Eagle watch trips scheduled in February

OLD SAYBROOK — Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River: See eagles in the wild on this popular land-based excursion with The Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly.

Bald eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing. In recent years, Bald Eagles have made a remarkable comeback all across the US. We'll observe these majestic birds, and a variety of spectacular wintering birds, from several locations along the river. Participants will carpool.

Eagle Watches, which Connolly has been leading for the past 32 years, often sell out. Watches are scheduled for Feb. 8, 15 and 22. The fee is $25, which includes a soup & sandwich luncheon at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook following the field trip. Reservations must be made in advance. 203-245-9056 Tickets are available now.

Guests will carpool from shop at 7:45a.m. or if you come from further north, meet at first stop (Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam) at 8:30 a.m.

Ivoryton Playhouse holds auditions for shows

IVORYTON — The Ivoryton Playhouse is holding local auditions for Equity and non Equity actors for “Native Gardens” by Karen Zacarias and “The Great Gatsby” by Simon Levy.

“Native Gardens” is a comedy in which cultures and gardens clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. Auditions will be held on Friday, January 31st from noon – 8pm at the Ivoryton Playhouse Rehearsal Studio, 22 Main St., Centerbrook.

Auditions for “The Great Gatsby,” a fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the classic novel, will be held from noon-8 p.m. Feb. 3.

All auditions are by appointment. Bring a picture and resume. Sides and monologues available online at ivorytonplayhouse.org/ local-auditions-for-the-greatgatsby-tuesday-january-14-2020

For audition appointments, call 860-767-9520, ext.207 or email lizzy@ivorytonplayhouse.org

Grant programs announced

CLINTON — Connecticut Water has launched two new grant programs for 2020, a Firefighter Support Grant Program and a School Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program. Applications are currently open for both grants.

“Connecticut Water values its partnership with firefighters and emergency responders as they ensure our safety and protect our homes, businesses and communities,” stated Maureen P. Westbrook, president and CEO of Connecticut Water. “The Firefighter Support Grant Program supports the vital service they provide to the community while also protecting the public water systems that that supply water to fire hydrants.”

The program will award up to $15,000 this year to uniformed volunteer or paid departments in communities served by Connecticut Water to help fund the purchase of slow-close hydrant valves, backflow preventers, isolation valves, water handling equipment or other firefighting tools and educational materials.

An additional $15,000 has been allocated to the School Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program, available to accredited schools serviced by Connecticut Water. “Connecticut Water is proud to provide safe, reliable drinking water to schools within our service area to ensure students, faculty and staff have access to safe drinking water, providing the hydration needed for learning and activities throughout the day. We encourage the use of tap water to reduce plastic waste in our landfills and eliminate environmental costs of bottling/transporting packaged water,” Westbrook said.

The program will fund a total of 10 water bottle filling stations in Connecticut Water service communities, a maximum of one per school.

More information on Connecticut Water’s charitable giving and applications for both grant programs can be found on our website at ctwater.com. Both grant programs are funded by Connecticut Water’s Charitable Giving Program and are not recovered in customer rates.

Connecticut Water serves 360,000 people in 59 communities throughout the state of Connecticut, including Ashford, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bolton, Brooklyn, Burlington, Canton, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Griswold, Guilford, Hebron, Killingly, Killingworth, Lebanon, Madison, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Oxford, Plainfield, Plymouth, Portland, Prospect, Simsbury, Somers, Southbury, South Windsor, Stafford, Stonington, Suffield, Thomaston, Thompson, Tolland, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterbury, Westbrook, Willington, Windsor Locks and Woodstock.

Relay for Life committee sets dates

HADDAM/KILLINGWORTH — In June, the 13th edition of The Relay for Life of Haddam-Killingworth was held at the HK High School track and field facility.

As committee membes start organizing for next year’s event, they acknowledged the entire Haddam-Killingworth community for making the event a success. All are invited to join the Relay for Life on June 27, noon to 10 p.m.

Meetings are held monthly and are open to all, and continue Feb. 19, March 18, April 22, May 20 and June 24.

All meetings held at HaddamKillingworth High School, Little City Road, Room C112, 6:30-8 p.m. More information can be found at www.relayforlife.org/ hkct

Contributed photo Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing.