Full Moon Paddle Set for Saturday

Written by Mike Dynia

The public is invited to the annual Full Moon Paddle for canoes and kayaks on the Scantic River, sponsored by the Scantic River Watershed Association, on Saturday, July 20 at the Somers Mill Pond. The pond is located on School Street, just off Route 190, in the Somersville section of Somers.

According to The Farmers Almanac, the July moon is known as the Full Buck Moon. July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. If you look closely while paddling, you might just see a deer at the water's edge in the early evening.

Registration for the event will start at 6:30 p.m. All participants must register first with the event planners. The full moon paddle will start around 7:30 p.m., as the sun will set at approximately 8:15 p.m. that night.

This paddle is open to the general public and there is no fee involved. The SRWA is asking all participants to donate a non perishable food item to benefit various area food shelves. We will also have Sam Wentworth there, who is working on his Eagle Scout project; if you would like to donate and assist his efforts, he will have information on his plans there. 

All participants must supply their own canoe or kayak, paddles, PFDs and flashlights. Glow sticks will be provided while supplies last. The paddle will be a leisurely trip up through the Mill Pond area and into a short section of the Scantic River above the Route 190 bridge (or as far as is passable), then back to the dam area at the Mill Pond under the Full Buck Moon.

For further information, contact Pat Sharron at 860-331-6743 or garftcv@sbcglobal.net.