Don Henley to make remarks at opening of Visitor Center at Walden Pond - Sept 27

[sodascouts]

I just got an email inviting me to the opening of the visitor center of the Walden Pond State Reservation on September 27. It says the ceremony will "include remarks by WWP founder, Don Henley." The event starts at 2:00 pm.

Any nearby peeps want to go?

[UndertheWire]

"Remarks" is an odd choice of word.

[maryc2130]

This is so exciting! I will most likely go. One of my friends from my hiking group was a consultant on the landscaping for the visitor's center. I'm not sure if she'll be there or not, but I thought that was so cool!

[NightMistBlue]

I just got an email inviting me to the opening of the visitor center of the Walden Pond State Reservation on September 27. It says the ceremony will "include remarks by WWP founder, Don Henley." The event starts at 2:00 pm.

Any nearby peeps want to go?

I'll tell my brother about it, he's going to be in the area next week.

[Brooke]

This is so exciting! I will most likely go. One of my friends from my hiking group was a consultant on the landscaping for the visitor's center. I'm not sure if she'll be there or not, but I thought that was so cool!

Too cool, mc!

[NightMistBlue]

My brother is pretty sure he can be there. I'll make him report back if he gets to walk around the lake with Don :)

[sodascouts]

Excellent! Hope he can make it!

I imagine they use the word "remarks" because it will be pretty brief. Just a guess.

[Philh]

Do you think Don will be there in person or just on video?

[shunlvswx]

Don said in an interview he was going to be there. Since Don's last tour date (he won't have another show until NYE. I wouldn't count Hawaii since that's a private show) is tonight, he's free to be there. I think usually Don goes to openings and celebrations at WWP as long as he's not on the road during those dates stuff comes up.

As for remarks. Well this is Don. His remarks could be 10 to 20 minutes. :rofl: I don't think its going to be short.

[RudieCantFail]

Some quotes from Don from @TheWaldenWoods on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780836203428020224
"The journey to reach this goal required endurance by many." - Don Henley

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780836810859614208
"I think that Thoreau would approve of this new home that will share his legacy with hundreds of thousands of people every year."-Don Henley

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780837000563793920
"Together the pond and the woods were the wellspring of the universal truth that Thoreau spread."-Don Henley

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780837671555956737
"The purpose of the Visitor Center is to enhance-not replace-the experience of seeing the pond, walking the trails..."-Don Henley

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780841974958067712
"The Walden Woods Project’s collaboration with DCR will support the stewardship of Walden Pond, a National Historic Landmark."-Don Henley

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780842442102870016
https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780842687746469888
"Visiting school groups will interact with an interpretive exhibit encouraging them to identify their own special places-their 'Waldens' ...Introductions to Thoreau’s philosophy will invite youth to consider what constitutes good citizenship and leading a purposeful life."DH

https://twitter.com/TheWaldenWoods/status/780842906936573952
"For hundreds of thousands, the Visitor Center will offer avenues to reflect on some of the most compelling issues of our time."-Don Henley

Photo Tweets from @Chieftain_Chat on Twitter (It's a high school publication):

https://twitter.com/Chieftain_Chat/status/780857700859215873

https://twitter.com/Chieftain_Chat/status/780858109321437184

[shunlvswx]

Here's a video from today. I love seeing Don in glasses. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3bg86S1j4E

[maryc2130]

I was able to attend the event and got my picture taken with DH at the reception afterward. You can only imagine how excited I must be! I told him how much I admired his work with Walden Woods and he said, "Thank you, dear." Not just thank you, but thank you dear! Be still my :heart:! He is very handsome close up. *happy sigh* I will post the picture tomorrow as i need my daughter or son to help me. I am clueless about uploading pictures.

The ceremony was very nice. It was held outside the visitors' center. There weren't a ton of people attending, which surprised me, since Don had announced the opening at the concert last week! My daughter and I got there early and were able to claim a spot right in front of the podium for the speeches. Don's remarks were eloquent, as usual. He started by pointing out that the plastic cup he was holding was made of corn. Pretty cool! He talked about the five goals of the Walden Woods project. He kept having to clear his throat and apologized for his voice, saying he just finished touring. Then he cut the ribbon, along with the 4 or 5 other dignitaries, with a giant pair of scissors. He was smiling and laughing.

The new center is very cool. It's made almost entirely of recycled materials, and will be fueled by solar energy. There's a short video of Thoreau and Walden Pond, narrated by Ken Burns, but no one paid attention to that as people were talking and trying to meet Don and get pictures with him. I feel kind of guilty about that.

After we got our picture, my daughter and I hiked around Walden Pond and to Thoreau's cabin site. It was a nice afternoon for a hike and the perfect way to end the day. (Earlier in the day, we had visited Concord and seen a few of the historic sites there.)

I've hiked in other Massachusetts State Parks, and I'll definitely be returning to Walden to do more hiking and be able to appreciate the center without so many people around. But, needless to say, nothing will ever top this visit!

[DivineDon]

That's wonderful, MaryC :) I'm sooo jealous you got your photo taken with my Don 8) Please do post the photo - I think I'd pass out just being so close to him...and of course he is very handsome :inlove:

Thanks Shun for posting Don's 'remarks'. As usual, articulate, intelligent and inspiring...and he ended by quoting my favourite Thoreau quote "the possibilities of the future far exceed the accomplishments of the past" :) LOVE IT!
Save

[buffyfan145]

That's so awesome MaryC you got a picture with him and got to meet him and thanks Shun for the vid!!! :D

[shunlvswx]

You go girl. I'm so glad you got to go and meet Don. I guess the only good chance of meeting Don is when he's at Walden Woods for an event.

[L101]

Maryc, you are so lucky to be able to go to the opening and to have met Don and have your picture taken with him - that must have been the highlight of the day ! :-)
Thanks for the great review and the hike sounded really good especially on a nice Autumn day.
Can't wait to see your picture.

[Brooke]

Maryc, how very exciting! I'm so glad you and your daughter got to go and then to get a pic with THE Don is just awesome! I know you must be on cloud 9!

Can't wait to see the pic!

Shun, thanks for the video too!

[Delilah]

Maryc, you lucky girl! And you got to share the experience with your daughter--how cool!

[Philh]

Wish I could have attended but I live in the UK 😢 What a great opportunity to have your picture taken with Don. I'm really surprised that not more people attended but I guess that Don wouldn't have wanted the event to turn into an Eagle's convention.

[maryc2130]

A little later than promised, but here it is!

http://i.imgur.com/YjRC0g3.jpg

[Brooke]

Very nice picture, Maryc! You even got a nice smile from Don! :thumbsup:

[shunlvswx]

You got a smile from Don. You lucky girl. I seen pictures with other people and he's not smiling.

Nice picture of you two.

[buffyfan145]

That's a fantastic pic Maryc!!! :D And you got a smile!!!

[DivineDon]

That's brilliant MaryC - I'm soooo jealous. Don looks really relaxed with you and we know he hates photos so well done! !!

[RudieCantFail]

Thanks for the vid, Shun! And thank you Maryc2130 for the report and picture w/ Don! You got the elusive smiley Don!

[jms18222]

Lucky lady maryc, so happy for you! He did look good & so did you. Now the question I ask evrybody who gets close to him, what did he smell like?

[L101]

Maryc - - great picture!! How did you mange to look so calm and composed standing next to Don! And you got a great smile out of him - that is one to be framed :-)


Now the question I ask evrybody who gets close to him, what did he smell like?
I kinda want to know the answer to this as well - just for future reference, you know :grin:

[NightMistBlue]

Very cool, MaryC, that's a sweet photo :) Something to treasure always.

[LuvTim]

This is wonderful. Don looked and sounded fabulous. I'm so happy for him, the Center and the thousands of people who will benefit. Kudos to Don and all those who worked together to make this happen.

MaryC, what a fantastic photo! Way to go. Don is smiling and everything! He must have taken a liking to you, girl! "Dear," indeed! :-D

[AlreadyGone95]

That's a very nice photo, Maryc. It's great to see Don smile.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Thanks for the videos of Don's remarks.

And to maryc ...

AWESOME!!!

Congratulations to you! That is a wonderful picture and you and Don look great. I know this day is a memory that you will cherish forever.

[jms18222]

I kinda want to know the answer to this as well - just for future reference, you know :grin:

I only ask this question because of the "hooker book" yes I am also a bit curious myself. I have heard clean laundry, juicy fruit & cherry cough drops.

[sodascouts]

Thank you for posting your thoughts and that AMAZING photo of you meeting Don Henley, Mary! How wonderful!!!!!