REMEMBERING TOPSMEAD:

Conversations with Bob Orintas

The Garden at Underhill

As Spring is slowly unfolding in the Litchfield Hills, it’s nice to think about getting out into the garden. Edith Chase enjoyed her garden at Topsmead. It was located north of the cabin (and later the house we see today) near East Litchfield Road. When on that road you may have noticed an old driveway and small barn that are still visible. The ladies always called that part of the property, “Underhill” presumably because it was downhill from the house.  A small house was built there in 1926 which served as a guest house.

George Wilson, Miss Chase’s chauffeur was the first person to care for the garden. In addition to his driving duties, he was a general handy man, and his wife was the family’s cook.
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Topsmead Events & Activities

by Margaret Hunt

Truly a Cosmic and Magical Month! Summer Solstice at Topsmead
​PLUS a rare celestial event: A Parade of Planets

June 2022 

In the December 2021 Musings, after alerting you to the exact day and moment of the winter solstice and urging you to take a photo of your shadow at noon, I promised to give you the exact day and moment of the summer solstice and remind you to take a photo of your summer solstice shadow at noon.   So true to my word:  summer solstice is Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 5:14 a.m. EDT. 
 
And here is your photo reminder: At noon on Tuesday, June 21, go to Topsmead to the location of your winter solstice shadow photo and take a summer solstice shadow photo.  Then compare your two shadow photos.  The lower angle of the winter solstice sun casts the longest shadow of the year; the higher angle of the summer solstice sun casts the shortest shadow of the year.
 
Three days later, on the morning of June 24, if you get up about 45 minutes before the 5:19am sunrise, you have an astronomical treat in store.  You will be rewarded by a sight called the “parade of planets”—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in an arc from east to south across the sky with the crescent moon presiding.  A magical, cosmic event!   -read complete Musings essay-
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The five planets will be visible for a longer duration (almost an hour), on June 24, and Mercury will be easier to spot as it rises in the sky and brightens. Also, the parade will be joined by a guest, a crescent Moon placed between Venus and Mars. skyandtelescope.org

Early summer panorama of the meadow at Topsmead by Tom Holzel

Ways to Support Topsmead

Donate

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Provide or Sponsor an Item on our
Project Wish List!
Plants, mulch, benches, cleaning supplies, etc.
​ see entire list here

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