Avalon
The First Eldershire™ Community

Avalon is the name of the Eldershire™ Community now in the process of being approved. The name comes, in part, from the island that arose from the mists, now Glastonbury in jolly old England. (see: www.isleofavalon.co.uk/avalon-heart.html). There is a very rich collection of history and legend that attaches to the Avalon name. The first Christian Church in Great Britain, the burial place of Arthur and Guinevere, the tree of thorns, the holy grail, the 30 mile zodiacal sculpture from 10,000 B.C., seven level labyrinth, and on and on. We chose the name for the rebirth aspects it carries, the arising from the mists for those entering into the next stages of their lives.

The Avalon Community in Sherburne partakes of a variety of magic and lure in its own right. It is perched on a hill – a Tor if you will, with penetrating views in all directions. There is a State Forest, meadows and hills, a pond, cattle grazing. To the north there is a golf course. Just down the road is Summer Hill, the conference and retreat center run by Jude and Bill Thomas. Summer Hill has been the place where major innovations have been hatched and many trainings have been held for those looking to change the culture for dealing with elders who have serious chronic illnesses.

We are inviting an initial band of pioneers to form the living foundation of Avalon – to be the leading edge in working with the development team. The programs that are being developed to further the concepts embodied in the Eldershire Community philosophy will be at the core of life in Avalon. These will include life-long learning, help-care, demonstrating ecologically sound and sensitive livable communities, and special well-being programs. There will also be programs and provisions made for a variety of income-producing opportunities. The pioneers will work closely to evaluate the physical, programmatic, community building, dispute resolution, visioning and empowerment aspects of both Avalon and the plans for future communities. They will also work to create new ideas for carrying forth the Eldershire Community concept.

The development team consists of a small and enthusiastic cadre of local investors who will also be involved with providing the infrastructure as well as the homes for Avalon. Work has been in progress for sometime now in creating the best plans for the layout of the Avalon Community as well as for the homes to be built there. Cars are kept out of the central core, yet will be housed in each home. The project will be built with a minimum amount of disturbance of the land. The Common House will be the center of the community and a beacon for each of its residents. The basis for many other activities will be provided, with the decisions on what is ultimately done in the community left to its residents. Maintenance services will be provided as well as many on-going programs designed to foster both individual and community development.