NEWSLETTER: JUNE 2009

LVIS Fair, Saturday July 25

The Fair Committee, led by Jola Marcario, has created a list of items that can be underwritten in order to cut down on  expenses.  If you no longer reside in East Hampton and can’t directly participate, or if you have an affinity for one particular aspect of the Fair, or you simply feel generous, this list is for you.

Among the expenditures:

Committee Chairs Meet

Three topics were on the minds of the twenty-three committee chairs who attended a potluck luncheon and discussion on Monday May 18: increasing our volunteer base, engaging our current members, and identifying successors. 

Following a welcome by Oversight Chair Mo Cohen, who thanked the Chairs for their dedication and hard work,  each of the topics was addressed.  Website Chair Karen Fredericks suggested staging a telethon-style outreach program one evening, where Chairs would gather in one room, cell phones in hand, to call  members and encourage them to become more actively involved. “Make it fun,” she emphasized. Student Awards Chair Debbie Walter suggested a mentoring program, while Tree Committee Chair Olivia Brooks recommended that informational flyers be available in the thrift shops for customers who express an interest in becoming a member or a volunteer.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants received a handbook of   guidelines for committee chairs, which should be  particularly helpful to all those young women waiting in the wings to assume leadership positions in LVIS.

Mo Cohen, far left,  leads committee chairs in a discussion.

The Sunken Garden

The construction of a sunken garden was part of the  1929 renovation of the Gardiner Brown House by owner Winthrop Gardiner. The original plantings were installed by Louis Vetault of Vetault’s Florist (now Wittendales). In 1932 Gardiner’s daughter, Isabel, married Olney Blanchard Mairs in St. Luke’s Church on what was described as a  beautiful sunny day. The  Reverend  Samuel Davis officiated. With  several  hundred  people attending, it was the social event of the year. Many  notable families, including the Ford’s, were  part of  a long  reception  line. A wedding celebration followed in the sunken garden.  Isabel remarked  that they “danced till dawn” on the special dance floor built for the occasion.

The Sunken Garden in 2009 - still available for celebrations.

Notes from the Board

From May Board meetings:

    *The Board Oversight Committee is working on a standardized job description form for committee chairs, which will include responsibilities   and specific information about contacts,  vendors,  contracts, and a monthly schedule, if applicable. It will be presented at the June Board meeting.

    * Verbal approval was received from the East Hampton Building Inspector for the addition to the barn. Village regulations now require  digital photos, which will delay written approval.  Our insurance premium has increased slightly as a result of the addition.

    *A firm has been hired to remove asbestos from a pipe in the ceiling of the lobby. The firm comes highly recommended with excellent references.  It is expected to take place on  June 1, when the shops are closed.

    *There has been an increase in thefts in the thrift shops. The Village Police Department has been asked to speak to employees and volunteers  about preventive measures.

  Mystery Across the Pond Continues

           Several members shared some thoughts about  the  letter written by  Ian Ferguson requesting information about an LVIS commemorative Wedgwood plate found in his late mother’s belongings. The plates came in sets of four, with  the Gardiner Brown House in the center surrounded by seasonal flora — spring dogwood, summer flowers,   fall acorns, and winter  pine cones and snow-covered trees.

          Helen Sheehy  contacted Suzanne Goell to say that her old friend Betty McGill was in charge of arranging for the plates from start to finish.  “She worked for months, transatlantic calls and all,” she said. Mrs. McGill’s husband  attended Oxford University and they had lived in England for awhile. She speculated that perhaps they had known someone at Wedgwood.

           Maria Brennan told Suzanne that she cleared Betty McGill’s house after her death and  found  several sets of plates which she gave to LVIS.

           And Carolyn Williams, a member since 1952, reports that her aunt had worked for a Dr. Ferguson in East Hampton, and wondered whether he might have been a relative. Stay tuned!

 News from the Tree Committee

      Notes from the Tree Committee’s May meeting from Chair Olivia Brooks:

            The East Hampton railroad station will soon have four new crape myrtle trees flanking the east side of the building. LVIS will pay  for the trees and the planting. Diane Paton of the East Hampton Garden Club has prepared all of the paperwork and contacted the Village for the necessary approvals.

            Tony Medeiros of the Department of Public Works will once again share his knowledge of trees with  committee members and anyone else who is interested on the morning of Saturday June 20 following the regularly scheduled meeting. Contact Olivia if you would like to attend.

            In an update on the Elm Task Force, Chair Mary Fallon reported on the health of the  approximately 150 elms in the village. The trees are identified with silver and blue metal tags. The Village pays for  soil treatments (Arbotech for good healthy trees and Alamo for trees that need a boost) while LVIS pays  Treewise to do deep-root treatments and mulching.