My Sky at Stepping Stones Museum for Children

The Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk has a fabulous new exhibit through Memorial Day called My Sky that is  funded by NASA and created through a partnership between Boston Children's Museum and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

My Sky is an exhibit about the universe. But it is also about each of us, and how the sky above impacts our lives here on Earth. The sky is, after all, universal. It is something we all share. My Sky invites children and adults to explore the Sun, the Moon and the stars together in an immersive, inviting environment. Families are encouraged to "look up" not only when they visit the exhibit, but also in their everyday lives. And My Sky gives families the chance to practice science skills like observing, communicating, noticing patterns, predicting, imagining and more — science skills that are fundamental to astronomy, and skills that scientists and engineers use every day.

The sky is also a source of endless inspiration for people from all walks of life, and My Sky introduces us to a few of these people. From scientists and astronomers who work to investigate and understand the universe; to artists and sculptors who create monuments and representations of the awesome and the serene; to writers and musicians who capture, through words and melody, the feelings that arise when we gaze up at the Moon, or stare silently at the stars. The universe is inspiring. It is mind boggling. It is full of wonder. My Sky invites you to feel all of that.

For more information http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.  For more area event informationwww.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Keeler Tavern Museum To Host First Annual Spring Artisans’ Show

Ridgefield, April 3, 2014. Distinguished artists and craftspeople from across the region will be present when the Keeler Tavern Museum hosts its inaugural Spring Artisans’ Show on Saturday, April 26, to be preceded by a special Preview Party on Friday evening, April 25.

The Museum campus at 132 Main Street in Ridgefield—with its distinctive Cass Gilbert Carriage Barn, picturesque gardens, and charming Garden House -- will be the setting for this premier event curated by VS Shows. The collection will feature fine art, high-quality handmade furniture, fiber, and home décor items, distinctive jewelry, and a wide range of one-of-a-kind offerings. A multi-media exhibit titled “Expressions: Spring – painting, sculpture & photography,” will be staged in the Carriage Barn. While Saturday visitors browse, children will be able to enjoy games and crafts of their own. Food will be available for purchase.

Some 20 notable artisans and artists from all over the region are expected to participate, including Ridgefield artists Peggy Thomas who will be displaying her pottery; Kokoon Jewelry designer Debbie Thornton; and painter Spencer Eldridge whose works will be shown in the Carriage Barn as part of “Expressions: Spring.” Among the regional artists featured are Pamela Dalton who will be showing her intricate paper cuts - Scherenschnitte; Heidi Howard, who paints 18^th and 19^th century trade and tavern signs; doll-maker Eva-Maria Araujo; Kathleen McDonald who makes chalkware figurines handcrafted from a collection of antique chocolate molds; and Robert Ferrucci, an artist of abstract action art, drip art and contemporary American Folk Art.

Saturday show hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; admission that day is $8 ($7 with presentation of pre-show announcement postcard or advertisement). The special wine-and-cheese Preview Party on Friday evening will offer early purchasing from 6 - 9 PM, as well as opportunities to engage with artisans and artists; admission is $40 ($30 for Museum members). Proceeds from ticket sales on both days benefit the Keeler Tavern Museum, a non-profit historical site that is entirely self-funded.

Free off-premises parking is available nearby. To make reception reservations, and for directions or other information, visit www.keelertavernmuseum.orgwww.keelertavernmuseum.org or call (203) 438-

5485.  For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

READY, SET, RIDE! Palace Theater Hosts 3rd Annual Motorcycle Ride Fundraiser

Rev your engines and get ready to hit the highway for the Palace Theater’s Third Annual Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, April 26, at 11a.m.  Proceeds from the rain or shine fundraising event will benefit the Palace Theater’s youth and education programs.

Registration for the event begins at 11a.m. in front of the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury, and will be followed by a police-escorted ride at 12:30pm. The 47-mile scenic drive will take riders through the Litchfield Hills, loop through Woodbury and Route 64 in Middlebury, and end back on East Main Street at 2p.m. for live entertainment and refreshments.

Radio personality Chaz from WPLR’s “Chaz and AJ in the Morning” will be on hand to kick-off the festivities, and after the ride, participants will enjoy live, outdoor entertainment by the Rubber City Blues Band. Riders and passengers will also be treated to their choice of a burger or hot dog, as well as two complimentary beverages, courtesy of Frankie’s Hotdogs. 

Registration for the motorcycle ride is $25 per rider and $15 per passenger. To pre-register, or for more information, call the box office at 203-346-2000.

The Palace Theater’s Third Annual Motorcycle Ride is sponsored by Ion Bank, Doc’s Motorcycle Parts, Universal Copy, BuckAPlan, PowerStation Events, Haymond Law, 99.1 WPLR, Frankie’s Hotdogs and Connecticut Cruise News.

Playtime at the Palace - Stamford Center for the Arts

A brand new series featuring bubbles, puppets, slapstick, and more, Playtime at the Palace will continue to delight children of all ages in March and April at Stamford’s Palace Theatre. From Puppet Playground to Story Pirates, entertainers will charm families with up-close-and-personal performances on Sunday afternoons. All shows start at 3 PM and last approximately one hour.

The Silent Slapstick (All tickets: $10) program is scheduled for March 30 and is sure to have your kids laughing themselves silly!  This program features uproarious ’20s comedy films, presented with a live pianist!  Lincoln Center’s famous silent film accompanist/historian Ben Model will present 3 short slapstick silent comedies making this an ideal opportunity to introduce youngsters to inventive visual humor.  This program will be presented in the Palace Cinema.

The  P.i.E. Puppets in Education (All tickets: $15) will perform on April 6.  This program will show your children  how to put on their very own puppet show! The Monkey Boys team will teach them how to create a show with their own stuffed animals and learn how to create puppets through simple construction techniques!  Some of these will be used in a short show at the end of the class.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.scalive.org or charged by phone with major credit cards by calling The Palace Box Office at 203-325-4466. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Palace Theatre box office in downtown Stamford, open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The 2013-2014 season is made possible by Palace Theatre’s Season Sponsors Seaboard Properties, Inc. and the Whittingham Family.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

About the Palace Theatre

The vision of the Palace Theatre is to be the regional arts center for exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community.  The Palace strives to achieve this vision by demonstrating integrity in all work and relationships, providing service and quality in all activities, fostering and promoting diversity of thought, ideas and culture, providing stewardship for the Stamford Arts community, emphasizing outreach in our community, and offering creativity in all endeavors.

Oysters, Pearls of Long Island Sound at The Bruce Museum

Found in estuaries around the world, oysters play a significant role in ecosystems and economies. These bivalve mollusks have sustained Native Americans and created waterside cultures. The Long Island Sound’s native oyster, the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), is a keystone species in the local environment, providing critical habitat and food for many other species, recycling nutrients, cleaning the water as it feeds, and driving an industry. Its value lies in these worthy attributes rather than in its potential for jewels. Like other true oysters, the Eastern oyster rarely produces a pearl. If it does make one, the pearl lacks the lustrous quality of those produced by pearl oysters, which are in a different family.

The Bruce Museum celebrates the Eastern oyster in the exhibition Oysters, Pearls of Long Island Sound, running through March 23, 2014.

The exhibition will explore the science and history of the Eastern oyster in Long Island Sound, examining how its nutritional and commercial values have made the Eastern oyster a popular commodity for residents along the Sound for eons.

 Native Americans harvested oysters from mile-long natural beds and collected individual oysters that were up to a foot long. By the early 1800s, the natural beds had become depleted and oysters were cultivated on artificial beds.

The oyster industry was a powerful force in the local economy by the end of the 19th century. However, overfishing, pollution, natural disasters, and disease brought about a decline and the industry was seriously threatened through the early to mid-20th century.

In recent years, the oyster trade has experienced resurgence as a result of improved aquaculture techniques and oysters’ popularity among food connoisseurs who enjoy their distinctive flavor, which varies with each local environment.

Organized with the assistance of scientists and historians and developed in cooperation with the Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission, Oysters, Pearls of Long Island Sound features hands-on, interactive displays, videos, specimens of bivalves from around the world, and historical objects that appeal to all ages. Objects from the Bruce Museum collection are supplemented by loans of shells, oystering tools, food-related items, and boat models from local collectors including oysterman Norm Bloom and institutions such as the Yale Peabody Museum, Rowayton Historical Society, National Gallery of Art, Grand Central Oyster Bar, and Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Milford Laboratory.

Complementing the exhibition will be a science lecture series in the fall and a history lecture series in the winter in addition to a variety of programs suitable for all ages.

About the Bruce Museum

Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students up to 22 years, $6 for seniors and free for members and children under 5 years. Individual admission is free on Tuesday. Free on-site parking is available and the Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities.  For additional information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org.  For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

3rd Annual Falls Village Holiday House Tour

The Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society is hosting the 3rd Annual Holiday Historic House Tour on Saturday, December 7 in Falls Village (snow date Sunday, December 8). Tickets can be purchased to benefit the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society at the advance price of $25 or $30 on the day of the tour. Children ages 8 to 16 are free.

Sammuel Robbins House

The tour will begin with a brief welcome and introduction to the five houses on the tour at P.D. Walsh's Country Store (107 Main Street) at 10:30 a.m. and at 11:00 a.m. ticket holders may begin their self-guided tour.  Four of the five locations on the tour will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Houses on the tour are not wheelchair accessible and strollers are not permitted in the houses.

There will be a Musical Review by the Children’s Theater at 2 pm (tickets for that event are $12) at the Center on Main located on 103 Main Street in a former Methodist Church.  The Center will be open from 11am to 1pm on the day of the tour.

A superbly maintained single story Cape Cod style house known as “Twin Chimneys,” that was probably built by Charles Belden, Jr. in 1778  is a stop on the tour.

Another stop is the Samuel Robbins House built in 1790 that was once the main house at Robbins Farm that originally comprised more than 1000 acres. Ten direct descendants of the original Samuel Robbins have lived here including one Samuel Robbins that helped form the Robbins Burrall Trust Company that later merged to become the Salisbury Bank and Trust.

On Point of Rocks Road, leading out of the village center, is an 1840 barn at the home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli.  Repurposed with Mr. Roselli’s keen eye, it has become a relaxing space for entertaining while keeping a rural rustic feeling. An ongoing shopping quest for accessories that fit that goal goes on to this day.

On the day of the tour the Toymaker's Cafe (7 AM-4 PM) and The Falls Village Inn will be serving guests and tour goers.  The Falls Village Inn will be donating $5 to the Historical Society per meal for tour guests (Brunch 11 AM-3 PM, Dinner 5-10 PM).  Be sure to show your tour ticket at either venue.  There will also be a bake sale benefitting the Historical Society at P.D. Walsh’s Country Store.

Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 day of tour. Children 8 to 16 are free.  Tickets may be purchased at the following locations:  P.D. Walsh's Country Store, Toymaker's Cafe, The Falls Village Inn, Jacob's Garage, D.M. Hunt Library, Falls Village Town Hall and at the Douglas Library and Stadium Systems in North Canaan or by calling the Historical Society at 860-824-8226.  Cash or checks only.

Proceeds from the tour will help the Society renovate the museum at the Falls Village Railroad Depot.

27th Annual Antiques Show in Litchfield Hills - Washington CT

The 2013 Washington Connecticut Antiques Show will take place October 4-6, opening at Washington Primary School with the traditional Preview Night cocktail party on Friday from 6:30 to 9:00pm.  Cellist Mary Costanza will serenade guests during this opportunity for advance buying and browsing from an impressive assortment of exceptional antiques and contemporary collectibles.

The following evening, the Collectors Party will be held - Saturday, October 5 from 6:30 to 9:00pm.  Visitors will enjoy browsing while listening to the smooth sounds of The Kerry Linder Brazilian Jazz Trio in an alluring setting of curated treasures and modern curiosities from around the world.

Reservations for the Friday and Saturday evening parties are highly recommended and can be made by visiting www.gunnlibrary.org.  Entrance to each party begins at $125 per person.  Daytime show hours are Saturday, October 5, 10am to 3pm and Sunday, October 6, 11am to 3pm.  Daily admission to the show is $10, payable at the door.  For additional information, please contact the Gunn Memorial Library at 860-868-7586 or email gunndevelopment@biblio.org.

Founded in 1985, the Washington Annual Antiques Show consistently draws dealers of the highest quality and offers diverse furnishings and decorative arts for both the period and modern home.  The show features 21 dealers from the east coast.  Visitors will find larger furnishings, works of art, exquisite jewelry, intimate furniture and decorative accessories.

This year the exhibitors includes:
Behnke Doherty Gallery
Washington, CT
www.behnkedoherty.com

Brad Reh Fine Estate Jewelry
Southampton, NY
www.bradreh.com

Brennan & Mouilleseaux
Northfield, CT
www.antiqueseclectic.com

C.M. Leonard Antiques
South Salem, NY

The Cooley Gallery
Old Lyme, CT
www.cooleygallery.com

Dallas Boesendahl
New York, NY

Donald Rich Antiques
New Canaan, CT

Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge
White Plains, NY
www.vandekar.com

Eckert Fine Art
Millerton, NY
<a href="http://www.eckertfineart.com">www.eckertfineart.com</a>

Embellish Antiques
Chapel Hill, NC
www.embellishantiques.com

George Champion Modern Shop
Woodbury, CT

KMR Arts
Washington Depot, CT
www.kmrarts.com

Melody Rodgers
New York, NY
www.melodyrodgers.com

Mountain Thistle Antiques
Waynesboro, VA
www.rubylane.com/shops


Nemati Collection
New York, NY &amp; New Preston, CT
www.nematicollection.com

Nula Thanhauser
East Hampton, NY
www.nulathanhauser.com

Ober Gallery
Kent, CT
www.obergallery.com

R.M. Barokh, Inc.
Bethlehem, CT
www.rmbarokhantiques.com

Roberto Freitas American Antiques
&amp; Decorative Arts
Stonington, CT
www.robertofreitas.com

R.T. Facts
Kent, CT
www.rtfacts.com

Vintage Poster Art
Monroe Township, NJ
www.trocadero.com/vintagepa

The Museum’s current exhibit, “Coming to America: Washington’s Swedish Immigrants,” will be open to visitors free of charge Saturday and Sunday October 5 &amp; 6 and features photographs and artifacts from its collection, on loan from descendants, and from local dealers Dawn Hill Antiques and Eleish van Breems Antiques. Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems, noted Scandinavian style experts, will present the lecture "The Elements of Swedish Style" and sign copies of their new book Reflections on Swedish Interiors on Sunday, October 6, at 1pm in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Memorial Library.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Old-Fashioned Flea Market at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Sept. 15

If you like treasure hunts, the old-fashioned flea market taking place at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion located on 295 West Ave. in Norwalk in Mathews Park is an event that you won't want to miss. 

 The flea market is taking place on Sunday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the museum.

More than 80 vendors will be offering a variety of items from new to vintage, including antiques, repurposed furniture, collectibles, vintage jewelry, household items, clothing, and toys.  In addition, the Museum has donated 10 booths to area nonprofits that will exhibiting and be sharing their message with attendees.

While perusing the wares, shoppers will be able to view a display of antique and classic cars, have their children’s faces painted and enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches at the all-American BBQ, courtesy of Michael Gilmartin Outdoor Cookers and Stew Leonard’s.  The Museum’s gift shop will also be open where shoppers can find fall-holiday items and other gifts such as vintage costume jewelry, porcelain teacups, and books on Victorian era art and architecture.  Proceeds from gift shop sales benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum.

General admission to the event is free. The Museum will be open for mini-tours where guests are invited to walk throughout the Museum’s period rooms on the first floor and enjoy the beauty of the Victorian era building for  $5.  There will be docents available to answer any questions, and guests will have the chance to view the successful exhibit What Is It? Technologies and Discoveries of the Victorian Era that is closing October 6th.

About Lockwood Mathews Mansion

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Historic Landmark.  Tours for the museum and exhibit are offered Wednesdays through Sundays, at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.  Admittance is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children.  Children under 8 are admitted free.  For more information, visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Connecticut Wine Festival July 27 and 28

The Connecticut Wine Festival will be returning this year for its fifth year of showcasing some of Connecticut’s best wines.   It is a reflection on the growing popularity of Connecticut wines, which are quickly gaining a reputation as quality vintage worthy of attention from wine lovers everywhere.

This year, the Fifth Annual Connecticut Wine Festival will be staged again at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Litchfield County, on Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th. Sponsored by the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association (CVWA) and presented by the CT Wine Trail, the festival features fine wines from a wide variety of local vintners, making it one of the “must attend” events of the summer.  The festival also features wine classes, specialty food vendors, artisanal crafts, as well as a variety of live musical entertainment.

Daily admission to the CT Wine Festival is $25 in advance, available from early June through July 19th at any participating CVWA winery, online or by phone; $30 at the door.  These tickets include free wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass (for the tastings) and a tote bag.  Guests under 21 and Designated Drivers can attend for a reduced admission price of $10.  Photo ID with proof of age is required for the wine tasting.  Hours for the Festival are 12:00 Noon to 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 27; and 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Sunday, July 28.  More information and a complete list of participating wineries can be found at www.ctwine.com.

 “From international gold medals to ‘people’s choice’ and ‘Best in Show’ awards, Connecticut wines continue to win fans and impress connoisseurs from around the world,” said George Motel, Festival Chairman and owner of Sunset Meadow Vineyards.  “The Connecticut Wine Festival is a true showcase for introducing wine lovers to much of our state’s home-grown offerings.  We look forward to another record year, and the opportunity to prove that our wines are truly the ‘hidden gems’ of the industry, as The Wall Street Journals calls them.”

Festival proceeds are used to promote the CVWA Wine Trail and the Connecticut wine industry.  The CT Wine Trail, a state approved winery and vineyard awareness program, features trails that wind their ways through some of the most scenic and historic regions of Connecticut.

 “The Connecticut Wine Festival is a great place to come and enjoy the day, taste some local wines, some great food and relax.” said Sherrie Palmer, the festival director. “Cases of wine will also be available at a discount, so guests can easily make back the price of admission in great savings. What more can you ask for?”

The specialty food vendors are primarily members of the Connecticut Specialty Food Association, an association that is part of the Connecticut Food Association. They feature local foods made in Connecticut.  Adams Hometown Market, a Platinum Sponsor of the Festival, will also sell advance tickets at its stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

For more information and to purchase tickets, log on to www.ctwine.com.  You can also email info@ctwine.com or call (860) 677-5467.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Daffodils in Litchfield Hills

Daffodils beginning to bloom in Litchfield at Laurel Ridge

As the winter snow melts and the days become warmer and longer daffodils, the heralds of spring in New England's Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County slowly begin to emerge.

The best place in the state to watch the sea of yellow unfold is at the Laurel Ridge Foundation located on Wigwam Road in the Northfield section of Litchfield Connecticut. For information about the Foundation visit www.litchfielddaffodils.com.

The Foundation, located on a winding country road in the scenic Litchfield Hills is open to everyone from sunrise to sunset during the time period daffodils are in bloom which is typically late March through early May. The fields are closed the rest of the year. Visitors are encouraged to take photos of the field and are invited to submit their photos on the Laurel Ridge website a t www.litchfielddaffodils.com/gallery.phpwww.litchfielddaffodils.com/gallery.php. Bulky photography equipment however is discouraged. The Foundation is on private property; picnics and household pets are not allowed.

A walk among the daffodils at Laurel Ridge Foundation is a rare early spring outing in an unspoiled oasis. The wild natural landscape of gently sloping woodland, fields and aged stonewalls overlooks a small lake dotted with two tiny islands. The park land and one of the islands is completely carpeted with gold and white blossoms, a glorious sight that is nirvana for photographers.

In Wilton, located in Fairfield County visit Weir Farm National Park located on 735 Nod Hill Rd. which has daffodils in bloom amid its many stone walls and in fields. For information on Weir Farm visit www.nps.gov/wefa/index.htmwww.nps.gov/wefa/index.htm. Weir Farm, Connecituct's only National Park was once the home of and workplace of J. Alden Weir (1852-1919) and is now considered to be the best preserved landscape associated with American Impressionism.