
A small audience, including a very friendly golden retriever, reviewed Norfolk's natural resource inventory April 25.
Mike Cobb
A small audience, including a very friendly golden retriever, reviewed Norfolk's natural resource inventory April 25.
NORFOLK — On Thursday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m., The Norfolk Conservation Commission held its natural resource inventory discussion at the Norfolk Library to a small audience, including a very friendly golden retriever.
Appointed by the Board of Selectmen, the Norfolk Conservation Commission keeps an index of all open publicly or privately owned areas to obtain information on their proper use; conducts research into the use, and possible use, of land in Norfolk; administers gifts, and approves state grants for the use of open space land for conservation or recreation purpose.
Led by John Anderson, the discussion provided updates to the 2023 Natural Resource Inventory, outlined the chapters, including the “recommendations” section, and answered questions from the public.
When Anderson presented information on Norfolk’s wetlands, library director Ann Havemeyer asked, “what defines a bog?”
“It’s a highly acidic body of water with particular plants and animals that live there. For example, Sphagnum moss floats on top of water which allows plants to grow on top of that. Beckley Bog is a prime example in Norfolk,” Anderson answered.
He further described different types of wetlands in Norfolk and how they interact.
“Holleran swamp is attached to Wood Creek Pond, which extends into a swampy area. There’s enough soil that trees like Spruce and Fir can grow there.”
While viewing images of a beaver pond on the big screen, an audience member asked how beavers affect the landscape.
“Beavers make dams because they don’t like to spend a lot of time out of the water, though they will harvest wood from shrubs and trees. They’re trying to create more water for their food supply of aquatic plants,” Anderson said.
Anderson rated Norfolk’s groundwater as very good because of the filtering effect of heavy forest cover. However, the November 2022 Gas spill and the use of salt to defrost roads are concerning.
“We’re testing salinity in local freshwater supplies. We’ll test and decide what to do, for example to use less salt and alternatives,” he said.
Anderson also described how water is connected in Norfolk.
“Norfolk participated in a region wide study of how streams are connected. There’s a database evaluating stream road crossing and how it might affect wildlife. Recent storms have been more intense than in years past. Many culverts and bridges are not built for this. Climate change certainly plays a role,” he said.
Anderson moved swiftly through the massive amount of information and covered plantscape, with a focus on the trees and wildflowers of Norfolk including pictures of northern species that aren’t typically found elsewhere in Connecticut.
The inventory focused on large rather than old trees. “Great Mountain Forest had the largest red spruce in the state, but it was struck by lightning and died. It’s been made into the mantle at the Curling Club,” Anderson said.
Regarding wildlife, he said, “Norfolk is unusual in many ways. We have a really good bear, bobcat, and moose population and a lot of species that have been extricated and are now here such as wild turkeys and fisher cats. The bird population is strong with a few new species including Sand Hill cranes. Thanks to our forests we have Rough grouse. We’ve added sections on butterflies and moths with an extensive appendices of 650 species of moths.”
“We’re cold, northern and deserve the name of the Icebox. We have really good clean wetlands and forests,” he added.
Anderson also described how The Norfolk Land Trust and the historic work of private individuals such as Ted Childs have helped preserve large areas of land. The report contains maps showing the intersection of private and public protected land including trails for recreational activities.
Other topics included the importance of rural roads, dark night skies, the use of proper lighting, the effect of lighting in some animals’ ability to forage food, historic buildings and roads, and more. The appendix section provides detailed tables on all aspects of the inventory. Each section has a bibliography with information about the contributors.
“We’re fortunate to have had so many people do so much good work. It is exceptional,” Anderson said.
The report also made recommendations, such as education on climate change and ways the public can get involved. “We’re going to do a sale of native plants. There’s a movement to encourage more of that and grow plants that are natural to the area,” Anderson added.
KENT — Frederick Wright Hosterman passed away peacefully in his home in Kent on April 16, 2025. Born in 1929 in Auburn, Nebraska, he was the son of farmers. He attended a one-room schoolhouse just outside of Brownville, Nebraska, adjacent to his family’s farm. The little brick schoolhouse is still standing! After graduating from high school, Fred attended the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), eventually earning a master’s degree in agronomy. He took a job with Monsanto in Buffalo, New York, where the company was a pioneer in applying biotechnology to agricultural sciences. In Buffalo, Fred met his future wife, Dorothy. Fred and Dorothy moved to New York City for several years in the early 1960s, before settling down in Norwalk. In Norwalk, Fred and Dorothy had three children. The family later moved to Kent. In 1980, Fred and Dorothy divorced, and Fred bought a large tract of land on Carter Road in Kent. He built a house there, largely by himself, which he maintained until his death at age 95. After taking early retirement, he spent the following decades working on his property, adding various buildings, woodcrafting, landscaping, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Fred had a jovial and close relationship with many of his neighbors, who he saw daily, all willing to share a cup of coffee or receive various bits of wisdom from Fred on any number of projects.
Fred was predeceased by his parents; Helen and Arch Hosterman, step-mother Cassie Hosterman, sisters Ruth and Esther Marie, brother Richard, and former wife Dorothy. He is survived by his three children and their spouses; John and his husband Eric of Northfield, Minnesota, Tracy and her partner, Sam, of Amenia, New York, and Catherine and her husband, Josh, of Cornwall. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Nicky, Dan, Ian, Zachary, and Eliza, and several nieces and nephews.
Fred loved to flirt with the ladies, even in his 90s, doing a little “dance” for almost anyone he met. Another of Fred’s favorite hobbies was chopping down trees on his land. Initially, this started out as a necessity for fueling his wood stoves. Later, tree-clearing projects were aimed at enhancing the magnificent view from his house high atop Carter Road. Even at age 95, Fred was frequently on his excavator moving boulders or building a retaining wall, as he was strong, healthy and witty until his final weeks.
CANAAN — Nancy (Case) Brenner, 81, of Canaan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, following a long illness on Good Friday, April 18, 2025.
Nancy was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Ray Sargeant Case Sr. and Beatrice Southey Case. She was the second youngest of five children, predeceased by her three brothers, Ray S. Case Jr., David E. Case and Douglas C. Case, and her sister Linda (Case) Olson. She grew up in New Hartford and Winsted, where she graduated from Northwestern Regional 7 High School.
Nancy is predeceased by her husband and the love of her life, Thomas E. Brenner. Often nicknamed “the love birds,” they were true soulmates and shared many wonderful years together filled with love, laughter, travel and family. Nancy is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly — Lori, Richard, Kathleen, Kevin, Debbie, Karen, Carrie, Jennifer, Tom, Scott and Kimberlee. She was a special aunt leaving behind so many happy and joyful memories. She never missed attending her nieces’ and nephews’ special events.
Nancy worked for over 20 years at Raynard and Pierce in Canaan. There she made many friendships and brightened the day of everyone who went through the door greeted by her smile and jovial spirit. Nancy was a loving wife, daughter, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who’s lives she touched.
A graveside service will be held at Collinsville Cemetery on Huckleberry Hill Road in Canton on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception at 5 Cherry Brook Road, Canton. Memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 012011, where Nancy adopted her loving cat and faithful companion, Dusty.
SHEFFIELD — Adam Rand, 59, of Sheffield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on April 22, 2025, after a long battle with ALS.
Adam was born on April 6, 1966, to Lee and Charles Rand II of Boston, Massachusetts. Adam spent his early childhood in Nantucket, where his love of fishing and water was born before moving to Sharon. It was here where he made many lifelong friends and later graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1984. He attended Hiram College in Ohio before settling in Connecticut.
Adam was a master of all trades, a seasoned contractor and practiced carpenter. He was always eager to learn and became a skilled woodworker in his later years of life. His work ethic was undeniable. Adam was passionate about his family, his work and anything with an engine.
Adam leaves behind his loving wife, Annie Rand, his children, Samantha Rand (Nantucket) and Jack Rand (Canaan), his brother and sister in-law, Greg and Cindy Rand (Nantucket), and their children, Olivia, Maxwell and Samuel Rand (Boston), as well as the mother of his children and former wife, Nancy Rand (Collinsville)
Services will be held for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Or Online at ccals.org