Dover-Sherborn Press

Peace Abbey presents a taste of vegan
By Elizabeth Farrell/ Correspondent
Thursday, June 22, 2006

SHERBORN - A crowd gathered around the Alpine Ice tent on the grounds of The Peace Abbey on Sunday. Desperate to beat the heat, they eagerly waited for their choice of flavors such as Mango Passion, Lavender Sunrise or Plum Lucky. On this occasion, though, the most important appeal of the frozen desserts was that they are nondairy, nonsoy, frozen fruit blends; perfect, icy treats for the Boston Vegetarian Society’s Peace Abbey annual event.

Nearly 150 people were in attendance this year, a good showing according to Evelyn Kimber, president of the Boston Vegetarian Society, who is in charge of organizing the volunteer-run event. Kimber thought the hot weather may deter people from coming to the mostly outdoor gathering.

The potluck-style buffet is, year after year, one of the main attractions. "We really like to put focus on compassion, and compassion for animals," said Kimber.

Attendees are asked to bring foods for sharing that contain no animal ingredients. The result this year was a hearty spread of vegan dishes, including tofu sushi, spicy black bean salad and peanut noodles.

"We love nonvegetarians to come, too," said Kimber. "They get to see the variety of foods, good foods, available for vegetarians or vegans."

The Boston Vegetarian Society and the Peace Abbey have had a companionship for a long time, and the abbey has been helping to host this event for many years, said Kimber. On Sunday, children and adults walked the grounds enjoying not only each other’s company, but the abbey’s Pacifist Memorial and Veganpeace Animal Sanctuary.

Aaron Gaudette and his wife, Beth, both practice a vegan lifestyle and are raising their two young girls on the same path. "I’m an environmentalist," said Aaron Gaudette, who says he has been a vegan for almost 10 years. "I figured how can you care about the environment and eat meat?"

His wife, Beth Gaudette, feels that one of the best things about the Peace Abbey event is the people it brings together. "We’re all vegan for different reasons, but there’s camaraderie," she said.

Rick Williams, a vegetarian since the 1970s, said he is slowly becoming vegan. "I was a poor college student," said Williams, when asked why he became a vegetarian. Instead of learning to cook meats, he just stopped eating them.

Since then, Williams said he has learned much more about the vegetarian and, now, vegan lifestyles. Williams, an avid disc golfer, said his change in diet gave him a noticeable boost in energy.

One of the event’s highlights was the speaker, Dr. Jonathon Balcombe, author of the recently released book, "Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good." Balcombe said his book is one of only three to explore the subject of animals’, outside of humans’, experiences of pleasure.

As humans, said Balcombe, "We should consider not depriving animals the opportunities to experience pleasure." While Balcombe’s book does not openly advocate vegetarianism, he urges his readers to consider the decisions they make in their lives.

In her welcome speech, Kimber was visibly pleased by a show of hands that revealed the large number of first-time attendees. "Evelyn does an amazing job with this event, always does," said Beth Gaudette. "Most people don’t realize the work that goes into this."