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Angel of Spring

Upcoming Early Spring Events

With Spring just around the corner, activities in Vernon and the Tankerhoosen Valley pick up. To help you plan the next six weeks this email highlights eight events through the end of April. They include an interesting variety with music, hikes, a road race, talks, a fair, and a book sale. Events for families and adults.

We'll do another newsletter in late April as there are many more planned for May and June as we move outdoors. See a list of likely May events and sign up for the next newsletter.

A complete list of 2019 events is shown on the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative Events page.

Most of the organizations sponsoring these events are members of the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative. You can learn more about VVC on their website. Check organizers websites for any last minute changes.

This is just a sampling of what Vernon has to offer. We hope you'll take advantage of these activities and get to know your town a little better.

If you would like advanced notice by email of this type of event please join our MeetUp Group. We also send reminders of these events on our Facebook Page.

Click on images for a larger view.

» Go to The Tankerhoosen website.

Jon Roe   


Cruising Down The Tankerhoosen

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 7 P.M.: For the Vernon Garden Club's March program we’ll imagine traveling down the Tankerhoosen River to see the beauty of the river, as well as learn a little of its history.

The Tankerhoosen River is only five miles long flowing east to west across Southern Vernon - from Walker's Reservoir to the Hockanum River. It passes through two Wildlife Management Areas, a Land Trust, three villages, over ten dams, under eight bridges and past seven historic mill sites.

You'll be one of the very few to explore the entire length of the river and will come away with a new appreciation of this Vernon treasure. Your tour guide will be JON ROE, webmaster of The Tankerhoosen.

The Vernon Garden Club's Monday, April 15 meeting will be 'Fun Facts About Beekeeping' with Vernon Garden Club members, MARCIE LAVOIE and TOM KAMINSKI.

Vernon Garden Club programs are held at the First Congregational Church of Vernon, 695 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon. For details call (860) 926-4332. Guests are always welcome.

» Learn more.


The Vernon Chorale's 'Dueling Composers'

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 7:30 P.M.: The Vernon Chorale's Spring concert offers another unique concert experience. As promised by Artistic Director, EHREN BROWN, "Our spring concert continues the Chorale's objective to push the boundaries of what one would expect in a choral concert by exploring unexpected styles and celebrating up-and-coming composers."

'Dueling Composers' achieves this goal. The Chorale will perform pairs of works by two composers who use the same text.

This concert will be held at St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace, Rockville. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.

» Learn more.


Greater Vernon Holistic Healthfest

Karl Hasel at the 2018
Northern CT Land Trust exhibit.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 6 & 7, 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.: The tenth two-day Greater Vernon Holistic Healthfest will have over 90 booths, 40 workshops and an on-site café.

This fair is unique for two reasons: the focus is on holistic practitioners and health, and it is a partnership between the holistic community and the Town of Vernon. Proceeds go to the Vernon Youth Services Bureau to support their programs and summer youth employment.

The Tankerhoosen is a Silver Sponsor of Healthfest and will do a talk titled 'Get Out! Outside That Is; Just For The Health Of It.' You know that being outdoors is healthy, but if you suffer from ‘Nature Deficit Disorder' learn what the latest studies have to say. We'll also explore the new trends of Earthing, Breathwalking and Forest Bathing; plus give you information on 12 outdoor sites to explore and enjoy in Vernon's Tankerhoosen Valley.

In addition to our booth there will be displays by Strong Family Farm and other town organizations. Visit us for trail maps and information on outdoor activities in Vernon.

The Vernon Healthfest is held at the Vernon Center Middle School (VCMS),777 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon. Cost is only $5 including all workshops. Visit the website for a listing of exhibitors and workshops.

» Learn more.


Strong Family Farm 5K Chicken Run

SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 9 A.M.: Strong Family Farm hosts their 6th annual Chicken Run - 5K (3.1 mile) run, 2 mile walk or 1/4 mile children’s race beginning at 9 a.m. Each year this is Vernon's first big outdoor event of Spring.

There will also be free fun family activities to complement the Chicken Run, including: the arrival of the baby chicks, a special appearance from our chicken mascot and rabbits, chickens and goats.

Strong Family Farm is located at 274 West Street in Vernon. (860) 874-9020.

» Learn more.


Always Nina - A Tennessee Story & Songbook

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 13 & 14: Arts Center East presents Tennessee storyteller NINA CATHEY ALLBERT who will delight with stories from her childhood and beyond. Let Nina’s charming singing voice and unique story-telling style lead you on a heartwarming adventure through middle Tennessee. Along the way, you will encounter bikers, beauty queens, teen-age moms, evangelists, country folk, and millionaires, as well as Nina’s own family. This treasure chest of tales will remind you of the richness of your own life and may inspire you to reveal your own saga in your own way.

Performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. $15 adult, $12 student, senior, military and ACE member. ACE is located at 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.

» Learn more & register.


Earth Day Bird Walk

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 8 - 10 A.M.: Join JANE SEYMOUR at the Belding Wildlife Management Center for a 2-hour free walk that will help you identify birds by sight and sound.

A variety of birds migrate through Belding WMA along the Tankerhoosen River. Loss of habitat is the biggest threat facing wildlife and Belding WMA provides a variety of habitat types, including fields, forest, and wetlands. Birds, such as indigo buntings and blue-winged warblers, inhabit the field edges. Black-throated green warblers and red-breasted nuthatches can be heard in the conifer forest. Woodcock return each spring to perform their courtship display, and wood frogs gather in vernal pools where their chorus can be heard on the first warm day of spring.

Meet at the parking lot on Bread & Milk Road in Vernon. Programs offered at Belding WMA include seasonal walks to learn about the plants and animals that can be found at the area. For information contact Jane at (860) 306-5418 or jane.seymour@ct.gov.

» Learn more.


Civil War Day Camp For Kids

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 9:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.: Take a trip back in time. Children ages 8-13 will be transported back to the Civil War and learn about life and how to survive during the Civil War. This will include living conditions, communication, cooking, marching in formation and much more. A fun day for boys and girls.

Bring along a blanket to be made into a bed roll, a bag lunch and wear long pants and shoes (no sandals). Each participant will be supplied a canteen and a special tee shirt to keep.

Presented by members of the Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans in Rockville, 14th Connecticut Reenacting members, and volunteer help from the New England Civil War Museum. The camp will be held at the Strong Family Farm, 274 West Street, Vernon.

Cost: $10 including canteen and tee shirt. Limited to 40 students. If interested register soon. Almost full already.

» Learn more & register.


Vernon Historical Society Book Sale

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 TO SUNDAY, APRIL 28: This is the first weekend of the Vernon Historical Society's annual book sale and fundraiser. The sale will continue on Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5.

The annual Book Sale features a wide selection of used hardcover and paperback books, DVDs and books on CD. All of the hardcover and paperback fiction is alphabetized by the author's last name. 'Special Books' are priced between $2-$5. Non-fiction books are separated by subject categories.

The Vernon Historical Society building, located at 734 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) in Vernon, is handicapped accessible.

» See website for times.


Coming Up In May

May is always one of our busiest months with a large number of events; many taking place outside. We'll send another newsletter in April with details, but for now these are the dates and events that we know.

To receive the next newsletter Join our Mailing List.

  • May 2 - Vernon Greenways Volunteers Kickoff Meeting with a program on Bears.
  • May 4 - Northern CT Land Trust Canoe and Kayak Paddle of Upper Bolton Lake.
  • May 4 - Hockanum Brew Fest
  • May 4 & 5 - Vernon Historical Society Book Sale Continues
  • May 11 - Vernon Garden Club Spring Plant Sale
  • May 18 & 19 - Friends of Valley Falls 'Three Walk Weekend'
  • May 20 - Vernon Garden Club Program on 'Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut'
  • May 26 - Talcottville Memorial Day Parade
  • May 27 - Rockville Memorial Day Parade
  • TBD - International Migratory Bird Day Walk at Belding Wildlife Management Area
  • TBD - Vernon Historical Society's May Program and Possible Bus Tour

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