When I was a child my parents would take us kids up to Vero Beach to visit their friends Doris & Harry. The Petersons were snow birds that would escape the Chicago winters by migrating to Florida after the leaves turned. They had quite a nice little setup in the Sunshine State that by today's standards would be considered a green community. All the residents of this eco-village rode around in electric vehicles, there were plenty of activities within walking distance, all the homes were single level yet there was high density, and the structure of all these homes were made of recyclable materials. This is the future we are striving for today and these pioneers of green had already achieved it in 1976 down in Vero Beach, Florida.

If you're laughing you probably already know the punchline, but you also know I'm telling the absolute truth. Or, considering the habits of our dear friends, I should say Absolut truth. The morning visits always started with a little hair of the dog for the grownups and some apple pie for my sister and me.

For those of you wondering where this hippie commune is and whatever became of it I hate to disappoint you but it was a campground. Doris & Harry had a motorhome, a classic Georgie Boy Cruise Air, they would keep in Florida as their vacation home. They'd put the RV and golf cart in storage when they went back up north thus keeping their expenses low. The campground catered to snowbirds and had a clubhouse with pool and exercise facility, multi-purpose room for parties and games of bridge, as well as a convenience store. Not every daily need was within the commune, but there was enough. What happens in places like these is that a support network forms and as part time residents become permanent residents they support and help each other. There would be scheduled shopping trips and outings for those who needed assistance.

The RVs were made of aluminum or wood frame with aluminum siding. Fiberglass wasn't as prevalent back then. The steel chassis could also be reclaimed and you could always sell your wheels and axles. I seriously doubt the carpet or cabinetry was made of recyclable materials, but they had a pretty good head start on the rest of us. Everybody had a car but preferred to ride around in their golf carts. They were more fun and granted the right-of-way as a courtesy, not because of bylaw. This was clean living.

The materials and technologies have not gone away. The planning techniques and marketing strategies are still valid. If anything there have been marked improvements in all the thinking that afforded Doris & Harry a relaxing, active, and luxurious lifestyle. Their campsite was just a scaled down sideyard lot, their porch was a screen room, their town center was the clubhouse.

Today we're told that manufactured housing will lead to sustainable homes at affordable prices.
It already has.

Today we're told that battery powered vehicles will be used for short trips close to home.
They certainly did.

Today we're told that walkable communities are the wave of the future.
They certainly were.

So let's raise a glass, preferably a Bloody Mary, and toast these pioneers of green.

I miss Doris & Harry, may they rest in peace.