[MEMBER INTERVIEW] PT (2008-2021+)

0:56 Where were you born and how were you raised?
2:07 Musical family, started in bands in high school, visited Acorn and started on banjo
4:13 first experiences visiting communities in Virginia, learning about communes from a public library book (Kat Kinkade’s Walden II)
5:48 disillusionment with mainstream society in America, exploring, first experiences at Acorn and Twin Oaks
9:27 2008 Visitor period at East Wind, immediately interested in the people there and working in the gardenspp
11:43 first impressions of East Wind, social cues of members (TO rules about asking a member a question)
13:27 pursuing membership, the process of East Wind feeling like home
15:39 getting more involved with the garden and EW food system, wave of younger people coming and rejuvenating agriculture programs
17:46
19:07 2011 Showerhouse fire
20:09 Polyamory, relationships
**22:31 Creating the culture, importance of relationships
23:46 working in the Nut House, working as a Roasterc
****24:39 being Garden Manager, expanding the garden with Richard, converting a pasture into the Lower Garden, having the freedom to experiment, community’s changing perceptions of garden labor
**28:39 advice for new people
30:03 commercial market farming vs East Wind food system (holistic lifestyle), importance of efficiency in the market setting
**33:02 How was being on the Membership committee? Working with new people. The interpretation of rules, dealing with the Board, the power of managers.
35:48 “taking a member to meeting,” the politics and social pressure of issues within the community (especially in regards to member expulsion), holding people accountable
38:30 social scene, memories, how things change going from 19 to 30 at a commune, how friends come and go
****40:04 FEC delegate experience, what the FEC is, road trips, labor exchange between communities, shared healthcare fund
42:35 Why did you leave? Changing expectations, getting defined within a role both internally and externally, desire to grow and change, more opportunities
****44:44 playing in a local bluegrass band, stories of show trips (church vans full of East Winders bringin tha partayyy), cop stories
**47:58 dropping to Associate status (from full Member), still being in the area, having lots of former EWer friends to live with and find work opportunities, living in Eureka Springs, more on how people leave East Wind (in less than stellar ways), the difficulties of transitioning out
54:56 How has your lifestyle changed since leaving? (miss two minute walking commutes vs half hour plus drives)
56:22 fiddle jamzzz
You can learn many practical skills at East Wind. www.eastwind.org
Please feel free to ask questions and post critiques!
Video put together by Sumner

[@EastWindCommunity1973]

For those interested in PT's music: soundcloud.com/front-porch-644875184

[@caraziegel7652]

Thanks, nice ending there guys!

[@pobratum]

интересный опыт.

[@Maddz-Thee-Bee]

Anyone got a copy of that East Wind zine?

[@unikadas]

"speed dating for friends" haha, yep that sounds cool

[@EastWindCommunity1973]

Did you visit EW recently? I know someone was telling me their visitor period was coming up. (reply direct to the video, otherwise I don't get a notification).

[@anrandall8355]

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐦 🌹