2014 Annual Report
Transcription
2014 Annual Report
Ve r S h a re Winter Newsletter and Annual Report To enhance a spirit of community involvement, foster economic development, and contribute to projects to benefit the residents of Vershire. January 2015 Winter Newsletter and Annual Report January 2015 Save the Date! Snowshoe-a-thon 2015: February 21 Participate! Collect pledges from relatives and friends or skip that process and sponsor yourself. Raise $60 and you get a Tshirt. Pledge forms will be available at schools and the town clerk’s office. Snowshoes will be available for loan, free of charge. uting snowshoes, soliciting and serving refreshments, or other logistics. We need nonsnowshoeing helpers as well – especially those willing to brave the cold to hand out refreshments and check bibs at the half-way point. All volunteers are invited to delicious lunch and celebrations at the Mountain School. Contact Ethel Spread your wings! Become a Pike if you can help. Snow Angel Snow Angels offer to sponsor Event details EVERY child who participates! The course winds uphill for two This encourages participation miles through fields and forests by a wide variety of youth to the Mountain School where and gives every child a boost snowshoers are welcomed with in their fundraising efforts. a hearty lunch of home-grown Snow Angels can choose to home-made food. In the afterpledge a fixed amount, or a noon, Mountain School students set amount per child. Receiving host winter games and activiSnow Angel money inspires ties. Van transportation is prochildren to go out and raise vided back to the Town Ceneven more money. If you’d ter. like to become a snow angel, please contact Ethel Pike (see below). Hey Kids! For more information, contact Ethel Pike at 685-3874, [email protected] or check the VerShare website www.vershare.org Facebook www.facebook.com/VerShare List Serve lists.valley.net/lists/arc/vershire Calling all Volunteers! Help with registration, distrib- President’s message by Richard Jayne…...(cont’d on pg 2) Hello friends of VerShare! 2015 is here and a very full year for has been logged by the VerShare Community. Thanks go out to all the volunteers who donated of their time and talents during this past year. Take an opportunity to visit VerShare’s web site and browse through the pictures and stories and smile -- you made it happen. part due to our dedicated members near and far, past Plans are underway for and present who have put another year of enriching the their heart and soul into this community- through our continorganization. ued tradition of volunteerism that enables a small place like In order to keep VerShare Vershire to have "big town" programs fresh and relevant activities. We do this every we need a constant infusion of year without all the red tape new ideas, new volunteers, and big expenses associated and the old "can do" attitude. with comparable activities in If you have ever thought of larger towns. This is in large volunteering to be a VerShare www.vershare.org Why not have a contest with your friends to see who can gather the most sponsors for the 2014 snowshoe-a-thon? Or perhaps you can have a sleepover to celebrate completing the entire trek. What will YOU do to make the Snowshoe-a -thon even more special and memorable this year? Inside this issue: SNOWSHOE-A-THON 2015 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 1 FALL FESTIVAL 2 SUMMER CAMP 3 CABARET 4 ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION 4 SNOWSHOE-A-THON 2014 4 SENIOR/COMMUNITY LUNCH 5 KLATCH 5 MADE IN VERSHIRE SHOP 5 LIBRARY 6 SOUP NIGHT 7 HOSTEL 7 ECFIBER 7 FINANCIAL REPORT 8 MEMBERSHIP 9 VERSHARE BOARD RICHARD JAYNE CO-PRESIDENT ARLEN SCHROCK CO-PRESIDENT (TOWN LIASON) WYNONA WARD TREASURER KRISTINA CHOQUETTE SECRETARY CHERYL HOWE KEN STELLA SENIOR LUNCH COORDINATOR MARISSA MAZZUCCO NEWSLETTER EDITOR Fall Festival by Wynona Ward On Saturday, October 11, 2014 there was a great time had by all including adults and children who attended the annual Vershire Fall Festival. The VerShare Board of Directors would like to thank all that participated and made the event possible. Although the day started out chilly, the sun did appear in the afternoon. Tents were provided by the Vershire Summer Camp program and were set up and taken down by Arlan Shrock, Gene Craft, David Hook, Richard Comstock and Laura Craft. VerShare P.O. Box 112 Vershire, VT 05079 802-685-9982 www.vershare.org [email protected] bles on Friday night. Our bread this year came from the Brookside Bakery in Chelsea. Wild apples from the area were pressed by Riley Seace in the old fashion apple press provided by the Mountain School making great cider. Glasses of hot mulled cider were provided by Debra Kingsbury and were accompanied by warm homemade donuts made by Richard Comstock. Samantha Moffat played lovely dulcimer music. Apple Pie Contest winners were: Cyndi Veysey -- Best Overall, Richard Comstock – Best Appearance, Debra Kingsbury -- Best Filling and Carl Choquette – Best Crust. Debra Kingsbury took first prize in the fall centerpiece contest. Coconut the beautiful female goat was present for the entire festival and was especially enjoyed by the children who walked with her. Coconut’s owner, Marissa Mazzucco, also provided games for the children and pumpkin painting. Laura Craft introduced the children to Oobleck and helped them make cornhusk dolls. Beanbag tossing was provided by the Orange County Parent Child Center. Laura Craft guessed the closest weight of the big pumpkin provided by Mark McKee, i.e. 35 pounds. As it is every Saturday, the Made in Vershire Shop was open and was run this day by volunteers Kristina Choquette and Dawn Hancy. www.facebook.com/VerShare The delicious stone soups, one vegetable and one chicken, were cooked on an open wood fire by Gene Craft. A big thank you goes out for the carrots, potatoes, peppers, cabbages, and leeks that were donated by Crossroad Farms of Post Mills and to Vershire residents who donated chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, chard, and corn. Many thanks to those who peeled and chopped vegeta- The raffle drawing for the gorgeous homemade quilt w as held by the Vershire Scholarship Endowment and was won by a member of the Seace family who lives in Seattle, Washington. John and Lynn Roy coordinated the book sale held at the Church Orr House. All proceeds benefit the Vershire Community Library. (Cont’d from pg 1) President’s message EVERY YEAR SIMMERING SOUP, LIVE MUSIC AND LOTS OF FRIENDS MAKE FOR A FUN FALL FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE! Page 2 Board Member, or know someone who might want to, please let us know. Board members serve for three years -- there are no "term limits"; but every year two of the seven members' terms expire. On January 16th we will have our annual meeting. It is at this meeting that new Board members are nominated. So join us that evening and share your ideas. Vacancies for the 2015-2018 term are anticipated -- you can nominate that ideal candidate. Not ready to commit for three years? How about stepping in as a Board Assistant and helping run one of Vershare's many community events . . . or if you have an idea for an event or program that would benefit Vershire, let us know. Thanks, . -- your Board Richard Jayne, Wynona Ward, Ken Stella, Tina Choquette, Cheryl Howe, Arlen Schrock, Marissa Mazzucco VerShare Community Camp 2014 by Andrea Harrington It is with deep and joyful gratitude that I reflect back on my first year coordinating our amazing Community Camp. It is truly a community effort; with the energy and support, both in-kind and financial, of our donors, board, volunteers, staff, children, and families we offered one free week of day camp to over 50 kids! Everyone was glad to see the salad bar each and every day and our kitchen crew was stellar. We were in awe as the donated veggies and snacks poured in throughout the week. Parents were concerned that their children were not eating anything because packed lunches were coming home full and we had to let parents know that kids were filling up on the salad bar options (including locally laid eggs!). We asked kids to make their parents feel good and eat some items from home each day too! People have been asking about next year and we are definitely on for the first week of August! Although folks ask about returning to two weeks, I think I would like to stay with one week and expand the teen leadership side of things this year. It would be great for staff to have more than one day together before campers arrive and there is so much that can be offered and gained. A 3 day teen leadership “camp” ahead of the day camp would mostly be on-site but could include an overnight camping/kayaking portion. Bonna Weiler has stated she is interested in helping with this again in 2015. One other thing that became quite clear this year in reviving a camp that had slept for a year is how sound the structure of the camp has become over the years. Kathy Hooke, Kathy Young, and all the other founding folk have set it up to run smoothly. I requested this year that the VerShare Board take on the budgetary and financials so that a coordinator could just focus on the kids and the running of the camp. This is part of the reason I was willing and able to step in. The combination of the sound camp structure and consistent board run financials means that others could easily step in to run the camp in the future. This bodes well for the longevity of a beloved tradition in Vershire. Page 3 2014 Snowshoe-a-thon by Ethel Pike One hundred and seventy people came out to enjoy this great winter event. The seventeenth annual raised just shy of $7000 for a great cause - the VerShare Children's Activity Fund, which helps to funds a wide range of activities including day trips, VerShare Day Camp and support of extra curricular educational activi- Many Many volunteers ties at the Rivendell Schools. made sweets, tramped the trail, directed traffic, collected registration forms, monitored the trail for safe passage of all participants and The Mountain School served their marvelous lunch. Fantastic job everyone!! If you would like to participate, volunteer or make snacks for the mid station call Ethel 685-3874. Cabaret by Debra Kingsbury Vershire Cabaret held 4/12/14 was a wonderful evening of talents and hard work from the performers, to our lighting crew to our wait staff from RISD. Thanks to all. cals before she headed off to college. Tony Mason and Dave Richard, the producers of the Corinth Coffeehouse Series, came to perform on this side of the ridge and delighted us. Aaron Hoopes and Sam The evening opened with Alice Moffatt joined their talents and Craft and NancyTaube on pigave us the original dulcimer ano. The Mountain School studance (never before perdents offered a variety of formed on a live stage!) Of songs, some classic and some course, the evening wouldn't be original and the guitars, perthe same with out the wonderful cussion and brass were spot-on. voice and talents of Linda BouThe Neptunes made their debut dreault and Ted Mortimer, and and we hope they will rethe wonderful Master of Cereturn. David Hooke got everymonies, Jack Kruse. For the one's attention with his Maine intermission entertainment we Tale. The audience got to hear had Mabledean on the piano. Aenea Thorne's lovely vo- The Ninth Annual Vershire Cabaret will be held April 11th, 2015, at 6:30pm in beautiful downtown Vershire, at the Town Center Building. Seating is limited and by Reservation only. Please leave a message with Debra at 333-3145 with your name, phone number, and ticket request. Annual Silent Auction by Wynona Ward The Annual Silent Auction held on Vershire Day in 2014 raised $1,852.00 for the Children’s Activity Fund. Organized by Kandy Grosser and Wynona Ward, the auction was held on the first floor of the Vershire Center Building. Donations for the auction came from all the Vershare Board of Directors, from many Vershire residents, plus many local businesses from around the area. Items ranged from household goods, clothing, furniture, toys, books, cheeses Each year bidders come from all around from local farms, a cord of fire wood, the area, some who anxiously wait at the maple syrup, crafts from the MIV shop, closing of bidding time to assure that they candles, and many gift certificates from are the top bidders, and others who are businesses such as Will’s Store, Chelsea surprised to hear that they were the high- Pizza House, The Pines, Whippi Dip, Perest bidder and need to come pick up their ry’s Oil Service, Tool Barn, Ward’s Garitems. It is especially fun and exciting for age, Chelsea Animal Hospital, Crossroad teenagers who carefully watch their bids Farms, Kevin’s Custom Arrows, Chapman’s during the entire day. Store, Roger Carpenter Services, Top Hat Chimney Sweep, Main Street Styles, and the Vershire Riding School. Page 4 There was a weekend at Hookes’ Haven in Maine, a music lesson by Sam Moffat, and an electric organ given by Kandy Grosser was bid on and then donated to the West Fairlee Congregational Church. Not only does the auction floor serve as a bidding arena, but also it serves as a gathering place for people to chat who have not seen each other for quite some time. It is always heart warming to hear someone say, “I bet you don’t remember who I am” and then to see the smiles on both faces as they discuss past events together. Community/Senior Meals First Wednesdays of the Month by Ken Stella It has been my pleasure for over a year now to provide meals for the Community/ Senior Lunch program. I’ve also been able to cook meals I wouldn’t ordinarily do at home, because now I have 20-30 guests. I enjoy being able to match faces with the names of townspeople I’ve heard, but not known, for so many years. I couldn’t do this without the help of all the volunteers; beginning with Jeanine Ricker who hand writes the postcard announcements of our menu. Debra Churchill has been filling out our menu with wonderful dessert creations. Jean MacDonald comes in and sets up our tables. Arlen Shrock amongst many other things, delivers meals to those who cannot get out, averaging 7-10 meals. Everyone gets involved with serving tables, and cleanup, including Sis Cadwell and Leslie Marmorale. We all have fun doing it, with lively conversation going constantly. And then there’s little Alice Craft who arranges the flowers for our tables. It’s fun to see how good she is with our elders. So, remember, you don’t have to be a senior to enjoy this 1st Wednesday of the month get together. THE SHOP IS GREAT FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, BUT IT’S ALSO A GREAT PLACE TO PICK UP GIFTS IF YOU ARE VISITING PEOPLE ON YOUR TRAVELS. DON’T FORGET WE CAN MAIL ITEMS TOO! Cheers! Made-in-Vershire Shop by Marissa Mazzucco Buy The Shop has had another successful year thanks to all the hardworking Vendors, Volunteers, and friends of the shop. The shop is becoming the place to be Saturday mornings before or after the Recycling and Trash run. It is a great time to catch up with your neighbors and friends over a cup of coffee or tea. And while we are there we can shop local for every occasion. Your tabletop and kitchen items including the new arrival this past fall pottery from Debra Churchill, beauty and heath products, ornaments, knitted and crocheted creations, quilts (including prize winning one from the Tunbridge Fair), CD’s, Books, Vershare t-shirt's and so much more. new email address [email protected]. We are also now offering to ship from our local post office using the flat rate shipping boxes and mailers. We still do not accept any credit cards, but this helps keep the money local and not in the hands of the large banks. Talent in Vershire is something we are not short of, but we are always looking for more to add to the shop. So if you The inventory in the Shop is or someone you know from always changing; new items in Vershire, or works in Vershire the shop come in on a regular or creates something made basis and the older inventory with Vershrie products, that gets moved around on a regu- has something you think might lar basis. Inventory includes: sell stop by or contact us. the steady selling maple syrups from Nothern Lights Farm New this year to the Shops’ and Johnston Homestead, sev- community is our Facebook eral different kinds of cards page www.facebook.com/ (tatted, ink drawings, photos), madeinvershireshop and our Our main steering committee is made up of three ladies, Kristina Choquette, Dawn Hancy and Marissa Mazzucco. A big thank you to those who have helped out this past year: Peggy Darrow, Janice Cole, Karen Campbell Porter, Jo Hamlin, Tamaran Goldensher, Shirley Collins, Noami LaBarr, Sheila Bedi and all the others who have stepped in and helped out. subjects ranging from the History of Agriculture to the US Constitution. A lively discussion follows. Usually the exchange of ideas relates to the topic of the lecture, but invariably current events are discussed as well. We will soon Tshirt Today Choose Red or Green VERSHARE THANKS THE SELECTBOARD AND THE Klatch: Your Chance to Learn Something New Every Wednesday by - Jean MacDonald You are invited to join a small group of regulars who meet each Wednesday morning at 7:30 at Church Orr House for coffee/tea, conversation and a chance to "learn something new". We listen to a half hour lecture on DVD on VerShare begin a new lecture series, so if there is a topic you've been keen to learn more about, why not come along and suggest it to the group? PEOPLE OF VERSHIRE FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN ALLOWING US TO USE THE TOWN CENTER FOR SO MANY OF OUR EVENTS!! Hope to see you there! Page 5 Vershire Community Library by Lynn Roy 2014 was another fun and busy year at the Vershire Community Library. The Library was open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and a few extra days along the way. This year that made for 163 days the Library was open and 640 child visits. Thursday is by far the most popular day – kids get off the school bus right at the door at 2:30 and race in full of enthusiasm. Anywhere from 9 to 12 of them show up each week - happy to have a snack and spend a couple of hours of unscheduled time. Crafts, art, outside play, dress-up, reading, and homework make the time fly. Special activities on Saturdays included crafts, puppet shows, van trips to places like the Montshire Museum, the ECHO Center, and the Discovery Center in Concord, and of course Halloween and Santa’s yearly visit are big events. On March 10 we had a party to celebrate ECFiber bringing high speed internet to the Library. 25 people with their various devices all going at the same time made quite a sight! The Civics Klatch met Wednesday mornings at 7:30 to watch Two books sales raised about $1,000 to help cover costs. 120 new books were added to the shelves. 500 books circulated. discussion. Topics ranged from Culinary History to The Effects of Stress. Regular volunteers Anna Sykas, Eleanor Zue, Peggy Darrow, and Ruth Payne covered Saturday hours. Laura Craft was my Thursday helper, Andrea Herrington and Marissa Mazzucco helped with planning events, and a great many others helped out with the book sales and special events. You can see it’s a community library! -Lynn Roy The Vermont Reads program, sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council, provided us DVD lectures followed by lively with 30 copies of Wonder, the story of a gutsy little boy with a facial disfigurement. As part of the program we distributed the books and hosted an evening for sharing stories of kindness. All the students at The Mountain School came and many shared touching stories of kindness that they had experienced. Another event geared to adults was a talk by Annie Ross explaining home-based care for family members at the time of death. Page 6 Community Soup and Pizza Night The Soup and Pizza from the community bake oven (weather permitting) is an added menu attraction. Laura Craft calls on the community to help provide these excellent meals. In a sense it is a once a month potluck that you are not obligated to provide a dish for. And of course, it would not be what it is without Carol Suich who makes pizza, soup and other great goodies almost every month. And thanks to the many volunteers who prepare a pot of soup for the occasion, the salads and breads and of course desserts. Over the course of the year, about 300 meals served to people who turned out. In addition, Arlen Schrock makes deliveries to people who aren’t able to be there in person, just as he does at Senior Lunch. Good food and conversations catching up with your friends and neighbors every third Friday of the Month! Stagecoach Stop Hostel Now completing its 12th year of operation, the hostel provides convenient and economical lodging for people visiting Vershire. Scott Davis as our resident caretaker left mid year and a big thanks goes out to the ShirleyCollins , Lynn Roy and the VerShare board for picking up his duties. Hostel Rates: $35 per room per night (one person). $10 for each additional person in If you have out of town visitors a room. No charge for chilwho need a place to stay, dren under 12. don’t forget the hostel. Shirley has also taken on cleaning the main areas of our Church –Orr house as you previous cleaner had moved on at the beginning of the year. ECFiber—Free WiFi at the Church-Orr House March 10th 2014 Almost 19 months to the day after the good citizens of Vershire gathered peacefully on the grass outside the Vershire Community Library, during the library's annual Book, Bake and Plant Sale, exhorting the powers that be to make it possible for high speed 21st century internet to be available in Vershire, ECFiber arrived to install fiber-to-the-premises their homes, and were thrilled to see it in the library. Everyone expressed gratitude for the work of the many people who had a part in making this happen. The library already has two Kindles available for loan to read e-books. internet in the library. What a great reason for a celebration! Twenty-four people responded to the invitation from the librarian to visit the library, try out their devices on the wicked fast internet connection, and enjoy some great food and neighborly visiting. Nearly everyone attending already had ECFiber service at Page 7 Winter Newsletter and Annual Report Financial Report Page 8 Total Children's AF Income $ 14,131.50 Total Children's AF Expense $ 11,968.06 Library Donations Transfer from CAF Book, Bake & Plant Sale Book Sales Total Library Income $ 30.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 722.60 $ 301.00 $ 2,053.60 Book Purchases Programs Heat Contribution Supplies Total Library Expense $ 64.32 $ 792.01 $ 1,100.00 $ 67.94 $ 2,024.27 Made in Vershire Shop Sales $ 8,418.61 Total MIV Shop Income $ 8,418.61 Payout to Vendors (estimate) Sales Tax (estimate) Other (Prior Year Vendors) MIV Labor/Other Heat Contribution Total MIV Shop Expense $ 6,989.80 $ 320.00 $ 446.74 $ 307.00 $ 300.00 $ 8,363.54 General Operations Membership-Contributions Interest MIV Contribution-Heat Library Cont.-Heat $ 944.00 $ 8.96 $ 300.00 $ 1,100.00 Hostel Rents Food Sales & Donations Fall Festival Donations Foodshelf Income $ 3,031.00 $ 54.20 $ 220.66 $ 928.50 Total General Oper Income Total Cash Income $ 6,587.32 $ 31,191.03 Maintenance & Repairs Electricity Fuel Real Estate Taxes Insurance-Liability Snowplowing Miscellaneous Postage & Delivery Hostel Staff Food Program Expense Telephone-Internet Total General Oper. Expense Total Cash Expenditures $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 1,447.79 566.63 3,406.18 3,220.62 2,000.00 180.00 425.16 376.00 1,246.50 2,200.96 965.58 16,035.42 38,391.29 (7,200.26) P. O. Box 112 Vershire, Vermont 05079 (802) 685-9982 www.vershare.org [email protected] Purpose: Enhance a spirit of community involvement, foster economic development and contribute to projects to benefit the residents of Vershire January 2015 Dear Friend of VerShare, It’s that time of year when we ask those of you who are members of VerShare to renew your annual membership, and for those of you who are not members to consider joining. Membership dues, and contributions, are essential for VerShare to keep doing what it does. We’re proud that VerShare is a volunteer organization. Nearly everything done for VerShare is accomplished by volunteers, and through funds voluntarily donated. No Town taxpayer money goes to VerShare. During the past year, we have seen the Made-in-Vershire Shop continue to grow. We’ve also changed our focus in providing opportunities for children during the summer. We had a return of our Summer Camp. A week of fun had by all who participated thanks to Andrea Harrington for reviving this much beloved camp. We used the VerShare van to take children on several field trips to neighbor towns Hanover, and Strafford. We helped fund the contruction of raised vegetable beds at the Westshire School. And we provided financial assistance to help several local children attend summer camps. Maintaining the Church-Orr House, where the Vershire Community Library and the Made-in-Vershire Shop are both housed, does take funds. Real estate taxes are over $3,000. Heating, electricity and phone cost $4,500 in addition to regular building maintenance, and insurance is about $1,300. Yearly membership dues ($5 for an individual and $8 for a family, unchanged for the past 15 years) and contributions help to pay these expenses. We invite you to join or renew your membership (form enclosed). Of course, if you could contribute more, it would be very much appreciated and put to good use. Thank you for your support. YOUR VERSHARE BOARD RICHARD JAYNE CO-PRESIDENT ARLEN SCHROCK CO-PRESIDENT (TOWN LIASON) WYNONA WARD TREASURER KRISTINA CHOQUETTE SECRETARY KEN STELLA SENIOR LUNCH COORDINATOR MARISSA MAZZUCCO NEWSLETTER EDITOR CHERYL HOWE VerShare Contribution/Membership Form 2015 Please find enclosed my tax-deductible donation (checks payable to VerShare) for [ ] $5 Individual Basic [ ] $8 Family Basic [ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 [ ] $250 [ ] $ ______ Separate check T- SHIRT $20 plus $2.50 if shipping Mens [ ]sm [ ]m [ ]lg [ ]xl Womens [ ]sm [ ]m [ ]lg [ ]xl Name(s) ________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ Town _________________________ State _____ Zip ____________ Email ___________________________________________________ Please mail to: VerShare, P. O. Box 112, Vershire VT 05079. Thank you! Your support is appreciated! Winter Newsletter and Annual Report January 2015 THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL WHO MADE THIS NEWSLETTER POSSIBLE! Some Upcoming Events February 21st Snowshoe-a-thon All held at the Town Center building. Check the Website, Facebook or Listserve for more April 11th Cabaret 4th of July this year.Vershire Day Made In Vershire Shop - Open every Sat. 10-1 or by appointment email us [email protected] Library Hours - Wed.10:00 - 12:00 Storytime, Thurs. 2:00 - 5:00 afterschool activities, Saturdays 10:00 - 1:00 usually 1st Saturday of the month Childrens Activity Civics Klatch - Wednesdays at 7:30 Senoir lunch first Wedneday of the Month Soup Night third Friday of every Month Stay up to date on Vershare activities Website vershare.org Facebook - www.facebook.com/VerShare Vershire’s Listserve lists.valley.net/lists/arc/vershire T-shirts- Order your Vershare T - shirts with your Membership Renew- NEWSLETTER & MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL INSIDE: