Autumn/Winter 2024
Volume 22, Issue 2
Inside this issue:
2023 Annual Report 2-3
Erie Gives 3
Staffing Update 4
Upcoming Events 4
Member, Donor & Volunteer Listing 5-7
This season, give the Gift of Goodell!
The official Newsletter of Goodell Gardens & Homestead
We don’t often think of Goodell Gardens when the sun goes down. We are so enthralled, on a daily basis, by the beauty of the gardens with floral designs and changing trees. We walk the trails and revel in the beauty of the natural setting.
The Goodell Gardens Gift Shop will be open for special holiday shopping hours December 12-15, 2024, 11 am - 5 pm!
We are excited to feature Royer Threads on Saturday A Neck’s Best Thing on Sunday, December 12 & 15.
The Gift Shop will be filled with lovely handmade goods and thematic gifts! Gift memberships will also be available! Memberships provide experiences at more than 1,000 organizations throughout the U.S. What a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list!
Often, Amber and I are meeting at the end of the day and as we talk and decide on a variety of issues, we are bathed in the beauty of the sun setting on Goodell. The long rays of the sun’s light express an after glow that warms our hearts and brings a feeling of peace that is absolutely consoling. We often remark that it is some of the most beautiful moments at Goodell.
This year, several events took place that caused us to gaze upward. On April 8th we enjoyed time together as a community observing the Total Solar Eclipse. It was a strange darkness that plunged us into a magical moment. More recently, our community skies were draped with the colors of the Northern Lights. We are not usually given this opportunity, but this year, the Northern Lights dazzled the skies over Goodell.
At these special times, we are reminded that in the darkness the Light is enhanced. We have to have darkness in order to see the twinkling stars and so we must remember that even when we seem surrounded by darkness, our Light is a beacon of hope and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Wishing you a peace filled heart as we lift our gaze upward and await the blessing of Spring and a return to the Gardens during the 4th Annual Tree Hugger Trail Run on May 3rd .
Sincerely,
Dr. Marian S. Beckman President Board of Directors
Goodell Gardens & Homestead
in Net Assets $17,182
Assets, Jan 1 $1,265,387 Net Assets, Dec 31 $1,327,598
Please note: 2023 Surplus Revenue was allocated to capital improvement projects in 2024 including the Beckman Family Labyrinth, Lincoln’s Lookout, Visitor’s Center Planning, and the Farm Field Re-Wilding Project.
Each year the financial statements of The Goodell Project, d/b/a Goodell Gardens & Homestead, are reviewed by an independent auditor. These numbers were taken from the statements prepared by the auditor for the years ending 2023 & 2022 The full audited financial report and the Goodell Project’s 2023 IRS form 990 are available on our website or by request.
Thank you so much for supporting the mission of Goodell Gardens & Homestead!
Dear Friends,
Twenty years ago the gates at Goodell Gardens first opened to the public. While I wasn’t on the staff at that time, I have spent time wondering what that would have felt like.
The earliest volunteer and paid staff members had spent four years cutting back brambles, identifying plants, cleaning out buildings, and carefully curating the gardens they were preparing to open. I imagine they felt cautious optimism and anxious excitement as they prepared to share the gift the sisters Carrie & Margaret Goodell left to the community. The Gardens would have been much smaller for our first visitors – not just in physical footprint, but also the individual plants. When I look back at photos of the Gardens from even a decade ago, I am in awe of how much everything has grown.
This year we celebrated not just twenty years of Goodell, but the journey we’ve made together over those two decades. From just a few garden beds surrounded by cornfields to 80 acres of wide open spaces and trails throughout. From cramming people into Carrie’s Cabin for composting classes to hosting festivals with thousands of attendees.
Your support has accomplished so much so far. And I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together in the next twenty years - and beyond.
Thank you for being such an essential part of the Goodell story.
Goodell Gardens & Homestead exists because of the vision and estate of sisters Carrie & Margaret Goodell, but Goodell grows because of YOU.
Ever grateful, Amber Wellington Executive Director
PS.
If you were involved in those early days of Goodell, I’d love to connect to hear more about it! Let’s connect: amber@goodellgardens.org or (814) 734-6699.
Wow! Erie Gives 2024 was a huge success!
Thank you so much to the 107 donors who gave on this day of generosity. Together we raised more than $11,000 for Goodell Gardens! Funds were used to help us continue creating beautiful gardens and natural spaces where people visit to Enjoy, Gather, Learn, and Refresh.
Folks who donated during Erie Gives are included in the listing of donors, sponsors, grantors, and volunteers on pages 5-7 of this newsletter. Please join us in thanking them for their generous support.
Thank you so much!
Please join the 3nd Annual Tree Hugger Trail Run on Saturday, May 3, 2025! Tickets are live now!
Run, jog, or walk the 5K-ish course on the trails. There will be a separate, shorter race for children.
Other event features include food trucks, activities for children, vendors, and more!
Visit www.goodellgardens.org/trailrun or scan the QR code below to register today! Prices increase as the event approaches.
Interested in sponsoring the event? Reach out to Events Organizer Brit at brit@goodellgardens.org to ask to receive a sponsor packet!
We hope you’ll join us for this great community event that helps support YOUR Gardens and Trails!
Please join us in congratulating former Education Coordinator Andrew Sipple on his new role as an Environmental Education Specialist for DCNR at Presque Isle and Erie Bluffs State Parks! While we are sad to see Andrew go, we’re so excited for his future in this new opportunity!
Andrew first joined our team in 2021, and he helped re-build the Education Department at Goodell postpandemic. We’re incredibly grateful for his time on the staff at Goodell and wish him the best of luck in his new role!
Goodell Gardens & Homestead remains committed to our mission to create beautiful gardens and natural spaces where people visit to enjoy, gather, learn, and refresh. This includes delivering high-quality educational programs, tours, and hikes. Over the winter months we’ll be working to determine the best next step in staffing the Education Department. Any openings will be announced on our website, social media, and via email.
Please join us in thanking these individuals and organizations whose support helped Goodell Gardens & Homestead over the past calendar year
TheCarrieH.&MargaretE.
GoodellFundattheErie CommunityFoundation
Agresti Real Estate: Adell Lane
Judy & Arnie Alloway
Mucie Allred
Afton Landscape Supply
Allegheny Beverage Co.
Angie & Elly Amatangelo
American Public Gardens Association
Donna Anderson
Al & Janet Arment
JC & Barb Armstrong
Gary Arndt
Art’s Bakery
Ashton Ferns
Linda Askins
Elva Avery
Chuck & Carol Baker
Lisa Balsan
Matthew & Jessica Barr
Samantha & Matt Barringer
Barner’s Farm Market
Leslie Bartnik
Barb Batuski
Suzanne & Michael Baum
LK Baumgardner
Bean & Bear Cafe
Don & Marian Beckman
The Beckman Family
Garrett Beebe
Michelle Bennett
David Bennett
Nacole Benson
Thomas & Karen Bihler
Binding Hearts Book Club
Janet & Barry Bischoff
Diane Blake
Eileen Blakeslee
Maria Blakeslee
Judith & Richard Bliley
Blind Tiger
Sarah Bliss
Daniel Boccio
Sandy & Bret Bolt
Borough of Edinboro
Jonah Brewster
Bridgeway Capital
Lisa Brinker
Cheryl Brozell
The Brugger Family
Michael Bucell & Cynthia Legin-Bucell
Lindsay Buchanan
Danny & Dr. Bunny Bucho
Bill & Bunny Buck
Katherine Buffington
Basil R. Bumbera
Tony & Kathi Burgett
Bailey Byrd
Brian & Sylvia Cagle
Lora Caldwell
Gloria Campbell
Mary Jo Campbell
Edwina Capozziello
Greg Gehner & Cappy Counard
Thomas Carangi
Gayle Sheets & Clair Carlson
Richard Carrick & Timothy Birchfield
Patricia & David Carson
Amanda Cass
Lauren Cassano
Janice Castro & Robert Petri
Terry & Nancy Cavanaugh
Nav Chandrani
Cody Chill
Gary & Cindy Clark
Seann & Kimberly Clark
Vickie Clark
Dotty Cokinos & Jay Marcinowski
Jim & Cheryl Collopy
Bernie Connelly
Conneaut Lake Garden Club
Lenore Constantino
Lisa Contessa
Thane Contessa
Country Fair, Inc.
Linda & Jim Cook
Roger & Mary Ellen Cook
Timothy Crabtree
Lauren Crawford
Nancy Crawford
Crawford County
Conservation District
Julia Cricks
Maria Cross
Donna Cummings
Michelee & Fritz Curtze
Allyn Cymbl
Dairy Supreme
Cecile Dallas
Mike & Kim Darnofall
Judy Dauson
Ms. Sharon L. Davenport
Pat Davis
Sandra & Clark Davis
Dawn’s Grazing Creations
Lindsay Deangelis
Jessica Dearborn
Christine DeCrease
Betty & Clark Deforce
Chris & Gail Detar
Aimee DeYoung
John & Fran Dietz
Tim & Pam Diley
Lizabeth Dilla
Carolyn DiNicola
Nancy Dolan
Ginny & Katie Donegan
Robert & Melinda Douglas
John & Sharon Downey
DreamBuilders Network
Sally Driscoll
Carolyn Dudas
Angela Dudenhoeffer
Qi & Vince Dunsworth
Earthshine Co.
Edinboro Area Historical Society
Edinboro Hotel Bar
Edinboro Market
Edinboro Police Department
Edinboro SEED
Edinboro Subways
Edinboro University Foundation
Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department
Edward Jones: Tim Mannino
Rick Edwards
Karen Eisenhart
Hayden Elko
Judith Ellis
Emily Watcher Early Intervention & Support Services
Environmental
Remediation & Recovery
Elainia Erdos
Erie Ale Works
Erie Arts & Culture
Erie County Adult Probation
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
Erie County Master Gardeners
Erie Insurance
Erie News Now
Erie Philharmonic
The Erie Reader
Ez Espey
Susan Fargo
Fat Hawk Farm
Nicole Fedders
Bill Felege
David & Kelly Felix
Jean Fera
Sara Field
Rebecca & James Finn
Kimberly Firestine
Troy Firth
Flip Cafe
Debbie Foister
Renee & Matt Foradori
Chloe Forbes
Amy Durie & Dave Forrest
Foundation for Sustainable Forests
Corbin & Patrice Fowler
Nathan Fralick
Jillian & Gregory Frank
Frank’s Chocolates of Edinboro
Rev. David & Amy Fugate
Fuhrman’s Cider
Gadley Pest Services
Dr. Jody & Dr.Charlie Gallagher
Joan M Galli & John Tautin
Cambridge Garden Club
Fair View Garden Club
Edinboro Town & Country Garden Club
Waterford Garden Club
Jeanie Gardiner
Ryan & Sherry Garofalo
John & Jayne Gaub
Gerlach’s Garden & Floral
Cindy Gathers
Jill Gee
Kimberle Gervase
Edith Ghere
Bill & Kelly Gheres
Ron & Deb Gibbs
H.G. Gillespie Foundation
Beth Gillette
Morgan Gilmore
*Note: We did our best to make sure this list is accurate, but we are human. If we omitted your name, please let us know.
Ricardo & Jane Gilson
Edward & Rita Goebel
Laura Gooley
Andrew Gosnell
Kris & Richard Gosnell
Julie A. Gould
Karen & Gary Gourley
Karla Graff
Dylanna Grasinger
Mary Graziano
Green Waves Composting
Allene Grisé
Barbara Grossett
Brenda Gryncewicz
Shyla Gunther
Karen & Jim Haas
Tim & Anne Hametz
Hamilton Insurance Agency
Ben & Mary Jo Haranin
Marsha Beth & Francis Hardy
Mary Hargenarter
Stephanie Hargest
Mari & Mark Harrison
Kelley Hartley
Caleb & Amy Hatch
Charles Hauth
Jessica Hauth
Fran & Joyce Hayden
Carrie Crow & Kevin Hayes
Heather Club of Edinboro
Cathleen Hedderick
Miranda Heintz
Peter Held
John & Susan Hennip
Brenda Henry
Susan Herberg
Anne Hickok
Christina Ohmer & Joe Hilbert
Judy Hill & Tom Finegan
James R. Hill III
Karen Hoegerl
Betty & Harold Holmstrom
Dahte Homan
Mary Ann & Chris Horne
The Honey Homestead
James & Christine Houser
Laura Howard
John Howell
Dale Hunter
Willow Hurlburt
Dale & Susan Hutcheson
IP Services, Inc.
J. J. Wurst Landscape Contractor
Kent & Andrea Jacoby
Kelly Jameson
Kathy Jamison
Dave Jassak
John’s Wildwood Pizzeria
Carol & Brian Johnson
Kathleen Johnson
Kirk Johnson
Johnston's Evergreen Nursery
Kay Horn Jordan
Rosanne Joseph
James & Michelle Jukkola
Barbara & Kevin Kantz
Gary Gross & Karen Willey
Tarah Kawal
Jean Keegan
Patricia Kennedy
Jack & Care Kerlin
Charlene Kerr
Kevin Hayes Electric
Lawrence Kibler
Mary Jane Kidd
Kiedaisch Family
Matthew Kinder
Rene I. Kingston
Denise Kirby
Dennis & Kathy Kitchen
Dave & Beth Klauk
John & Jennifer Knox
Pat Koloskee
Patty Kopay
Erik Kormos
Heather Kosinski
Trish Kosmach
Lou & Sallie Kotzman
Janet & Howard Krack
Ron & Karen Krahe
Judy & Mark Kubeja
Donald & Cynthia Kuhn
Erinn Lake Brozewicz
Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park
Lakeside Bagel
John & Chrissy Lantz
Sharon & Richard Larimer
Rebecca Lash
Greta Lasher
Craig & Kathy Latimer
Elizabeth Laughlin
Lydia Laythe
Bonnie & Robert Leamer
Matthew Lebowitz &
Phyllis Mashyna
Le Jardin Florals & Furnishings
James & Allyson Leonard
Mallory Lewis
Gay & Stephen Lipchik
Lincoln Daniel Bufalino Foundation
Pat & Joan Long
Lowe’s
Luminary Distilling
Ellen & Patrick Lyons
Christopher Lundberg
Susan Lundell & John McGowan
Jan Lutz
Made in Erie Academy
Julie Manno
Jane & Deac Manross
Julia Marchese
Mary Marley
Marquee Gal Val
Marquette Savings Bank
Jon & Vickie Marsh
Carole Martin
Christine Martin
Joy Master
Ellen Mathewson
Polly May
Tina M. Maynard
Dan Mayton
Gary McCartney
David & Jaime McCaslin
Richard McClay
Rachel McCreary
Sue & Geoffrey McCreary
Martha Swick & Mary McDade
Marilyn McDaniel
James McElroy
Denise McFadden
Scott McFadden
Keith & Linda McGarvey
Katharine McMaster
H Jean McMillin
Meadville Community Theatre
Clemence Mershon
Jacques & Melinda Meyer
Jessica Michel
Joyce C. Milberg
David Milhous
Millennium Sound
Patricia & Neil Milligan
Mindful Paths
MJ’s Runner Club
Mobile Mixers
Peggy Mogush
Michelle Montague-Waltz
Allan & Kathy Montgomery
Pamela Moore
Steve & Betty Moore
Valarie Moore
Tom & Sandy Moraski
Chris & Mallory Morey
Mary Morgan
Emily Morris
Tracy Morrison
Karen Mulholland
Erin Mullarkey
Mary Mulligan-Haines
Diane Murphy
Music Together with Miss Mary
Janet Woods & Lisa Nathanson
Frank & Kathey Nemeth
Barb Newcamp & George Stabile
Nonprofit Partnership
Northwest Tri-County IU5
Nancy & David Oberrath
Dave & Jan Obringer
Michael & Becky Okel
Norman K. Olson
David Olszewski
Cindy Ondish
Michelle Vitali & Stephen ONeill
Mary Orsini
Spencer Ort
Joyce Overheim
Ray & Pam Overholt
Irene Owens
PA Sound LLC
Kathleen Pae
Andrew & Heather Paris
Alison Parker & Michael Pisarcik
Fred & Anita Parker
Parker’s Framing Gallery
Sue & Ed Payne
Rosalie Pekelnicky
Robert & Cynthia Pelkowski
Susan Pence
Penn Union Corp.
Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection
Al & Kathy Pernisek
David Peters
Douglas Peters
Rusty & Merita Peters
Katie Chriest & Sheldon Peterson
Laurie Peyronel
Richard & Marian Pifer
Ann Marie Pochedly
Potratz Greenhouse
Presley & Pear (Rachel McCreary)
Johnathan & Lisa (Baumgardener) Priebe
Frances Przybycien
Larry Pulling
Hank & Bonnie Rafferty
Rafferty’s Renderings
Cathy Reese
Donna Reese
Joseph Reese
Susan Reitz
Esther Riccomini
Nancy Richter
Riverside Structures
Donna Roberti
Margo & Doug Roberts
Cal & Fran Robinson
Elani Rocker
Jennifer & John Roden
Tom & Jackie Roden
Janet Rogers
Frances Rosiak
Jonella & Robert Roundtree
Jessica Royer
Justine & Michael Russell
Victor & Nancy Rutkoski
Ward & Alexis Sanders
Keri Saulino
Marti & Jim Sawyer
Judith Scaletta
Roger & Sue Scarlett
Eryn Schaefer
Mary Ann & Jay Schenck
Brecken Schmidt
Sr. Elaine Schindler, HM
Gene Schlosser
Sarah Schoolcraft
John Schriefer
Tom & Kathy Schruers
Byron & Sonja Schuetz
David Schweigert
Scotland Yards
Brenda Seth
Jennifer, Galen & Cian Shepherd
Rick & Deanna Sherbondy
James & Barbara Sherlock
David Seybold
Skywalker Tree Service
Bill & Kathy Sibbald
Andrew Sipple
Judy Sipple
Lizbeth Sipple
Milton & Patricia Sipple
Amanda Sissem
Lori Skladanowski
Raye Ann Sklarsky
Brit & Russell Skrzypczak
Pam Skrzypczak
Julia Slater
Jennifer Sliker
Christine Smerker
A. Smith
Catherine McDaniel Smith
Smoke & Fire Barbecue
David & Deidre Snyder
Alivyana Solarus
Tim Soltesz
Kenneth Somerville
South Shore Party Rental
Katie & Jason Spangenberg
Spring Creek Gardens
Tracy Scott & Mick Stabile
Janet Stachowiak
Stan’s Garden Center
Michael Starks Family
Francis Stawicki
Steadman Law Office
Steeltoe Farm
Mary Ellen & Dan Stickle
Tara & John Stonestreet
Mary Anne Strand
Linda Straub
Linda Strawbridge
Amanda Martin & Bill Strike
Carin & Mark Stuart
Mary Sturdevant
Mary Kay & Ron Sturga
Debbie Sturm
Sheri Sullivan
Anne & Dave Sundean
Anita & Amelia Sundean Swenski
Russell & Marlene Sundy
Christie Sutton
Gloria Swietlik-Kieffer
Kathy Szymanowski
John & Kathy Szympruch
Linda Tayllor
David and Mary Teufel
Stephanie Thauer
Theresa Thewes
Jean Thomas
Valerie Thompson
Patricia & Arnold
Thunborg Family
Peter Tibbets
Laura Tighe
Matthew Till
Edward H Tonkin
Roxanne Tonn
Jeanne Torba
Transit Forge
Becky Lynn Travis
Tree Pennsylvania
Christine Troutman & Barry Gray
Ed Pechin & Lew Trumble
Roberta Turkas
Nancy Twichell
Unforgettable 360 Photo Booth
Caryl Unseld
Deborah van der Bol
Kelley Van Matre
Tim Vanco
Vanco Family Farm
Victorian Princess
Cindy & Jim Viveralli
David and Barbara Wagner
Dr. Arthur & Millie Wainer
Mallory Waldron
Walker Bros of Edinboro
Chad Walker
Randy & Lianne Walker
Randy Walker’s
Mighty Oak Tree Farm
Richard & Carol Susan Walker
Marjorie Wallace
Derek Waltz
Mike Waltz
Pat & Jim Warner
Margaret Watts
Tricia & Freddy Webber
Mary & Ken Weber
Barb Wegner
Weiss Earley Landscape
Design & Contracting
Jill Rouke & Lynn Weissert
Amber Wellington
Gerri Wellington
William P. Wellington
Charles & Jennifer Wellman
Kathy & Elmer Welte
West Advisory Group
Mary E. White
Justin & Mary Beth Whitford
Laurie Parendes
& Mark Wickenheiser
John Widner
Jeff and Laurie Wiesner
Lee & Bonna Williams
Rebecca Willow
Suzanne Winterberger
Betty Wist
Betsy Wood
Susan Woodland
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Jeana Wright
Carol Yankovich
Dorthy Yard
Linda Yeaney
YMCA (County Branch)
John Yonko
Jack & Jean Young
Jim & Debbie Zahler
Frank & Cheryl Zalik
Shelly Zisenheim
Matthew Zimmer
Heather M. Zimmerman
Friends & Family of Herbert Hoffritz
Friends & Family of Blossom McBrier
Friends & Family of Carole Edwards Martin
Friends & Family of Robin Mosher
Friends & Family of Lillian Wellington & 23 Anonymous Donors
