Good day, Rotarians! And it is a good day here in the Valley. Since I last wrote, days have ticked by, MRV Rotary held a successful Rise Against Hunger event packing 14,000 meal bags in 2 hours; a handful of generous folks gave of their time to repair the Welcome to the Valley sign on Rt. 100 and the membership team along with Rotary women organized a successful "Get to Know rotary" event at Emily's Bar and Bistro. Then I took a look at the calendar and realized, once again, that I was late getting this newsletter out! Where do the days go!!??
An important reminder regarding our upcoming meeting schedule.... Please pay attention to the email reminders and updates as there are a few changes for the summer months with days of the week and locations.
Thanks to Doug Stoehr for organizing what was a wonderful lunch meeting and event at Lawson's Finest Liquids. I don't know exactly what the number was but I believe we sold out! It was really energizing to see so many folks who for various reasons have not been present lately along with some potential new members. Food was delicious, beverages clearly were an incentive and Sean Lawson's presentation on the beer and craft beer industry was really interesting! A small number of us stuck around for Sean's tour of the Brewery. Photos below.
At the recent Board meeting, the Board members approved a $1,000 grant request for the Flight Experience for Youth. The grant will allow for the expansion of their camp programs and scholarships for youth.
Also at the Board meeting, Bob Holden announced three scholarship winners: Ciera Fiascetti, Kathryn Cox, and Iyah Kele Lamvit. Thank you, Bob and Karen Winchell for your work on this. I suspect that we will be hearing from the recipients at some point at a meeting.
I have noticed a few Rotary snowbirds back in the Valley now. Welcome back! We missed you! If you are wondering how you can jump in and contribute, there is always room to help by being a Greeter or delivering food to the Community Pantry. You can sign up for either of those by clicking on this link https://www.mrvrotary.org/page/members-only.
Jane Macan has been busy (when is Jane NOT busy??!!) organizing the von Trapp garden tours fund raiser. See the story about that below and how you can help.
Kim Olds has been busy (Kim is another very busy bee!) getting the Labor Day weekend Duck Race fundraiser off the ground. She has a team pulled together and I apologize but not knowing exactly who is on that team, I am holding off on listing names. Thank you, Kim! I believe I saw some email about this recently so hopefully you are all doing a better job paying attention that I am. 😜
OPEN GARDEN DAYS-June 11, 2023, for immediate release
Tobi and Sally von Trapp and the Mad River Valley Rotary club are collaborating on the 2023 Open Garden Days. The von Trapp’s display garden will be open to visitors this summer on five Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00-4:00, July 7+8, 21+22, August 4+5, 18+19 and September 1+2.
For over four decades, the von Trapps’ greenhouses were the go-to place in the Valley for hanging baskets, day lilies, agapanthus and so much. They retired and have turned the greenhouses over to their daughter Emily who now keeps the Valley in tulips and bouquets from early February. They have continued to maintain their display garden.
In 1992 Tobi began preparing the site for the large display garden behind the greenhouses. For four years he planted and tilled in cover crops of buckwheat, sunflowers and winter rye. In 1996 he designed the beds on the eastern half of the site and built a pergola across the eastern end. Ten years later he prepared the beds on the western side and fashioned a fountain and pool using large rocks from the property. Now on Open Garden Days, visitors enjoy viewing the beauty of the garden in its magnificent mountain setting.
The local Rotary club runs a variety of fundraising efforts, the Duck Race, The Restaurant Raffle and a sponsorship program and returns the money raised to the community through grants. Last year Rotary collaborated by enlisting volunteers to greet visitors over four weekends, welcoming more than 1600 enthusiasts in 2022.
Tickets will be available only at the “door”, $10.00, cash or check, $10.50 charge. Children under 18 are free. No pets allowed. If you would like to volunteer for helping greet visitors, please contact The Rotary.
Sean Lawson of Lawson's Finest Liquids speaking at our recent lunch meeting.
The Welcome to the Valley sign was repaired recently. From left to right: Dave Koepele, Al Barillaro, Norm Rainville, Mike Bridgewater and Bruce Shulman. Missing from the photo but who also helped are: Gary Plewak and Gordon Hoare. thank you all!
I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming meetings - one of which is this coming Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Toast and Eggs Tent.
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