FRIENDS OF UPTON STATE FOREST INC. NEWSLETTER

http://www.friendsofuptonstateforest.org [email protected]

Volume 2, Number 3 May 2007 ************************************************************************ President’s Message ~ by Ellen Arnold DCR Partnership Workshop

Around 1970 Upton State Forest Agnita Knott and Ellen Arnold (USF) became a satellite of Wachusett attended the DCR Partnership Workshop Mountain State Park before becoming a at Elm Bank Reservation on March 10. It satellite of Douglas State Forest in 1977. was a full day with presentations by key Since 1981when the Heritage State Park DCR officials and afternoon workshops. was established at River Bend Farm Questions were answered on many Upton has been managed from there. All subjects including permits, budget, legal of these areas are part of the Central topics and more. Region. Several months ago I became Not only did we come away with aware that we were going to become a a better understanding of the way DCR satellite of Hopkinton State Park in the is managed but we made many contacts newly formed Metro West District in the with other Friend’s groups. These are Northeast Region. It appears that will already proving valuable. probably happen soon. As you know in 2005 we were So what does that mean to the Friends successful in getting the historic CCC of Upton State Forest? To most users the buildings at Upton on the Preservation change will be transparent. For those of Mass “List of Ten Most Endangered us that need to contact DCR officials on Historic Resources in Massachusetts.” behalf of USF we will need to develop During an afternoon workshop I listened some new relationships. John Pelczarski to the stories of neglected buildings, will be working with us to ensure a understaffed parks and infrastructure smooth transition. needs from other Friends. It occurred to Upton is a Gateway Town to the me that the entire park system of the Blackstone Valley and as such is a part of Commonwealth is endangered. When I the Blackstone River Valley National made that comment I was told that in Heritage Corridor. That will not change 2006 another organization was so we will still have those important successful in getting the entire contacts. Massachusetts Park System on the I am looking at this change as a way Preservation Mass list and is working to to meet and work with new friends while get it on a national list. keeping in touch with our old friends. Did you know that Massachusetts Thank you to John, Val, Paul, Don and is 48th out of 50 states in per capita all the people that have helped maintain spending on parks and recreation and Upton State Forest. We will miss our that DCR staff has been reduced by 20% regular contact with them but will (324) in five years? remember all that they have done to help I want to hear from you as to us. We wish them “Happy Trails.” what you think our role in the big picture should be. Ellen

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Work Party at Upton State Forest Walking, Hiking and Beyond Meet at the headquarters parking By John Fahy lot on April 29. First shift 9AM to noon. **Since a forest environment Second shift 1PM to 3:30. Lunch will be includes uneven pathways and some provided from noon to 1 for both shifts. elevation changes you should prepare yourself for this level of exertion. Please RSVP for lunch to 508-529-6610. Remember to check with your doctor A liability waiver will be required. No if you are just starting out. ** power tools. Bring hand tools and work In the spring a person’s fancy gloves and dress accordingly. lightly turns to thoughts of – of hiking of course! (My apologies to Lord Trails Committee Report Tennyson) Winter has finally been left $253.98 was raised by the bake behind yet April torments us with cold, sale for Trails Committee projects. rain and snow. These too eventually pass Thank you to everyone that supported and the roads, trails and ponds, of Upton the bake sale through donations of food, State Forest clean, green and lush with money and time. (Not to mention those new growth will attract an increasing of us that purchased goodies!) The number of various users. Walkers, hikers Board has set up a line item in our and bikers are preparing spirit, mind and budget that will be used at the discretion body for the exertions of the new season. of the Trails Committee with the Board’s This preparation derives from common approval. These funds can be used to sense and an awareness based on our support work parties, for special knowledge of what is right and what is projects, to buy materials for bridges or wrong. for matching grants This awareness is, in this The committee has prioritized instance, an outdoor ethic. Listed here their list of projects. Bridge repairs are are the seven principles of the Leave No needed and contacts will be made with Trace Outdoor Skills and Ethics. Scouts looking for Eagle projects. A 1.) Plan ahead and prepare discussion of the map kiosk location is 2.) Travel on durable surfaces underway since much of the year there is 3.) Dispose of waste properly standing water or ice limiting access. 4.) Leave what you find Mike Ryan and Bill Knott have been 5.) Observe campfire regulations placing NO ORV signs at strategic 6.) Respect wildlife locations and the committee has 7.) Be considerate of others identified other places if we can get the An ethical person knowing the signs. John Fahy will be working on trail difference between right and wrong; will information for the website. This will conduct themselves with these seven include trail length, terrain and historic Rules above as a guide to enjoy and and natural highlights. protect the environment -- the natural We encourage anyone interested resources -- for the present and the in trails to attend these meetings and join future. The users of our parks, beaches, the work parties. The more the merrier! forests and trails have a responsibility to If you find a problem on the protect and improve this often fragile trails that needs to be addressed contact environment for the generations to come, Karen Ober or Lurissa Marston or email and because it is the right and ethical us at [email protected]. thing to do. (continued on page 3)

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The Back Yard one of them was a visitor on Ridge Rd. in Upton. This is the Remember that if you don’t want time of year to attract skunks, raccoons, mice and that we keep other assorted wildlife close to your the binoculars home that you should be taking in your and Peterson’s feeders soon. Before you put them back Field Guide on next fall don’t forget to clean and the kitchen disinfect them. counter near the window to the back Thank you to Rich Johnson for yard. For many of us in the greater sharing his wonderful wildlife photos Upton State Forest area our windows with us. Fifty one people enjoyed his look toward the forest. presentation on a snowy March night. The Northern Juncos are still I would like to hear from you with us but will be heading north soon. about the wildlife in your yard. Maybe Our summer friends are returning one at one of you would like to do a regular a time. “Foxy” the Fox Sparrow was at column with reports from the area or the feeder on March 26th for the first share wildlife photos you have taken. time this year. He has returned as early Let me hear from you at 508-529-6610 as January 5th in 1991 (maybe he never or [email protected]. Ellen left) and as late as April 30 in 1990. The Pine Warbler was on the suet for the first Walking Hiking and Beyond (cont.) time April 14th this year. It has been a strange winter. We In May, my hiking buddy and I had a Northern Flicker with us most of plan to hike the Mid-State Trail, 92 the winter. Bluebirds have been around miles north from Rhode Island to the off and on for several years during the New Hampshire border adding 21 miles winter. This month we saw the first crow to North Pack Mountain in Greenfield, we have seen on Ridge Rd. in five or six NH for a 113-mile hike. Our years since the population was Guidebooks are by Globe Pequot Press, decimated, presumably by a virus. Hiking Massachusetts and AMC Before I retired I used to plan my Massachusetts Trail Guide. This hike spring vacation for the first week of May will be done on 9 or 10 individual day to watch for the Northern Oriole and hikes with member Norm Fahy doing Rose Breasted Grosbeak. They arrive in “sherpa” duty by dropping off and time for the bloom on the Quince Bush. picking us up every day. Along the way, Our yard has changed over the 34 we will strictly follow the seven LNT years we have lived here. The edge has Rules. We will also note the condition of changed, trees have grown, some of the the trail and the State Forests we pass first growth trees are gone, predators through and report on what is pertinent have increased and man is changing the and applicable to Upton State Forest. climate. The rabbits and partridge were Please have a great and safe numerous when we came and now we hiking season. strain to hear a lonely partridge on a If any of you are doing long drumming log. distance hikes this year we hope that you Soon we will open our home in will contribute reports to share in the the North Country. I will look for the newsletter. Please contact Ellen Arnold Northern Juncos and wonder if perhaps or John Fahy. John

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Upton Pictures at Smithsonian! CCC Day at the State House It came to our attention that the Smithsonian Institution has pictures of the CCC Camp at USF so we gave them a call. Much to our delight not only did they locate twelve pictures but sent us Xerox copies. The pictures include men planting trees on Park Rd., the camp band, an awards presentation with the water tower in the background, enrollees CCC Alumni being honored on CCC searching for a lost child and practicing Day at the State House fire suppression with “Indian Cans”, an March 30 was CCC Day at the State interior of a barracks, the Company House. During the ceremony the soccer team and others. The clarity of 100,000 men that served in the “C’s” the pictures is excellent. from Massachusetts were honored. In The Historic Resources th addition it is the 50 Anniversary of the Committee has decided to raise the Student Conservation Association and money to purchase copies of these th their 10 Anniversary in our state. CCC pictures at 600dpi for a cost of $260.00. Alumni passed a ceremonial shovel to Anyone wishing to donate toward their the youth of the SCA to carry on the purchase can send a check to Friends of legacy. A young man from Milton was Upton State Forest, PO Box 258, Upton, honored because his Eagle Scout project MA 01568. Enclose a note indicating restored CCC sites at Blue Hills that it is to be used toward the pictures. Reservation. Sponsors included Senators Augustus Heritage Corridor Celebration! and Morrissey as well as Representative In March the Blackstone River Peterson. Representative Rush and Valley National Heritage Corridor held Priscilla Geigis, Acting Commissioner their annual dinner and reauthorization of the Department of Conservation and party. Barbara Burke, Bill and Agnita Recreation (DCR) also spoke. Knott and Ellen and Russ Arnold Representing Upton State Forest and represented the Friends. The five year FUSF were Bill Annese, Ellen Arnold, reauthorization is important because of Barbara Burke, Frank Evans (CCC the federal resources it makes available Alumnus), Agnita Knott, Christina to Upton and the other Corridor towns. MacConnell, John Pelczarski, Irene and Romuald Radziewicz, Joan Shanahan, Historic Resources Committee Report Val Stegemoen and Joan Varney. Both Joan Varney and Christina MacConnell At the first meeting Steve are daughters of CCC Alumni. Warren and Ellen Arnold were selected Before the ceremony we toured the as co-chairmen. Possible projects and Nurses Hall, Grand Staircase area and areas of research were discussed with the located our town flags in the Hall of decision to prioritize these at our next Flags. After the ceremony the Upton meeting. The committee invites anyone delegation was given a tour of the Senate interested in the history of USF to join Chamber and the office of Senator them at their meetings. Augustus by his staff.

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CCC Day at Upton State Forest

May 26, 2007

In partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of Upton State Forest and Upton Historical Society cordially invite you to CCC Day at Upton State Forest. The public is welcome. Rain or shine. Children welcome. Afternoon events free.

Noon ~ combined picnic ~ Upton Historical Society, Friends of Upton State Forest and their guests ~ cold buffet Picnic Tickets ~ Adults $8.00 Children 10 and under $5.00

¾ 1 PM ~ Tree dedication in honor of the men of Camp SP25 CCC at Upton State Forest.

¾ 1:30 Fireside chats begin. Join us at the fireplace. We will invite Civilian Conservation Corps alumni to share their memories of life in the “C’s” and others to share their memories of Upton State Forest. This will be captured on video. Assistive listening devices will be available.

¾ 1:30 Trail walks begin. There will be a long hike with Ranger Val Stegemoen to view CCC sites within the forest and a short hike to view historic cellar holes.

¾ 2:00 Children’s games and scavenger hunt begin.

¾ Ongoing ~ Indoor displays, historic CCC power point, dessert, coffee, raffles and more.

RSVP for picnic only: [email protected] Ellen 508-529-6610 Barbara 508-529-6600

5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Friends of Upton State Forest Partners in Parks Conference

April 24 Tree planting 11AM There is a Partners in Parks Headquarters Area Conference on June 9 at Worcester Arbor Day & Earth Day Technical High School. Registration is Refreshments to follow between 8 and 9 with a full day of speakers, workshops and performing April 29 Work party at USF artists. Lt. Gov. Murray has accepted an Details on page 3 invitation and Gov. Patrick has been invited. There is a $35.00 fee that May 14 Trails Committee includes lunch. Meeting, 7 PM If anyone is interested in Upton Senior Center attending let me know as soon as possible. FUSF has a scholarship for one May 21 Historical Resources person to attend and the Board has voted Committee, 7 PM up to $35.00 for a second person to go. Upton Senior Center More information is available at http://wwwconservationandrecreationca May 22 10 AM Work party to mpaign.org/ or call Ellen at 508-529- clean building for picnic 6610.

May 25 10 AM Work party-set up for picnic and CCC Day Upton Open Space Committee ([email protected]) May 26 Noon-combined picnic with Upton Historical May 20 Hike at Stefans Farm Society at USF-see pg 5 1 PM meet at the power 1 PM-CCC Day at USF lines on Mechanic St. (see flyer-page 5) 508-529-6811 or 508-529-3709 May 30 Board Meeting, 7 PM Place TBA Great Grafton Geocache!

June 18 Historic Resources June 2 Registration 9AM to 1PM Committee, 7 PM at Grafton High School. Upton Senior Center Beginner seminars all day at Brigham Hill Community Barn. Sponsors-Tufts June 19 Trails Committee University, Grafton Land Trust, Grafton Meeting, 7 PM Schools and the Brigham Hill Barn Upton Senior Center

Yard Sale – September 8 Quote of the Month – Robert Frost To donate items contact Ellen Nature’s first green is gold, Arnold, John Fahy, Norm Fahy, Mary Her hardest hue to hold. Fedorczuk or [email protected]. Pick up Her early leaf’s a flower; can be arranged. But only so an hour.

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