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Ellistan, the storied Bedminster estate designed by Musgrave Hyde and constructed in 1930, was the site of the Upper Raritan Watershed Association’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 6th. The event took place in a grand pavilion at Ellistan, overlooking breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Those views gave way to an enchanting night sky complete with a nearly full moon as the evening progressed.
With the theme, “Portraits of URWA – Celebrating Our Legacy,” the event saluted many of the region’s families who have left a lasting legacy by preserving land and protecting the quality of our water, as well as long-time supporters, valued members, neighbors and friends who have helped make URWA’s numerous accomplishments possible during the past five decades. URWA has been protecting the natural resources of the Upper Raritan watershed for 50 years through education, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship.
Christina Guido, President of URWA’s Board of Trustees, reflected on all that has transpired since 1959, saying “ Our first Executive Director Richard Goodenough summarized the organization back in 1968 as an amalgam of the individuals of the region working together, contributing together, analyzing together, deciding together and acting together for the common good. I wonder if he knew this organization would go on to achieve so much. The sheer presence of everyone here tonight is a powerful statement of what natural resource protection means to all of us.”
A reception for the nearly 400 guests highlighted the produce and products of regional vendors, and the dinner which followed also showcased local foods. A program featuring a specially commissioned video chronicling URWA’s 50 years, a slide show with images of URWA past and present, an auction and the music of Red Hot Rhythm rounded out the evening and kept the crowd dancing until midnight.
URWA is profoundly grateful to Hank and Sarah Slack, who graciously hosted the celebration, and to Karen Moraghan and Missy Witte, who worked tirelessly as Co-Chairs to make the event a tremendous success. They were assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers including Loretta Abramson, Kate Annis, Anne Brady, Sally DeLorean, Marcia Dewey, Suki Dewey, Lauren Diemar, Trish Ellsworth, Christina Guido, Gretchen Jaeckle, Lindsay Landmesser, Leslie LeVasseur, Nancy Lurker, Lee Klipstein, Betsy Matlack, Jazz Merton, Karen Murphy, Catherine Norbury, Lori Pavlini, Nancy Plumeri, Lee Ann Quenault, Juliette Rose, Marge Turpin, Jill Turpin, Molly Scott, Sarah Slack, Jane Steele, Alison Villa, Betsy Walton and Felicity Wilmerding. URWA is also very grateful to all of its members and friends who attended the celebration and to those who were unable to attend but generously made contributions to the organization in honor of its 50th anniversary.
