Dear Susan,

We hope you found spaces and places to enjoy the lazier time of summer. Our weather has been unpredictable, but nature has certainly been rewarding. From the varieties of mushrooms along forest paths, to the teeming rivers, to the Rudbeckia coloring our fields, there is much to take in.

The restoration at Bates Land is nearly complete, but completely enjoyable now with the wildflower fields in full bloom. You can see a gallery of shots from the area on our website. The field of flowers is visible as soon as you enter the area, so no climbing needed, but the view from the top is just as spectacular if you decide to hike it. After 8/6. there will picnic tables at the front for your enjoyment. As a reminder, Bates, and all our stewarded lands, are carry in carry out sites, no trash containers are available.

POP UP HIKE ON BATES LAND SAT AUGUST 5

Trustees Susan Hughes and Mark Gerath will lead a hike in the area, with an optional climb up Bates and back. If you are interested, meet at the Bates Land parking area off Old Ayer Road at 9:00 AM Saturday, August 5. Email Susan or Mark with questions.

August Wine Tasting!

August also brings our first endowment fundraiser, a walk and wine tasting. We are half full for this great event. See all the details below and sign on, as this is a limited space opportunity.

Walk and Wine: A GCT Endowment Fundraiser

August 20, 2023 Lost Lake/Skitapet

Thanks to the generosity of GCT member Sue Nordberg, we are offering a very special fundraiser to support the GCT Endowment Fund.

Sue is a certified specialist in wine with the Martignelli Companies, the 6th largest distributor in the country. A Cornell graduate from the School of Hotel Management, she is the third generation of her family in this career.

Sue is excited to partner with the GCT for a walk through Skitapet, her neighborhood since 1998. We then join Sue in her home to taste wines and share appetizers.

This is a limited opportunity, with space available for 20 guests. We will hike first, about 2.5 miles, ending with the wine tasting. The donation for this one-of-a-kind event is $50.00 per person.

Please register early as this event will fill quickly!

Mark Your Calendars for the Fall 2023 Traverse: 10/15/23

This year's fall Traverse will be on Sunday October 15.

We will revisit the original 12 mile course traverse course starting at Wharton's Plantation and ending in the center of town. As is our tradition with the traverse, we plan on pot luck food and drink to celebrate the finish. Register here to attend.