Summer 2008

Dear Center Family,

Jai Baba! It is with much love and gratitude that we send you this summer newsletter. It is Meher Baba’s abiding Presence here and your heartful support that keeps the Center as He wished---a place of rest and renewal, His western home where He welcomes each one to share companionship with Him. How fortunate we are.

Program News

Since our letter last February, there have been some lovely times marking the specialness of this year---the 50th anniversary of Meher Baba’s 1958 visit to the Center. For Baba’s birthday, Larry Karrasch gave a beautiful talk in the Meeting Place, describing his relationship with Baba all during his childhood, and his experiences with Him in 1958 at the Center. Later this year, in early November, Larry will continue his story, sharing his memories of the 1962 East/West Gathering. We look forward to that!

In March we enjoyed a week long visit from Dr. A.S. Jagannathan and his wife, who came from Andra, India, to share with Baba lovers in the West their stories of many years’ contact with Baba and involvement in His work. Adele Wolkin visited the Center in April, delighting guests as always with her touching memories of time with Baba. Tom Riley was also here in April, and his talk about Baba’s 1958 visit was full of the joy of that experience. One especially sweet evening that same month found Gary Keiner and Steve Edelman on the Meeting Place stage, talking about their years of close relationship with Eruch. It was fun, funny, profound, and inspiring. Then on April 29, Bhau Kalchuri arrived from India. For three wonderful weeks, Center guests and visitors, hundreds of them, enjoyed Bhau’s two talks nearly every day. It was an amazing time.

On May 17, we began a two week celebration of the exact time of Meher Baba’s visit in 1958. There were prayers and arti in Meher Abode compound, a walk to the beach, a picnic (with cake!) on the lawn in front of the Original Kitchen, all planned to mirror what went on while Baba was here. On May 22, Wendy Haynes Connor gave a wonderful talk at the Shrine Club (formerly Jane Haynes’ theater) where she met Baba for the first time fifty years ago. Volunteers decorated and brought refreshments, and it was such a special evening. The following Saturday, her brother Charles Haynes spoke in the Meeting Place, also of his memories of Baba’s ‘58 visit and the profound meaning of Meher Baba in his life, then and now. Another evening we watched a video, taped at the Center in May of 1988, of a panel of people who were also here in ‘58: Ralph and Stella Hernandez, Peter Saul, Andy Muir, and Harold Rudd. What an evening that was! Finally, on May 30, Tex Hightower, one of the dancers here during that time, gave us his sweet, intimate and so humorous memories of what an incredible time that was.

Now we look forward to a visit from Bill and Diana LePage in July and August, the Youth Sahavas (July 22 to 27), and a few more special talks during the remainder of this 50th anniversary year. Check the Center’s web site or call the contact line (843-361-2252) for updates.

Strategic Planning

Meanwhile the Center’s Board of Directors has continued its focus on planning for the preservation and development of the Center over the next ten years. The response to the “Draft of Strategic Issues and Goals” document that was sent to all of you last February was heartening and so helpful. The Board spent spring meetings and retreats discussing your feedback and refining the issues and goals. The revised and final “Issues and Goals” document can now be viewed on the Center’s web site, or paper copies are available upon request (call Dilruba Office, 843-272-8793). The Board is now working on developing action scenarios, specific ways to address each issue and achieve each goal. Another Board retreat is scheduled for late September, after which the Board will be seeking your feedback again about this next phase in planning for the Center’s future. Of course, your ideas and concerns are welcome at any time.

During the Summer Months

If you have been to the Center recently, you will have noticed a number of photographs displayed aroung the grounds and in the Meeting Place. They are from the Center’s collection, taken of Meher Baba at the Center in 1958. It seemed like the perfect time to place these images where all could see them and remember that He was here, right here. And, of course, He still is. We plan to keep the photos on display until after the Youth Sahavas. Two such photographs are also temporarily hanging in the Lagoon Cabin while two that have always been there are being repaired.

Two additional activities will be on the calendar this summer. During June, July and August, Baba’s House will be open on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11, as well as on Sundays and Tuesdays 11 to 1 and on Fridays 4 to 6. Remember the first half hour is always for new guests to be welcomed and given a tour of the house. Also, on Saturday mornings, from 10 to 11:30, beginning June 28 and continuing at least through July, there will be a children’s gathering at the playground. Anyone wishing to help or offer ideas can call Amanda Traub, (703-837-9009).

As a reminder, in thinking about the summer and making plans to visit the Center, we want to strongly emphasize how challenging the humidity and heat can be. For some, it is certainly better to come at a different time of year. Other summer conditions can be equally problematic---ticks, mosquitoes, other bugs (!!), snakes, a crowded Center, lots of activity. But especially the heat can have quite an effect on your Center stay. For your comfort and the enjoyment of your visits, we urge you to be mindful of these conditions.

Holiday Reservations

Last year, in 2007, in the hope of being fair to all who wanted to be on the Center for the Christmas and/or New Year holidays, we implemented a lottery process for the first time. We found it to be a much better process than the old September 1st phone calling system. Therefore, we will once again hold a lottery for the 2008 holiday season. Included with this newsletter is the form that should be sent to the Gateway if you would like reservations any time from Sunday, December 21, 2008, through Thursday, January 1, 2009. An explanation of the process is on the form. If you want to be included in the lottery drawing, we must receive your form before September 13, 2008. The drawing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on September 13, and any reservations received after September 12 will be placed at the end of the lottery drawing. Please help to spread the word to those who may not be receiving our newsletters.

We hope your summer is filled with Baba’s sunlight and warmth, that you feel His Love every day. How blessed we are to be connected in Him, and to share the treasure of His western home. As Baba gestured just before His departure in 1958, “Isn’t it wonderful that I never leave!”

In His Abiding Presence,

Barbara Plews, Administrator

Click here to download the Holiday Reservations Form