“Our Village” comes to
LIFE WITH A THRIVING PRESCHOOL IN PLACE, ANNIE THOMAS AIMS TO TAKE A NATURE-ORIENTED COMMUNITY CENTER TO THE NEXT LEVEL Written by Sharon Sullivan
INSPIRED BY VISITS TO “FARMER RAY”
F
ive acres in Moab once destined for development have instead become a nonprofit community center site where multi-generations are encouraged to come and share skills and learn from one another. Annie Thomas lives across the street from the farm formerly owned by the late Ray Alger. Two years ago, Thomas envisioned something different for the land.
10
MOAB AREA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE February–March 2020
Thomas ran the Sego Lily Children’s Garden in her home — a preschool based on the Waldorf philosophy of education that emphasizes art, the natural world, and learning practical skills. For several years Thomas would bring her own children to visit “Farmer Ray.” He’d invite them to pick apples, and to visit his horses and cows. Later she’d bring her preschool students to visit the farm. “Ray allowed us to use his farm for adventure time,” says Thomas. “He wanted to keep it as open space.”
