On Friday the 25th of June, 2021, we unveiled the three Trout Unlimited benches at the Buckland-Side entrance to the Bridge of Flowers. The cut and polished Ashfield Stone for the benches was donated by Johanna Anderson in honor of her father, Ken Anderson, who was an avid fly fisher and served as president of the Boston Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Installation of the benches was supported by Joe Rae of J.S Rae. The engraving was done by Negus and Taylor of Greenfield. The main bench displays the Trout Unlimited logo. The long front edge is engraved with ‘Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited’. Our Motto, Conserving and Protecting Area Cold Water Resources, is engraved on the top. There is also a QR code on the edge of the bench that directs smart devices to this website. Two smaller benches, each with a beautiful matching streak of quartz, face each other nearby in the little plaza next to the West County Pub.
On hand at the unveiling were members of the Bridge of Flowers Committee, and many of the DRWTU Board members – Kevin Kaminski, Jim Krupa, Randy Prostak, Jason Hooper, Secretary Sheila Kelliher, and President Mike Vito. DRWTU Vice President Eric Halloran, who is a resident of Shelburne Falls, opened the ceremony. President Ex-Officio Kevin Parsons, who played a major role in coordinating the effort and who has a business office in Shelburne Falls, spoke briefly in appreciation of all the collaborators on this project. Be sure to check it out next time you visit Shelburne Falls.
DRWTU Chapter #349 