“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

                                                                -Helen Keller

6/4/24

I drove by the Wright house on my way home from work this afternoon and as I paused at the 4-way stop on N. State and Downie, I saw John Luneack mowing the Wright House lawn. It’s moments like these that when I am finally sitting down for the evening that I ponder on how many volunteers were busy today, silently working behind the scenes doing what they do best to keep this project moving along. Thank you, John, for taking on this task of mowing the lawn every week. At the same time, I thought to myself, Pat was probably in her house across the street working away on the newsletter or grant writing. I literally can hear her in my head saying, “We need to find more money!” I pulled up into my garage, walked to the house and there was Kelly, fidgeting with the Wright House security system. This… right here, is community dedication to the cause. So many things are happening behind the scenes every minute of each day.

As I sit in my thoughts about this blog and what I want to talk about this week, I remember that tonight is the Wright Experience in the park in less than an hour. I will have to step away from my thoughts to go show support to the presenter, Mike Swims, this evening. You MUST show up, right!? Showing up, whether you are a part of it or not, speaks volumes to our commitment. A few months back we were strangers beginning an adventure. Today we are friends showing each other support no matter how tired the day has made us.

6/8/24

I did step away from my thoughts, gathering up my husband and some chairs and began the journey across the Saravilla lawn to the back corner that connects to Wright Park and in the distance, I could see members of our community pouring in around the pavilion. We had about eighty people in attendance, and you could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air for The Wright Experience. As people gathered around, I began to listen in, (if you know me, you know that I am a people watcher). I overheard someone say they were going to take notes and hopefully during the Wright Night for Trivia they would be able to get some answers correct! I have a word for this, well, two words actually: Dedication and Enthusiasm. As intently as people listened to Mike’s presentation (Which was all about Ammi Wright) I have no doubt that some fantastic notes were taken. I am not a historian, but I’d like to think I know a bit due to the enormous amount of research I have completed on the Lancashire family, specifically, Sarah Hale Wright-Lancashire, Ammi’s daughter, and Saravilla. BUT let me tell you, I learned a thing or two about Ammi Wright that evening! Fantastic job, Mike!

Speaking of The Wright Night for Trivia, this event is coming up fast!! It will take place on Thursday, June 13th. I have never played trivia before, at least not in public!  But I am going to show my support, especially since we are being matched by The United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties. What this means is that every dollar we receive from ticket sales, donations, auction items, merchandise sales, etc. The United Way will MATCH us IF we meet our GOAL of raising $15,000. So, with your help we can reach the goal and then we will receive a $15,000 MATCH! Imagine what we could do to the Wright House Restoration efforts with $30,000! I hope we see you there and I promise you will have a great time. Maybe you’re not competitive, or you tend to be a quiet participant but after you purchase some confidence at the cash bar, grab a bite to eat and get acquainted with other attendees, I bet you will have some (W) right answers! Maybe you will bid on some of the fantastic auction items. I love a good bidding war, ask my husband how I roll with online antique auctions! Seriously though, it will be a fun evening so you, and them and those people over there (Did I make you look?) should all come. It’s for a great cause and let’s be honest, this restoration project needs your help! When the Wright House Restoration is finished, we all need to be standing together when those doors finally open on the Wright House Museum BUT, the only way we will get there is if YOU come along with us. So, get up (I will get up with you!), sign up to volunteer some of your time, sign up to trivia night, show up at one of our vendors tables, give us your ideas, share your stories and let’s make this all happen!!!

Until next week……..                                     - Rochelle