Author Archives: uvlocalvores

“Wheels”

Posted on September 28, 2024 | 2 comments

“Wheels” encapsulates Lebanon’s history in.a neat bundle, from water wheels to railroads and bicycles, with subtle references to the Mascoma River and the Greenway Rail Trail.

As you have walked, run, or biked by the “Wheels” sculpture on the MRG (behind the “Miracle Mile”) have you ever wondered about its meaning? “Wheels” celebrated the opening of the Mascoma River Greenway and was envisioned by Susan K. Johnson of Lebanon.

The waterwheel represents Lebanon’s first sawmill, built in 1763, just downstream from this spot. The steam engine wheel represents the railroad that arrived in 1847. The river and railroad tracks are a map of the current MRG, and the bike wheel represents part of the trail’s purpose today.

One of the MRG’s missions is to connect West Lebanon and Lebanon. This junction of trail, river and road marks the midpoint between the two towns.

This public art project was sponsored by The AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon Recreation and Parks, and the Mascoma River Greenway Coalition.

Roger Goldenberg, the former Studio Manager for the Bente Torjusen West Sculptural Studies Building at AVA Gallery and Art Center, was essential in the construction of “Wheels”. He generously gave advice and crucial assistance, and designed and built the supporting brace. Hypertherm.com donated technical knowledge and the use of their facilities for the cutting of the aluminum river. The train wheel was cut by ThirdShiftFabrication.com.

July 21, 2018 susankjohnson.com

Here is a bit of history about the original Oliver Davison’s Mill that was built near that site in 1762: (Also known aa Hubbard’s Saw and Grist Mill)

Known owners: Oliver Davison until his death in 1769; Davison estate 1769-1775; Thomas Blake, 1775-c. 1784; Richard Kimball, George Hubbard, Luther Waters, George and Erastus Chamberlain, c. 1784-1814; Samuel Tucker, 1814; William Knight, 1817; Thomas Rae; Uriah Amsden and Orren Hubbard, 1825-1826; Philip Cambridge, 1826-after 1839.

Status & Significance: Rebuilt after 1770 fire. Later became a saw and grist mill, then the cloth dressing mill of Philip Cambridge in the 1830s. Gone by 1860. Despite being the first mill in town, the site has been destroyed and holds no archaeological significance.

Text reference: Leavitt; Downs: 13, 38, 55, 98, 239; Child: 410; Carroll: 7, 43, 81; Lebanonian July, 1899: 7. Deed Book 79, p. 448

Location/Associated Sites: Near Dudley (Hubbards) Bridge/Route 4 Bridge Abutments and 1892 Power Station.

For more Info on the historic water mills of Lebanon see https://lebanonnh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7051/Mills-of-Lebanon-NH-Presentation

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Posted in Art Installations, History

Pollinator Plantings Near the Miracle Mile MRG Access

Posted on September 9, 2024 | Leave a comment

One of many bright spots along the MRG! Many bees . . . and a rare sighting of a Monarch butterfly! (Monarchs have, unfortunately, been few and far between this summer.) These are some of the flowers sown by the Dartmouth Class of 1989 CHP Project. https://creatinghabitats.org

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Posted in Plant Life of the MRG, Pollinator Corridor, Pollinators, Railroad History

Finder of the Lost Apple Tree!

Posted on August 23, 2024 | 3 comments

Local Hero Locates and Frees Hopelessly Entangled Victim!

On a recent steamy Saturday afternoon, while many of us were sipping iced drinks in front of our fans and air conditioners, local West Lebanon adventurer, Bart Guetti, set out on a quest to the western end of the MRG. His seemingly hopeless task was to locate an apple tree that had been planted in September 2019. Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Upper Valley Apple Corps, and other volunteers had planted it during Climate Strike Week in an effort to enhance MRG habitat..

A veritable jungle had grown up around the apple tree, Thick vines had clambered atop, dominating the environment, and strangling whatever lay in its path. Were it not for the nearly invisible wooden stakes installed last year, and for the determination of our intrepid hero, all would have been lost. Venturing forth by bike, clad in safety vest and neon pith helmet, and armed with machete, he tripped among the vines, struggling, chopping, and eventually, freeing the victim. “Just in the lick of time. If I had not found it today, we never would have found it – the vines would have won!”

Here is a photo of the rescued Golden Russet apple tree (fondly dubbed “Russ” by our hero) after this stunning rescue. The vines that had clambered atop have been removed, as well as the surrounding tall grasses.

Rescued Golden Russet Apple

Some of the Defeated Vine Debris!

Our hero! Thank you, Bart Guetti!

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Posted in Good News!, Plant Life of the MRG, Pollinator Corridor, Progress!, Thank you!

Expanded “Patchwork” Mural in the MRG Tunnel

Posted on August 22, 2024 | 1 comment

On Wednesday’s rainy morning, it was a delight to come upon John Garoutte’s expansion of his “Patchwork” mural in the MRG tunnel, depicting many elements of Lebanon’s history and identity. The title itself, “Patchwork”, reflects Lebanon’s textile history of woolen and cotton mills, The mural is a patchwork of some of Lebanon’s neighborhoods with their New England vernacular architecture, historic buildings, the natural features of trees, hills, waterways, snow and ice, the varied seasons. Packard Hill covered bridge, Mascoma Lake, Storrs Hill.

And in this historic railroad tunnel, a reminder of how we have transported ourselves through the centuries, by river, train, on foot, car, airplane, bikes, skis, and skateboard. Do visit and follow the progress of this vibrant addtion to the MRG tunnel and see what special patches you can identify!

Tunnel Vision – John Garoutte – a Man with a Plan

P.S. Noting the buttons in the mural, I wondered if Lebanon ever had a button factory and came upon this little bit of Lebanon history:

“Henry Wood Carter, born in Concord, NH set up shop out of his house and barn in Lebanon, NH. Dubbed “The Merchant Prince”, Carter became a wide-ranging traveling peddler, driving a series of colorful horse-drawn wagons all around the region. He sold a very long list of notions domestic and foreign, dozens and dozens . . . watches, jewelry, cutlery, combs, thread, silk, buttons, perfumes, soap, wallets, guitar strings, boxes, stationery, brushes, fans, “segars”, you name it.” https://www.ephemerasociety.org/yankee-peddler/#:~:text=Henry%20Wood%20Carter%2C%20born%20in,wagons%20all%20around%20the%20region.

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Posted in Art Installations, Good News!, Modes of Transport

American White Admiral Butterfly

Posted on August 11, 2024 | Leave a comment

Friday night’s heavy rain beat down the Joe Pye Weed at the MRG overpass pollinator garden, but that didn’t stop this American White Admiral butterfly from enjoying it. Interesting that the immature caterpillar wraps itself in a leaf that wards off freezing temperatures and protects it from hungry birds. How do they know how to do this?! We humans are so dependent in our early years!

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Posted in Pollinator Corridor, Pollinators

Pollinator Plantings along the MRG

Posted on August 7, 2024 | Leave a comment

Thanks to Roger Lohr for sharing his photo of some of the pollinator plantings on the MRG behind the Miracle Mile. Roger writes: “The recent rain has helped flower gardens along the MRG in this photo that I took today. Been riding my bike 40 times since early June and it has been nice to see the blossoms coming along.” These are some of the flowers sown this Spring by Lebanon Mayor Tim McNamara’s Dartmouth Class of 1989 pollinator project. For more info see Creating Habitat For Pollinators. You can see more of their plantings at the Lebanon Airport and recycling facility and the West Lebanon Cemetery near Mt. Lebanon School.

Glad to know you are out there Roger, enjoying the MRG and stopping to appreciate the flowers.

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Posted in Good News!, Plant Life of the MRG, Pollinator Corridor

Lost Keys?

Posted on August 7, 2024 | Leave a comment

A ring of small keys and an Energizer battery were found by the pollinator garden near the MRG overpass parking lot near APD. Are they yours? If so, please contact the Lebanon Rec Department.

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Posted in Uncategorized

Good Year for Apples!

Posted on August 6, 2024 | Leave a comment

For the first year since being planted in 2019, the two apple trees at the MRG overpass pollinator garden near APD, are heavily laden with apples. They are not quite ripe , but look healthy, and will be available as an organic snack in a few weeks. Thanks to all Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Upper Valley Apple Corps, and other volunteers who helped plant these trees 5 years ago!

MRG organic apple tree planting during Climate Strike Week in September 2019.

And, given the abundance of apples this year, might you have a supply that could help feed bears at Kilham Bear Center in Lyme, NH? They rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned, and abandoned black bear cubs . . some of which have been rescued in Lebanon. He has put out a request for apples:

There is a bin at the bottom of our
driveway at 172 Grafton Turnpike Rd, Lyme, NH 03768.
Thanks, Ben Kilham

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Posted in Good News!, Mascoma River Greenway Updates, Plant Life of the MRG, Thank you!

The MRG – Good Choice on a Hot 4th of July!

Posted on July 4, 2024 | 2 comments

It was not yet Noon and the day was already steamy . . . such a good place for a family outing! The shady green tunnel of trees, the views of the Mascoma River . . . Happy Fourth of July!