Spirits

[close] This group looks at all the things that happen in our world that show us that there is more to our lives than physical reality. We also live in soul reality. We know when someone is staring at us. Some of us remember previous lives. Shamanic work can heal when Western medicine can't. Many of us have seen ghosts and angels. All of these things mean that there is more to our lives than the physical. This is not a religious group. Belief is not the focus. We welcome religious and non-religious people who are here to share books and conversation about experiences that show we all have souls.

[close] Built in 1908 for the "feeble minded and epileptics," the Eastern New York State Custodial Asylum was eventually renamed to Letchworth Village Home for the Feeble Minded and Epileptics after William Pryor Letchworth, a philanthropist. The facility was meant to be a departure from normal hospitals of the time and instead chose to symbolize a "village" structure. One story cottages dotted the landscape instead of a few massive hulking structures, due to the idea that a homelike institution and human contact would provide a better healing setting. These ideals caused much controversy at the time. Patients were separated by sex, and then separated again into three groups, never to mix contact: young and improvable, middle aged and industrious, and infirm and helpless. Education, training and vocational instruction were provided, and farm acreage was worked by the residents to raise food for the institution. The institution was constantly plagued by overcrowding due to its revolutionary treatment ideals and popularity. But it turns out that it was a place of Darkness. If you were born there, you lived your entire life there. If you were admitted there, you never left...Neither did your spirit.

[close] Dedicated to discussion of books about booze, spirits, beer, wine, cocktails, ingredient development, bar technique, and so on.

[close] A place to discuss all the unique aspects of Deaf culture as highlighted in the thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) by Lance & James Morcan. This group can also be an intersection of sorts where Deaf and hearing people can engage and learn from each other.