May, 2011

Some members of the Friends who visited the Arnold Arboretum this spring we surprised to see Hemlock Hill still populated with healthy appearing tall trees free of adelgids. It was particularly surprising because the Arboretum, unlike the Friends, had decided to take no steps to arrest the infestation of the adelgids. Bob Burke made additional inquiry for us, and here is his report:

"I finally heard back from the folks at Arnold Arboretum. Two people actually got back to me and their stories were identical and not particularly hopeful. They concured that the Wooly Adelgid infestation seems to have been halted or at least arrested over the past two years, but they attribute this almost entirely to the very cold, icy winters we have been experiencing. This has killed off a very significant part of the population. Unfortunately, they do not expect this to continue if future winters return to anything like normal. They have decided not to try and control the problem with any type of chemical substances because it is very expensive and the results would be very uncertain."

We have moved older adelgid stories that have appeared on our web site to: Archive of adelgid news stories. We have archived the entire saga of the adelgids' appearance, our efforts to pass legislation to combat them, the release of the predator ladybugs in 2001, and follow up analyses in the Friends' Adelgid News Stories Archive. Below are some highlights and links.

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The Newton Tab declares the Adelgid Vanquished! (2005) Click here to view the story.

The Arnold Arboretum's Response to the Adelgid (Winter 2005) Click here to view the story.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Website (January 2005) The USDA Forest Service now has a website dedicated to the woolly adelgid. The site includes all the of the USDA's newsletters on the pest, pictures, and a great deal of technical information. Interestingly, the Forest Service is looking at several different control insects, not just the P. tsugae ladybugs we released. Click here to go the to US Forest Service adelgid website.

Mark McClure, who was a leader in adelgid research and discovered "our" ladybugs, retired.

Makers of the Mold, a full-length illustrated history of the Newton Upper Falls community which borders Hemlock Gorge, is available only on the Web. Authored by Historian, Conservationist, and Friend Ken Newcomb, who passed away in 2002. Copies of the print edition of The Makers of the Mold can be purchased online and are also available at several local restaurants, convenience stores and cafes. The full list of outlets can be found here.

The Friends' Resources and Archives

1. Our most important Resource is People!

The Woolly Adelgid, an insect whose advance northward threatens the forest in Hemlock Gorge and elsewhere.

Legislation to combat the adelgid that was passed through our efforts.

Land acquisition at the margins of the Reservation.

The Restoration of the Echo Bridge Railings

Other legislation that has been proposed through our efforts to promote the Restoration

The Restoration of The Friends' Bridge

The construction of Fish Ladders along the Gorge section of the Charles

The walkways projected as part of the Upper Charles River Master Plan

The problem of the downstream lands along Quinobequin Road

The recently passed Rivers Protection Act may have a major impact on Hemlock Gorge and its neighbors

Government

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
The guardian of Hemlock Gorge

The Newton Conservation Commission
Has authority over the DCR in matters relating to water

Department of Conservation and Recreation Reservations Guide
This is a good site if you know which reservation you want to visit or if you want to see a map and choose a reservation near you.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Massachusetts Community Forestry Council (MCFC): www.mcfc.org

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) brings the Boston Metro area its drinking water and is the guardian of Echo Bridge

Federal agencies for the preservation of natural plants: http://www.nps.gov/plants/

Non-governmental Organizations

The Charles River Wetlands Trail, located downstream of Hemlock Gorge, on the opposite side of Route 9, less than a mile away. The trail features signage that uses QR barcodes that a hiker with a smartphone can use to learn more about the flora and fauna near the sign. Click here if you are interested in exploring these wetlands.

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA)

The Green Decade Coalition
This is a Newton, MA organization that works to create sustainable solutions to environmental problems facing the city and the world.

The Newton Conservators
A community group focused on conservation of parks and open land in Newton.

Hemlock Gorge borders adjoins the communities of Needham, Wellesley, and Newton.

Friends of the Boston Public Garden

The Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation
The Friends of the Fells is an all volunteer organization with a mission to protect and preserve the natural and historic resources of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. In addition, we assist the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) formerly the MDC, in educating the public about the natural, cultural and appropriate recreational features in the Fells.

The Friends of Breakheart Reservation
The Friends of Breakheart Reservation is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Breakheart Reservation and Camp Nihan.

The Friends of Lynn Woods
The Friends of Lynn Woods have formed to ensure the perpetual existence of the Lynn Woods Reservation as outlined by the Indentured Trust of December of 1881. Our aim is to protect the Woods from development and exploitation, and maintain the Woods as a natural and unspoiled forest preserve.

Friends of the Blue Hills
The Friends of the Blue Hills work to restore, preserve and protect approximately 8,000 acres of the Historic Blue Hills and Neponset River Reservations. Active volunteer committees work on the preservation of historic, cultural, natural, and recreational resources. The Friends also run a series of outdoor activities and workshops year-round.

The Friends of Walden Pond
The Friends of Walden Pond is a key outreach activity of The Thoreau Society. The Society works with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages the Reservation, to develop and sponsor interpretive programs that connect Walden, the book, to Walden, the place. The Society funds work to protect the spot that continues to inspire people in this new century as it did when it became Thoreau's laboratory, sanctuary and study in the woods.

Charles River Conservancy
The Charles River Conservancy (CRC) is dedicated to the renovation, maintenance and enrichment of the Charles River Basin and its surroundings, particularly its parks, parkways, and bridges. Founded in 1999, the CRC is a nonprofit advocacy group that works to create better understanding of the best uses of the basin through education, public dialogue, and interpretive programs. Promotion of increased access, good planning, and management practices is designed to enhance the architecture landscape, and amenities of the basin.

The Trustees of Reservations
This web site is your window into the diverse work of The Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest private, statewide conservation and preservation organization. Since 1891, we have protected over 33,000 acres of land in Massachusetts, including 82 public reservations representing many of the state's most scenic, ecologically rich, and historically important landscapes.

Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massachusetts Audubon Society, the largest conservation organization in New England, works to
preserve the natural world through conservation, education, and environmental advocacy. We protect
more than 29,000 acres of conservation land in Massachusetts, conduct educational programs for nearly 175,000 schoolchildren each year, and advocate for sound environmental policies at the local, state, and federal levels. We maintain 41 wildlife sanctuaries that are open to the public and serve as a land base for our education, conservation and advocacy programs.

The Arnold Arboretum has sponsored talks on the Woolly Adelgid and its plans to combat the adelgid are at http://www.arboretum.harvard.edu/LC/Hemlocks/hemlacti.htm

National Natural Landmarks Program, which we hope may have the gorge designated as a national landmark: http://www.nature.nps.gov/partner/nnlp.htm

NorumbegaPark.com
This website is keeping alive the memory of the Norumbega amusement park, a popular "trolley" park on the Charles River in the Auburndale section of Newton, MA. Norumbega Park opened in 1897 and closed in 1963. The famous "Totem Pole Ballroom" was located here.

Our Archives

Annual Report to Members for the year 2009
All Annual Reports for 1993-present
Minutes of Meetings, back to 1992
Archive of adelgid news stories that have appeared on our web site
Archive of general news stories that have appeared on our web site
Archive of pictures from our Cleanups
Archive of pictures from our Picnics
Financial information: contributions and expenses
Officers of the Friends, 2006-2007
Text of legislation that was proposed in 1999 through our efforts to combat the adelgid.
A Celebration for the Friends' late Historian and Author, Ken Newcomb was held on Thursday, November 19, 1998 to celebrate Internet publication of Makers of the Mold. Click here to see our photo album of that night.

The Friends were honored with a beautification award from the City of Newton in 1997! Click here for the story. Click on the small picture to see a larger image of the award.

You can send e-mail to the Friends at . You can contact the DCR Site Supervisor for Hemlock Gorge by writing to Erica Aubin at . Former site supervisor Kevin Hollenbeck () is now an administrator at DCR. You can write directly to Friends President Brian Yates at .
There have been visitors since December 5, 1996!
The Friends of Hemlock Gorge Web Site went on line on December 2, 1996, when we were all much younger.
This page was last updated Monday, May 06, 2013. Send comments about the web site to our webmaster at . A volunteer to help with web site maintenance and modernization would be welcome.

Welcome to the Home Page of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge Reservation , a community organization dedicated to preserving and improving Hemlock Gorge. Hemlock Gorge, a 23-acre reservation along the Charles River, is a jewel of the Eastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Parks System, conceived by Charles Eliot in 1892 and currently managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
News & Announcements
Congratulations to Site Supervisor Erica Aubin and her husband on the birth of their daughter Mallory Joyce Aubin on March 24th! Spring Cleanup Our 2013 Spring Cleanup went well, though our invited guests were unable to attend. Most folks seemed to think that putting a fence like that near the new spillway should be our next project. We'll try to post some photos. Next Regular Meeting Our next regular meetings will be Tuesday May 7 and Tuesday June 4, 2013. Meet at the Emerson Community Center on Pettee Street at 7:30 p.m. To read the minutes of our April meeting, click here. Friends' Summer Picnic The 2013 summer picnic will take place Tuesday August 6 from 6 p.m. to dusk at Hamilton Place, off Central Avenue/Elliot Street, Needham, MA. There will be music by Broken Rose, courtesy of Karen Osborn Shanley, a grill, and absolutely perfect weather. Bonnie Pearson will get everything organized, Brian will give a speech, and everyone will leave full of inspiration and memories of good food, good friendship, and fun by the Charles River. So save the date. Feast in the Falls Seana Gaherin and her volunteer committee are moving forward with plans for an Upper Falls Residents outdoor luncheon to be held on June 2. Details to follow. Spillway Dam Repair News The dam is completed and the dedication was held in late November. The efforts of the Friends were recognized and President Brian Yates was an invited speaker. Great New Resource Melissa Moody, a Girl Scout working with Site Supervisor Erica Aubin, has put in place a remarkable signage project running along the Quinobequin Road trail, downstream of Hemlock Gorge. Instead of static signposts, she has installed interactive signage with QR barcodes. Go have a look and bring your smartphone and QR barcode reader. It’s the future of nature trails, and we should plan something similar for Hemlock Gorge, perhaps with the Troop 242 Boy Scouts. Melissa's website is www.qbqtrail.org Very Impressive!
GREAT NEWS The Stone Building windows and screens are installed. See pictures to the right and below. We are planning a dedication event for the spring, probably in April. New Windows. View from inside the Stone Barn	The installed windows
2012 Fall Cleanup The Friends of Hemlock Gorge’s Annual Fall Cleanup was on *Saturday October 27, 9 to Noon. and it was a huge success. We had more then two dozen volunteers, including many from the Upper Falls Buddhist Temple. Materials and tools were supplied for all volunteers. Refreshments were again generously provided after the clean up by Seana Gaherin. For a photo album of the event when available click here. Adelgid News from Bob Burke Biggest news is that the Arboretum is planning to save some of its hemlocks using new technology. "I met with Peter Del Tredici at the Arnold Arboretum and then went over to see their hemlocks. Peter had good news and bad news. The good news is that there is, indeed, a new hemlock treatment that is good for 5 years. It involves placing a chemical substance in the soil rather than injecting it into the tree.The bad news is that at least 60 percent of a tree should be free of adelgids for this treatment to work. This can be quite expensive. He thinks we should look to saving perhaps half a dozen of the healthiest trees. He also stated that 2011 was very bad for all the hemlocks because of the warm weather. Western hemlocks are more resistant than Eastern ones, but they don't do as well here because of the colder winters and drier summers. He says we need a professional tree company to determine what can be done. He was reluctant to recommend one, but then casually said that Hartney Greymont of Needham is very reputable and one of the best. I had a look at the Hemlocks back in April or May, but have had a very bad ankle tendonitis that makes it difficult to walk up hills or sideways. Maybe we could all go around and take a look at the trees during the cleanup in October. The Hemlocks at Arnold Arboretum are also worth seeing since they have been treated and look fine." Stone Building Windows: Great News Windows are fabricated and have been installed! As soon as the prtective screens are put in front of them, we will be able to see and enjoy them--probably before 2013. Of course, we'll have to have a party to celebrate and thank the Sangiolos for their generous support of this much delayed project. Friends' Summer Picnic The 2012 summer picnic took place Tuesday August 7 from 6 p.m. to dusk at Hamilton Place, off Central Avenue/Elliot Street, Needham, MA. There was a huge crown, music by Broken Rose, courtesy of Karen Osborn Shanley, a grill that got a lot of use, and absolutely perfect weather. Bonnie Pearson got everything organized, Brian gave a speech, the folks up for election stayed away, and everyone left full of inspiration and memories of good food, good friendship, and fun by the Charles River. Newton Tab Editorial* Friends' activist Jerry Reilly has had an editorial printed in the Newton Tab. Very nice. 2012 Spring Cleanup Friends of Hemlock Gorge’s Annual Spring Cleanup took place on Saturday April 21 and was a big success. We had more than 30 volunteers on a perfectly wonderful spring day. We extend our thanks to everyone who volunteered, to the DCR staff and Site Supervisor Erica Aubin who provided support, and to Dunn-Gaherin's Restaurant who generously provided lunches for the volunteers. For a photo album of the event when available click here. Website enhancements planned After much delay, we hope to update our website appearance, to link it with Facebook, to use it for keeping up the Friends membership list and paying dues. Stay tuned. Volunteers wishing to help are welcome. The "Memory House" at Hemlock Gorge Friends member Bob Burke not too long ago wrote a lovely guest columnist article about Hemlock Gorge and the Friends' activities that has appeared in the Newton Tab. Highly recommended. Click here to read it.	The new landscaping at the stone building The new spillway dam. Windows are in. Note the frames in place. Screens and dedication coming. Echo Bridge in Summer Click for a larger image Links News about us and our activities Meetings and Special Events of the Friends Online Publications Histories of Hemlock Gorge, Upper Falls, and The Friends of Hemlock Gorge Information about the preserving the Reservation The struggle against the woolly adelgid Archives of the Friends' activities The Charles River Wetlands Trail, located downstream of Hemlock Gorge, on the opposite side of Route 9, less than a mile away. The trail features signage that uses QR barcodes that a hiker with a smartphone can use to learn more about the flora and fauna near the sign. Click here if you are interested in exploring these wetlands. Links to external sites A Map of the reservation Directions to the Reservation Sound! Click to hear the Charles as it flowed over the Circular Dam on November 9, 1998. A Walking Tour of Hemlock Gorge by Ken Newcomb is available for printing. A trail map for printing will be posted by 2020. Echo Bridge in Winters Past. Lack of snow and rain lowered the level of the river this year.


2012 Annual Report Our 2012 Annual Year-End Report to Members is available online. Click here to read it.
Links News about us and our activities Meetings and Special Events of the Friends Online Publications Histories of Hemlock Gorge, Upper Falls, and The Friends of Hemlock Gorge Information about the preserving the Reservation The struggle against the woolly adelgid Archives of the Friends' activities Links to external sites A Map of the reservation Directions to the Reservation Sound! Click to hear the Charles as it flowed over the Circular Dam on November 9, 1998. A Walking Tour of Hemlock Gorge by Ken Newcomb is available for printing. A trail map for printing will be posted by 2020. Older News Stories General Reservation News: We have moved older Echo Bridge stories that have appeared on our web site to our Archive of News Stories. This is where you will find news of awards, encroachment, politics and such. For news about key concerns of the Friends like the adelgids, Echo Bridge, and the Stone Building are below. The is little to report about the reservation itself in the first half of 2011, but downstream, in Waban, there has been trouble with the trails along the river. See an opinion article and accompanying blog by Jerry Reilly and a front page news article, both in the Newton Tab. Adelgid News May, 2011 Some members of the Friends who visited the Arnold Arboretum this spring we surprised to see Hemlock Hill still populated with healthy appearing tall trees free of adelgids. It was particularly surprising because the Arboretum, unlike the Friends, had decided to take no steps to arrest the infestation of the adelgids. Bob Burke made additional inquiry for us, and here is his report: "I finally heard back from the folks at Arnold Arboretum. Two people actually got back to me and their stories were identical and not particularly hopeful. They concured that the Wooly Adelgid infestation seems to have been halted or at least arrested over the past two years, but they attribute this almost entirely to the very cold, icy winters we have been experiencing. This has killed off a very significant part of the population. Unfortunately, they do not expect this to continue if future winters return to anything like normal. They have decided not to try and control the problem with any type of chemical substances because it is very expensive and the results would be very uncertain." We have moved older adelgid stories that have appeared on our web site to: Archive of adelgid news stories. We have archived the entire saga of the adelgids' appearance, our efforts to pass legislation to combat them, the release of the predator ladybugs in 2001, and follow up analyses in the Friends' Adelgid News Stories Archive. Below are some highlights and links. ***************************************************** The Newton Tab declares the Adelgid Vanquished! (2005) Click here to view the story. The Arnold Arboretum's Response to the Adelgid (Winter 2005) Click here to view the story. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Website (January 2005)** The USDA Forest Service now has a website dedicated to the woolly adelgid. The site includes all the of the USDA's newsletters on the pest, pictures, and a great deal of technical information. Interestingly, the Forest Service is looking at several different control insects, not just the P. tsugae ladybugs we released. Click here to go the to US Forest Service adelgid website. Mark McClure, who was a leader in adelgid research and discovered "our" ladybugs, retired. Release of the Ladybugs (2001) Click here for the story and photos of the release of the ladybugs About our Ladybugs (2001) Click here to view the story. About Adelgids (2000) Click here to view the story.
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Stone Building Project News A Stone Building News Archive is available by clicking here June 29, 2011 The new windows for the Stone Building, donated in 2002 and fabricated in 2008, are awaiting installation. March 1, 2006 In early January, the Friends of Hemlock Gorge succeeded in our application for a Public-Private Partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The Friends earmarked $2500 for a new floor and other repairs to the Stone Building, and that amount will be matched by the DCR. We will post a copy of the correspondence soon. This means that our long hoped for plans to make the Stone Building a great venue for Friends' activities will soon become a reality (February 2006). The new floor will, hopefully, be followed soon by the new windows, for which funds have already been generously donated by the Sangiolo Trust. On February 23, we were notified by the DCR that they are preparing to pour the floor very soon, and that the Friends will be asked for input on design. Echo Bridge News We have moved older Echo Bridge stories that have appeared on our web site to: Archive of Echo Bridge news stories. Click here to read the history of Echo Bridge as written by the late historian Ken Newcomb in his online book, Makers of the Mold, published by the Friends of Hemlock Gorge


Occasional Notes: The Joys of Hemlock Gorge
To the right: the Silk Mill in 1905, before construction of the "Horseshoe" or Circular Dam. Note the lower water level. From a postcard recently found by Bonnie and Rick Pearson. Click for a larger image. The Newton Conservators have a lovely page of photos of Hemlock Gorge. Click here to see them. Richard Kramer has also put up photos of Hemlock Gorge to share with us. Click here to see them.

Four Seasons of Hemlock Gorge Panoramic photos of Hemlock Gorge taken by Steve Clark from the top of Echo Bridge show well the splendor of the Reservation and comprise the Friends' Four Seasons of Hemlock Gorge collection. We are indebted to Steve for his generosity. Click on the small images below to see the Panoramas full size. Note: If you are using Internet explorer, you need to hover your cursor on the image to see it full size. An icon will appear. Click on it, and the image enlarges.
Spring 2000
Summer 2000
Fall 2000
Winter 2001, taken during the storm of March 5-6
Doug Cornelius has posted a lovely account of canoeing through Hemlock Gorge with pictures. Click here to see it. Another collection of lovely photos of Hemlock Gorge is at Boston Online: Click here to see them.

The Friends of

Hemlock Gorge

May, 2011

Release of the Ladybugs (2001) Click here for the story and photos of the release of the ladybugs

About our Ladybugs (2001) Click here to view the story.

About Adelgids (2000) Click here to view the story.

We have moved older Echo Bridge stories that have appeared on our web site to: Archive of Echo Bridge news stories.

Schedule of Meetings of the Friends

Meetings are held at the Emerson Community Center on Pettee Street in Newton Upper Falls on the first Tuesday of the month unless otherwise indicated!

For a MAP showing the location, click here.

Other Dates and Events of Interest

The Friends' Resources and Archives

Government

Non-governmental Organizations

Our Archives