Table of Contents/No. 89. Winter 1995

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURE FOCUS

Growing Older in Community

From the Guest Editor

Deborah Altus

Choosing to Age in Community

Robert Foote  interviews Tom Hungerford  about his decision to join a community at the age of 67, and his full life at a small rural community in Virginia.

Creating a Crone's Nest: Woman-to-Woman Retirement Planning

Cynthia Carey  notes a new trend: women planning to live with their best friends when they're older. Excerpted from Creating a Crone's Nest   newsletter.

Supporting the Aging Process in Community

Marie H. Schutz  shares her positive, life-affirming experiences of growing older in two Quaker-influenced communities.

Listening to the Wisdom of Our Elders

In this photo-essay, eight elders offer their ideas about growing older in community--what is missing, and what is needed to build inclusive, intergenerational, caring communities. Text by Elizabeth Younger. Photos contributed by Green Pastures Estates, SEADS of Truth, and Common Place Land Trust.

Growth and Well-Being in a Senior Co-op

Bevelyn Carpenter  describes the pleasures, challenges, and opportunities for personal growth in her community.

"Life Is But a Pilgrimage"

Emilie Hoppe, Amana member and descendent of Amana communalists, tells what life was like for older members during Amana's communal days.

Shakers: Their Long and Healthy Lives

Professor Susan Matarese  notes the remarkable longevity of and exceptional health care provided for older Shakers at the height of the Shaker movement.

"We Do Not Retire from this Mission"

Sister Martha Wickham, ASC, describes the active lives led by retired and semi-retired nuns.

Friendship and Shared Housing

Margaret Harmon  relates how friendship and mutual aid have blessed the lives of two members of Ruggles House, a shared residence for retired teachers.

Retiring to the Good Life: Stephen Gaskin on Rocinante

Betty Didcoct  interviews Stephen Gaskin, founder of The Farm community, about his newest project, Rocinante--an innovative retirement village and midwifery center.

COLUMNS

FELLOWSHIP NEWS--Going Public: Can Intentional Communities Make a Difference in Public Policy for Elders?

Betty Didcoct  describes the research on and recommendations for "non-traditional households" by the AARP, and suggests that communitarians may have untapped political clout for changing outdated laws that restrict elders and community members alike.

CONGRATULATIONS!--A Canadian Rural Land Co-op; a Desert Hideaway

Communities  magazine spotlights Rowanwood Conserver Society  and Aquarian Ranch, both 10 years old in 1995.

PASSING ON--A Remembrance of Bonnie Fish

A remembrance of Bonnie Fish, co-op activist extraordinaire.

PERIPATETIC COMMUNITARIAN--Sage Advice

Observing the parallels between youthfulness and maturity, Geoph Kozeny  suggests we integrate all  members in community, so elders feel--and are--useful and appreciated, and younger members are drawn into positions of knowledge and responsibility.

MY TURN--Communally Shared Sex: Some Gently Skeptical Questions

Cornerstone  magazine editor Jon Trott  disagrees with the authors of articles about multiple-partner relationships in the "Love, Romance, and Sex" issue (Summer '95), and suggests that too much sexual sharing impedes rather than enhances intimacy and bonding between partners.

FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH--Voices of Our Elders

Researchers Mike Cummings  and Harv Bishop  share their research data about older community members, and offer personal observations about the harsh realities of growing older in mainstream society.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN POLITICS--New-Paradigm Developments in Europe

Corinne McLaughlin  describes The Natural Step and the Unity party in Sweden, and the Spirit of Europe movement in Britain.

COHOUSING REPORT--Cohousing Opportunities for Elders

Rob Sandelin  notes the advantages cohousing communities offer seniors--and how they benefit in turn.

ECOVILLAGE REPORT--Findhorn's International Conference on Eco-Villages

Lois Arkin  reports from the first international gathering of ecovillagers at the Findhorn Community in northern Scotland.

FEDERATION UPDATE--What Does Healthy Soil Have to Do with Community?

Mark Schonbeck  of Tekiah compares the structure of fertile soil (with its biochemically attracted clay particles and humus) with well- functioning communities, where members work together and function as team members.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES--The Clearing: A Refuge of Love and Mutual Care

David Janzen  describes a Christian urban cooperative household where students and younger people help care for elderly residents.

GROWING COMMUNITY--Becoming Pro-active with Zoning Issues (Diana Leafe Christian); Off the Grid!: Shedding the Grid (Dan Drasin)

Practical "how-to" information for people planning to form communities.

FOR OUR CHILDREN--Nirmal Hriday: The Place of Pure Hearts

Sarthak Das  describes Mother Teresa's home for the destitute and dying in Calcutta.

REVIEWS

Diana Leafe Christian  reviews Rebuilding Community in America, by Ken Norwood and Kathleen Smith; and Arthur Morgan Remembered, by Ernest Morgan.

COMMUNITIES MAGAZINE SPECIALS

"Benevolent Dictators" in Community? Part II

Kat Kinkade  of Twin Oaks and Mildred Gordon  of Ganas continue their debate about strong central government vs. decision by dialogue.

Relating to Each Other Via "Roles"

Laura Vavra Russell. In the start-up years, members often relate to each other in terms of their functional "roles" in the community.

Feedback

CREDITS

Editor
Diana Leafe Christian

Guest Editor
Deborah Altus (University of Kansas Gerontology Center)

REACH Ads
Patricia Greene (Renaissance Community)

Directory Update
Geoph Kozeny (Community Catalyst Project)

Design & Production
Lansing Scott (SeaChange Media Co-op)

Cover Design
Paul DeLapa

Proofreading
Ellen Jablow

Illustrations
Billie Miracle (WomanShare)

Cartoons
Jonathan Roth (Twin Oaks)

Photos
Deborah Altus (University of Kansas Gerontology Center)
Bevelyn Carpenter (South Bay Co-op)
Robert Foote (Light Morning)
Stephen Gaskin (The Farm)
Margaret Harmon
Marie Schutz (Friends House)
Carol Simons (Common Place Land Trust)
Martha Wickham, ASC (Adorers of the Blood of Christ)

Business Manager
Laird Sandhill (Sandhill Farm)

Editorial Review Board
Betty Didcoct (TIES)
Geoph Kozeny (Community Catalyst Project)
Laird Sandhill (Sandhill Farm)

COMMUNITIES (ISSN 0199-9346) is published quarterly by Fellowship for 
Intentional Community at Route 1, Box 155-W, Rutledge, MO 63563.

Send editorial submissions to COMMUNlTIES, PO Box 169, Masonville, CO 
80541-0169. For changes of address, write 138-W Twin Oaks Road, Louisa, VA 
23093.

Copyright 1995 by Fellowship for Intentional Community. All rights 
reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Opinions expressed by authors and 
correspondents are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the 
publisher.

Movement groups may reprint with permission. Please direct inquiries to 
COMMUNITIES, PO Box 169-W, Masonville, CO 80541  01 69; 970-593-5615.