In August, Gunnar and Heather Baldwin plan to take another rowing trip. Starting in 2003 the Baldwins have rowed from Key West, FL to Norfolk, VA on the Intra Costal Waterway, up the Hudson from Newburg, NY to the Champlain Canal, and the length of Lake Champlain to Quebec. Three years will have passed since their last trip on the Erie Canal in August of 2008. In the past they have rowed to support Habitat for Humanity, raising almost $750,000.00 in money and product donations. This year they plan to row two canal routes in Canada. One is the Rideau Canal from Kingston, Ontario to Ottawa. The other is the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal from the northern end of Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence River. They plan to leave on August 13, starting in Kingston on the 14th and, if they finish the Rideau in time, they will also row the Richelieu, before returning on August 28. Their goal is to row 200 miles!
Because there are no affiliates of Habitat for Humanity located along these routes, the Baldwins have decided to raise money for a different cause this time. Artistic Roots, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cooperative art center and juried gallery whose mission is to bring together artists and the community through workshops and classes; peer mentoring; receptions and events; and to provide a venue for the sale of artists’ works. The cooperative is managed and run by the members. Membership dues, sales commissions, class tuitions, fund-raising and donations support the maintenance and financing of Artistic Roots, Inc., for the benefit of its members and the community.
The Baldwins want to give Artistic Roots their support in every way they can. (Artistic Roots, in their opinion, is the best place to find fine art and fine crafts north of Boston!) One of the reasons for their interest in Artistic Roots is that Heather is the president of its Board of Directors. Artistic Roots needs all the support they can get! They are doing a wonderful job bringing art education to the Plymouth area as well as providing a very reasonable outlet for their member’s work.
The Baldwins are hoping that friends of Artistic Roots will support their row and send donations and pledges for the miles they row. Pledging by the mile has a way of motivating them to keep going each day to maximize distance! Mileage pledges can be made for any amount and can have a maximum distance. Any and all tax deductable contributions will be gratefully appreciated! Checks should be made out to Artistic Roots and should be sent to:
Rowing for Roots
Donna Castor, Treasurer,
Artistic Roots,
73 Main St.
Plymouth, NH 03264
The Baldwins will maintain an account of their trip at their rowing website, http://rowing.thorntongore.com. Heather and Gunnar hope you will follow their progress and will add your support and become a part of this adventure!
