2025 Anniversary CELEBRATIONS: SUMMER ALUMNI REUNION!
In mid-July, we welcomed a group of past interns, apprentices, and volunteers for our first ever Alumni Reunion. We united over shared stories, dreamy dinners al fresco, and the exciting energy of this busy time of year.
36 people joined us for the reunion, consisting of 18 alumni spanning 50(!) years of programming (Summer 1973 to Summer 2023) and 18 friends/family. For some people, it was their first time back after their intern/apprentice experience, and the first time introducing Spannocchia to their loved ones. Others had visited many times!
We kicked off with a special aperitivo hour and pizza night, toured the garden and wine cellar and learned about current practices, heard from alumni and current summer interns about their experiences at Spannocchia, explored optional activities like a cooking class or hike to Castiglion Che Dio Sol Sa, and more. And of course throughout it all, we reminisced about favorite memories, compared stories and experiences, learned what everyone is doing now, and generally just reveled in the magic that is Spannocchia.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and special thanks to those who shared their stories as part of our alumni and intern presentations: Patrick (Intern, Fall '06; Wintern, '07-'08) & Heather (Guest Services, Fall ‘07) Schultz, Sarah Entwistle (WWOOF/Culinary, Summer '21), and Christian Clarke (Intern, Fall '97); and current interns Samantha and Zach. Thank you also to Adamo Fisher (Intern, Spring '03) for applying his skills as a stone mason to one of the crumbled walls in the Giardino Segreto. And finally, thanks to Lila Wilmerding (Intern, Fall '09 and current Board Member) for her help organizing on-site; Mary-Kate Duffy (Guest Services, Spring '16) and Sheela Prakash (Intern, Summer '10 and current Board Member) for helping to conceive of and plan the reunions from Day 1, in their role as Alumni Engagement Volunteers; AND all the staff at Spannocchia for welcoming our alumni with so much warmth and care. Grazie tutti!
We can't wait for our next reunion being held this fall, and hopefully more in the future!
