U.S. Senator Debbie

Stabenow visited Grow Benzie August 9th 

 

The Board of Directors of Grow Benzie warmly greeted U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow Thursday evening, August 9, when she arrived for a fundraising event being held on her behalf by the Benzie County Democratic Party at Grow Benzie.

 

Senator Stabenow toured the grounds, greenhouses, and facilities and was very interested in the licensed kitchen Grow Benzie is in the process of constructing.  She cited the fact that she had been instrumental in securing a licensed kitchen for the Eastern Market in the downtown Detroit, as this is one of her interests.  As Chairperson of the Agricultural and Nutritional Committee of the U.S. Senate, she is very committed to good nutrition.   Stabenow commented that Grow Benzie's efforts are totally aligned with the new agricultural bill that has been passed in the Senate and currently is in the House. 

 

 

Senator Stabenow returning from a tour of the greenhouses and gardens with Art Roth and Richard Hendricks.

 

 

Advisors and Board with Senator in the greenhouse.

 

 

Our Sponsors

 

 

 

  What happens when the lights go out in Benzie County?  

 

Everyone goes to Grow Benzie's "The Garden Party" and has fun.  Just as guests arrived for Grow Benzie's 3rd annual fundraising event the power grid shut down for two hours - no lights, no kitchen, no PA system, no band, no toilets. Oh, and a severe thunderstorm moving across the lake.  Not one of the 400 plus guests missed a beat as the party rolled on.  As one guest said "makes it different, we have a great time every year, wonder what they will do for an encore?"

 

The Garden Party is Grow Benzie's major fund raising event of the year and proceeds fund its on going programs. As a demonstration/training site Grow Benzie aspires to be the center of excellence to help adapt lives to our changing environment, serving as a symbol of hope and revitalization for all residents.   

The gardens, the soon to be completed kitchen, and a variety of classes are the tools used to improve sustainability and life changing opportunities for Benzie County residents.

 

Said softly, Grow Benzie's mission is to enrich the lives of Benzie County residents-- said more directly, it is an attack on poverty and all that it represents- poor health, poor life choices, few opportunities for a better life.   We believe that changing eating habits (thus the gardens and fresh foods), education in nutrition and healthy meals (kitchen/classes), and life/job skills (food preparation skills/employment/opportunity/
entrepreneurship) all work to that end.

 

 

 Local artist Hannah Rae Beale preceded The Fabulous Horndogs who provided continuous music (when the lights came on to the applause of the party goers). Visually the tented area was transformed by mini lights and lanterns and an abundance of fresh flowers- just what you'd expect from a Garden Party and, of course, there were hats galore.

 

 

Food was wonderful - served on a continuous basis from four Benzie restaurants and seven more from as far away as Boulder, Colorado (Crystal Mountain Resort, Chimney Corners Resort, Port City Smokehouse, Coho Fine Dining and Spirits, Stone House Bread, Arcadia Bluffs Country Club, Mission Table Inn, American Spoon Foods, 9 Bean Row, Up North Big Pan Fun Kitchen and Mental Levitation Society. Black Star Farms, New Holland Brewery and North Peak Brewing provided beverages.  Mixologist James Lee of The Bitter Bar in Boulder CO was flown in especially to serve his unique drinks.

 

 

 

40 Silent Auction, "Benzie Bountiful Baskets" ranged from Santa Fe weekends, jewelry, premium wines, to spa treatments and five golf packages.  The Live Auctions featured 6 destination trips (Napa, New York, Calgary/ Banff), 25 tickets to Sox - Tigers Baseball game, Masters Golf tickets, a surrey, a Jaguar convertible and a 1990 Porsche 911 convertible.   Something for everyone, and every item had a winner. The programs at Grow Benzie will flourish. 

 

None of this would be possible without the generous spirit of the people of Benzie who made the party a success against all obstacles and committed to the betterment of our community through the services Grow Benzie provides. The theme is always the same- "give forward" .  We are so fortunate to live in this wonderful community where giving to others is just part of who we are. Thank you Benzie .

 

 Next years fundraising event will be held July 6, 2013 - mark your calendars - 

Like good wine,  we get better every year!