Catch the BIG ONE at the Riverton Fishing Derby on the Farmington River

April 9, the official opening of the fishing season in the Nutmeg State is the day when fly-fishing aficionados from near and far flock to the Annual Riverton Fishing Derby in the Riverton section of Barkhamsted, located in the beautiful Litchfield Hills.  

The day starts before daybreak with a hearty breakfast beginning at 4 a.m. at the Riverton Fire Department on 3 Riverton Rd. in the center of town.  Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be available at the Riverton General Store located in the center of town in a mid.-19th century building that is the hub of activity for this village. Green mountain coffee, made to order sandwiches, homemade soups, chili, salad and pastries are just some of the things offered here. For more information on Riverton General Store  www.rivertongeneralstore.com.

This exciting Litchfield Hills event takes place on April 9 th on the West branch of the Farmington River, a Nationally designated “Wild and Scenic” river that is known to host an abundance of rainbow, brown and brook trout.  As a matter of fact, on Friday afternoon before this event, over 100 fish are purchased and released into the Farmington River adding even more incentive to catch the “big one.” The contest, complete with prizes, begins at 6 a.m. and lasts for about four hours, ending at 10 a.m. and it’s all-free; and there is no registration or fee required.

The public is always welcome to attend this event and to cheer on their favorite fisherman.  Last year some 500 enthusiasts participated in the derby. An even bigger crowd is expected this year.  Prizes include items donated by local merchants as well as by Orvis and Cabela’s.  The coveted grand prize is a village chair of Riverton donated by the Hitchcock Chair Company.  The Hitchcock Chair Company Store is located in Riverton and stocks an excellent selection of this classic hand stenciled furniture.  For information about the Hitchcock Chair Company visit www.hitchcockchair.com.

A bit further upriver a section of the flowing waters especially stocked for the occasion, is set aside for the "Kid' Derby".  Any tot under 16 who is able to hold a fishing pole, can join in the fun.  Special prizes are awarded to kids.

To find out more about the Fishing Derby and other events in Riverton, visit http://rivertonct.com.

The easiest way of getting a fishing license is to visit the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s online sportsmen licensing at https://ct.outdoorcentral.net/InternetSales.  Fishing licenses are also available from town clerks and this website has a complete listing of town clerks and businesses that sell fishing licenses.  The website also has a weekly fishing report that runs from opening day through the end of November.  The report is a summary of fresh and saltwater fishing activity in the state as reported by tackle stores around the state.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

New Art Exhibition Kicks of 50 Year Anniversary @ Lockwood Mathews Mansion

In collaboration with Silvermine School of Art, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum kicks-off its 50^th Anniversary with a new exhibition by artist and professor of photography Bruce Dunbar. The exhibition titled, Endangered & Re-envisioned: Iconic Landmarks and Interiors will open to the public on April 7, 2016, 12-4 p.m. at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

Curated by artist and designer Gail Ingis-Claus, Endangered & Re-envisioned will run through July 6, 2016, with a fundraising reception on April 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; tickets for the reception are $10 for non-members and $5 for members. All proceeds will benefit the Museum’s cultural and educational programs.

 This exhibition will feature some of Mr. Dunbar’s analog and digital work focusing on several Connecticut structures built between 1870-1940, both private residences and public spaces, seeking to place them in their contemporary context of adaptive reuse. “I am seeking to unite the past history of the landmark with the present context in which it exists,” said Dunbar, “including both images of interiors and exteriors, in order to draw attention to the rich history of each landmark, it's various past import and current status as landmark."

This exhibition will feature some of Mr. Dunbar’s analog and digital work focusing on several Connecticut structures built between 1870-1940, both private residences and public spaces, seeking to place them in their contemporary context of adaptive reuse. “I am seeking to unite the past history of the landmark with the present context in which it exists,” said Dunbar, “including both images of interiors and exteriors, in order to draw attention to the rich history of each landmark, it's various past import and current status as landmark."

Born in Stratford, CT, Mr. Dunbar received his BA from Boston University and his MA from New York University. His photographs and mixed media have been exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in Connecticut and New York City. Currently, he teaches black and white and digital photography courses at Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, CT, as well as several workshops exploring different aspects on the art of photography.

Click! Snap! Like! From April 7, 2016 through May 1^st, visitors are invited to participate in a photo contest sharing their talent and favorite photo of the Mansion on the Museum’s Facebook wall. All photos must be of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s exterior and submitted no later than May 1^st. The winner will be announced on May 3^rd. Prizes will be awarded on May 18.

The exhibit will be on view as part of LMMM’s tours, Wed.-Sun. at noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. General Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children and young adults, ages 8-18.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a National Historic Landmark since 1971, reopens to the public on Wed. April 6, 2016. For more information on schedules and programs please visit: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

For additional area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

What is Obscura Day at the Barnum Museum

On Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Barnum Museum located on 820 Main Street in Bridgeport is opening their doors to all seekers of the rare, the unusual and the wondrous!

Conceived and built by American icon P.T. Barnum, the Barnum Museum has served a global audience since its opening in 1893. Although P.T. Barnum did not live to see the completion of the landmark site, the exotic building and collection is a reflection of Barnum's fascination with the world and his pioneering spirit to bring curiosity and wonder to all seeking knowledge.

Obscura Day guests will have the opportunity to join the Museum Executive Director and Curator on a special and private tour of the collections. Rarely seen artifacts including Tom Thumb's clothing, carriages and personal items, P.T. Barnum's wedding top hat from 1829 and his fascinating hand-written Copy Book that chronicles the European tour of Tom Thumb in 1845.

In addition, guests will have the opportunity to join staff on an exclusive hard-hat tour of the historic Barnum building. Currently under restoration after an EF1 tornado strike in 2010, the Museum has been actively restoring and re-envisioning its future. Guests are invited to be among the very first to witness the disaster recovery effort and learn the Museum's exciting plans for the future!

BRC Imagination Arts concept design for the future.

Following the tour, guests will have the opportunity to engage in lively conversations with the Museum staff and enjoy light refreshments in the special events gallery.  The cost is $35.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Planetarium shows at WSCU in Danbury

 Western Connecticut State University’s Westside observatory will host free, public planetarium shows and viewing parties on multiple Saturday evenings this spring. The observatory is on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave.  Extension in Danbury, between the Westside Campus Center and Pinney Hall on top of a small hill. The entrance road faces the front of Pinney Hall.

Planetarium shows will run for an hour. The times will vary with the sunset. After the show, the public is invited to view the night sky through individual telescopes or take turns with the large, 20-inch telescope. Telescope viewing will run for two hours, weather permitting.

Schedule of events:

• April 2: 7 – 8 p.m. planetarium show; 8 – 10 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• April 16: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. planetarium show; 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. viewing of the waxing gibbous moon, spring sky, Jupiter

• April 30: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• May 14: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of Jupiter, the moon past first quarter, Mars (late)

• May 21: 9 – 11 p.m. observing only, Jupiter, the full moon, Mars near opposition

Parking is very limited around the observatory, but more can be found on University Boulevard.

Planetarium shows are not appropriate for infants or toddlers. Public Nights may be canceled due to severe weather or hazardous road conditions. For updates, call (203) 837-8672 on the day of an event.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com