CT Green Scene

A Little Green Peace in Vermont

By Eileen Weber



For ten days in July, a peace camp in Vermont will bring a dozen American, Israeli, and Palestinian teens together to laugh, play, and learn about each other. The 16-year-olds will be a mix of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. And all of the effort to get this project off the ground came from one man: The Reverend Nicholas T. Porter.

As a small child watching his family’s black and white TV, Porter watched the images of the Arab invasion on Israeli soil in October, 1973. It left a lasting impression that led to a lifetime dream that peace in the Middle East might one day become a reality.

As the rector of Southport’s Trinity Episcopal Church, Porter and his wife Dorothy had long discussed an opportunity to host a peace camp. Having spent time in Jerusalem during his career, they felt a strong desire to stop the violence and hatred that occurs between the two groups that actually have more in common than they wish to admit. One way to do that is to teach the young about tolerance so that they grow to spread peace.

Bethany HomeCrafts

By Christina Cioci



MaryLynne Boisvert has a talent that we at CT Green Scene appreciate and admire. She recycles wool sweaters and other materials to create unique and fun pieces of clothing, accessories and home décor. About 15 years ago, MaryLynne began to knit. Soon after, her friend Fran Larson of Blue Moon Woolworks taught her how to do needle felting. MaryLynne began her business, Bethany Homecrafts, with rugs made from recycled materials. 

To reach a wider range of customers, MaryLynne decided to incorporate her felted creations. Her booths at local farmers markets and other venues began selling more felted creations than rugs and her business evolved in that direction. “In the past year I've begun making skirts from recycled cottons,” she said. “So now the bulk of my business is in the recycled clothing I make, some of it is needle felting, and none of it is rugs!”

These wonderful creations can take some time to make but MaryLynne has it down to a science. From gathering the used materials to threading the last piece together, the process can take some time. MaryLynne gets a lot of the materials from thrift shops, friends and customers. “I have a friend in Maine who does a lot of shopping for me,” she said. “They have to wear warm sweaters there a lot more than we do, so the sweaters tend to be a lot more interesting there- much more woolly!” 

MaryLynne finds many man-made materials but prefers to use natural. The list of products made with her reclaimed materials is impressive. Everything from skirts to mittens, pot holders and diaper soakers, a customer will be delighted with their choice. Clothing is made from recycled cotton and the adorably charming needling felting includes birds, sheep, chipmunks, bunnies and pretty wall hangings.

The Great Goji

by Dr. Amy Wiesner

Probably everyone has at least heard about the goji berry. They are popular in health food stores and are used in packaged baked goods.

So what is about them that makes them so great?

To begin with, they have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years, which indicates a profound amount of research!  The botanical name for the goji berry is Lycium barbarum, which is the reason it is also called lycium fruit in TCM. Also referred to as wolfberry fruit, it is the berry of a deciduous woody perennial plant that makes up the largest crop in China. They are also grown in Tibet near the Himalayas. Unfortunately, they also use a lot of pesticides, so it’s important to be careful of which brands you buy.

Special Delivery Right To Your Doorstep

By Eileen Weber

Kevin Staehly thinks he’s on to something. He launched a delivery service, The Simply CT Store, which provides fresh organic produce from his family’s farm in East Haddam. Along with baked goods from Gottas Cider Mill in Portland and handmade artisanal cheeses from Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm in Old Lyme, he has a nice selection of tasty treats to choose from.

“It’s our take on a CSA,” said Staehly, who helps his parents run the farm. “But you can pick and choose what you want instead of just getting what’s planted.”

Much like Pea Pod through Stop & Shop, you can access an order form online and have it brought to your home. Deliveries take place three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. And if you miss the cutoff for delivery, no worries. They still offer all of their products at their farm stand and at the farmer’s market in Madison.

Kaia Yoga Complete Wellness Centers

By Christina Cioci

Kaia Yoga Complete Wellness Centers offer a variety of yoga styles and levels. Whether you are a beginner or advanced there is a class for you. Stan Woodman and Gina Norman, co-owners of Kaia Yoga in Westport and Greenwich,CT not only offer yoga classes but also a complete wellness spa. As if that isn’t awesome enough there is also a 100% organic café and juice bar.

Kaia Yoga Complete Wellness Centers provide a supervised playroom for parents to bring their kids as well as children’s classes from prenatal to postnatal up to teens. Their centers host internationally known teachers and authors that educate people in all areas of a healthy lifestyle.

Let’s Get Composting!

By Christina Cioci

If you could take a few simple steps to improve the earth, would you? If your answer is “yes” then consider starting the process of composting. Composting is the breakdown of organic material such as food scraps, coffee grounds, leaves, worms, just to name a few. This cycle takes place naturally in the environment when leaves and grass breakdown in the outdoors over time.

People can also recreate the process at home by collecting organic materials in a metal bucket. After the small bucket is filled it can be emptied into a bigger container to allow optimum breakdown. While keeping food scraps and other things in your kitchen may not be your cup of tea, those who have composted before find it easy and sanitary.

Ecofest 2011 in Westport

Where: The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts,
260 Compo Rd S, Westport, CT 06880
Date: June 11, 2011
Time: 12:00pm–6:00pm

Ecofest will take place at the Levitt Pavilion (just behind Westport Library) on Saturday, June 11th from 12:00 until 6:00 pm.
 This exciting event promises close to 40 local 'eco' exhibitors showcasing everything from local farms to the Tesla electric vehicle.


In addition, there are live bands playing throughout the event and food from local vendors. The event is totally FREE to the public. 
Ecofest is organized and run by students from Staples High School, 
Club Green.

For more information, visit their website at www.clubgreenct.org.

Fukushima Update

by Dr. Amy Wiesner

Almost 3 months after the earthquake and tsunami that caused devastating damage in Japan, it seems that, in the US, it’s not a major concern anymore. That certainly should not be the case.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the situation at the plant is still serious. Radioactive contamination is still occurring both by being released into the air and with the outflow of water from the four damaged reactors.

According to the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Japan has now double the initial estimate of radioactive fallout and the government is evacuating to areas farther afield. The levels of radiation are nearing those reached in Chernobyl, the world’s largest nuclear disaster before this one. Chernobyl was thought to be more toxic because fires were involved, easily spreading the radioactive materials into the surrounding areas through the air. But the Fukushima disaster is now at severity level 7--the same level as Chernobyl.

FORT HILL FARMS & GARDENS LAVENDER FESTIVAL

Fort Hill Farms & Gardens in Thompson, Connecticut, will be celebrating lavender on June 18th and 19th. Home to one of New England’s largest lavender gardens, the farm has a weekend planned with lavender-centered activities and other family-friendly activities.
 
“Our gardens have over 1,500 organic lavender plants that will be in full bloom over the festival weekend,” says Kristin Orr, co-owner of Fort Hill Farms and the green-thumb behind its gardens. “Anyone looking for a relaxing and intoxicating daytrip will enjoy strolling through the gardens. Lavender has been enjoyed for centuries for its fragrance, as well as its medicinal benefits and, more recently, for its culinary applications.”

Summer 411: Sunscreen

by Christina Cioci

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, everyone knows that the sun’s rays are harmful to our bodies without the proper protection. Today there are all sorts of new sun-blocking innovations like UV protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats, just to name a few. But, the most basic yet most important protector: sunscreen. Moisturizer with an SPF should be applied daily even in the winter months. For the summer, sunscreen with UVA and UVB coverage is a must at the beach. UVA coverage wards off the sun-burning rays while UVB coverage wards off skin cancer and pre-mature aging signs.

Although it is crucial to wear sunscreen while outdoors, studies have found that the same thing that is protecting your skin may be killing marine life. Environmental Health Perspectives conducted a study and a researcher said that, “20,000 tons of sunscreen washes off swimmers, divers and surfers in the ocean every year.” That number is astonishing and knowing that most sunscreens are packed with harmful chemicals you can imagine how an amount that large could harm the ocean’s occupants.

Operation Trashdown: Consider Cosmetics Packaging

by Ilene Moyher

Welcome to another installation of our Operation Trashdown series, a concept for creating a cleaner earth. Everyone can help by adopting the ‘less trash’ mindset in their shopping and daily routines. Considering what ends up in landfills and in our oceans, here are some ways each person can help reduce the amount of trash created and save money, too!

The next time you’re strolling down the cosmetics aisle, notice the amount of packaging – it often far exceeds the amount of product. Many cosmetics are in hard plastic (non-biodegradable or non-recyclable) containers, then in cardboard, and sometimes with cellophane wrapping.

Fresh and Fun: Lyme Farmer’s Market

by Christina Cioci

Christina is our newest summer intern. She comes to us with prior writing experience working at Kate Harrison's Green Bride Guide. Incidentally, Harrison has been a contributor to this site in the past. Christina also has her own blog, Green Gal. We warmly welcome her to the CT Green Scene team.

This year marks the 102nd Anniversary of Ashlawn Farm in Lyme, Connecticut. A rather idyllic place to visit, with open fields and friendly owners it is a perfect place for a bountiful farmer’s market. Chip and Carol Dahlke own and live on the farm that has been in Chip’s family since 1909. Each spring at the beginning of June the excitement grows in the surrounding towns for the Lyme Farmer’s Market. It is a place you can come for great food and company.

When the Lyme farmer’s market first began, it was unlike anything in the area. The combination of fresh, local products and the growing amount of people in southeastern Connecticut eager to buy was a perfect match. Cattle, horses and goats grazing are accompanied by the beautiful backdrop of luscious green grass, big red barns and stonewalls appropriate for sitting on.