AVIS 125th Year Celebration Videos
Upcoming Events
| When | Where | What |
| To be determined | Memorial Hall Library | Wardens and Overseers Meeting: Our guest presenter is Paul Sanborn, the Town's Tree Warden. He will speak about the oak wilt fungus. All are invited. |
The 51st Annual Rafton Hike (was 1/31/20) and the Family Moonlight Hike (was 2/14/20) are canceled due to the coronavirus. Please stay in touch in case we are able to reschedule.
Past Events
| When | Where | What |
| Mar 9, 2021 07:30 PM | Zoom | Annual Meeting: Read more here |
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 9:30a to 11:30a |
Parking will be at the end of Merrimac Dr. Tewksbury at the town line and the beginning of the Deer Jump trail. | Deer Jump Reservation hike: In partnership with the Essex County Greenbelt Association, there will be a hike on the Deer Jump Reservation along the Merrimack River led by David Dargie 978-996-4475, and Jane Rumrill. Please register at ecga.org/events. |
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Sunday, January 26th, 2020 10:00a - 12:00p |
Park on High Plain Rd near the Leaf Compost Facility. | Harold R. Rafton snowshoe hike: AVIS will hold the 51st annual Harold R. Rafton snowshoe hike. Co-led by David Dargie 978-996-4475, Ken Doran, and Burt Batcheller, hike if no snow. |
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Sunday, February 9th, 2020 6:00p - 8:00p |
Park at 491 S. Main St. | Goldsmith Woodlands nighttime snowshoe hike: AVIS will hold the annual nighttime snowshoe hike co-led by David Dargie 978-996-4475, Ken Doran, and Burt Batcheller. Hike if no snow. |
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Sunday, December 8th, 2019 1:00p - 3:00p |
Meet at the AVIS parking area near 36 Vine St. | Amy Gordon Taft Reservation Hike: As winter approaches and the end of the year looms, take some time to hike the magnificent Amy Gordon Taft Reservation. Hike Leaders: Nia Keith & David Dargie |
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Thursday, January 16th, 2020 9:30a - 11:30a |
Park at 491 S. Main St. | Snowshoe Excursion: In partnership with the Essex County Greenbelt Association, there will be a Snowshoe Excursion at the Goldsmith Woodlands led by David Dargie 978-996-4475, and Jane Rumrill. Hike if no snow. Please register at ecga.org/events. |
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Sunday, October 13th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
Meet at the parking lot opposite the town compost site on High Plain Road. | Rafton Reservation Hike: Enjoy this wonderful hike chock-full of old stone walls and woodlots through the Virginia Hammond and Harold Rafton Reservations. Hike Leader, Denise Boucher, denisegirish@yahoo.com |
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Sunday, November 10th, 2019 1:00p - 3:00p |
Meet at the reservation parking lot at the corner of Gould Road and Rte. 125. | Peggy Keck Reservation Hike: Feel the brisk air as we hike through this geological gem, know as the Peggy Keck Reservation. The keen-eyes hiker can find ample evidence of the glacial origins of this land. Hike Leader, Denise Boucher, denisegirish@yahoo.com |
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Thursday, November 21st, 2019 9:30a - 11:301 |
Meet at the Skug River Reservation parking lot at 315 Salem Street, Andover. | Skug River Reservation Hike: Join AVIS and Andover Trails in a collaborative event with Essex County Greenbelt Association, as we hike through the Hammond and Skug River Reservations. Highlights include a glacial erratic, soapstone quarries, and the remains of a 19th-century grist mill. Hike Leader: David Dargie (978-996-4475), david@dargie.com |
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Sunday, September 15th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
Meet at the reservation parking lot on 491 S. Main Street, Andover. | Goldsmith Woodlands Hike: As Fall approaches, we’ll hike through the Goldsmith Woodlands to Foster’s Pond. Hike Leader, David Dargie (978-996-4475), david@dargie.com |
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Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Harold R. Rafton Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader Fred Snell (978-686-3647) (fredsnell@gmail.com). Parking at High Plain Rd. across from the leaf compost project. |
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Stanley Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at Spring Grove Rd. opposite the cemetery.
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Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Richard J. Bonier Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at 3 Monahan Ln.
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Sunday, August 11th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
Meet on Monohan Lane, Andover. |
Five Reservation Bus Tour/Hike: Get on the bus again and tour five more of AVIS’s smaller reservations. This month, it’s the Bonier, Sherman, and Nat Smith Reservations, plus Turtle Mound and the site of the Lowell & Lawrence Railroad.
Due to the limited number of seats on the bus, please register with Hike Leader, Denise Boucher, denisegirish@yahoo.com. |
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Turtle Mound / Nat Smith Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at 3 Lakeside Cir.
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Vale Reservation & Shawsheen River Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at the end of Dale St.
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 7:00p - 8:30p |
Memorial Hall Library |
The AVIS Burns Reservation: An Ecosystem Reborn Andover botanist Richard Barry has been a co-warden for the AVIS Burns Reservation in Ballardvale for less than four years, but during that time, he has transformed the property from an invasives-choked tangle to a gem of a neighborhood nature preserve. Native wildlife is flourishing, and visitors have a tranquil setting to enjoy. Richard will speak about what he has done to bring about this transformation. Come enjoy a local success story and learn a few techniques you can use on your own property!
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Saturday, June 8th, 2019 9:30a - 10:30a |
Meet at the end of Dale St. |
Beaver Hike: Join Educator Naturalist Dan Holbrook of North Shore Nature Programs on Saturday, June 8th from 9:30 to 10:30 to explore the Vale reservation in search of Beavers! We will look for scent mounds, canals, and beaver chews in search of our furry friends. Meet at the end of Dale St. in Andover and please leave pets at home. This is a family event, all are welcome to walk and enjoy nature!
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Sunday, June 9th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
Meet at the Skug River Reservation parking lot at 315 Salem Street, Andover. |
River Reservation Hike: This hike will take in the Hammond and Skug River Reservations. Highlights include a glacial erratic, soapstone quarries, and the remains of a 19th-century grist mill. Hike Leader, Jeff LaFountain
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 7:00p - 8:30p |
Memorial Hall Library |
Native Wild Edibles with Russ Cohen: Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten, for a 60-minute slide show featuring at least two dozen species of native edible wild plants suitable for adding to your own landscape, or nibbling on as you encounter them in other locales. Regrister at mhl.org.
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Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Wilkinson Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at Woburn St. on left just past Rattlesnake Hill Rd.
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Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 4:00p - 6:00p |
Peggy Keck Reservation |
Wild Edible Walk with Russ Cohen: Native plant expert Russ Cohen will be leading an edible plants hike from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Peggy Keck Reservation.
This is a great chance to learn from an expert about edible plants—some may even be growing in your back yard! Participants will meet at the AVIS Peggy Keck Reservation entrance and parking area on Gould Road at Rte. 125. There is additional off-street parking at the nearby Goldsmith reservation.
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Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 6:00p - 8:00p |
Memorial Hall Library |
Shawsheen River Watershed Association Annual meeting. Click here for more info.
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2019 1:00p - 3:00p |
Meet at the parking lot opposite the town compost site on High Plain Road. |
Rafton Reservation Hike: Join AVIS and Andover Trails in a collaborative event with Essex County Greenbelt Association, as we hike through the Virginia Hammond and Harold Rafton Reservations. Hike Leader, Jeff LaFountain
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Thursday, May 16, 9:30-11:30 am |
Meet at 26 Oriole Drive, Andover. |
Indian Ridge Hike: Join AVIS and Andover Trails in a collaborative event with Essex County Greenbelt Association, as we hike through Bakers Meadow, Indian Ridge, West Parish Meadow, and the Sakowich Reservation. Hike Leader, Jeff LaFountain
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Sunday, May 19, 1:00-4:00 pm |
Meet on Abbot Bridge Drive, near the intersection of Central Street, Andover. |
Shawsheen River Trail Hike: Celebrate Spring with a hike along the Shawsheen River. We’ll visit the Vale and Shawsheen River Reservations on this easy hike. Hike Leader, Jeff LaFountain
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Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Sakowich, Bakers Meadow, Indian Ridge, West Parish Meadow |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at 26 Oriole Dr at Sakowich.
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Saturday, May 4th, 2019 9:30a - 11:30a |
Vale Reservation |
Beaver nature walk: Led by North Shore Nature Programs, northshorenatureprograms.com which is an environmental education organization dedicated
to helping students of all ages fall in love with nature. They work with schools, community groups, and individuals to
provide engaging, informative programs that help explain the world around us. The nature walk will be led by Dan Holbrook
and is open to all ages. This family friendly walk will start at the end of Dale St. and look for all things related to
beavers and their habitat along the Shawsheen River on the Vale Reservation. No pets.
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Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Goldsmith Woodlands Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at 491 S. Main St.
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Wednesday, April 10th, 2019 6:00p - 9:30p |
Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury Street, Andover |
Annual Dinner: Please save the date for the AVIS Annual Dinner. Come and celebrate our 125th anniversary.
More details
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Sunday, April 14th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
17 Launching Road, Andover Meet halfway down the hill on Merrimac Drive, Tewksbury. We will be taking a bus to the trailhead on Launching Rd. |
Merrimack River Trail: Deer Jump, Spalding, Behrakis Due to the limited amount of seats in the bus, please register with Hike Leader, Jeff LaFountain jefflaf@comcast.net |
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00p |
Deer Jump Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike/Trash pickup with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at Launching Rd. on right just past Mercury Cir.
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Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019 9:30a - 12:00 |
Deer Jump Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Hike / trash pickup with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking at the end of Ravens Bluff.
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 9:30a - 12:00 |
Amy Gordon Taft Reservation |
Tuesdays with AVIS: Join our Hike / Trimming trails with our leader David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com). Parking: Sagamore Dr. at Wildwood Rd. |
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 1:00p - 4:00p |
26 Oriole Drive, Andover |
Iconic AVIS Reservations: Bakers Meadow, Indian Ridge, Sakowich & West Parish Meadow
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Wednesday, March 13th, 2019 7:00p - 9:00p |
Memorial Hall, Memorial Hall Library |
Joint Meeting of the AVIS Wardens and the Andover Conservation Commission Overseers. This informative program is a presentation about the invasive species that are on our properties. The presenters are, Chris Polatin, Polatin Ecological Services www.polaitneco.com and Robert Barry, NativeScapes, MA and an AVIS Warden www.nativescapesma.com. |
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Sunday, February 10th, 2019 2:00p - 5:30p |
Essex Art Center 56 Island Street, Lawrence, MA | River in the Sky—Our Merrimack of Wintering Crows!: Join the Merrimack
Valley Bird Club, Andover Village Improvement Society, and Merrimack River Water Shed in a celebration of the amazing number of crows being seen
around Lawrence and the Merrimack River. There will be an art exhibit focused on crows followed by a talk by Dana and Bob Fox at 3:00. After the
talk you are invited to join the Foxes to travel by car to witness the gathering and roosting of 1000s of crows. The event is free and open to the
public, but seating is limited to 45, so you must go to the link below to register. Read more:
here or watch video:
here
https://crowshow.eventbrite.com |
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Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 to May 5th, 2019 |
Peabody Essex Museum |
Nature's Nation: American Art and Environment:
Examines for the first time how American and Native American artists
have both reflected and shaped our understanding of the environment. The exhibition
traces evolving ideas about the environment — and our place within it — through more
than 100 works of art from the colonial period to the present by a broad range of artists.
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Sunday, February 10th, 2019 6:00p - 8:00p |
Goldsmith Woodlands Reservation |
Family Moonlight Snowshoe Trek at the Goldsmith Woodlands:
Meet at 5:45 for the 6:00 PM outing. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and enjoy cookies and hot
chocolate around a campfire in the woods. Park in front of #491 S. Main St. at the Goldsmith
Woodlands entrance. No registration, No pets. Hike if no snow, rain cancels. Leader David
Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com) and Assistant Leaders Ken Doran and Mark Kaluzny.
(Previous years had Cross-Country Skiing, this year we will only have Snowshoeing).
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Friday, February 15th, 2019 to August 23rd, 2019 |
Andover Center for History & Culture, 97 Main Street, Andover. |
History Exhibit opens at ACHC. Anyone who would like to have a photograph included in a digital display at the
AVIS 125 exhibit at the Andover Center for History and Culture can submit a photo
for consideration. The exhibit is called Breathing Places and opens to the public
on February 15, 2019. Please email your photos to breathingplaces2019@gmail.com
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Sunday, January 27th, 2019 10:00am |
Rafton Reservation |
AVIS' 50th Annual Snowshoe Trek at the Harold R. Rafton Reservation:
Meet at 9:45am for the 10:00 to 12:00 outing. Park near the leaf composting area on
High Plain Rd. No registration, No pets. Hike if no snow, rain cancels. Leader
David Dargie (978-996-4475) (david@dargie.com) and Assistant Leaders Ken Doran
and Mark Kaluzny. (Previous years had Cross-Country Skiing, this year we will only
have Snowshoeing).
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Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 10:00am |
Skug River Reservation, 315 Salem Street, Andover |
AVIS 125 Hike:
Start the new year off with a hike and begin the year-long AVIS 125th Anniversary celebrating with a New Year's Day hike. No registration. No pets. Leader: Jeff LaFountain, jefflaf@comcast.net
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Photos from Past Events
Town Manager Andrew Flanagan speaks to the assembled crowd about the importance of the collaboration between AVIS and the Conservation Commission on the creation of the Meg Batcheller trail through the Sanborn and Lightning Tree Reservations.
Sanborn Reservation Warden Burt Batcheller speaks to a group while hiking on Meg's Trail as part of the dedication ceremonies held on 4/23/16 for the expanded Sanborn Reservation.
Many of the group of over 120 attendees at the Dedication Ceremony gather for lunch and to hear speakers who emphasized the importance of collaborating to protect the waterfront along the Shawsheen River.