The Last Green Valley, Inc. is taking the #OptOutside movement to the next level Thanksgiving Weekend with Walktober Redux – a mini version of our hugely popular autumnal hiking event. All hikes have a limited capacity to ensure safe distancing. Masks and registration are required for all events.
FRIDAY
Wolf Den Hike: 10 am, Nov. 27, Pomfret — Join TLGV Rangers John and Kevin on a hike of some of Mashamoquet State Park’s most iconic locations. Hike to the table rock and then to the wolf den where the group will take a short rest for a snack before returning on another trail to the parking area. This is a three-mile moderate hike. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Bill at
Bi-State Marker Hike: 12:30 pm, Nov. 27, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown — Venture out in Pachaug State Forest to the stone monument marking the border between Connecticut and Rhode Island. It will be a four-mile out-and-back hike of moderate difficulty, featuring a few rock scrambles and approximately 100 ft. of elevation over the two miles out to the marker. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Kyle at
Winter Night Sky: 5:30 pm, Nov. 27, West Thompson Dam, Thompson — Enjoy the winter night sky views of the moon, Saturn and Jupiter. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Fran at
SATURDAY
Eastford Nipmuck Trail: 10 am to noon, Nov. 28, Eastford — Join Chief Ranger Bill Reid for a hike on the Nipmuck Trail in Eastford. This will be a moderate four-mile round-trip hike to an interesting destination on the iconic trail. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Bill at
TriTown Forest Preserve Hike: 1 pm, Nov. 28, N. Stonington — Come and experience one of Avalonia Land Conservancy’s newer and more rugged properties. This moderately difficult five-mile hike, with approximately 400 ft. elevation gain over the course of the loop, features two major scenic overlooks amid many noteworthy natural and historical features while weaving in and out of The Last Green Valley. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Kyle at
SUNDAY
Bartlett Brook Ramble: 10 am, Nov. 29, Lebanon — Enjoy a peaceful, relatively easy two-mile ramble on old farm roads in the Bartlett Brook Wildlife Management Area. We’ll learn about state habitat restoration efforts plus take a detour to glimpse a former water mill site. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Kyle at
Afternoon Nipmuck Trail Hike in Ashford: 1 – 3 pm, Nov. 29, Ashford — Join Chief Ranger Bill Reid for an afternoon hike on the Nipmuck Trail in Ashford. This will be an easy two-mile round-trip hike to a fun destination. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Bill at
Sprague Land Preserve Hike: 1 - 3:30 pm, Nov. 29, Sprague — Hike one of the newer trails at Sprague Land Preserve, where we will stop to see if the waterfall is flowing. On the way back, we can take a look at an old foundation. Depending on conditions, the hike will be three to four miles long, with potential elevation changes of 250 ft. Registration and masks required. Parking directions will be given upon registration. Email Nick at
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Grant
Jewett City Savings Bank recently awarded TEEG a $15,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Jobs for New England Recovery Grant Program. The program allows member financial institutions to assist small businesses and non-profit organizations that have experienced significant losses due to the pandemic. As a member, Jewett City Savings Bank focused its support on those organizations that had limited opportunities to participate in other funding sources that became available through the CARES act and other government programs. From left: Jewett City Savings Bank President and CEO Kevin Merchant; Anne Miller, executive director of Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group; and Michael Alberts, vice president and senior commercial loan officer. Courtesy photo.
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Tayler Shea has been named interim executive director of Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW).
Shea has been a part of the NOW organization since May of 2018, first serving as an intern before accepting a Wellness Leader position in September of that year. Most recently, Shea was promoted to Programming Coordinator, leading all NOW outreach programs in the community before being tapped to take on the interim executive director role.
She is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University (’19), Summa Cum Lade, with a degree in child psychology. In addition to her time with NOW, Shea has had extensive experience working with children in clinical settings, has been published in multiple scientific research journals, and is a member of the National Psychology Honor Society (PSI CHI).
Shea will step into the position following the departure of the organization’s first Executive Director, Sarah Wolfburg. Over the past month, Shea and Wolfburg have been working closely to prepare for the transition of responsibilities. Wolfburg, who has served as executive director since 2015, said: “As I move on to new opportunities, I could not be happier to see Tayler take on the interim executive director role with NOW. Since her time as an intern, Tayler has continued to impress both me and our board of directors with her professionalism, hard work, optimism, creativity and connection to the NOW mission of promoting youth wellness in our community. Tayler has grown so much and I look forward to seeing her lead this organization in the months and years to come.”
NOW President Gene Michael Deary said: “Tayler has proven herself to be a dynamic talent. The depth of knowledge Tayler possesses about NOW programs and scholarships will be an asset to her as she becomes the new face of NOW.”
Dec. 1 Shea will begin managing the organization’s day-to-day operations and will continue to expand wellness programs to serve more children and families in northeastern Connecticut. One such program that will expand over the coming months into 2021, is a whole-body wellness outreach program in conjunction with local schools and fellow non-profit organizations. NOW will produce monthly educational and activity packets focused on a variety of wellness topics, including general nutrition, snacking on a budget, hygiene, fitness, mindfulness, managing emotions, and more relevant topics.
Shea said: “It has been a wonderful experience working for NOW in my previous roles of Wellness Leader and Programming Coordinator. My time working directly with the youth population NOW serves has allowed me to see the positive impact our programs can have on children in our community. I am thrilled to become interim executive director and to work together with the NOW board of directors to expand the number of children and families NOW can reach with new programs, education, and scholarships.”
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Hearts Flourish
Pomfret Community School students and staff are showing their appreciation in an artful way this year. The halls are lined with hand-drawn hearts as a way to show their appreciation to the essential workers in their lives and more. Art Teacher Ana Lameiro coordinated the project. Article and photos by Phyllis La Belle.
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