Registration open for ‘Thrill in the Hills’

LITCHFIELD >> Litchfield Parks and Recreation will hold the third annual Thrill in the Hills Duathlon on Sunday, May 7. The event offers a scenic and yet challenging course through the Litchfield Hills. The run portion is a combination of road and trails in and around the grounds of the White Memorial Foundation. The bike is a one loop course of rolling hills around Bantam Lake. The event is great for to work out the winter kinks and its beginner friendly with a “no pressure” atmosphere.

Teams or individuals are invited to participate. Race proceeds will benefit the Litchfield Greenway.

Event details and schedule: Check in opens at Litchfield High School, 14 Plumb Hill Rd, Litchfield, at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:45 a.m. Facilities are available at the high school. Awards will go to the first over-all male and female, and 10 year age-group awards.

Go to www.active.com to sign up. Sign up will soon be available at Litchfield Parks and Recreation or by going to the website: www.townoflitchfield.org then go to “Registration Forms” and then “Thrill in the Hills.”

Connecticut Master Gardener Symposium set for March 18

NEW LONDON >> The Connecticut Master Gardener Association invites all Master Gardeners and anyone interested in nature and gardening to the 24nd Annual Gardening Symposium “Landscape Design... or Not.” This daylong event, open to the public, will be held March 18 at Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Avenue, Crozier-Williams Building in New London CT.

The keynote speaker will be Julie Moir Messervy who is principal designer of JMMDS, a landscape architecture and design firm in Saxtons River, Vermont (create parks and residential gardens around the country). Julie’s lecture, Landscaping Ideas that Work, will provide a host of visual ideas as well as design tips, before-and-after images, case studies, and essential information to initiate the process from thinking ‘big picture’ about your property down to the details.

The closing speaker will be Bill Cullina, Executive Director-Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Bill is a popular lecturer and teacher for garden, conservation and professional horticultural groups in the U.S. and Canada. He has written five acclaimed horticultural references on subjects ranging from wildflowers, native trees, shrubs and vines, growing woody plants, understanding orchids, native ferns, moss and grasses and understanding perennials. His numerous awards for the advancement of horticulture include the Scott medal for lifetime achievement in horticulture. Bill’s lecture “From Emerald Carpet to Amber Wave: Serene and Sensuous Plants for the Garden” will introduce some of his favorite texturally rich and visually delectable native ferns, grasses and sedges to consider for your landscape.

With registration, each attendee has the opportunity to select two workshop sessions from these well-known horticultural professionals:

Nancy DuBrule-Clemente “Bookends of the Gardening Year: Planting for Early/Late Season Pollinators”

Dan Furman “Unusual Landscape Edibles for Connecticut”

Dan Jaffee “Design-less Gardening” What clues can you take from nature for your landscape?

Jan Johnson “Spirit of Stone: Creative and Practical Ways to Use Natural Stone in Your Garden”

Maria von Bricken “Classical Vertical Gardening: Vines that Flower Up and Around”

For over 25 years CMGA has supported UConn’s Master Gardener program and horticultural projects around Connecticut through grants and scholarships. Your attendance at the symposium helps CMGA fulfill these worthwhile activities.

The admission price of $65 for CMGA members and their guests, and $85 for the general public includes a light breakfast, buffet lunch, access to two workshops, speakers, vendors, free raffle, and a silent auction. Master Gardeners can earn two AMG educational credits by attending the symposium. For additional information or to register for the symposium on-line or print paper flyer/registration, go to http://www.ctmga.org/ . Registrations must be processed by March 6, 2017; after that date, only walk-in registrations will be accepted. Equal opportunity program provider. Find Connecticut Master Gardener Association | Facebook

Church to hold barbecue

HARWINTON >> The Harwinton Congregational Church 55th annual chicken barbecue will take place Saturday, Feb. 25 at Harwinton Congregational Church, Route 4 and North Road, 1 Litchfield St., Harwinton.

Seatings will be at 4:45 and 6 p.m. Take out will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The menu is barbecue chicken, baked potato, cole slaw, dessert and beverage. The cost is $14, $8 for children 12 and under.

For reservations, call 860485-1318.