The Northeast Cohousing Summit is coming to Amherst, Massachusetts, and that sure brings back memories for me! Want to know why? Almost two decades ago, in October 1999, the National Cohousing Conference was hosted by two Amherst communities: my home community of Pioneer Valley Cohousing, and nearby Pine Street Cohousing. For three glorious days, people interested in cohousing – aspiring cohousers, professionals, and members of existing groups – descended on our communities and filled the air with their energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity about cohousing.

Any of you who had the pleasure of attending the 1999 conference will undoubtedly remember the raucous auction led by Laird Schaub and Peter Jessop, at which the fate of board member Zev Paiss’s beard style was in the hands of the highest bidder. The conference featured a rich mix of sessions and practical experiences, including a cooking stint in our common house kitchen.

So what will the 2018 conference bring? Well, we won’t have an auction, so any board members with beards (or hair) can breathe a sigh of relief. But yes, there will be an intensive on cooking for community, along with a host of other sessions, parties, and tours.

If you were there in 1999, I hope you will join us again and relive the cohousing extravaganza in a new way. If you missed that conference, then here’s your chance to get in on the fun. I look forward to welcoming many of you here in Amherst, and in my community, in a couple weeks’ time!