Author: Community Contributor

Dear friends,

Well, July worked its magic and the VHC “campus” is nearly unrecognizable. The Joe-Pye has shot up like a forest of seven-foot spears, partridge peas are marching across the walkways as if planning a garden coup, and the kale is multiplying faster than our forks can keep up.

There were other forms of growth in July as well — six members had birthdays, three of whom all turned 70! 

We’d love to see you at a meal, tour, or work day. Just email info@ villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP first. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $5-$12 per person). 

*House for Rent* A spacious bright VHC unit is available for rent Dec 2026 – March 2027.  2+ bedrooms, 3 baths. Front porch, screened-in back porch, and ground-level patio, all with wonderful views of the community and the woods. Please contact Melinda Darer: (845) 304-5616

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

August Activities at VHC

Saturday, August 8, 6pm. Community Meal

Thursday, August 13, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, August 16, 4pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Sunday, August 16, 5pm. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Saturday, August 22, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, August 23, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Thursday, August 27, 6pm. Community Meal

Dear friends,

June was an eventful month at VHC! We were first visited by a polite young black bear who, much to everyone’s relief, showed no interest in our trash sheds, compost bins, or bird feeders. Later in the month, we welcomed the Parlour Jazz band as part of their local tour, and a swingin’ time was had by all. The biggest excitement of all, however, was the arrival of our newest—and tiniest—neighbor, who is so new that her name has not yet been publicly announced.

With her arrival, VHC’s age range now spans from just one week old to eighty-something years young. Moments like these are a wonderful reminder that our community is truly multigenerational.

We welcome all kinds of visitors (not just bears, jazz bands, and newborns), so feel free to stop by for a meal, tour, or workday. Just email info@ villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP first. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $5-$12 per person). 

*House for Rent* A spacious bright VHC unit is available for rent Dec 2026 – March 2027.  2+ bedrooms, 3 baths. Front porch, screened-in back porch, and ground-level patio, all with wonderful views of the community and the woods. Please contact Melinda Darer: (845) 304-5616.

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

July Activities at VHC

Thursday, July 2, 6pm. Community Meal

Saturday, July 4, 5:30pm. BBQ Potluck

Saturday, July 11, 6pm. Community Meal

Thursday, July 16, 6pm. Potluck

Sunday, July 19, 10:30am. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Sunday, July 19, 12pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Saturday, July 18, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day

Saturday, July 25, 6pm. Community Meal

Dear friends,

Some at VHC are excited about the produce in the gardens; others are excited about the reopening of the tiki bar. June is always a fun time around here, as we make use of our beautiful grounds to grow food and beautiful native plants. Hummingbirds and other migratory birds make their way back. We play badminton and light up the grill for BBQs. Members, young and old, gather for work and play and always find time to help a neighbor with rides, meals, repairs, or knowledge-sharing.

Come see for yourself at a meal, tour, or work day in June, by emailing info@villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $5-$12 per person). 

*Home for Sale*: There is a three-bedroom house available in Pathways Cohousing in Northampton. Click here for details about the house and Pathways. The owners, Dave and Hazel, will be holding Open Houses on June 25th and 27th. If you are interested, please contact them directly at pathways006@gmail.com or (413) 225-1544.

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

June Activities at VHC

Thursday, June 4, 6pm. Community Meal

Saturday, June 13, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, June 14, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Thursday, June 18, 7-8:30pm. Parlour Noir – swing music performance with swing dance instruction 30 minutes before the show. RSVP required and $10-20 suggested donation.

Saturday, June 20, 10:30am. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Saturday, June 20, 12pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Saturday, June 27, 6pm. Community Meal

Dear friends,

Growing and gardening season is kicking into gear here at VHC, with members signing up to adopt plant beds to maintain, portions of grass to mow, etc. The warmer weather has brought a return of the lawn games and friendly games of ping pong and foosball. 

In April, some members gave a workshop on parenting in cohousing, and they’d be happy to chat with any other parents about their experiences at VHC. Later this month, we are looking forward to hosting a tour of local architecture students. And if you happen to be nearby May 3rd, there will be a pancake breakfast for all neighbors of the greater Village Hill area.

If you’d like to join us for a meal, tour, or work day in May, email info@villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP. May’s Work Day will feature a deep cleaning of the Common House in the morning and plenty of outdoor tasks in the afternoon. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $5-$12 per person). 

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

May Activities at VHC

Saturday, May 9, 6pm. Potluck

Saturday, May 16, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Saturday, May 16, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, May 17, 4pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Sunday, May 17, 5pm. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Saturday, May 23, 6pm. Community Meal

Thursday, May 28, 6pm. Community Meal

Dear Friends,

What a difference a few weeks can make! Mount Snow is officially gone and the trees are budding. Migrating birds are returning and so are the sounds of neighbors at work caring for our grounds. 

While we say “No!” to wannabe kings, we say a collective “Yes!” to gathering for good food, neighborhood walks, and a game of foosball.

If you’d like to join us for a meal, tour, or work day in April, email info@villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $4-$8 per person). 

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

April Activities at VHC

Thursday, April 2, 6pm. Community Meal

Saturday, April 11, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Saturday, April 11, 6pm. Potluck

Saturday, April 18, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, April 19, 10:30am. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Sunday, April 19, 12pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Dear friends,
The days are stretching longer, the snow is finally melting, and spring is beginning to stir at VHC. As always, life here is full of shared meals, shared work, and the satisfying rhythm of getting things done together.

One big recent milestone: after lots of research, budgeting, and coordination, we now have a brand-new electric commercial stove in our Common House kitchen. We’re delighted to start breaking it in, and if you join us for a meal in March, you’ll be among the first to enjoy the results.

This month, we’re also preparing for our community retreat, where we’ll explore proposals for how to focus our energy and finances in the months ahead. It’s a chance to put sociocracy into practice—coming together, listening carefully, and making thoughtful decisions as a community.

If you’d like to join us for a meal, tour, or work day, email info@villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $4-$8 per person).

Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

March Activities at VHC

Thursday, March 5, 6pm. Community Meal

Saturday, March 14, 6pm. Potluck

Thursday, March 19, 6pm. Community Meal

Saturday, March 21, 10:30am. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Saturday, March 21, 12pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Sunday, March 22, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Dear friends,

Well, we hope all of you who were in the path of the giant snowstorm were able to stay warm and get yourselves shoveled out. Here at VHC, as with most things, it was a community effort. As the saying goes, “Many hands make light work.”

As some members hibernated, headed to warmer climes, or threw themselves into political action, the work of the community carried on. Research continued around accessing the common house basement and improving affordability of units at VHC. And, coming soon, a new electric stove and EV chargers!  

If you’d like to join us for a meal, tour, or work day, email info@villagehillcohousing.org to RSVP. If you’ll be coming to a meal, we ask that you RSVP at least 3 days in advance (meals cost $4-$8 per person). Mary, Sue, Julie, Mariel, Lisa
(Outreach and Orientation circle)

February Activities at VHC

Thursday, February 7, 6pm. Community Meal

Friday, February 13, 7pm. Dance Party

Saturday, February 14, 6pm. Community Meal

Sunday, February 15, 4pm. Visitors Tour. RSVP at info@villagehillcohousing.org

Sunday, February 15, 5pm. Monthly Members’ Meeting. Hybrid. (Zoom link available)

Thursday, February 19, 6pm. Potluck

Saturday, February 21, 9am-4pm. VHC Work Day 

Saturday, February 28, 6pm. Community Meal

On Saturday, May 4th, cohousing communities around the US will open their doors to prospective members. Village Hill Cohousing is joining in on the fun! 

Stop by VHC from 1-2 and 2-3 for a tour, information session, and a chance to talk and break bread with members.  We’ll be serving homemade daal at 3pm in our spacious Common House dining room.

May 4, 2024 | 117 Olander Dr. Northampton, MA 1-3 PM
Email info@villagehillcohousing.org to sign up and for more information.