LIVING - IN THIS ISSUE SUSTAINABLE EASTMAN CHALLENGES YOU GIVING AND RECEIVING THE ROAD TO EASTMAN EASTMAN LAKE SALMON! - EASTMAN COMMUNITY ...
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Summer 2012
Living
In This Issue…
Sustainable Eastman Challenges You
Giving and Receiving
The Road to Eastman
Eastman Lake Salmon!
Recreation
Ride of Silence in Grantham
By Charlie Taber • Photo by Norah Peterson
O n the evening of May 16, under threatening skies,
125 bicycle riders rolled out of the Park and Ride on Route
10 and headed south to Croydon. The Grantham Ride of Silence
And the winner is…
Holly Barlow,
one of 19 successful entrants in the “find the e” contest.
was part of a worldwide event that involved over 350 locations.
The ride had two purposes: Holly found the e on page 19(!) of the spring issue of Eastman
Living in the Sugar River Bank advertisement. It was floating
• to honor friends and family members who have been between the wavy lines under the blue SR bank logo.
injured or killed while cycling on public roadways; Congratulations to Holly. A winner’s certificate entitling her
to a choice of dessert at the Bistro is on its way.
• to promote awareness that bicyclists
and motorists need to share the
roadway and honor the rules of the
road.
Next year’s ride will be May 15 at
7 p.m. Will we see you there?
The Ride of Silence...
Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers,
fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride
- Mike Murgas
The group gets instructions before heading out.
eastman living | summer 2012 | 3
4 | summer 2012 | eastman living
contents Summer 2012
features recreation 12 Woodlands and Wildlife
Pondering Anderson Pond
14 Going to School Without 3 Ride of Silence in Grantham By Craig McArt and Renée Gustafson
Going to School By Charlie Taber
By Richard Sachs 16 What’s Out There?
26 Moldering? What in the World By Aaron Brooke Jenkyn
18 Giving and Receiving: Does THAT Mean?!
Quilts and Care By Rory Gordon 22 Lakes and Streams
By Barbara Jones Purple Loosestrife - A Beautiful Menace
32 Be a Part of Our Biggest Ever by Jackie Underhill
20 Merrill and the Road Root Beer Float! Lake Appreciation Days
to Eastman
By Tom Rockett
sustainablity 29 Poetry Corner
24 Eastman Lake Salmon 8 Energy Challenge 33 Scene in Eastman
AKA: Common Sucker By Ray Sears
By Richard Hocker
34 Species Spotlight
28 South Cove Exhibits
columns Pileated Woodpecker-Dryocopus pileatus
By Susie Burbidge
By Craig McArt
6 From the Desk
30 It’s a GRAND SLAM!
35 Woodlands and Wildlife
By Jane Verdrager
11 Peter’s Picks Walking Eastman
By Peter Hope By Craig McArt
Cover Photo by Jamie Walsh
Cover photographer Jamie Walsh and his wife, Sarah, have been Eastman
residents since moving up to New Hampshire from Connecticut in 2006.
Photography has been a favorite hobby of his since 2002 when Jamie
bought Sarah an SLR camera. He loves the local flora and fauna of the
area but also enjoys his hobby while on trips, including a photography
trip to Utah with Sarah in 2011. His new favorite subject, however,
is their infant daughter, Kara, who was born this year. Some of their
favorite photos are available at www.flickr.com/photos/sjwalsh. This is
Jamie’s first cover for Eastman Living.
eastman living | summer 2012 | 5
Living
From the Editor’s Desk
“You can say anything you want yessir, Farmer, that I learned where that sonorous
but it’s the words that sing, they soar and word comes from. It seems that the Vikings
descend…I bow to them…” exclaims prepared for battle by drinking a drug-
Chilean poet Pablo Neruda in his homage laced beverage that whipped them into a
to language: “The Word.” I, too, love words, frenzy, giving them all of the “courage” and
all kinds of words but especially those that a lot of the power they needed to defeat
sing. Take moldering for instance. I love their enemies. They called it “going berserk.”
the way it sounds almost exactly like what Of course, my first-generation, Italian-
it actually does. If you’ve never heard of American mother would not have known
moldering, your education begins in the the word’s origin but she always used it
brief but very descriptive article under the correctly.
Recreation heading in this issue of Eastman
Living. “I love words so much… the unexpected
ones…,” continues Neruda. If like Pablo
Then, there’s eutrophic, a word Woodlands and me, you love words, especially the
and Wildlife chair Craig McArt uses to resonant and unexpected, take time to
describe the particular conditions that favor listen to the language of this issue of
plant over animal life in his latest column Eastman Living. You can expect more
on bodies of water in Eastman, “Pondering interesting word information in future
Anderson Pond.” Once I read and looked issues, and the words will always be here for
up that word, I found myself wanting to you to read and repeat out loud and make
include it in conversation, not an easy your own.
thing to do unless you’re talking about how
certain nutrients reduce oxygen in water. “While this compost pile on the edge of our
We use an “ ” to signify the end of our stories. eutrophic pond is moldering, be quiet so as
We want you, our readers, to find the “ .” Maybe my favorite word when I was a kid not to drive me berserk!” You can do it.
In each issue, our art director will hide our
was one my mother used regularly when
signature “ ” in one of the advertisements.
All you have to do is find it and let us know either my brother or I, or both of us, began Judy McCarthy
in what advertisement and where in that
advertisement you found it.
to drive her over the edge of sanity. mccarthy.judy@gmail.com
The winner, drawn from all the correct
entries, will receive a certificate good for “You kids are driving
one dessert, courtesy of Bistro Nouveau
and redeemable in either the Tavern or the me berserk,” she would
Hearth Room. exclaim.
The winner will receive a certificate by mail.
So make sure you include your mailing
address when sending in your “winning” Berserk. Now there’s
entry by August 24, 2012 to: a word! It actually
Eastman Living, c/o Find the “E,” PO Box 53, wasn’t until I was
Grantham, NH 03753, or e-mail your entry
to eastmanliving@eastmannh.org. an adult reading a
You’ll always be in for a special treat when wonderful children’s
you read Eastman Living!
novel, The Sea of
Trolls by Nancy
6 | |Summer
summer2012
2012| |eastman
eastmanliving
living
eastman living | summer 2012 | 7
sustainability
ENERGY Challenge By Ray Sears • 603-863-2832 • r.w.sears@ieee.org
What’s happening? What are the Benefits?
Sustainable Eastman will be working in cooperation with the • Cost stabilization resulting from a more diverse and
New England Carbon Coalition this summer to challenge competitive energy market
Eastman households to plan to make significant reductions • A stronger New England economy
in the use of energy derived from fossil fuels. We will be • Improved air quality because of reduced emissions
concentrating on individual households because, nationally, • Improved environmental quality because of reduced
they use about one-half of all fossil fuels, and because the climate warming
Eastman Community Association has already made significant • Reduced cost of future remediation of environmental damage
reduction in fossil fuel use in the LEED Gold certified South
Cove Activity Center, with plans for energy reduction in future What is the New England Carbon
projects. The New England Carbon Coalition has established a Challenge?
reduction goal of 25% by 2020 for New England households. The New England Carbon Challenge (NECC) is a joint initiative
of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool
Why Fossil Fuels?
Planet. The NECC is committed to providing residents and
Fossil fuels are of biological origin and include coal, oil and
communities with the information, tools and support necessary
natural gas among others. They are a concern because, when
for households to make substantial reductions in their energy
burned, they re-emit carbon dioxide locked beneath the planet’s
consumption, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The
surface into the atmosphere. The process of burning fossil fuels
key strategy of NECC is to focus efforts of local organizers in
significantly contributes to global warming. Oil holds more
a specific community to engage residents in a sustained drive
energy per volume than any other chemical substance on Earth.
to reduce fossil fuel use, an Energy Challenge. The specific
In fact, modern infrastructure was built on a steady price of
challenge is to reduce household energy use by 25% by 2020.
around $20 per barrel. At times, that price has exceeded $100,
NECC provides web-based tools to help each New England
creating economic uncertainty. Texas, once the center of the
household create and implement an energy plan specifically
oil-drilling world, is essentially dry, and fossil fuel use is rising
for its family’s needs. Regardless of whether you are just getting
globally. Still, America uses more fossil fuels than ever before –
started in reducing your energy consumption or have made
twice as much as we did in 1950. The largest, cheaply available
numerous efficiency changes already and are now looking for
oil reserves are in Russia and the Middle East, creating political
deeper reductions (and perhaps renewable energy), the tools
uncertainty. When fossil fuels are burned, energy, carbon
can be found at myenergyplan.net and can help you achieve
dioxide and other pollutants are released. For 100 years, energy
your energy goals.
has powered the lives of Americans, and for 100 years, carbon
has been gathering in the atmosphere. Because carbon traps
How does Eastman fit in?
heat, the temperature of the Earth has been rising faster during
Sustainable Eastman is the local organizer for NECC and will be
this temperate cycle in the current ice age than it has risen in
encouraging all Eastman households to accept the NECC energy
hundreds of thousands of years.
reduction goal and develop a household energy plan. The web
How can we solve these problems? tools will allow us to assess the level of community participation
There are three solutions available to curb America’s addiction as well as energy reductions planned; Sustainable Eastman will
to fossil fuels and to empower New England to look beyond the make this information available to the community. Reporting
use of fossil fuels. will be organized by Special Place so you will be able to see how
• Energy Efficiency - Energy efficiency means doing the well you and your neighbors are doing throughout the challenge
same with less and designing programs and systems to use period. You will also be able to compare your results with other
electricity more efficiently. New England communities.
• Energy Conservation - Energy conservation is the practice
of modifying everyday functions to reduce energy. What web tools are available?
• Renewable Energy - Renewable energy sources include the Myenergyplan.net provides the following tools to get started.
use of sunlight, wind, waves, water flow and geothermal Please go to the web site for complete details.
heat. To use renewable energy sources, technologies that • Personal Energy Planner – Contains simple ideas to
can harness this power must be developed and review and reduce your energy consumption and map out
incorporated into existing infrastructure. your own energy plan.
8 | summer 2012 | eastman living
• Energy Project Connector – Allows you to plug into the Personal Energy Planner™. You will need to select the
sources of funding and find local professionals to get your Sustainable Eastman Energy Challenge and your Special Place
energy project done. and provide data on your annual household electricity, home
• The Energy Notebook – Helps you keep all your energy heating and hot water fuel usage and other basic information.
information in one place and makes it easy for you to share Most of this information can be found on your utility bills.
your information and ideas with others. Based on the information you enter, the Personal Energy
• Green Homes Tourist – Offers you the opportunity to take Planner™ will calculate your household’s energy use. This
a tour of green homes and other energy reduction activities number can then be used as a baseline for reduction.
near your home.
The Personal Energy Planner™ is the gateway to big energy
How can I get started? savings. With over 55 actions to choose from, you can pledge
The first step toward implementing a My Energy Plan Challenge to take as few or as many actions as you like as well as indicate
is to familiarize yourself with the My Energy Plan web site in when you will take them. The actions listed run the spectrum
order to create your own plan. The process is simple and only from changing light bulbs to replacing an aging boiler and
takes 15-20 minutes. everything in between. Based on the number of actions you
1. Gather your utility bills pledge to take, the Personal Energy Planner™ calculates the
2. Visit myenergyplan.net; select “login” to setup/edit your account overall dollars saved and carbon reduction for your household
3. Select the Personal Energy Planner™ AND generates a personalized energy plan for your household
4. Answer a few questions about your home and how your to follow. Actions can be scheduled over multiple years.
household uses energy For example, you can indicate that you wish to purchase a
5. Select actions to save on your energy bills new ENERGY STAR refrigerator a year from now and your
personalized energy plan will reflect the actions you want to
As a My Energy Plan Challenge participant you will be asked take immediately through the actions you want to take later.
to enter basic household and energy usage information into Both owners and renters are encouraged to develop energy
plans, although renters may have limited action options.
eastman living | summer 2012 | 9
sustainability
Dorr_THB_0707 5/22/07 11:15 AM Page 1
Dorr_THB_0707 5/22/07 11:15 AM Page 1
Once you have calculated your footprint and pledged actions
to reduce it, the Personal Energy Planner™ will attribute your
results to your Special Place. By linking households with their
communities, My Energy Plan staff are able to track and report
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5/22/07 11:15 AM Page 1
A NATIONAL CENTER
FOR RUG A
HOOKING, QUILTING
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the aggregated residential progress of registered communities.
Once a household has completed the actions they pledged to
take in the Personal Energy Planner™, they can revisit their
Dorr Mill Store
FOR RUG HOOKING, QUILTING & BRAIDING WOOLS
A NATIONAL CENTER
energy plan, update completed actions and select new actions to FOR RUG HOOKING, QUILTING & BRAIDING WOOLS
take. Data previously entered in the system will be saved when a
household logs in and creates an account.
What next?
Once you have a myenergyplan.net account and a preliminary
plan in place there are many actions you can take using the
myenergyplan.net tools to improve on your initial plan and
begin to turn it into reality. Here are just a few ideas.
• Consider and evaluate alternatives. Is it better to replace
a gas-guzzler or turn down the thermostat? Is it better to
keep winter temperatures lower or close off unused rooms? BLANKETS & FINE CLOTHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN
• Get some professional help. Use the tools to find local Located on Routes 11 & 103, halfway between Newport and Sunapee, NH
603-863-1197 800-846-DORR Open M-Sat. 9-5 www.dorrmillstore.com
contractors who can help in estimating costs of projects and BLANKETS & FINE CLOTHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN
give advice on installation issues. BLANKETS & FINE CLOTHING FOR MEN AND WOMEN
Located on Routes 11 & 103, halfway between Newport and Sunapee, NH
• Find someone locally who has already undertaken energy Located on Routes 11 & 103, halfway between Newport and Sunapee, NH
603-863-1197 800-846-DORR Open M-Sat. 9-5 www.dorrmillstore.com
603-863-1197 800-846-DORR Open M-Sat. 9-5 www.dorrmillstore.com
reduction measures similar to something you might do and
arrange a tour/demonstration.
• Share ideas with neighbors, using the available tools.
• Look for opportunities to manage your property. If siding
needs repair, it might be a good idea to improve insulation
as well and replace windows.
How will progress be measured?
Sustainable Eastman will receive periodic reports from
myenergyplan.net and will publish this information on our
web site. Information on both participation and energy savings
will be included. This information will also be available on
myenergyplan.net so Eastman’s results can be compared
to other towns and organizations. The “Communities” tab
on myenergyplan.net posts this information for all towns
participating in the challenge. Within Eastman, results of
activity in each Special Place will be published.
So What?
So take the challenge! Reduction of 25% in use of fossil fuel-
derived energy by 2020 may sound like a lot, but success is
central to the viability of Eastman, not just in the quality of
our local environment but also in the economics of living in
Eastman. Both time and technology are working in our favor.
Most of us will be replacing automobiles, maybe more than
once by then, more renewable energy may be available, and
heating/cooling and insulation technology will be improved.
Starting to plan now will ensure our ability to take advantage of
these advances.
10 | summer 2012 | eastman livingcolumn
By peter hope
This month I will focus on Eastman’s own Turn right uphill following the skid road.
Heath Forest. Thanks to Eastman residents You’ll cross and follow along a brook that
Andy Eastman and Craig McArt, we now have runs down the road; some trail work will
a wide selection of trails for warm weather be needed here to improve the route. The
hiking and winter snowshoeing or skiing. Trail Orange Trail swings left for a level walk
markings are color-coded. The best access for along another lovely open forest glade. It
parking is at the end of Bogie Place, which is descends left for a short distance to cross
off of Troon Drive. Look for the kiosk that a seasonal brook at the easiest point and
marks the start of the yellow trail. swings right to climb through open woods,
partly along a ridge. Eventually it reaches
After a short distance you’ll arrive at a trail
Peter’s Picks
a good woods road, which was built to
junction. The new Blue Trail continues straight,
obtain gravel for the construction of I-89.
slabbing the hillside, then climbing easily with
(Hiking this loop in the opposite direction,
several switchbacks to reach the Red Trail loop
you would notice that this junction is close
at its northeast corner (where it makes a sharp
to the height of land).
I
turn off an old logging road).
write this in late May,
If you follow this road to the left, you’ll end
but it already feels like But I suggest that you use the Blue Trail for the
up at Heath Lane, the old Howe Hill Road.
summer! Eastman will again offer return and, for now, continue on the Yellow
Instead, turn right. Note the many invasive
our ever-popular walking and hiking Trail, which turns sharply left toward Eastman
plants along the route. (Woodlands and
programs. This year both will run from Brook, then right to closely follow Eastman
Wildlife is actively engaged in a control
July through mid-October, on Wednesdays Brook and Stocker Brook and their extensive
effort.) You will reach the old gravel pit
and Saturdays respectively. If you have any wetlands. You’ll traverse a very attractive stand
area. The Orange Trail skirts this on the left
questions about either, call me at 863-6456. of white pine and pass close to a long, lovely,
and, after several turns, reaches the point
And we always need new leaders! Don’t be open forest glade. You’ll eventually reach my
where the Red and Green Trails meet and
bashful; it’s fun to lead a trip and share a favorite lunch spot, an open grassy area on the
end at an acute angle.
favorite area with others. bank of Stocker Brook; perhaps one day soon
we’ll see a bench there! From here there are many options for the
In summer, a few simple and sensible
return. I suggest taking the Red Trail, which
choices are important. Dehydration is all The Yellow Trail turns inland at this point, soon
follows and, at wet areas, parallels the main
too easy; carry with you two to three liters reaching a junction with the Green Trail. The
logging road in the Heath Forest. You’ll
of drinkable water, as well as salty food and Yellow Trail follows an old skid road, climbing
pass the Yellow Trail on your right and the
perhaps a source of potassium such as a to meet the Red Trail. But instead, turn left
easterly loop of the Red Trail on your left.
banana. This is the way to avoid leg cramps on the Green Trail, which continues to follow
When you reach the Blue Trail, turn right
and worse. Sunscreen, a hat and insect Stocker Brook, albeit not as closely. After a
to descend towards the trailhead.
repellent are also important. Ticks are time, the Green Trail also turns inland to climb
numerous this season; they are unpleasant another old skid road towards the Red Trail. The GPS tracking of this route is complete,
and some carry Lyme Disease. Precautions But watch carefully on your left a little ways up and a detailed trail map of the Heath
are in order. for the woods road that is the start of the new Forest will soon be available. Check on the
Orange Trail. Eastman website Members’ Area under
If you’re hiking at higher elevations, bring
Woodlands and Wildlife. I expect that the
warm clothing, including gloves and a hat. The route follows the woods road for a short
Heath Forest Trail brochure will be revised
A headlamp, guidebook, map, compass and while, then jogs right on a series of old logging
as well.
first aid kit are among the essentials. A GPS roads to avoid a wet area. It climbs gradually
or a cell phone may or may not get a signal. to intersect yet another skid road, just above In the next issue I’ll cover hikes farther
Always let someone know your plans, the point where a large tree has fallen across it. afield, but it’s good to know what’s
which should include your designated If you bushwhack a few steps straight ahead, available right here in our own backyard.
route and estimated time of return. Safety you’ll reach a lovely small pond. You can hear
for yourself and others must always be your the traffic from the interstate, but you won’t
first priority. see it! Happy Hiking!
eastman living | summer 2012 | 11column
Pitcher Plant Flowers
Pondering Anderson Pond
By Craig McArt and Renée Gustafson • Photos by Renée Gustafson
Rose Pogonia
Sundew
Round-leaved Sundew
Pitcher Plant
12 | summer 2012 | eastman livingF
rom Lorenzo Dunbar’s History of The pond is a botanist’s dream that even includes carnivorous
Grantham, published in 1791, we learn that “about plants and exciting mini-gardens growing on logs that protrude
the year 1791 two men by the name of Anderson were from the shore. Sundew plants can be found on the logs at the
drowned in Anderson Pond – so called after this occurrence.” southeast and northwest areas of the pond. These tiny plants are
From this sad account one might reasonably surmise that they a relative of the venus flytrap and have round leaves with sticky
fell through the ice. tentacles that glisten like dew in the sun – hence the name.
Insects get stuck on the tentacles and are devoured by the plant.
Because of its shallow depth, ice forms early on Anderson Pitcher-plants can be seen growing in the moist area between
Pond. Actually, the 14-acre, spring-fed pond, eutrophic in the trail and the pond. This plant is very easy to identify because
nature (fertile with abundant nutrients for plant production), of its purple streaked leaves and burgundy flowers. The leaves
is becoming a little shallower as each year goes by. As silt builds are shaped like a pitcher and are used to trap insects, which are
up on the bottom, a succession of plant life occurs called a digested and serve as nourishment for the plant. Pitcher-plants
hydrosphere. What we see now are various water lilies and bloom from late-May to August and the flower heads remain in
pondweeds. As the water becomes even more shallow, reeds will the winter.
develop. Years and years from now, the organic matter could
build up to form peat and then the hydrosphere would give way The pond also hosts cranberry plants, swamp candles and the
to swamp. Lest we worry, before things progress that far, the delicate rose pogonia. The rose pogonia is an orchid that grows
pond could be dammed to increase the depth and buy more in colonies that can be found blooming in late June on many
time, as was done on Eastman Pond. of the logs and floating sphagnum gardens. Yellow pond lilies
bloom from May to September. Their large, heart-shaped leaves
The Anderson Pond Trail begins at a cut-off from the Butternut provide cover for fish and landing pads for dragonflies. Hollow,
Trail, a short distance from the kiosk at the end of Anderson tubular stems conduct carbon and methane gasses up from the
Pond Road. From there, it drops down to Anderson Pond, where bottom of the pond under pressure to be sprayed out through
it forms a mile loop around the pond’s shoreline. Residences the leaves. A single water lily stem can pass 22 liters of “sewer
overlook the pond in some areas. The level trail, routed close gas” in one day.
to the pond, is sometimes wet in places, but boardwalks and
bridges afford dry passage over the worst spots. Spring brings a plethora of frog song from spring peepers,
bullfrogs, green frogs, leopard frogs and American toads. On
While walking the trail, keep an eye out for a low, evergreen warmer days, painted and snapping turtles may be seen sunning
shrub called sheep laurel, which produces small, deep pink, on the logs or a family of mergansers or mallards might occupy
saucer-shaped flowers in dense clusters. Pink swamp roses the pond, sometimes joined by the great blue heron strutting
bloom along the shoreline from July to August. On the west the shores on the lookout for fish.
shore, notice a transition point between a forested wetland
containing red maple and other hardwoods and an upland Several species of fish inhabit the pond: perch, large and small
populated by conifer species. The major species in this forest mouth bass and even a northern pike or two. Upsetting to local
type is eastern hemlock, but also look for red spruce and anglers has been the discovery that some rock bass have joined
tamarack. Tamarack, the only northern conifer that sheds all its the group. A non-native species, they favor the same habitat
needles, turns this western shore a golden yellow in the fall. as the small mouth bass, and their competition for food can
seriously affect the fish population.
A smooth rock juts out from shore at the south end of the pond,
where one can obtain a splendid view. Nearby is a small bridge Anderson Pond people, as the residents call themselves, enjoy a
that takes the trail over the outlet stream. The stream flows special, community spirit. They have been known to gather on
down to Eastman Lake, tumbling over a falls by the Lake Trail. the pond for “happy hour” raft-ups in the summer and to bang
At one time, it was diverted to flow in the opposite direction, pots and pans around a fire on New Year’s Eve. They know the
down to the millpond by West Cove, where a mill was located. pond is a very special place, whether for a quiet walk, a peaceful
The remains of the diversion channel can be seen from a spur paddle, a communion with nature’s abundance or socializing
off the trail west of the bridge. The spur traces a short section of with their neighbors. Now that their secret is out, hopefully
the old road that linked North Grantham with Enfield Center. others, as well, will get acquainted with this gem.
eastman living | summer 2012 | 13Feature
Going to School
Without Going to School
Story and Photos By Richard Sachs
E
ach year in America, nearly 1.7 million that follow a particular educational philosophy and structure
children get their education at home. Why spend and are widely available online. Among many alternative
so much time and energy doing this when public options are the Montessori, Waldorf, School-at-Home and
school is available for everyone in this country? Calvert programs.
Many home-schooling families cite the poor quality of
available local schools as their main reason. Others point The Ambleside curriculum was the late 19th century
to religious or moral objections to parts of a public school development of a pedagogue named Charlotte Mason. It
curriculum. Some reject evolution as it is taught today, prescribes appropriate learning goals for each grade and
or reject commonly read literature, such as Huckleberry suggests readings in history, social studies and literature,
Finn, Lord of the Flies and much of Ernest Hemingway, with an emphasis on approaching some of the same
on philosophical or moral grounds. So it was refreshing material every few years, each time in a more advanced
to discover Eastman home-schooling families who teach way, appropriate to a child’s age. Thus, American history or
at home for what they love about the process and what it the Iliad could be taught with very simple and illustrated
does for their families rather than for what they wish to readings to young children and then repeated a few times
avoid. In fact, one Eastman family, already committed to during the 12 grades, each time with more challenging
home-schooling, chose to settle their family here because the material. One of the hallmarks of the Ambleside philosophy
Grantham Village School (GVS) had better standardized test is that after mastering a unit, a child must present the
scores than other alternative towns. material back to his or her parents in some form, be it
verbally, written, or in some pictorial or craft project.
Ian and Jennifer Drummond, of the Spring Glen Special Catherine Drummond, age 7, proudly showed me a scroll
Place, love being able to let their children progress at their on which she had drawn many of the bird species she was
own rate, moving more slowly when working on skills learning about.
they have less aptitude for, and sailing through material
that comes more naturally. In this way, they are never on a Some home-schooling families do not commit to a single
schedule pegged at or a bit below the average learning speed integrated teaching philosophy or technique. There are
of 25 or 30 other kids. The Drummonds use the Ambleside published guides showing what material is appropriate or
curriculum, one of many all-embracing school programs necessary to be mastered at each grade level, so they can pick
Catherine, Ian and David Drummond Jennifer and Catherine Drummond Planting
14 | summer 2012 | eastman livingand choose their own materials. There is an endless array of siblings, was asked if he has friends who go to school every
teaching materials available on the internet and an exploding day.
spectrum of available applications for tablet computers and “Yup,” he said.
smart phones. ABCmouse.com is a website that has all kinds “And who’s the lucky one?”
of available learning games, printed materials and craft “I’m the lucky one.”
supplies.
Community resources are available for home-schooling
Many families supplement instruction for children when families. Billings Farm and Museum in Woodstock, Vt. the
they don’t feel that they have the personal resources to teach Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, Vt and
all subjects to their kids. In fact, Ian Drummond teaches the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vt. all run programs
at just such a school, where home-schooled kids can come for groups. The public libraries and public schools can
for instruction in Latin or history or any subject in which lend books and other supplies. Some families enjoy getting
parents don’t feel they could do as thorough a job as they together in a weekly support group for younger, home-
would like. One Eastman family brings in a music teacher schooled kids and their parents, meeting at a dance studio
each week to teach the stringed instruments to their kids in West Lebanon. When asked, the local town historical
with an eye to creating a classical string quartet. Some kids societies will make presentations for home-schooled
join after school sports teams along with the public school children as well as for public school groups.
students.
Home-schooling regulations vary by state. New Hampshire
Catherine and David Drummond, age 4, are too young for has few requirements, but requires that any private
a full school day of instruction. They participate in several instruction be monitored by professionals. This can be as
20-minute lessons, usually in the morning. Learning sessions simple as personal interviews and review of accumulated
will gradually lengthen as they mature. Most families portfolios demonstrating appropriate progress or could
follow the usual school calendar, skipping formal teaching involve regular formal testing of the kids, or even some of
on weekends and holidays and taking off the summer each. The Munholand children are tested twice a year in
months as well. Though one Eastman mother, whose kids reading and math at GVS.
get tested formally outside the home, says she does a little
consolidation teaching during the summer so the kids’ skills Home-schooling is not for everyone. It requires time,
don’t backslide. Of course, any situation at any time can organization, attention to detail and incredible discipline.
become a “teachable moment.” But those who do it successfully say it brings them the
satisfaction of family bonding and the reward of a personally
Ezra Munholand, an engaging 9-year-old living in the Bright controlled, individualized, high quality education for their
Slopes Special Place and taught at home with three younger children.
... the Final Product L to R, Anya, Ezra, Noah and Petra Munholand
eastman living | summer 2012 | 15column
What’s Out There? By Aaron Brooke Jenkyn
les
Climbing Turt
th y La Co mbe
an t MOTHER by Ca
rmor
e s t ed co e by FO
lecr Comb ANDY X AND
doub y Cathy La EAS BABIES
b TMAN
On a sunny April day while out for a walk on the West Cove
walking path, Liz Forshay saw a baby painted turtle.
T
he extended spring of 2012 has certainly brought
out lots of wildlife sightings! From the Fairway foxes to Many of you have been enjoying the spring attraction of
some really uncommon bird sightings: white-winged scoters Fairway Drive, the Fairway foxes! Ruth Ann Eastman reported
and a bald eagle! Eastman residents have also taken advantage that the first day she saw a kit, it was very cold and the kit had
of the warm weather to get outside and watch as our local fauna found a patch of sunlight to sit in to get warm. Not long after
comes to life. that, I heard from Anne Langsdorf and Susan Mattson that the
other kits had come out of the den as well. All of Fairway Drive
While out for an early morning walk on March 22, Charlie has been enjoying watching these five young kits and their
Taber and his black lab, Stout, saw three sets of common mother play and sun along the roadside. These local celebrities
mergansers playing in the water off North Cove Beach. even made the Valley News on April 19!
On the evening of March 24, Amy Hoffman saw a snowshoe The Fairway foxes weren’t the only foxes in town. There were
hare hop by her window. It still had its winter coat, which is several other reports of foxes out and about in Eastman. In late
white with some brown spotting. Amy was surprised at how April, Matt Hoffman had a very exciting encounter with a fox
white its coat was for this time of year, pointing out that it stood family at the intersection of Bear Road and Road Round Lake.
out like a neon sign in the dusk. Even in March some of us were From his car, he saw a mother fox and her babies sitting near
still waiting for the snow to come! the side of the road. As he turned left and slowly drove towards
them, the mother headed off the road and the babies followed,
Not all of the critters that came out this spring were wanted walking into the rocks. The mother then stood there, on the
quite so early. Judy McCarthy reported that on April 18 she rocks, keeping guard. Matt was able to snap some photos and
got her first black fly bite, almost a month before Mother’s Day. even went back with his wife to find that the kits were still there,
Does this mean that the old adage that they arrive on Mother’s tackling and rolling over each other and chewing on saplings.
Day and leave on Father’s day will need to be revised? What a wonderful experience!
16 | summer 2012 | eastman livingcan be seen on the fifth fairway and the surrounding environs.
Jenna Chenever had an unexpected Mother’s Day visitor at her
home on Wildwood Drive. She looked out her kitchen window
to find a bear not more than 20 feet away! It took its time eating
plants and enjoying the sunshine while Jenna watched safely
from behind the window.
Perhaps one of the most prolific birding reports received this
spring came from Rhonda and Milt Weinstein, who on May
20, spotted two male and one female white-winged scoters,
swimming in a line southbound on the lake between East
Cove and South Cove. On the same day they spotted a female
common merganser perched on a rock off the west end of the
on private island, as well as one of our resident loons. In addition
lt Lo e
Adu LaComb to this, they heard and saw two orioles while paddling in West
at h y
by C
Cove – what a day!
Not long after that, Marcus Jenkyn and I saw a very small fox Rhonda and Milt also reported that throughout the spring they
face off against a goose inside the fence of the polishing ponds have had four different woodpecker species (downy, yellow-
on Clearwater Drive. A week later, we saw a much larger fox bellied sapsucker, northern flicker and pileated), a scarlet
facing off against what we presumed to be the same goose; it tanager and numerous warblers, including the black-throated
was protecting the same nest on the pond. In both cases the green, yellow-rumped, magnolia and American redstart, and an
goose got the better of the foxes, and they were both sent away ovenbird, all in or around their backyard.
with their tails between their legs.
While out walking the Clearwater Drive to Wellfield Road loop
Gale and Andy Schmidt reported that on April 28 they had two on May 23, Marcus Jenkyn and I spotted 55 eastern newts along
sightings of a yellow-breasted warbler catching bugs outside a the roadside of the 2.5-mile stretch. Having seen these newts all
second story window of their home. my life, I didn’t actually know what they were called, so upon
returning home we looked them up. To our surprise, in addition
While walking in Heath Forest in late April, Ruth Ann and to their name, we learned that, although only two percent of
Andy Eastman and Jerry and Susan Mattson spotted a thrush. these newts make it beyond the red-eft stage when they are
a brilliant orange color, the ones who do make it have a life
On April 29, Rhonda and Milt Weinstein saw two female hooded expectancy of 12 to 15 years!!
mergansers on Mill Pond. Then on May 5, having seen no hooded
mergansers on Mill Pond that day, they saw five male hooded According to a late May report from Milt Weinstein, any EL
mergansers in East Cove, but no females. They have also heard reader who has ever heard a wood thrush sing will appreciate
the call of a yellow-bellied sapsucker on the west side of the lake. the thrill he and Rhonda got from having one sing in the woods
behind their house on May 26, both in the morning and again
Charlie Taber and Stout had another exciting wildlife spotting in the evening until dusk. Sadly for them, it did not return after
while out walking on May 2, this time off the North Cove Beach that one day. Based on their songs, the following birds seem
hiking trail. They watched as a bald eagle startled a goose on to be in residence in the Burpee Hill Special Place: American
the lake; the eagle then flew over to the east side of the lake and redstart, ovenbird, eastern wood pewee and yellow-bellied
came to rest on the higher branches of a large pine tree. The sapsucker. The only one Milt has actually seen is the sapsucker,
eagle appeared to be quite happy with its lakefront view. Charlie which he also hears drilling.
and Stout continued hiking, and upon their return, the eagle
was still perched in those same pines. Thank you to all who sent in submissions; please keep them
coming! E-mail me at whatsoutthere@eastmannh.org or call
Ruth Ann Eastman also wrote in to say that the Fairway me at 603-306-6707. Starting this summer, there will also be a
resident groundhog has returned for another year; he (or she) “What’s Out There?” drop box at South Cove Activity Center.
eastman living | summer 2012 | 17feature
Giving and Receiving:
Quilts and Care
By Barbara Jones • Photos by Dale and dale eckert
Q uilts came into my life in an
unexpected way. When my mother died and my brother
and I were clearing out the house, I was amazed to discover
beautiful quilts hidden away in the attic. In our house most nice
things were put away and never seen. I decided that the creators
of these lovely works of art needed to be honored by their quilts another more important reason: 70 percent of people with
being used and enjoyed in my home. The bonus was discovering Alzheimer’s are cared for at home, and I am one of those
their history. caregivers. The quilt drawing not only raised $2085, but was
also an opportunity to reach out and create conversations about
My brother was going through some books and, as an Alzheimer’s. With an illness where the hallmark is loss, it is
afterthought, flipped me a book entitled Wedding Embassy lovely to gain new friends like the Eckerts and to be reminded
Yearbook. It turned out to be a compendium of wedding advice that beautiful things can arise despite this disease.
for the bride, an interesting read in itself, but the amazing part
occurred as I was looking through the section entitled “The Alzheimer’s is still a little talked about illness, although that
Bride’s Gift Record.” Listed under gifts that had been received by clearly has been changing over the years. When you reveal that
my mother, the bride, was this notation: you are a caregiver and the nature of the illness the immediate
David’s Aunt Helen Foster, 43 Glenville Ave., Boston, MA, response is nearly always, “My mother was diagnosed with
October, 38, matched pair of patchwork quilts. Alzheimer’s when she was in her late 80’s. I got to know the
disease intimately,” or “My niece is only 62 and she has been
Then, under personal remarks is this second notation: diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.”
Made by her mother while she waited for her husband to return
from the Civil War. He did return. While we all hope for a cure for this illness and people like the
two Dales raise money to try to make that cure a reality, until
David is my father. What good fortune to have inherited these that time, there are supportive services in the Upper Valley to
family works of art, which now hang in my West Cove condo. help those of us living with the disease. We are blessed to live
in an area where there are quite a few resources, not only for
Most recently, I was surprised with more good fortune. My Alzheimer’s but also for other illnesses connected with aging.
name was drawn as the winner of a raffle for a quilt made by One of the best is the Aging Resource Center (ARC) at the
family members of Massachusetts’ residents Dale Granger Centerra Plaza in Lebanon.
Eckert and Dale Bob Eckert as a part of their fund raising efforts
to support the work of the Massachusetts and New Hampshire I first got started with a Care Giving 101 course there when
Alzheimer’s Associations. The drawing for the quilt was held I was helping my parents, who were living in Ohio. After my
at the Alzheimer’s Association Run for the Memory Boston parents died, I needed help for a new more personal phase of
Marathon team meeting in March. care-giving when my husband Bin had his stroke five years
ago. I found a support group at the ARC called Nurturing the
The two Dales (!) delivered the quilt to my home here in Spirit, where fellow caregivers were led in discussion by Jeanne
Grantham. They think that the quilt found a perfect match Childs, the gifted geriatric chaplain at the center. In addition,
with me, not just because of my interest in quilts but for there are several series of classes by Kesstan Blandin on such
18 | summer 2012 | eastman livingtopics as Essential Skills for Alzheimer’s Care, Memory Loss The person struggling with the illness can also use support.
and Brain Health, Sleep and Aging, Reduce Stress and Build While you may not be able to have a lively conversation, if
Harmony, Caring for Another, Caring for Yourself and practical you were a friend of the person now searching for words, take
classes that show a person how to be a “Savvy Caregiver.” There another mutual friend and go out for a cup of coffee. Just be
is a Parkinson’s leader and many other trained people to help with the person because he or she continues to sense whether
someone avoid financial exploitation as well as classes to help you care even if the two of you are not able to communicate like
those with limited mobility stay strong, balanced and safe you used to.
through supervised exercise. Some courses are drop-in and
others need registration. One of the nicest gifts that Bin and I received was on a day when
I had a full day conference in New London and could not get
You can get direct information from the ARC at 603- 653-3460 home for lunch. A neighbor offered to stop in, fix lunch for Bin
or online at www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/agingcenter. The and just check on him again later in the day. In addition to that,
director of the center is Caroline Moore. she brought him a colorful placemat from Brazil and, when
I got home from the conference, she had left a basket on the
There are also things you can do to help caregivers, and it is counter, providing a full dinner for both of us that evening.
often the littlest thing that is the most helpful. Something as
simple as picking up and delivering the daily newspaper to a While giving care is not easy, it can be made more manageable
caregiver’s door or picking up the mail at the post office or through area resources and the help of others. Like the beautiful
a few groceries when you are going out shopping can make quilt, which the Eckerts called “My Sister’s Heart” and which
a big difference in a caregiver’s life. If you have made a large has joined my family quilts to grace our home, such resources
batch of some tasty soup or stew or an extra loaf of bread, and neighborly support brighten Bin’s and my days and are a
sharing them with your care-giving friend or neighbor would constant reminder that we are not alone.
be so appreciated. A few flowers or a plant can cheer someone
struggling to stay upbeat. Phone the caregiver just to say that You can contact me at basketmaker@mac.com.
you are thinking about him or her.
Barbara and Dale Granger Eckert
Bin and Barbara
eastman living | summer 2012 | 19Feature
Merrill and the Road to Eastman Story and Photos by Tom Rockett
O ne of the true heroes of World War II,
General Frank Dow Merrill, was responsible for
planning the major highway leading to Eastman:
US Interstate 89.
After the war, this great field commander became the New
almost impenetrable jungle of Northern Burma into India.
Astoundingly, every member of that retreat survived the ordeal.
For the next year and a half, Stilwell, Merrill and others
prepared for the campaign to retake Northern Burma and re-
open an overland supply route to China. During this time, the
Hampshire Highway Commissioner under Governor Sherman acerbic Stilwell alienated most of the British command in India
Adams. His vision and engineering expertise were major factors and grew to despise Chiang Kai-Sheik, whom he thought to be
in shaping our present highway system. corrupt and indecisive. He expressed his belief that the Chinese
people would be better off under Mao Tse-tung, thus gaining
A Massachusetts native and West Point graduate, Merrill held a the enmity of witch-hunting Senator Joseph McCarthy.
degree in engineering from MIT. At the outbreak of World War
II, he was in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar) serving During this time, Merrill conducted the training and
as chief-of-staff for General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell, who organization of a group of about 3,000 men who had
was the American commander-in-chief of the China/Burma/ volunteered for a “dangerous and hazardous mission.” A
India Theater of Operation. war correspondent observing this Special Forces unit named
them “Merrill’s Marauders,” and the term became the official
Rangoon was strategically important for many reasons, not designation for the group. There is a bridge on Route 3 in
least of which was because the Burma Road began there. Over Nashua named the Merrill’s Marauders Bridge. Merrill and
this road, the Allies supplied Chiang Kai-Sheik’s Chinese Army, his troops left India in February 1944 and for the next three
keeping the Chinese army in the war and tying up over a million months fought their way over the hump and into the dense
Japanese troops. When the Japanese invaded Burma in May and dangerous Burmese jungle. They covered a distance of 750
1942, supplies had to be flown “over the hump,” the spur of the
Himalayas that extended along the India-Burma border. The
invasion forced the Allies to retreat into the Burmese jungle.
In what became known as “the walk-out,” Stilwell and Merrill
led the remnants of their army on a 600-mile trek through the
Generals Merrill and Stilwell
20 | summer 2012 | eastman livingmiles. Several hundred men died or were evacuated to India other) had been kept a secret during the war, as was Merrill’s
because of dysentery, malaria, wounds, devastating exhaustion heart disease. He had two and perhaps three heart attacks in
and diseases caused by leaches, poisonous snakes and spiders. the Burma jungle. After the first, he was evacuated to India but
returned to direct the fighting after two weeks. He contracted
Merrill led the Marauders in 27 skirmishes and five major malaria but still led the Marauders through the worst fighting
battles. They were victorious in all of them. As they moved at “Mitch,” where he suffered another heart attack and was
toward Central Burma, other allied armies of Burmese, Chinese, ordered by Stilwell to return to India. He would not act on the
British and American troops under the overall command of order until all of the wounded were evacuated. Finally, two days
Stilwell converged with them at a place called Myitkyina, but later, he turned the command over to his successor and left
which was referred to in all official communications as “Mitch.” Burma to spend the remainder of the war in a staff position at
This was the site of a major Japanese army base on the Burma headquarters in India.
Road and a strategically important air base. The Battle of Mitch
took place in early August 1944. At this final battle of the Burma This unwavering devotion to his men won for him the country’s
Campaign, the Japanese army was defeated, the country was respect and admiration. This remarkable man, a soldier’s solder
liberated and the Burma Road was re-opened. The Marauders and an able engineer and capable administrator, left his mark
returned to India. on the New Hampshire highway system, serving the state as the
highway commissioner from 1948 until his death in 1955. It is
Frank Merrill survived to finish his career as a New Hampshire fitting that his memory is preserved at the Merrill’s Marauders
commissioner but it was close. Just as Roosevelt’s polio paralysis Bridge and on Interstate 89, where signs on the off-ramps bear
and Stilwell’s blindness (total in one eye and severe in the witness to his national and local importance.
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© Bill Fish Photography
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eastman living | summer 2012 | 21column
Purple Loosestrife - A Beautiful Menace by Jackie Underhill
A Brief History The Strategy
In 2005, a concerned Eastman resident alerted the Lakes Two methods for controlling the growth of purple loosestrife
and Streams Committee (L&S) to the New England purple were chosen as being the most effective: physical and biological.
loosestrife invasion and how it might be controlled. These
invasive plants were growing unfettered throughout the region, Physical control is suitable for small patches of growth and
particularly in wet, marshy areas. It was noted that purple involves removing the plant from the soil, repeated cutting back
loosestrife was indeed spreading in the Eastman Lake watershed of the plant or removing the flowering stalks and bagging them.
and elsewhere within the community. With ECA approval L&S volunteers have gotten down and dirty while working to
and a band of dedicated volunteers, the task of reigning in the remove as much of the plant and its roots as possible around
menacing purple loosestrife began. Mill Pond. On the golf course, at Eagle Drive and places with
smaller patches, the flowering stalks were cut off and bagged
before they went to seed, thereby eliminating seed dispersal.
Why is Purple Loosestrife a Problem?
Purple loosestrife negatively affects wildlife by gradually altering Biological Control is a method of control involving the release
our nation’s wetlands. It displaces and replaces native flora and of predators to attack the pest species. The Galerucella species of
fauna, eliminating food, nesting and shelter for wildlife. Purple beetles has proven to be effective and is considered host-specific
loosestrife forms a single species stand that no bird, mammal to purple loosestrife. These native European beetles were
or fish depend upon. By reducing habitat environment, introduced to North America in 1992 as part of a five to 15-year
purple loosestrife has a negative impact on fish spawning and program to control purple loosestrife. After extensive research
waterfowl habitat. Its ability to spread contributes to its success conducted at Cornell University, the insects were proven safe for
as an invader. One adult plant can produce two to three million our natural environment. L&S orders the beetles from the New
seeds annually; they can remain viable for many years. It prefers Jersey Department of Agriculture with permission from the
moist organic soils, fluctuating water levels and full sunlight, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Sciences (DES).
conditions that can stress many native plants. It has no natural The beetles are dispersed primarily in the meadows abutting
predators on this continent; therefore, it has an incredible ability Stoney Brook and Butternut Brook on Eastman’s northwestern
to compete against native vegetation and to form dense stands. border. This was by far the largest area of infestation, where
If Eastman wanted to preserve its native wetland areas, stream it was evident that the purple loosestrife plants were rapidly
banks and lake shorelines, a plan of attack had to be developed. replacing the native plants.
photo by Jackie Underhill
Maynard Wheeler dispersing beetles
22 | summer 2012 | eastman livingThe Outcome
Because of our efforts at control since 2006, the L&S committee
appears to be winning the battle. Our meadows have been
LAKE APPRECIATION
largely restored to their previous native state. In other areas
around Eastman the plants have either disappeared or they
DAYS Photos by richard sachs
are unhealthy and are slowly diminishing. We are encouraged South Cove
as we observe more and more damaged and weakened plants. July 28 - August 2
Research data suggests that establishing a colony of Galerucella The kick-off Saturday, July 28 (rain date - July 29) includes:
beetles takes seven to ten years. As we approach this time • Cardboard Boat Race - 11 a.m.
frame we will continue to evaluate the results to decide how • Free activities and educational demos
much longer we’ll utilize the beetles as a control method. It’s under the pavilion - 12 - 3 p.m.
hoped that, eventually, we will only use physical controls. Due • Guided pontoon boat tours - 5 & 6:30 p.m.
to its adaptability and tenacity, purple loosestrife will never
be eliminated from Eastman. However, L&S is dedicated to Sunday July 29 - Thursday August 2
controlling it as much as possible in order to allow our native • Guided pontoon boat tours - 5 & 6:30 p.m.
plants to thrive. • The ever popular tug boat rides
Wednesday, August 1 - Walk around the Lake - 8:30 a.m.
What Can I Do To Help?
To help prevent the spread of purple loosestrife you must
1. Recognize it. It’s an erect, perennial herb standing three to
10 feet tall. It blossoms every July through September with
purple flowers that are located in long spikes at the tips of
its branches. Its leaves are opposite or whorled on the square,
sometimes woody stem. It is a deceptively beautiful plant!
2. Remove it or report it to the L&S committee at Ernie & Marilyn
Team Gilligan in
lakes.streams@eastmannh.org. Mullen in their
the S.S. Minnow
custom made
tugboat
Remember to tightly bag all plant fragments. Do not compost
them as the plants may regenerate in the compost pile.
It has been illegal to sell, purchase, propagate, import, distribute Ronni Freiberger at
Kids’ Activity table
and transport Lythrum species in New Hampshire since 1999.
photo by Tom Vogel
photo by Tom Vogel
Purple Loosestrife Patch Purple Loosestrife Plant
eastman living | summer 2012 | 23You can also read
