Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc.Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Connecticut

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 March 2020Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc.P. O. Box 171Glastonbury, CT 06033www.gmct.org

Join or renew your membership now! Go to www.gmct.org/membership or use this form.(__) $20 – Individual (__) $350 – Life Member Name ____________________________________(__) $30 – Family (__) $550 – Family Life Membership Address __________________________________Phone : ________________________Email Address:_______________________________Send Check payable to Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc. to P.O.Box 171, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Inside —InPage 1 – President’s Report Page 2 – Nominating Committee Report – Treasuerer’s ReportPage 3 – Land Management Committee Report – Farmland Lease Report Page 4 - 5 – Winter Walks 2020!Page 6 – Upcoming Events – Earth Day and Abor Day – April 25 – CT Trails Day Events – June 6-7 – Remembering Ed Richardson – 1924 - 2019Page 7 – Annual Dinner - Reservation Form!!

The Wolf parcel Winter Walk out along the dike in the mild blustering breeze.

Outgoing President Chris Duff, wife Jennifer, and son Rowan say fare-well. “Best of luck moving forward to our new President and Board of Directors – I have full confidence that you will do great work”

By Chris Duff, PresidentSeasons change and my time as President of this great

organization has drawn to a close. Serving in this role has been my privilege, and I am proud of the work that our team of passionate volunteers has done to advance the goals of the Trust in preserving and protecting the precious natural resources of our towns. Our Winter Walk 2019 series continued to grow as

we welcomed over 250 members and friends (450 in 2020!)to various parcels in the Great Meadows. The public was introduced to fresh air, sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures as they trekked across the land to enjoy the environment, birds and wildlife.Our Annual Dinner in March

featured Dr. Robert Thorson, Professor of Geology at UConn, as our keynote speaker. Professor Thorson provided an insightful and illuminating discussion about the geological history of the Great Meadows, dating back since its origin over 10,000 years ago.On Earth Day, the Trust sponsored

a work session at the Wood parcel in Wethersfield. Over 15 people joined us for trash pickup, trail maintenance and trail building, plus invasive plant removal and erosion control. CT Trails Day activities on the first weekend in

June included a children’s nature walk at the Wood

parcel, plus paddling explorations along the CT River launching from Wethersfield Cove and Keeney Cove.In the summertime, we participated in farmer’s

markets in both Wethersfield and Rocky Hill. Work was also completed at the DiPaola parcel in Rocky Hill, where contractors installed a natural parking area for cars, plus an entrance to a future walking trail on the property.

In September, the Trust partnered with The Nature Conservancy on a project where member volunteers planted 25 disease-resistant elm tree saplings at the Walker Easement in Glastonbury. In performing this experiment, plant scientists are seeking strains of seeds to help restore the elm species along the CT River.Our Trust again partnered with the

CT River Conservancy and a host of other environmental groups in the Source to the Sea cleanup of the Wethersfield Cove. In a satisfying effort we removed many bags of plastic, trash and five car tires. In October, members were treated

to a spectacular cruise on the CT River, courtesy of our partners at Goodwin College. Bruce Morton, Environmental Studies Program Director at Goodwin College, narrated a wonderful tour up and down the CT River, where all observed the natural beauty of the environs.

2019 President’s Report

Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc.Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Connecticut

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 March 2020Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc.P. O. Box 171Glastonbury, CT 06033www.gmct.org

Join or renew your membership now! Go to www.gmct.org/membership or use this form.(__) $20 – Individual (__) $350 – Life Member Name ____________________________________(__) $30 – Family (__) $550 – Family Life Membership Address __________________________________Phone : ________________________Email Address:_______________________________Send Check payable to Great Meadows Conservation Trust, Inc. to P.O.Box 171, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Inside —InPage 1 – President’s Report Page 2 – Nominating Committee Report – Treasuerer’s ReportPage 3 – Land Management Committee Report – Farmland Lease Report Page 4 - 5 – Winter Walks 2020!Page 6 – Upcoming Events – Earth Day and Abor Day – April 25 – CT Trails Day Events – June 6-7 – Remembering Ed Richardson – 1924 - 2019Page 7 – Annual Dinner - Reservation Form!!

The Wolf parcel Winter Walk out along the dike in the mild blustering breeze.

Outgoing President Chris Duff, wife Jennifer, and son Rowan say fare-well. “Best of luck moving forward to our new President and Board of Directors – I have full confidence that you will do great work”

By Chris Duff, PresidentSeasons change and my time as President of this great

organization has drawn to a close. Serving in this role has been my privilege, and I am proud of the work that our team of passionate volunteers has done to advance the goals of the Trust in preserving and protecting the precious natural resources of our towns. Our Winter Walk 2019 series continued to grow as

we welcomed over 250 members and friends (450 in 2020!)to various parcels in the Great Meadows. The public was introduced to fresh air, sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures as they trekked across the land to enjoy the environment, birds and wildlife.Our Annual Dinner in March

featured Dr. Robert Thorson, Professor of Geology at UConn, as our keynote speaker. Professor Thorson provided an insightful and illuminating discussion about the geological history of the Great Meadows, dating back since its origin over 10,000 years ago.On Earth Day, the Trust sponsored

a work session at the Wood parcel in Wethersfield. Over 15 people joined us for trash pickup, trail maintenance and trail building, plus invasive plant removal and erosion control. CT Trails Day activities on the first weekend in

June included a children’s nature walk at the Wood

parcel, plus paddling explorations along the CT River launching from Wethersfield Cove and Keeney Cove.In the summertime, we participated in farmer’s

markets in both Wethersfield and Rocky Hill. Work was also completed at the DiPaola parcel in Rocky Hill, where contractors installed a natural parking area for cars, plus an entrance to a future walking trail on the property.

In September, the Trust partnered with The Nature Conservancy on a project where member volunteers planted 25 disease-resistant elm tree saplings at the Walker Easement in Glastonbury. In performing this experiment, plant scientists are seeking strains of seeds to help restore the elm species along the CT River.Our Trust again partnered with the

CT River Conservancy and a host of other environmental groups in the Source to the Sea cleanup of the Wethersfield Cove. In a satisfying effort we removed many bags of plastic, trash and five car tires. In October, members were treated

to a spectacular cruise on the CT River, courtesy of our partners at Goodwin College. Bruce Morton, Environmental Studies Program Director at Goodwin College, narrated a wonderful tour up and down the CT River, where all observed the natural beauty of the environs.

2019 President’s Report

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 2 March 2020 Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 7 March 2020

The Gallery141 New London Turnpike

Glastonbury

Thursday, March 26, 2020Social Hour 5:30 • Dinner 6:30

Annual Meeting and speaker to follow

Buffet Dinner MenuShrimp cocktail, cocktail meatballs

Tossed Salad and assorted cold saladsCarving station with New York sirloin of beef

Pasta with Pesto and Marinara saucesBaked cod, breaded with lemon and butter

Chicken ParmesanVegetables du jour, red roasted potatoes

Dessert du jourRegular and decaf coffee and tea

Cash bar for all other beverages and soda

The cost per person for dinner is $30.00, tax and gratuity included

—clip here—

GMCT Annual Dinner ReservationsPlease reserve no later than March 19thfor the dinner Thursday, March 26, 2020

Questions may be directed to Rick Doran at 860-690-9983 or info@GMCT.orgThe cost per person for dinner is $30.00.

Name(s): ___________________________________________________

Phone Number________________Address______________________________

Dinners @ $30.00 _____ = ________Memberships @ $20 individual/$30 family _____ = ________Additional Donation ________Total Enclosed: _______ _

Please enclose a check payable to “GMCT” and mail to: GMCT Annual Meeting Rick Doran 223 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109

www.GMCT.org

Annual Meeting—Special Guest SpeakerPeter Marteka

2020 Nominating Committee ReportCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: Rick Doran, Diana

Evans, Penny Rusnak, Ralph Moyer, Chris Duff (ex officio).

Retiring Director: Chris Duff (Rocky Hill) New Directors* (Town - Term of Office – Term Expiration)*John Ferguson (Glastonbury – 2nd - 2023)Linda Nielson (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2023)Elizabeth Schmitt (Glastonbury – 2nd – 2023)

Directors Continuing Terms:Diana Evans (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2021)Gerry Hayes (Wethersfield – 1st – 2021)Tim Lewis (Rocky Hill – 2nd – 2022)Lilly McKenzie (Rocky Hill - 1st - 2021)

Whit Osgood (Glastonbury – 2nd – 2021)Penny Rusnak (Glastonbury – 1st – 2022)Peter Spangenberg (Wethersfield – 2nd –

2022)James Zagroba (Rocky Hill – 1st – 2022)

Officers*President – Tim Lewis (Rocky Hill – 2nd – 2022)Vice President – Diana Evans (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2021)Secretary – Peter Spangenberg (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2022)Treasurer - Richard Doran*To be elected at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Rick Doran, TreasurerOur investment account with Vanguard increased by

18.8% in calendar year 2019 compared with the year end asset value on December 31, 2018. Until the recent downturn, our results followed the general success of the rising stock and bond markets. The Convertible Securities Fund was closed by Vanguard in 2019 due to lack of performance and growth. At the direction of our Board, the assets in Convertible Securities Fund were transferred to Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund. FTSE Fund invests in the FTSE4Good US Select Index, which is comprised of companies that meet higher standards and criteria relating to environment, human rights, labor rights and diversity. The operations account remains in a positive position

secured in our checking account at TD Bank. The balance in the checking account can cover our expected expenses

in the first half of 2020.Our budgeted operations closed the year 2019 above

breakeven, with $17,500 of income and $14,100 of expense. The budget for 2020, as developed by the Finance & Development Committee, was presented to the Board at its February meeting. The budget for 2020 was proposed at a balanced position of $18,225 of income and expense for the calendar year. Thank you to the Finance Committee members Ralph Moyer and Jim Zagroba for their insights and advice.An audit of the Treasurer’s log books and registers was

performed to review all transactions, debits, credits, in the checking account and the Vanguard account. Written evidence was found to explain and justify all of the fiscal and investment activity during calendar year 2019. Thanks to our auditors Pete Spangenberg and Tim Lewis for their thorough review and counsel.

2019 Treasurer’s Annual Report

Help Wanted! – Membership Data and OutreachPosition 1: (Good admin skills needed!) Enter membership data, welcome new members, send renewal letters, write thank you notes, sympathy letters, make reports.Position 2: (Technical expertise needed!) Web database development / (SQL). Someone with experience develop-ing internet databases who could help the GMCT migrate its Microsoft Access database to the internet.

1. Minutes of Annual Meeting March 27, 2019.2. Treasurer‘s report for fiscal year 2019(see p. 2)3. President‘s 2019 Annual Report to the members (see p. 1)4. Report of the Nominating Committee5. Election of Directors to serve through 2023.Motion: That John Ferguson, Linda Nielson, Eliza-beth Schmitt be elected to serve as Directors for

Agenda — Annual Meeting, March 26, 2020their respective terms.6. Election of Officers by the Directors to serve until the next annual meeting. Motion: That Tim lewis, Diana Evans, Pete Spangenberg and Richard Doran be elected to serve as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively of the GMCT for the 2020 – 2021 term.

Special Guest SpeakerPeter MartekaExploring Hidden Connecticut —favorite hikes from across the state.

Former Hartford Courant writer Peter Marteka shared his explorations of “hidden” Connecticut and his favorite nature hikes from across the state with the public in his columns in the Courant—and at the Trust 2014 Annual Dinner. Now, after 25 years and thousands of columns, Marteka has left the Hartord Courant. He’ll share his thoughts about enjoying, preserving, photographing and writing about nature in our state with us.

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 3 March 2020Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 6 March 2020

The Trust continues to have lease agreements with five farmers totaling 55 acres of farm land, of which 45 acres were cultivated in 2019. The farmers include Anderson Farms, Botticello Farms, Fair Weather Acres, Overbrook Farm and Winding Brook Turf Farm. Our budget estimated farm lease income of $4,100 for 2019. We actually deposited $3,540 farm lease income in 2019.Due to high water and flooding during the past two

growing seasons, Overbrook Farm has been unable to cultivate the 10 acres on parcels we lease to them in the Point Meadows of Glastonbury. This occurred in both 2018 and 2019. Rick Botticello paid us the

Larry Lunden, Land Management ChairThis year the committee has completed inspections

on 26 parcels. I thank Rick Doran, Sandi Kelly, Ken Etheridge, Linda Nielson, and Deb Creeden for their help in writing the reports. All three of our conservation easements have been inspected. I thank Betty Schmitt and Rick Doran for their thorough work.We didn’t acquire any new

properties this year. We continue to have 189 acres under ownership or easement, in 49 parcels.Our big purchase was a DR Field

and Brush mower. This can take care of thick grass and brush and make our overgrown parcels look neat and clean. Several of the land management people have tried it out and can safely run it. We tried it out on the Wolf parcel, the Wood Parcel and Frechette Field. It works great.We are trying to develop a

management plan for our Wood parcel. This has been unfinished business for many years. We have several options, including the state DEEP and a private contractor who could write one for us. This will

2019 Land Management Committe Report

give us guidance on how best to preserve the habitat and make it a welcoming place for our visitors.Clare Meade is doing bird

surveys at the Wood parcel. The place has great potential for attracting migrating and nesting birds. Many have been recorded, and she is finding many more. The results are available on eBird, a web site run by Cornell University.

We held six winter walks for the public, co-sponsored with the Connecticut Audubon Society at Glastonbury, the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, and Goodwin College. We had a total attendance of 254 people. Meetup.com continues to be a good form of publicity.

agreed fee in 2018, but it was decided the Trust would waive the rental fee in 2019, due to the hardship of the flooding in the fields and of the Point Meadow causeway.In December of 2019, we mourned the sudden

passing of Craig Anderson of Anderson Farms. His brother Chris Anderson and their uncle David Anderson continue to operate the farm. But for the foreseeable future, there will be a period of adjustment in the day-to-day operation of the farm. The Trust will continue to monitor the issue and lend support to the family and to the farming operation in any manner we can.

GMCT Farm Lease Report – Year End 2019Rick Doran, Treasurer

Larry mowed down the aggressive false indigo aka river locust at the Wolf parcel

Pete mowed the lush growth at Frechette Field, giv-ing the shadblow and Atlantic cedars room to thrive.

Pete also mowed along the path, around the newly planted elm trees, and opened up the view from the bench on the edge of the marsh.

April 25 – Earth Day and Arbor Day

Ed Richardson95 years and thousands of notable trees ID’d and logged Ed Richardson, 95, longtime resident of

Glastonbury, and member of the GMCT died on December 19 , 2019On a Brisk Winter Walk out along the dike

some years ago, I wanted to ask Ed about a nut tree I had observed on a Hayes parcel in the Rocky Hill meadows. As I, a mere 59 year old Army Reservist,

sprinted to catch up with the long limbed 82 year old, it came as no surprise when I learned that Ed, a member of the great-est generation, had served as PFC Infantry Scout during the Battle of the Bulge. Luckily I did overtake him and alerted

him about the nut tree. A few days later Ed emailed with the news that it was a bitternut hickory, second largest in Rocky Hill, and 5th or 6th largest among notable bitternut hickory trees in Connecticut. After the war Ed earned a BA and an MA

from Trinity College, worked at Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance, retiring as a Vice President in 1984.After moving to Glastonbury in 1953 he

served on the Town Council for four years; the first Conservation Commission for over 17 years and chaired the ad hoc committee

formed for the Town's acquisition of J. B. Williams Park. Ed was chair of the Building and

Grounds Committee during restoration of the Old State House in Hartford, CT in 1983-1984. After retirement, Ed became inter-

ested in trees. He joined the Notable Trees project at the Connecticut College Arboretum in 1986. In his 33 years with the project he found and measured 2,662 of the 4,257 trees in

the state database. He created maps of notable

trees and led regular tree walks in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Park, Florence Griswold Mu-seum, John R. Camp Demonstra-tion Forest at Highlawn Forest in Middletown, Edgerton Park, The Institute of Living and Bushnell Park to name a few.That would include a Trust

Winter Walk some twenty years ago to show us the CT Champion green ash near a Trust Dickau parcel in Point Meadow.

Ed Richardson

Frank Kaputa, Ed’s Glastonbury protege, lends scale to the CT Champion Green ash in 2014. Ques-tion? Did the 246 inch trunk survive the EAB scourge of 2015-2020?

June 6, 7 – CT Trails Day Events

Upcoming Events

Sat., June 6: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Walk for little kids at the Wood Parcel, co-led by Jim Woodworth (860-808-9968) and Christine Bighinatti, LL Bean Outdoor Program and Outreach Coordinator.

Sun., June 7: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bike ride, starting at the Wethersfield Cove, around the village, through the meadows, across the Ferry, and back. Co-led by Jim Woodworth and Kevin Sullivan of Bike/Walk Wethersfield.

Sun., June 7: 10:00am - 11:30am. Novice paddle. Limit 20 boats. Join GMCT’s Paul Woodworth and USCA certified instructor Dan Pelletier in a paddle around the Wethersfield Cove. Explore the north side of the cove and Folly Brook. View birdlife and learn about clean water efforts. A limited number of canoes are available.

New and Exciting this year!!Sun., June 7 9:00 am to c. 12:30 pm. Paddle with the current from the Cove to the Ferry landing with

Tim Lewis (860--558-4819) and Kelsey Wentling, Connecticut River Conservancy’s Lower River Steward. Meet and park at the Ferry Landing in RH. Be shuttled with your boat to the Cove!

Sat., April 25: 9:30 am to 12 pmPlans are in the works to continue to “integrate the Elm Restoration Project” into the flood plain for-ested areas of the Wood parcel to replace the dozens of dead ash trees and the elms that have suc-cumbed to Dutch elm disease. Opportunities will be available for community groups to “adopt” an Elm tree, plant it, and watch it grow over the years. Trail building, invasive removal, trash pickup.

Winter Walks 2020! Eight walks, four co-sponsors, eight leaders...and 454 people getting fresh air, excercise and views of the River and the Meadows

The New Year dawned warm and sunny...and by afternoon, the 85 walkers glorying in the sun, flowed down the trail, past the sun sparkled marsh, out along the grassy edge of the corn field, past the slumbering straw-berries and spinach, undeterred by the mud in the few bare patches of rich clay soil, cling-ing to their boots. .

New Years Day! Wood parcel, Anderson Farms fields, Beaver Brook marsh....

Wolf Parcel – Folly Brook flood plain forest and over the dike out to the River A few days later on a sunny afternoon 45 walkers braved

the blustery breeze to explore the Wolf parcel. They gath-ered the flush of floatable trash from Folly Brook, including one more tire. The hardier hikers headed up Hartford Avenue to the South Pump Station gate, through the dike, over the dike, down into Folly Brook Nature Area, and out to the River.

The view from the Hartford dike: MDC Big Dig drill head, refurbished-treatment plant and Brainard Airport to the north. South: Folly Brook Nature Area eagle and heron nests in tall maples and cottonwoods.

At the sewer outfall, a beaver lodge is built into the river bank, tall enough so the living chamber stays dry above the river level.

DiPaola parcel – Rocky Hill Meadows, FWA farm fields, MDC outfall and marshThe streak of sunny warm Sundays continued, as 45 walk-

ers gathered at the Goff Brook Lane gate and prepared to walk down Meadow Road, circle the DiPaola parcel loop to view the flood plain forest study transect, elm tree planting, and bobcat cam. Then out along N. Meadow Road past the corn silage field, recently reclaimed from mo-tocross track by the Hayes Farm. Enjoy-ing the view at Great Meadow road of the kestrel box and eagles nest across the ex-pansive Fair Weather Acres Farm fields.

Right, the hard core stayed on to follow the MDC outfall out to the edge of the brook to glimpse the osprey nest in the marsh on the Woodhouse Par-cel, and clean up the slough of Goff Brook trash.

Crow Point – Out Wethersfield’s Great Meadow Road to the excavated cove, home to birds, beaver and fish

Goodwin College Enviro Program Director Bruce Morton shuttled walkers out, some carpooled and the very hardy walked to gather at the gate to learn more about the

College and the GMCT, and Crow Point Cove. The loop trail passes by the silos perched on the natural levy be-tween the river and the now forested excava-tions, along the river to the breach, allowing tide waters to flow in and out of the cove,

and for the flood waters that flow over the levy to drain out, leaving their burden of floatable trash behind in the cove.

On a Sunday evening in February, 62 people strolled down Main Street from the Keeney Center to the Cove, as the sun set in the west, and enjoyed a taste of nature and history from Wethersfield Historical Society guide Mike Monroe. Though the cloudy sky obscured the moon rise, Mikes’s narrative illuminated the landscape and Bike/Walk Wethersfield’s Kevin Sullivan’s bike head lamp

filled in the shad-ows be-yond the street lamps in the flood plain forest as the dark river flowed by.

Wethersfield Cove, the Connecticut River, sunset, moon rise

Glastonbury Meadows – GAS to Aus-tin and Matava parcelsWalkers gathered at the Glastonbury Audubon Society and followed Larry and Rich Sawitzke of the Land Heritage Coalition down the snow cov-

ered trail, over the bluffs, across Holland Brook and out along the River in the expansive Glastonbury meadows flood plain. On an earlier Saturday, Larry and Rich led a group across the Point Meadow causeway. Last year’s walk had been canceled because of high water! They continued out the Point Meadow farm road

and under the Putnam Bridge (and the pedestrian path to nowhere!), linking up to the Goodwin College Hockanum Mead-ow bike trail.

East Hartford – Hockanum MeadowOn a brisk, bright morning, 46 rosy cheeked walk-ers led by Bruce Morton, Penny Rusnak and Rick Doran, hiked down the road to

the Goodwin College trail, pausing for insights from Bruce at the pavil-lion. Continuing south along the paved and signed part of the trail, expansive views of the glistening

River were animated by the antics of a pair of immature eagles. A side trip on a trail spur led to Pewter-pot Brook mean-dering through the flood plain. Drip-ping from a rotting log, was a star-tlingly orange slime mold or jelly fungi.

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 3 March 2020Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 6 March 2020

The Trust continues to have lease agreements with five farmers totaling 55 acres of farm land, of which 45 acres were cultivated in 2019. The farmers include Anderson Farms, Botticello Farms, Fair Weather Acres, Overbrook Farm and Winding Brook Turf Farm. Our budget estimated farm lease income of $4,100 for 2019. We actually deposited $3,540 farm lease income in 2019.Due to high water and flooding during the past two

growing seasons, Overbrook Farm has been unable to cultivate the 10 acres on parcels we lease to them in the Point Meadows of Glastonbury. This occurred in both 2018 and 2019. Rick Botticello paid us the

Larry Lunden, Land Management ChairThis year the committee has completed inspections

on 26 parcels. I thank Rick Doran, Sandi Kelly, Ken Etheridge, Linda Nielson, and Deb Creeden for their help in writing the reports. All three of our conservation easements have been inspected. I thank Betty Schmitt and Rick Doran for their thorough work.We didn’t acquire any new

properties this year. We continue to have 189 acres under ownership or easement, in 49 parcels.Our big purchase was a DR Field

and Brush mower. This can take care of thick grass and brush and make our overgrown parcels look neat and clean. Several of the land management people have tried it out and can safely run it. We tried it out on the Wolf parcel, the Wood Parcel and Frechette Field. It works great.We are trying to develop a

management plan for our Wood parcel. This has been unfinished business for many years. We have several options, including the state DEEP and a private contractor who could write one for us. This will

2019 Land Management Committe Report

give us guidance on how best to preserve the habitat and make it a welcoming place for our visitors.Clare Meade is doing bird

surveys at the Wood parcel. The place has great potential for attracting migrating and nesting birds. Many have been recorded, and she is finding many more. The results are available on eBird, a web site run by Cornell University.

We held six winter walks for the public, co-sponsored with the Connecticut Audubon Society at Glastonbury, the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, and Goodwin College. We had a total attendance of 254 people. Meetup.com continues to be a good form of publicity.

agreed fee in 2018, but it was decided the Trust would waive the rental fee in 2019, due to the hardship of the flooding in the fields and of the Point Meadow causeway.In December of 2019, we mourned the sudden

passing of Craig Anderson of Anderson Farms. His brother Chris Anderson and their uncle David Anderson continue to operate the farm. But for the foreseeable future, there will be a period of adjustment in the day-to-day operation of the farm. The Trust will continue to monitor the issue and lend support to the family and to the farming operation in any manner we can.

GMCT Farm Lease Report – Year End 2019Rick Doran, Treasurer

Larry mowed down the aggressive false indigo aka river locust at the Wolf parcel

Pete mowed the lush growth at Frechette Field, giv-ing the shadblow and Atlantic cedars room to thrive.

Pete also mowed along the path, around the newly planted elm trees, and opened up the view from the bench on the edge of the marsh.

April 25 – Earth Day and Arbor Day

Ed Richardson95 years and thousands of notable trees ID’d and logged Ed Richardson, 95, longtime resident of

Glastonbury, and member of the GMCT died on December 19 , 2019On a Brisk Winter Walk out along the dike

some years ago, I wanted to ask Ed about a nut tree I had observed on a Hayes parcel in the Rocky Hill meadows. As I, a mere 59 year old Army Reservist,

sprinted to catch up with the long limbed 82 year old, it came as no surprise when I learned that Ed, a member of the great-est generation, had served as PFC Infantry Scout during the Battle of the Bulge. Luckily I did overtake him and alerted

him about the nut tree. A few days later Ed emailed with the news that it was a bitternut hickory, second largest in Rocky Hill, and 5th or 6th largest among notable bitternut hickory trees in Connecticut. After the war Ed earned a BA and an MA

from Trinity College, worked at Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance, retiring as a Vice President in 1984.After moving to Glastonbury in 1953 he

served on the Town Council for four years; the first Conservation Commission for over 17 years and chaired the ad hoc committee

formed for the Town's acquisition of J. B. Williams Park. Ed was chair of the Building and

Grounds Committee during restoration of the Old State House in Hartford, CT in 1983-1984. After retirement, Ed became inter-

ested in trees. He joined the Notable Trees project at the Connecticut College Arboretum in 1986. In his 33 years with the project he found and measured 2,662 of the 4,257 trees in

the state database. He created maps of notable

trees and led regular tree walks in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Park, Florence Griswold Mu-seum, John R. Camp Demonstra-tion Forest at Highlawn Forest in Middletown, Edgerton Park, The Institute of Living and Bushnell Park to name a few.That would include a Trust

Winter Walk some twenty years ago to show us the CT Champion green ash near a Trust Dickau parcel in Point Meadow.

Ed Richardson

Frank Kaputa, Ed’s Glastonbury protege, lends scale to the CT Champion Green ash in 2014. Ques-tion? Did the 246 inch trunk survive the EAB scourge of 2015-2020?

June 6, 7 – CT Trails Day Events

Upcoming Events

Sat., June 6: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Walk for little kids at the Wood Parcel, co-led by Jim Woodworth (860-808-9968) and Christine Bighinatti, LL Bean Outdoor Program and Outreach Coordinator.

Sun., June 7: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bike ride, starting at the Wethersfield Cove, around the village, through the meadows, across the Ferry, and back. Co-led by Jim Woodworth and Kevin Sullivan of Bike/Walk Wethersfield.

Sun., June 7: 10:00am - 11:30am. Novice paddle. Limit 20 boats. Join GMCT’s Paul Woodworth and USCA certified instructor Dan Pelletier in a paddle around the Wethersfield Cove. Explore the north side of the cove and Folly Brook. View birdlife and learn about clean water efforts. A limited number of canoes are available.

New and Exciting this year!!Sun., June 7 9:00 am to c. 12:30 pm. Paddle with the current from the Cove to the Ferry landing with

Tim Lewis (860--558-4819) and Kelsey Wentling, Connecticut River Conservancy’s Lower River Steward. Meet and park at the Ferry Landing in RH. Be shuttled with your boat to the Cove!

Sat., April 25: 9:30 am to 12 pmPlans are in the works to continue to “integrate the Elm Restoration Project” into the flood plain for-ested areas of the Wood parcel to replace the dozens of dead ash trees and the elms that have suc-cumbed to Dutch elm disease. Opportunities will be available for community groups to “adopt” an Elm tree, plant it, and watch it grow over the years. Trail building, invasive removal, trash pickup.

Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 2 March 2020 Vol. XXXVI no. 1 Page 7 March 2020

The Gallery141 New London Turnpike

Glastonbury

Thursday, March 26, 2020Social Hour 5:30 • Dinner 6:30

Annual Meeting and speaker to follow

Buffet Dinner MenuShrimp cocktail, cocktail meatballs

Tossed Salad and assorted cold saladsCarving station with New York sirloin of beef

Pasta with Pesto and Marinara saucesBaked cod, breaded with lemon and butter

Chicken ParmesanVegetables du jour, red roasted potatoes

Dessert du jourRegular and decaf coffee and tea

Cash bar for all other beverages and soda

The cost per person for dinner is $30.00, tax and gratuity included

—clip here—

GMCT Annual Dinner ReservationsPlease reserve no later than March 19thfor the dinner Thursday, March 26, 2020

Questions may be directed to Rick Doran at 860-690-9983 or info@GMCT.orgThe cost per person for dinner is $30.00.

Name(s): ___________________________________________________

Phone Number________________Address______________________________

Dinners @ $30.00 _____ = ________Memberships @ $20 individual/$30 family _____ = ________Additional Donation ________Total Enclosed: _______ _

Please enclose a check payable to “GMCT” and mail to: GMCT Annual Meeting Rick Doran 223 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109

www.GMCT.org

Annual Meeting—Special Guest SpeakerPeter Marteka

2020 Nominating Committee ReportCOMMITTEE MEMBERS: Rick Doran, Diana

Evans, Penny Rusnak, Ralph Moyer, Chris Duff (ex officio).

Retiring Director: Chris Duff (Rocky Hill) New Directors* (Town - Term of Office – Term Expiration)*John Ferguson (Glastonbury – 2nd - 2023)Linda Nielson (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2023)Elizabeth Schmitt (Glastonbury – 2nd – 2023)

Directors Continuing Terms:Diana Evans (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2021)Gerry Hayes (Wethersfield – 1st – 2021)Tim Lewis (Rocky Hill – 2nd – 2022)Lilly McKenzie (Rocky Hill - 1st - 2021)

Whit Osgood (Glastonbury – 2nd – 2021)Penny Rusnak (Glastonbury – 1st – 2022)Peter Spangenberg (Wethersfield – 2nd –

2022)James Zagroba (Rocky Hill – 1st – 2022)

Officers*President – Tim Lewis (Rocky Hill – 2nd – 2022)Vice President – Diana Evans (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2021)Secretary – Peter Spangenberg (Wethersfield – 2nd – 2022)Treasurer - Richard Doran*To be elected at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Rick Doran, TreasurerOur investment account with Vanguard increased by

18.8% in calendar year 2019 compared with the year end asset value on December 31, 2018. Until the recent downturn, our results followed the general success of the rising stock and bond markets. The Convertible Securities Fund was closed by Vanguard in 2019 due to lack of performance and growth. At the direction of our Board, the assets in Convertible Securities Fund were transferred to Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund. FTSE Fund invests in the FTSE4Good US Select Index, which is comprised of companies that meet higher standards and criteria relating to environment, human rights, labor rights and diversity. The operations account remains in a positive position

secured in our checking account at TD Bank. The balance in the checking account can cover our expected expenses

in the first half of 2020.Our budgeted operations closed the year 2019 above

breakeven, with $17,500 of income and $14,100 of expense. The budget for 2020, as developed by the Finance & Development Committee, was presented to the Board at its February meeting. The budget for 2020 was proposed at a balanced position of $18,225 of income and expense for the calendar year. Thank you to the Finance Committee members Ralph Moyer and Jim Zagroba for their insights and advice.An audit of the Treasurer’s log books and registers was

performed to review all transactions, debits, credits, in the checking account and the Vanguard account. Written evidence was found to explain and justify all of the fiscal and investment activity during calendar year 2019. Thanks to our auditors Pete Spangenberg and Tim Lewis for their thorough review and counsel.

2019 Treasurer’s Annual Report

Help Wanted! – Membership Data and OutreachPosition 1: (Good admin skills needed!) Enter membership data, welcome new members, send renewel letters, write thank you notes, sympathy letters, make reports.Position 2: (Technical expertise needed!) Web database development / (SQL). Someone with experience develop-ing internet databases who could help the GMCT migrate its Microsoft Access database to the internet.

1. Minutes of Annual Meeting March 27, 2019.2. Treasurer‘s report for fiscal year 2019(see p. 2)3. President‘s 2019 Annual Report to the members (see p. 1)4. Report of the Nominating Committee5. Election of Directors to serve through 2023.Motion: That John Ferguson, Linda Nielson, Eliza-beth Schmitt be elected to serve as Directors for

Agenda — Annual Meeting, March 26, 2020their respective terms.6. Election of Officers by the Directors to serve until the next annual meeting. Motion: That Tim lewis, Diana Evans, Pete Spangenberg and Richard Doran be elected to serve as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively of the GMCT for the 2020 – 2021 term.

Special Guest SpeakerPeter MartekaExploring Hidden Connecticut —favorite hikes from across the state.

Former Hartford Courant writer Peter Marteka shared his explorations of “hidden” Connecticut and his favorite nature hikes from across the state with the public in his columns in the Courant—and at the Trust 2014 Annual Dinner. Now, after 25 years and thousands of columns, Marteka has left the Hartord Courant. He’ll share his thoughts about enjoying, preserving, photographing and writing about nature in our state with us.