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Nominations Open for 2021 Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards Presented by The Village at Orchard Ridge

June 17, 2021

Awards will highlight achievements of individuals 70 and over in Winchester City, Frederick County and Clarke County, Virginia

WINCHESTER, Virginia – The Village at Orchard Ridge–A National Lutheran Community is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 2021 Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards. This will be the second Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards hosted by The Village at Orchard Ridge since the inaugural event was first launched in 2019. Plans for a 2020 awards event were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nomination packets are available to download at https://www.thevillageatorchardridge.org/stellar7over70/. The Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards is the first program of this kind in the greater Winchester area and is dedicated to fight ageism and demonstrate that impact and community involvement are ageless. The awards celebrate the achievements of those 70 and older who are making a difference in the community and in the lives of others. Nominations are taken in seven categories:

  • Intellectual Growth
  • Fitness and Health 
  • Social and Community Involvement
  • Spiritual Expression 
  • Creative Engagement
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Vocational Connectivity 

“In a time where all of us in society have faced unprecedented upheaval, social isolation and change due to COVID-19, older adults have been hit especially hard by this pandemic. We’ve been inspired by older adults’ courage and optimism in facing this public health threat and continuing to find ways to be of service to their neighbors and fellow man,” says Event Chair Rebecca Lipscomb who also serves as sales director for The Village at Orchard Ridge. “We are thrilled to present the Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards once again in 2021 to highlight positive stories showing how adults are improving the lives of others in their communities.”

“Older adults represent the most at-risk population, yet they have faced the hardships of COVID-19 with tremendous courage, and if anything, have doubled down on their efforts to find new ways to continue to be of service to their neighbors and community in this time of need,” says Larry Bradshaw, president and CEO of National Lutheran Communities & Services, the parent organization of The Village at Orchard Ridge. “In 2021, it’s more important than ever that we celebrate older adults’ compassion toward their neighbors and the many ways they continue to show that impact is ageless – even in the face of a worldwide pandemic.”

John Loop, executive director at The Village at Orchard Ridge added, “This will be my first Stellar 7 Over 70 Awards with Orchard Ridge, however, I have worked in aging services for the majority of my career and have witnessed firsthand the dedication older adults have to their greater communities.” Loop added, “Older adults support their communities because they believe it is the right thing to do, not because they want recognition. I am proud that The Village at Orchard Ridge has prioritized recognizing service and inspiring people of all ages to pursue opportunities that enhance life for others in their communities.”

Due to the easing of local and federal COVID-19 restrictions, both the unveiling of nominees and the awards event will be held in-person. The unveiling of nominees will occur at The Chapel at Orchard Ridge, A Center for Faith and Community Life, on September 16, 2021. The award winners will be presented at a ticketed luncheon on October 14, 2021 at The George Washington Hotel.

All nominations must be received by Monday, August 2, 2021. Nomination forms are available for download at https://www.thevillageatorchardridge.org/stellar7over70/.