Spring Outdoors events in The Last Green Valley with free guided adventures all over the National Heritage Corridor during the upcoming week include:
Get outside with “Tackle the Trail for Beginners” at 8 a.m. May 13 in Pomfret. Truly a beginner’s event focusing on the benefits of hitting the trail, all are welcome. Beginning is the best way to start anything! Pre-register and questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Last Green Valley’s (TLGV) Rangers “Buffumville South Trail Loop” calls you to Charlton on at 10 a.m. May 13. Stay at this location for an “Invasive Species Workshop-GET THEE GONE” at 1 p.m. to learn about common invasive species and management tactics.
Three bird walks focus on what you can see and hear during this time of migration. The Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret offers both the “Long Pond Bird Walk” on May 13 and “Bull Hill Bird Walk” on May 18. Both CAS walks are in Thompson and start at 8 a.m. These properties are newly acquired Wyndham Land Trust preserves; no dogs for these two walks, please. “Birding with Mom” steps off at 7 a.m. May 14 at Schoolhouse Brook Park in Mansfield. Pre-register to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 860-429-3015. Bringing your mom is encouraged, but not required. Bring binoculars to all these birding delights.
Take a stroll with mom on the newest section of rail trail in Willimantic at “Mother’s Day at the Railroad Museum” at 10 a.m. May 14. Stroll right into the museum and take a tour (entry fees apply).
“Mansfield PUP Crawl” is always a wagging success during Walktober, and now you can stroll with your four-legged friend at 9:30 a.m. May 13 in downtown Storrs (free parking in the Storrs Center Parking Garage for the first two hours.) Walkers without dogs are welcome to participate.
Palmer Arboretum is blooming with beauty and “Trees on Woodstock Hill” shows off some special trees and restoration work at 10 a.m. May 13.
Fairies are enjoying Spring Outdoors, and you can “Make a Fairy House” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 in Joshua’s Trust Bradley-Buchanan Woods, behind the Mansfield Library. Bring natural materials to make the fairies a comfy home.
Jump in with Paddle Killingly on their “Willimantic River from Mansfield River Park to Eagleville Dam” paddle at 5:30 p.m. May 16, pushing off at 5:30 p.m. Bring your kayak, PFD (life jacket) and a whistle. Pre-register and details on the www.meet-up.com/PaddleKillingly site.
Everyone loves firefighters, so “Visit the Huguenot Steamer No. 1 Fire Station Museum” May 13 for a tour to please all ages in North Oxford, Mass. While unassuming on the outside, this museum is amazing inside.
Living history is a major theme this week. A “Militia Encampment of the New England Volunteers” at the Ashbel Woodward House in Franklin has action all weekend long, May 13-14, focusing on Civil War days.
“Artillery School – Return to the 1700’s” takes aim all weekend at the Huntington Homestead Museum in Scotland, and on Saturday they serve up “Dinner in the Home of the Revolutionary War Activist’s” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $6 each, $12 per family, $4 students and seniors.
At 10:30 a.m. May 13, Norwich Historical Society’s wildly popular “Norwich’s Millionaires’ Triangle travels back to the late 19th century to “meet” the families who lived in the Broadway and Washington Street mansions. Leffingwell keeps history alive with a special tour “Featuring Colonial Women of Norwich” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5 entry fee.
Willimantic’s “3rd Thursday Street Fest” hops down Main Street for the first festival of the season from 6 to 9 p.m. May 18. Tastes, sips, music, entertainment and vendors galore welcome you.
TLGV Rangers Geoff & Kim host “Light Pollution 101” in TLGV’s office in Danielson at 7 p.m. May 19. This talk is appropriate for ages 5 and up, and great for groups such as scouts. Pre-register to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Hydroseeding
M&M Hydroseeding covered approximately 70,000 square feet of Putnam Rotary Park with grass last week. Mike Mooney, company owner, donated his time and the tough athletic field grass mix was purchased. Linda Lemmon photo.
Woodstock public schools
Monday: Cheeseburgers, baked beans, fruit. Tuesday: Grilled cheese sandwiches, veggie sticks, tomato soup, fruit. Wednesday: Popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, fruit. Thursday: Chef salad, fruit. Friday: Pizza, zucchini, fruit.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Meatball, pasta, green beans/carrot snacks, fresh fruit or fruit cups. Tuesday: French toast sticks, turkey sausages, hash browns, celery sticks/dip. Wednesday: Chicken strips, squash/carrot snacks, fresh fruit or fruit cups. Thursday: Pizza, broccoli, celery sticks/dip, fresh fruit or fruit cups. Friday: Beef tacos, beans,/carrot snacks, fresh fruit or fruit cups, strawberry Dinosaur Grahams.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday: Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, cheddar Goldfish crackers, carrots with hummus. Tuesday: Country chicken drummies, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn. Wednesday - Wolf Meal: Hamburgers or cheeseburgers, sherbet. Thursday: Zesty orange popcorn chicken rice bowl, broccoli. Friday: Stuffed-crust pizza.
Putnam High
Monday: Crispy chicken pattty sandwiches or spicy chicken sandwiches. Tuesday: Italian meatball subs or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday: Crispy chicken tenders or buffalo chicken wraps. Thursday: Hot dogs or chef salad. Friday: French bread pizza or fish sandwiches.
Wed. May 10
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a Full Moon Guided Walk at 7:30 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library will present Art @ the Library, Thompson Spring Student Art Showcase through May 30. www.thompsonpubliclibrary.org.
Art Show
POMFRET --- The Northeastern CT Art Guild is having an Art show at the Vanilla Bean through May 29. Seventeen artists have works in oils, watercolors, pastels, pen and ink, collage, and in wood.
Photo Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present “Nature’s Canvas – photography by Nancy L. Barrett” through the end of July at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. 860-928-4948.
Thur. May 11
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a bird walk at 5 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Trail Wood Bird Walks at 8 a.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $3 for CAS members; $7 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Senior Meeting
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Senior Citizens will meet at 2 p.m. at the Putnam VFW.860-928-0688
'39 Steps'
POMFRET --- The Pomfret School Theater will present "The 39 Steps" at 7 p.m. May 11 and at 8 p.m. May 12 in the Hard Auditorium.
Fri. May 12
Golf Tournament
PUTNAM --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary Club will hold a golf tournament at Connecticut National Golf Course. For more information call 860-428-7661.
History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Stephen Spignesi with “Grover Cleveland's Rubber Jaw and Other Unusual, Unexpected, Unbelievable but All-True Facts About America's Presidents” following the 7 p.m. business meeting at the Community Room at town hall. Free. All welcome. Refreshments.
Sat. May 13
Plant Sale
WOODSTOCK --- The Quiet Corner Garden Club will hold its annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Agricultural Exhibition Building on the Woodstock Fairgrounds. Fund-raiser for the scholarship program.
Church Supper
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam will present Polish Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. $12 for adults; $5 for kids 12 and younger. Benefits community charities. Takeout available. 860-928-4405.
Wyndham Program
THOMPSON --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present the Long Pond Bird Walk at 8 a.m. at Long Pond. Bring binoculars and alert senses. No dogs. 860-963-2090.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a Long Pond bird walk at 8 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. Carpool to Wyndham Land Trust Preserve in Thompson. $7 for CAS members; $12 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Mother’s Day Event
EASTFORD --- A Mother’s Day Story Time & Craft event will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Eastford Public Library for kids 3 and older. Register by May 6 at 860-974-0125.
Food Drive
PUTNAM --- Putnam Post Office Postmaster Don Deslauriers said the post office will be holding its annual food drive to support Daily Bread and TEEG. Place a bag of nonperishable food near the mail box or drop it off at the Putnam Post Office downtown. "There's always a need in the community."
Plant Sale
BROOKLYN --- The Federated Church of Christ at the intersection of routes 6 and 169, will hold a Mother’s Day Plant, Bake and Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to noon.
Arboretum Tour
WOODSTOCK --- The Palmer Arboretum on Rt. 169 will be part of the Last Green Valley’s Spring Outdoors program with a tour at 10:30 a.m. All welcome.
Senior Meeting
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Commission on Aging will present Dr. Joseph Botta speaking about medications and seniors from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Mary Church Hall on Providence Street. Free. Open to seniors, their caretakers, and the public.
Sun. May 14
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a Mother’s Day Bird Walk at 8 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. Mother’s free. 860-928-4948.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a Second Sunday Guided Walk at 2 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. Free for CAS members; $5 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Mon. May 15
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present 20 Warbler Day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $15 for CAS members; $30 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Tues. May 16
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Tuesday in the Woodstock Town Hall lower level meeting room. Free for all Woodstock senior citizens 60 and older. 860-974-1050.
Wed. May 17
Fun Run
THOMPSON --- The West Thompson Dam Fun Run will start May 17, and run on Wednesdays through Sept. 13. It will be held at the West Thompson Dam Entrance on Ravenelle Road. Start time is 6:15 p.m. Distance is 3.1 and 1.44 miles. The Fun Run or walk is free and is open to everyone. Free T-shirt once three events are completed. Details: mayer.robert @sbcglobal.net. This year’s events will be held in memory of Ryan French who died in January.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a bird watch for people with limited mobility at 8 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Thur. May 18
Chapeau Show
WOODSTOCK --- The Sassy Chapeau Hat Show will be held at 5:30 at the Mansion at Bald Hill on Plaine Hill Road. Hat show, food, entertainment. Benefits the Northeast Connecticut Women’s & Girls Fund, managed in partnership with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. $20. 860-315-3315.
Fri. May 19
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present 90 Bird Day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. Bring lunch, drinks and snack. $20 for CAS members; $35 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Sat. May 20
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present a bird banding demonstration at 9 a.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Rabies Clinic
CANTERBURY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, is holding a low cost rabies clinic from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Canterbury Fire Station on Rt. 14. No appointment necessary. $12 cash per animal. All animals must be on a leash or in a secured carrier. If available, bring prior proof of rabies vaccination. 860-317-1720.
Sun. May 21
Wyndham Program
WOODSTOCK --- The Wyndham Land Trust will present the Rocky Hill Refuge Dedication at 1 p.m. Light refreshments. 860-963-2090.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Spring Writing Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $10 for CAS members; $20 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Acorn Adventure
CENTRAL VILLAGE --- TLGV Ranger Marcy’s Acorn Adventure – Pond & Field Discoveries will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at QV State Hatchery on Trout Hatchery Rd. Tour the hatchery building, walk the trails to the family fishing pond. Bring your fishing pole, worms, and barbless hooks. Snacks, stickers and fresh air family fun. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Mon. May 22
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Library Friends will present “Creative Writing for Adults with Christine Kalafus” at 7 p.m. at the library. Free. Register at pomfretlibrary.org.
Thur. May 25
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Trail Wood Bird Walks at 8 a.m. at Trail Wood parking lot on Kenyon Road. $3 for CAS members; $7 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Sat. May 27
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret will present Boston Hollow Bird Watch at 8 a.m. starting from the Grassland Bird Conservation Center. $7 for CAS members; $12 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
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