In program

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Aug. 19 Clara Sarantopoulos of Pomfret Center, along with over 250 first-year University of Vermont students, were led by 80 upper class peers as they began their UVM experience as part of the UVM TREK program, a unique, seven-day first year enrichment program sponsored by the University’s Department of Student Life.

Clara Sarantopoulos participated in Hiking TREK. A part of the Wilderness TREK program which provides students the opportunity to build lasting friendships, initiate self-discovery, and explore the people and landscapes that are Vermont, Hiking TREK provides incoming students an opportunity to visit and explore some of highest, most remote and oldest footpaths in the country - all along the long trail and in the Adirondacks. Hiking on average eight miles per day, traversed through hardwood, trickling streams and learned of the North Country’s rich, natural history along the way.

For 38 years, UVM’s TREK program has sent new students all over the state of Vermont to explore the region’s wilderness, develop leadership skills, and work on community service projects. TREK is one of the biggest and most diverse new-student, collegiate, community building programs in the north east region.

 

 

Start the long weekend early with Walktober adventures beginning Oct. 5, and find fun all weekend long with more than 65 opportunities to enjoy the 35 towns of The Last Green Valley.

The adventures waiting for attendees include a rare behind-the-scenes look at Otis Library in Norwich, a crash course on how a tree becomes the wood floor in your home at Hull Forest Products, and a look at how Connecticut DEEP is managing Hopeville State Park and dealing with the invasive Southern Pine Beetle.

“Most of these Walktober events are geared towards families,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of The Last Green Valley. “This is the perfect way to spend the long weekend together, make memories that will last a lifetime and do it on a budget.”

Here’s a sampling of Walktober Events from Oct. 5-9:

Walktober: Hopeville Pond State Park - Pitch Pine/Scrub Oak Sand Plain, Oct. 5, 9-11 a.m. Hopeville Pond State Park, Rte. 201, Griswold, CT. Join foresters from the Connecticut DEEP for a guided walk through the Pitch Pine – Scrub Oak Sand Plain of Hopeville Pond State Park. 

Walktober: Behind the Scenes at Otis Library, Oct. 5, 1-2 p.m. Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich, CT. 860-889-2365. You are invited to a private tour of Otis Library given by a knowledgeable staff member. 

Walktober: 4th Annual BIG-little Apple Festival, Oct. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Killingly Grange Hall, 801 Hartford Pike (Rte. 101), Killingly, CT. Park on corner of Rte. 101 & Dog Hill Rd. 860-705-3643. Enjoy all things fall harvest & APPLES once again at this popular annual event. Festivities include: an Apple Pancake Breakfast, live music, a “Salon De McIntosh” art show, reenactors, traditional crafts, primitives, children’s activities, chrysanthemums, apple pies, pumpkins, candy apples, cider & donuts, apple sauerkraut hot dogs and a basket raffle. Admission is free.

Walktober: Black Tavern’s Annual Craft Fair, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Black Tavern, 138 Center Rd., Dudley, MA. 508-943-8782. No admission fee for this great annual craft fair, but there will be a lot to tempt you, so be prepared. Pick up a unique gift as you visit The Black Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places! 

Walktober: From Forest to Flooring, Oct. 7, 8-9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., Hull Forest Products, Inc., 101 Hampton Rd., Pomfret, CT. 860-377-0117. You’ll have 3 chances to take this walking tour today! Learn how locally-grown trees are sustainably harvested and the fascinating process of turning logs into lumber for flooring, furniture, post & beam timbers, and railroad ties and pallets. This is an easy, interesting and very popular behind-the-scenes, 90-minute tour of a modern sawmill and lumber manufacturing facility.

Walktober: UConn Horsebarn Hill and Animal Barns Walk, Oct 7, 1:30-3 p.m., 2618 Horsebarn Hill Rd., Storrs, CT. Voluntary registration suggested allowing email update in case of postponement due to weather at http://cag.uconn.edu/eForms/admin.form.php?fid=163. Join us for a walk around UConn’s Horsebarn Hill to enjoy views of the surrounding UConn Forest’s fall foliage, visit the animal barns and learn about what’s going on at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Walktober: Where the Buffalo Roam, Oct. 9, 10-11:30 a.m., Creamery Brook Bison, 19 Purvis Rd., Brooklyn, CT. 860-779-0837. Take a walk to see the bison and their handling facilities. Warm up after the walk with Wild Rice and Bison Soup. Remember to wear walking shoes that can get dirty. 

 

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Cuddled Up

Maple leaves got caught up in some stone stairs. Linda Lemmon photo.