Day: October 21, 2025

2025 · Autumn · Connecticut

The Norfolk Historic District, Litchfield County, Connecticut In October 2025

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The town of Norfolk was incorporated in 1758. Early growth was due in part to an industry that developed on the Blackberry River near the town center, of which no significant traces remain. Its main period of growth began with the arrival in 1871 of the railroad, which led to the town’s growth as a summer resort, marketed for its high elevation and fresh air. The town center benefited architecturally from the philanthropic activities of the interrelated Robbins-Battell-Stoeckel families, who contributed churches, civic buildings, and memorials to the town center. The major element of the town center, the former Stoeckel estate, is now home to the Yale Music School’s summer programs.

: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Historic_District

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2025 · Autumn · Connecticut

The Saville Dam & Barkhamsted Reservoir, Litchfield County, Connecticut In October 2025

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The dam is named after Caleb Saville, chief engineer of the ambitious project. Foundations for both the dam and the diversion tunnel were laid in August 1934. Then, the eastern branch of the Farmington River was diverted into a concrete conduit at the bottom of the dam site. Although the Saville Dam was completed in 1940, it was not until 1948 that the Barkhamsted Reservoir filled to full capacity. 

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2025 · Autumn · Connecticut

Stratton Brook State Park, Simsbury, Connecticut In October 2025

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Stratton Brook offers swimming, picnicking, fishing, cycling, interpretive programs, and more in a beautifully wooded setting with ADA accessibility. Originally called Massacoe State Forest, the park’s land was acquired to demonstrate forest fire control techniques along railroads. The railroad tracks have since been replaced by an impressive bike trail shaded by white pines and traveling over scenic brooks and through a covered bridge. Stratton Brook State Park Trail connects the Farmington River Trail to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.

: https://ctparks.com/parks/stratton-brook-state-park

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2025 · National Day Calendar

National Reptile Awareness Day 2025

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Ally, the Alligator

While the history of reptiles may go hundreds of millions of years back, National Reptile Awareness Day has an unfortunately short history in comparison. Additionally, it wasn’t really until 1966 when the first Endangered Species Act was passed that awareness of the needs and threats facing reptiles (or any animal, for that matter) started to make its way into our cultural mainstream. 

With the passing of that act, a mid-century push toward conservation started taking the forefront. Updates were passed in 1967 and 1969. Additionally, in 1967, the Environmental Defense Fund created their historical efforts to ban DDT from usage in the United States. Much of this movement was sparked by Rachel Carson’s seminal book, Silent Spring, which documented the adverse effects pesticides and other chemicals have on the environment. 

National Reptile Awareness Day wouldn’t exist without the efforts of that movement. In fact, many reptiles wouldn’t be around today without the help of the Endangered Species Act. While National Reptile Awareness Day may have a small history compared to its subjects, it’s still part of a historically important movement to help protect and conserve all species of animals.

: https://nationaltoday.com/national-reptile-awareness-day/

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2025 · National Day Calendar

National Apple Day 2025

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Studies have shown that the earliest known wild apple trees cropped up in regions of central Asia anywhere between 10 and 20 million years ago. Though initially their flavor skewed toward sour, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits. This development would make them a more attractive food for wild animals and thereby assist with their diffusion throughout the continent. The apple would eventually spread to Europe as early as the 17th century BC; some historians believe it was during this time that the Roman populous cultivated and developed the apple into the larger, sweeter, more edible fruits that we are familiar with today. 

Since then, the apple has found its way to the forefront of parts of American consciousness and identity (the iconic story of Johnny Appleseed, the phrase “as American as apple pie,” and the nickname “The Big Apple” all come to mind). In fact, though, the United States plays a small part in the worldwide history of the apple; the only native variety to the country is the crabapple, often dismissed as too bitter to enjoy naturally.

Furthermore, though also observed in America, National Apple Day actually has its roots in Europe. It was created by the U.K.-based charity organization Common Ground on October 21st, 1990, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of diversity in different communities. Though the initial meaning of the holiday has been somewhat forgotten, apple lovers everywhere still enthusiastically use the holiday as a chance to rave about their love for the more than 7,500 different varieties of apple grown across the globe!

: https://nationaltoday.com/national-apple-day/

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2025 · National Day Calendar

American Frog Day 2025 🐸

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American Bullfrog

American Frog Day is celebrated annually on various dates at different locations throughout the country. Charles ‘Chuck’ Powell started the first American Frog Day in San Jose. Powell and his family hosted the event for about 10 years. The event became an extremely popular and important gathering for hobbyists, conservationists, and scientists interested in Dendrobatid frogs, commonly known as poison dart frogs. The focus also widened from frogs to all amphibians and other residents of vivariums.

The event is important for everyone interested in captive breeding and raising poison dart frogs and other amphibians, as it provides a space to exchange information, purchase supplies, and even acquire frogs themselves. As the event grew bigger and attracted a wider audience, it became an important space for the exchange of ideas and information about these remarkable animals, as well as an opportunity for conservationists to discuss their research.

Today, the event is also a fundraiser for conservation efforts directed towards helping poison dart frogs, which are native to Central and South America. After the first decade, Powell and his family opened up the opportunity to host the event to enthusiasts across the country so more people could participate and get involved. Today, anyone interested in hosting can do so by reaching out to Jeremy Mott, who is one of the main coordinators.

: https://nationaltoday.com/american-frog-day/

2025 · Travel Tuesday

The Old Town In Munich, Germany 2000

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In August of 2000, for my 27th birthday, I took a trip to Munich alone. Since we had the Bavarian Ticket, which could be purchased for less than 20 Deutsche Marks (about $11) from Monday to Friday (on the weekends, we just had to pay about $5 more to have the weekend ticket where we could travel with certain trains through all of Germany on Saturdays and Sundays) I began to make this a tradition to go to Munich more often.

On my first trip, I just enjoyed walking from the train station to the central square (Marienplatz). In that area, there are a lot of historical buildings to see. There is the Old Town Hall and the much bigger New Town Hall. If you come to visit at 11 am and 12 pm (local time), you can watch the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. From March to October, it can also be witnessed at 5 pm. The clock reenacts the scenes of Munich’s history twice daily. The first scene tells the story of the marriage of Duke Wilhelm V to Renata of Lorraine in 1568. And the second scene is the Cooper’s Dance (Schäfflertanz).

Frauenkirche (Munich’s Cathedral can be reached from Kaufinger Strasse to get to Frauenplatz, which sits northwest of the central square. At Frauenplatz is also a fountain with stairs where you can rest your feet in the hot Summer. You just have to share your space with the locals, the rock pigeons. And yes, it can get warm in Germany.

The German Hunting & Fishing Museum was very interesting as well. I was allowed to capture a photo of the taxidermied Eurasian Lynx. It was prohibited to capture photos in the museum. I believe they have changed the house rules since the use of smartphones. The museum is located in the former Augustiner Church on Neuhauser Strasse.

That day, I just strolled around and had some good ice cream before I took the subway to the Nymphenburg Palace, the birthplace of King Ludwig II.

… to be continued …