The Gilmanton Land Trust has successfully completed its three-year conservation project, permanently conserving four tracts of land totaling over 100 acres. The project involved over $1.2 million in fundraising. Deeds transferring ownership and conservation easements were finalized in December. The Land Trust is now seeking buyers for two of the tracts, 21-acre Route 107 fields and an 8-acre Loon Pond Road tract, to fund additional conservation work. A celebration in August honored the 120 donors and volunteers who made the project a success.

1. 28 January 2014
To you, the donors to our "Gilmanton's Greatest Views..." Campaign who don’t use e-mail, we’re
sending this update which went out to other donors last week. This comes with huge appreciation for all
that you’ve made possible, plus a glimpse of things to come. Note especially our current search for
buyers for two of the four tracts that have now been permanently conserved.
GILMANTON’S GREATEST VIEWS—FOR EVERYONE, FOREVER!
In This Issue:
*
*
*
*
The Deeds Are Done!
Looking to Own Some Great Agricultural Land?
What a Celebration!
So What’s Next?
The Deeds Are Done!
(Photo: Barbara Sylvester)
Thanks to you, our donors, our three-year conservation project came to a successful close on December 23rd!
Gathered around George and Anna Mae Twigg’s kitchen counter, in Kennebunk, Maine, the closing team
consisted of (back row, left to right) Tom Howe, Gilmanton Land Trust (GLT) Board member and project
manager, Attorney Dave Osman, former Gilmanton resident representing the Twiggs, Attorney Paul
MacDonald, representing GLT and Five Rivers Conservation Trust, and Jay Haines, Executive Director of Five
Rivers. In front are George and Anna Mae Twigg. By day’s end, the ink had dried on some 66 transactional
documents! The end result? Five Rivers holds a conservation easement permanently conserving each of the
four tracts, Jeff Fillion has the right to tap a three-acre sugarbush on the Meetinghouse Pond tract, and the
Gilmanton Conservation Commission owns the Meetinghouse Pond and Frisky Hill Viewpoint-South tracts
subject to additional field and view maintenance restrictions overseen by GLT. In addition, GLT temporarily
owns the Rt. 107 Upper and Lower Fields and Loon Pond Road tracts, while it seeks new owners for these
permanently conserved lands (more below).
1

2. Looking to Own Some Great Agricultural Land?
(Photo: Brewster Smith)
As planned, GLT is now seeking conservation-minded buyers for the permanently conserved 21-ac. Rt. 107
Upper and Lower Fields tract (above photo), and the 8-ac. Loon Pond Rd. tract, opposite Griffin Rd. Funds
from the proceeds of these sales will cover costs already incurred to achieve the permanent conservation result
now in place, and will also help us explore the protection of another tract adjacent to what’s already been
protected, as originally described in our program for this $1.2 million project. Broker Tom Howard, of NH
Conservation Real Estate (www.NHConservationRealEstate.com), is managing the marketing of these two
tracts for GLT.
For more info, including listings of the two properties for sale, contact Tom Howard at:
Mailing address: 50 Morrill Drive, Moultonborough, NH 03254
Telephone: (603) 253-4999
Fax: (603) 253-8282
E-mail: info@nhconservationrealestate.com
Website: www.NHConservationRealEstate.com
So what are those folks doing in the photo above, of the Upper Field? A hearty crew consisting of Brewster
Smith, Wayne Hackett, Eliza Evans, Charlie Mitchell, and Tom Howe worked off holiday goodies on the last
Sunday of 2013 clearing brush and old road signs from along Rt. 107 to enhance views across these newly
conserved fields. When this tract is sold, restrictions will go into effect and be overseen by the Gilmanton
Conservation Commission ensuring maintenance of existing fields and views.
2

3. What a Celebration!
On August 24th, 120 donors and other supporters of
our project joyfully celebrated the successful
completion of our $1.2 million fundraising
campaign. Blessed by perfect weather, we gathered
at the barn on the Meetinghouse Pond tract and put
a finishing touch on an amazing community project,
supported by a huge volunteer effort.
(All photos here on by Thomie Dombrowski)
Bruce Locke and team, settling full stomachs on a
haywagon ride.
Samantha Locke’s lead horse, giving rides
in a fancy wagon previously used on the Boston
Commons.
George Twigg, III
3

4. Anna Mae and George Twigg, receiving due thanks
from Tom Howe and others.
Mark Sisti tended the pig, beginning his day well
before light. A veritable army of volunteers
provided an array of delicious homemade foods.
Gina Gerhard (above), Diane Howes, and Cathy
Goodmen gave another wonderful demonstration of
the laborious steps involved in turning raw flax into
silky linen. Just yards away is a small pond with an
elaborate stone structure laid across its bottom and
used for processing (“retting”) flax two or more
centuries ago—the only known structure of its kind
in all of New Hampshire!
George and Carolyn Kelleys’ smiles say it all, as
they savor another history-making moment in their
long involvement in the community.
4

5. So What’s Next?
Once the ground thaws, volunteers from GLT and the Gilmanton Conservation Commission will be installing a
recognition plaque, horizon identifier display, and other information to enhance the experience of those
stopping to take in the view from the top of Frisky Hill. At the other properties, we’ll be putting in place signs
to recognize key funders and memorial gifts, plus maps and other information to assist visitors. The
Conservation Commission will invite public input about how its Meetinghouse Pond and Frisky Hill
Viewpoint—South tracts should be managed. And discussions are now underway about conserving another key
parcel adjacent to one of the four tracts already conserved, as a promised final step in the campaign. Further
contributions are welcomed, of course. Stay tuned!
Again, many thanks for all you’ve enabled us to do, and best wishes in this New Year!
Tom Howe
Project Manager, Board Member, (H) howe1@tds.net, (603) 364-6131
Gilmanton Land Trust, P.O. Box 561, Gilmanton, NH 03237
Other GLT Directors: Thomas “Fuzz” Freese, Chair (W) 603-435-7777, fuzza@myfairpoint.net; Carolyn
Baldwin, Secy.: (H) 435-8814, cwbldwn@metrocast.net; John Dickey, Treasurer: (H) 267-6098,
jdickey@metrocast.net; Eliza Evans, Vice-Chair: (H) 364-5031, aeemsfaaa@tds.net; Meg Nighswander: (H)
267-6593, monnighs@aol.com; Graham Wilson: (H) 267-7160, gkwilson@bu.edu
5