State Capitol Update for the Week of July 5

July 8, 2021
Looking beyond the current stormy weather, there are a number of events coming up over the next week that show off great traditions in our towns, including cars, motorcycles, crafts and a car wash in Falls Village, and pancakes and live music in Sharon.  For the moment, the weekend weather looks okay, but there’s a thunderstorm watch on tonight, and we’ve had plenty of rain causing flooding and downed trees, so please take care. 
 
If you’re weathering the storm indoors and looking for a good (slightly wonky) book, I recommend High Conflict, by Amanda Ripley, which I just finished.  It distinguishes “good conflict,” which emphasizes curiosity, complexity and humility, from “high conflict,” which is characterized by certainty, righteousness, and simplicity.  It tells some great stories from religion, politics, family dynamics, and gang violence, and lays out how to spot high conflict in the world and in ourselves.  Good, healthy conflict is about listening, having conversations that might be uncomfortable, and seeing our shared humanity with people who might have wildly different political or religious opinions.   It’s hard to create good conflict on social media, but it’s easy to find in our small towns, where we take care of our neighbors regardless of whether how they worship, who they love, or who they voted for. 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • COVID Data. Click here
  • Purple Martin Conservation Association. Click here
  • Upcoming Local Events. Click here
  • Hurricane Preparedness. Click here

COVID Data
For  graphs and tables containing COVID data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
Purple Martin Conservation Association
 
I started my day Wednesday at the Marvelwood School, banding purple martins under the direction of Laurie Doss, the Marvelwood Science Department Chair and director of the Kent Land Trust. Laurie is on the board of the Purple Martin Conservation Association, which has been an integral part of protecting these birds, by creating communal nesting sites, tracking the birds, and identifying the environmental toxins that are endangering them. Thanks to Laurie for allowing me to tag along, and to the Kent Land Trust interns Aiden, Ashley, and Brennan for sharing their expertise!

Upcoming local events:

  • Come see neighbors new and old at “Neighborwoods” on Friday July 9 starting at 5:00 pm at The White Hart Inn in Salisbury: this event has started taking place on the second Friday of the month in and around the region, and the next one is on Friday night at the White Hart Inn at 15 Under Mountain Road in Salisbury.  It will start around 5:00 and run until the inn closes around 9:00 pm.  Meet on the lawn for a friendly game of cornhole, and/or pick up dinner at Provisions (their grab-n-go place) or eat at the great restaurant.  Notes from the organizers: Please, only come if vaccinated. It will keep everyone safe. As we are outside, masks are not required. But, if you feel like a mask is the right thing for you, then we support you.
  • Discover Falls Village Weekend on Saturday July 10 and Sunday July 11: The weekend highlights the businesses, cultural offerings, and local artisans in the second smallest town in the state, all within walking distance along its town center on Main Street. All events are free and open to the public.The Falls Village Car & Motorcycle Show takes place that Sunday, 10-3.

The David M. Hunt Library will host an outdoor Artisan Crafts Market on the library’s lawn, and a Giant Tag Sale at the Center on Main, as part of the Discover Falls Village Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. July 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School are running a car wash at the firehouse on Saturday starting at 10, and 8th graders from Kellogg Elementary School will be selling lemonade (donated by Harney Teas), water, and Falls Village cookbooks to raise money to travel to Quebec for a class trip. 

  • Pancakes & Live Music in Sharon on Sunday, July 11: the Sharon Ambulance Pancake breakfast is this Sunday from 7 to 10:30 am at the Sharon Firehouse.  For $7, you get the works (pancakes, french toast, eggs, potatoes, sausage, and bacon).  If you would like to pre order, please call/text Thalia at 917-742-7287 by Saturday 4 pm.  

As an added bonus this Sunday, you can pick up your breakfast and go to the Sharon Playhouse for live music from 8:30 to 10 am. Thanks so much to Robert and Alan at Sharon Playhouse for arranging this! Tables and chairs will be there to sit back, eat pancakes, and listen to music.

  • Bluebird Houses in Sharon on Sunday July 11 at 2:00pm: As his Eagle Scout Project, Sharon resident Tyler Fredritz, BSA Troop 11, will install 10 bluebird houses at the Benton Hill Preserve, located at 40 Benton Hill Road.  Tyler managed all aspects of the project, from researching the best plan and placement of bluebird houses to securing wood and materials.  He led a workshop with his troop to build the 10 birdhouses. He selected Benton Hill Preserve because of its easy access to the habitat needed for bluebirds.  The culmination will be the installation of the birdhouses, which will take place at 2:00pm at the Benton Hill Preserve. Parking is on Benton Hill Rd directly across from its intersection with Crossfield Drive.
  • Canaan Railroad Days from Wednesday July 14 through Sunday July 18: Enjoy fireworks, train history, carnival, live music and much more at the 57th Annual Railroad Days Festival.  Click here for more information.

Hurricane Preparedness Reminders

The remnants of Tropical Storm Elsa could impact Connecticut by Thursday and Friday. The latest track from the National Hurricane Center has placed Connecticut in the 'Cone of Uncertainty'. Here are some reminders for this hurricane season. 

For more information, including the Connecticut Guide To Hurricane Preparedness, click here