March, 2012
Spring has sprung – but then again, maybe not!
Life along the Q River… An Update from the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association
By JoAnne Grabinski
Yes, for a few glorious days we were all treated to spring and yes, even a touch of summer. The Butterfly & Bee Garden responded beautifully to the unprecedented warmth and burst forth with crocuses and daffodils. With many tender shoots on the butterfly bush, rose and lungwort you could smell the lavender and bergamot after touching the leaves.
Our long awaited shed popped up too! After many fits and starts the luck of the Irish was with us as the shed was finally underway on the weekend of St Patrick’s Day. A dedicated crew of four, including Board member Dan Pelletier, Gary Baggett, Mike Wieloch and Frank Basch made the shed become a reality in a weekend. The generously sized shed will be dual purpose: the front half will contain all the garden related equipment while the back half will hold all the river cleanup and RBV materials. Now with a few doors, windows and ramps, we’ll be well on our way to put it to good use. There are even offers of window boxes and curtains to complete the look.
Fish and the QRWA, go hand in hand like rod and reel. Mike Roberts, longtime QRWA member came through again with a very successful game dinner in March and raised over $3200 to purchase fish for our annual Fish Stocking at Red Bridge on Wednesday, April 18th at 5 p.m. with a Rain Date of Thursday, April 19 at 5 pm. Help Mike and QRWA Board member Peter Picone as they release over one hundred Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout into the Quinnipiac River! If you catch one of the seven fish that are tagged and call Pete Picone he will let you know what prize you won and how to collect it. Pete can be reached at 860-919-7236. .
Learn more about the Wallace Dam Fishway with Steve Gephard at our next Speaker Series sponsored by CT Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services on Tuesday, April 10 and then go to the grand opening of the Fishway at Wallace Dam in Wallingford at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 21st, which just happens to be Opening Day for fishing. Best of luck to all fisher men and women and kids too!
Special thanks to QRWA Board member Roger Kemp to serve as Vice President until board elections later this year and a huge thank you to David for serving as QRWA Vice President for the past four years and on behalf of the QRWA Board we wish you all the best in pursuing your education and thank you for remaining on the Board as a director.
And our heartfelt thanks to Mike Roberts for his recent article in the Sunday, March 25 edition of the Meriden Record-Journal. In the article entitled, “Junk to Jewel”, Mike point out that the Quinnipiac Gorge would not be a lovely spot to walk if it weren’t for the tenacity and determination of the founding members of the QRWA. Because of their efforts the water is cleaner so that fish can swim and eagles can hunt for food and many, many people can enjoy a lovely evening walk in the middle of March when it feels like summer.
To learn more about the upcoming events, news and programs visit our web site at Or better yet, become a member, dues are $20 for individual membership and $30 for families; we give a discount membership to students and senior citizens. As a member you will receive advance notices of events and programs and special invites to selected programs exclusive to members.
Upcoming QRWA Events:
Wednesday, April 4th 6:30 p.m. 2012 Mike Beauchene from DEEP will give the results of our Rapid Bio Assessment efforts from samples taken last fall. Join us at our headquarters for Mike’s summary.
Saturday, April 7th 9:00 a.m. 2012 Opening of the Butterfly & Bee Garden, with the Meriden Kiwanis Club, Key Clubs and Builders Clubs. Volunteers, young and young at heart will put down a fresh layer of compost and then dress it with mulch.
Tuesday, April 10th 7:00 p.m. 2012 Speaker Series with Steve Gephard, fisheries biologist with the CT DEEP’sInland Fisheries Division, sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas Services. The presentation is entitled, “An overview of the new Wallace Dam Fishway and the effort to restore migratory fish to the Quinnipiac River”, light refreshments served.
Saturday, April 14th 9:00 am. Annual Spring Quinnipiac River Clean Up, chaired by David James. Join other volunteers to keep the Quinny clean. Rain Date is set for April 21st .Meet at the QRWA headquarters, light refreshments served.
Wednesday, April 18 at 5:00 p.m. with a Rain Date of Thursday, April19th 5:00 pm. Annual Quinnipiac River FishStocking, chaired by Peter Picone. Park in the LinearTrail lot on Oregon Road and meet at Red Bridge, the public is invited to attend.
Saturday, April 21st 00:00 am. Wallace Dam Fishway Opening, the public is invited to attend.
Thursday, April 26th, 6:30 pm. Nature Art Show, “Earth Day – Celebrating Life along the Quinnipiac River”, sponsored by the Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation. This is a partnership between the Meriden Arts Council and the QRWA. The show will be held at Lincoln Middle School, the public is invited to attend.
Sunday, April 29th 7:30 am. Canoe Bird Watch, with the Quinnipiac Valley Audubon Society. Park in the Linear Trail lot on Oregon Road and meet at Red Bridge, this is a private event.
Be sure to visit our web site at to confirm information, cancellations and details for upcoming events.
QRWA provides water activities, events in education, outreach, advocacy, scientific monitoring, conservation, restoration, recreation and public access to the watershed area. The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization whose mission is to restore the Quinnipiac for the health and enjoyment of all citizens and communities along its reach and to educate all students, families, individuals, businesses and governments to be informed stewards of the river.
Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable.