news briefs

Self-Care Retreat at Enders Island

BYODestiny is holding an Emotional Self-Care Retreat at Enders Island on October 24 from 9am to 3pm. This retreat will guide attendees in understanding their emotions as information and how to use this information to develop positive self-talk, improve their relationships, make better decisions and bring peace to their busy world. What you think is where Paige Deist you live. We all experience neg ative self-talk once in a while, but do you ever say things to yourself that you would never say to another person? Attendees will learn to care for themselves and their emotions in a more beneficial and effective way, while relaxing and rejuvenating. They will learn techniques for mindfulness, practices for happiness, and emotional intelligence skills necessary to develop increased confidence, more resilience and control in stressful situations, and better strategies for dealing with life.

The retreat includes lunch, and free parking is located on the island, just off scenic Mystic. Tickets are $115; two or more are $95 each; seating is limited, so registration and payment are required in advance. Masks and social distancing will be required.

For questions, contact Paige Dest, certified emotional intelligence coach, at Paige@BYODestiny.com or 860-550-1844. Tickets may be purchased by visiting http://bit.ly/ESCR_2005. Location: Enders Island. Wilderness Skills Program for Adults

Parents often ask instructors at Two Coyotes Wilderness School, “How can I learn and experience all the things you teach my child?”

The organization has responded by launching the new Heartwood Wilderness Skills Apprenticeship Program running from September through June. For 10 months, “Oakhearts” will be mentored in wilderness skills in order to foster a deep relationship to the landscape and local ecosystem. Apprentices learn to walk into the forest and find materials to make primitive tools and crafts and build a fire or a shelter. They’ll also forge personal connections to the animals, plants and trees that share their local habitat.

Heartwood is designed and led by Andy Dobos, although there will be additional guest instructors to share their gifts with students. Dobos is an artist and educator specializing in nature connection mentoring, woodcrafts and wilderness skills. He is highly respected in his field, having earned a BFA in sculpture from Montserrat College of Art; a Wildlife Track and Sign Level Three Certificate from Cybertracker Conservation; an Advanced Completion Certificate from White Pine Programs Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship; training in the art of mentoring and the Boys Sacred Fire Initiation; and more than a decade of experience in mentoring.

The program, which costs $2500 per person, meets one weekend a month culminating in a three-night, four-day adventure in June. Scholarships are available; please request one when you register. Apprentices must be 18 years or older.

To learn more about the schedule, locations, and topics covered in the course or to register, visit TwoCoyotes.org/programs/adult-programs/heartwood-wilderness-skills/. To learn more about Dobos’s art and mentoring, visit TheForestWolf.com.

Munay-Ki Rites in Ridgefield

This month you can join shamanic healer Mikki Baloy to receive the nine Munay-Ki blessings from the Q’ero mystics of Peru. Baloy will perform the rites over a two-day period on September 13 and 20 from 1 to 3:30pm at The Angel Cooperative in Ridgefield.

Munay means “unconditional love.” The nine Munay-Ki blessings facilitate transformation, clearing the luminous energy field and allowing us to connect directly with sacred beings and healing energies. It’s believed that the rites help us accelerate our personal and collective evolution.

The event is limited to 12 participants, so advance registration is strongly recommended. Please plan to be there both days. Masks, hand sanitizer, and suitable distancing when giving/receiving the rites will be employed. The studio also uses a UV light to disinfect the space between events. You may want to bring your own blanket/mat and water bottle to stay comfortable. The cost is $50.

For more information or to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/30Q7Seh. Location:The Angel Cooperative, 51 Ethan Allen Hwy (Rte 7), Ridgefield. See ad, page 21. Harvest Moon Fundraiser at Pratt

On Saturday, September 12 from 5 to 8pm, New Milford’s Pratt Nature Center will host a fundraising event for adults in the field. There will be no tent this year; the center’s presentation, raffles and silent auction will be done in an open air format. Masks and/or physical distancing will be practiced. The theme is “Why should we all fit in when we were born to stand out?” so attendees are encouraged to wear their best tie dye outfit. As the world changes around us, it has become increasingly important for the center to preserve and expand its outreach to the communities in the Greater Litchfield County Area.

Food will be provided by two food trucks filled with tacos and pizza, as well as beer and wine. Music by the Blue Yodels, giant games and hatchet throwing will all be featured and the evening will close with a bonfire in the meadow.

Pratt Nature Center is seeking more sponsors and auction items at this time; sponsorship costs range from $250 for a Goat Guardian Sponsor to $2500 for a Food Truck Sponsor. Individual attendee tickets cost $75 per person. Space is limited, so reserve your spot ahead of time.

Pratt Nature Center is a 205-acre nature preserve and summer camp offering hiking, bird-watching, garden plots, animals, and nature education for all ages including programs tailor-made for the classroom or scout troop as well as for family or community enjoyment and learning.

For more information, call 860-355-3137, email Info@PrattCenter.org or visit PrattCenter.org/. Location: 163 Paper Mill Rd, New Milford.

We offer non-medication alternatives for healing, including: Neurofeedback and Biofeedback , Counseling, Hypnosis, EFT/Tapping and our 360° Reboot® Program

 Anxiety & Anxiety-Related Disorders  Autism  Behavioral & Social Issues

 Concussion / TBI  Depression / Mood Issues  Learning Disability / Dyslexia

 Chronic Health Conditions  PTSD / Trauma  Seizures  Sleep Problems

39th Annual Artisan Fair in Redding

On Saturday, September 26 from 10am to 4:30pm, First Church of Christ Congregational Church in Redding Center welcomes the public to its 39th Annual Artisan Fair, featuring more than 50 artisans,a huge tag sale, music, children’s games, a bake sale and delicious food. Admission and parking are free, making the event an affordable and fun family day. Organizers promise there will be something for everyone to do.

The tag sale will open at 9am for those who wish to have first shot at the treasures waiting within. There will be a small fee of $5 to take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, there is an incredible Jewelry Boutique, featuring many unique jewelry pieces along with an eclectic collection of scarves, hats, etc., which will also open early.

Since 1982, First Church has put its best foot forward to provide the community with an event to welcome the fall season. Enjoy a piece of fresh-baked apple pie or a cup of soup poured straight from the kettle. Purchase pumpkins, mums, and cornstalks while listening to area bands play familiar tunes. Admire the works of more than 50 artisans and take home your favorite pieces or sit and relax while eating a grilled burger, hot dog, sausage & pepper, fries, or veggie burger served up to order by our men's group.

A gated area will be set up for children's activities featuring games, face painting, pumpkin painting, and sand art. Music will be provided from 12 to 1pm by Soul Tonic, with musicians Scott Weber, Nancy Berger and friends. From 1:30 to 3:30pm Ball & Chain will perform, featuring Amy & Eliot Cabot and friends.

For more information or to apply to exhibit your wares, visit FirstChurchRedding.org or call 203-938-2004. Location: 25 Cross Hwy Redding Center CT. For parking the day of the fair please go to Redding Elementary School at 33 Lonetown Rd, Redding. A shuttle bus will take you to the Church grounds. HydroMassage in Stamford

Haute Healing Oasis in Stamford now offers HydroMassage, a revolutionary massage bed that uses powerful heated water jets to melt away tension, stress and soreness. The water jets pulsate hundreds of times a minute, delivering user-controlled, targeted relief. This massage bed allows you to be in control of every aspect of your massage, including the area, pressure and speed of the jets, all while remaining comfortably dry.

Haute Healing’s signature treatments also include complimentary aroma and sound therapies for the ultimate relaxation experience. It’s safe and sanitary, as there is no therapist involved and the bed is completely disinfected between guests. A 10-minute massage is $20.

Schedule a treatment now at Vagaro.com/hautehealingoasis/services. Location: 792 Pacific St, Stamford.