Jenny Hubbard and her small team of employees at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on the new, permanent educational facility located at the Animal Sanctuary, 8 Commerce Road.

Catherine’s Learning Barn is almost ready for its first public appearance. With everything installed and power soon to come, Hubbard sat down with The Newtown Bee to offer a final update before its official unveiling later this month.

Hubbard said that North Country Landscaping has come and hydroseeded the area around the barn because, as Hubbard said, it “not only looks pretty, but it helps manage the erosion.”

Hubbard noted that Daluz Masonry is “finishing up the patio.” She continued to list companies and local contractors that have helped bring this barn to life, which include Promenaid donating internal and external railings, Rural Fuels donating the propane tank, and Mark Edwards Roofing and Siding donating the roof.

“It’s hard to believe that we started this in December…less than six months. And that is only because of the leadership and guidance of VERDI [Construction]. They have been incredible…to say the least,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard continued, “Their hearts and their ability to walk us through the project and help us navigate some of the things that we didn’t anticipate, but be able to see them early on, so that this building is functional for the foreseeable future.”

Hubbard took a moment to reflect on her daughter, Catherine, one of the children lost on 12/14. She said, “What I love about [the barn] is that it’s such an elegant space that will serve so many purposes, but primarily the people, the kids, that will learn here.”

She shared a story about her children and having tea parties with fine China from the cabinet. Hubbard said there were “no parameters” around what they could or couldn’t use.

“There was an expectation that they would just love and appreciate what the experience was, and I believe the same thing is coming through here. This is a place that kids will learn, but also be treated with an elegance and dignity, and respect for their awe and curiosity in the same was that we offer Catherine, although she was six, dignity and respect for the way that she’s leading us through this project,” Hubbard added.

Hubbard mentioned that she doesn’t think her contributions are “significant enough” to make a difference, but she said that clearly is not true. She said that every contribution has propelled the project to its final stages.

“I can’t wait to see that first bus pull up and see these kids tumble out of the bus and come in,” Hubbard said with a smile and a laugh.

Hubbard said that Catherine’s Learning Barn will be a community space “where people and animals alike will be welcomed and cherished!”

The Learning Barn will hopefully be revealed to the community at the end of June, after the Butterfly Party.

Butterfly Party, Summer Camp, And More

On Saturday, June 7, 12-4 pm at Fairfield Hills Campus, Keating Farms Avenue, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation will be hosting its ninth annual Butterfly Party in honor of Catherine Hubbard.

This free family event will feature over 25 animal rescues for a mega pet adoption event, as well as wildlife education stations and demonstrations. Animals available for adoption range from the everyday, run-of-the-mill cats and dogs, but will venture out into horses, Guinea pigs, parrots, and more. Hubbard said there will be close to 200 animals available for adoption, “if not more.”

The National Guard Military Working Dogs will be doing demonstrations for families to enjoy. Christine’s Critters will be bringing “big birds” for demonstrations as well.

Hubbard mentioned that the Butterfly Party is “Connecticut’s largest, single-day adoption event,” and Newtown’s “biggest one-day event.” She shared that people as far as Washington, D.C. come down for the event.

In addition to the pet adoption and wildlife demonstrations, there will be food trucks, music, face painting, and Hair Studio 7 will be doing hair tinsel installations.

“It’s the Butterfly Party, but it’s Catherine’s birthday. Most important is that we honor the animals that she loved, and that we are reminded that it’s her birthday. So everything is free for everybody…It’s a true birthday party where everybody leaves and feels the love and the excitement and the anticipation of what’s to come,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard also shared that the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will be hosting a summer camp called Outdoor Explore, Splash, and More with the Newtown Community Center. Campers will explore the sanctuary in the morning and draw maps, as well as document insects and other wildlife they see. The camp will run July 14-18, 9 am-1 pm, for ages 7-9.

The CVH Animal Sanctuary will also be hosting a llama trail hike and goat yoga on Saturday, June 14. On July 11, the annual Finding Fireflies & Friends event.

For more information about camp, future events, and the Butterfly Party, visit cvhfoundation.org/events.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.