Earth Day celebrations around town

It's Springtime in East Haddam

Submitted by Sustainability Team and Evelyn Morgen, Director East Haddam Library System

Earth Day - April 22 - is a yearly reminder for us to celebrate this wonderful planet we have the privilege to inhabit from all the billions of planets in the universe, with our hospital sun and water that engender life.

As a rural community, we in East Haddam are closer than some in our ability to appreciate this wonder of the bounty of our earth as we come out of winter into flowering spring. We can celebrate in many ways and reciprocate by showing our gratitude to this life-giving planet. Below is the schedule of events honoring our environment and rural heritage:

April 17

Arbor Day Live Music Coffee House (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.): Hosted by the East Haddam Land Trust and First Church of Christ, Congregational at the church on Town Street. Featuring music by Steve Dedman, Pete Govert, and Steve Pozzato, along with food, poetry, and discussions about trees.

In preparation for our “Plant a Seed, Read!”summer reading theme, patrons will get a glimpse of the new seed library at the Rathbun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Materials and planting demos will be available, along with gardening books for young people on display. Registration required.

April 18

Town-wide clean-up (9 a.m. to noon): Meet at the Grange on Town Street. The Superhero Training Corps and Sustainability Team will provide grabbers and bags.

Volunteer lunch (Noon to 1:30 p.m.): Provided by the Moodus Sportsmen’s Club, 299 East Haddam Colchester Turnpike.

Chick Day at Shagbark Hardware (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.): A celebration of our right to farm, featuring local artisans, music, food, and community organizations.

Sustainability Presentation (evening): The Sustainability Team will host a presentation of Doug Tallamy’s “Back Yard State Park” followed by a discussion.

April 19

Seed starting for pollinators (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.): A family-oriented event at Ballek’s Garden Center.

April 21

Colorful stories about nature for younger readers offered by members of the East Haddam Land Trust from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Rathbun.

Youth book discussion on Rosanne Parry's “A Wolf Called Wander,” based on the true story of a wolf who traveled 1,000 miles across Oregon and California to make family and find home. Recommended for ages 10-years-old and older from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at East Haddam Free Public Library.

April 22 (Earth Day)

A day dedicated to personal reflection and gratitude for our planet.

April 25 

Opossum rehabilitation presentation (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.): Hosted by the First Church of Christ, Congregational and co-sponsored by East Haddam Land Trust.

Sustainability Brainstorming (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.): Join the library sponsored discussion at the Yankee Cider Barn to discuss rain gardens, pollinator pathways, and local energy initiatives and other local sponsored initiatives. Co-sponsored by the East Haddam Sustainability Committee.

Multigenerational guided trail exploration of Machimoodus/Sunrise State Parks from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. accompanied by a “hike and seek” scavenger hunt and collaborative mandala creation. All ages welcome. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Machimoodus.

April 26

Earth Week stories and photos (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.): The Sustainability Team will gather at the Yankee Cider Barn to view photos of the strangest items found during the clean-up.

April 28

Enjoy some fun story hours about nature for younger readers read by members of the East Haddam Land Trust from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at EHFPL. 

More educational and fun stories about nature for younger readers offered by Laurel White, Land Trust member and Library Trustee at Rathbun from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Ongoing Throughout the Week

Library displays: Earth Day books will be featured at town libraries. East Haddam Land Trust and the East Haddam Library System have collaborated on Words from the Earth Young Readers nature book list. Check the libraries for information on the books and the special book readings scheduled in April.

Clean-Up Efforts: Residents are encouraged to continue cleaning quieter local roads. Please bring trash to the transfer station and separate recyclables. Note: Redeemable cans/bottles should be placed in the scouts' container to fund their activities. Please take safety precautions. Do not venture on main or high trafficked roads. Take a photograph of the strangest thing you find! We will be handing out a prize on April 26 at the Cider Barn.

Yankee Cider Barn fundraiser: Throughout the weekend of April 25–26, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the East Haddam Land Trust. Meet the directors of East Haddam Land Trust throughout the day.