A Fond Farewell - Goodbye to the Glaskys
Margaret Magnus
By Margaret Magnus
Avatar Meher Baba's birthday on February 25, 2018, was the first public event and visitor open day at Meher Mount since the Thomas Fire on December 4, 2017. It was a fitting occasion to honor Meher Baba's Advent and to say farewell to Manager/Caretakers Buzz and Ginger Glasky. They have lovingly cared for Meher Mount for the past four-and-one-half years.
BUZZ & GINGER GLASKY just hanging out in front of Gavin Arthur's cabin at the Oceano Depot after they evacuated from the Thomas Fire at Meher Mount. Avatar Meher Baba slept in this cabin on December 26, 1934. (Photo: Posted on Facebook, December 11, 2017, by Ela Chi)
Buzz and Ginger had told the Board of Directors in August 2017 that they would be leaving on February 15, 2018. The Board then moved forward to recruit new Manager/Caretakers feeling that there was sufficient time to find their replacement before the Glaskys' departure date.
The Thomas Fire Hastens Their Departure
Then the Thomas Fire struck on December 4, 2017. It suddenly became clear why new caretakers had not been situated at Meher Mount, nor were even planning to move to Meher Mount in February. The new caretakers would have been homeless while efforts were made to restore water, telephone service, full electricity, and heat.
Buzz and Ginger, on the other hand, had safely evacuated in the Airstream trailer they had purchased for the next phase of their life. They moved north to Oceano, CA. It was sufficiently far away from the flames and smoke of the Thomas Fire and its aftermath.
Oceano had the added bonus of being a place where Avatar Meher Baba visited in 1934 when he traveled to see the alternative community known as the Dunites.
Oceano also is close enough to Meher Mount so that Buzz and Ginger were able to continue their care taking role and be an integral part of Meher Mount's fire recovery activities all through December, January and February.
OCEANO DUNES at the backdoor of Buzz and Ginger Glaksy's Airstream trailer. (Photo: Posted on Facebook, February 17, 2018, by Ela Chi)
February 15th — The Last Official Day
When February 15 finally came, Buzz and Ginger turned in their keys and posted their farewell on Facebook. The response was immediate and heartfelt.
"We will miss you, Buzz and Ginger. Your presence at Meher Mount was like a prism for the love and light of Meher Baba to shine rainbows on all who were there. We love you and carry you in our hearts." - RT
"We wish you a Baba-filled journey. You both will be missed and yet I think Baba has connected our hearts forever. Happy Trails to you until we meet again." - TL
"I've placed a tracking device in your Airstream. Just so you know. We will all miss your loving presence at our beloved Meher Mount. It's about Baba, but we love you too!" - MK
"Couldn't be happier to have met and grown to love you two. We will miss you both big time! Happy trails!" - RM
"I’m so glad you were both the first caretakers I met up at Meher Mount and some of the first Baba lovers I met, too. I hope our paths cross again soon." - AH
"Wishing you both lots of love and fun adventures in your new life! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! " - TM
"Thank you both, Ginger and Buzz, for your caring for dear Meher Mount. I hope your forthcoming life is wonderful and exciting. Bon voyage and a hearty Jai Beloved Baba." - DWM
February 25th Farewell
Friends gathered at Meher Mount on February 25 for a "final" goodbye. There were hugs, tears, cake, and more hugs. There were last-minute conversations, invitations to dinner before they leave the area on March 10, 2018, and more goodbyes.
The Glaskys' next stop is Taos, NM. In May, they are scheduled for a timber framing class with the Yestermorrow Design/Build School, a 38-acre campus in Waitsfield, VT.
A GROUP PHOTO after arti on Baba's Birthday at Meher Mount. (Left to right, standing) Kristina Somma, Cassandra Bramucci, Robert Turnage, Erin Sommerville, Candy Bloeme, Buzz Glasky, Ginger Glasky, Maureen Lehman, Marta Flores, Nigel Sampson, Jim Whitson, James Whedon, Sam Ervin, Fernando Escobar, Rachael. (Left to right, kneeling) Mai Abe, Solomon and Mark Bonnlander, Tim Hurley. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, February 25, 2018)