Earth Day All Day At Middle School Saturday

By Kendra Bobowick

Are we getting closer?

“I think we have the intelligence and the willpower to do the right thing here in Newtown,” said Clean Energy Task Force Chairman Dan Holmes. Following up last year’s celebration with this year’s second annual Earth Day 2009 event on Saturday, April 25, he said, “Word has gotten out and the community has rallied.” He believes the town is “moving in the right direction.” He invites residents to join activities from 10 am to 4 pm at the Newtown Middle School.

Mr Holmes said, “People have really taken notice of new ways of doing business and doing the right thing environmentally; there is a lot of support.” Organizing this year’s Earth Day activities, he realized, “Groups are coming together — the Newtown Lions Club, churches …” Also noting efforts from businesses, schools, and residents, he said, “I am really happy about this. There is a lot of awareness.”

On the agenda for the weekend are some examples of a future Mr Holmes hopes to see, including a zero-emissions GM car. “It’s clean and efficient; one example of the direction we need to be going in.” From zero emissions to recycling, Mr Holmes added, “We need to do everything we can.”

Special Attractions

The day starts early with the Reverend Matthew Crebbin of Newtown Congregational Church, who will lead an ecumenical Sunrise Service at Old Castle Drive at 7 am. His focus? The Earth, of course. “We’ll focus on our sense of connection to the Earth. We are the caretakers,” he said.

Earth Day Planning Committee member Ben Roberts is excited about an environmental maze that will occupy a large section of the middle school lawn. “It will be crazy looking and big and dramatic and a lot of fun.” Requiring wit to find the exit, participants need to answer environmental questions that will lead either to a dead-end or “the right path,” Mr Roberts explained. Meant to be educational and fun, he described the maze as “a central part of Earth Day.”

He intends for Newtown’s students primarily to build the maze by reusing old materials. Preferably, these materials can be further reused or recycled when the event is over as well. Building the maze and helping write the questions are students from schools, including Reed Intermediate. “My goal was to have the [students] do all the creation. The main point is to get them involved,” he said.

Mr Holmes this week offered an example of things maze-goers would have to answer. Do you know how many plastic bottles are thrown away each year?

Mr Roberts is seeking assistance from youth of all ages who have an interest in the project. Volunteers are needed to build the maze Saturday morning. Volunteers also will be needed to staff the maze on Earth Day. Can you get through the twists and turns and questions and answers? If so, you’ll win a prize.

A Few New Faces

Adding to this year’s expanded list of residents and business owners and groups that will set up a booth Saturday are Liz Cooper and Stefanie Lagana — both new to the day’s activities.

Ms Lagana is an accredited energy leadership life coach at Expanding Your Visions in Newtown. She aims to help guests at Earth Day understand their positive energy. Understand it and use it, she stressed. Shift negative to positive. “It’s a great thing to learn how to do.” She sees Earth Day as a positive event and a chance “to do something for our earth.”

Ms Cooper, who is opening Great Finds & Designs, a Consignment Shop for the Unique Woman and Her Home, on South Main Street. has a personal interest in promoting the meaning of Earth Day. “We’re into the land and preserving the land,” she said. Looking out into the woods in Newtown where saplings may be stretching their roots or new growth is budding this spring, she wants to see the “little growth” grow healthy, and she is sure to recycle. With a teenager of her own, she said, “This is our world and our children; my 14-year-old has to live in this.” After moving to Newtown four years ago, she said, “We became very conscientious.”

Together they will present Expand Your Visions and Clean the Clutter in Your Mind and Home for their Earth Day booth.

 

On The Agenda

The upcoming Earth Day will be filled with examples of clean living, education, and fun.

A Sunrise Service at 7 am — The Reverend Matthew Crebbin will lead an ecumenical service at Old Castle Drive. All are welcome.

Go Solar — Bill Weber from Alteris will demonstrate the power of the sun by showing children how to create simple “solar thermal panels” using basic materials — and thrill everyone with a solar-powered toy car racing competition.

Environmental Maze — Test your environmental awareness in this fun, interactive maze for all ages — prizes to be awarded!

EMS Backpacking Clinic — Learn to fit a pack, what lightweight gear to bring, and which backpacking stoves work best for your trip. Freeze-dried food samples and prizes!

Lose the Litter from 9 am to 1 pm — Help the Newtown Lions Club clean up the streets. Bags and gloves provided.

Learn About Toxins in the Home at 11 am with Dr Gary Ginsberg as he explores “What’s Toxic and What’s Not” in consumer products, cleaners, drinking water, and food. Learn how to detox your home in this lively interactive presentation.

Sustainability: Global Crisis, Bogey-Man or Opportunity? 11:30 am — Ben Roberts, Conscious Financial Directions. Given our long history of economic growth, our planet and society are now confronted with a wide-range of critical issues. Are these issues a pressing concern? Are the proposed solutions to them a potential drain on our society — or an opportunity for new growth and development? This forum will provide a perspective on everything from climate change, pollution issues, and depletion of fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources to population growth, poverty, and challenges to our food and water supplies.

Potato Sack Races from 11 am to noon — Get your hopping shoes on. The fastest on their feet will get prizes!

Wonders of Nature Hike at noon— Led by Newtown Conservation Commission and Land Use members.

Dance Performances noon to 1 pm — The Graceful Planet dancers will take center stage with performances of Peter & the Wolf at noon and “The Karma Dance Project” at 12:30 pm.

Magic Marty at noon — Be mystified by the miraculous magic of magician Marty Sternberg.

Family Yoga at 1 pm — Join members of The Graceful Planet as they help you connect with your inner Zen.

Bicycle Safety Inspection 1 to 2 pm — Ride your bikes to Earth Day and get a free bike safety inspection at Don’s Cycle Expo.

Get Physical from 2 to 3 pm — Jerry Kochman of Waldorf Schools will get your body moving during an energetic fun and fitness session.

A Healthier You at 1 pm — Dr LaDonna Dakofsky will provide information on a proactive and holistic approach to weight reduction, heart health, happiness, and longevity.

Eating in Season at 1:45 pm — Nina Stout of Nina Stout Wellness. This forum will show children how to help their parents pick seasonal fruits and vegetables in the supermarket.

Three Ways to Be Greener (and Save Energy) at Home at 2:15 pm — A hands-on demonstration with Dan Morrison, Taunton Press: Sealing Ductwork — Learn how to seal ductwork with mastic. Air Sealing Your Attic — Learn how to seal up small cracks and big holes with spray foam and rigid foam board. Insulating Your Water Pipes — By insulating your pipes, you can use a lot less energy to heat the water. Learn how to insulate water pipes with preformed foam. Free samples of Taunton’s Energy Smart Homes and a Kill-A-Watt meter giveaway.

And More: Dozens of local businesses, associations, and clubs, live tunes with “Blue Yodel Music,” the global cuisine of Aquarian Caterers, fresh-brewed coffee and tea from Mocha Coffeehouse, seed planting with Holmes Fine Gardens, nature arts and crafts, fairy crowns and wands, face painting and henna tattoos.

See the full agenda at GoGreenNewtown.com