Sunday, October 14, 2012

SCT Annual Meeting - September 2012



Gobble, Gobble...

 
About 60 people flocked to the SCT Annual Meeting’s presentation to learn about Meleagris gallopavo, the wild turkey.  Brian Malone enlightened us with talk of toms, hens, poults, caruncles, snoods, wattles and spurs during his presentation discussing the history of the wild turkey, its decline and reintroduction to Cape Cod.  Brian is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited, and a master hunter safety instructor for the commonwealth.  He is retired as a Natural Resources officer for the Town of Dennis.

Thanks to Brian for an outstanding presentation, all who attended, and to the Bee Hive Tavern for donating a gift certificate for our speaker.  The SCT is also happy to have gained some new members at the meeting.    

Brian Malone presenting a talk on wild turkeys of Cape Cod.

Saturday, October 13, 2012


Take A Hike – Sagamore Hill

By John Nye Cullity





In her excellent History of Bourne 1622-1937 (published in 1937), historian Betsy D. Keene makes the following statement on page 207: “In records of many early settlements mention is made of a ‘Sagamore Hill’, sometimes called ‘Powwow Hill’.  Usually the highest hill near an Indian encampment was used as a meeting place by the sagamores, or sachems.”  She goes on to describe the well-known Sagamore Hill in Monument (Bourne) that was once located just east of the Cape-side approach to the Bourne Bridge.  This historic hilltop was removed in the 1930s for filling in the bridge approach.

Here in Sandwich we have another Sagamore Hill.  Though buffeted by machinery over the years – first by plows and harrows, later by army bulldozers building a camp and large gun installation, it still stands.  A visit to its rounded, grassy top can be a surprising experience.  There’s a lot of history on this site, and a lot of wildlife, for it is now a nature preserve.  The Sandwich Conservation Trust is sponsoring a walk to Sagamore Hill this coming Sunday the 14th, at 2 PM.  The area is adjacent to Scusset State Beach, but is owned and maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Sunday’s walk will be led by SCT trustee Cliff Irving, but I’ll come along as well, to chime in with historical notes.  From the Sagamore Bridge, take Scusset Beach Road to the large parking area that services the canal fishing pier.  The walk will be cancelled if there is rain.  If you have questions about the walk or the Sandwich Conservation Trust, call me at (508) 888-7629.

This view is from a stereo card  taken by Minnie Cook (1854-1932) around 1880, from a spot near the Saddle and Pillion Stones near the west end of Tupper Road.  The small farmhouse is still there.  The outline of Sagamore Hill appears on the horizon.



When:     Sunday, Oct. 14th at 2 p.m.
Where:    Adjacent to Scusset State Beach

 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Shout Out

A big THANK YOU to all those folks who donated to the Sandwich Conservation Trust or became members while shopping at EMS on Club Day this past weekend. Your support allows us to continue preserving property in Sandwich.

p.s.  We hope you got some great sales at EMS!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Eastern Mountain Sports Club Day 

October 5 - 6, 2012

  • For members of outdoor clubs and organizations.  This includes members of the Sandwich Conservation Trust.  If you are not a member, why not become one and get a sweet deal of up to 25% off?  Stop by our table at the store for details.
  • Save 25% off EMS brand items & receive great deals on your favorite brands.
  • Eastern Mountain Sports will donate 1% of the proceeds of every purchase October 5 - 6 to The Conservation Alliance. For more information about this organization, please visit www.conservationalliance.com.
When:    Friday, October 5
              Saturday, October 6

Where:  Eastern Mountain Sports
             1513 Iyanough Rd.
             Hyannis, MA