
John Sears Memorial Trails Event
Dedication Ceremony, 10/15/22
Dedication of “John Sears Memorial Trails” and “The Forest Overlook”
“I always thought of John as a ‘tender’…someone whose instinct is to care for…his… lands and people….He tended Downer State Forest with me year round and Camp Downer in the fall and winter…and as a volunteer he helped me tend the state forest road, trees, seedlings and saplings on what he called “The Forest.” I truly relied on him. He created and tended the Downer Overlook and was a leader in building and tending the winter trails at Downer. Neither would exist without him. He tended his family, his friends, and his community. He did it with intelligence, integrity, patience, empathy, and care…and a sometimes hidden sense of humor that appeared as a half-smile and a short chuckle…His love of tending his people and his place enriched the lives of so many of us, and in doing so he created a deeply meaningful and full life for himself.
Dedication of “John Sears Memorial Trails” and “Scenic Overlook” in the Downer State Forest
This is a Rain or Shine event and all activities are outdoors. Please dress according to the weather and be prepared for a short hike up to the OVERLOOK, if you are able. Shuttles will be available for those who need a ride up. We ask that cars remain parked in designated areas below, except for shuttle vehicles, so that there is room on the Overlook for those people in attendance at the Dedication.
Any questions regarding this event please contact Jill Wilcox, jillmclerran@gmail.com
TO HELP US PLAN FOR THE EVENT, PLEASE RSVP BELOW.
Saturday, Oct 15, 2022, 01:00 PM
Meet at the Kiosk on the Forest Road across from Camp Downer Entrance, (1535 Downer Road) Sharon, VT
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
1:15 to 2:00 Walk up to the Overlook. Shuttle rides available for those who need rides.
2:00 Dedication Ceremony at the Overlook
3:00 Event Ends, although attendees are welcome to hike the trails or enjoy the view at the Overlook.
Thank You to All Who Contributed Time, Labor and Your Generous Spirit to this Project
For Coordination and work around the creation of the Bench at the Overlook and site work and installation: Ria Blaas, Artist, who created this work of art, Justin Matheson of Trout Lumber who donated the wood which he milled himself, Paul Kristensen for site work
For Guidance and Support of the project: Tim Morton and Brian Renfro, Foresters for the State of Vermont
For the original ideas and work on the John Sears Legacy Projects: Jill Wilcox, Greg Elder, Scott Chesnut, Doug Cummings, Joyce Dion, Stewart Ketcham, Cat Duffy Buxton
Photo Credit of Scenic Overlook in Downer Forest, Emily Myers
Email: JillMcLerran@gmail.com
Phone: 802-763-0361