The Friends of Hemlock Gorge

Meeting Minutes: April 7 2026

  1. Treasurer’s report – Don Ross
    1. Bank account updates $7435.63
    2. Submission of our Form PC and payment to the state are done
    3. Renewal of our P.O. Box pending $126. Thanks Don!
    4. Reimbursement of Chris Osborn
    5. Don found a donation in our mailbox. From Ellen Katz and Jay Werb for $200 in memory of Vaunita Schnell.
  2. Cleanup date set for May 2
    1. Cub Scouts coming. Any news about the Boy Scouts?
    2. Evan has been volunteered to open the stone barn and get supplies
    3. Amy and Ben will make posters and send to Julie Irish
  3. Tour on June 7 from 9-noon
    • We can send out a notice
  4. Website Kudos to Ben and Amy
  5. Follow up on ideas to remember Vaunita that were raised at the last meeting
    1. Since It would be nice to include her photography in our memorial, we can have her poster framed for the event in June
    2. Memorial will be first weekend in June.
    3. We can also feature it on our website.
    4. There may be one granite bench left. Can Erica confirm that? Putting it  by the Stone Building would be appropriate as she was instrumental in getting it restored the first time.
    5. Could it replace the wooden bench? Memorial picnic area?
    6. Could do a bronze plaque. Reach out to Jack Neville to have it made. Place by Stone Building would be appropriate considering Vaunita’s role in rescuing the structure.
      • John will reach out to Jack Neville
      • Jack Neville’s email address needs updating. Ben will update it after Rena sends it our way.
    7. We have the money for inscribing bench. Brian’s and Hank’s benches were  donated by the DCR, but we paid for the inscription. John reached out to Erica – there are no more stone benches
  6. Do we want to try to proceed with either of the wooden benches (one on the upper trail, one overlooking New Pond) that were designed by Lara Prebble
    • John will reach out to Lara
  7. John has reached out to Rep. Schwartz about progress at the Stone Building and is awaiting news. Got a message that there is follow up with DCR on the money for the renovation. Rena spoke to him last night and she says Greg is aware.
  8. Any Boy Schout Eagle Projects in the offing?
    • Could the Boy Scouts put in a railing by the box steps? a la Cold Spring?
    • Note – we sponsor them technically and from an EIN perspective
  9. There is no news on the Quinobequin Trail other than it has become treacherous for older hikers at the Route 9 end.
    1. Erica has been notified of fallen trees
  10. Updates on the upper trail erosion? Berms?
    • John will reach out to Erica
  11. Priorities for the coming year raised at the March meeting.
    1. Events?
      • Upper Falls Village Day (Sept 13?)
      • Green Newton?
      • Fall Cleanup
      • August Picnic
      • Gorge Tours in addition to the Newton Conservators’ sponsored on in June?
      • Invasives Tour? Mustard/invasives pull? Need input from Katherine Howard.
      • Engage with young families, reach out to teachers. Any volunteers?
      • Elementary school walks? Any volunteers?
    2. Home for our archives is needed
    3. Get folks to submit photos, especially kids. For the website
    4. Wildlife identification, like in QB trail park
    5. Other Priorities that need members to volunteer
      1.  Cub Scouts
      2. Stone Building Maintenance after restoration complete?
      3. Member drive. How?
      4. Get more existing members involved in projects. How?
  12. Matters arising
    • We have a new map done by Newton Conservators! We will put it on the website.
    • Next meeting May 12.

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Amy Kahn

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