Norfolk Artists & Friends 

The spring exhibit of works by Norfolk Artists & Friends is on display at the Norfolk Library through the month of May. Face masks are required in the library. A video of the exhibit can be found on the library website.

Central Park: Past & Present

Often called “the lungs of New York,” Central Park is an 843-acre landscape of rolling hills, fresh water ponds and natural wildlife. On Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m., you can take a virtual took of the park and find out about its history, how and why it was built and how it has transformed over the years. Please register for the Zoom link on the library website or by calling 860-542-5075. 

Waking Up to the Earth: A Poetry Reading and Reflection

Join Margaret Gibson, Connecticut Poet Laureate and editor of the recently released anthology “Waking Up to the Earth — Connecticut Poets in a Time of Global Climate Crisis,” for a virtual poetry reading and reflection on Thursday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. Ten of the 63 poets in the anthology will be reading their poems, including Norfolk’s own Susannah Wood. Please register on the Norfolk Library website for the Zoom link or call 860-542-5075.

Land Trust Sponsors Bird-Watching Walks

Break out your binoculars and join the Norfolk Land Trust on two bird-watching walks this May led by bird enthusiast Susannah Wood. On Saturday, May 8, Wood will lead the group on a walk in Haystack State Park at 8 a.m. Meet near the gate at the park entrance on Route 272 North. The second walk will be at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, May 15, on Lovers Lane. Meet at the trailhead entrance to Barbour Woods at 75 Lovers Lane. Please wear walking shoes and dress appropriately—it’s tick season. We’ll practice social distancing during the walks. 

Hub Talk: Energy, Earth and Everything
In this webinar Tom Strumolo will introduce participants to his unusual relationship to our planet. He will explain how his focus on energy has made an impact by reducing energy use in buildings, reducing pollution and generally acting in defense of Spaceship Earth. He will help viewers understand what they can do to develop a similar sense of place in Norfolk. Program is via Zoom on Monday, May 17, from 5 to 6 p.m. Registration required online at norfolkfoundation.net/hub-events.

Conservation Commission to Host Educational Webinar Series

This spring and summer, Norfolk residents can learn to improve soil by gardening, reduce their carbon footprint, produce less waste and live harmoniously with wildlife. Every month, the Norfolk Conservation Commission will host expert speakers to educate us on how to live more ecologically and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions we create. The first session is on Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. with a presentation by Master Composter Mary Hogue on Backyard Composting 101. For webinar information, please contact conservationcommission@norfolkct.org. 

Hub Talk: A Look at City Meadow, Past and Present 

On Monday, May 24, from 5 to 6 p.m., Sean Hayden, Molly Ackerly and Bob Gilchrest will present a retrospective of City Meadow’s transition from agricultural focal point to storm-water filtration system to a natural wetlands park that will connect to a revitalized public gathering place in the center of town. Presentation is via Zoom. Registration required online at norfolkfoundation.net/hub-events.

Documentary Film: “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” 

In the final film in our spring series celebrating the earth, presented in cooperation with the Green Group at the Congregational Church, a homeless musician finds meaning in his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots. Watch the film, available at the library on DVD and to stream though Kanopy with a Norfolk Library card, and then join in a Zoom discussion on Tuesday, May 25, at 7 p.m. Please register on the library website to be emailed the Zoom link.

Virtual Author Visit: Abdul-Razak Zachariah 

On Wednesday, May 26, at 4 p.m. the Norfolk Library welcomes Abdul-Razak Zachariah, the author of “The Night Is Yours,” which won the 2020 Connecticut Book Award in the Picture Book category. The story centers on a young Black girl, Amani (Arabic for “wishes”), who plays hide-and-seek by the light of the moon in her apartment building’s courtyard as adults look on from the windows. This program is for both children and adults, and the author will talk about his writing and answer questions. Please register on the library website to be emailed the Zoom link, or call Front Desk Circulation 860-542-5075.

Land Trust to Offer CT Trails Day Walk

As part of Connecticut Trails Day, the Norfolk Land Trust will sponsor a nature walk on the Tait Trail at 9 a.m., June 6. Shelley Harms, vice-president of the Land Trust, will lead the walk. Harms will identify native plants along the old railroad bed and, as a longtime bird enthusiast, point out birds along the route. This is an easy trail to walk, approximately two miles long, out and back. The trail may be wet, so please dress appropriately. Meet at the trailhead to Pine Mountain off Grantville Road. This event will take place rain or shine.