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Congratulations to the Paragon Carousel in Hull, MA for being the top vote-getter in the Partners in Preservation contest!
Additional grant recipients will be announced on June 16th.
18 May 2009
17 May 2009
Final Hours to Vote for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House
The Partners in Preservation contest ends tonight at midnight, only a few hours from now!
If you have stuck with us though the entire five-week voting period -- many, many thanks! We've relished the challenge of devising clever yet non-intrusive ways for you to be reminded to vote, and admire your own perseverance in remembering every day.
If you joined us along the way in our quest for the $100,000 preservation grant, we thank you as well. The incredible surge we experienced last week -- going from 15th place to 12th place in four days -- was remarkable and inspiring!
And, if you're only now reading this and wishing you could vote for us, there's still time to cast your ballot and show that Orchard House matters to you! Simply visit http://www.PartnersinPreservation.com to register and log in to vote.
We're very grateful for the exciting ways in which we've reached out on social networking sites and the many new and renewed friends and followers we've acquired in the process. We hope you will continue to check for updates on us in the future. Better yet, if you're ever in Concord, MA, do make sure to visit Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Thank you all so much for your support!
13 May 2009
A Tale of Love and Support in Concord, MA
We would like to share with you the following incredible story that occurred yesterday:
In the early morning hours of 12 May 2009, fire ravaged two stores on Main Street in Concord, Massachusetts: Fritz and Gigi's - The Children's Shop and Churchill Flowers. Fortunately, the lone apartment dweller above these businesses managed to call the fire department and get out safely. These businesses were located in historic buildings, and although they are likely to be structurally sound, the interiors -- complete with fine old woodworking details and generations of memories for Concord shoppers -- along with all the merchandise, are total losses. Re-building will proceed apace for these folks, but will take several months at the least before they can get back on solid ground. In our already awful economic climate, this could not have come at a worse time for these business owners.
Fritz and Gigi's is owned by the Kussin family, long-time Concord residents. The Kussins are also direct descendants of the Alcotts ...
Upon hearing the news of the fire (communicated to us by a Staff member driving his son to school), we immediately went to the store to express our concern and offer any help. When Louisa Alcott Yamartino (the great-great-granddaughter of Anna Alcott Pratt) saw us, the first thing she said was: "We saved your [VOTE!] sign! It didn't get burned!" That, we assured her, was the least of our concerns. Nonetheless, she insisted that we put the sign back on the lawn in front of the store right away! Then, after walking through the devastation and asking again what we could possibly do to help them, Louisa quite seriously answered: "Keep voting!" She honestly admitted that the success of Orchard House in the Partners in Preservation contest would help her family feel better about what was currently happening to them.
What a selfless thing to say and feel. What incredible resilience in the face of adversity. And, it was just so Alcott ...
Everyone associated with Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House is extraordinarily honored to be acquainted with the Kussin family, and wish them nothing but the best in the coming days, weeks, and months. We have already helped to organize community-wide relief efforts for the family, and hope to not let them down in these last days of the contest. We offer this story as great testament to the power of believing in a cause, and hope it provides you with another great example of how "this place matters!" (To read an article in our local paper about the fire and efforts to help the family, please click here.)
Please vote for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House in the Partners in Preservation contest. On-line voting ends this Sunday, 17 May 2009 at midnight. We have made incredible progress -- moving from 15th to 14th to 13th place -- in only three days! With your help, we know we can succeed!
To cast your ballot for us to win a $100,000 preservation grant, click here. Thank you!
Please vote for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House in the Partners in Preservation contest. On-line voting ends this Sunday, 17 May 2009 at midnight. We have made incredible progress -- moving from 15th to 14th to 13th place -- in only three days! With your help, we know we can succeed!
To cast your ballot for us to win a $100,000 preservation grant, click here. Thank you!
07 May 2009
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT'S ORCHARD HOUSE MAKES THE FRONT PAGE OF THE BOSTON GLOBE WEST TODAY!!!
Please read this article by clicking on the title of this blog post (and for more information on why we need to win the Partners in Preservation contest, visit http://www.louisamayalcott.org).
Then, vote for us every day through May 17th at http://www.PartnersinPreservation.com.
With only 10 days left in the contest,
your daily votes are crucial to our success!!!
your daily votes are crucial to our success!!!
Please help us break into the Top 10 ... and stay there! (And please spread the word to your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same.)
If we win, we all win, because one of America's most beloved historic sites will be able to continue its preservation efforts and stay open for generations to come!
Thank you!
01 May 2009
"Promote the Vote" for Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House!
During our well-attended "Spruce Up for Spring" Gardens & Grounds Clean-Up last weekend, some of our youngest volunteers took time out to join Executive Director Jan Turnquist in making an earnest plea for votes. Enjoy our first-ever in-House video (click on the Blog title to watch it on YouTube), and then please vote for us every day through May 17th at http://www.PartnersinPreservation.com.
To find out even more about why we should win, visit this special portion of our website: http://www.louisamayalcott.org/vote2009.html.
To find out even more about why we should win, visit this special portion of our website: http://www.louisamayalcott.org/vote2009.html.
23 April 2009
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House makes the front page of The Concord Journal (and on-line at Wicked Local, too)!
Read the story, check out the cool pix of "Miss Alcott" supervising the Preservation Project, and watch the video (if you haven't already). Then ... VOTE!Once a day every day through May 17th at www.PartnersinPreservation.com!
21 April 2009
Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House vying for $100,000 in guaranteed grant money
Watch as Executive Director Jan Turnquist explains why we need to win the Partners in Preservation contest!
"Spruce Up for Spring" Volunteer Gardens & Grounds Clean-Up Fast Approaching!
This year marks the tenth time Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House has asked volunteers to help with our annual gardens and grounds clean-up. In the past, this event has not only helped us to save on costly landscaping fees, but also promotes a spirit of camaraderie that is beautiful to experience -- young and old and everyone in between working alongside each other to make "America's House" awake from its long Winter nap and look beautiful for the new tourism season!
The clean-up date of Saturday, April 25th also happens to fall on "Global Youth Service Day," an international effort to encourage youth volunteerism to make a difference in local communities. We provide Community Service credits to students and boy/girl scouts, so it's a terrific way to get what you need and have a good time doing it! (For more info on Global Youth Service Day, visit www.gysd.org.)
Volunteers can help out for the entire day or for an hour or two. Families are welcome, and you don't need previous gardening experience -- we have all manner of activity to keep folks busy! Healthy snacks and lunch are provided too, so what's not to like? (In the event of rain, "Spruce Up for Spring" will be held on Sunday, April 26th.) Hope you can help!
15 April 2009
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