Calendar
(To receive more information about any calendar event contact our office.)
February 2012:
Webb Timber Harvest Tour, Harding Hill Road, Sunapee
Join licensed forester Van Webb and his son Tyler on a tour of a timber harvest in process on the V-Oz conservation easement property. Van describes the event as “a robust walking tour.” It is recommended that participants wear clothing appropriate for spending two hours in the winter woods (including warm socks, boots, gloves and hat). Details: Participants will meet at the created parking area on the corner of Harding Hill Rd and Stagecoach Rd off of Rt 103 in Sunapee. We will begin the tour observing red oak thinning and visiting a patch cut/view cut area. The tour will continue to meander traveling about ¾ mile down Harding Hill Rd where we will observe a white pine commercial harvest and pre-commercial thinning of white pines. Between our beginning and our end point, we will also see some cultural features on the land such as old stone walls and an old cemetery. This will be a very useful workshop for Ausbon Sargent easement monitors and landowners interested in best forest management practices. This timber harvest tour is co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and Merrimack County Extension Educator Tim Fleury will share his knowledge and expertise. Extra note: Participants may want to carpool. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net.
Saturday, February 4, 2012 (snow date - 2/11), 1-3 pm
Snowshoe/Ski Tour of the Cline Property, Andover
Join Beth McGuinn, and easement landowners, Don and Lorraine Cline, for a tour of their 33-acre conservation easement in Andover. Weather permitting, we will navigate the groomed cross country ski/snowshoe trails they maintain on their property to see and discuss their trail system, wildlife habitat, maple sugaring operation and to learn how they, with the help of their neighbors, turned a potential 6-lot subdivision into a conservation easement. If the weather does not provide snow, we will hike the trails. Please wear warm layers of outdoor clothing, and bring snowshoes or cross country skis if there is snow cover. Refreshments will be provided.
Parking is limited – a central parking area is being arranged with transportation for you and your gear. Please RSVP to Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent Office at 526-6555 or e-mail aslptnancy@tds.net and we will send along detailed parking information.
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 1-4 pm
March 2012
Fourth Annual Moonlight Madness Snowshoe Hike
The full moon rises at 6:32 on March 8th. The one-time only hike departure time will be made to coincide with the best moonlight and weather conditions predicted for 3 dates (March 7, 8 or 9th). If you are interested in participating, please send your email address to David Cook (dwcook@tds.net) and/or call (526-4570) between 5:30 and 6:30 each night to determine which night has been chosen for the optimum conditions. All participants must come prepared with snowshoes, warm clothing and headlamps with fresh batteries. Poles are strongly recommended. The hike will be approximately 2-miles in length and 2-hours in duration. It will be dark and this hike is not for novices. The meet, park, start and finish are all at the same location; in Elkins where the power line crosses Whitney Brook Rd. (just shy of ½ -mile from where Whitney Brook Rd begins at Wilmot Center Rd.). The route will follow the Cook and Deming Easements, climaxing at the ridge-top skyline vista of the Cook Easement. For further details see the SRK website, www.srkg.org. Sponsored by SRK Greenway, Ausbon Sargent, and New London. Conservation Commission
Date depends on the weather - either March 7th (Wed), 8th (Thurs), or 9th (Fri) at 9 pm
Roundtable for Conservation Commission Chairpersons
Contact Laura Alexander, Ausbon Sargent Outreach Committee Chair with any questions at lalexander@colby-sawyer.edu Chairpersons, please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent offices 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net. Meeting is at the Ausbon Sargent office at 71 Pleasant Street, New London.
Thursday, March 22, 2012, 6-8 pm
May 2012
Volunteer Recognition Party: We love our volunteers!
We’re having a party celebrating 25 years of volunteerism at Knowlton House (home of LSPA), 63 Main Street, Sunapee. It’s a celebration and all the Ausbon Sargent volunteers are invited! Please bring your favorite hors d’oeuvre and get ready to be celebrated! Wine, beer and soft drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to Nancy Smith at 526-6555 or alsptnancy@tds.net .
Driving directions: At I-89 exit 12 take Rte. 11 south for 5± miles to Sunapee. Just after the gas station (and small library) on left, make left onto Main St. Go ¼ mile up hill, LSPA sign and "the Knowlton House" sign on left side just before lake, parking in back.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 4:30-6:30pm
Landscapes for Landsake:
This year we will partner with the New London Hospital for our very popular exhibit “Landscapes for Landsake”. The exhibit will feature original oil paintings and photographs of selected Ausbon Sargent protected properties. The exhibit may be viewed at the New London Hospital and all artwork is available for purchase. This year Ausbon Sargent will split the percentage of the sales with the New London Hospital (each organization will receive 20%). Each of the previous exhibits has been a wonderful success. Please contact Peggy Hutter at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email phutter@ausbonsargent.org with any questions.
Thursday, May 24, 2012, 5:30 -7 pm Exhibit opening reception
May 25 to mid-September – Exhibit open for general viewing
Thursday’s Child Dinner Benefit at the New London Inn
Rockwell’s at the Inn and the New London Inn once again present Thursday’s Child dinners to benefit local nonprofit organizations. Simply make a reservation at Rockwell’s at the Inn main dining room or the Tavern and 50% of the profits from the evening will go to Ausbon Sargent. Reservations at 603-526-2791 or http://www.thenewlondoninn.com/
Thursday, May 31, 2012
June 2012:
Monitoring Protected Properties Training Workshop:
Help protect land by training to be one of our over 90 land steward monitors. We have been so successful adding new protected properties that we need an additional 38 easement monitors. This is a wonderful opportunity to be in the woods making a concrete contribution to saving our rural landscape. There will be one hour of classroom instruction and then you’ll be outside for the remainder of the workshop. Wear hiking boots, and be prepared for bugs. We will be meeting at the Ausbon Sargent office at 71 Pleasant Street, New London. Call the Ausbon Sargent office for more information and to register with Sue Andrews at 526-6555 or email aslptsea@tds.net
Wednesday, June 6, 2-6 pm
“Happy Birthday, Ausbon Sargent”
Spring Ledge Farm Tour with Greg Berger - One of the joys of conserving properties is to protect our agricultural lands as well as our forests and open fields. Join us for a tour of Spring Ledge Farm and enjoy listening to our guest speaker, the former NH Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Taylor.
Sunday, June 10, 2012, 4pm
“Ausbon’s Birthday Party” on the NL Common
Grab your lunch and come to the party on the green as we pay tribute to our namesake, Ausbon Sargent, on his birthday. There will be music and stories and entertainment reflecting on Ausbon and the New London Common that he purchased in 1985 and gifted to the town that we might continue to use and enjoy this open space forever.
Monday, June 11, 11 am -1 pm
July 2012:
Star Lake Farm Party
This special 25th anniversary event is open to Ausbon Sargent members. There is no charge for this event but reservations are required as our numbers will be limited. Event details will be sent to all members and you are encouraged to make your reservations as soon as you receive the announcement. Please RSVP to Nancy Smith at 526-6555 or alsptnancy@tds.net to let her know that you are coming and we would like to know what type of menu item you plan to bring to the party.
Sunday, July 15, 2012, -1-5 pm
Progressive Dinners
Our delightful progressive dinners for members only will be held on only one day this July because of our busy 25th anniversary events. Put this date on your calendar and send your reservation in as soon as you receive the invitations as this is a sell-out favorite!
Thursday, July 26, 2012, 5:30 pm
Dragonfly Walk: Low Plain Natural Area, Route 11, New London
Did you know there are more species of Dragonfly and Damselfly in New Hampshire than there are in California? Come for a walk at Low Plain Natural Area and we will try to find some of them. The walk will be led by Ausbon Sargent’s Land Protection Specialist Andy Deegan and will include information on the life history of local dragonflies and damselflies. The walk will be easy and is open to everyone – including children of all ages. Bring normal hiking attire and an insect net if you have one. We will be catching individual “dragons” for identification purposes and releasing them once photos are taken. Light refreshments will be served. This walk is dependent on the weather, overcast days are not very active, please call if you have any questions. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent offices 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net. Drive Directions: From Exit 11 off I-89 take Route 11 travel east toward Andover for 2.3 miles. The Esther Currier Wildlife Area at the Low Plain is located on your right in New London (if you see the Wilmot town line, you just passed the Low Plain).
Friday, July 27, 3 -5 PM (weather date: Wednesday, August 1st)
August 2012:
Battles Farm Hike
As soon as the details are finalized, we will post to our website calendar. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net.
Thursday, August 2
Pitcher Hill Hike at Star Lake Farm, Springfield
As soon as the details are finalized, we will post to our website calendar. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net.
Thursday, August 16, 2:30 – 5:30 pm
Kayak on Otter Pond, Georges Mills
As soon as the details are finalized, we will post to our website calendar. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net.
Wednesday, August 22, (rain date 8/29), 2:30 – 5:30 pm
September 2012
Bradford Bog Hike
As soon as the details are finalized, we will post to our website calendar. Please let us know you plan to attend by contacting Nancy Smith at the Ausbon Sargent office 526-6555 or email aslptnancy@tds.net.
Thursday, September 13, 3-5 pm
October 2012:
Annual Meeting “Partner’s Event”
As soon as the details are finalized, we will post to our website calendar.
December 2012:
Holiday Cocktail Party – 25th Anniversary Wrap-up Event
The Board of Trustees for Ausbon Sargent cordially invites you to attend our ninth annual Holiday Cocktail Party. Please join us at our winter holiday fundraising event as we share the hope of the season with our many friends committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Mt. Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee region. NH. This party ends our 25th Anniversary year celebrations. Reservations will be limited so call or email to the Ausbon Sargent office early! Contact Nancy Smith at 526-6555 or aslptnancy@tds.net .
Thursday, December 6, 2012, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm