‘ 22 .-‘OlTf‘l»jan'uary 2oo2‘?COl:Ul‘1NS Looking for affordable spealviAew\eo\io\.ov3 (‘laws Crow’S by Cvow Col/xen HOWL The radical feminist era (19705 and early 80s) started a few institutions that remain Viable to this day — a battered women’s shelter, a rape crisis service, a women’s health cen- ter and HOWL. Huntington Open '\Women’s Land is ‘ a resource that is not utilized as heavily as those other institu- tions, but it sits quietly in the gorgeous hills of Huntington Center on a dead—end dirt road perking along at its own country pace. It could be used for women’s gatherings of all sorts - spiritual retreats; construction projects; gardening and other land use workshops; festivals; camping weekends, you name it. I often question why women in the local area don’t think of HOWI. when they’re searching around for a place to escape to the country for a night or two. i HOWL was acquired in the early 80s when I left the country for a few years, so.I was- ' n’t one of the founding mothers. At that time our feminist newspaper, Commonwoman, was winding down after six years of publication; and the collective involved in producing the paper was looking around for land to stabilize the community. Several women’s land proj- ects had been cropping up all around the country envisioned as a safe haven for women as the world seemed to be going rapidly down the tubes. HOWL was unique because it wasn’t owned by a particular woman whocould kick out her sisters when the going got rough. Instead, HOWL was bought by one member of our community initially and after a few years of fundraising, was bought back by a collective of women and put in trust so no one could own it. It consisted of 50 acres of meadows and woods, a rundown farmhouse and a dilapidated barn. ' Most of the women involved were not crazy about rules so the by—laws were never strict- ly enforced. During the Reagan years when the economy was changed to favor the rich and many social action programs disappeared, a lot of us had to stabilize ourselves finan- cially since we were getting older. Few felt they could afford to live way out in the coun- tryside and hold down a decent paying job or wanted to live in such a rundown place with questionable plumbing, unpotable water and unpredictable houseguests that would show up from who-knew-where and stay for who—knew-how-long. As a matter of fact, HO\WL developed a questionable reputation that has been very difficult to live down over the years. The collectives who tried to keep it going often found themselves at odds with trav- eling women who wanted to crash there for months. There were ugly confrontations that made for an unstable atmosphere — perhaps one of the consequences of not committing to upholding agreed-upon standards. Anarchism can only work when people conscientiously work on taking responsibility for their behavior. On the other hand, HO\X/L’s survival may also be attributed to its looseness. One thing is certain. Whoever lives up at HOWL has to be there with the _intention of sharing the land. Sarah Harrington, a Realtor dedicated to our community! - Mountain Pride Media — Board Member ’99, no - Pride Committee - Silent Auction ’98, ’99, ’00 - Rainbow Business Association - President ’98 Call Sarah if you’re buying or selling your home. 553 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446 (802)655-3333 X30 I often. question why women in the local area don’t think of HOWL when they’re searching around for a place to escape to the country for a night or two. In the early 90s, a group attempted to pull the project together before they lost it for_ good for non-payment of taxes. The house was emptied out and closed to give it a thor- ough cleaning and to renovate it enough so it was livable again. Two apartments were built in the barn designated as “Crones Space” and are now occupied by two middle—aged resi- dents. A pond was dug, the plumbing was improved (shower, hot-running water — such lux- uryl), an outdoor sauna was built, gardens were beautified and maintained, a water filter system was installed. Little by little the collective was stabilized, and women were willing to live up there as carekeepers for longer stretches of time. Over the years HOWL has fea- tured several women’s gatherings: a national Jewish lesbian festival, a women’s 12 Step ' retreat, solstice celebrations, and an annual Native American Sundance ritual — their biggest project to date. HOWL holds their collective meetings the second Sunday of the month — a potluck and business meeting open to any- one interested in what makes HOWL tick. Whenever I have an urge to pitch a tent under a wide open sky in a sweep- ing meadow ringed by mountains, or do some back country skiing on the Catamount Trail (which is easily accessible through HOV/L’s woods), or simply wake up in a cute coun- try house with a cozy wood stove and company for break- fast, I drive the 25 miles over to Huntington Open \X/omen’s Land and am sure to be welcomed by an assortment of women. I’m never quite sure who will be up there, but I enjoy being surprised. Call (802) 434-DYKE and invite your- self over. They’ll be happy to hear from you. North Professionals Dds 015:: u ln.k;I:'n.hI.Iy 0-uni ind Dagmar Crow Cohen is a lesbian feminist living in Wiiz()osL°.i.