Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Evolution of Cohousing Communities?

[Lydia & Ray Ducharme (ducharm1]

My sister lives in Windsong Cohousing, Langley, Canada.  They have 34
households, I think half of them are kids and they moved in in 1996.  I
visit her three or four times per year.

Here are my comments as an observer:

There are OFTEN Bridge", Scrabble and other games going on in the common
house.  I once participated when "most" of the community was playing a
single game that was a heck of a lot of fun.   Everyone that walked in
joined one team or the opposing team.  My sister and I  also play Wizard
(cards, maximum 6 players) quite often and people invite themselves over to
play with us in my sister's unit.

I was there for New Year's Eve last year.  They have a stage and lights in
their common house and everyone was invited  to do skits, sing, play musical
instruments, recite poems, etc.  The entertainment started just after
supper.  It was fantastic!  My sister's little boy has participated in
singing, dancing and acting on stage since he was about 2 years old.  Guess
what that does to his self-esteem!!!

After supper at Windsong the kids all play together.  When I visit my
sister, we actually get to sit and enjoy each other's company.  When she
visits me, in my conventional home, we can't quite do that.

People who've met me are quick to give a hug.  People who haven't, smile and
say "hello" but don't necessarily go out of their way to get acquainted.

On the subject of meetings and facilitation, my husband and I attended a
meeting that encompassed almost everyone that lived there.  The subject was
"work sharing" - a potential powder keg!  Everyone went around the circle to
"check in".  Some comments were personal, some weren't.  Then they talked
about work sharing.  A lot of honesty was expressed and respected.   In the
end, the people who weren't doing their share of the work were to come back
with a proposal to the group.

I felt so touched by that meeting.  My husband decided, that moment, that he
would join our local cohousing group in Calgary.  As far as I'm concerned
there isn't any other way to live.

I imagine that most cohousing groups are "quiet" during the summer months
when people are on holidays.

Lydia Ducharme
WholeLife Housing
Calgary, Canada
Where we just made an offer to purchase a parcel of land that backs onto a
gorgeous park in the inner city.
Our next meeting with the land owner is tomorrow night.  WISH US
LUCK!!!!!!!!


 Message -----
From: "Jasmine Gold" <juturna [at] ix.netcom.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2000 2:59 PM
Subject: Evolution of Cohousing Communities?


> Can any longtime cohousers and cohousing researchers comment on whether
> the amount of community activity stays about the same in a cohousing
> community or lessens over time?