Go GREEN for Graydon!

This week is GREEN GREEN GREEN for Graydon!!

• You can now go GREEN in saving paper by donating online! It's simple & fun! Make sure to list Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy as your Fund/Program when you go to https://ssl.4agoodcause.com/cfozarks/donation1.aspx?id=1
• Lots of GREEN (meaning money) was raised on Tuesday night at our 2nd Trivia Night! Almost 60 people played along! We haven't heard yet how much Garbo's is generously donating. 
• GSOL t-shirts are available! No, they are not colored GREEN. They are a "GREEN" product: locally made & printed in the Ozarks (little gasoline used) with organic cotton. Please email us (GraydonSprings@gmail.com) to purchase one for $18 - all of that money goes straight to GSOL! Thank you Third Street Sportswear for donating them! 

We hope to see or hear from you all soon! Things are ramping up & YOUR donations and input matters!

Logo-riffic = Susan Gill!

Have you noticed something different on our blog? You are right! We have a logo!!!!! A HUGE thank you goes out to Susan Gill!

Susan Gill volunteered her skills to bring us to the next level in our journey. She has incorporated the nature of Graydon Springs, the old Craft Hut & even the flowing springs into one beautiful logo. She welcomes commissioned designs. If you are in need of a great logo or other graphic design services, please contact Susan!


designs by susan gill
susangill@susangill.us
www.susangill.us
573-289-1460

What can I do?

Every time I tell someone about Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy, the first thing they say is, "Wow. That's neat, but its going to be a lot of work!" You are correct! But, building & securing a legacy should be hard work, right? Otherwise, why would I have reason to pass it along to the next generation? The next thing they say is, "Let me know what I can do to help." We are finally to the point that we can respond, "FUNDRAISERS!" & "Get the word out!" 

We have two things to focus on at this point in the start up of GSOL: Name Recognition & Fundraising. We have taken serious looks at who we are serving, who our supporters are & in what manner they would all like to achieve these 2 goals. We have multiple fundraisers for you to have fun with your friends & family as well as spread the word that GSOL exists. Anytime you can bring GSOL up in conversation, please do. If you know someone who is interested in any of the 5 goals (education, sustainability, recreation, preserving Ozarks history, or community building), please spread the word. 

Here are the currently planned fundraiser event. Of course, you are welcome to donate at any point without an event.

High-5 Fundraiser - ongoing through 5-5-11!


Oscar Watch Party - February 27 - multiple locations, you could even participate from your own home!

February 22 Trivia Night - Springfield's McSalty's Pizza on Battlefield

March 15 Trivia Night - Springfield's Garbo's Pizza in Chesterfield Village


We hope to see you soon! I will continue to share fun ways to spread the word about GSOL.


-Alexis/Taxi

GSOL Jan 2011 Meeting

Check it out! Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, Jan 26, 6:30-9pm at the Panera on East Sunshine, Springfield, MO. Can't make it? No worries! Email us your ideas, thoughts or witty comments & we will make sure to throw it on the agenda!


Hope to see you there!


What is YOUR outdoor legacy?
-Alexis

Give a High 5 to GSOL!

You just thought the days of "High 5-ing" someone to celebrate, encourage or welcome were in the past! It is time to give a big High 5 for on behalf of Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy!


5 FAQs:

• #1: Why 5? There are many reasons, here are 5:
1. 5 Goals
1. Education
2. Recreation
3. Community building
4. Ozarks History
5. Sustainability
2. A $5 donation won't put a burden on most budgets.  
3. There are 5 Founders of GSOL.
4. Anyone can be involved, babies to college students to the wiser generations!
5. A High-5 is a really fun way to start out a grass-roots organization!
• #2: What is a GSOL High 5? Simply put - $5 donations (or more in $5 increments) from as many people as possible. 
• #3: How can I be involved? Send in a donation of $5 or more to our shiny new PO Box
• Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy, PO Box 834, Ozark, MO 65721
• ***CORRECTION ALERT! At original posting of this blog the PO Box was incorrect. The correct PO Box number is above!***
• #4: Is there an online donation option? Great question! Not yet, but it is coming soon. Keep your eye open for that awesome announcement!
• #5: Where do I direct questions about the High-5 fundraiser? email GraydonSprings@gmail.com, on facebook, or by leaving a comment here!

Favorite of 5?

As we continue on this exciting journey of revitalizing this amazing gem of the Ozarks, we have come to some conclusions that have been apparent for years. There are many camps around the country that were opened in the 1960's that were simply intended for summer camp. This was great at the time...but slowly we have seen these camps fold under financial strains, urban areas encroaching on the properties, as well as just an inability to really keep up high quality facilities (even rustic ones) during 9 months of disuse & 3 months of heavy use year after year. Because of this, we know that Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy MUST find year-round uses of the property for it to not return to what it is currently. We realize some uses of the property may not be year-round by itself. By combining all of these will make it a great resource to the Ozarks & USA at large! Below is a quick list of the 5 viable areas we see making Graydon Springs a year round facility. What is your favorite of 5? Maybe that's where you can become involved!

Education

• Environmental Education Center
• for schools
• for public classes
• for Summer Camp focuses on Environmental Education/Sciences
• Training ground for aid workers destined for remote areas
• Training ground for volunteers of all kinds of areas
• Space for a ‘Seeds of Peace’ type camp- http://www.seedsofpeace.org/

Recreation

• Campground for public use from the trail 
• Summer Camp
• Recreation - adventure training, races, orienteering

Ozarks Heritage

• Nature preserve
• Site for historic education- dealing with early settlements, 19th century medicine, early 20th century science
• A place for ‘train enthusiasts’ to gather
• Wildlife/Native American education

Sustainability

• “Lab” for green technology & techniques
• Agriculture - local, organic, gardens, possibly lease pasture land to other parties
• A teaching center for sustaniable agriculture techniques

Community

• Family Retreat Center - to foster healthy families, which prevents child abuse issues in Ozarks, etc
• Host music festivals
• partner with other organizations to find new uses for property