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Legendary Meteorologist Don Kent | |
It is with deep sadness that Crotched Mountain acknowledges the passing of a dear friend, Don Kent. Known in his career as "New England's Weatherman", Don developed a special relationship with Crotched Mountain in 1960 that lasted 50 years. Don's involvement with Crotched Mountain began when a few students from the Crotched Mountain School went to Boston to announce the annual Crotched Mountain fund drive on WBZ-TV. The kids were such a hit with the television audience and Don himself that for the next twelve years the "kids at Crotched Mountain" were involved in his weather forecasts. Using weather instruments he donated, the children took readings such as wind speed and direction, barometric pressure and temperature. They called the station daily with their report, just in time for his noon forecast. From these statistics came the lines still remembered by so many across New England, "...and the kids at Crotched Mountain are reporting light snow and a temperature of 28 degrees." Beyond the welcome publicity these reports gave to our work, the lasting legacy of Don Kent to Crotched Mountain can be found in the many gifts, including substantial bequests made through wills, that we received over the years that have helped build the Crotched Mountain facilities and endowment. Gifts would arrive with a note saying, "I first learned of Crotched Mountain through Don Kent. Please use this wherever it will help most." Don's last visit to Crotched Mountain occurred about a month ago. At 92 years of age, he told his son he wanted to visit us one last time. We put together a book of remembrances containing photographs of Don and "the kids at Crotched Mountain". When his son called today to tell us the news of his passing, he mentioned how much Don had enjoyed this last trip and seeing the pictures and stories of our time together. On behalf of the entire Crotched Mountain family, we extend our sympathies and codolences to Don Kent's family. His memory will continue to live on as our newly formed Legacy Society is named in his honor.
We invite you to view the PowerPoint slide show, Honoring Our Good Friend, Don Kent, that was created for that event.
Please be patient, as it may take a few minutes to download the file. |