Clippings

All things still seem possible. Expectation, hope and curiosity are on the menu. As I find myself posed and waiting for official news from the Markham Vineyard folks ~ about the significant and generous grant for which we’ve all been stumping the past two weeks well, it feels like “‘Twas the night before…”

Then I realize that Ol’ Saint Nick has already revealed himself. Upon awakening this morning it’s as if a generous heap of beautifully wrapped gifts are patiently waiting under each of Bartlett Arboretum’s towering pines. For Santa arrived over and over during these past two weeks, reminding me daily of the undying affection this dear place holds for so many. I am rendered (nearly) speechless by the outpouring of loving kindness and support. Examples:

• The multitude of students, past, present, future (or their facebook pals) who created a “cyberspace group” of literally hundreds of teenage messengers to get out the vote
• Teachers, (my perennial favorite group) all educative and earnest in their love for this outdoor classroom who passed the word among area school districts
• Environmental activists who may or may not have actually walked these hallowed grounds recently but who know instinctively that this is an important instrument of peace and love and hope and goodness for future generations
• Family: my dad, looking a lot like John McCain these days, canvassing door-to-door, and getting Edmond, Oklahoma retirees reluctantly out of their Lazy Boys and on to their computers
• My own sis: rocking the vote via her college connections as a professor at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• WRUBEL ENTERTAINMENT! Cousin Lucy & her savvy gang in Big D
• My beloved Kentucky and the friendly folks at Howerton + White ~ sporting ol’ Bartlett’s amazing tech support ~ sending out reminders to vote daily when the numbers started to fall
• The Bartlett Genealogy Group had everyone in the whole dad gum country with that famous last name voting for our girl
• Folks from as far away as Viet Nam, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Germany, Italy and Australia were in cahoots, probably due to the fact that my “adopted son” St. Sean McKee had the entire Air Force voting on our behalf
• All of our beloved neighbors in Bartlett Arboretum’s Belle Plaine backyard
• Radio stations B-98 FM (Brett, Tracy and Amazing Kathy)
• KZSN with Rockin’ Rick & Dancin’ Don
• KNSS with Marty Johnson and Good Life Guy Bowers
• And of course, that world-famous silver-tongue feller, Johnny Western of KFDI
• Crackerjack reporter, Josh Delaughter at The Belle Plaine News
• CBS affiliate Channel 12 with the lovely Rebecca Gannon
• Lauren White and Glenn Gibson, musicians extraordinaire, who traveled 1500 miles to play music from Songs from the Garden for our final weekend blitz

I am grateful to Michael Webb who was the first to inform us about this opportunity, to Connie Bonfy who creatively crafted the all-important 300 words, to Jaime Oppenheimer who has documented the good, the bad and the ugly over the years on her kodak to make a compelling case, and for the fabulous Jennifer Pettersen who is (frighteningly!) even more driven and effectual than I.

What is clear from the hundreds of correspondences I’ve read is this:

• Bartlett Arboretum plays hostess to thousands of timeless and treasured memories.
• She IS the tie that binds.
• The power of ONE is real.

At one point late on Friday I received a fascinating missive from New Mexico. The sender had actually been forwarded a plea asking her to vote for a different grant, not ours. Her eyes scanned the list of ten finalists and she was stunned to see her hometown in the running. This graduate of Belle Plaine High School had been saddened by the closing of Bartlett Arboretum and had not been back to visit in over 25 years. Well, you can imagine her elation when she learned of its renaissance and instead, sent her address book the link to vote for us, instead.

And that is why, even if we had not earned 30% of the market share, I believe that we would have still won. This morning, winning really has less to do with that $25,000 than I thought for I am more committed than ever to ensure that this historic property is restored, protected and preserved.

Know that I speak for Mary Bartlett Gourlay and the Bartlett family when I say we are honored, humbled and inspired by this extraordinary event. Your belief in me and in the mission of this near century-old museum moves me more than I could ever clearly express on a keyboard.

Abundant thanks,

Robin Macy
Steward
Bartlett Arboretum