Cohousing-L Mailing List: Berkshire Cohousing Retreat

[Joel Bartlett (altaircohousing1]

When I stuck up my number at the Boulder National Cohousing Conference
Dinner Live Auction in June and won Ingram Peperny and the Inn at Shaker
Mill for four for a two-three day stay, I had no idea how great it would
be!  I decided to turn it into a Retreat for the Philadelphia regional
Cohousing groups, so we put out a survey, and nailed down the Oct 1-3 date
(to coincide with the fall leaves, but not Columbus Day).  Spectacular
setting, wonderful place, lots to see and do! plus we had each other to
discuss, envision, act out, cook, relax, hike, knit socks...

With its large common spaces, big commercial kitchen, stream, bird feeders,
quaint private rooms, and wood furniture and antiques, Shaker Mill Inn is an
ideal getaway/conference spot.  (It's at the last exit on the NY Thruway
going into MA.)  And, Ingram and Trish (who mainly joined the sock knitters)
were gracious hosts, both to us and a group of healers who had come to
attend classes at the Sufi Abode, a nearby converted Shaker Village.  We had
around 8-10 people there, almost all from our Altair Cohousing group
(Phoenixville, PA www.altaircohousing.com), but with friends from the area
who brought their skills to guide us.

I would say the highlight of the trip comprised a trip to Camphill Ghent, a
community of elder care houses and "co-houses" on 110 acres that just broke
ground.  Our host, John Baring (who lives and works in Camphill Copake),
showed us the plans by Perkins and Eastman architects, described the variety
of community buildings for the projected 90+ residents, and walked us
through the various hurdles they have had.  With clarity and wit, he
conveyed enthusiasm, very understandable since in a little over a year the
doors will open on a dream the Camphill community has had in the area for
over 25 years!  The project is non-profit, received a $9.6 million grant
from the New York State Dep't of Health, and is going to be all rental.
With so many other like-minded communities and businesses contributing from
around the area, no need to call this a self-sufficient "eco-village."

Please understand that the project is of particular interest to Altair,
since our developer is planning to combine Senior Cohousing, Elder Care, and
multi-generational Cohousing all on our site.  Seeing the various components
melded together and so well thought through inspired everyone in our group.
For more information, go to camphillvillage.org/ghent.html.

Additional highlights of our Retreat: visits to two Shaker Villages, session
on developing the Altair core group, "conscious communication," and a
dramatic "imaging" session, where the group became "Altair Soup" and also,
as St Michael, took on the Dragon to celebrate the season!  Levity balanced
brainstorming; stargazing balanced budget discussions.  Those "on the fence"
with our project are rejuvenated, and connections and bonding will continue.

Yours, Joel Bartlett

-- 
Joel Bartlett
610-220-6172