MEADOW MUSINGS
Spring 2025

Spring has definitely “sprung” at Indralaya, beginning with daffodils, then the orchard in full bloom, and now various spring blooms dot the meadow and woods. The birds are happy filling the air with their boisterous, joyous songs. The return of the beautiful sunshine to the island lifts spirits!

This newsletter has updates on the state of camp – we note the departure of Camp General Manager Alec Grae, an introduction to Camp Facilities and Maintenance Manager Christopher Barry, and highlights of the Stewardship progam. Then you can see updates on work on the garden, buildings (including exciting news about the Lower Bathhouse) and grounds. In addition we pay tribute to the life of Karen Goens, of Deep Singing, who has graced us with beautiful song and spirit throughout her years at camp. You will also learn about opportunities to attend the Theosophical World Congress, and be part of our 100th Anniversary efforts.

Come join camp this summer, find a new program, see old friends and make new ones! Our bookstore has new merchandise to peruse, including short and long sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, beanies, hats and more. Enjoy the meadow and trails and the fresh sea air, maybe even spot and otter or an Orca!

We’re looking forward to seeing you soon, contributing your bright smiles, joy and spirit to camp.

Camp News

Farewell to Indralaya’s General Camp Manager

General Manager Alec Grae has left Indralaya this spring. As General Manager, Alec oversaw the day-to-day, on the ground activities of Indralaya through two program seasons. He systematized food ordering and inventory, kept up active marketing and community outreach, and worked with the webmaster to upgrade and simplify the program registration system. Alec had quite the daily to-do list as program attendance picked up after the COVID shut-downs. He was a constant presence in person at the registration desk and online for participants’ many questions and comments.

We wish Alec the best as he continues his life’s journey.

The Board of Directors will be stepping in to oversee upcoming camp operations and communications. Continue to write to office@indalaya.org with general questions and to registration@indralaya.org for program and registration questions and requests. The Board also welcomes hearing from anyone who would have time and interest in helping out with program registration/management. Please contact Tessa Ormenyi (tessaormenyi@gmail.com) if you would like to be considered.

From Alec

Greetings Indralaya Community and Friends,

Life is full of uncertainty and unpredictability in these times, affecting us all in myriad ways. Some of us are feeling the results, some are seeing physical manifestations, but none are untouched. My hope is that you are strengthening your resolve to keep growing, and to keep relying on the spiritual and psychological foundations that you have developed so far in life.

In my own life as well, change is afoot. It is with a heavy heart that I share my own farewells with camp and Orcas Island. This of course does not mean that we need be disconnected from the friendships we have begun to forge, or from the community and fellowship that we have shared together. My hope is that we will continue to be in relationship, as the whole world surges forward together into a new era. We have been brought together for a reason, and I look forward to remaining friends and family no matter what the future brings for each of us.

A deep heartfelt bow to all of those who have made a connection and brought such value into my own life. Many blessings to you all, may your love and healing work in this world be returned a thousandfold, and may you find joy in all your service. Please do stay in touch!

Love, Alec

Welcome to Indralaya’s Facilities Maintenance Manager

Welcome to Christopher Barry

Indralaya welcomed Christopher Barry to camp at the beginning of April, 2024 as Facilities Maintenance Manager. Christopher comes to camp with broad expertise in construction, plumbing, electrical work, and repairs, and has jumped right in with the needed repairs and mitigations to get camp ready for the summer season.

We know you will see the results of his work around camp but here is just a partial list:

Shop and Tools
Christopher has been working with Rolf Eriksen to organize and clean the shop floor with a goal of clearing space and, reducing clutter so that the facility can be used more effectively and efficiently. In addition, the inventory of tools has been sorted and updated. Motors have been replaced on both the table saw and air compressor.
Cabin repair
A number of facilities have problems with water heaters – Chris has been rewiring, repairing, and replacing parts. This has included cabins and the Dining Hall.
Wildlife
You might not know it, but a winter hazard is that our wild friends take up residence in camp facilities. One persistent “friend” is the otter – there was an enclave under Spruce (impact – really bad smells!) – this is now removed and Christopher replaced the coverings around crawlspaces with materials otters would not remove (remember they are smart and have hands)!
Grounds
Christopher is experienced in tree management and is identifying which trees to fell because they are leaning toward cabins or are dead; and which to prune or trim. The felled trees will become the season’s firewood.
Another project just completed was to remove overhead wiring no longer in use.
Coming up
Other projects in the offing include repairing the Dining Hall roof; adding non-slip materials to porches and stairs; completing the Apple ramp, trail maintenance, and more.

We are delighted to welcome Christopher into the Indralaya community. He will lead work party projects and facility preparations.

Stewardship

STEWARDSHIP – Come deepen your connection to
Indralaya!

Heyho!

My name is Laurie Rotecki & I’ve been a steward at Indralaya for over 20 years. Every July I return to camp with excitement!
Being a steward feeds my soul. It has many perks: Simplifying life, enjoying old friends & making new ones, consuming healthy meals, breathing fresh air, enjoying the gift of the beautiful & sacred land, animals and most important, being of service.
The stewards are the backbone of Indralaya. We support our program attendees and the longevity of Indralaya by doing a variety of jobs ranging from kitchen prep, building projects, gardening, cleaning bathrooms, office work, distributing firewood, tidying the trails, all kinds of maintenance, and so much more!

I am known as the “Coffee Kitchen Queen.”

Every morning I have the pleasure of greeting folks at breakfast, checking in on their well being, and providing steaming hot coffee & tea. I have also spent many hours in the garden, sharing my expertise & love of having my hands in the soil & producing tasty veggies. And then… there are always many little jobs that go unnoticed, yet are very important.

Being on stewardship is a win-win. I am grateful for the opportunity every year. I share my skills & develop new ones, all the while working towards the good of all. It is a gift all around.

Perhaps you’d like to give it a try?

🎶💖 _In harmony,

Laurie

More information about the Stewardship program and a brief online application are available at https://www.indralaya.org/get-involved/stewardship/

Friends of Indralaya

Friends of Indralaya is the support membership for all of Indralaya’s activities. The membership period is annual – January 1-December 31 of each year. It is not too early to join or renew your membership for next year! You can do that here. Please be sure to take note of the 5% Friends’ discount on Indralaya program fees.

From the Members’ Representative

Welcome new and continuing Orcas Island Foundation (Indralaya) members!

I am your members’ rep for 2025, should you have any questions or ideas for supporting Indralaya. I am usually at work parties or you can send a message for me to office@ indralaya.org. We will soon be sending out a list of those whom we believe are current OIF and current TS members. We want to make sure we don’t miss anyone before the Fall board election cycle. Thank you all for your support for the place and community we cherish!

Marilynne Gardner

Updates

Garden Updates

The Indralaya Biodynamic Garden is moving along!!

The first quarter of the new garden renovation has seen the development of five large vole-proof raised beds on the south side of the garden, renovated beds on the north side, and clearing of garden and seating areas under the garden tree and south corner.

We have been using forest materials, grass clippings, and mulch to fill the beds, in preparation for a robust planting season. Work party volunteers in February, March, and April have done an excellent job collecting and filling the beds. The first crops of arugula have appeared as part of meals!

Early plantings have not been touched by voles, but slugs are daily removed from beds to new homes beyond the road encircling the garden. Fingers crossed that by June, the beds will be full and thriving.

Sharon James, Garden Steward, and Alec Grae, Camp Manager, accept the $500 grant award

Garden Grant

We were honored to be the recipient of a grant from the Orcas Island Garden Club. As stated on their website:
“The purpose of the Orcas Island Garden Club is to stimulate knowledge and love of gardening, to cooperate in the protection and conservation of nature, and to assist in the beautification of the community.”

Our project goal is to restore and improve the Indralaya vegetable garden, and to implement Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic agriculture methods. The food produced will serve program participants, with any surplus donated to the Orcas Island Food Bank.

Ode to the Garden

“Take the time to meditate, to pray,
It is a sweet oil that eases the hinge into the garden
so the doorway can swing open easily,
you can always go there.

Consider yourself blessed,
those stones that break your bones
will build an altar of your love.

Give everything away except your garden,
your worry, your fear, your small mindedness.

And remember, your garden can never be taken from you.
Take the time to meditate, to pray,
It is the sweet oil that eases the hinge into the garden.”

– Lynn Park

Facilities and Grounds Update

Lower Bathhouse

Thanks to the heartwarming support of the Indralaya community, we are going to finish the Lower Bath House!! This winter, Indralaya called on its extended community to help provide the $300,000 needed to bring the new bathhouse to occupancy by providing 2-year loans. The response was amazing!! Within a few short weeks, we received pledges for a total of $345,000, half of it as interest-free loans, and half as interest-bearing loans. We are all so greatful!!

A lot of work has been completed, and we are well on the way to applying for an occupancy permit before the start of Summer Programs (beginning of June).

the exterior siding is finished; and the exterior of the building has been cleaned up and leveled.
the interior wiring is completed, the building is fully connected to Opalco’s main service panel, and the electrical inspection is complete.
the interior plumbing has been completed and passed inspection.
the septic system is almost complete: leveling up the tank area and trenching from the tanks to the drain field (south of the maintenance shop) has been completed. The drain field will be completed once Orcas Sewer Design has tested the soil
Interior walls and painting are in progress

Kitchen

As usual, the kitchen was a major center of attention. Because the kitchen floor had been cleaned, sanded and repainted during the winter break, before the February Work Party commenced, the kitchen had to be cleaned, top to bottom. Every element – every pot and pan, dish, utensil, and shelf was thoroughly washed

Cleaning up the Shop

The Maintenance Shop has been a mess – not functional – for a long time, and urgently needed to be reorganized. Happy Acres has undertaken to complete this process, clearing out obsolete or defunct tools, reorganizing where tools should be housed, and cleaning up the chaos of storage that impedes the shop from its purpose. In addition, some tools will be repaired and others replaced. This reorganization will allow the shop to be used more efficiently and effectively.

Tree Pruning

The February work party spent time pruning the orchard and the garden. More was done at the March work party.

Indralaya Road

The entry road to Camp has been in bad shape for a while. A tenant of our neighbor, Rolf Eriksen managed to persuade the County to improve the road – at least up to the gate.

Earth Day Work Party in pictures

IMG_4040 (2) — After dinner game of "Karma," board game invented by Steward Marge Stolte from Florida

IMG_3997 (1) — The Meadow was mowed and raked with precision!

pavillion — The Pavilion is gleaming and ready for program activities!

Camp Notes

Remembering Karen Goens

Karen Goens Celebration

Dearest Indralaya community,
My mother, our dear Karen Sterling Goens, passed peacefully this January 2025. I know her spirit will be at camp with us this Summer, harmonizing sweetly, as we sing in the teepee. I look forward to sharing space, laughter, and memories with you all.
She loved Indralaya so much!
-Maia

Karen Sterling Goens
Karen Sterling Goens August 10 1954 – January 13 2025 Bellingham WA

It is with profound sadness we share that Karen Sterling Goens has left her strong, capable, and beautiful earthly body.

Karen, 70, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025 in Bellingham with her family at her side. She leaves a legacy of accomplishment and integrity, as a wife, mother, singer, and public servant.

Karen was born on Aug. 10, 1954, in Fort Lee, Virginia. The family lived in several states, including Ohio and California. After high school, Karen spent a year in France, a time she cherished. In later years, she enjoyed singing and performing in French.

After graduating from Portland State University in 1978, Karen embarked on a lifelong career as a public servant. In 1982 she moved to Orcas Island and began a career in San Juan County Senior Services. In the mid 1990’s she earned her master’s degree in adult education from Western Washington University, commuting part time for evening classes.

In 1998, Karen was hired by Whatcom County as its Human Resources Manager. She shepherded the county through the prosperous and lean times, dedicated to clear and transparent policies. She was extremely proud of her role in building a strong team and handing off the baton when she retired in August 2021.

Karen was a singer, coming to music later in life with an infectious passion and joy. As a natural born leader, she helped organize and lead many musical groups, such as the Indralaya Deep Singing program, and harmony loving small groups. She performed with Bellingham’s local Allegra, Whatcom Sound Jazz Singers, Kulshan Chorus, Threshold Singers, and more.

Karen was a loving wife (Michael), mother (Michael and Maia), grandmother (Benjamin, Sequoia, Sophia), and sister (Judy and Beth).

Karen lived a full life between her two homes located in Bellingham and on Orcas Island, which she lovingly referred to as being an “Orcasional”. Spending time with her family in their beautiful gardens on Orcas was one of her greatest joys.

In every aspect of her life Karen exemplified the complementary virtues of kindness and strength. She freely shared of herself, and one felt safe letting her do so because she knew what she wanted, knew her capacity, and always stayed within both — and we are forever blessed that this included us.

Though cancer took her from us before we were ready, we know that she accomplished all in this life that she needed to, and accomplished it well.

Indralaya turns 100 in 2027

Indralaya’s 100^th Anniversary Committee has been busy planning for 2027!

So far we are organizing a tree planting, time-line, scavenger hunt, historical walks, musical gala, games, events, a film, recordings of people, and the famous dinner and parade.

There will be events and activities at each program for the year with a special 3-day event in the middle of the summer.

Please let me know if you would like to join the committee, or just want to send some ideas!! Also, if you have anecdotes about specific cabins, or know of any historical information about the buildings or cabins please send to me – we are hoping to make small booklets with stories and history for each building!

Andrie Levey-Bates = email me at andriebates@hotmail.com

Announcements and Opportunities

World Congress

Vancouver, B.C. is hosting the World Congress of the TS!

“Toward Insight and Wholeness: Our Role in Shaping the Future”: 12th World Congress of the Theosophical Society, July 23-27, 2025

“The Role of Service in Shaping the Future”: 5th International Conference of the Theosophical Order of Service (TOS), July 27-29, 2025

World Congress | Theosophical Society

July 23-27, 2025
https://worldcongress.ts-adyar.org/

Register by May 30, 2025 to attend the World Theosophical congress in
Vancouver, B.C. at the amazing UBC campus. Hear and meet amazing guest
speakers with five days of programs and discussions.

Speakers include Tim Boyd, international President of the Theosophy Society, Elizabeth May OC MP, a Canadian politician (member of the House of Commons), environmentalist, author, activist, and lawyer who is serving as the leader of the Green Party of Canada, renowned Theosophical scholar Michael Gomes, and Mitch Horowitz, historian and popular voice of esoteric ideas (author of the classic Occult America), and others.

This international event is held every 7 years and it is in our backyard!

For more information and to register, visit the following link: https://worldcongress.ts-adyar.org/
Questions? Please send them to Andrie Levey-Bates: andriebates@hotmail.com