The ALTA Award, which stands for Achievement in Living Traditions and Arts, was created in 2007 to honor the work of folklorist and community leader Dr. Alta Schrock, who died in 2001. Dr. Schrock, a native of Garrett County, taught biology at Frostburg State University and also founded publications, events and lasting institutions designed to share and preserve her region’s traditional art forms. She was the force behind The Spruce Forest Artisan Village, Penn Alps, the Journal of the Alleghenies and the Springs Festival— to name several of her achievements in cultural conservation.
Each year, three awards are designated – for a Maryland person, place, and tradition that best epitomizes Maryland’s cultural heritage. Individuals are selected based on their demonstration of the highest standards of excellence in such areas as research, documentation, presentation, entrepreneurship, artistry, stewardship and community impact; places honored are those that specially serve to keep traditions alive and that are meaningful and effective gathering places or sites for carrying on living or endangered traditions; and traditions recognized are those that connect communities to cultural heritage in authentic and appropriate ways that exemplify the unique spirit of our state and may include events, occupations, knowledge, cultural scenes, and organizations.
ALTA AWARD RECIPIENTS: PEOPLE
2007 recipient Anna Holmes of North Brentwood (Prince Georges County) is a tireless and selfless educator, quilter, family historian and community activist whose work on behalf of her family and her hometown has insured that their stories will be preserved.
2008 recipients The United Methodist Women of Smith Island are known among its three communities — Ewell, Tylerton and Rhodes Point — as the “Ladies Aid Society.” This organization has perpetuated traditions, stories, songs and everyday lifeways for generations. Through each of their churches, the women support island work on the water, at home and on the mainland. Among their contributions are the dinners that mark every occasion— holidays, festivities, visiting workers and funerals. Recently they have become known for Smith Island Layer Cake, a fixture at every Ladies Aid feast, and anointed this year as our official State Dessert.
2009 recipient George Wunderlich lives in Hagerstown and is an internationally acclaimed builder of minstrel era (mid-1800s) Wunder banjos. He is a leading expert on Baltimore banjo maker William Boucher, the world's first commercial banjo maker. Mr. Wunderlich is praised by banjo enthusiasts as a leading facilitator of dialog between Maryland's instrument makers, performers, historians, and the public-- and, with Greg Adams-- is developing the Banjo Sightings database.
ALTA AWARD RECIPIENTS: PLACES
Penn Alps & Spruce Forest Artisan Village in Grantsville (Garrett County) has been serving up delicious food and traditional crafts since 1958 and received their ALTA Award in 2007. This Western Maryland landmark continues to preserve and showcase Appalachian culture for all who venture on to the National Road.
2008 recipient J. Patrick’s, located in Baltimore’s Locust Point neighborhood, opened its doors on January 30, 1987 according to founder Joseph (J. Patrick) Byrne. Since its first days, it has been the home for social gatherings of musicians, dancers and anyone interested in Irish music and culture. Here, amateur and professional alike can listen and learn from the city, state and country’s best traditional Irish musicians.
2009 winner Blob's Park & Bavarian Bier Garten is located in Jessup. Founder Max Blob first opened his doors to the public in 1933 to celebrate Maryland's vibrant German heritage. Since its first days, Blob's has been the home for social gatherings, homecomings, and anyone interested in great polka music and hearty German fare. A family institution, Blob's is now owned and managed by great-nephew Max Eggerl.
ALTA AWARD RECIPIENTS: TRADITIONS
In 2007, The National Outdoor Show won the ALTA for Tradition. It has presented the authentic culture of Dorchester County’s marshes since 1938 and is the home of the International Muskrat Skinning contest.
The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has been presented by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association on the first weekend in May since 1973 and won their ALTA in 2008. It fills the Howard County Fairgrounds with sheep breeders, cooks, textile artists and every aspect of sheep fancier from young to old. It is considered the finest and largest such event in the nation.
The Swan Meadow School of Oakland is a state-funded school with a largely Amish and Mennonite student body from the community of Gortner. Under the direction of teacher Elizabeth Rees-Gilbert and with assistance from Western Maryland Regional Library, the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students conducted a three-year community documentation project that became Piece a Quilt of Gortner publication and the foundation for Getting to Know Gortner, a K-12 educational packet. Getting to Know Gortner will be used by area schools to educate students on the musical, culinary, literary, and storytelling traditions of the Amish and Mennonite communities of Western Maryland. They won the 2009 ALTA Award for Tradition.
