New Canaan Nature Center Annual Syrup Saturday & Pancake Brunch

The New Canaan Nature Center's Syrup Saturday festival returns on Saturday, March 17 from 10:30am – 2:00pm.  This annual event celebrates the New England tradition of maple syrup making and includes a pancake brunch with different varieties of syrup, including the Nature Center's own.

Nature Center educators and local families who have "adopted" a tree for the season have been collecting sap from over 50 of the center's maples over the last month.

How does it work?  Freezing temperatures create suction that draws water in through a tree's roots, and warm periods create pressure which causes the sap to flow out through a tap hole where it's collected in buckets.  This sap, a combination of water, salt and sugar, serves as the tree's food and is the sole ingredient of pure maple syrup.

During Syrup Saturday, visitors will get a chance to observe the entire process from tree tapping to boiling into syrup at the "sugar shack".  Educators will also demonstrate historic methods of maple syruping.

Local maple syrup and maple baked goods will be for sale.  Guests can test their taste buds on real vs. fake syrup and learn what the different grades mean.

Join Nature Center naturalists for a hike along "Maple Lane" to learn how to identify sugar maples and other trees while hunting for signs of spring.  Kids will make a maple-themed craft to take home.  This event is primarily held outdoors and activities will be ongoing throughout the day.

Maple Sugaring March 10 & 11 and March 17, 19

The Maple Calendar

How Sweet It Is – March 3 & 4 at Stamford Museum and Nature Center

This family favorite returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with plenty to do for the whole family on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday March 4th from 11 am - 3 pm.  This year marks the 12th anniversary First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

This event offers a  multitude of activities sure to please everyone in the family! Visit the little red sugar house on Heckscher Farm and see firsthand how sap is turned into sweet maple syrup.  See how trees are tapped and sap is collected, make a maple-themed craft, enjoy the popular pancake brunch, go on a scavenger hunt, get your face painted and more.  A special treat is to watch  local chefs create delicious dishes using maple syrup in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off!

On Saturday, watch four local chefs create delicious dishes using SM&NC maple syrup and vote for your favorite in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off. Competing Chefs include David Cingari from David's Soundview Catering, Susan Kane from Susan Kane Catering, Jonathan Mathias, owner of A Dash of Salt and the Glekas owners of Eos Greek Cuisine.

On Sunday, enjoy the popular pancake brunch. Don’t forget to purchase a pint of your very own fresh maple syrup, made from our very own trees at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
Daily Admission Fees: Members: $5; Non-Members: $10; Family Plus Members and above levels and all children 3 & under: FREE; Pancake Brunch (SUNDAY only, 11am – 2pm) Additional $5 fee. For more information, call 203.977.6521, or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

Additionally, people can help support the Maple Sugar Education Program at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with their Sponsor-A-Bucket program! Your support will be acknowledged with a personalized name tag that will hang on your personal sap bucket throughout the season...with a "sweet" end result! At the end of the season each Sponsor will receive a pint of SM&NC's very own pure Connecticut Maple Syrup. Each sponsorship opportunity is $100. To sponsor a bucket, call Kristen at 203.977.6548 or order online at www.stamfordmuseum.org.

If you miss this event, take a trip to Lamothe's Sugar House, the state's largest sugar house in Burlington Connecticut. On weekends, through March, Lamothe’s offers free tours on their farm from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Visitors will learn how maple syrup was discovered and how it developed over time and is made today. Delicious samples of maple syrup, complimentary coffee and hot cider is served.

Lamothe's Sugar House is located on 89 Stone Road, Burlington, CT (860-675-5043).  For more information visit their website at www.lamothesugarhouse.com.

Lamothe’s Sugar House Maple Sugaring Weekends Through March

If it seems as though this winter will never end, take heart, the sweet scents of maple syrup in the making clearly announces that spring is coming—and this is a good reason to plan a visit to Litchfield Hills. Although self-guided tours and samples of maple syrup products are available year round – one of the most exciting time to visit Lamothe's Sugar House in Burlington Connecticut is on any given weekend in February and March. The Lamothe family started farming in 1971 with a few pigs and a vegetable garden. They began making maple syrup for their own use with a modest 7 taps. As word got around, so did requests from far and wide to purchase the precious maple syrup they made. Lamothe's has come a long way since their first 7 taps; today, Lamothe's is Connecticut’s largest sugar house with more than 4,000 taps and a state-of-the-art sugar house.

On weekends, in February and March, Lamothe’s offers free tours on their farm from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Visitors will learn how maple syrup was discovered and how it developed over time and is made today. Visitors will see how maple syrup and sugar are made and enjoy delicious samples. Complimentary coffee and hot cider is also served. Store hours are Mon. – Thurs. 10-6, Fri.-Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 12 – 5. Lamothe’s maple syrup is available in Grade A Light Amber, Grade A Medium Amber, Grade A Dark Amber, and Grade B. They suggest that you serve their maple syrup on ice cream and cereal, as well on pancakes or waffles. Lamothe’s also makes a full array of maple sugar based products from granulated make sugar to popcorn, spices, sauces, preserves and spreads to name a few. Some of the candy that Lamothe’s makes includes pure maple candy including Pure Maple Flavor Drops and Maple Walnut Caramels, Maple Salt Water Taffy and Peanut Clusters. For a wonderful snack try the Maple Sugar Coated Nuts and maple farmhouse kettle corn. Consistently innovative, Lamothe’s also makes spice rub for pork and chicken from maple sugar and spices, savory sugar and spice, maple barbeque sauce and a maple tinted marinara sauce. Lamothe’s even offers a line of unique New England bridal or shower favors such as a lovely 100ml plastic container of maple syrup, or several elegant imported glass containers in 40 or 50 ml sizes. They also offer pure maple candies in one, two, or four packs that are tied with a ribbon in the color of your choice.

On March 3, Lamothe’s is hosting Billy Steers the Connecticut Author of "Tractor Mac" at the sugarhouse from the 11am-3pm to do a book signing, reading, meet & greet visitors. Billy Steers illustrates all of his own books and will be bringing Tractor Mac for the children to take pictures with. Lamothe's Sugar House is located on 89 Stone Road, Burlington, CT (860-675-5043). For more information visit their website at www.lamothesugarhouse.com.

Disney's Aladdin Jr at The Warner Theater Feb. 25 and 26

The Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education's students will present Disney's Aladdin Jr on Saturday, February 25 at 2 & 7pm and Sunday, February 26 at 2pm. Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! All of your favorite characters are here in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences' spirits will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including "A Whole New World" and "Friend Like Me" will certainly make this musical a favorite for many years to come! This performance is part of the Young Actors Series and will be directed by the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education's Director, Isabel Carrington. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased by calling the Warner box office at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org. About the Warner Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat studio theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: www.warnertheatre.org.

CHOCOLATE DINNER TO BENEFIT AUDUBON CENTER, SATURDAY, MARCH 3, HERITAGE HOTEL SOUTHBURY

Let the Bent of the River take you on a Chocolate Holiday! New Morning’s The Provender will transport you to Mexico through Chef Carol Byer-Alcorace’s Mexican Antojito inspired menu. Your palate will take you to the winter destination of the beautiful birds that summer here in Southbury CT and the Bent of the River. Tickets are now on sale for the annual Chocolate Dinner being held on Saturday, March 3rd at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, to benefit Southbury’s very own Audubon Center at Bent of the River. Tickets are $85 per person. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Tickets only $70 if purchased by February 17th. Visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/219802 or stop in at New Morning Market on Rte. 6 in Woodbury CT to purchase tickets. The evening will begin with a ‘Cocktail Hour and a Half’, where guests can mingle, visit the live Birds of Prey exhibit, enjoy creative, Mexican inspired appetizers like Chocolate, Spinach and Cheese Quesadillas and taste wines from local vineyards; White Silo, Walker Road and Hopkins. During the dinner hour, Laura Volpintesta, originally from Mexico City, and the Sol Shine Band will be performing live suave ensembles. Latin dance demonstrations and lessons are being provided by Fred Astaire Studios. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the dishes crafted by Chef Carol: Mole Chicken, Coconut and Shrimp Seviche, and Chocolate Chili Cake, just to name a few. Woodbury’s own Winding Drive Jams will also be serving a spicy, sweet chocolate brownie dessert. Why Audubon & Chocolate? Each year, the menu draws from a locale where cacao is grown. The Audubon’s dedication to the preservation of habitats for birds and wildlife is well known. As the snow flies in New England, so fly the birds- to warmer climate and, to the lands where chocolate originated. Bird migration, habitat protection and community engagement are integral to Audubon’s mission. The Atlantic Flyway Initiative (AFI) is a strategic Audubon initiative that targets bird habitats needing preservation from South America to Canada. The Flyway is the migration route for millions of birds each season. About The Bent of the River

The Audubon Center at Bent of the River lies on 660 acres in Southbury, Connecticut, near the historic village of South Britain. It’s an inviting, outdoor sanctuary with 15 miles of walking trails and an environmental education center with inspiring programs. Please come and enjoy yourself, learn more about the important work of the Bent, and discover the value you’ll gain from a relationship with the Bent. www.bentoftheriver.audubon.org About New Morning Market New Morning Market Located on Rte. 6 in Woodbury Connecticut, New Morining is a purveyor of natural, organic and eco-friendly foods and wellness products. They also offer nutritional counseling and free classes regularly. The 7,500 square foot retail center is currently located at 738 Main Street South in Middle Quarter Mall. Construction is being completed on a brand new, larger facility which will be located two miles north at 129 Main Street North in Woodbury. The move is scheduled for later this year. More information can be found at www.newmorn.com About Heritage Hotel

Heritage Hotel Golf, Spa, Conference Center, 522 Heritage Road, Southbury, CT 06488. (I-84 Exit 15). (203) 264-8200, (800) 932-3466. Set in the Litchfield Hills, the resort features 163 guestrooms, state-of-the art conference and banquet facilities, indoor and outdoor heated pools, fitness center, racquetball, tennis, sauna, whirlpool, a challenging 9-hole golf course, pub with billiards and wide screen TV, award-winning dining and extensive wine list at Eight Mile Brook, and Tres Jolie Day Spa. Located off I-84, just 90 minutes from New York City. For getaway package information contact us at: 1-(800) 932-3466. www.heritagesouthbury.com.

Sweet Deals for Valentine’s Day!

If the winter doldrums have set in, a welcome cure is in sight...Valentine's Day! Whether you want to get out on the ski slopes or retreat to a fireside, the inns and resorts of Connecticut's Fairfield County and Litchfield Hills are offering a host of special packages for Valentine's Day. Interlaken Inn in Salisbury is offering a Valentine's Day package on Feb. 11 that includes overnight accommodations and breakfast fro two, a red rose for her, a complete three-course dinner for two, and a glass of house wine or cocktail for each of you. This page is $259 plus tax for two. Call 1 (800) 222-2909 or www.interlakeninn.com.

Rock Hall Luxe Lodging in Colebrook is offering a Valentine's Day Package from 02/10-02/15 and features one Night's Stay, Champagne, Chocolates, Mediterranean Breakfast with Mimosa. Available add-ons: Spa services couple's massage, flowers, as well as Valentine's Dinner at Sunset Meadow Vineyards on Saturday 2/11 (www.sunsetmeadowvineyards.com) and Valentine's Chocolate Decadence & Wine at Haight-Brown Vineyards 2/12 & 2/14 (www.haightvineyards.com). The cost is $375 per couple per night. For details call 860-379-2230 or www.19rockhallroad.com.

Mayflower Inn located in Washington Connecticut is also offering a Valentine's Day Package on Feb. 14 that includes a romantic retreat to Mayflower Inn & Spa's five-star, five-diamond accommodations. Relax with a bottle of champagne in room upon your arrival and enjoy an incredible fine dining experience with Mayflower Inn & Spa's special Valentine's Day Pre-Fixe Dinner. Rooms start at $750; the pre-fixe 3 course dinner is $85 per person. For details call 860-868-9466 or www.mayflowerinn.com.

Torrington's Quality Inn is offering a Wine and Stay Package that includes a bottle of wine, flowers and jacuzzi room on Feb. 14th for $144.99 plus tax. For details call 860-496-8808 or visit www.choicehotels.com.

Southbury's Heritage Hotel is offering a Valentine's Day Package from 02/10-02/14 and includes overnight accommodations and a special Valentine's Day Dinner for two (including tips and gratuities) and breakfast for two the next morning. Rates start at $229. For more information call 203-264-8200.www.heritagesouthbury.com.

Winvian is offering the "Essence of Love Package" from Feb. 12-16. The package includes a one night stay double occupancy in a five-diamonds Cottage accommodation – American Breakfast – Couple 60 minutes Swedish Massage – Bubble bath, in-cottage, following massage – 3 Course Dinner with Winvian Signature Martini (others beverages not included) in our five-diamonds restaurant. Rates start at $1070. www.winvian.com.

Bella Alpacas Bed and Breakfast is offering a "Love and Peace" romantic Valentine's Day getaway through March 30. Stay in our lovely rooms that overlook the alpacas and lots of land, All room have private bath, queen log beds, sitting area, bamboo floors. Take a hike on our 50 acres then sit down and pet the alpacas and the pigs and enjoy a yoga class. Jump into a hot tub, under the stars.Breakfast included. Rates $215 per couple for one nite, $400 for weekend. 860- 946-3076 or www.bellaalpacas.com.

Danbury's Ethan Allen Hotel offers a Valentine's Day Dinner at Fairfield's Restaurant & Bar from 02/10 – 02/14. The cost is $95.00 (plus tax and gratuity) per couple. Call (800) 742-1776 ext. 185 to make reservations. www.ethanallenhotel.com.

The Doubletree by Hilton in Norwalk is offering a Champagne Dinner for two that includes overnight accommodations and a 3 course dinner for Two. This offer is availabile Feb. 10-12, 2012 and is $159.00 inclusive of all taxes and gratuties. Call 203 853 3477. www.norwalk.doubletree.com.

The Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk is offering a Valentine's Day Package thru Feb 29th. The package includes: Luxurious overnight accommodations for two, Chilled bottle of champagne, Gourmet chocolates, PLUS $50 gift certificate at the Great American Grill (May be redeemed for room service!) and a Full American breakfast. Rates for this package start at $169. Call: 203-523-4000.www.norwalk.stayhgi.com.

On Valentine's Day, the Sheraton Stamford Downtown is offering a complimentary Valentine's Day dinner from pre-fixe menu, one bottle of sparkling wine, and a chocolate or fruit, plus a Full American breakfast for two and a 4pm late checkout (based upon availability). Rates start at $239, Call (203) 358-8400 for details. www.sheratonstamford.com.

The newly renovated Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich is offering a "Amour" Package that includes chilled champagne upon arrival, breakfast for two in Winfield's Atrium Restaurant, valet parking, evening turndown service and 3 p.m. late check out. Rates start at $209 plus tax. Call 203-637-1234 for details or www.greenwich.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels.

Annual Polar Bear Open Feb. 12, 2012

It’s time to get ready for the first golf tournament of the year at the Burlington Golf Center, Route 4, in Burlington, Connecticut. The Seventeenth Annual Polar Bear Open will be held on Sunday February 12, 2012. The nine-hole event with holes ranging from 150 to 250 yards was established by Chet Dunlop, Connecticut PGA Teacher of The Year, founder of the Burlington Golf Center and Director of The New England School of Golf. The Polar Bear Open began in 1994 as an informal event between Chet and other local pros caught in the deep freeze of a tough New England winter. It proved so popular that Dunlop decided to make it an official annual event. Over the years players have contended with everything from ice and snow, to thunder, lightning and mud. This group of hearty New Englanders seems to revel in the challenge of the elements.

With temperatures some years hovering near 10 degrees a full field of men and women’s and junior divisions vie for first, second, and third place prizes, as they ignore the calendar. Each loop brings the participants back to the Pro Shop for free mugs of hot mulled cider and tasty treats from Hogan’s Cider Mill, also located on the property. Players warm themselves by the wood-burning stove as they discuss their strategy before heading out to brave the elements and the whims of the golf gods. The Polar Bear Open will begin at 10AM and runs through mid-afternoon. Participants must register in advance. Entry fee is $25 per player. The Burlington Golf Center is on Route 4 in Burlington, Connecticut. For more information call 860-675-7320 or email: info@burlingtongolfcenter.com or visit www.newenglandschoolofgolf.com About Chet Dunlop PGA Golf is a sport that anyone can play, and everyone can play better. Chet believes that the game of golf is accessible to every student who wants to play, and his mission is to help each player discover their own ability in a relaxed and supportive environment. He knows he cannot give his student a swing, but he can help that student find their own. It is this approach to teaching that is sustainable as this method allows the student to become their own coach, recognizing their strengths and reinforcing them as they play. As the Director of the New England School of Golf for over 25 years Chet has coached thousands of students utilizing his particular approach to the game of golf. In that time he has been named Teacher of the Year by the CT PGA, while receiving recognition for his coaching ability not only by national publications including Golf Magazine and Golf Digest, but he has also been featured in Japan’s own Golf Magazine. Chet’s impact on his students reveals their natural ability and helps them find their own way into the game. As long time local golfer Norm August explains: “Chet helped me find my natural swing, (and showed me how not to) let all the other stuff that I was trying to do get in the way, and it was perfect … it was just natural.” Chet is pleased to be a part of the Canton Indoor Golf Center Team and looks forward to exploring the game with his students in CT’s own world class practice and teaching venue. Please call 860-675-7320 to schedule an appointment. www.newenglandschoolofgolf.com.

Ski Jump Thrills In The Litchfield Hills Feb. 10-12, 2012

The 86th annual Jump Fest, slated for February 10 to 12 at John Satre Memorial Hill in Salisbury features the Eastern U.S. Championships, where the region’s best will show off their skill and grace, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour as they soar over 200 feet in the air.

Jump Fest begins Friday night with a chili cook-off at 6:30 p.m.. This is followed by target jumping under the lights starting at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the Salisbury Invitational Competition for juniors goes on from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 20 and 30 meter jumps, and leaps of 65 to 98 feet. Saturday also brings the event that has become a tradition along with ski jumping, the 11th annual Ice Carving Competition from 11 a,.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library. Another tradition, open to all, is the Snow Ball Dance with live music, to be held at the Lakeville Firehouse on Saturday night at 8 p.m.

On Sunday the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships begins at 1 p.m. Participants will be aiming to beat the course record, an impressive 231-foot jump!

The all-volunteer Salisbury Winter Sports Association, long-time boosters of the sport and hosts of the annual championships, provides cross-country and jumping equipment and training to area children and maintains cross-country ski trails at several sites in town.

For additional information about this event contact www.jumpfest.org. For information about Litchfield Hills www.litchfieldhills.com

Get Funky at Stage One Jan. 27!

The Fairfield Theater Company has featured more funk bands recently and is proud to present a new, young band on the rise. The buzz-worthy Brooklyn-based nine-piece powerhouse Sister Sparrow delivers a refreshingly cool blend of gut-busting soul, horns, earthy rock, and new school funk.

The band is led by singer Arleigh Kincheloe who is backed up by her brother Jackson on harmonica, Bram Kincheloe on drums, Aidan Carroll on bass, Sasha Brown on guitar, Ryan Snow on trombone, JJ Byars on alto saxophone, Johnny Butler on baritone saxophone, and Phil Rodriguez on trumpet. While Kincheloe is the main lyricist, the entire ensemble works together to produce the the musical arrangements.

As the New York Daily News puts it "Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds has been tearing up local clubs since 2008 with its rollicking blend of soul, funk and backwoods Americana rock 'n' roll, which draws even indifferent hipsters onto the dance floor. The pint-sized singer packs a voice that shakes the rafters, while her brother shreds the harmonica — which they've dubbed "the Mississippi saxophone."

If you're down with a solid group of talented young artists reviving one of the most timeless musical genres, inspired by Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown, The Meters, Deep Banana Blackout and Phish, Sister Sparrow is the show to see. One Facebook fan describes them as "a cross between Amy Winehouse and Tina Turner with Mick Jagger and a dose of the Squirrel Nut Zippers?"

Glide Magazine gushes, "The lead off track "Untie my Shoelaces" carries a swank strut and smooth guitar swing from Sasha Brown. Kincheloe's voice immediately jumps out front with a sexy, smoky vibe that belies her young age and will bring the boys up front all night long. Horn accents provide faultless fits and starts of melody both propelling the music forward and offering precise counterpoint to the bass and vocals. When backup vocals swerve in at the end, the bootays will shake and the lips will smile. This is just fun."

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

Date: Friday, Jan. 27
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 7:30 PM
Venue: StageOne 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, CT 06824
Tickets: $12 Buy tickets: Box Office: 203.259.1036 or buy online: www.fairfieldtheatre.org

FTC on the Horizon: Upcoming Shows to Watch Out For

Thu., Jan. 26 @ StageOne: The Malone Brothers – A collaboration of artists from The Radiators and The Subdudes
Sat., Jan. 28 @ StageOne: The English Beat – Punk reggae/ska masters
Sat., Feb. 4 @ StageOne: Christopher Robin Band – Fairfield's southern rocker with tales of pain, love and truth

Winter Carnival Hi-Jinks in Salisbury CT Jan. 28 and 29

A new Winter Carnival Weekend January 28th and 29th will be a festive prelude to the annual Jumpfest Ski Jumping Championships in Salisbury, the town in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills that has been a mecca for ski jumping for nearly a century.

The Carnival Weekend highlight will be a wacky Gelande Jumping Exhibition, from 5 pm – 7 pm on Jan. 28th and from 11 am – 2 pm on Sun., Jan. 29. This event, also known as "Alpine Skiing" is where skiers burdened with downhill equipment try to emulate the ski jumpers who will soon be showing for real what it takes to excel at this challenging sport.

Another new event debuting during Winter Carnival will be the Human Dogsled Race that will feature five people pulling a sixth on a sled over a .5 k course. The race will be held around 2 pm on Sunday after the Gelande Jumping event ends. In addition, activities for youngsters such as ice carving and the Children's Ski Jumping Meet from 1pm – 3 pm have been planned.

Admission to all events is $10 for adults, children 12 years old and under free. For happy viewing, the Association recommends that spectators dress warmly in lots of layers. Satre Hill is on Indian Cave Road, off Route 44 in Salisbury. Signs in the center of Salisbury point the way to ample free parking. For up to the minute information, please visit: http://www.jumpfest.org. For dining and lodging information visit www.litchfieldhills.com.

About SWSA

A Salisbury Connecticut tradition for 80 years, this all-volunteer organization has fostered the exhilarating sport of ski jumping among all ages and generations. SWSA continues to improve its snowmaking capabilities, ensuring that the Eastern National Ski Jumping Championships will remain an annual event in Salisbury, CT.

Charlie Hewitt Cut & Printed at the Center for Contemporary Crafts Jan 22- March 12

The Center for Contemporary Crafts in Norwalk CT has announced a new exhibit that will be on view from January 22 to March 12, 2012. The name of the exhibit is Charlie Hewitt: Cut and Printed, Recent Color Woodcuts. The opening reception is on Sunday, January 22 from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Charlie Hewitt is a printmaker, painter and sculptor, who has taught extensively since 1986 at schools including Dartmouth College and Fordham University. He has had many solo exhibitions and has his work in major private and public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Brooklyn Museum, the New York Public Library, The Library of Congress and the Portland Museum of Art.

In addition to the exhibition, Charlie Hewitt will be leading a workshop, "Wet-On Wet Woodcut Intensive", with Master Printer David Wolfe from February 17th – 19th at the studios located at the Center for Contemporary Crafts. They will co-teach this workshop in multi-colored woodcut and relief printing methods. Students cut and print using a wet-on-wet ink process that produces a spontaneous, immediate print. The workshop concentrates on creating unique print variations by working with a variety of cutting and inking techniques. Participants need to bring their own tools if they have them. Tools will also be available for those that do not own them. To register please visit the website at www.contemprints.org, or call 203-899-7999.

Two additional workshops are offered in January. Mezzotint with Carol Wax is offered from Jan. 27 through Jan. 29 from 10 AM – 4 PM. This worshop features direct, non-toxic engraving with the resulting luminous prints with rich tones and dramatic lighting effects. Participants will learn the most efficient way to prepare a mezzotint ground, proper care and handling of tools, image making and printing techniques, alternative grounding methods (no rocking!), use of mezzotint with other intaglio techniques, color printing, registration methods, cool tricks and more.

There is also a 6-week evening workshop on Carborundum aquatint that takes place on Wednesdays, from January 18 through February 21. The workshop includes 6 hours of studio time per week, during the workshop session.

Carborundum aquatint is a painterly intaglio technique in which the artist paints directly on a Plexiglas plate with a mixture of carborundum grit and acrylic medium. When dry, the plate is inked and wiped as an etching. Using a variety of sizes of grit, a printmaker can achieve a wide range of tones. Participants will also explore multiple plate registration methods and printing in color.

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking is located in Mathews Park, 299 West Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850 203.899.799. The website is www.contemprints.org.

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Quassy’s New Roller Coaster Named Attraction Of The Year

Quassy Amusement Park’s “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster has been named Attraction of the Year in a poll conducted by the theme park enthusiasts’ Web site Behind The Thrills.In making the announcement today, Racheal and Erik Yates, who operate the popular site, said the “Wooden Warrior” has been a huge success for Quassy, a small family-owned park in Middlebury, Conn.

“We’re absolutely delighted by the news,” said Quassy President Eric Anderson. “We were up against some other fantastic attractions from throughout the world.”

Attraction of the Year was a new category added to a list of 10 awards presented by Behind The Thrills. Nominations for this distinguished award were submitted by readers.

“We received over a hundred different attractions (nominations) from parks all over the world,” the Yates said in announcing the honors. “Not all of the attractions were new. In fact, a lot of the new attractions barely made our top 30 to be placed on the ballot.”

Roller coasters, dark rides and some classic attractions at large theme parks were among the nominations.

The Yates went on to say: “The little roller coaster (“Wooden Warrior”) stood up against an army of bigger, meaner, more technologically advanced rides and came out victorious!”

Quassy’s new coaster captured 35 percent of the vote with * “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” TM, at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, coming in second with 12 percent of the tally. “The Voyage” roller coaster at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., placed third in the voting.

The “Wooden Warrior” has received praise from coaster and theme park enthusiasts since opening last April.

“The ride speaks for itself,” noted George Frantzis, a Quassy owner. “It’s a small ride that offers a fantastic experience for its size. We’ve been told that time and again by our guests and coaster experts who have traveled great distances to ride it.”

The 1,250-foot ride was designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the first “junior coaster” in the firm’s portfolio. In addition, Quassy selected The Gravity Group’s sister firm, Gravitykraft, to provide its state-of-the-art Timberliner train for the ride. The “Wooden Warrior” is the first new coaster in the United States to feature the sleek train.

“The resulting ride is fast, smooth and a lot of punch for a little coaster,” the Yates said in their award statement.

Quassy Amusement Park will open its 104th season on April 28. For more information visit www.quassy.com.

Also, visit these related Web sites: www.behindthethrills.com and www.thegravitygroup.com.

Weir Was here – Secret Rooms, Doors and Windows Now On Exhibit Through May 31, 2012

Weir Farm National Historic Site commissioned New York photographer and former Artist-in-Residence Xiomáro to create a photographic record of the interiors of the Weir House, Weir Studio, and Young Studio. The results of this photo expedition comprises the current show that is on view in the Burlingham House Visitor Center. The Center is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., now through March 31, 2012 and from April 1st through May 31st, from Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All three buildings are currently empty allowing Xiomáro the chance to focus on the details of these spaces — features that might otherwise go unnoticed in a fully furnished setting. This is the first artistic collection of photographs of the building interiors in the site’s history, and captures the beauty and texture of these intimate spaces. “There is a mystery and secrecy to these relatively empty spaces,” Xiomáro explained, noting how “the same eyes and hands that created works of Impressionism also unlocked these doors and opened the shutters to take in the inspiring landscape framed by the windows.”

The selection of the images that comprise the new exhibit titled “Weir Was Here – Secret Rooms, Doors, and Windows”, offers visitors a small glimpse into the historic structures of Weir Farm while they remain closed to the public.

A special highlight of this show will be five gallery talks presented by Xiomáro from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm on January 7, February 5, March 4, April 1 and May 6. There is no fee to participate in the gallery talks, but registration is required. For more information on the exhibit, or to register for one of the gallery talks, please call (203) 834-1896 x12.

To learn more about Xiomáro and his photography, visit www.xiomaro.com.

About Weir Farm National Historic Site

Weir Farm National Historic Site was home to three generations of American artists. Julian Alden Weir, a leading figure in American art and the development of American Impressionism, acquired the farm in 1882. After Weir, the artistic legacy was continued by his daughter, painter Dorothy Weir Young and her husband, sculptor Mahonri Young, followed by New England painters Sperry and Doris Andrews. 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, please visit www.nps.gov/wefa or call (203)834-1896.