Category Archives: Nature Photography

The cold season draws Long Islanders outdoors to capture comings and goings — of the sun, moon, wildlife, even an intrepid fisherman.

The moments can be fleeting, said Wayne Kiesel of Huntington, who has increased his outdoor photography during the pandemic. “These moments don’t last forever, then the light changes,” he said of his photo of the misty marshes of Crab Meadow in Northport.

His message: Seize the moment.

Nancy Hassel of Babylon agreed, saying she hopes her photo of the sunset over the Great South Bay “inspires people to get out and watch a sunset this year!”

And when you do, snap a photo and share it with us at newsday.com/readerphotos.

SANDSPIT AT SUNSET. The days are so short in autumn that the photographer says she sometimes has trouble getting to her favorite South Shore spots (Sayville, Bayport, East Islip) before the sun puts on its show. But something told her to try on Nov. 26, “and I was not disappointed,” she says. “Nature is amazing, and we are so lucky here on Long Island to be able to see and appreciate sunrises and sunsets.”

FLOCK OF BIRDERS. This little Southern bird — identified by admirers as a juvenile painted bunting — made an unusual stop last month at the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside. Images of it were posted on birding apps, bringing many bird-watchers to the preserve. “She put on a show for them,” says Linda Karlin, who called the bunting a “lifer” for her — a bird she would probably see only once in her life.

SEA OF PINK. The photographer was at the harbor-side park in Northport when a sailboat quietly motoring by the village pier caught her focus.

THE CHILL WAS BITING. And maybe the fish were, too, writes the photographer, who has tried his hand at surf casting and could imagine the exhilaration of the Fire Island fisherman in late November.

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST. The sunset over the frozen Great South Bay was stunning, the photographer writes, but “it just got better and better after the sun actually set.” She says she hopes the photo, taken from the Babylon Pool property, “inspires people to get out and watch a sunset this year.”

FIRE ISLAND VISITOR. This buck was part of a trio enjoying their breakfast on a mild December morning, says the photographer, who was drawn to the calm demeanor of the buck and two does. 

COLD MOON RISING. The photographer titled this photo for the December moon rising behind the Fire Island Lighthouse — an image he had been seeking for some time. “I finally got my chance on Dec. 9, 2022, at 5:48 p.m.,” he told Newsday. He took the photo from Field 5 at Robert Moses State Park, guided there by his PlanIt Pro app for landscape photography.

CLOUDS OF LIGHT. The photographer and her mother, Cathy, arrived at Heckscher State Park just before sunset on Dec. 27. Christina quickly found her spot. “All of a sudden the clouds appeared as the sun touched the horizon,” Cathy says.

MYSTICAL MARSHLAND. “Sometimes you’re just in awe of nature,” says the photographer, who captured this moment at the wetlands near Crab Meadow Beach in Northport shortly after sunrise Oct. 30. “That morning was magical,” he says. “These moments don’t last forever, then the light changes.”

WAVES OF ‘FIRE.’ “I like to capture the ‘big sun’ during the winter when it sets on the ocean,” says the photographer, who took this picture at Little Plains Beach in Southampton. “I also enjoy watching people walking the beach, capturing silhouettes in this light.”

“Keeping the nest tree standing and protecting a small area around that tree is one of our goals,” says Tânia Sanaiotti, founder of the Harpy Eagle Project, 25 years old now. “If you leave only the nest tree there in the middle of nowhere, the nestling won’t be able to take its first flight. It is very important to keep some tall trees where the nestling will be able to develop its muscles.

Considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is one of the world’s largest birds of prey. Since the 19th century, it has lost more than 40% of its territory, which ranges from Mexico to Argentina. In Brazil, the bird used to be found in all biomes. Today, large, functional and diverse populations are found only in the Amazon.

Monogamous, harpies use the same nest for decades, having a chick every three years. The Sumaúma (Ceiba pentandra), the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa), the jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril) and the angelim (Dinizia excelsa) are their favorite trees, the tallest in the forest and also the most coveted by loggers. Endowed with a large fork, the chosen trees need to provide space for the arrival and departure of the nests, which can be up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in diameter. There, the chicks develop for five months before venturing their first flight, from 15 to 30 meters (49 to 98 feet) away. Once the musculature has developed, Sanaiotti says that an adult bird can reach 200 or 300 meters in two wingbeats.

The top of the chain species, which can reach 9 kilograms (20 pounds), has special importance in maintaining the health of the ecosystem, but has peculiar requirements: carnivorous, it needs about 800 grams (1.8 pounds) of food per day. Fish, snakes, lizards and birds are good snacks, but monkeys, agoutis and sloths are the most appreciated delicacies.

Research, monitoring, photography, tourism and environmental education have been tools to protect Brazil’s largest raptor from habitat loss and the challenges that emerge from devastation: Proximity to human communities increases persecution, hunting and collisions with power lines.

First nests

Hawk monitoring in Brazil began in the 1980s, when researchers from the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (PDBFF), a research center founded by biologist Thomas Lovejoy, started to monitor nests of the ornate hawk-eagle (Spizaetus ornatos) and the false uiraçu (Morphnus guianensis) in the project’s reserves in the State of Amazonas. In 2011, the first harpy eagle nest was found, and currently there are two harpy eagle nests monitored inside one of the units, in partnership with the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) and the Harpy Eagle Project.

The Harpy Eagle Project began in 1997 in the Amazon. “We made posters and put them on boats on various routes,” says Sanaiotti about the beginning, when they were looking for the first nests for research, protection and monitoring. “Everyone knew there was a group of people studying hawks.”

Today there are more than 60 nests monitored in the Amazon, the Cerrado, and the Atlantic Forest, with the support of partner researchers, volunteers and students who collect data, promote environmental education activities and disseminate information to protect the nests’ surroundings.

In addition to research and field activities, the Harpy Eagle Project has recently created the Ex-Situ Program. As a strategy to approach conservation in an integrated way, the program studies the situation of captive birds that were removed from the wild due to illegal capture, destruction of nesting trees or other conflicts. The largest population of harpies outside their natural environment is in Brazil, with 139 individuals in 40 institutions.

According to the INPA researcher, the reproduction of the species in captivity for reintroduction into the wild as a conservation strategy still needs to be carefully analyzed and is not a priority for the Harpy Eagle Project.

“One of the aspects of the project is to return to nature everything that can be kept out of permanent captivity. This is one of the main goals”, explains Sanaiotti. “It’s very painful for us when we hear that there is a shot animal. When you see the bend in the river they are on, you know that help won’t arrive for 24 hours. If you don’t get help within 24 hours, the type of injury is almost irreversible. Treatment is often hampered by the immensity and shape of the Amazon hydrographic network.”

Curiosity kills

“Here it ‘snows’ incinerated forest every August. I live in the Arc of Deforestation, I don’t live in an easy place for a biologist,” says researcher Everton Miranda, who now lives in northern Mato Grosso. “People ask me how I continue to have hope. What recharges my hope is when pictures of [harpy eagle] eggs in the nests appear in the camera traps. I’m always very happy. I think it has a chance to go forward.”

With the loss of habitat and the worsening of climate change, the harpy eagle has had its distribution constantly reduced. “In the current scenario of climate change, the tendency is that these populations along the Arc of Deforestation will disappear,” warns Everton.

The proximity to human communities also makes the harpy eagle a victim of hunting, persecution and clashes with transmission lines.

“People kill these animals here in the Arc of Deforestation mainly out of curiosity, as they say: ‘to see with their hands,’” says Everton. “This type of slaughter represents a rate of 2.6 dead individuals per 100 km² [38.6 mi²] per year here in the southern Amazon. Well, if we’re talking about a species that only has 9.7 individuals per 100 km², this is an extremely high mortality rate.”

By interviewing landowners in a 3,000-km² (1,158-mi²) area within the so-called Arc of Deforestation in northern Mato Grosso state, Everton concluded that 80% of the 181 harpy eagle slaughters in the region occurred “out of curiosity.” Only 20% of the birds were killed in retaliation for preying on farm animals like chickens, goats, pigs or sheep.

Everton is also the author of a study that monitored 16 active harpy nests in a 429,000-km² (165,600-mi²) area in northern Mato Grosso. Three young harpies died of starvation in landscapes that lost 50-70% of their forest, showing that extinctions of apex predators occur largely because of the absence of prey. The study concluded that in the Arc of Deforestation, a forest cover of at least 50% is needed to enable the birds to survive. One-third of the region doesn’t have the conditions to support the reproduction of the species.

Since 2017, the biologist has been relying on ecotourism as a strategy for harpy eagle and forest conservation through collaboration with a tourism company that installs observation towers near the eagles’ nests. Having the harpy eagle as a flagship species for forest conservation has been a strategy to change mindsets and bring additional sources of income to the residents.

The nests in the region are now mapped with the help of local residents, and money is offered for each nest located. Properties with harpy eagle nests are equipped with observation towers.

“We offer the land owner a contract in which he gets $20 per tourist per day of visit on his property. The owners don’t have any kind of costs,” Everton explains. “On the other hand, he has to fulfill a series of obligations related to the conservation of that property.”

In addition to the land owners receiving an income, the local population is also benefited by providing services such as building the towers, cleaning the trails, and food for tourists and employees, among others.

“What attracts the rural landowner the most is not the money. When he sees a person who has traveled around the world, gone around the Earth to see something that he has in his backyard, that’s when the shift in his heart happens, because it’s like he has the Eiffel Tower in his backyard,” says the biologist. “He starts to give a great deal of importance and this sense of pride that the owner starts to have in relation to the forest is very important.”

Photography as an ally

“It’s like a subway network. It goes on one line and comes back, goes on another line and comes back,” says Sanaiotti about the harpy’s itinerary through the skies of Rondônia. “There are harpy eagles living in strips of forest along a river, in very small fragments, sometimes a hectare. So, it has to move many times over the pastures to get to another small forest. The more fragmented the forest, the more the harpies are exposed to risk — both from being shot and from hitting a power line.”

Rondônia state is one of the most challenging states for harpy eagle survival in the Amazon. “The harpy eagle is disappearing at a higher rate than the deforestation rate. Some nests that we have been monitoring for 10 or 12 years are disappearing from the region,” says Carlos Tuyama, coordinator of the Harpy Eagle Project in Rondônia. “The region where I live [the municipality of Rolim de Moura] has 10% of forest cover today. The rest was turned into pasture, into agricultural areas. And, obviously, all the fauna that existed in this region was affected.”

The expansion of occupation and the consequent suppression of the forest, which occurred as of the 1980s in the region, is repeated in other Amazonian cities, such as Paragominas and Altamira, both in Pará. With the fragmentation of the forest, the bird is often restricted to the legal reserve and permanent preservation areas. “We have seen harpy nests in Brazil nut trees that were destroyed inside Legal Reserves,” says Sanaiotti.

Since 2015, businessman and photographer Tuyama has worked as a volunteer for the Harpy Eagle Project and has found in photography a tool for scientific data collection and environmental education.

“The photography and video obtained by camera traps have a huge importance because you get information and knowledge that, if you were there all day, you probably wouldn’t get,” says Tuyama. “It is also very important to create empathy with people. Not everyone knows a bird like this and it’s important to have a material to work with environmental education, especially in the communities near these nests.”

Saving the nests is one of the main objectives of the researchers protecting the species. “It should be a law to point out which trees have nests at the preliminary survey time in a conservation plan,” says Sanaiotti, mentioning the forest concessions made by the Brazilian Forest Service. “Whoever is authorizing the cutting has tools in hand that can minimize the impact on this species. This is a challenge for 2023.”

 
Banner image by João Marcos Rosa/ Harpy Eagle Project.

 
Citations:
De Oliveira, M. J., Aguiar-Silva, F. H., De Moraes, W., Sanaiotti, T. M., Banhos, A., & Moreira, N. (2022). Ex situ population of the harpy eagle and its potential for integrated conservation. ZooKeys, 1083, 109-128. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1083.69047

Sutton, L. J., Anderson, D. L., Franco, M., McClure, C. J., Miranda, E. B., Vargas, F. H., … Puschendorf, R. (2022). Reduced range size and important bird and biodiversity area coverage for the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) predicted from multiple climate change scenarios. Ibis, 164(3), 649-666. doi:10.1111/ibi.13046

Human persecution of the harpy eagle: A widespread threat? (2020). The Journal of Raptor Research. doi:10.3356/jrr-20-76

Câmara Gusmão, A., Danilo Degra, Odair Diogo da Silva, Lucas Simão de Souza, Angélica Vilas Boas da Frota, Carlos Augusto Tuyama, … Manoel dos Santos Filho. (2020). Power lines as a threat to a canopy predator: Electrocuted harpy eagle in southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12(13), 16904-16908.

Miranda, E. B., Peres, C. A., & Downs, C. T. (2021). Landowner perceptions of livestock predation: Implications for persecution of an Amazonian APEX predator. Animal Conservation, 25(1), 110-124. doi:10.1111/acv.12727

Miranda, E. B., Peres, C. A., Carvalho-Rocha, V., Miguel, B. V., Lormand, N., Huizinga, N., … Downs, C. T. (2021). Tropical deforestation induces thresholds of reproductive viability and habitat suitability in earth’s largest eagles. Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92372-z

 
This story was first published here on our Mongabay Brasil site on December 19, 2022.

© Provided by WTEN Albany
CDTA Nature Bus ridership increases in second year

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), and local project partners offered a second year of free bus service to connect communities in the city of Albany to natural areas in Albany County. The complimentary service ran every Saturday from May 28, 2022, through Sept. 24, 2022.

On the heels of a successful pilot season in 2021, Nature Bus partners on Tuesday announced a 30% increase in ridership in 2022. More than 1,200 residents took advantage of the free service over its 18-week run to access and enjoy nature at nine different outdoor locations.

Project partners increased programming in 2022 with scavenger hunts, guided nature walks, and other educational offerings. Nature Bus also gave riders access to the larger community events of the year including the Five Rivers Annual Festival and Thacher Park’s Hawk Watch.

As they look toward Nature Bus 2023, project partners are launching a quick survey to gauge feedback on the service and how it might be improved in future years. The survey is open to all City of Albany residents, including those who did not ride the Nature Bus in 2022.

The survey is available via SurveyMonkey. It will remain open through February 28.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Whether you want to become a bourbon expert, finally learn to square dance, explore the world of horticulture, or master HTML5, it’s never too late to get started. Here are 12 adult education courses in Louisville to inspire creativity, challenge your mind, and enrich your life. Check them out!

FOR ARTSY TYPES

Preston Arts Center

Locally owned Preston Arts Center has been serving Kentuckiana since 1941. With locations in Louisville and Jeffersonville, the Center offers a myriad of art classes and workshops. Create a Bob Ross-style painting, learn flower steaming on silk, or make your own cobweb broom. Class types, times, and prices vary by location. View more info and register online.

Intro to Drawing is one of the many classes offered at Preston Arts Center. Image: Facebook

Whet Your Palette

Set in the heart of Anchorage, Whet Your Palette caters to all ages, offering adult classes, semi-private painting lessons, virtual courses, one-on-one piano and guitar lessons, private parties, and more. It is also the only studio in Kentucky with drop-in painting sessions. Plus, it has a full liquor license, which means beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — as well as sodas, snacks, and charcuterie boards — are available for purchase during all paint-and-sip classes, drop-in sessions, and private events.

For the Foodies

Cooking at the Cottage

Kentucky’s only independent culinary retail store and its premier cooking school, Cooking at the Cottage offers a variety of cooking classes nearly every day of the week. Classes are broken into categories, including basic training, demonstration, hands-on, and more. Options include everything from macaron making and southern-fusion cooking to cake decorating and intro to sushi. Most classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and start around $55. Check the online schedule early and often, as classes tend to fill quickly.

Cooking at Millie’s

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned chef, experiences at Cooking at Millie’s are designed to help you whip up entertaining meals. The classes feature chefs, restaurant owners, and other culinary pros from around Kentuckiana. Attendees might make peanut butter fudge with Amoreena Harrison, candy specialist from Muth’s Candies, or whip up orecchiette pasta with Rocco Cadolini, the owner and executive chef of Highlands Italian restaurant, ROC. Prices vary per class. Classes are often booked up months in advance, so register early.

Cooking at Millie’s offers classes led by culinary pros from around town. Image: Facebook

For Aspiring Bartenders

Liquor Lab Louisville

Creating fun beverages with world-class cocktail, wine, and beer experts is easy at Liquor Lab in NuLu. The state-of-the-art mixology venue offers hour-and-a-half-long classes every Friday and Saturday. Attendees learn to make three cocktails while enjoying food from a local eatery. Class themes include margaritas, martinis, seasonal cocktails, and more. Guests can also keep it dry, as non-alcoholic options are available at every class. Registration is $65 per person and must be completed online.

Liquor Lab classes teach attendees how to craft three original cocktails. Image: Facebook

Moonshine University

For those who are serious about their alcohol education, Moonshine University offers technical training and business management education for start-ups, industry professionals, or anyone interested in the distilling industry. Sign up for barrel aging or a botanical spirits workshop, or enroll in a six-day distiller course. The university also offers different levels of bourbon certification and numerous online courses. Tuition varies per course. Learn more at moonshineuniversity.com.

For Dancing Queens

Bravo Dance Studio

Family-owned dance destination Bravo Dance Studio offers ballroom, Latin, swing, salsa, and wedding dance lessons in a professional studio that boasts a floating hardwood floor, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a professional sound system, and multiple ballrooms. Whether you want a fun new hobby or are interested in competitive dance, the instructors at Bravo Dance Studio can help with everything from basics to open choreography. Private lessons and group classes can be reserved online, starting at $10.

Dance Louisville

Whether you’re looking for private lessons or group classes or want to put something special together for your wedding, Dance Louisville has something for everyone. The company has served Louisville for more than 17 years, offering lessons on everything from ballroom dancing and West Coast swing to salsa and country line dancing. Individuals are welcome, as no partner is necessary, and new clients receive their first 30-minute private lesson free. Learn more about all the dancing options available at dancelouisville.com.

For Nature Enthusiasts

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Bernheim believes in nature-based education for children and adults alike. Professionals can take advantage of teacher training or professional development, while amateur enthusiasts will enjoy many other options, such as conservation practice and kid’s discovery days. Check the online calendar to catch the next educational trail walk, hike, or other event. Scheduled strolls through Bernheim’s 16,000+ acres are often centered around a specific theme, such as woodland rehabilitation or prairie establishment and management. Registration prices vary and are discounted with a Bernheim membership.

Explore Bernheim’s 16,000+ acres and learn while you go! Image: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Waterfront Botanical Gardens

The staff at Waterfront Botanical Gardens (WBG) strives to educate, inspire, and enhance appreciation of the relationship between plant life and a healthy environment. The gardens’ adult classes and workshops help to do just that. Every month, the special event calendar offers various opportunities to explore horticulture and gardening, science and environment, nature photography, and more. Attendees can learn everything from how to design and care for raised garden beds to how to prune shrubs. Registration prices vary and are discounted with a WBG membership.

For Lifelong Learners

Louisville Learns

Whether you’re interested in starting your own pet-sitting business or want to know how to write grants, Louisville Learns has a course for you. Part of Jefferson County Public Schools Adult and Continuing Education, the courses feature expert instructors and high-quality content. There are more than 450 courses available, and most are $115. There are also career-training programs, including Medical Office Basics and Creating Mobile Apps with HTML5, as well as more than 100 certificate programs.

MyLibraryU

Louisville Free Public Library’s MyLibraryU connects adults to numerous new and free learning opportunities, regardless of academic background. Short Courses are just like real college courses — they are taught by professors and experts and might require reading or offer field trips. Fast Classes are the library’s one-time educational events led by local experts. These classes might teach practical skills or cover current events, literature, or science. All courses and classes are free and open to the public. Registration is available online or by calling (502) 574-1623.

Never stop learning, Louisville!

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About the Author

Lennie Omalza

Lennie is a Southern-based freelance writer. Originally from Hawaii, she is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can.

As Official Whiskey Sponsor, Noble Oak Celebrates Wonders of the Earth in ‘Plants and Fungi’ Category

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Noble Oak, an award-winning whiskey brand with a noble heart, today announced its partnership with World Nature Photography Awards as the official whiskey sponsor. As a brand with a mission of revitalizing the planet by planting trees in partnership with One Tree Planted, this sponsorship of the ‘Plants and Fungi’ category continues the brand’s commitment to putting a spotlight on nature. Winners of the World Nature Photography Awards will be announced in February 2023 with the reveal of stunning nature and wildlife photography from across the world.

Through purpose and reforestation initiatives, Noble Oak hopes to continue to shine a spotlight on the world around us.

“Noble Oak’s mission to reforest our planet and have a direct impact on nature, people and wildlife aligns with the goal of World Nature Photography Awards,” says Jack Bauer, Brand Manager, Noble Oak. “Our participation is more than just a sponsorship. We know making a true change will take more than that and our hope is that this spurs conversation and action. As a community, we look forward to spotlighting the beauty around us.”

Noble Oak has been working with One Tree Planted since 2017 and it simply came to life with two principles – great whiskey and giving back to communities. The brand’s inspiration is the mighty oak tree and what better way to give back to the planet than by planting trees in communities across the United States. Beyond the whiskey community, Noble Oak strives to have a real impact on the earth and ensure both are sustainable and healthy. Through purpose and reforestation initiatives, the brand hopes to continue to shine a spotlight and now visually, showcase the incredibly beautiful world around us through the World Nature Photography Awards.

“We’re thrilled to have Noble Oak come on board as our official whiskey. We have a shared goal in that we both place tree-planting at the heart of our purpose and hope to work with Noble Oak in the years to come to highlight the importance of saving our precious planet for future generations. We’re really excited about the partnership,” said Adrian Dinsdale, CEO of the World Nature Photography Awards.

Story continues

Founded in 2020, this year’s World Nature Photography Awards saw their best year yet, with entries coming in from 20 countries across 6 continents.

To learn more about Noble Oak, please visit https://www.nobleoak.com/en-us; and for details on World Nature Photography Awards, please visit https://www.worldnaturephotographyawards.com/. Winners will be announced February 2023, please follow @NobleOak and @WorldNaturePhotographyAwards on Instagram for news and updates

Noble Oak

Noble Oak is an award-winning whiskey brand with a noble heart; every bottle plants a tree in partnership with One Tree Planted, an organization dedicated to sustainably reforesting our Earth’s green spaces. Noble Oak’s whiskeys are double oak matured – first aging in Charred New American White Oak barrels followed by a unique WoodCraft® finishing that delivers unrivaled body and flavor. Its Double Oak Bourbon is finished using Spanish Sherry Oak Cask Staves, offering notes of vanilla and dried fruit, whereas its Double Oak Rye whiskey is finished using Port Wine Oak Cask Staves, eliciting notes of toffee and allspice. Noble Oak is sold only in the United States, to find a location near you, please visit: https://www.nobleoak.com/en-us/shop-0.

About World Nature Photography Awards

The World Nature Photography Awards were founded in the belief that we can all make small efforts to shape the future of our planet in a positive way and that photography can influence people to see the world from a different perspective and change their own habits for the good of the planet.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/noble-oak-partners-with-world-nature-photography-awards-301717056.html

SOURCE Noble Oak

Carol Faye Wheeler

Age 82, of Louisville, died Friday, January 6, 2023. She was born February 13, 1940, at home in Wakefield, Ohio to Eddy and Maggie (Moore) West. The 5th of seven children. She graduated from Piketon High School, married, and they moved to Canton to find work in 1957. Carol worked at Mercy Hospital in downtown Canton and volunteered at the American Cancer Society.

Through the years as her family grew, she worked in various accounting positions in the Canton area. She worked for The Girl Scouts of Stark County for fifteen years as Accountant and Office Manager prior to retirement. Carol was an active member of the Canton Players Guild, serving in the wardrobe department as seamstress, dresser, and gofer for 24 years. She eventually got the acting bug and took to the stage as well. She added to her resume at Kent State Stark by acting in several productions there as well.

Carol was also a member of The Wilderness Center Nature Photo Club and served as chair of the annual FOTO FEST Contest for 10 years.

Carol and Chuck enjoyed traveling, theatre, photography, and each other’s company. Their adventures took them to all 50 states, all Canadian Provinces, ten countries in Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand through the years. Their collection of photos grew quite large, some they used for their Christmas and birthday cards.

She has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church of Perry Heights where she was once active in the United Methodist Women, Chancel Choir and Quilting Ladies. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Carol is survived by her companion of thirty years, Chuck John; daughter: Karen Daugherty of Louisville; son: David Wheeler of Warren; sisters: Maxine (Leonard) Danford and Jean (Frank) Henson: brother; Ted West: granddaughter: Callie (Mark) Gulling; greatgrandchildren: Will and Dani Gulling; and her shared family: Don, Shelli, Megan Fehlman and Brett Weekly.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by newborn daughter, Debbie; husband, Callis; and sisters: Lois Williams, Lillian Smith and Pam Williams.

The family would like to thank the Medical Staff at Aultman Hospital for the care and compassion they shared with Carol and family during her illness.

Calling hours will be held Thurs, January 12, 2023 at 10:00AM, Service 11:00 at Trinity United Methodist Church of Perry Heights, 3757 Lincoln Way East, Massillon. Interment to follow at Scioto Cemetery in Scioto County, Ohio. Condolences and special memories of Carol can be shared online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com. (330) 875-5770

© Provided by WTEN Albany
Winter nature walks to be held at Bog Meadow Preserve

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Saratoga PLAN’s Bog Meadow Brook nature trail will be transformed into a classroom on snowshoes this winter. The trail, developed in 1993, travels along an abandoned railroad that once connected the Spa City to various locations throughout the northeast.

The educational walks will take place on Thursdays from January 12 through February 16, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Saratoga PLAN and Wilton Wildlife Preserve, people can register for one, two, or all six of the events. Participants will learn about the changes winter brings to the wetlands, with alternating themes each week.

Themes:

• January 12 and February 2: Identifying animal tracks in the snow
• January 19 and February 9: Animal adaptations to winter and winter bird identification
• January 26 and February 16: Learning to identify trees in the winter

The walks have been developed and will be led by Environmental Education and Conservation Interns who were hired through a grant from the Land Trust Alliance’s New York State Conservation Partnership Program. Snowshoes will only be needed if the trails are snow-covered; in which case, they can be rented for $3 a pair.

Registration is strongly encouraged as winter parking at the trailhead is more limited than at other times of the year. Walks may be canceled due to inclement weather.

To register or for additional program information, visit Preserve and Park’s website and click on the “Public Programs” tab to access the online registration form. Registration can also be done by calling (518) 450-0321.

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Enjoy the sights of the winter night through a variety of telescopes. This is a weather dependent event.

January programs at the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington

The Junior Library at Gunn Memorial Library is hosting a variety of fun activities to beat those winter blues! Learn how make a snowflake and create your own snow globe! We will also have a Valentine’s Dance Party with special guest Sandra Hernandez. 

Jan. 21 – 1 p.m. Valentine’s Dance Party with Sandra Hernandez –  Dance party is a celebration of music and movement, perfect for children ages 7 and up. Kids can practice basic ballroom moves, dance movement skills, creative expression, coordination, and self-control while dancing to a cute valentine song. Fun for the whole family! Registration is required.  Please register on our website, www.gunnlibrary.org.

These programs are free and open to all. The Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture of Route 47, opposite the green in Washington.

‘Pour Your Heart Into Art’ paintings by Christy Bonaiuto at the Sherman Library

The Sherman Library is starting the new year with the art show “Pour Your Heart Into Art,” paintings and photographs by Christy Bonaiuto. Building upon her photographic artistic skills, Bonaiuto’s stunning pour paintings, abstract acrylics and photographs explode with vivid color and movement.

Come meet the artist on Jan. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. The show will be on display at the Sherman Library to Feb. 22 both at the Library and on their website, www.ShermanLibrary.org. 
 
Bonaiuto has been a photographer for over 15 years, expanding from nature photography to people, and enjoys capturing special moments. She is known for her family portraits and peony photographs, capturing different stages of the peony blossoms and their beauty in different lighting.
 
When the pandemic hit, she had a two-year old at home who would ask her to draw images and enjoyed watching painting videos. Bonaiuto started painting and experimenting with different techniques and mediums. Her passion has evolved from photography and now includes paintings. She loves being inspired to create one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out for all to enjoy.
 
Bonaiuto has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism Layout Design with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Oklahoma. She is a member of The Great Hollow Photographers Club, Sherman Artists Association and Gallery 25 in New Milford.
 
For more information about this show and the Sherman Library, visit www.shermanlibrary.org.

Gunn Memorial Library in Washington hosts Zoom lecture on ‘Connecticut’s Indigenous Communities’

Join the Gunn Memorial Library on Zoom on Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. for the virtual lecture presentation “Connecticut’s Indigenous Communities: An Introduction to Their Histories and Cultures” with curator and author, Lucianne Lavin. Registration is required to attend this free Gunn Museum virtual program. Please register at www.gunnlibrary.org/gunn-museum/upcoming-programs/.

Eastern North America was not a “howling wilderness” as described by the early English settlers.  It was a built landscape, managed by the first settlers of the land, its Indigenous peoples. Indigenous communities have long, rich histories that extend back to when they shared Mother Earth with mastodons and other extinct animals.  

Through those thousands of years, Native Americans became experts in their natural environments, a necessity for their physical survival as well as their spiritual obligation. Our first environmental stewards, Native American communities had long been managing their physical environments to enhance plant and animal populations as well as their human communities. Indigenous folklore and sacred stories promoted this ecological balance. This PowerPoint presentation provides a window into tribal history and culture before and after European settlement, including that of the Weantinock and Pootatuck peoples in whose ancient homelands the town of Washington now resides.

For more information visit www.gunnmuseum.org or contact the Gunn Historical Museum in Washington at 860-868-7756 or [email protected].

‘Artwork by Individuals with Special Needs’ exhibit at Roxbury library

“Art4All: Artwork by Individuals with Special Needs,” a two-day show of work by artists with special needs, will be featured at Minor Memorial Library (23 South St. in Roxbury).

The show will be on view during library hours, on Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a closing reception on Jan. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. 

The artists are all individuals with special needs, living in Connecticut. This exhibition is a rare opportunity for them to share expressions of their creativity. The show presents a diverse collection of unique, beautiful pieces, ranging from works on paper to 3-D sculptures.

Minor Memorial Library is handicapped-accessible. Call the library at (860) 350-2181 for information and directions.

Collage Workshops with Sarah Griswold at Roxbury library

The Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury is excited to have Sarah Griswold lead two free Collage Workshops on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, both from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no charge for this program, but registration is required. RSVP online at www.minormemoriallibrary.org

Collage can be a way to express oneself, to think through design ideas or just to have fun with materials. Magazine images and scrap paper will be available to cut, tear and assemble on card stock of varying sizes and shapes. Please feel free to bring your own materials with you if you like.
No creativity or artistic ability is needed, just a willingness to let go, have fun and glue things together.    

Call the library at 860-350-2181 or visit the website at www.minormemoriallibrary.org for more information and directions.

‘The State of Being’ paintings by Elizabeth Kaney and sculptures by Kristina Kossi at Roxbury library

“The State of Being”, an exhibit of paintings by Elizabeth Kaney and sculpture by Kristina Kossi at Minor Memorial Library (23 South St. in Roxbury) will begin with an opening reception on Jan. 28 (snow date Feb. 4) from 2 to 4 p.m. 

The show will continue during regular library hours through March 11, except when the Community Room is in use for a special library program. The library is open Mondays from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.., Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library will be closed on Feb. 20 for Presidents’ Day.

Minor Memorial Library is handicapped-accessible.  Call the library at (860) 350-2181 for information and directions.

New Milford Historical Society & Museum anticipates unveiling new exhibit space

The introduction of new exhibit space will highlight a resumption of normal hours at the New Milford Historical Society & Museum later this winter.

The museum, located just north of the Village Green at 6 Aspetuck Ave., is now open on Saturdays and for tours. Otherwise the museum is closed during January and February for collection care and restoration, as well as to prepare new and restored exhibits.

Normal hours will resume in March and the new exhibit space is scheduled to be unveiled in late March. For more information, call the museum at 860-354-3069.

Learn about the American Mural Project at special presentation following Kent Memorial Library’s annual meeting

Kent Memorial Library’s annual meeting will take place at Kent Town Hall on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. The Library is proud to announce there will be a special presentation immediately following the meeting by Amy Wynn, executive director of the American Mural Project (AMP). Amy will share an overview of the organization, its mission to honor work and inspire the next generation of workers, and the many programs and activities currently happening and planned for the future.

Guests will hear some of the exciting stories of how the three-dimensional mural, measuring 120 feet long and five stories high, came to be and how it landed in Winsted. The Library plans on organizing a group trip to see the AMP in Winsted in the spring.

For more information call 860-927-3761 or email [email protected].

Kent Memorial Library provides a center for collaborative engagement, education and enrichment for the greater Kent community. Kent Memorial Library is located at 32 North Main St. in Kent and can be contacted at 860-927-3761. Visit www.kentmemoriallibrary.org for more information.

Kala Farnham with special guest George Mallas at Jewish Community Center in Sherman

The Jewish Community Center (JCCS) in Shermanare happy to announce that Kala Farnham, Connecticut’s new Troubadour. will be performing here at the JCCS on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Joining her will be Connecticut’s own George Mallas.

Armed with a voice and an entourage of instruments, Farnham set out with one vision – to inspire through the power of musical storytelling. Drawing from a classical and theatrical background, she presents a hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition, drawing audiences into imaginative vantagescapes of the familiar world.

Farnham has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including serving as the current Connecticut State Troubadour, 2020 Falcon Ridge Festival Emerging Artist, 2020 Great American Song Contest Finalist, and 2019 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest winner.

Farnham’s 2020 album “Your Spirit Is a Work of Art” is composed of thirteen musical vignettes exploring the imperfect beauty of the human condition; it has been described by Nick Noble of The Folk Revival as “a work of poetic insight… worth listening to again and again.” Drawing
from a classical education and professional career in musical theater, Kala presents a hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition: her lush musical arrangements, compelling vulnerability and vivid storytelling draws her audience into imaginative vantagescapes of the familiar world.

George Mallas has been writing and playing his piano-based songs since his teen years. George’s musical influences are some of the greats, such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. His melodic songs touch your heartstrings on subjects of love, longing and redemption.
George has released two CDs, the latest his wonderfully received “unscathed.” George hosts the weekly radio show “The Songwriters’ Block” along with Melanie Berti, heard Wednesday evenings on Pawling Public Radio.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 non-members. At this time, the concert is to be held outdoors. If the concert is to be held indoors, masks will be required to be worn by all individuals.

Pizza & Movie Night at Gunn Memorial Library in Roxbury

The Gunn Memorial Library in Roxbury will host a Pizza & Movie Night featuring the movie “Lightyear” on Jan. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington hosts ‘teaching of turtles’ workshop

Sunday is everyone’s favorite day to relax, and one way to do that is to have something special to do. The Institute for American Indian Studies, located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, makes Sundays a fun day throughout the year with engaging programs and workshops. From working with beads and playing Native American games like snow snake to making a cornhusk doll and listening to stories, there’s something fun to do no matter what the weather is.
 
On Janu. 15, the Institute is offering an in-person Sunday Fun Day workshop “The Teachings of Turtles” at 1 p.m. that is perfect for children that love animals and want to know why turtles are important. At this workshop, kids will be encouraged to express their creativity by learning about the world that surrounds them and connecting to Native American culture that offers thousands of years of history right in their own backyard.
 
The Jan. 15 workshop will focus on the “teachings of turtles” that will be told through fascinating traditional Native American stories whose main character is the turtle, of course! After the Native American stories, Museum Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf will talk about how turtles have adapted and survived through time. A highlight of the workshop is the craft session where children will create and take home their Native American-inspired work of art that looks like a turtle.
 
This family-friendly event is open to children of all ages. Pre-registration is encouraged as space is limited and can be reserved by visiting the website and registering on Eventbrite, by calling 860-868-0518 or by emailing [email protected]. The cost of participation is $10 for members of the Institute and, $20 for non-members.

Housatonic Valley Health District in New Milford distributes free radon test kits for residents

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) and Housatonic Valley Health District are encouraging residents to test their homes for radon gas, the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths.

HVHD has joined the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CTDPH to encourage residents to check their homes for radon by offering a limited number of free test kits. Radon test kits can be picked up from New Milford (10 Main St.) and Southbury (77 Main Street N #205) offices during their normal business hours.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil. When emitted into open air, radon is rendered virtually harmless. However, when it becomes trapped into an enclosed structure such as a house, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels over an extended period of time.

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Lisa Morrissey, Director of Health at HVHD, states, “While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes and become a health hazard inside buildings. Since you can’t see, taste, or smell radon, people are often unaware that radon could be in their homes. By testing for radon, you could save your own life and the lives of those you love. ”

The radon test kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be picked up at New Milford and Southbury offices. For information, visit www.hvhdct.gov/environmental-health/radon/ or call 203-264-9616.

The Whiffenpoofs to perform at St. Andrew’s Parish in Kent

The Whiffenpoofs, America’s oldest collegiate acapella group, are coming to Kent on Feb. 4 where they will perform at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Parish, located at 1 N. Main St. (corner of Rtes. 7 & 341) in Kent.

Tickets are $30 and are available at Eventbrite, https://bit.ly/whifs. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. The concert is part of St. Andrew’s Music in the Nave series.

Each year, 13 Yale seniors become the Whiffenpoofs and carry on a tradition started in 1909. Long considered one of the country’s greatest musical treasures, the Whiffenpoofs perform more than 200 concerts around the globe annually, delighting fans with jazz standards, hits through the decades and their famous Whiffenpoof humor. 

For more information, call 860-927-3486, email [email protected] or visit www.standrewskentct.org/mitn.html.

New Milford Public Library closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

New Milford Public Library will be closed on Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Book drops will remain open. Regular hours will resume Jan. 17 at 10 a.m.

February programs at Gunn Junior Library in Roxbury

The Gunn Junior Library has a variety of programs for patrons of all ages this February.

Saturday Programs

Feb. 4  – 1 p.m. Steep Rock Workshop – We are pleased to welcome back Steep Rock Association as we once again team up to reach out to community children.  Learn to identify birds commonly seen at feeders.  Make a simple DIY bird feeder using pinecones, birdseed, butter, and twine, and watch the pretty winter birds flock to your backyard!  This program is best suited for ages 5 years or older and limited to 25 kids.  Registration is required.  Please go to our website to register, www.gunnlibrary.org. 

Storytime Programs

Brr! Preschoolers get your hats, mittens, boots, and coats on, and get ready for our snowy winter storytimes! Registration Required.  Please go to our website to register. 

Morning Toddler – March 3 through March 31 on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. For 2-year-olds and their caregivers.  A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes and crafts designed for busy toddlers. 

Afternoon Preschool – March 3 through March 31 on Fridays from 2:15 to 3 p.m. For 3- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.  This program promotes social skills through stories, fingerplays, flannel board activities, music and crafts.   

These programs feature seasonal themes and offer relaxed and friendly social time for moms, as well as preschoolers.  Bring a friend or make some new ones!  
 
Toddler Playscape Fun Time – Feb. 27 through April 3 on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. Kids up to 5 years old and their caregivers are invited to come Monday mornings for some creative fun on our tumbling blocks and foam mats. This indoor activity is an easy way to entertain your little ones and get the wiggles out.

After School Programs for primary school children will feature seasonal themes, books, crafts and games. Snack will be provided. The Library follows the Region 12 calendar and will not host After School Programs when WPS is closed or has early dismissal.  Registration for these programs is required. Please go to our website to register.
 
Kindergarten and First Grade Story Craft: Feb. 28 through April 4 on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. It’s cold outside but come stay cozy at the library with books while listening to stories about snow, winter, winter animals, and spring.    

Second and Third Grade Story Craft: March 2 through April 6 on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.  Brrr… It’s cold outside. Come bundle up and listen to winter-themed stories hosted by guests from the community who want to share their love of books with children here at the junior library. Get ready for some fun winter crafts as well – what a great way to enjoy a cold winter day!

These programs are free and open to all.

The Gunn Memorial Library is located at 5 Wykeham Road at the juncture of Route 47, opposite the green in Washington.