July is Membership Month!

July is Membership Month!
Exclusive Events for Friends of the Blue Hills’ Members

July is Membership Month… and we’re celebrating the 1,000 plus members of the Friends of the Blue Hills – and all they do for the Blue Hills – with special events and opportunities at the following series of member-only events.

These are free events for our members. If you’re not a member, you can join here. Your membership not only grants you access to these fun events, but with your membership, you will also help care for the park!

And if you’re a member… tell us why on social, using #FriendBlueHills… or leave a comment here.. or email us at info@FriendsoftheBlueHills.org! We’d love to hear from you!

Member Celebration Drop-in at the Lyons Turning Mill & Quarry Museum
July 22, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Lyons Turning Mill, Ricciutti Drive, Quincy

Stop by to meet other Friends members, enjoy refreshments and participate in an exclusive tour of the historic Lyons Turning Mill, a fascinating historic site that is a standing testament to the rich history of Quincy Quarries… and the impact that members of the Friends of the Blue Hills have had to protect the Blue Hills and its history. In the 1990s, the Friends, under the leadership of David Hodgdon, worked with other organizations to protect the historic ruins of the Lyons Turning Mill. This unique reminder of the Quarry’s history, nestled next to Quincy Quarries, would have been covered with Big Dig debris, were it not for Friends members in partnership with others. On this members-only tour, you will explore the site as well as the artifacts and relics of the booming granite industry that changed the Blue Hills and surrounding area forever.

Forest Bathing in the Blue Hills
July 24, 9:00 am – 10:30 am

As a special thank you to our members, Friends of the Blue Hills members are invited to explore the Blue Hills with a guided nature immersion called Forest Bathing. Dr. Susan Abookire, a trained guide, will lead you on a slow-paced experience that promotes wellness through gentle sensory-opening invitations that welcome us to notice our natural surroundings and come into partnership with nature. These therapeutic experiences, according to Dr. Abookire, can deepen our connection with the natural world, opening us to the healing medicine of the forest.

Dr. Abookire is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, and a senior executive with 20 years’ experience leading healthcare organizations. As a former aviation engineer with a passion for excellence in systems design, she teaches and designs healthcare delivery systems that work for both patients and providers. Also a Certified Forest Therapy guide, Dr. Abookire guides Forest Therapy for health and healing, and leads programs that incorporate Forest Therapy to promote wellbeing and promote systems design, teamwork, and leadership.

Sunset Yoga
Tuesday, July 27th at 7:00 pm
Yoga is a wonderful way to stretch out those hiking muscles… and helps you relax after a stressful day! At this special event for our members, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as the great outdoors transforms into your yoga studio. In this mindful vinyasa-style yoga class, the instructor will guide you to focus on your breath and move from one posture to the next with intention. No experience needed. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one. If you need one, just let us know on the sign-in.

Earlier Membership Month Events

Rockin’ in the Park
Exploration of the Geology of the Blue Hills

Boots ‘n’ Brews
Hike with a visit to a local brewery

Photo credit: Mark Milliken (Braintree)

6 Comments

Ellen O'Toole on July 12, 2021 at 10:33 am

I am excited to attend the Lyons Turning Mill event. I have driven by several times and longed to learn more! I grew up with the quarries in my backyard and have longed to learn more of our history!

Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 11:40 am

So glad you’ll be coming!

Member Beverly on July 11, 2021 at 7:57 pm

Although I love Blue Hills in many ways, for Membership Month I’m particularity interested in the Lyons Turning Mill. Unfortunately. that Thursday afternoon is not possible. Will there be other opportunities to learn?

Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 8:34 am

Beverly, it’s wonderful you appreciate the Blue Hills! We will certainly look into providing a future event at the Lyons Turning Mill. I’m so glad you’re interested! – Judy

Dan Nelson on June 28, 2021 at 2:14 pm

Thanks for offering these interesting programs to FBH members. I’d enjoy attending many of them, but my summer schedule is pretty full already, so it looks like I will miss most of them.

We feel very fortunate to live so close to the diverse city of Boston and have Blue Hills in our backyard. My family of friends spend many hours utilizing the Blue Hills. My former employer, Instron, calls its software ‘Blue Hill’. The Blue Hills are in my life everywhere, and I am so glad for that!

Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 8:32 am

Thank you so much for your note, Dan! I’m sorry you won’t be able to join us for the events, but am so glad you appreciate the Blue Hills… and support the Friends!

Thank you!

Judy Jacobs
Executive Director

Ellen O'Toole on July 12, 2021 at 10:33 am

I am excited to attend the Lyons Turning Mill event. I have driven by several times and longed to learn more! I grew up with the quarries in my backyard and have longed to learn more of our history!
- Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 11:40 am
  
  So glad you’ll be coming!
Member Beverly on July 11, 2021 at 7:57 pm

Although I love Blue Hills in many ways, for Membership Month I’m particularity interested in the Lyons Turning Mill. Unfortunately. that Thursday afternoon is not possible. Will there be other opportunities to learn?
- Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 8:34 am
  
  Beverly, it’s wonderful you appreciate the Blue Hills! We will certainly look into providing a future event at the Lyons Turning Mill. I’m so glad you’re interested! – Judy
Dan Nelson on June 28, 2021 at 2:14 pm

Thanks for offering these interesting programs to FBH members. I’d enjoy attending many of them, but my summer schedule is pretty full already, so it looks like I will miss most of them.

We feel very fortunate to live so close to the diverse city of Boston and have Blue Hills in our backyard. My family of friends spend many hours utilizing the Blue Hills. My former employer, Instron, calls its software ‘Blue Hill’. The Blue Hills are in my life everywhere, and I am so glad for that!
- Friends of the Blue Hills on July 12, 2021 at 8:32 am
  
  Thank you so much for your note, Dan! I’m sorry you won’t be able to join us for the events, but am so glad you appreciate the Blue Hills… and support the Friends!
  
  Thank you!
  
  Judy Jacobs
  Executive Director