About Pulling Together
The Kiwanis breakfast meeting program this Saturday, March 29, 2025 is “Pulling Together,” a community plan to teach invasive plant management and other restoration strategies in Weston.
Pulling Together members Lisa Brodlie, Sarah Hutchison, and Mike Aikenhead will discuss the volunteer group’s work. The group aims to educate neighbors and show them how to respect existing wetlands, identify and remove invasive plants, and encourages the use of native plants to decrease soil erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and protect water quality.
Pulling Together partners with Lachat Farm and Weston Public Schools to host invasive removal workshops. In five years, they have accomplished more than 1,200 hours of invasive removal work on town property.
The Speakers
Lisa Brodlie
Lisa Brodlie is a retired registered nurse with a botanical background and an interest in invasive plants. Lisa has been a member of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group since its inception and now serves on the steering committee, outreach and education committee, and most recently, the advisory board for the invasive plant certificate program.
Lisa has spent the last two decades volunteering with local conservation organizations, like the Nature Conservancy, where she has volunteered her time and expertise on community outreach events, invasive removal sessions, and advocacy opportunities.
Her latest invasive removal project involves restoring the riparian buffer at Lachat Town Farm at the Juliana Lachat Preserve in Weston.
Sarah Hutchison
Sarah Hutchison is a retired cost engineer with a passion for ecological gardening. She was born in Scotland and moved to the United States in 2001, where she put down roots in the invasive plant community when she participated in the University of Connecticut Extension Master Gardener Program.
Her interest in native plants inspired her to launch the Weston Pollinator Pathway in 2019, leading to her current partnership with Lachat Town Farm and the Weston schools to plant pollinator gardens and remove invasive plants on town property.
Sarah was a member of The Sustainable Weston Committee from 2019-2024, where she focused on increasing education and awareness among town residents about land stewardship practices that support wildlife and protect our natural resources.
Mike Aikenhead
Mike Aikenhead is a passionate educator who has transformed environmental science at Weston High School since joining in 2017. In 2023, he launched Sustainable Solutions, an innovative project-based learning class that empowers students to tackle real-world environmental challenges within the school and local community. Mike was named Weston’s Teacher of the Year that same year and honored as a Connecticut State semi-finalist.
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or community service activity.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, $10 for members for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Last Updated: March 26, 2025 by Robert Uzenoff
Pulling Together at Kiwanis
About Pulling Together
The Kiwanis breakfast meeting program this Saturday, March 29, 2025 is “Pulling Together,” a community plan to teach invasive plant management and other restoration strategies in Weston.
Pulling Together members Lisa Brodlie, Sarah Hutchison, and Mike Aikenhead will discuss the volunteer group’s work. The group aims to educate neighbors and show them how to respect existing wetlands, identify and remove invasive plants, and encourages the use of native plants to decrease soil erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and protect water quality.
Pulling Together partners with Lachat Farm and Weston Public Schools to host invasive removal workshops. In five years, they have accomplished more than 1,200 hours of invasive removal work on town property.
The Speakers
Lisa Brodlie
Lisa Brodlie is a retired registered nurse with a botanical background and an interest in invasive plants. Lisa has been a member of the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group since its inception and now serves on the steering committee, outreach and education committee, and most recently, the advisory board for the invasive plant certificate program.
Lisa has spent the last two decades volunteering with local conservation organizations, like the Nature Conservancy, where she has volunteered her time and expertise on community outreach events, invasive removal sessions, and advocacy opportunities.
Her latest invasive removal project involves restoring the riparian buffer at Lachat Town Farm at the Juliana Lachat Preserve in Weston.
Sarah Hutchison
Sarah Hutchison is a retired cost engineer with a passion for ecological gardening. She was born in Scotland and moved to the United States in 2001, where she put down roots in the invasive plant community when she participated in the University of Connecticut Extension Master Gardener Program.
Her interest in native plants inspired her to launch the Weston Pollinator Pathway in 2019, leading to her current partnership with Lachat Town Farm and the Weston schools to plant pollinator gardens and remove invasive plants on town property.
Sarah was a member of The Sustainable Weston Committee from 2019-2024, where she focused on increasing education and awareness among town residents about land stewardship practices that support wildlife and protect our natural resources.
Mike Aikenhead
Mike Aikenhead is a passionate educator who has transformed environmental science at Weston High School since joining in 2017. In 2023, he launched Sustainable Solutions, an innovative project-based learning class that empowers students to tackle real-world environmental challenges within the school and local community. Mike was named Weston’s Teacher of the Year that same year and honored as a Connecticut State semi-finalist.
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or community service activity.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, $10 for members for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Category: Blog Post
Upcoming events
Breakfast meeting, WVEMS check presentation, Speaker Toni Boucher
After breakfast, Toni Boucher, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician, will speak.
Toni Boucher has dedicated her life to public service and entrepreneurial innovation. Currently serving as First Selectman (mayor) of Wilton, Connecticut, her remarkable political career includes roles as State Representative Minority Leader, State Senate Chief Deputy Minority Leader, and Connecticut State Board of Education Commissioner. She has won fifteen of seventeen political campaigns, becoming one of Connecticut’s most respected public servants.
In the private sector, Boucher has been a trailblazing business leader, managing billion-dollar budgets for major corporations and recently retiring as director of a $30 billion asset management company. A serial entrepreneur, she has founded multiple start-ups and held Series 7, 63, and 31 investment licenses.
As a philanthropist and education advocate, Boucher is transforming entrepreneurship programs at the University of Connecticut School of Business and serves on numerous nonprofit boards funding groundbreaking research and initiatives. She is the author of The Husky Effect: How UConn Is Creating the Entrepreneurs of the Future and has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who.
Boucher holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut and has called Wilton home for forty years, where she raised three children and now enjoys six grandchildren. Her life’s work continues to focus on creating opportunities for others to achieve their own American Dream.
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending no later than 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or a community service activity.
Stone Doll
An Immigrant’s Memoir from War-Torn Italy to the American Dream
From a dirt floor in Italy to the halls of American power, this is one woman’s incredible journey.
In 1955, five-year-old Toni Boucher and her family left their primitive stone farmhouse in war-torn Italy and boarded a ship for America with nothing in their pockets and no understanding of the English language. But they had hope.
Stone Doll is the stirring memoir of an immigrant girl who turned away hardships, determined not to let challenges place limits on what she could achieve. She arrived in a country that promised everything but guaranteed nothing, and Toni grew up seeing her illiterate parents battle to create a new life when tragedies seemed destined to rip the family apart. Instead, through heartbreak and obstacles, she found her indomitable spirit—first nurtured by her father and brother, and later elevated through her loving partnership with her husband.
From those meager beginnings, Toni found herself to be a leader who exceled in all she took on: entrepreneur, politician, philanthropist. Boucher has run seventeen political campaigns and won fifteen. She reached the highest levels of Connecticut state government. With her husband, she rode the entrepreneur’s roller coaster—complete with devastating failures and formidable achievements, never losing faith in the power of an idea worth fighting for.
Today, Toni is a benefactor of the University of Connecticut and voice for society’s most vulnerable, She shows that the American Dream isn’t just about where you end up—it’s about lifting others as you climb.
This is her American story.
More info:
https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/biographies-and-memoirs/political-memoirs/stone-doll/
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
St. Patricks's breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Breakfast meeting. Program: Radiation Oncology Chief for Nuvance Health, Philip W. Gilbo, MD
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Breakfast meeting. Reservoir Run check presentation WHS Boosters
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Passover breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Green Up Day Lieutenant Governor Visit, breakfast meeting,. Program: Millie Best Environmental Award
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Community Service - Green Up Day
Breakfast at Weston History & Culture Center, presentation on archiving and tour of facilities, presentation on archiving and tour of facilities
Weston Kiwanis meets most Saturdays from September through June at Norfield Congregational Church parish hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. for coffee and conversation, with the breakfast meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending no later than 10 a.m. After breakfast, we have a speaker or community service activity.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
EcoFest 2026
Mother's Day breakfast meeting and Annual Club Meeting for Elections
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
Memorial Day Weekend Fair
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Youth Service and Leadership Award and breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
High School Awards and Father's Day breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Weston Celebrates America 250 Field Day
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
NO MEETING
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Installation breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Board Meetings with Committee Chairs
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.
Club Meeting. Breakfast meeting.
Meetings are open to all, drop-ins are welcome, and your first breakfast, normally $10 for a full breakfast or $5 for a continental, is on us.