A Fine Day in the Gardens!

Dear Foundation Members,
 
It takes a village--or in this case 83 willing volunteers of the Waterford Foundation--to make a highly successful Waterford Country and Cottage Garden Tour!
 
Members of the Board of Directors were challenged at their March meeting to find ways to support the Raise the Roof Campaign for the Old School. Sherry Satin seized upon the idea of hosting a Waterford Garden Tour. Not to be deterred by those who said there was not enough time to organize this event, Sherry persevered. She immediately organized a hard working committee that included Fran Holmbraker, Jan Kitselman, Ann Belland, Melinda Croft, Peggy Bednarik, and Kitty Rose. This dynamic group contacted homeowners, organized the tour, and recruited volunteers. They also made a tremendous effort to publicize the event on a shoestring by placing posters throughout our entire region from Frederick to Alexandria!

Highlights of the tour included a talk and Powerpoint presentation on container gardening by garden designer Mary Dudley and a professional garden photography workshop conducted by Cory Hilz and organized by photographer Schuyler Richardson (photos here courtesy of her). Visitors were given the opportunity to stroll through and view 13 beautiful private gardens throughout the village. The Foundation would like to express its deep gratitude to those who opened their gardens: Elaine Head, Neil Keller, David and Kathy Middleton, Ed and Margaret Good, Edith Crockett and Ed Lehmann, Antonia Walker and Tim McGinn, Ann Belland, Dick and Pam Storch, Kathleen and Neil Hughes, Schuyler Richardson and Tom Edmonds, Nick and Kathy Ratcliffe, Jill Beach, and Joel and Sherry Satin.
 
Docents were on hand in each garden to answer questions, and visitors enjoyed cookies and lemonade at Neil Keller's and the Middletons' homes. Gardens of Delight provided a selection of plants for sale, and visitors found garden books to advance their knowledge from a selection offered by Books and Crannies of Middleburg.
 
We thank the many Foundation members who volunteered to be docents, sell tickets, park cars, and perform other tasks. We appreciate Jill Beach's efforts to bring a group to Waterford for the tour and Mark Fletcher who very kindly shuttled Sherry around throughout the day. We also appreciate the tremendous efforts made by our wonderful staff members, especially Martha Polkey and Fran Holmbraker.
 
Those attending seemed well pleased with the delightful tour, and notwithstanding the hard work, apparently our volunteers enjoyed themselves also. Expenses for the Tour were negligible, and all proceeds will go to the Raise the Roof campaign. Thank you again to all of our volunteers for demonstrating great community spirit!
 
Sincerely,
             President