A Message from the Executive Director |
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Greetings from Waterford! I hope this newsletter finds you well and that you are enjoying this fickle spring weather. I have appreciated seeing the spring flowers bloom, the trees leaf out, and bunnies bounding into hedgerows all over the village over the last few weeks. If you haven’t already, perhaps you’ll find a spare afternoon sometime soon to come and walk the village streets or the Phillips Farm trail to experience Waterford in all its splendor.
In our main article this month we are recounting the highlights of our Annual Meeting, held on April 20, 2021. Read about the awards that were presented to our partners and volunteers, and learn who has joined our Board of Directors. Remember longtime Fair Chair Fran Holmbraker and the tremendous impact she had on the growth and success of the Waterford Fair. Read on for the latest news on the 2021 Waterford Fair, including opportunities to sign up now to volunteer with the Fair this year. Don’t miss an update from the Waterford Craft School! Registration is ongoing for spring and summer workshops and summer camps for children.
As always, read to the end for Stories from Waterford. In honor of Mother’s Day, this month we bring you an account of one Waterford mother’s shopping trip across the Potomac River during the Civil War. I hope you’ll find her lighthearted account of the excursion as heartwarming as I did, and you’ll no doubt notice quite a few similarities between her experience and that of mothers today.
Enjoy!
Stephanie C. Thompson
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2021 Annual Meeting Recap |
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On April 20th, members of the Waterford Foundation gathered online via Zoom to conduct our annual member meeting and awards ceremony. Read below for a recap of the evening’s events. We missed gathering and catching up with our supporters in person, so we remain hopeful that we will be able to hold our next annual meeting in 2022 at the Old School! |
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We are honored each year to work with young people who are dedicated to giving back to their community. This year we have three Eagle Scouts to recognize for their community service in Waterford. |
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Joseph Jovene completed his Eagle project in 2019, repairing and replacing fencing around the tailrace at the Mill in time to show it off at the 2019 Fair. Thank you, Joseph, for this important work that keeps the Mill site safe for visitors.
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Nick Spokes also completed his Eagle project in 2019. Nick and his fellow scouts built and installed new wooden gates for the entrance to the Water Street Meadow. They also replaced fence boards where needed and installed caps at the top of the fence posts. Thank you Nick for improving the security and aesthetics of the entrance to this treasured Waterford open space.
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Josh DiStefano completed his Eagle project at the Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery in early 2021. Working with the Union Cemetery Trustees to plan the work, Josh and his crew built a new fence along Fairfax Street in the Black section of the cemetery. He also designed and built a headstone lift that will make resetting fallen headstones much easier for cemetery volunteers. The scouts had so many volunteers on their work days, they were even able to clear a fallen tree and rake the cemetery clean of debris. Thank you Josh for this valuable contribution that honors Waterford’s Black history.
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Georges Mill Artisan Cheese
In planning the virtual Waterford Fair, we knew we had to find creative ways to provide demonstrations to our virtual fairgoers. We wanted to provide unique experiences with tangible elements from the Fair, so that the virtual Fair could be more than just an audiovisual experience. Molly Kroiz from Georges Mill Farm helped us to fulfill our wishes by welcoming our Fair Director Tracy Kirkman to the farm to film an exclusive demonstration experience to accompany our “Taste of the Fair” Farm to Table package. Molly’s patience, generosity, and eagerness to support our vision helped us to provide a virtual experience to be remembered. Thank you, Molly, for the part you played in making the virtual Waterford Fair a success!
Photo: Molly Kroiz, Owner Georges Mill Artisan Cheese
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Two Twisted Posts Winery
The Covid-19 pandemic presented huge challenges for all of us, so we were especially grateful when Two Twisted Posts agreed to work with us to create a unique virtual Waterford Fair wine-tasting-at-home experience. The “Taste of the Fair” wine package paired with an exclusive video Q & A with owner Theresa and tasting room manager Casey provided our virtual fairgoers with some of the magic of a normal Fair during a very abnormal time. Thank you, Theresa and Casey, for your support, your flexibility, and your patience as we worked together to provide a treasured part of the Fair in a safe and fun manner.
Photo: Debbie Morris Wine Chair (left), Theresa Robertson , Owner TTP (right)
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Simon Thomas, Parkway Brewing
The path to a successful beer tasting experience at the Waterford Fair has never been easy. Navigating regulations from various government agencies to deliver an enjoyable tasting experience within a large event was somewhat of a puzzle, one that Simon Thomas has always been dedicated to solving. Covid-19 and the transition to a virtual Fair presented a new challenge in 2020. Without Simon’s help even up to the very last minute, we would not have been able to offer a “Taste of the Fair” beer tasting package. But we are so glad that Simon persevered because the beer package turned out to be one of the most popular! Simon, we are so grateful for your work that enabled us to bring this part of the Fair experience to our supporters in this difficult year. Thank you!
Photo: Simon Thomas (left), Jim Schnaible, Beer Chair (right)
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The Annual Report is complete!
Click below to review our progress in 2020!
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2019 Volunteer of the Year: Edith Crockett |
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We missed an opportunity last spring to recognize our 2019 Volunteer of the year, but we hope to make up for that missed opportunity this newsletter.
Edith Crockett has always had big dreams for the Foundation, and yet she recognizes that our resources are limited. It should come as no surprise then that Edith found, wrote the application for, and won a grant award from the Loudoun Preservation Society on our behalf to complete the restoration of our Quaker logbook and to protect and repair items donated by David and Carolee Chamberlin.
But Edith didn’t stop there. With the grant application behind her, Edith jumped back in to create a complete exhibit of household tools to display in the Tin Shop during the 2019 Fair. She and husband Ed created informative signs to describe all of the items in the exhibit and loaned all of the exhibit items from their personal collection. And they staffed the exhibit for the entire Fair! Many fairgoers appreciated the exhibit of tools from the past, especially because they could touch and hold the tools on display.
Edith, we hope you will accept our apologies for the delay in this award. Now a year later, we are still so thankful for your dedication as a volunteer for the Foundation. You may have joked that you will need to live to be 999 to catalog all the items in our collections, but we have no doubt that any other person would need at least twice as many years to do the same amount of work! Thanks for everything!!!
Photo: Stephanie Thompson (left), Edith Crockett (right)
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2020 Volunteer of the Year: Steve Paradis |
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Pulling together the first ever Virtual Waterford Fair was a big job that fell mostly to our small staff. While we have scores of volunteers who usually help during the Fair, Covid-19 safety concerns kept the vast majority of them at home. In addition, because of the online format, we needed volunteers with a different set of skills, those who were tech savvy and who could help to create content or troubleshoot technical challenges. We were not prepared for the amount of work required to support our Mill artists in uploading their inventory for the Virtual Mill Sale, a problem we did not realize until it was nearly too late. Enter Steve Paradis to the rescue! Without Steve’s many hours of help, long after office hours and into the early hours of the morning, we would never have been able to alter and upload the inventory data for a successful virtual sale. Thank you, Steve, for jumping in to steady our ship when it threatened to capsize. The success of our first live streaming sale is largely due to your help and dedication, and for that we are so grateful to you!
Photo: Stephanie Thompson (left), Steve Paradis (right)
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Welcome New Board Members |
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We are very grateful to all of you who took the time to attend the virtual 2021 Annual Meeting on zoom. Your support throughout the year keeps our organization running, even through a global crisis. We were very sorry to miss an opportunity to gather with our members in person this spring. Thank you for your patience with us as we navigate these challenging times.
We are pleased to introduce our 2021/2022
Waterford Foundation Board Members:
Christine Gleckner - President
J. Forest Hayes- Vice President
Susanne Hale- Secretary
Dave Hunt- Treasurer
Armand Balboni*
Ron Campbell
Sharyn Franck
Annie Goode
Sarah Holway
Emily Houston*
Paul Lawrence
Cristen Parks*
Anna Rathmann
*New Board Members
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It truly takes a village, and beyond, to create Fair magic. If you have time and would like to work on a project (or two) this summer, please let us know by contacting the office or completing the volunteer form at: Fair Volunteer. We would be delighted to have your help: Fair Volunteer.
Demonstrating Artisan applications are in and jurying has begun. We are excited to see that many of our favorite Landmark Artisans will be coming back and we look forward to meeting the new artisans who jury in!
And now that the weather is improving and vaccines are making it possible for us to get out more, please keep the Fair in mind for Food & Drink Merchants. You can share this link with the purveyor: https://tinyurl.com/j4c3nvw7 or send the name of the merchant to the Fair office at fairadmin@waterfordfoundation.org.
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Citizen Science on the Phillips Farm |
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Photo by Miriam Westervelt - Counting bluebirds
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This spring, Phillips Farm has been offering valuable opportunities for young people to shut down their computers and engage in citizen science outdoors in the sunshine. Citizen science programs involve members of the public in scientific research. Students from Pre-K to college level are counting bluebirds in boxes on the bluebird trail so the data can be sent to the Virginia Bluebird Society at the end of the summer to track population trends. They are also learning how to monitor water quality of Catoctin Creek by counting macroinvertebrates and they are recording observations of amphibians for the Frog Watch program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. To date, they have counted 13 eastern bluebirds (as well as 9 tree swallows and 5 house wrens) and five frog species (wood frogs, pickerel frogs, spring peepers, green frogs, and bullfrogs). They have also discovered the quality of the South Fork of Catoctin Creek does not indicate "Acceptable Ecological Conditions" due to the abundance of midge larvae which are tolerant to pollution. Here is a link to read more about this student citizen science program and how to get involved. https://www.vof.org/2021/03/26/phillips-farm-loudoun-county/
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Photo by Miriam Westervelt -Counting Macroinvertebates
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Interested in butterflies? Come join the citizen science team on the Phillips Farm on August 7. Registration is required at loudounwildlife.org
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What’s new with the Waterford Craft School |
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It's always a delight to welcome new and returning students to our program. Four students met for April's two-day session of Handwoven Cane with instructor Pamela Foster. While the materials and tools were the same, each student's chair was unique. We relied on Pamela's forty+ years of weaving experience and encouragement to keep pace. On Saturday, our heads were down in quiet concentration; by Sunday, chatter increased as we fell into a rhythm, our confidence growing as the complex pattern developed in our hands. Check out this recap here! If you or someone you know is a "chair nerd", Pam returns in July for another session of Introduction to Splint Seat.
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Last chance to register for Stack, Fire, Bake! This pizza oven class wraps up with a pizza party and would make a fun, early Father's Day gift. We need 5 more sign ups to run this class. Registration deadline: May 15.
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We're excited to welcome Waterford Landmark Artisan, Karen Wychock back to the Old School for a series of one-day basketry classes on June 5 & 6. Snag a few of the remaining seats and cultivate some creative quality time with a parent, grandparent, friend, or relative. These classes are open to ages 12 to 100, and structured so each student can select one of two projects. Work on your unique basket while enjoying each other’s company!
Waterford Fair artisan, Michael Alyward, also returns in June for Introduction to Stained Glass. This class has met registration minimums! Please help us fill it . . . we'd really appreciate it if you'd share this with your friends and family!
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There are many other opportunities to experience the joy and satisfaction of learning a heritage craft. Gift certificates are available online in $25 increments.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
As always, if you have suggestions for classes, or have created something that was inspired by a Craft School workshop, we'd love to hear from you. Send your comments and images to lkovatch@waterfordfoundation.org.
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In Memory: Fran Holmbraker |
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We are saddened to report the passing of Fran Holmbraker, the Foundation's former, long-term Fair Director. Fran served so ably in this role for 19 fairs, from 1995-2013. As a testament to her exceptional contributions during her tenure, the Fair was awarded Best Loudoun Tourism Event of the Year four times and she personally received the 2009 Judy Patterson Tourism Award, the Loudoun Convention and Visitors' Association's highest honor. Eric Christiansen, a Fair crafter, sent a remembrance to Fran's family that expresses what she meant to the Fair, which we quote:
"When we think of the important people and important experiences in our lives, Linda and I think of the Waterford Fair and Fran Holmbraker’s steady and gracious leadership during her nearly two decades at the helm of the Fair. Linda remembers how Fran knew and cared for all of us and made sure we craftspeople were taken care of and got what we needed. During her tenure, the Fair seemed to remain the same, yet it became over the years a richer experience for Fairgoers and for us. We are sure that the logistics of managing and lining up volunteers would have staggered an MBA, but Fran seemed always to have had fun, and that fun was infectious. Her humanity was irresistible. "
We would like to send our deepest condolences to Fran's family and recognition of her significant contributions to the Foundation.
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Thank You to Our New & Renewing Members! |
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Memberships provide a vital portion of the Waterford Foundation's funds to pay for the upkeep and repair of thirteen properties protected by the Waterford Foundation, as well as programs like the Second Street School living history program, the Waterford Craft School, the Waterford Fair, and special programs throughout the year. We would like to thank the following new and renewing members who have joined or renewed in April 2021!
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New & Renewing Members: April 2021 |
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Mr. John Beatty
Ms. Ann Belland
Mr. & Mrs. Bill & Barbara Buckley
Ms. Judith Kerr Gerow
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Ms. Nancy Larossi
Ms. Margaret Saylor
Mr. Roger Duncan & Ms. Barbara Toolhill
Mr. Glenn Wever
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Our Sustaining Members are: Mr. John Caron & Ms. Nancy Doane, Mr. and Mrs. Goode (Joe and Annie), Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hale (Bob and Susanne), Ms. Joan Kowalski, Mr. Ed Lehman and Ms. Edith Crockett, Robert and Stephanie Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sutton, Mr. & Mrs. Brandon & Clare Synge, Ms. Carrie Beach, Mr. Adam Groenhout & Mr. Eric Christenson.
To become a sustaining member, click here and choose "recurring donation" to set up a monthly gift!
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Stories from Waterford:
A Waterford Mother’s Shopping Experience in 1864
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Life in Waterford during the Civil War was certainly trying for all. As Union sympathizers in the Confederate South, Waterfordians were treated poorly by the rebels and often a target for raids of supplies and livestock to support the Confederate troops. Despite the proximity to Maryland, supplies from the north were difficult to secure for many years as a result of a Union blockade at the Potomac River. In 1864, the blockade was partially lifted when Brig. Gen. Max Weber at Point of Rocks began allowing those loyal to the Union to cross the river once per week to purchase $10.00 worth of goods. As reported in an editorial in the Waterford News, one Waterford mother was eager to take advantage of this new opportunity. |
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Shopping Under Difficulties
Some of my readers, particularly those living in the United States, may like to know how shopping is carried on in Dixie, and for their own good I will give my experience, hoping it may prove a salutary lesson to them, and teach them to better appreciate their blessings. Our nearest store is at Point of Rocks, across the Potomac, and nine miles from us, and as ever since New Year the blockade has been down, we were “mighty set up” with the news that we could get ten dollars worth of goods. So to the Point of Rocks I’d go, and that soon; but, the first thing, where will I get a horse? I think I know where I can get a little wagon, and now if I could only get a blind horse. Well, after a long jaunt around town, I succeeded in finding a neighbor in the country who had the much desired article, and after some delay, occasioned in untangling a set of “gears,” hid for ever so long from the “chivalry,” I had the pleasure of seeing horse, wagon, and neighbor waiting at the gate. I sent my husband down with the basket, containing my bread and butter and turn-over dried apple pie, without sweetening; the half gallon molasses jug, and a quart can for Kerosene Oil, and after giving him and the children any amount of directions about the garden, the chickens and little Tommy, I got in the wagon, and lending a deaf ear to his repeated injunctions to “not let the horse run away with you,” I flourished my hickory and with a “gee-up” we started. After passing the mud-hold on Second street with fear and trembling, we got along very nicely and arrived at the river about 9. We had to wait for our “turn” to cross, and I thought it would never come. I had time to look around right smart, and such a motley collection as there was--people in all manner of dresses, many of them come 40 and 50 miles to get ten dollars worth of goods. There were carriages and buggies and carryalls, ox carts and wagons. I looked at the lofty piers, all that is left of our once handsome and substantial bridge, and my thoughts turned back to the first year of the war, when it was burnt to keep the “Yankees” away. Thank fortune they found other means of crossing; but I am digressing. After a long time, the boatman told us to get into the skiff, and holding fast to my basket, jug and can, I followed my neighbor and sat me down on a narrow board, with my only calico dress and clean skirt tucked up out of the water, and were landed on the other side, and soon found ourselves where we had so often wished to be--in a store--and now commenced the “tug of war”.
I came, instead of my husband, because I knew he would spend all of the ten dollars in some foolishness and tobacco, and now I was afraid I wouldn’t do much better. I thought of all I wanted; I ought to have a summer dress, bonnet and mantle; shoes I must have. Then there was my broken hoops, husband really suffering for shirts, Anna for a school dress and apron, Jacob and Charley for pants and jackets, Tommy could do yet awhile; but I must get a little candy for each. We were out of sugar, and so tired of rye coffee and sassafras tea; salt was most gone, pepper quite; ginger, soda, spices, all were wanted; matches I must not forget, for we used the last that morning. It took me a long time to decide what to get. After the merchant’s and custom-house officer’s bills were settled, I looked to see what I had; 4 lbs. of sugar, ¼ of tea, same of soda, two boxes of matches, 1 pair of shoes, 5 yards of calico, 1 tin cup and one iron spoon, as the children lost the old one digging up their onion bed for the soldiers; 1 quart of molasses, 1 pint of oil, 3 yards of Kentucky jeans, and a half plug of tobacco to keep husband quiet about the shirts; 3 big ginger cakes and 10 cents worth of candy. I thought I had done mighty well, and after getting my bills made out, and going to the Provost Office to show I was no rebel, I walked down to the river, escorted by a nice looking soldier, who took me for a young widow, and I thought the soldiers had a hard time enough, so I didn’t tell him any better. My neighbor had as many bundles as I had, and we saw our own troubles. In a reasonable length of time we had them stowed away in the wagon, and thanking a spicy young man from our town for hitching up and turning round for us, we started and reached home just as the shades of night were falling. Husband had been very uneasy, as he had heard the rebels were going to take the people’s goods. It would have done your hearts good to see the children over their candy and cakes, whilst husband’s smile deepened into a broad grin when I handed him the tobacco, and hasn’t said a word about the shirts yet.
Find this and other accounts from Waterford during the Civil War in the The Waterford News, an annotated collection of all eight original issues of the pro-Union newspaper published in Waterford from May 28, 1864 to April 3, 1865. Copies are available for purchase online here.
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Waterford Foundation Staff
COVID-19 Action Plan
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Due to safety precautions for COVID-19, the Waterford Foundation office is closed is closed to the public. The staff are teleworking and we are available via email, phone or on video calls and are happy to help with anything you need!
Our staff has updated all of our policies and procedures to make sure the Old School is clean, sanitized and ready for events and programs. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns! Check out our newest website page introducing our Waterford Staff.
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