Visit Hameau Farm & checkout the Fireflies vibe!
On Saturday, Oct. 18, join us for a Fireflies at Hameau Open House, 2-4 p.m., followed by a DELICIOUS Hameau Farm dinner.
Hameau Farm is located at:
6364 SR 655
Belleville, PA 17004, 5 mins off the Reedsville/Belleville exit of Route 322
If you’re curious about the Fireflies at Hameau Farm events and the fall retreat, this is a GREAT way to check it out, connect with fellow creative women & enjoy the farm on a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon.
All are welcome. The open house is FREE. Dinner is $30. Email Lisa to reserve your spot by Thursday, Oct. 16.
Stay up-to-date on Fireflies in 2026! Signup here for the Fireflies at Hameau Farm email list.
About the Fireflies at Hameau Farm Fall Retreat Weekend
What do you create? What are you building or making?
Maybe it’s art. Or a business. Or community. Maybe you are creating a family and memorable gatherings. Maybe it’s a non-profit venture to serve a need you’ve spotted — or value within an organization.
Is it a dream? A home? A life?
I’ll betcha it’s some combo of these.
Wouldn’t it would be great to step back for a day (or two or three!) to reflect and refuel? To connect with other women and learn together?
Because — we are ALL works in progress, balancing, learning, reaching and getting better all the time.
Fireflies at Hameau Farm events offer a relaxed way to connect and learn with fellow women who are creating in all different ways.
We gather at a woman-owned, lovely farm, girls’ summer camp and artists’ retreat over amazing, farm-fresh food and loads of laughter. We learn and work in the natural light of the artist studio above Hameau’s hay barn. We trade stories at long dining tables, seated family-style. We share our visions, struggles and hacks for figuring out the next months, years and chapters of our lives.
We laugh — like … A LOT! — and pause often to take in the surrounding views of rust and white Ayrshire cows grazing in rich, green pastures and the mountain ridges blanketed in crimson, orange, rust and yellow foliage. We watch a sunset parade of cows, the goofy antics of Ludwig, (a St. Bernard) and the strut of one very confident peacock. (That’s the exceptionally handsome Pierre.)
Our schedule balances time for learning, fellowship and reflection.
Delicious, Farm-Fresh Hameau Farm Dinners!
Amazing meals from ingredients from the farm, or local from Big Valley. Plus, pre-dinner “mocktails” (festive, fun, fizzy & alcohol-free) from Friday evening to Sunday brunch. (Two dinners, one breakfast, one lunch & a brunch.)
Fireflies: Your light lifts me. My light lifts you. When we connect and shine brighter, we help light the world. (And, baby, we were made to SHINE!)
“Fireflies” Connection & Inspiration
• Lively, spirited conversation around the table about challenges we have in common — even though we come from different places and are working to build different things in different ways!
• Insight from surprise, special dinner guests.
• Laughter, fellowship and wisdom from fellow creative women who strive to SHINE every day (And, baby, we were made to SHINE!)
This fall retreat is built to nourish, energize and inspire you. Connect and learn with us. Step back, reflect and prepare for the year ahead.
Ten weekend spots are available for October 2026. Saturday-only tix will also be available.
Weekend prices include all meals, workshops and materials from Friday evening to Sunday brunch. The fee does not include lodging. Hameau is 15 minutes from Lewistown and about 40 minutes from State College. Local lodging options include a Holiday Inn Express, Reedsville (< 5 mins) or Hill Store Guest Cottage (7-10 mins, Call Tom McNabb: 717-935-2390).
Stay up-to-date on Fireflies in 2026! Signup here for the Fireflies at Hameau Farm email list.
MORE ABOUT THE FIREFLIES AT HAMEAU FARM EXPERIENCE
This is not an auditorium, amphitheater, conference or power-networking setup. Leave the heels behind. Bring the comfy kicks or hikers. This is about connection & community in a rustic, naturally beautiful setting.
Based on comments from previous guests of Fireflies at Hameau gatherings, you will leave feeling energized, inspired and empowered!
Together, we learn and grow.
The FIREFLIES AT HAMEAU Story
This event grew out of Lisa’s weekly “Fireflies” check-in group of creative business women who have different goals and creative endeavors, but common challenges — like balancing passions and paying work, balancing creative work and family. Read These Little Lights of Ours on Lisa’s ThanksgivinginFebruary.com website. The fireflies ladies also have a willingness to share what’s worked for them, and all serve as a sounding board and accountability group for each other.
The Fireflies at Hameau Fall Weekend Schedule
Friday
We’ll kick off at 5 p.m. Friday evening with a Hameau Happy Hour (hello mocktails!) and a farm-fresh, Hameau dinner — with some surprises! Lisa will introduce the “Find Your Strength” theme of our weekend. We’ll wrap by 8.
Saturday
Our full day of workshops kicks off at 8 a.m. with a Hameau breakfast.
Workshop I
BREAK
Workshop 2
LUNCH
Workshop 3
Saturday afternoon: You’ll have some time to explore on your own, chat, and/or stretch your legs on a walk down the lane or to Kish Creek.
Saturday evening: Hameau Happy Hour (with a different mocktail, of course!) followed by a fantastic, farm-fresh dinner.
SUNDAY
8 – Coffee’s on! (And tea, plus a little something to hold us over to brunch.)
9-12 Sunday morning will be a final workshop then a farewell-for-now BRUNCH.
We invite you to carve out this time to focus and learn, delight your senses, nourish and recharge. Envision and plan the year ahead.
Hosted by Gay Rodgers, farmer & owner of Hameau Farm, in Big Valley, Central Pennsylvania and Lisa Duchene, writer, content creator and owner of Polished Oak Communications in Big Valley.
We simply cannot wait to welcome you to Big Valley for Fireflies at Hameau Farm!
Stay on top of Fireflies at Hameau news. Join the Fireflies email list.
Questions? Email Lisa: lisa@lisaduchene.com
Lodging details:
Hill Store Guest Cottage & Events
Call Tom McNabb: 717-935-2390
https://www.hillstoreguestcottage.com
Holiday Inn Express is within four miles of Hameau Farm.
Check Airbnb! We have some great cottages and cabins in Belleville, Pa. and the surrounding area.
Need a roommate? Email me. If another attendee is looking for a roommate, I’ll connect you.
About Hameau Farm
Owned by farmer Audrey “Gay” Rodgers, Hameau Farm is a retreat space for artists, girls’ summer camp and former working dairy farm known for its Plum Bottom Ayrshire cows, in Big Valley, Pa., 35 minutes from State College and 5 minutes from Reedsville, Pa.
@hameaufarminthebigvalley on FB
@hameaufarm on IG
About Lisa Duchene and Polished Oak Communications
I am a conservation & nature writer, communications consultant and small business owner.
My background is in journalism — writing and teaching news and feature writing & journalism. For print and digital publications, I’ve written stories about: marine science, conservation science, the food industry, supermarkets, travel, global seafood supply trends, and family businesses from L.L. Bean to mom & pops. (Browse my magazine feature stories.)
I now use my journalism training and experience for Polished Oak clients, providing communications and marketing on behalf of companies and organizations that align with my conservation and community values.
Essay and inspirational writing is my creative calling. Plus, building Fireflies at Hameau events.
Oh — and I’ve told a few stories from my life and family. Read those at ThanksgivinginFebruary.com
@lisaduchenewriter on Facebook and Instagram.
Special thanks to Ellen Matis, Founder and CEO of Hello Social Co., for capturing and sharing images from the Fireflies at Hameau Farm dinner in August, 2023.
