Summer 2021
Celebrating 60 years
Dignity, Equality & Purpose
Celebrating 60 Years Living in Community Some of our readers know that September
can, try to imagine the generations who
we are so grateful to once again gather
17 will mark the 60 anniversary of the
have lived in this community, the founders
to celebrate our festivals and even the
day Camphill Village Copake was founded
who left us long ago, the elders who
matrimony of two house leaders this
here in Sunny Valley. In 1959 Karl König
remain and teach young volunteers and
season. We are truly blessed.
visited the United States and met in
house leaders, and the new ways we are
New York City with a group of parents
learning to grow together while always
In September we will have a whole week
who asked him to start a Village here.
turning to our traditions to guide us.
to celebrate this anniversary and, hopefully,
th
th
On September 17 a small group of people
we will welcome many of our friends back
th
arrived with a grand vision and the
In this community, we break bread every
to the Village to reconnect and of course,
support of a movement that had inspired
evening, nourish one another with the
reminisce. But we will also consider what
Camphill communities in the United
foods we grow, engage our minds and
the future holds for this space that has
Kingdom and Europe for many years.
souls with therapeutic crafts and land work,
blossomed over time. Camphill Village
books, music and plays. We travel abroad
Copake is a unique environment—one that
What followed in the next few decades
together, we spend winter evenings by
supports a well-rounded life for many
was a period of rapid growth in the Village.
the fire. We devour every precious bit of
people with vastly different abilities, ages,
This included workspaces, homes, and
summer – strawberry picking and making
and relationships. We embark upon this
agricultural land that would define how
jam, golden hour picnics, cannon ball
new decade with experience, yes, but just
many residents we could welcome into
jumps into the refreshing ore pit pond at
as importantly with kindness, and always
our special community and how we could
nearby Taconic State Park. We remained
in pursuit of a good life for those with
all create a rewarding life together. If you
safe and healthy throughout 2020, and
whom we share this community.
Susie Taube and Oliver Dawdy show off their 60th Anniversary t-shirts. Photo by Ariel Turner.
Our time at Camphill Village Successful, joyful, fun, happiness, delightful, an abundance of love. Cats, cows, and sheep. Fantastic, kind, supportiveness, compassion. Happy! 60th Anniversary of Camphill Village. A lifetime of moments, A fun time of joy. Being with friends I like and adore. Special occasions with great friends. Happy! Making new friends and seeing old friends; visits from old co-workers, our families.
The Village Bell Ensemble, taken in the mid 1980s. Front row: Frances Manley, Lori Roman, Ilene Oloff, Elias Rive, Bobby Boyd, and David Tarshes. Back row: Karen Wallstein, Elke Schultz, Susan Olsen, and Priscilla Manney.
Let’s embrace every moment of our lives. Our words for the future: Nature, singing, hiking, hugs. Concerts, new friends, old friends, safe travels, and swimming. Communication, growth, support, being helpful. More co-workers, more friends, more cats. More Parties!
Written by Writer’s Guild members Amanda Balducci, Patricia Cinorre, Oliver Dawdy, Brooke Hogan, Danny Morse, and Susie Taube. Formatted by Sarah Krenicki. From left in the hay wagon: Jay Parker, Asger Elmquist, Alan Kugler, Bruce Marshall, Judy Sweet, Chris Lydon. In the tractor: David Tarshes, Charlie Willmore, Robert Zaken, Jon Stebbins, and Larry Silver. Taken in the early 1980s.
Achievements Ancient Grains: How Turtle Tree Seed is Promoting Heirloom Wheat
Scholars have long considered the
she gave me this book which she had
propagation and storage of wheat to
written, and she also gave me bread that
be largely responsible for the successful
she had baked from an ancient grain,”
development of early civilizations in the
Ian says. “I loved the bread and we got
Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamians likely
talking, and I found out that she was the
began to domesticate grains around 9,500
world leading expert on ancient grains.
B.C., grinding wheat for bread flour and
So I said this is fascinating. I’ve always
using it for currency. And while wheat is
had an interest in grains, I’ve never
the most widely consumed cereal grain
actually grown them, but I’m especially
in the world, the strains we produce and
interested in saving any seed that
consume now are a far cry from the ancient
possibly could become extinct.”
varieties that supported early cultures and civilizations. And now, Turtle Tree Seed is
Ms. Rogosa also gave Ian some wheat
trying their hand at propagating heirloom
seeds – a varietal connected to the (geo-
wheat strains here in Copake.
graphically modern-day Russian) Poltavka culture stemming from seeds that were
Instead of the word “preserving,” Turtle Tree Seed Co-manager Ian Robb considers
Poltavka wheat drying after harvest.
collected in 1915, but with genetics dating back to more than 2,000 BC. Turtle Tree
promoting and multiplying the strains to
Seed had to wait until the fall of 2020 to
be a more accurate description of Turtle
plant the seeds in raised beds. The plants
Tree’s goals with the heirloom varieties they’ve started growing. “In the context of the world we live in just now with climate change, if you can find a species, in this case wheat that over millennia has adjusted to drought and heat and flood and all these things, and the Earth has allowed the seed to grow and adapt itself, this may be a grain from the past, but probably a grain for the future,” says Ian. “Preserving is holding on to something from the past, but we’re bringing it forward into the future, and I think Camphill Village is a unique place in which to do this.” Turtle Tree Seed is a champion of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds, which means
there are no hybrids in their operation. The genetic diversity of the seeds remains intact and those who buy and use the seeds can reproduce the same strains at home year after year. Self-sufficiency and the ability to rely on one’s own small plot of land for food are special values that guide Turtle Tree’s work. And this interest in heirloom grains began at a conference attended by many like-minded growers in 2019. It was at this organic growers conference in Massachusettes that Ian met Eli Rogosa, an heirloom grains expert, traveler, and author of “Restoring Heritage Grains: The Culture, Biodiversity, Resilience, and Cuisine of Ancient Wheats.” “We spoke over the next few days and I became very interested in her work, and
Bill McIlroy gathers tall heirloom wheat stalks from a Turtle Tree Seed garden bed.
overwintered and in July, they were finally
modern wheat grown in the United States
For now, Matthias and Bill will concentrate
harvested by Ian and two Turtle Tree Seed
is around two to three feet tall and often
on growing just one strain at a time to
crew members who have dreamed up a lofty
referred to as “dwarf wheat.”
avoid cross pollination, which is very
vision for ancient grains in Camphill Village.
important when growing for seed. “It was our first time successfully growing
Harvesting the successful Poltavka crop
Matthias Poynder-Meares and Bill McIlroy
wheat,” says Bill, referring to some trial
was an exciting step in what is just the
have obtained several heirloom strains
and error the pair experienced early on
beginning of this new project for Turtle
from Antoine Guerlain, a local baker who
with their Sardinian and Jammu varieties.
Tree Seed.
used to run the bakery here in the Village.
Bill and Matthias are very hopeful that
Matthias and Bill now have seeds from
within a few years, they’ll have enough
“Wheat in particular seems to be something
geographical Iraq, Sardinia, and India’s
heirloom wheat to bake with.
that connects most of the countries in
Jammu and Kashmir territory in the north.
the world. Like every country has some
(It’s important to emphasize that these
“I spoke to Matthias about starting our
kind of bread, and that’s a commonality
territories and borders didn’t exist when
baking skills early last January, and we
that I found to be rather extraordinary,”
these wheat strains were originally
started basically a routine of savories
Matthias said. “We all have a connection
propagated.)
and sweets,” Bill said, adding that he and
to wheat in some shape or form, and so
Matthias regularly listen to K-pop music
protecting those heritage varieties and
“We’ve been in contact with a couple
and bake together at Columbine House
creating that diversity in our culture,
of key people who are interested in
where Matthias lives. He turned to Matthias:
bringing those influences from around
re-enlivening these heritage grains, so
“Let’s make eclairs in September.”
the world is a very inspiring process.”
through this process of growing first of all the seed, people then build up a seed bank and a database, and then from that, somewhere in the future, we can then make artisan breads and products using these grains,” says Matthias, who has blended this project with his scholarly work with the Camphill Academy. “The first step is to seed save to kind of get them really stocked up, and just follow the process that goes along with that. The seeds we just grew recently were absolutely gorgeous, so it’s a joy to watch how they will unfold and how each wheat variety can look.” The Poltavka variety they recently harvested was a deep golden brown and about five tall, whereas most
A happy day! Ian Robb, Bill McIlroy, and Matthias Poynder-Meares present their first heirloom wheat hearvest.
Development Our First Virtual 5K Trail & Fun Run
We want to thank the amazing sponsors
could to benefit the Village, and we
and outdoor enthusiasts who participated
were all connected through social media.
in our virtual event, which was a real
Many sincere thanks to everyone who
departure from the annual 5K Trail &
participated in the #Camphill5K and
Fun Run for All Abilities that we usually
supported the wonderful programming
hold in the Village! We hiked, climbed,
at Camphill Village!
biked, jogged, and strolled wherever we
Participants
Shari Berman Pascarosa “I cannot express enough gratitude and respect for the co-workers, employees, and volunteers who went above and beyond to maintain a safe, thriving community for all at Camphill Village despite the enormous challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, our financial and spiritual support is vital to the health and well-being of Camphill Village. I wil be riding my trusty bicycle over the Brooklyn Bridge and around our beautiful borough of kings!”
Chris Warga “I am running in support of my sister Kim Warga and to support the amazing Camphill community. Wish I could do the run at Camphill but my spirit, love, and support will be with Kim and the Camphill community as I complete the run in Kim’s hometown of Surprise, NY!”
Elizabeth Donahue “In honor of our son Willy who just celebrated his second anniversary at CHV. We are SO grateful that he has become part of such a wonderful, safe and supportive sommunity! Our daughter Molly and I will hike/ walk on a trail near our home in Central NJ.”
Jessie Morgan “Camphill is such a wonderful place and I wish to support my friends there, even if I’m not physically able to be there with them. Let’s have fun and run for a world that is open-minded and welcomes every and each individual no matter where they come from, what they believe in, whom they love or what their level of ability.”
Mary Burntitus “I am running to benefit a wonderful organization that is beneficial for so many people.”
Katharine Noer “I am participating in memory of my ‘sister of the heart’ Mady Harvey.”
Anne Ratner Concert Series The Legacy of Anne Ratner’s Many Gifts
Abigail “Abby” Esty moved to Camphill Village in 1975. Her adoring grandmother, Anne Ratner, became a regular here in Copake. Anne was a pianist, and welcomed world-class musicians into her Manhattan apartment to play salon-style concerts for small groups several times a year, and for some stretches more than once a month. She cooked and served the food herself, and raised funds for the League Center for Seriously Disturbed Children in Crown Heights where she taught, as well as Camphill Village. These evenings that benefited the community where her granddaughter Abby lived some 100 miles north came to be known as the Anne Ratner Concert Series. And for
Anne Ratner and her granddaughter Abby Esty together.
the many years that this concert series continued even after Anne’s passing in 1995, the generous hosts who carried on
through classical music before his death
Gradually, the series evolved: they started
the tradition did so with Anne’s sparkling
in 2018.
renting chairs, as well as Steinway pianos
personality, heart, and love of the arts at the center of each concert.
at the request of the artists, and the Nancy Wellman, who continued as
evening was eventually catered. But it
the series music consultant securing
never left the living room setting.
Anne was personal friends with many
phenomenal acts for many years, recalled
renowned musicians, including Richard
the early days of the series, which were
Suzanne Lubell, who hosted the series
Goode, Emanuel Ax, and André Watts,
quite an experience.
for 10 years with Charlie Hamlen following
to name just a few. The series was special, and artists who were accustomed
Anne’s passing, remembered fondly “You couldn’t get in the door unless you put
the exciting mood that filled her own
to playing for packed concert halls played
a check in the bowl. That was how Anne
Manhattan apartment. The first act she
for the Anne Ratner Concert Series just
did it,” she said. “And we sat all around the
hosted was Richard Goode, and Suzanne
for the experience. Anne would cook
apartment with pillows on the floor, and
realized that ticket sales would have to
giant meals for concert attendees for each
every inch of her wall space was covered
be limited in the future. Between cooking
concert, and she also had the help of her
in art and paintings with barely an inch
full meals and desserts to carry on the
dear friend Charlie Hamlen, who dedicated
between them. We’d listen to this world-
tradition Anne started, and having Charlie
many years to fundraising for charities
class music looking at all these paintings.”
identifying acts for the series as he had
done when Anne was alive, there was
musical fans – hosted many musicians
much work and it was all rewarding.
including Anne-Marie McDermott and the
human beings, and also so generous, and
Kafavian sisters. As hosts their interest
she figured out that the classical musicians
began with their commitment to the arts,
that she loved could raise money for
experience meant to Charlie and to me,”
but after welcoming so many Camphill
Camphill Village,” Nancy Wellman said.
Suzanne said. “And it happened so casually
Village community members during these
when Charlie was preparing a concert to
special evenings, they grew to love the
people I’ve ever met, and one of the most
be given up at Camphill Village in memory
Village and championed the cause as their
upbeat, optimistic friendly human beings
of Anne Ratner, and I went to hear the
predecessors did. Chuck has even joined
on the planet.”
rehearsal for the concert and after it was
Camphill’s Board of Directors.
“I can’t tell you how much that whole
over, I said, ‘You know, Charlie, maybe we ought to pick up the Anne Ratner Concert
Abby Esty still lives here in Camphill Village.
Series because it’s such a wonderful series,’
And while we recently retired this series
and he said, ‘You know, it’s a good idea.’”
that connected Camphill Village to classical musicians and their fans for 45 years, we
In the final years of the series, Charles
are so grateful for the ways we could carry
Sims and Nancy Wolf – both avid classical
this beautiful part of Anne Ratner’s legacy.
Anne Ratner plays piano for Camphill Village.
“Anne was just one of the most amazing
“Anne was one of the most gregarious
Festivals Saint John’s Day Festival We gathered in June to celebrate Saint John’s Day and the summer solstice. We blessed the community garden in the afternoon and retired to one of the fields in the Village for a picnic and bonfire! Children in the Village gather to admire the beginnings of the bonfire.
Photos by Ariel Turner
Elisabeth Cooper sketches her surroundings in the shade.
Our celebrations included a blessing of the garden!
Destiny Saturria and Ellen Hunt sketch near the garden.
A June Wedding Surrounded by flowers, handmade decorations, and close friends, our community celebrated the matrimony of Allan and Saskia in June.
Photos by Ariel Turner Jeff Mill poses with the newlyweds.
Brooke Hogan, Alexandria Laskaris, and Lindsay Mead hang out on the Fountain Hall patio.
Tarek Ihaddaden, Guinness Bradley, and Elisabeth Cooper enjoy the wedding reception!
Bridesmaids Asha Elhassan and Andrea Baring celebrate with Saskia and Allan.
Saskia Mungard and Allan Belem return down a petal-covered isle.
Festivals Whitsun How nice to celebrate Whitsun together again! Known to many as Pentecost, the Village celebrates Whitsuntide each year. We enjoyed several showings of the Village Parzival play performed by members of the Future Seeds group, and wrapped up our celebration with a multicultural potluck next to Fountain Hall Pond, with representatives from the Village reading a Bible verse in 12 different languages!
Orin Bar-Shalom and Paula Levai enjoy the picnic together.
Carl Wolff points to his Union Jack-adorned pastry.
Ernesto Martinez, Ted Todd, and Bill Spillman perform in the Parzival play.
Finot Selassie gathers with others near the Fountain Hall pond.
Marian Scharr and Nora Nickle picnic together.
Elisabeth Cooper and Roy Tau high five while Shady Kodsi stands nearby with baby Mina.
Ben Berry attends the picnic near the Hall pond.
Land Managing these acres is no small task. Between the vegetable and herb gardens, the seed gardens and pasture, and all the landscaping in between, spring and summer are very busy seasons for all who work our land. This year, the livestock farmers successfully created a new composting site for our biodynamic manure, and the vegetable farmers created a new community garden on the hill. Turtle Tree Seed has been protecting its plants from all the rain we’ve been having, and the Healing Plant Garden requires lots of weeding and attention for the same reason!
Tarek Ihaddaden greets a lamb in the pasture outside of Undina House.
Sarah Bomba fills a bucket with weeds in the Healing Plant Garden. They’ll be reused for compost later!
Anna Shaull hands bedding straw to Ellen Hunt in the vegetable garden.
Joseph Thumbi and Andrea Baring tend to young lettuces in a Turtle Tree Seed garden.
Sam Mirkin and Ben Bruschke pose on the parimeteter of the farm’s new compost site down the hill from the dairy barn. The new site makes much faster work of transporting and managing compost in the Village.
Sophia Wahanik and Jennifer Orahood tame the grass and weeds near the craft studios.
Introductions Nora Nickle Nora moved to Camphill Village in
Nora lives in Aillinn House, and has been
December, and she’s been embracing
working in Aspen and Argo houses in the
the summer weather jogging around
mornings and spending her afternoons in
the Village most days.
the Candleshop. Nora says she feels comfortable being herself in the Village.
“I really like fitness and I go jogging around. I also like basketball,” says
“It feels great,” she says. “I have more
Nora, adding that she’s been taking
freedom to talk to people and say what
advantage of the gym here in the
I have to say.”
Village. “It’s a pretty good gym; I like to lift weights there.”
Welcome, Nora!
Nora Nickle prepares lunch in Aspen House.
Willem Hallstein Willem moved to Camphill Village in
with others he knew from his days at
January after spending several years
Triform. “Well it’s a great thing to have
farming at nearby Camphill Triform.
friends,” he says, “and I have to tell you
He’s been living in Aillinn House and
that I love living in Aillinn.”
brings his agricultural experience, which has been an asset to our community! “I have to tell you that farming is my favorite subject,” he says. Willem added that he’s made a lot of friends in the Village, and has been reunited Willem Hallstein moves absorbent wood chips from a trailer into the dairy barn.
Welcome, Willem!
Moments
Marian Scharr drills holes into wooden blocks in the Village Woodshop.
Nora Nickle jogs past her neighborhood.
Susie Taube looks on as Paul Marcuse gives his best wishes to Caspar von Loeper, who left the Village. See you soon, Caspar! Photo by Ariel Turner.
Danny Miller engages Mimi Raymond in a dance during a picnic and jazz concert in the Village.
Tony Bacon enjoys the scenery during a sunny neighborhood lunch. Photo by Ariel Turner.
Antonio Colarusso hangs hand-dipped candles to dry before adding another layer of beeswax.
Zach Gastman, Ellen Hunt, and Elizabeth Dewart enjoy cold sodas during a barbecue held by the vegetable farmers. Photo by Ariel Turner.
Anne Gordon and Jennifer Orahood sing along with Roswitha Imegwu during Music with Roswitha in Undina House, one of several Thursday night summer activities to choose from!
Memorials In memory of Joel Berman, February 5, 1934 — March 9, 2020 We remember Joel Berman, the father of Tammy Berman, who lives in Camphill Village. Joel was a member of our Board of Directors, a great supporter and advocate for our wonderful community and the people who live here. We will always fondly remember Joel for his generosity, tenacity, and the love he had for his family and the Village.
Joel poses with his daughter Tammy during her 50th birthday celebration at the Swiss Hutte in Hillsdale. Photo courtesy of Shari Berman.
In memory of Susan Williams, March 18, 1956 — July 9, 2021 Susan Williams showed her profound love for Camphill Village in hundreds of ways. From her regular visits and trips with members of Tamarack House where her son Tony Bacon lives, to the many fundraisers she organized among her circle of friends. Susan was on our Board of Directors and was influential with the advocacy work she did on our behalf, writing letters to policymakers and meeting with elected officials to advocate for her son Tony’s ability to choose Camphill Village as his home. We will always remember Susan for her warmth, creativity, and the energy she always had reserved for Camphill Village.
Susan poses with her children Isabel and Tony in the Village. Photo courtesy of Isabel Bacon.
Please Donate Don’t forget to donate! Please consider contributing to our Annual Fund! Just under half of Camphill Village’s funding comes from the state. The rest comes from private sources, including donors like you.
David Wallace gently waters annuals and herbs outisde of the Healing Plant Garden.
Camphill Village USA, Inc. 84 Camphill Road Copake, NY 12516
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