#MIDDLEBURY
Send in your guess identifying the September “Can You Guess The Location?” mystery Middlebury Land Trust property. (Curtiss Clark photo)
By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
The August photo was of Brookdale Farm, (also known as Fenn’s Farm). It was recognized by quite a few folks! Congratulations to Joyce Errichetti, the first respondent to the print version, and Michael Trager, first for the online edition. Rosalyn Teleposky’s correct guess came in only seven minutes later.
Encompassing 66.8 acres, the farm dates back to the 18th century and was purchased in 2006 in a collaborative venture between the town of Middlebury and the Middlebury Land Trust to preserve this beautiful farm for posterity. The town owns the property, the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) has the agricultural conservation easement, and the town and Land Preservation and Open Space Acquisition Committee (LPOS) are responsible for upkeep of the land and the buildings. It remains Robert Fenn’s home for his lifetime.
The farm is open to the public one day each year; this year the date is Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will be able to take a tour of the farm buildings (three barns, two coops, a corn crib, wagon shed and outhouse) led by the knowledgeable and entertaining Fenn. He’ll explain how each building was used and share stories from his past growing up on the farm.
Visitors also will be able to hike the grounds, including the paths in the woods and up the great hill. The view from the top is incredible; on a clear day you can see at least 15 miles to the east. As in years past, there will be free hot dogs, cider, donuts and coffee provided by the MLT and the LPOS.
This year, the day will for the first time include a national “paintout” of en plein air art from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on farm property. The name “en plein air” comes from the French and means “in open air.” This art event is being jointly hosted by the Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) and the Oil Painters of America. Visitors can see the painters at work, and some works will be for sale that day, with part of the proceeds benefiting the MLT. A quick-draw competition from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., sponsored by the POP (register and pay a $10 fee to be in the competition), will offer monetary prizes for best in show, people’s choice (voted on by the early visitors that day) and artists’ choice.
For the mystery photo shown here, email your best guess of the location to mbisubmit@gmail.com with “Guess the location” in the subject line. Next month we will name the correct email respondents; the first respondent is the winner.
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