FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Sarah Miller
Public Relations & Media Director
217-348-8475
smiller@insidethegreenbox.com
www.greenmillvillage.com
October 16, 2008
Volunteers Add a Touch of Color to Green Mill Village Construction Site
Garden project sets the stage for Groundbreaking Ceremony
Arcola, Ill. - Clear skies and unseasonably warm weather attracted children and adults from area service organizations to a community event at Green Mill Village (GMV) in Arcola, Ill. this past weekend. The volunteers planted the first of many colorful garden areas at GMV, a sustainable resort and conference center scheduled to open in Spring 2010.
The next event at GMV will be the Official Groundbreaking Ceremony on October 30 beginning at 10 a.m. More than just a dirt turning ceremony, featured speakers will make announcements about future developments. The event is "invitation only".
Members of the Arcola Daisy and Brownie Scout Troop 2400, Tuscola Daisy Troops 2002 and 2336, Tuscola Cadette Troop 2294 along with volunteers from the Moultrie-Douglas County Extension Master Gardener and Junior Master Gardener programs took part in the plantings.
Kaizad Irani, Landscape Design and Horticulture Program Director at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill. and Visiting Faculty at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill., spoke to the group about the perennials, grasses and shrubs they planted and how the garden would become a focal point for guests of GMV.
"We couldn't have asked for better weather for this project," said Cassie Yoder, Marketing Director for GMV. "Everyone had a great time learning about the importance of sustainability and the environment while digging in the dirt."
The volunteers spent two hours planting the garden and were then treated to a hearty lunch catered by The Kitchen of Doris Yoder in Arthur. Candy apples and chocolates from Flesor's Candy Kitchen in Tuscola were given as "thank you" gifts at the end of the day.
"The utilization of local businesses to provide the meal and favors for this event shows the level of commitment GMV has to sustainability," Yoder said. "We are fortunate to have such a wide range of exceptional entrepreneurs in our community."
Photographs from the days work session are available on GMV's Web site at www.greenmillvillage.com.
For more information on the garden projects, future community activities or the Groundbreaking Ceremony at GMV, contact Sarah Miller, public relations and media director, at 217-348-8475, smiller@insidethegreenbox.com or visit www.greenmillvillage.com. Media requests for high-resolution photographs should also be directed to Sarah Miller.
About Green Mill Village
Green Mill Village (GMV) is scheduled to open in 2010 and will include a lodge/conference center, spa, restaurants, retail center and education center – powered by wind turbines and solar power. It is an unprecedented Midwestern sustainable project, from both an environmental and an economic standpoint.
Located in the heart of Illinois Amish country, the Green Mill Village site is in the center of a triangle formed by the three major cities of St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago, and just over two hours from each. The conference center, lodge and spa facility will be designed with a 1940s era theme, reminding visitors of a simpler time with a slower pace. The conference center will accommodate meetings for 500 people with a staff trained to support "green" meetings.
Green Mill Village will emphasize key elements of responsible tourism, which include not only environmental considerations but also respect and appreciation for different cultures and ensuring that the local people benefit economically from tourism activities.
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