Celebrating New Beginnings
The Stories That Connect Us

July 20, 2008

On Sunday, July 20, 2008, the Academy held a celebration and ceremony to acknowledge the groundbreaking for our new building. It had been approximately three and a half years since the groundbreaking for the Seton Castle Restoration Project and two years eight months since Seton Castle burned down. A great deal of work by many people has brought us to this point of readiness to build again. We felt it was time for a celebration for all who have befriended the Academy over these years. Our theme was The Stories that Connect Us.

Making the Banner of Hopes and Dreams

Ashly at work on the banner

There were many activities woven into the celebration. David Gordon and Chrissie Orr led children and adults in creation of a banner representing hopes and dreams for the Academy’s future on this beautiful land. Sol y Luna Classical Guitar Duo, Petra and Tito Rios, provided exquisite music. Emily Stern’s Healing Table catered the event with delicious, organic food.

Petra and Tito Rios, Sol y Luna Classical Guitar Duo

Naomi C. Rose and Ramona King offered mesmerizing traditional stories from Tibet and Africa. The stories were told in an intimate and magical tent, and both children and adults were carried to faraway lands through wit, rhythm, song and imagination.

Naomi C. Rose telling a Tibetan story

Ramona King shares an African tale

At noon we gathered in a large ceremonial circle. Academy founder, Aaron Stern, and core faculty member, Marianne Murray, led the group in a simple ceremony. Facing the remaining stone walls of Seton Castle, we bowed deeply in gratitude to all that has come before: all the people who have ever lived upon and loved this landscape; Ernest Thompson Seton, Dee and Dale Barber, and other Seton family and friends; and all that makes this such a magnificent place—trees, arroyos, birds, rocks, blue sky, mountains, animals and plants. Turning then toward the site of the new building, which is downhill and east of the old castle site, we bowed to the future, to what is coming toward us. This building is a new home for the Academy and it symbolizes many hopes and dreams for a meaningful future. Each person in our circle placed a flower in a basket in the center and spoke a word representing a hope for the future. And finally, the children’s banner with many drawings of visions for the future was unfurled.

Aaron and Marianne gathering the circle

We face the Castle site

We face the the new building site

Kaya Brannen places the first flower in the basket

Many thanks to our wonderful helpers! Atle and Kjell Olson, Rachel Franklin, Max Murphy, Zack Hall, and Ezra Sage served as parking attendants. Kaya Brannen was chief decorator and all-around support.

We, at the Academy, offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation to each person who participated in this event. We have all been touched by the love and support we have received from so many neighbors and friends over the years. And we hope that those who were unable to attend will join our celebration by viewing more images in our photo gallery below.

Creating the Banner