OCTOBER 2022

September 28 – October 4

Museum Children Free Week

Courtesy of Joan and Jack Benham. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

October 1

The Pandemic Pantry: Where’s the Beef? With Gerri Griswold

White Memorial’s very own cooking show features sarcastic repartee with a live studio audience, old stories about cranky aunts, and absolutely delicious bomb-proof recipes that take the fear out of cooking! Today the spotlight is on beef with Asian twists! Korean Bulgogi (barbecue), Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli, and Vietnamese Pho are on the menu and to add a western touch, an incredible and unlikely Chocolate Beet Cake for dessert! The fun starts at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live!  Zoomers register here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j_kJQ_hnQ6WlHLy-sTQEKQ  FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

October 1

Reading and Book Signing “Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy” by Kate Kyres

Meet author, Kate Kyres, in the clearing leading to the Little Pond Boardwalk for a special reading of Wren the Weeping Willow Fairy.  Bring a chair or blanket and sit in nature as you enjoy hearing the tale of Wren and her friends.  The reading will be followed by a group walk around the Little Pond Boardwalk. Thereafter, fly with Kate to the Museum for refreshments, book purchase & signing!

Please only park where there is designated parking at the entrance to Little Pond Boardwalk, 121 Whites Woods Road..

1:00 p.m., Meet in the clearing just before the Boardwalk.. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

October 2

Sunday Guided Museum Tour with Tom Saunders

You’ll learn so much more about Alain and May White and their generous gift to us, by spending time with Museum Docent, Tom Saunders! Tom is available to give tours on the first and third Sundays of every month at 2:00 pm or by appointment. Admission is FREE to Members and $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 12 - 6. There is free admission for children under the age of 6.

Grades 1-3: Tuesdays in October (Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25) ?
Grades 4-6: Wednesdays in October?(Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26)
After-School Adventures?
3:45-5:00pm
Bring your kids out to White Memorial for programs designed to awaken curiosity and foster an appreciation for the natural world. Every session brings a new adventure, whether it’s exploring a new part of White Memorial property, meeting a live animal, or taking part in an outdoor activity. Join us for an afternoon of experiential learning in the outdoors. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to stay, but it is not necessary. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. 3:45-5pm. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Please call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org to register. Space is limited. Members: $10/child per session or $35/whole series, Non-Members: $15/child per session or $55/whole series?

October 8

Mattatuck Trail Hike at White Memorial

Join Gerri Griswold from White Memorial and Connecticut Forest & Park Association Trail Manager Tom Tella for a six-mile hike covering the entire length of the Mattatuck Trail within The White Memorial Foundation!

This will be a guided hike of “medium” challenge- a well-manicured trail with no significant up-and-down pitches, but it will be six miles.

The Mattatuck Trail is one of the premier Blue-Blazed Trails of Connecticut, stretching 35 miles most of the way across Litchfield County, from Peterson Park in Wolcott to Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall. The magnificent centerpiece of this trail is the six-mile section that traverses White Memorial.

During our hike, we’ll walk through the old-growth forest of Catlin Woods, pass many vernal pools buzzing with activity, skirt the edge of Cranberry Swamp, admire Memorial Rock, and take in the breathtaking view overlooking Plunge Pool.

Come prepared with appropriate footwear, a small backpack, plenty of water, raingear, sunscreen, insect repellant or headnet, snacks/light lunch, and binoculars.  Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome, provided they don’t mind jumping in another vehicle for the carpool (and don’t forget water, treats and poop bags).  Expect to be on the trail with us for a good 5-6 hours.

Only heavy weather cancels. FREE,  8:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Meet at the pull offs at the end of Slab Meadow Road in East Morris. From there we will car/van pool to the Mattatuck Trailhead on Bissell Road in Litchfield. This trailhead is about 2/10 of a mile south of Route 202. We then hike southbound, back to our cars. Pre-register here: https://www.ctwoodlands.org/node/7657/register

October 10

COLUMBUS DAY

OFFICE CLOSED

October 12 – 18

Museum Children Free Week

In Memory of Tish Samponaro from Her Husband, Philip G. Samponaro. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, October 13?
Ages 3-6 years?
Nature’s Nursery Series ?
4:00-5:00pm ?
Join us on the second Thursday of each month from September – December for an engaging program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Parents/Caregivers, we ask that you stay for the duration of the program. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. 4-5pm. Advanced registration is required. To register, please call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series?

October 15

The Fungus Among Us with Dave Paton

Dave Paton is just plain giddy about mushrooms and wants to share his enthusiasm with you! Spend a couple of hours in the forest with Dave learning do’s and don’ts, basic identification, and stories behind all of the fungus among us! The program begins with a brief introduction in the Ceder Room to view some specimens. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Dress for the weather! Members: $15.00, Non-members: $30.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org Class is limited to 20 participants! Sign up early! Foraging is not allowed on Foundation property.

October 15

Reading and Book Signing: “A Raven Named Grip” with Marilyn Singer

You probably know the story, A Christmas Carol by the beloved novelist Charles Dickens. And you’ve probably heard of the master poet, Edgar Allen Poe an his most famous line, “Quoth the Raven, NEVERMORE.” But did you know it was Dicken’ own pet raven, Grip, that inspired Poe’s great poem? Today author Marilyn Singer will read her new book which was inspired by a program she attended at White Memorial! It’s a little history, a little biography, a little ornithology, and a lot of charm! You’ll have an opportunity to buy a signed copy of, “A Raven Named Grip”. 12:00 p.m. reading and book signing in the Museum. Admission is free.

October 15

Nature Connection Walk with Andy Dobos

Want to go deeper with your relationship with Nature? Explore areas of White Memorial with Nature connection mentor Andy Dobos of Forest Wolf Programs who will help you hone your powers of observation and gain more familiarity with the plant and animals we pass every day and may hardly know.

Things that may be covered are identifying edible trees and plants, wildlife tracking, relationships between species, perception exercises and more.

3 hours, children of all ages are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Meet in the Museum., Members: $10.00, Non-Members: $15.00. Pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

October 15

Raven: Bird, Myth, Legend with Mary Beth Kaeser and Gerri Griswold

Mary Beth Kaeser  https://www.horizonwings.org/ , her lovely imprinted Raven, Maven, and Gerri Griswold team up for a program devoted to the most intelligent bird brain in the world. Learn about these amazing corvids during a one hour presentation that not only teaches you about the nature of the Common Raven but also the impact it has had in culture and folklore through the centuries. 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room. Members: $10.00, Non-members: $20.00 Please pre-register www.whitememorialcc.org SPACE IS LIMITED TO 40!

October 16

Sunday Guided Museum Tour with Tom Saunders

You’ll learn so much more about Alain and May White and their generous gift to us, by spending time with Museum Docent, Tom Saunders! Tom is available to give tours on the first and third Sundays of every month at 2:00 pm or by appointment. Admission is FREE to Members and $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 12 - 6. There is free admission for children under the age of 6.

October 20

Babies in Backpacks with Kelly Orr

For Ages 6 months to 2 years!

Come and explore the great outdoors in a way that your child can get excited about! The third Thursday of every month we will enjoy a hike with your child in a babywearing carrier or follow their pace if they are mobile.  There will only be expectations of exploring the world around us, not of a mile mark or speed.  Depending on the energy level of the group we will use our bodies to move in nature for 30 minutes, followed by an activity.  We will read books about the outdoors, enjoy touch and feel stations, use sand and water bins and more! This will be a year-round program. The goal is to encourage family time outdoors in all seasons.  We will still play outside in rain, snow, heat, and cold.  Unsafe weather will push us indoors.  Plan to get a little dirty, and come with weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen and bug spray as needed.  Caretakers must stay for the duration of the program. Please park in the horse trailer parking and meet in the Pollinator Garden. 

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Members: $9.00  Non-Members: $13.00, Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-0857 or register online here: www.whitememorialcc.org  Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed.

October 22
A Celebration of Connecticut Apples

Join Russell Powell and Barr Weeks from the New England Apple Association as they weave the delicious story of apple growing in Connecticut. Learn about apple history, their growing cycle, Connecticut’s ten most popular apples and some rarer New England varieties. Samples will be available in raw form as well as pie form! You’ll be able to vote for your favorite pie and learn some really wonderful things while tasting them! 2:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Members: $5.00  Non-Members: $10.00 Call 860-567-0857 or register online www.whitememorialcc.org.

October 26 – November 1

Museum Children Free Week

In Memory of Ron Hummel from His Family and Friends. Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

October 28

STAR PARTY

This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. Weather permitting; there will be star gazing after the program. 7:00 P.M., A.B. Ceder Room. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses

October 29

Greenland - A Land at the End of the World with Stewart McPherson

A white triangle at the top of the globe, Greenland is the world’s biggest island. Over 8 times the size of the Michigan… it is home to fewer than 60,000 people, who live a tough frontier life in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.  As the climate warms, Greenland’s ice melts... and change is happening faster here than anywhere else on Earth. The melting ice is transforming the lives of the Inuit people who hunt to survive, as well as the lives of the animals upon which they depend.

…and it will impact our lives as well. Greenland has the second largest ice sheet on the planet - enough ice to raise the global sea level by 7 metres.

In this lecture, you will travel to the northernmost natural human settlement on Earth.  Along the way, you will discover Greenland’s secret history, and its 4,000 years of Inuit history and culture. Journey to an abandoned ghost town, a mining settlement frozen in time. Retrace the mysterious Franklin expedition that vanished amongst the ice, and discover Greenland’s spectacular wildlife and find out how climate change is affecting their behavior, and for some, threatening their very survival.

From the world’s largest colony of breeding Arctic terns… which make the greatest migration on the planet, from pole to pole… to immense populations of little auks, seals and whales. Track musk ox and discover how this ice-age relic survives in the tundra.

There is a saying: “when you’ve seen the world, there is always Greenland”. Discover this mysterious corner of our world with British Explorer, Stewart McPherson! 12:00 p.m., ZOOM, Members: Free, Non-Members: $10.00, Pre-registration is required. A link to the program will be sent to you when you register.

October 29

SCARY CREATURES GREENLAND-STYLE:The Magic of Inuit Spirits, Villains and Guardians, Make-Your-Own Tupilaq Workshop with Moki Kokoris

A cultural practice some 5,000 years old, the Greenlandic Inuit "tupilaq" is a small yet fearsome figurine imbued with supernatural properties. Meaning "ancestor’s spirit," tupilaqs are inspired by legendary characters of Inuit mythology, such as Sedna - Mother of the Sea. The pointy-headed carvings often possess a villainous face and elements of an animal from the region, such as walrus tusks.

The most common purpose of making these objects was to rid oneself of an enemy, or to cast a curse upon someone who had done you wrong. The tupilaq was said to attack in the form of the animal it represented. Because the tupilaq was devoid of independent will, it was compelled to obey its creator. But such activities did not come without risk. Should the victim's suspicions be roused, and if their powers were stronger, the tupilaq could be forced to turn the curse against its sender. The only way for the originator to be spared was to openly confess to employing the tupilaq.

These wondrous totemic sculptures can also be used as guardians against evil if placed near entryways to a dwelling. The scarier the tupilaq's expression, the more harm and mischief it could repel. Could it be that this custom was the origin of the home insurance policy business?

Today you will be making your own guardian tupilaq with the guidance of Arctic Explorer/ Artic Expert, Moki Kokoris! This wonderful creative workshop is limited to 20 adults and children. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. You will be fashioning your own tupilaq out of clay and baking it when you go home. For ages 10 and up! 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $20.00, Non-Members: $30.00 All Children accompanied by a paying adult, $10.00. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org