Soltane in motion - May 2011
Advocacy Week 2011
by Jim Colbert, Job Placement Coordinator and Advocacy Team member
 Advocacy Week 2011 is now behind us, and what a wonderful week it was! From our morning gathering talks (left) and check-ins to our eight thought provoking and fun activities throughout the week. Almost everyone in the community pitched in to make each event shine!
Monday morning we had a movie and discussion that entertained and stirred much thought and emotion. The film was called “Rory O’Shea Was Here”. Monday evening was a pot-luck common meal with a deliberate cultural flair followed by a film called “Coming Off The DL” produced by the Villanova University Social Justice Class. We had guests from VU that included the two stars of the movie, their families and a VU professor! The food was exceptional, the film inspiring, and the atmosphere warm and enthusiastic!
Tuesday evening was a chance to relax and recover from the headiness of the previous day with the soothing and heartwarming music of Tamara and BJ.
 Wednesday was fun and excitement as many Soltaners courageously stood up and delivered artistic entertainment for the community during our “Open Mic Night”.
Thursday Soltane hosted five guests, all of whom are very accomplished community leaders. These folks participated in a panel discussion and answered questions about how they have been able to work towards their goals, hopes and dreams through small steps, perseverance and collaboration with others. The evening itself proved to be a real community building experience for all!
Friday was a Soltane open house consisting of an Exposition of all the work that has been accomplished this year by Soltane community members (right). There were exhibits, food, music, tours and an informative talk by Mel Knowlton of PAR about waiver funding. Also on Friday evening was our end of week celebratory dance party!
Camphill Soltane was once again able to impress our many guests with our beautiful campus, our warm, welcoming and talented students and residents, our enthusiasm and our spirit! We were able to welcome the outside community into our midst and develop friendship and connectedness that will be the legacy of Advocacy Week 2011.
Advocacy Night 2011 - an inside view
by Janet Smith, parent
Last Monday night everyone present was treated to a wonderful experience of the Soltane community - the kickoff evening to Advocacy Week. The program included a screening of the film “Coming Off the DL” and a personal appearance by the subjects of the film, Frank Kineavy and Nick Gaynor. Frank and Nick have cerebral palsy and yet are managing the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Villanova University.
As soon as the guests arrived, Soltane students and residents were introducing themselves and learning about Frank and his family. A tour of Soltane started in one of my favorite places: the dining room and kitchen of Rockrose, with its wonderful view out the window. The Kineavy family met Rockrose residents, some of whom joined our growing entourage. The Kineavys were already marveling at Soltane’s campus before we even got to Whitsun Hall, where, at the sight of the beautiful facilities, their jaws literally dropped. Frank’s father shot some hoops with students Brooke, Caroline, and Iris, and we had a few spectators as well. The weather showed Soltane off to perfection, with the sunset glowing off of the green grass, and the 70 degree air. The paths provided no problem for the wheelchairs.
 Arriving to Iduna’s courtyard for the multicultural dinner (created, presented, and cleaned up afterwards by Soltane’s talented coworkers and residents), we were awaited by everybody, it seemed. We formed a circle and the guests were each warmly greeted by name with cheers of greetings from students. The buffet meal served outside went from Mexico’s vegetarian chili with all the toppings to Japan’s tempura and soba noodles soup, with all points in between. I think I saw some British fish-n-chips along the way. Frank’s parents met just about everybody at this point. Then Nick Gaynor and his dad arrived, along with Villanova professor of communications John O’Leary. He was to introduce the film and moderate questions with Frank and Nick.
Before the film, student Kathleen R. played some Mozart on the piano. Then coworker Rachael F. led everyone in some group songs, and several more parents arrived to watch the movie. “Coming Off the DL” did not focus on their basketball team exploits so much as it explored in depth the issues each young person faces when he or she requires personal assistance in daily living. It is a deeply honest film about the dignity and uniqueness of Frank and Nick as they go to college, an experience usually taken for granted by the more able. Frank (affectionately “Frankie”) had prepared a thoughtful statement on his Dynavox communication device about how he wants to become a teacher, and was having conversations with everybody using his manual board. Nick spoke about how he loves basketball and had always wanted to have the opportunities he is having at college. Soltane students asked some thoughtful questions and gave the group “the best reception we’ve had!” The Soltane community then gave gifts to the speakers: apple butter for the adults and in good company t-shirts for Frank and Nick.
To let you know what this special evening was really like, I will quote my own guest that night, Mario D. Mario writes:
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Caroline, in addition to Sarah, Nick, Frank, Madeline, Jim, . . . everyone there! The dignity, strength, and joy of the human person was so evident in everyone I met. I really felt as though I was away on a retreat that night, or on an oasis . . . and although part of me felt as if I was re-entering the daily “grind” as I drove off Camphill grounds, I felt different. Life is beautiful, life is worth living, and God is good. (I know this all sounds a bit dramatic, but I don’t know how else to capture the transformation that everyone there helped to bring about in me that evening). I am very grateful for you inviting me. Please say thank you to everyone there. (And I want a rematch on the basketball court!). Mario”
The exchange of energy I felt at Soltane that night kept me awake for hours afterwards. This is really a “spiritual” place.
House Profile: Gawain
by Mary Edmonds, householder
All of us here living in Gawain House attempt to create a 'living home' each and every day by practicing attention to the other, contributing to the smooth running in big and small ways, valuing differences, eating healthy and well and spending time together. This takes time and patience and there are some days that go by that we might not be living the ideal--that's why we honor the single candle and a silent moment each day together. We take a deep breath, we let it out, and we go on with the moment.
Spring brings a breath of relief that the snows are gone! Although we are a "resident" house we have some pretty busy schedules, not least of which are the Special Olympics sportsters. Swimming is over now and we are full tilt into baseball. In fact, Leo (our 7-year old son) is playing Little League and the whole house went out last week to eat hotdogs and cheer him on. He made us all proud when he whacked two great hits! You can imagine the uproar from the stands....
In fact, what started out as just John C., a third year coworker from Gawain, and Leo catching out front has attracted quite an entourage of players who gather most nights lately to play baseball on the field next to Roland Johnson. All ages, all abilities, watching or playing - you can't get that too many other places, which makes community living that much more special.
 Kristina B., a resident, is one of the folks out there with her glove. She likes being with Julius, our new dog, and has a special way with him (right). He gets his fair share of loving. Also, we have had a few dances lately where Kristina has really shown some extraordinary moves. If we could only have dances every weekend, she'd be so happy!
With the spring comes more time outside, of course. And we are loving spending time on the beautiful deck out back overlooking the woods. We would wish for a brand new gas grill so we can really eat some great BBQ all summer into fall! (anyone who wants to fulfill this wish with an in-kind donation, please contact
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in the Soltane Foundation!)
Mark (the co-householder in Gawain) has been absent quite a bit lately as he is putting in many hours in Phoenixville getting ready to open the new Soltane Breads and Spreads. Some of us made a trip into Phoenixville for the First Friday Walk and we easily imagined being inside the shop next First Friday ordering the best coffee hands-down in town.
Greetings from Gawain house from Mary E., Mark D., Kristina B., Brian G., John C., Adela H., Nate P., Brian O., Jennifer A., Ruth, Avila, Leo and Julius
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