Searching for fossils

Searching for fossils

Bearrett Eliss-Odell, age five, examined a fossil dug out of a box of samples provided by North Carolina’s Aurora Fossil Museum during a paleontology event at the David M. Hunt Library Thursday, July 10.

Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

A group of youngsters discovered their inner paleontologist at the David M. Hunt Library Thursday, July 10.

The children were digging and sifting through boxes of samples from the Aurora Fossil Museum in North Carolina.

The library’s Brittany Spear-Baron explained that she found the Aurora connection in a previous teaching job.

The museum has a large shale deposit and within it there are fossils galore — shells coral, and occasionally something dramatic, like a shark tooth.

“If someone finds a shark tooth they get to take it home,” she said.

The children dug right in. Bearrett Eliss-Odell, age five, found a piece of coral almost immediately. Pausing briefly to check with Spear-Baron for the ID, she set her treasure aside and resumed the hunt, tongue sticking out as she concentrated.

Spear-Baron said in the children’s non-fiction sections, books on dinosaurs are very popular.

“So many kids love dinosaurs. It’s a subject that captures the imagination,” Spear-Baron said.

Latest News

SPARK brings hands-on trade experiences to Kent
Masonry was one of the trades that kids could try at SPARK in Kent Oct. 25.
Lans Christensen

KENT — The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association grounds were bustling on Saturday, Oct. 25, as trades professionals of every kind gathered for SPARK, a hands-on event designed to introduce young people to careers in the trades.

The event offered children and teens the chance to try their hand at masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electricity, tree work and even architecture.

Keep ReadingShow less
GNH defense delivers 41-16 win over Wolcott

GNH’s Cole Simonds caught an interception, seen above, and recovered a fumble.

Riley Klein

WINSTED — The Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football team defeated Wolcott High School 41-16 on Saturday, Oct. 25.

The swarming Yellowjacket defense forced eight turnovers and held the Eagles to 182 total yards. GNH scored two defensive touchdowns and a safety in the game.

Keep ReadingShow less
Middle school showdown
Lans Christensen

Kent Center School defeated the Region One middle school girls soccer team Monday, Oct. 20. Although showers paused for the game, cold winds relented. Kent scored 15 minutes into the first half and again moments later. The first half was about to end when Kent made it a 3-0 game. The Region One team, consisting of players from Lee H. Kellogg School, North Canaan Elementary School, Cornwall Consolidated School, Sharon Center School and Salisbury Central School, got on the board with only a minute left. The second half saw Kent score again for a 4-1 final score.

Lans Christensen

Keep ReadingShow less
Berkshire League soccer finals come down to Housatonic vs. Nonnewaug
Riley Klein

Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s girls and boys varsity soccer teams took on their counterparts from Nonnewaug High School for the Berkshire League tournament finals on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Results available @lakevillejournal on Instagram and Facebook. In the semifinals of the tournament, the HVRHS boys beat Shepaug 1-0 and the Nonnewaug boys beat Northwestern in a shootout (4-3) after a 1-1 tie. The HVRHS girls beat Terryville 5-2 and the Nonnewaug girls beat Thomaston 3-1.


Keep ReadingShow less