Author: John Mordes

  • The Friends’ Brian Yates Memorial Dedication

    The Friends’ Brian Yates Memorial Dedication

    Brian Yates, former Newton City Councilor and the Founder, Past President, and guiding spirit of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge, passed away on March 15, 2019. A granite memorial to Brian has now been placed in Hemlock Gorge close to the Stone Building and the Circular Dam. The dedication took place on the evening of…

  • Annual End-of-Year Letter to Members, 2019

    Annual End-of-Year Letter to Members, 2019

    2019 was a year of transition and renewal and accomplishment for the Friends.

  • Annual Letter to Members, 2018

    Annual Letter to Members, 2018

    Having managed to complete the installation of new railings by the Stone Building, we are still looking to make arrangements for the repair of the building’s roof. After a successful spring cleanup of the reservation, we had a spring picnic on the meadow on a fine day in August, the repairs to Cook’s Bridge having…

  • New Stone Building Railings

    New Stone Building Railings

    At our October, 2018 meeting, Evan Weststrate announced that fencing for the Stone Building project has been fabricated and installation is now complete. The new railings, shown in the photo below, taken during construction, are gorgeous. This project has been championed by Evan, who announced last December that the DCR approved our public-private partnership proposal…

  • Meeting Minutes: October 2, 2018

    Meeting Minutes: October 2, 2018

    Next Meeting: Tuesday November 13, 2018 at 7:30 Present were Evan Weststrate, Vaunita Schnell, Robin Dexter, Jean Fisher, Mrs. Jim Purdee, Lara Prebble who is a Wellesley College senior student, Brian Yates, and the Secretary pro tempore (John Mordes). Jim Purdee’s retirement as Treasurer was made official, and Robin Dexter volunteered to take on the…

  • Annual Letter to Members, 2017

    Annual Letter to Members, 2017

    2017 was a rewarding year for the Friends 2018 promises to be even better.

  • Rehabilitation of the Elliot Street Bridge

    Rehabilitation of the Elliot Street Bridge

    State authorities have completed reconstruction of the Elliot Street Bridge reconstruction at the southern end of Hemlock Gorge Reservation. Restoration of the meadow is proceeding. The dedication was held in late November, 2012. The efforts of the Friends were recognized and President Brian Yates was an invited speaker. For details click here. To read Ken Newcomb’s…

  • Annual Letter to Members, 2016

    Annual Letter to Members, 2016

    2016 has been a challenging and exciting year for the Friends.

  • Meeting Minutes: June 7, 2016

    Meeting Minutes: June 7, 2016

    Next Meeting: Tuesday September 6, 2016 at 7:30 Present were four representative from the DCR: Erica Aubin (Hemlock Gorge Site Supervisor), Lisa Barstow (DCR Director of Community Relations), Ken Gooch (DCR Forest Health Program Director) and Marti Rudi (DCR Boston Regional District Manager); also present were Friends’ President Brian Yates, Bob Burke, Jean Fisher, Evan…

  • Meeting Minutes: April 5, 2016

    Next Meeting: Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 7:30 Present were Vaunita Schnell, Brian Yates, John Mordes, Robin Dexter, Evan Weststrate, Bob Burke and Jason Lupien. Issue 1: Bob Burke and Jason Lupien’s “Saving the Hemlock Trees” Project The main order of business was the proposal initiated by Bob Burke and Jason Lupien to treat some…

  • Annual Letter to Members, 2015

    Annual Letter to Members, 2015

    2015 was again a productive year for the Friends.

  • Annual Letter to Members, 2014

    Annual Letter to Members, 2014

    2014 has been a very productive year for the Friends.