here,” he said, flashing a broad grin, “It couldn’t have turned out much better.”
He wasn’t sure if he was ready to be messing around with childbirth. But, he said as he ate lunch, “I’m gonna make this bread again, and I’m gonna make the soup, too, because it’s really good.”
And before he forgot, he added, “I’m gonna make beer, too. I’ll take everything that I’ve learned today somewhere.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.