March 27, 2020
Season Update
While it’s true that our Spring competitive rowing season is sadly over, we are looking into any opportunity to keep the kids connected. At the same time we are looking diligently at all finances and hope to have more information to you very soon.   We will be in contact as soon as we have more details. We thank you for supporting Great Valley Crew and are so disappointed we are not preparing for our first regattas! -John Brewer, PD
Rowing in the tank
For some: First time on the water!
Susan and Ava in our new double.
New rowers ace their swim test.
Message from the coaches
Great Valley-
I’m so sad to write that the season is officially “over.” Coach Lindsay and I have missed you all these past few weeks and, like most of the world, we were hopeful things could return to some semblance of normalcy. Unfortunately, things happen that are fully out of our control and we have a responsibility to the welfare of others to do what is right. 

Because you aren’t all yet adults with email addresses that get flooded with spam from any establishment you’ve patronized, you don’t understand how irritating meaningless condolences are in this time. However, because we do, I will try to make the “condolence” portion brief. I’m sorry we don’t get to have one last season together, seniors, to show how fast we could go & to be able to take our relatively smaller and newer program to Scholastic Nationals. I’m sorry all of the work each one of you has put in doesn’t get to come to fruition in any piece down the Schuylkill, and that you don’t get to line up against competition this Spring. I’m sorry that you endured my barking for a number of practices all for nothing! I’m sorry to each one of you, and grateful for the commitment you had made to be part of our team this year.

All new rowers, we’re excited and impressed with the turnout we were able to get with novices this year and are bummed you don’t get to experience your inaugural season now. We’re hopeful your experience thus far motivates you to return and bring friends! We can’t wait to see you all grow to love competing in this sport the way we do.

Our seniors deserve lots of praise and recognition. This group of kids is a group I personally have had the most time with, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. You are all tenacious, diligent, commendable young people with very bright futures ahead of you and I feel lucky to have been a tiny part of your story. Thank you for all of your hard work and leadership; GV Crew would be far different were it not for you. Please don’t be strangers!

Moving forward, we would love for anyone planning to return in the fall to stay adamant about getting work done. Coach Lindsay and I can send out the workouts for the remainder of the season for you to follow along with. As an alternative, getting in 160 minutes of work per week should put you in a good position (4 sessions of 40 minutes, split up however). Erging is obviously going to be the preferred method of completing this work, however jogging and circuits that engage cardio well enough also work. Please feel free to reach out to either of us at any time with questions. 

Coach Lindsay-  [email protected]


Coach Emily
Save the Date: Crew Car Wash (Tentative)
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 11am-1pm
This date was in the books before social distancing and in hopes that we will be out of quarantine by mid-may (or looking forward to Fall), we are looking for a parent volunteer to help organize. We hold a car wash in the spring and one in the fall. It would be nice to get a volunteer who could oversee the car washes for several seasons. This is a great way to get more involved and support the team. If you are interested, please contact Marcy at [email protected].
News from PSRA and Stotesbury Cup
Follow this LINK to see updates from the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association.

Also, read below for a statement from Stotesbury Cup:
Dear Coaches:
We are following up on our March 16 th  communication regarding the Schuylkill Navy’s 2020 Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
Since that time, developments around the COVID-19 crisis have occurred at a rapid pace, including Philadelphia Mayor Kenney’s stay-at-home order issued on March 22 nd  and the IOC’s postponement of this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier today.
Following discussion with our partners at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and our Regatta Management team, we have concluded that the Stotesbury Cup Regatta scheduled for May 15-16 must be cancelled. Before reaching this decision, we explored every scenario to allow us to reach a different conclusion; but, in the end, the path of brainstorming led us to this same difficult place.
The well-being of our athletes, coaches, families, fans, referee corps, and volunteers is at the forefront of this decision. With increasingly comprehensive  guidelines being issued by health experts and city, state and federal officials, as well as sporting events at all levels suspending play, we feel it is morally and ethically responsible to make this determination.
We know that the spring season is the most important of the year for our scholastic athletes. We deeply regret that this disappointing outcome is added to all the things with which they – and you - must cope. We’re comforted knowing that they have you in their lives to help them through this difficult passage and to remind them that the lessons they’ve learned on the water are ones they will carry with them through life, even in the absence of crossing the line at an event like Stotesbury. 
Ultimately, the safety of our community – locally and globally – is clearly at stake. And, this responsible decision – however painful – is the needed one for us to do our part.
Thank you for your understanding and for your leadership and support to your athletes in the weeks and months ahead.

Stay safe and well,
Erika, Margaret, Bonnie, and Paul

Erika McCormick - Racing Director
Margaret Meigs - Business Director
Bonnie Mueller  - Operations Director
Paul Horvat  - Commodore of the Schuylkill Navy
Classes of 2020 and 2021: Boat Naming Campaign
Please READ THIS LETTER and consider contributing to this important campaign to support our program!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL IMPORTANT CREW DATES ARE
NOW ON A GOOGLE CALENDAR?
You can access the calendar HERE.
Questions about GV Crew? Contact John Brewer at [email protected]
For additions to the newsletter: Email Robin Brewer at [email protected]
Support GVCO with our Sponsors
Dine&Donate with Bomba Taco + Bar
FINAL DAYS!!!

GVCO has partnered with Bomba for the month of March:

Mention this flyer to receive a free guacamole and 10% of your check will be donated to GVCO!


Special Carry-out and Delivery Hours:
11:30 - 8:00 PM.
The Chuck Barbera Team of REALTORS/ RE/MAX Partners with GVCO in “REALTORS Giving Back” Program
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SPRING?

Over the next year, for anyone who contacts the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes and signs them to serve in the purchase or sale of their next home, GVCO will receive 10% of the real estate commission received!


Let's DO GOOD TOGETHER!!!  
Great Valley Community Organization
GVBL Center Temporarily Closed
STAY WELL GREAT VALLEY!

Due to mandated restrictions related to COVID-19, the GVBL Center is temporarily closed.

Our  GVCO offices are working with a "skeleton staff". 

Please contact Keith Walsh at [email protected] with issues or questions
GVBC Project Updates
Mar 24 2020: Below is part of what I wrote in our most recent GVCO Newsletter…and it continues to be our focus. Until something is taken away from us it’s often hard to realize how important it is in your life. Essentially having those everyday things taken away from our kids, parents, friends and neighbors, is very difficult.

GVCO will continue to be committed to bringing a state of the art Community Center to Great Valley.

With what is currently occurring, it is now more apparent than ever before: the region needs a place where the community can be a community.

Given the gravity of the COVID-19 coronavirus situation in Pennsylvania, across the U.S. and globally, GVCO recognizes the impact this has on the friends, neighbors and families here in the Great Valley community and surrounding region. Being “a community” and caring about one another at this point of uneasiness and concern becomes that much more critical.
 
Moving forward into the spring and beyond, know that GVCO will make sound and thoughtful decisions for all those involved in our programming. The safety and well-being of the families in our community is on the forefront of our minds.
 
 Our mission remains steadfast  …”to help build a strong, vibrant and connected community by providing facilities, activities and programs enriching the lives of all local residents.  


Please take care of yourselves.
See the Future GVCO Community Center!
Want a brand new GVCO Community Center with multiple courts, an outdoor field, a cafe, an elevated track and work out area, as well as multi-purpose rooms for other community programming, activities and events?

We have purchased the land, the property is fully engineered and the approval process is complete.

The time is NOW.... Help us make it happen!

Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!
List of companies with  corporate matching gift programs. Please check your company policy.
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