A true honor and pleasure for the Foundation's Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting each year is to present awards honoring those volunteers and supporters whose contributions have been particularly outstanding. This year was no exception.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize the most outstanding longtime supporters of the Foundation whose contributions have been vital to preserving Waterford. Outgoing president Susan Sutter introduced this year's honoree at the April 20 event.

"Tonight we honor a very special someone who can truly be credited with saving two Foundation buildings at the very heart of Landmark and several private residences that had fallen into sad disrepair."

When Richard L. Storch moved to Waterford and began his own stewardship of one of the village's finest and oldest houses (Hague-Hough House on Bond Street), Sutter said, "he recognized that the Mill and the Old School were vital to both the Foundation's preservation and its education missions, and through the years he has made very generous 'investments' in their restoration and in the Waterford Concert Series which he so much appreciated."

As a member of the Board from 1992 to 1998, Storch took up the reins of Treasurer and Finance Committee chair when the Foundation had significant long-term debt--much of it the result of the emergency purchase of the Eleanor James properties, including the Bond Street meadow, and of the financial and pollution nightmares caused by the leaking gas tank at the Chair Factory. By the end of his term, through judicious properties sales and some very successful fairs, the Foundation was debt-free. "He has set the standards of financial management for his successors on the Board," Sutter said.

His guidance has often been sought, most recently agreeing to serve as a valuable member of the Old School Advisory Task Force, providing expert guidance on the design and renovation of the new Old School. "We are most honored to present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to Richard L. Storch, trusted benefactor and friend of Waterford."

Sutter also presented the Volunteer of the Year award. "This year we want to recognize a special volunteer who gives many of her waking hours to support the Waterford Foundation and its mission. This volunteer dreamed of moving to Waterford long before she actually did and once here, threw herself into Foundation and community activities with a passion: A passion for the heritage Waterford represents, a passion for preservation, and a passion for sharing it with others," Sutter said.

She immediately joined the Fair Committee, where she has served as a member of the Craft Demonstrator selection committee each year since. She served two terms on the Board of Directors, and always was a staunch advocate of adhering to our preservation mission.

She served on the Executive Committee, the Concert Committee, and chaired the Education Committee for several years. When the board was tasked in 2009 to find new ways to raise funds, Sherry Satin took ownership of her suggestion--the Waterford Country & Cottage Garden Tour-and made it happen, even though she was no longer serving on the Board. And she is making it happen again this year.

Foundation Vice President Walter Music presented the Corporate Partnership Award, which recognizes businesses that are willing to share their skills and expertise with their community.

The Waterford Foundation's many educational programs require many printed materials, and it is very fortunate to have the best of all printers living right here in our midst. Every year, just as almost any Foundation event is about to begin, Michael L. Healy and his Better Impressions printing company have rushed the presses to produce thousands of beautifully printed missives ready to hand out to eager visitors. "Mike and his dedicated team, including his wife Kathy, have become the Foundation's printer of choice for just about everything from annual reports to invitations, fair booklets to fair posters," Music said. "It is his expertise, and care, that for many years now have made the Fair poster so beautiful it can grace any wall."

Special recognition also was given to

· Waterford resident Rob Hale, for his dedicated service to the Phillips Farm Committee. Rob's generous gift of time and materials allowed the Waterford Foundation to stretch grant monies for the completion of interpretive signage on the Phillips Farm Self-Guided Walking Trail.

· Photographer Jim Hanna, who graciously allowed the Foundation to use his beautiful Waterford garden photographs in both the book  Waterford, Virginia: Preserving Our Heritage, and the 2009 Fair poster of "The Phillips Farm through the Gardens of the Griffith/Gover House," the proceeds from which support the rebuilding of the Waterford Old School.

·  Kent Marrs, Village Winery, whose frequent contribution of beverages to Foundation events and willingness to lend a helping hand in times of need have been deeply appreciated.

Retiring Board members Dave Bednarik, Kathleen Hughes, Kathy Koblos, Nick Ratcliffe, and Tom Simmons also received thanks for their service.