Atka the wolf visiting New Canaan Historical Society

On Saturday, January 12 at 3 p.m. Atka, a beautiful white wolf will pay a visit to the New Canaan Historical Society in conjunction with the current exhibit, “Little Red Riding Hood Visits the Historical Society,” on display until March 2.

Little red Riding Hood is a fairy tale that has fascinated generations from the 1800s to the present day. To celebrate this tale, collector, Peg Rice has amassed all things “Little Red” and much of her vast and impressive collection is on display at the New Canaan Historical Society located on 13 Oenoke Ridge in New Canaan.

On January 12 at 3 p.m. the Society will welcome a special guest on behalf of Little Red Riding Hood Atka, a wolf ambassador from the Wolf Conservation Center.  The program begins with an informative and entertaining look at the history of wolves in North America, their biology and the mythology that surrounds them. Atka is a beautiful wolf that loves to meet people, and, as a great "wolf teacher," he will educate all in attendance on the importance of his wild "brothers and sisters"!  Atka always receives rave reviews and never fails to impress children and adults alike! 

Atka is the oldest ambassador wolf at the Wolf Conservation Center. He arrived at the center from Minnesota when he was just 8 days old.  The Center's staff, ambassador wolves and Eno raised him.  Eno was the Center's resident German Shepard and ambassador wolf nanny. The Wolf Conservation Center teaches people about wolves, their relationship to the environment and the human role in protecting their future. For additional information http://nywolf.org.

Atka’s visit will be an indoor event and is appropriate for all ages Atka: $10 per person

Seeing Red exhibit: $5 per person Atka + Exhibit: $13 per person. Reservations are not necessary. For additional information http://www.nchistory.org. For regional information www.visitwesternct.com. 

Maritime Aquarium "Festival of Lighthouses" through January 21, 2013

They’re beautiful. They’re funny. They’re clever. They’re intricate. They’re exquisite. Follow a festive path illuminated by 22 lighthouses – creatively built using everything from yarn and stained glass to coffee-creamer cups and personal computers – during the 11th annual “Festival of Lighthouses” at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The lighthouses were built by local artists and amateurs looking for a challenge, by families that wanted to work together on a fun project, and by students fulfilling an assignment. Now through Jan. 21, 2013, Aquarium visitors can follow these homemade beacons through the galleries and then cast a vote for their favorite. The lighthouse that gets the most votes wins $1,500. The display is free with Aquarium admission.

Rules are kept to a minimum to allow for maximum creativity. Lighthouses must be 3 to 6 feet tall and have a working light, and may not include animal remains (such as shells). Beyond that, it’s up to the creators’ imaginations. The 22 entries include a lighthouse covered in crocheted yarn, a lighthouse with interactive computer animation and a lighthouse that amusingly represents the 12 days of Christmas. (For the partridge in a pear tree, look for a photo of the bus used on TV’s “The Partridge Family.”) There are lighthouses made of intricately cut pieces of stone, of stained glass, of punched tin and of tiny cups of diner coffee creamer.

Two lighthouses are modeled after real lights – the famous West Quoddy Head Light in Lubec, ME, and the historic light in Sandy Hook, NJ.

The  Festival of Lighthouses is free with Maritime Aquarium general admission, which is $13.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors (65+) and $10.50 for children 2-12.

For more details about Maritime Aquarium exhibits, IMAX movies and programs, call (203) 852-0700 or go online to www.maritimeaquarium.org.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

January Events at Stepping Stone Museum for Children

At the Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the new year begins with the final days of the show titled Native Voices: New England Tribal Families that will end on January 6th.  This unique exhibit is an introduction to Native Americans living in New England today. By visiting five different communities from northern to southern New England, visitors learn about Native American traditions and how modern families balance contemporary life with preservation of important cultural identities through stories and songs. Free with museum admission.

Opening on January 21 is a show titled Framed: Step into Art™ that was produced by the Minnesota Children's Museum for the members of the Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative (YMEC). This exhibit allows you to enter the framework of famous paintings and experience art like never before.  Art viewers become art as they physically enter a scene and are encouraged to interpret, express and connect with art.  They can ride a giant chicken attached to a wagon, set up a camp in the Canadian Rockies, prepare dinner for a group of hungry farmers.  They can become an art gallery director, selecting and exhibiting art in their own gallery, as well as explore the exhibit through Art Hunt Cards.

January's Around the World program focus's on India. Stepping Stones takes children and parents to 12 different places around the globe, bringing the culture and its people to life. Now in its fourth year, the Around the World Performance Series presents professional artists, musicians, dancers, storytellers and youth performers representing a variety of cultures and traditions.

In its first year, the Museum's quarterly Accessibility Day program proved to be so popular that they are now offering it on a monthly basis.   Accessibility Day falls on Jan. 12 from 9 am - 11 am and offers free admission for families of children with special needs.
On Wednesday, January 16 parents are invited to the Parent Zone from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm where they will learn simple techniques to help their children with numbers, estimation and describing and comparing shapes.   This is a parents only workshop. Free childcare for children 3 and older. Free dinner included.  Limited space. Registration is required.

On January 25 the Stepping Stones Museum Presents the Story Book Pajama Party from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The event will consist of a compelling reading the tale in front of a large screen showing the pages in the book for all to see. After the story, the reading is brought to life when children meet the storybook character (bring your camera). There will also be a hands-on craft activity and a musical parade featuring the storybook character. Dinner is available for purchase in the museum's cafe.Members $10/person, Non-members $12/person. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Space is limited, registration recommended.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is located at 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT, exit 14 North and 15 South off I-95. Museum hours are Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm.  Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free. To learn more visit steppingstonesmuseum.org or call 203 899 0606.

For regional information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.