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2019 REVIEW Hugh Huntington, Board Chair Over the last year the Meher Archive Collective (MAC) has seen a lot of action and had a whole load of fun! We began stripping out the old Red Oak School building in late 2018. With the help of many volunteers and skilled professionals, demolition continued throughout 2019. A number of walls were removed, flooring was pulled up, and both large bathrooms were gutted and now await new plumbing. Plans for rewiring the building have been drawn up and the heating and air conditioning systems are set to be installed this year. Peter Nordeen did a fabulous job of leading a skilled crew and dedicated volunteers in the total replacement of the roof surfaces on the classroom wing of the building. MAC received various archive materials from seven donors during the year, which brings our overall total to twenty collections. Last year’s donations included libraries, films and artifacts. Later in the newsletter you’ll be hearing from Eruch Adams with an update from The Archive Department. Meanwhile, I am delighted to report that donations received in 2019 for the building came to over $186,000 which includes a total of $33,000 raised through our year-end matching grant. In addition, I’m excited to welcome Tracey Lilly as our business adviser. Details of what Tracey brings to MAC are outlined below. On behalf of the MAC board, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have poured their time, treasures, love and support into this extraordinary endeavor - The Meher Archive Collective! ANNOUNCEMENT: MAC has a Business Advisor. MAC has been gifted with a grant earmarked for professional business services in support of the organization. As such, Tracey Lilly has been hired as a business advisor on a temporary basis. As the organization continues to expand into its vision, we find ourselves in need of guidance – and that’s where Tracey comes in. Over the next several months she will be supporting the MAC team as we expand sustainably and improve upon our operations accordingly. Under Tracey’s coaching we have embarked upon the following: growing the MAC Board; implementing a Fundraising Plan; defining Operational Process and HR Guidelines; and establishing a Volunteer Program. In addition, Tracey will oversee the recruitment and organization of volunteers, beginning now. Prior to our meeting Tracey, she was not familiar with either Meher Baba or the Baba community. We see this as an advantage - Tracey's focus is on MAC, the organization; as a result we are all benefiting from being professionally guided to do our best. This, as we know, is the path to happiness, and ultimately to Baba! Meher Archive Audio Library Eruch Adams  Did you know that MAC has a growing library of audio tape recordings? Recently we received large collections of tapes and we anticipate more to come. A short while ago, MAC was given digital copies of the Andy Muir audio collection. This extensive array of material includes a number of speakers across many years; fortunately for us, the time-consuming work of digitizing the collection was already completed. About a year and a half ago, I began the Meher Archive Audio Library Podcast as a way of sharing these treasures in a limited, curated way. This is not yet the complete, searchable library - that will be created over time. However, using a podcast format, we feature one recording at a time that you can listen to from Apple iTunes Podcasts or on our website. If, like me, you may find yourself listening to more and more audio content in the form of podcasts and audio books. The opportunities are endless - while driving, doing chores around the house, and even shopping at the grocery store. If you subscribe to our podcast, each new recording of one of the Mandali telling a Baba story will automatically download to your smart device and you can listen to it at your leisure. And, even better, the podcast will save your place if you only have a limited amount of time to listen. Our most recent episode is a clear recording from the Andy Muir collection. Recorded in 1972, we hear Mehera Irani telling us all about how she met Baba and Upasni Maharaj, along with several other stories. Past episodes include Eruch Jessawala, Adi K Irani, Jal and Behram, and a couple of classics from Filis Frederick. Subscribe to the Meher Archive Collective Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meher-archive-collective-podcast/id1406104172 or visit our podcast page to listen from your computer: http://www.meherarchive.org/podcast The Mandali in India, 1970-71 In October 1970, Clive Adams traveled to India for his first trip after attending the 1969 Darshan. He stayed for many months, into 1971, and took numerous wonderful photos. Here are just a few of the photos he donated to MAC that we scanned for a talk he gave about the early days in Meherabad and Meherazad. The larger slide show was recently presented in Myrtle Beach and Asheville.  Goher, Arnavaz and Mehera in Baba's Samadhi.  Pendu at Meherazad  Mehera and Meheru.  Mani and Mansari. Photos courtesy of Clive Adams All About Volunteering Jean Brunet A lively meeting was held at Jeanne Felknor’s home on January 17th attended by around 20 seasoned and potential volunteers. Short presentations were given by Board members, in addition Eruch talked about volunteering with archiving, for example scanning or transcribing audio tapes. Thank you to our wonderful hostess Jeanne, who provided an abundance of pizza, snacks and drinks! If you're interested in volunteering for MAC, there is something for everyone; many tasks require no previous experience, where necessary however, we will provide training. Below, you will see the breakdown of various volunteer opportunities. Unless otherwise stated, please contact our Volunteer Services Committee Chair, Renee Bussanich, for further details: ReneeBussan1894@gmail.com / 828.989.3351 General Office: Office duties as needed, database entry, addressing and mailing letters (2-3 hours bi-monthly) Day-Of-Event Host: Assisting at MAC events, community activities and fundraisers (project based) Volunteer Program: Assisting with recruitment, training and engagement of interns and volunteers Communications & Marketing: Assisting with Facebook, blog, website and bi-monthly newsletter (project based) Contact: Diane Tower-Jones / DianeTowerJones@gmail.com / 828.290.6975 Archive Department Please contact Eruch Adams for further details: eruch@meherarchive.org / 828.301.2791 Location: 15 Golf Street, Asheville NC 28801 Audio - digitizing audio cassettes onto a computer. This will be a growing need; at the moment we are in the early stages of organizing. Rehousing Documents - handling physical letters, photos and objects, cleaning and sorting. Scanning - scan the rehoused documents and photographs using scanner and computer. Transcribing - read documents (e.g. handwritten letters from Mehera) or listen to audio tapes and digitally transcribe what is said in a clear format that will be easy to search and share. (Can possibly be done from home.) Red Oak School, Construction and Remodeling Project Manager: Ken Blackman ken@meherarchive.org / 520.907.8056 Volunteer Lead: Jeanne Felknor Jeanne.Felknor@gmail.com / 773.329.7400 Location: 53 Red Oak School Road, Weaverville NC 28787 Construction Zone Tasks: cleaning and organizing; hauling furniture and debris; organizing tools & materials Ongoing Work January-April: carpentry; flooring; landscaping; masonry; painting; Plastering Skilled Trades: electrician, plumber, welder Volunteer Appreciation Renee Bussanich We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Rita Barnes! Our Rita has shown up every Wednesday since volunteer days began in late 2017, tirelessly working on archive activities under the guidance and training of Elaine Cox.  Rita is a long-time follower of Meher Baba having discovered him in the 1970’s in LA . She is also an artist who has always enjoyed working with her hands, in particular through painting, drawing and calligraphy. Among her outstanding work, Rita beautifully incorporates Baba’s name into exquisitely intricate pieces of art and design.  Who Am I? #2 ink on paper 2006 Rita was introduced to the fascinating world of handwriting and it’s analysis many years ago. She has been especially interested in the written documents being archived by MAC, in particular letters to and from the Mandali, and from Baba. She has loved learning about the process of archiving, not least the finding and housing of pieces in our various collections. Rita has said that it often feels like being part of an archeological dig through time capsules full of surprising treasures. One particularly intriguing discovery was a collection by and about Gabriel Pascal in the form of letters and news clippings in which his love and exuberance for Baba were revealed. Alongside his devotion to Baba, Pascal was connected to the film industry in LA in the 30’s and beyond.* Rita describes the process of working with these materials as a wonderful opportunity to spend time in a quiet and slow-paced environment in a world where most work is typically pressured and fast-paced. She loves taking the time to focus on getting things done just right for Baba. Thank you Rita! * If you would like to find out more about Gabriel Pascal, his life, his career and his love for Baba, please follow these links: https://www.meherbabatravels.com/his-close-ones/men/gabriel-pascal/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Pascal Are You Taking Care of Your Baba Treasures? Jean Brunet A wonderful meeting was held at Hugh Huntington’s home on Sunday, January 12th. Everyone was invited to bring something to share in the form of a special Baba treasure and its story. About 25 people attended, many of whom were old-time Baba Lovers. When I began looking for something to share, I went straight to a big wooden box living at the top of a closet. It had not been opened for years and I was amazed at how much I have collected since the early 70’s. At least 100 letters, telegrams and notes; scarves; and numerous other items. To my surprise nothing was properly preserved and there were no stories written down to go with all these precious items. I had no idea that I was “guilty” of not taking care to rehouse and protect my precious Baba treasures. Imagine my further surprise when, at the meeting, several people said the same thing! A valuable lesson for all of us. Please write down all pertinent information regarding your treasures and make sure all letters and paper artifacts are housed properly in a mylar sleeve. You may want to keep these items for your heirs or donate them to an archive - either way, they need to be protected. A number of people were moved to tears during this most heartfelt meeting, and there was much gratitude for the opportunity to remember Baba through sharing our treasures. Announcement: Our Board Chair is Taking a Sabbatical. For health reasons Hugh Huntington is taking a 90-day sabbatical from his role as chair of the Meher Archive Collective. Hugh is delighted that Ken Blackman has agreed to be the interim chair; he is also fully supportive of Ken as he steps into this role, and is confident in his leadership skills. Hugh is grateful for his ongoing relationship with MAC, and will continue his unwavering support of the organization and its mission from behind the scenes. In addition, Hugh would like to thank the Board for their support and encouragement at this time. A Message from Ken Blackman, Interim Board Chair In support of Hugh Huntington, I am honored to be able to step into the role of interim chair of the Meher Archive Collective. Having been on the board since its inception, I have been involved in every aspect of the functioning of the organization. More recently my primary role has been that of Project Manager, overseeing the renovation of the Red Oak School building. I look forward to working creatively and productively with the MAC team; together we will continue our mission of collecting, preserving and sharing Meher Baba’s Divine legacy with integrity, love and transparency for the benefit of humanity. ken@meherarchive.org Save the Date - MAC Open House - Tea & Tours Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 2:00-4:00pm Meher Archive Collective, 53 Red Oak School Road, Weaverville
 
THE $100,000 MAC MATCHING GRANT!
Thanks to the 38 and counting people who have already responded, we are on our way to our goal. Please consider MAC in your year-end giving, and remember your gift will be matched, making twice the difference! If you are over seventy and a half years old, and need to make a disbursement from your IRA, you can make a gift directly from your account to MAC. We appreciate contributions in any form, and a big thanks to all our volunteers who have given of their time and talent! Visit our Donations Page for more details.
Donations can also be made by wire transfer or check, payable to:
Meher Archive Collective PO Box 18908 Asheville, NC 28814-0908, (For larger donations, checks are preferred because of Paypal fees.) To discuss how MAC can best meet your needs, including gifts of securities, legacy giving, and other vehicles available for flexible tax-deductible benefits over time, please contact scott@meherarchive.org Scott Tower Maloney, Treasurer Meher Archive Collective In just over a year into renovation of the MAC building, we want to share exciting news, offer an update, and a financial snapshot. Exciting NewsWe all have an opportunity to help fund the completion of Phase 1, which will allow us to occupy and begin working out of the building. All donations between now and December 31st will be matched, up to a total of $100,000. This doubles the value of your contribution, small or large, to help complete Phase 1. Why Support this Project?As we all know, there are many important Baba projects throughout the world, all serving Meher Baba in different ways and all needing support. We feel MAC is addressing a unique need in the Baba world at this time and will continue to do so long past our lifetimes. If you resonate with the vision and potential of this project, we invite you to be part of it and join us in this effort. We would be delighted to hear from you to learn how you would like to be involved. Extraordinary Value and Potential of the Project Immediate Need $325,000 to Complete Phase 1 With the acquisition of the Red Oak School property, MAC's initial vision has expanded to include an extensive library and resource center dedicated to Meher Baba: space for gatherings and seminars of various kinds, a museum and display area for both Baba Lovers and the general public, as well as a location for professional performances and events in the large auditorium. All this is in addition to the core mission of archive processing, storage, display, and open sharing of material related to Meher Baba’s Advent. This project is unique in scope in the Baba world at this time. Not counting the value of the land (6 flat acres, private well) or the caretakers’ cottage, MAC was able to purchase the 25,000 sqft property for $22 a square foot. This is an extraordinary value for a building that, with the proper care, is likely to last for centuries. Its value has increased already with the work that has gone into it so far. After all three phases of renovation are complete, we expect the total cost to be less than $90/sqft, approximately a third of the cost to build, or put another way, three times the amount of space we would have had with the same investment. This space is reserved to serve Baba for many generations to come. Potential for Ongoing Income We intend to rent out available space until MAC grows into the building's full footprint over time (on the ground floor, to be renovated in Phase 2, along with the auditorium in Phase 3). This rental space will provide income to offset a considerable portion of MAC’s future operating costs. Efficiency & Frugality In recognizing the fiscal values that Meher Baba encouraged from his followers, we are being very careful with the use of the money that has been generously donated so far. By Baba’s grace, we have the invaluable support of Peter Nordeen, who, along with the architects, has guided both the discovery and preparatory phase of the work, and is now overseeing the new construction that is needed. The work has progressed very efficiently and with many cost savings, such as: The caretakers’ cottage - This building (in which Gay and Greg Dunn currently live) was completely refurbished and painted inside and out by volunteers for a total cost of only $300. Recycling of materials - Peter Nordeen is a master of both efficiency and economy and under his eagle eye, we have been able to reuse a great deal of the original material within the building, and waste has been minimal. Rubble such as old masonry and concrete is being kept for future grading work outside. Nothing goes to waste. Volunteer labor – With the help of over 6,000 hours of volunteer labor, we have worked to keep costs down, as well as providing a vehicle for many people to participate directly in a project devoted to Meher Baba. Support - The outpouring of love and support has been very moving. These include financial donations small and large, the dozens of volunteers who continue to give their time and expertise. We would like to extend a warm THANK YOU! to everyone who has participated to date – you are the reason the project is happening and progressing and will succeed! And most importantly, we THANK MEHER BABA, who has turned the key to make all this possible. May we continue to keep our focus and devotion on You. Renovation Progress So FarFrom August 2018 through November 2019, at a total cost of approximately $250,000:
Next Steps to Complete Phase I
An additional $325,000 is needed to complete Phase One of the project. Individual donations can be made via our website, with options to contribute to the Capital Fund, or set up recurring monthly donations. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to double the value of your support, at whatever level you are able (From now until Dec. 31, 2019). Donations can also be made by wire transfer or check, payable to: Meher Archive Collective PO Box 18908 Asheville, NC 28814-0908, To discuss how MAC can best meet your needs, including gifts of securities, legacy giving, and other vehicles available for flexible tax-deductible benefits over time, please contact scott@meherarchive.org Scott Tower Maloney, Treasurer Meher Archive Collective GREAT NEWS! MAC has received a challenge offer from a prospective donor who has pledged to match, dollar for dollar, all contributions to our capital campaign made by December 31st 2019, up to a total of $100,000. This gives us the opportunity to double the value of our contributions - together we can complete Phase 1. We encourage you to take advantage of this offer. No amount is too small! With gratitude, Hugh, Scott, Renee, Jean and Ken. Meher Archive Collective Board  June, 21, 1949 - Baba with large group at Meherazad for a "cleansing ceremony". (From Jean Adriel's photos) Construction Update We are happy to report that we are making great progress with renovations and repairs. Here are some of our accomplishments since the last newsletter:
The Renovation of the Roof - in Pictures... 1. Ken going after the roof with a hatchet. 2. Roofing materials being raised by crane to the roof. 3. Peter giving Jeanne some specific instructions. New OSB layer in background. 4. A layer of OSB, laid down on top of the repaired original decking, being coated with tar before further roofing material is rolled out. 5. Hugh, Tino and Ken unrolling the underlayment. 6. After a spate of unrelenting heavy rain, Ken, Scott and Hugh spent many late night hours chasing and catching leaks from the exposed roof. Here’s Scott in the attic after a long, damp night. 7. After the rain - sunlight shining through the temporarily exposed spaces between roof planking. A little Baba art in His new building! 8. Approval from The Boss. The Magic of Music, Happy Trails and a Big Thank You. Jean Brunet Ludwig. A most successful fundraising concert took place on November 3rd. After a major reworking of the keyboard by Peter Kutt, Cathy Riley’s former Steinway had its premier performance at Hugh Huntington’s home. At least 50 people attended, including two accomplished musicians who sang and played for us all. Firstly, Thea Stacey, a new-to-Baba Lover, who performed for the first time with her daughter Lauren, and secondly, Randy Hale. The final song of the evening, sung by Randy, was the old Christian hymn "Let It Be"; by the end of the concert, there were very few dry eyes in the room. MAC is truly grateful for the musicians’ generosity in donating their time and talent for our benefit. A grand total of $830 was raised. A wonderful Bon Voyage/Thank You party was held by MAC on November 16th at the home of Jeanne and Bruce Felknor. Over 35 people came to say goodbye to Debbie and Peter Nordeen (who, by now, have left for their annual trip to India) and to say thank you to all the MAC employees and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to His Cause. In keeping with the season, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings was served along with a whole load of gratitude and encouragement for all those involved in keeping the dream alive and moving forward. Meanwhile, we wish the Nordeens a happy season at His Home in the East and look forward to their return in March.  At the end of the music concert, Jean was presented with a surprise birthday cake. According to the number of candles, she is twelve years old. Old and New by Jeanne Felknor A resale table for the benefit of MAC’s building fund will now be appearing at some Baba events. Gently used and/or regifted items such as scarves, jewelry, Baba photos, etc. are most welcome. For further details, please email Jeanne.felknor@gmail.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE - HERE’S HOW… Volunteer - Jeanne.Felknor@gmail.com – if you live nearby, or would like to visit the area, there are numerous opportunities for becoming involved. Jeanne Felknor is coordinating general site volunteers. If you have skills and experience relative to the building work, please contact ken@meherarchive.org Eruch is coordinating archive volunteers (currently at our temporary Asheville location), you can contact him here eruch@meherarchive.org Help with processing materials and scanning is always needed. Contribute financially – $325,000 is needed to complete Phase I. Individual donations can be made via our website, where you will find options to contribute to the Capital Fund, or set up recurring monthly donations. Donations can also be made by check, payable to Meher Archive Collective and sent to PO Box 18908, Asheville, NC 28814-0908, or by wire transfer. To discuss how we can best meet your desire to contribute, including gifts of securities, legacy giving and other means available for flexible tax-deductible benefits over time, please contact scott@meherarchive.org Some Words of Wisdom from Peter Nordeen Peter Nordeen recently sat down with Diane Tower-Jones to talk about MAC and his involvement in the construction project; Peter is heading up the renovation of the building and has been interested in developing a Baba Center in this area for many years. We will be sharing some of his stories and insights over the next few newsletters. In this first installment, Peter shares some of his views on the unique features of the Asheville area and how the vision for MAC fits into both the land and the future of the community. Diane asked him about how he became involved in this project. “My feeling is, it’s obvious to us. We (Peter and Debbie) came here over 25 years ago when there were few Baba Lovers here. And then suddenly people started moving here and the group grew and grew. There was a big response in Asheville that was different than other places in this country.” Peter went on to explain that he was personally taking care of things that he had collected from his years in India and his close association with the Mandali, and that others had given him their collections as well. So, he began to see the need for safe spaces to be built or created for this purpose. With that in mind, Peter says, he indicated that he “...would support (this project) as much as I can.” “The local group looked around for about a year and realized that doing this in (downtown) Asheville would be too expensive. Then this building came up and it is actually a perfect location.” (About 15 minutes from downtown Asheville.) “It’s very nicely accessible and I believe, in the future, it will still be a comfortable spot,” said Peter. Once the building was found, as Peter explained to Diane, he saw both unique potential and even a refuge in the buildings and land. ”... MAC is located in a semi rural area, but also close to main roads. Geographically, this is a wonderful place...” He also pointed out that there are no hurricanes here since any that come this way lose their force when hitting the mountains. And while there can be flooding in the lower elevations in rivers and creeks when it rains heavily, the MAC buildings are up on a hill. “We don’t get forest fires here,” he continued, plus “we have a good ecological environment and it is a great environment for growth.” Diane asked Peter what he meant by refuge. “Here we are relatively isolated… which also makes this location safe, but close to a small urban area that is a desirable place to live.” Because of the desirability of the area and the proximity of a sizable Baba community, Peter is convinced that a colony will grow up around this building and he would love to build a house out there himself. “It’s a beautiful spot, always 2-3 degrees cooler than Asheville. It’s wonderful, quiet, and not congested. The nearby areas are also just beautiful and idyllic mountain land. So I think, yes… we will have a colony grow up around this area with all kinds of meetings and things for Baba.” Updates From the Archive Eruch Adams Most recently we have been pouring over a collection of Swiss material collected by Ove Wittstock, a Swiss-born Baba lover who has resided in Berkeley since the 70s, where he first heard of Baba. When Ove found out about the Baba-Swiss connection, he took it upon himself to interview the surviving Baba lovers upon his next trip to Switzerland, which was in 1978. As a result, there are letters and recordings from Baba lovers who were with Baba in Switzerland. Ove’s crowning work is a promising manuscript outlining where Baba visited and the stories of His time there over the six trips he took to Switzerland between 1932 and 1956. Local German-speaking Baba lovers are already reviewing letters from Irene Billo, books about Helen Dahm and other Swiss-German material. This collection came from Ove via Cheryl Longo, who was his Baba connection and helped Ove with various Baba projects over the years.  Gisela Hefflinger, Meherjee, Ove Wittstock in Switzerland. Waves Sometimes archival donations come in waves and take on certain themes. In the early days we had phases of receiving pamphlets, pamphlets, and more pamphlets. From the common; the famous; to the rare; and the obscure. Then, batches of photographs, including a series of slides from Jean Adriel, Fredella and Robert Dreyfuss, as well as Tim Owens’ slides of the 1969 Darshan. Recently, there have been two distinct themes of archival donations - firstly, published books and secondly, audio tapes. Published Books It is MAC’s stated goal to have a spiritual library focused on Meher Baba. Whether that happens in phase one or phase two has not yet been decided, but recently we have received three large batches of mostly Baba books. Two are from former regional Baba collections; namely Don Eucker’s collection from New York and the library of the former Chicago Center; and the third is part of a combined private collection. In addition, other books continue to trickle in. Looking ahead to the two branches of MAC’s library: The Lending Library will hopefully serve both the Baba community and also the larger Western North Carolina community of spiritual seekers. By keeping a broad selection of works by and about various religions, especially the writings of Masters and Saints identified by Baba, as well as an extensive collection of works by and about Baba, this library stands to reach a wide audience. The Archival Library will ultimately house a reserve copy of all the main Baba books. A number of these will likely be signed copies and/or rare first editions. They will archived for long term preservation as well as for potential viewing in the event of a specific reason to pull out an original edition. We already have copies of various Baba magazines and periodicals such as The Awakener, in addition to a nearly complete set of Glow International, with a set of duplicates being completed for the Lending Library. Audio Tapes We have been slowly gathering a large library of donated audio tapes. Recently we received a large batch of around ten boxes/cases from Betty Grant. We are currently assessing and pre-organizing the collection which reaches back to at least 1970. This ongoing project will involve several stages - digitizing, labeling (metadata of who, what, where, and when), clean-up where necessary, and then sharing in an organized fashion. There are a lot of audio tapes of the Mandali around the world. Some of them are valuable for the enjoyment of listening. Some were not recorded well but contain invaluable information. Others may include rarely told stories of a first hand memory of Baba. Many of these tapes might be most accessible when transcribed, so that people can carry out a search for a particular subject. When once we could have turned to the Mandali to answer our questions, we now have to rely upon memories, books, documents, audio tapes, films and videos. Even more reason to do our very best to collect and caretake all that remains of Him! We are currently looking for volunteers to scan documents on Wednesdays or Fridays (or both) at our Golf Street office in Asheville. Please contact eruch@meherarchive.org for details.  Feet of the Master. Also from June 21, 1949 (From Jean Adriel's photos) Double Your DonationReminder:-
A prospective donor has offered to match, dollar for dollar, all contributions to our capital campaign up to $100,000, given by the end of the year. You can double the value of any and all donations made between now and December 31st! Please consider MAC in your end of year giving. Thank you! Hugh, Scott, Jean, Renee, and Ken. Brief Updates from Meher Archive Collective from Jean Brunet Ludwig
 Along with a wonderful potluck feast, we were treated to a live performance by these five fabulous musicians. We sat under a huge oak tree in Elaine’s back yard and luckily the rain held off until the very end with a few sprinkles as we were leaving. All proceeds from the sale of Tonight Meher are generously being donated to MAC. Heartfelt thanks to the Nordeens, their accompanying musicians, and Seclusion Hill Sound Studios for volunteering their time and talents to this wonderful project. If you would like a copy, please order from Sheriar Books. The original batch of 300 copies is almost sold out, but don’t despair, there will be more... Construction UpdateKen Blackman, Project Manager Greetings all Baba lovers, likers, and everyone else! The Red Oak School project began in earnest a year ago. Under the guidance and direction of Peter Nordeen, and with the support of many volunteers and paid workers, we have made substantial progress on the 90 year old school building. The overarching aim is to ensure that the building is refurbished in such a manner as to last for centuries. Early on, due to the enormity of the project, we decided to organize the work in three distinct phases: Phase One (in progress) Including work on the second floor of the classroom wing, this phase will ultimately provide sufficient space to hold the primary archival work and ongoing storage, as well as administrative offices and several rooms for Baba community functions. In time there will be rental spaces to help support the operations of the archive. In addition, much attention has been given to the structure of the building, especially the roof. We are presently adding an eve system (overhang) to the roof to protect the exterior brick walls and windows. We have begun re-roofing with architectural shingles and will soon begin replacing the membrane on the flat parts of the roof. All this will ensure that we have an excellent roof system that will protect the building for many decades to come. Phase Two It’s anticipated that the first (ground) floor renovations will proceed more rapidly than phase one due to the fact that so much of the infrastructure will have already been addressed. This phase will make room for a library, further rental space, and other Baba community and archival space as needed. Phase Three This includes renovating the large auditorium with stage, green room and balcony/control room. Ultimately the auditorium will be available for large Baba community gatherings as well as rental space for other events such as weddings and concerts. It is heartwarming to see The Red Oak School building receiving so much attention. Already this extraordinary location stands in service of the mission outlined by Baba - to spread His message of love to every corner of the world. Construction in Action at The Red Oak School Building Hugh Huntington
 Peter Nordeen, with helpers Tino and Terrell, working on rebuilding the roof surfaces.  These are hollow clay blocks (common in early masonry construction) destined for recycling into the fireproof vault walls that will be used to store archive material. We appreciate Peter’s insistence on recycling any reusable materials!  Great emphasis has been placed on making this building as eco friendly as possible. Notice the metal studs that have been added to allow for insulation prior to new sheet rock being applied.  What in the world is this? It was once the second floor bathroom and the end of a classroom. It will soon house the new bathroom and adjacent breakroom.  This room was a temporary set up of our Baba Room for the Bruford picnic. Many people who saw and spent time in the room said they could feel Baba’s presence. We are excited to eventually have a permanent Baba Room! Update on Architectural Services Scott Tower Maloney We are excited to announce the addition of local architect, Patti Glazer, to the MAC team. Familiar to many in the local Baba community, Patti brings extensive expertise in local codes and planning, both of which are vital to this project. Patti and her firm Glazer Architecture have been involved in designing, constructing and/or refurbishing many notable buildings in the Asheville area, including Marshall High Studios (formally Marshall High School, also built in the 1920's) and, more recently, the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center. Patti has been a creative force in Asheville for over 40 years and is a 19-time Griffin Award winner for Excellence in Preservation. Her firm’s experience with a wide range of projects, including the creative restoration of historic buildings, means that the unique needs of MAC and the Red Oak School site will be well served. We would like to acknowledge Ty Provosty’s important architectural contribution to the initial stages of this project, and now welcome Patti and her team in carrying MAC’s vision forward in the near and long term. Legacy Giving: Conserving TreasuresRenee Bussanich Hopefully by now, many Baba Lovers have made some kind of written provisions for their Meher Baba and Mandali treasures, including correspondence, books, pictures and artifacts. Our suggestion is to make long term arrangements (in addition to plans for immediate care-taking) by writing down an ultimate destination, beyond the next generation, for your treasures. Such long term planning ensures that precious things will not go missing along the way if simply left to friends or family. Included in that list, if available, should be the story and/or provenance plus dates, along with any additional information that helps put the document or item in context. Without knowing what is special and worthy of preservation, important documents and blessed items could be lost forever. The process of archiving, conservation and long-term caretaking and storage will necessarily involve some expenses. If you are able to include a monetary legacy in your will, specifically earmarked for taking care of your treasures, you will be supporting both MAC and generations to come. MAC’s vision includes sharing and exhibiting archival treasures; an onsite reading and viewing room; sponsoring events for sharing treasures related to Meher Baba’s advent; and eventually opportunities for individuals to spend extended time at The Red Oak School on Baba related projects. Legacy Giving can be as simple as including MAC’s name, address and tax ID in a legal last will, along with your specific instructions (whether you choose to leave Baba treasures and/or a monetary amount, stocks or property). If you decide to support MAC, we, the board, will treat your legacy with the utmost respect. We are dedicated to our mission - To collect, preserve, and share Meher Baba’s Divine legacy of materials, artifacts, and words with integrity, love, and transparency for the benefit of humanity. For more information on Legacy Giving please contact our treasurer, Scott Tower Maloney at scott@meherarchive.org A Story from the Archives Bhau Ghazals Eruch Adams Some months ago, Renee Bussanich brought in a box of old papers that once belonged to her friend, Neala Haze, who passed on about twelve years ago. After some initial investigation of the papers, MAC volunteer Teri Adams began sorting and rehousing the documents according to our method. Late into this project, she found a packet of old India-made Baba calendars and leaflets. They were torn but on the reverse side she discovered a little bit of treasure. Teri recognized Bhau Kalchuri’s handwriting and signature on each page. One afternoon at MAC she said rather excitedly, “Look what I found!”. On closer examination we realized these were poems and ghazals written by Bhau and that a few were immediately recognizable as songs sung by Jim Meyer back in the 1970’s. These may in fact be the originals of those poems as there are a few words crossed out and changes made. I asked Jim Meyer what he knew about these pages and this is what he said: “I have put almost all of these very early English poems of Bhau's to music over the years. I, too, once had a handwritten manuscript of at least 10 poems by Bhauji - but, alas, someone ‘borrowed’ them and they were never returned. They were on lined blue paper in blue pen - a step up from these backs of calendars. I received my copies around 1972-73. But these are definitely cool and in Bhauji's handwriting."  “Page four is ‘Ocean Calm’ - I put this to music in 1973 and it is on the ‘In His Love’ group recording from 1973-74. It was the first song that I used Bhau's words. Bhau originally gave me about 10 poems to re-write because, he said, his English was poor. I never changed a word - why would I?". -Jim.  "Page eight is ‘Come Soon’- also on the ‘In His Love’ recording, I believe". -Jim.  "Page three, ‘Don't Go’ - was put to music by Jeanne Felknor - a fantastic melody - great song. Ask her its history - she might have a recording of it also. Have her sing it to you - tricky meter.” - Jim. And so I asked Jeanne Felknor what she remembered about adapting one of the poems to music and if any recordings existed today. Here’s her reply: “Wow Eruch. Trip down memory lane. Yes. When I was in India in 1979, Bhau said I had to choose one of his ghazals and make a song out of it. Peter and I did it together and we sang it on Mehera’s porch. Ted made a homemade CD of all of the songs he sings at the tomb and it’s on there. I’ll ask him if he’ll share it or you could email him and ask him. I don’t have a recording of it. Jai Baba” To view the whole collection of ghazals click here. Overall, this was an interesting episode and shows that in the archive world, you never know what you might find. Also, how lucky was I to have both people who put these poems to music be local and one of them intimately involved in Meher Archive. Coincidence? Getting answers and context does not always go so easily. I have come across many photos and letters over the years that leave me with questions. Questions that can’t be easily answered because the authors and recipients are no longer around to ask. In time this problem will grow exponentially, which is why there is some true urgency to preserve, scan, and share the Legacy of Meher Baba sooner rather than later. Many stories are simply waiting; we hope to keep uncovering them, big and small, and to continue sharing them with you. To support MAC through a recurring monthly donation or to make a contribution to our capital fund, please visit our website here. Thank you! Looking ahead to Bulletin #5, We will be bringing you another story from The Archives, a financial report along with an update on our capital campaign, and Notes from an Interview with Peter Nordeen. MAC Picnic on May 4th On May 4th, we hosted a picnic lunch at the site of the new Meher Archive building. The intention was to have a nice outdoor picnic on the soccer field, but the weather did not cooperate so we set up the auditorium with tables and chairs. Despite the fact that the whole building is under various stages of construction (and deconstruction), we had a lovely time and good food. Some people who had never seen what MAC has been up to left comments about their impressions of the property and endeavor to make a multi-purpose center dedicated to Meher Baba in Asheville, NC. Here are some of the sweet notes we received: “What daring of the Asheville Baba family to take on such a wonderful project as acquiring the Red Oak School. The loving endeavors of you all, combined with the potential of the site will, with Baba’s grace, bloom into a Baba Center that will lack for nothing.  Future Baba Room “It was a blustery day, punctuated with burst of driving rain and hail. I wasn’t entirely sure I could make it to the Red Oak School, or should even try, given the treacherous conditions—but I knew how much love had been poured into creating a communal and archival space for Baba and his community in the West, and I couldn’t bear to let the opportunity pass by to see how things were progressing. “Baba,” I said, “if you want me to be there to support my community, I need you to make it safe enough for me to drive up there and back. Despite the great swaths of green, yellow, and red on the radar, the hail let up, and a quiet blanket of clouds settled just above the treetops. “You always get your way, Baba,” I thought with a gentle smile.  Future Meeting Room “We were lucky enough to tour the space at end-of-August 2018, and then again last week. We were amazed at the incredible amount of work that had been done in such a short time—in demolition as well as in the various stages of renovation. So much thought and care (and love) have already gone into the planning and purposing of each space, both in and outside of the building. Planning is apparently being projected in centuries, and not merely decades...and that stopped us both in our tracks. May our footsteps all manage to retrace the way back!”  Future Archival Room “I am so glad I drove up for the picnic at Red Oak School. It was great seeing our new Baba Archival building for the first time, and being with our Australian guests, Bernard and Jo-Anne Bruford, who were there also. It was awesome to see how much has been accomplished. While talking about the future of this Archival site with another “guest," suddenly I saw ephemerally before me lots of people moving about in the auditorium of this wonderful building. From the first time I heard about Red Oak School at the Southeast Gathering in 2018 knew it would serve us all for ages to come. FINDS FROM THE ARCHIVEAs Baba Lovers celebrate the 50th reunion of the 1969 "Last Darshan", here is a recent find from Neala Haze's photo archive. This is Guru Prasad in Poona, India during the second (Myrtle Beach) group. If you look closely you can see Mani on the roof, filming.  Do you feel inspired to join us at MAC? Whether you live locally and have a few hours to spare, regularly or ad hoc, or you’re visiting Asheville for a week or two and would like to hang out with us for a couple of hours - there’s bound to be something you can do to help, and you’re always welcome!
If you’re currently without free time or you live far away, perhaps you’re in a position to support us financially? if you would like to find out more please go to the “donations” page on our website here. Otherwise feel free to contact us here. Thank you - your help and support is appreciated! Many people have been asking for an update on Meher Archive. What's going on with the Red Oak School rehab? What's new in the archive?  Uncovered stage at Red Oak Jeannie Felknor Sets The Stage: “The ‘play’ is called Meher Archive Collective at the Red Oak school. I think that in this whole world the most important thing is to remember Meher Baba. Sometimes I can’t believe that we get the opportunity to contribute to this creative project - helping to rehab this old school knowing that in the future his precious things will be held, preserved and archived in the most caring way. His book, God Speaks, and many other books, will be in the library where people can come and sit and read in a comfortable space.” Jeannie Sees into the Future… “There is a room where people come and look at things He touched, things He wore, a chair He sat in while visiting with his lovers, hair given to us from His Mandali who loved Him so much and understood so well who He was, that they saved every hair that they possibly could and shared it with us!" Jeannie’s Message... “I believe it is up to us to share what we have with anyone who would care to partake. So, even though Spring has not yet fully arrived, I’m still having so much fun being a part of this story and this cast of characters. Every day more and more things get accomplished in Meher Baba ‘standard time’. Sometimes really fast, sometimes slow. I’m grateful to be a part of this cast of characters that Baba has put together - I like the set very much and the story is fantastic!” Thank you Jeannie for your hard work, dedication, unending enthusiasm, organizational skills, and, of course, your unique sense of humor! Many hundreds of hours have been given to MAC by a committed team of volunteers; without Jeannie’s inspiration and ongoing coordination, we would not be where we are today. A huge amount of renovation is taking place including tearing out old rotted timbers, bad flooring, old ceilings, and much more in preparation for fixing the plumbing, roof, and electrical! More on this next time. Consider donating to keep the work going.
News from the Archive
From Elaine Cox: 3rd excerpt from Adi - letter to Beryl Williams (New York), from Adi K. Irani: 5/5/55 Baba further explained that nothing other than these three in descending grade has real spiritual value: (1) obedience to the Master, (2) Love of God which is a gift given, and could hardly be developed and (3) Selfless Service. Families at Meher Archive at Red Oaks By Renee Bussanich Many possibilities are being envisioned at the new MAC building and having a welcoming space for families is an important piece of this vision. MAC has ample space, both indoors and outdoors, and we are looking forward to being the perfect location for family and community oriented gatherings and events. We would love to see the soccer field area used for Baba community family gatherings with picnics and games, possibly volleyball or softball. How about a croquet tournament or badminton? Or an old fashioned field day and ice cream social? Once the indoor area is renovated and ready, the gym will be a great option for indoor volleyball and other physical activities, as well as the ideal space for community gatherings such as music events and parties. In addition, we are considering a playground structure in front of the building and a dedicated childcare area inside making it possible for parents to have some childfree time with MAC. We invite you to be a part of this evolving project that is the Meher Archive Collective and we welcome your input and ideas as the vision evolves. If you have not already visited our website, please click here. Meanwhile, watch this space for updates and ongoing news!
 By Jean Brunet Our caretaker's cottage, aka Meher Cottage, is now cleaned, restored and anticipating the arrival of our caretakers. After many weeks of tireless volunteer work, the cottage has been cleaned and repaired, the floors refinished and completely repainted inside and out, in other words, it has been refurbished! Gay & Greg Dunn have graciously consented to be our first caretakers and we are anxiously awaiting their arrival from California soon. Bushes and flowers have been planted and everything is now ready for our caring couple arriving shortly to begin their duties of looking after MAC’s property. Meher Archive Collective is building bridges between archives, historians, seekers, and those who wish to see Meher Baba's legacy preserved for all time. From discovering material to preserving, scanning, cataloging, and sharing words, sounds, and images relevant to Meher Baba's advent and ministry, our growing network of volunteers and staff are working towards a global goal. Join us in the ongoing efforts of expanding a “brick and mortar” and digital library of permanently secured archival material in the Western world, with the goal of preserving Meher Baba's profound legacy. Do you feel inspired to join us at MAC? Whether you live locally and have a few hours to spare, regularly or ad hoc, or you’re visiting Asheville for a week or two and would like to hang out with us for a couple of hours - there’s bound to be something you can do to help, and you’re always welcome!
If you’re currently without free time or you live far away, perhaps you’re in a position to support us financially? if you would like to find out more please go to the “donations” page on our website here. Otherwise feel free to contact us here. Thank you - your help and support is appreciated! Please consider a year-end gift to MAC. Contributions to our Capital Campaign, as well as individual donations and recurring monthly contributions, can be set up our Donations Page. All contributions are tax deductible. We need significant funds for the upgrade and restoration of the Red Oak School building as well as for supplies and equipment for archiving work. A recent example of where contributions can take on a specific forward-thinking task:  Solar Roof Project As we continue to assess the best way to restore the roof of the Red Oak School building, the option to become more self sustaining and thrifty by making use of tax rebates for photovoltaic solar panels is being explored. An estimate of a 32 killowatt system would cost $73K and recieved a tax rebate of $22K. So for approximately $51K, the building could not only have back-up power, but pay for the bulk of its electrical costs for decades to come. If you would like to support MAC and its vision, please donate today or email Scott@meherarchive.org to discuss how you would like to participate. Fun with Baba Photos
 Print has tear / crease running diagonally.  Removing the crease in Photoshop.  Removing more scratches. Then Straightening / Cropping and tone adjusting. Note: There are probably better copies of this print in other collections that don't need restoration, but this belonged to Jean Adriel so it has its own historical context. This partial restoration is just an example of what can be done to enhance damaged images. Even this one could use more dust clean-up to make it perfect. Sometimes these exercises are just another way to get closer to Baba...)  Bulletin from Meher Archive Collective, Asheville, NC #1 - December 2018  MAC at Red Oak. In August 2018, MAC found a home! Constructed in 1928, the former Red Oak School is a solid, brick-built, essentially fireproof structure - perfect for housing Baba’s invaluable treasures and documents. Work has begun… MAC’s priority is to build an archival vault. While this is ongoing, evaluation and remediation of HVAC, plumbing and electrical has begun, and essential repairs to the roof are underway. Plans for the future:
 Since August, over 1200 volunteer hours have been logged. The generous donation of time and talent from many dedicated individuals has allowed for demolition, discovery and initial repairs to the main building, as well as a complete transformation, both inside and out, of the caretakers cottage, now known as Meher Cottage. The value of this work to date is estimated at $75,000.
We need your help…Do you live locally and have time on your hands? Or are you planning a visit to the Asheville area, maybe to spend time with friends from the Baba community? Whether your passion is construction, cleaning windows, learning archiving skills or yet to be discovered, there are numerous ways in which you can support MAC through donating your time, talent and treasure. Please email Ken@meherarchive.org if you have construction skills to offer or if you’d like to enquire about volunteering. Dedicated volunteers continue essential archiving work at MAC’s temporary Golf Street office.On Wednesday afternoons, Elaine Cox supervises the preservation of documents; on Friday afternoons, Eruch and Scott oversee the scanning of letters and other paper documents. If you would like to learn more about the art and craft of archiving, and are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call Elaine on (908) 887-0037.  Elaine Cox placing letter into Mylar sleeve. Please consider a year-end gift to MAC. Contributions to our Capital Campaign, as well as individual donations and recurring monthly contributions, can be set up here. All contributions are tax deductible. We continue to need funds for the upgrade, restoration and ongoing maintenance of the Red Oak School building as well as for supplies and equipment for archiving work. If you would like to discuss how you may be able to support MAC and its vision, please email Scott@meherarchive.org
Meher Archive Collective
Dedicated to collecting, preserving and sharing Meher Baba’s Divine Legacy of materials, artifacts and words with integrity, love and transparency for the benefit of humanity. Great News! - The Meher Archive Collective has secured the Red Oak School property!   By Baba’s Grace, this first phase has been achieved through dozens of heartfelt donations, along with an intense process of renegotiation with the sellers, which resulted in a reduction of the purchase price from $725,000 to $550,000 and a closing date of August 17th. Baba has begun to turn the key! With this exciting news, we are jumping into the next phase of our capital campaign. Our overall fundraising goal remains the same, and this next phase will require $700,000 in order to proceed with planned renovations in as timely and cost-effective manner as possible. This work includes immediate repairs to the roof as well as bringing essential systems (including HVAC, electrical and plumbing) up to required standards. For those of you attending the Asheville Music Sahavas this weekend, we are organizing a tour of the property on Sunday afternoon at 2:30. If you are interested, there will be a sign-up sheet at the Sahavas. There will also be other opportunities to have a tour if you are not able to make this one. Thank You to all who have helped reach this important first step! We invite you to share this exciting news and sincerely hope that many more people will participate in the next step toward realizing MAC’s vision (whether through a direct donation to the building fund, a recurring monthly donation, or the contribution of services). Beloved Meher Baba Ki Jai! In His Love and Service, Scott Meher Archive Collective www.meherarchive.org MAC Board of Directors Hugh Huntington Renee Bussanich Ken Blackman Jean Brunet Ludwig Scott Tower Maloney Executive Director Eruch Adams For further details on this great building project, click here.
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