The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) has recognized exceptional partners in this year’s Green Lights. Residents, businesses, municipalities and nonprofits were encouraged to show their support for the National Heritage Corridor by displaying a Green Light during the month-long promotion in late winter. The light displays were also part of an awareness and economic development effort that TLGV organized to energize a traditionally slow time of the year and promote local business. The idea of Green Lights was creatively embraced in a number of note-worthy projects throughout The Last Green Valley.
The Best Collaborative Display was awarded to Willimantic for the Green Lights Screen Project. Original artwork was projected o
nto the windows of the Kerri Art Studio and Gallery in a stunning display. The project involved partners from throughout the city: Thread City Development, Inc., Willimantic Screen Project, Kerri Art Studio and Gallery, and Willimantic Brewing Company. Professor June Bisantz and art students from Eastern Connecticut State University provided the images: Kara Berglund, Melissa Blazejak, Christina Broccoli, Laura Cardeno, Joshua Cranmer, Braden Herrick, Lauren Hodkinson, Cynthia Kapp, Solinda Keth, Colleen King, Hannah Lewis, Cassandra Marion, Chris McMenamey, Seth Myers, Kristin Palka, Joseph Perez, Robert Picone, Mark Raleigh, Alyssa Reilly, Alexa Senia, Chelsea Taylor, Tyler Scott and Julie Vega.
The Best Community Display recognized the Green Lights in Davis Park in Danielson. Killingly Parks and Recreation Director Tracy Wood-Waggoner and crew incorporated green lights into their holiday display, particularly clever in a year when there was so much snow on the ground. The Green Valley Festival Premier and Art Exhibition, held at the Silver Circle Gallery in Putnam, received recognition as the Best Public Event. The evening was the premier of the Green Valley Festival film from Bond Brothers Entertainment and also featured the aerial photography of The Last Green Valley by G. Leslie Sweetnam. Celebrations Gallery in Pomfret used Green Lights as a marketing tool, offering a special TLGV Tea, as well as a unique outdoor display. They were recognized as the Best Business Promotion.
The Most Creative Activity was awarded to Jamie Kordach, US Army Corps of Engneers, for the Green Lights Geo-Dash and the Green Full Moon Walk. Lenore Felpel and Jim Hamel of East Killingly enthusiastically supported Green Lights with an exceptional display, earning the Best Residential Display.
The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor – the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C. A dynamic nonprofit organization, TLGV is a steward of that special place, working to celebrate our heritage, conserve our natural resources and respect our working lands.