Northwest
Summer Sahavas 2001
in the company of
Avatar Meher Baba
with special guests
Leatrice Johnston
Adele Wolkin
4:00 p.m. Friday July 27, 2001
to
11:30 a.m. Sunday July 29, 2001
at Baba House, Scotts Mill, Oregon
What a gift..
..to hear wonderful, firsthand stories of two unique women who came into the Avatar's orbit of Divine Love in the 1930's and 40's. Adele and Leatrice met Meher Baba in 1952, '56, and '58. They both had the incredible good fortune to tour with Meher Baba in '52 and saw Him just before His Prague car accident, and attended the East-West Gathering in India in 1962, and the Last Darshan in 1969. We have few opportunities to sit with and hear or relive how it was being in constant contact with the Avatar of the Age. This is a time for our hearts to soar.
Leatrice Johnston was born to Jeanne and Darwin Shaw in 1934, the year they first met Meher Baba. By the tender age of 8, after meeting Norina Matchabelli, Leatrice independently decided to consciously follow Meher Baba. At 14, of her own volition, she was drawn to read The Discourses and later Purdom's Perfect Master. There was constant contact with Meher Baba, yet there was no family pressure to follow Him. Her own pattern of independent thinking caused her to internally examine 'what was it all about'. When she met Meher Baba for the first time in 1952 He immediately asked "Will you obey Me?" Though so young, Leatrice was ready to accept Meher Baba's call to spend her life in "inner discipleship, the grand adventure that it is--and continues to be" as she beautifully puts it.
Adele Wolkin lived in New York City studying philosophy in the early 1940's, motivated by a desire to get to 'the heart of all things: God'. She attended a meeting at the joint home of Elizabeth Patterson, Norina Matchabelli and Nadine Tolstoy, who at Baba's behest, had just returned from many years in India. Adele was very drawn to Norina who was the only one in the west Meher Baba ordered to share Thought Transmissions from Him. She was invited to live with the 3 women to help prepare for His arrival in the West in 1952. She spent extra time in Myrtle Beach when He was there, and took care of Nadine and Norina in their later years. Adele's many opportunities to be with Meher Baba inspired a lifelong career in nursing, even working in a Bombay hospital for a time in 1962. Now retired Adele continues her life in dedication to Meher Baba.
May the spark of My Divine Love implant in your hearts a deep longing for the Love of God. - Meher Baba
The second point is this: while you are here, from now until you leave, I want
you to forget everything about Europe, America, and Australia, and think only
of Baba and what you are experiencing here. If you only had a glimpse of what
I really am, you would forget yourself completely and be conscious only of God.
(from: Meher Baba. Three Incredible Weeks. Sept. 14, 1954. pg. 18.)
Location: Baba House, the name Bhau gave to the rural, 5-acre home of Jim & Jean Wilson, is in the beautiful Willamette Valley village of Scotts Mill, about 45 minutes south of Portland. In addition to 2 small barns, there is a stage and large pandal for gatherings/meals.
Activities: Featuring treasured talks of Meher Baba life in the orbit of Avatar Meher Baba by our special guests; Arti; Dhuni; singing; entertainment by those masters of mayhem, the Seattle Skits-O-Frenics; books; videos; games; children's program; toddy shoppe; the splendor of nature. And by His Wish, His Whim, the Wineshop?
Meals: begin with Friday dinner; all 3 meals on Saturday and conclude with Sunday breakfast. If you have special dietary needs, you must bring your special items with you. There is a mini store in Scotts Mill and supermarkets in Mollala, Silverton and Mt. Angel.
Children's Craft and Play Area: The beautiful children's program of the past few years will be available starting Saturday. A small staff will be hired to help with children ages 3 and up, along with volunteer parents, during the programs. Children under age 3 are welcome at the children's area only if accompanied by a parent at all times. This is not to be considered childcare, parents retain responsibility for their children at all times. Questions? contact Malini Raffo 503-598-8460.
Housing/Rides for Out of Towners Need a Ride? Give a Ride? From airport, train, bus, or want to car pool? Can you offer a ride? Mark registration form.
Overnight Housing: Need over-night housing in Portland to coordinate carpooling? Can you offer overnight housing? Mark registration. Questions? contact Jo Hussey johussey@spiritone.com
Alternate Lodging Within 10 Miles Reserve well in advance.
Hotels/Motels/BnBs. Nordic Hotel Silverton (503) 873-5058 Egg Cup Inn Mt. Angel (503) 873-5497 Stage Coach Inn Molalla (503) 829-4382 Hawthorne Inn and Suites Woodburn (503) 982-1727 Super 8 Woodburn (503) 981-8881 Best Western Woodburn (503) 982-6515 Magnolia Cottage Silverton (503) 873-6712 *Fairway Inn Woodburn (503) 981-3211 (*=econo/budget location)
Climate: Usually sunny and warm, average highs mid 70's-80's. Evenings cool. It can rain at any time in the valley.
Bring: Flashlight, Warm evening clothes, Tent/Camping Paraphernalia, Mosquito Repellent, Musical Instruments, and Special Needs Items; and Your HEART in your ART: songs, poetry, art materials, your whimsy.
Do NOT bring: pets, illegal drugs or alcohol.
Car pooling: Please make efforts to car pool wherever possible. The large parking area is no longer available.
On-Site Facilities: 120 tent campsites are available on-site with rustic bathing facilities. Register early to get a site.
Directions to Baba House, 135 8th St., Scotts Mill (503) 873-2048
From Seattle, Portlands Eastside and the airport:
Take I-205 So. To exit 10, Park Place/Hwy 213 So. 19 miles to the Marquam store
and turn Left at the Scotts Mill turnoff. After crossing Nowlens Bridge,
immediately make a Left onto Crooked Finger Rd. Make a Right on 8th
St.; first house on the left.
From Portlands Westside:
Take I-5 So. To Woodburn and follow Hwy 214 to Mt. Angel then follow signs
to Scotts Mill. Turn right on Crooked Finger Rd. (just before the
bridge.) Make Right on 8th St.; first house on left.
From Salem and south:
Take I-5 No. to the Market St./Silverton Exit. Take Silverton Rd./Hwy213 twenty
miles through Silverton, following signs towards Oregon City. Turn Right on Mt. Angel/Scotts
Mill Rd. Turn Right on Crooked Finger Rd., and then right on 8th St.; first
house on the left.
Get custom directions from MapQuest.com
Arrival: Please arrive at 4:00pm on Friday to unload, set up tents, acclimate children. Dinner will be early and the program will begin immediately afterwards.
Departure: After the morning program on Sunday, about 11:45 am.