The Friends of Hemlock Gorge
Annual Letter to Members, 1994
November 24, 1994
Dear Friends of Hemlock Gorge:
At this time of Thanksgiving and Holiday cheer, we write to you
to mark the end of another eventful year for the Friends and to
appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to
our activities in 1995.
Above all, we invite you to participate in our monthly meeting,
held at 7:15 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the Emerson
Community Center on Pettee Street in Newton Upper Falls. (Mark
these upcoming dates: Dec. 6, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 1, Apr. 5,
and May 3!) Please do come to the next meeting; we need ideas
and look forward to the pleasure of your company!
The following were among the activities sponsored, supported,
and lobbied for by the Friends in 1994:
- Spring and fall cleanups of the Reservation that were exceptionally
well attended. We're pleased to report that the Gorge is perhaps
the tidiest it has been some time.
- New security lighting for the Stone Building has been installed
under the supervision of Ranger Rob McArthur.
- As a direct result of the Friends' efforts, particularly Brian
Yates, the City of Newton has approved the creation of off street
parking for Reservation visitors (at the intersection of Ellis
and Boylston Streets). Approval of financing for the paving and
fencing is now pending and anxiously awaited.
- We have seen to the removal of graffiti on the bridge and
on the Ellis Street underpass as soon as it appears.
- We met at our March meeting with police representatives from
both Newton and Needham who as a result have increased both their
patrols and cooperative activities in the Reserva-tion. Signage
was placed giving the police authority to enforce restrictions
on after dark trespassing.
- The Friends manned a table at Newton's Harvest Fair, gaining
new members.
- Ken Newcomb designed an emblem for Friends. This has been
used by Mr. Adolph Passarini to create "Friends Buttons"
that we hope to distribute and sell
- A Summer Picnic was held in June. Ken Newcombe read excerpts
from his forthcoming book on the history of the Upper Falls.
- The Stone Barn Committee has been reorganized, is meeting
monthly with Vaunita Schnell as chair, and has resumed its efforts
to implement the architect's plans for the structure. We welcome
new participants!
- The Mass. Water Resources Authority (MWRA) restored the wooden
stairs that give access to the Bridge from Ellis Street.
Activities planned for the immediate future that require volunteers
are numerous.
- The Friends plan to construct a Bridge that we shall name
the Friends' Bridge. It will span the small raceway behind the
Devil's Den where a rustic bridge was once located. We plan to
begin work next spring under the supervision of Rob McArthur.
- We hope to accelerate plans to restore the ironwork on the
Bridge and to reconstruct the Echo Platform.
- As noted above: the restoration of the Ellis Stone Building,
has entered a new phase with the architect's com-pletion of the
interior drawings and a landscaping proposal. The Stone Building
subcommittee needs new members interested in this historically
important restoration project.
- Finally, we will need to continue all necessary lobbying efforts
at Newton City Hall to see the off street parking site funded
and completed.
None of these activities can or will take place, however, without
your support. The financial needs of the Friends are few but important.
Your dues pay for stationery, postage, and the buttons and T shirts
that we sell at fund raisers. It also pays for our new post office
box that will get your correspondence to our dedicated secretary,
Hannah Sherman, faster and more reliably! Please take this opportunity
to read the enclosed brochure, fill it out, and renew your membership
for 1995 in whatever amount you can.
Whether you're an active member, a member who may not have paid
dues for 1994, someone who would like to join formally for the
first time, or just a Friend, we welcome your response and participation.
Because we want to inform as many members of the community as
possible about our efforts, it's not necessary to be a member
in order to receive mailings, but we would like to know who is
interested and who isn't. Enclosed is an envelope complete with
stamp and our NEW ADDRESS to make your response easy. Please fill
out the enclosed membership card and return it with your preferences
indicated. If you wish to join or renew, dues categories are listed
on the card. Dues for 1995 can be paid now or at any meeting.
Thank you for your interest in the preservation of the Hemlock
Gorge/Echo Bridge Reservation. We hope to see you in December.
With best wishes,
Vaunita Schnell, President
John P. Mordes, M.D., Membership Coordinator
This page last modified January 12, 1997
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