ROCK RIVER VISITORS
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Summer 2020 - What is New, What to Be Aware of
Update June 26, 2020 Greetings from Rock River Preservation. We are writing to you for the second time this spring to update you on some easing up of Vermont travel restrictions and to ask your help in keeping up good neighbor-relations with our allies in the Rock River area. Update re: Travel to Rock River “Governor Phil Scott announced that the state of emergency has been extended to July 15th.” We all “must continue to follow guidance on mandatory health and safety practices and the latest travel quarantine requirements.” Below this Map is the link to the directive regarding cross state travel: CHECK MAP UPDATES FOR EACH VISIT https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/restart/cross-state-travel Updated: June 19, 2020 (Next Update: June 26, 2020) | Map of quarantine and non-quarantine counties throughout New England and New York. Our summary of the guidelines visiting from out of state: Please do not come to Rock River at this time if you live in a county with higher Covid-19 cases (colored orange and red). Residents of other states who live in counties that have similar active Covid-19 cases to Vermont may enter the state for leisure travel without quarantining. See the link above to the map showing lower Covid-19 counties in blue/green. If you don’t feel well, you should stay home. If you know someone who is sick or may have been exposed, you should stay home for 14 days or stay home for 7 days and then have a negative Covid-19 test. Guidance for Vermont State Parks, as noted in the graphic below, include mandatory health and safety practices. For full explanation, https://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/2020/03/vermont-state-parks-covid-19-updates.html Although the River isn’t a state park, it is a publicly accessible recreational open space in VT. "We're All In This Together" Rock River Preservation continues to work with the local fire and rescue to reduce risk of exposure in our community. Many visitors to the river are older and others have underlying health conditions. Connecting with people we don’t know is part of the warmth and magic of Rock River for many - but this very same behavior now puts our community at high risk. Please respect state and national guidelines regarding how we can keep one another safe. We have managed this in the HIV response, and together we can get through this. The choices we make individually and within our friend groups this summer will have a direct impact on people’s lives in our community come fall. Remind others not anything goes and keep our community safe. A Request asking for your assistance from the Board of Rock River Preservation: Here is a letter from our very supportive neighbor Cris White, who is concerned about the impact on her family of recent nude swimming at the first hole “Indian Love Call” and her request for our help. A message from Rock River neighbors. "The Rock River is a unique place in this crazy world. Years of open, honest and respectful communication have allowed the varied users to coexist in harmony and to cooperate in the stewardship of the river and its banks. With input from the neighbors, Rock River Preservation signage has guided users to the appropriate areas. Unfortunately, there are some who either ignore the signs or who have defiant natures. As property owners for 74 years, we have welcomed and enjoyed the families and young adults who frequent the pool and cliffs. Recently, we have been disappointed that our own grandchildren are upset with the public nudity at Indian Love Call. They are not comfortable in the presence of nude strangers, so they leave. We appreciate any and all help in rectifying this situation. We don’t want a few to ruin it for so many.” -Cris and Wayne White In response, Rock River Preservation (RRP) board wanted to share her letter with our community because Cris is a good neighbor to RRP. She is only asking for our help to honor norms and guidelines that have been in existence for decades that clothing is required at the first swimming hole, Indian Love Call. You can speak up to support historical use of the river for everyone's enjoyment. We encourage all river users in the importance of following these guidelines. What is at stake? Our rare, unique and privileged Recreational Area status with parking on Rt. 30 only exists because of our efforts to reassure the broader Vermont community towns who voted in favor to allow parking that traditional usage would continue. We also encourage users to inform all who do not follow the guidelines of this importance to do so. Most people know clothing is required at the first hole and just a little further up the trail BEYOND the first hole is designated with a sign stating “Clothing Optional from Here”. First time visitors might need to be informed to keep heading up the trail. RRP is making two new signs to post in support of Cris’s request for help to address the nudity. We join her in asking our community to help by speaking up: “Hey, the clothing optional swimming is up the trail. Clothing or swimsuits are required at this beach. There’s the sign.” Fundraising Continues Online During Covid Nothing is normal this year. We missed being able to kick off the summer with our annual fundraiser at Fieldstone Lodge. And we know the shutdown has changed the financial situation for many people who are unable to work. But perhaps for others our financial situations are stable and we are in a position to contribute to Rock River Preservation again this year or even want to for the first time. Our 2019 annual expenses totaled $5,148.88 which were met with income and donations totaling $5,368.15. THANK YOU!! Rock River is solvent and in very stable financial condition in 2020. Please click on the "donate" button on our web page to donate now! http://www.rockriverpreservation.org/ Checks can be sent to: Rock River Preservation, Inc. P.O. Box 1095 Brattleboro, VT 05302 Donations small and large are gratefully accepted any time of year. Perhaps your donation today will be a commitment to stay safe and healthy that we may all continue to enjoy Rock River for years into the future. Overview of expenses: RE Tax. $1,819.83 35% Insurance $1,551.90 30% Gifts to Local Orgs. $1,000.00 20% Fundraising $ 245.77 4.5% Signs $ 122.68 2.5% Miscellaneous $ 408.07 8% Although we wish we could see you all at a fundraiser in person this year- the uncertainties of the pandemic may limit us to online fundraising. So this is our first ask. You will hear from us again later this summer with updates on fundraising goals. Thanks! Thank you for reading and for your ongoing support and assistance to help keep Rock River the special place that it is. We wish everyone a safe and joyful summer! ROCK RIVER ENDOWMENT FUND As the result of a suggestion from a frequent donor, the Rock River Preservation, Inc (RRP) Board established the Rock River Endowment Fund, during their Board meeting on October 8, 2019. The fund has been established to ensure the financial sustainability for RRP going forward. The fund will provide a vehicle for men to include Rock River Preservation in planning their life/estate bequests. It will also accept current donation intended for the long-term financial viability of RRP. While we are in good financial shape now, there will be opportunities and challenges in the future to maintain and enhance our mission that can be served by the Fund. Fund assets will be separated from operating funds and invested in Vanguard Group mutual funds with low annual costs so that the initial investment can be preserved and grow with time. Donations to the Fund can be made by check sent to RRP, PO Box 1095, Brattleboro VT 05302 or through the Paypal link on our website. Please indicate that you want your gift to go to the Rock River Endowment Fund. All gifts are deductible in accordance with IRS regulations – we’re a 501(c)3 charity. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me at rockriverpreservation@gmail.com. Hugh Russell – RRP Treasurer. Annual Rock Preservation Fund Raiser At this time, we have tentatively placed a hold on the Annual Fund Raiser that has been traditionally held on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. The current state of affairs with the Covid 19 – Corona Virus and the rules regarding gatherings necessitate this hold. We will be monitoring what progress might be made and updating this entry in the future. Please check back here for changes. Property for Sale 3.28 acres adjacent to Rock River Preservation land for sale with easy access to 5th swimming hole. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/0-Grimes-Hill-Rd-Newfane-VT-05345/2080761602_zpid/ Wanted: A Few Good Board Members!
A year into the acquisition of the additional 21 acres, a number of things have changed for RRP. More items need to be taken care of and addressed.
Currently RRP has four board members and one advisory member. We are looking for two additional members to add to the board. We would also like to have people willing to work with the board on an ad hoc capacity, should there be a need. Click here for more details. Trail Restoration and a Call for Volunteers
The trail is a wilderness experience, with areas of difficulty, hence the importance to have proper foot wear when hiking in. Trail restoration will make the areas that have become difficult to traverse a bit more easy to travel on. In April, the board took the first steps to upgrade trail facilities for the 2019 season. We blazed a trail for Newbrook Fire and Rescue to have emergency access to the fifth beach, removed logs to allow passage for an ATV, and posted the first of the new brown/cream signs on the property that was purchased from the Swartz family. Other activities included marking out the safest trail across the two ledge areas on the main trail from Route 30 and a volunteer trail repair day in late May. If you're interested in contributing to these continuing efforts, please email RRP and give us your name and a way to contact you. Details About the Last Fall's Land PurchaseIn late November 2018, Rock River Preservation Inc. purchased 21 acres of the Robert Swartz property along Rock River. This historic transaction was made possible by donations from gay men across the country and Canada, some of whom have been gathering on this land for decades.
For perspective on the sale of this land by Robert Swartz and his daughter Jennifer to RRP, and visit our "Land Purchase" page and read the feature story by Scott Kearnan in Boston Spirit magazine. Thank you to the 200 individuals and couples whose donations made this possible! Rock River and Rock River Preservation, Inc.
Rock River is a tributary of the West River, running its entire course within Windham County, Vermont. The river provides essential habitat to a wide range of plants, animals and aquatic life, which depend on a clean water environment. As the river winds downstream, it has also traditionally provided sanctuary and solace to varied groups of users who prize the cool, clean water and warm rocks for summertime recreation.
Rock River Preservation, Inc. - formed by a group of gay men to purchase the land and preserve the area as it has been in the past - has protected this site through a conservation easement with the Vermont Land Trust. We users are all the caretakers of this special place. To ensure that the environment remains healthy, that everyone’s rights are respected and that all may continue to enjoy the tranquil beauty of this special place, please join us in observing the following guidelines:
Rock River Preservation wishes you an enjoyable visit.
IF YOU’RE HERE, IT’S YOURS! PLEASE HELP OTHERS FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES TO KEEP OUR RIVER BEAUTIFUL Rock River Preservation Inc., PO Box 1095, Brattleboro, VT 05302 rockriverpreservation@gmail.com |
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