The Friends of Hemlock Gorge

Annual Reports

Select the Annual Report

  • Meeting Minutes: March 5, 2024
    by Amy Kahn
    Attendees: Evan Weststrate, Paul Roberts, Sheila Purdy, Robin Dexter, Amy Kahn, Ben Kahn, Rena Getz, Lee and Jean Fisher (from FL!), Donald Ross, Bill Humphrey (from the UK!) Item 1: Treasury Report Item 2: 501(c)3 Filings State paperwork done for the year. Fed paperwork done. Transitioned from paper to electronic filing. $35 paid, plus $0.82… Read more: Meeting Minutes: March 5, 2024
  • Meeting Minutes: February 6, 2024
    by Amy Kahn
    Attendees: Evan Weststrate, Paul Roberts, Sheila Purdy, Christopher Osborn, Donald Ross, Robin Dexter, Amy Kahn, Ben Kahn Item 1: Banners for Cleanups Still on the table. Plan is for Evan to pass over a design to Paul to send to the printer. Scout troop will pay for the printing. Recommendation: use Canva. Item 2: Scout… Read more: Meeting Minutes: February 6, 2024
  • Annual letter to Members, 2023
    by friendadmin
    As Covid-19 receded, 2023 became a good year for both Hemlock Gorge and the Friends of Hemlock Gorge. The park continued to be visited by many families, new visitors, and old friends. The Friends’ leadership credits you, our members, whose efforts continue to make the park an important part of our local environment. Below is… Read more: Annual letter to Members, 2023
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2022
    by John Mordes
     As Covid-19 relented a bit, 2022 was a good year for both Hemlock Gorge and the Friends of Hemlock Gorge. The park continued to be visited by many families, new visitors, and old friends.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2020
    by John Mordes
    Because of Covid-19, 2020 has been a year unlike any other for the Friends. Our last in-person meeting was in March. Since then we have met by Zoom, and our summer picnic was canceled.
  • Annual End-of-Year Letter to Members, 2019
    by John Mordes
    2019 was a year of transition and renewal and accomplishment for the Friends.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2018
    by John Mordes
    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 been completed. However, extreme weather conditions forced cancellation of the fall cleanup. Jim Purdy retired as Treasurer and his position has been filled by Robin Dexter, who has become a great asset working on our behalf
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2017
    by John Mordes
    2017 was a rewarding year for the Friends 2018 promises to be even better.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2016
    by John Mordes
    2016 has been a challenging and exciting year for the Friends.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2015
    by John Mordes
    2015 was again a productive year for the Friends.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2014
    by John Mordes
    2014 has been a very productive year for the Friends.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2013
    by John Mordes
    2013 has been a year of excellent progress for the Friends, and with your help, 2014 will be even better.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2012
    by John Mordes
    2012 has been a year of excellent progress for the Friends, and with your help, 2013 will be even better.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2011
    by John Mordes
    We plan in 2012 to expand our efforts even further, but to do so we need your continued help in three ways
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2010
    by John Mordes
    In 2011, we will continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our partnership with Site Supervisor Erica Aubin and former Site Supervisor and DCR administrator Kevin Hollenbeck. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2010 and our hopes for 2011.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2009
    by John Mordes
    In 2010, we will continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our partnership with Site Supervisor Erica Aubin and former Site Supervisor and DCR administrator Kevin Hollenbeck. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2009 and our hopes for 2010.
  • 2009 Spring Cleanup
    by friendadmin
    The Friends and the DCR  again extend their thanks to the small but dedicated group of volunteers who helped with the cleanup on a gorgeous spring day. There was a large amount of debris this time. Everyone’s efforts were much appreciated. As always, we also send a big thank you to Seanna, Bob and everyone… Read more: 2009 Spring Cleanup
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2008
    by John Mordes
    In 2009, we will continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our partnership with Site Supervisor Erica Aubin and former Site Supervisor and DCR administrator Kevin Hollenbeck. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2008 and our hopes for 2009.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2007
    by John Mordes
    In 2008, we will continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our partnership with newly appointed Site Supervisor Erica Uramkin and former supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck who is now a DCR manager. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2007 and our hopes for 2008.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2006
    by John Mordes
    In 2007, we will continue to work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our partnership with former Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck, now a member of DCR management. We anticipate that a new Site Supervisor will be named in 2007. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2006 and our prospects for 2007.
  • Report on the Adelgids and Ladybugs in Hemlock Gorge
    by Charles Kahn
    Final Report Pseudoscymnus tsugae Release Hemlock Gorge 2001-2005 Background: The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) (formerly the Department of Environmental Management) was approached by the Friends of Hemlock Gorge regarding the possible release of the predatory ladybird beetle (Pseudoscymnus tsugae) for the control of an infestation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae) at… Read more: Report on the Adelgids and Ladybugs in Hemlock Gorge
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2005
    by John Mordes
    As 2005 draws to a close, we again write to update you on the activities of the Friends. In addition, we appeal to you to renew your membership and your personal and financial commitment to our activities in 2006.
  • The Arnold Arboretum’s Response to the Adelgid
    by Charles Kahn
    The Arnold Arboretum’s famed Hemlock Hill has been severely impacted by the adelgid, and more than 100 trees have been lost. (They opted against an attempt to introduce ladybugs, as was done at Hemlock Gorge.) The Arboretum staff are undertaking an extensive research program that is described in some detail at their web site: https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/hemlock-hill-history-management-and-research/
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2004
    by friendadmin
    In 2005, we will continue our productive relationship with the leadership of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and its Urban Park Bureau. We will also continue our strong partnership with Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck and his associate Bob Hassett. We note with pleasure that the new director of the Urban Park Bureau is Kevin’s former supervisor, Pat Flynn, who is familiar with the Reservation and its issues. We hope you will share our pleasure in the accomplishments of 2004 and our prospects for 2005.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2003
    by friendadmin
    As the year draws to a close, we again write to you to mark the end of an eventful time for the Friends. In addition, we appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to our activities in 2004.
  • Adelgid News: A lot of uncertainty
    by Charles Kahn
    In January we received the following report from Forester Charlie Burnham. The trees in the Gorge seemed to him to be in better shape, but he could not determine if the cold weather or the ladybugs are responsible. This is his report: “I was down at the Gorge in mid December to install a temperature… Read more: Adelgid News: A lot of uncertainty
  • Ken Newcomb Memorial Dedicated Summer 2003
    by Charles Kahn
    On Tuesday, August 5, 2003 more than 30 Friends of Hemlock Gorge and members of the family of the late Ken Newcomb gathered for our annual summer picnic and to dedicate his memorial bench at Artist’s Point. To see more pictures of the memorial site, and to see photos of the dedication celebration, click here.… Read more: Ken Newcomb Memorial Dedicated Summer 2003
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2002
    by friendadmin
    2002 was a year of ongoing accomplishments for the Friends in our efforts to preserve and enhance the beauty of Hemlock Gorge. These accomplishments are the fruits of your efforts, the legislative leadership of Senator Cynthia Creem and Representatives Kay Khan and Ruth Balser, and the hard work of Metropolitan District Commission Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck and his associate Bob Hassett. We hope you’ll share our pleasure in these accomplishments and the prospect of further positive developments in 2003
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2001
    by friendadmin
    2001 was a year of truly major accomplishments for the Friends in our efforts to preserve and enhance the beauty of Hemlock Gorge. These accomplishments are the fruits of your efforts, the legislative leadership of Senators Thomas Birmingham and Cynthia Creem and Representative Kay Khan, and the hard work of Metropolitan District Commission Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck and his associate Bob Hassett. We hope you’ll share our pleasure in these accomplishments and the prospect of further positive developments in 2002.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 2000
    by friendadmin
    The year 2000 has been a year of major accomplishments for the Friends in our efforts to preserve and enhance the beauty of Hemlock Gorge. These accomplishments are the fruits of your efforts, the legislative leadership of Senator Cynthia Creem and Representative Kay Khan, and our partnership with the Metropolitan District Commission, in particular Site Supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck and his associate Bob Hassett. We hope you’ll share our pride in these accomplishments and our excitement at the prospect of additional positive developments in 2001.
  • State House News: JAPANESE LADYBUGS FLY TO THE RESCUE OF BELEAGUERED HEMLOCK FORESTS
    by Charles Kahn
    Reprinted with the permission of the author. By Elisabeth J. BeardsleySTATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE, [email protected] STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 12, 2000 The Bay State’s official bug could soon wing to the rescue of one of the state’s favorite native trees. Under a $60,000 pilot program included in this year’s budget, an army of Japanese ladybugs… Read more: State House News: JAPANESE LADYBUGS FLY TO THE RESCUE OF BELEAGUERED HEMLOCK FORESTS
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1999
    by friendadmin
    On the eve of the millennium, at a particularly special time of Thanksgiving and Holiday Cheer, we again write to you to mark the end of an eventful year for the Friends. In addition, we appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to our activities in 2000. 1999 was a year in which issues critical for the future of the Reservation received major public attention and came to the verge of significant public funding. It was, however, also a year in which the Hemlock Trees that are heart and soul of the reservation began to show the lethal effects of marauding insects.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1998
    by friendadmin
    At this time of Thanksgiving and Holiday Cheer, we again write to you to mark the end of an eventful year for the Friends and to appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to our activities in 1999. 1998 was an excellent year for the preservation and enhancement of the Hemlock Gorge Reservation with all its history and natural beauty. It was, however, also a year in which the Hemlock Trees that are heart and soul of the reservation came under threat.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1997
    by friendadmin
    At this time of Thanksgiving and Holiday Cheer, we write to you to mark the end of an eventful year for the Friends and to appeal to you to renew your membership and your commitment to our activities in 1998. 1997 was an excellent year for the preservation and enhancement of the Hemlock Gorge Reservation with all its history and natural beauty.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1996
    by friendadmin
    At this time of Thanksgiving and Holiday Cheer, we write to you again 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 1997.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1995
    by friendadmin
    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.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1994
    by friendadmin
    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.
  • Annual Letter to Members, 1993
    by friendadmin
    This fall we are writing to everyone on our membership list about the Friends’ recent accomplishments and our upcoming events.