NORWICH — The Connecticut River Conservancy, Vermont Fish & Wildlife and other project partners will begin planting 1,931 native trees and shrubs on Monday along Charles Brown Brook in Norwich.
The three days of planting will take place at the site of the former Norwich Reservoir Dam, which was removed in 2018 in order to improve water quality and passage for fish, turtles and other aquatic organisms. The new trees will improve the habitat for native species. Funding for the trees is being provided by a State of Vermont Ecosystem Restoration Program grant, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and One Tree Planted.
“A Vermont Fish & Wildlife biologist brought this project to us back in 2016,” conservancy River Steward Ron Rhodes, who serves as the project manager, said in a news release. “Dam removals and the post-removal restoration work is a minimum 3-year process, but well worth the wait.”
“We are happy to support this project,” said Bret Ladago, fisheries biologist with the state of Vermont. “Charles Brown Brook is one of the best trout streams in this part of the state and removing the dam is critical to restoring access to up to 12.1 miles of stream once other barriers are addressed. The next step is replanting the stream so that trees can provide shade to keep the stream cool. Eventually leaves, branches and logs will fall in the stream and provide food and habitat for the bugs and fish that make this an exceptional place.”
To learn more about this and other projects, visit www.ctriver.org.
NEWPORT — The Newport Rotary will host its annual penny sale beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Newport Middle High School gym, 245 N. Main St.
More than 300 prizes will be raffled, including a grand prize of $1,000 cash.
“We also have a swap table, so that if someone wins something they might not have a use for they can swap it out with another prize. That has added to the evening’s fun,” Rotary President Jan McMahon said in a news release. Raffle tickets are available from any rotary member, and cost $1 for one, $5 for six, $10 for 12 tickets or $20 for 25 tickets.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Newport Community Center Building Fund, the Newport Police Department Cadet program and the rotary’s Teacher Mini Grant Projects, as well as scholarship funds for area students.
For more information about the penny sale, visit Rotary Club Newport NH on Facebook or contact Bruce Jasper at bjasper@elliottjasper.com or at 603-863-4105 or Tina Blythe at tblythe@sugarriverbank.com or at 603-843-6255.
ENFIELD — Parents and children ages 12-18 are invited to a free workshop titled “Raising Money-Smart Kids” being held at the Enfield Community Building, 308 Route 4, from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.
The workshop will cover talking about money with children, helping them develop financial strategies and teaching good habits. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/pmaxrsvp or by contacting Paula at 603-266-7820.
MANCHESTER — Teenagers from the Upper Valley and around the state are invited to attend the 7th annual Prom OUTLoud!, an event hosted by GLSEN New Hampshire for LGBTQ+ youths ages 13-20.
The prom takes place from 7-10:15 p.m. next Saturday at the Puritan Backroom & Conference Center, 245 Hooksett Road, Manchester.
“Prom OUTLoud! is a safe, supervised, substance-free celebration,” Heather Ouellette-Cygan, chair of GLSEN NH, said in a news release. “Each year, youth from dozens of different schools attend. For many local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students this is their only opportunity to dance together. It has become the state’s single largest inclusive prom.”
That inclusivity is crucial, according to Vance Schofield, a transgender member of the Stevens High School Gay, Straight, Trans Alliance. Schofield, of Claremont, has participated in Prom OUTLoud! multiple times.
“Everyone there makes sure that everyone else feels included — and that helps a lot of people come out of their shells,” Schofield explained.
Admission is $10 and includes a performance led by Lady Sabrina and free refreshments. This year’s theme is “Starry Night.” Tickets available online at https://tinyurl.com/y3k67sd4 or at the door with student ID. For more information, contact GLSEN New Hampshire at newhampshire@chapters.glsen.org or 603-369-6686.