AUGUST 2006

08/03/06 - 08/27/06

Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sheffield Art League presents their annual Summer Art League Member Show. The show will feature local artists. Presented by Sheffield Art League, Dewey Hall, Main Street, Sheffield MA 01257. For more information, call 413-528-1613, email info@sheffieldartleague.org or visit www.sheffieldartleague.org.

Black Rock State Park Nature Walk

08/05/06

9:30 a.m.

Litchfield Hills Greenprint Director Tim Abbott will lead a morning hike through Black Rock State Park in Watertown. There are two looped sections. The first includes a climb to Black Rock (portions of which are fairly steep) and the second loop features steep, wooded ledges covered with pine, hemlock and oak as the setting for Black Rock Pond. The Greenprint is a joint project of the Housatonic Valley Association and the Trust for Public land. Meet in the park’s main parking lot at 9:30 a.m. Bring water and a snack. Insect repellant recommended. For additional information and reservations for the walk call, 860-672-6678.

Midsummer Faerie Festival

08/05/06

10:30 a.m.

“Midsummer Faerie Festival”, a workshop for children, will be offered on Saturday, August 5 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. The Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of Routes 102 & 183 in Stockbridge, MA. This activity geared for children will be held during the Flower Show, an annual summer event at the Garden. The Faerie Village at Berkshire Botanical Garden is a wonderful place where the imaginary world and nature come together.

On this day children are invited to come with their families to build cottages for "the little folk" in the village. A “fairy” catalyst sparks the imagination, while the building of habitats for fairies provides creative fulfillment and memories for years to come.The village will spend the rest of the summer here at the garden welcoming all "faerie folk" and their enthusiasts. The cost of this workshop is free to the public with admission to the Garden. Registration is required.

To register, call the Berkshire Botanical Garden at 413-298-3926. Presented by Berkshire Botanical Garden, Routes 102 & 183, Stockbridge MA 01262. For more information, call 413-298-3926, email info@berkshirebotanical.org or visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

Opening Day Activities for Children, A Faerie Festival

08/05/06

1 p.m.

“Opening Day Activities for Children, A Faerie Festival”, a workshop for children, will be offered on Saturday, August 5 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. The Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of Routes 102 & 183 in Stockbridge, MA. In celebration of the annual opening of Berkshire Botanical Garden and the emergence of the Flower Faeries from their winter's sleep, children will have an opportunity to search for signs of the "little folk" in the Garden and plant one of the Flower Faeries' favorite plants to take home to attract faeries in their own garden.

"A Faerie Festival" is a wonderful way to welcome spring and think about nature and its imaginary world. The cost of this workshop is free to the public. Registration is not required. For more information call the Berkshire Botanical Garden at 413-298-3926. Presented by Berkshire Botanical Garden, Routes 102 & 183, Stockbridge MA 01262. For more information, call 413-298-3926, email info@berkshirebotanical.org or visit www.berkshirebotanical.org.

Hunt Hill Farm Trust Inc. Hosts Second Summer BBQ

08/05/06

5 p.m.

The Second Summer BBQ will be held at Ruth Henderson's Tobacco Barn in New Milford, Connecticut.Chef Todd Hicks of Nodines will once again prepare his smoked delicacies; live music and door prizes will add to the festivities! This annual event is coordinated by the Hunt Hill Farm Trust Advisory Board and proceeds go to further the mission of the Trust. Presented by Hunt Hill Farm Trust Inc., 44 Upland Road, New Milford CT 06776. For more information, call 860-355-0300, email info@hunthillfarmtrust.org or visit www.thesilo.com.

Canoe Trip on the Housatonic River

08/05/06

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Program will launch at the Housatonic River - Decker Boat Launch, Lenox. Watch for frogs, fish, heron, muskrats, and signs of beavers along the meandering Housatonic River. This leisurely paddle will take us through the Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area. Join us to learn about the natural history of the waterway that is the heart of the Berkshires. Children must be at least 10 years of age, accompanied by an adult and know how to swim. Admission is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Presented by Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox MA 01240. For more information, call 413-637-0320, email berkshires@massaudubon.org or visit www.massaudubon.org.

Hiking through Time on the Westside Nature Preserve

08/06/06

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A guided hike through the Westside Nature Preserve on the Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. For more information, call 203-837-8794 or visit www.wcsu.edu/wnptoday.

Jeep 12-hour Adventure Race #2

08/12/06

7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

The Northwest Hills of CT will be the site of Jeep Adventure Race #2. Racers will paddle, mountain bike and navigate their way through the Litchfield Hills. Housatonic Meadows State Park will serve as our main event site. Presented by Genesis Adventures, Inc., Housatonic Meadows State Park, Sharon CT 06069. For more information, call 203-262-3376, email info@genesisadventures.com or visit www.genesisadventures.com.

39th Annual Audubon Festival

08/12/06

8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

08/13/06

9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Featuring two full days of nature-related programs and walks for people of all ages. Visitors can choose from a variety of programs and special performances including insects, raptors, trees and plants, amphibians, pond life, nature photography, and more. In between sessions browse through the Nature Store and enjoy the exhibits under the main tent, such as the wildflower display and bluebird exhibit. Admission is $6 and $4. Parking onsite is free. Presented by Sharon Audubon Center, Route 4, Sharon CT 06069. For more information, call 860-364-0520, email sheth@audubon.org or visit sharon.audubon.org.

Family Canoe Trips on the Housatonic River

08/12/06

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Program will launch at the Housatonic River - Decker Boat Launch, Lenox. Bring your family along to watch for frogs, fish, heron, muskrats, and signs of beavers along the meandering Housatonic River. This leisurely paddle will take us through the Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area. Join us to learn about the natural history of the waterway that is the heart of the Berkshires. Children must be at least 5 years of age, accompanied by an adult. All participants must know how to swim. Admission is $20 for members and $25 for non-members for both adults and children. Presented by Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox MA 01240. For more information, call 413-637-0320, email berkshires@massaudubon.org or visit www.massaudubon.org.

"We are all related, those of us who live along the river."

08/19/06

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Informative talk by Trudie Lame Richmond about the Native peoples of the Housatonic River Valley both past and present. Admission is $10, $8 for members of IAIS. Presented by Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Road, Washington CT 06793. For more information, call 860-868-0518 x100 or 103 or visit www.birdstone.org.

Blackberry River Iron Heritage Walk

08/19/06

9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The ninth annual river walk with talks, demonstrations, documents, paintings and artifacts describing and celebrating the 1734-1923 Iron Producing Heritage in East Canaan and Northwest Connecticut. Presented by Beckley Furnace Comm., East Canaan Congregational Church, Route 44, East Canaan CT 06024. For more information, call 860-824-5657.

Promisek/Beatrix Farrand Garden

08/27/06

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Open Garden Days. Beatrix Farrand was a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the designer of this garden. Suggested donation of $5. Presented by Promisek Incorporated, 694 Skyline Ridge Road, Bridgewater CT 06010. For more information, call 860-354-1788, email promisek@promisek.org or visit www.promisek.org.

“The Housatonic”

08/26/06 – 09/30/06

The Gregory James Gallery will be hosting “The Housatonic” exhibit, featuring paintings celebrating the Housatonic River. There will be an opening reception on August 26, 2006 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the gallery located at 13 Main Street, New Milford, CT 06776. For more information, call 860-354-3436 or visit www.gregoryjamesgallery.com.