One of the joys of community life at Cobb Hill is spending time together sharing the many gifts that members bring. Such a Stephen with his home made sitar.
Community Fun
Movie Nights
What could be better than gathering in the Common House attic with some popcorn and a good movie? We project our movies onto an eight-foot screen mounted on the back wall, then arrange chairs and pillows to watch the evening’s selection. Our sound system is amazing and the movie depends on the mood of the organizer. Oftentimes in the fall we have a family outdoor movie night, projecting the film onto a large screen and sitting on blankets on the starry hillside to watch.
Swimming and Recreation
We are blessed to have a wonderful spring fed pond that refreshes us in the summer. Community kids helped to build the dock. Our neighbors love to use our pond as well for swimming and skating. Sweat lodges have utilized the cool cleansing of the pond water. This is a classic Vermont pond where people, dogs, salamanders, crayfish, dragon flies, and frogs frolic and find peace.
Art Exhibits
The visual arts allow us to experience the world through someone else’s eyes. We fill the walls of the Common House den with artwork created by children and adults, and invite the community to the exhibit’s opening. The amount of talent in our midst amazes us all.
CSA Harvest Days
Every fall, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members are invited to join farmers Stephen and Kerry and the community in a celebration of the bounty of the land. In the afternoon, people gather to learn about the 
farm and do work such as planting cover crops or pasture maintenance. There are tasks for all ages and skills, as well as a hay ride, homemade donuts, and apple cider. In the evening, luminaria light the way around the farm fields and there is a large potluck and an open mic to celebrate the successes of the growing season and to give thanks for the earth’s abundance. Last year we introduced a new tradition—cow patty bingo! Choose the spot on the field where the cow will poop and win a basket filled with farm goodies such as cheese, honey, and maple syrup!
Dances and Concerts
Several Cobb Hill members are avid folk dancers and musicians. They occasionally bring extraordinary musicians from around the world to perform—in concert, or as the backdrop to some rousing dances for all ages.
Music Jams
If you play an instrument, or even if you don’t, there is room for you at one of our music jams. These are held when the spirit moves people—often on a warm summer evening or cold winter afternoon. Neighbors and friends are always welcome and the music lasts as long as our energy does…
Book Discussions
Calling all book lovers! A small but dedicated group of residents meets once every six weeks to discuss our latest book selection. The discussions are always lively and the books range from to non-fiction
, easy reading to a good challenge. On occasion, we host play readings as well.
In the summer, we have a book club for kids. This is a great chance for the kids to read and discuss books.
Work Day
Once a month, community members join together to tend to our buildings, farm, and land: building maintenance and repair, wood moving, mucking the barns, digging thistles from pastures, clearing fence rows, landscaping, and dump runs. Why is this listed under “Cobb Hill Fun?” If you ask our community members, many of them will tell you that the work day is one 
of their favorite times of the month.
Work days offer an opportunity to spend time with others while accomplishing tasks and learning new skills. One or two people pull together a stone soup-type lunch and the group gathers to check off finished tasks, laugh about the morning’s escapades, and organize for the afternoon’s work list.
Work days are open to anyone who wants to help—children, neighbors, those exploring membership, visitors, and guests. Just bring some work gloves and sturdy shoes. Workdays are generally the last Saturday of the month from 9 AM until 4 PM.
Events and celebrations
To varying degrees, we love to celebrate. We celebrate various holidays of all traditions, major milestones, the land, the solstices, each other, and more. Some members feel there are too many events and celebrations; others that there aren’t enough. But we all agree that these are valued additions to our community and to life at Cobb Hill.
Community Art Projects
Jay Mead is known to lead a group of community members in a project or two involving art, expression, social and environmental issues, interactive storytelling and fantasy. Jay’s giant puppets can be seen in the 4th of July parade or wandering around the hillside. His shadow puppet shows are becoming known throughout the Upper Valley and beyond.
Open Mic
Open Mic is one of our favorite excuses to gather together in the Common House and entertain each other. Sometimes we gather for a reason (to celebrate the harvest or a community member with songs and skits) and sometimes simply because we are feeling the need for some music and laughter. Residents and neighbors of all ages join in, displaying talents from song-writing and singing to magic.
