Special thanks to the Volunteers at Graycliff

Volunteer Dinner 2012: Phyllis Spears,
Carol Wahlenmayer, and Kathy Mehltretter

The Heart, Soul and Muscle of the Conservancy

It has been a very busy year for Graycliff’s volunteers. Many, many thanks to all of the docents who have led tours, to the chaperones, the Green Team that has cared for our grounds, the Housekeeping Teams that have kept the house looking clean and tidy, the volunteers who have assisted in the gift shop and with mailings, those presenting the Wright-on-the-Road program to groups, and also the volunteers who have helped out with special events during 2012.

The varied special events that Graycliff volunteers have assisted with setting up, working at, and cleaning up after include:

• Graycliff Gala
• Four lectures at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
• Boom Days
• Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market
• Hamburg Garden Walk
• Graycliff’s first Insiders Tour and Luncheon

Volunteers who assisted at these events include Earl Amidon, Lori Ann Conti, June Crawford, Mary Kay DiPaolo, Lynette Domanski, Sally Dondero, Wendy Duignan, Susan Havey, Cornelia Hennon, Nancy Holtz, Cheryl Lickfield, Roz Lindner, Joan Osborne, Melissa Peters, Karen Procknal, Michelle Puma, Lorraine Sandow, Margaret Santi, Marion Schmidt, Phyllis Spears, Gary Tornquist, Carol and Jerry Wahlenmayer, Linda Weyand, Phyllis Weyer, Bill and Carol Wolfers, Marcy Workman, Loretta Worth, and Tammy Yekich.

Unfortunately, there was no Graycliff garage sale this year. If any member has a good venue and can host a garage sale in 2013, please call 947-9217 and let us know so that planning may begin to resurrect this event.

Two housekeeping teams are keeping Graycliff ready for the guests that come from so many parts of the world. On the first Friday each month Beverly Nenno, Judy Jones, Jeanne Barrett, Loretta Davis, Jill Barrile, Linda Weyand, and Carol Wahlenmayer work on the first floor. A second team comprised of Arlene Morrow, Gary Tornuist, Pam Pelechaty, Lorraine Sandow, Deb Gorski, Earl Amidon and Maureen Amidon prepare the second floor on the second Saturday. In 2013 Linda Weyand will coordinate the teams. Many hands make light work, so your contribution to one or both of the teams would be welcome. Call Graycliff at 947-9217 to express an interest.

The Green Team was especially busy this season, transplanting perennials in anticipation of the historic landscape restoration. Over two weekends in September nearly 200 perennials were transplanted out of the pond garden and into a new bed near the driveway gate and the garden along the home grounds wall. After their work was completed on Sept. 15th, the Green Team members gathered at the picnic table for a snack of sandwiches, scones and cider. We know these gardens will enhance the Graycliff grounds and look forward to enjoying these plants in their new homes next summer. Dennis Wojiechowski prepared the beds; while Dale Marriott dug the compost, helped with transplanting, and spread mulch. Beth Bloomquist, Barb Rickard, Marge Astridge, Kathy Leuthe, and Kathy Marriott dug up the plants and transplanted them.

Graycliff welcomed several new volunteers this season. Welcome to Barbara Abbatoy, Earl and Maureen Amidon, Kathleen Baldwin, Kathy Burke, Erin Clark, Loretta Davis, Nancy Dennis, Barbara Harris, Susan Havey, Nancy Holtz, Mary Kaiser, Diane Keller, James Kubiniec, Sheila Martinec, Elizabeth Masarik, Erin McNichol, Lori Mik, Joli Morgan, Michael Pack, Pam Pelechaty, Amy Picinich, Karen Procknal, Jane Reedy, Jason Sanderson, Kathy Schwinger, Anne Sellers, Ketty Sheff, David and Gail Solowski, Rita Staffan, Wendy Stoklosa, George Struebel, Gary Tornquist, Dan and Susan Wiedemer, Cindy Woods, Mary Lou Woods, and Mary Yachetta.

To all of Graycliff’s volunteers, new and old – thank you. We couldn’t do it without you!

- Carol Wahlenmayer & Phyllis Spears, Volunteer Co-Chairs