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“Brushwood considers all art forms as a manner
of self-expression.And self-expression is at the
root of all spirit here at Brushwood.”
— Teresa Barney Guzman
The season concluded in September with the
Heart Song Harvest Fest with a cider press,
tractor rides, craft workshops and mead making.
“And, of course,”he insists, superfluously, as
music is the more than implied centering
allure throughout all Brushwood events,“lots
of music.” He thumped on the cider press,
“especially, drumming.”
We returned to the wood beamed office
where Teresa, Dave’s wife and Brushwood’s
co-owner, repeated his testimony on music.
“Drumming is at the heart of any gathering
at Brushwood,” she says.
Music and fire go together at Brushwood.
“Without either, it would not be celebratory,”
Teresa says, opening a laptop. As images of
sacred fires, spirit dancing, new-age figurines,
Celtic costumes, and pagan effigy burnings
appeared, she says, “Brushwood considers all
art forms as a manner of self-expression. And
self-expression is at the root of all spirit here
at Brushwood.”
The notion of self-expression exhibits
diversity and covers a lot at Brushwood. Or,
arts & entertainment
doesn’t cover a lot; Brushwood is a clothingoptional
campground.
When asked how optional clothing is at
Brushwood, she says, “it’s certainly a part of
the experience here.
“This is our 21st year of festivals. It is all
friends and family. People can do what they
want to do here,” she explains.
Brushwood advertises 180 private acres, fields,
ponds, forest, pool, hot tub and walkway trails.
As I return to my campsite, I passed the
Roundhouse, an open-air amphitheater
bordered with skyward, herringboned arches.
I walked alongside the Dirge Dome, the site
of Celtic and Pagan ceremonies, and then
around the Maypole where colorful crepes
blew with the wind, suggesting dancing.
In my tent, as the night air cooled, I recall
Dave Guzman’s portrayal of Brushwood as
“the best kept secret in the world.” It’s likely
that many others would agree. LEL
www.lakeerielifestyle.com February2013 Lake Erie LifeStyle 23