Freestone Property

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE NEWLY-FORMING FREESTONE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Dear UUCB members,
On March 26th, the congregation approved Board Resolution 22-1, thereby authorizing and launching the future development of UUCB’s Freestone property in Sonoma County.
As a first step in this launch, the Board will establish the Freestone Oversight Committee (FOC) and is requesting nominations.
The new committee’s responsibilities are to
  • administer the direction of the congregation as expressed in the Resolution, which includes supervising and coordinating the work to meet the guidelines of the Resolution
  • be accountable in fulfilling its purpose to the Board of Trustees, which has the authority to direct the committee’s actions within the parameters of the Resolution
  • be inclusive of members holding a broad range of points of view regarding Freestone; the purpose of the FOC is to keep the work on Freestone in alignment with UUCB’s mission and goals
The committee will be composed, at a minimum, of
  • three members nominated by the Freestone Committee
  • one current or former member of the Stewardship Committee
  • at least one other congregant or Board Member
It is anticipated that the committee will meet at least once per month, with day and time to be decided at a later date.  Additional information regarding the scope of the FOC can be found in these documents.
Please send your nominations to president@uucb.com by April 28. You may nominate yourself or another congregant.
In Beloved Community,
Helen Tinsley-Jones and Pier Sun Ho
Co-Presidents, Board of Trustees

Description of the property:

A forty-foot geodesic dome, stained in an earthen-redwood color, sits atop one of the rolling hills in Sonoma County. Pines, Douglas firs, oaks and madrones creep up the nearby slopes, yet from its westward-facing deck, a panoramic view greets the eyes: gentle hills and valleys stretching to the horizon, a lone “mountain” rising in the distance. The peaceful nature – the space – of the surroundings, and the space within the dome lend themselves to the repose and quietude for a spiritual as well as a physical retreat.

For more active days during your stay, potential excursions abound. The property is located three miles from the village of Freestone, six miles from central Sebastopol, eight from Occidental, and thirteen from Bodega Bay.

Within the dome, a free-standing, glass-encircled, wood-burning fireplace with its towering chimney serves to take the chill off on cool days. Large picture windows on three sides frame spectacular views; and at the east curve of the dome, a double counter marks off space for the McDaniels memorial kitchen. Three sets of pine trestle tables and benches, and four couches with removable foam seat and back cushions – all designed and built by members of the Freestone Committee over the years – complement the rural setting. Outside, under the nearest of several 200-year-old valley oak trees, is a barbecue pit. There is also a fenced platform that has been used for weddings and tent camping. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms (one with a shower) adjoin the domed great room. Each bedroom can sleep two or more persons; with the couches and foam sleeping pads in the dome itself, a maximum of 16 persons can be accommodated overnight. A well, drilled in 1992, provides a plentiful supply of clear, fresh water. In order to help maintain the serenity of the surroundings, there is no television service. Cell phone reception is good.

See a 12-minute video of the construction of the Freestone Dome by volunteers in the 1970s.

For more information, to arrange a daytime visit, or to join the Freestone Committee, contact Dave Wemmer.