Monthly Archives: June 2019

‘Take a Hike’ Today to Celebrate CT Trails Day, FloGris Offers Afternoon Hike to Barbizon Oak

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The Barbizon Oak in Old Lyme.

‘Take a Hike’ – the Old Lyme Open Space Commission’s signature slogan – will ring out across America this weekend.

June 1 and 2 are both National and Connecticut Trails Day, with over 250 hikes and outdoor activities scheduled across the state, including in Old Lyme.

The state sponsor, the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), describes the weekend as “New Year’s Eve in June” when families and people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy our “natural walking places.”

In Old Lyme, the Florence Griswold Museum is sponsoring a two-hour interpretive walk from 1 to 3 p.m. through the town’s Champlain North Open Space, which features the historic “Barbizon Oak.”  At over 16 ft. in circumference, the 300-year-old white oak is one of Connecticut’s largest and was named in honor of the Old Lyme art colony.

The walk will travel through mixed oak woods and moss-covered ledge to investigate a late season vernal pool. Participants will explore the native flora and fauna of the site and a unique colony of native mound ants. Wear appropriate shoes for walking on a dirt trail, stepping across ledge, and along the edge of wet areas. No dogs.

Local naturalist Judy Preston will lead the walk. Walk is free, but reservations suggested with Preston at (860) 395-0465 (rain or shine); meet at Picnic Table near Parking Lot at Museum.

For more information, visit the museum’s web site.

If you prefer to strike out on your own or in an informal group, Old Lyme is blessed with other beautiful trails, ranging from easy to more challenging.

Click for locations and trail maps for Old Lyme Open Space and Old Lyme Land Trust preserves.

One of the day’s goals is to introduce folks to the state and town’s trails and spur their regular use as a means of healthy exercise and a way to appreciate nature’s wonders and seasons.  So enjoy the weekend, “take a hike” and if you bring your dog, please keep it under control as a courtesy to other hikers.

And if you wish to keep hiking, join both organizations for a Hiker’s Happy Hour on June 6 at the Old Lyme Inn.

Lyme Land Trust Introduces NaturePlace Self-guided Trail Today, CT Trails Day

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A view of the Lyme Land Trust’s Banningwood Preserve, where the NaturePlace Self-guided Trail will be opened on Saturday.

On Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., join the Lyme Land Trust for the opening of the NaturePlace Self-guided Trail, which highlights the fascinating ecology, history and geology at the Lyme Land Trust’s Banningwood Preserve. A new map and brochure will provide details about the interpretive trail, which is designed to engage curious hikers of all ages and interests.

NaturePlace is an outdoor education space inspired by the vision of Diana and Parker Lord.

Lyme Land Trust Directors and environmentalists Regan Stacey and Wendolyn Hill will guide the group through the stations on the tour with the assistance of Parker Lord, history enthusiast.

Reservations are appreciated at openspace@townlyme.org

Inclement weather cancels.

Directions: 41°25’25.11″N 72°24’07.49″W, Banningwood Preserve, Town Street (Rte. 82), Lyme CT. About one quarter mile north of Hadlyme Four Corners (the intersection of Brush Hill Rd, Rte. 82, and Rte. 148).

I-Park Open to the Public Today on National Trails Day

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Painters will be working ‘En Plein Air’ in I-Park on National Trails Day. Photo by Nancy Pinney.

I-Park artists-in-residence program will open its scenic campus in East Haddam to lovers of nature, art and music in observance of Connecticut Trails Day on Saturday, June 1. The grounds will be open from 2 to 6 pm, joining 250 other events in this annual statewide celebration. Rain date will be Sunday, June 2.

Normally closed to the public to ensure the privacy of its resident artists, I-Park’s campus and its 26 trails will be open for strolling, hiking and exploring. Visitors are offered the pleasure of discovering the property’s confluence of woods, fields, waterways and stone walls — as well as the abundance of site-responsive artworks that have been installed on the property since I-Park’s founding in 2001.

Landscape painters from throughout the region will be stationed around the grounds, capturing the beauty of the setting and representing the merger of art and nature that has been a hallmark of I-Park’s residency program.

The Grays, a percussion-based improvisational quartet from Chester that performs original compositions, will be playing from 2 to 4 p.m.  Guests are welcome to sit and listen to the music or even bring a picnic lunch.

Since 2002, Mie Preckler has been working on a large-scale, ongoing site intervention, “A Conversation with the Gravel Pit”. Over time she has persuaded the landscape to bend gently to her will, creating Mie’s Trail and exposing the site-specific topography of this previously barren industrial site. Mie returns to I-Park every year to maintain this work and document the subtle changes that have taken place since her last visit. She will lead a guided walk of the trail at 4:30 pm.

This is a free, family-friendly event and reservations are requested. To reserve your space, go to i-park.org.

For additional information, write events@i-park,org or call 860-873-2468.

Note that due to the fragility of the art work and trails, pets are not permitted on the I-Park grounds.

Essex Rotary Hosts 61st Annual Shad Bake This Afternoon

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Planking the shad to cook in front of the fire in the same manner in which it has been done for hundreds of years.

ESSEX — One of our State’s great culinary customs returns to the Connecticut River Museum tomorrow from 3 to 6 p.m. with the 2019 Essex Annual Shad Bake.  For 61 years, the Rotary Club of Essex has been proudly holding this annual rite of spring, nailing delicious American shad onto oak planks and roasting them around a large bonfire.  Share this wonderful Connecticut tradition with your family and friends.

This year’s Bake is made possible through the generous support of AJ Shea Construction, Guilford Savings Bank, and The JECM Foundation. Additional support comes from Clark Group/Middle Cove Marina, Essex Savings Bank/Essex Financial Services, Tower Laboratories, and many other sponsors.

Bill Hoffstetler demonstrates the fine art of removing bones from shad; a fish referred to by local Native Americans as the “inside out porcupine”.

The Museum’s interim executive director, Thomas Wilcox said “We are pleased to host and partner with the Rotary Club of Essex on this iconic event that celebrates part of the Connecticut River’s heritage and supports the many worthwhile projects of Rotary and Museum.” This volunteer-run event has been organized by the Rotary Club of Essex and is coordinated by Bake Master Joseph Shea. Shea stated that “We offer one of the most unique culinary traditions in New England at one of the most majestic and historic locations. It is a winning combination!” 

In addition to the delicious food, a variety of activities take place throughout the afternoon. For shad lovers, the lure is the secret ingredients and the authentic method of preparing and baking the fish which has been handed down through generations of Connecticut natives.  Nailed onto oak planks with salt pork and placed in front of the bonfire, the fish picks up the smoky flavor of the fire and the seasoned oak boards on which it is baked. Add to this delicacy homemade potato salad, tossed green salad, and pie from Lyman Orchards and your shad experience is complete.

Baking the shad.

Don’t care for shad?  Grilled chicken is also available!  In addition to the food, participants will be able to enjoy live music and touring the Museum, which will be open until 6 pm.  The vibrant atmosphere is enhanced with picnickers and the delicious smell of shad baking around the open fire.  

The $35 adult (Shad or Chicken dinner option) and $10 child (10 and under) ticket includes the full meal including one water or soda (child ticket includes a hot dog and salads) and admission to the Museum.  Tickets, if available, will be $40 on the day of the event. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase with a valid ID.  Freshly shucked clams and oysters will also be available at an additional price beginning at 3 p.m. No carry-in alcohol will be permitted.

Bill Hoffstetler demonstrates the fine art of removing bones
from shad; a fish referred to by local Native Americans as the “inside out porcupine”.

To purchase tickets, visit shop.ctrivermuseum.org or buy them in person at the Centerbrook Package Store, Essex Hardware, or the Connecticut River Museum.  There will be no parking on the Museum grounds and on-street parking is very limited.  On the day of the event, a free shuttle will be running between the Museum and the Essex Town Hall parking lot. 

The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main Street and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays until after Memorial Day. The Museum, located in the historic Steamboat Dock building, offers exhibits and programs about the history and environment of the Connecticut River. For a full listing of Museum programs and events, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860-767-8269.

The Rotary Club of Essex is the local chapter of Rotary International whose membership is made up of service minded professionals.  The club and its members are committed to improving the community, connecting with other professionals, sharing their time and experience with the young, supporting global causes, and using their skills to help others.  For more information about the Shad Bake and Rotary Club visit http://www.rotaryclubofessex.com.