Ben’s Lighthouse is busily getting started on a summer full of events, activities, and programs for the young people and families of Newtown. 

First up is an information session on Sunday, May 18, that will cover plans for a trip to Colorado to help clean and rebuild following disastrous floods in Colorado in September.

A group of 20 high school students will be expected to roll up their sleeves to help with whatever physical labor is required: painting, roofing, demolition, cleanup, brush removal, and other tasks as needed. Skilled chaperones will guide the effort, so no experience is necessary.

The trip is scheduled for July 27 to August 2.

Teens who wish to be considered for the trip must attend Sunday’s program, which will begin at 5 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street.

More information is available at benslighthouse.org/colorado.php. 

Then on Saturday, June 14, the Second Annual Lighthouse Festival returns to Trinity Episcopal Church from 10 am to 4 pm.

The church and its adjoining hallways, classrooms, and open areas will again be transformed into a lighthouse museum with artwork and activities based on a nautical theme. In addition to last year’s favorites, this year’s festival will add a shipwright making a ship-in-a-bottle, a knot tying class, an artist painting watercolor lighthouses, and more.

The 20-foot tall custom lighthouse that was constructed by volunteers last year will return to the front lawn of the church. Surrounding it will be jugglers, face painting and other activities.

Check The Bee in the coming weeks for more details.

A Visit To Black Rock Harbor

Last Saturday, a group of youth and adults spent the morning helping with cleanup at Fayerweather Lighthouse. Middle and high school aged students had been invited to spend the day preparing Fayerweather Lighthouse in Bridgeport for its season.

The Newtown group — young adults ages 13–17, with chaperones — arrived in Bridgeport around 9 am on May 10. They were greeted by three representatives of Black Rock Community Council, who shared their perspective of the historic 41-foot tower in Black Rock Harbor. The men also shared the history, architecture, and the ecology surrounding the lighthouse and its grounds with the group.

For nearly three hours, the Newtown group then painted, picked up trash, “found critters and explored their surroundings on the small island,” said Carla Tischio, co-chair of Ben’s Lighthouse. All of the young adults, said Ms Tischio, worked hard during the visit to Fayerweather Island. 

“They were completely engaged and focused,” she said.

Once their work was complete, the group was treated to lunch by Bruce Williams of Captain’s Cove.

“He was very grateful for our work because part of his business includes giving tours of the harbor by boat,” said Ms Tischio. The value of the cruises are diminished, Mr Williams told the Newtown group, when the lighthouse is defaced, as it is a central part of the tour. To thank them for their work, the Ben’s Lighthouse group was invited by Mr Williams to return for a harbor tour when they begin for the season, so that they can appreciate their work from the water.

“At the end of the day everyone felt great about the work they had done,” said Ms Tischio. Everyone “felt that this was the beginning of an ongoing relationship between Ben’s Lighthouse and the Black Rock Community Council.”

Other Ben’s Lighthouse activities will be announced as details become available. Visit benslighthouse.org or follow Ben’s Lighthouse on Facebook to stay informed.