and I both still work actively with Solar Cookers International, though no longer
on the Board. Eleanor does Solar Cooking demos once or twice a month
for the Anza Borrego State Park and for the Nature Center. With an
occasional good wild flower season we can get 10,000 visitors at the
Park Visitor Center, all needing camping, lodging, eating here in our
village of 2800 hardy souls. Both Eleanor and I are now emeriti so we
don't work the V C counter unless we wish to. That job mainly in Feb,
Mar, and April is to tell visitors where the bathrooms are and to be
sure to carry and drink water.
We see old friends and/or alumni every year and this is an open
invitation to those who would like to see the desert. Summers can be
115 avg so the other 3 seasons are nicer. We have a strawbale guest
house (first permitted in San Diego County) which will sleep 5 and can
be used as home base for desert explorations. With 1000 sq miles of Park
there is alot to see here. Our village has many activities for those
who don't hike. Our Jeep might be available for wanderers. We have a
lap pool and a spa, so manage to keep cool, or warm as needed and we can
enjoy our beautiful night skies. Recently designated as one of 10 best
stargazing sites in the USA.
I meet once a month with a group of the village "fathers" (and mothers)
called "the Sponsor Group", which is the City Council here. We okay all
developments etc before they go to the Board of Supervisors. So far the
Sups have not turned down our recommendations. Also I have the keys to a
local church which hosts our cancer support group meeting twice a month.
Our biggest effort once a month is scheduling, ordering and distributing
food in the Golden Share Project, available to all income levels. Half
of the local population is Hispanic so there is a great need in these
economic times for nutritious food for a reasonable cost. Borrego
Springs is the 5th largest delivery of 52 sites in the whole county of
San Diego.
It would be great to see you all at the reunion, but I do not like to
travel anymore. It is so comfortable to be here in paradise! We let
our 5 children and 6 grandchildren come to see us. And they do. Many
weeks of family company keep us all in tune. Our oldest grandson and
his bride have chosen Borrego for their wedding in October.
Memories of the "Covell experience" come frequently to mind and are
cherished as important mileposts of the last forty years of my life.
Being able to know and intermingle with the brightest and best of the
Interamerican college group was a challenge which helped me to grow
in understanding the need of the Western Hemisphere countries to trust
and respect each other as we seek to resolve common problems. I am
thankful that so many of you are out there doing what is good and right
for all.
Clark M. Shimeall
3272 Country Club Rd.
P.O. Box 1022
Borrego Springs, CA 92004