Sally Trice – Bringing your gifts and skills, getting to know someone, and gaining something new

Every month Peloton Labs co-founder Liz Trice interviews someone from the Peloton community. This month she caught up with Sally Trice, Peloton’s snack shopper, and board member of both the Hour Exchange and the Bible Society of Maine.

Tell me about your role at Peloton.

A couple years ago I was asked to shop for snacks for the afternoon snack time at Peloton, and it’s become an important part of my life. When I walk in, it’s a really warm, inviting atmosphere. Everyone’s really friendly; I’ve gotten to know several people over time: Nancy, Rick, Nikhil, Liana, Ryan, and people are really nice when I ask for help carrying groceries in.

I like the whole concept of a coworking space – the difference between sitting at their kitchen table alone vs. coming to a place where there is such a friendly atmosphere and opportunities for networking.

What do you do when you’re not snack shopping?

I enjoy exercising with my daughter at the Y and going on walks. Saturday mornings I always go to Big Sky at Woodford’s corner, and it’s always a nice surprise if someone I know joins me. I enjoy spending time with my nephew after school – I’ve patched an awful lot of holes in the knees of his jeans! Thanks to my daughter, Elizabeth, I have a backyard greenhouse- it’s a delight to stretch out on the chaise for a nap, or putter in the raised beds. I enjoy gardening in general – tending berries and veggies.

I take two senior college classes per semester, and belong to an accordion group called the Maine Squeeze; they perform at fairs and festivals, and I also play monthly at a nursing home. In the past I’ve directed church choirs and taught music classes in adult ed, and I currently give accordion lessons.

You’ve also been involved in environmental issues.

Yes. I was on the task force involved in banning polystyrene in Portland. The goal was to also ban plastic shopping bags, but there were some industry people there, so we ended up with a compromise: charging a 5-cent fee on both paper and plastic instead. I still see too many plastic bags given out. Do you know that Ireland is one of several countries that have banned plastic bags completely? They were one of the first ones; we’re so far behind.

I’ve also spoken at several City Hall meetings regarding the pesticide ban finally passed in the city, and I’m concerned about the fluoride in city water, because Harvard research has shown it causes reduced IQ in children and reduced thyroid function in older people. The head of the water district in York County took a direct role and as a result, the people voted not to have fluoride in their water, but the Portland Water District says we’d have to have a referendum without their support.

I’m part of a group USM’s Senior College, Elders for Future Generations, that meets twice a month to talk and get involved in issues; this may be one of our next ones.

Have you always been politically active?

No. When I was raising my family, I didn’t think that way – I was just a stay-at-home mom. Once my kids left home, and really, after I got divorced and was fully on my own, I started to see the bigger picture and decided to get involved. I grew up on a farm, and even before I knew the word “organic”, I watched how everything was done holistically.

My dad, who had to leave school after 8th grade to work on the farm, was very bright and well-read, and was always talking to us about issues he thought were important. When trucks would come with bags of grain for our chickens, and the delivery man would try to sell him grain that was treated in this way or that, my father would have no part of it. I saw my mother cooking wholesome food from scratch, and those things influenced me strongly. My younger brother still runs a plant nursery there (TrippleBrookFarm.com) with plants that are used for permaculture gardening.

What would you recommend for others who are looking for ways to be engaged?

Well, they might try attending a City Council meeting just to see what goes on. They could think about what they’ve been discontented about, and how they might make a difference.

Regarding community, what comes to mind is the Hour Exchange. It’s an organization where members can go online and offer services and find services in trade. For example, I can play my accordion for an hour, and later, I can ask someone else for an hour-long massage. Or I might just give someone a ride. I have a neighbor who snow blows my driveway for time dollars.

I just love the concept, and I chuckle over the fact that the idea was introduced to Portland by a man who did not have money concerns – Richard Rockefeller – but saw the wisdom of an organization like this. You’re bringing your gifts and skills, getting to know someone, and gaining something new and unexpected through these wonderful exchanges.

You can talk about gardening, music, or environmental activism with Sally on Saturday mornings between 8-9am at Big Sky Bakery at Woodford’s Corner.

PelotonLabs

PelotonLabs is a coworking space in Bramhall Square in the the West End of Portland, Maine with a mission to connect and encourage community among non-traditional workers. We envision world where people starting in a new place or career find the support and community they need to manifest their visions without fear.