The Airport
Roscoe and Jason Sawyer built the Silver Ranch Airpark in 1946 by by grading a hilltop of trees felled by the 1938 hurricane. The original runway, about 1200 feet was expanded to 2000 feet in the 1950s and then paved and lengthened to 3000 feet.
Jaffrey Airport-Silver Ranch
The airport is a family corporation and is managed by Roscoe’s grandson Harvey Sawyer and his wife Lee. During the warmer months Harvey and Lee host a social get together for seniors, passengers and visitors from the nearby Ice Cream takeout.
The Music Jam
In 2009 Dave and Ellen Hedman formed Monadnock Mountain Music Jaffey. The group’s charter is to preserve, play, teach, share and sing traditional old-time bluegrass, early country and Americana music. In those early years music jams were held in the main hall of Silver Ranch livery located across the street from the airport.
Over time the hall proved too costly to heat in the winter months. In cooler weather the music jams were held at the Temple Town Hall. In the warmer months Dave and Ellen held the jams at their home which had limited space. In 2018 they came up with the idea of holding the jams at the airport and playing for the senior group.
Unexpected Arrival
Harvey received a radio call from a glider pilot stating that he needed to land. We had the opportunity to see this unique aircraft.
Final Jam for the Year
This is a great location for a jam. Thanks to Harvey and Lee for hosting this. We may get one more chance before the weather changes. After that the jam will relocate to the Temple Town Hall. Details about MMMJ can be found on their Facebook Page.
Beautifully done, John!!!! Photos capture perfectly the joy of being outdoors with friends, family, and musicians as well as the story of the airport!