Lime Rock Park: A Very Special Auto 'Museum' And Vintage Car Parade

While New York City may be home to some of the world's finest museums, when it comes to celebrating the history of personal mobility, automotive enthusiasts will only need to travel 100 miles from the Big Apple to visit a unique once-per-year "museum" - Lime Rock Park's Sunday in the Park concours d'elegance. The concours, and its unusual companion event, the Gathering of the Marques, is Sunday, August 31. The historic weekend kicks off with a Vintage Racecar Parade that takes place on August 28.  More than 120 gorgeous sports cars, including un-muffled race cars, launch from Sam Posey Straight at 4:00 p.m., then do a 17-mile rally that includes driving slowly through the heart of Lakeville and Salisbury. Line the sidewalks and you’ll be just a few feet away from the coolest parade in the Litchfield Hills. The parade route winds from Lime Rock Park along Rte. 44 to downtown Lakeville and Salisbury where the street are lined with spectators.  The parade continues on through Noble Horizons and then proceeds to Falls Village where the cars line up to be admired at a festive community street fair.  This annual event is free and open to the public.  In honor of this festival, traffic in downtown Falls Village comes to a standstill for this two-hour kick off to the Labor Day weekend celebration.  A highly anticipated highlight of this event is the opportunity to win a chance to waive the green flag at a vintage race at Lime Rock as well as to see these rare historic cars up close and personal, one after another as they line the street.  When visiting the concours, participants will see a variety of cars from very old cars, some of which look virtually brand new to  race cars from more than half-a-century ago that are still raced today. The concours and marque gathering have been integral to Lime Rock Park's traditional Labor Day weekend vintage extravaganza since the 1980s. This year's Historic Festival 32 is presented by Bentley & Gathering of the Marques, with almost 1,000 tremendous cars on the track. Sir Stirling Moss is the Honored Guest. And cars from the spectacular collection of Ralph Lauren will be there and on display, Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1.   While concours are staged throughout America, Lime Rock's is unique; no other venue in the U.S. has three days of on-track racing sandwiching a prestigious concours event - all on the same property. Historic Festival 32, the Sunday in the Park Concours & Gathering of the Marques is Friday, August 29 through Labor Day Monday, September 1. The vintage racing itself is Saturday and Monday, dawn to dusk, 300+ cars divided into 10 competitive race groups. The 2012 Honored Guest is Sir Stirling Moss, considered motorsports' greatest "all-rounder" driver in the sport. Many of the famous cars he drove to noteworthy victories at the peak of his F1 and sports car career - Vanwalls, Coopers, Jaguars, Maseratis - will be displayed, demonstrated and even raced over the weekend. ABOUT LIME ROCK PARK Lime Rock Park is one of America's most recognized road racing venues and has been continuously operated since its opening in 1957. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places by the National Park Service, the track is 1.5 miles in length, encompassing seven corners and more than seven stories of elevation change. The track is considered one of the most beautiful - and challenging to drive - in the world, constructed in a natural valley in the Berkshire Mountains of Litchfield Hills in northwest Connecticut. Discounted advance-priced tickets can be purchased at www.limerock.comwww.limerock.com or by calling 860.435.5000 For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Dog Days of Summer arrives early at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is once again going to the dogs on Saturday, June 14...and they couldn't be happier. The museum will host its fourth annual, day-long festival celebrating the powerful and important bonds between humans and their animal friends. BooZoo™'s Canine Carnival, where play and learning go hand-in-paw, will take place at Stepping Stones on June 14 between 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The event is free with museum admission. The Canine Carnival is hosted by BooZoo, the museum's fictional puppy mascot for early childhood learning and literacy, and will feature carnival games for families and dogs, pooch and people pics in our prop-laden photo booth, a meet-and-greet with BooZoo, a "pampered pooch" area featuring a dog wash and day spa, story times with BooZoo, bobbing for doggie treats and so much more. All canine friends, accompanied by owners, are welcome to take part in carnival activities under the tent of the museum's Celebration Courtyard. Visitors are invited to enter their dog(s) in the museum's Crazy Canine Contest at 11:30 am. A panel will judge the dogs in the following categories: best dressed, fastest tail wager, fluffiest, best smile, best ears and walks with attitude. Each dog will be judged in all categories. And who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Visitors will be able to sign up for a 5-minute time slot to give their four-legged, furry friends an opportunity to show off his or her tricks. Dogs must be licensed and accompanied by people who are 15 years or older. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. A highlight of the day is sure to be when assistance dogs from the Canine Companions for Independence® conduct a demonstration in the museum's Multimedia Gallery. Founded in 1975, the world-renowned Canine Companions for Independence is a national non-profit which provides highly-skilled assistance dogs to adults, veterans and children with disabilities free of charge. Canine Companions created the concept of assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities. During BooZoo's Canine Carnival, the assistance dogs will be put through a routine demonstrating their ability to follow commands, open doors, flip on light switches, pick up dropped items and complete other important daily tasks. A Canine Companions staff member will talk about how the dogs are bred, trained and matched with their human counterparts, transforming the lives of people with disabilities by increasing their independence and providing loving companionship. Another special component of the event will take place when Milford's John Tartaglio, an inspirational speaker, shares his story with the audience. Tartaglio was 17 years old when he contracted an extremely rare bacterial infection. With his condition dire, doctors were left with no choice but to amputate his legs and left bicep. Tartaglio was only given a 20% chance to live, but he survived and now thrives. He graduated cum laude from Fairfield University. Told by medical professionals that he would never walk again, Tartaglio has completed marathons and triathlons. As a motivational speaker, he speaks to audiences about overcoming adversity, building a positive attitude and turning it into positive actions, leadership and teamwork. Empowering his audiences with his story, Tartaglio challenges people to reach their goals, raise their personal standard and expect more out of themselves because he is living proof that anything is possible. T hroughout the event, the mobile unit of the North Shore Animal League, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, will be on hand with staff members available to answer questions and showcase some of their adoptable friends. Between noon and 2:00 pm, Shake Shack will be on hand in our courtyard serving "Pooch-ini®," a custard-based doggy snack. About BooZoo Building on the commitment to promote early childhood development and reading literacy for young children, the museum developed the BooZoo character three years ago. BooZoo is a toy puppy who lives in Tot Town™, the museum's toddler exhibit. He's smart, incurably curious and loves reading books. For additional information about BooZoo's Canine Carnival, visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/CanineCarnival.

Copyright © 2001-2012 Catalytic Group Inc.

A Tree Festival In Norwalk CT

The Connecticut Tree Festival, Norwalk's annual spring tribute to leafy greenery is set for Cranbury Park, located on Grumman Ave. on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

This family fun festival will be both entertaining and educational for the whole family with up to 40 exhibition booths on a U-shaped midway making it easy to explore.  Best of all, this event is free, everything in the park is free to the public--admission, parking, door prizes, even a picnic-style lunch.

There are demonstrations of how trees are planted, trimmed and moved as well as information on how to care for trees. Bring a twig and leaf from home and look for the “Ask the Arborist” signs, certified arborists are on-site to help identify trees, foliage or unusual conditions.  In a mid-day ceremony, an eastern redbud tree is to be planted to honor the late Dick Aime who died last year at age 93 after many years as secretary of the Norwalk Tree Alliance.      

For kids there is face painting, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts activities.  A highlight of the event are the cherry-pickers located around the midway that offers kids rides to the tree tops and tells them about the importance of tree care.

Popular exhibitors include: the Wolf Conservation Center from South Salem New York, Wildlife in Crisis of Weston, CT, Earthplace of Westport and Connecticut’s Search and Rescue dog team.

Appearing for the first time is the Art Academy of Weir Farm in Wilton with a booth on the midway and a display of arboreal art called “A Celebration of Trees” in the neighboring Gallaher Mansion. 

For additional information about this event visit https://www.ioby.org/project/2014-connecticut-tree-festival.  For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

About Cranbury Park

This is an expansive parkland of 227 acres that has a series of wooded trails, and a challenging 18- hold disc golf course.  Also on the grounds is the Gallager Mansion built in 1913 by industrialist/inventor Edward Beach Gallaher.  This limestone Tudor Revival mansion is styled with carvings, stained-glass windows and Walnut paneled rooms.  It includes a large terrace and adjacent garden that make it perfect venue for outdoor entertaining.  It's available to rent for meetings, events, luncheons and weddings. The Carriage House Arts Center is located adjacent to the mansion.  Contact Recreation and Parks for details. (203) 854-7806 or www.norwalkct.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/1

Breakfast with Frosty and Friends at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Frosty the Snowman was a popular song written in 1950 and became an overnight classic by being adapted to a popular television special.  The song of Frosty recounts the fictional tale of a snowman that is magically brought to life through a black top hat that a group of children place atop his head. Although Frosty enjoys frolicking and romping throughout town with the children who constructed him, the sun becomes too much for him to bear and Frosty is forced to leave town, promising his friends that he will return.

On December 15 & 16, 22 & 23:  The Beardsley Zoo is getting into the holiday spirit by offering a special “Breakfast with Frosty & Friends” that will take place from, 9 a.m. - 10 am.  Families are invited to join Frosty and his friends for breakfast at Connecticut's only Zoo. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Amanda Bolanos at (203) 394-6574.  The cost of this special event that includes Zoo admission and breakfast is $10 per person for Zoo members and $20 per person for non-members.

The Beardsley Zoo is also offering a special Holiday Crafts & Fun Photo Opps event on December 15 & 16, 22 & 23 from 10 am - 2 pm.  Participants will enjoy making a variety of holiday crafts in the Zoo’s Research Station.  Afterward, there will be a memorable photo session in the Zoo’s festively decorated, tropical greenhouse.  A stroll through the grounds of the Zoo will allow families to visit their favorite animals and wish them happy holidays!

ZOO GIFT GIVING IDEAS:

As the holidays are approaching fast if you are looking for something unique you might consider picking up an unusual and thoughtful gift from the Beardsley Zoo for everyone on your list!

Membership to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo for example can be enjoyed year-round. Your loved one gets free admission to the Zoo and free or discounted admission to over 150 zoos and aquariums nationwide. Membership also includes ZooBucks, carousel rides & guest passes! Contact Amanda Bolanos at 203-394-6574 for more information.

If you are looking for a more permanent gift, consider purchasing and engraving a 90^th Anniversary Brick for someone special. Bricks will be displayed at the Zoo's Front Gate for all to see! Contact Emily Bobowick at 203-394-6569 for more information.

If you have a real animal lover on your list, consider a gift of Animal Sponsorship.  With this gift, you will receive a Sponsorship Certificate, Fact Sheet & Photograph of your sponsored animal that you can visit at the Zoo.

If you are seeking something different, don’t forget to check out the gift shop at the Zoo. The Beardsley Zoo’s fabulous gift shop offers everything from children's games and handmade jewelry to clothing and animal-themed Christmas ornaments. You'll be amazed at the wide selection of gifts for him and her and for the little ones, too!

About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates its 90th birthday in 2012 and is closer than you think! Connecticut's only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Brazilian ocelot, Red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the Grasslands trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit www.beardsleyzoo.org

Holiday Concert Dec. 14 at Silvermine Arts Center

A special evening of holiday music is coming to the Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, Connecticut on Friday, December 14th. The Turtle Island Quartet returns to Silvermine, bringing their signature fusion of jazz and classical music to celebrate the holiday season.
The Turtle Island Quartet has been the very definition of American chamber music for over 25 years. From stages across the globe to international airwaves, this group is the most acclaimed ensemble of its kind. Their holiday concert, "A Solstice Celebration," will take you through the joyous voyage of world holiday music, commemorating the quartet members' ancestral roots, featuring music associated with what is referred to in both the Jewish and Hindu traditions as the Festival of Lights.
From the songs of Chanukah, to the music of India's Diwali, to the old English carols and Scottish reels of the 16th century, Turtle Island Quartet explores the timeless music that has been an integral part of winter holiday celebrations for centuries. The holiday program will also include music from Vince Guaraldi's beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas, as well as famous classical gems that have become indelibly tied to the holiday season.

Since they began in 1985, the Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Winner of the 2006 and 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Classical Crossover category, the group fuses the classical quartet aesthetic with contemporary American musical styles. The group is made up of original founding members, violinist, David Balakrishnan, and cellist Mark Summer, joined by jazz violinist  Mateusz Smoczynski and violist Benjamin Von Gutzeit. Each member of the quartet is an accomplished improviser, composer and arranger, as well as having extensive conservatory training. As the group continues to refine their skills through performances and recordings with major symphonic ensembles, and through a determined educational commitment, the Turtle Island Quartet stakes its claim as the quintessential American string quartet of this century.

A unique holiday experience not to be missed. Seating is limited and advance reservations are suggested. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members.   To reserve tickets in advance or for more information, call 203-966-9700 ext. 22 or visit our website at www.silvermineart.org.

About Silvermine Arts Center

Silvermine Arts Center located in New Canaan, Connecticut is one of the oldest artist communities in the United States. Located on a four acre campus, the center is comprised of a nationally renowned artist guild, award winning school of art offering multi-disciplinary art classes for ages 2 to 102, an art and fine crafts shop and galleries, offering over twenty contemporary and historic exhibitions annually. The center also provides innovative arts education in Norwalk and Stamford schools through its outreach program, Art Partners, and hosts a lecture series and special programs throughout the year. Silvermine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization.

Silvermine Arts Center Mission

Grounded in the belief that art is vital to the spirit, creativity and wholeness of human beings, the mission of Silvermine Arts Center is to cultivate, promote and encourage growth through the arts; to showcase and serve artists; and to foster arts education and appreciation opportunities for the greater community.

Gallery Hours: Silvermine Galleries are open Wednesday through Saturday, 12p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1pm to 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 966-9700 ext. 20 or visit the website: www.silvermineart.org.

Holiday Lunch at Keeler Tavern

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The very popular Christmas Luncheons and Holiday Boutique have become a Ridgefield holiday tradition. This fund raising event is held at the Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT. Guests dine in the festively decorated Garden House overlooking the brick walled Garden which is lovely, even in December and especially with a dusting of light snow. 

The luncheons will be held this year from Tuesday, December 4th to Saturday, December 8th. There will be two seating’s each day at 11:30 AM and 1:15 PM. The cost will be $25 per person by prepaid reservation. Guests will be invited to visit the seasonally decorated rooms of the Tavern Building.


If making a reservation for more than one person, please list the names of other members of your group. Reservations and payment may be made securely on line at keelertavernmuseum.org or by calling the Museum and paying by charge card or by mailing a check directly to the Keeler Tavern Museum. For further information or the menu to be served call the Museum at 203-438-5485.

Holiday Boutique

The Holiday Boutique in the Gilbert Dining Room and Museum Gift Shop will be overflowing with gifts for everyone and every occasion. A new selection of Christmas ornaments, unique decorations of the season, gifts for children and adults will fill the area.  These unusual gifts will make filling your gift giving needs easy.  

The gift shop will be open from 10:30 AM to 4 PM December 4th through 8th. In addition it will be open Sunday, December 9th from 1 PM - 4 PM. During these days, talented crafters will bring products that will enrich the variety of gifts available. And, don’t forget to buy a gift for yourself.

Early Shopping Days will take place Tuesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 2nd from 1 PM - 4 PM.

A Good Light: The Artist's Studio in Cos Cob and Beyond, New Exhibition at Greenwich Historical Society

Julius LeBlanc Stewart,
In the Artist’s Studio, 1875, oil on
canvas, 21½ x 28¾ in. Andrea family
private collection, photograph courtesy
Sotheby’s, New York.

To celebrate the restoration of the room at Bush-Holley House that served at various times as the studio of Childe Hassam, John Twachtman and Elmer MacRae, the Greenwich Historical Society will present an exhibition exploring the changing concept of the artist's studio. Representations of an American art student's Parisian garret, William Merritt Chase's opulent Tenth Street studio in New York, Dorothy Ochtman's view of her father in the studio they shared in their Cos Cob home and the repurposed farm sheds used by artists in Old Lyme: these and other paintings will suggest the wide range of spaces in which turn-of-the-century artists worked and will provide a cultural context for the restored studio.

The studio originally doubled as bedroom and workspace for its occupants. To augment the natural light from windows on the northern and eastern exposures, the owners, the Holley family, added a dormer around 1900. Illuminated by windows on three sides, the room offered views of the abundant gardens behind the house, the millpond to one side and the bustling harbor across the street. Now when you visit the Bush-Holley house, you can more easily imagine the vistas the artists enjoyed.

Dorothy Ochtman,
A Corner of the Studio, 1928, oil on canvas,
30 x 25 in. National Academy Museum,
New York, Bequest of Dorothy Ochtman
Del Mar, 1971, 1749-P.

 In addition to depictions of American artists' studios in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the exhibition presents the models for Childe Hassam's work in Cos Cob and a sampling of work done outside the studio in the environs by Hassam, John H. Twachtman and Elmer MacRae. A complementary exhibition, Historic Artists' Homes & Studios, on loan from Chesterwood (the home and studio of Lincoln Memorial sculptor Daniel Chester French), will feature photographs that focus on the fascinating and eclectic living and workspaces of famous American artists including (among others) N.C. Wyeth, Jackson Pollock and Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Attributed to Frederick MacMonnies
Atelier at Giverny, 1896 or 1897, oil on canvas,
32 x 17 in. Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, Daniel J. Terra Collection, 1999.91,
Photography ©Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago.

A Good Light: The Artist's Studio in Cos Cob and Beyond will be on exhibition from October 3, 2012 to January 6, 2013. Wednesday through Sunday, Noon to 4:00 pm. Members: free; nonmembers: $10; seniors and students $8 The Greenwich Historical Society Storehouse Gallery is located on  39 Strickland Road in Cos Cob. For more information www.greenwichhistory.org.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Litchfield: The Making of a New England Town

On Saturday November 3, Historic New England and the Litchfield Historical Society host an event with local author Rachel Carley to award Litchfield: The Making of a New England Town Historic New England's eighteenth Book Prize.

The afternoon starts at 1:00 p.m. with a reception and remarks by the prize winner Rachel Carley, followed by a book signing. The award-winning book, published by the Litchfield Historical Society is available for purchase at the event.

To attend, please call 617-994-5934 or e-mail Events@HistoricNewEngland.org. The event is free, but space is limited. The Litchfield Historical Society is at 7 South Street, Litchfield, Connecticut.

Litchfield: The Making of a New England Town is a lively exploration of the town's history and architecture, not only during the colonial period but also during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The book is generously illustrated with maps, photographs, and paintings of this quintessential New England town, including many that are published for the first time. Carley is a preservation consultant and architectural historian. Her previous books include Building Greenwich, Architecture and Design, 1640 to the Present; The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture; Cuba: Four Hundred Years of Architectural Heritage; Cabin Fever; A Guide to Biltmore Estate; and Wilderness A to Z. She is a resident of Litchfield.

About Historic New England's Book Prize
The Historic New England Book Prize recognizes works that advance the understanding of the architecture, landscape, and material culture of New England and the United States from the seventeenth century to the present. This includes works in the decorative arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and the history of photography. To qualify, works need not deal exclusively with New England but must make a significant contribution to our understanding of New England and its relation to the wider world.

About Historic New England
Historic New England is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. We bring history to life while preserving the past for everyone interested in exploring the authentic New England experience from the seventeenth century to today. Historic New England owns and operates thirty-six historic homes and landscapes spanning five states. The organization shares the region's history through vast collections, publications, public programs, museum properties, archives, and family stories that document more than 400 years of life in New England. For more information visit HistoricNewEngland.org.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Sharon Audubon Enchanted Forest and Kids' Day

A Bear Greets Children in the Enchanted Forest Family fun is in the works at the Sharon Audubon Center the last two weekends in October.  Both events are "non scary" and   geared toward families with children pre-K through 2nd grade. The Audubon's popular Enchanted Forest will be held on Saturday, October 20th. Guided groups will meet friendly costumed animal characters along a candlelit trail and hear how the animals live their lives on the Audubon grounds. After the tour, which lasts approximately 45 minutes, participants can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate inside the Center building before taking a hayride back to the parking area. This non-scary program is ideal for children up to 8 years old and their families. Tours begin every 10-15 minutes between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00pm. Participants should bring an extra flashlight.   Admission is $4 per person. Children under 2 are free. Pararde on Kids Day! Audubon Kids' Day is taking place on Sunday, October 28th from 12-3pm. This is a fun, autumn afternoon for young children and their families and features brand new carnival-type games for 2012, kids' crafts, live animals from "The Nature of Things," a haybale maze, haywagon rides, professional face painting with glitter tattoos and food. Children are encouraged to come in costume and join in the costume parade around the Center grounds at 2:30. The event is held rain or shine. Admission is $7.00 per carload. The Sharon Audubon Center is located on Route 4 in Sharon, for more information, contact the Audubon Center at (860) 364-0520 or http://sharon.audubon.org.

The Design Show at Peter Lawrence Gallery

The Peter Lawrence Gallery is proud to announce a new exhibit “The Design Show” which will run from October 12-November 11, 2012, with an opening reception on Sunday, October 14, 2012 from 1-5 pm.

The Design Show will feature handmade, sustainable, live-edge furniture by award winning woodworker Peter Lawrence Scalera, and assemblage pieces by Arista Baltronis made of antique tools that have been refurbished and covered with Swarovski Crystals.

Scalera, who is co-owner and regular exhibitor at the Peter Lawrence Gallery will premiere a new series of “wood under glass” pieces at this show. Scalera has been working in wood design for over forty years, and recently completed a full, custom furniture fit-out at CraftBar in NYC. Additionally, he has completed major projects at Eva Scrivo Salon, Craft Restaurant, Colicchio and Sons restaurant (also in NYC), and numerous residential interiors in NY and CT. The 2010 “Best in Show” recipient at the Providence “Fine Furnishings and Craft Show” says of his own work: “I’ve always thought of my work as ‘Functional Art.’ Function plays a large part in my designs.”

Arista Baltronis will exhibit work from her ‘hardware on the rocks” series of assemblage pieces. Baltronis meticulously refurbishes old tools of all kinds before applying Swarovski Crystals to the surface of each piece, transforming old tools into works of art. Baltronis, whose past exhibitions include the Alexandria Museum in Los Angeles, and the Viridian Gallery in NYC says of her work “I am having such fun with this new direction of work. It is very exciting and challenging to learn new skills and new techniques and apply them to an everyday object to make it into something completely unique.”

The Peter Lawrence Gallery is located at 703 Kent Road in Gaylordsville, CT, and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12-5pm. There is no admission charge to the gallery or to any gallery event. We are continuing to exhibit sculptures by James Travers in the sculpture garden through November. For more information please visit www.peterlawrencegallery.com. For travel information www.litchfieldhills.com

Domestic tools subject of new art exhibit

Battle Axe The Housatonic Museum of Art is pleased to announce Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit, an exhibition that explores household tools as metaphor for the social and cultural histories of women embedded in them. Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit will be on view in the Burt Chernow Galleries at the Housatonic Museum of Art from September 6 through October 26, 2012. The term "distaff" itself refers not only to the tool attached to a spinning wheel to hold unspun fibers, but over time, came to refer to women generally. Solinger points out, "Many of these old tools facilitated....repetitive labor and evoke the various cultural histories of women's unpaid, often diminished and disrespected status within the household and society. But in the 21st century, at a moment when 'old tools' have become aestheticized and expensive, we can look again and see their costly beauty. Rickie Solinger, an award-winning author, historian and curator, reexamines women's history by positioning tools used in a domestic setting as the "fulcrum for a contemporary work of art." The artists in this exhibit place these old tools at the center of their own work: washboard, a dressmaker's dummy, graters, doilies, an advice book, cooking pans, a basket, a garden hoe, dress patterns, a rolling pin, buckets, darning eggs, a work glove, a needle threader, rug beaters, ironing boards, mason jars and a telephone. Alison Saar Twenty-eight artists are represented in this show including Betye and Alison Saar, Lisa Alvarado, Dave Cole, Judy Hoyt, Larry Ruhl, Flo Oy Wong, Debra Priestly, to name a few. Gallery Hours are: Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:30pm; Thursday until 7pm; Saturday from 9am until 3pm; Sunday from Noon until 4pm. For additional information and/or direction please visit our website www.HousatonicMuseum.org

THE SIMPSONS MAKE A SPLASH AT LAKE COMPOUNCE'S CROCODILE COVE WATERPARK ON AUGUST 22nd

Lake Compounce!

TV's longest-running scripted show, The Simpsons, is hitting the road and will make an appearance at Lake Compounce's Crocodile Cove Waterpark on Wednesday, August 22nd to host a themed waterpark takeover. Entrance to the event is free with park admission and Crocodile Cove will be open from 12noon to 7:00 P.M. This event is free with admission to the park.

Guests can dive-in and celebrate along with The Simpsons, and be the first to ride a Springfield donut inner tube that would make even Homer jealous. They can also pose for some great family photos with The Simpsons, water park style.

After spending the day at the Simpsons Summer Celebration, families can continue the fun at home with The Simpsons on Blu-ray and DVD. Fans can enjoy exclusive footage and special features available only on these releases. The Simpsons Seasons 1-14 are currently available; Season 15 will be released on December 4, 2012.

About Lake Compounce Lake Compounce
Part of the Palace Entertainment family of parks, is New England's Family Theme Park and the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America. With the largest water park in Connecticut, and a brand new water slide called Riptide Racer, the park is now in its 167th season. Now open daily. Regular admission price for the 2012 season is $36.99. Junior admission, which is for guests under 52 inches tall, is $26.99. Senior admission, for ages 61 and up, is $18.99. Children 3 years of age and younger are admitted free. Prices subject to change without notice. All tickets and season passes may be purchased by visiting www.lakecompounce.com.

About Palace Entertainment Palace Entertainment
Owns and operates 40 theme parks, water parks and family entertainment centers nationwide, including Kennywood, Idlewild and Storyland on the east coast. The company entertains millions of guests annually and is one of the largest park operators in the US. For more information, visit palaceentertainment.com.

Pondering the Pond Walk at Weir Farm National Historic Site

Weir Farm Pond

Are you a frequent hiker to the pond at Weir Farm National Historic Site?

Take a closer look.  What may seem like a simple walk to the pond is

actually a complex foray into a cultural landscape.  On Sunday, August 19

from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., join Park Ranger David Low for a new look at this

popular local trail.  Explore the ways people have shaped their natural

environment, and discover sights that often go unexamined--ones which you

may have passed several times and never thought to consider.  You will find

the Pond Trail has many surprises.  There is no fee to participate, but

registration is required.  To register or for more information, please call

(203) 834-1896 ext. 28.  This is not a strenuous hike, but the walk will

consist of standing with short periods of walking.  Bringing a water bottle

and wearing appropriate footwear is recommended.

About Weir Farm

Weir Farm National Historic Site, the only National Park Service site

dedicated to American painting, was home to three generations of American

artists including Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and

the development of American Impressionism. Today, the 60-acre farm, which

includes the Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir

Pond, is one of the nation’s finest remaining landscapes of American art.

For more information about Weir Farm National Historic Site or the National

Park Service, please visit www.nps.gov/wefa or call (203)834-1896.

Kelp Denis Folz

The First Annual Sculpture Exhibit and Culture Fest is being hosted by Peter Lawrence Gallery located on the banks of the Housatonic River on Rte. 7 in Gaylordsville through June 17th on Saturdays and Sundays plus Memorial Day.  This exhibit will feature works by locally, nationally and internationally recognized sculptors. This fun-filled cultural event will include an artist walk and talk, musical entertainment performed by Broadway stars and jazz musicians, box lunches, wine tasting, and other artisanal delicacies. Visitors to the event can explore sculptures inside and outside.

The Inside Gallery will host an eclectic grouping of smaller works including those by: Suzanne Benton, listed in Who's Who of America and Who's Who of American Artists, an international artist whose works are in private collections worldwide; Jocelyn Braxton Armstrong, a critically acclaimed ceramic artist; Dalton Ghetti, a Brazilian-born pencil sculptor whose work is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England; Michael Johnston, an artist who uses recycled electronics to build futuristic, steampunk-style sculpture; Justin Perlman, an internationally trained sculptor and winner of the Marquis Who's Who in American Art Reference Award; Derek Uhlman, recently accepted into the Copley Society of Art, is an award-winning sculptor who likes to push the envelope; and Patricia Warfield, recognized nationally as a consummate artist, is constantly experimenting with a wide variety of media.

J B Armstrong Soul Sister

The outdoor sculpture is situated in a  idyllic four-acre garden along the Housatonic River.  On display in this beautiful rustic setting will be monumental works by Jan Abt, German-born, New York-based sculptor who creates abstract figurative pieces inspired by Picasso, Henri Moore and the ancient Greeks; Jennifer George Andrea, a kindergarten teacher by day and a large-scale sculpture artist in the off hours; Cindy Booth, a Hudson Valley artist creates large-scale copper and steel sculptures "beyond the thinking mind"; David Boyajian, an acclaimed master sculptor, founder of the Sculpture Barn in New Fairfield, CT who creates monumental works that are both conceptual and rationally accessible; Steven Brooks an award-winning architect turned sculptor loves the physicality of creating forms and shapes with his hands; Margie Cohen who is transfixed by creating whirling, spinning and rolling sculptures out of steel; Jim Felice, a master restorer and award-winning creator of sculptures that, in his use of scrap matter, redefine the use and purpose of industrial materials; Denis Folz an intentionally styleless artist whose works are informed by Van Gogh, Max Ernst and Andrew Wyeth, leaves it to the viewer to define his work; Lannie Hart whose sculptures evoke nature, religious images and cultural references with a strong feminine point of view; Peter Holmberg, a local sculptor whose works are among a collection situated on a private estate; David McNeil a former police sketch artist, now seeks to construct abstract shapes from nature created by a living thing and to capture its energy in its form; M. Meken-Silvestri an award-winning fused-glass artist who works with delicate fragments to create solid works that sparkle and dazzle; Justin Perlman, mentioned earlier; Richard Pitts, a professor at FIT in New York City and a multi-media sculptor who constructs abstract sculptures as metaphors for the  environment; Judy Rowley who currently uses debris from Hurricane Katrina as the substance of her sculpture to pay tribute to the resilient spirit of the people of the Gulf Coast ; and Marcia Spivak¸ one of the pre-eminent metal horse sculptors in the country.


In addition to sculpture, the Festival boasts live entertainment, and local artisan delicacies. The delicacies include a box lunch prepared by local Gaylordsville Country Store; chocolate truffles, hand-made in the French tradition by Carol Monnerat Artisan Truffles of Branford, CT; simply heavenly cakes baked with all natural, allergen-free ingredients by Izzi B's of Norwalk, CT; tasting rare raspberry, rhubarb and cassis wines from White Silo Farm and Winery of Sherman, CT, or traditional grape wines and sun-ripened berry wines from Jones Family Farm of Shelton, CT, both Connecticut Wine Trail Vineyards; and more. A Jazz ensemble from the Easton, CT Jazz Guild will be among the performers, as will Broadway stars Niki Scalera (Footloose, Hairspray, Tarzan, Jake's Women), Tevin Campbell (Hairspray and R&B recording star under the direction of Quincy Jones) and others.

Ghetti Elvis

The Sculpture Fest is a ticketed event. Admission includes entry to the sculpture garden and gallery, a box lunch and a glass of wine, a catalog and map of the garden, tours and talks conducted by sculptors, musical entertainment performed by Broadway stars and jazz musicians, and wine tasting.

The local artisanal delicacies will also be available for purchase. The events will take place on each Saturday and Sunday for the run of the show, and on Memorial Day Monday. There will be 2 sessions each day at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Only ticket holders will have access to the Garden and the activities taking place therein on Saturdays and Sundays.
The sculpture in the Gallery will, of course, be open to ticket holders and those without tickets, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition there will be Free Fridays: On Fridays, during the run of the Sculpture Fest, the Sculpture Garden can be viewed free of charge. There will be no other activities taking place on Fridays.

About Peter Lawrence Gallery

Peter Lawrence Gallery was originally established as a "showroom" for the live-edge furniture of award-winning woodcrafter Peter Lawrence Scalera and his wife, abstract artist Jill Caprio-Scalera (Jage). It was always their dream to have a gallery to show their work and the works of other artists. The gallery is tucked away a few miles south of the scenic village of Kent, CT, between the rolling hills of the Litchfield Hills and the Housatonic River. The Sculpture Festival, to run every weekend from through June 17, 2012, will be the crowning achievement for the inaugural year of the Peter Lawrence Gallery.

Peter Lawrence Gallery is located at 703 Kent Road (Rt. 7), Gaylordsville, Connecticut. It is a part of The Basket Shop and Carriage Barn complex, two delightful country gift shops selling New England Americana. The Gallery will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Memorial Day Monday from 11:00pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment. To purchase tickets for the Sculpture Fest or for more information please contact Peter Lawrence Scalera 203-746-5533, visit www.sculpturefest2012.com., or www.peterlawrencegallery.com, or email peterlawrencegallery@ymail.com.

Philip Johnson Glass House Annouces “A Modern Picnic”

The annual dining and culinary event at The Philip Johnson Glass House will take place on June 9, 2012. The Philip Johnson Glass House is a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The event is called,  “A Modern Picnic”, and will provide event goers a repertoire of  unique dining and culinary experiences. Participants will be  invited to meet award-winning chefs and artisans from across the country; and explore the buildings, grounds and art collections of the 29-acre Glass House site. This event takes place from 12 noon to 3 PM.

One of the favorite activities of this event takes place at 6:30 PM. The event’s culmination is the popular  “Food Festival Under the Stars”.  It is pure magic to experience the Glass House as the sun sets, while watching and tasting what’s on screen as the Food Festival presents a multi-sensory experience.  Visitors are offered the added  bonus of meeting  the filmmakers, artisans and chefs behind these award winning food and dining films.