Where could I go to find more beauty
than in these New England Hills?
Drifting blue haze over the woods, long
light over the tawny fields...
Beauty to spare for all my needs.
-Gladys Taber

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Dear Friend,

All across New England, the countryside is vanishing. Now Stillmeadow is in danger. We thought that many readers would want to know about this crisis.

A few years ago, Gladys Taber's friend and neighbor George Phillips passed away. Last year, the remaining family decided to put the Phillips Farm up for sale. Now, developers are eagerly targeting over 96 acres of pristine farmland, woods, and meadows surrounding Stillmeadow. The proposed subdivisions are so large that two new roads would have to be cut through the fields, and Sanford Road—the "Stillmeadow Road"—would be paved and widened. The tranquil Stillmeadow described so vividly in Gladys Taber's books would be overwhelmed—and lost forever.

*

If this special piece of New England countryside is destroyed by development, the loss would not only affect Stillmeadow. Any subdivision would wipe out one of the last remaining unspoiled rural landscapes in the area—home to countless species of wildlife and delicate plants. Taber readers already are familiar with the beauty of George's farm: the land was in a way an extension of Stillmeadow. A granite ledge in the upper field was Gladys Taber's favorite picnic spot in autumn, a springtime walk through the old orchard was the best place to view apple blossoms, or perhaps catch a lucky glimpse of a red fox. It's true the memories of these places will remain forever in her books, but unless we act now, many of the sites themselves from which she drew inspiration will fall in the path of the bulldozer.

There is good news. A dedicated coalition of Taber-Colby family members and area residents have joined together with the Southbury Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land (a national conservation group) to purchase and save the Phillips Farm. In April 2002, we reached an agreement with the Phillips family, and have until the end of the summer to complete the sale. We plan to preserve the property for both farming and as a wildlife sanctuary—dedicating the Stillmeadow area as a living legacy, preserved for all time. And Taber readers visiting Southbury would be able to visit "George's farm" reborn: walk the paths through old pastures and enjoy first-hand the New England beauty described in the Stillmeadow books.

But we have to act fast. While we have raised over 60% of the funds needed to purchase and restore Phillips farm, we need to raise $500,000 from a mix of private donations and public funds by Labor Day 2002. So we ask you to join us, if you can, in this urgent effort. With your help, we can reach our goal and save the Stillmeadow area. All donations are tax-deductible (for tax year 2002), and all contributions go directly to the purchase. Your donation will also help us receive crucial matching grants from both the town and state.

Also, in gratitude for your interest, we have assembled some thank-you gifts which we hope you will enjoy (see below). More than anything, we hope readers will find satisfaction in joining us in this special effort. And accept our heartfelt thanks for helping to preserve the Stillmeadow dream.

Sincerely,

The Colbys

For more information, please contact:

Anne Colby, Vice-Chair, Committee to Save Phillips Farm: 203-264-5365

Tony Cusano, Vice-Chair, Committee to Save Phillips Farm: 203-264-7506

Tom Crider, President, Southbury Land Trust: 203-267-6851

Elisabeth Moore, Project Manager, The Trust for Public Land: 203-777-7367 (ext. 2)
[Email: elisabeth.moore@tpl.org]

*Campagin to Save Philips' Farm, used with the permition of Anne Colby, Vice Chair

© Copyright 2002 Ethan Rodriguez-Torrent

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