New Growth Unfurls at GMF
By Michael Cobb and Avice Meehan A forest, like any ecosystem, thrives when a healthy combination of mature, young and sapling trees and a variety of species grow across different habitats and terrain. The same can be said of Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest: a mix of veteran and incoming staff is driving new growth, both […]
Bubble and Boil
Russell Russ explains sap collection and syrup making to visitors at Great Mountain Forest’s recent open house. Photo by Peter Chaffetz.
Maple Syrup Season Faced Weather Challenges
By Jude Mead Boiling sap for maple syrup, a beloved natural sweetener produced in Norfolk, is a seasonal ritual this time of year and has a longstanding cultural tradition throughout New England. This year, the treasured tradition was under threat because unfavorable weather conditions posed significant challenges to maple syrup producers. Russell Russ, property manager […]
Tariffs Pose Risks for Maple Syrup
Matt Gallagher, director of programs and operations at Great Mountain Forest, stokes a gleaming sap evaporator—emblem of potential challenges ahead for maple syrup producers. A possible tariff war between the United States and Canada could affect the maple business since most equipment used to make the product comes from Canada. Peter Gregg, publisher of The […]
Community News
Calling Young Artists From Norfolk and Colebrook The deadline filing an application for a Battell Arts Foundation scholarship is Monday, April 21. Young artists in Norfolk and Colebrook are urged to apply. The scholarships are offered to students in grades 3 through 12 who are pursuing an interest in music, visual arts, drama, literary and performing […]
What a Year It Has Been
A successful year for GMF’s executive director By David Beers It has been almost a year since Mike Zarfos started his new position as executive director of Great Mountain Forest (GMF). He is now back working full time after recently taking some time off to care for his newborn daughter, Eila (meaning oak in Hebrew). […]
It’s Only Natural
Identifying Trees in Winter Can Be a Challenge By Jude Mead Identifying trees in winter can be a challenge, especially in places where snow covers the ground and deciduous trees stand bare. According to Dr. Mike Zarfos, the executive director of Great Mountain Forest (GMF), most people rely on looking at the leaves during the […]
Community News
Wayne Jenkins to Exhibit Paintings at Library A self-taught oil painter of landscape and wildlife, Wayne Jenkins returns to the Norfolk Library with an exhibition of paintings that reflect his love of the natural world. Beginning with hunting and fishing as a young man and later raising cattle, he became fascinated by forms and colors found […]
Community News
Volunteers Needed—Free Concert Tickets! The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival is looking for community ushers for Friday and Saturday evenings, July 5 to Aug. 10 at the Music Shed. Ushers will take tickets, hand out programs and guide people to seats. In return, ushers receive free admission to concerts. Ushers must have proof of vaccination. Contact Tom […]
GMF Receives Grant for Oral History Project
Will include videos and podcasts By Marie G. O’Neill Housatonic Heritage recently awarded a 2024 Heritage Partnership grant to Great Mountain Forest Corporation (GMF) to document oral histories of five individuals who have worked in the forest, including foresters Matt Gallagher, Russell Russ, Jody Bronson and Wayne Jenkins. The project, entitled “Work in the Working Forest,” […]
