White Silo Farm in Sherman Celebrates the Quince

Quince is an ancient fruit, found in Roman cooking and grown across Turkey and southeast Asia. It grows on small trees and is closely related to apples and pears, but it lacks their immediate edibility and appeal.  The fruit is knobbly and ugly, with an irregular shape and often a gray fuzz — especially when the fruit has been picked underripe. The ripest, nicest quince will have a golden tone and smooth skin like pictured directly above. But even ripe quince doesn’t taste very good raw.

Quince was popular in 18th century New England. Nearly every home had a quince tree in the yard because quince provided a natural and plentiful source of pectin that was necessary for home canners to ensure that preserves they were putting up for the winter were properly set and preserved. After powdered pectins were invented, quince fell out of favor.

The first clue that quince hides something special is its aroma. If you leave a quince on a sunny windowsill it will slowly release a delicate fragrance of vanilla, citrus, and apple into your kitchen. It’s a heady, perfumed scent that is completely at odds with its appearance. Maybe this is why the quince is slowly making a comeback and is celebrated at White Silo Farm in Sherman on November 2, and November 3 at the 6th annual Quince Festival from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

They will be serving 6 scrumptious dishes made with quince. Their menu includes Butternut squash and quince soup; Quince Cippolini onion and bacon; Quince Pumpkin, quinoa salad with pomegranate seeds; Quince and Manchego Empanada; Panacotta with spiced quince and amaretti and hazelnut crumble; Quince gingerbread cake; and Pretzels with quince mustard.
Admission is free. Pay for wine and food. Quince mustard and Quince jam will be available to take home. There will be live music on Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm with the Hummingbirds and live music on Sunday, from 1pm-4 pm with Al Rivoli. Free outdoor tours weather permitting.

“Spirits of the Past” at historic Sharp Hill Cemetery in Wilton Nov. 2

On Saturday, November 2 from 11:00 – 12:00 a most unusual tour of Wilton’s oldest burial ground, the historic Sharp Hill Cemetery, will be offered by the Wilton Historical Society.  Portrayed by re-enactors, six of our town’s intrepid early settlers (each buried there) will describe their role in Wilton’s history.  Some of the historic figures portrayed will include the thrice-married Sarah Lockwood Selleck Hickox (1678 – 1765), Matthew Gregory (1680 – 1777) and Hannah Keeler Gregory (1687 – 1767).  The history of the cemetery itself will be explored by Wilton history expert and former First Selectman Bob Russell.

The Sharp Hill Cemetery, owned by the Wilton Congregational Church, is the oldest surviving cemetery in Wilton, dating from 1738. That year,  John Marvin gave 64 square rods (4/10 of an acre) to the “Presbyterian or Congregational Society of Wilton” as the site of a meeting house for the worship of God, as the Society had outgrown the small building in which they had started 12 years earlier.  The cemetery was to surround the new meeting house.  Although the church building which was built there only lasted until 1790, the cemetery was used actively until the mid-1800’s and then was gradually replaced by Hillside Cemetery on Ridgefield Road, which had the advantage of more space.

The men and women who are buried in Sharp Hill Cemetery include founders of Wilton, church leaders, and 23 veterans of the Revolution or the French and Indian Wars.  Many of the family names found here are still familiar in Wilton today in person or on street signs, including Abbott, Belden, DeForest, Dudley, Fitch, Gaylord, Gilbert, Gregory, Grumman, Hurlbutt, Lambert, Olmstead, Raymond, St. John, and Sturges.  There are about 150 legible gravestones, including about 70 from the 18th century, plus another 150 or so stones no longer legible or graves marked only with common fieldstones.  Many of the older gravestones have ornate skull carvings and other interesting designs.  Because of the fragile nature of many of the stones, gravestone rubbing is definitely discouraged.

Please register.  E-mail: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257. Suggested donation: $10

Still Time to Get a Pumpkin @ Jones Family Farm

Fall at Jones Family Farm in Shelton is a festive time of year.  A highlight is the pumpkins at Pumpkinseed Hill Farm! Bright orange pumpkins lie nestled amongst hay and green vines, ready to be harvested and carried home. The Market Yard features farm animals, hayrides, corn maze, fall flowers, fresh apples and piles of autumn squash.

Families enjoy roaming the pumpkin fields looking for the perfect jack-o-lantern. A hayride offered daily, weather permitting is great way to enjoy the harvest views or the pumpkin fields. If you are feeling daring, the family friend corn maze is a perfect way to experience autumn fun.

This year, the farm is having an amazing pumpkin and squash crop and are inviting the public to stock up on their carving pumpkins. They are offering an "All You Can Carry" for only $39.

Curator's Tour Decorative Arts @ the Weir House Oct. 30

Weir Farm National Park is well known for its beautiful grounds that have inspired painters, writers, and photographers for decades. What many people don't realize is that the house has an impressive decorative art collection as well.

On Wednesday, October 30 from 10 am to 11 am the public is invited to join the curator in a special tour of the Weir house that will provide a peek at some of the most treasured objects of art to be found in the house. 

The Weir house and studio is the home of famous impressionist J. Alden Weir that is set amid a rural Connecticut landscape on 775 Nod Hill Road in Wilton. To register for this very special decorative arts tour of the house call 203-834-1896 ext. 28. 

Haunted Museum in Woodbury @ Glebe House Oct. 26

As the leaves are changing color and the hint of the first frost is in the air getting ready to celebrate autumn at the All Hollows Event event hosted by the Glebe House located on Hollow Road in Woodbury on Saturday, October 26. This celebration takes place during the witching hours of 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Ghosts, goblins, and assorted scary creatures will be on hand along Hollow Road, following a path lit by over 300 luminaries, some of Woodbury's earliest citizens will come back from the dead to lead mystery tours of the nearby Ancient Burying Grounds.

Besides touring the cemetery, visitors should plan to enter the Haunted Glebe House to experience a spine-tingling tour with the home's frightening inhabitants and have a tarot card reading. The 275-year-old Glebe House has a history of hauntings.  Recently, paranormal investigators from Ghost Hunters, Inc. spent an evening in the Museum. With the help of a psychic, an empath, special equipment, and cameras they determined the presence of spirits throughout the three-story house. 

Dare to walk through the frightful rooms filled with special effects and creepy things that are guaranteed to be hair-raising.  A highlight is a presentation by Linda Barr-Gale that will bring the “Witch of Woodbury”, Moll Cramer, to life in a special presentation in the museum cottage. 

  

Complimentary refreshments of hot chocolate, cider and autumn treats will warm up our guests on this fall evening. Parking for the evening will be in Hollow Park, whose entrance is next to the Glebe House. 

Artifact Identification Day - Oct. 27

The very basic definition of an artifact is an item, large or small that is made or given shape by humans.  Through the centuries, artifacts have taken many forms with the most common being a tool, a work of art, or an object of archeological interest.  Many times these items in the world of archeologists have some type of cultural meaning and in the context of Native Americans, these items can represent stone tools and weapons, pottery, and items for personal use or adornment.

On October 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lucianne Lavin, Ph.D., the Director of Research and Collections, at the Institute for American Indian Studies will be available to identify and provide expert commentary about your local stone objects and other Northeastern Native American cultural items. The public is invited to bring up to 12 objects to be examined. Although the Institute cannot offer an appraisal of your object, they certainly will be able to enlighten you as to the what, where, when, and how of your mystery items!

Artifact identification can be a tricky business. You might want to ask if your object is archaeological or geological. Another question may be who made the artifact and where does it come from. To help with the identification be prepared to tell Dr. Lavin where you found the artifact - in the field, in a shop, or if you inherited it from a relative or friend. Anything about the context of an artifact is important in terms of identification. A final question might where you can learn more about your mysterious treasure from the past.

Artifact Identification Day is included in the price of admission, members of the Institute are free, Adults $10, Seniors $8 and children are $6. The Insititute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut. 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Haunted Graveyards and Witches Dungeon Deliver Chills and Thrills

It is that spooky time of year again and Bristol Connecticut in the Litchfield Hills is "spook central"! 

For chills, make haste to the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol, which has been called "The granddaddy of the horrifically good time." An unholy order of monks keeps watch over the graves in the dark caverns of the Catacombs here and a dark and misty fog envelops the graveyard where zombies and night stalkers have wakened from the dead. Some are real, others are amazing animatronic creations made by The Haunted Graveyard's crazed staff. Visitors walk through 14 different themed houses with over 200 ghosts and ghouls haunting the grounds of this spooktacular event.

The Haunted Graveyard is recommended for adults, teens and very brave children, the park opens at dusk weekends through November 2 and runs to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Lake Compounce will also be operating 15 thrill rides including Phobia, Boulder Dash, Ghost Hunt, Down Time, and Zoomerang.  The Zombie Lounge returns this year to the Croc Pot and is the perfect place to relax, pick up some snacks, craft beer, and signature Halloween drinks after your haunting one-mile hike through the park.  For tickets click here.

This will be the 55th season for the annual Witch's Dungeon Halloween Classic Movies Museum in Bristol, the longest-running exhibition of its kind started in 1966. This wax style museum is a tribute to the actors and make-up artists that gave audiences classic movie monsters. A highlight of the event is the guest appearance of Argyle Goolsby (musician Steve Matthews) plus the screening of the Mel Brooks classic movie, Young Frankenstein on real film at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25.

The Graveyard Of Classic Ghouls sets the atmosphere as you enter the dungeon where accurate life-size figures of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and others are featured in 13 scenes or dioramas based on the vintage movie chillers. Many of the figures are made from the actual life casts of the actor's faces, plus some original costumes or props, in a wax museum style setting with special voice tracks by Vincent Price, Mark Hamill, and John Agar. Many Hollywood props are on display and vintage films will be shown in the auditorium on "real" film until 10 p.m.

While waiting for each wax museum tour, you can view actual film props, actor's life casts and movie posters, or step into our film room, to view classic silent horror movies, shown on film, not video. Featuring far more life-size figures & original movie props than we have ever had on display before! Figures based on the classic films of Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi and more.

The location for Witches Dungeon is 98 Summer Street in Bristol at the Bristol Historical Society.  The hours are weekends in October, Friday through Sunday evenings, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Oct. 25-27 and Oct. 31- Nov. 3.  The Museum is not recommended for children under age 7. A $6 donation is suggested.   For additional information visit http://www.preservehollywood.org.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s Newest Feathered Friend is a White-naped Crane

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is the new home for a White-naped crane (Antigone vipio). The male crane, named McDuffy, arrived from Turtleback Zoo in New Jersey several weeks ago, and after a quarantine period (required for all new arrivals), has taken up residence in a large grassy habitat located next to the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat.

White-naped cranes are an elegant species native to northern Mongolia, southern Siberia, Korea, Japan and central China.  They have a white nape and vertical gray stripes on their necks, as well as a distinct red patch surrounding their eyes. They are found in in grassy marshes, wet sedge meadows and reedbeds in broad river valleys, lake depressions and boggy upland wetlands. They prefer areas where their nests can be concealed and there is little grazing pressure.

Habitat destruction of wetlands due to agricultural expansion, as well as hunting, pose the most critical threat to their survival. This species is classified as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Since 1994, AZA institutions have been sending surplus White-naped crane eggs to Russia to be reared and released to the wild. Currently, the International Crane Foundation is also involved in the conservation of White-naped cranes throughout their range in eastern Asia.

“McDuffy is a beautiful new addition and contributes to the Zoo’s demonstration of the rich biodiversity in nature,” said Gregg Dancho, zoo director. “We continually look for new and unusual species to educate and delight our guests, that also meet our mission of wildlife conservation.”

The White-naped crane is a popular symbol of the Korean New Year celebration, and a symbol of peace for the people of the Korean peninsula.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 97^th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, Mexican and Red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarin. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, plus the Pampas Plains featuring maned wolves, Chacoan peccaries and Giant anteaters. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful, indoor carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.org.

Head Out to Hopkins Vineyard's Wine and Cheese Market

Hopkins Vineyard overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug is a perfect spot to visit this autumn.  If you are foodies that love wine and cheese, don't miss the Wine and Cheese Market on October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Hopkins Vineyard has teamed up with Jones Winery, Land of Nod Winery, Spring Hill Vineyards and Sunset Meadow Vineyards to host a wine and cheese tasting and market. This event will feature wine from each of the vineyards as well as cheese and food samples from a host of local vendors. Another highlight of this event are the handmade gift items from talented local craftspeople and artisans that will be for sale. If you want a bit more than cheese samples, not to worry, food for purchase will be available from the Clambaking Company.  This company specializes in fresh seafood and BBQ, so there will be something to delight every palate.

Hopkins Vineyard is located on 25 Hopkins Road in Warren Connecticut.  The tickets for this event are $25 per person and $12 for a designated driver. For tickets click here.

If you miss this event, keep in mind that the picnic area at Hopkins Vineyard is open daily this October. You can either bring your own picnic lunch and pick up a bottle of Hopkins wine from the shop or purchase one of the cheese platters stocked with Arethusa and other gourmet cheeses at the shop.

Go on a Magical Garden Hike

If you are looking for an enchanting and whimsical walk this fall, plan to take a walk to the Garden of Ideas located on 653 N. Salem Road in Ridgefield that is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.  Here you will find 12 beautiful acres of cultivated and wild gardens, marshlands and woodlands that are sure to please garden lovers of all ages.

courtesy garden of idea

Visitors will enjoy ornamental, vegetable, sculpture and woodland gardens amid 12 unspoiled acres.  The treehouse is a special delight especially for children because of its' storybook setting.  The boardwalk trail that meanders through the wetlands is especially scenic in the autumn. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for ducks and birds that make their home here.

Playful sculptures that pop up along the garden trails offer a touch of whimsy and a circular stone labyrinth encourages meditation. Visitors should be on the lookout for the traveling garden gnomes that appear in different places throughout the garden.  Best of all, spots to sit back and take in the beauty of this enchanting garden are located throughout this charming garden.

Native American Ceremony and Dancers Celebrate the New Algonquian Village @ Institute for Native American Studies - October 12, 2019

 The Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington has good reason to celebrate and you are invited to join the fun at the Algonquian Village Renewal Ceremony on October 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

This is your chance to be one of the first people to visit the new revitalized Village consisting of wigwams and a longhouse and, to be part of a special Native American Smudging Ceremony by Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke. This fascinating ceremony will cleanse the new longhouse and chase away evil spirits in the village. The Thunderbird Dancers, the oldest Native American Dance Company in New York that have performed all over the world will be on hand to perform dances of celebration in the village. This amazing dance troupe keeps alive the traditions, songs, and dances they have learned that would otherwise be lost. For those interested in how the village was actually constructed, Kalin Griffin, IAIS Educator and, primitive technologist will be on hand to talk about the techniques used to reconstruct the village using only stone tools.

Since the 1980s the replicated 16^th century outdoor Native American Village at the Institute has been a favorite of visitors, students, teachers, and staff. Walking on a winding forest path leading to the village that was constructed to resemble the way a Native American community in Connecticut would have looked centuries ago is one of the most memorable aspects of a visit to the Institute. Entering the village, visitors feel transported back in time as they explore the longhouse, a cluster of wigwams, shelters, and gardens. One of the most intriguing aspects of the village is that it is made using only trees and bark and other things found in the natural environment using traditional tools and techniques. Today’s visitors to the Institute and those that plan to visit in the future will continue to enjoy this beautiful village and learn about the fascinating culture of the Eastern Woodland Indians.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Go on a Nature Walk this fall @ Deer Pond Farm

There is nothing like a walk on a beautiful autumn day in Western Connecticut's Litchfield Hills or Fairfield County.  It is even more fun to discover a new place to walk, such as the Connecticut Audubon Society's recently opened Deer Pond Farm in Sherman, Connecticut.

Deer Pond Farm covers 835 acres and offers hikers a network of 20 miles of trails through a variety of habitat from rugged hardwood forests and meadows to wetland environments. A bonus that many trails offer is fabulous views of the surrounding landscape because trails are situated at elevations between 900 and 1200 feet.

The Connecticut Audubon has reported that about 100 species of birds have been spotted on or near the sanctuary including forest birds such as Broad-winged Hawk and Scarlet Tanager, marsh birds such as Virginia Rail and early seasonal birds like the American Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee and Chestnut-sided Warbler.

This fall, Deer Pond is offering several programs that will help visitors get the most out of their visit to this recreational haven. On October 16 and 18 for example, the expert and beginner bird watchers are invited to join staff for a guided bird walk in search of resident and migratory songbirds and hawks. Participants will explore diverse habitats that support a variety of birds that will be identified by sight and sound. This walk, that begins at 8 a.m. is about two hours long and will cover moderately heavy terrain.

On October 12 at 9 a.m. Deer Pond Farm has a family fun event beginning at 9 a.m. that will be an easy and very interactive walk where kids will be amazed to discover what is happening in the natural world that they live in. Highlights of this walk include time in the bird and pollinator garden, by the pond to learn about pond life in the autumn and a discussion about citizen science and how it impacts everyone. This program begins at 9 a.m. and will last about an hour and a half and cover easy terrain.

Deer Pond Farm is located on 57 Wakeman Hill Road in Sherman. All programs are free for members and $5 for non-members. The grounds of the sanctuary are open year-round, dawn to dusk. For more information click here to visit their website.

Sloths, Scarecrows and Boo @ the Zoo!

The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport is planning a series of fantastic October events sure to please the entire family and even provide a spooktacular time! Beginning on October 14 and running through October 31 the scarecrows will be on parade again at the zoo. Kids from schools far and wide compete in this scarecrow contest where you are the judge! Don't miss the scarecrow exhibit on the greenhouse lawn, and be sure to vote for your favorite. Contest winners will be announced on October 28.

If you love sloths, come to the zoo and help us celebrate International Sloth Day on October 20th. You will learn about the life cycle and natural habitats of sloths, which are native to South and Central America. It is always fun to spot the zoo's two-toed sloths in the rainforest exhibit! The zookeeper recommends that you look up to spot this animal with brownish-greenish skin!

Bats are so important to the environment and October 24-31 is Bat Week at the Beardsley Zoo and around the world that is arranged by conservation organizations in the United States and Canada. There will be many opportunities all week long for visitors to the zoo to learn about bats with a highlight being arts and crafts and other fun activities that will be taking place in the research station.

The grand finale of October @ the Beardsley Zoo is the annual Boo at the Zoo that is taking place on October 27 from noon to 3 p.m. This spooktacular afternoon will include harvest hayrides ($2 additional) around the grounds of the zoo and many other seasonal activities. Kids will enjoy arts and crafts, story- time, cool critters and, candy of course! If you are under 12 and come in a costume and are with a paying adult, you get into the Zoo for free!

October Barn Talks @ Hollister House Garden

On the heels of a successful spring program, Hollister House Garden announces their fall series of educational lectures.  The lecture series known as “Barn Talks” at Hollister House Garden has been developed to inform and inspire gardeners and garden lovers.  Guest presenters are horticultural industry professionals with decades of experience, who will share their passion and knowledge on topics of interest to gardeners.

The October series line-up is as follows:

Saturday, October 5 Forcing Bulbs for Winter Delight

Presented by Page Dickey, garden writer, lecturer designer, and board member at Hollister House Garden. 

If you follow the beloved author and passionate gardener Page Dickey on Instagram you are familiar with the pots of beautiful blooms that decorate Church House in the winter.  In this illustrated talk and demonstration Page will show us that a great variety of the bulbs we buy in the fall can be potted up in October and put somewhere cold (a cold frame, cellar steps, a refrigerator) for about 12 weeks, then brought out to light and sun and coaxed into bloom for the winter months. Less expensive and much more delightful than florist flowers to decorate your house! Page will show you how she has been forcing bulbs for years and she will share her favorite ones.

Saturday, October 12^th  Overwintering Houseplants - Growing Techniques that Work

Presented by Barbara Pierson, Horticulturist and Nursery Manager at White Flower Farm where she is the face and voice of many of the how-to gardening videos on their website.

Flowering and foliage houseplants thrive outdoors during the summer months and the transition to the indoor home environment for winter can be a challenge. In this illustrated talk Barb Pierson will share species-specific growing instructions and simple techniques to ensure that your favorite plants remain happy all year!

Barn Talks take place on Saturday mornings from 10-11:30 am in the barn at Hollister House Garden. Reservations are suggested and can be made online at www.hollisterhousegarden.org/lectures.

HHG Members $25, Non-members $35/$40 at the door. 

Hollister House Garden is a non-profit corporation and one of only 16 exceptional gardens designated a Preservation Project by the Garden Conservancy, whose mission is to identify and preserve important private gardens across America for the education and enjoyment of the public. In 2010 Hollister House achieved its prestigious listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The property has also been named a Town Landmark Site by the Town of Washington.

Hollister House Garden is open to visitors April 26th through October 12th. Wednesday and Friday hours are 1-4PM and Saturdays 10-4PM. Private group visits are welcome weekdays by appointment only.  Directions to the garden’s 300 Nettleton Hollow Road location are also available on the website.  

Garlic Festival In Litchfield Hills - A tasty way to spend a fall day!

Are you looking for a tasty way to spend a fall day in Litchfield Hills Connecticut?  If you are a garlic lover then you are in luck on October 12-13 when the Garlic and Harvest Festival takes place at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds (304 Main St. N. Bethlehem) from 9 am - 6 pm each day. The admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $1 for children under 12.

At this tasty fair, you will discover everything imaginable made with or from garlic. Nibble your way through a vendor area with free samples where you will find a wonderful assortment of dips, sauces, spreads, cheeses, oils, and much more.  A highlight of this event are the cooking demonstrations that take place throughout the day.  After watching the cooking demos you might want to head to the food court where vendors sell an amazing assortment of goodies from garlic ice cream, scrumptious garlic lobster rolls, garlic butter grilled cheese and hot pretzels with garlic mustard to name a few of the culinary delights served up. 

There are plenty of activities for children as well.  The midway offers rides, including a giant ferris wheel with a birds eye view of activities, plus arts and crafts as well as a pumpkin carving contest, a sand art area, and face painting.  

A special treat for garden lovers are the garlic lectures on the history, anatomy, cultivation and medicinal value of garlic. The presentation on how to raise garlic from Professor Dorthea Di Cecco and garlic farmers Richard and Penny Sandora will answer any questions that you have about how to raise this pungent herb.