End of Campaign and Final Matching Funds Announced!
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The end of the Preserve Our Paradise Campaign is now only weeks away! The public phase of the campaign
will end on April 30
. We're excited to announce that from now until the end of the campaign,
all donations of any size will be matched dollar-for-dollar
, up to a total of $200,000
.
Our largest building projects are ahead of us.
We urgently need to address many years of deferred maintenance on the Basebox, and the inadequate facilities for our legendary ski patrol. Planning is currently underway for essential renovations to the Basebox and Patrol buildings (see below).
We still need to fully fund these projects by April 30! Help unlock every cent of the matching funds!
Don’t miss this chance to maximize the impact of your gift and do your part to preserve & protect this very special place!
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Campaign Passes $4.5M Mark
Thanks to the recent receipt of a major gift, the Preserve Our Paradise Campaign has now raised over $4.5 million in contributions and pledges. This weekend, we'll be moving "Boopsie" the skier up a bit further on the Single Chair campaign progress installation! Look for the final number as of February 28 to be posted at
www.preservemadriver.com
shortly. Thanks so much to all of our generous donors who have made this achievement possible! Your commitment to the future of Mad River Glen is truly appreciated.
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SMF StorySki Brings Kids, Skiing, and Reading Together
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The Stark Mountain Foundation recently sponsored a StorySki featuring Sarah Dillard’s picture book
I Wish it Would Snow!
The book is about a bunny that wishes for snow, is at first overwhelmed by it, then finally relishes it, only to have winter end.
The idea for the StorySki came from StoryWalk, a project originated in Montpelier at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library as a way for children to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. The added twist with the StorySki is that readers ski from page to page.
The StorySki was set up in Lollipop Woods (at the top of Periwinkle) for the last two weeks of February. It was enjoyed by many families, skiing together during their school vacation week.
On February 23, over 100 children participated the StorySki Scavenger Hunt. Participants were given a backpack at the Kent Thomas Nature Center, then sent on their way. At several of the pages, there were favors to gather. Upon completion of the Story Ski participants received a small stuffed bunny and hot chocolate on the Birdcage deck.
"It was a wonderful thing to share my book on the mountain that inspired it." said Sarah Dillard, a Stark Mountain Foundation board member. "I hope it has inspired people to get out and enjoy the mountain in all seasons!"
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Jillian Voigt heads down the StorySki woods run.
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Planning for Basebox & Patrol Buildings Underway
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The Facilities Committee and Mad River Glen's management are currently hard at work planning the two largest projects that will be funded by the campaign, the renovations to the Basebox and the Patrol Building. The team is working with Vermont Integrated Architects to define the scope of work, develop preliminary cost estimates, and begin conceptual drawings. Recently, members of the Facilities committee tallied the number of ski bags in the Basebox on a busy Saturday. They counted a total of 672 bags, many of them blocking corridors or placed in undesirable locations. One of the challenges facing the team will be to find a way to better accommodate this overflow of gear and people on busy days.
As the planning progresses, it's becoming increasingly apparent how much deferred maintenance has accumulated in the Basebox over the years. Behind the scenes, our food service operations work in very inefficient and cramped conditions. Some of the building's systems have outlived their useful lifespan and need replacement. The Preserve Our Paradise Campaign has accomplished a great deal, but we still have a long way to go to reach our goal of $6.5 million, and the campaign ends in just a few weeks. Now is the time to help fund these major building projects that are so vital to our community!
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General Manager Matt Lillard demonstrates that running MRG is a hands-on affair.
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Ryan Hawks Memorial IFSA Junior National Freestyle Competition
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On the weekend of March 10-11, Mad River Glen hosted a major freestyle competition. The event attracted 90 competitors of all ages to compete on the upper Gazelle and the Liftline. The competition was named in honor of the late Ryan Hawks, and was an IFSA (International Freeskiers and Snowbarding Association)
Junior National Event
and an
adult Freeskiing World Qualifying event.
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Turner Barbour gives the Sunnyside Double Chair riders a good show.
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Ava Killian hits the liftline.
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Luke Miele cranks it out.
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Libby Schiffman tackles the ledges on the Liftline.
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The competitors line up for the awards ceremony. These kids are the future of our sport.
Photos by TJ Greenwood top) & Jeb Wallace-Brodeur (middle & bottom).
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The new campaign-funded Birdcage deck attracted some happy users this past weekend. And yes, beer is now served at the Birdcage!
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN AT:
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Upcoming MRG & Campaign Events
March 16
Co-op Board of Trustees Meeting, 3rd floor of Basebox, 5:00 pm
March 17
St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans at Birdcage & General Stark's Pub
March 23
Junior Mogul Challenge, 10:00 am
Mad River Ski Club Championships, 10:00 am
March 30-April 1
Triple Crown Competition
April 1
April Fool's Day Promotion: Act foolish, ski for half price
April 6
Co-op Annual Shareholders Meeting, 5:00 pm
April 21
Easter Festivities if mountain is open
April 30
Campaign ends, final day of matching funds!
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Campaign Cabinet
Chairs:
Annika Holtan, Eric Palola
Members at Large:
Lars Bruns, Bob Dillon, Jim Elkind, Amory Hunnewell, Betsy Jondro, Karen Lloyd, Brandi Myers, John Nesbett, Pamela Nesbett, Penny Parson, Meg Schultz, Greg Scott, Debra Steines, John Tobin, Brooks Ware
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Look for our next newsletter in April.
Stay connected with the campaign on social media:
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