40 Years and Five Generations of Scrabble
The photo here shows the contents of a Scrabble set my mom owned. I gained possession of it after she passed away a couple of years ago. Sometime last year I was taking early steps to organize for an eventual move to the Rachel Carson Ecovillage and decided to open the game to see if any treasures could be inside. Indeed there were!
At first glance, the score sheets might appear eligible for the recycling bin. A quick zoom into the top page, however, shows that the scores were actually being kept on the back of a calendar. It was common for my maternal grandmother to reuse the back of old calendars as scratch paper. An even closer look reveals that the calendar being used here is from December 1969!
This simple discovery brought back memories and highlighted the enduring value of play in building community and relationships. Game play has always been a source of strength, fostering bonds both at home and in the communities I’ve helped build. It brings people together, encourages interaction, and creates shared experiences that form the backbone of lasting relationships.
I look forward to bringing this spirit of play and connection to Rachel Carson Ecovillage. As we gather around games like Scrabble, we will not only enjoy the fun but also strengthen our community, one word at a time.
– Kelly Leonard, Founding member and future resident of RCE, June 17, 2024