A New Era of Sustainable Wood Management The Second Forest Form Summit

In an era when sustainability and climate change is top of mind, how we obtain and use wood is essential to the health of our planet. Tri-Lox, a Brooklyn based company known for its ethical and environmentally conscious approach to using wood as a renewable resource and Connecticut’s Great Mountain Forest have partnered to put together the second Forest Forum Summit held in New England. “We are pleased to have partnered with Tri-Lox in hosting their Forest Summit at Great Mountain Forest,” said John Perkins, Board Chair of GMF.

Photo Credit P. J. Roundtree

Bridging Nature and Design
The focus of the summit was to explore ways to connect the built and the natural environment through sustainable forest management. The most important result of this evolving partnership with Tri-Lox is that it brings designers, foresters, and land managers together in an immersive experience to conceptualize strategies for how to responsibly source and use local wood. “Our work with Tri-Lox highlights the potential for combining the principles of sustainable forestry with those of sustainable design in the ethical sourcing of materials for use in local construction,” said John Perkins, Chair of GMF.

Photo Credit P. J. Roundtree

Immersive Learning Highlights
Highlights of the summit included a forest walk guided by GMF forester, Matt Gallagher. The walk provided participants with an up close look at different management strategies, timescales, and threats to the forest. The importance of selective harvests such as a future white pine thinning was discussed and why it was important to forest health and regeneration. A working sawmill demonstration showed how grading and sizing impacts the yield of a log and why it is beneficial to connect a harvest with a particular design project. Two case studies; “Connecting the Built and Natural Environment” and “Rural and Urban Land Management” rounded out the summit.

Photo Credit P. J. Roundtree


A Promising Partnership
“This evolving relationship is very exciting,” said Mike Zarfos, Ph.D., Executive Director of Great Mountain Forest. “One of the many benefits of this relationship is that it may help to catalyze more local wood sourcing. If sourcing and use are localized to the same region, this decreases the potential for our consumption to drive unsustainable deforestation abroad and lowers the carbon footprint of wood harvest and use. If the wood is then used in durable products, this can tie up the carbon for a long time while the forest regrows – drawing down more carbon from the atmosphere,” continued Zarfos.

Photo Credit P. J. Roundtree

This relationship is very encouraging because wood is a finite resource. It is reassuring to know that designers, builders, foresters, educators and the general public are interested in sustainable ways to use and manage wood so that it will be available for generations to come. In the future, Great Mountain Forest plans to organize additional educational forms and summits for those interested in sustainable forest management’s potential to benefit local economies, craftspeople, and housing.

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About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

About Tri-Lox
Tri-Lox is a research, design, and fabrication practice that work with regional, sustainable wood. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Tri-Lox sources wood in ways that have a positive impact on forests, conducting applied research with experts in the fields of forestry, conservation, and building technology. Since its establishment in 2010, the company has been committed to innovative design, environmental integrity, and community stewardship.

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Discover Rochambeau’s Revolutionary Route in Middlebury – January 15

The Middlebury Historical Society invites you to a fascinating evening of history, community, and discovery. On Monday, January 15, at 6 p.m., the Society will host a free public lecture at the Shepardson Community Center Auditorium, located at 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury. This is your chance to delve into the historical significance of General Rochambeau’s march through the region during the American Revolutionary War.

General Rochambeau

A Closer Look at Rochambeau’s Role in American Independence
Renowned local historian John Dwyer, the Municipal Historian for the town of Southbury, will lead the discussion. His expertise will illuminate the pivotal role that Middlebury and Newtown played in supporting General Rochambeau’s march with the French Army. This march was a critical chapter in securing American independence.

Participants will discover answers to intriguing questions such as which roads the French soldiers took on their journey and how Connecticut served as a vital supply base for Rochambeau’s forces. This lecture connects history to modern life by revealing how local roads we travel today trace the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers.

This event is part of the Middlebury Historical Society’s ongoing efforts to foster community engagement with history. As part of the Rochambeau Project, the Society is working to commemorate the General’s army’s encampment in Middlebury through the construction of a memorial at Meadowview Park.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a curious learner, or simply looking for a meaningful way to connect with your community, this lecture promises to educate and inspire.

John Dwyer, Historian


Event Details at a Glance:

What: Free Lecture on General Rochambeau’s March

When: Monday, January 15, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Where: Shepardson Community Center Auditorium, 1172 Whittemore Road, Middlebury

Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and join the Middlebury Historical Society in preserving and celebrating our shared heritage. Admission is free, and all are welcome!

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Gourd Ornament Workshop @ Institute for American Indian Studies – December 21

Discover the traditional art of gourd crafting at an in-person workshop on Saturday, December 21 at 1 p.m. at the Institute for American Indian Studies located in Washington, Connecticut. Gourds have been a staple in the Americas for over 8,000 years, serving various purposes from rattles and drink ware, to birdhouses and drums. Today, they shine as unique decorative pieces like vases and ornaments.

Now it is your turn to transform a gourd into a stunning ornament. Join the IAIS educators for an enjoyable weekend workshop where you’ll dive into the fascinating world of gourds and create a unique, eye-catching ornament to take home. This isn’t just any craft session—it’s a hands-on adventure with wood burning tools, recommended for participants aged 7 and up.

Hurry, space is limited! Secure your spot by pre-registering on our website https://iaismuseum.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/21315. Participation Fee (including materials): $10 for IAIS Members; $20 for Non-Members. For more information, questions or to pre-register events@iaismuseum.org.

Ignite your creativity and make this holiday season truly memorable!

About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland, the IAIS offers educational programs, both permanent and changing exhibits, and a replicated 16th century Algonkian village. Its research department maintains and extensive archeological and ethnographic collections and conducts archeological digs and other research. Its “Wigwam Escape” escape room offers an opportunity to solve a puzzle while learning about Indigenous life before European settlement. With a focus on “two eyed seeing,” visitors can learn about the history of the American continent that incorporates the more than 12,000 -year history of human habitation. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, Connecticut.

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Illuminate the Night: Join the Full Moon Walk with the Institute for American Indian Studies

Experience the magic of a nighttime winter walk under the last full moon of 2024 at the Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) on Saturday, December 14 at 6 p.m. Embrace the whispers of the winter woods, the crisp air, and the scent of evergreens as you embark on this moonlit adventure.

The Magic of the Long Night Moon
This full moon, just before the Winter Solstice, takes the highest and longest path along the night sky. Known as the Long Night Moon, it shines above the horizon longer than most full moons, making this walk particularly special. Participants will walk along beautifully maintained wooded trails under this glistening celestial body, learning the various names Native Americans gave the December full moon and what it symbolized for them.

A Journey Through Time
As you walk, you’ll discover how different Native American peoples traditionally used the monthly cycles of the moon and nature’s signs to track the seasons. One of the highlights of this experience is witnessing the beauty of December’s full moon firsthand, just as Native American communities have done for centuries. Participants will learn that the Mohawks, among other Native American communities refer to this moon as the Cold Moon, aptly describing the chilly days and nights of the season.


The Perfect Ending

The woodland walk concludes at the recreated 16th-century Algonkian village, where a warm fire, hot chocolate, and traditional stories await. This unique setting provides the perfect atmosphere to reflect on the night’s experiences and the historical significance of the December full moon. Remember to dress for the weather, bring a flashlight, and wear sturdy shoes. If the weather looks iffy, check in with us using the contact info below. Space is limited, so pre-register using the link. Cost: $5 for IAIS Members, $10 for Non-Members.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland, the IAIS offers educational programs, both permanent and changing exhibits, and a replicated 16th century Algonkian village. Its research department maintains and extensive archeological and ethnographic collections and conducts archeological digs and other research. Its “Wigwam Escape” escape room offers an opportunity to solve a puzzle while learning about Indigenous life before European settlement. With a focus on “two eyed seeing,” visitors can learn about the history of the American continent that incorporates the more than 12,000 -year history of human habitation. T

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2024 Holiday Market Features Indigenous Artists @ Institute for American Indian Studies December, 7 &14 and 8 & 15

Once again this year, the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington is hosting a one-of a-kind holiday shopping experience that celebrates Native American culture. What makes this Holiday Market unique is that it offers both deeply traditional crafts and more contemporary artistic expressions rooted in Native American cultural experience. Vendors and artists represented here comprise a diverse and inspiring array of artists and experts in handmade crafts.

The Holiday Market throughout the Institute’s impressive exhibition galleries takes place on Saturday, December 7 & 14 and Sunday, December 8 & 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are so many gifts to choose from including Native American jewelry, paintings, photography, apparel, and candles, to decorative gourds, pottery, rattles, flutes and more at a variety of price points. The chance to talk with the artists who have created these one-of-a-kind objects and to learn about the culture that inspired them makes your gift purchase even more meaningful.

If you are shopping for pottery and decorative items check out Primitive Technologies that showcase wood fired pottery, decorative masks, and unique jewelry, Jeanne Morningstar Kent (Nulhegan Ban, Coosuk-Abenaki) who creates tribal art on gourds, and Eva Newell, a multi talented artist who offers a range of artwork from beadwork to paintings. For music lovers, Allan Madahbee (Ojibwe) is offering handmade Native American flutes as well as paintings and crafts. Shoran Piper, the Clan Mother of the Golden Paugussett Tribal Nation, is offering a variety of items from lotions and herbs to beaded jewelry, and dream catchers. Keith Rood (Metis) will be selling a beautiful selection of leather bags as well as fans, pottery, and stone blade knives, Eddie Cuevas of Taino Trinkets will be offering an array of handmade items, and Native Visions will be have an excellent selection of contemporary and traditional original paintings, limited edition prints, kachinas, Zuni fetishes and more created by Native American artists and craftsmen from the Plains and Southwest. Some vendors may not be present on certain days, so it is best to call ahead for details 860-868-0518. Also, there may be additional vendors participating that are not listed here.

The Museum’s Gift Shop will be open and brimming with gifts large and small in many price ranges. Here, you will find a distinctive collection of Native American jewelry, including wampum jewelry crafted by regionally located Indigenous artists as well as silver and turquoise jewelry from the Southwest. For foodies, there is a wonderful selection of traditional Native American food products from Sweet Grass Trading Company from the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and others. The gift shop also has a good selection of books and children’s items.

Although entrance to the museum and the Holiday Market is free, donations are always appreciated. A tour of the museum for a nominal fee is a fun and insightful experience that compliments this unique shopping experience.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland the Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

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Baskets, Bowls, And Wall Hangings Bring Holiday Joy @ Tina’s Baskets Nationally Award Winning Weaver

Joy comes in many forms, especially during the most wonderful time of the year, and nowhere more than at the Art Studio of Tina Puckett, a Nationally award winning woven artist located at Whiting Mills in Winsted. Puckett is known for her woven art, creative use of bittersweet, and dimensional weaving.

Puckett is rolling out the red carpet and inviting folks to visit her Studio #305 in the Whiting Mills, an award winning complex of more than 40 artisans and craftspeople on weekends in November and December. A highlight of visiting the studio is meeting Tina, watching her weave, and learning what inspires her to create her sought after woven pieces. A pleasant surprise is the variety of woven items to choose from in addition to affordable price points. For custom orders or to set up an appointment tina@tinasbaskets.com or text 860-309-6934.

Many things make Tina’s woven art unusual. Each piece is inspired by Tina’s imagination and woven with hand-dyed reeds into beautiful dynamic shapes that will not be found anywhere else. What enhances the character of each piece is the addition of the Bittersweet Vine foraged by Tina in the woods near her home in northwest Connecticut. The natural beauty of bittersweet is at the heart of the inspiration of every piece and often dictates the form a basket, bowl, wall hanging, or sculpture will take.

“So many things in our world are automated and made by machines. It is with great pride that I hand-dye and hand-weave each basket, bowl, wall hanging, or sculpture from all-natural sustainable fibers,“ says Puckett. “Each basket is an original and often handed down as a treasured heirloom,” she continued. Visiting her festively decorated studio that is chock full of merrily made things is sure to get you in the holiday mood.

New this year and perfect for craft lovers are the classes suitable for all skill levels that Tina is offering. All classes take place in Tina’s atmospherically inspiring Studio at Whiting Mills in Winsted. Part of the fun of is to choose the type of basket or bowl you want to weave, your color palate, and how much time you want to spend weaving it. Participants can choose a class on Saturday or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Classes are also being offered Monday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All participants will leave the class with a finished basket or bowl to take home. All materials are provided including a piece of locally foraged bittersweet vine or a wooden hoop, and a choice of hand-colored, custom reeds. All classes are by advance reservation only and can be made by clicking https://www.tinasbaskets.com/classes

Tina’s Baskets located at Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, November 30 and 31, December 7 and 8, 14 and 15, and 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Sundays in December are extra special at Whiting Mills because 40+ studios will be open. In addition, the complex will be hosting Open Studios on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the festively decorated studios will be open and Whiting Mills will be hosting special guest artists to add to the fun. If you work up an appetite, no worries, food trucks will be on the scene offering up seasonal favorite.


About Tina’s Baskets
Tina Puckett is a nationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven art that is the owner of Tina’s Baskets that is located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet, and a variety of objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at a variety of galleries across the United States as well as at her gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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