Alpaca (and Career) Saving with Matthew Modine

By ALYSIA GRAY PAINTER

Alpacas? Sweet. Sweet faces, soft hair. We just want to say that up front. We're sweet on those fuzzy camelids.

And when we say we've been laughing about the name of the new play that opened on September 8th at the Geffen Playhouse -- "Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas" -- we of course are not laughing at alpacas.
Well, sometimes, when they're chewing. Because they're so cute and comical.

Nor are we laughing at Mr. Modine. "Vision Quest"? You adore that movie, too. But the whole idea behind the new play from Blair Singer is inspiring the guffaws. The plot: A once-famous actor who has seen his star set takes up a cause to return him to the headlines. That cause: the alpaca. The star: Matthew Modine.

Is there a bit of winking going on here? Why yes, in fact. There is.

There are few subjects riper for satire than celebrities and their various causes. In some cases, the cause is brought to the forefront of our minds by being attached to a big name, which is a good thing. But we've all wondered, on occasion, okay, frequently, about the famous person who uses his soapbox to further his fortunes.

And, before we go. Stars starring in things as sly versions of themselves: love. "Being John Malkovich" with John Malkovich and "Cold Souls" with Paul Giamatti as Paul Giamatti are two examples. We want more, playwrights/screenwriters of the world. More!

"Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas" is at the Geffen Playhouse from September 8th-October 18th.

Strung together: Love of knitting meets unique fabric

BLACK RIVER FALLS — When Bette Marshall saw the alpacas on her daughter’s farm for the first time, she thought they were cute. But when she saw the fleece, she got a little more serious.

“I told her ‘You should have some of this made into yarn,’” Marshall said. Marshall, of Black River Falls, has been knitting, sewing and crocheting for about 53 years. While she has mainly done it as a hobby or to create necessities for the family, her work with alpaca fiber has put her skills in higher demand. She even recently placed first in two categories at a fiber artist competition.

“She’s always knitted and crocheted as long as I could remember,” said Marshall’s daughter Nadine Beezley. “She’s always done such good work, although I don’t think she’s ever really known it until now.”

Marshall love of the alpaca fiber began about three years ago after Beezley began raising alpacas on her Hickory Wind Farm in Bangor.

Alpacas have been a growing industry in the United States since they are no longer imported, and breeding has made the business profitable. Alpaca fleece has been catching on as well.

Alpacas are usually sheared once a year and one can produce two to five pounds of fiber, which is soft and light and hypoallergenic.

Marshall made some scarves and a couch throw for a wedding present and started asking for more alpaca fiber.

“It’s so soft — it makes all the difference in the world,” said Marshall, 78. “The fiber is like working between twine and silk thread.”

Beezley took a couple of scarves to a farmers market for a display when someone asked how much she wanted for one.“Once I put a price on it, they started selling like hotcakes,” Beezley said.

Marshall’s alpaca sweaters, booties, hats, scarves and afghans were popular at two open houses on the farm.

Beezley even entered her mother’s work into the Fall Festival Alpaca Show in Loveland, Colo. Marshall’s prairie shawl and scarf won first prizes.Marshall is a self-taught knitter.

As a child, Beezley wanted a sweater with dogs and cats on it.

“Well, we couldn’t afford that,” Marshall said, “so I went and got me some yarn and it’s been an undying love since then.”

Beezley has set aside an area for alpaca products at Hickory Wind, currently available by appointment and during open houses.“(Nadine) comes up with the ideas and I just knit them,” Marshall said. “As long as she keeps supplying me with yarn, I’ll keep doing it.”
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Local family displays their work with alpacas at Farmers Market

FLORENCE — When they moved into the community in 1999, it was with the idea of raising miniature goats.

But when that didn’t work out, they discovered alpacas.

“They’re so beautiful and the fleece is very, very soft,” said Liz Beckman, who owns Phantom Canyon Alpacas with her husband, Ron.

The couple brought two of their alpacas along with a variety of merchandise to display during the Florence Farmers Market on Thursday at Pioneer Park.

Several years ago, the couple purchased a pair of female alpacas from a farm in Coaldale. Since then, the Beckmans have purchased one or two others with several that were born on the farm, sired by a nationally famous alpaca named “Avatar,” Beckman said.

“Every year, we shear them and use the fleece to make yarn,” she said. “We make rugs and quilt batting. From the yarn, we can make hats, blankets, scarves and sweaters.”

Their wares are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Alpaca Yarn & Gift Shop at 403 CR 142 in Florence.

According to the organizers, the first season of the market is going well.

“Most of us who have been active in organizing it have been very pleasantly pleased,” said John Myracle, who co-manages the market along with Joann Mohr. “It’s taken off pretty well. The number of vendors have increased. People are, by and large, pretty happy with it.”

The market offers a variety of items, including vegetables, crafts, arts and a special event on a weekly basis.

“There’s something for everyone,” Myracle said. “Next week, we’re going to have the Raptor Center. People from all ages from little kids (up) are fascinated by the raptors.”

Upcoming attractions include dulcimer music by Bob Sears next week, and jewelry making by Ann Sears of Ann’s Art Annex July 31. Wolf pups will also be a special attraction in the future.
The Florence Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through the middle of September.

Charlotte Burrous can be reached at cburrous@ccdailyrecord.com