Open House – The May 28 Open House in celebration of the Town of Springwater’s Bicentennial was a success. Some people who had lived in the area for years discovered the Center for the first time. And a connection was made with Rock Castor and Laurel Nelson from Lagom Landing, a nearby nonprofit residential program that teaches 18-25 year olds skills such as carpentry, gardening, cooking, forestry and other hands-on trades. We’re hopeful the connection will become more established and that the students may come to practice their skills on a Center project.

June 5th Annual Meeting – Thanks to the members who returned their voting proxies to form a quorum for the meeting. Bob Dattola was re-elected trustee for a three-year term. Bob Bulger gave the financial report, and Wayne Coger reviewed events and accomplishments of the preceeding year. In the discussion that followed, interest was expressed in building the Center’s membership. A fair proportion of our population have been members since the Center’s inception, and some concern was expressed concerning the current?? demographic.

Volunteers Mark Bruno and Nick Perry helped staff member Brian Hudson complete the new bridge over the spring in the north woods. The old bridge was actually a section of a wheelchair ramp donated to the Center by Toni Packer after her husband Kyle died in 1999. Toni was very fond of visiting “Kyle’s bridge” for years afterwards, making it a frequent destination for her daily walks.

Fresh spring greenery covering the wet marshy area in the north woods.

Volunteers Mark Bruno and Nick assembling the bridge

The new bridge in place and ready for use

New hand-made table for retreat cups

Staff members Brian Hudson and Tom Klintworth worked over the winter building a beautiful new table to hold the numbered cups used in retreat.

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Long time Center member Greg Wright is wondering if there are people in the UK interested in starting “a weekly or monthly meditation group in the Hertfordshire/Buckinghamshire area.?? The suggested agenda would include timed sittings, walking meditation, tapes by Toni Packer or other Springwater teachers, and a discussion period.” Those interested in forming such a group, may contact Greg at jon.g.wright@ntlworld.com.

The Center in October

At the special meeting of members on October 18, 2015, the revision of the Center’s bylaws was adopted. More than three-quarters of the members returned their voting proxies approving the revision. Warm thanks to all who participated. It’s clear that many care deeply for the Center and the meditative work.

The revised bylaws and a voting proxy form were mailed to you in the first week of September. Please fill in the voting proxy and return it in the envelope provided so that it will be received before Sunday, October 18. A special meeting of members takes place at the Center that day at 2 p.m. Please mail the proxy, even if you also plan to attend the meeting. Please contact the receptionist if you plan to attend. Everyone’s support of the process to revise the bylaws is needed and encouraged.

Staff News
Welcome back to Tom Klintworth, who was on staff in the mid-80???s and who returned to staff in June with a wealth of skills ranging from professional kitchen experience through horticulture to construction work. Tom also has an interest in psychology and meeting together in the true sense of the word.

Tom working on the apartment

Meanwhile, Bob Bulger has decided to retire following the sabbatical leave he is on right now. Bob joined staff in 2008 and brought a depth of professional experience to the financial office. Thanks to his care, Center finances are in a good spot as he departs. Retreatants especially will miss Bob as he undertook more than his fair share of retreat coordination. The Center has been fortunate in having the benefit of Bob???s expertise, good nature and willing spirit for so many years, and we are happy that he???ll continue to be available on a casual basis until the end of the year, and as a good friend forever.

Bob Bulger

Fortuitously, Eric Fox is available to train to fill Bob???s position. Eric brings up-to-day computer skills, experience in other meditation centers and a strong sense of order to the financial office. We look forward to working with him.

Member Alert
Please, Hold this date! In early September, Center members will receive a mailed Notice and explanatory information concerning a Special Members Meeting to be held at Springwater Center at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on important and long overdue revisions to the Center’s bylaws. This mailing will also include voting forms for any Members who cannot actually attend this meeting. Please be on the lookout for this Notice and mailing. Your vote counts!

Board of Trustees
The next meeting of the trustees’ will be at the Center on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Neighboring property still for sale
A reminder that an ideal situation for anyone interested in living near the Center is available. It’s a lovely house and expansive property adjacent to the Center.?? If you are interested, please contact Keith or Amanda Hatch at kanda@frontiernet.net.

Construction project
A water-damaged wall of the apartment in the main building had to be replaced this summer. Some photos show the process:

First step: rent a dumpster

Second step: tear out

Frame a new wall

View from the Interior

New insulation. That’s newly returned staff member Tom Klintworth behind the mask.

Drywalling – soon ready for habitation

Siding underway the day retreat begins

With Richard Witteman’s interest and encouragement, the Center’s website content management system has been switched to WordPress, and the site has been updated.?? Though only 17, Joseph Shearer provided expert help during the process, aided by Richard, staff and friends.

The site is not yet complete. Work is still in progress on online access to books and audio/visual recordings. But now for the first time a video is available through the website –?? An Interview of our founding teacher Toni Packer by Joan Tollifson, filmed in 1994 by Paula Kimbro. The video is also available on YouTube, along with??six videos posted by Michael Peters of Toni’s talks (in German) at the 1996 retreat at Haus der Stille, Roseburg, Germany, filmed by Daniela Butsch.

To make the site operate most effectively, your feedback is needed and very welcome. Please??contact us with your comments, requests, and (hopefully rare) reports of any difficulty in using it.