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.
