Peter, Halle & Kris in Vegas Feb 09

FROM PETER SHERWIN

DENNIS SHERWIN

8 June 1937 - 19 Dec. 2008

SERVICE
Bermuda 1 Jan. 2009

To All:

On New Years Day towards the setting of the sun, Dennis’ loving family and dearest friends gathered on the beautiful Bermuda Beach below his beloved house to bid him a final farewell. With loving care we helped him end the journey of his life on this earth and sent him on his way to begin a new and joyful journey towards the Everlasting where his loving parents and dearest friends (all gone before) awaited his arrival into their waiting arms.

As the sun slipped into broken clouds with shafts of sunlight piercing through to the ocean beach, Adam, David, and Halle committed his ashes to the waves rolling up on shore (flowers also joined the waves).

His loving godsons then swam with the remaining ashes to the enormous rock jutting from the sea which Dennis so loved to watch from the “eagles nest” above in his house.

The Boys climbed to the top of the rock and committed the remaining ashes to his beloved Bermuda and as they prepared to leave, a shaft of the setting sun fell across the rock as if Dennis was saying, “I’m leaving now to start my new journey and I love you all and will watch over you until you join me again.” Adam and David waived goodbye and then dove from the rock and swam to shore.

Those in attendance were:
Adam Outerbridge (godson) and his wife, Heather
David Outerbridge (godson)
Peter Sherwin (older brother) and his wife, Kristine
Graeme Outerbridge (godson’s father), wife Maria, and Graeme’s daughter, Alexandra
Amanda Outerbridge (godson’s mother) and Peter Milller
Halle Sherwin (Peter’s daughter) and Gail Golden, Dennis’s loving friend who took such
good care of him,
Rainbow, (Dennis’ dog), the love of his life

Short remembrances were spoken by Peter Sherwin, Amanda Outerbridge, Greame Outerbridge, David Outerbridge, Halle Sherwin, and Adam Outerbridge before the ceremony began.

A beautiful remembrance for my loving Brother

Peter Sherwin
4 Jan. 2009

DENNIS' CELEBRATION: FROM HALLE & GAIL

"Funeral Blues"
W H Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.


An Irish Saying

May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.

Walking Down To Dennis' Beach

Arriving At Dennis' Beach

Alexandra Outerbridge, Maria Outerbridge, David Outerbridge,
Peter Miller, Halle Sherwin,
Kris & Peter Sherwin,
Gail Golden & Rainbow
Adam & Heather Outerbridge
(Taking Pictures: Graeme Outerbridge, Amanda Outerbridge)

Graeme and Amanda Outerbridge
Two of Dennis' Oldest & Dearest Friends

Gail Golden & Rainbow
Dennis' Close Friend & Caretaker and His Beloved Dog




David & Adam W/ Dennis in Hand



David & Adam Ready For The Swim To The Rock



Adam & David On The Rock With Dennis' Ashes




Dennis' House After The Celebration




The Beach After The Celebration




A Paddle Out At San Onofre Beach, San Clemente CA
For Dennis From Val

Dennis had celebrations all over the world on Jan 1, 2009 at 4:25 (Bermuda Time) From Bermuda to Miami to Colorado and Cleveland and California.

He was very well loved and remembered. There will be memorial services to follow in both Bermuda (TBD) and Cleveland on his birthday, June 8th. Information will follow.

Dennis: Farewell, Love and Godspeed

Abraham Lincoln’s Farewell Address
Springfield, Illinois
February 11, 1861

My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

The Royal Gazette: Dennis Sherwin – Philanthropist, Godfather, Friend

As Posted: December 30 and 31, 2008















Dennis Sherwin – Philanthropist, Godfather, Friend

On December 19, 2008, Dennis Sherwin died at the age of 71 at the Cleveland Clinic due to complications as a result of diabetes.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dennis enjoyed the past 35 years of his life in Bermuda after taking residence on the island in 1974. Throughout his life, Dennis was involved in many charities focused on the environment and the arts.

Dennis will be greatly missed by family members and friends including: his two brothers, Peter and Brian Sherwin; godsons, Adam and David Outerbridge, and Jake Zalba; nephew, Tim Sherwin; and nieces, Halle Sherwin, Caroline Zaegel, Pam Zalba, and Marguerite Sherwin.

The family encourages a moment of silence and reflection on New Year’s Day to remember Dennis.

A celebration of Dennis’s life will be announced in due course.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Dennis’s memory is invited to contribute to the Bermuda National Trust or the Bermuda National Gallery.

Stories, photos, and memories are invited to be shared online at the family blog: http://sherwin-halle.blogspot.com or please email postings to: HalleSherwin@gmail.com.

Rabbit

Mid-Ocean News: Dennis Sherwin, 1937-2008 Tribute

Dennis Sherwin, 1937-2008

TRIBUTE. Published: December 26. 2008 12:00AM

LIKE Henry David Thoreau, the sage of Walden Pond and the prototype naturalist he so deeply admired, Dennis Sherwin heard a different drummer. And like Thoreau he walked in step with this distant music, charting a highly individualistic course through life that ultimately brought him to his own secluded paradise in Bermuda. And the island should be forever thankful he found tranquility, proximity to nature and a transcendent beauty here both in terms of Bermuda's natural environment and its people. For Dennis Sherwin lavished love, attention and energy on his adopted home in a manner that will ensure he always remains one of Bermuda's favourite adopted sons.

Dennis Sherwin was a man born into wealth and privilege. But he never found any personal satisfaction in the endless amassing of worldly goods and, indeed, gave away the better part of his personal fortune to Bermuda and Bermudians.

He preferred to invest in Bermuda and its people rather than in the markets and possessions. He recognised that the value of those things he cherished most in life, Bermuda's national spirit and its natural and cultural amenities, could never be measured in terms of stock market returns or dividends.

Dennis was born and raised with his two brothers Brian and Peter in Cleveland, Ohio. He came to Bermuda in the early 1970s. Originally he spent holidays here, returning to his home in Georgetown, Washington DC where he worked for the Democratic National Party and the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.

One of his closest friends was Tom Foley, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives; Dennis worked for Speaker Foley when he was Congressman from Washington State and was later best man at his wedding.

Before long, Dennis had fallen in love with Bermuda, and chose to live here full time, becoming completely involved with the community of his adopted home.

He worked energetically for the Bermuda Festival, the Bermuda National Gallery, and the Bermuda National Trust.

Dennis cared deeply about the arts of all kinds, and was extremely knowledgeable. He was perhaps even more passionate about the environment – and particularly the health of Bermuda's environment during the early days of growth and development in the 1980s.

He did everything he could to help retain the island's most beautiful and ecologically important features, and worked diligently on behalf of the National Trust to protect Bermuda's natural heritage.

"The passing of our special friend and life member, Mr. Dennis Sherwin, has left the Trust immensely saddened," a Trust spokesman said this week.

Dennis, a key supporter of the Trust, served as a member for over thirty years and gave generously both financially and of his time and expertise. Serving as the President of the Trust from 1987 through 1990 he was also a long-time member of the Environmental Committee, a Council member and Patron.

As a recipient of the National Trust's highest honour, The Palmetto Award, Dennis has remained over the years outstanding in service to the community in areas of concern to the Trust.

Dennis possessed a deep love for Bermuda and an unyielding determination to preserve as much of its unique environmental heritage as was possible. He had a vision of an "Emerald Necklace" which would link parks, nature reserves and open spaces across the island, allowing all Bermudians to live in proximity to nature's beauty.

His passion for the environment and kindness through giving provided the National Trust - and, by extension, the people of Bermuda - with the Warwick Pond Nature Reserve and the magnificent Boardwalk at Paget Marsh, appropriately named Dennis's Walk. To ensure that these would forever be places of enjoyment in Bermuda he created an endowment fund for their long term maintenance.

A strong advocate for all that was sound environmentally in Bermuda, Dennis invested enormous effort to ensure developments like the Tyne's Bay Incinerator and the Cruise Port Plan would have minimal negative consequence on our fragile island. He willingly gave of his time for research and discussions far beyond the call of duty in his voluntary roles at the Trust and our respect for his efforts will be everlasting.

People all over Bermuda knew Dennis and his ever-present German shepherd, Rainbow.

An outgoing, friendly and humble person, he enjoyed people from all walks of life. No matter who you were or what you did, he treated you with respect and had no time for pomposity or formality. Dennis opened his house to friends and colleagues working for the causes he believed in, and they would spend hours planning together and working on projects.

Many people comprised his Bermuda family, and notably Dennis was godfather to twins Adam and David Outerbridge, who had a close relationship with him until the day he died, when they were with him at The Cleveland Clinic.

Long troubled by ill health as a result of diabetes, Dennis was admitted to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Monday, December 15, and was taken by air ambulance to Cleveland on Thursday. He died there last Friday. Adam and David Outerbridge said: "We feel extremely fortunate to have had Dennis in our lives. He was like a father to us, as well as mentor and guidance counselor. He taught us so much about art, the environment and life in general. Dennis made us the youngest ever members of the National Trust when we were less than a year old – and he never stopped offering us encouragement to become involved in what mattered in the community. While his passing is a great loss for Bermuda as a whole, we personally feel devastated that he is no longer there to talk to. "

We will always cherish the memory of Dennis, for his friendship, his generosity and his unwavering love for Bermuda.

He will always be considered one of the island's most special adopted sons, whose legacy will ensure future generations of Bermudians are able to enjoy the beauty of our natural environment.

David L. White, Chairman Emeritus of the Bermuda National Gallery and a former National Trust president, said it best this week, calling Dennis the "godfather of the environment and of the arts in Bermuda".

"His enthusiasm, his support and his financial generosity will probably never be matched," he said. "Bermuda will be poorer in every sense for his passing."

Services for Dennis

On January 1, 2009, one hour before sunset, (4:25 Bermuda, 3:25 EST, 12:25 PST) a small family and friends ceremony for Dennis will take place where half of his ashes will be scattered in the ocean in Bermuda.  The other half of his ashes will be scattered in the pond in Waite Hill, OH later in the year.

For those of you unable to join, wherever you are in the world, please spend a few moments thinking of Dennis and what he meant to you at this time.  Dennis would spend time looking out at the ocean during the memorial services of his friends and family; if you are nearby a body of water, we would ask you to do the same.  Dennis would more than appreciate the thoughts and sendoff we will give to him.  

WARWICK POND: BERMUDA

New walking trail to open today
Published: December 10. 2003 12:00AM

By Amy Terceira

A new walking trail with interpretative panels has been created by the National Trust along the waterside of Warwick Pond on Middle Road.

It will be officially opened by the Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield today at 10 a.m.

The panels inform visitors about the significance of the pond and the surrounding wood and farm land.

They have been provided with the help of conservationist Dr. David Wingate who also assisted with the layout of the trail.

It's all part of the Trust's plan to promote the appreciation of the lands under its protection and the site is one of the locations in Trust supporter Dennis Sherwin's vision for an 'emerald necklace' across Bermuda of preserved green spaces for all to enjoy, according to a press release.

The Trust acquired the land around Warwick Pond in 1987 from a donation by Mr. Sherwin.

The pond, wooded hillside, and two fields to the south make up 9.318 acres of open space extending between Middle Road and the Railway Trail west of Khyber Pass in Warwick.

This space has been more or less inaccessible to the public.

Warwick Pond is the third largest fresh pond in Bermuda and the surrounding woodland has some of the largest Allspice trees in Bermuda as well as a large number of Bermuda Cedars.

The trail provides a place where visitors can explore and discover the habitat and bird life.

It is open from dawn until dusk seven days a week.

PAGET MARSH BERMUDA

PAGET MARSH

Fern forest at Paget Marsh

Paget Marsh covers an area of 25 acres and is the last sizeable tract of land in Bermuda to have survived almost unmodified by man since prehistoric time.

It is managed jointly as a nature reserve by the Bermuda Audubon Society and the Bermuda National Trust.

It is believed that the substrate rock in this marsh is Walsingham Aeolianite, with well-developed cave formations, and that the marsh began as a tidal sink hole similar to the ponds near Walsingham Bay, but became gradually less tidal and less saline as the build-up of peat clogged the underground tidal channels and filled up the marsh basin. Present peat depths in the marsh average between 20 and 30 feet.

The marsh is dominated by the last remaining forest of endemic Bermuda Palmetto and Bermuda Cedar. It also features all types of marsh habitats in Bermuda, including a mangrove pond. As the mangroves have largely overgrown the water, a new half-acre pond was excavated in 1998, and work was begun on the construction of a boardwalk, starting at the Lovers' Lane entrance to the reserve. The new pond is called "David's Pond", after the prime mover in the drive for a boardwalk, Government Conservation Officer Dr David Wingate, and is attracting an ever-increasing number of waterbird species. The old pond is named "Dennis's Pond", in honor of Mr Dennis Sherwin, former President of the Bermuda National Trust, who donated the money for the boardwalk.

300 feet of boardwalk have been completed in the first phase, taking people through the five different ecosystems. Dr Wingate says, "There are pure stands of red mangrove, saw-grass, savanna, original cedar and palmetto canopy, with native ferns covering the floor, and intermediate woodland with wax myrtle, wood shrubs and bushy areas. The boardwalk goes through all these habitats."

Work on culling invasive exotic species in Paget Marsh was started by Dr Wingate in 1976. With the assistance of volunteers from the National Trust, Dr Wingate removed wild guavas, marlberry, Chinese fan palm, pittosporum, and Brazil pepper, and, as space was created, endemic and native species flourished anew. Much to his delight, Dr Wingate found that endemic plants which were not growing there in 1976 sprang up at a later date.

Before the building of the boardwalk, exploring the marsh was not only an extremely muddy experience, it was hazardous to both explorer and nature. A profusion of poison ivy threatened the safety of the explorer, while the explorer's feet inflicted damage on the species to be found underfoot. Now one can avoid the poison ivy and admire the many varieties of ferns and grasses without treading on them.

Among the groundcover one can recognize Royal Fern, Sword Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Southern Bracken and Maidenhair Fern. One can also find Giant Leather Fern, Virginia Chain Fern, Saw-grass, Cattail and Bullrush, and, on the floor of the forest, the dark green endemic moss, Bermuda campylopus.

In Paget Marsh one can obtain a clear impression of how Bermuda's interior valleys looked to the first settlers before clearing began. The palmettos are so numerous that the ground is covered with dead leaf fronds. This forest of palmettos represents a climax forest, where new seedlings of the species cannot mature until the death of a mature tree allows the necessary light to reach the seedlings.

The Royal Gazette: Dennis

Article published December 20. 2008 12:12PM

Friend of Bermuda Dennis Sherwin dies

By Nadia Arandjelovic

Philanthropist Dennis Sherwin, an influential figure in the 'Buy Back Bermuda' campaign, sadly passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Though not originally from Bermuda, Dennis Sherwin adopted the Island as his home in 1974, and invested money and countless amounts of time and energy into preserving the Island's natural and cultural treasures.

His family could not be reached yesterday for comment, but his close friends at the Bermuda National Trust, where Mr. Sherwin served as a valued member for thirty years, released a statement on his behalf.

"Dennis possessed a deep love for Bermuda and an unyielding determination to preserve as much of its unique environmental heritage as was possible," they wrote. "We will always cherish the memory of Dennis, for his friendship, his generosity and his unwavering love for Bermuda."

Mr. Sherwin, a born and bred American, fell in love with the Island and forwent his house in Georgetown, Washington in order to stay here. He wrote in his family blog: "When I do visit Washington and drive by the house, I can hear it calling for me, but I keep right on driving and grab the first plane back home to Bermuda and my dog..." "For me happiness is living in Bermuda."

Perhaps his most lasting contribution to the Island, Mr. Sherwin envisioned an "Emerald Necklace" that would link parks, nature reserves and open spaces across the Island- this is the same vision that drives the Buy Back Bermuda campaign today and in the years to come.

In addition to his work with the BNT, Mr. Sherwin was also a genuine lover of the arts and worked to make the Bermuda National Gallery free to all visitors.

David White, the Chairman Emeritus, calls Mr. Sherwin the " godfather of the environment and of the arts in Bermuda" and said: "His enthusiasm, his support and his financial generosity will probably never be matched." "Dennis was a major force, a substantial contributor and a founding trustee of the Bermuda National Gallery." "No one is likely to replace (him). Bermuda will be poorer in every sense for his passing."

From Suzi and Greg Mcintosh

From Dennis written to Brian in 1995

Dennis

DENNIS: June 8, 1936 - December 19, 2008

Dennis with his love Rainbow and his best pal Gail

Uncle Dennis died this morning at the Cleveland Clinic.  

I remember being so little and just loving Dennis from the minute I saw him. He had a wicked sense of humor, was smart as whip, never missed a trick either.  He was incredibly generous of himself and his time.  

I remember spending Christmas' in Cleveland and after dinner, Uncle Dennis and I would meet back in the kitchen and raid the refrigerator all night long...he never changed this life long habit.  He loved his daily drives around Bermuda with PT, PC and Rainbow, loved telling old family stories, movies and late night snacks.

I don't think Dennis realized how many lives he touched and how much he was loved.  He was a very, very special man and I will cherish all of the wonderful New Years Eve's we spent together.  

Dennis was like a kid in a candy store with this blog.  He so loved to open it up and see who had posted something new.  He would love that it continues on.  

Please keep posting, check back for more info on Dennis's service.

I love you Dennis, more than you can imagine, thank you for filling my life with you.  I'll be a little lost without you.

Love, Halle

Ann Crile Esselstyn and Brian Sherwin

Rip Esselstyn

Click here to go to his link

Happy Thanksgiving From Halle Family!

Happy Thanksgiving To All From Hollander, Gusty, Courtney & Sam!

Thank You, Brian!

Thank you, Brian for your posting on the recent passing of Frank Brant Carr ("Buck"). I have provided a link to The Cleveland Plain Dealer: http://obits.cleveland.com/Cleveland/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=119835040

I have provided some photo's of Courtney, Hollander & Gusty to enjoy!

Happy days!

Buck Carr

Halle's Photostream and Halle’s Smooooth Words o’ Wisdom

Michael Halle's Photos

Michael Halle's Blog

The White Gates

In the evenings Frannie with his dogs would walk down the road through the White Gates to an old entrance on Waite Hill Road.   

Looking pretty good for an old dog

Brian found someone to repair and paint the Four Dogs.