Good Dogs and Fun for All!

The Isabelle R. Martin Society Reception--Last Evening at the Walter V. Davidson House

The frigid temperatures outside were in sharp contrast with the warm hospitality of  Russell Maxwell last evening when he hosted a gathering of Graycliff's Isabelle R. Martin Society at his Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, the Walter V. Davidson House.

The Isabelle R. Martin Society is a group of individuals who have chosen to leave a legacy to Graycliff through their wills, to ensure Graycliff will continue to flourish, as Maxwell himself says,  "one hundred years from now"  The Society will eventually create an endowment for this purpose.

Boris and Ivan, Maxwell's dogs, were the hit of the evening, thanks to their charm, good looks and wonderful manners.  Guests enjoyed Maxwell's gracious hospitality, as well as a rare opportunity to see a privately-owned Frank Lloyd Wright design.

Russell Maxwell with Board members Diane Chrisman and Sharon Osgood

Phyllis Spears with Ivan

Guests, including EO Smith and Al Kelly and Morgan McDole

Ivan and Boris...such good dogs!



If you have remembered Graycliff through your will, and would like to enjoy an evening with like-minded individuals, please call or email to let us know that you'd like to become a member of the Isabelle R. Martin Society

Volunteers Needed for March 29th--Hamburg Ages 10-12

We are looking for volunteers to assist with a Festival of the Arts to be held on Sat., Mar. 29th, in the HUB Youth Center in Hamburg.  The event will consist of exhibits of student artwork (Grades K-12), hands-on workshops, and student musical performances.  The event runs from 10 AM - 3 PM.  We would like three volunteers for each of two time slots - 10 AM-12 PM, and 12 PM-3 PM.  Volunteers will be assisting students with a simple craft item and will be working next to volunteers from the Martin House to promote FLW in WNY.  I am assured that the craft item (called the Graycliff Wheel of Facts) is easy to assemble.  Pres. Diane Schrenk will be there to set up at 9 AM in the morning, and she will demonstrate the craft for those volunteers interested in participating in this event.  The students will be in the 10-12 year age range.  We will also be conducting a Facebook contest at this event.  So, if you are interested in participating, please respond via email to phyllisspears@verizon.net. 

Graycliff Valentine Tours!

Valentine's Tours !

 Thank you to docents Marion Schmidt, Diane Schrenk and Cindy Trowman, for leading our special Valentine's Tours last weekend.  Hope you all saw the great publicity we received in Buffalo Magazine....and the write up on Buffalo Rising.

Despite the poor weather, tours were well attended, and the enthusiastic visitors bought a lot in the shop on Saturday....and on Sunday, several became members!

Here are a happy couple enjoying hot chocolate after their tour...and please note the lovely new carpeting and very chic new wall color....thanks, Mike Longo and all the Pavilion helpers!

Who's That in the Buffalo News?

Our own Loretta Worth, long-time Graycliff docent and volunteer, that's who!

Soup ’n’ Bowl party in Hamburg honors food, friendship, the Super Bowl – and bowling

Loretta Worth has hamburger soup at the annual Soup ’n’ Bowl at Hamburg Legion Lanes Thursday. Photo gallery at BuffaloNews.com Mark Mulville/Buffalo News

Wow! Fast Work of the Pavilion Unpacking....

On Saturday, January 18th, 2014, Board members, staff and volunteers gathered to unpack , following the renovation of the M&T Pavilion at Graycliff, with painting throughout, new carpeting in the shop and offices and new flooring in the bathrooms.

Many hands make light work, and it took just over an hour to unload the entire POD that had been rented for the occasion.  The entire POD was completely filled....

And then emptied.

Meanwhile, Barb Abbatoy cleaned the entire refrigerator...wow, what a difference....

while Susan Havey reorganized the Volunteer Pavilion:

Amidst all the activity, George Struebel took a brief moment to warm up, 

after unloading in the cold:

And Board member Kevin Hoffman  brings in yet another filing cabinet from the POD:

Our own Irene Cuddihy was standing tall, dusting...after all that sanding, etc.:

While Lori Conti barely got her coat off before attacking the light fixtures and their many webs:

Board member Ken Graham, who removed all the wall grids at the start of this project,

 also re-hung them (after unpacking the POD, too):

While President Diane Schrenk and staff Ryan Gravell got everything organized:

Alicia Meyers, who we've been missing, gave a hand,too:

And there was LOTS of unpacking, which Shannon Lyons was so ably undertaking:

Amongst all the boxes, 

Barb Abbatoy wasn't REALLY hiding...she was unpacking...

Then there was Margaret Santi, who was shy (no photo this time!) but helpful as ever,

and a LOT of great teamwork (That's Ken, Kevin and Dale Nason, below)

...followed by pizza for all!

Thanks SO much to everyone for all their help!

Sneak Peek of Graycliff Pavilion!

The renovations to the M&T Pavilion at Graycliff are just about done!

If you'd like to be the first to see it, give us a hand with unpacking the gift shop on Saturday...we'll be there from 9 am on...

Special thanks to Unliand, Alpha Contract Flooring, Michael Longo, Kevin Hoffman, George Struebel, Gail Solowski and Margaret Santi for all their help, which made this possible!

So...No more stained carpet:

Or walls that need repair:

 

Or stained tiles and tired walls in the bathrooms...

 Nice to have the old carpet taken away....especially after being trod by 10,000 visitors a year.

  With an updated color palette and new flooring and paint, the Pavilion looks fresh for the season to come.

To see the new decor, do come help!

Baby, It's COLD Outside!

Hope everyone is staying warm today in this blizzard, with bitter temperatures.  The latest news from Graycliff is that the Visitor Pavilion is getting a much-needed update, with all walls being painted, new carpeting, and tiles for the bathroom floors.

Last week, and on Saturday, Graycliffians were busy packing everything up--office supplies, the entire  gift shop, and even the grids on the walls that hold the display of historic photos.

Most everything was then moved into a POD rented for the occasion...and volunteers were asked to help at the end by removing the leftover beer from the refrigerator, since that was moved into the Foster House garage.

Special thanks to Dale Nason and Margaret Santi, who helped over several days, to volunteer extraordinaire Gail Solowski, and to Board members Ken Graham and Kevin Hoffman for all their help!  Here are two photos....more photos will be posted as soon as a computer is accessible to download the rest of them!

Dale Nason, packing away...and then he returned with extra boxes and two dollys....you are the Bomb, Dale!

The ever glamorous Margaret Santi who may well be ice skating today. 

We think the renovations will be completed by Saturday, January 18th...and possibly sooner.  If you're willing to help with UNPACKING....give us a call toward the end of this week (Graycliff is closed today and tomorrow because of the storm) and let us know....It's supposed to warm up to the 40s this coming week....

In the meantime, stay warm and safe!