Candle Dipping Workshop for Adults @ Wilton Historical Society

 Everyone loves candles, but most of us never think of making them ourselves!  This is where the Wilton Historical Society comes in! On Saturday, June 3, from 1pm to 2:30pm, the Wilton Historical Society will hold a beeswax candle-making workshop for adults. The recommended age is 18+. The cost of this workshop is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To register, click here. The Historical Society is located on 224 Danbury Road in Wilton.

Participants will join museum Educator Catherine Lipper to learn about the history and techniques of crafting beeswax candles while making their own pair of candles for a keepsake or gift. In celebration of bees, the program will include a tasting of a homemade honey cake. Don’t miss out on this delightful opportunity to gather and learn a Colonial craft with friends!

While at the workshop, don't miss the new exhibition, The Town Book: E. Boyd Smith's 20th Century Wilton. The exhibition explores Wilton’s evolution from a small farming community into the modern suburb it is today. The exhibition will display Smith’s art alongside objects from the museum’s collection to offer different perspectives on Wilton’s development during the first half of the 1900’s. The museum is open Tues. - Sat. from 10 am to 4 pm.

Atlatl Workshop & Competition @ Institute for American Indian Studies

 

Atl means far. Think of the effort it takes to throw a spear far. Using an ancient weapon called an atlatl, you can throw a spear very far with minimal effort. An atlatl is a precursor to the bow and arrows and was used in hunting by Native Americans, along with many other cultures worldwide. Essentially, it is a throwing device using a spear, known as a dart that uses leverage to give it more velocity.

On Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. the Institute for American Indian Studies, located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut, is holding an Atlatl Workshop with the Institute’s educator, Susan Scherf. During this workshop suitable for children eight years and up, participants will learn about the fascinating history and different designs of this ancient tool and how it was used. A highlight is to learn how to make your own atlatl and to develop skills to be able to accurately throw it. Throwing an atlatl is similar to throwing a baseball with the difference being that you are flipping your wrist at the end of the throw. You will have plenty of time to experiment to find out what works best for you. Participants will learn how timing, balance, consistency and follow through lead to accuracy. Thrown correctly, darts can travel close to 80 miles per hour! After several practice throws, the group will join together for a just for fun competition.

Space and materials are limited and registration is required. Please note that a parent or guardian must accompany children under 18. The cost of this workshop is $20 for members of the Institute and $25 for non-members. To register click here. If you have questions, please email events@iaismuseum.org. About The Institute for American Indian Studies Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have a 16th 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.

Ten Hidden Gems by Motorcoach

America is a big county, and most small motorcoach group tours include a large city or two in their itineraries. While big cities are terrific to visit, at Tours of Distinction, we also like to get off the beaten track to experience real small-town America.  We have put together a list of some of our favorite hidden gems across America that we think you should consider exploring on your next small motorcoach group tour, the most economical and fun way to experience all America has to offer.

Solvang, California

Solvang, America's Danish Capitol

Founded in 1911, this community is located just two hours from L.A., in the heart of Santa Barabara's wine country, immerses visitors in Danish architecture, old-world traditions, folk dancing, and cuisine. Strolling the streets of downtown Solvang, you will see half-timbered houses with wooden shingled roofs, colorful shops selling Danish goods, and, of course, windmills. Don't miss popping into a Danish Bakery for Kringles filled with almond paste or cardamon bread. If you enjoy wine, be sure to check out one of the twenty-plus tasting rooms along Main Street. For museum-goers, be sure not to miss the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art which preserves the history and culture of Solvang, and the Hans Christian Anderson Museum, dedicated to one of Denmark's most famous authors known for publishing fairy tales in 1835. And, to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to the Swedish Candy Factory which is the only Polkagris bakery in the United States. Polkagris is a Swedish stick candy that was invented by Amalia Eriksson near the town of Granna, Sweden.

Oatman, Arizona

Fun and Quirky on Rte. 66 in Oatman

Located just two hours from Vegas, on historic Rte. 66, this dusty town located in the desert hills is home to meandering burros, interesting shops, abandoned mines, and a raucous history of shootouts and bootleggers. It is fun to stroll along the ramshackle Main Street and feed the burros that originally came to town with early gold prospectors. A visit to the Oatman Mine Museum gives visitors a look at the area's mines that are said to have produced 1.8 million ounces of gold. There are plenty of quirky stores to explore and the Oatman Hotel,.0 with its dollar bill-papered lobby where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stopped on their honeymoon in 1939.

Silverton Colorado

No Horsing Around in Silverton!

This is one of Colorado's most interesting historic mountain towns. Once known for rowdy miners and dance hall girls, this town still retains a wild west ambiance. This rough-and-tumble atmosphere is what gives Silverton its charming and authentic character. One of the most exciting things to do here is to take a scenic ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad that was used to haul silver and gold in the 1880s. The ride takes you past spectacular scenery including the rugged Weminuche Wilderness and along the Animas River. Another sightseeing option is to take a tour of the Old Hundred Gold Mine, where passengers ride deep into Galena Mountain to watch mining equipment in action. Another highlight is visiting Animas Forks, one of the best Ghost Towns in the United States that has been abandoned for more than 100 years.

De Smet, South Dakota

Walk in the footsteps of Little House on the Prairie

If you are a fan of Little House in the Prairie and have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of Laura Ingalls Wilder, then head to De Smet, South Dakota a place that inspired this series. Visitors can take an in-depth tour of Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes including the Surveyor's House, the original Ingalls House, Pa Ingalls Homestead, Almanzo Wilder's Homestead, the First School of De Smet, and the exhibition room that displays the original Ingalls-Wilder artifacts. A walk along the charming main street with its vintage businesses is like walking into the pages of one of this author's books.

Greenwood, Mississippi

On the Blues Trail in Greenwood

Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is a charming town with a rich and sometimes painful history. Rural and majestic with endless cotton fields, pecan trees, shanty houses, and gracious mansions, this town embodies the South. A drive along the Grand Boulevard, developed in the 1890s, is one of the most beautiful in the state, offering excellent examples of Tudor, Prairie style, neo-classical, and colonial revival residences.  The majority of the movie, The Help was filmed here and today, you can do a self-guided tour of the movie locations. Greenwood is on the Mississippi Blues Trail and there are eight Blues Trail Markers throughout the town including one for blues singer, Robert Johnson and actor, Morgan Freeman.  One unexpected thing about Greenwood is that Viking Appliances are headquartered here. They offer cooking classes, a favorite is to learn how to make Minnie's pie from the movie, The Help. 

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Cruise the Cass River in this Bavarian Wonderland

Known as Michigan's Little Bavaria, visitors here often feel transported to a small German hamlet on the Rhine. A ride on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat to the Bavarian-styled Waterfall at River Place Shopping area is the ideal way to learn the history of this village. Afterward, a walk through the center of town is an immersive experience from the names of the streets to the German architecture including the magnificent Glockenspiel Tower that strikes on the hour and on each quarter hour. No visit to Frankenmuth is complete without stopping in at Bronner's, a Christmas wonderland of decorations, trims, trees, gifts, and goodies.

Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia

Watch Wild Horses Graze and Run Free

This barrier island shared by Virginia and Maryland is a National Seashore, with 37 miles of pristine sandy beach, and is one of the few places in the United States where you can see wild horses roam free. While they are called "wild" the horses are actually animals that have reverted to a "wild state" according to the National Park Service. Visitors flock to see the horses running into the surf or grazing on hay or beach grass. There are many legends of how the wild horses of Assateague Island came to reside here, and, all of them are shadowed in the mists of the past. The legends range from dramatic shipwrecks to abandonment, glorious Spanish galleons, and farmers trying to avoid taxes. Regardless of what legend you believe - the chance to catch a glimpse of these wild horses frolicking in their natural environment is an unforgettable travel moment.

Ashville, North Carolina

Glorious and Moody the Great Smokey Mountains

This thriving mountain town is fun to explore. In addition to having a great art, food, and brew scene, it is where the largest house in America, the Biltmore is located. A walk through River Arts District is truly amazing. Here you can wander through more than 250 artist's studios located in dozens of huge historic buildings. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway dubbed America's favorite drive, is unforgettable not only for its bio-diversity but also for its amazing mountain views. If you work up a thirst, you are in the right place because Ashville is noted as one of the best beer cities in the country. For bookworms, head to the house museum of Thomas Wolfe that immortalized this residence turned museum in his book, Look Homeward Angel.

Litchfield, Connecticut

Litchfield's Autumn Glow

Named as one of the top small towns in America by the Smithsonian Magazine, Litchfield has often been compared to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The difference here is that the town's historic district is not only well preserved but lived in. The first law school is located in the center of town whose graduates include two U.S. Vice-Presidents, scores of legislators, governors, and lawyers as well as several famous artists including George Catlin. White Memorial Foundation offers visitors interested in the area's natural history an excellent museum to tour as well as 35 miles of trails to explore. The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy founded by the former Secretary of the Smithsonian is home to more than 80 species of waterfowl totaling more than 400 birds. A visit to this breeding facility gives visitors a glimpse of how genetic diversity is maintained in rare and endangered species. And, if you love flowers, don't miss the chance to stroll through the gardens at White Flower Farm and Topsmeade State Park.

Littleton, New Hampshire

Strike a pose with Pollyanna

Littleton is the charming gateway town to the northern White Mountains and Great North Woods of New Hampshire. Locals affectionately call it "the Glad Town," because this is where author Eleanor H. Porter wrote her classic series of books Pollyanna. In the center of town don't miss the photo op with the bronze statute depicting the iconic character from the 1913 children's novel, Pollyanna. The Main Street of downtown is lined with interesting shops in historic buildings and homes.  If you have a sweet tooth, head to Chutters, where you will find the world's longest candy counter, and, then pay a visit to Lahout's, America's oldest ski shop. To cap off this small-town New England experience, head to the Riverwalk Covered Bridge to watch the old-timey water wheels and the flow of the water tumbling over the rocky river.

America is full of small interesting towns off the beaten path... and these are just some of what this great country has to offer.

Celebrate Long Island Sound's Bounty @ Docktails and Oysters June 3, 2023

 Docktails and Oysters, a signature special fundraising event hosted by Norm Bloom and Sons, a fourth-generation oyster farm in Norwalk, on behalf of the Norwalk Seaport Association are back again this year, by popular demand on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event sells out every year, so it is important to get your tickets early as they are limited.

This island-inspired party will get you in an “aloha state of mind” as you see folks in brightly colored Hawaiian shirts, listening to live music, sipping cocktails, and slurping the freshest oysters you will ever taste! “It’s a chance for people to celebrate the Seaport Association’s mission of preserving the Sheffield Island Lighthouse for future generations and have a little fun at an authentic oyster farm,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association.

 

Oysters have a long history in Norwalk that started with the Native Americans. Today, the techniques and processes used to farm Copps Island Oysters by Norm Bloom and Sons have been used for centuries, making them an extra special treat. If you have never had oysters, literally fresh off the boat this is your chance to eat your fill of them - so make sure you come hungry! It's fun to watch the pros shuck the oysters right before your eyes (they make it look so easy) and set them on trays with lemons and an assortment of delicious sauces. The food and fun doesn't stop there, as guests can snack on passed and tabled appetizers such as citrus grilled shrimp, house-smoked pork sliders, and blackened swordfish tacos with pineapple salsa, vegetable spring rolls, and black bean and corn salad, in keeping with the island vibe.

A highlight of the event is its location itself - the dock at Norm Bloom & Sons Copps Island Oysters, one of the few remaining traditional oyster farms in the United States. An added bonus is to learn how oysters are grown and harvested here and then shipped all over the world. The oyster beds are actually incubated under the dock where this event takes place. Part of the charm is to see how small oysters actually are when they start out! As soon as they are big enough, the oysters are "planted" on the sandy bottom of the Sound that surrounds the docks. This time-honored system of growing oysters makes them some of the best that you will ever taste, making it no surprise that Copps Island oysters are prized the world over for their sweet briny flavor and plump meat. Best of all, this is your chance to eat your fill of them for a good cause!

 

Tickets to this event are limited to 200 people and are $80 online and $90 at the gate if tickets are available. It is highly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance because this popular event sells out every year and there may not be tickets available the day of the event. For tickets click here, if you have questions, please call 203-838-9444.

 

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

 

A Mindful Stay for Body and Soul @ Husky Meadows Farm

 Husky Meadows Farm located in the northwest Connecticut countryside is one of the best places in New England for a mindfulness farm stay. This five-day farm stay in Norfolk provides plenty of time to unwind along with interesting natural and farm-related activities focused on nourishing the body and mind.

Rejuvenate in the beauty of Husky Meadows

Husky Meadows Farm, located on 300 unspoiled acres, distinguishes the experience of wellness and nourishment. There are meadows punctuated with wildflowers, blossoming well-tended orchards, apiaries buzzing with activity, a vegetable garden as far as the eye can see, and a formal garden perfect for relaxing any time of day. Guests can embrace fresh clean air and verdant greens, which lend life-giving energy ideal for rejuvenation.

Your hosts, Sandrine and Tracy Hayhurst, Culinary Director 

The Nourishment for Body and Mind: A mindful farm stay at Husky Meadows from Thursday, May 18 through Monday, May 22, focuses on how the natural world inspires us to nourish ourselves, literally from the ground up. Throughout the stay guests will enjoy hands-on farm exploration with Farmer Brett Ellis and learn why soil health makes the farm’s vegetables taste like nature intended them to. Kitchen sessions, with Culinary Director, Tracy Hayhurst will show how to prepare fresh produce from the farm in simple, nutritious, and delicious ways. There will also be visits to the shitake mushroom yard with Rana Justice and, opportunities to learn how to forage responsibly.

 

Although there are plenty of hands-on activities, the highlights of the stay are the special sessions with Sandrine, a mindfulness facilitator, and somatic practitioner. Sandrine is known nationally and internationally for her ability to draw deep inspiration from the natural world we all belong to and share it in a magical and meaningful way. Sandrine will inspire us to delve deep into the natural world in order to understand the importance of inner nourishment by delighting in the present moment. She will guide walks in the gardens and forest bathing in the woodlands, so we can soak up the sights, sounds, and feel of our natural environment. These sessions are meant to encourage mindful practices to enrich our lives.

Wander the gardens

The Nourishment for Body and Mind: A mindful farm stay at Husky Meadows, from May 18-22, is inclusive of all lodging, meals, beverages, and programming throughout the stay. Rates for the five-day stay, for double occupancy are $3500 and  $2500 for single occupancy. Local day passes including all meals and activities without lodging are $525. For more information, event tickets, and farm stay bookings visit huskymeadowsfarm.com or email tracy@huskymeadowsfarm.com

 

About Husky Meadows Farm

Situated on three hundred bucolic acres in Norfolk, Connecticut, Husky Meadows Farm grows certified organic produce for its kitchen, farm stand, and community-supported agriculture membership. The farm kitchen offers year-round prepared foods. At the height of the growing season from May - October the farm also offers intimate farm stays, cooking classes, community dinners, and special workshops on a variety of farm-to-table and ecological topics. 

Tea Party @ Hosted by the Derby Historical Society May 21

 

Tea parties aren't just for kids - they are a great theme for a party or fundraiser for adults to enjoy too! With this in mind, the Derby Historical Society is hosting Lady Humphrey’s Tea on Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. The tea will be held at the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Derby located at 112 Derby Ave. and the tickets are $45 per person. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here 

One of the many fun parts about a tea party is sampling an assortment of goodies. The afternoon includes hot and iced tea, assorted tea sandwiches and appetizers, desserts, raffles, and a take-home gift. A highlight of the tea is a presentation by historical performer Sheryl Faye as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

The Derby Historical Society was founded on April 18, 1946, to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. The David Humphreys House Museum is the birthplace of the Revolutionary War officer and friend of George Washington who later became our nation's first ambassador. It serves as the Society's headquarters, as well as home of our unique Day in 1762 Program. More than just a wonderful interactive tool for educating our region's children, the Humphreys House is also a museum dedicated to its famous resident and the community he called home.