Letter from Christine Satterlee
Dear Friends, Members & Supporters,
This past year has been challenging for all of us and especially our community. We are cautiously making plans now for this coming year as we hopefully round the corner on the pandemic and become fully operational in 2021. But first, I want to express our shared gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary legacy Mari Philips has left as founding Museum member and Board Chair these last three decades. Under her guiding hand the Museum flourished and the seeds were planted for what was to become Worthington Park. Mari, along with Larry McKeehan, had the remarkable vision of having the Museum purchase the Hamilton-Worthington House and land from Eilleen Worthington. Generous grants (both public and private), donations from across our community and the nation, along with a huge amount of volunteers and professionals have created a one-of-a-kind events centre with a fully restored Victorian mansion, an outdoor performance theatre, acres of beautiful grounds, and a Museum at its core.
Can you believe we are now in November of 2020? Where do we go from here?
As your new Chairperson, I have some new ideas, some new ways of doing the work that needs to be done so we can open our Museum and mansion doors when the time is safe for all to congregate again. I am lucky to have such a well-oiled machine behind me – with dedicated volunteers who continue to be wonderful guides. I have met with each Board Member to gather ideas and comments on how we can best move forward. We actually conducted our first virtual Board meeting this month. Yes, we Zoomed! While not our preferred way to meet – it served.
We have been in the process of updating our by-laws with the intent to better align our organization to our operations. We’re also reviewing and updating our business and strategic plans to best ensure we will be prepared for hosting overnight stays at the mansion as well as special public and private events throughout Worthington Park in the years to come.
Linked here is a PDF copy of a recent article published in Fjord Magazine (link opens in a new tab) that I believe will bring you up to date on what we’ve accomplished together and where we are going.
What I would like to leave you with is an appeal for your increased participation in this wonderful community undertaking. Museum membership is the engine of our progress through good times and bad. Please consider renewing your membership or making a sustaining donation – and asking your friends and neighbors to join us. We will be reaching out to you in the months ahead for volunteer opportunities – please consider committing as you can. While there may be some uncertainty ahead in what we will be able to accomplish together in 2021 – we are planning now to be ready to put our best foot forward. The recent Scarecrow Contest we hosted in front of the mansion demonstrated we can keep our community safe and still have fun! The community involvement far exceeded our expectations. I encourage you to stay abreast of our future plans by continued visits to this website.
I will endeavor to keep you all well informed as to the ongoing planning at the Museum and future Worthington Park events. I ask that you consider participating in those efforts. We need your ideas and commitment.
With gratitude,
Christine Satterlee
