Summer 2007

Dear Center Family and Friends,

Jai Baba, and much love to all of you. On the front of this newsletter is a photograph, taken years ago by Doug Frank, of the gazebo on the Old King’s Highway, where Sparkleberry Crossover connects with Cypress Pond Trail. Such a sweet spot, such a sweet little shelter. It remains today, tucked into the tranquility of the woods, a part of the beauty and peacefulness of the Center. Baba keeps His hand on His Home, His voice in the wind, His tenderness at every turn, His Presence enduring here as He promised it would. Hopefully you have had a chance to visit recently. You always bring your love, and He waits here for you with open arms.
It is the end of a full and lovely summer. But before catching you up on news about the Center, we want to give you a very important reminder concerning Christmas and New Year reservations. We wrote to you about this last winter, and some of you have already sent in your lottery forms. But here is another chance to understand this new process and to send in your form if you are hoping to stay at the Center this holiday season.

Holiday Reservations: New Lottery Process
Every year, many of you have requested a lottery for making holiday reservations, rather than having to try to call on the phone at 9:00 a.m. on September 1. We are implementing this concept this year in the hope that it will be fair and manageable for all. The last page of this newsletter is the form that should be sent to the Gateway if you would like reservations any time from Friday, December 21 through Tuesday, January 1. An explanation of the process is on the form. If you want to be included in the lottery drawing, and have not already submitted a form from the last newsletter, this form must be received at the Center before September 15 (please notice that we have extended the original deadline of September 1 to give everyone a little more time to submit a form). The drawing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on September 15, and any reservations received after September 14 will be placed at the end of the lottery drawing.

Meher-Center-Messages, Anouncements by E-Mail
We also want to remind you about the e-mail announcement system to which anyone with an e-mail address can subscribe to receive occasional news about the Center. To subscribe, go to the “Past and Present” section of the Center’s website and click on the “Meher-Center-Messages” subsection. Also, all you young adults, make sure the Center has your current contact information.

Program News
Looking back, from last winter to the present, there has been a wonderful array of special guests and activities at the Center. Tex Hightower joined us for Baba’s birthday in February, telling such great stories of being with Baba here in the 50’s. To have him so available and so willing to share with guests and visitors during his stay was a terrific treat. Shaligram Sharma from Hamirpur came twice during the spring and spoke a number of times at evening programs, and informally, about his experiences with Baba. There was a delightful children’s play performed in the Meeting Place on Easter weekend, written by Adah Shifrin in 1971, called “The Magic World Of Aidni” (that’s India backwards...you can imagine what it was about!). So sweet. Don Stevens came soon after that, narrating a film of Baba which he had taken in 1956, and sharing some recent life experiences as well. Jimmy and Firuza Khan visited from Bombay in late June. Jimmy told charming and humorous stories of days with Baba in the 1960’s. Bill and Diana LePage arrived in May for more than a week, and returned again for the month of July, all the while giving so much of their time and energy to sharing, sharing, sharing---Bill’s years of contact with Baba, Diana’s inspiring art, both of their wonderful selves. They were invited guests at this summer’s Youth Sahavas, and participated fully in that too! The Sahavas itself went beautifully. We were fortunate to have a break in the usual late July heat, a fabulous group of volunteer counselors and workers, and more than 100 teen participants whose experience of Baba’s companionship was visible, palpable--you could see it and feel it. And finally, just last week, Baba’s twin nephews Rustom and Sohrab Irani entertained all here with their stories and music, full of sweetness, devotion and fun.

PICNIC THIS WEEKEND!!
For those of you who live nearby, one more important announcement. There will be a gathering next Saturday, August 25, from 12 - 2 p.m., on the lawn in front of the Original Kitchen. It’s a picnic! -- in the spirit of the picnics we used to have around Kitty’s birthday each year. Bring your own lunch, and a blanket to sit on. We will provide beverages and cake. Later on, there will be the usual tea at 3:30 in the Original Kitchen. For an added treat in the evening, Ralph and Stella Hernandez will narrate some films taken in the 1950’s at the Center during Baba’s visits. It should be a lovely day.

Your ongoing interest in and support of Meher Baba’s Home in the West are so much a part of all that happens here. Every loving thought, each heartful donation, every moment of concern and care, every generous hour of volunteer effort, all make it possible for the Center to remain as Baba wished: “a place of pilgrimage for all time”. We hope you are well, and that His love and His grace have infused your summer with joy.

In His Sustaining Embrace,
Barbara Plews, for Meher Center