Newsletter #16

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

We hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holidays. There is so much we have to be thankful for, perhaps most especially for having Baba in our lives! At MAC, we are grateful for the opportunity to help preserve His legacy for future generations. We are also thankful for the generous support we continue to receive in the form of volunteer time, financial and archival donations—all gifts from Baba, which make this project possible.

Renovation progress continues at the building. You can follow our regular updates on social media and watch a current video below. Recent archival donations include doors from Guruprasad (story below) and the Shaw Family Collection, which contains many Baba-related treasures including this photo of Baba giving darshan at Guruprasad, Pune, India, at the 1962 East West Gathering.

The MAC board is currently engaged in a process of evaluating our governance structure, and we are grateful for the perspectives we have received from other Baba centers as well as  outside nonprofits. It is our commitment to develop the optimal form that will foster collaborative work for Baba, both within MAC and in our relationships with others. We will soon be launching further outreach into the Baba community—and we look forward to your input and participation.

In His Embrace,
Scott
Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org / 828.290.6972

---

ARCHIVE NEWS
Guruprasad Doors Find a Home at MAC

(photo courtesy of Larry and Rita Karrasch)

Guruprasad, located in Pune, was one of the residences of the Maharani (Queen) of Baroda. With great love, she invited Meher Baba and His mandali to use her palatial home during the hotter months of India. Baba spent the summers during the 1960s at Guruprasad. It was also the site of many darshan programs, including the 1962 East-West Gathering and the 1969 Great Darshan. Guruprasad was later demolished, but certain original materials, including these priceless doors, were saved. Board member Evie Lindemann shares her knowledge and personal thoughts about Guruprasad and the journey of these precious doors now being lovingly preserved as part of MAC’s collection . . .

My heart beat more quickly when I was told recently that two doors from Guruprasad were being donated to MAC! I witnessed the original glory of this regal building prior to its dismantling. I had been in Pune in the early 1970’s and experienced first hand the strength of Baba’s presence there. The Palace once belonged to the Maharani of Baroda, and Baba would travel and reside there between 1959-1968 during the hot summer months. You may have seen images of Baba at Guruprasad in films and photos. Hearing the name “Guruprasad” evokes strong feelings of connection, beauty and love. It is a reminder of some of the events that shaped the lives of those who had the good fortune to join Baba for a personal meeting, an informal gathering, or for a large event such as the East West Gathering in 1962.

Glenn Magrini, Hugh Huntington, and Joe Dunn wrap the doors for transport to Asheville.

Curiously, as so many things connected with Baba have their own stories to tell, these two doors from Guruprasad made their way to the West from Pune through the work of Meherji Karkaria, a long time Baba lover and businessman, who offered them to Annarosa Karrasch in the early seventies when the Society for Meher Baba group traveled to India for Amartithi. The beautiful Guruprasad Palace was to be torn down, and some items would be preserved.
(Click here to read the Full Story)

BUILDING NEWS
Exciting Progress Continues at the MAC Building

The momentum to complete Phase 1 continues! Take a short tour with Jamie Zimmerman to see the recent work accomplished . . .

• Grinding off of old interior paint nears completion on levels 1 and 2
• Installation of new windows in north stair tower
• Preparation for plastering of south stair tower walls
• Sealing for moisture control of exterior brick of south stair tower

UPDATE: Matching Donations & Capital Campaign

Thanks to many of you, we are more than halfway to meeting our $50,000 match, with $29,750 donated since November 1st.  We are grateful for your generous support and ask for your help to spread the word and reach our Capital Fund goal of $150,000.

These funds will support MAC in finishing Phase One, creating a vibrant space for archival processing, display and storage of Baba treasures for future generations.

We invite you to join us and participate in MAC’s mission, and take advantage of this opportunity to double the impact of your gift.  Please consider a year-end contribution.

Click here to donate or mail your check to P.O. Box 18908, Asheville, NC 28814
There is no limit to the federal tax deduction for charitable donations in 2021

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Our Annual General Meeting, held virtually on September 26, brought together over 100 Baba lovers from four continents. MAC’s board and volunteers continue to develop a  presence in the world as a safe repository for archived treasures connected to Meher Baba’s advent, and to share these special objects with others. If you did not attend this year’s event, click AGM to watch the meeting.

MAC TEAMS

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE
If you have a passion for Baba’s work, Meher Archive Collective would love to have you join our efforts. We havevolunteer opportunities for a wide variety of interests and skill sets. We have positions for those who live locally in the Asheville area or elsewhere. Current needs include:

• IT Management
• Fundraising
• Writing
• Editors
• Graphic design
• Social media and digital marketing
• Videography and video editing

For more information, contact Heather Masciandaro at info@meherarchive.org. You can also fill out a Volunteer Application to get started. 

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Plans to Gather Together in Baba’s Love in 2022

We have recently expanded with three additional members! Meet our newest volunteers below. Our 6-member committee is enthusiastic to be planning future events that celebrate Meher Baba’s love, keeping in mind the health restrictions and recommendations that may be in place. We welcome your thoughts and ideas. Contact Winnie Barrett at 828-450-4433 or winkiebai@gmail.com

New to the Team
New Volunteers to the Social Committee

Julie Andrews
I am happy to be a part of MAC, creating a home for Beloved Baba’s treasures in these mountains I love and have called home for 22 years. I am a retired Nurse Practitioner living in Fairview. I enjoy hiking, being in nature, gardening, and spending time with friends.

Charles “Charlie”Fasanaro
I am excited to help MAC preserve precious Baba treasures for future generations. I became a Baba Lover in 1967. Later, I volunteered as a civilian to go to Vietnam, and then after the war, I returned to the Meher Spiritual Center, where Elizabeth and Kitty helped me heal. I earned an MAR in Religious Studies and a Ph.D. in Philosophy. I retired after a teaching career at universities. Alan and I moved to Asheville last year.

Alan Taylor
I am grateful to be a part of the MAC community and help in its mission of celebrating the Beloved. I first heard about Meher Baba from Charles Fasanaro in 1971. We both felt an immediate spiritual connection to each other and decided to pursue whatever work we could do for Baba. I earned an MA from St. John’s College and then taught for 19 years. I retired in 2017,  and we moved to Asheville last year.

CREATIVE WAYS TO CONNECT & DONATE
Amazon Users Can Support MAC Through Their Purchases

If you are an Amazon shopper, your Holiday and everyday shopping can benefit the preservation of Baba’s legacy. Use this link https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-4362958 and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases.

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

MAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
Board Contacts: Anne.Barker@meherarchive.org; Evie.Lindemann@meherarchive.org; Hugh.Huntington@meherarchive.org; Jean.Brunet@meherarchive.org; Ken.Blackman@meherarchive.org; Rabia.Vaughns@meherarchive.org; Ron.Kantor@meherarchive.org; Scott.Tower@meherarchive.org

MAC's Mission Statement   
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.

Please consider donating https://www.meherarchive.org/donations.html