Join the Wilton Historical Society and Wilton Congregational Church to explore Sharp Hill Cemetery, the oldest surviving cemetery in town.
The walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22, from noon to 1 p.m.
The cemetery was established in 1738 and was active until the 1880s. It has served as the final resting place for many prominent Wilton residents, including Revolutionary War veterans, ministers, businessmen, and town founders, including familiar faces such as Lambert and Hurlbut. Also includes the name.
Costumed re-enactors and Wilton History Room Archivist Julie Hughes, Wilton Historical Society Director Nick Foster and Wilton Congregational Church Administrator Pam Brown were on hand to visit the cemetery, the town and the burials there. Share the history and traditions of the people. A story about death and burial in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The walk begins near the main gates of Sharp Hill Cemetery at Danbury Road/Route 7 and Sharp Hill Road/Route 106.
Register in advance by visiting wiltonhistoryal.org or emailing info@wiltonhistoryal.org. Suggested donation is $10.
American Sign Language class
American Sign Language was invented in Connecticut and was created by teachers and founders of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford in the early 19th century. Today, ASL is used by hundreds of thousands of people across the United States to communicate.
Join the Wilton Historical Society to explore ASL through a four-part series that provides an introduction to learning the language and its history. Classes will be held Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road.
There are 2 instructors. One is Amy Broderick, who has been a teacher of the deaf for over 20 years and currently teaches ASL at Wilton High School. And Michael Nesmith, who recently moved to Wilton from Seattle, grew up in a deaf family and uses his ASL as his first language.
Registration is required and is valid for all four classes. The full course price is $45 for Wilton Historical Society members and $60 for non-members. To register, visit wiltonhistoryal.org or email info@wiltonhistoryal.org.
Children can make autumn scarecrows
The scarecrow is a typical symbol of autumn. Around the world, scarecrows are associated with many cultures and are seen as everything from fun decorative art to terrifying monsters to divine omniscient beings.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to noon, the Wilton Historical Society will host a scarecrow-making workshop. Participants will build miniature scarecrows using hay, burlap, felt and yarn, and museum educator Catherine Ripper will talk about the history and popularity of scarecrows.
This workshop is aimed at children ages 6 to 10. Membership costs $10 per child and non-members $15 per child. To register, visit wiltonhistoryal.org or email info@wiltonhistoryal.org.
Conservationist honored as environmental leader
Louise Washer, president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association and co-founder of Pollinator Pathways, spoke to the Connecticut Conservation Voters at the annual Environmental Awards Breakfast held Oct. 3 at the Glastonbury Boathouse. Received the 2023 Environmental Leadership Award from the Federation.
Mr. Washer received this award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to conservation efforts and leadership in Connecticut’s environmental community.
Each year, CTLCV recognizes local leaders across the state who have demonstrated leadership in sustainability and conservation efforts. Washer lived in the Silvermine area, first in Wilton and now in Norwalk, where he has lived for 30 years. She has served on her NRWA Board of Directors since 2010 and is also a member of the Pollinator Pathways Board of Directors. She also serves on the board of the Norwalk Mayor’s Water Quality Committee, the Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership Steering Committee, and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.
NRWA works to protect and restore water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in the Norwalk River Basin towns of Ridgefield, Reading, Wilton, New Canaan, Weston, and Norwalk and Lewisboro, New York.
This nonprofit organization volunteers to restore native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses to riverbanks, meadows, parks, city streets, and watershed forests. Founded in Wilton in 2017, Pollinator Pathways is a grassroots network of more than 350 communities across 20 states working to restore and connect native pollinator habitat.
Outdoor reading and craft event to celebrate Halloween
Wilton Land Conservation Trust, Wilton Library, and Wilton Go Green provide a unique reading experience for toddlers and preschoolers.
The “Books and Blankets Halloween Special!” program will be held on Sunday, October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a special opportunity for families to get outside, explore nature, listen to stories, and make upcycled crafts. Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, sing, dance, and participate in trick-or-treat parades.
Registration required at www.wiltonlandtrust.org. Click “Events and Programs” to register.
The event will be held at Walter Preserve, 688 Ridgefield Road in Wilton. The parking lot is located on the right after heading north on Route 33 and past the nature reserve.
Special programs offered at Wilton Library
Wilton Library will be offering a number of special programs in October.
To register for the program or receive more information, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334.
All parents are welcome to join Jennifer Breheny Wallace on Tuesday, October 17th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm for an author talk about her book, “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture becomes Toxic — and What We Can Do About It.” You will be invited to Featuring the Wilton community. Today’s students are under unprecedented pressure to succeed, with family incomes and schedules stretched by tutoring and sports schedules, while AP classes and resume-building activities fill their schedules. However, this drive to optimize performance has resulted in soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm. In his book, Wallace examines the deep roots of toxic achievement culture and finds ways to fight back. This event is co-sponsored by Wilton Library, Wilton Youth Council, and Thrive With A Guide.
A presentation on “Five Money Questions for Women” will be held on Thursday, October 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. Edward Jones Financial advisors Maria Xavier and Bill Greeley share their perspectives on the process women can use to identify their financial goals and strategize. They discuss the Rule of 72, planned investing, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and IRAs as savings strategies.
The “Whiffenpoof Alumni Concert” will be held in the Brubeck Room on Saturday, October 12th from 4 to 5 p.m. Classic His Whiffs, made up of Yale Whiffenpoof alumni from the 1960s and 1970s, is now in its 12th year of existence and has performed for national and international audiences. Classics, based on traditional songs within Whiffenpoof’s repertoire, takes singing seriously. This is a free performance. Donations will go to Wilton Go Green and the Wilton Library.
Music lovers can enjoy “Connecticut’s Unique Guitar Songs” on Sunday, October 15th from 4 to 5 p.m., as guitarist Jon Lehman Haupt presents his own renditions of classical pieces and popular and traditional tunes. Perform by combining arrangements. He has been performing since he was five years old, has released two critically acclaimed CDs, and has performed in concerts throughout the Northeast.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, “What You Need to Know about the Latest Information on Breast Imaging and Genetic Testing” will be held on Monday, Oct. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Two of his experts from Stanford Health will speak. Dr. Mia Kazanjian discusses the latest recommendations and emerging techniques for breast imaging. Dr. Barry Suskin will discuss the genetic basis of breast cancer and the role genetic counseling and genetic testing plays in helping patients and families make decisions about cancer treatment and prevention. An informal reception will be held from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations.