Pomperaug River Watershed

Coalition Event To Feature

The Bounty Of The Watershed

WOODBURY — Woodbury’s Mill House Antiques will host friends and supporters of the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (PRWC) in an annual fundraiser, “An Evening By the River,” on Saturday, June 2, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.

The coalition is celebrating 12 years of service and outreach to the people and towns of the watershed. Founded by concerned citizens, PRWC helps preserve and protect the Pomperaug Watershed by conducting scientific research and, based on that research, collaborating with town officials and local groups in helping to manage this magnificent water resource. The coalition also reaches out to residents, homeowners, local groups, and area schools to teach about proper stewardship of the river and aquifer.

The event will highlight the bounty of the Pomperaug Watershed, with hors d’oeuvres that feature local and regional cheeses and other foods, as well as wines and beers.

“We are focusing on the goodness of local and regional agricultural products, to show the wealth of high-quality food and drink this area produces,” said James Belden, executive director of PRWC. “It’s all about protecting the watershed, which is made up of land and the water that runs through it — about treating it right so the farms can continue to produce the best quality foods and the water is clean and plentiful.”

Guests will be invited to stroll the gardens and lawns of Mill House (alongside a particularly dramatic stretch of the Nonnewaug River), listen to the classical guitar of Buzz Turner, and bid on a wide array of auction items, including a one-night stay at Washington’s Mayflower Inn, dinner included; a water-resistant, breathable soft-shell outdoor jacket from Patagonia; a carefully chosen collection of 24 assorted perennials from Woodbury’s Pine Meadow Garden; a huge basket of wines donated by the PRWC board; brunch for two at Woodbury’s Longwood Country Inn; and a watershed history tour by local historian Sarah Griswold, including a meal at the Griswold family’s historic home.

Honorary chair and host of “An Evening by the River” is Connecticut Public Radio’s Faith Middleton.

“The Pomperaug Coalition is among the most committed and caring groups in the nation,” said Ms Middleton. “I am proud to be part of its devotion to making life better for all of us through protecting our waters and watershed.”

Tickets are $65 and are on sale at the coalition’s website, www.pomperaug.org. For additional information contact PRWC at 203-263-0076.