Good day, Rotarians! It was so nice to see many of you yesterday morning at our regular Wednesday breakfast meeting at Toast and Eggs. Particularly our new members, Judy Bowen, Dave Mackie and Howard Levin. And thank you to Howard for filling in as the speaker on short notice and entertaining us with his Intro speech. Sadly our scheduled speaker, Luke Rackers could not make it as he was directly affected by the devastating flooding in Montpelier. He will be rescheduled to August. In addition, it was good to see honorary member, Carol Brock, and her husband, Jasper, as they are here for a few months visiting from the Coral Gables, FL, Rotary.
An important reminder again 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. Thank you to Jane Macan for keeping us straight on these changes with her emails.
At the recent Board meeting, Board members approved a $1,000 grant request for the Mad River Seniors’ outing plans. Thank you to Roger Porter for managing these grant requests. We are grateful for speakers Joanne Fitzgerald and Dave Goldstein from the Mad River Senior Center who recently shared with us the goings on at the Center.
I am sad to report of the sudden passing of our friend Bob Holden recently. Bob gave so much energy and time to both Rotary and HUUSD. He was thoughtful and wise with his contributions at our Board meetings. A Memorial service will be held on August 5 at 2 p.m. at the Waterbury Methodist Church.
Volunteer opportunities abound right now. Being a Greeter at a meeting is always a great way to meet people. Delivering food for the Community Pantry takes very little time and is so appreciated. . You can sign up for either of those by clicking on this link https://www.mrvrotary.org/page/members-only.
Volunteers are needed to Sell Duck Race tickets late July and into August. Von Trapp Garden sales need some help as well the first weekend in September. You can use the same link to sign up.
I am running the same story as last month about the von Trapp Garden tours because it is such a joyful event and we can use some of that lately. Thank you, Jane Macan, for organizing this!
At recent meetings Foundation Chair, Peter Colgan proudly presented a few Rotarians with Paul Harris fellow awards. Photos are below. Recipients are Kim Olds, Ben Olds and Jane Macan and Roger Porter. A Paul Harris fellow is a Rotarian who donates $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. You can read more about Paul Harris Fellowship awards here.
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.
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