Over 165 people gathered at the 10th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction to honor the men and women that founded the East Quabbin Land Trust. We honored nine individuals that were instrumental in founding the organization, including Don Boothman, Lucinda Childs, Warren Johnson, Bob Paquet, Jerry Reilly, Rick Romano, Genevieve Stillman, Huck Truesdell, and Stan White. This group of nine, neighbors with a vision, a common dedication to community, and a crucial understanding of the pressures of development that could irreversibly change the rural character of our landscape came together by working on Hardwick’s first Open Space Plan. They are an eclectic group with a diverse set of skills and interests and yet a single-minded purpose: They agreed on the need to preserve the natural character of this region and the importance of community support. Through their driving force and continued passion for our community the land trust has helped protect nearly 4,000 acres.