Loading...Holidays and winter weather regardless, December and January brought retreats, conferences and day meetings to the conference center and campground in the hills overlooking Rough River near Leitchfield. The winter months have also brought a new look for Marmion Hall, and a surprise visitor with a familiar face from old.
In December all Saints Center successfully hosted Bishop Ted Gulick’s annual Advent retreat. More than 35 clergy attended the overnight event. The bishop wanted his clergy to be well cared for as they are the most important assets of the diocese. From all reports of attendees and the bishop, all were well pleased and much work was accomplished in the conference.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature plays miserable tricks on events scheduled here in the hills, and two events had to be canceled for Jan. 8 and 9 because of the ice and snow covered rural roads.
Working to find new business
In an effort to find new event business, the administration at the center reviewed files from 2006 through 2009, including groups or events that canceled. Phone calls were made and as a result many updated rate sheets, center information and a custom letter were mailed to ignite new interest for All Saints’. We had two on-the-spot bookings due to the phone calls. The future success of All Saints Center depends greatly on development of new gatherings, whether they involve our Episcopal churches, other denominations, not-for-profit organizations and/or family reunions. If you or someone with whom you are associated have occasions to host events away from your work site, please call the center at 270-259-3514.
Working on Marmion Hall
Marmion Hall – host to thousands of hungry people over the years and most recently used as a craft center and breakout space – is getting some tender loving care and a new look.
Tim Probus, building and grounds manager, and Dolan Hunt, a retired All Saints’ employee, have stripped and re-waxed the porch so it looks like an ice skating rink! This week they will finish repairing cracks in the main part of Marmion and scrub and re-wax that section. The former kitchen has had the hood removed and the ceiling has been patched so we do not look up into a black abyss. Floors are being repaired, walls painted and a few remaining stainless steel tables rearranged for a breakout area. Work is underway on the ceiling to straighten the sway in the aging acoustic panels.
Return of the fox
This month, a snowstorm dropped five inches but the cold temperatures fortunately have not resulted in frozen pipes this year. A very large, bushy tailed red fox, however, was found nibbling the ground in the middle of the field behind the dining room. A beautiful creature! Evidently foxes have not been seen in the area very often after the construction started on the new inn. The old-timers are happy to see them back.
