Category Archives: Events


Bookmark this page for a continuously updated list of environmental events around Middletown!

To have an event added to this page, please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/uoh9ogmycnTdw2KS7

To submit community events to the Wesleyan Sustainability Office calendar, please fill out the form linked on their events page at https://www.wesleyan.edu/sustainability/events.html.

Paddle Schedule for July 2024

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Our “Paddle With A Purpose” schedule for July is set. We need volunteer paddlers to help us remove the remaining patches before low water level makes it impossible. A limited number of loaner kayaks are available (for Saturday morning paddles only; see below). Paddles in the “Floating Meadows” in Middletown will launch from the boat launch at 181 Johnson Street.  Paddles in Pecausett Pond in Portland launch from Portland Boat Works at 1 Grove Street.

The remaining July paddle dates are as follows:

Tues. July 23 @ 5 p.m. —  Floating Meadows in Middletown (loaner kayaks not available for this event).

Sat. July 27 @ 9 a.m. — Floating Meadows in Middletown (loaner kayaks available).

Please use the Paddle Registration Form to register for any of the dates listed. By registering, you will receive last-minute news on changes of plans due to weather or other factors.

To borrow a kayak, paddlers must also register with the CT River Conservancy (which owns the loaner kayaks) well in advance of the paddle date . Here is their registration link.  https://ctriver.vomo.org/opportunity/wc-middletown  Under the map showing Middletown on the left side, click Join.  Then, for the date you indicated, you will see 2 volunteer paddler options.  The top one is for those who need to borrow a kayak..  Click Join for that date on the right side.  Then you will have to “sign in” by setting up a CRC account, or using a Google account.

 

 

“Bugsgiving” at Wesleyan, 11/20

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Fun, educational, and delicious – learn about why edible insects are the future of food from one of the world’s foremost leaders in the industry. Come join us to learn about the many benefits of entomophagy (eating insects) and to taste some delicious insect-based dishes prepared by chef Joseph Yoon! There will be activities, tastings, and more! Please bring a chair/blanket and your friends and family for our Bugsgiving picnic, and RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bugsgiving-tickets-19186267542.
 
Chef Joseph Yoon founded Brooklyn Bugs in 2017 with the mission to normalize edible insects, and has worked closely with museums, universities, and institutions to fundamentally change the way we can reimagine them as a sustainable, nutrient dense, and delicious sources of protein. His work has been featured on PBS Nova, The New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, BBC, Popular Science, Live with Kelly and Ryan and much more.

Screen-Free Saturdays: Outdoors in Middletown

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This May, celebrate Screen-Free Saturdays! The Middletown Department of Recreation has coordinated with organizations in Middletown to provide many fun outdoor activities including:

5/22: A fox walking meditation exercise and skill training at McCutcheon Park (9:30am)
5/22: Followed by Bingo at McCutcheon Park (10am)
5/29: 10am: A multi-generational book discussion of The Hidden Life of Trees (and two younger reader versions) at McCutcheon Park hosted by Russell Library and Everyone Outside
5/29: Followed by a Tree Walk hosted by Everyone Outside

Click here for the full event information including times and how to sign up!

Earth Week Rant 2021: Last Call

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As time runs out for action on a collection of environmental ailments, measures not yet taken must be scaled to the ever-increasing demands of the situation.  But we have to keep our eyes open and not fall prey to convenient but ineffectual “solutions” offered from all sides.

Forewarned may be forearmed, but what are we arming ourselves for?  The impacts multiply, and yet life goes on more or less as usual for most of us, at least for now.  What else can we do?  I have a few suggestions….  Brian Stewart

April 22, 11:50 AM – 1:10 PM at https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/869541729

 

Upcoming Middletown Events

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A downtown Middletown clean-up event is being sponsored by Cinder + Salt and Councilman Ed Ford this Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. to noon. The meeting place is Cinder + Salt at 195 Main Street, near Thai Gardens. Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinder-salt-earth-day-street-clean-up-with-the-city-of-middletown-tickets-141877652879. If you can’t make this event, another is coming up in May.

For Middletown residents, the Recycling Commission is sponsoring its annual Earth Day paper-shredding event on Saturday, April 24 from 9 to 11 at Vets’ Park off Newfield St. Confidential papers only (no junk mail!), and a limit of five boxes or bags per car.

Middletown’s Arbor Day ceremony honoring local legislators and John Hall will take place on April 30 at 2 p.m. in the garden of the Middlesex County Historical Society, 151 Main St. Enter through the gate off Spear Park.

Volunteers Sought for Air Line Trail Clean-up Day

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Air Line Trail eastbound approaching overpass at Middle Haddam Road.

The Portland Air Line Trail Committee will host a trail maintenance day on Saturday, April 24TH (rain date May 1ST) starting at 10:00 a.m. gathering at the trailhead parking lot at 82 Middle Haddam Road. We will be trimming back invasive plants and branches along the trail, picking up litter and sticks, and sweeping the asphalt approaches at the intersections at Breezy Corners Rd and Middle Haddam Rd.

We are planning for a minimum 2-hour event. Please bring your own work gloves, masks and any equipment you have available, i.e. pruners, trimmers, etc. We will maintain social distancing while working (family members may work together). Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

If you can possibly assist, please email your name(s), email address and contact phone number to:  chantal.foster@comcast.net

Forest Meditations On Sunday Afternoons — You’re Invited

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Erik Assadourian leads a weekly forest meditation at a local Middletown park (often but not always Wadsworth Falls). Meditating in the forest (sometimes called Forest Bathing or Shinrin Yoku) is a good way to quiet the mind and connect more deeply with the natural world. The small (socially-distanced) group learns the basics of the meditation (the style varies each week) and then finds a spot in the park to meditate. Afterwards participants come back together to sit quietly, reflecting on the experience if so moved. The entire practice is about 45-60 minutes and then we invite participants to stay for tea and cookies. The next meditation will be on the top of Indian Hill at Indian Hill Cemetery at 3pm on 10/25. We’ll do a corpse meditation as it’s almost Halloween! For the full calendar, weekly details, and map of the specific locations, visit here.

Is your garden producing more than you can use?

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It is that time in the season when you may have more cucumbers and zucchini then you can eat or put up.  If you find yourself in this situation, consider donating your excess produce to our local food pantries and put it to good use.  Details for Middletown and Portland are below:

Middletown

Amazing Grace Food Pantry, 16 Stack Street, Middletown, CT

Drop off on Wednesdays and Fridays 9 am – 5 pm

Bring produce around back

Questions? Call Kathleen Kelly at 860-347-3222

Portland

Portland Food Bank, Waverly Center – 7 Waverly Avenue, Portland, CT

Drop off on Mondays 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Bring produce to Food Bank, door at the bottom of ramp. Please wear a mask.

Questions? Call Ruth Maio at 860 342-0527