We're a diverse group; a variety of ages, interests and backgrounds all weaving a strong community network.
We now have the 39 households to complete our community! If you're interested in going on our Provisional Associate waiting list for future openings, don't hesitate to contact us.
We now have the 39 households to complete our community! If you're interested in going on our Provisional Associate waiting list for future openings, don't hesitate to contact us.
Margie
I grew up in Pennsylvania, but have lived in eastern Washington almost all of my adult life. I was married to the architect Gerry Copeland, who died in 2010, and have two grown children (and a new grandchild!) I played viola in the Spokane Symphony for 22 years, but also love folk music and have “fiddled” and sung with the Klezmer group Chutzpah and others, and am active with the Spokane Folklore Society. In June I’ll be retiring from many years of giving private lessons to students. I love nature, art, travel, children, and animals (now just one “indoor only” cat, after many years with dogs and horses). And I’m also very concerned and active about the climate crisis.
My husband and I were both interested in cohousing (we were part of a “hippie commune” at first) from early on, and participated in several groups discussing the possibility of forming one in Spokane. At this point in my life I am drawn to the idea of a community of all ages, and one that can share resources and work to reduce our carbon footprints. Besides looking forward to sharing in our musical activities, I have a bit of experience in leadership roles, communication skills, gardening, and working with children.
I grew up in Pennsylvania, but have lived in eastern Washington almost all of my adult life. I was married to the architect Gerry Copeland, who died in 2010, and have two grown children (and a new grandchild!) I played viola in the Spokane Symphony for 22 years, but also love folk music and have “fiddled” and sung with the Klezmer group Chutzpah and others, and am active with the Spokane Folklore Society. In June I’ll be retiring from many years of giving private lessons to students. I love nature, art, travel, children, and animals (now just one “indoor only” cat, after many years with dogs and horses). And I’m also very concerned and active about the climate crisis.
My husband and I were both interested in cohousing (we were part of a “hippie commune” at first) from early on, and participated in several groups discussing the possibility of forming one in Spokane. At this point in my life I am drawn to the idea of a community of all ages, and one that can share resources and work to reduce our carbon footprints. Besides looking forward to sharing in our musical activities, I have a bit of experience in leadership roles, communication skills, gardening, and working with children.
Gale and Allison
I’ve been looking for something … I wasn’t sure what... but the moment I heard about Haystack Heights I knew I had found it: Community, neighbor helping neighbor, living with people who share your values, and making a smaller carbon footprint on this earth. Haystack seems to offer all that and more.
My daughter Allison and I are finally getting back to the Pacific Northwest (east?) after many years in Utah. Previous to that we lived in the Seattle area and always felt like it was home. We can’t wait to explore our new city and surrounding area.
I’ve been looking for something … I wasn’t sure what... but the moment I heard about Haystack Heights I knew I had found it: Community, neighbor helping neighbor, living with people who share your values, and making a smaller carbon footprint on this earth. Haystack seems to offer all that and more.
My daughter Allison and I are finally getting back to the Pacific Northwest (east?) after many years in Utah. Previous to that we lived in the Seattle area and always felt like it was home. We can’t wait to explore our new city and surrounding area.
Jeremy
I was born and raised in New Jersey but grew up in Spokane after my family made the cross country move when I was 10. I left town a few years after high school, attended college near Asheville, North Carolina and have spent the last 4 years in Massachusetts. Finding myself called back to Spokane, I moved back to town in November 2019.
I’m currently pursuing a Master’s of Social Work degree from Eastern Washington University, while working in human services and finding ways to be involved in community organizing. I enjoy playing tennis, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, ping pong, and spending time outside in all seasons. You’ll also find me riding my bicycle as much as possible. I’ve lived in some form of intentional community all my life (especially if you count the nuclear family home as an intentional community), and beginning in college I have lived in shared homes, prioritizing creating life with others who share common values and ways of life.
This passion for community living and desire to form strong relationship with neighbors is what makes me excited about Haystack Heights. I value open and honest communication, vulnerability, positive attitudes, and humor.
I was born and raised in New Jersey but grew up in Spokane after my family made the cross country move when I was 10. I left town a few years after high school, attended college near Asheville, North Carolina and have spent the last 4 years in Massachusetts. Finding myself called back to Spokane, I moved back to town in November 2019.
I’m currently pursuing a Master’s of Social Work degree from Eastern Washington University, while working in human services and finding ways to be involved in community organizing. I enjoy playing tennis, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, ping pong, and spending time outside in all seasons. You’ll also find me riding my bicycle as much as possible. I’ve lived in some form of intentional community all my life (especially if you count the nuclear family home as an intentional community), and beginning in college I have lived in shared homes, prioritizing creating life with others who share common values and ways of life.
This passion for community living and desire to form strong relationship with neighbors is what makes me excited about Haystack Heights. I value open and honest communication, vulnerability, positive attitudes, and humor.
"I look forward to the joy, cost savings, positive environmental impacts, and loving and caring community that co-housing can offer!"
-Jeremy
Maggie
I am a member of a “Village” of 80 households in central Seattle. However, we aren’t on each other’s doorsteps. I want to greet my neighbors when I walk out my door and connect over tea or sharing our common meal.
I got serious about finding my intentional community a few years ago and found Haystack. My close family and friends are enthusiastically supporting my move.
The area I choose to live in in Seattle is one of the most diverse in the country. Learning that many members of Haystack Heights have lived in or sought out other cultures was an important factor in joining HH. I am active in our Cathedral parish in the areas of social justice and participating in beautiful music. Music is an integral part of my life - My tastes run from straight ahead jazz to classical, sacred, world and folk.
I love hiking in deep woods and deserts with one or two hiking partners. I know there are Haystackers who will happily help improve my birding skills, snowshoeing prowess and perhaps help me become a decent Flyfisher.
I am on the gardening team. I am in the out of towner group and will volunteer to do things to help us relocate. On another tack, I would like to contribute my experience in helping people manage transitions and use my experience in introducing health advocacy as a way of helping each other stay healthy.
I grew up on an orchard and had a large garden in Seattle. The past several years I have been an apartment dweller and I can’t wait to have good soil under my feet. I look forward to working with the master gardeners and team, coming in tired and happy after a good day’s work.
My guiding principles: protecting our planet, health, diversity, inclusion, creativity, communication and community.
I am a member of a “Village” of 80 households in central Seattle. However, we aren’t on each other’s doorsteps. I want to greet my neighbors when I walk out my door and connect over tea or sharing our common meal.
I got serious about finding my intentional community a few years ago and found Haystack. My close family and friends are enthusiastically supporting my move.
The area I choose to live in in Seattle is one of the most diverse in the country. Learning that many members of Haystack Heights have lived in or sought out other cultures was an important factor in joining HH. I am active in our Cathedral parish in the areas of social justice and participating in beautiful music. Music is an integral part of my life - My tastes run from straight ahead jazz to classical, sacred, world and folk.
I love hiking in deep woods and deserts with one or two hiking partners. I know there are Haystackers who will happily help improve my birding skills, snowshoeing prowess and perhaps help me become a decent Flyfisher.
I am on the gardening team. I am in the out of towner group and will volunteer to do things to help us relocate. On another tack, I would like to contribute my experience in helping people manage transitions and use my experience in introducing health advocacy as a way of helping each other stay healthy.
I grew up on an orchard and had a large garden in Seattle. The past several years I have been an apartment dweller and I can’t wait to have good soil under my feet. I look forward to working with the master gardeners and team, coming in tired and happy after a good day’s work.
My guiding principles: protecting our planet, health, diversity, inclusion, creativity, communication and community.
Marsha
After a career requiring lots of travel I am excited to put down roots in Spokane and learn new stuff. Discovering and joining Haystack Heights is an opportunity to be part of a unique community in which I hope to share, learn, support and thrive with friends of all ages and interests.
After a career requiring lots of travel I am excited to put down roots in Spokane and learn new stuff. Discovering and joining Haystack Heights is an opportunity to be part of a unique community in which I hope to share, learn, support and thrive with friends of all ages and interests.
Joyce
I’ve had an interest in Intentional Communities for many years. I semi retired fall of 2018 and went looking, thinking I might end up in Colorado or California. Then I learned about Haystack Heights and many things fell into place to finally make my dream into reality right here in Washington State.
Until now I’ve spent most of my life living in Portland and Seattle. When I found out about Haystack Heights I wanted to be involved as soon as possible, so right away I moved to Spokane and jumped in to be part of several teams.
I worked as a Physical Therapist for about 25 yrs. I then transitioned into being a dog [people really] trainer, running my own business for the last 20+ years. Obviously, I love dogs. Two will be joining me at Haystack: Split and Mozart. I also enjoy bicycling, gardening, cooking, crocheting, reading, Netflix, and games. I love playing games!
I enjoy people, love problem solving, and being helpful. I was incredibly impressed with the people and the property of Haystack Heights. I’m looking forward to working in the gardens, cooking, eating meals together, and having new friends close by. I’m also looking forward to starting up my dog training business part time, teaching K9 Nose Work classes, as the only Certified Nose Work Instructor in the greater Spokane area.
I’ve had an interest in Intentional Communities for many years. I semi retired fall of 2018 and went looking, thinking I might end up in Colorado or California. Then I learned about Haystack Heights and many things fell into place to finally make my dream into reality right here in Washington State.
Until now I’ve spent most of my life living in Portland and Seattle. When I found out about Haystack Heights I wanted to be involved as soon as possible, so right away I moved to Spokane and jumped in to be part of several teams.
I worked as a Physical Therapist for about 25 yrs. I then transitioned into being a dog [people really] trainer, running my own business for the last 20+ years. Obviously, I love dogs. Two will be joining me at Haystack: Split and Mozart. I also enjoy bicycling, gardening, cooking, crocheting, reading, Netflix, and games. I love playing games!
I enjoy people, love problem solving, and being helpful. I was incredibly impressed with the people and the property of Haystack Heights. I’m looking forward to working in the gardens, cooking, eating meals together, and having new friends close by. I’m also looking forward to starting up my dog training business part time, teaching K9 Nose Work classes, as the only Certified Nose Work Instructor in the greater Spokane area.
Jim and Cindy
Jim:
Raised and living in upstate New York, I've been pulled west in each of the last four decades. While I've accumulated ten years of good living from Colorado to Washington, ultimately job opportunities and security pushed me back east each time. Now reaching 30 years of full time teaching and working on the economic issues surrounding water, I'm looking forward to shedding much of this and gaining more time for outdoor pursuits, reading good and not so good books, travel, and yes, community. The richness of living in a "just right" size city in the close company of three bakers dozen worth of amazing households seems just too good to be true. While sad about giving up our current perch living on the banks of the Hudson River with kayaks right out the back, there's a new landscape and a thousand explorations that await us.
Cindy:
I'm a life-long Westerner, (temporarily) transplanted to upstate New York 4 years ago. I grew up on the wet side, lived in the intermountain West for 17 years, and have worked in Richland, WA for the last 20 years. During those Richland years, I developed many friendships in Spokane and loved to visit. It's drier than the wet side, and wetter than the dry side. Trees! It's so nice to have trees... The West is home. And we've been looking for our last home. We had been searching for some place that would become a community of friends of all ages. Some place walkable. Bikeable. And then a friend (and fellow Haystacker!) shared the Haystack video. The rest, as they say, is history.
I have felt welcomed and included even though we live on the other side of the country. I'm greatly looking forward to move in day!
Jim:
Raised and living in upstate New York, I've been pulled west in each of the last four decades. While I've accumulated ten years of good living from Colorado to Washington, ultimately job opportunities and security pushed me back east each time. Now reaching 30 years of full time teaching and working on the economic issues surrounding water, I'm looking forward to shedding much of this and gaining more time for outdoor pursuits, reading good and not so good books, travel, and yes, community. The richness of living in a "just right" size city in the close company of three bakers dozen worth of amazing households seems just too good to be true. While sad about giving up our current perch living on the banks of the Hudson River with kayaks right out the back, there's a new landscape and a thousand explorations that await us.
Cindy:
I'm a life-long Westerner, (temporarily) transplanted to upstate New York 4 years ago. I grew up on the wet side, lived in the intermountain West for 17 years, and have worked in Richland, WA for the last 20 years. During those Richland years, I developed many friendships in Spokane and loved to visit. It's drier than the wet side, and wetter than the dry side. Trees! It's so nice to have trees... The West is home. And we've been looking for our last home. We had been searching for some place that would become a community of friends of all ages. Some place walkable. Bikeable. And then a friend (and fellow Haystacker!) shared the Haystack video. The rest, as they say, is history.
I have felt welcomed and included even though we live on the other side of the country. I'm greatly looking forward to move in day!
"I'm greatly looking forward to sharing cooking and food and activities with my new Haystack neighbors. Laughing over a cup of tea or glass of wine, or working together in the workshop or garden. But also having quiet time in our home."
- Cindy
Amy & Colin, and their daughter
We met at Washington State University while studying to become finance gurus. But instead of joining Wall Street, we got hitched and joined the Peace Corps. We were both NGO volunteers for 2 years in Botswana and our time there created a fever. The only cure was more living abroad: South Korea, Italy, Turkey, and Greece to name a few.
Seattle finally took hold a few years ago and one more joined our duo! Our daughter enjoys books, splashing in puddles, popping bubbles, music, Elmo, trains, buses, boxes, monkeys, and dogs (if they don’t get too close). Colin enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, Excel spreadsheet design, ad hoc projects, and hanging out with his daughter. Amy enjoys cooking for large crowds, coffee, listening to podcasts, hiking, traveling, HBO series, and organization.
We are excited about the opportunity to raise our daughter in an intentional community. While living abroad we found ourselves being part of tight knit communities with shared values and goals. After returning to the states we knew something was missing. We had friends who lived less than a few miles away, but we rarely saw them. It is amazing that you can live in a city, surrounded by so many people, and yet still feel so alone. This feeling of loneliness was amplified after our daughter was born. We knew we needed to find our village. Haystack Heights ended up being a Google search away and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to become members.
We want to live in a space designed to facilitate connections with the people and world around us. It is essential to us to be part of a committed group of people with a similar vision and direction. This is what drew us to Haystack Heights.
We met at Washington State University while studying to become finance gurus. But instead of joining Wall Street, we got hitched and joined the Peace Corps. We were both NGO volunteers for 2 years in Botswana and our time there created a fever. The only cure was more living abroad: South Korea, Italy, Turkey, and Greece to name a few.
Seattle finally took hold a few years ago and one more joined our duo! Our daughter enjoys books, splashing in puddles, popping bubbles, music, Elmo, trains, buses, boxes, monkeys, and dogs (if they don’t get too close). Colin enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, Excel spreadsheet design, ad hoc projects, and hanging out with his daughter. Amy enjoys cooking for large crowds, coffee, listening to podcasts, hiking, traveling, HBO series, and organization.
We are excited about the opportunity to raise our daughter in an intentional community. While living abroad we found ourselves being part of tight knit communities with shared values and goals. After returning to the states we knew something was missing. We had friends who lived less than a few miles away, but we rarely saw them. It is amazing that you can live in a city, surrounded by so many people, and yet still feel so alone. This feeling of loneliness was amplified after our daughter was born. We knew we needed to find our village. Haystack Heights ended up being a Google search away and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to become members.
We want to live in a space designed to facilitate connections with the people and world around us. It is essential to us to be part of a committed group of people with a similar vision and direction. This is what drew us to Haystack Heights.
"We envision ourselves living in a place where we can grow food, share meals, and raise our child(ren), surrounded by an involved and supportive community."
- Amy and Colin
Mariah and Jim
Mariah is a new economy organizer and former public health educator at the Spokane Regional Health District where she worked to create safe ways for children to walk and bike to school and encouraged active transportation among adults. She serves on the board of the University District and wrote a monthly column for The Inlander. (See her profile in Spokane Coeur D'Alene Living). Mariah has worked as a community organizer for affordable healthcare, to advance progressive tax reform, broaden dental access, and take action towards comprehensive immigration reform.
In her spare time she can be found making compost for the garden, creating community through a variety of social and civic groups, and supporting Spokane's growing arts, culture, and food scene.
Jim is Program Director at Fuse Washington, a statewide nonprofit organization. Jim has worked to organize everyday people to get involved in our democracy and work together to create a more just society and a better world for our kids. He has directed the grassroots campaigns for groundbreaking victories, including closing tax loopholes to fund education and social services, passing the nation's toughest standards for toxic chemicals in kids' products and winning paid sick and safe leave for workers.
In his spare time, he likes to build and repair things around the house, do permaculture experiments in the yard, and lead meditation classes in Spokane. He bikes and hikes throughout the Northwest, and grows, cooks, and preserves yummy organic local foods.
Mariah is a new economy organizer and former public health educator at the Spokane Regional Health District where she worked to create safe ways for children to walk and bike to school and encouraged active transportation among adults. She serves on the board of the University District and wrote a monthly column for The Inlander. (See her profile in Spokane Coeur D'Alene Living). Mariah has worked as a community organizer for affordable healthcare, to advance progressive tax reform, broaden dental access, and take action towards comprehensive immigration reform.
In her spare time she can be found making compost for the garden, creating community through a variety of social and civic groups, and supporting Spokane's growing arts, culture, and food scene.
Jim is Program Director at Fuse Washington, a statewide nonprofit organization. Jim has worked to organize everyday people to get involved in our democracy and work together to create a more just society and a better world for our kids. He has directed the grassroots campaigns for groundbreaking victories, including closing tax loopholes to fund education and social services, passing the nation's toughest standards for toxic chemicals in kids' products and winning paid sick and safe leave for workers.
In his spare time, he likes to build and repair things around the house, do permaculture experiments in the yard, and lead meditation classes in Spokane. He bikes and hikes throughout the Northwest, and grows, cooks, and preserves yummy organic local foods.
"To have our future kids be able to run outside and play with friends and not have to worry about cars or driving across town will be a dream come true."
- Mariah
"I love cohousing because it's all about doing things together for a better and easier life. It makes sustainability less work and more fun because you add community to the equation in meaningful ways."
- Jim
Bill, Nikki, Risa and Ellary
Within our family of four we have varied interests, enjoying the many outdoor, artistic and civic offerings in our beautiful Pacific Northwest city. We feel that by sharing in the work of an intentional community with shared common space, we will have less personal space to be individually responsible for and more time to explore our interests.
While Nikki loves cooking and gardening, she looks forward to sharing daily household responsibilities with other like-minded neighbors. Sharing responsibilities will not only alleviate a sense of isolation, but will free up time for friends, family, biking, her many crafty pursuits and her civic engagement with the many issues affecting our community—healthcare, education and racial equity.
Bill was an original partner in the group that developed Spokane’s first indoor climbing gym and he enjoys seeing Spokane grow, change and develop. As parents, they wish cohousing would have been available when their now teenage daughters were younger and they look forward to developing this option for Spokane, a city known as a good place to raise a family. Overall, they look forward to downsizing and sharing in the work and benefits of community.
Within our family of four we have varied interests, enjoying the many outdoor, artistic and civic offerings in our beautiful Pacific Northwest city. We feel that by sharing in the work of an intentional community with shared common space, we will have less personal space to be individually responsible for and more time to explore our interests.
While Nikki loves cooking and gardening, she looks forward to sharing daily household responsibilities with other like-minded neighbors. Sharing responsibilities will not only alleviate a sense of isolation, but will free up time for friends, family, biking, her many crafty pursuits and her civic engagement with the many issues affecting our community—healthcare, education and racial equity.
Bill was an original partner in the group that developed Spokane’s first indoor climbing gym and he enjoys seeing Spokane grow, change and develop. As parents, they wish cohousing would have been available when their now teenage daughters were younger and they look forward to developing this option for Spokane, a city known as a good place to raise a family. Overall, they look forward to downsizing and sharing in the work and benefits of community.
"We've lived abroad and enjoy exploring different cultures and communities. Cohousing is a natural extension of these explorations. While we've enjoyed living in a great neighborhood, a move to the Perry District with its unique vibe, business offerings, seasonal farmer’s market, city park, and bike paths, seems like a good next step."
- Bill and Nikki
Mark, Michaele and Family
Michaele and Mark discovered early on in their relationship that hospitality was a passion they had in common. They each grew up in families where friends and strangers were warmly welcomed. In a way they feel they were born into community and continue to find it a meaningful way to engage in relationship with others.
They have three grown children, Keith, Annie and Sarah as well as a large extended family of Iversons in Spokane. Mark works as an Adoption attorney. His previous careers include being a novitiate in a Norbertine monastery, posing as a wrangler at a CYO camp, working in an adult family home and selling subscriptions to the Spokesman Review. Michaele will soon retire from her profession as a mental health counselor. Her previous careers included stints as a pastoral minister, a preschool teacher and three years as a projectionist/janitor at the Magic Lantern Theater.
Michaele and Mark discovered early on in their relationship that hospitality was a passion they had in common. They each grew up in families where friends and strangers were warmly welcomed. In a way they feel they were born into community and continue to find it a meaningful way to engage in relationship with others.
They have three grown children, Keith, Annie and Sarah as well as a large extended family of Iversons in Spokane. Mark works as an Adoption attorney. His previous careers include being a novitiate in a Norbertine monastery, posing as a wrangler at a CYO camp, working in an adult family home and selling subscriptions to the Spokesman Review. Michaele will soon retire from her profession as a mental health counselor. Her previous careers included stints as a pastoral minister, a preschool teacher and three years as a projectionist/janitor at the Magic Lantern Theater.
"We look forward to the support and challenge Haystack cohousing promises for both community and sustainable living."
- Mark and Michaele
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Bob and Susan
Susan and Bob met in 1970 when they were on their way to study at a Japanese university. They both ended up moving to Spokane to work at the Environmental Symposium Series at the Expo ’74 World’s Fair. After the fair, they co-founded Northwest Regional Facilitators (NRF), a community development nonprofit. Several years later they married and their daughter Annie was born in 1987. Annie’s now an ethno-biologist working for the United Nations on biodiversity and sustainability. After leaving NRF in 2000, Bob went on to work with nonprofits in the global south and during the last six years has spent time working in Japan’s disaster area after the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and radiation melt-downs. Check out his book After Now about those experiences! After leaving NRF in the late 90s, Susan took time off to care for Annie, as well as Bob’s mom and another dear friend, as they went through their final stages of living and dying. Later through local universities, she taught intercultural communication at the MBA level and poetry writing to grade school students, as well as doing some work with Bob in Japan and continuing the design and facilitation that she’s done since the mid-1970s. Susan and Bob are avid bicyclists, spending a week each fall on Cycle Oregon. They both love to ski, and Susan is a long distance backpacker, having hiked 1500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail and hoping to complete the remaining 1100 miles in this lifetime. |
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"I’m getting older. I want to spend the rest of my life in intergenerational settings where people are building true community."
- Bob
“Community has been an important thread in my life—growing up in a small town in southern Minnesota, helping creating a ‘community of scholars’ in college, co-founding an intentional community, starting women’s groups—and I look forward to more!”
- Susan
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Christie and John
(Christie) What attracted me to this community are the people who are developing it. They are a vibrant, dedicated, resourceful bunch — just the kind of people I want for neighbors. Cooking is probably my favorite activity, but growing flowers and organic fruit and vegetables are a close second. I expect to put my Master Composter training to good use in the Haystack gardens, and look forward to canning some of the garden bounty with my neighbors. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom, a Welcome Wagon Hostess, a Realtor, and worked with underwriters at Spokane Public Radio. I have been a DARE volunteer and currently volunteer with Feed Cheney. In the ‘70s I wrote a weekly column for the Cheney Free Press called Christie’s Crackerbarrel. I’m counting on being a surrogate Grandma to children in the Haystack community. John and I enjoy classical music and live local theatre. Most of our travel is to visit family, and when we travel by car, we especially like to stay along the way with hosts in the bed & breakfast clubs we belong to. It’s like staying with family. (John) Boeing was my first career, and then I became a teacher. Since retiring from Eastern Washington University, I stay active by continuing to play racquetball three days a week and enjoy driving my Corvette. Playing trombone in the Project Joy Orchestra, Lilac City Community Band, Spokane Falls Community Band and the PJAMRS (Peace and Justice Activist Musical Rascals of Spokane) keeps me on my toes. We’ve lived in the same house in Cheney for over 52 years and we’re looking forward to a new community of friends in Haystack Heights. "This is quite a journey we're taking together, and I believe we're in very good company." |
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Katherine and Jerry
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Katherine met Jerry while backpacking through Europe in 1980. Two years of romantic handwritten letters enticed Jerry to Australia where they married before returning to Seattle, Jerry's home town. Katherine has worked as a school teacher and travel agent, in sales and PR, and authored cycle touring guidebooks. An avid gardener, she enjoys reading, languages, cooking and good food. She cycles Spokane rain or shine.
Jerry recently retired from his career as a winemaker. He enjoys travel, languages, photography, reading, hiking, cycling, good food and good wine! A fan of Louisiana and Cajun music, he is studying the Cajun accordion. He is a keen gardener and can’t wait to work in the amazing garden at Haystack Heights.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Katherine met Jerry while backpacking through Europe in 1980. Two years of romantic handwritten letters enticed Jerry to Australia where they married before returning to Seattle, Jerry's home town. Katherine has worked as a school teacher and travel agent, in sales and PR, and authored cycle touring guidebooks. An avid gardener, she enjoys reading, languages, cooking and good food. She cycles Spokane rain or shine.
Jerry recently retired from his career as a winemaker. He enjoys travel, languages, photography, reading, hiking, cycling, good food and good wine! A fan of Louisiana and Cajun music, he is studying the Cajun accordion. He is a keen gardener and can’t wait to work in the amazing garden at Haystack Heights.
"Our guest room is always ready for travelers from near and far. We look forward to the close community, shared experiences and camaraderie that cohousing offers."
- Katherine and Jerry
Anne
Anne was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, PA where she earned her nursing degrees. She moved to the Inland Northwest in 1976 when she bought some land in the forests of northern Stevens County with her husband. Here they made a life, building their own home from the trees on the land, growing their own food and raising children. Anne worked at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Colville, mostly in the emergency room.
She loves to read, knit, garden, walk her dogs and cook good food, as well as bake goodies. She also enjoys thinking about and discussing interesting ideas and issues. Anne looks forward to many good times with her new cohousing friends, as well as her old friends.
Anne was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, PA where she earned her nursing degrees. She moved to the Inland Northwest in 1976 when she bought some land in the forests of northern Stevens County with her husband. Here they made a life, building their own home from the trees on the land, growing their own food and raising children. Anne worked at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Colville, mostly in the emergency room.
She loves to read, knit, garden, walk her dogs and cook good food, as well as bake goodies. She also enjoys thinking about and discussing interesting ideas and issues. Anne looks forward to many good times with her new cohousing friends, as well as her old friends.
"I'm looking forward to learning how to bike more confidently on city streets with my new neighbors."
- Anne
Ray
Ray does outdoor photography with a love to explore beautiful places and becoming more intimate with familiar places. Some of his prints are on public display at in art gallery in Kent and at a nature preserve in Renton. He currently lives in Renton near his family, a daughter, two sons and a granddaughter.
Other careers include Software Engineering, startup company, graphic art equipment repair, junk yard repair and other sundry jobs. He is hoping for a cohousing wood shop to build more furniture. This would provide a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with Pat , his favorite friend.
Ray does outdoor photography with a love to explore beautiful places and becoming more intimate with familiar places. Some of his prints are on public display at in art gallery in Kent and at a nature preserve in Renton. He currently lives in Renton near his family, a daughter, two sons and a granddaughter.
Other careers include Software Engineering, startup company, graphic art equipment repair, junk yard repair and other sundry jobs. He is hoping for a cohousing wood shop to build more furniture. This would provide a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with Pat , his favorite friend.
“I have learned so much about building community and the design process. This cohousing project has attracted interesting people with a variety of skills that I would enjoy as neighbors."
- Ray
Pat
Pat is a newly retired speech/language pathologist. She just became an empty nester after moving her fourth child to college. On summer days Pat can be seen in her vegetable garden, riding around the streets of Cheney on her recumbent bicycle or hiking around Turnbull Wildlife Sanctuary. Another favorite pastime of hers is lounging on her front lawn reading a great book and striking up a lively conversation with her neighbors. Pat loves watching children play and being in nature whenever possible. Learning about and employing a number of healing practices is one of her retirement goals.
Pat is a newly retired speech/language pathologist. She just became an empty nester after moving her fourth child to college. On summer days Pat can be seen in her vegetable garden, riding around the streets of Cheney on her recumbent bicycle or hiking around Turnbull Wildlife Sanctuary. Another favorite pastime of hers is lounging on her front lawn reading a great book and striking up a lively conversation with her neighbors. Pat loves watching children play and being in nature whenever possible. Learning about and employing a number of healing practices is one of her retirement goals.
"I love the give and take of a high functioning community. I imagine walking into the common house and joining a spirited conversation about places I've never been or topics I've never considered. All the while young children are playing in the toddler's room and several adults are preparing dinner in the common house kitchen."
- Pat
Claudine and Richard
Claudine is retiring from Washington State University where she has three degrees all from the list of ten lowest paid professions in the U.S. She has worked as a bicycle mechanic and tour guide, newspaper reporter and editor, driver education teacher, 4-H international programs coordinator, feed store flunky and political hack. Claudine enjoys reading, fiber arts, gardening, recreational cooking, bicycling, and rowing with a masters’ crew. She is committed to cycling across the United States before her joints freeze up.
Richard loves to read and discuss books in his many book groups. Live theater helps him recall his days as a Theatre Arts major at the University of Minnesota. A composer by avocation, he has had three pieces performed by the Orofino (Idaho) Community Choir. A born salesman, Richard worked in retail and wholesale, spent the odd three years as a restaurant manager, then owned and managed the feed store in Orofino until retirement. He now manages three garden plots in Moscow, ID and gives excess produce to the food bank. He loves sharing meals with friends, socializing and conversing over glasses of wine or a cold beer, which keep the conversation lively. He keeps fit by bicycling, walking, and rowing indoors.
The extended Zender family includes adult sons Brock, Milo and Bret; two wonderful daughters-in-love; several former exchange students; cats Rikku and Lucy; and six chickens.
Claudine is retiring from Washington State University where she has three degrees all from the list of ten lowest paid professions in the U.S. She has worked as a bicycle mechanic and tour guide, newspaper reporter and editor, driver education teacher, 4-H international programs coordinator, feed store flunky and political hack. Claudine enjoys reading, fiber arts, gardening, recreational cooking, bicycling, and rowing with a masters’ crew. She is committed to cycling across the United States before her joints freeze up.
Richard loves to read and discuss books in his many book groups. Live theater helps him recall his days as a Theatre Arts major at the University of Minnesota. A composer by avocation, he has had three pieces performed by the Orofino (Idaho) Community Choir. A born salesman, Richard worked in retail and wholesale, spent the odd three years as a restaurant manager, then owned and managed the feed store in Orofino until retirement. He now manages three garden plots in Moscow, ID and gives excess produce to the food bank. He loves sharing meals with friends, socializing and conversing over glasses of wine or a cold beer, which keep the conversation lively. He keeps fit by bicycling, walking, and rowing indoors.
The extended Zender family includes adult sons Brock, Milo and Bret; two wonderful daughters-in-love; several former exchange students; cats Rikku and Lucy; and six chickens.
"Many of our pursuits—reading, gardening, rowing, cycling, cooking, and even doing laundry—are solitary in nature. We look forward to sharing them with our neighbors at Haystack Heights."
- Claudine Zender
Rob, Abby, Robin and Lena
Rob and Abby bonded over a mutual love of reading, cooking, and eating while working together at a library in Renton. Career opportunities took them on a detour to the Southwest, but they longed to return to the Northwest with its lush landscapes and environmental sensibility. After a stint in Port Townsend, where they first attended the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Rob, Abby, and their kids returned to the affordable cost of living in Spokane and came to call the Manito neighborhood home.
Daughters Robin, 15, and Lena, 11, are avid readers like their parents. Robin plans to attend Running Start in preparation for college, where she looks forward to studying subjects like developmental psychology after a gap year in Belgium. Lena enjoys drawing, household activities, making snow monsters and has a knack for entrepreneurship.
Rob is a Senior Librarian at the Downtown Spokane Public Library and is an avid orienteer and fair-weather runner. Abby has stayed busy with volunteering at Spokane Public Montessori, fighting old house entropy, and caring for aging parents. When she has time, she also enjoys sewing, edible landscaping, and thrifting. The whole family enjoys playing board games together and volunteering at local farms.
While living in Port Townsend, the they lived near multiple cohousing communities and were intrigued by the rich life they offered. They first heard about Haystack Heights Cohousing while traveling in Greece. While they enjoy sharing eggs and garden produce from their yard with their current neighbors, the deeper relationships created by cohousing that center children in daily life are a big part of their motivation to create cohousing in Spokane.
Rob and Abby bonded over a mutual love of reading, cooking, and eating while working together at a library in Renton. Career opportunities took them on a detour to the Southwest, but they longed to return to the Northwest with its lush landscapes and environmental sensibility. After a stint in Port Townsend, where they first attended the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Rob, Abby, and their kids returned to the affordable cost of living in Spokane and came to call the Manito neighborhood home.
Daughters Robin, 15, and Lena, 11, are avid readers like their parents. Robin plans to attend Running Start in preparation for college, where she looks forward to studying subjects like developmental psychology after a gap year in Belgium. Lena enjoys drawing, household activities, making snow monsters and has a knack for entrepreneurship.
Rob is a Senior Librarian at the Downtown Spokane Public Library and is an avid orienteer and fair-weather runner. Abby has stayed busy with volunteering at Spokane Public Montessori, fighting old house entropy, and caring for aging parents. When she has time, she also enjoys sewing, edible landscaping, and thrifting. The whole family enjoys playing board games together and volunteering at local farms.
While living in Port Townsend, the they lived near multiple cohousing communities and were intrigued by the rich life they offered. They first heard about Haystack Heights Cohousing while traveling in Greece. While they enjoy sharing eggs and garden produce from their yard with their current neighbors, the deeper relationships created by cohousing that center children in daily life are a big part of their motivation to create cohousing in Spokane.
Molly
Molly and Megan are sisters and will be house-sharing in the community. Megan will live onsite but both will partake in gardening, cooking and meeting duties.
Molly works at Sacred Heart Hospital and lives near the community. She enjoys running, yoga, skiing, biking and climbing, as well as piano and singing.
Molly and Megan are sisters and will be house-sharing in the community. Megan will live onsite but both will partake in gardening, cooking and meeting duties.
Molly works at Sacred Heart Hospital and lives near the community. She enjoys running, yoga, skiing, biking and climbing, as well as piano and singing.
Megan
Megan works at Skils'kin which is a non-profit that supplies supported employment to adults with disabilities.
She enjoys rock and ice climbing, training at the local gym Farmgirlfit, which is just a few blocks from our location, and guitar and piano.
Along with her sister Molly Howlett she enjoys eating and cooking quite a bit!
Megan works at Skils'kin which is a non-profit that supplies supported employment to adults with disabilities.
She enjoys rock and ice climbing, training at the local gym Farmgirlfit, which is just a few blocks from our location, and guitar and piano.
Along with her sister Molly Howlett she enjoys eating and cooking quite a bit!
Paul and Susan
Joining Haystack Heights is bringing our lives full circle, say Paul and Susan Mitchell. Their journey together started in the 1970s with a community of seven in a ragged Victorian in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury. After living together for five years and renovating the four-flat building, they moved to 86 acres in north Idaho with the idea of creating community and maybe enticing the old gang to join them.
That didn’t happen exactly as planned, but they acquired two kids (Georgia and Michael) and a long line of kittens, cats, and dogs while building a home and retreat house. Thirty-eight years later, they are circling back to living in intentional community.
Susan was a pre-school and elementary teacher; in 1978 they both learned Reiki which led to a life-time vocation and several Reiki-related jobs: director of The Reiki Alliance, an international organization of people teaching Reiki; editing Reiki Magazine International; and creating a Reiki teaching and treatment practice. Susan loves gardening, traveling with Paul, vacations, yoga, film, reading, and makes herself go to the gym.
Paul began living in community in ninth grade in a junior seminary in Watsonville, California. He studied with Hawayo Takata, the woman who brought Reiki to the US, and has taught in 26 countries, offering personal and spiritual development workshops and retreats in the international Reiki community. His plan: It’s time to slow down a bit and invest in a local community.
Joining Haystack Heights is bringing our lives full circle, say Paul and Susan Mitchell. Their journey together started in the 1970s with a community of seven in a ragged Victorian in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury. After living together for five years and renovating the four-flat building, they moved to 86 acres in north Idaho with the idea of creating community and maybe enticing the old gang to join them.
That didn’t happen exactly as planned, but they acquired two kids (Georgia and Michael) and a long line of kittens, cats, and dogs while building a home and retreat house. Thirty-eight years later, they are circling back to living in intentional community.
Susan was a pre-school and elementary teacher; in 1978 they both learned Reiki which led to a life-time vocation and several Reiki-related jobs: director of The Reiki Alliance, an international organization of people teaching Reiki; editing Reiki Magazine International; and creating a Reiki teaching and treatment practice. Susan loves gardening, traveling with Paul, vacations, yoga, film, reading, and makes herself go to the gym.
Paul began living in community in ninth grade in a junior seminary in Watsonville, California. He studied with Hawayo Takata, the woman who brought Reiki to the US, and has taught in 26 countries, offering personal and spiritual development workshops and retreats in the international Reiki community. His plan: It’s time to slow down a bit and invest in a local community.
"Haystack Heights was exactly what we were looking for—without knowing it. How wonderful to find folks wanting to build a neighborhood based on caring for everyone—like the ideal village. We’re delighted to be a part of this adventure."
-Paul and Susan
Nancy
Nancy is a scientist by training and an avid gardener, hiker, traveler, baker and cook. A transplant from the west side of the state, she is learning to love her new home in Spokane.
Family and community are important to her, which is one of the things that drew her to become a member of Haystack Heights Cohousing.
Nancy is a scientist by training and an avid gardener, hiker, traveler, baker and cook. A transplant from the west side of the state, she is learning to love her new home in Spokane.
Family and community are important to her, which is one of the things that drew her to become a member of Haystack Heights Cohousing.
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Gregg
Being raised within the military community brought frequent moves across southern states and Europe, where Gregg first saw different (better) ways of living together. After sampling various intentional communities as a young adult, therapeutic and otherwise, he became a clinical psychologist focusing on helping injured workers. The move from Olympia to Spokane offers an opportunity to satisfy both a long held personal desire for community as well as a professional desire to address the often desperate plight of injured workers by joining a community of like-minded health providers within Providence occupational medicine. |
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Martha
Martha grew up in Utah and California. After graduating from college she traveled and worked overseas for a few years. Returning stateside, she chose a career path in public health when she returned to school for a degree in nursing. As an employee of the Indian Health Service, she lived and worked in both the Southwest and Northwest before moving to Maryland with her husband.
As an East Coast resident, Martha continued as a public health advocate while a member of a federal infant mortality reduction grant program focused primarily on inner city populations, learning much from her coworkers and the staff of many projects.
Upon retirement Martha and her husband returned to Spokane to enjoy open spaces and outdoor activities. She tends to be a fair-weather recreational cyclist, likes cross country skiing, and began rowing with the local rowing club a couple of years ago.
Martha grew up in Utah and California. After graduating from college she traveled and worked overseas for a few years. Returning stateside, she chose a career path in public health when she returned to school for a degree in nursing. As an employee of the Indian Health Service, she lived and worked in both the Southwest and Northwest before moving to Maryland with her husband.
As an East Coast resident, Martha continued as a public health advocate while a member of a federal infant mortality reduction grant program focused primarily on inner city populations, learning much from her coworkers and the staff of many projects.
Upon retirement Martha and her husband returned to Spokane to enjoy open spaces and outdoor activities. She tends to be a fair-weather recreational cyclist, likes cross country skiing, and began rowing with the local rowing club a couple of years ago.
“It has been and continues to be an enjoyable and humbling experience getting to know people drawn to the cohousing community." |
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