Martin House Trip

The Martin House's Tour Coordinator, Monica Stage, thought perhaps some of Graycliff's docents and other volunteers might be interested in their upcoming trip to Albany and the Hudson Valley.
Here are the details on the trip:

Exciting Winter at Graycliff!

All kinds of things have been happening at Graycliff (during what is supposed to be our "quiet" time) ---so see below to stay in the loop!

YULETIDE TOURS
Yuletide tours were very well attended, due to the wonderful weather, terrific coverage in the Buffalo News, and the wonderful holiday decor by volunteers Dave and Gail Solowski, Gary Tomquist, Barb Harris, Martha and Joe Kryszczuk. They really outdid themselves this year!  Thank you, too, to all docents who led Yuletide tours, during the holidays.  And especially appreciated are those who took down all the decor...Stacey Tuberdyke, Lynette Domanski, Linda Weyand, Martha Kryszcuk and Pauline Bentkowski. Our visitors, from across the country, greatly appreciated the opportunity to see Graycliff looking so lovely, thanks to your efforts.

Notice the lack of snow?

SQUARE
New this season:  We have installed Square to handle gift shop sales.  It's not only much less bulky than our old system, it's also much speedier, and we have two Ipads to handle sales, which means two places rather than just one to check out.  This should speed things up considerably, with fewer lines at check out.

ON-LINE TICKETING
Also new this season:  On-line ticketing.  Our visitors will be able to purchase tickets directly from our website, starting February 1st.  They can print tickets at home (no matter where in the world they live) and bring them to Graycliff, or they can use their cell phone and present it when they arrive at Graycliff.    For our docents, a benefit of this system will be that tours will be pre-paid rather than just by reservation....which means fewer "no-shows" and that Graycliff will be able to better track, in advance, the number of people scheduled for each tour, and share that info with docents.  Of course, there will still be "walk-ins", which will be accommodated only if a tour is not sold out.

WIN AN OVERNIGHT AT THE ROYCROFT INN!
If you bring a group of ten or more people to tour Graycliff this season--your book club, your church, all your visiting relatives, etc.---you will be eligible to win an overnight stay at the Roycroft Inn! Open only to Graycliff volunteers (and yes, if you bring two groups, you will have two chances.)    You have a MUCH better chance to win than playing Powerball....and the fun of staying at the lovely, restored Roycroft. Enjoy a mini-vacation in your own backyard, and help Graycliff at the same time.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE STUPID CRIMINAL AWARD GOES TO....

Rodney Crane, who is alleged to have stolen a Wright chair and other items from Price Tower, then committed more serious crimes while out on bail.  Read more here... 

Would you buy a Wright chair from this man?

Graycliff Volunteer Co-Authors Book!

A recently published book about Grand Island was co-authored by Graycliff volunteer June Crawford.  Volunteer Wendy Duignan contributed her photography expertise to salvage old photographs and prepare the images for publication in the book.  Although the book has nothing to do with Graycliff or Frank Lloyd Wright, it provides a fascinating glimpse into part of western New York's history.  Way to go June and Wendy!  The book is available at Barnes & Noble.  If anyone purchases the book and would like it signed, I'm confident you can get June to do so at Spring Cleanup (April 9th, for those who like to plan in advance).  Here's a picture of the book's cover:

Graycliff Gala!

Message from President Chuck LeFevre:

2016 Graycliff Gala Chair

Graycliff is looking for the “Wright” person to Chair the upcoming Graycliff Gala this spring.

If you are or you know someone who is strong, independent, forceful, resourceful and most importantly – have the time – you may be our Hero.  In other words, we need a chair for the Graycliff Gala 2016 who is a doer, a door opener, and a diamond.

Here’s what is expected:

Ideally, the Gala Chair is an individual of influence, well respected, and goal oriented.   They should have an affinity for Graycliff and the vision we have for the organization and site.

The Gala Chair should be someone who has a certain amount of control over their own schedule and someone who can hold others accountable in a positive manner.  Above all, the Chair MUST be an individual who can and will take ownership of the event and be responsible for the endeavor.

Objective of the Chair:  To Chair the Gala, work closely with Gala committee members and successfully identify and obtain potential sponsors and guests, with the goal of raising $25,000 after expenses.

Responsibilities: 

A.    Chair will provide the necessary leadership and coordination of the 2016 Gala to attain the goal of $25,000 net through recruitment of:

• ·         Corporate Sponsorships
• ·         Table Sponsorships

And Coordination of

• ·         Entertainment and Logistics
• ·         Live & Silent Auction items
• ·         Ticket sales

• Keeps the team on schedule by setting expectations and providing coaching for team when needed.
• Keep team/committee motivated and committed to success.
• Reports regularly with the Board and Executive Director.
•  Empowers Committee members to be successful and lend assistance when needed.

Here’s the support that will be provided:

• · Location of the Gala – is already established (i.e. The Saturn Club)
• · A well-established donor and past guest list
• · The full support of the Board and Executive Director of the Graycliff Conservancy
• · Experienced volunteers and staff who have participated in successful events over the past several years
• · A detailed “to-do” list of items developed during past Gala Events.

Please let Reine or I know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks, Chuck

Another New Docent

Many of you know Andrea Haubner who has been working in the gift shop since Spring.  What many of you don't know is that she originally was one of our docent trainees who got hired away from us because of her previous experience working in museum gift shops and our need for help in ours.  She had not been able to do her certification and shadow tour for various reasons until recently.  I am proud to say that she has now successfully completed that segment of her training and wholeheartedly welcome her to our docent cadre.  If you see her around and about, please extend your welcome to her as well.  Great job Andrea!

George Struebel,  Eileen Blackman,  Docent Co-chairs

 

What It's Like to Live in a Frank Lloyd Wright House

Interesting interviews with Wright homeowners...with photos...on Curbed....

Curbed--What It's Like to Live in a Frank Lloyd Wright House

Interviewees include Daniel and Dianne Chrzanowski, who spok at Graycliff's recent Roundable, as well as Kim Bixler, who grew up in the Boynton House in Rochester.


As we give thanks this season, a very special thank you to ALL Graycliff volunteers.

And a big thank you to all docents who are leading tours this weekend...several tours are already sold out...it will be big weekend at Graycliff!

Volunteer Dinner Photos--Plus, The Travel Channel Re-Airs Segment on Graycliff

SET YOUR DVD!

The Travel Channel will re-air its segment on Graycliff on Mysteries at the Castle this coming Thursday, November 19th at 11 am ET.   Focusing on Frank Lloyd Wright's time in Japan, it features Graycliff as an example of the influence on Japan on Wright's architecture.

Graycliff Volunteer Appreciation Dinner!

The Graycliff Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held at the Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center at Forest Lawn this past Saturday, November 14th. Awards, a little wine, dinner and cake were enjoyed by attendees.  Special thank you to Cheryl St. George, a long-time Graycliffian, and Sandy Stark of Forest Lawn for all their help.

Docent Co-Chair Eileen Myles

Catherine Brozyna, Docent

Maureen Amidon, Green Team Member

Irene Cuddihy and Maureen Myers

Docent Tom Janicki

Look at all these Docents!

In-coming Board President Chuck LeFevre with President Emeritus Diane Schrenk

President Diane Schrenk presents Award to Nancy McNaughton for Consistent Service

Earle Newman receives Award for Most Volunteer Hours from President Diane Schrenk

Persident Schrenk lauds George Struebel for  Securing the Most Memberships

Diane Schrenk with framed image of Graycliff

Outgoing President Diane Schrenk with In-coming President Chuck LeFevre

Cheryl St. George pours Gerry Przyblyski a glass of wine.....

Chuck LeFevre Cuts the Cake!

Best Dressed:  Earl and Maureen Amidon, Green Team members