Preserving East Haddam’s land

Past and present East Haddam Land Trust board members at the Jan. 15, 2010 annual meeting: (front row, L-R) Greg Chasko, Peg Carlson, Anita Ballek, Shannon Hawkins, (back row, L-R) Lee May, George Giesey, Jane Zirlis, Rob Smith. Photo by Charles Farrow for HTNP.com

The East Haddam Land Trust recently held it SRO annual meeting at the Grange Hall.

President Rob Smith reported that 2009 “saw hundreds of volunteer hours cleaning, pruning and marking of existing trails, as well as supporting the acquisition of new open space.”

2010 won’t be any different, he said.  “Fundraising, land preservation, stewardship, and monthly hikes will all be prominent.”

Guest speaker Parker Lord of Hadlyme presented his “Canoeing the Connecticut River” digital slide how.  Over a total of 26 days, Parker and a friend paddled and camped from the Fourth Connecticut Lake on the Canadian border to Great Island in Old Lyme, a total of 410 miles.

For those familiar with the tidal portion, Enfield and south, Parker’s pictures reveal a pristine upper river, interrupted occasionally by dams and civilization.

At the meeting, those who helped found the EHLT in 1978—Anita Ballek, Steve Gephardt, Art Merrow, Martha Tonucci, and Peggy Wilson, were introduced.

Noelle Avakian gave the secretary’s report, George Giesey the treasurer’s, Smith covered membership for Kathy Briggs, and Anita Ballek introduced the retiring and new directors.

Kathy Golec was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.

To learn more about the Trust – including how to help, upcoming hikes and other events, and a photo gallery – visit the Web site at www.ehlt.org

Posted Feb. 1, 2010