Carol Ann (a native Kansan) and Doc (born in Washington State) are married and practiced as doctors of chiropractic in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara for over 20 years each before moving to the rural Sierra Foothills in 2001.

Their interests in issues of successful aging were sparked by friends and patients who lived inspiring and active lives into their ‘80’s and ‘90’s and were flamed even more by experiences caring for elder parents in their last years of life. Carol Ann works with the local Meals on Wheels program and Doc works on the care staff of a large convalescent hospital. Carol Ann recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from California State University Sacramento. Convinced of the importance of community and a sense of control over one’s life as one ages, she made class presentations on cooperative and alternative housing for seniors. When Doc gave her a copy of Charles Durrett’s book on Senior Cohousing and they learned about plans for Wolf Creek Lodge with the intergenerational Wolf Creek Commons next door, they went to the first informational meeting. When they met other people cohousing attracted, they were the first to sign up.

They look forward to living in a beautiful place; living their values in protecting the earth and environment, the support and stimulation of living in community with friends, and not having to drive to everything.

virginia and butch thresh

Butch grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and joined the Air Force out of high school. He married and had 2 children and then returned to the Bay Area to attend college and obtain his elementary teaching credential. After many other endeavors including running a mountain resort and owning a gas station and tire shop in Modoc County, Butch moved to Nevada City to teach special education at an alternative high school.

Virginia grew up in southern California and Sacramento, attended college in Long Beach, married and had 2 children. She moved to Nevada City in 1967 and worked at a Quaker boarding high school for many years.

Butch and Virginia met after the death of their spouses and were married in 1998. Volunteering for Music in the Mountains, hiking, riding bikes as often as possible and travel fill much of their time in addition to the work necessary when one lives on 15 acres.

We have chosen to downsize and simplify our lives in our retirement years and are enjoying being active participants in developing the Wolf Creek Lodge community.

Suzanne Jansse Marriott

Suzanne is a native Californian who grew up amid fruit and walnut trees on her parents’ farm in Brentwood. In the mid ‘60s, she graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in English and a Secondary Teaching Credential. After teaching English in Oakland for three years, she dropped out to live the hippy life in Berkeley. This phase culminated in buying a backpack and traveling throughout Europe for four months. Back home again, she shared a large house in Oakland with several friends. While living there, she earned an MS degree in Education and a Reading Specialist Credential, after which she began teaching in Newark, California. Somehow, she remained working in Newark for twenty-nine years. (She’s still not sure how this happened.) In the mid ‘90s, she embarked on a new path, going to school at night and earning an MA degree in Transpersonal Psychology.

In 1976, Suzanne met Michael Marriott, and within two years they were married. Michael and Suzanne made their home in Castro Valley where they raised his three daughters from a previous marriage. Suzanne’s life changed abruptly when Michael was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996. He died from complications of the disease on January 1, 2006. At this point in her life, co-housing offers Suzanne a way of moving into the future with the caring and support of a community and the opportunity to care for and support others through cooperative living. She relates to a quotation of Thomas Moore (theologian and author of Care of the Soul) which she came upon in the 2006 Nov./Dec. issue of Spirituality & Health magazine, “. . . community is a way we transcend our personal lives. . . ” (p. 10). She is excited about being a co-developer of Wolf Creek Lodge with her soon-to-be neighbors, and is passionate about sustainable living and protecting the environment. Suzanne’s other interests include transpersonal and spiritual studies and experiential work, travel, personal writing, being in nature, gathering together with friends, and yoga.

Wina Simpson (Bob Fuller)

I grew up in Oklahoma City, married young and became an Air Force wife.  For 26 years this was my career, and then I decided that I, too, needed to spread my wings. I finished my degree in 1981 in Business Administration and started my career at Anheuser-Busch, Inc in Fairfield California, where I worked in Human Resources as personnel recruiter, facilitator, trainer and assessment center administrator. In 1987, I moved to Houston, TX where I worked for Compaq Computer, and finally, I had the gratifying chance to work with people downsized from large corporations to help them understand that they weren’t their jobs and that there were wonderful opportunities still in their futures.

In 1991, at A Course In Miracles class, I met my future life partner, Bob Fuller who was the facilitator. We started our search together for something more meaningful in our lives.  We moved to Spokane, WA to be close to Bob’s father and other relatives and also to be close to doctors and healers that had worked with Bob when he had heart surgery in 1994 in Calgary, Alberta. Bob was a great teacher, not only for me but for many others. Throughout the later part of his life, he had many health challenges, and because of these challenges we decided to move back to California where we could be close to my son, daughter, and four grandchildren, as well as many friends. Bob’s three children were in Texas, but we knew that California offered us more of the lifestyle that we were seeking.

We started searching for community from the first part of our relationship, and during the 15 years we spent together our search continued.  Imagine our surprise when the opportunity to create this life came to our own backyard. We knew from the first time we heard about Wolf Creek Lodge that we wanted to be a part of this new way of living. Unfortunately, Bob didn’t make it to the completion of our dream. He passed away in May of 2007, but I have continued in the process to make our dream a reality. The opportunity to live with people committed to our earth, as well as creating an atmosphere of respect for each other and our environment, has carried me through this first year by myself. I look forward to many more years living in a community that is dedicated to growing peacefully together as we age gracefully.

Sue dunbar

I'm Sue Dunbar and it was a joy for me to join Wolf Creek Lodge. I've lived in Placer County since 1988, first in Auburn, now in Colfax, and have been interested in co-housing for several years. I was part of the first CoHo group in Auburn that never really got off the ground. I've actually always wanted to live in Nevada County, and couldn't believe my good fortune to be part of this group of thinking, conscientious, spirited individuals! I have come to realize that living alone as I grow older in the place I live right now will not be healthy for me. I need the community atmosphere to thrive.

I was born and raised in Ohio and have degrees in Spanish and International Business. In my varied careers, I've been a Spanish speaking social worker, bookstore owner/manager, restaurant worker and long-time elections tech for Placer County.

Grass Valley holds many attractions for me. Earlier in my life, I sang with Music in the Mountains (and plan to again) and was active in little theatre (including a radio theatre group at KVMR radio station in Nevada City). The importance of this area in the Gold Rush is fascinating. And our intentions to live lightly on the land are inspiring. I can't wait to move in, for I know it will feel like coming home!

Wayne G. Vasey

Wayne is a native Californian (Long Beach, Sacramento, Berkeley) who did spend a couple of years in Alabama. When he was allegedly working, it was as an engineer for various defense/aerospace firms in southern California. Now retired, he fritters away his time playing bridge (not so well) and doing crossword puzzles (rather well). He also does volunteer stuff for Music in the Mountains. Aside from all that, he is a moderately decent fellow.

BARBARA KRONMAL and KIRK DAVIS

Barbara and I were introduced to each other by our yoga teacher about 30 years ago. She said we had compatible energies (whatever that meant); but she must have been right because we’ve been together ever since. We are very independent, with different interests, personalities and ways of doing pretty much everything. However, our desire to live simply and responsibly has always been the tie that binds. Plus, we laugh a lot together!

I opened my own dental lab when I was 21 years old. Since my retirement a few years ago, I wake up every morning with a smile on my face knowing I don’t have to go to work. Barbara, on the other hand (the consummate bookeeper), still enjoys working part time at a local non-profit agency.

I love my kids, rocks and creeks, trails, campfires, chocolate (dark), cheap coffee, playfulness, reading, solitude, yoga and, of course, Barbara. She loves my kids, numbers and words, being productive, cheesecake, cheap wine, expensive coffee, sleeping in, walking, music, yoga and me.

We are both excited to be taking part in the creation of a community that we feel offers us the best of all worlds . . . a beautiful neighborhood within walking distance to just about anything we might need on a daily basis; but more importantly, a safe place to live out our lives, where a healthy balance of being social and being private is understood and respected by all. How great is that!

Barbara and I eagerly look forward to experiencing the challenges and joys of life at Wolf Creek Lodge with our new-found (and yet-to-be) future neighbors and friends.

pam jung

Pam Jung is a transplanted Connecticut Yankee who has lived in Nevada County since 1983. She is a writer, editor, journalist; a single woman who love the outdoors, reading and socializing; her major interest now is climate change.

Magdalene Jaeckel

I was born in Berlin, Germany in March of 1923. My family was a well educated middle class family, and I am the oldest of three siblings. After happy childhood years, everything changed with the Hitler regime and the outbreak of WWII. I lost 8 of my high school companions and my fiancé in that war.

However, good times came again after I met Henry Jaeckel, in Graz, Austria. We were married, and I experienced the joys of three-generational living in the big house of Henry's parents for 10 years. Our own two children shared a happy life there with 7 other children. We immigrated to the USA in 1952. It was a big change for us, but we learned to be "good American citizens" and were grateful for the openness and welcome we found in this country and in Detroit, where Henry worked for Ford Motor Company. We had two more children in Detroit. Our vacations were always spent camping and exploring the great outdoors as well as the historical places, like Philadelphia and Washington D.C. When it was time to retire, we moved to Nevada City, California. Here we enjoyed the small city life with all its cultural offerings nearby as well as the beautiful natural surroundings. I have been active with Hospice of the Foothils for 11 years, like to sing in Music in the Mountains, enjoy hiking, gardening and cooking. Four years ago, my husband's health was declining, and we moved to Highgate, a senior community. We were well taken care of, but I have experienced how isolated you become living with only elderly people as your daily contact. My husband passed away in January 2007. Being part of this active group, the Wolf Creek Cohousing, is just the right thing for me, as I start a new life, even though I am not young any longer.

Shirl Bost

Since I was raised in Berkeley, California it seemed quite natural to attend the University of California. My major was Drama/Theater. Upon graduation, expecting to be discovered ANY moment, I proceeded to become involved in San Francisco television: actress on local shows, produced and directed a few, and made numerous commercials. (sob) NO ONE FOUND ME! I succumbed to reality – the business world. After a brief sojourn as a secretary – Europe (my dream) beckoned me. I became a member of Special Services as a civilian for the Dept. of Defense, and sped to Germany. After three exciting years of travel (& work), I returned to pursue a teaching career. I acquired teaching credentials at S.F. State, taught 7th & 8th grades, returned for an MA in Speech Pathology & Language, and subsequently worked in school systems as a Speech Therapist. I soon focused on Special Education programs. There was both challenge and reward  when the children’s needs were met. With my second MA in Administration and subsequent post as a Special Education principal, I hoped to guide Special Education programs. But my heart was in direct service as a therapist with children. As luck would have it – one day I received a phone call from Anchorage, AK, asking if I would be interested in a position. Long story short – I accepted this brand new world, count it as one of the most fascinating adventures in my life, and stayed for nine years. I then retired and moved to beautiful Lake of the Pines, CA.

All of my work in Special Education hinged on the success of our on-site teams to work hand-in-glove to create the best program to fit each child’s needs. The team’s final decision was always reached through consensus. Co-Housing – what a SURPRISE!!!

Jacque bromm

I am Jacque Bromm, a born adventurer who originated in Cleveland, Ohio (hence my environmentalism) and moved across the continent via Route 66 at a young age. I had an idyllic youth growing up in Redondo Beach, sailing, canoeing, and boogie boarding. Moved to northern California where I earned a degree/ teachers’ credential in Speech Pathology/Special Education. Married/raised two wonderful daughters in rural Placer County while pursuing a career with Placer County Office of Education. This is where I became enchanted with the Sierra Nevada with backpacking, kayaking, white water rafting and snowshoe hiking escapades.
 
I am nearing retirement and interested in a new adventure in the form of cohousing. I love the Grass Valley/Nevada City locale for both it’s rich cultural/historical life and outdoor accessibility. I admire the philosophy of sustainable building and how it relates to both structural and sociological community development.
 
Aging is possibly our last adventure in life. Witnessing the death and declining health of my parents and the heartrending care provided by hospice has made me mindful of how important a supportive community can be in providing a dignified closure to our greatest adventure. And no, that’s not my dog. I love animals but do not currently have any pets. If you are a kayaker you know the importance of a Brace (my friends’ Corgi is named Brace). Happy Bracing!!

Pat Elliott

After missing being a native Californian by five weeks either way and experiencing many more moves during my childhood, including stays in California, Nevada, Missouri, Wisconsin and New Mexico, I arrived in California from New Mexico as a young adult in 1967 with a husband, a young son and a degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. Over the next several years I worked as a technician in research labs at the Stanford Medical School, Hopkins Marine Station and Moss Landing Marine Labs and added a daughter to the family. In 1980, we moved to Davis where I went to law school at UC Davis. In 1983, I joined a large Sacramento law firm where I still work as a transactional real estate attorney. I have lived in Sacramento since 1990 and still have the son and daughter but since 1989, no longer have the husband.

As I prepare to make the next major transition in my life, I have come to realize that being part of a community may be the most important consideration. Of course, I am now part of several communities – work, family, friends, a Buddhist sangha – and will continue to be to one extent or another after I retire. But, especially after reading Senior Co-Housing, I have realized I want to live in a truly connected community, not an urban neighborhood where I occasionally wave to the neighbors and have to maintain an old house. As with many things in my life, I'm not sure if I found Wolf Creek Lodge or it found me, but I am grateful for the finding. I am looking forward to being part of this extraordinary community in this extraordinary location. The great adventure begins!

Sara Heinzel

Sara Heinzel was born in Berkeley, California and grew up a self-proclaimed army brat. Moving every three years, she lived in many countries around the world, including Germany, Japan, the U.S. states of California, Texas and Georgia, and New York City. She was old enough at the time to still remember Germany, Japan and NY City as places that were her favorites. She doesn’t remember the army base in Texas, but after many times hearing her mother’s tales of displeasure with life there, she thinks that is just as well.

Sara’s passions are protecting and preserving the earth, wild life and wild places. For her, Wolf Creek Lodge offers a life style in keeping with her green values. The fact that Wolf Creek Lodge will be built with sustainable and low to nontoxic materials, will be energy efficient, and will be the type of housing that reduces sprawl makes it a natural fit for Sara.

She is drawn to living in a close community of like-minded people who share her commitment to cohousing. She is especially excited about living in a manner that supports aging in place. For Sara, this is huge.

Sara is a registered nurse. She began her college education majoring in education. Later in life, she switched to nursing. She has a broad background in nursing, including surgery, gerontology, and home health. Currently, Sara is a family consultant for Del Oro Resource Center, a nonprofit health care organization. She provides home visits, education, and emotional support.

Sara has two mottos to live by: joi de vivre and carpe diem. Living in Wolf Creek Lodge will allow her to continue these quests for a long, long time.

Bernice Turoff

Bernice Turoff’s passion in life is to help others through civic action. While residing in Stockton, California she was an active member of her community and was instrumental in developing civic organizations to benefit others. These organizations included the Women’s Center, the Crisis Line, and the Mediation Center. The Mediation Center, funded by state money for counties, helps counties lighten their judicial case loads. Bernice had a leadership role in applying for and receiving this state money for San Joaquin County.

Bernice moved to Nevada City because she wanted to live in a closely knit community. At that time, Nevada City Cohousing was being built, and Bernice was excited about the concept of cohousing. She was able to rent a townhouse there and move in at the same time as the rest of the community. Subsequently, she bought her own house and planned to make Nevada City Cohousing her permanent home.

Last year, Bernice became increasingly concerned about mobility issues that might become insurmountable as she ages. In two years, the stairs to the upper level of her townhouse will become problematic, she anticipates, as will the long walk from garage to house. With this in mind, Bernice chose to become a member of Wolf Creek Lodge cohousing. The physical layout of the Lodge, with its single floor units, underground garage, and elevator will accommodate her future mobility issues, affording her a better opportunity to age in place, surrounded by a supportive community.

Bernice loves the concept of cohousing and is dedicated to living in community with like-minded people. “Grass Valley is a beautiful place to live,” she asserts, “and I love the people. Cohousing is a wonderful way to live."

Helen Sklar & Robin Doyno

One could say that our relationship sprang from one of the many internal struggles at Pacifica Radio. The planner of a fundraiser for the “Pacifica dissidents,” felt that a security detail was in order, and Robin was sent to help Helen with just that. There wasn’t any trouble (nor did anyone really expect any) which left plenty of time for flirting. One thing led to another, and by the end of the evening, Robin had laid the foundation for a future date. The rest, as they say, is history.
 
Robin is a long time activist. He left film school in 1965 to go south with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). His dual interests in filmmaking and war resistance led him to co-produce and co-direct a documentary about Katya Komisaruk, the woman who dismantled an Air Force missile as a disarmament action. He spent many Wednesday mornings in front of the Los Angeles Federal Building protesting US policy in Central American. His long and varied career includes founding and managing social model alcohol treatment programs, horseshoeing, dock work and railroad conducting. Throughout all of this, he has been a photographer, specializing in social documentary.
 
Helen shares Robin’s interest in politics but first and foremost, she loves English Springer Spaniels, a passion that began in 1971 when a stranger on a bus handed her a tiny, freckle-nosed Springer pup named Bilbo. It was a challenging period so Bilbo ended up with a stable family in Greendale, WI. However, throughout the middle 1970’s while working on a masters degree in social work, the late 1970s while opening a battered women’s shelter, the early 1980s while earning a law degree, and the late 1980s while practicing immigration law, Helen’s passion for Springers continued. Finally, in 1993, when the pound called to say they had a couple of Springers, Helen was in a position to adopt.         
 
Finding Wolf Creek Lodge was a dream come true. Unlike anything else we have encountered, WCL offers the opportunity to affordably live light on the land, be part of a participatory community, and be involved in decision-making about how our home is built and managed. It is positively utopian.

Gayle & Richard Carter

We are both transplanted Midwesterners, Gayle from Michigan, and Richard from Indiana. Gayle moved to Southern California in 1974 and Richard moved from St. Louis to Orange County in 1985. Together, we have traveled to Mexico, Europe, and Australia, and Richard has lived in Berlin and six states besides California and has traveled to Korea, Russia, Costa Rica, and Pakistan.

As a Principal Technical Writer for Broadcom Corporation in Irvine, Richard develops user manuals that explain how to use the wireless (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) networking capabilities of mobile computers. Earlier in his career as a civil engineer, Richard worked in engineering design and consulting on commercial and heavy industrial construction projects, petroleum pipeline projects, and remedial investigation and feasibility studies of contaminated properties.

Gayle retired in 2006 after working for 19 years as a special librarian in the News Research Department of the Orange County Register Newspaper. She’s been enjoying the free time to become more fit, attend interesting Lifelong Learning courses through the UC Irvine extension services, and do some volunteer work.

Our interests and hobbies include music, art, theater, movies, travel, photography, gardening, hiking and exploring nature.

We are excited to become part of Wolf Creek Lodge cohousing community whose shared vision matches our values. The beautiful site includes the woods and creek that we pictured in our ideal retirement home. We felt a kinship with the group on first meeting them in March, 2008 and look forward to getting to know all of our Wolf Creek Lodge neighbors.

Darline Downing

Barbara Gedanke

Deleaua & Dick Shannon