January 2020 Tis the season for resolutions...

Be it resolved that: I will not be discouraged when the weather interferes with planned outdoor activities at Topsmead. Example: the first ever First Day Hike at Topsmead was planned for the first morning of the first day of 2020. I had invited a friend with the ulterior motive that for sure, she would be totally up for joining the Friends of Topsmead State Forest. Well, the iceman cameth, and while the sun glittering on ice-sheathed tree limbs and tree boughs was otherworldly, the DEEP felt (and legitimately so) that falling ice was a hazard and closed the park for the event.
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Be not discouraged.... Save the Date—Saturday, February 15! All of that planned, free hot chocolate will surely be put to good use at this first event of the FTSF 2020 monthly “Lectures on the Lawn” series. It will be a one-hour presentation about bald eagles of Northwestern Connecticut by Ginny Apple. Meet in the “garage”/shed next to Chase House at 1:30pm and be sure to dress for whatever the weather may bring (which we hope will not interfere!).

Be it resolved that: Before the end of January, I will re-schedule my Topsmead walk with my friend and encourage her to become a Friend of Topsmead. You, too, can resolve to encourage a friend to become a new Friend of Topsmead and enter into the very special world of this property that Edith Chase so generously designated for others to enjoy. And you still have until the end of January to renew your own membership (if you haven’t already).

Be it resolved that: I will volunteer to help with at least one Friends project this year. There are so many great ones in the works for 2020, from improving handicap access to adding more directional signage to finishing the shed welcome center to participating in a springtime grounds work-day, just to mention a few. There is something for every interest and ability. Watch for them on the website or just email Friends of Topsmead ([email protected]) for more information!

Be it resolved that: In this New Year, I will expand my knowledge of Edith Chase herself and her world beyond Topsmead with a visit to Rose Hill and its Waterbury neighborhood. I already feel a kinship with Edith because of our common love of poodles. I am welcoming a retired show poodle into my household and am eager to introduce her to walkabouts in the meadows of Topsmead. As we romp across the landscape, I know that the spirits of my three former poodles and the spirits of Edith’s poodles will be joyously romping along with us.

Finally, be it resolved that: We will all romp joyously into the New Year!

Margaret Hunt
NewsBlogMistress