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Hello Jan Martin, whatever was up for them or they were
currently interested in.
This is Valerie
writing from Twin Once the need to make such a large volume
Oaks - we met at of hammocks disappeared, many less people
the ICSA conference at Amana in Iowa worked in the shop much less frequently.
some years ago. What became apparent only after some
length of time was the social/cultural
I just read your latest contribution to
CALL, writing about returning to your effect. Basically, we lost this subtle but
former kibbutz. I was struck by something rich cross-breeding grounds, where people
you said in the article and wanted to share had at least casual, direct interactions
it with you. with most other members. More and more,
members were involved just in their own
You talked about how the social fabric had smaller work areas, or worked in our other
changed since the demise of communal main community business, tofu-making,
dining - that there was no longer that which has loud machinery and casual chats
natural overlap of people of differing are impossible.
opinions and from different social groups
of the community, who wouldn't have spent Myself having been here for 21 years, I
time together otherwise, and how that now see the change. Members stick much
changed things. more closely to their own small social
groups, there is a much less wide network
I was powerfully reminded of a similar of casual yet meaningful connections
phenomenon at Twin Oaks. In 2005, we lost between members who aren't "naturally"
our account with the national company Pier connected in other ways. We have become
1, who had been our largest hammocks more of a group of individuals who happen
customer (hammocks being our main to live in the same place, and less of a
community industry). So the community group who has chosen to share many
went from making about 14,000 hammocks aspects of their lives.
a year to making more like 7,000 (for our
other customers). Okay, one last thing, amazing serendipity:
while I was sitting here typing this email, a
But this led to unforeseen social changes person here for a tour of the community
as well. Previously, with such a strong focus came into the office and started chatting
on making so many hammocks, it meant that with me, and it turns out he lived at
most members spent at least some time in Kibbutz Gezer 1987 - 1990 and knows you!
the hammock shop, weaving and chatting His name is Ben Randolph, he's American,
with whoever happened to be there at the he says he worked in the vineyards at
same time. Night or day, there was almost Gezer.
always some smaller or larger group in the
shop, and those people would have some I love it when this happens,
casual but direct connection, discussing Take Good Care,
sometimes community issues, or just about Valerie
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