Dear Friends,
Fiscal Year 2022-23 saw a return to normal after the pandemic years of 2019 through 2022. We were able to successfully continue our programs for Halloween, Encampment, and Christmas Holiday events and another spectacular British car show in June where we celebrated our 275th anniversary with a Pennsylvania House citation delivered by State Representative Mary Jo Daley and scrumptious cakes handsomely made by Friends of Graeme Park President, Beth MacCausland!
Throughout this past fiscal year, the board and its committees have been active. We conducted a Strategic Planning Meeting in March to help focus our organization on its near term and long-term priorities. Our property continues to benefit from efforts of our volunteers to plant trees, install interpretative signage, and clean the brick walkways. The gardens continue to be a place of joy being lovingly maintained by our garden committee and a part-time garden assistant and we have seen significant increase in revenue from use by professional photographers. The PHMC completed many projects including the window sash project in the mansion and summer kitchen wing, replacement of the wood floor in the summer kitchen, and refinishing of the visitor center wooden floor.
In closing, I want to thank all the volunteers and board members who have continued to support our organization over the past year and for our members who continue with their steadfast support. I am proud of our achievements and our way of working together in a congenial manner which makes volunteering with this organization so worthwhile.
Sincerely,
Kevin Horan
President, Friends of Hope Lodge
