Atmosphere:

The Oberlin Culinary Coop seeks to provide an atmosphere of relaxation and invitation. Just last week, a couple of free spirited young individuals happened accross the newly formed coop. A group of students were sitting outside laughing and talking, taking in the sun on the wide expanse of yard that the coop provides. The men seemed confused, one was carrying a mandolin. The students asked them to come sit with them. When they approached the group the two men made everyone aware that they were "traveling persons" and that they were on their way to a music festival in California, but all they had was their mandolin and the clothes on their back.

Being Oberlin students, the two "traveling persons" were quickly taken into the coop and offered some of the fine food being prepared for the day's meal. After a few hours of revelry, discussing music, their destination, and life on the road after dropping out of Hampshire College, the "traveling persons" told the students they must be on their way. One of them asked if the "traveling person" (pictured on the left) could play a song on the mandolin. He happily obliged, Oberlin students sitting crosslegged attentively as he played. Before playing, the folksy ex-student offerred a sincere heartfelt thanks for the kindness shown by members of the Culinary Coop. Not only was the community willing to take him in under their wing, they were also able to indulge his mandolin playing.

This story speaks to the heart of what the Culinary Coop is all about. Luckily we now have a record of that wonderful day; and the following serves as a monument to the principles by which Oberlin students, and especially the coop, live. The folk spirit of the past lives on at the Oberlin Culinary Coop.