Absolutely Waterford is among 35 Wisconsin Main Street communities to receive formal recognition for efforts in revitalizing downtown.
The non-profit group’s inaugural 2012 River’s Edge Art Walk received honorable mention for Best Downtown Special Event during the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s 23rd annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards, held Oct. 25.
According to Reed Hall, WEDC secretary and CEO. the inaugural event, held Oct. 19, 2012, was highly successful in increasing foot traffic through downtown businesses as well as giving a number of local artists valuable exposure.
“Despite the rain, the event attracted 30 artists, representing various mediums, with more than 20 downtown businesses/organizations participating by offering up space in their storefronts. The River’s Edge Art Guild, the committee charged with organizing the event, received very positive feedback from artists who displayed, business owners and patrons of the event,” he noted at the awards ceremony.
River’s Edge co-chair Elizabeth Theirbah accepted the honor on behalf of the Guild.
Theirbah named Volunteer of the Year
During the awards ceremony, Theirbah was named Volunteer of the Year for Absolutely Waterford.
Theirbah has exemplified wholehearted dedication to the organization since its inception, according to AW Executive Director Michelle Bores-Stockton, who was also at the event.
“As co-chair of River’s Edge Art Walk, she has put in countless hours to ensure its success, significantly increasing awareness of our organization and its efforts,” said Bores-Stockton.
Theirbah also took the lead as co-chair of AW’s first Waterford Winter Wonderland Parade, held last December.
“Throughout the planning of both events, she has led by example. Her effective management motivates others to get involved, ultimately benefiting the organization and community at large,” added Bores-Stockton.
Theirbah has also taken the lead recently in securing sponsorships via the organization committee. Since taking the reins just months ago, Theirbah has sorted out sponsorship obligations, coordinated a strategic planning workshop, and led the initiative of securing funding for the upcoming budget.
Marquez included as Honorary Board Member
Downtown business owner and AW board member Morena Marquez is among 22 others from across the state to be named a Main Street Honorary Board Member.
Marquez was instrumental in launching Absolutely Waterford and has remained its No. 1 cheerleader since the organization was accepted into the Main Street program in 2011, according to Bores-Stockton.
“As its first president, ‘Mo’ deserves recognition for doing much of the legwork in getting Waterford’s Main Street program up and running,” she said. “Through the years, she treated the experience as a learning process, attending numerous Main Street workshops to learn the skills of the trade which resulted in her mentoring a number of other individuals new to the organization.”
Even after her term as president expired in February 2013, Marquez has remained one of AW’s most active and visible board members, Bores-Stockton said.
“She is a true believer in the Main Street mission and its potential to build a community. To her, it is crucial to fundraise and keep AW actively involved in all downtown events.”
Marquez said she is humbled by the recognition, and is pleased to have been a part of the organization since the beginning, and looks forward to watching the efforts continue to improve Main Street.
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program through WEDC, targeting the state’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to Wisconsin communities to revitalize their traditional business districts based on historic preservation developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Wisconsin has 35 Main Street communities.
Since the program started in 1987, participating communities helped 4,500 businesses get started, creating 17,000 jobs. The Main Street development efforts leveraged $900 million in private investment.
Absolutely Waterford is a private, non-profit, community organization comprised of volunteers committed to restoring Waterford’s downtown Heritage District as the business, cultural and social center of the community. Absolutely Waterford has grown to over 40 members, with broad representation from Waterford area businesses, residents, civic groups, and local government.
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