Monday, April 28, 2014

Volunteers are Blooming, Even if the Weather isn't Cooperating....

A huge thank you to all the volunteers at Graycliff last week and over the weekend....

First, volunteers finished the huge membership mailing.....
Joan Osbourne and Phyllis Weyer....and earlier in the week, Dave Sokolski, George Struebel, Mary Kay DiPaolo, Maureen Meyers, Judy Jones, Dick and Priscilla O'Brien, Joanne Barba, Jim Beardsley, Mary Biellack, Margaret Santi, and Joyce Torge, 

Anita Mitchell gave a wonderful talk about Isabelle Martin's years at Graycliff to many docents..

The Green Team has been slowly readying the grounds, despite the rain and cold....
Marge Astridge, Brian Godfrey, Kathy and Dale Mehltretter

Even staff have gone above and beyond:   Shannon cleaned the Canada goose droppings off the circle, and Ryan spent time tidying up.


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Parkside Tour of Homes

The Parkside Community Association is holding its 16th annual Tour of Homes on Sunday, May 18th, from 11 AM - 4:30 PM.  The self-guided tour will feature ten homes with a wide array of architecture, from a humble bungalow to an imposing Arts & Crafts American Four Square.  The tour begins outside that other Martin house on Jewett Parkway, and tour tickets include admission to the Barton House and Gardener's Cottage.  Tickets cost $20 pre-sale and $30 the day of the event.

This very popular tour of homes in the historic Frederick Law Olmsted designed neighborhood is the biggest fundraiser for the nonprofit Parkside Community Association, which recently celebrated its 50th year of existence.  It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  For more information and to purchase tickets, click here:
     Parkside Tour of Homes
     

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Belle of Buffalo




Anita Mitchell, a longtime Graycliff volunteer and an expert on Isabelle R. Martin, is giving a presentation at Graycliff this coming Sat., April 26th, beginning at 9:30 AM.  This is a rare opportunity for new and returning docents, as well as other volunteers, to refresh your memories or to learn something new about the woman for whom Graycliff was designed.  Copies of the new basic tour text will also be available.  If you are interested in attending, please send an email to one of the Docent Co-Chairs via Graycliff (graycliff@verizon.net)
:
     Joanne Barba
     Eileen Blackman

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Just for Graycliff Docents.....


Dear Docents:

The Basic Tour Text has been updated, to reflect our most recent restoration efforts.  It will be available in print format at Graycliff, or you can download it here:  Graycliff Basic Tour Text 2014

Please review this, so that you can answer visitors questions, and provide info on newly restored areas.  The tour route has also changed somewhat to incorporate the latest restoration.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Thank you for a Great Opening Weekend!

A big thank you to the Historic Housekeeping Team, the Green Team and Docents for a wonderful opening weekend.

The house is tidy, the grounds---despite the weather---are starting to shape up thanks to many Green Team members, and our own George Struebel's tour was so good that visitors became the first new members of the season.  Kathy Mehltretter followed George's lead on Sunday. 

Thank you very much to everyone!  



Docents, if you have any time this weekend...please do lead a tour.  It's Easter, and we will have many, many visitors...all those out-of-towners.  Sunday afternoon would be most appreciated...and we have a group tour from Toronto that afternoon that is "docent-less"  ;-)

Hope to see you each soon!



Thursday, April 10, 2014

Spring Clean Up Proclamation from County Executive Mark Polancarz

In special acknowledgement of the efforts of Graycliff Volunteers, County Executive Polancarz issued a special proclamation:





Monday, April 7, 2014

It Was Fun (Even Though the Weather Wasn't) !


Thank you to everyone who worked so hard during Graycliff Spring Clean Up.  The very dusty house is much less dusty.

We saw the first flowers of spring, heard Vice President Michael Longo talk about the season ahead, and heard Chris Brindemore of BRD Construction discuss the latest restoration.

There are lots of photos on the Graycliff Facebook page....take a look here:  Graycliff Spring Clean Up Photos

A big thank you to Cheryl St. George for organizing everything!




The 2014  Graycliff Season Is Now Officially Underway!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Latest Graycliff Updates

Spring Clean Up

Spring Clean Up is this coming Saturday, April 5th from 9:15 am to about 1 pm.   Thank goodness spring has finally arrived.   A lite breakfast will be served, as well as a pizza lunch.  Come meet Vice President Mike Longo, hear updates from Team Leaders and Chris Brindemore of BRD Construction will discuss our latest restoration....and see it for yourself, too!  If you plan to attend, please let us know (if you haven;t already,)  so that we have enough supplies, as well as food for everyone.  Just click below.

Reserve for Spring Clean Up



The following expires soon, so please don't put this off.

Have you updated your information for our volunteer leaders?  Phyllis Spears and Kathy Mehltretter would be VERY grateful if you could take a few minutes to do so....we've made it really easy this year.

It will take you much longer if we have to call you and ask all these questions--not to mention the time Kathy and Phyllis would have to devote.

Simply go here: Graycliff Volunteer Update


Graycliff Tour Season

The Graycliff Tour Season begins this coming Sunday, April 6th!  Docents, please sign up for tours.  We have lots of reservations from visitors for the month of April.

You can sign up on line here:  Graycliff Tours--Just for Docents


Graycliff Docent Training

Graycliff Docent Training begins Saturday, April 26th...please help spread the word!   Master Docents...if you are willing to help with training, and especially with certification tours, please let Eileen Blackman or Joanne Barba know...they are the Co-Chairs of Docent Training this year. Training will take place for the following six Saturday mornings (with a break for Memorial Day weekend.)  Let us know if you can help


This promises to be a very exciting year for Graycliff, with new restoration to unveil, a lovely historic landscape, and all kinds of things happening.  None of this would be possible without your help.

Thank you for all you do for Graycliff.  Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!.