Thank You Rehoboth Land Trust Volunteers for Repairing EHML Boardwalk!

We are happy to announce repairs to the boardwalk crossing Rumney Marsh Brook at the Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land have been completed. Though not the first, it was certainly the most extensive repair since the boardwalk’s installation in 2014. Over three days, lumber was carried in and used to replace failing planks. The RLT Board of Trustees would like to thank our boardwalk volunteers Andrew Childs, Michael Downey, Peter Cardosi, John Rourke, Charlie Rehor, Anthony DeMoura, Patrick Thibeault, John Biello, Otter Brown and John Valentine. Over 50 hours of volunteer labor were needed to complete the job.

A special thank you must be extended to Hull Forest Products, a sawmill we found in Pomfret, CT. They delivered the beautiful, fresh-cut, eastern white oak planks at a price far below what retail lumber suppliers quoted. All in, the repair materials cost just over $2100.

As students, many of us read versions of an old story called Stone Soup. SPOILER ALERT! Essentially, a hungry traveler comes to a village facing a food shortage and proposes to make soup by placing a stone in a large simmering kettle of water. He promises to share the delicious soup with everyone but confesses it would be even more delicious if only it could be “seasoned.” As the soup simmers, townsfolk discretely add the needed seasoning…..carrots, cabbages, onions, potatoes, etc. In the end, a hearty stone soup is enjoyed by the entire town.

We have a stone soup opportunity with the boardwalk. On one end the ground is far from flat, fairly filled with roots and can at times be quite muddy. We think an easy solution is to drop small stones and create a gravel landing. Please bring a few small stones when you visit; nothing large, just stones that would easily fit in a small hand or pocket…this is ROCKhoboth, they are everywhere! Perhaps you have too many in your garden, bring them. We’ve started dropping stones already and hope visitors are able to bring a few more. With enough stones dropped over time we will have a stabilized boardwalk landing that drains water and isn’t muddy. If you are out for a walk, please help ‘season’ the boardwalk! It will benefit us all.

Thank you, volunteers; without you we cannot get these jobs done! Thank you, donors (hint); without you we cannot fund these projects! And thank you to our stone carriers, let’s make a better path!