In this month's issue of Fair Grounds, we explore the history of Guatemala, birthplace of the great Mayan civilization and home to our partners APECAFORMM, Manos Campesinas and some of the finest coffee in the world. We've also got a staff update, a customer profile, a roundup of our upcoming activities, a yummy recipe, a Dr. Coffee Q&A plus a new trivia question. Settle back and enjoy (with your favorite beverage, of course!).

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By Lynn Nichols

From fishing and farming villages as early as 2000 BC on Guatemala's Pacific coast sprang one of the world's most advanced civilizations – the Mayans. Across Central America, Mayan cities with their remarkable pyramids, temples, observatories and libraries, flourished for centuries. Mayan scholars produced prolific works of literature, philosophy, art and architecture. Mayan scientists developed a more precise calendar than the one used today by NASA.

But the magnificent culture created by the Maya, like that of many other Indigenous societies in the Western hemisphere, was a magnet for foreign invaders. In 1521, warring Mayan tribes were easily conquered for Spain by Pedro de Alvarado. The remaining kingdoms of the Quiché and Cakchiquel Maya were carved into large estates and a feudal system established. Within a few years, the Mayans had become slaves in their own homeland, their cities were burned and looted and their culture was banned. Religious imperialism brought on by the arrival of Dominican, Franciscan and Augustinian friars erased valuable traces of Mayan culture.

Find out more about Guatemala's troubled history, and learn about the farmer cooperative that grows the beans for our Guatemala Highlands origin by clicking here.

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In Charlotte, North Carolina, 2007 Commonwealth Avenue is the home of a neighborhood styled market called The Common Market. Located in the heart of the Plaza-Midwood entertainment area, The Common Market offers one of the cities' most extensive fine beer and wine selections, great fair trade coffee from Café Campesino, gourmet and local groceries (many whole foods and organic offerings) as well as the basic survival needs for the Charlotte area. The proprietors, D. Blake and Cress Barnes, live just up the street and have created an atmosphere that is 100% friendly and neighborhood oriented. This is the kind of place that has a little something for everybody.

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As Café Campesino has grown and evolved over the last five years, so has its staff. Sad to say, but Marsha Freed, a valuable member of the Café Campesino team for almost a year, will be leaving us. She and her husband are moving back to Pennsylvania, where they’re originally from, to be closer to family. Marsha will most definitely be missed.

At the same time, we’re very excited to announce the addition of Samantha Slater, who will be taking Marsha's place. A former reporter for the local newspaper, Sam will be in charge of customer service, web and newsletter content and just about any other task Bill and Lee can think up. She’s very glad to have joined the team at Café Campesino.

And with our increased business, Lee's getting help in the roastery! Chris "Oz" Adams is starting out with coffee packing and shipping, but will also be learning his way around the roaster. Oz is no stranger to large hot ovens, as he has studied glassblowing at the local university for several years now. Gives a whole new meaning to the term first crack!

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Beginning on Saturday, June 14 and running through June 21, Geoffrey, Victoria and Alan will be serving our special BRAG blend of coffee to bicycle riders from all across the country (visit www.brag.org for more info). The three of them will be camping and brewing their way from Bainbridge, Ga. to St. Marys, Ga., giving the early-rising participants a jump start on their day, as well as providing a mobile coffee shop each night. Samantha will be joining the group on June 18-19 to give Geoffrey, Victoria and Alan a bit of a break.

Geoffrey will be heading out at the end of June to attend the 2003 Rainbow Gathering (http://www.welcomehome.org/). This year's gathering will be held in the Great Basin area of the U.S., specifically in Utah. Café Campesino will be donating coffee for Geoffrey to take along. Check out their website to see what they're all about, and be there if you can.

Our hard working staff is taking a long weekend for the upcoming holiday, so the office will be closed on July 3rd and 4th. Happy Independence Day!

In early July, Bill will travel down to Honduras to build homes with a Habitat for Humanity work team. On his July 5-15 trip, he will not only be continuing the fight against poverty housing, but he’ll also be checking out the Honduran fair trade coffee scene.

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Think you know a lot about coffee? Then enter our Fair Grounds Trivia Contest. Click here for our question of the month. Entering is easy and it's FUN!

Llots of our llearned readers sent in the correct answer to llast  month's question, but only one of you was llucky enough to be selected as our winner. Congratulations to SSusan TTaylor!

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— William O. Douglas

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