The Als Ik Kan Award is the highest honor given by the Craftsman Farms Foundation and is presented to individuals who contribute in an exceptional manner to The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms and/or to the advancement of the American Arts and Crafts movement. At the June 2008 Board meeting of the Craftsman Farms Foundation, Dr Donald Stahl was nominated and unanimously approved as the 2008 Als Ik Kan honoree. Don has contributed his much of his time, his significant talent, and generous resources to the Foundation for the past 15 years.
Time is the most precious gift any of us can give. I am not sure how many hours Don has spent as a docent giving tours, but I do know that visitors who have experienced Don’s tours have said that he is one of the most informed and interesting docents they have ever had. As a Board member for ten years, he served as Chairman of the Landscape Committee and spent countless hours coordinating and working along side volunteers on property work days. He also served as Chairman of the Personnel and Nominating Committee, which took a lot of time to ensure that any vacancies were filled by the best candidates in a timely manner.
Known for his craftsmanship in oak, Don has shared his talents by donating reproductions he has made a number of fine Gustav Stickley designed pieces of furniture which were auctioned off at our annual fund-raising gala. He also contributed a number of beautiful pieces that are now in use in the administrative building, has built Arts and Crafts picture frames for numerous volunteer awards, and for the beautiful mural that hangs in the Parsippany Public Library.
Don has made a number of significant financial contributions to the Annual Trustee campaign for 10 years, and has sponsored a foursome, as well as a journal advertisement every year for the Craftsman Classic golf outing. While these contributions are significant, the Amy Stahl Memorial Endowment, that Don established in memory of his dear wife, is exceptional. It was the first named endowment in the Foundations history and helped us begin to focus our mission on education. The Annual Amy Stahl Memorial Lecture series will be inaugurated on November 8.
Truly Dr Donald Stahl is a worthy recipient of this year’s Als Ik Kan Award.
Congratulations, Dr. Stahl!
A well deserved honor! Congratulations Don!
I can’t think of anyone more deserving. Don is truly a friend of the Farms.