Writing/Journaling RetreatGrieving: Shadows & SunlightExploring Grief Through Creative Writing, Visual Art and Connectionhosted by Lisa M. Bolt Simons and Joleen EmeryJune 5-8, 2025

FAQs

• What if I attended a previous retreat? Will this one be different?
  Yes! The format will be similar but the activities will be different. Please come back — we would love to see you again!
• Can I bring my significant other at a discounted price?
  Yes — if he or she is just “tagging along” and is only here for the room and board (sans programming), we offer a discounted price to cover room and board, but not programming. Please contact me to arrange this!
• What kind of meals do you serve?
  All of the meals and snacks are made in our commercial kitchen at Big Raven Farm. Both Darin and Joleen hold culinary certifications: Darin spent a year in Bangkok training with chef Danielle Kattan, and Joleen has earned a Baking Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America—Hyde Park, New York. (That’s right — Joleen was trained by the CIA.) We don’t serve soda but we do make sure that water, coffee, brewed iced tea and sugar-free Arnold Palmers are available all day long. To give you more of an idea of what to expect, check out the “Meals” section, above. You will have a happy belly — the food is nummy!
• Can I use your kitchen to prepare my own meals?
  You can store items in our fridge, but our lawyer and insurance agent both say no, you cannot wield knives or fire up the stove. We do, however, have a guest pantry with microwave just off the kitchen that is stocked with snacks and a full cookie jar — please help yourself! Joleen’s most requested and loved ginger snaps are usually found lurking in there.
• What if I need special meals?
  There will be a follow-up email sent to you that contains driving directions and details about retreat logistics. If you need vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, or gluten-free options, please reply to that email and let us know! If you have menu requirements different from those posted here, just talk to Joleen — she’s really nice and loves to help!
• Can we talk about your coffee?
  This is a great question. In fact, a really important question! In our commercial Bunn coffee maker we brew and serve locally sourced and roasted coffee. This tasty option IS included with your registration. We also serve espresso and lattes, but these options are NOT included with your registration. Our fancy coffee bar beverages have an additional fee (but you can run a tab and we’ll settle up at the end of your time with us!)
• Can you tell me more about Big Raven Farm?
  Big Raven Farm is a fully functional bed & breakfast with a retreat center, yoga studio, print shop, gift shop, nature trail, summer house, and outbuildings. It is owned and operated by Joleen Emery & Darin Warling, who live on and manage the property full-time.
• Does the Farm have common spaces and places to hang out besides guest bedrooms?
  Absolutely!! We have a beautiful “great room” with couches and chairs, a dining veranda with tables & chairs, patios off the front of the house, and the yoga studio has a huge wrap-around porch with incredible views of our valley! There are lots and lots of places to settle in and enjoy the serenity of the farm.
• Do you serve alcohol?
  No — we are a coffee, tea, lemonade, iced tea, Arnold Palmer kinda joint.
• Can I bring my pet?
  Our home belongs to the pets we already have… chickens and our family dog, Auggie.
• Wait, is this your family home?
  Yes! We have our own personal bedrooms and living spaces, so you can’t shake us — we are ALWAYS here!
• Are there TVs in the rooms?
  No, but we have excellent wifi if you want to stream from your electronic devices. (Plus, we often do a big-screen movie night during retreats if people are in the mood.)
• What’s your refund policy?
  We’re sorry we don’t offer refunds for live events. This policy gets us out of the sticky business of deciding what’s a good reason versus what isn’t. However, if you absolutely cannot make it, we may be able to accommodate you at a future event at no additional cost!
• What’s your weather policy?
  Like the postal service, we deliver regardless of snow or rain or heat or gloom of night. We wish we could provide refunds due to inclement weather, but so much of the work that goes into our events occurs before the event even begins — cooking, cleaning, linens, setup, prep, etc., and most of it — especially the cooking and meal prep — simply won’t carry over to the next event. If you truly cannot attend because of weather, please contact us and we can hopefully slot you into a future event!
• Will I Be Safe Here?
  Yes. This is a safe space. As to where we stand on the political spectrum…well, let’s just say that we here at Big Raven Farm believe in science, education, and equality for all. We are adamantly opposed to discrimination and bigotry in all its forms.