What Spring Green Is Hiding

This week’s letter is about the local things we pass by all the time without thinking much about them.

The green leaves on Prospect Mountain and the abandoned mines hiding inside.

Each one has a stranger, more interesting story underneath.

There’s also a quick reader poll at the end, because I’d love to hear what you want more of in future issues.

Glad you’re back.

Patrick
The Litchfield Ledger

Tue — 60° / 44° · ☀️ Sunny
Wed — 60° / 49° · 🌧️ Showers
Thu — 57° / 47° · 🌧️ Rain
Fri — 59° / 48° · 🌧️ Showers
Sat — 71° / 54° · ☀️ Mostly sunny
Sun — 77° / 54° · ☀️ Mostly sunny

Most people think leaves are green because green is the color plants “use.” But it’s actually the opposite.

Leaves absorb red and blue light for energy and bounce much of the green light back out. That reflected light is what reaches our eyes, which means the color of a summer forest is largely made from the wavelengths trees reject.

Scientists figured this out more than a century ago when they discovered plants were doing most of their work with red and blue wavelengths, not green. Modern researchers now study forests using special cameras that detect reflected light humans cannot even see. Tree health, drought stress, and even disease can sometimes be spotted from the air before they are visible from the ground.

The same basic idea explains why Bantam Lake looks blue. Water absorbs reds and yellows more easily, while blue light travels farther and reflects back to our eyes. The color we see is not what the lake keeps, but what it throws back.

Once you realize this, it changes how you look at the landscape in May. The bright green maples along Prospect Mountain, the blue lakes, even the sky overhead, are all shaped partly by what nature refuses to absorb. Pretty cool.

In Connecticut, a quiet walk in the woods can suddenly become a walk through an old industrial dream.

Prospect Mountain Preserve in Litchfield has several old mining sites tucked into the trails, including a horizontal shaft near Granniss Pond. In the 1800s, prospectors came here hoping the mountain would make them rich. The catch? They were mostly chasing nickel and copper, not gold, and the mines never turned into the fortune people hoped for.

Basically, Prospect Mountain had all the drama of a gold rush, but without much actual gold.

The old mines have names like Granniss, Buck, Hardy, Curtis, Pool, and Mitchell, and most were small, rough attempts to pull valuable minerals from the mountain. By today’s standards, they were not exactly a booming industry. They were more like a local get-rich dream that fizzled out.

Now the treasure is different: rocky trails, old stone walls, forest, overlooks, Granniss Pond, and the strange little thrill of knowing people once dug into this hillside hoping to strike it rich.

You can find this exact spot on the yellow trail at Prospect Mountain Preserve.

Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield – Gather your smartest friends or fly solo for a lively Trivia Night featuring five rounds of questions, refreshments, and local business gift card prizes. Teams can have up to five players, and solo participants can team up onsite for a fun community competition. 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM TEST BRAINS

Torrington Historical Society, Torrington – Discover the true story behind Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride during this fascinating author talk with Kostya Kennedy. Drawing from fresh research and historical sources, Kennedy reveals the dramatic and lesser-known realities behind one of America’s most iconic Revolutionary War moments. 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM RIDE BACK

Gunn Memorial Library, Washington – Learn how to transform your yard into a healthier, more eco-friendly landscape during this free talk with UConn Master Gardener Cynthia Salmoiraghi. Discover how to identify invasive plants, remove them responsibly, and replace them with beautiful native species that support Connecticut wildlife and ecosystems. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM PLANT NATIVE

Housatonic River Brewing, New Milford – Grab the mic and hit the stage at Karaoke & Lip Sync Night Kickoff, featuring a huge song selection, costumes, group performances, and nonstop laughs. Whether you sing your heart out or lip sync like a superstar, this fun-filled night is all about letting loose and entertaining the crowd. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM STEAL SPOTLIGHT

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville – Experience the inaugural Hotchkiss International Piano Competition, an exciting showcase of rising piano talent from around the world under the artistic direction of Fabio Witkowski and Gisele Witkowski. Enjoy world-class performances and extraordinary musicianship in an intimate concert hall setting. HEAR GENIUS

Alain White Field, Bantam – Celebrate the new Bantam River Cultural District designation with Little Bantam’s Big Announcement Party, featuring live music by Eran Troy Danner, guest speakers, artists, crafts, vendors, local businesses, food, drink, and a farmers market along the river. 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM CELEBRATE LOCAL

Ace Hardware of Litchfield, Litchfield – Fire up your grilling skills at the Big Green Egg Women’s Workshop with grill expert Shannon Morgan. This hands-on class covers prep, cooking, and tasting while teaching the versatility of the Big Green Egg in a fun, social atmosphere. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM GRILL LIKE

Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Goshen – Sip award-winning wine while creating your own custom wine-inspired candle during this cozy Candle Making Workshop with Summit Scent Co.. Personalize your candle with scents, colors, dried fruits, and decorative wax accents in a fun, creative vineyard setting. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM POUR CANDLES

Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary, Woodbury – Step back in time at the Colonial Flanders Festival, celebrating America’s 250th birthday with colonial-inspired programs, history, and family-friendly festivities. Enjoy a full day of community celebration surrounded by the scenic beauty of Van Vleck Farm & Nature Sanctuary. 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM TIME TRAVEL

The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm, New Milford – Discover the next generation of creators at the first-ever Youth Arts & Flavors Festival featuring young entrepreneurs, artists, performers, food vendors, and handmade crafts. This family-friendly celebration shines a spotlight on local youth talent with free admission for all. 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM SUPPORT YOUTH

Wassaic Project, Wassaic – Celebrate the opening of the 2026 Summer Exhibition, Because, now is the time of monsters, featuring works from 39 artists throughout Maxon Mills. Enjoy gallery exhibitions, performances, projections, and immersive contemporary art experiences all afternoon and evening. 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM SUMMER ART

Action Wildlife Foundation, Goshen – Race through a one-of-a-kind wildlife park during the Run With the Animals 5K, featuring scenic trails and animal sightings from six continents along the route. Compete for prizes, support the Northwest CT YMCA, and enjoy a wild morning of fitness and family fun. 9:00 AM Registration | 10:00 AM Race Start RUN WILD

The Cornwall Garden Club, Cornwall – Slow down and reconnect with nature during this guided Spring Forest Bathing experience with mindfulness facilitator Sandrine Harris. Explore the sights, sounds, and sensory beauty of the forest in a peaceful small-group setting. 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM TOUCH GRASS

Troutbeck, Amenia – Dive into the fascinating history of denim during this intimate salon-style conversation led by heritage fashion expert Eric Maggiori and denim collector Spencer Barksdale. Explore rare vintage garments, personal archives, and the cultural evolution of one of fashion’s most iconic fabrics. 3:00 PM DENIM TALK

Mohawk Mountain, West Cornwall – Hit the greens at Mohawk Mountain’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament and support the volunteer Ski Patrol team that keeps the mountain running all winter long. Enjoy a full day of golf, contests, prizes, lunch, and a prime rib dinner at Candlewood Valley Country Club. 7:30 AM Registration | 9:00 AM Start SWING BIG