October 12, 1999

Dear Mr. Jasse,

On behalf of the Great River Arts Institute, I want to thank you for the gracious accommodations you provided for our recent landscape painting workshop under faculty member, Eric Aho. The group, which numbered 14 in all, immediately felt at home and at ease in the comfortable and rustic setting of the Rochambeau Lodge.  Due to its location, the painters were out walking in the adjacent fields and woods, painting and sketching well past the end of their day’s work with Eric. They felt as though they were always in the midst of the inspiration from the landscape, beyond the sites they had painted during the day.

We had several group dinners the Lodge, with all participants pitching in to cooks and clean up. Again, it was the general atmosphere of the Lodge that created such a warm and convivial feeling among all who stayed there. The dinners were fantastic, and we stayed long on into the night enjoying our wine and discussing art.

Many of the participants would like to bring their families and friends back to the Lodge for reunions or special occasions – a sure sign that they felt well taken care of during their stay in Walpole. It was the addition of the Lodge to our program the made it the most significant painting workshop these students had attended. I hope that we will be able to schedule six more weeks with you for next season, your schedule allowing.

Thanks for your kind support of our efforts at the Institute. It was a pleasure working with you.

With best wishes,

Cynthia Reeves

Director