As the drone glides past gilded statues, in the background stand monuments to Apollo's fading glory: the sprawling terraced hillsides mostly stripped of grapevines and overgrown, a massive winery now barely used for its primary purpose (though still intended to serve as a bunker when the predicted-though-tardy nuclear holocaust finally arrives), and "The Theatron" amphitheater.
Since the early 70s, when members first presented him a gold coin, Robert Burton has been fond of shiny objects. He continues to surround himself in beauty. Luxurious accommodations, expensive automobiles, the finest clothes, jewels, art, lots of shimmering gold and crystal, gardens with fountains, and exotic palm trees. However, just beyond The Galleria (Burton's "parsonage") and its grounds, the landscape generations of followers labored to transform, increasingly lies in ruins. View the video.
9/5/17 note: The Theatron was recently given a makeover and put back into service for the 50th anniversary celebration of Robert Burton's first encounter with Alex Horn, September 5, 1967. Burton terms that event his meeting "Influence C." It has also been suggested the restoration was undertaken to reinstate a tax-exemption for the property.]
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
William Shakespeare
From The Tempest, Act 4 Scene 1
[ed. - One further reminder from The Fellowship of Friends Articles of Incorporation:]
VII
The Property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious purposes and no part of the net income or assets of the organization shall ever inure to the benefit, of any director, officer, or member thereof or to the benefit of any private persons.
Upon the dissolution or winding up of the corporation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts and liabilities of this corporation shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501(d) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
