Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall the Place to be Presidents Week

The skiing is terrific at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills in Cornwall Connecticut. The lifts are running and 24 slopes are open and covered with over 14 inches of fresh new white powder on top of an amazing base making this year a perfect time to go skiing. 

Mohawk has big plans for Presidents week holiday, starting on Saturday, Feb. 15 and running through Sunday, Feb. 23, the ski lifts will start turning at 8:30 a.m.  For you early birds, the lodge will be open at 7:30 a.m. for your convenience.

If you are renting skis, it is easy to convert your single day rental to a multi-day rental, which will save you time and money. Multi-day rentals are simply daily rentals that you keep for the length of your visit.  You are required to take your equipment home with you which saves you time picking them up the next day when you want to hit the slopes again. Best of all if you rent skis for three days, you get a 10% discount on all three days, rent them for 5 days and get 15% off.

Mohawk's Snowsports Discovery Center is offering ski and snowboard lessons for kids from 5-12 every day at 10 am for first timers and 1 pm for all levels of skiers.  All levels of snowboarders are welcome at either session. This program has an excellent teacher -student ratio and is never overbooked making it a popular and worthwhile program. To reserve a spot call 860-672-6100 x 133 or email snowsports@mohawkmtn.com.

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area is located on 46 Great Hollow Road Cornwall Connecticut for information www.mohawkmtn.com.  For information on Litchfield Hills - where to stay, dine and shop visit www.litchifeldhills.com

This years schedule for President's week holiday at Mohawk is:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014

• Midweek prices, open 9:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 11 am to 7 pm
• Triple Espresso open 3 to 9 pm
• Learn to ski or board with a sweetheart deal!  Our SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL is available on this Valentine’s Friday night! Lift/lesson/rental package for only $45.00 per person. It’s everything you need to get out on the snow – ski or snowboard options available.  Lesson offered at 6:30 pm.  No pre-registration required!  Forget about love – ski or board with the one you’re with!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 9 am to 7 pm
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 6 pm
• No Yeti Club or Mountain Division program

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 9 am to 3:30 pm
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 3:30 pm
• No Yeti Club or Mountain Division program

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 9 am to 6 pm/ Triple Espresso open 9-6 pm

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 9 am to 6 pm/ Triple Espresso open 9 am – 6 pm
• PAY A VISIT TO THE LL BEAN BOOTMOBILE! The bootmobile will be parked near the Main Lodge from 11 am to 2 pm! Come say hi to our friends from LL Bean, take some great photos, play games and win great prizes!  It’s a very cool vehicle, and gets a ton of SMILES per GALLON!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE closed for private function
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 6 pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE closed
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 6 pm

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• PINE LODGE open 11 am to 7 pm
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 6 pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2014

• Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 10:00 pm
• OLYMPIC TORCH RUN! Show your pride in Team USA and join us in an Olympic style Torch Run down Arrowhead at dusk. We’ll gather at the top of Arrowhead as soon as darkness falls, extinguish the trail lights, and ski or ride down in formation. Each person will carry a foam light-up tube that they can take home. We will have an option for joining the parade near the top of the Nutmeg chair for those skiers and boarders that have not yet mastered blue trails. Limited to first 600 participants. Registration required/participant must be wearing a lift ticket or season pass/ no additional fees. 
• PINE LODGE open 9 am to 7 pm
• Triple Espresso open 9 am to 6 pm

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014

·                Holiday prices, open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

·                PINE LODGE open 9 am to 3:30 pm

·                Triple Espresso open 9 am to 3:30 pm

Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball February 22

Calling all little princes and princesses! Stepping Stones is rolling out the red carpet as the museum transforms into a snow-kissed wonderland for its sixth annual Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball on Saturday, February 22 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.

Winter Ball Photo credit Thomas McGovern

Children are invited to dress up in their party best for a memorable evening of fun and entertainment. Moms and Dads, sons and daughters will be treated like the princes and princesses that they are as they enjoy a magical wintry celebration featuring dancing and full access to all the exhibits in the museum. Families will enjoy posing for the paparazzi as they arrive, learning ballroom moves from the experts and making wonderful winter crafts.

Winter Ball Photo credit Thomas McGovern

Be sure you bring your camera.  Photo opportunities abound as we celebrate the magic and wonder of the season amidst a whimsical winter backdrop of a lighted courtyard, a play-sized igloo, a life-sized snow globe, spectacular winter murals, snowflake-adorned galleries and a myriad of snow people.  Bring your appetite as well.  The Stepping Stones Cafe will be open for purchases of their healthy fare.

Winter Ball Photo credit Miguel Cruz

Tickets for this unforgettable evening for the whole family cost $10 per person for museum members and $15 per person for non-members.  Children under the age of one will be admitted for free.  Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.  Registration is required.  Space is limited, so register early.  Call 203 899 0606, ext. 264 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/wonderland.  For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

About Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Located on five acres in Mathews Park, the LEED Gold certified museum encompasses five hands-on galleries, state-of-the-art Multimedia Gallery, Family and Teacher Resource Center, cafe and retail store. Stepping Stones is located at 303 West Avenue, exit 14N or 15S off I-95 in Norwalk. Museum hours are Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children. Children under 1 are free. To learn more, call 203 899 0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Mix it Up Exhibit at Sharon Historical Society in Litchfield Hills through Feb. 27

The second annual winter “Mix It Up” show hosted by the Sharon Historical Society in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut will juxtapose portraits by seven contemporary artists with five portraits from the museum collection by well-known folk artist Ammi Phillips (1788-1865). The exhibit at the Sharon Historical Society located on Main Street runs through February 27th.

Aung San Suu Kyi, by Robert A. Parker

This year’s “Mix It Up” exhibit is designed to challenge the viewer to visually travel from early nineteenth century folk portraits of local Sharon residents painted by Phillips to contemporary portraits painted by Sharon (and other local) artists.

Robert Louis Stevenson, by Duncan Hannah

Phillips, known locally by various monikers including the “Kent Limner”, painted in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut in the mid-1830s. By that time he was well established as an artist of some note, painting his first portraits probably as early as 1809/1810 in the area of Pittsfield, MA. Phillips painted at least five residents of the town of Sharon, Calvin and Phoebe Dowd Day, John Cotton Smith, and Ira and Melissa Williams. It is extremely likely that there are more Phillips’ portraits of Sharon residents in private collections, unsigned and/or unidentified. 

Midwinter Saint, by Richard T. Scott

In this exhibit all five Phillips portraits in the museum collection will be hung side-by-side with contemporary works by Duncan Hannah, Pieter Lefferts, Patty Mullins, Robert Andrew Parker, Warren Prindle, Richard T. Scott, and Peter Steiner. The exhibit hopes to challenge the viewer to evaluate the meaning of portraiture beyond the realm of “work of art”, and into the role of portrait as visual entrée into the historic record.

Phoebe Dowd Gay, by Ammi Phillip, ca. 1835

The Sharon Historical Society and Museum is located at 18 Main Street, Sharon, Connecticut 06069. For more information, call 860-364-5688 or visit http://www.sharonhist.org/.  

Museum Hours are Wednesday & Saturday from 10AM - 2PM, Thursday & Friday from 10AM - 4PM and by appointment.

For information on what to see and do in Litchfield Hills www.litchfieldhills.com

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums Grants Accreditation to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo was granted accreditation by AZA's independent Accreditation Commission. Fewer than 10 percent of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA-accredited. Currently, there are only 223 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.

 "By meeting Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo sets itself apart as one of the top zoos in the world," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. "Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a leader in the care and conservation of wildlife, and in educating people about the natural world."

To be accredited, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.

The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution's operation, including animal care; keeper training; safety for visitors,  staff and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and other areas. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA's independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission's decision is made.

 "As a leading family destination, entertaining and educating the public are our top priorities," shared Gregg Dancho, zoo director. "However, unlike many other attractions, our exhibits feature live animals and that carries very important responsibilities. It is an honor for us to receive this designation again because it means that we are among the very best in visitor experience, animal care, education, and conservation."

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features more than 300 animals representing North and South America. Highlights include an indoor Tropical Rainforest with walk-through aviary, New England Farmyard, Wolf Observation Learning Facility (WOLF), carousel, and Victorian greenhouse. This year, the zoo welcomed a female Amur leopard and three Mexican wolves; both are critically endangered species. As part of its mission, Connecticut's only zoo is involved in groundbreaking animal conservation efforts. The Zoo is home to the first Brazilian ocelot ever to have multiple pregnancies and kittens produced by artificial insemination. Similarly, the Zoo is the first accredited zoo in the northeast to welcome a Chacoan peccary piglet and was the first accredited zoo in the northeast to exhibit this endangered species. # # #     Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo... Unplug & Explore!

About the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and six other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org. About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Unplug and explore Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo! Connecticut's only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers and leopard, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican 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 hoofstock 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 beardsleyzoo.org.

Snowshoeing in Litchfield Hills CT

Bredeson Outdoor Adventures is offering a day of guided snowshoeing in Washington and Warren, Connecticut in the heart of the Litchfield Hills on February 9, 2014.  Participants will meet at 9:45 a.m. at Hopkins Vineyard located on Hopkins Road in New Preston overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug.

A short shuttle ride will take participants to Macricostas Preserve, where you will explore the area's boardwalks and admire the dramatic view of Lake Waramaug. This 368-acre parcel of land, known as Meeker Swamp is a mix of meadowland, farmland, wooded ridge and wetlands with a pinnacle that overlooks Lake Waramaug. Bee Brook and the Shepaug River wends its way through this lovely preserve. 

The day will consist of intermediate snowshoeing or walking if no snow (approximately 4-6 miles total) in beautiful countryside under the leadership of a professional and enthusiastic guide.  No prior snowshoeing experience is necessary; this but tour is rated intermediate because snowshoeing 4-6 miles requires a fair amount of energy, unless there is little snow.  Due to the venue and optional winetasting, participants should be 21 years or older.

Participants will enjoy lunch and lake views upstairs in the warmth of the Hopkins Vineyard's Hayloft Wine Bar and an optional wine tasting downstairs by the fire. The Breseson Outdoor Adventures Tour Company will provide lunch and hot tea and cocoa, information on where to rent snowshoes (they have a few pair available for rent), brief instruction and a day of winter fun. Tips and lists for what to wear, bring and do to enjoy a safe cold weather outing are also part of the package.

After lunch, participants will snowshoe through the vineyard and on Lake Waramaug.  The cost of this outing is $63 per person.  For more information visit http://bredeson.com/trip-sign-up.  For information on Hopkins Vineyard www.hopkinsvineyard.com.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com