Hello All,
This isn't really a letterbox it is more of a stamp exchange. On the
first day of spring, at sunrise the Westery Morris Men will be dancing on
the top of Lantern Hill in North Stonington, CT (near the Tribal Nation
Letterbox). See the press release at bottom of page for directions. I will
be making a stamp (my first) for this event, you are welcome to watch us
dance and exchange stamps. If you want to learn more about Morris dancing
check out our web site.
http://members.cox.net/terrycran/Westerly_Morris_Men.html
Morris Dancing might even be a stranger hobby than letterboxing, but we have
lots of fun and I hope to see some letterboxers on the top of the hill.
Have a happy Spring,
Rick
Here is a copy of the Morris Men's Press Release for the event.
MARCH 20, 2002 - VERNAL EQUINOX SUNRISE DANCE ON LANTERN HILL
The Westerly Morris Men will celebrate the Vernal Equinox by dancing at dawn
on the summit of Lantern Hill in North Stonington, Connecticut. The Vernal
Equinox is the moment at which the center of the Sun lies precisely above
the Earth's equator, astronomically marking the beginning of Spring.
Participants in the hike and festivities will start meeting at the base of
the hill at 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 20. By 5:20 A.M., all present
will start the 10-20 minute hike to the summit. Sunrise will occur at about
5:51 A.M. (Source: U.S. Naval Observatory web site at
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html ).
Lantern Hill is located on the Ledyard / North Stonington town line, just
south of Route 2. The trailhead is on Wintechog Hill Road, which is one
road east of Lantern Hill Road / Route 214, the location of the Foxwoods
Casino. The trailhead is less than 1/4 mile south of Route 2.
The Vernal Equinox hike was originally started by Betsy Oller of the
Pequotsepos Outing Club, of Mystic. Morris dancing was introduced to the
event in 1987.
The public is invited and welcome to this open annual event. Typically, 70
or more people make this early morning trek.
The actual Equinox will occur at 2:16 P.M. EST, March 20 (Source: U.S.
Naval Observatory via the National Weather Service web site at
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/box/equinox.html). This hike traditionally
occurs at the dawn of the day in which the Equinox falls in the Eastern Time
Zone. According to the Weather Service web site, the Vernal Equinox will
occur on March 20 through at least the year 2005, therefore, long-range
planners can place this event on their calendars on March 20 every year
through 2005!
The contact for this event is Norman Dudziak of Barrington, RI, phone #
401-437-0240. For background information on Morris dancing, team founder,
chief musician, and current co-squire Peter Leibert of Preston, CT, may be
contacted at phone # 860-887-9184 or 439-2741.
This event occurs regardless of the weather, solely at the discretion of the
participants.