Quabbin Voices - Friends of Quabbin

Quabbin Voices
The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter
Quabbin Trail Project by SCA
By Justin Gonser
Visitor Services Supervisor, Department of Conservation and Recreation
Spring 2013
Vol.26 No.1
We must hear and listen
to all of Quabbin’s many
Voices. Voices of the Past,
as well as Voices of the
Present and of the Future.
Voices of the Trees, the
Sky, the Rain that falls,
and all the Wild Things;
Voices of the People who
depend on this valuable
resource for their daily
needs of clean water, and
Voices of those who draw
upon it for deeper needs
of the Soul.
—Les Campbell
CONTENTS
Quabbin Trail Project . .1
President’s Message . . . .2
Interpretive Services . . .3
Robert Wilder . . . . . . . .5
Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Visitor Center Store . . . .7
Five members of the Student Conservation
Association (SCA) recently finished a trail
work project at the Quabbin Reservoir, completing efforts over the past five years to link
and upgrade existing
sections of trail to form
a new two-mile loop
route from the Quabbin
Administration Building.
The new trail is named
the Visitor Center Loop
Trail and offers visitors
another hiking option
from the Department
of Conservation and
Recreation’s (DCR)
Quabbin headquarters.
This year’s nine day
work hitch at the reservoir marked a decade
long commitment from
the SCA to work with
DCR managers to
upgrade and improve
the network of Quabbin Park trails accessible
from the three entrances off Route 9 in
Belchertown and Ware.
The SCA crew’s main focus this year was to
work on a section of trail known as the Forest
Stewardship Loop, which was selectively
logged in the 2007 and 2008 season to open
up the canopy and allow sunlight to penetrate
down to the ground level. Since then, vigorous
regeneration has taken over much of the trail
and made it increasingly difficult to navigate.
Here, their first job was to flag some of the
trail sections that needed to be re-routed. One
slope was fairly steep so a series of switchbacks were created to make the pitch more
moderate, and in turn, make the trail safer
and more user friendly. A path was also
established which connected the Forest
Stewardship Loop to the Swift River Trail that
leads up to the Y-Pool, a popular destination
for fly fishermen and hikers located just below
the Winsor Dam. Bowsaws and chainsaws
were used to cut through the heavy woody
debris. While heavy duty rakes and loppers
were utilized to clear brush at the ground level
and cut back smaller vegetation. One of the
positive benefits of widening and clearing of
the trail will be the reduction of contact with
ticks, with less vegetation to brush up against
while hiking.
Upon finishing up work on the Forest
Stewardship Loop, the crew then shifted their
attention to the Ridge Trail which is also located behind the Visitor Center. One of the goals
there was to re-establish a section of the trail
that passes through the power line corridor
opening. That area was cleared of vegetation
and is now much more accessible. Oriental
bittersweet, an invasive plant species, had
Continued page 4
2 | The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013
President’s
Message
Gene H. Theroux
75th Swift River Valley/
Quabbin Remembrance Ball
The Friends of Quabbin will be sponsoring a couple of
significant events during 2013 to commemorate the
sacrifices of the more than 2,500 Swift River Valley
residents who gave up their homes and their way of life to
make way for the construction of the Quabbin Reservoir,
the principal viable and sustained water supply for the city
of Boston and other communities in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
There will be a 75th Remembrance Ball held in the Ware
Town Hall on Saturday, April 27, 2013. We’re excited
about this location for its nostalgic value and similarity to
the Enfield Town Hall where the Farewell Ball was held
on Wednesday evening, April 27, 1938. The four towns
of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott were officially
disincorporated on April 28, 1938.
Many of the attendees of the 75th Remembrance Ball will
wear period costumes from the 1930s as we replicate the
events of April 27, 1938. A bass and keyboard duo will
start off the evening’s social hour beginning at 7:00 PM
by playing music from the late 1920s thru the early
1940s. After the Grand March, which will include former
residents of the Swift River Valley, the Heritage Pops
Orchestra will perform music from the 1940s to present
day. A large dance floor will be established and we may
even have some attendees dancing to Ragtime and Swing.
There will be a continuing slide show which will provide
the attendees a look back into the history of the former
towns, villages, and hamlets. This glimpse back into the
past will showcase an irreplaceable moment in time. The
photo show will include pictures of the construction of the
reservoir from the initial razing of homes and clearing of
land to the building of the Winsor Dam, the spillway,
Goodnough Dike, the aqueduct, and Quabbin Park. In
addition, there will be some additional static displays of
artifacts and historical posters.
Tickets for the 75th Remembrance Ball can be obtained
by completing and mailing the included form with your
check. They will also be available for purchase at the
Quabbin Visitor Center located at 485 Ware Road,
Belchertown and via the mail. Mailing address: Quabbin
Reservation Administration Building, 75th Remembrance
Ball, 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 0l007. The
Remembrance Ball ticket request form and process for
requesting tickets is available on the Friends of Quabbin
website: www.foquabbin.org. Ticket request forms will
be available at the Ware Town Hall (Town Clerk) and at
the Ware Senior Center. The price of tickets is $25.00 per
person and the price includes a mixture of appetizers,
coffee, tea, dessert, cash bar (beer and wine) and
complimentary champagne and sparkling water for
the good-bye toast at the end of the evening.
We’re hoping to
have some special
guests in attendance: “former
residents” of the
Swift River Valley
towns of Dana,
Enfield, Greenwich,
and Prescott.
We, Friends of
Quabbin, will make
every attempt to
assist those former
residents of the lost
towns logistically
so they may be in
attendance at the Remembrance Ball. Former residents
of the lost towns are asked to contact either the Quabbin
Visitor Center, Quabbin Reservation Administration
Building, 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007,
413-323-7221 or the Friends of Quabbin, Inc., President
Gene Theroux, P.O. Box 856, Southwick, MA 01077-0856,
e-mail: ghtheroux@gmail.com.
In addition, the Friends of Quabbin will be sponsoring
four performances of the play, “Quabbin, A Musical”.
Originally done in November 1988 we will keep tradition
alive by running the same on Thursday evening,
November 7, 2013; another evening performance on
Friday (Nov. 8) and Saturday evening (Nov. 9). A matinee
on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 10) will close the run. The
Ware Community Theatre will be an integral part of this
production.
Check the Friends of Quabbin web site regularly:
http://www.foquabbin.org/
The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013 | 3
Interpretive
Services
Report
Spring 2013
By Clif Read
As we progress through the 75th Year of Remembrance,
we are continually reminded of the sacrifices of the former
residents of the Swift River Valley, the transformation of the
area from a bucolic valley to a stark landscape for the reservoir
footprint — an area devoid of trees, buildings, and people —
and, the transition of Quabbin from home for 2,500 persons
to a essential resource for 2.5 million citizens of the
Commonwealth. There are a series of anniversaries which
remind us of the changes occurring three quarters of a century
ago to this valley. Some are less notable, such as the March
28th date when the remaining unpurchased land in the Swift
River Valley was taken by eminent domain by the Metropolitan
District Water Supply Commission. Others carry greater
poignancy as major dates in the Quabbin Project. There are
none more so than April 27th and 28th dates with anniversaries of the Farewell Ball and the Disincorporation of Dana,
Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. It is important that all of
these dates be marked with a sense of respect and appreciation
of what was sacrificed by valley residents. By remembering
these anniversaries and calling attention to their importance in
history, we are keeping the memories of the Swift River towns
and their residents alive.
Each passing day brings changes in the natural world as winter
transitions to spring. The sun rises a little earlier and sets a bit
later each day, extending daylight a few minutes every day
around the spring equinox. The snow banks are receding, redwing blackbirds are back in their nesting territories, eagle pairs
engage in aerial courtship displays and maple tree sap flows
with the warm, sunny days. It is an exciting time of year to
monitor all of the changes happening around us. During a
lunchtime walk with a colleague today, we extended our outing
to the spillway channel to observe ice conditions. While the
rest of the reservoir around the dam and boat cove was free of
ice, there was still coverage above the spillway wall northward
to where the channel opens into the boat cove. As we studied
the ice, we noticed movement the edge where it meets the
rock wall. First one head popped up, then a second, and finally
a third. River otters! For the next few minutes we observed
them emerging from one hole up onto the ice, then dive back
into the water, only to reappear a few moments later at another
hole. While it is difficult not to anthropomorphize, it certainly
looked as though these three individuals were playing and
delighting in the beautiful day. I have been fortunate to
observe otters before around Winsor Dam, but never at the
Spillway, and never from such a perfect vantage point. With
my camera resting safely on my desk, I was not distracted
watching the performance through a lens, but just stood there
quietly soaking in the show. It reminded me that there is
always a show out there to observe. Sometimes it is obvious
and jumps right out at you, while other times it is subtle and
can easily goes unnoticed….but there is always a show!
During the winter months the Visitor Center offers public
programs on Sunday afternoons, covering topics from history
to natural history and DCR management programs. This
winter’s programs have been particularly popular with great
turnout and audience participation. Once spring rolls around
and people’s attention turns outdoors, the slide programs’
popularity wanes so we do not continue to offer this series.
We are always glad for suggestions for program topics or for
presenters who are willing to share their knowledge with
others.
I hope to see you at the Farewell Ball on April 27th, the
Memorial Day Services at Quabbin Park Cemetery on Sunday,
May 26th, in the Visitor Center for Tuesday Teas on the first
Tuesday of the month, or around and about Quabbin.
Happy Spring to all!
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES AT
QUABBIN PARK CEMETERY
SUNDAY MAY 26, 2013
SCHEDULE
10:00 AM – Refreshments
11:00 AM – March Step Off & Ceremony
2:00 PM – Program at Quabbin Visitor
Center
“Visions of The Past” – Dale Monette,
DCR Interpreter
Former Marine Bob Wilder, in uniform, at Quabbin Park
Memorial Day Services 2011
4 | The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013
Quabbin Trail Project
continued from page 1
also overtaken other portions of the trail and needed
to be eradicated. The plants were pulled by hand, very
carefully, to get as much of the root system out of the
ground as possible since any roots left behind are able
to spread via root suckering. This makes the mechanical control of Oriental Bittersweet more of a long-term
project with additional monitoring and management
required in the future.
The SCA is an organization that provides college and
high-school aged members with hands-on conservation and environmental opportunities in a variety of
different fields. The SCA’s mission is to build the next
generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong
stewardship of our environment and communities by
upgrade of the Forest Stewardship portion of the
trail, there is now a clearly marked and well maintained two-mile loop which hikers are able to walk
from the Quabbin Visitor Center. The trail offers a
wonderful variety of habitats and views along its
entire length.
In the coming weeks a display will be installed in
the Visitor Center and a handout with a map of the
area will be available to highlight and advertise the
newly renovated trail sections. The Quabbin Visitor
Center is staffed seven days a week and is open
from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM on weekdays and 9 AM –
5 PM on weekends. Visitors are welcome to stop in
to get current information on public access, rules,
regulations, and the network of trails that Quabbin
has to offer. An automated telephone system is also
available 24 hours a day at 413-323-7221.
engaging young people in hands-on service to
the land. The group that came out to Quabbin
was part of the Conservation Corps Program,
which gives college students and other qualified
participants the opportunity to address a host of
conservation challenges. The SCA Corps programs,
some of which are offered in cooperation with
AmeriCorps, run for up to 10 months, and members often share a communal residence. Although
the SCA members change from year to year, they
are always a dedicated, hard-working, and passionate group.
Previous SCA Quabbin trail projects have included
the construction of the Swift River Bridge, relocation of the approach trail to the Swift River, and
the stabilization and improvement of the trail
which parallels the Swift River Discharge Channel
below Winsor Dam. With the completion and
The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013 | 5
Focus on Former Residents of the Swift River Valley
Robert Wilder (1933–)
Smith Village (Enfield),
Massachusetts
By Gene H. Theroux
The 75th anniversary of the
disincorporation of the four lost
valley towns of Dana, Enfield,
Greenwich, and Prescott of the
Swift River Valley on April 28,
1938 brings a lot of memories to
those former residents of the
Swift River Valley. Unfortunately,
there are not many former residents of the former Swift River
Valley still among us to share
their stories of growing up there.
Bob Wilder, age 9
One former resident, Robert “Bob” Wilder was born in Enfield
and grew up in Smith Village (Enfield). He has a very interesting story of life in the valley from early childhood through his
exodus from Enfield and after. The Wilders, like many other
families in the Swift River Valley, were very poor; the country
was in the midst of the great Depression during his youth.
Young Robert Wilder’s consciousness of our disappearing
heritage was dramatically set in 1938 as he watched the rising
waters of the nascent Quabbin Reservoir forever obscure the
home farm in his native Enfield. Those indelibly etched images
of the conflict between past and progress help to explain the
dual lines of interest and involvement that continue to characterize his life to this day.
Bob explains in his story that although they were poor, they
were very happy living on a farm. They had an association with
their farm animals: a horse, a cow, some pigs and chickens.
They did not go hungry; they grew and raised their food
(“plenty of vegetables and milk — no sweets”). Bob says they
never had to leave town for anything they needed whether for
necessities or entertainment; it was all there in Enfield. Bob
has freely and frequently shared his story through the many
years since his retirement in 1985 from Titeflex as a quality
engineer. My first meeting with Bob Wilder was at a Tuesday
Tea just over a year and a half ago. Each time we have met
since then and I have had an opportunity to talk with Bob, I
walk away with more knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of not only history in the former valley but other areas of
early American history. A particular personal note is that his
family has been in America since 1635; I have ancestors that
arrived here in 1620.
With fellow FOQ board member, John Zebb, I visited Bob
Wilder and his lovely wife Nancy at their home in Brookfield
last December (Dec 19, 2012). We were at the Wilder home for
hours listening to Bob’s stories, admiring his craftsmanship and
enjoying his life experiences. Bob represents the “American
Dream” in that through hard work, reading, and research he
overcame poverty, made something of his life, and gave back to
society. His grandmother got him on-track by emphasizing
reading at a young age. Bob listened to her. He graduated from
high school as valedictorian of his class. When he discovered
that higher education was beyond his financial capabilities in
the times of the Korean War, Bob joined the Marine Corps. He
served in combat in Korea and lost several childhood friends in
that war. He gained practical experience as a combat engineer
and attended Marine Corps school in Quantico, Virginia to earn
a degree in engineering. It was fascinating to learn of other
notable Americans that he served with in the Marine Corps
such as Corporal Lee Trevino and USMC Captain Theodore
Samuel “Ted” Williams, “The Splendid Splinter.” Bob served
with Ted for about six months. Marine veteran Bob Wilder is
proud and appreciative of what the Marine Corps taught him;
skills and knowledge that helped him through both combat and
life. In the 55 plus years since his Marine Corps service, he continues to live by the Marine Corps Rifleman Creed. Marine field
experience and the engineering degree enabled him to work
for an aerospace firm, advancing from production foreman to
chief inspector. He toured the U.S. troubleshooting problems
with the development of air-frames, rocket engines, and lifesupport systems for outer space and the race to the moon.
But he never lost his fascination with his heritage. Upon separating from the service, he became a notable expert on the
Boston Post Roads. He mapped historic sites in the seven-town
Quabbin region. He is a frequent consultant and interpreter for
Old Sturbridge Village. He directed me to the Brookfield Public
Library where there are 55 large color maps of historic events
that happened in Central Massachusetts from the first settlement through the Civil War period. These maps include eight
large maps with overlays showing the change in New England
from Pangaea to the area being covered with 1000 feet of
water before the ice caps formed to the glacier’s advance and
retreat. Others show the points of historical interest through
time. He has a vast knowledge of King Phillip’s War and central
Massachusetts history.
Robert Wilder has citations received from the Massachusetts
Senate, the Massachusetts House of Representatives for his
contributions on American History for the towns surrounding
Brookfield and Bob was designated the “Citizen of the Year”
for the Town of Brookfield in 2010.
Bob welcomes visitors to his home and he is both eager and
delighted to share his experiences in the Swift River Valley
and growing up on a farm in Smith Village (Enfield),
Massachusetts. If you can’t make it to Brookfield to visit Bob,
you may visit the Quabbin Visitor Center and arrange to view
the DVD, Robert Wilder “Exodus from Enfield” produced by the
Quabbin Visitor Center staff. Bob is also a frequent attendee at
Friends of Quabbin Tuesday Teas.
6 | The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013
I Remember...
In this newsletter, the Friends have enclosed a ticket
request form and return envelope. On the back of the form
is a questionnaire that we hope you will fill out. Some of
you may have memories of the days before the flooding,
but many will only know the Quabbin as it is now. But I
bet that no matter when you encountered the Quabbin
first, you have important memories that you could share.
That is our intent with this form. Feel free to add pages if
you need to. Here are a few remembrances from the 50th
Remembrance Ball ticket request of 1988.
Bob Wilder pointing to his original home.
Sometime in the near future, my personal goal is to make a
movie from the edited audio captured that day in December,
adding images provided by Bob, of some of his life works. This
linking of oral history with historic images available in various
archives or in the hands of living residents or their descendants is a way of creating a real sense of the way people lived.
This 75th Year of Remembrance of the Swift River Valley/
Quabbin region underscores the importance of capturing as
much of this information as possible and assembling it in enjoyable and educational ways that keep these personal histories
alive for future generations. The Friends of Quabbin welcome
any contributions you might be able to make to this effort.
“The Sunday night baths in the old, big tub. We had no hot
water, only that which we heated on the stove. After the baths,
it was a fun time as we would gather around my mother, at
the piano, and dad, with the mouth organ. We, then, had a
good time with the sing-alongs for an hour or two.”
—Beatrice Griswold Spear
“We slept up on the farm in a big squashy feather bed. There
was a lovely Rogers group sculpture in the parlor with the
slippery horse-hair furniture where we played. There was a
whole shed full of one-holers – all heights for all sizes of people.”
—Elizabeth Howe Lincoln
“I enjoyed walks in the woods with mother; the square dances
on Saturday night; the May baskets we hung so ‘he’ would
chase us and kiss us. My father, a city fellow, had to be shown
which trees to tap for sap after he tapped the wrong trees!”
—Faith Osborne
Meetings & Events
Photo Club Meetings
The next Tuesday Tea is April 2 at 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
In following months, it will be held on May 7, June 4, and
July 2, i.e. the first Tuesday of every month. They are an
excellent way for old timers to reminisce about times past
or help the Friends of Quabbin Board develop a 75th
anniversary event list that properly commemorates the
disincorporation of the Swift River Valley Towns. But if you
are younger and simply want to learn about a fascinating
history from those who lived it or better connect with your
ancestors, living or dead, these meetings are ideal. In the
past two months attendance has been booming, but there
is always room for newcomers.
The Quabbin Photo Group meetings are on the 4th Monday of
the month at the Quabbin Visitor Center beginning at 7:00 PM.
The Pioneer Valley Photographic Artists meet on the last
Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Visitor Center.
Don’t forget, if you have old photos, slides, or negatives or if
you have other documents, the Tuesday Tea is the place to
have them digitized while you wait. With a digital image, you
can easily and inexpensively make copies for other family
members and, with your permission, you may see them in
future Quabbin Voices.
Photo by Bousquet
Tuesday Teas
The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013 |7
THE VISITOR CENTER STORE
The seventy-fifth year remembrance of the four disincorporated towns of the Swift River Valley is this spring.
This Voices highlights a few of the available items at the Visitor Center on that topic.
Two big things
are going to
occur soon.
First, spring is
going to arrive,
hopefully. Since
having strong
memories of
preparations for
this past winter
may still linger,
the Friends
propose that
you add some
pleasant
thoughts of
preparation for
spring. We suggest some
possible additions to
your spring wardrobe:
a t-shirt at $12.00 and
cap at $15.00.
You may be able to purchase this from our model,
Justin Gonser, Visitor Services Supervisor, DCR Quabbin.
J.R. Greene—
noted historian and long-time
Chairman of the Friends of
Quabbin Board, has written a
passel of books about Quabbin
History. We highlighted the two
books on the local railroad, the
Rabbit, in the summer 2012
issue. For this issue, we have a
festival of J.R. Greene books.
The Day Four
Quabbin Towns Died
The history of the last days of
the corporate existence of the
four towns of Dana, Enfield,
Greenwich, and Prescott.
$12.55
From Valley to
Quabbin, 1938–1946
An historical account of the
period between the end of the
four towns and the flooding of
the Valley. $15.70
Historic
Quabbin Hikes
The classic summation photo of the history
of Quabbin’s creation.
A guidebook to points of historic
interest not underwater in Quabbin Valley or closed to the
public. This book covers most of the remaining sites.
All sites can be hiked or bicycled to. $12.60
3 Views of Quabbin Valley Lithograph 1 — $4.20
The 75th Remembrance Calendar for 2013 — $15.70
8 | The Friends of Quabbin Newsletter–Spring 2013
Friends of Quabbin
2012–2013 Officers and Board of Directors
J.R. Greene, Chairman
26 Bearsden Road
Athol, MA 01331
978-249-0156
jrg01331@webtv.net
Gail Platz
P.O. Box 138
Belchertown, MA 01007
gspltz@verison.net
Robert Creed
5 Kinder Lane
Shutesbury, MA 01072
413-367-2388
creed@english.umass.edu
Ruth Jazab
27 Szetela Drive
Chicopee, MA 01013
413-594-2474
skipper323@gmail.com
Paul Godfrey
47 Harkness Road
Pelham, MA 01002
413-253-5686
godfrey@tei.umass.edu
John Zebb
261 The Meadows
Enfield, CT 06082
860-253-0357
johnzebb@hotmail.com
Marty Howe
98 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
413-732-0178
mfhowe79@yahoo.com
Kevin Kopchynski
28 Main Street, Apt 2C
Monson, MA 01057
kkopchynski@verizon.net
Denis Ouimette
148 Church Street
Ware, MA 01082
ouimette148@comcast.net
Larry Lowenthal
P.O. Box 390
Brimfield, MA 01010
Call for Member Submissions
This is your newsletter. We invite members to
submit stories, articles, or reminiscences about
the human or natural history of the Swift River
Valley and Quabbin Reservoir.
Please send e-mail to Paul Godfrey at
godfrey@tei.umass.edu, or mail items to:
The Friends of Quabbin
485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007
Quabbin Voices is the periodic newsletter of
the Friends of Quabbin, Inc.
Quabbin Voices
The views and opinions expressed in this
newsletter do not necessarily reflect the
views of Friends of Quabbin, Inc.
Editor: Paul Godfrey
Regular Contributors:
Clif Read, DCR Program Coordinator
Gene Theroux, Friends of Quabbin President
Design and Production: Eileen Klockars
Illustrations: Russ Buzzell
Friends of Quabbin, Inc.
William Elliot, Treasurer
999 Shutesbury Road
Amherst, MA 01002
413-259-1456
wgewater@yahoo.com
John Fleming
16 Alden Street
Belchertown, MA 01007
413-283-9577
jfleming007@charter.net
Quabbin Reservation Administration Building
485 Ware Road
Belchertown, Massachusetts 01007
Cynthia LaBombard,
Vice President
294 Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
413-967-3887
C5D6L34@VERIZON.NET
Julie Bullock
150 West Main Street
Ware, MA 01082
413-967-4528
jbullock@excite.com
413-323-7221
www.friendsofquabbin.org
Gene H. Theroux,
President and Clerk
20 Bugbee Road
Southwick, MA 01077
413-627-3475
gene.theroux@verizon.net