Members List:

President:
Dr. Todd Mervosh
Vice President:
John Fisher
Treasurer:
Art Sikes
Secretary:
Robert Stewart
Board of Directors:
Chris Childs
Art Christian
Muriel Coati
Dr. Edward Ewald
Marie Gauthier
Peggy Robards
Michael Stanley
Joellen Woodworth

Links Section

TOWN OF SUFFIELD

...to preserve Suffield's environment through the acquisition and maintenance of ecologically significant underdeveloped land located in Suffield and West Suffield

...to keep the natural beauty of our farmlands, woodlands for future generations.

Ice Harvest is still on for Saturday 2/4

Suffield Land Conservancy to re-create 19th Century Ice Harvest - Who Needs an Electric Refrigerator Anyway?

As of Wesnesday evening 2/1 there was 6" of ice, We plan to proceed with the harvest. If the icemaster decides it is too dangerous to go out on the ice he will nevertheless lecture on the tools and techniques of ice harvesting. Rick Spencer will be singing 19th century work songs in one of the NCCHP buildings. Tours of the museum will be offerred. This is all free- The only cost is if you want to buy a NCCHP mug with a "bottomless" supply of hot chocolate. The gift shop will be open and donations will be appreciated. THE HARVEST IS ON!

This area of New England has a long history of ice harvesting and produced a great deal of natural ice during the early 20th Century. Commercial ice harvesting in Southwick and Suffield began right after the Civil War ended. Prior to that time the Hudson River was the major source of ice. For several years the polluted Hudson produced poor harvests and the ice companies looked around for a new source. The Congamond Lakes, favored with good rail transportation on the nearby New Haven-Northampton railroad line, offered a unique business opportunity. The spring-fed Congamond Lakes produced a pure, high quality ice that found a ready market. It wasn't long before the ice harvesters were cutting big blocks and loading them into boxcars for shipment to New York. The Congamond operation became the largest ice harvesting operation in New England from 1900 to 1925.

In addition to the large commercial ice operations, many local farmers harvested ice from their ponds for personal use or as a source of extra income. On February 4, 2012 the Noble & Cooley Center for Historic Preservation and co-sponsors Suffield Land Conservancy and the Suffield Historical Society will re-create a small scale ice cutting. The techniques will be similar to those local farmers used to provide for their own use. Cutting will be at The Noble & Cooley mill pond at 42 Water Street, off of Route 189, in Granville, Massachusetts.

Dennis Picard, director of Storrowtown Village Museum, will organize the harvest. Picard owns a complete collection of antique ice cutting tools. During his ice cutting demonstra¬tions, he demonstrates the finer points of ice cut¬ting and explains how to use the specialized tools. Visitors will also have an opportunity to cut ice. This will be a chance to use an ice-saw or pike pole and learn first-hand about a harvest that provided an extra cash crop for local farmers.

The program will run between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Visitors may participate anytime between those hours. A video on ice harvesting in New England will also be shown continuously in the Noble & Cooley Museum. The museum will be open for tours that focus on the skills and art of drum making. We hope to bring people together to rekindle the community spirit of the farm communities and industrial villages that were common in most of New England. Rick Spencer will be presenting a program of 19th century work songs during the ice cutting. The Land Conservancy invites everyone with an interest in “living history” to join us at the museum.

Plan on visiting the ice harvesting presentation on Saturday, February 4, 2012 There is no charge for the event but donations will be gratefully accepted. For last minute information on ice conditions and the status of the harvest call 860-668-2928 after January 30, 2009. Or check the Land Conservancy's website. The storm date for the harvest is Sunday, February 5.

Suffield Land Conservancy Annual meeting

This year's annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 3, from 7 -9 pm. Our planned guest speaker is scheduled to be Pete Picone.

Peter Picone, Wildlife Biologist for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, has been working on habitat enhancement and habitat management projects since 1990. His area of expertise is improving habitat for wildlife by promoting healthy native plant communities. Habitat enhancement requires the selective management of invasive non-native plants and encouraging native plant diversity. His work includes managing State of Connecticut wildlife management areas west of the Connecticut River and working collaboratively with natural resource professionals on resource issues in State forests and State parks.

The meeting will be heald at the Suffield Ambulance Center, located at 205 Bridge St Suffield, CT

Directions: http://www.yellowpages.com/suffield-ct/mip/suffield-volunteer-ambulance-association-inc-13454905/map?lid=13454905

IN LOVING MEMORY Thea Dutcher Coburn

We were saddened by the passing of Thea Coburn who died unexpectedly but peacefully at her home in Suffield on May 24, 2009, as the result of an accident.

Thea, a resident of town for 53 years, was a founding member of the SLC and served as the group’s president and a member of its board for many years. From the beginning she was an active participant in local government, being one of the prime movers in establishing a local chapter of the League of Woman Voters. She became the Suffield correspondent for the Hartford Times, writing a daily column on town news for 19 years. She was the first correspondent to cover Board of Education meetings, and then was elected to serve on that board for 10 years. In 1994 she received the Paul Harris Award, the Suffield Rotary’s highest award for “Service Above Self” within the community. In 2002 she was presented the Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Circle Award for promoting conservation and preservation of critical plant and animal habitats.

The owner of a summer home in Maine, Thea was a member of the Kennebunk Land Trust and Maine Audubon Society. An avid gardener, she was also a member of the Suffield Garden Club and The Hatheway House Committee for many years. The interests of Thea were broad and included art, music, nature, architecture, the theatre and travel. Her love of life, great mentoring skills and way of challenging us to do more and better, as well as her up-beat attitude, in general, will be sorely missed by the SLC board and membership, as well as by many others. We shall also miss her hospitality through the years while hosting SLC meetings at her home on North Main St. up to the time of her death.

Thea’s last contribution to the SLC, and an idea about which she was most excited, was to have an invasive plant display at the Garden Club’s flower show held at the Hatheway House June 5-6. This display was such a success, showing appropriate native plant replacements as well, that it was set up again for our booth at Suffield-on-the-Green.

Here’s to a grand lady who was an inspiration to us all!

Overlook Ridge Signage Team

Posting team for the newly acquired Overlook Ridge property.

SLC recently took ownership of this 42 +/- ac property located off of Spruce Street. Posting began in mid - November. Pictured deep in the woods are SLC President Mike Stanley and his wife Liz, along with newly appointed Land Steward, Victoria Spellman. This property is easily accessible. SLC property signs are posted on the street and entrance is through steel gate which leads into a large open field, currently used for agricultural purposes. There is a trail located at the back of the field that extends to the end of the property and would be excellent for hiking or cross country skiing.

2006 Bird Walk

The 2006 Bird Walk was held on Saturday, May 6 at the Silver Creek Preserve. This preserve is a newly acquired open space associated with the subdivision being built between Longview and Hickory Streets. The walk was led by led by Art Sikes who conducts the Suffield portion of the annual Hartford Audubon Society Spring Bird Census. The above image is of some of the partisipantes from this years event.

Under a watchful eye, SLC Director Bob Stewart taking a turn on the saw.

Breaking free a block of ice.

2006 Wild Flower walk held at Sunrise Park

SLC Director, Marie Gauthier, with some of her 5th Grade students, Jack, Devon and Natalie, during the Wildflower Walk held at Sunrise Park on April 29th.

On Saturday, February 4, after 5 unsuccessful years, ice was cut the old fashioned way from White's Pond at Sunrise Park. Dennis Picard presented an interesting history on ice harvesting in New England and demonstrated some of the many techniques used in harvesting ice.

Master Ice-cutter Dennis Picard oversees a cut.

To become a SLC member send in your tax-deductable fee to P.O. Box 421, Suffield, CT 06078

Types of SLC Memberships are as follows: $25 Family Membership $15 Individual Membership $10 Senior Citizen Membership

Contributions and dedicated gifts of any size are welcome.

The Suffield Land Conservancy is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nontaxable corporation. Donations and gifts are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Checks can be mailed to:

Suffield Land Conservancy

P.O. Box 421

Suffield, CT 06078