The "We" Generation

The 1980s are often described as having the “me” generation, with those years defined as a spendthrift time.  Getting rich was the epitome of American success.  Camphill Kimberton at that time was a bright healthy child, brought into the world by generosity and determination. Nourishing social connections, high ideals, commitment, creativity, hope, healthy lives and healthy food were all part of the culture here. No time to be concerned with getting rich! Almost everyone who came to visit or stay saw its potential and in turn we saw the potential of everyone who came.  That was extraordinarily helpful for those who came with so-called disabilities.

Our founders continued what they had begun. Helen Zipperlen was championing tolerance and meaningful lives and was forever challenging us to network and learn. Andrew Hoy was enigmatically poetic and an exemplary baker; he seemed to be able to do everything. Herta Hoy was gracefully modeling what selflessness and hard work can do, managing more than us novices could imagine possible.  Hubert Zipperlen was watching over everything with the eye of an engineer and the heart of a lion.

MC Richards arrived.  As a colleague of avant garde artists and dancers Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Karen Karnes, David Tudor and others, MC already had several books to her credit and pottery that expanded everyone’s idea of space and form.  She charged us with releasing our creativity for the sake of the world and held that biodynamic agriculture is a sacred bearer of authentic culture. We knew that agribusiness and agriculture are two very different things.  MC, Sherry Wildfeuer, and others were actively teaching other young agriculturalists.

You might say in Camphill Kimberton, instead of the “me” generation, we had decided to be the “we” generation, bringing health instead of wealth. That was exhilarating.

Those of us riding that post-pioneer wave were buoyed by the village’s capacity to take on new ideas, work with them, and sometimes bring them to fruition. There was room for everyone; inclusiveness was a byword.  Board President Morrie Huston and his colleagues, including two David Schwartzes, convinced emissaries from the State of Pennsylvania that we were a more than worthy alternative to institutionalization. Pennhurst, the area’s large institution nearby was closing; deinstitutionalization and more “normalized” lives for people with disabilities was becoming the ideal.  Camphill Kimberton was viewed with the same hopefulness then that it is now fulfilling.

We were learning by experience and our responsibilities were helpfully shouldered by our fellow community members. Eva and Nancy Sue were endlessly willing. Larry became a farmer, Wendell a gardener, Barry a baker. Kate and Martha stretched our souls. Fred played piano. Bill learned by shadowing Gerald, and George arrived and became a benevolent helper on the farm. Sabine kept us in line, somehow the watchful balancing opposite of MC who was teaching us to color outside the lines.  Andrea pioneered our Farm Store, which eventually gave way to Terry and Pat Brett’s vision for Kimberton Whole Foods.  Jim created poems for the spring plowing festival, and Michael and Barbara and others hung bells on the cows’ necks for the first spring foray into new grass.

Many of you who remember those times are still with us, and we thank you for helpfully accompanying us.  For those of you who are newer, we thank you for your attention and support for what continues to be an
evolving and health-giving community.  


- Diedra Heitzman, Executive Director

See the entire Spring 2013 newsletter and 2012 Annual Report, where this article is taken from, by clicking here.