Time for a New Chain

With all the storm damage clearing going on I noticed that my new chainsaw cut better than my old Stihl 025, so I was going to sharpen that chain.  However, when I compared the old chain to a new chain the Frugal Yankee (a.k.a. CYB) decided the old chain had been fully depreciated and it was time to splurge.

This is the new chain compared to the old one.  Almost all the steel in the teeth had been filed away from repeated sharpenings.

A sharp chain cuts better and safer than a dull one.  Stihl has a on-line video on how to sharpen a chain.  They throw in a lot of safety chat, but the video is actually helpful.

I stopped at Joseph Martinka and Sons Saturday (11/24/12) and picked up a couple of new replacement Stihl chains, and ran into one of my neighbors getting some parts for his John Deere.  Martinka's is a nice little family business in the White Hills neighborhood of Shelton if you need chainsaw parts.  Just doing our little bit to support local businesses.

We need a Bigger Rake, or another Saturday Trail Work Party

Yes, we'll need a bigger rake and then some.  But, little by little, we're clearing up the damage from Hurricane Sandy and Nor'easter #1 of the 2012-2013 Season.  Join us this Saturday (11/17/12) for another exciting trails work party entitled "How do I clean this #?%@@X>* up?"

This is what the Turkey Trot trail looks like along Rt. 108 between the Silent Waters Dam and the powerlines.  Bill Dyer reports that the western loop out to Willoughby Road isn't as bad, but the section through the pines took a whuppin'.

Meet us over the by the Dog Park and Red Barn at 8:30 and we'll move over to the work site across the street from there depending on who shows up.  Helpers of all ages and abilities are welcome.  Bring gloves, old clothes (you will get some pine sap on you), drinks, rakes, bow saws, loppers, chainsaws, etc.  There will be a safe work zone between the sawyers and the branch haulers so don't worry if you want to bring younger folks.  There is a lot to do for everybody.


Future work parties will be listed under our Events page.  A new listing of Trail Conditions has also been posted to keep track of storm damage repairs.  We are in the process of hiking each trail to prioritize work parties, and encourage any feedback from the public.

Thanks to Bruce Nichols for this map he sent in of storm damage from one of his runs.  This was helpful in clearing up the damage behind Hope Lake the last 2 weekends.

And as always we encourage people to participate in either one of our formal trail work parties; like the one this Saturday, or just rake and clear your favorite stretch of trail.

Sandy Clean-Up Continues

A crack crew of trail volunteers swung into action Saturday morning clearing blowdowns and other storm damage from Sandy & the Wednesday nor'easter.  We concentrated on cleaning up the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail extension behind Hope Lake.  The trail was hard hit with numerous pine trees snapped and toppled across the trail.

Here's a victory photo with Jim, Luis, Bill, Sandie, Rich, and Lynn after we cleared out the worst of the blow-downs.


The morning didn't start out smooth.  The RecPath had been cleared of blowdowns last weekend, however the nor'easter this week took down even more pine trees.  Rich had to clear branches off this tree just so we could scootch the Gator under the tree just to get the tools to the work site.









This spot had about 6 pines snapped and jumbled together.  Clearing this type of storm damage is tricky because everything is under tension and the trees are hung up.  We gradually whittled this mess down though.   At the end I said "What's that sound".  It was the quiet of the lake without the chainsaws.

This is one of the finished sections after the trees were cleared.  Lynn and Luis worked hard at cleaning up the trail so it's easy to follow.  If any scout groups need some White Pine logs for benches, bird houses, or derby cars we can hook them up.

Frankenstorm Sandy took down a lot of pines.  This one over by Silent Waters was laying down almost perfectly E-W.

Next Up; The Turkey Trot Trail along Rt 108.  The pines there are even worse, if that's possible, then the mess along Hope Lake.  We'll try to give advance notice for volunteers but this is an area where all help is really, really welcome.  Enjoy the trails and please do what you can to help with the storm restoration.

Post-Sandy Hurricane Clean Up

Cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy.

Members of the Trails Committee were out clearing storm damage from Hurricane Sandy from the RecPath last week.  Jim and Sheri are working on a multiple pine puzzle behind Pine Lake.  At one point I think we had 4 sawyers going at the same time to clear this mess.

After 3 days of volunteer chainsawing and dragging most of the serious storm damage was off the Path and we were open for business again. 

This section near Meadow Street had multiple trees down.  Luis did a great job blowing off the Path after Sandy and Rich sawed the trees.

The Blue trail behind Hope Lake is still in tough shape.  For that matter most of the trails are in tough shape.  The strong gusts from the East toppled or snapped a lot of pine trees on the western side of the Lake.  There is also a lot of storm damage on the north side of Rt. 108.

We'll be meeting at the Red Barn on the corner of Nells Rock Road and Rt. 108 tomorrow 11/10/12 at 8:30 to attack the mess.  All hands are welcome, even if you don't have a chainsaw.  The clearing goes a lot easier with multiple people.  My daughter was out helping me clear some of the blowdowns last Sunday and it's great having a team.  The weather is supposed to cooperate - please help us out - even if you're walking or running by.

And if anybody has a good way to get pine sap out for gloves and jeans let us know.

Greetings from Shelton Day

 Greetings from Shelton Day 2012

Bill, Sandie, Terry & Lynn posed with Thirsty the Aquarion Water Company Penguin.  Maybe next year we can get a mascot suit made up for Bill to wear.

We had a great booth location between Dunkin' Doughnuts and Danny O's thanks to Sheri's planning.  This is probably the best spot for a Trail Party.

The threat of rain hung over Howe Avenue as Shelton Day kicked off on October 12th.

A barbecue booth was next to us and Liquid Lunch was across the street.  It was really tough trying to talk to the public about open space when all you can smell is meat-on-a-stick from next door.  

At least we wouldn't starve to death.

We talked to a lot of folks about trails and open space in town.  We handed out lots of maps.

One of our biggest hits were the Empire apples from Beardsley Orchards.  And they were good for holding the maps down in the wind.  We were just trying to support our local farmers.  Now all we need is some of Dan's hard cider & maybe then we can line up some trails volunteers.

We were trying to sign up trails volunteers, but we wound up talking to everybody who was interested in open space; including ourselves.

We even did a little dog sitting while talking to folks.

Rich & Terry standing around looking harmless during a dry period.

Polly, Bill & Lynn in front of one of our favorite downtown businesses.  Now if only we can get them to deliver along the trails.

Rich cleaning up at the end -somebody's got to do it.  It was a great time & we'd like to thank the Shelton-Derby Rotary Club for letting us help out again.  We look forward to doing it again next year.

Grand Opening Festivities

The GRAND OPENING of the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path was held this past October 6th, 2012.  After 20 years of planning, property acquisition  and piece by piece construction the 4.1 miles of RecPath was completed this year.

 It was a great day for a party.  Thanks to the Parks and Recreation Department for setting up and taking down the tent that the Boys and Girls Club was kind enough to lend to us.  We had a BAND.  Sammy Blanchette and the Nameless Trio played great bluegrass.  There were festive decorations from Jones Family Farm, and apples from Beardsley Orchards, doughnuts, coffee, maps, and other goodies.

Some of the people from the Conservation Commission who had a hand in the development over the years; Ed McCreary, Tom Harbinson, and Jim Tate.  Note that they are staying close to the food table.

Many local dignitaries attended.  There were some excellent speeches from Representative Perillo, Mayor Lauretti, former Conservation Commissioner Jones. The ribbon was cut with John Anglace, Jack Finn, Mayor Lauretti, Tom Harbinson, Terry Jones, and Jason Perrillo.

Various groups broke off to hike and bike the RecPath afterwards.  There were a lot of people out taking advantage of the great weather along the trails.

It was a splendid day to celebrate the opening of one of Connecticut's finest Greenways and multi-use paths.  Thanks to everyone who helped create the Greenway, and to everyone who came out to enjoy the beautiful day.

Come On Down for the Grand Opening Celebration

Come On Down and enjoy the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path Celebration with us tomorrow.  The ribbon cutting, food, band, and other festivities start at 9:30 Saturday 10/6/12. at the Nells Rock Trailhead on Curtis Corner (Rt 108 at Nells Rock Road).  

The Shelton Parks and Recreation Department guys set up the tent today.  Thanks to the Valley Boys and Girls Club for loaning it to us.

The Conservation Commission has a full agenda planned.  We have produce from various local farms and businesses such as Beardsley Orchards and Jones Family Farms.  Nestle' has donated beverages. In addition there will be fresh local cider, apples, coffee (OK the coffee was not grown in Shelton), and other good stuff for the public.

Sammy Blanchette and the Nameless Trio will be performing GREAT folk and bluegrass.

We have a HIKE and BIKE EVENT scheduled at 11:00 from the Pine Lake Gateway after all the ribbon cutting.

There will be shuttle RIDES back to Pine Lake after the event.  Or, you may chose to drop a car off in Huntington Center and offer someone a ride back to the start.

We'll end in Huntington Center after the hike near the Huntington Street Cafe, where rumor has it, they have wonderful FOOD and BEVERAGES.

So come out and ENJOY a great Fall morning exploring one of the best greenways in Connecticut.