Middlesex Landscape • Winter 2007
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The MIDDLESEX LANDSCAPE Serving the towns of Durham, Middlefield, Middletown, Cromwell, Portland and East Hampton Volume 19, No. 1 The Middlesex Land Trust, Inc. Winter 2007 MLT HOLDS SUCCESSFUL PINE BROOK FALLS FUNDRAISER On a frigid night this past January, The Middlesex Falls as a result of our fundraising efforts (see donor Land Trust held a major fundraising event at the Goff list on page 3). House in East Hampton to raise money for Pine Brook A hearty Thank You to everyone who helped make Falls. Thanks to the efforts of many generous people, the event so successful, including all the fine folks who the event was a grand success. In particular, we want bought tickets, wine, auction items and came in from to recognize board member Tom Heidel for conceiving the cold to enjoy a fun evening! this event and, along with his sister, Kathy Conklin, for countless hours of work to make it happen. PINE BROOK FALLS CLOSING IMMINENT Also contributing time and talent were Ron Brady The Middlesex Land Trust Board Co-Chairs and and the Dixieland musicians, who livened up the event Stewardship Chair met with staff from The Nature with their upbeat tones; the students from East Conservancy (TNC) recently to finalize plans for Hampton middle and high school band, who served as MLT's acquisition of the stunning Pine Brook Falls waiters and also helped set up the hall; and the Goff preserve from TNC. In 2003 TNC acquired the House folks and Angelico’s Restaurant, who provided property from the Haase family with the agreement a great deal of support for the event. We are indebted that it would be transferred to MLT for one quarter of to all who generously the purchase price. donated items and services to the silent This mode of land acquisition and protection auction, and to Audrey allowed TNC to move on the property as it became Heidel, who skillfully available, while ensuring the involvement and managed the whole commitment of a local conservation organization in thing. the property's future. In connection with the transfer from TNC, MLT will be making a legal commitment We are pleased to to maintain the property in its natural state, and use report that this event, in best efforts to ensure this prime piece of natural addition to being a very habitat maintains its special qualities. festive party, raised $2,000. On top of this, Plans for stewardship, maintenance of the simple over $10,000 was woods road, permitted activities, and a mutual donated toward the understanding of the property's boundaries and other purchase of Pine Brook attributes were discussed in detail. All of these will be outlined in a baseline environmental report that also reflects that the parcel is adjacent to other significant protected open space. Needless to say, both parties are Ken Heidel (l) and MLT board excited about the partnership in general, and this member George project in particular. The two hope to cooperate on King pour wine future projects as TNC continues with efforts to save (top), while party the lower Connecticut River valley, designated as a -goers enjoy “Last Great Place,” and MLT forges ahead with each other’s preservation efforts in northern Middlesex County. company (bottom) A closing is expected soon. The Middlesex Land Trust, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve open space in northern Middlesex County (Durham, Middlefield, The Chairpersons’ Corner Middletown, Cromwell, Portland and East Hampton). Dear MLT Members: Board of Directors A few weeks ago, on a chilly Saturday night in a reconstructed historic building in East Hampton, nearly two hundred people got together with Diane Moore, Durham Co-Chair friends, both new and old, neighbors, and civic leaders for conversation, live music, hearty appetizers, a wine tasting and a silent auction. It was a Ralph Urban, East Hampton mixed group, representing younger and older folks, various political Co-Chair parties, from varying backgrounds and walks of life. If you weren't there, Donna Monnes, Cromwell you missed a rollicking good time. The live Dixieland jazz was infectious, Treasurer the food and wine were excellent, and the company was terrific. Stuart Winquist, East Hampton Secretary What brought all these people together, besides the promise of a good time? A deserving cause that serves to unite people—the preservation of Charles Augur, Middlefield pristine and irreplaceable open space—in this case some 40 acres of the Douglas Bonoff, East Hampton stunning Pine Brook environs, featuring an old stone mill site, with Jane Brawerman, Middletown cascading waterfalls surrounded by hemlocks, a meandering cart path, Thomas Heidel, East Hampton steep wooded slopes and wetlands. Everyone at the event knew that by William Hincks, East Hampton attending, donating the entrance fee, tasting the assorted wines, and bidding on the wonderful array of silent auction items, they were William Howard, Esq., Middletown supporting your Middlesex Land Trust, in particular, its effort to ensure Alan Hurst, East Hampton that this piece of our natural heritage is preserved for all of us, and the George King, Middletown future generations that follow. Not only was the event a great time, it was John LeShane, Portland also for a great cause. Joyce Powzyk, Middletown Congratulations and thanks to all who made the event possible, hugely John Shomsky, Middlefield successful and so much fun. It was a financial success, a terrific way to “get Alison Walck, East Hampton the word out” about the MLT and this land preservation project, and will be remembered for a long time to come as a great party. We all proved Thomas Wells, East Hampton together that doing good can be a good time indeed! Thanks to all for your continuing support. The Middlesex Landscape is published by: The Middlesex Land Trust, Inc. Ralph and Diane deKoven House Community Center 27 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457 860.343.7537 [email protected] www.middlesexlandtrust.org JOIN THE MLT BOARD! As you all should know, each year we offer you the opportunity to Winter 2007 Contributors: attend our Annual Meeting, join us on a hike, or help with stewardship of Editing/Layout/Design: Jane Brawerman, some of our properties. There are many opportunities to participate that Katherine Winslow never require you to attend a meeting, and we know that many of you prefer Articles: Alan Hurst, John LeShane, it that way. Diane Moore, Ralph Urban, Stuart Winquist But, if you would like to get more involved, we are looking for a few Photos: Robert Moore (pages 1, 3) and good volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors or one of our standing Thomas Wells (page 5) committees, including membership, stewardship or media. We will provide you with an orientation, training and a little history. If you have an interest, please contact Alan Hurst at 860-267-2799, or the office at 860-343-7537 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you. 2 • The Middlesex Landscape • Winter 2007 THANK YOU TO OUR PINE BROOK FALLS CONTRIBUTORS If we have misspelled a name or failed to list a donor correctly, please let us know and we will correct it! Angelico’s Restaurant Hugo DeSarro Diane C. & Robert Moore Best Cleaners William & Kerri Devine Eugene & Janet Nichols Citizen's Bank Kyle & Mary Ann Dostaler Andrew, Virginia C., & the Connecticut Forest & Park Association William F. Dougherty Nowakowski Family (in memory of Creations Framing & Gallery Edward Drysgula Mary Heidel) Governor's Tavern Marian Dziama Russell & Sheila Oakes Lynne Alyson Photography Steve Gephard & Diana Evans Dr. Robert & Virginia Olson Marcie Loffredo Yoga David Fazzino Dominic Orsini & Jody Brewer Marlborough Barn Nancy P. Flannery Paul & Amy Paloski Massage at Snug Harbor William Foye Stephen Devoto & Joyce Powzyk Meshomasic Hiking Club John P. Gawlak Robert & Doreen Raney Middle Haddam Garden Club George & Carol Gilbert Patricia Rasch Moebius Technology Solutions LLC Cathy Glasson Gail Reen Paul's & Sandy's Too Terry & Dawn Grady Kevin M. Reich Sadler's Ordinary Don & Laurie Guilmette Ralph Urban & Robin Hammeal-Urban Shaw's Supermarket Allen Guiot Rebecca Robinson The Nature Conservancy Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Hammeal Marcia Rush West Shore Marina Mr. & Mrs. Fred P. Hansen Kelly Saltus Peter & Lisa Aarrestad George Burger & Joann Hewett Tyler Sammon Barbara & Benjamin Angelico William & Ellie Howard Eric & Ann Sandin David Arcidiacono Simone & Clay Howe Dick & Linda Schroth Lucinda Photography Jay & Diana Huntington Nancy Selavka Anna Barron Alan R. Hurst & Gail Hamm Mary Jo Shafer Demian Battit Lewis L. Johnson & Amy Rader Johnson Jim Sitro Peter & Arlene Bergan Mary Lang Killilea Larry & Gwen Soltis Douglas Bonoff Robert & Rosemary Kilpatrick Mr. & Mrs. John Spaeth David & Helen Boule Sandra Kopell Paul & Carol Stacey John & Linda Bowers Kathy Krupa Peter G. Standley Ronald & Suzanne Brady Luella Landis Muriel D. Swanson Lesley Braren Gaye LaVenue Smith Christopher Parslow & Christina Trier Brian Stewart & Jane Brawerman Henry Lord Robert & Alison Walck Charles W. & Nancy C. Brown Helene Loveless Frank Warmsley Andrew & Amy Brownlie Hugh & Margaret MacDonald Thomas Wells Dr. Robert H. & Elizabeth S. Bush Sharon Marcantonio Curtis D. Weybright Peggy Carey & Jonathan Best Donald & Phyllis Martin Gerri M. Whittles Betsy Crosswell, DMD Bill & Sue McCann Irene Kuck & Stuart Winquist Kathleen Curtis Jim & Dianne McHutchison Carlton H. & Katherine Winslow Katherine M. Daily Gary & Sharon McTeague Glenn & Eleanor Wood Rachel & Abby Danziger Francis Monnes Karen Yeske Dr. Stewart S. Danziger Donna & Bernard Monnes Betty Zuraw Carol M. deBerry Adam & Melissa Moore Anonymous (10) 3 • The Middlesex Landscape • Winter 2007 PRESERVING THE PINE BROOK CORRIDOR The January silent auction and wine tasting Hog Hill and Pine Brook, are two parcels, 0.9-acre and event held at the Goff House in East 35-acre, acquired recently by the Town of East Hampton raised money for Pine Brook Falls Hampton with a matching Open Space Grant from the Preserve, but the event marked more than an State of Connecticut.