Until the early 1900s, Washington CT was a busy industrial town on the banks of the Shepaug River. Today, the town is a regional leader in conserving its natural beauty for the public benefit. Two individuals—Frederick Gunn and Ehrick Rossiter—were instrumental in the town’s transformation. In this engaging presentation, Edwin Matthews traces the industrial history of Washington leading to the founding of Steep Rock Association and includes the influence of writings of Emerson, Thoreau, Marsh, and others who have influenced land conservation in our town over the past century.

For thirty years Edwin Matthews has led the fight to restore water flows in the Shepaug River.  He was responsible for the footbridge at the entrance to Hidden Valley named for Henry Thoreau. His engagement with the natural world began as a boy in Idaho.  He went on to study the history of science and to law school.  For many years he practiced law in Paris, New York and San Francisco.

He was a founder of Friends of the Earth now in 75 countries and is a trustee emiritas of Steep Rock and Earthjustice, a non-profit law firm for the environment.  He has published a book of essays on wildness around us entitled “Litchfield Country Journal”.

He lives on an old farm in Hidden Valley with his wife, Patricia, and their dog, Sable. REGISTER NOW

Steep Rock’s Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

Here come the birds!  Migrating birds are coming north from southern wintering grounds to breed in the spring. Join Allison Middlemass of Bent of the River Audubon at the Woodbury Public Library on Thursday, March 20 at 6:30 PM as she shares information about spring migrations and the returning birds to Connecticut! She will use Audubon’s Migration Explorer to see how far they have traveled.  The talk will also cover why some birds migrate, how they do it, and when.  Register at www.woodburylibrary ct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information. 

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14.

An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.

This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, April 6. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “Vignettes and Portals,” an art exhibition by Greg St. John on view Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 27. 

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. A closing reception and artist talk will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The drawings and paintings in this show were inspired by the urgency of the passing of time and the preciousness of life. The work consists of imagery inspired by the natural world as expressed in abstract marks, values, shapes and colors. They are meant to convey the artist’s thoughts and feelings about his life and the world we live in.

Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

The American chestnut was a keystone species in the forests of the Appalachian Range until a blight fungus from Asia decimated the population. Join members of the American Chestnut Foundation on Saturday, March 29 at 11:00 AM at the Woodbury Public Library for a presentation that explains why the American chestnut was so important to the area and the steps that The American Chestnut Foundation is taking in its efforts to restore this iconic tree to the eastern forests.

This event is organized in partnership with The Woodbury Shade Tree & Sidewalk Committee.  The Woodbury Shade Tree & Sidewalk Committee supports the community by planting trees in public spaces, educating residents about trees and their care, and advocating for improved pedestrian walkways.  The talk is open to all but registration is requested.  To register, please visit the Woodbury Library’s website www.woodburyibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt, a native New Yorker, received her M.F.A. at the School of Visual Arts, NYC.  She earned her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Art Department Honors, at Queens College/CUNY. Lisa has been awarded six national Artist-In-Residence Scholarships and received a New York City Artist Corp Grant and a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Public Art Grant.  She is the recipient of NYC Public Arts Grants and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

SCHOOL LUNCH is a visual essay of contemporary student life created by drawing on-site, in real educational settings.  Current social issues and their emotional attitudes are shared experience of school lunch. SCHOOL LUNCH underlines perceptions which affirm cultural identity, brings together ideas espousing societal concerns and encourages a belief in the quality of human spirit.

Weinblatt’s painting series SCHOOL LUNCH has been exhibited in over 40 solo exhibitions, including the NYC Armory Show, with recent solo exhibitions at Waterworks Art Center/ Museum, NC, Karpeles Museum, NY, Morris Graves Museum, CA, Woodstock Museum, NY, Delaplaine Art Center, MD, Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, PA, and The Judy Black Memorial Gallery /Gardens, CT.  Weinblatt’s  solo exhibitions include Central Piedmont College, Charlotte, NC, Chesapeake Art Center, MD, Oxford Art Center, PA, 9/2023 and  Goggleworks Art Center, Reading, PA.   Selections from SCHOOL LUNCH is currently published in ‘New American Paintings’, Northeast issue, juried by Amy Sherald. SCHOOL LUNCH was published in the Fall ’23  issue of ‘WELTER’, University of Baltimore, MD and is currently published in “The Pasticheur” journal of Dickinson College, PA. 

SCHOOL LUNCH 20 was digitally displayed on a billboard in Times Square, NYC.   The exhibit is open during regular library hours.  For more information visit the library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org.

It followed the fish, the flight paths of immigrants, the sea-lanes of war: the knitted clothing of New England reflects maritime cultures the world over.  Rich with origin mythology and salty with sailors’ yarns, garments like nippers, half-handers, and the infamous fisherman’s sweater each hold a romantic yet real place in our coastal history.  Explore knitting a WWI submariner’s outfit with the Navy League!  Imagine learning to knit with a pair of whalebone needles you carved yourself!  Join Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue, historian & knitter, for an ode to wool and marvel once again at how the sea connects us all.  Register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call the library at 203-263-3502 for more information.

Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue of Niantic has knit historical garments in between setting sails aboard New Bedford whalers, splitting codfish aboard Grand Banks fishing schooners, and lounging on O’Day Mariners.  After more than 20 years at a major Connecticut maritime museum, she co-founded the Dirty Blue Shirts living history collective, whose participatory programs encompass everything from historic fashion & foodways to maritime culture & shipboard skills.  Rebecca’s personal interest in historical hand-knitting stems from always being cold, no matter what century she’s interpreting.  With all the plastic in today’s oceans, she thinks it’s time to revisit wool as the preeminent fiber of sustainability, versatility, and global community.

Join avid fisherman Dylan Napoleone for a captivating informational session on how to get your fishing season off to a good start at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 PM.

The program talks about fishing locally for trout and bass. All ages and interest levels are welcome, no matter if you’re new to the sport or just want to share in the camaraderie of this pastime. Get tips on great places to fish for trout and bass, what baits to use, and more.  As an accomplished fisherman, Dylan competes in fishing tournaments throughout the year and welcomes sharing his knowledge of fishing through talks around the state.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  Please register at www.woodburylibraryct.org  or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

The Woodbury Public Library invites you to “Meet Your Community”.  On selected Thursday evenings, members of Woodbury’s nonprofits will provide exciting details of the roles they play in the Woodbury community and surrounding towns.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about what each group does, how they give back to the community and how you can volunteer and share in their missions. 

On April 3, at 6:30 PM meet Vince LaFontan, Flanders Nature Center’s Executive Director who will give a talk about the amazing things the nature center offers, including more than 2,400 of open space with seven nature preserves and sanctuaries.  You’ll get insight into the history of Flanders; how it came to be and the plans for the future.  Learn about the vibrant arts history and learn about opportunities to volunteer.

Registration is requested at www.woodburylibraryct.org  

Facing a town wedded to turf lawns, a world-wide pandemic, and municipal red tape of epic proportions, Cheshire Pollinator Pathway, nevertheless, successfully installed native gardens in town spaces, and managed to win over the hearts of many of their fellow community members.  Join members of the Cheshire Pollinator Pathway, a 501c3 non-profit, for a talk highlighting their start, where they found help, information on selecting appropriate plants, design possibilities, and more at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, April 5 at 11:00 AM.

At this talk, learn how a small group of determined women in Cheshire, CT, got their town to warm up to native plants in public places, why we as a community need to plant for the planet and plant for pollinators, and  how you can do the same, whether that’s in your backyard or on a public space in your town. This program is sponsored by Pomperaug Garden Club & Woodbury’s Conservation Commission.  To register for your spot, visit www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. This meeting is OPEN TO ALL INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS!  Register on the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information. 

The Office of Emergency Management for the Town of Woodbury is an all-volunteer department within the town that holds the responsibility of comprehensive planning for all types of disaster, whether man-made or natural and keep the town apprised of various situation as well as briefing town officials and liaison between the town and state emergency operation center.