National Heritage CorridorIn Touch with The Last Green Valley
Member Magazine & 2018 Annual Report
Cherish the Night Sky
also in this issue: Light Pollution Solutions TLGV Tackles Harmful Algae Blooms Saluting Our Business and Nonprofit Partners Volunteer/Donor Spotlight Your Voice, Your Vision In Touch Vol. 4, Issue 1 • Spring 2019 In this issue Message from the Chairman...... 1 Starry Nights • Pg. 2 TLGV Board of Directors and Staff...... 1 Starry Nights Connections...... 2 Human Health Requires Darkness...... 6 Nonprofit Partner • Pg. 18 Light Pollution Triggers Wildlife Concerns...... 8 Stopping Light Pollution Saves Money...... 10 Why You Care About Starry Nights...... 13 Got Light Pollution?...... 14 Start Stargazing...... 15 Would You Like to Become a Dark Sky Community?...... 16 Nonprofit Partner: Girl Scouts of CT...... 18 Business Partner: Savings Institute Bank & Trust...... 19 Annual Meeting • Pg. 28 Volunteer & Donor Spotlight: Bill Jobbagy...... 20 Your Voice, Your Vision...... 21 2018 Annual Report Protecting Bull Hill...... 22 Preserving Our History...... 23 Monitoring Program Launched for Harmful Algae Blooms...... 24 2018 By the Numbers...... 26 Scenes from TLGV’s 2018 Annual Meeting...... 28 Volunteer/Donor Business Partner Tastes of the Valley – A Farmer at The Table.....30 Pg. 20 Pg. 19 2018 Financial Report...... 32 Monitoring Program Thank you to our Members, Donors, Pg. 24 Sponsors and Partners...... 33 In Touch is published twice a year by The Last Green Valley P.O. Box 29, 203B Main Street Danielson, CT 06239-0029 860-774-3300 Email: [email protected] www.thelastgreenvalley.org Copyright 2019 The Last Green Valley, Inc. Cover photo by Jim Wheeler Stories written by Francesca Kefalas Protecting Bull Hill • Pg. 22 Design by Angell House Design Tastes 2018 • Pg. 30 Printed by AM Lithography Corp.
The Last Green Valley’s Legacy Society includes anyone who wishes to benefit The Last Green Valley in a will or estate plan, no matter the size or simplicity of the be- quest. A legacy gift is a thoughtful way to ensure all the ADLegacy things you love about The Last Green Valley live on. Steven Crooke • Pg. 22 If your bequest plans include The Last Green Valley, we hope you will let us know so we can add your name to the Legacy Society. You can remain anon- Annual Meeting • Pg. 23 ymous if you wish, or you may allow us to publicize Society your name to inspire others. For more information about The Last Green Valley’s Legacy Society, contact Kyle Gregoire, Community and Donor Relations Manager,Lowenthals at [email protected] • Pg. 14 or 860-774-3300.Publick House • Pg. 18 The Last Green Valley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our Tax ID Number is 06-1418894. Jim Wheeler Message from the Chairman
It is the stars, The stars above us, govern our conditions. – William Shakespeare Shakespeare was fond of blaming the stars for unexplained twists of fate or human frailty, as he did when lamenting the difference between good Cordelia and her malicious sisters in this quote from King Lear.
It turns out Shakespeare was well ahead of his time. Science now confirms that the stars – or rather our modern inability to see the stars because of light pollution – has an impact on our health, well-being and happiness. Humans are not alone; many other species suffer when exposed to light instead of darkness at night.
Here in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, we are fortunate to see the stars on many clear evenings, but we, too, are at risk of losing our dark skies.
This issue of In Touch focuses on the impacts of light pollution as well as solutions for bringing it under control. We hope our members will engage in this discussion and help us work towards dark sky designations in our communities. You can learn more on the following pages.
This issue of In Touch also serves as our 2018 Annual Report and more importantly, kicks off our 25th Anniversary Celebration as a National Heritage Corridor.
Whether you have been with us for 25 years or are new to this organization, we thank you for your support. Our members, donors, sponsors, partners and volunteers are the life-blood of The Last Green Valley and we would not be successful without you.
As we look forward to the next 25 years as a National Heritage Corridor, we invite you to participate as we update our long-term management plan. Your Voice and Your Vision matter, and we want to hear from you. Please contact The Last Green Valley office for more details.
Together we can care for, enjoy and pass on The Last Green Valley – and reach for the stars.
Bill Jobbagy, Chairman Board of Directors
TLGV Board of Directors 2018-2019 TLGV Staff Bill Jobbagy, Chair, Coventry, CT Thomas Dufresne, Southbridge, MA Lois Bruinooge, Executive Director Mike Nelson, Vice Chair, Norwich, CT James Gothreau, Putnam, CT LyAnn Graff, Office Coordinator Myra Ambrogi, Secretary, Plainfield, CT Lisa Hayden, Sturbridge, MA Kyle Gregoire, Donor and Community Joan St. Ament, Treasurer, Woodstock, CT Jennifer Kaufman, Mansfield, CT Relations Manager Steven Ayer, Franklin, CT Mike Longenbaker, Tolland, CT Francesca Kefalas, Assistant Director Donna Baron, Lebanon, CT Marty Nieski, Dudley, MA Bill Reid, Chief Ranger Janet Blanchette, Thompson, CT Samuel Smit, Norwich, CT Sharon Wakely, Finance Administrator Elsie Bisset, Voluntown, CT Eric Thomas, Coventry, CT, representing Program Consultants Debra Burns, Putnam, CT the Governor of Connecticut Christine Armstrong, Education Karyn DiBonaventura, Pomfret, CT Mark Winne, Charlton, MA Outreach Coordinator Lou Dzialo, Baltic, CT Liz Ellsworth, Education Outreach Assistant Jean Pillo, Water Quality Monitoring and TRBP Coordinator
1 1 Starry Night Connections Disappearing Dark Skies Impact Our Environment, Health and Hearts by Francesca Kefalas Jim Wheeler
2 or as long as humans Why does it matter? Why in the have walked the earth our modern world do we need to see eyes have been drawn to the stars when we know perfectly the stars. well how the seasons work? When we no longer need them to Every known culture in navigate the oceans or the skies history has connected its thanks to technology? story to the stars. From the ancient Babylonians and Our lives may actually depend on Native Americans to the Egyptians, having that dark night sky above us. ſthe Mayan, the Vikings and the “Human health, the entire cultures who came before, the need ecosystem really, is tied to the to understand the world through cycles of night and day,” said the movements of stars drove their Richard G. Stevens, a professor structures, their spirituality and the of Community Medicine and fabric of their societies. Health Care at UCONN. “I think The night sky connects us through we’re close to a tipping point. The time and across distances. scientific community is starting to take this seriously.” Yet, beginning with the industrial revolution we have steadily The problem is light pollution. disconnected from that night sky. Until recently, however, the idea Today, more than 80 percent of of light pollution was not taken Americans only see the brightest seriously. “How can light pollute?” stars and moon in the night sky. Stevens said. “That was the The Milky Way is a thing to be seen question I used to get.” in photos taken somewhere else. Stevens has studied exactly how Here, in The Last Green Valley light pollutes since the 1980s and National Heritage Corridor, we are the frustrating part is it really is the lucky ones. Most of us can still not a difficult problem to fix. This see the Milky Way on a clear night. is not water or air pollution. It’s We have something no one else a matter of turning off the lights between Boston and Washington when they are not needed. D.C. can claim in such a large area. “I see problems as either wicked But as we continue to turn the or tame,” Stevens said. “Wicked night into day with artificial light problems are problems with no easy the stars are dimming even here. solution, like complex social system “We’re losing our night sky, issues. Tame problems have pretty there’s no question about that,” easy, clear solutions. This is a tame said Geoff McLean, a NASA Solar problem we are not dealing with.” System Ambassador and a Last Tame, only in the ability fix it, Green Valley Volunteer Ranger. however. Light pollution is far “In the last two years I’ve been more than sky glow – that light noticing the sky at night is getting you see on the horizon from a brighter and brighter than it was large city or even a small town. nine years ago when I started The cycles of night and dark doing astronomy outreach control circadian rhythms and programs. We only see the Milky almost all life on the planet relies Way on the darkest nights now on that cycle of night and day. when before it was routine.”
3 Research published in 2018 in Russell D. Sampson, Professor of In the late 1990s Chicago “Science Advances” of the “New Physical Sciences and Co-director embarked on an alley-lighting World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky of the Robert K. Wickware program as part of an effort to Brightness,” reveals that while Planetarium at Eastern Connecticut reduce crime in the city. In 2000 a 80 percent of Americans cannot State University, said the problem study was published that showed see the Milky Way, 99 percent of is largely one of perception. the increased lighting actually us live under light-polluted skies, “Nighttime lighting makes us resulted in an increase of 21 meaning we do not know true feel safer, but there is a growing percent in the crimes analyzed, darkness. More than 80 percent body of research that suggests which included violent crimes and of all humans on Earth live under that increasing nighttime lighting property crimes. light-polluted skies. actually does the exact opposite McLean is not surprised by the by increasing crime,” Sampson “Light pollution is one of the most mounting research that more light said. “Researchers are now trying pervasive forms of environmental might actually cause more crime. to determine whether this is due alteration,” the Atlas reports. “It Chicago is not the only city that to an increase in crime reporting affects even otherwise pristine sites has seen crime increase with the — people see crimes occurring because it is easily observed during more lights that are on, he said. in better illuminated areas that the night hundreds of kilometers “Glare plays a huge role,” McLean would not have been seen before from its source in landscapes that said. “Our eyes are designed to — or whether the increased seem untouched by humans during see in the dark. We create these illumination is actually causing the day, damaging the nighttime pockets of light and dark and our more crime to be committed. landscapes even in protected areas, eyes don’t have time to adjust. The Maybe criminals need to see too.” such as national parks.” criminal can lurk in the dark and
In 2000 a study was published that showed the increased lighting actually resulted in an increase of 21 percent in the crimes analyzed, which included violent crimes and property crimes. Virge Lorents
4 you will never see him because of overlook from Mt. Misery, however, the glare from the light, but he will has provided Wheeler some great get a good look at you.” There are opportunities for photos. The International Dark Sky currently Wheeler said he’s learned in the Association is a nonprofit last few years where the best dark organization dedicated to fighting no dark sky skies can consistently be found. And light pollution and directly sometimes he is surprised by what engaging with communities to designations he finds. Wheeler visited Wyndham reverse the light pollution trend. anywhere on Land Trust Property on the top of The organization has a program Bull Hill in the summer of 2018 of certifications to designate dark the east coast to take a Milky Way photo and sky friendly communities, parks received a little shock. “Looking and reserves. It has even created a of the out over Woodstock there was light certification to help urban locations United States. pollution,” Wheeler said. “The sky create pockets of dark skies. glow was pretty thick there. I didn’t expect it over Woodstock.” Joanne Kendrick has worked closely with IDA and appreciates of northern Arizona designated. Wheeler and McLean both Aquarius the organization’s efforts because “There have been so many benefits share the same concern that as it means she has had help to to the community because of the communities move to more energy preserve the night sky in her corner work we’ve done to get the dark efficient LED lights the issue of light of the world for generations to sky designation,” Kendrick said. pollution will become worse. The come. Kendrick and her husband, problem is two-fold, McLean said. Jerry, moved to Sedona, Arizona There are currently no dark sky “The LEDs are the bright white because of its dark skies without designations anywhere on the east lights and they create even more realizing an effort to get a dark coast of the United States. The light pollution even though they sky designation had begun. Fellow Bortles Scale is a one to nine rating are saving energy,” McLean said. city Flagstaff had become the first system for dark skies where one is “And with cheaper lights some community in the world to achieve the darkest sky possible and nine is communities think that means they the feat and Sedona wanted to be a fully-lit inner city. The Last Green can put in more lights.” the second community in the state. Valley National Heritage Corridor ranges between a four and six on Wheeler, who is an audio video “But then the state decided to the scale. It takes a trip to Maine to manager at UCONN, said there are light up a road right through the find consistently darker skies. “warmer” LED lights that would middle of the town,” Kendrick reduce light pollution significantly. said. “It sort of took the wind Amateur astrophotographer Jim The expense of the lights is the issue. out of everyone’s sails. And then Wheeler of Franklin notices the Sampson said the issue is not I showed up looking for ways to fluctuation between our dark skies about having no lights vs. lighting volunteer and was asked to help as much as anyone. Wheeler has everything. When his classes and get the designation going again. I taken numerous photos of the programs at the ECSU planetarium was a new face, and they thought Milky Way from The Last Green need dark skies, Sampson said he that might help.” Valley and in most of them there is light pollution. can still find them. It did. Despite the highly-lit state “I have worked with the Facilities road in the center of town, Sedona But, Wheeler also believes there people at ECSU to improve the is dark sky territory. Kendrick has are pockets of dark sky in The lighting of the campus,” Sampson since spearheaded the effort of Last Green Valley that are darker said. “Not only does it keep the neighboring Big Park/Village of than many of the dark sky skies darker, but it reduces energy Oak Creek to get its designation maps can show. Pachaug Forest, costs, and keeps the campus and was invited to help Camp in Voluntown, for example is safer by reducing glare. The sky Verde, Arizona get its now excellent for dark skies, he said. around the Robert K. Wickware successful certification underway. The problem there is the trees Planetarium has actually gotten Kendrick is not done. She wants all obstruct much of the sky. An
5 obesity diabetes darker since I have arrived. We mental health offer free public planetarium depression shows three times a semester, and occasionally, when the weather bipolar disorder permits, I take the audience out cancer and show them the stars.”
The work Sampson has done with ECSU to improve lighting gets to Our the heart of Stevens’ assertion that light pollution is a tame problem. Stopping light pollution is as circadian simple as turning off the lights or using existing technology to ensure the lights only light what is cycle necessary. And while that qualifies as “tame,” the consequences of light pollution are far reaching, Stevens and a growing number of Human Health Requires Darkness scientists assert.
“Most of the world is affected by this problem, and humanity has enveloped our planet in a luminous fog that prevents most of Earth’s population from having the opportunity to observe our galaxy,” concludes the Atlas of the Night Sky. “This has a consequent potential impact on culture that is of unprecedented magnitude. Moreover, light pollution causes global ecological consequences, poses public health issues, and wastes energy and money. Light pollution needs to be addressed immediately because, even though it can be instantly mitigated (by turning off lights), its consequences cannot (for example, loss of biodiversity and culture).”
We have a choice: lose the night sky completely or be the generation that gets light pollution under control.
Libra 6 Jim Wheeler he lights literally went on obvious sleep problems such as jet sleep. Yet the groups showed none when Richard Stevens had lag and Insomnia, often brought of the ill effects of the same sleep his aha moment. Stevens, on by our own human-induced patterns that plague Americans and a professor of Community disruption of the circadian cycle. Europeans. Medicine and Health Care at Russell D. Sampson, Professor of “The study suggests what we think łUCONN, remembers lying in his bed Physical Sciences and Co-director of about sleep is not true,” Stevens during the late 1980s pondering the the Robert K. Wickware Planetarium said. What the three pre-industrial latest research he had been working at Eastern Connecticut State groups did experience was far on regarding breast cancer, when University, said new light pollution more darkness. Their night was lit he realized the street light was research is looking at “social jet by fires and candlelight, Stevens illuminating his room so much he lag,” where people experience the said. Firelight is warm and does could easily read the newspaper. same effects as traveling across time not disrupt our circadian rhythms. The event lead Stevens to begin zones because they are awake and Stevens said the color of light plays a ground-breaking research on the active longer and later because of critical role. He uses a red nightlight, effects of light pollution on human artificial light. for example, to ensure he can make health and he has no doubt light his way around his home in the Human Health Requires Darkness “Even though we can stay active at pollution is a killer. “I started with middle of the night without waking night through the use of increased breast cancer, but it’s not just cancer, himself up. Blue light is the problem artificial lighting, an internet it’s depression, bipolar disorder, and it’s in far more places than our that never sleeps, and the 24/7 diabetes, anything metabolic,” street lights. society (24-hour fast food, 24-hour Stevens said, “it’s affected by light shopping, etc.), the sun still rises in “It’s not that all light is bad,” pollution.” the morning and resets our body Stevens said. “During the day you To over-simplify Stevens’ research, it clocks, causing a form of jet lag,” want to be in bright light. That all comes down to circadian rhythms Sampson said. “As a university is what your body needs. But at and our natural biological clocks. professor I have seen these ill night, we no longer have that true Humans have evolved to be in a effects dramatically illustrated in my darkness. We’re surrounded by cycle of light and dark. At the heart early morning classes.” screens and street lights and much of that cycle is our body’s ability more all the time.” Stevens said it’s important to to produce melatonin, a hormone recognize science’s understanding Stevens said humans evolved to that research is discovering is more of both the circadian system and experience an average of 11 hours of and more critical to our health melatonin are still evolving. But circadian dark. Circadian dark does not and well-being. The more light we he believes the ill effects of light mean no lights. It means lights that are are subjected to when we should pollution are often misconstrued warm, like firelight and candlelight. It be experiencing dark, the less as sleep deprivation. A lack of means reading an actual book rather melatonin our bodies produce. sleep might be more a symptom than on a tablet or smartphone. It Stevens said emerging research than a cause. Stevens said research means turning off screens of all types suggests disruption of the circadian conducted by a UCLA professor well before bedtime. cycle is being implicated in major of three pre-industrial societies It also means getting used to the health concerns as wide-ranging suggests the issue is not hours of dark. “The dark is natural,” Stevens as obesity and diabetes to mental sleep but rather hours of darkness. said. “Don’t turn on the lights if you health issues such as depression The research showed members of wake up in the middle of the night. and bipolar disorder. And, yes, the three groups slept 5.5 to 7 hours Stay in the dark. Learn that being in Stevens said, light pollution and the a night, considered not enough to the dark is ok. Being awake in the disruption it causes to our circadian be healthy, and the same average middle of the night is not like being cycle is a trigger in cancer. as Americans and Europeans. They awake at noon. Being awake in the Research is also ongoing into how also often were awake for an hour dark can be quite meditative. The melatonin supplements may treat or more in the middle of their dark is restorative.”
7 Light Pollution Triggers Wildlife Concerns
are many factors that influence known to catch birds in an endless hances are you’ve never seen an migration. But, intuitively, it makes loop, flying nonstop in the light animal with a watch. sense that light pollution is playing beams until exhausted to death. a role in the issues we’re seeing The anecdotal evidence of light with migration.” They don’t need them. pollution’s negative effects on Animals have intricate With the east coast becoming wildlife has actually existed almost Cinternal clocks telling them when brighter at night every year, dark as long as there have been light to wake, when to forage, when corridors like The Last Green bulbs. Thomas Edison figured out to mate, when to migrate and Valley are becoming more and how to make an electric light bulb everything else they need to do more important for plant and commercially viable in 1879 and by for survival. wildlife. The need for contiguous 1882 had developed a system to greenways is becoming more distribute electricity. In 1886 about In many cases, animals have obvious. Comins said Audubon 1,000 migratory birds were killed millenniums of evolutionary time knows through its own field work after colliding with an electric light above and beyond humans. But, in that The Last Green Valley is an tower in Decatur, Illinois. By the less than 200 years, humans have increasingly important flyway for 1960s, the increased rate of death impacted the environment in ways migrating birds. for newly hatched sea turtles in the that have made those internal presence of artificial light was a clocks less reliable for animals. While the issue of migration is proven fact. While the issues are complex and complicated, Comins said there variable, there is one part of the is ample “localized” evidence Yet, systemic research on the light equation that would not be difficult artificial light at night is pollution’s effects on the animal and to mitigate – light pollution. problematic to birds. Comins said plant kingdoms is a newer field in lights on communications towers the scientific community. Richard G. Patrick Comins, executive director have proven deadly to birds. Lights Stevens, a professor of Community of The Connecticut Audubon make it difficult for the birds to Medicine and Health Care at Society, knows far too well that see both the structure and the guy UCONN, has been researching the birds are suffering. Many species wires attached to them resulting in impacts of light pollution on humans are declining, and migratory birds fatal collisions and entanglements. for decades and has been watching may be under the greatest duress. The Sept. 11 tribute in New York developing research on animals and “Bird migration is very City, where beams of light are shot plants closely. complicated,” Comins said. “There directly into the sky, has also been
Capricorn 8 “We just put too many lights in places where they have no value. We’ve got to stop.”
Light Pollution Triggers Geoff McLean, Wildlife Concerns Jim Wheeler a NASA Solar System Ambassador and TLGV Volunteer Ranger
“It’s a catastrophe for the shown artificial lighting on outdoor ecosystem,” Stevens said. “Insects plants can severely disrupt the entire are dying. The birds that eat them photosynthesis system, whereas are dying. This effects the entire greenhouse plants under highly food chain.” controlled artificial lights thrive.
Travis Longcore, an assistant Geoff McLean, a NASA Solar professor of Architecture, Spatial System Ambassador and TLGV Sciences and Biological Sciences Volunteer Ranger, recalls a at the University of Southern conversation with a friend that California, has conducted sums up the trouble with artificial significant research into the light and trees. His friend was subject, including developing a lamenting that the beautiful oak 2017 report for the National Park in front of her house was suddenly Service on how artificial lighting is dying. Multiple arborists could find affecting wildlife on public lands nothing wrong with the tree to and how best to mitigate the explain its declining health. impacts. Longcore examines the “And she told me the ironic thing impacts of artificial lighting on a was her husband has just put a variety of habitats, including the spotlight on the tree so everyone kinds found here in The Last Green could enjoy it, even at night,” Valley National Heritage Corridor McLean said. “I told her ‘you have – grasslands, wetlands and rivers to turn that light off. That’s what’s and deciduous and evergreen killing the tree.’ She believed me forests. In every habitat artificial and the tree gets its dark nights life had negative effects on the again. It’s doing fine.” native wildlife, ranging from the development of amphibians, to “We just put too many lights in foraging and mating. places where they have no value,” McLean added. “We’ve got to stop.” It’s not just animals feeling the impact of our increasingly illuminated world. Research has
Photos by Virge Lorents 9 Stopping Light Pollution $aves Money Jim Wheeler
10 ight pollution has effects both anecdotal – it just makes sense that nowhere and you never see people obvious and subtle. we should be working to reduce using them in the daylight, let light pollution.” alone at night.” The inability to pick out as many constellations as we One area not in dispute is that McClean, who is an astrophotog- once could and the dimming lights require energy and energy raphy enthusiast, is worried the of the Milky Way are obvious costs money. “Mainly, [light movement toward LED lighting to those who look toward the sky pollution] is wasteful,” Comins will actually make light pollution onl a regular basis. said. “We’re wasting energy to worse, while driving down the cost light up the sky and that then of using the lights. But the impacts to our own brings more greenhouse gases. health and to flora and fauna Travis Longcore, an assistant There’s an environmental cost around us are not always as professor of Architecture, Spatial for energy even if it’s renewable. obvious. Yet the reasons to put Sciences and Biological Sciences There is no such things as free light pollution towards the top at the University of Southern energy environmentally speaking.” of conservationists’ concerns are California, wrote a review in late many, and the potential rewards Geoff McLean, a NASA Solar 2018 called “Hazard of Hope? LEDs are significant. System Ambassador, Volunteer and Wildlife” that examines the Ranger with The Last Green Valley evidence on the effect of LEDS and “There are a lot of reasons light and a retired engineer, said the the environment. pollution is bad,” said Patrick examples of wasted energy are Comins, Executive Director of LEDs actually could be used to all over the region. “There are Connecticut Audubon. “When you drastically reduce light pollution so many lights that are lighting look at all the reasons – whether because LEDS are far easier to up nothing,” McLean said. “They they are circumstantial and direct and control in terms of their light up sidewalks that literally go
Graphic by The International Dark Sky Association 11 intensity and the spectrum of light they use. LEDS are also easier to turn on and off and do not require the “warm-up” time of older lights. However, the use of bright- bluish LEDS is not helpful to the environment, Longcore writes. The relative cost is also so low that it
may drive up consumption. Virge Lorents “LEDs represent an era of cheap “Just as cheap (fast) food has resulted in an light and when a product is inexpensive, the tendency is to obesity epidemic in the United States and overconsume,” Longcore writes. elsewhere, cheap light has the potential to “Just as cheap (fast) food has resulted in an obesity epidemic in result in unnecessarily bright nights.” the United States and elsewhere, Travis Longcore, an assistant professor of Architecture, Spatial Sciences cheap light has the potential to and Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California result in unnecessarily bright nights.” but now Sedona is singing the Jim Wheeler, an amateur Joanne Kendrick has a slew praises of its dark sky designation. astrophotographer from Franklin of reasons why no lights vs. “It’s been a big boost to the and an audio and video manager cheap lights are even more economy,” Kendrick said. “We’re at UCONN, loves the technical beneficial financially. Kendrick getting a lot more astro-tourism. challenges of astrophotography. led the effort to have Sedona, People come here to see the night But, his earliest memories of the Arizona, designated as a dark sky sky and all the businesses benefit dark sky are more emotional. “I community with the International beyond the money they’re saving just remember being wowed,” Dark Sky Association. Kendrick by turning off the lights when they Wheeler said. “I remember being has since spearheaded another don’t need them.” able to see stars forever.” successful dark sky designation for Comins said astro-tourism is real The night sky is deeply ingrained in Sedona’s neighbor, Big Park/Village and is thriving worldwide. It also every culture on Earth. The United of Oak Creek, and has advised has the potential to thrive in The Nations Educational Scientific and Campe Verde on its successful Last Green Valley. “People come Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designation. She is also working to the area to see the dark skies,” an Astronomy and World Heritage with other Arizona communities on Comins said. Initiative aimed at preserving their efforts to get the designation. astronomical heritage worldwide. But at its heart, dark skies mean Kendrick said at night, the lights more than increased revenues and Kendrick recently traveled to the go out for the most part in decreased utility costs. The reasons east coast, visiting northern New Sedona. Visitors are advised to we want to look to the stars are England. Maine has the largest carry flashlights if they feel the far more personal and emotional swath of dark sky on the east need to light their walks. “We than a dollar figure. coast and Kendrick appreciated really learned it was all about new efforts there to keep it dark. “I fell in love with the night sky education,” Kendrick said. “People While her trip didn’t include The in the third grade,” Kendrick said. needed to understand why we Last Green Valley, Kendrick said if “My teacher opened the door were looking to change the way this was her home, she would be and my heart to the heavens. As I we light Sedona.” fighting to keep The Last Green grew up you had to go farther and Valley dark between all the bright Sedona, as part of the process of farther away to see the stars.” getting its designation, passed lights of the big cities. “There’s a serenity to seeing those dark sky lighting regulations for “Dark skies are worth the work,” stars at night,” Kendrick said. the entire community. Kendrick Kendrick said. “You cannot replace said at first there was resistance, the stars.”
Scorpio 12 Why You Care About Starry Nights
You told us how important the night sky is when we asked you to take a survey in 2018. Here is what you had to say: More than 68% of you stargaze many nights or every night that you can. More than 87% of you are concerned about light pollution in The Last Green Valley. More than 82% of you want to learn what you can do to combat light pollution. HHH
And here’s a sampling of why the night sky is important to you: H H H “The wonderment of it “The beauty and the majesty.” “Connection to humanity.” all, the reality of where I am in the universe and the H H stunning beauty. “Peaceful serenity.” “It never gets old. It helps me It grounds me.” keep the natural cycle of H the day in order.” H “Clear skies without light “Star gazing has been pollution is something not H something all humans have many eyes can see. It’s nice “It reminds me that life been doing for as long as to be able to look up, see is bigger than just daily humans have been on this those stars and see the world problems.” Earth… it’s also important through different eyes.” that some things from our H past need to remain as they H “It gives me a feeling of peace. were. It need not have “The quiet, awe and It also reminds me how lucky to be a memory.” peacefulness of the night sky.” I am to live where I do rather than in some city or even in a peaceful more populated area.” humanity quiet vast amazing serenityinspiring beautiful connections awe wonder calming relaxing majesty
Jim Wheeler 13 Got Light Pollution?
Are you creating light pollution?
Here are some tips to help you figure it out Ask these questions about your outdoor lighting: • Does the area really need to be lit? • If so, for what purpose? • How bright does the light need to be? • Are your lighting fixtures shining light out at 90 degrees or more? • Is the light falling where you want it to or is it lighting up more than you want? • Are the lights so bright they cause glare?
If you’ve realized you can improve your outdoor lighting here are some tips: • Don’t light an area if it’s not needed. • Turn off lights when not in use. • To save energy, don’t use excessive lights that are brighter than you need. • Use timers, dimmers and motions sensors whenever possible. • Use only “full cut-off” or “fully-shielded” lighting fixtures. That means no light above the 90-degree angle. Fully-shielded lighting can be purchased or retrofitted. • Use energy-efficient lighting sources and fixtures. • Only use lighting sources with correlated color temperature (CCT) no higher than 3000K. For example, the warmer and the redder a light is, the lower the CCT. Blue light is cooler and causes the most problems. Most lighting products provide CCT information on their package labeling.
Source: International Dark Sky Association 14 Jim Wheeler Virge Lorents Tips for Municipalities Adopt lighting regulations that are dark sky friendly. Here are some easy changes to implement: • Require all outdoor lighting be fully-shielded or full cut-off. • Require all outdoor lighting be at a minimum height to accomplish the goal. • Create lighting curfews in appropriate zones. • Require timers/motion detectors on outdoor lighting. • Create a range of correlated color temperature (CCT) for acceptable lighting fixtures. • Create a limit for outdoor lighting levels. • Use the resources available to you. The International Dark Sky Association and many of the Dark Sky Got Light Pollution? Communities already certified have dark sky compliant lighting ordinances ready to be adapted by other municipalities.
Sources: International Dark Sky Association and the Sedona Lighting Ordinance Virge Lorents
Why light pollution wastes money
The International Dark Skies Association estimates that least 30 percent of all outdoor lighting in the United States is Rollover wasted, mostly by lights that aren’t shielded. for The Last Green Valley That adds up to $3.3 billion and If you are 70½ or older, you may roll over up to $100,000 of your qualified IRA assets the release of 21 million tons directly to The Last Green Valley. While of carbon dioxide per year. It you won’t receive a tax deduction, the would require the planting of 875 million transferred amount is excluded from your taxable income and it can be used to satisfy trees each year to offset the carbon dioxide your required minimum distribution. production of wasted lighting. Installing the To find out how a rollover can benefit right kind of outdoor lighting could cut you and The Last Green Valley, contact energy use by 60 to 70 Kyle Gregoire, Community and Donor Relations Manager, at , save billions of dollars and cut percent [email protected] or 860-774-3300. carbon emissions. The Last Green Valley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our Tax ID Number is 06-1418894.
Jim Wheeler 1515 rt Stargazing a If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, here are a few St tips to help you start stargazing: H look up. Seriously, just look up and take it all in as often as you can. The longer you are outside in the dark the more your night vision will adjust and the more you will see. H Check out that moon: it’s amazing how much you can see with your naked eye when it comes to the moon. Notice that it changes in size and location in the sky as the seasons progress. H get a star chart: look up star charts online and you will find plenty to download. There are also some pretty cool apps (but just remember looking at your smartphone when you’re trying to stargaze will damage your night vision and make those stars harder to find). H Come to a TLGV dark sky program: TLGV Volunteer Rangers Geoff and Kim McLean hold dark sky events for adults and children throughout the year. They are happy to show you the constellations and some incredible deep sky objects like nebula. H remember you don’t need a telescope to enjoy the night sky. The naked eye and binoculars reveal many wonders. Virge Lorents
16 Saggitarius targazing Would You Like to Become a t S Dark Sky Community? r he International Dark Sky Association (IDA; darksky.org) Sta provides a wealth of resources for understanding light pollution and for mitigating its impacts.
IDA also recognizes and promotes excellent stewardship of the night sky by encouraging communities, parks and protected Tareas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting polices and public education.
IDA recognizes cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies with a special International Dark Sky Community designation.
TLGV is very interested in working with our National Heritage Corridor communities to achieve this designation. We can provide information about light pollution and its impacts, technical materials regarding lighting types and designs, and sample municipal requirements to control light pollution. Please contact Fran Kefalas at 860-774-3300 or [email protected] to learn more. Jim Wheeler
17 Nonprofit Partner Spotlight Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Tucked away on 380 acres in Lebanon is a place where girls can discover their inner scientist or naturalist, develop leadership skills and make friends who last a lifetime.
Camp Laurel, Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s flagship property, is a picturesque place complete with an idyllic lake, wooded trails and a sloping field perfect for stargazing. It’s a location that epitomizes the organization in many ways; it’s well-known and yet most people have no idea how extensive it is.
Camp Laurel is a centerpiece in the Girl Scouts’ plans for the future. Linda Kalish, director of program for Girl Scouts of Connecticut said facilities will be enhanced at the camp in the future, but the camp will also retain its undeveloped feel. Most of Camp Laurel is wooded and free from human activity. The and Life Skills. New badges camp and its importance to both the have been added in the helping them get comfortable and organization and the region is also last year, many in the STEM area, take the pressure off. They don’t a major factor in why Girl Scouts Kalish said. The new badges are have to create these Pinterest of Connecticut has partnered with about exposing girls to skills and perfect experiences for the girls. TLGV, hosting numerous programs an array of possibilities for their It’s usually the not-so-perfect with TLGV throughout the year for future but are also practical for the moments the girls remember most the last several years. world they are growing up in, such and cherish because they are real.” as a new badge in cyber security. The partnership is reflective “Even a Brownie can earn a cyber of Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s security badge,” Kalish said. “For Visit gsofct.org for more approach throughout the state, that age group it’s about learning information about Girl including working with schools to be safe online.” Scouts programs and to bring the Girl Scouts’ mission volunteer opportunities. to communities where volunteers The organization is putting an are lacking. There are so many emphasis on volunteer training different parts to Girl Scouts and and support. A troop leader does being a Girl Scout,” Kalish said. not need to have been a Girl Scout. “As an organization we’re always There are many opportunities to evolving to meet the needs of girls start working with experienced today, but we also work to meet volunteers and get comfortable. the needs of our volunteers.” “We run programs for our Programs fall into one of volunteers too,” Kalish said. “Our four pillars of Girl Scouts – staff is here to support our troop Entrepreneurship, Outdoors, STEM leaders. A lot of what we do is
18 Business Partner Spotlight Savings Institute Bank & Trust
Savings Institute Bank & Trust has supported The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor from the moment it was asked to become a partner. For the leadership of one of the region’s oldest financial institutions it was an obvious partnership.
“It was an easy ‘yes’ when we were approached to support TLGV’s efforts to preserve and highlight our wonderful area,” said Rheo Brouillard, chief executive officer and president of Savings Institute Bank & Trust. “To many of us, the name could easily be ‘The Last Great Valley,’ certainly a beautiful part of Connecticut and indeed all of New “By supporting TLGV we’re England. The staff of The Last Green helping share the history and the Valley are excellent stewards, well beauty of this special region and suited for the job at hand. Their give back to the community, some professionalism and obvious love “I was on the board for many years of who may not realize how really for the area made it an endeavor in the early days and when I had to special our little corner of the worthy of our support.” step down, a co-worker wanted to world really is,” said Cassandra go on the board,” St. Ament said. Savings Institute has been one Giovanni, marketing manager for “Savings Institute has had someone of TLGV’s strongest financial Savings Institute Bank & Trust. on the board almost the whole supporters and currently is the “Working with The Last Green time. Community involvement exclusive sponsor of TLGV’s Valley, we’re working to improve is important to us here. We’re Historical Happenings, a program quality of life by getting people encouraged and expected to designed to help small historic and outside to have fun and enjoy become a part of community cultural nonprofits build capacity this truly unique area and to organizations that we care about. I by working together. Savings appreciate the history and culture was thrilled when I heard I could go Institute is also one of the original we have.” back on the board.” sponsors of TLGV’s Walktober. The bank, however, has done much For St. Ament her role is not just Savings Institute has a pending more than contribute financially fulfilling an expectation of her job. agreement to be acquired by to The Last Green Valley in the last “I love living here,” St. Ament said. Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 25 years. Joan St. Ament, a vice “I appreciate the nature and the and its subsidiary, Berkshire president and branch manager beauty. I love the dark skies at night. Bank, a $12-billion-dollar with Savings Institute, is currently I want to preserve what we have.” bank with 115 branch offices a TLGV board member. St. Ament throughout Connecticut, New is the board treasurer and in her York, Vermont, New Jersey, third consecutive three-year term Visit savingsinstitute. Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. as a board member. In 2020 she bank for more information will have to step down. It will about Savings Institute actually be the second time St. Bank & Trust. Ament has reached a consecutive- year term limit.
19 Volunteer & Donor spotlight Bill Jobbagy The years blend a little for Bill Jobbagy when he stops to think about how long he has been volunteering for The Last Green Valley. He’s served two tenures as chairman of the Board of Directors, reached his board term limit twice and has been an integral part of the National Heritage Corridor since the last 10-year vision plan was developed. And, Jobbagy plans on keeping up his efforts for many years to come. “It’s my favorite thing to do,” Jobbagy said.
In May Jobbagy will step down from his second tenure as chairman of the TLGV Board of Directors — for now. “I try not to think about Karyn DiBonaventura stepping down,” Jobbagy said. Quinebaug-Shetucket Rivers Valley While Jobbagy has invested countless “But I actually do think about it, National Heritage Corridor. It didn’t hours to TLGV, he has also invested and I plan to stay involved as an ex- take long for him to fall in love. financially as a major donor. officio member, and I can serve as a subcommittee chairman.” “What I liked then and still like “I hate giving things away,” Jobbagy today is that this is not corporate said. “Freebies drive me nuts. When Jobbagy has given his time willingly in any way,” Jobbagy said. “The I donate, I know this organization to TLGV despite being a busy volunteers are respectful and is educating people and helping man. He serves on the Coventry insightful, and they all love this people understand what we have Planning and Zoning and Economic region. I enjoy the work we do, here because they will miss it if it’s Development Commissions. He is and I enjoy the social aspects of gone. I see it as an investment. It’s also a member of the Coventry how we work. There’s also a lot of not just important to me. I feel like Historical Society and The Village variety in what we do.” it’s the legacy I can leave behind.” Improvement District. He is also a board member of the Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance, an organization focused on lending "I know this organization is educating funds to small businesses. people and helping people understand Jobbagy retired in 2000 from what we have here because they will miss Pratt & Whitney, after leading its business development department, it if it’s gone." and decided he wanted to volunteer in the community. A friend suggested he take his experience on the town’s Economic Development Commission and use it to support the National Heritage Corridor. Jobbagy walked into the offices of what was then the
20 Your Voice, Your Vision
In late summer, TLGV launched an 18-month process to shape a vision for the future of The National Heritage Corridor.
The TLGV Board of Directors created a community engagement committee that has been listening to TLGV’s community partners and soliciting input for a long-range plan. TLGV has met with almost two dozen organizations and hosted three community workshops asking participants to share their visions and use their voices to help us create a long-range vision plan leading to 2030 and beyond.
“The Last Green Valley, Inc. has been a steward of our region’s National Heritage Corridor for more than two decades,” said Bill Jobbagy, Chairman of TLGV’s Board of Directors. “One of our main objectives is connecting and inspiring people to care for, enjoy and pass on the quality of life and our region’s unique elements. It is important we receive input from those who enjoy the region’s many features and opportunities. To that end, we are engaging our residents and local organizations to assist in creating this vision.”
TLGV Executive Director Lois Bruinooge said community engagement has always been part of TLGV’s work. “Everything we do, we do with partners,” Bruinooge said. “We are stronger together and partnerships help us do more for The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.”
Anyone wishing to be part of the conversation or any organization interested in hosting TLGV for a workshop can contact Kyle Gregoire, TLGV Community and Donor Relations Manager, at 860-774-3300.
21 OUR GRANTS
An exciting place for those concerned with preserving the forests of The Last Green Protecting Valley National Heritage Bull Hill Corridor Photos by Marcy Dawley
TLGV awarded a $2,500 Heritage segment of north-south Transaction Grant to the trail that connects the Wyndham Land Trust to help entire Bull Hill Forest. in its ongoing effort to protect Andy Rzeznikiewicz, Bull Hill, a more than 3,000-acre a board member undisturbed forest straddling for Wyndham Land Thompson and Woodstock. Trust and the project “Bull Hill is an exciting place director for the grant, for those concerned with said these parcels preserving the forests of The Last posed a challenge for Green Valley National Heritage the land trust. Corridor,” said Lois Bruinooge, The Heritage Transaction Fund was “These two particular parcels executive director of TLGV. conceived as a program to help require more legal work than “Wyndham Land Trust has done organizations such as Wyndham usual land transactions,” tremendous work in a short time to Land Trust close the gaps in Rzeznikiewicz said. “Before the ensure this largely unfragmented funding for projects. A second transaction can be completed, forest stays that way.” round of the grant program was three previous owners who all offered this spring. The $2,500 grant will be matched died must have their estates go 1:1 and is needed for legal fees through probate. The probate to finalize the donation of two process was never done in the parcels of landlocked forest on past. In order for the land trust Bull Hill totaling 19 acres. The to take ownership the land titles parcels abut land owned by the must be clear. This is a lengthy Town of Thompson and Wyndham process, which our attorney will Land Trust. The parcels contain a work through.”
22 OUR GRANTS Preserving Our History TLGV awarded $15,000 in grants to five local organizations to preserve, protect, interpret, promote or market historic and cultural resources. Since TLGV began awarding historic and cultural grants in 2003, more than $1 million has been disseminated to local organizations. For many the funding is the necessary step toward completion of their projects.
“The number, diversity and importance of projects in the applicant pool made the 2018 selection process difficult,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of TLGV. “These five projects are important to preserving the rich history of The Last Green National Heritage Corridor.”
TLGV awards grants based on a competitive application process. There were more than one dozen applicants for this grant cycle. Every project is vetted and evaluated for its potential benefit to the region. Every successful grant must be matched 1:1.
The following grants were awarded: Friends of Ashbel Woodward used for educational purposes Wylie Schoolhouse and its two Museum, Franklin, CT. Awarded throughout Connecticut and outbuildings. Wylie Schoolhouse $1,500 for a project to upgrade Massachusetts. The archive is the only remaining one-room its digital systems to better will include immigration school house in Voluntown and catalog and organize three papers, photos, press clippings, the town’s only operational major collections housed at the descriptions of each founder historic building. The peeling museum. The grant will also and video interviews. The entire paint has been deemed a health purchase shelving and storage package will be collected on hazard and the Voluntown for artifacts in the collections. a hard drive and copied onto Historical Society has suspended DVD’s which can be disseminated all programing in the building, The Hampton Antiquarian and to schools, municipalities, and including its role as a living Historical Society, Hampton, community organizations. history museum for the town’s CT. Awarded $1,500 for the school children. The project is historic Burnham-Hibbard Town of Eastford. Awarded part of a larger renovation plan. House Museum Carriage Shed $4,000 for repairs to the 1806 restoration. The project is part east wall of the Union Society “With its listing on the National of on-going work to maintain of Phoenixville House and Register of Historic Places, the the Burnham-Hibbard House repainting of the original responsibility to preserve this Museum. The carriage house is clapboards. The grant will help historical icon to enthrall and the largest outbuilding on the address urgent needs of the educate future generations property. The society’s goal is building and is part of a $23,000 reaches even beyond our local to house a collection of antique structural repair effort and a community,” said Jen Panko, farming implements, which longer-term $400,000 overall president of the Voluntown are now in storage, and create restoration. The building is Historical Society. “Having a space for programs and one of only two Union Society limited funds to address the demonstrations for the public. buildings left in Connecticut and urgent restoration, renovation The grant will allow the society sits at the intersection of routes and safety issues currently to upgrade electrical systems. 44 and 198 in Eastford, making it restricting public access, the a highly visible local icon. Town of Voluntown and the The Temple Beth Israel Voluntown Historical Society Preservation Society, Danielson, The Voluntown Historical can now move forward to CT. Awarded $4,000 for its Society in partnership with the ensure that school will be back project to create an archive Town of Voluntown. Awarded in session for many more years of its founders, including 40 $4,000 for removal of lead to come with this grant from Holocaust survivors, that can be paint and repainting of the The Last Green Valley.”
23 Monitoring Program Launched for Harmful Algae Blooms Jean Pillo
24 ot everything green is good – even However, it cannot detect cyanotoxins. Samples in The Last Green Valley. That have been sent to the federal Environmental bluish green stuff you see floating Protection Agency to determine if there were on some of our region’s lakes and cyanotoxins in the water. ponds is known as cyanobacteria. “We can only do a certain level of testing with the As a group, cyanobacteria equipment we have,” Pillo said. But she has also are actually critical to our planet and have used the expertise of the rest of the water quality been here a very long time. The oldest-ever- monitoring team to create a more complete picture discovered fossil is actually of cyanobacteria. of Roseland Lake. TLGV’s other water quality But the existence of cyanobacteria also is a monitoring tools were also deployed to collect data harbinger that something is off balance in the such as water temperature, pH, turbidity and nutrient water and that balance could teeter toward profiles. Data was also collected from the waterways dangerous. “The cyanobacteria themselves into and out of Roseland Lake. are not bad,” said Jean Pillo, TLGV’s volunteer “My hope is that we will be able to predict these water quality monitoring coordinator. “It’s the blooms,” Pillo said. “It’s fairly easy to treat the toxins they could produce that are bad.” water to prevent a bloom, but you can’t treat the Last year, TLGV’s volunteer water quality water once there is a bloom. That would actually do monitoring team took on a new and critical more harm.” task. It went on the hunt for harmful algae Pillo is passionate about the new program and also blooms, known as HABs, which include blooms pleased TLGV was able to purchase the new equipment of cyanobacteria. Thanks to a grant from the to expand the existing water quality monitoring Rivers Alliance of Connecticut*, TLGV was able program. Pillo said years of data collection are paying to purchase new equipment that allowed Pillo off because the waterways of The Last Green Valley are and three volunteers to pilot a program on getting the attention they need. Roseland Lake, where the blue-green algae are commonly sighted. Whether the algae they “We’re trying to protect our waterways,” Pillo said. collected produced harmful toxins remains to “You can’t protect them if you don’t understand be seen. The new equipment allows Pillo and their health and the sources that could be the team to do microbial and pigment analysis, compromising their health. The work we’ve been both critical to determining the lake’s health. doing is helping us understand and find solutions.”
* The HAB monitoring equipment was purchased with a grant from the Watershed Assistance Small Grants Program, funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection through a United States Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant and administered by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut.
Water Quality Monitoring By the Numbers
10 6 4 88 New sophisticated Canoe/kayak launches Quarterly meetings plus Samples delivered to thermometers called on the Shetucket River 1 “Floating Workshop” the CT Department of “Hobos” purchased with monitored for bacteria; hosted by the Thames Public Health Lab for grant funds to monitor no major problems River Basin Partnership E. coli bacteria analysis stream temperatures found 3x3x8 17 120 Volunteers trained 3 Locations x 3 different 7 Volunteers monitored Streams documented to to collect streambed depths monitored for water quality at 84 meet CT standards for critters that indicate 8 parameters in stream, lake and supporting aquatic life good water quality Webster Lake pond sites
25 awards 2bestowed By the Numbers upon TLGV:
2018 Conservation Award from Joshua’s Trust 2018 volunteers2,243 contributed 2018 Volunteer Award for the TLGV Trails Assessment Team from the to9,975 National Heritage hours Corridor CT Greenways Council projects 1,615 volunteers from 22 organizations participated in 47 cleanups, picking up 63,711 pounds of trash
land trusts are support letters partnering with TLGV, written by TLGV the CT Land Conservation for municipal and Council and the Community non-profit projects FIVEthat advance the Vision 2020 FIVEFoundation of Eastern CT to increase our collective capacity for conservation management plan
294 Miles 17,362people enjoyed of roads and trails Spring Outdoors were cleaned up Walktober79,844 by TLGV-supported participants volunteers 2,126,802people visited National Heritage Corridor attractions and events
25 landowners with 2,500 forested acres applied to permanently protect their woodlands in an innovative program funded by USDA/NRCS and supported by 19 partner organizations Complimentary
Issue Explore! Outdoor, Indoor & Around Town Adventures in A National Heritage Corridor 210 business and non-profit partners
”Brave Blue” b got noticed in Explore! y Bet Zimmerman Smith 2019 | Explore The Last Green Valley ThirteenCelebrating 25 years as a National Heritage Corridor award-winning 25,000 photos chosen for copies of Explore! distributed the 2019 Explore Toll Free 866-363-7226 The Last Green Valley Calendar www.thelastgreenvalley.org •
26 volunteers surveyed 29 31 locations and sighted 26 bald eagles Bald eagle chicks hatched $400,000 12 from nests successfully distributed to farmers in a monitored partnership grant program funded by by TLGV USDA/NRCS that will improve soil health and 7volunteers water quality
of National Recreation 87 miles Water Trail maintained 1,615 volunteers from 22 organizations participated in 47 cleanups, picking up 63,711 pounds of trash support letters written by TLGV for municipal and non-profit projects FIVEthat advance the Vision 2020 management plan Ranger
235,250 569 2,811 120 estimated attendance kids of all ages participants in participants attended at 48 community events attended National Heritage Corridor historical collaboration staffed by TLGV Rangers Acorn Adventures educational programs meetings
9 Informative Ranger programs TLGV can deliver to your community group
25 landowners with 2,500 forested acres applied to permanently protect their woodlands in an innovative program funded by USDA/NRCS and supported by 19 partner organizations
Ranger Bill newspaper of20 Air Line Miles Trail 52 columns featuring assessments interesting people, places, Thirteen completed that will plants, and wildlife in award-winning provide people with The Last Green Valley photos chosen for mobility challenges new staff person the 2019 Explore the information welcomed at TLGV – The Last Green Valley Calendar they need to get Kyle Gregoire! on the trail ONE 27 Scenes from the The Last Green Valley, Inc.’s 2018 Annual Meeting
Photos by Francesca Kefalas
Attendees had some good old-fashioned camp fun learning archery, paddling scenic Black Pond, hiking through the forest, and building straw towers with a marshmallow and TLGV flag on top. The team with the tallest structure won first place in the dinner buffet line!
Attendees kicked off TLGV’s community Lou Dzialo from Sprague and Samuel Smit from Norwich were newly- engagement process by providing input elected to the Board of Directors, and Lisa Hayden from Sturbridge for the next 10-year management plan. was re-elected for a 3-year term. Joan St. Ament from Woodstock was elected to fill a 1-year vacancy for Treasurer.
28 The Last Green Valley’s 2018 Annual Meeting was held in June at Camp Woodstock YMCA - The Friendship Camp in Woodstock, Connecticut.
The Founders Award was given to Steve Broderick for almost twenty years of dedicated Larry Lowenthal was named Mr. Walktober 2018 for his dedication to the National Heritage service to The Last Green Valley Corridor since its inception. Awards were also given to “Cleanup Queen” Anne Hall from National Heritage Corridor. Holland; Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Team Leaders Ernie Benoit, Jack Josti, Dennis Steve is a conservation leader Latchum, Pat Monahan, Gloria Ricker, Paul Shaffer and Ziggy Waraszkiewicz; Millenium who has taught, inspired and Power Partners for its strong support of our water programs; and retiring Board members protected the natural resources Rick Hermonot and Wayde Schmidt for their service. we hold dear.
Honorary
Gift s & Memorial Celebrate your loved one’s path through life with an honorary or memorial gift to The Last Green Valley. Larry Spotted Crow Mann, a member of the Nipmuc Tribe and an award-winning writer, For more information about commemorating poet, tribal drummer/dancer, cultural a loved one, contact Kyle Gregoire, educator, traditional story teller, and Community and Donor Relations Manager, motivational speaker, took us on a journey at [email protected] or 860-774-3300. through time to visit his ancestral home in the headwaters of the Quinebaug and The Last Green Valley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our Tax ID Number is 06-1418894. Shetucket Rivers.
29 R ME at R th A e
2018 F T
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tastes - - - - of the -
A sold-out crowd enjoyed the 13th Annual Tastes of the Valley – A Farmer at the Table held at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge, MA, in August.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Tastes of the Valley:
Host - Publick House Historic Inn;
Platinum - Rebecca Harvey, John & Joan Gray;
Gold - Fiberoptics Technology, Keith & Elaine Guests enjoyed locally-grown foods prepared Knowlton, Lake Road by the region’s best chefs during a sit-down, Generating, Putnam Bank; multi-course dinner in the company of a farmer, brewer, vintner or forester at each table. Silver - Sara DiIorio, Groton Open Space Association, Marjorie Hoskin, Savers Bank, Savings Institute Bank & Trust, Titan Energy, UNFI Helping Hands;
Photos by DDrobney Photography Bronze - Cornerstone Bank, Gerardi Insurance Services, Jewett City Savings Bank, Nancy Polydys, Village Electric. 30 Tastes of the Valley is farm-to-table dining at its best, with products donated by Apis Verdi Farm, Baldwin Brook Farm, Blackmer Farm, Briar Ridge Farm, Brown Farm, Buell's Orchard, Creamery Brook Bison, Devon Point Farm, Echo Farm, Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm & Brown Cow Café, The Farmer’s Cow, Himmelstein Homestead Farm, Homestead Farm, Lapsley Orchard, Maple Lane Farms, Organic World Farm, Taylor Brooke Winery, Tiny Acre Farm, Wayne's Organic Garden and Woodstock Sustainable Farms.
Gene Michael Deary entertained guests while helping raise almost $5,000 during the live auction, bringing the event total to $35,000 in support of TLGV’s programs. Thank you to all who donated auction and raffle items.
Chefs from Grill 37, Oliver Wight Tavern and Willimantic Brewing Company shared our host Publick House Historic Inn’s kitchen to create one-of-a-kind dishes using fresh local ingredients. Additional tastes and sips were provided by Ben’s Beans, The Farmer’s Cow, Hosmer Mountain Soda, Maple Lane Farms, Metro Bistrot, Our Father's Table, Renee’s Working Girl Catering, Sharpe Hill Vineyard, Sturbridge Coffee Roasters, Taylor Brooke Winery, These Guys Brewing Company, The Vanilla Bean Café & Westford Hill Distillers.
Once again, we could not have held a successful event without the hard- working Tastes of the Valley Committee, led by Laura Geoff McLean placed the Joan and John Gray went and Scott Moorehead. winning bid to become home with the coveted Last Thank you! Green Valley Chef’s Apron, “Honorary Mayor of The signed by the featured Last Green Valley” for the chefs. upcoming year.
31 The Last Green Valley, Inc. Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2018 From Audited Financial Statement - Copies Available upon Request.
Assets Changes in Net Assets Current Assets: Revenues and Gains (FY 2018 Income Sources): Cash $530,732 Unrestricted Permanently Total Grants Receivable 71,128 Restricted Investments 118,970 National Park Service $578,367 $578,367 Inventory 870 Sales – Merchandise 1,489 1,489 Prepaid Expenses 4,175 Grants 46,655 46,655 Total Current Assets $725,875 Contributions 99,177 6,540 105,717 Property and Equipment: Memberships/Fees 17,385 17,385 Machinery and Equipment 28,145 Interest Income 883 883 Less Accumulated Depreciation (25,842) Unrealized Investment Gain 7,334 7,334 Advertising Income 9,105 9,105 Net Property and Equipment 2,303 Fundraising Event 31,710 31,710 Total Assets $728,178 Total Revenue 792,105 6,540 798,645
Liabilities and Net Assets Expenses (FY 2018 Expense Allocations): Current Liabilities: Programming 604,299 604,299 Accounts Payable $ 6,820 Management & General 78,835 78,835 Accrued Expenses 48,724 Fundraising 45,710 45,710 Advances from Grantors 6,116 Total Expenses 728,844 728,844 Grants Awarded 22,060 Increase in Net Assets 63,261 6,540 69,801 Total Current Liabilities 83,720 Total Liabilities $ 83,720 Net Assets – Beginning of Year 560,459 14,198 574,657 Net Assets: Net Assets – End Unrestricted $623,720 of Year 623,720 20,738 644,458 Permanently Restricted 20,738 Total Net Assets $644,458 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $728,178 L. Sweetnam
32 Jim Wheeler
Thank you to all of The Last Green Valley’s Members, Donors, Sponsors and Partners From 10/01/2017 – 12/31/2018 FEDERAL and STATE FUNDING Barry Matt Semaki & Bird Lois Bruinooge * National Park Service, National Peggy & Christopher McKleroy * ServiceMaster by Mason Buell Securities Corporation Heritage Areas Program Quiet Corner Inn John & Nancy Silander * David & Nancy Bull US Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Titan Energy Ted & Barbara Simmons Business Systems & Incentives, Inc. Resources Conservation Town of Hampton Caroline E. Sloat Jeffrey Cardoso Service, Regional Conservation UNFI Helping Hands Sturbridge Tourist Association Richard Carpenter Partnership Program Taylor Brooke Winery Jean Cass $250+ Town of Eastford Betty Challgren CASH CONTRIBUTIONS Advanced Back & Wellness Center $10,000+ Village Electric Beverly Champany Myra Ambrogi Robert & Susan Vincent Charlie Brown Campground Community Foundation of Eastern Joellen Anderson Connecticut Westford Hill Distillers Elizabeth & Joseph Charron Bed & Breakfasts of Mystic Coast Wheelabrator, Lisbon Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Bill & Silvia Jobbagy & Country Willimantic Brewing Co., LLC Chelsea Groton Bank Jim & Helen Bruinooge $5,000+ William J. Zenko Chelsea Groton Foundation BT's Smokehouse and Catering Millennium Power Partners, L.P. The Christmas Barn Buell's Orchard Putnam Bank $100+ Circle C Campground, Inc. Byrnes Insurance Agency 85 Main Clara Barton Birthplace Museum $1,000+ Margaret Campanelli * 101 Business Solutions Clarus Studios, Inc. Anonymous (2) Cedar Ledge Tree Farm Pamela Aey Adams Columbia Historical Society Denise Archambault * Charter Communications Joseph & Dawn Adiletta bankHometown Connecticut Audubon Society Chase Graphics The Adventure Park at Storrs at Pomfret Heath Drury Boote * Warren & Marguerite Church David M. Allen * Connecticut Eastern Jeff Conrad Lois Davies Allen Hill Farm, LLC Railroad Museum Cornerstone Bank Marcy Dawley American Landscape, LLC Roberta Cook * Elaine Crooke * The Denali Foundation, Inc. Sharon-View Cook's Farm Orchard Charlene Perkins Cutler Thomas & Lynne Dufresne Anonymous (11) Robert Craig * Farm Credit East Thomas & Nancy Dziki The Arc Quinebaug Valley Peter & Dawn Curry John & Joan Gray The Farmer's Cow Amy Archambault Faith Damon Davison Betty Hale Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Archambault Insurance Associates Danielson Surplus Sales Inc. Rebecca M. Harvey Peter & Betsy Fox Dan & Mary Atwood Barbara Davis Marjorie L. Hoskin Gerardi Insurance Services, Inc. Avalonia Land Conservancy Barbara Day & Nick McGray Ivanhoe Tool & Die Co., Inc. James Gothreau * A. David & Margaret Babbitt * Devon Point Farm Jewett City Savings Bank Brett & Diane Grant Merilyn G. Bambauer Dexter-Russell, Inc. Keith & Elaine Knowlton * George & Sandra Groom * Hazel Barber * Dog Lane Café Lake Road Generating Co., LLC Halagan Design Group The Barn at Gray Mare Hill Dudley Conservation Land Trust Meredith Corporation (WFSB 20 Hart's Greenhouse & Florist, LLC Guest House Ann Dunnack Towns in 20 Days) Heirloom Food Company Ann Barry & Dennis Landis Lucian Dzialo Mills Family Charitable Trust Hull Forest Products Kayla Baumlin EASTCONN Nancy Polydys * Quentin & Margaret Kessel * Bed and Breakfast at Taylor's Corner ECFLA/Wolf Den Land Trust Savers Bank Bruce & Donna Kosa Alice Belden * Eileen D. Brown Charitable Trust Savings Institute Bank & Trust Lakeview Marine John & Janice Benda Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm Wayde & Mary Beth Schmidt Donna LaPointe Bigelow Brook Farm Jerome & Diane Ethier * Glenn Warner & Marguerite Davis Lapsley Orchard Honore & Harry Birkenruth Dan Evans & Ailla Wasstrom Evans * Mark & Michele Winne * Gary & Frietha Lawrence Blackmer Farm Fairholm Farm, Inc. Janet & Dennis Blanchette * $500+ Ellen Lehtimaki * Mary & Ken Feathers Jeff Blinderman Anonymous Michael D. & Cecilia R. Longenbaker John Folsom Booklovers' Gourmet Bogey Lanes Marty's of Dudley Foundry 66 Ruth Bourassa John Boland & Susan Preston Boland Geoffrey & Kimberly McLean Friendly Spirits Liquor Store Boy Scouts of America - Sara DiIorio Mexicali Mexican Grill Friends of Pachaug Forest, Inc. CT Rivers Council Joe & Jean Drake Bishop Jane & Mr. Jack Middleton Eileen G. Fritz * Tom & Wendy Brennan Michael & Carlee Drummer Laura & Scott Moorehead Frog Rock Rest Stop, LLC Steve & Karen Broderick Mark C. English Morning Beckons Farm Sharon Gabiga * Brooklyn Historical Society Groton Open Space Association Joyce M. Rivers Roger & Nancy Gale
* Has contributed to one of The Last Green Valley’s endowment funds with either the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut or the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. 33 Garden Gate Florist Sherry Magnan * Bob & Janet Garon * Kenneth E. Mahler & George's Galley Christine A. Strick Laurie A. Giannotti Mansfield Drive-In Theatre Ron & Norma Gingras & Marketplace Girl Scouts of Connecticut Mansfield Historical Society Goudreau's at Nash's Garden Museum Center Lisa Markham Bernice L. Rocque Vicki & Donald Wetherell * The Governor Samuel Huntington Matthew & Margarethe Mashikian Sally Rogers E. John & Kathryn White Trust Massachusetts Marine Trades Roseland Cottage, Historic Leslie White * LyAnn Graff & Ken Carpenter * Association New England Ben Williams * Greater Norwich Chamber Walter & Carolyn McGinn, DMD Roseland Park Willimantic Food Co-op of Commerce Tony & Terri Messa * James & Deborah Russel Willimantic Renaissance, Inc. Sonia & Kevin Greene John Meyer & Carolyn Mills-Meyer Marylou Savoy * Windham County 4-H Foundation Paul Grenier Peggy Miller * Sawmill Pottery WINY Radio/Osbrey Guns of Norwich Historical Thomas Moretta Gerald W. Sazama Broadcasting Company Society, Inc. Irene Morgan & Roland Mihok Scotland Historical Society/ Lucy Wong Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center Nathan Hale Homestead Edward Waldo Woodstock Agricultural Society, Inc. Hall Communications Carol S. Nelson * Select Seeds Company Loretta Wrobel Gordon Hamersley Michael J. & Tenley G. Nelson William Shanahan Wyndham Land Trust, Inc. Hansen Family Tree Farm New England Forestry Foundation Frank & Susan Shuell The Yoga Farm Russell F. Harris The New Roxbury Land Trust, Inc. Slater Memorial Museum Karen Zimmer Healthy Farm Eating Northeast CT Farmers Market Ann & Pierre Smith Henrietta House B&B and Northeastern Connecticut Art Guild Mark & Debby Smith $50+ Red House Farm Northeastern CT Chamber Warren & Angela Smith * Roger Adams Highland Campground of Commerce South Charlton Reservoir Association Saul & Sandra Ahola Highland Festival Association OFS Fitel, LLC Joan St. Ament Dean & Suzanne Albro of Scotland Old Sturbridge Village Inn & Reeder Michael St. Lawrence Susan Allen & Donald Konow Leslie Holland Family Lodges Liz & Gregory Stillman Julia Altdorf * The Hoot, Inc. Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge Lions Club Anonymous (3) Carolyn Huff Oliver Wight Tavern at Sullivan & Company Real Estate, LLC Arts in the Garden Old Sturbridge Villlage Inn at Woodstock Hill The Sunshine Shop Inc. Ashford Business Association Thomas & Marie Olson Richard & Carolyn Ives Dana & Cheryl Swenson * Aspinock Historical Society Opacum Land Trust, Inc. J&D Civil Engineers, LLC Barbara Tate & Jon Kornhauser * John Baldwin Robyn & Jeff Ouimet * Jeff Helgerson Excavating, Inc. David Taylor * Ballard Institute & Museum Oxford Firefighters Association Jorgensen Center for the TEEG of Puppetry Performing Arts Pakulis Farm, LLC James & Elaine Tenis Robert & Lynn Barnes Joshua's Tract Conservation & Robert Paladino & JT Moore Theatre of Northeastern CT @ Margaret Bartley Historic Trust Palmer Arboretum the Bradley Susan & Rob Beach JOYasanAH, LLC Ken Parker Eric & Lisa Thomas * James Belisle * Francesca Kefalas Parker Memorials & Stone Co. Thompson Speedway Scott Benoit Charles F. Kane Jr. Jeff & Lindsay Paul Motorsports Park Curtis & Carol Berner * Ayla Kardestuncer * Peppertree Camping, Inc. Mary Tomeo Virginia Berns Doug & Jennifer Kaufman Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Town of Ashford Shirley Bernstein Doug Kehl Program Town of Killingly Economic Black Tavern Historical Society Killingly Historical Society PierceCare Development Alton & Jill Blodgett Hans & Christina Koehl * Pine Hill Alpaca Farm, LLC Town of Sprague Blue Slope Farm & Country Museum Donna Koenig * Lynne W. Pitman Traveler Restaurant Claire Bolduc Andrea Krofina Pizza Pizzazz Trink-et Shoppe Robert & Katherine Boucher Landon's Tire, Inc. Plainfield Historical Society United Union of Roofers, Mary Brescia Lucille A. Langlois * Plainfield Lions Club, Inc. Waterproofers & Allied Workers William & Naomi Campbell Law Office of Andrea L. Truppa Pourings and Passages Vanilla Bean Café Canterbury Historical Society Lebanon Historical Society Museum June Powell * Voluntown Economic Development Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary Lebanon Life Publications, LLC Preston Ridge Vineyard Voluntown Peace Trust Charles Carey Scott & Rebecca Lehmann Publick House Historic Inn Cristine M. Waldron Chamber of Central Mass South Mary Beth & Doug Leonard Putnam Business Association Susan Waldron Chamber of Commerce, Glen & Christine Lessig Rawson Materials Susan Wasstrom Windham Region Frank Liberty * Elizabeth Reid & James Corcoran Richard P. Watson Tom Chamberland Bonnie & Gary Lipstreu * William B. Reid Webco Chemical Corp. Pat Charron Lisbon Historical Society Reliance Health, Inc. The Webster Dudley Business Alliance Sherilyn Chase Emily Logee-Savoie Renee's Working Girl Catering Service Webster Lake Association, Inc. Frances Clark Longmeadow Automotive Bill & Ellen Rewinski * Gary & Carol Weed Dale Cloud * Nicholas Longo Barry & Jane Rider Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Cloverleigh Farm The Loomis Team Peter & Debbie Rimkus Strategic Wealth Russ Cohen Larry & Kitty Lowenthal Janet Robertson Westfield Congregational Mary C. Colburn Jo-Ann MacFarlane * Anne Roberts-Pierson Church, UCC Lois & Madison Cole
34 Howard Raphaelson Marilyn & Peter Barlow Marilyn & Bob Rath * Donna Baron Katharine Richardson Brian Bartizek Rhonda Robinson John & Penny Bennett Irene Roy Ruth Bergeron Jim Rubovits Chris Berris Colleen & Robert Cording Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House Museum Eric Schott Lynn Blackmer Coventry Historical Society Peter Joyce Jonathan Sgro Ruth Blakney Robert Curtis Stanley Karro Paul Shaffer Dorothy Blocker Carolyn Cutler Andrea Kaye & Bruce Spaman * Kevin & Linda Shaw Thomas & Kathy Borner Catherine & Julius D'Agostino Killingly Business Association Paul Shields Charles & Rita Borovicka Ray Dahlstrom Killingly Grange #112 Ann Shrayer Marie Boudreau Daughters of the Holy Spirit Marcia & Wayne Kilpatrick Hilary Silver Kathryn H. Bracken Day Kimball Healthcare Bruce Kohl Society of the Founders of Norwich Karen Brobst & Robert Spielvogel Elizabeth & Gene Michael Deary Ann Kouatly Jim & Vicky Stahr Arthur & Lennox Brodeur Ken & Sally Demars Glenn Krevosky Bruce & Georgia L. Stauffer Linda Bronstein Joan & John Donoghue Sheryl & Kevin Lambert Patricia T. Stevens Donna Bronwell Joahn Dowling Ken & Linda Lamothe Nancy & Janina Swiacki Maryanne Brustolon Mark & Dorothy Drobney Rusty Lanzit Jo Ann Szela * Sue & Nick Buehler Linda K. Duckstein Walter & Terri LaRochelle Laura Tedeschi Bob Burgoyne Megan Duffy Leslie & Paul Lavallee * Ted Theodores Karin Burlingame Eastern CT Conservation Kathleen Leo Thompson Historical Society Morris Burr District, Inc. Peter & Eleanor Linkkila Ron & Gwyneth Tillen * Tony & Ruth Bys Liz Elliott Mansfield Downtown Partnership Edward R. Tollmann Bonita Calkins Liz Ellsworth Earl & Peg Manz Bill & Cynthia Tremblay Michael & Vivian Camara Mike & Mary Ellen Ellsworth Janine & Jim Masso Patricia A. Trotter * Rick & Deborah Canavan Finnish-American Heritage Society Mary McGrattan Unitarian Universalist Society Becky Caouette First Congregational Church Loretta McHugh United Health Group Lenore & Stuart Case of Woodstock Alan & Katherine Miller * Michelle Vadenais Mary Ellen Casey Kerstin & Richard Forrester Ann Milner Nicholas Velles Ted & Susan Chambers Laura & John Foxx David Mitchell Barbara Vizoyan Celeste Champion Audrey A. Franklin Dorothy & Denis Morin Walter Watson & Charles Sotir Linda & Ed Charlton Jeffrey & Joslyn French Stan Morytko Jr. Lynn & Donna Weaver Ralph Chartier Friends of Ashbel Woodward Museum Karen Mullins Dana & Michael Wehking Tom & Linda Chase Friends of Prudence Crandall Museum Anne H. Nalwalk Carolyn Werge Ken Chauvin Elizabeth Gannon David & Karen Nelson Shawn & Allison Whiston Craig & Mary Cheyne Patricia Gelinas Peter & Elaine Nelson Robert & Pauline White Pam Childs Karin Genard Network for Good William Benton Museum of Art Tim & Minjer Chiou Peter & Judy Georg Judy Nilson Willimantic Whitewater Partnership Anne Christie & Steve Russo Patricia Goff Robert Nilson Windham ARTS Nancy Churchill Ron & Carol Goldstein Northeast Opportunities for Windham County Agricultural Society Deirdre Clark Barry Gorfain & Debbie Tedford Wellness, Inc. Windham Regional Arts Council, Inc. Kathleen Cody Larry Grasso Norwich Community Development Windham Textile and History Museum Joyce Coleman Michele Greaves & Joe Popvitch Corp. Walter Wojciehowski Patrick & Susan Collins Anne & Barry Greene Jr. Norwich Historical Society The Woods at Long Pond Jane Cook & Chip Gough Dr. Gwen Haaland Michael O'Keefe The Woodstock Academy David A. Cooper John & Susan Hall Carol & Bob Oliver Nancy Yantz Eric Cordi Roswell & Gretchen Hall * Oxford Historical Commission William & Kathleen Zamagni Susan Corey Nusie Halpine Rosemary Ozyck David Corsini & Delia Berlin $25+ Hampton Antiquarian & Patricia Papini * John Cotter Susan Abbood Historical Society Devan Parker & Matt Opel Paula & Dan Coughlin Michael & Lynn Aguirre Linda Hanson Bruce & Linda Parsons Elaine Cullinan Frank & Terry Aleman Roslyn Harrington Tony Paticchio & Susan Eastwood Renee Cuprak Debbie Almada Elizabeth Hayden Anne Paton Stephen & Cynthia Curry Valerie Amsel Heifer International Marianne Pedersen Michael C. Curtis Peter & Judy Andersen Joseph E. Hickey Jr. Tamsen & David Philippi Susan & Michael Cutlip Erick & Aimee Anderson Hitchcock Free Academy John & Jean Pillo Walter & Dawn Cwynar Margaret Anderson Joann Hodge Rita Pollack Sherill Cyr Anonymous (11) Horizon Wings Pomfret Horse and Trail Association, Barry & Jean Davis Marc & Mary Archambault Jim & Brenda Houghton Inc. John & Charlotte Davis Ken Arpin Tom Hughes & Andrea Amato Preston Historical Society, Inc. Jean de Smet Steven & Delia Ayer Rebecca S. Ikehara Alexander & Maureen Prokos Tom DeJohn H. Janet Babineau Richard & Sheryl Irwin Girish Punj & Karen Mathews Caroline Delaney Kelly Bailey Jessica Jimenez Robert Quevillon John & Kathy Delaney Jason Barber William Johnson QVCC Foundation Christopher & Kathleen Demers
* Has contributed to one of The Last Green Valley’s endowment funds with either the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut or the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. 35 Beth Desjardin Lyndsey Johns Clare Despathy Deborah Johnson Maryellen Donnelly David & Carol Jordan Marcia Donofrio Irene Juthnas Linda SM dos Santos Ruth Karl William Dubinsky Patricia Kearns Rob Dunn Judith Ann & Edward Keegan Kathy Dunton-Farnsworth Kevin Kelley New England Fiero Association Marjorie L. Smith William Dwyer Carlotta Kennedy Marlaine Noel Michelle Sonski Robert & Paula Erickson Mary Eliza Kimball Alan Nordell Monica St. Jean Kenneth Erling Greg & Suzanne Kline Deborah Norling William Stallman Amanda Fargo-Johnson Angela Kneeland Richard & Avis Norman Amanda Starbala & Skye Garofalo Rudy J. & Joy P. Favretti John Kochinskas Madeline Oden Steven & Kathryn Stellitano Lois Fay * Lucy Krause Keith & Dena O'Hara Dr. & Mrs. Robert Stetson Jr. Lenore Felpel & Jim Hamel John Kucharski Ernest & Norma O'Leary Nancy Sullivan Wendy Fenner Rick Laferriere Cindy Osowski Thomas & Sandra Swale Ronald & Barbara Fitzpatrick Barbara Laliberte Leila F. Ostby Cathleen Sweeney Thomas Foley Jr. Robert Lalumiere Jane Palmer Barbara Thomas Susan & Stephen Forbes Marcy Lambiras Jen & Bob Panko Elisabeth Thompson Susan Foster & Roger Solomon Gary Lamirand Jr. Richard Paradise & Denise Helen G. Thompson David & Susan Fowler Rosemary Lang Lachapelle Mike & Jen Truken Don & Janice Francis David Lawrence Ted & Lori Parker Jennifer Tufts Neal & Carol Ganz Paul Lee Gary W. Parnell Christine Vaccariello Kathy Garmus Sally Leighton Corrine Passardi Sally Van Dyke Claire Gates Jan Lincoln Bill & Terri Pearsall Dennis & Jane Wahl Gloria Anne Gelt Jeffrey Lockwood Jeremy Pelkauskas Cheryl Wakely Tony & Heather Giambattista Rob Lofquist Becky Peperni Paul & Sharon Wakely Sandra Gibson-Quigley Linda & Lew Lorinsky Cathy Phelps Jaclyn Walker Celia & Ken Giella Debbie Loser Margaret A. Pothier Margaret Weaver Lisa Gilmour Susan Lovegreen Irene Profetto William & Michelle Weiss Don & Patricia Gladding Lucy MacWilliams Paul Provencal Jim Wheeler Erik Gottlieb & Nancy Ciccone Patricia Mandell Elizabeth Racine Cathy & Shane White Vernon Gray Jr. Elaine Marcheterre Linda Racine Bill & Janet Whittier Diane Greggerson Rocco Marino Paul & Joyce Rak Jim & Joyce Wicks David Griffiths Steve & Linda Mark Holly E. Rawson Susan Wiley Geraldine Gross Sara May Jeff & Gloria Regan William Winter Leon & Beverly Grudzinski Dale & Judith Maynard Paulette Remillard Sylvia Jane Wojcik Max & Maureen Gullekson Ilse McCarthy Phil & Janet Renn Carol Wood Alison U. Haber Steve McCarthy & Joyce Meader Lillian Rhodes Richard Woodward Christine & Richard Haller Jean & Jack McClellan Rodney Rivers Ingrid & Zdenek Zak Lori Hamlin Kate McGill John & Linda Rodolewicz Patricia Zalesny Virginia Hanbridge Walter & Carolyn McGinn Paul & Frances Rollinson Joan Zawacki Kate Hansen-Roxas Patrick & Mary-Jo McLaughlin Peter Roper Susan Zimmerman & Deborah Haraldson Jeff & Emily McMinn Pamela Rosenlund Claude Pellegrino Richard & Sarah Hardy Sandra Mello & Robert Langlois Jr. Barbara Rostek Brian Zoldak Kathleen & Kenneth Hart Richard & Ann Merritt Betty Russ Under $25 Ken & Merrie Hedler Kim Messier & Jan Ilvonen Lester Ruth Kathleen & Jack Babcock Michael & Laura Heeger Michael Metras Andy Rzeznikiewicz Sally Balukas Anni Heikkila Gail Miller Joan Salm Bonnie Bentley Paul & Ann Hennen Larry Millhofer Robert Sawyer & Dency Sargent Bill Coleman Carolann Hernberg * Wendy Mis Joe & Kathy Schimmellpfennig Thomas Dickerman Joan Hill Anthony & Shirley Mongillo Robert Schoff John W. Ferland John & Jessica Hoadley John F. Monroe Barbara Search Robert W. Finnegan David R. Hoey Sue Moon Kit & Ginny Sears Linda Gardner Don & Rachel Holmes Gale & Judy Morganroth Virginia & Christopher Sears Donna Grant Judy Hosmer David J. Morris Julia Sedor Craig Johnson Donald B. & Janis Hoyle Beth Morrison & Elliot Sloan Thomas & Gail Seiferman Gerry Lachance Eleanor W. Hubbard Gerard Moschella Bryant Sheldon Mark Perzan Jorie Hunken Jean Mountford Alex & Joanne Sibicky David Poitras David Hynes Beverly Muldoon Lynn & Tom Singleton Maurice Ramsay Joseph & Valentine Iamartino Daniel G. Mullins Thomas Sinkewicz Amy Ranta John Ilewicz Nancy Najarian John Sloan Brian Reilly Jeff & Karen Izzo James Nardulli Samuel Smit Robert Stukel Timothy C. Jackson Elizabeth Nelson Evelyn Cole Smith Morgan Sullivan Dorene & Walter Jette Kurt & Carolyn Nelson Jeffrey Smith
36 WINY Radio/Osbrey James Gothreau Broadcasting Company in memory of John Mark Gahan Woodstock Agricultural Society, Inc. Elizabeth Hayden Woodstock Sustainable Farms in memory of Laura Hayden Russo The Yankee Xpress Donna Koenig Yantic River Inn in memory of Waldemar Koenig YMCA Camp Woodstock Donna LaPointe United Technologies Homefield Kitchen & Brewery in memory of Shirley I. Ayers GIFTS IN HONOR Susan M. Wall Homestead Farm New England Fiero Association Anonymous in memory of Frank Bonito Paul Warren Hosmer Mountain Soda in honor of Merilyn G. Bambauer Rosemary Ozyck Terri Warren Humble Bee Honey Company, LLC Chelsea Groton Foundation in memory of Frank Bonito Bill & Silvia Jobbagy IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS in honor of Lize-Anne Stewart Lynne W. Pitman Jorgensen Center for the Andrea Kaye & Bruce Spaman in memory of Dr. Leslie N. Pitman 85 Main Performing Arts in honor of Tom & Kaye Gaines Irene Profetto Advanced Back & Wellness Center Francesca Kefalas The Adventure Park at Storrs Pamela Rosenlund in memory of Niilo Ketola Key Bank in honor of Marcy Dawley The Adventure Park Heritage Jim Rubovits Killingly Historical Society in memory of Pamela Rubovits Museums Lapsley Orchard GIFTS IN MEMORY Alpaca Obsession, LLC Marylou Savoy Little River Farm Store & Fiber Anonymous in memory of Thomas Taylor Myra Ambrogi Studio in memory of Edward P Storti Sr. Ann & Pierre Smith Allen Hill Farm, LLC Logee's Plants for Home & Garden Merilyn G. Bambauer in memory of Doris Laprade Apis Verde Farm Mansfield Drive-In Theatre in memory of Gwen Barbara Tate & Jon Kornhauser Baldwin Brook Farm & Marketplace Heath Drury Boote in memory of Bubbie Donna Baron Mansfield Parks & Rec. in memory of Alfred Shepard United Union of Roofers, Elsie Bisset Maple Lane Farms Boote Waterproofers & Allied Workers Ben's Beans Marty's of Dudley Jean Cass Local 12 in memory of Richard T. Cass Blackmer Farm Tom Menard in memory of Frank Bonito Sherilyn Chase Janet & Dennis Blanchette The Metro Bistrot in memory of C. Sherman Chase THE LAST GREEN VALLEY Blue Slope Farm and Country Museum Laura & Scott Moorehead Briar Ridge Farm Charlene Perkins Cutler LEGACY SOCIETY Michael J. & Tenley G. Nelson in memory of Douglas M. Cutler Brown Farm We are grateful for our members Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Mark C. English who have chosen to support The Lois Bruinooge Sturbridge Village in memory of Adele K. English Last Green Valley through their Brush It Off, LLC Our Father's Table Lois Fay wills or estate plans. Buell’s Orchard Palmer Family Farm in memory of Joe Fay Anonymous The Bulletin Pine Hill Alpaca Farm, LLC Jeffrey & Joslyn French Laura Moorehead Chamber of Central Mass South Preston Ridge Vineyard in memory of Earl Roberts Jr. Nancy Polydys Charter Communications Publick House Historic Inn Creamery Brook Bison Putnam Town Crier/Northeast Ledger The Christmas Barn Rapscallion Brewery The Chronicle Rawson Materials Church Street Putnam, LLC Renee's Working Girl Catering Service The Day Give the Gift of the Roger Williams Park Zoo Devon Point Farm Roseland Cottage Dexter-Russell, Inc. Seasons Magazine Karyn DiBonaventura Select Seeds Lucian Dzialo ServiceMaster by Mason FUTURE Echo Farm Sharpe Hill Vineyard Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm Slater Memorial Museum Help future generations care for and enjoy The Farmer's Cow Samuel Smit our National Heritage Corridor by con- Foundry 66 Joan St. Ament tributing to one of The Last Green Valley’s Foxwoods Resort Casino Sturbridge Coffee Roasters endowment funds with the Community Garden Gate Florist Taylor Brooke Winery Foundation of Eastern Connecticut or the GD Publishing Tiny Acre Farm Greater Worcester Community Foundation. GO Interactive Media, LLC These Guys Brewing Company James Gothreau Vanilla Bean Café LyAnn Graff & Ken Carpenter Villager Newspapers Grill 37 Paul & Sharon Wakely Hall Communications Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Hart's Greenhouse & Florist, LLC Wealth Advisors Hartford Courant Westford Hill Distillers Elizabeth Hayden Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. For more information contact Kyle Gregoire, Heritage Information Radio, AM 1700 Willimantic Brewing Co., LLC Community and Donor Relations Manager, Highland Festival Association of Willimantic Food Co-op at [email protected] or 860-774-3300. Scotland, CT Mark & Michele Winne Himmelstein Homestead Farm The Last Green Valley, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our Tax ID Number is 06-1418894.
* Has contributed to one of The Last Green Valley’s endowment funds with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut or the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. 37 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Danielson, CT Permit No. 111
The Last Green Valley, Inc. P.O. Box 29 203B Main Street Danielson, CT 06239-0186
860-774-3300 Email: [email protected] www.thelastgreenvalley.org
Mark Your Calendar for our signature fundraising event in 2019! Tastes of the Valley presents A Farmer at Your Table Sunday, August 25 at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge. DDrobney Photography