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Bull Hill Preserve. Aerial photo by Leslie Sweetnam

In just two years, the Wyndham Land Trust has expanded the Bull Hill Preserve in Thompson and Woodstock to 885 acres, a testament to the land trust’s commitment to protecting this expansive unbroken forest. 
Three properties were added to the land trust’s holdings at the end of 2018 —55 acres formerly owned by the Young family, 56 acres owned by Mark Cunningham, and 2.5 acres owned by Marcus Johnson. 
The Young property is just north of the parking area for the preserve, which can be accessed from Bull Hill Road, via Senexet Road in Woodstock. The new lot contains a red oak and white pine forest with a thick understory of mountain laurel. The property also holds a large blueberry swamp that supports uncommon nesting bird species, notably Magnolia Warbler and Northern Waterthrush. 
The Cunningham properties consist of three separate parcels. One parcel connects to a land trust preserve in the northern part of the forest, and two parcels expand the main core of the preserve to the south.  These properties are mainly oak forest, and one parcel contains a scenic waterfall.  Whip-poor wills, a rare bird in Connecticut, are known to nest in this forest. 
The Johnson parcel is located in the southern part of the forest and is adjacent to existing land holdings.  It consists of mostly oak and white pine. 
“The land trust has focused on the Bull Hill project since the end of 2016,” said trust President Mike St Lawrence. “A lot of volunteer time and energy have gone in to it, but it’s gratifying to know how much impact we are having. We’re excited to protect so much land in such a short period of time. We’re getting a lot of support from the community, which inspires us to keep pushing forward.”
The Wyndham Land Trust now protects more than 100 parcels in 10 towns in northeastern Connecticut totaling more than 4,000 acres.

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I am a good map reader.  This is primarily due to the fact that I have lived more in a time where navigation mostly happened with maps versus with phones.  I use the term “mostly” because navigation also, still to this day, can be achieved successfully, simply, by reading signs.
It is true that many people get anxious about travelling through an airport, but I find airports to be the easiest places to navigate in because there are signs EVERYWHERE!  There are signs to let you know what terminal and gate you are in.  There are signs to let you know where there are restrooms or lounges or eateries.  There are even signs to let you know how long it will take an average walker to reach a certain terminal or gate.
Navigating in a car, however, solely by using road signs, can be a bit trickier, especially if you are in a foreign country.   This is why I insist on always having a map handy. 
If you do a fair amount of driving in foreign countries, at some point, you will get lost.  If your vehicle doesn’t have a GPS, the question becomes when do you rely on the map and when do you rely on the signs? 
On one such occasion, my husband and I found ourselves in this very predicament.  We were returning after a long day of sightseeing and somehow, we took a wrong turn or not a turn or a road was closed… and we found ourselves on an unfamiliar road.  It was growing dark, raining heavily and I was getting tired, so I opened my handy map and took my best guess at directing us in the right direction, which, happened to be, according to the map, to stay on the very road we were travelling on.  My husband caught a sign which indicated that we should make a turn.  I insisted that the road we were on was going to be a shorter route, but truth be told, I wasn’t totally sure.  I figured, though, that if I had made a mistake, there would certainly be an opportunity to turn around and go back.
The road I insisted we take, ended up being a mountain overpass.  After nearly 20 minutes of driving up a very steep, very narrow and very curvy road, I began to panic.  There were no other cars on the road, nor any street lights.  Just staying ON the road and not driving off the side of the mountain, was a huge challenge.
Soon, it was totally dark and our ascent up the mountain seemed never ending.  I found myself clenching my hands around the car door handle and shutting my eyes tightly so I couldn’t see the next death-defying curve ahead.  Finally, after what felt like reaching the summit, we were heading back down.  I was even more terrified on our descent because I noticed that my husband seemed to be enjoying the intensity of the ride and was going faster than the snail-speed I wished him to travel at. After all, sharp turns on wet, steep roads were far more fun when coming down.
Finally, and just as I was ready to admit defeat through tears of terror, we saw a sign indicating an upcoming turn to our town.  The map ended up showing us the way and, in the end, my only mistake was in thinking there would be a place in which to turn around!
RAPIDO! RAPIDO!     
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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PUTNAM — Family and friends will be collecting socks for the newly named The Curt D. Heath Memorial Sock Drive from 6 to 9 a.m. Feb. 15 in front of WINY Radio on Rt. 44. The socks are collected for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The program is geared to the Foster Care Program.
The goal this year is 1,500 pairs.
The “sock raising” started three years ago after Kacey Terranova of Putnam, a foster mom, realized that foster children were coming to their home with some clothing, but they also seemed to be missing socks.
The sock drive started in honor of their foster child (since adopted), Kelsey Terranova
The first year they collected 500 pairs. Last year 1,300 pairs were collected.
Last year Kacey was assisted by her uncle, Curt D. Heath. He took ill last April and died. The sock drive is now named after him.
Socks can be left at the St. Joseph School in N. Grosvenordale (where Kelsey attends school), or at WINY.  Additionally, the family has set up a Facebook page, Curt D. Heath Memorial Sock Drive, and will make arrangements to meet you and pick up the socks if you cannot make the collection date of Feb. 15.  

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Wed. Jan. 30
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Library are sponsoring the Art @ the Library series at the Thompson Public Library with the exhibit “Pourtuitous” by Sarah Sabka through Jan. 31.

Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “Trail Wood Reflections: Writer & Artist In-Residence Exhibit” through Feb. 24. Free. 860-928-4948.

Thur. Jan. 31
Trivia Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Lions Club will present a Trivia Challenge at 7 p.m. at the Crossings Restaurant. Benefits Quilts  of  Valor.

WWI Presentation
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present Christine Pittsley, director for CT State Library's WWI Initiatives, at 7 p.m. at the Old Town House. Pittsley will explore Connecticut's role in Seicheprey, France, the site of the first WWI German offensive against American troops, specifically Connecticut's 102nd Infantry Regiment.  Sponsored by the CT State Library.

Fri. Feb. 1
Pasta Fund-raiser
DANIELSON --- The Ellis Tech Class of 2019 will present a pasta dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ellis Tech cafeteria. Benefits Project Safe Grad. $7 or four for $25. 860-412-7538.

‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 2, 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Sat. Feb. 2
February Freeze
POMFRET --- The PCS February Freeze 5k Run/Walk will start at 1 p.m. at the Pomfret School – Parsons Lodge. Snow date Feb. 3. $30 per person. Register at www.pomfretcommunityschool.org/februaryfreeze. Proceeds to go Pomfret Community School 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C.

Fund-raiser Dinner Dance
HAMPTON --- Day Kimball Healthcare and the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital will present a Valentine Dinner Dance & 125th Anniversary Celebration starting at 5 p.m. at StoneHurst at Hampton Valley. $50. Benefits board’s pledge for renovations and expansions at DKH. Reservations: www.daykimball.org/events/125th.

Acorn Adventure
GRISWOLD --- The Last Green Valley’s Acorn Adventure: Winter Birds,  will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Hopeville State Park on Hopeville Road.  Meander around the park  in search of winter birds. Along the way we’ll gather some pinecones and then stop and make pine cone bird feeders to take home and hang in your yard. Acorn Adventures are sponsored by Putnam Bank.

‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Story/Craft
EASTFORD --- The Eastford Public Library is holding a Story & Craft for children at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9. Register by Feb. 2  at 860-974-0125 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PomCon ComicCon
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public library will present Fandom mini-convention at the library. The day includes Sport Stacking at 10 a.m., Cosplay Parade at 11:30 a.m., and Graphic Novel Illustration Workshop at 12:30 p.m. Scavenger hunts, crafts, and more. Details at pomfretlibrary.org.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Nature Journaling from 1 to 4 p.m. $10 for CAS members; $20 nonmembers. Register at:  860-928-4948.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present Nature Tracking Hike from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bull Hill Wyndham Land Trust.  $50 for CAS members; $60 nonmembers. Register at:  860-928-4948.

Sun. Feb. 3
‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Mon. Feb. 4
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present the “Connecticut Bird Atlas --- Off and Running” at 6:30 p.m. (snow date: Feb. 5). Free. 860-928-4948.

Wed. Feb. 6
Entrepreneurship Workshop
POMFRET ---- The Pomfret Public Library will present “READY: Basics of Business Startup - what you need to consider in the early stages of business development” at 2 p.m. at the library. It’s sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration and Pomfret Public Library. Register at: pomfretlibrary.org.

New Year
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig, at 12:30 p.m. in the Dr. Robert E. Miller Auditorium.

Art Opening
DANIELSON --- Quinebaug Valley Community College will present the opening of the Ann C. Rosebrooks Retrospective at 5:30 at the SPIROL Art Gallery.

Fri. Feb. 8
Textile Exhibit
WILLIMANTIC --- The remarkable life of Sidonia Perlstein, Holocaust survivor and clothing designer, will be on display Feb. 8 through April 28 at the Windham Textile and History Museum from Feb. 8 - April 28. "Sidonia's Thread: Crafting a Life from Holocaust to High Fashion" will showcase up to 50 garments created by Perlstein during her years in America. This project is funded by the Hochberg Committee for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at the Temple Bnai Israel; Connecticut Humanities, the Windham Textile and History Museum; and the CSU-AAUP 2018-19 University Research Grant. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $7 for general admission; $5 for students and seniors (62+); free for museum members and kids under 5 years old, and Eastern students. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Sat. Feb. 9
Fire & Ice
PUTNAM --- The 9th annual Fire & Ice will take place from noon to 9 p.m. around downtown Putnam.

‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and at 2 p.m. Feb.  10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Potato Fund-raiser
PUTNAM --- There will be a baked potato buffet will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the downstairs hall of St. Mary’s Church. $5. Eat in or take out. Benefits Boy Scout Troop 21. 860-928-7241.

Sun. Feb. 10
‘Noises Off’
PUTNAM --- The Bradley Playhouse on Front Street will present “Noises Off” at 2 p.m. Feb. 10. $20 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.  860-28-7887.

Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “How to Use Your Digital Camera – Photography Class with Fred Bird” from 2 to 5 p.m. Free to CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.

Mon. Feb. 11
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road will present “How to Use Your Digital Camera – Photography Class with Fred Bird” from 2 to 5 p.m. Free to CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. Register: 860-928-4948.

Wed. Feb. 13
Entrepreneurship Workshop
POMFRET --- The Pomfret public Library will present “SET: Essentials of becoming credit-ready -where to get money for your business, the five C’s of Credit, and business loans” at 2 p.m. at the library.  Sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration and Pomfret Public Library.  Register at: pomfretlibrary.org.

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