by Dr. Jeffrey Ulrich, Professor of Classics, Rutgers University

My wife Allie and I had the wonderful pleasure in early June of coming to the Calder Classics location in Essex, MA for a scholarly writing retreat. We both had lofty goals of getting substantial work done on major writing projects – I on my forthcoming book, and Allie on some theory papers for her next level of certification in chaplaincy; and I cannot stress how magical and meaningful the experience was. Cindy and Jon welcomed us into their beautiful home which is on a nature reserve with a bird sanctuary and the back of which touches on the bay leading out to the Atlantic.

We would both wake early(ish) in the morning, make hefty mugs of coffee, and spend our mornings deep in thought and/or struggling through the writing process. The writing life requires a great deal of hemming and hawing, wondering if you’re up to the task, fighting with your superego, and then finally, throwing your hands up in resignation (or alternatively, fiendishly typing). Every day, after a few hours of drowning ourselves in thought and caffeine, we would meander out of the writing room in the basement and breakfast on the porch to listen to the birds singing. Again, we would struggle with writing for a few hours, broken up by hikes in the woods or long walks with Migo (the most charming canine mascot of Calder Classics). Evenings would be spent either relaxing with a nice meal and wine – often accompanied by lovely conversation with Cindy and Jon – or meeting other beneficiaries of Calder Classics’ initiatives, such as the Squash-Busters alums for whom Cindy and Jon hosted a dinner.

It was an amazing and productive writing retreat, where I finished a chapter for a volume and made substantial headway on revisions for a chapter of my book, and Allie also managed to accomplish all of her goals. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Thanks so much Cindy and Jon!