Written by Dr. Victoria Patterson

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks so not wanting to be an elderly pup, I decided to take a class on narrative theater at Mendocino College! I didn’t have much acting experience but the opportunity to work with consummate actors Kate Magruder and Ellen Weed was enough for me to take a chance. Also the topic of the class “Promise of Paradise”, was compelling as it focused on the back to the land movement of the 1970’s here in Mendocino County, a period that I participated in. The class involved weekly writing assignments that focused on our personal experiences in first coming to Mendocino County, then on what kept us here and finally, our thoughts on the future. It culminated in four public performances in the theater at the College which students from my classes at DVGS were able to attend.

Our college group of 14 students, all of us but one ranging in age from our 60’s to 80’s, came to California and to Mendocino County from all over the world. I was born in New York City and others came from as far away as France and as close as Berkeley. What drew us to the country varied from leaving stifling families to escaping big city violence. We were all looking for a different kind of life- one based on cooperation, kindness, independence and a DIY attitude. Once here, our paths diverged. Some developed homesteads building their own houses and growing their own food. Others found creativity in art, theater and community projects. Some of us worked with challenging laws like the one that made it illegal to build your own house. Others shared the stories of the County’s original indigenous people. We were all idealistic and had the youthful energy to follow our dreams.

Many programs that we created still exist. SPACE and Ukiah Players Theater were two of the projects that are still around today. We won the right to build our homes through the passage of the Class K building code. Those of us who became teachers passed on our experience and ideals to younger generations. And while the world at this moment seems ugly with war and uncertainty, we remember our past and are filled with a sliver of hope because we know how different life can be.