Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How much new state money is coming to Southbury projects?
Spotted on the Southbury calendar: First Day Nature Hike with Southbury Land Trust
Cheers Southbury! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How much new state money is coming to Southbury projects?
- Where and when Southbury’s First Day Hike steps off Monday
- Southbury-linked mortgage news publisher quietly shutters its final publication
Also on today's calendar: First Day Nature Hike with Southbury Land Trust.
Find out what's happening in Southburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Southburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Breezy with flurries, with a high of 29 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Partly sunny, breezy and cold, temps: high: 27, low: 15.
- Saturday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 29 and low of 19 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Rep. Buchsbaum Applauds State Funding Awarded for Southbury Projects (primepublishers.com) — State leaders have approved major funding to help Southbury recover from 2024 flood damage, including $500,000 for HVAC upgrades at Southbury Training School and repairs at Kettletown State Park. A separate $350,000 state grant to the Town of Southbury will cover repair costs not reimbursed by FEMA, supporting critical local infrastructure and park improvements. 
2. Kick off 2026 on a healthy note in CT with New Year's Day guided hikes or walks. Here's where to go (courant.com) — Southbury residents can ring in New Year’s Day with a guided First Day Hike at Kettletown State Park, one of 16 Connecticut parks hosting special walks. Most hikes run one to three miles between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and park entry is free for vehicles with Connecticut plates, making it an easy, low-cost way to start 2026 outdoors.
3. Mortgage news outlet MortgageOrb announces closure (scotsmanguide.com) — A longtime business-to-business publisher that had been headquartered at a Southbury residence has shut down its last remaining title, the mortgage-industry news site MortgageOrb. Company filings show Zackin Publications moved its headquarters to Honolulu in 2023, but MortgageOrb’s contact page still lists the Southbury address as its office while the brand winds down after nearly two decades.
4. Ethel Van Arx (primepublishers.com) — Southbury readers may remember Ethel Van Arx from her many years working at Friendly’s in town, as well as in Watertown and New Milford. The longtime Woodbury resident, devoted to family, Girl Scouts, and knitting for those in need, passed away peacefully on December 23 at age 84, with a private spring service planned.
📸 Around Southbury
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Southbury
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- First Day Nature Hike with Southbury Land Trust
Lovdal Farm Preserve Trailhead, 503 Hulls Hill Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, USA
10:00 am - Southbury Juniorettes Partner with Sustainable Southbury for a Bottle & Can Fundraiser Event
800 Main St S , Southbury
12:00 pm
Thursday January 1
Sunday January 4
📣 Southbury Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- William C. Kavanek: A Retrospective Show Opening
The Burnham Library , 62 Main Street South , Bridgewater
10:00 am - William C. Kavanek: A Retrospective Opens
The Burnham Library , 62 Main Street South , Bridgewater
10:00 am - Book to Movie
Middlebury Public Library , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
11:00 am - America 250th Kick Off
Middlebury Public Library , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
1:00 pm - French Conversation Fridays
The Burnham Library , 62 Main Street South , Bridgewater
1:30 pm - Drop-In Storytime and Snowball Fight
Middlebury Public Library , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
11:00 am - Adult Watercolor
Middlebury Public Library , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
10:30 am - WMS Boys & Girls home Basketball Game vs. Memorial
Whisconier Middle School , 17 Whisconier Road , Brookfield
4:00 pm - Book Explorers
Middlebury Public Library - Children , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
6:00 pm - MPL Adult Book Discussion
Middlebury Public Library , 30 Crest Road , Middlebury
1:00 pm
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Southbury PatchAM possible:
- Happy Days Creative Arts Center — (203) 231-1644
Arts and crafts for all ages - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty, Danbury Brokerage — (203) 796-7700
Exquisite Homes. Exceptional Agents. Every Price Point. - Joe's Junk Removal AND MORE llc — (203) 535-9817
Joe's Junk Removal and more llc
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Cuddly kittens for adoption Fully vetted
Cuddly kittens for adoptionSecond Chance Animal Rescue has all colors and sizes of well-socialized and vetted kittens available for adoption. ... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Just when I almost lost hope in people.
A nice young man answered my request for shoveling. Did a great job with a smile on his face. Thanks also to his mom Michelle who quarterbacked the… (Nextdoor Lakeside) - Looking for someone to transport a fridge from Bethel to Newtown today or tomorrow morning..
message me directly if interested with pricing (Nextdoor Lakeside)
- Chico's FAS, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager- Chico's in Southbury. Apply here.
- Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager II in Middlebury. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Southbury here.
Ok Southbury! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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