COMMUNING at the Commons

Drawn by the opportunity to connect in person on the land, over 50 people braved sporadic rain showers to gather at the Whidbey Institute’s new Cabin Village Commons on June 18, 2022

From toddlers to elders, old friends to new ones, we celebrated the interconnections nourished by the Commons as a new gathering space on the land. The Commons includes a gathering hall, a spacious kitchen, bathrooms (including two with showers to support camping), a volunteer-built flagstone patio, and more Restful forest, meadow, and Westgarden views add to the grace of its setting.

Whidbey Institute Senior Fellows Sharon Parks and Larry Daloz, visiting from New England, shared special remarks with the group on this dream made real Other speakers included Powers of Leadership (POL) program leaders Christie Lynk and Craig Fleck, POL alumna Linda Park, and Whidbey Institute board member Casey Dilloway.

The Commons opened for program gatherings in April of 2022. A more formal Commons dedication will occur this year, in conjunction with the Whidbey Institute’s 50th anniversary We are so grateful to have this new space to support generations of future gatherings and inspiration!

On September 17, members of the Whidbey Institute community gathered for the Reconnecting with Gratitude and Hope event. It was the first time in 2022 that we had been able to come together as a large group for a meal and conversation

The event started at the registration table as guests lingered and greeted each other It felt like a homecoming for many from across the years. As the program began in the Thomas Berry Hall courtyard, the community leaned in and listened to the words of gratitude and organization updates from Holly and Casey.

Next, we were inspired by the offerings of two long held programs at the Whidbey Institute, PYE and Thriving Communities Larisa Benson shared a message and a song from the PYE youth and Jerry Millhon shared a brief history of the films they have created over the last 10 years through Thriving Communities Rako Fabionar then introduced the Wayfinders pilot program that would take place in 2023 i n G r a t i t u d e a n d H o p e

After the presentations, when we walked into the dining hall, we were met with the beauty of pink dahlias that filled the space and the abundance of nourishing and tasty food prepared with love for the community by Chef Christyn and Gina. Watching and participating in the conversations at the picnic tables scattered around the courtyard brought back memories of our many gatherings from past years.

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