The Wadsworth/Kerste DeBoer Arboretum looking south along the walking path parallel to Long Lane.

Enjoy an easy 45-minute guided tour of the Wadsworth/Kerste DeBoer Arboretum on Long Lane near the Wesleyan campus. Learn how to identify 12 of Middletown’s most common street trees and hear about the arboretum’s history and its 90 different tree varieties.  60% of the arboretum’s 200 trees are native species.

Park in the Long Hill Farm parking lot at 243 Long Lane. The arboretum is on the opposite side of Long Lane at this location.

Readers Theater

Directed by Anne Cassady & Richard Kamins

presents

THE OUTSIDER

by Paul Slade Smith

Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate to ever run for office. A timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.

Friday evening, October 25, 7 pm  Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown  (donations to OP welcome at door). Register for the event: email: info@oddfellows.org or call 860-347-6143.  If your plans change, please remember to call or email with cancellation notice.

Sunday afternoon, October 27, 2 pm  The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Register for the event through Russell Library website: https://russelllibrary.org or call 860-347-2528 to reserve a seat.

If your plans change, please remember to call or email with cancellation notice.

We’ve gathered seven talented local actors to entertain you with this farcical story: Michael Eck, Joan Duquette, Nat Holmes, Melissa McLean, Norm Hicks, Danielle Truscott, & Ben Werblow.

Here’s another chance to get out on the water with others before you put your boat to bed for the winter. The recreational paddle is 2.5 miles around the shore of the lake.  This event is to benefit Kuhn Employment Opportunities, a local nonprofit that provides job placement and support for people with disabilities. Silver Lake is in Berlin.

Photo by Chris Donnelly

A Middletown Urban Forestry Program

Russell Library, Hubbard Room
Thursday, September 19, 2024
5-6 pm

Introduction and Overview
Jane Harris, Chair, Middletown Urban Forestry Commission

Tree Grants, including the Street Tree Inventory
Chris Donnelly, Middletown Forester
In 2024, Middletown received a DEEP grant to conduct a tree inventory. Chris will describe ways in which you can be involved.

Tree Walks and the ‘Microforest’ Project
Steve Cronkite, Vice-Chair, Middletown Urban Forestry Commission
Steve will discuss an upcoming tree walk, open to the public, and  plans for a ‘Microforest,’ based on the Miyawaki Forest concept.

Further Tree Discussions and a Look-Ahead
The people of Middletown have a great deal of interest in their trees, and trees are a fundamental part of the city’s environment. We all share in the benefits from trees. How can the community’s involvement with the urban forest  be increased?

All are invited! Come hear about what is going on with the trees in Middletown. Find out how you can help.

Photo by Chris Donnelly

During the pandemic, motor vehicle crashes increased in frequency, and they have not declined to pre-pandemic levels. Factors leading to more crashes are speeding, driving while intoxicated, and driving (or walking) while “distracted” (using one’s phone, texting, checking social media, etc.). Continue reading →

We urge the public to attend a special workshop on the route study for the Central CT Loop Trail segment from Portland to Cheshire, conducted by engineering firm VHB. The event will be held in the Council Chambers of Middletown’s City Hall on Monday, June 10, 6:30  – 8:00 p.m., beginning with a formal presentation and followed by questions and comments from the public. Continue reading →

We have permission from the Hartford Courant to share this article on the Jonah Center’s Program Associate, Jessica Bucholz.  A CT journey from concerned citizen to wildlife rehabilitator

Join us for a vibrant celebration of our planet at our annual Earth Day Extravaganza on Saturday, April 20th! From 12 PM to 3 PM, we invite you to participate in a day filled with eco-conscious activities, delicious food, lively music, and opportunities to connect with local nonprofits and eco-friendly vendors. Continue reading →

Deep in the forest, hidden in the confines of a thick Laurel grove near the Bear Hill Loop Trail in the Maromas section of Middletown, a silent vernal pool waits for the oncoming spring.  Sometimes spring comes late, sometimes early. This year it was especially early. When the weather is right, after a warm rainy 50 degree night, Wood Frogs will leave their shelters to congregate at vernal pools where they raucously compete for mates.  Wood Frogs are “vernal pool obligates”, which means that a vernal pool is the only place where they can reproduce.  The following video gives a peek into a short, but very busy period of time in the life cycle of a Wood Frog.

(Click on the image below to play.)

This image shows the path of the eclipse over northern New England.

The moon’s shadow will pass over northern Vermont at a speed of 2600 mph. The total eclipse in Burlington will last approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds, starting at 3:26 p.m.  That doesn’t sound like much time, but those who have witnessed previous total eclipse say it is not to be missed.

The Vermont State Park website lists a number of parks that will be open for eclipse viewing. Driving time from Middletown to northern Vermont is approximately 4 hours, but make allowances for possibly heavy traffic.  A detailed map showing the path of the eclipse can be viewed here.

Near darkness will come quickly, accompanied by changes in the sounds made by birds and crickets (if one is in an otherwise quiet place) and the dramatic light effects of the corona. Viewers need to wear ISO 12312-2 rated sunglasses (which can be purchased online) until the eclipse is total.