‘Hanging out with bugs’ at Scoville

Scientist Michael LaScaleia talks about caterpillars and plants at the Scoville Memorial Library on Thursday, June 12.
Patrick L. Sullivan
Scientist Michael LaScaleia talks about caterpillars and plants at the Scoville Memorial Library on Thursday, June 12.
SALISBURY — Michael LaScaleia, a scientist with the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, took an audience through the strange and wonderful world of caterpillars and invasive plants at the Scoville Memorial Library Thursday, June 12.
The talk was sponsored by the library and the Salisbury Association Land Trust.
LaScaleia, with infectious enthusiasm, gave a precis of his academic career. A highlight was a study of dung beetles.
“Dung beetles play a huge role in the African savannah, because there is so much, um, poop” he said.
He showed a photo of himself during the dung beetle phase, looking somewhat grimy and disheveled.
He said it was a critical experience.
“I thought, this is my thing. I love being dirty. I love hanging out with bugs.”
Lately he has been working on why, exactly, invasive plants succeed in New England.
Viburnum dilatatum (aka linden arrowood) is native to East Asia and was introduced in this country in the early 19th century.
“We already had a very similar plant — Viburnum acerifolium” (aka maple-leaved arrowood).
LaScaleia wanted to know why caterpillars will eat the native plant but not the exotic version.
He provided a brief and moving picture of the plight of the caterpillar.
“Even caterpillars don’t want to be caterpillars.”
Hence their eternal struggle to turn into moths or butterflies.
“Birds eat them. Also spiders, wasps and ants,” he continued.
“They have a long development cycle. They have to shed their own skin, and if they can’t they asphyxiate.”
“It’s truly awful.”
LaScaleia is testing the Enemy Release Hypothesis. The gist of this is when a plant is introduced to a new, faraway location, such as New England from East Asia, it leaves behind the predators that kept it in check on its home turf. In the new location, the native predators (such as caterpillars) aren’t much interested in the new arrivals, which allows the plants to spread, causing consternation and dismay.
Scientists are now working on why specialist caterpillars won’t eat invasives. Specialist caterpillars are picky and only eat specific plants, as opposed to generalist caterpillars, which are broad-minded and will eat almost anything.
If the goal is controlling the spread of invasive plants, can these specialist caterpillars be assisted in developing an appetite for invasives?
One idea is to take advantage of the tendency of invasive Japanese barberry to start growing earlier in the spring than its native counterpart by developing a caterpillar that also gets going earlier in the spring.
After LaScaleia wrapped up the talk, he and a group hiked over to the Land Trust’s Vincent Preserve for some field work.
George Crawford of New York City rings the bell at the Eric Sloane Museum Saturday in recognition of the Fourth of July.
KENT — For author and artist Eric Sloane, fireworks on the Fourth of July were reminders of noise and war, while bells were a symbol of peace and independence. So it is only fitting that at that time each year, the bell peals throughout the day at the Eric Sloane Museum.
On Saturday, July 5, the tradition of allowing guests to ring the bell atop the museum building continued. Curator and site manager Andrew Rowand, while showing the exhibit relating to Sloane and bells, explained Sloane had a fascination with early America and the fact that bells rang out in the city of Philadelphia when the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
So enthralled with the idea of bells, Sloane and Eric Hatch, who was the head of the Connecticut Historical Commission, called themselves the “committee of two Erics,” and campaigned to have bells around the nation ring at 2 p.m. or close to it each Fourth of July.
Their persistence led to a congressional resolution signed in June 1963, proclaiming that since the Liberty Bell had tolled on that momentous day to mark the birth of the country as free and independent, that anniversary should be appropriately observed each year by the ringing of bells. When President John F. Kennedy established National Bell Ringing Day, he said, “Let’s ring freedom bells.”
The idea was met with much appreciation and Sloane received many awards for the campaign. “It’s interesting to see how much impact he had on educating about colonial America,” said Rowand. The pair also wrote a book titled “A Celebration of Bells.”
Among the supporters was Connecticut Gov. John Dempsey. A bell given to him by Sloane and Hatch came back to the museum when the Dempseys’ daughter donated it last year. It is engraved “Let Freedom Ring” and contains the governor’s name, year and states “From the two Erics.”
Andrew Rowand, curator and site manager at Eric Sloane Museum in Kent, greets the guests whom came for the bell ringing on Saturday.Ruth Epstein
At 2 p.m. Saturday, Rowand welcomed the several guests who came out for the event, which he said always brings out people. He began by reading the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence. Then he invited people to keep ringing the bell for at least two minutes.
Nancy and Jonathan Kapstein of Woodbury came, saying it was the second time they’d attended. “I find it charming,” she said, while he said, “History brings us here.” They were pleased that their daughter and her family from New York City were on their way. When they arrived, their son-in-law Richard Crawford said their interest in American history is what attracted them to the event. His daughter Dulcie, 12, said, “It’s part of our history; it’s important.
Theresa Porter of New Britain was drawn to the site because she grew up reading Sloane’s books, merging them with the “Little House on the Prairie” series. She was looking forward to walking the museum’s grounds.
NORTH CANAAN — Whether the positions of town clerk, treasurer and tax collector should be appointed or elected will be decided by voters in the 2025 election.
At its regular July meeting, the Board of Selectmen moved to add the items to the November ballot. The decision came after a contentious public hearing on the topic drew approximately 150 voters to Town Hall June 23.
First Selectman Brian Ohler proposed adding three separate items to the ballot, asking electors to choose “yes” or “no” on the following questions:
— Shall the Town of North Canaan create an ordinance, in a bipartisan drafting process, that would transition the position of Treasurer from elected to appointed/hired?
— Shall the Town of North Canaan create an ordinance, in a bipartisan drafting process, that would transition the position of Town Clerk from elected to appointed/hired?
— Shall the Town of North Canaan create an ordinance, in a bipartisan drafting process, that would transition the position of Tax Collector from elected to appointed/hired?
The “bipartisan drafting process” refers to a five-member committee, which would consist of the three selectmen, the chair of the Democratic Town Committee and the chair of the Republican Town Committee, to compose the ordinance(s).
Ohler explained if any or all of the questions pass, the proposed committee would then convene to draft the desired ordinances. Once drafted, a public hearing(s) would be held for resident feedback on each ordinance.
An information session is planned for October “to ensure that there is sufficient understanding of the three separate ballot questions that will be asked on election day,” Ohler explained.
He continued, “It is important for residents to understand that these questions are simply asking if the Town should take the next step to draft an ordinance, pertaining to each of the aforementioned positions.”
In addition to the questions listed above, electors will also vote for candidates for each of the three positions this November. Should any or all of the questions pass, the change will go into effect at the end of the term(s) of the active official(s). For example, a new treasurer will be elected in November. If voters approve the drafting of an ordinance to appoint a treasurer, the active elected treasurer will complete their two-year term before an appointed treasurer takes the office.
LEGAL NOTICE
SALISBURY
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
The Salisbury Historic District Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 10:00am to act on an Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Installation of a Historic Barn at 84 Main Street, Salisbury, CT, 06068. This Public Hearing will be a Remote Meeting with Live Internet Video Stream and Telephone. The Meeting Link will be posted on the Town of Salisbury website: www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application is available for review by contacting the Salisbury Town Clerk’s office: www.salisburyct.us.
07-10-25
Legal Notice
The Cornwall Republican Party will be holding its upcoming caucus on July 18th 2025 to elect candidates for the upcoming November municipal elections at the Cornwall library, 30 pine st, Cornwall, CT at 7:00 pm.
07-10-25
Legal Notice
The Cornwall Democratic Party will hold a Caucus to nominate candidates for the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election at 4:00 pm on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at the Cornwall Library, 30 Pine Street, Cornwall. All voters registered as Democrats in the Town of Cornwall are eligible to vote.
07-10-25
LEGAL NOTICE
TOWN OF KENT
The first installment of the Real Estate, Personal Property, Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Supplemental tax for the Grand List of 2024 is due and payable July 1, 2025. The first installment of the Real Estate, Personal Property and Motor Vehicle tax for the Grand List of 2024 will become delinquent on Monday, August 4, 2025.
As soon as the tax becomes delinquent, it shall be subject to interest at the rate of 1.5% per month from July 1, 2025 until the same is paid.
Bills may be viewed and paid online by going to the Tax Collector’s page on the Town of Kent website at www.townofkentct.gov.
The Tax Collector’s office will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The office will also be open Friday August 1, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There is a red drop box next to the front door of the Town Hall for payments.
Payments are also welcome through the mail at P. O. Box 311, Kent, Connecticut 06757.
07-10-25
07-24-25
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF
ANNEGRET GRANNAN
Late of Canaan
(25-00053)
The Hon. Jordan M. Richards, Judge of the Court of Probate, District of Litchfield Hills Probate Court, by decree dated June 26, 2025, ordered that all claims must be presented to the fiduciary at the address below. Failure to promptly present any such claim may result in the loss of rights to recover on such claim.
The fiduciary is:
Ross Grannan
c/o Linda M Patz
Drury, Patz & Citrin, LLP
7 Church Street
P.O. Box 101
Canaan, CT 06018
Megan M. Foley
Clerk
07-10-25
Want to join our team?: Wyantenuck Country Club is seeking Dishwashers. Positions available immediately. We offer a competitive pay with flexible shifts daytime and/or evening. Please send resumes to: barb@wyantenuck.org, call 413-528-0350 or stop by in person.
Congregational Church of Salisbury: opening for Church Administrator. Publicity, bookkeeping, office management, volunteer coordination. See full job description: salisburycongregationalchurch.org/jobs/. Please email resume and cover letter to jobs@salisburyucc.org.
Experienced Horse Equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-364-0603.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-364-0603.
PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER: The Millerton Antiques Center is looking for a full-charge bookkeeper with knowledge of accounting principles. Flexible hours. Only 1-2 hours per week plus an additional 3-4 hours at the beginning of the month. Most work can be done from home. Weekly/monthly data entry; accounts payable; payroll; monthly financial reporting. Must know Quickbooks. Pay determined by skills and experience. Call or text Bob at 917-301-2509.
Sharon Congregational Church is seeking a pianist: to join our music team. We host a blended worship service; knowledge of traditional hymns is beneficial. The team practices once per week and on Sunday in preparation for our 10:30 worship. A stipend is available. call 860-364-5002 or e-mail PastorDawson06@yahoo.com.
The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village is hiring: an Assistant Director/Youth Services Coordinator to start mid-August. The position is 28 hours a week. A full job description and how to apply can be found at huntlibrary.org/employment/
Town of Cornwall Hiring Park & Recreation Director: The Town of Cornwall is hiring for a Park & Recreation Director. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectmen’ ‘s office 860-672-4959.
The Town of Cornwall is accepting bids: for asphalt paving work this summer. Inquire at selectmen@cornwallct.gov or 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Private sale of selected furnishings/furniture: and household items from Ballyhack Farm in Cornwall. For more information please contact us on jbjb4859@gmail.com. Viewings by arrangement only.
LABRADOR ORPHAN: wanted as companion for RESCUE MIX (5 years). Sharon. 407-620-7777.
DAYLILIES FOR SALE!: Fifty years “working with nature” to produce beautiful one-of-a-kind Lilies in many colors and sizes. Call 860-824-5560.
Epson Work Force Pro 7720: All in one print (8.5 to 11.17 inches). Scan, Copy, Fax, WiFi. Rarely used. Excellent for art projects, portfolios, engineering, architecture, student projects. $325 or best offer. 860-248-9299, leave message.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
Tag Sales
Sharon, CT
Tri-Family Tag Sale!: July 12 10-4 and July 13 12-3. Furniture, Home Goods, Silver, Vintage Clothing and much more. *No* early birds, please. 296 West Cornwall Road, Sharon, CT.