The Water Closet, May 18, 2012
May 19th, 2012 | by Middleton Stream Team
The Curtis Sawmill Dam is coming out. Judy and Rachel Schneider photo
GOOD BYE CURTIS DAM, WELCOME BACK ALEWIVES
    Mid last century water periodically flowed through a short penstock at the Curtis’ sawmill dam, Boston Brook, Middleton, and turned a horizontal turbine. Its vertical shaft took the power to a pair of bevel gears above, which turned a long shaft with two belt pulleys. Long leather belts spinning on these took the movement up into a fine mill building where they turned the axles of a circular saw and perhaps a log carriage. In 1971 the mill, less than four decades old, was burned by vandals, so we can only guess at the mechanics above the rusting steel machinery left behind. (more…)
Tune into the River Concert to Celebrate Kerry Mackin’s Retirement
May 18th, 2012 | by Cynthia
June 22, Governor’s Academy, Byfield
Join us as we celebrate the river, our 35th anniversary, and Executive Director, Kerry Mackin’s retirement. Donations and concert proceeds will fund the Leave a Legacy Fund, with income to support Tune into the River projects, including summer internships for students.
For more information including ticket prices, click here.
Happy Endangered Species Day?
May 18th, 2012 | by Jim
Wenham Box Turtle
Friday is Endangered Species Day and it should be bigger this year than last because endangerment is on the rise. There have been a couple of successes but by-and-large, things are getting rarer in the Ipswich River Watershed.
Did you catch the proclamation that breeding Golden-winged Warblers are extinct in the watershed? No. Well they are and within the last 15 years. (more…)
Restoring the Ipswich River to Health
May 16th, 2012 | by Cynthia
On Wednesday, May 23rd, the Ipswich Conservation Speakers Series is hosting Kerry Mackin, the Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Kerry’s presentation focuses on the health of the Ipswich River. This free presentation is at Town Hall in Room A at 7 p.m.
Kerry will be focusing on how the river sustains both people and the environment and the specific serious threats that the Ipswich River faces today. This presentation will give Ipswich residents the opportunity and information needed to become part of the “solution” to the future health of our wonderful Ipswich River.
