Our Members

Joel B.

I’m a self-employed (but retired) Architect, with a type A personality, workaholic, productive. I live with Margo, my wife, as well as a housemate.

Back in 1999, Margo and I were invited to participate in an elder initiative using Cohousing as a model. After a soul-searching retreat with Margo, we decided to dive in. The national Cohousing Conference was in Amherst, home of my alma mater - I was hooked, and stayed for the professional day following the inspirational communities conference.

I’ve been involved with this community since its inception in 1999. After all these years of work, I hope to build before I'm too old to enjoy it!

My hobbies include playing oboe, spiritual scientific research, scrabble, tennis, and hiking, along with contracting.

Steve W.

I found out about cohousing and ecovillages when visiting the EcoVillage at Ithaca in 1996. I’ve been involved with this community for six years (actively since 2016).

My current occupation is editor of Green Horizon Magazine, and I’m an investor in Altair EcoVillage. I hope the Altair community will foster social change toward green communitarian living.

I live with my wife: Laura, daughter: Nicole, grandchildren: Sarina, Little Laura, and Davey. My hobbies include writing, yoga, biking, listening to nature.

Rodney P.

I’m a cofounder of the local Transition Town movement in PVL. I am a tile setter by trade. I live with my dog Tux.

I heard about Altair when I joined the local board of Phoenixville Area Time Bank and have been peripherally involved for about 8 years.

My hope for Altair is that it will offer a reliable group of buddies and an “inner” community circle at home. I welcome people's differences. A healthy community should have many voices.

I’m interested in being a FUNN GUY (and fungi too)! I love to kayak, sled, watch films, and create forums at the Colonial Theatre. I love to cook (I’m professionally trained) – a kitchen enthusiast.

Fern W.

The main thread throughout my life has been whole foods. Growing up in rural South Central PA, my siblings and I ate what the locals farmers brought us. Along with raising my son, food continued to be the focal point of my life for many years when I operated my restaurant and catering business. And even for the past couple of decades, my focus has been and still is on whole foods and their health benefits. Last year, my original trip to Kimberton was to check out the Whole Foods store. While pursuing another interest of mine, that of cohousing, I had read about Altair EcoVillage for years in the intentional community directory. I returned for a site tour, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have been plugged into the Altair community ever since and am looking forward to fulfilling another dream – that of living lighter on the Earth in an environmentally friendly, interdependent neighborhood. In this community, I hope to continue to pursue my other interests like hiking, pottery, bicycling, cooking, reading, hanging out, and being in collaboration with others.

Margo K.

My husband Joel Bartlett and I live in Kimberton, at the gateway to the Altair site. I’ve worked in Waldorf administration and have served several non-profits. I'm an amateur musician and lover of crafts.

I've lived in intentional communities on and off in my life, and heard about cohousing 35 years ago in New Hampshire. I’ve been involved with this community since 1999. I hope we can build an ecovillage that will be a model for the region, to help turn the tide of over-consumption and reduce the potential effects of peak oil, climate destruction, and economic instability.

My hobbies include knitting and playing lyre, piano, and oboe.

Sue W.

I’m retired from a career in software development. At present I live in Kimberton with four housemates. I enjoy bicycling, gardening, internet games, puzzles and crafts.

I visited Findhorn in 2003 and then found Altair on cohousing.org in 2006. My hope is to get the project built, and then being able to hang out with friends and not have to drive everywhere.

Dave B.

I live in rural Montgomery County, in a one-room schoolhouse on a stream. I’m retired, with a math and physics background from nearby Albright College. I do repair work on household items for individuals, neighbors, and friends.

Meg D.

In my search for an active, healthy 55+ community that fosters support and cooperation among neighbors, I discovered Altair Eco-Village. I joined as a member in early 2025. I am retired after a career in Sales and Marketing in the radio industry. I am single, live alone, and I have two adult children and a large extended family living nearby. As a current resident of Phoenixville, I love the planned location of Altair in nearby Kimberton. Kimberton offers the ideal blend of rural beauty with proximity to arts, dining, events, and culture in both Phoenixville and Philadelphia. 

I have a love of games and activities that bring people together for fun, collaboration, and competition including bridge, pinochle, canasta, jigsaw puzzles. Other interests and hobbies include theatre, Meals-On-Wheels volunteering, travel, book-clubs, and walking. I look forward to building friendships and enjoying life with my Altair neighbors.

John P.

My late wife and I learned about Cohousing through Joel and Margo “way back when,” and have been involved in the initiative almost 20 years! My hope for Altair is to develop a sustainable community!

“I taught science at University of Kentucky, then worked at Fox Chase Cancer Research for 25 years. I enjoy community gardening, reading science fiction and technical stuff, antique business.”

I’m involved in the Charlestown and Phoenixville Historical Societies. I am dedicated to community and enjoy being with people.

Kelly R.

Hello! I'm Kelly (she/her; ze/zyr). I'm passionate about real estate, board games, ferrets and VR rhythm games (for fitness and fun). I'm an introvert, a semi-vegetarian and an out-of-box thinker. I prefer unconventional relationships and I love meeting people who aren't afraid to be themselves! Hablo un poco de español.

I'm one of the youngest Altair members, but I feel like I'm ahead of the curve (of life) by about 10 years anyway. I got married and had my daughter young. I was divorced by 30 and an empty nester before I hit 40. I'm hoping to retire young, but we'll see! I have a diverse group of friends and get along with people of all ages.

I fell in love with real estate in 2010 and bought my first home on my own, a triplex, to live in with my daughter. I've been wanting to start a cohousing community for many years. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized how much work is involved! I love having my own space, but I've realized that I need to be part of a community sooner than later, so I decided to learn more about Altair. I met with Margo and Joel and toured the land. Afterwards, I was actually a bit sad... because I knew deep down that I would be moving away from my friends. However, it's close enough (about an hour) that I will still be able to enjoy my current relationships! I'm thrilled for this next chapter in life and I am very much enjoying getting to know everyone!