Category Archives: News & Events

News and events about Jonah Center and community activities.

$$$ Saved + Tons of Pollutants Avoided = Big Wins For Our Community

Posted on by

We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant through the Community Partnership Initiative. This is a partnership with the Sponsors of @Energize Connecticut and the City of Middletown to promote energy-saving solutions for our community. This kicks off a full year of focused efforts to promote the Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible and Multifamily Initiative, including outreach to renters and landlords. 

What are some key things to know about these programs?

The average resident saves money with reduced energy bills after a Home Energy SolutionsSM (HES) visit.
These programs benefit single-family homeowners, renters and landlords with long term savings. Income-Eligible residents receive no-cost HES and boosted incentives like free insulation.

SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Opportunities:  

  • Walking neighborhoods to share information about these programs
  • Talk to landlords you know in Middletown to get them involved 
  • Leading a sign-up event for your neighborhood
  • Landlords may volunteer to be advocates and champions 
  • Acting as an advocate in a local group, organization, business or place of worship 
Continue reading →

We’re celebrating fall with clean-ups!

Posted on by

Thanks to Jonah Center clean-up volunteers! We had two successful September events. For both of these clean-ups, we joined other groups to maximize our fun and impact. First at Pameacha Pond with the Friends of Pameacha Pond. And the following week in Portland, with the Portland River Access Committee and Connecticut River Conservancy, Source to Sound event.

Our next event is now scheduled! You are invited to join us on Saturday, November 15th at 10AM for a Boat Launch and Midden Trail clean-up! Click here for details and to register for this event.

Jess Bucholz – Litter Clean-up Organizer

“I am always in awe of what a small group of determined people can accomplish in a short amount of time. I leave every litter cleanup event feeling like we’ve accomplished something positive together – and we have! The volunteers, who dedicate time to cleaning up messes that they did not make, are the kindest and most altruistic people you could hope to meet! Not only is litter cleanup a great way to feel connected to nature, it’s a great way to connect with amazing, helpful humans.” 

Click here for details and to register for our next clean-up event.

What are “Complete Streets”?

Posted on by

The Jonah Center has been working on “Complete Streets” projects in both the City of Middletown and the Town of Portland for several years and helped initiate Complete Streets committees in both municipalities. But what are “Complete Streets“? We are happy to present a recently completed short video that explains what the term means featuring Jonah Center Executive Director, John Hall and Board of Directors President, Krishna Winston. The video was produced by Wesleyan University film students, Jackson Barber-Just and Cyrus Mailer, with assistance from John Shafer, Director of Media, Art, and Technology for the Jonah Center.

For further information:

Complete Streets Middletown

Kristen Colombo, Jonah Center Director

Posted on by

By Krishna Winston

The members of the Jonah Center Board are delighted to announce that on September 1 Kristen Colombo became the Center’s new Director. Kristen first contacted the Jonah Center in the fall of 2024 to ask about volunteer opportunities in furtherance of clean energy and sustainability. She had recently taken early retirement from Verizon Communications, where she headed up curriculum design and project management, building employees’ leadership skills and fostering career development. Kristen quickly demonstrated her passion for environmental work and an impressive range of skills and talents. Continue reading →

A New Path Forward: Mayor’s Walk Kicks Off Community Trail Development

Posted on by

To date, thirty people supported the new trail at the Midden Lookout by attending public walks, including Mayor Gene Nocera, who is very interested in the community vision for this amazing space. It’s time to get more organized to keep this project going!

Walking at the Midden:
Acting Middletown Mayor, Gene Nocera!

Here are two ways to get involved:

Sign up here to join us at our next walk, Thursday, October 2nd at 5PM, for an early sunset view. Plus, an optional post-walk meet-up at Forest City Brewery.

Join our official “Trail Blazers” Group to commit to actively supporting the Midden Lookout Park and Trail. We’ll use the Trail Blazers distribution list to share milestones, public meetings, calls for time and talent, and moments to celebrate along the way. Keep reading for a recap of our walk with the Mayor.

Continue reading →

Our Next Litter Clean-Ups Are Scheduled!

Posted on by

Join us for one or both dates! Click here for more details and to register.

  • Saturday, September 20th at Pameacha Pond, Middletown
  • Saturday, September 27th at Airline Rd, Portland

Litter clean-up events are a fun way to accomplish something good while socializing with like-minded friends and neighbors.

6 volunteers on litter clean up
You too can be a part of this crew!

The Cheapest Energy Is GREEN Energy

Posted on by

The current administration, along with Republican lawmakers, is systematically dismantling policies related to climate. This includes many of the tax credits and economic incentives designed to drive green energy acceleration put into place by the Biden-Harris administration.

Deadlines for incentives are approaching but they aren’t here just yet.

There is still time to take advantage of clean technology offers that allow you to save now and save later with your future energy bills!

Continue reading →

The Spotted Lanternfly Arrives in our Area — Watch For It!

Posted on by

By John Loughery, of the Berlin Land Trust

To view an enlarged version of this image on the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences website, click here.

The spotted lanternfly, a particularly beautiful, plant-hopping insect with a fiercely destructive nature, was unknown in the U.S. prior to the 2010s. September will be the crucial month.  That is when spotted lantern flies deposit their eggs on tree bark, covering them with a thick white or gray-ish substance.  It is necessary to scrape that substance off the tree, immediately killing the eggs, or vast numbers of these insects will be released into the environment in the spring, endangering plants and trees in that area.  So, the message is: examine your trees! Continue reading →

Busting Solar Myths and Tips for Finding the Right Company 

Posted on by

If you’ve been thinking about solar, get started now to take advantage of Federal Solar Incentives before they expire.  

Continue reading →

Grades Are In For Our Representatives

Posted on by

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) has released its annual Environmental Scorecard.

This is a tool we can all use to hold our lawmakers accountable.  

Which of your elected officials are regular champions of protecting our environment, healthy living and green economy?  

Which elected officials are marginal or failing us?

Continue reading →

Readers Theater Presents “The Velocity of Autumn”

Posted on by

Reader’s Theater Presents “THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN” by Eric Coble.  A play about a 79-year-old artist, Alexandra, who barricades herself in her Brooklyn brownstone with Molotov cocktails to avoid moving into a nursing home. Her estranged son, Chris, climbs through a second-story window to mediate the situation, leading to a confrontation that explores themes of aging, independence, family dynamics, and the struggle to maintain one’s identity.

Sunday October 5th at 3:00 PM at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, CT.

To reserve a seat, please call OP at 860-347-6143, leaving your name and number of seats.  

Donations accepted at the door.

Saving Wildlife Habitat While Enjoying Nature

Posted on by

Our final Paddle With  A Purpose for the season was on August 2. Volunteers and field workers removed 2000 pounds of invasive water chestnut plants. That makes our total for the year come to 18,500 pounds. (We removed 24,000 pounds last year. So, we’ve made progress in reducing this infestation.) Continue reading →