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Health & Fitness

Summer on the Quinnipiac River: Checking on a River Trail From Southington to Meriden

Pete Picone got us excited about being on the Quinnipiac River when he was the May speaker, sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services on Tuesday May 8th.

 

Pete Picone got us excited about being on the and for our upcoming canoe race when he was the May speaker for our monthly Speaker Series, sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services on Tuesday May 8th.  Pete, a longstanding QRWA board member, went through the and noted the thirteen points from Southington to Meriden’s Red Bridge that are of great interest to those who love and appreciate nature and the wonderful habitats that are nestled along this five mile stretch of water.  Pete created the canoeable trail in 1995 and is the author of the Quinnipiac River Canoeable Trail Guide Book.  For a downloadable version of this book, please go to http://www.qrwa.org/images/customer-files//CanoeableGuide.pdf

The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) had a beautiful day for its 32nd annual Canoe and Kayak Race on Sunday, May 20th.  Close to one hundred participants and fifty-four boats were a part of this record setting event.

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QRWA board members and volunteers spent a good eight hours the Saturday before the race clearing the course - and then had to go back the day before to complete the arduous task.  Wielding chainsaws and other equipment, several crews in boats headed down the course to clear just enough of the debris to allow the canoes and kayaks to pass.  That’s all were allowed to do according to the DEEP, to have minimal disturbance to the environment, as the habitat adjusts to the changes.

Special thanks to the start and finish line committees as the event went off without a hitch. And the food committee feed over a hundred people with just four well-organized members.  Finally, the awards committee did a wonderful job in presenting the awards and posting the results.  It should be noted that this event was run entirely by QRWA board, their families and dedicated members, all volunteering to make this a fabulous event!  A heartfelt “Thank You” goes out to everyone who made the Canoe and Kayak Race fun and fantastic for another year.

Find out what's happening in Meridenwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The canoe race was a wonderful way to ease into the summer season.  And in anticipation of summer, we are knee-deep in planning the Second Annual Midsummer Celebration sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services on Sunday, July 22, from 12 noon to 5 pm.

The Midsummer Celebration invites everyone to enjoy the best summer has to offer by being outside to experience the beauty of the garden, being out in the woods or on the water and learning about nature and the environment.  All proceeds from this event will support the QRWA’s Butterfly & Bee Garden.

Again we are pleased and proud to partner with the Central Connecticut Civic Youth Orchestra’s fabulous musicians as they perform their finale to their summer music program.  We have several wonderful and summer related speakers, tours of the Butterfly & Bee Garden and family friendly fun, so mark your calendars!  We are soliciting for vendors and volunteers for this great summer time event.  Please contact Lisa Phillips at LionLisaP@yahoo.com or 203-213-5971 for more information.  Please visit www.qrwa.org for more information.

And finally, congratulations are in order to Justin Pelletier, who recently was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor – the Eagle Scout award.  Justin installed the sitting area at the Butterfly & Bee Garden by raising the needed funds to purchase the two benches and all the related supplies for the installation.  The leftover funds were donated to the newly built all-purpose shed for garden and river equipment storage.  We wish Justin all the best as he graduates from Wilcox Tech and heads off to Central Connecticut State University to pursue a degree in Engineering Technology.  Rest assured Justin, your benches will be enjoyed throughout the summer season and beyond! 

Upcoming QRWA Events:

Tuesday, June 12th  7:00 p.m.  2012 Speaker Series with Shannon B. Kearney-McGee, with the CT DEP-Wildlife Division, sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services.  The presentation is entitled, Swift Decline Needs Swift Conservation, light refreshments served.

Wednesday, June 13th   6:30 pm.  QRWA Board Meeting, the public is invited to attend.

Sunday, July 22nd  12 noon – 5 pmSecond Annual Midsummer Celebration sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services.  Guest speakers are Cathy Zbuska with Heirlooms Seeds vs. Genetically Modified Organisms - New is Not Always Better and Wallingford resident, Steve Lazarus, on Hiking Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness in Early Winter and a performance from the Central Connecticut Civil Youth Orchestra.

Be sure to visit our web site at www.qrwa.org to confirm information, cancellations and details for upcoming events. 

QRWA provides water activities, events in education, outreach, advocacy, scientific monitoring, conservation, restoration, recreation and public access to the watershed area.  The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to restore the Quinnipiac for the health and enjoyment of all citizens and communities along its reach and to educate everyone to be informed stewards of the river.  Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable.

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