October Fun @ White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield

Autumn has arrived in the Litchfield Hills and what better way to celebrate the firecolors of the season than at the largest nature sanctuary in the state of Connecticut - White Memorial Foundation located in Litchfield right off of Rte. 202. On October 1 for example, White Memorial has planned a "road trip" through the northwest corner. Participants will visit several of Connecticut's grandest trees including The Granby Oak and the Pinchot Sycamore! Along the way there will be a stop at McDonough Reservoir to do a little birding and the day will wrap up at People's State Forest which was gifted to the State of Connecticut by Alain and May White. Be sure to pack a picnic! This event will take place rain or shine. Meet at the A. B. Ceder Room at 8:00 A.M. to carpool to the various destinations. Please pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online www.whitememorialcc.org !

The fun continues on October 7 at 7 p.m. spend a cozy evening with Icelandic recording artist Svavar Knútur. Hailing from the harsh Icelandic western fjords, Icelandic Troubadour Svavar Knútur, summons his inner demons and outer storms to reflect upon the existential crises and frolicking joys of modern day rustic fjord dwelling men. Channeling the pain and angst of long dark winters and the insomnia of the 24 hour glaring summer sun, this eclectic musician has in recent years blossomed into a serene and sublime singer and songwriter. Knutur's songs of misery and redemption deliver a healthy dose of hope in the midst of despair. A humoristic storyteller and avid scuba diver into the murky waters of the human condition, Svavar Knútur, sows and reeps a fantastic mixture of art and entertainment. Drawing upon a wide range of influences, three of Svavar Knutur's most governing ones are without doubt Nick Drake, Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and Kris Kristofferson, although such artists as Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave and many more singer/songwriters have contributed to the Icelandic troubadour's development. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll buy his CD's and you'll anticipate his return! All tickets; $20.00, Coffee and dessert will be served at the show. BYOB. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. You can buy your tickets online: www.whitememorialcc.org.

On October 8 learn the basics of mushroom identification with David Paton. The program begins with a brief introduction in the Ceder Room to view some specimens. 10:00 A.M., A. B. Ceder Room, Dress for the weather! Members: $20.00, Non-members: $30.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Class is limited to 30 participants! Sign up early! And, please remember that foraging is not allowed on Foundation property!
Pam Velez returns to the Conservation Center on October 9 at 2 p.m. in the A. B. Ceder Room with an encore presentation of basic digital photography. You will learn the basics of manual exposure for digital photography, how to use your camera's settings to get more creative photos, tips on focusing, composition, and more. The class begins indoors and will end up outdoors for hands-on learning. Bring your camera, instruction booklet, and ideas. The class is limited to 10 participants. Rain or shine. Members: $15.00 Non-members: $20.00. A portion of your fee will be donated to The Conservation Center. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

If you have a desire to walk with llama's don't miss your chance to do this on October 9 and on October 16,23 at 2 p.m. with Debbie Labbe from Country Quilt Llama Farm. The cost is $20 per person with a percentage donated to the White Memorial Conservation Center. Meet in the Museum parking lot. Call Debbie from Country Quilt Llama Farm at 860-248-0355 to pre-register.

Kids 12 and under when accompanied by an adult get into White Memorial Foundation during the week of October 12 -18 making this an excellent time to discover all the Foundation has to offer.

A new photography show by Leo Kulinski, Jr is going up beginning on October 15 and running through January 1, 2017. There will be a reception on Ocotber 15 at 4 pm. Kulinski has been White Memorial's court photographer for years. Expect breathtaking images of Apple Hill, whales, the moon, musicians, his beloved white-tailed deer, Veronica the Red-tailed Hawk, and the stories behind the images.

An "amazing race" has been scheduled for October 22 that will take participants to 13 landmarks throughout the sanctuary! At each station you will collect a token, take a selfie, and head to the finish line victorious! You may participate as an individual, family, or team. Each participant will be given a trail map and official bandana. Check in is at 9:00 A.M. and they're offffff at 10:00 A.M. Prizes will be given for each category and awarded at a dinner in the Activity Shed later in the day. Rain or shine! 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. Registration fee: Members: Individual: $25.00 Member: Family or Team: $40.00, Non-Members: Individual: $35.00, Non-Member: Family or Team: $50.00 Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

The popular "star party" is back on October 28 at 7 p.m. in the A.B. Ceder Room that is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. The topic is "Comets". Weather permitting, there will be Star gazing after the program. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To close out the month, White Memorial is hosting its second annual Super Spooky Halloween Walk with Gerri and Bradley the Wonder Dog! Celebrate Halloween by dressing up yourself and your four-legged best friend for a stroll along the Pine Island Trail to Little Pond and then onto the Litchfield Greenway via Gallows Lane (chills) passing the cemetery (BOO!) and finishing up at Mallard Marsh. Look for signs of life and a good deal of pointing and staring along the way! All dogs must be on leads! Spooky treats for everybody after the walk! 12:00 P.M., Meet in front of the A. B. Ceder Room! The program is free but you must register by calling 860-567-0857.

For more area information and to sign up for a monthly newsletter on Litchfield Hills www.litchfieldhills.com