Why Grange on the Green Concerts Are Free
July 2023
Linda Hamilton and Lynn Fox
If something like a music concert is good, it’s worth paying for, right? And those who go to the concert should be the ones who pay, right? Well, maybe.
Many parts of our current society press us to value the worth of everything in terms of money. The assumption behind this is often that if something is free it’s either not worth anything, part of a gimmick to get you to spend money later, or the donor is just foolish. But upon reflection we know that there are many things in our lives whose value cannot and should not be judged in terms of money, --because they are gifts from the heart.
Underwriting free community events which bring pleasure and strengthen community ties through people having fun together is a gift from the heart. Businesses and individuals who step up to sponsor such events make it possible for more families to participate, regardless of how tight their budgets are. This provides an opportunity for more Charlotters to meet, get to know each other, and very often discover some common interests. It’s connecting threads like these that help hold a community together.
With this in mind, for the last few summers Charlotte Grange in cooperation with Charlotte Library, has organized a series of family-friendly music concerts featuring some of the wonderful talent in the region, and held on one of the Town’s beautiful public spaces, Town Green. Called Grange on the Green, the concert series has become popular, well attended, and the kind of relaxed fun that sends you home in a happy mood afterwards. Importantly, it’s free to everyone, thanks to local businesses and individuals who underwrite it with financial gifts from the heart.
On behalf of all of us, Charlotte Grange thanks our Season Sponsors, Otter Creek Awnings and ReArch Company, Inc., and specific Concert Sponsors Philo Ridge Farm, Point Bay Marina, music company Cumbancha, and the many Charlotters whose individual donations underwrote the July 20 concert. Thank you for making Grange on the Green possible!
Here’s a closer look at this year’s sponsors:
Locally owned and operated by third and fifth generation Charlotters, Otter Creek Awnings has been in business since 1976. They offer patio awnings, stationary awnings including deck canopies, window awnings, exterior solar screens and custom weather protection curtains for both residential and commercial clients. Owners Sarah and Kris Larson loved growing up in Charlotte and came from farm families active in the Grange. As Sarah notes, “There’s nothing better on a summer evening than a picnic and music on the Green, and we really appreciate Charlotte’s Grange and Library for making the concerts possible.”
ReArch Company offers an array of services that includes property development, construction management and property management. Founded by John Illick and headquartered in South Burlington, ReArch was responsible for our Charlotte Library addition. Nan Mason, speaking on behalf of the Library’s Building Committee notes that “The quality of their work was exceptional; they managed the challenging logistics of construction while keeping the library open and staying within budget!” We are grateful for not only the beautiful Library, but that current CEO Johnny Illick firmly believes in giving back to the community.
Philo Ridge Farm on Mt. Philo Road, offers a unique farm market and dining services based on what the 400 acre organic farm produces. Owners Peter Swift and Diana McCargo are devoted to regenerative agriculture practices and contributing to the vibrancy of the Charlotte community.
Point Bay Marina on Thompson’s Point Road is a full-service marina with 200 seasonal slips and over 10,000 square feet dedicated to factory authorized repairs of sail and power boats. General Manager Todd Smith says he is glad to give back to the Charlotte community that has long been supportive of the business.
Sponsoring for the second year, Cumbancha is a Charlotte-based record label, booking agency and music publisher founded by Jacob Edgar, an ethnomusicologist and music producer. Edgar explains cumbancha as a Cuban word of West African derivation that refers to an impromptu party or musical jam session and implies an opportunity to get together with family and friends to dance, sing and celebrate life. Because of these sponsors and donations from individual Charlotters, we will do exactly that during this season’s Grange on the Green!
Bring your chair/blanket and picnic to Town Green each Thursday in July. Music 5:30-7:00pm, and Adam’s Berry Farm all fruit popsicles for sale while they last! See Charlottegrange.org for information about each concert’s music.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Linda Hamilton and Lynn Fox are members of Charlotte Grange. For information about Grange programs and membership, see Charlottegrange.org.