Land Trust Acquires 3
Properties
The
Rochester Land Trust has had a banner year, acquiring two new properties and a
conservation restriction.
In December
2005, Mike Michon, Jim Steidler,
and Red Mountain LLC donated land to RLT as part of the development of
The property
will be open to the public for organized walks given by the Land Trust and the
Center Village Condominium Trust.
This is a
special acquisition for the Rochester Land Trust because it is an example of
“smart growth”, where housing is concentrated on a small amount of land and
considerable open space is preserved.
Also in
December, Steve and Maureen Sperry donated a conservation restriction (CR) to RLT
on 13.5 acres of land that they own on
The Sperrys have lived on this property for
over 25 years, maintaining trails, cutting timber and sawing wood to build
their house, mill, chicken coop, and garden sheds. The land is heavily forested, with frontage
on Doggett Brook, and contains a certified vernal pool. Their love of this land led the Sperry’s to
want to preserve it forever.
And then this January, Meryden
Kirby donated a 3.5 acre parcel on
Makepeace Neighborhood Fund supports
conservation efforts at RLT
In 2004, the
A.D. Makepeace Co, a well-known local company with substantial land holdings in
SEMASS and Mayflower Bank To Receive
Awards from Land Trust
The Rochester Land Trust has created the Business
Partner of the Year Award to recognize those businesses that have
contributed to the preservation of
The first award will once again be given to American Ref-Fuel of SEMASS, which
made a $10,000 leadership contribution towards the Rounseville
property project in 2004, and did so again in 2005 with another $10,000
contribution. This latest contribution
was done at a critical time for this project, and the Rochester Land Trust is
grateful for their generosity.
The
second award will go to Mayflower Bank. Mayflower Bank has made significant
financial and public awareness contributions to the efforts of RLT for a number
of years. The Land Trust sincerely thanks both of these businesses for their
support.
Come
join us at
Please join us for a fabulous brunch, catered by Harriet’s of Marion, to be held on Sunday April 2, 2006 beginning at 11 AM at the Rochester Grange Hall. Enjoy great food and drink (Champagne & OJ and Bloody Marys) while supporting a worthy cause, the preservation of rural Rochester! Tickets are available at Bev Loves Books or by calling 763-3973. Cost is $35 for adults and $10 for children under 12; 5 & under free.
BEHIND THE BARN by
It’s early, before the sun
I grab my coffee, clippers and trug
and wander out behind the barn,
just Lily and I.
The air is soft and surrounds the dew
which falls in tiny drops
landing on petals just awake.
The sunflowers give us a nod
As we pass by
Others, not quite open
alas, stirring in the pink light.
I take long sips of coffee
as the earth comes alive.
The hummingbird makes a quick pass
before alighting the vine
that twists through the garden
in vivid color and design.
I look out at the hay fields-
their comfort of gold
where Frost stands his vigil,
the lambs and ewes he scolds.
He comes to the wire fence
for Lily to see
how proud and handsome
he truly can be!
I hear not a car, a voice or a noise-
just the creak of the wood
as the breeze filters through.
It’s time to get busy,
the basket awaits.
But oh, just one more minute
to thank God for this place.
------------------------------------------------
This letter was sent to us by former
Dear friends & family at RLT,
Season’s Greetings from South of the Equator-
Ecuador, South America. Although my life
is here, I could never forget my Rochester roots and how lucky I
was to grow up in Rochester, MA … Snows
Pond, Mattapoisett River Boat Race every year, Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, ice
skating on the cranberry bogs, sledding, and generally just having good ole
fashioned fun.
Of course change is inevitable; each time I
come home for a visit there are new ‘cul de sac’ type
of roads, developments, and ‘McMansions’. Thank Goodness for the Rochester Land Trust
and your commitment to preserve ‘Rochester’s Rural Character’. The fact that you helped save Hiller farm is
amazing and admirable. Keep up the good
work!
All the best from the Andes,
Michelle Kirby
Black Sheep Inn
Winner of 2005 Smithsonian Magazine
Sustainable Tourism Award
Do
you have a Special Place in Rochester?
Would you tell us about it? Send
your contribution to RLT, PO Box 337, Rochester MA 02770, or e-mail to:
Join
the Rochester Land Trust! Cut here and
send it in!
********************************************
Rochester
Land Trust 2006
PO
Box 337 Membership
Invitation
Rochester,
MA 02770
Life
Member $1000
YES,
I want to protect Friend
of Rochester $250
Rochester’s
rural character Supporting
Member $100
and
natural beauty. Business
Member $ 25
Family
Member $ 15
Name
______________________________________ Individual
Member $ 10
Address
____________________________________
___________________________ ____________ e-mail _________________________
zip phone
_________________________
Rochester Land Trust NONPROFIT ORG
Post Office Box 337 STANDARD A
Rochester, MA 02770 Permit No. 12
ECRWSS, Postal
Patron,
Rochester Land Trust Board of Directors 2005-2006
President: Susan Adams Vice
President: Russ Keeler
Treasurer: Michael Costa Clerk: Susan Peterson
Erin
Bryant Richard Cutler Laurene Gerrior Norene Hartley
Donna Jeffers Daniel Kennedy Robert Lawrence
Rod McCollester Maureen Sperry Herb Wood