In addition to all the Walktober events being hosted throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, TLGV staff and rangers are hosting the following events. To find a full Walktober guide visit TheLastGreenValley.org.
Enjoy the Dark Side of The Last Green Valley: 8 p.m. to Midnight, Oct. 11 and 25, Lebanon Town Green, Lebanon, CT. Join TLGV Rangers Kim and Geoff for a night observing some far distant objects like galaxies, clusters of stars, Red Giants and Nebulae. If you have a telescope - bring it. If you don’t know how to use it come early and we’ll help you get started. Learn how to find the North Star. We’ll talk about - and answer - all kinds of astronomical trivia while we observe. This is a family-friendly event. Please - no lanterns; flashlights should be only red lights. No white lights. For information call 860-886-8599.
25 Years More! Looking Forward in The Last Green Valley: 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 24, Pearl L. Crawford Memorial Library, 40 Schofield Ave., Dudley, MA. As we celebrate 25 years of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, join us for a look back at how partnerships have shaped this unique and nationally significant region. Then share your vision of how we can ensure future generations will be able to care for, enjoy and pass on the beautiful landscape, rich history and proud culture of the National Heritage Corridor. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required by contacting Kyle Gregoire at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Acorn Adventure - Hug A Tree and Survive: 10 – 11:30 a.m., Oct. 26, James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Rd., Hampton, CT. Before you can truly enjoy the outdoors, you need to learn how to be safe outdoors. First, we will watch a short video and talk about how to find your way and stay safe out in the woods. Then, we’ll go out and put our new skills to work on the trails. For more information call 860-774-3300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cherish the Night Sky: 7 – 9 p.m., Oct. 26, Camp Laurel, 175 Clubhouse Rd., Lebanon, CT. Join The Last Green Valley as we turn our gaze to the skies to look at our constellations and how light pollution impacts our night sky viewing. We will show you how to use a light meter and share information about our efforts to reduce light pollution in the National Heritage Corridor and ensure generations to come can still see the stars. You’ll also learn about our new Night Sky Ranger volunteer program and how you can be a part of the effort to Cherish the Night Sky.
25 Years More! Looking Forward in The Last Green Valley: 6-7:30 p.m., Oct. 29, TLGV Office,
203B Main St., Danielson, CT. As we celebrate 25 years of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, join us for a look back at how partnerships have shaped this unique and nationally significant region. Then share your vision of how we can ensure future generations will be able to care for, enjoy and pass on the beautiful landscape, rich history and proud culture of the National Heritage Corridor. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required by contacting Kyle Gregoire at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 860-774-3300.
Stones, Stones and Stones: 10 a.m. to Noon, Oct. 30, Rt. 44, Eastford, CT. Parking lot just west of Fire Tower Rd. Visit a lone grave of a black Civil War veteran and a cellar hole with a nice front step. Next stop is a very large erratic and moving on you will see a CCC-improved stone well and across the way, the remains of a quarrying operation. Lastly, we will visit the remains of a stone stile, the sole access to a cemetery. Most of this 2-mile walk is on a CCC-improved forest road and will be led at a very slow pace by TLGV Ranger Dick. Call 860-315-9869 for more information.

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In the fall of 2013, at age 22, Kaitlyn Desrochers was walking to class on campus and collapsed.  She had unknowingly developed a blood clot in her left leg.  After three emergency surgeries it was removed and she spent five days in the hospital.  She was sent home, but soon developed a 30-inch blood clot in the same leg.  The damage was so severe that doctors told her activities like running would never be possible.
Desrochers took that as a challenge.  In the years since her injury she worked up to running 5Ks, but now the Putnam native is looking for her next challenge.
In March of this year she had her second son and something changed.  She told her husband she was tired of using her leg and health as an excuse not to run further.  She committed to her first Eversource Hartford Half Marathon to show her kids that others cannot set her limitations and that anything is achievable with hard work and determination.
“I want to show my two boys to put mind over matter and don’t let others set limitations for you. If you want it, if you put the work in, no matter how many set backs you have, you can achieve anything.”
Desrochers has been named to the Hartford Marathon Foundation’s 2019 Aiello Inspiration Team, a group of runners with incredible reasons for participating in the annual Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon this fall.
The 2019 event theme “I Can, I Will” recognizes the incredible personal strength demonstrated by the thousands of participants each year. This annual event challenges not only participants’ capability but also their willingness to achieve ambitious goals.
As a member of the Aiello Inspiration Team, Desrochers will receive VIP treatment: custom event apparel, PRE Perks package with limited access parking adjacent to the start/finish line, Mail My Packet service to receive bib and shirt early, personalized bib, access to pre-race VIP area and personal baggage check.
She will be profiled within the Eversource Hartford Marathon Insider’s Guide and highlighted within team promotions at the HMF Fitness Expo on Oct. 10 and 11. Runners and walkers of all abilities, volunteers and spectators are welcome at this annual local event. For more details visit hartfordmarathon.com.

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Dean’s list
BURLINGTON, Vt. — Three local students were named to the Champlain College Dean’s List:  Mary-Margaret Andrulot of Eastford, creative media; Dylan Grube of Eastford, creative media; Sabrina Lee of Chepachet, marketing.

Gets master’s
SALT LAKE CITY — Ulla Tiik-Barclay of Danielson earned a master’s of science management and leadership degree from Western Governors University.

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