tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133932255194683650.post3200210546801640612..comments2023-10-22T03:51:17.238-04:00Comments on In Times Past: All That's CommonLarry Coffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12017462386376439544noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133932255194683650.post-42279810343410626142019-03-24T17:45:53.936-04:002019-03-24T17:45:53.936-04:00I enjoy reading about local history in the “In Tim...I enjoy reading about local history in the “In Times Past” column by Larry Coffin. I was, however disappointed that the Rev. Kenneth W. Berry Memorial Field in Wells River was not mentioned in the March 13th column – Common Lands. I don’t blame Larry, as every piece of common land couldn’t be mentioned.<br />The Berry Field is a little gem that many people overlook. If you ask people in the Cohase region “if they know where Berry Field is” you will probably get a blank stare, and add “in Wells River,” and they still won’t know. Berry Field is just a short walk south of the Village on Route 5 at 143 North Main Street, next to the GMP sub station. It has playground equipment and a tennis court with basketball hoops and two picnic tables. For the past 5 years it has been the site of WRAP’s Community Picnic held on the last Saturday in June. Area residents, not just Wells River folks are invited to picnic, stop in the Newbury Historical Society’s Story Corps tent, enjoy a family program sponsored by the Baldwin Memorial Library and end the day with free Ice Cream from Big Cones and WRAP.<br />It was private land that served as the Wells River High baseball field until the high school closed in 1967. In 1989 Dr. Elisabeth Berry, a partner in Dr. Rowe’s Family Medical Practice donated the land, in memory of her husband Kenneth, to the Village with the hope it would become a playground for kids. On June 26, 1994, the Rev. Kenneth W. Berry Field was dedicated with Dr. Berry speaking to 50 residents that turned out for the dedication. This year’s community picnic will be held on the June 29th from 11am - 2pm - 25 years (and 3 days) after the field was dedicated. <br /><br />Richard M Roderick<br />Wells River, Vermont 05081<br />Larry Coffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12017462386376439544noreply@blogger.com