Newtown Historical Society

Stops To Smell The Roses

Were there roses in Connecticut’s Jurassic Park? Would anyone have stopped to smell them if there were? These questions and many others will be answered at a program sponsored by the Newtown Historical Society on Monday, May 14, at the Meeting House, on Main Street (Route 25) at the flagpole. The program is entitled “The Flowering of Connecticut, Past, Present and Future,” and will be presented by John Pawloski.

Mr Pawloski will trace the evolution of plants in this geographic area up to the present time. Many of the changes he will examine were influenced by the ever-changing environment: global warming which melted the glaciers and gave rise to an increase in the level of the water table and rivers, the shearing and wearing of mountains, the silting of flood plains and meadows, and other large scale ecological forces.

Just as the plant and topographical environment had a profound effect on the burgeoning animal population, the animals as profoundly affected the plants, from browsing the meadow grasses and tree leaves to damming the rivers and thus crating new environments for entirely new species to establish themselves. Perhaps the most profound influence of all since the glaciers’ demise has been the advent of man upon land. That most powerful of creatures, man has both by design and by accident had more effect on his environment that any other species, some of it good, much of it bad. Mr Pawloski will examine both the natural and the human influence in his slide talk, and will offer several scenarios of what future plant life may be like.

John Pawloski is a resident and former teacher in New Milford. Holding a master of science degree in earth science education, he has in addition to his main subject also taught archeology, geology, and wilderness studies. He has worked as an archeologist, and has received the Russell Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Connecticut Archeology, as well as the Outstanding Conservationist Award form the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, the Governor’s Environmental Award, and several teaching awards. He is well known in the area for his many presentations to local civic groups, including past programs at the Newtown Historical Society. Mr Pawloski is currently serving as director of the Connecticut Museum of Mining in Kent.

Newtown Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at the program’s conclusion. For more information, call 203-426-5937.