Calliope Center
Spiritual Inspiration, Workshops, and Books
Award-winning author, meaning-maker, and guide for self-actualization, Julie Tallard Johnson comes highly recommended by people all over the region, through her teaching, and the world, through her books. Julie is the creator of the Wheel of Initiation and also teaches Spiritual Journaling classes, a series on writing and publishing, and offers private sessions.
Julie's Inner Traditions Publications page
Here, you'll find Julie's current books published by Inner Traditions: The Thundering Years, Teen Psychic, The I Ching for Teens, and more! Her new book, The Wheel of Initiation, can be found here.
Here, you'll find more information about Calliope trainer David Banner and his book, Frameshifting.
The Illinois Vipassana Meditation Center
If you are interested in learning about Vipassana meditation, Dhamma Pakasa in Pecatonica, Illinois is highly recommended. There are ten-day retreats for new students throughout the year. There is no charge for the teachings, nor even for your room and board during the retreat. The lessons are offered by S.N. Goenka through video and audio recordings, and assistant teachers are on-site to answer questions. Retreats are carried out in noble silence. These retreats give one an excellent foundation for a lifetime of meditation.
Pema Chodron's Teaching on the Web
If you're looking for encouragement on your spiritual path, Pema Chodron is always a good one to turn to. This page gives you links to some of Pema's teachings on the web.
The Center for Courage and Renewal
Parker Palmer's books form the basis of several of the workshops offered at the Calliope Center. His insight into the connection between what one does and who one is has launched a whole new movement toward wholeness. His Courage to Teach and Courage to Lead workshops have been catalysts for profound change. The Circle of Trust retreat series offers people the opportunity to really see themselves by creating safe space in community.
Don Riso and Russ Hudson, authors of many books including The Wisdom of the Enneagram, have created a comprehensive site for those seeking to learn more about the Enneagram, including tests and explanations to help you figure out your type.
Poetry Links
If you're interested in learning more about the elements of poetry, the various uses to which poems can be put, or how to get your poems published, this is a comprehensive and informative site.
An excellent resource for poems translated into English and to online poetry. This site includes a forum for poets and a help center.
A poem for each day of the school year for high school students, selected by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
It's rewarding to watch these videos of people around the country reading their favorite poems. It's evidence that poems can actually make a difference in people's lives.
Local Resources
(See also the "About Us" page.)
This is the pair of Bed and Breakfasts in Viroqua, about 3.5 miles from the Calliope Center. If you are planning to stay overnight, we highly recommend the accommodations here.
If you're bringing your family with you and they'd like to swim while you're at your workshop, this former Super-8 offers what they'll need. Now locally owned, it's a nice place to stay.
You'd think that a town surrounded by organic farms would have a restaurant serving fresh, organic gourmet fare, wouldn't you? Well, you'd be right. The Driftless tempts you with fresh bread, great coffee (locally roasted at Kickapoo Coffee!), divinely inspired dishes, and even evening entertainment several nights a week. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wi-fi access. Tucked just around the corner from the main drag on Court Street.
(We also recommend Chilito Lindo on Main Street as a dining option, but they do not yet have a website.)
The region's stellar monthly newspaper, run by real journalists who aren't afraid to dig deep. Use it to find out more about the area and consult the calendar to find out what's happening when you'll be here.
Want to know what to do in the region? This will make planning your trip to Vernon county fun and easy.
Massage therapy and bodywork, acupuncture, counseling, shamanism, zone therapy, and homeopathy are all available at the Healing Arts Center in Viroqua. Just down the street from the B & B. This is the place for nurturing!
What a wonderful resource for yoga, Nia, Tai Chi, belly dancing, and other movement activities. Tapestry offers instruction of the highest caliber and extras throughout the year to celebrate the inner resources we bring to outer circumstances. Check out the early morning meditation classes for pre-workshop centering.
The driftless area's complementary health care scene is surprisingly comprehensive. Pathways to Wellness is an organization devoted to helping people find and choose the kinds of care they need. This nonprofit also sponsors a speaker's bureau and provides free monthly talks on topics relevant to promoting mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Look for the Pathways to Wellness Directory, listing alternative, traditional, and complementary health care services offered in the region.
Essential Skills Outdoor School
If you're interested in rock climbing, river adventures, or cave exploration, this is the region to do it, and the staff at Essential Skills can give you the adventure you're seeking. Owner Bill Humphrey is also a shamanic practitioner and spiritual guide, so you're getting more than you pay for here!
If you're looking for outdoor equipment, this is the place! Rentals are available, so consider planning a bike tour around the area when you come for a workshop. Blue Dog is also a great place to find out what's happening in the region from the ever-friendly staff, and to swap adventure stories (see if you can tell which ones are true).
Whatever kinds of book you're looking for, you can get it here. Susan, Paula, and Kris are great at recommendations, and they're happy to order even the most obscure of titles. They keep titles useful to Calliope Center participants on hand, so make some time to stop by!
If you've ever heard of Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, you know the Parrish's roots and the kind of magic they have to offer. Catherine and Ted know their music, and their passion is to help you make your own. They play and sing at the Driftless Cafe the first Thursday of each month. Visit their website and click on "Entertainment Room" for a real treat!
Another beautiful retreat center in nearby Romance, Wisconsin, Round River offers day-long workshops on many topics linking people to their spirits. Counselor Mark Taylor, who also writes a column and creates political cartoons for the Kickapoo Free Press, is able to facilitate retreats for businesses, as well as providing a full schedule of workshops hosted by experts in various areas of spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental wellness. You'll also find interesting articles on the website about the intersection of Eastern and Western ideas about psychology, as well as Tibetan Buddhism.
If you haven't heard of Waldorf education, peruse this site. PRWS is one of a very few rural area Waldorf schools in the country. The natural toys on sale in the school store section help tell the story of the school's philosophy: developmentally appropriate education honoring children and childhood.
The knitters among you may be surprised at the quality and size of this shop in such a small town. Viroqua is a community of knitters (well, not all of us have the talent, but we admire it), and Ewetopia supplies them handily. Classes in knitting, needle felting, and other handcrafts are offered regularly. They also sell ready-made woolen goodies to the needle-challenged.
For rocks of all kinds, beads, jewelry, and earth-inspired artwork, Gary's has you covered in the gift-giving department. They also carry bead-making supplies, fossils, and even chimes. There's a big rock and gem show in June each year, so plan accordingly!
If you've found the beauty of the Kickapoo region irresistible, you will want to take some back with you. Richard LaMartina of Earthtones Photography has captured this region's soul as no one else can. Just browsing his site can crack your heart wide open.
