In the Summer 1952 issue of World Events, Scott Nearing headlined his article “The Flying Saucer Mystery” ahead of Recent Events in Korea, Preparations for Collective Suicide and his acerbic dismissal of John Dewey upon that educator’s death: “He and Sigmund Freud did more than any other men in the present generation to perpetuate the... Read More

by Henry Zacchini – August 2020 At turn of the current century, my wife and I were Resident Stewards at the Good Life Center for a couple of years. As the present economic and political crisis has evolved, it has brought me back to one of the last crises in the US; namely the 911... Read More

by John Saltmarsh – July 2020 As our country once again confronts the racism so deeply embedded in American culture, perhaps this is a good time to revisit Scott Nearing’s writings on Black Americans and racism in the United States. What, if anything, do his writings lend to our understanding of Scott Nearing and of... Read More

by Greg Joly As Scott Nearing observed in his 1929 classic, Black America: “Consciousness of their racial inferiority is constantly forced upon the Negroes by a widespread system of discrimination and exclusion levied against them for no other ground than their skin color.” (163) Nearing refused to relegate Afro-Americans into the sociological catch-all labelled “social... Read More

In these times of self-isolation and social distancing, taking care of one’s own needs seems more appropriate than ever. Helen and Scott Nearing’s legacy of self-reliance, first documented in their book, The Good Life, can inspire us all. In a leading article in the April 2020 issue of Down East Magazine, Melissa Coleman reflects on... Read More

The Board of Directors of the Helen and Scott Nearing Good Life Center came to the difficult decision to close our 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are saddened that the Resident Stewards for the 2020 season Joe Lerro and Rachael Schmoker will not be able to join us. We were quite excited... Read More

Each year the Good Life Center offers a remarkable and unique opportunity for a responsible couple to live at Forest Farm, the historic homestead of Living the Good Life authors Helen and Scott Nearing. Forest Farm is located on the spectacular Cape Rosier Peninsula overlooking Penobscot Bay and the Camden Hills on the Maine coast. Public beaches,... Read More

Our Monday Night Meeting series continues with another great presentation on the important issues of our time with Mimi Sheller, author and professor at Drexel University, will discuss her 2 books: “Mobility Justice” and “Island Futures: Caribbean Survival in the Anthropocene”The doors open at 6:30, arrive early to walk the Good Life Center grounds and... Read More