White Memorial

Vote to Help Name White Memorial’s Baby Rat Snakes

Only a few days remain to make $1 donations to vote and help name the White Memorial Conservation Center’s baby rat snakes.

Sunny and Luna are the names with a solid lead, but Zig and Zag could make a comeback, while the moment may have passed for Hocus and Pocus.

You can vote as many times as you like, so theoretically it’s possible to tip the scales in favor of any of the options. But act quickly, as voting only continues through Election Day, Nov. 5.

Vote Here

Donations made in the naming game will go toward the Animal Care Fund, which benefits all of the live animals at White Memorial.

The White Memorial Foundation preserves span Litchfield and Morris with 4,000 acres of forests, fields and wetlands etched by 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. It was created in 1913 by Alain C. White and his sister, May W. White.

The main area off Route 202 in Litchfield is home to the Conservation Center and Nature Museum. See the website to learn more and connect with White Memorial’s ongoing series of guided hikes and may other events.

Also see the state’s website about snakes that are native to Connecticut.

Family Nature Day at White Memorial 2024

It’s Time for Litchfield’s Major Family Nature Events

Duck Day 2024 at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy The official arrival of the Autumn season brings Litchfield’s major annual family nature events – Duck Day at the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Sanctuary and the 42^nd annual Family Nature Day at White Memorial.

Duck Day at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy: Sept. 21

Don’t miss Duck Day this coming Saturday (Sept. 21) at the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy.

Bring the family to experience a raptor demonstration featuring majestic birds of prey, a guided tour of the aviaries and waterfowl habitats, games, crafts, and activities for children.

Meet local artisans and vendors and enjoy free pizza from the Milestone Pizza Truck and Restaurant.

Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members, and free for children younger than 12. Head to Duck Day at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy ripleyconservancy.org for more info and to purchase tickets.

The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy was founded by S. Dillon Ripley, a former Secretary of the Smithsonian. It’s home to more 80 species of birds from around the world, a breeding facility for rare species, and education center for conservationists.

The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is located at 55 Duck Pond Rd., off Route 202. The phone number is (860) 567-2062.

Family Nature Day at White Memorial: Sept. 28

The 42^nd annual Family Nature Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 at The White Memorial Conservation Center.

Highlights include a llama walk along the lake trail with Country Quilt Llama Farm, a presentation on bats by Maureen Heidtmann of Wing Hand Bat Rehabilitation and Education, Birds of Prey with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and live reptiles brought by the Riverside Reptiles Education Center.

There will be live music, vendors, local artisans, demonstrations, food, crafts for kids and more.

See the Family Nature Day Program for the full schedule.

Family Nature Day runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The White Memorial Conservation Center. Admission is $6, with White Memorial members and children younger than 12 admitted free.

The Conservation Center is located at 80 Whitehall Rd., off Route 202 between Litchfield on center and Bantam. Call (860) 567-0857 with questions.

Family Nature Day 2024 at White Memorial

Also Don’t Miss the Topsmead Cottage Tours

Only two weekends left to enjoy the free guided tours of the landmark cottage at Topsmead State Forest.

The remaining tours this season will be offered Sept. 28 & 29, and Oct. 12 and 13.

The tours presented by Friends of Topsmead State Forest are given on the second and fourth weekend of each month from June through mid-October.

The tours, which feature Miss Edith’s collection of art and antiques, are first-come, first-served, start at noon, and run for 30 minutes, with the last tour taking place at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the front door of the cottage.

Donations are appreciated to support maintenance of cottage and the gardens.

When you visit, make a cottage tour the highlight of a larger discovery.

The 510 acres of forests and meadows at Topsmead are open year-round for passive recreation including walking, picnicking, bird watching, sledding, and cross-country skiing. Don’t miss the Edith Chase Ecology Trail, a mile-long walk with interpretive signs.

Topsmead, located on Buell Road off Route 118, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs on a leash are welcome, but open fires & grills are not allowed.

See the Friends of Topsmead State Forest website for more information, directions, and other events.

Canoe Raffle, White Memorial, Litchfield CT

White Memorial Canoe Raffle & Fun Late Winter Events

You might think Spring, Summer, and Fall are the prime seasons for the White Memorial Foundation and its 40 miles of trails spread across 4,000 acres of nature preserves, and the White Memorial Conservation Center and Nature Museum – and they are, but so is Winter.

In addition to hiking in all seasons, the trails are popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, ice fishermen access Bantam Lake, and members of the Connecticut Ice Yacht Club sail across the lake’s frozen surface from a home base at White Memorial’s Point Folly Marina … when conditions allow.

Beyond access for winter activities, the calendar of events is as busy and exciting in the Winter as it is through other seasons – and White Memorial just announced a terrific canoe raffle whose proceeds will help create a new bird blind.

The 1934 Old Town Canoe Raffle

The Conservation Center needs a new bird blind for an area at the back of Ongley Pond and says that, as fate would have it, Bunker Snyder, formerly of Litchfield and now living in Colorado, had no need for his grandfather’s 17-foot 1934 Old Town Canoe.

Bunker donated the boat to White Memorial. It has a serial number and foresters Mike Berry and Jody Bronson researched the vessel, finding its original build sheet. Old Town began building the boat in 1933. It was shipped on April 2, 1934, to outfitter Abercrombie & Fitch in New York. Bunker’s Grandfather purchased it there.

The Refurbishment:

Although in excellent used condition, the boat needed minor refurbishment. It was sent to restoration expert Frank Christinat in Norfolk for a minor facelift including newly caned seats, a freshly sanded and varnished interior, and a fresh coat of paint.

The Raffle Package:

This boat is outfitted with two 57-inch Shaw & Tenny varnished Penobscot ash paddles (donated by the White Memorial Foundation), a Frost River Vintage Pack (donated by Gerri Griswold), and an Antique Cleopatra Seat (donated by Jody Bronson). The total value of this package is $3,300.

Raffle Details:

Only 500 tickets are available. Each ticket is $20. The tickets go on sale at 12 a.m. March 1. The drawing will take place before the Full Flower Moon Hike, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. Online ticket sales end May 21. You need not be present to win the Old Town Canoe Package. All proceeds from the raffle will help White Memorial build a gorgeous and very badly needed bird blind.

Please check back here to purchase your tickets online beginning March 1. Tickets can also be purchased in the Nature Museum or by phone by calling 860-567-0857.

Highlights of Some Other Upcoming Events

Happy Hour Hiking Club with Gerri Griswold
February 15 and March 14

Skip that Happy Hour cocktail and calorie-laden appetizer and take a walk from 4 to 5 p.m. with White Memorial’s Director of Administration and Development Gerri Griswold.

“It may be cold. It may be dark. It may even be snowing … but you can do it,” the White Memorial listing says. Each one-hour walk covers a different trail on the property. At the end of each hike, guests receive a recipe for a healthful, tasty, easy recipe to help keep them on track. Dress for the weather and bring a head lamp or flashlight!

Guests should meet in the Museum. Advanced registration is required and can be done here. Or call 860-567-0857 to register. The program is free, but donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Mystery Hike with Gerri Griswold

The next “mystery hike” with Gerri takes place on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. White Memorial says: “You never know what trail conditions will be. Will it be Pine Island? Apple Hill? Beaver Pond? Mother Nature will choose one and we’ll gleefully follow! Dress for the weather. Hiking poles and sturdy, water-proof boots are essential gear!” Guests should meet in the Nature Museum, but need to pre-register here: Mystery Hike Registration

An Evening of Music and Dancing with The Bog Hollow Boys

Dave Paton is White Memorial’s “go-to guy” for all things mushroom, but he and a group of friends also make up a bluegrass/folk band with instruments including a hammered dulcimer, fiddle, bass, and guitar.

Bring a dinner and your dancing shoes to the BYOB performance at 6 p.m. in the Carriage House for an evening of toe-tapping feel good music with The Bog Hollow Boys. All tickets are $10. Advanced registration is required and can be done here, or call White Memorial at 860-567-0857.

7^th Annual Nature Trivia Night

In the 7^th Annual Nature Trivia Night, teams of up to six will compete for a valuable prize. Participants can register individually but should form teams beforehand. No team? No problem! White Memorial will put you on a team when you arrive. (Oh, and they recommend team costumes.)

Participants should bring dinner and BYOB. Dessert, coffee, tea, and water will be provided. Trivia Night begins at 7 p.m. in the Carriage House. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required, and registration can be done here.

White Memorial after hours shopping event Dec. 1

White Memorial’s Special Holiday Shopping & Events Weekend

The White Memorial Conservation Center is the place to be this weekend if you’re looking for a “hidden gem” holiday experience that includes “insider” shopping and magical events for the family.

Shopping

The After-Hours Holiday Sip & Shop takes place in the small but charming gift shop at the Nature Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 1).

Holiday shoppers will receive a 10 percent discount on purchases of things made by hand by 15 local artists and artisans – as they enjoy mulled cider and holiday treats in the decorated museum and shop.

The discount is nice but it’s the charm and quality of what these folks create that gives this event “hidden gem” status.

For example, one of the featured consignors is Richard Heys, a master woodturner who creates stunning bowls, vessels, and more, many of them with wood from trees that have fallen in White Memorial preserves.

White Memorial Executive Director Lukas Hyder is also a woodturner, and Forest Manager Mike Berry is presenting his woodworking.

“This is a small way of expressing our thanks to them for helping to make our shop as unique as it is,” White Memorial said.

Here’s what you’ll find at this special holiday shopping event:

Ben Faraci – Chainsaw Carvings

Leo Kulinski – Photography Books

Mike Berry – Woodworking

Lukas Hyder – Woodturning

John Grabowski – Bird Feeders

Richard Heys – Woodturning

Paul Kmiotek – Prints and Cards

Tom and Darlene Stansfield – Walking sticks and Crochet goods

Marcey Hladik – Original Watercolors

Amanda Surveski Wildlife Art – Prints, cards, stickers and more

Heidi Loomis – Nature shadow boxes

Kristin Gallagher – Pottery

Carol Hart – Notepads

Ronnie Kryjack – Baby Bibs

Paul Carrier -Prints and cards

Holiday Magic for Families

White Memorial’s “Snow Queen” afternoon of programming Saturday (Dec. 2) will be a joy for the whole family.

Artist and puppeteer Robin McCahill returns to the Carriage House at White Memorial for one performance of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of friends lost and found, visits to distant lands, travels through changing seasons, and encounters with strange and exotic characters, White Memorial explains in its calendar listing, noting that McCahill’s whimsical troupe of hand-felted marionettes tells the story.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting from 1 to 3 p.m. They will escort guests to the Mott-Van Winkle classroom in their chauffeured wagon. While Santa receives guests in the classroom, Mrs. Claus will lead a carol sing around the bonfire. Cookies and cups of hot chocolate sweeten the day.

The wagon rides end at 3 p.m., when the “Snow Queen” performance begins in the Carriage House.

Also on Saturday there will be a Museum Open House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Gift Shop is open for holiday shopping.

Admission to the “Snow Queen” afternoon is a donation of warm socks, mittens, gloves, or hats of any size or color and a non-perishable food item for the pantry at FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity), Torrington CT. (The program is made possible in its entirety by an anonymous donor.)

Those planning to attend must call White Memorial and make a reservation at 860-567-0857, or register online: Snow Queen Registration.

Also Don’t Miss …

… the December 30 morning hike to Little Pond Boardwalk with Gerri Griswold.

Here’s the listing on the Guided Hikes page, where you can register:

Let’s ring in 2023 together on an early morning hike to our beloved Boardwalk! Wear your finest party hat! We’ll supply the sparklers and a glass of cheer at the end of our walk! 9:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. The walk is free, but donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

June events wrap up with Fourth of July fireworks in Litchfield

June Goes Out With a Bang in Litchfield + Paris, Bats & More

The second half of June in Litchfield is overflowing with great activities and some of the highlights are listed below. See the Events Calendar on the Visit Litchfield CT website for more – and enjoy!

Bat Cams Debut at White Memorial

June events in Litchfield; the barn where White Memorial's new bat cams are located — The barn where the new White Memorial bat cams are located.

The new Bat Cams are installed at the White Memorial Conservation Center (@whitememorialcc) as part of a project with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (@ct.deep) to document and showcase the resident colony of big brown bats.

The Bat Cams make their debut this Friday (6/16) in a special Bat Cam Launch Celebration and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

It’s a FREE 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒔 family-friendly event from 4-9:30 p.m. that includes talks, walks, crafts, and live bats. Guests will have the opportunity to watch the bats fly from the barn at dusk as they embark on their nightly feeding frenzy.

More info and registration is here.

Pride Week at Bantam Cinema

June is Pride Month and the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center is presenting a week of Pride programming June 16 – 21 that includes four films and two guest speakers, the Rev. J. Michael Cobb of the Watertown and Woodbury United Methodist Churches, and “Big Eden” producer Jen Chaiken.

All screenings are free thanks to sponsorship from the Pride in the Hills Fund at the Connecticut Community Foundation. For details, showtimes and to reserve a seat, head to bantamcinema.org.

Father’s Day Breakfast at the Northfield Volunteer Fire Company

The Northfield Volunteer Fire Company’s last breakfast before a summer break is this Sunday on Father’s Day (6/18). The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Everything is made to your order. Choose from any combination of pancakes, French toast, eggs your way, bacon, sausage, and home fries. Breakfast is served from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Event details are also here.

Litchfield Historical Society Events

The Litchfield Historical Society has lots of great things happening this month.

In a free Tapping Reeve Meadow program for families with newborns, infants & toddlers on June 17, from 10-10:30, Garden Educator Olivia will kickstart the children’s understanding of language, patterns, and spatial awareness. This will be an interactive program of songs, rhymes, movements, and stories for babies and their caregivers. The Tapping Reeve Meadow is located at 82 South Street and parking is available in the lot or along the street. Registration is appreciated, but not required; register online here.

Also on June 17 in the Tapping Reeve Meadow, from noon to 3 p.m., the historical society is having a picnic to celebrate Executive Director Catherine Keene Fields, who is retiring at the end of June after 35 years of leading the Litchfield Historical Society. All are welcome, and those planning to attend are asked to let the historical society know by emailing [email protected]

On Tuesday, June 20, the historical society is presenting the Walking Tour – Homes and Histories: The Architecture of Litchfield at 5:30 p.m.

The history and stories of old Litchfield are preserved in the architecture of the town. Learn about the lives of past residents and how they are reflected in the architecture. The walk will begin at the Litchfield Historical Society and lasts approximately one hour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. The tour is free for members and $10 for non-members. Register online.

Meanwhile, the historical society’s regular Weekly Walking Tour of Litchfield History takes place next on Saturday, June 24, at 1 p.m.

The weekly walking tour is the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history – from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings.

The Paris Bookseller Author Kerri Maher at Oliver Wolcott Library

Named one of the best Historical Fiction novels of 2022, The Paris Bookseller is a must-read for all historical fiction fans … and author Kerri Maher is coming to Oliver Wolcott Library June 22 for a live event from 7 to 8 p.m. (It will also be on Zoom.)

Details are here. In-person space is limited, and registration is required. Register here. For the Zoom link, click here at 7 p.m. on June 22.

About The Paris Bookseller:

When young American Sylvia Beach opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new bookstore will change the course of literature itself. Many of the prominent writers of the Lost Generation, like Ernest Hemingway, consider it a second home. It’s where some of the most important literary friendships of the twentieth century are forged—none more so than the one between Irish writer James Joyce and Sylvia herself. When Joyce’s controversial novel Ulysses is banned, Beach takes a massive risk and publishes it under the auspices of Shakespeare and Company.

But the success and notoriety of publishing the most infamous and influential book of the century comes with steep costs, and Sylvia faces both painful personal and financial crises.

Kerri Maher is the national bestselling author of The Girl in White Gloves, The Kennedy Debutante, and The Paris Bookseller. She holds an MFA from Columbia University and taught writing for eight years, starting as a grad student, then as a lecturer at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Visit her website at kerrimaher.com

Tours of the Cottage at Topsmead State Forest

Tours of the landmark English Tudor-style cottage at the 510-acre Topsmead State Forest, decorated with Miss Edith Morton Chase’s collection of art and antiques, begin again for each season in June.

The 45-minute tours provided by Friends of Topsmead State Forest begin at noon and run on the hour and half hour, with the last tour offered at 4:30 p.m. Guests should meet a tour docent at the front door of the house, and each group is limited to eight people, first come, first served.

Here are the remaining tour dates for 2023:

June 24, 25
July 8, 9, and 22, 23
August 12, 13, and 26, 27
Sept. 9, 10, and 23, 24
Oct. 14, 15

See the website for more: https://www.friendsoftopsmead.org/

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy Annual Benefit

The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year June 24. The festive dinner party with live music, held at the Conservancy’s field under a tent, begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $175 per person. Info and tickets are here.

This event helps Ripley protect many endangered waterfowl species among its 400 birds. The theme this year is Water Renewal and funds are being raised to continually innovate water conservation and filtering systems.

Founded by S. Dillon Ripley, former Secretary of the Smithsonian, and his wife, Mary Livingston Ripley, the conservancy is home to more 80 species of birds from around the world. It’s a breeding facility focused on maintaining genetic diversity of rare and endangered species, and an education center that’s open to the public from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November.

Fourth of July Fireworks (on June 30)

The Town of Litchfield and Litchfield Park & Recreation present a terrific Fourth of July fireworks show each year at Litchfield High School and this year it’s taking place on Friday, June 30, with a rain date of Sunday, July 9.

Anyone can walk to the high school and enjoy the show – or you can register online to secure a parking space at the school for $20 and bring a carload of guests. Register for as space here. Lots open at 7 p.m. and the show begins around 9 p.m.

Note that no parking will be allowed on Constitution Way, and the number of spaces at the school is limited to 200.

White Memorial Guided Hikes So Popular They Get Bespoke Page

Walking in the woods on the 40 miles of trails spanning the 4,000 acres of White Memorial preserves in Litchfield and Morris ranks as one of the best outdoor experiences in Connecticut.

Know what’s even better?

The FREE guided hikes that explore White Memorial’s special trails and places offered on a regular basis and most often led by the Gerri Griswold, White Memorial’s Director of Administration and Development.

She leads groups through Cat Swamp – her favorite place – up Apple Hill to the viewing platform overlooking Bantam Lake – another favorite place – along the Lake Trail and Ice House Ruins Trail near the main conservation center, throughout the Five Ponds area, along the “hidden” trails near Haight-Brown Vineyard, around the Little Pond Boardwalk … and basically everywhere.

The hikes are so popular, and people message and call White Memorial so often inquiring about what’s coming up, that Griswold and her colleagues decided to create a webpage dedicated solely to the guided hikes.

You can click directly into the page to get the roster and the details, as well as registering to participate in a hike, and there’s also a link on the White Memorial homepage leading to the guided hikes page; it’s in the menu bar on the far left. Here’s what’s coming up:

May 20: Hitting White Memorials Peaks. It’s not as difficult a feat as it may sound! Today we’ll hike up Windmill Hill, Wheeler Hill, Apple Hill, Laurel Hill, and Schermerhorn Hill.
June 1: Amphibian Amble: For All Ages! Join Pam Velez on a jaunt to find those sleek and slimy creatures we call amphibians.
July 1: Exploring Slab Meadow with Gerri Griswold. This beautiful parcel, acquired by the White Memorial Foundation in 2015, is peppered with vernal pools and features a beautiful overlook onto a marsh.
July 13: Tree Identification Walk with Mike Berry and Jody Bronson. White Memorial Foundation Forest Manager, Mike Berry and Legendary Forester, Jody Bronson take you on a walk to help you properly identify some of the tree species that call our 4000-acre Sanctuary their home.
July 29: Family Friendly Hike with Kelly Orr. Join Kelly on an easy hike along the trails of our main campus listening for the birds, insects, and amphibians that make such sweet summer sounds!
September 2: Loving Haight with Gerri Griswold Pack a snack and some water! Explore this beautiful piece of property that is laced with babbling brooks, towering trees, a bevy of birds, and a view of the vineyard.

While the hikes are free, donations are happily accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses – and now those who experience and appreciate the wonders of White Memorial can donate quickly and easily online when they sign up for a guided hike.

As wonderful as it is to be outdoors in nature and simply enjoy the beauty and serenity of the gift left by White Memorial founders Alain and May White, magical things can happen on the guided hikes.

Griswold recalled the early days of her guided hikes stewardship when she invited friends from her former realm – broadcasting – to join her to help lead a hike.

Rachel Lutzker, currently a host on The River 105.9 FM, came out with her husband, Dave, for a hike in the Five Ponds area off Route 63, south of Litchfield center. The group heard a barred owl calling and Griswold started calling back. Suddenly the owl came swooping in and landed in a tree very close by.

Last year, Griswold was leading a group of people on an early morning walk to look for beavers and brought the group to a lodge on one edge of Ongley Pond that had been ruined by an invader, perhaps a bear. The demise of the lodge presented an opportunity for participants to look inside and admire this architectural feat. When the group arrived, though, there was a beaver hard at work at the edge of the pond. As they group approached the lodge, they could hear that the beaver had moved his work inside. It turned out that he had completely repaired the home.

Beavers have a special place at White Memorial – one is featured on the White Memorial Foundation plaque at the main entrance – and maybe they know this is their turf? Griswold recalls leading a full-moon paddle tour on the Bantam River and despite the “armada” of boats there were beavers everywhere in the river. Taking the lead and navigating with the help of a headlamp, Griswold thought she bumped her boat into a log, but it turned out to be a beaver – and she thinks it bumped her, perhaps to let her know who was in charge.

“It’s so wonderful to be able to share this wonderful bounty with everybody,” Griswold said.

Guests who enjoy White Memorial and come for the guided walks and other popular events are encouraged to learn about the legacy left by the Whites, visit the nature museum and its gift shop, support the work being done at the sanctuary – and to be respectful and treat this natural treasure as if it were your own.

To learn more, call White Memorial at (860) 567-0857 or see the website.

Autumn Arrives Early Via Teasers for Big Litchfield Events

Technically there’s another month of summer before the fall equinox Sept. 22 that formally ushers in autumn, but who’s counting?

The season of fall foliage, crisp days and chilly nights, apple picking, brisk walks, scarecrows, Halloween, and Thanksgiving is perhaps the most magical time of year in Litchfield, so it’s understandable to see websites and social media bursting with announcements of big autumn events even before the last full month of summer got rolling.

Post-COVID exuberance was also driving the enthusiasm buoying the announcements, but whatever the reason we’re on board; bring on autumn and some favorite Litchfield events—from Family Nature Day at White Memorial to the Annual Harvest Bounty Brewfest at Litchfield Community Center, Scarecrows in the (Tapping Reeve) Meadow, and the Oliver Wolcott Library Festival of Trees.

Here’s the scoop on the events and festivities we’ve seen promoted so far. Let us know what else is booked on the calendar and we’ll add it to the list (email [email protected])

September

The Litchfield Historical Society holds its Annual Fall Fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Tapping Reeve Meadow, behind the Tapping Reeve House & Litchfield Law School. All proceeds benefit the Litchfield Historical Society’s education mission.

The evening will feature a signature drink provided by Litchfield Distillery, small plates from The Pantry, and live music by The Matt Belliveau Trio. A silent auction, including a trip to Newport, RI, and a four-night stay near Jackson, Wyoming, will be held to raise money for the education programs hosted by the historical society.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/fallfundraiser/ Ticket prices start at $100 for one guest.

Family Nature Day at White Memorial

A marquee event on the White Memorial calendar, Family Nature Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at the White Memorial Conservation Center.

The 40^th edition of this highly-popular annual celebration of Mother Nature is a day filled with live animals, guided nature walks, information booths, horse drawn wagon rides, and yummy food, including the return of the pie sale.

Guests and events include:

Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight and his beautiful free-flying hawks and falcons
Brian Kleinman of Riverside Reptiles and the many friends he’ll bring
White Memorial’s native turtles
Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue and their Opossum Ambassadors
Meet a Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and more with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center
Gerri Griswold, The Bat Lady, returns with Betty the Big Brown Bat
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center presenting edible insects
Music provided by Robert Messore and Wry Bred

In addition, winners of White Memorial’s annual raffle will be announced. Prizes include a trip for two to Chilean Patagonia (donated by Krummi Travel LLC) with Gerri Griswold in November 2023, and a Rheaume Mohawk 14-foot cedar canoe donated by Kathy and Will Schweitzer. Another lucky winner gets a $500 gift card to L.L. Bean.

There’s also an the online silent auction that leads up to Family Nature Day (running Sept. 9-23). Make sure you check it out.

Admission to Family Nature Day is just $6, and White Memorial members and children under 12 are admitted free. See the web page for all the details: https://whitememorialcc.org/special-events/

Art Festival

The nonprofit Voice of Art is presenting two art festivals in Litchfield this fall, including one Sept. 24 and 25 (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day) on the green of the First Congregational Church of Litchfield. The festival is free and open to the public and will feature fine art & functional art, live music, food, & raffles.

October

The 15th Annual Harvest Bounty Brewfest takes place Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Litchfield Community Center, from 2 to 6 pm.

More than 22 Connecticut craft brewers, winemakers and creators of fine spirits from around the state will bring their best for the tasting, and the first 150 to register get a special festival glass.

Bill’s Mobile Brick Oven Pizza, Brandywine Living, Rich’s Wings & Things, and Brits Brand will be on hand to provide food to go with the libations, and there will also be live music from three bands, Stache, Potters Field and Switch Factory.

Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Designated Driver tickets are $15.

Head to the website to register and purchase tickets: https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=14747

Scarecrows in the Meadow

The Litchfield Historical Society’s Scarecrows in the Meadow returns to the Tapping Reeve Meadow this Halloween season.

Families, business, and organizations are invited to show their community spirit by decorating and displaying a scarecrow, and then meadow visitors vote on their favorite scarecrow! Participating is free and framing materials will be provided.

The scarecrows will be on display from Oct. 15 to 31 for all to enjoy. New categories this year include Most Artistic, Best Story, Best Kid-friendly, Funniest, Best in Show

Contact Kate Zullo at 860-567-4501 or email [email protected] with questions or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, and see the historical society website for all the details: https://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/scarecrows/

The Tapping Reeve Meadow is located behind the Tapping Reeve House & Litchfield Law School on South St., open as a museum with free admission.

November

The Litchfield Art Festival Holiday Show is Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Litchfield High School. The show features painting, sculpture, mixed media, drawings and prints, photography, ceramics, glass, fiber art, wood and metal works and much more. See the website for details: https://www.thevoiceofart.org

OWL Festival of Trees

This is exciting—so exciting, in fact, that the Oliver Wolcott Library put out a save-the-date notice for its Festival of Trees on Thanksgiving weekend before August had really even settled in.

Why? Because the always sold-out gala event is returning live and in-person this year on Nov. 26. Keep an eye on the website for the details to be posted: https://www.owlibrary.org/festival-of-trees.aspx

In conjunction with the festival of trees, OWL is holding its Make your list, check 3rd Annual Week of Wonder Online Auction from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3. You can bid online for “wonderful gifts for everyone on your list, and even something for yourself.” The details are here: https://www.owlibrary.org/weekofwonder.aspx

White Memorial viewing platform Bantam Lake

White Memorial Wants Your Photos (Pizza Party Reward)

Bantam Lake and the Point Folly Campground (left) at White Memorial

Nature lovers who enjoy the trails, fields, forests, streams, ponds, and wildlife of the 4,000-acre White Memorial Foundation have at least one thing in common: they take lots of great photos.

In March 2020 as the White Memorial Conservation Center closed in response to the pandemic, the trails swelled visitors seeking the sanctuary nature provided, and the volume of photos being taken made an exponential leap.

Gerri Griswold, Director of Administration and Development at White Memorial, began soliciting the photos and publishing a selection each week in The Habitattler e-newsletter.

“Everybody started sending them in. We get such incredible things, really wonderful things,” said Griswold. “The submissions were so steady, abundant, and delightful that we’ve kept on accepting them.”

To participate and see your photos published, email them to [email protected].

Images received by 5 p.m. each Monday will be considered for publication in the following Monday’s Habitattler, though Griswold warned she has a backlog of images.

She especially loves photos of children being engaged in nature, and said particularly great shots of any subject might even be used as a masthead image in the newsletter.

What Griswold doesn’t publish are photos of phragmites or mute swans, as both are considered invasive.

She has put together a large file of all the photos—hundreds of them—and will share some of her favorites in a special March 19 online event, beginning at 10 a.m.

The “celebration of the beauty of White Memorial through your lenses” will be presented on Zoom and on Facebook Live. It’s free but donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

See the event page for details and the Zoom link

To reward all of the photographers who have contributed images, White Memorial will throw a massive pizza and ice cream party on the Ceder Room Lawn at the Conservation Center.

“Everybody’s going to be invited,” said Griswold, who doesn’t have a date yet but wants to hold it before the bugs come out, maybe in late May/early June.

In addition to sending photos, make sure to subscribe The Habitattler to get the scoop on White Memorial’s public programs, a list of recent wildlife sightings, each week’s suite of visitor photos, and a short “Tail End” YouTube video. The newsletter arrives in email inboxes every Monday morning at 7 a.m.