“Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Keeler Tavern Museum

A very special holiday treat for children will tale place at the Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main Street. Ridgefield, CT on Friday December 14th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. 

The children will gather in the Museum’s Garden House in front of the fireplace warmed by a friendly fire. All will listen to a reading of Clement C. Moore’s delightful poem “Twas the Night before Christmas.” The Rev. Moore wrote this treasured poem in 1822 for the pleasure of his own children. Children have been enjoying it ever since.

Each child will make and take home a craft suitable to the season. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

The cost to participate is $15 per child.

Advance prepaid reservations are required. Reservations for this event are first come first served, regardless of membership status. Reserve now at www.keelertaernmuseum.org or call 203-438-5485.

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

Meerkats” And “Africa” Exhibits Extended Into 2013

Adorable Meercats extend their stay

Visitors to The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk are getting more chances to be entertained and fascinated by a special collection of exotic African creatures, including six amusing meerkats.

The special exhibit "Africa: From the Desert to the Sea" will stay open for another five months, through Jan. 20, 2013. And its companion exhibit, "Meerkats," has been extended through Labor Day 2013. Previously, both had been scheduled to close after this Labor Day (Sept. 3).

The meerkats are very popular with visitors young and old to the Aquarium. The extention of  'Africa' through the holidays and into the new year allows the Aquarium the necessary time to prepare for their next special exhibit.

Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are members of the mongoose family that live in social "mobs" in the Kalahari Desert, in the southern African nations of Botswana and South Africa. (Timon, the comical sidekick in Disney's "The Lion King," is a meerkat.)

The Maritime Aquarium's "Meerkats" exhibit features six sibling meerkats – three males, three females – born in July 2009 at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their Aquarium exhibit offers lots of opportunities for climbing, digging and exploring. For young Aquarium visitors, a special viewing bubble lets children pop up right among the meerkats.

The animals are so popular that the Aquarium installed a "meerkat cam," for visitors who want to check up on the animals' activities remotely. (Click on it at www.maritimeaquarium.org.)

The "Africa: From the Desert to the Sea" exhibit displays some of the fascinating but lesser-known aquatic creatures of Africa, including lungfish, electric catfish and colorful cichlids and reef fish.

Both special exhibits are free with Maritime Aquarium general admission, which is $13.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors 65+, and $10.50 for children 2-12.

A new special exhibit, "Dangerous Creatures," is scheduled to open on Feb. 16 in the space currently occupied by "Africa: From the Desert to the Sea."

For more information about The Maritime Aquarium's exhibits, IMAX movies and programs, go online to www.MaritimeAquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700.

For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Flea Market at Lockwood Mathews Mansion

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will hold its fifth annual Old-fashioned Flea Market at 295 West Avenue in  Norwalk. The Old Fashioned Flea Market at the Mansion attracts thousands of like-minded shoppers every year looking for special bargains to treasure, and with over 80 vendors this year, the park surrounding the museum will be overflowing with an eclectic mix of old and new merchandise including antiques, repurposed furniture, collectibles, vintage jewelry, household items, clothing, toys and more. General admission to the event is free. The Flea Market will also feature a concert with the Bob Lasprogato Dixieland Band, a display of antique and classic cars, half price $5 mini tours of the Mansion, face-painting, and much more. An all-American barbecue featuring hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches courtesy of Michael Gilmartin of Outdoor Cookers will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Museum's Gift Shop will be open during the event and feature new Fall-Holiday merchandise and a broad selection of gift ideas including vintage costume jewelry, Titanic-related material, porcelain tea cups, books on Victorian era art and architecture, local history, and more. All proceeds will benefit the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. For details on the full Flea Market schedule please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.  For area information visit www.visitwesternct.com.

Sharon Audubon Festival August 11th and 12th

Wendy with Sophia

The 45th annual Sharon Audubon Festival will be taking place at the Sharon Audubon Center, located on Route 4 in Sharon, CT on Saturday and Sunday, August 11th and 12th. The Audubon Festival is an event where people of all ages can learn about nature in a fun and interactive way, and features two full days of nature walks and programs, live animal presentations, children's activities, food, music, exhibits, vendors and more. Whether one is a seasoned naturalist or a young explorer, there are activities for all ages and experience levels.

Two keynote presentations will also take place each day. At 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday, Talons will engage visitors with a falconry demonstration. These amazing birds of prey will also be on display throughout the day on Saturday. A live animal show presnted by Rainforest Reptiles known for their dynamic educational programs will take place at 1:00 pm on Sunday afternoon.  The festivities will close on Sunday with Flight of the Raptor, another exciting falconry demonstration back by popular demand.

Erin with a red wing hawk

Scheduled programs take place at 10:00, 10:30, 11:00 and 2:15 each day. Examples of programs include Exploring Bog Meadow by Canoe, Porcupines, Tree Identification Walk, Swarming Behavior of Honey Bees, Bird Banding, Orienteering, Reptiles, Bears, Pressed Flower Bookmarks and much more. Ongoing activities such as a live animal exhibits from the Beardsley Zoo and Wonders on Wheels and the children's Merry Marsh Activity Tent, as well as various vendors, will be on hand throughout each day. Food is also available for purchase.

Gates are open from 9:30am-5: 30pm each day. No pets are allowed inside the gates. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. A complete schedule and description of programs can be found at www.sharon.audubon.org or by calling 860-364-0520 for more information.

Explore the Shore and the Sound at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center

Seaside Center

The Bruce Museum Seaside Center is an environmental and cultural facility located in the Innis Arden Cottage on Greenwich Point, one of the East Coast's most scenic coastlines. During summer months, Seaside Center personnel encourage Point visitors to drop-in and explore the local shore and marine life.

Daily activities at the Seaside Center may include guided nature walks which incorporate the geology and ecology of Greenwich Point; study and identification of Greenwich Point flora and fauna; marine organism anatomy dissections; plankton viewing with microscopes; arts and crafts; and much more!

Guests can also enjoy the Seaside Center's facilities at their own leisurely pace viewing the dioramas, interactive exhibits, and live specimens in the marine-life touch tank and aquariums.

Open through September 2, with special events scheduled throughout the year, regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Beach passes are required for entrance into Greenwich Point. Fees for non-residents are $5 per person plus $20 for parking. For additional information call the Bruce Museum at 203 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org.

New Canaan CT Nature Center Announces Annual Secret Gardens Tour

The Annual Secret Gardens Tour benefiting the New Canaan Nature Center will take place on Friday, June 8.  The popular tour is a fund-raiser for the New Canaan Nature Center and an opportunity for homeowners, gardeners and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the outdoors to be inspired by several outstanding garden settings.  The self-guided tour takes place between 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m., allowing attendees to visit the gardens at their own pace and on their own schedule.

Kent Sidewalk Festival Ready For July 28-31 In Litchfield Hills CT

The Kent Sidewalk Festival  is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 through Sunday, July 31 and is sponsored by the Kent Chamber of Commerce.

I have enjoyed the sidewalk festival for many years and I am looking forward to visiting Kent this weekend for this festive event... If you like to treasure hunt for fabulous gifts amid a charming small town teaming with music and great food, this event is for you!

Every merchant and store up and down Main Street, in the Village Barns and on the Kent Green will be offering special discounted items, many in tents outside their stores. You will find great deals on women's clothing at Terston, Country Clothes, Foreign Cargo and Wanda Elle, antique jewelry, glassware and collectibles at the North Main Street Market Place, David Armstrong prints and books at House of Books, shoes at Sundog Shoe and Leather, antiques galore at both Main Street and Rolling River Antiques, designer samples of wallpaper, pillows and more at LaVoie Color & Design, a designer tag sale at Kent Kitchen Works and a blowout on Reidel Glassware at Kent Wine & Spirit.

St. Andrews Church and the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund will have tag sales to benefit the work they do while the Library's book sale will offer 10% off any purchases over $10.  The volunteer fire department will celebrate their 100th anniversary with memorabilia and sale items near the library. As you go from shop to shop, be sure to enter the drawing for a Summer Shopping Spree at participating businesses. The drawing will be held Sunday at 2 PM on the Golden Falcon Field with a grand prize worth over $500 and 2 others worth $250 each.

Not to be left out, the restaurants in town will offer discounts and special food items. The Villager is open for breakfast and lunch, the Fife'n Drum will feature pulled pork sliders under their tent and popcorn at the Gift Shop, Millstone Café will serve Mexican churros, Smoked will have discounted prices while Webster Bank is bringing in their ice cream truck and Backcountry Outfitters will have Cheeseburgers in Paradise on Friday night.

Children will enjoy a Sidewalk Art Contest Saturday morning, face painting each day thanks to Kent Children's Center.  Fire truck rides from the new firehouse, several family exercise opportunities, a Petting Zoo at Three Monkeys and Me and Dancing on Main Street with the Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts are all part of family fun in Kent.

Music is another big part of the Sidewalk Festival with actors from Tri-Arts in Sharon performing excerpts from their current production, Hairspray.  At Kent Coffee and Chocolate you can stop and listen to an  Elvis impersonator that will sing your favorite hits.  There will also be concerts on the porch at Richard Lindsey Bookseller on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This year the Concerts will benefit the Fisher House of Connecticut. This house, next to the VA Hospital in West Haven, affords military and veteran's family's a place to stay near their loved one during recovery. The line up for the

Concerts includes Andy and Jeannette Hicks, students from the Litchfield Jazz Camp, John Couch, Homegrown Band, the Joint Chiefs, Joe Bouchard and Bruce Wheeler.
Many merchants will also offer demonstrations and activities to inform and entertain. Fitness Matters Studio will offer free Juice Plus+ tastings as well as a polarity therapist, a resistance/stretching trainer and an energy healer Reiki Master (for a fee). Black Sheep Yarns has fiber related artisans doing demonstrations and selling materials,  and Rolling River Antiques will offer chair caning demonstrations. You can get a Henna Tattoo at Terston for a $10 donation to the Kent Food Bank or try various fitness methods at Curves and Mountain Falls Fitness and afterward sample wine at Kent Wine & Spirit.

New this year and sure to be a big hit is Kent Cruise Night Saturday. This is a chance to show off your car, truck or hot rod. The event will also feature great food and music.

Not all events take place all hours each day, but there will be fun for all four days! Parking is available on the street and on the Kent Green property.   For the most up to date information contact the Kent
 Chamber of Commerce at 860-927-1463 and check the website www.kentct.com.  The mission of the Kent Chamber of Commerce is to bring local businesses together to develop and promote balanced economic growth that enhances the quality of life in our community.

New Canaan Nature Center Art Exhibit The Little Things by Melissa Kircher

A exhibit of original paintings and photography by Melissa Kircher will be on display at the New Canaan Nature Center through June 14.  The exhibit, entitled "The Little Things," is a series of floral and nature inspired photographs that combine elements of color, light, and texture, both man-made and natural.  Kiircher says "I find the often overlooked aspects of nature appealing, taking joy in spotting a hidden flower, leaf, or an unusual scene.  These works are about discovering the beauty in little things."

The photographs have all been processed with different fine art elements to create unique and truly original works of art.  Melissa Kircher attended Gordon College in Massachusetts where she studied drawing, printmaking, graphic design, and sculpture. She earned a BFA in Visual Arts with a concentration in sculpture. Melissa is currently a self employed artist in the fields of painting, photography, photo-processing, graphic design and freelance writing. Her home and studio is in Norwalk, Connecticut and her work has been displayed in various Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City locations. Melissa's artwork can be seen on her web-site: www.melissakircher.com.

For more information please call 966-9577.  A portion of proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the New Canaan Nature Center

The New Canaan Nature Center is an environmental education center and sanctuary dedicated to helping people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature. The Nature Center's grounds, which include a Birds of Prey exhibit and gardens, are open from dawn to dusk daily. The Visitor's Center and Discovery Room are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

CT's White Silo Farm--Annual Asparagus Festival May 14 & 15

This is the fourth year that this small specialty winery is holding it's popular Annual Asparagus Festival on May 14 and 15 from 12 PM - 5 PM in the bucolic village of Sherman Connecticut  just outside of Danbury.

Visitors to this festival are in for a treat as White Silo's culinary experts will be serving dishes prepared from their farm fresh asparagus, freshly picked the morning of the event.  Some of the mouth-watering choices include: truffled asparagus crostini, asparagus soup with fried asparagus shavings, and asparagus latkes, along with a few other items.   There will be  $5-6 charge per small plate.

A forte of White Silo Farm and Winery is their selection of specialty wines that include "Blackberry Sangria", Raspberry, Black Currant, Rhubarb, and Blackberry, all made with fruit grown at the farm. Throughout the season as fruit ripens, White Silo offers pick-your-own berries, asparagus and rhubarb.

To round out the festivities live music, winery and field tours, and farm museum tours will be held throughout the day.  The farm tour is especially exciting because you experience the charm of an earlier era when touring the old barn where the winery is located. The tour will also take you to visit the fermentation, bottling, and corking rooms where the classical art of wine making has been preserved. This event is perfect for a fun family spring outing. Admission to the event is free.

White Silo Farm & Winery is located on 32 Rt 37 East in Sherman, CT 06784 and can be reached at: 860 355 0271 or visit them at www.whitesilowinery.com.