SUPERVISORS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING April 15, 2022
Greetings! Hope everyone is looking forward to the warmer temperatures and what our spring will bring. Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Many events and projects to get completed. Oh, the “challenge” of it all.
For the Town of Wilmington, our next event is the Easter Bunny Photo shoot held at the park building this Saturday April 16th from 11 am to 1 pm. Photos with the Easter Bunny and goody bags will be given out. This FREE event is open to all Wilmington youth. However, the reality is that no child is ever turned away from other towns. Fun for everyone.
Speaking of youth, we are seeking feedback to see if there is any interest in a Summer Youth Activity program. Be it a one day activity or something that would run multiple days. Things like hiking, swimming and even Arts & Crafts have been mentioned. If you are either interested in volunteering or have a child that may enjoy such a program, please contact the Supervisors Office.
On Saturday April 23rd, The Au Sable River Association will be sponsoring a cleanup for the Au Sable River. Volunteers are welcomed. Check in time is 9:30 am at the Town of Wilmington Beach on Lake Everest. The event is planned to end at 1 pm for more information, please go to events@ausableriver.org
The Town of Wilmington has started our 2022 appeal for Summer Concert sponsors. As many are aware our Thursday Night Concert Series at our Town Beach is funded by donations of many Wilmington Businesses and Individuals. Any help is appreciated.
This week’s history is about the early settlers who constructed a wooden earth-filled dam on the West Branch of the Au Sable River for water powered saw and grist mills. This remained in use for over one hundred years but required frequent repair. In 1920, owner Frank Everest financed the construction of a generator at the dam to “electrify” the Whiteface Mountain House hotel to bring it up to the standards and expectations of its guests. The crib structure of the dam was breached on several occasions and the final failure occurred in March 1936 causing concern for tourism and businesses. Local politicians, including Supervisor James C. Wolfe, and area businessmen promoted the importance of the dam and lake to federal administrators and received Works Progress Administration funding to build a public park area which included a new dam. Old dam debris cleanup and construction started in 1937. The concrete dam, completed in 1938, restored the recreational assets of the town. Its first real test was high water from the September 1938 New England Hurricane and it passed with flying colors.
Every week I have tried to give a little Wilmington History as part of our Bicentennial Celebration. If you want more on Wilmington’s Historic past, check out their website at www.wilmingtonhistoricalsociety.org it is packed with all kinds of interesting stuff.
That’s all for this week my friends. See you around town. -Roy
