On August 16, The Barnstormers Theatre celebrated 79 years of professional summer stock theatre--making it the oldest such theatre in the nation--with a gala celebration and its annual Business in the Arts award, presented this year to Meredith Village Savings Bank.

"Meredith Village Savings Bank is a wonderful neighbor, and it has been for 140 years," said Parker Roberts, chairman of The Barnstormers board of directors.

The Business for the Arts Award recognizes business leadership in the arts and culture as vital to a strong local economy and a vibrant, healthy community. In his speech honoring Meredith Village Savings Bank, Roberts highlighted its longtime, generous support of the arts and other nonprofit organizations in the Lakes region, going all the way back to Seneca Ladd, who founded the bank 140 years ago. "His vision for the new bank was to make it a center piece of the community," said Roberts.

That vision continues to the present day. In 2008, the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund made 22 awards, ranging from $600 to $9000 and totaling over $83,000. The bank's Sutherlund Scholarship Foundation, established to honor past president Jim Sutherlund, also made scholarships available to high school students based on their academic achievement and their commitment to the community.

The employees of Meredith Village Savings Bank are also well-known for their personal commitments to community activities, according to Roberts. Over 200 employees contributed over 13,400 hours helping community organizations and various events in 2008. "This is personal time, given on their own, to help make our communities better," said Roberts.

Over 100 people attended The Barnstormers Theatre's annual gala event, which featured live and silent auctions and entertainment from the cast of The Barnstormers' current production, "I Love You Because." Accepting the award for Meredith Village Savings Bank was Sam Lavarack, the President and CEO.

The Barnstormers Theatre is the oldest professional summer stock theatre in the nation, presenting live theatre since 1931. Meredith Village Savings Bank has been serving the Lakes region since 1869 and currently has offices in Meredith, Guilford, Laconia, Plymouth, Ashland, Center Harbor, Moultonboro, Alton and Wolfeboro. For more information on the award or The Barnstormers Theatre, visit http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org on the web or call 603-323-8500.