December 11 Festival Celebrates Holidays in Norfolk

Sunday, December 11, is winter holiday festival time in Norfolk, where the town's merchants start celebrating at 10 a.m. with a day of extended store hours, dining specials, wreaths and trees, and special musical events.

Entertainment takes center stage at Infinity Music Hall, 20 Greenwoods Road West (Route 44) the Whiffenpoofs will perform with the Quirks in a matinee starting at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. Rory Block & Cindy Cashdollar appear in concert. In between, the choir from Church of Christ Congregational will be caroling at various stops along Station Place from 3:00 till 5:00 p.m. and “Lions Share,” sponsored by the Norfolk Lions Club, will play bluegrass music from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Berkshire Country Store, 6 Station Place (where you can also take a pre-opening tour between noon and 5:00 p.m.).

And the shopping…. Shopping starts at 10:00 a.m. just off Route 44 on Station Place as the Artisan’s Guild opens with a colorful array of toys, clothes, ornaments, candles, jewelry, yarns and many other handmade wares from local artisans. In the same building, Joseph Stannard Antiques specializes in country French furnishings, while the Stannard barn across the way displays antique garden ornaments and contemporary furniture designed by the owner. And around the corner, at 18 Greenwoods Road West (Route 44), you’ll find antique silver, fine jewelry, gifts and collectibles at Sigma Design Studio; the shop is housed in a charming old bank building.

For those who like to benefit a worthy cause, the Susan B. Anthony Project will be in Norfolk selling holiday wreaths and the Norfolk/Colebrook Boy Scouts will be selling fresh Christmas trees, starting at 2:30 p.m. in front of the cafe.

And, yes, there is food for hungry shoppers, complete with specials, at Infinity Bistro (20 Greenwoods Road West), Wood Creek Bar & Grill (14 Greenwoods Road West) and Station Place Cafe (10 Station Place), which is extending its hours just for this holiday festival.

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Celebrate the Holiday Season @ Lockwood Mathews Mansion

On Sunday, December 11, 2016, 12-4  p.m. at 295 West Ave., Norwalk, CT the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will collaborate with the Norwalk Public Library, New Canaan Dance Academy, Matthew Surapine Studio, and North Pole’s Santa Claus to create a festive event and several hours of entertainment for people of all ages.

Visitors will have an opportunity to view the exhibit, Holiday Splendor at the Mansion: Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations, enjoy music and dance surrounded by the glittering lights and beautiful displays throughout the first floor, and stop by the Mansion’s Café, featuring complimentary refreshments served by the Mansion’s costumed interpreters courtesy of Stew Leonard’s.

The event begins with a  Special Reading  from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome to the festively adorned Mansion Rotunda, where white and colored snowflakes will be the background for a special holiday reading offered by the Norwalk Public Library.

 At 12:30 Santa Claus with Reindeer  and his  loyal reindeer will make their way into the Music Room.  Santa will spend a full hour greeting children and hearing their Christmas wishes before they head back to the North Pole for their big night.

New Canaan Dance Academy  takes center stage from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.  This performance celebrates the Mansions 50^th Anniversary at the Holiday Open House with an exciting dance performance by New Canaan Dance Academy, one of the most dynamic and talented dance schools in Fairfield County. In September, NCDA students were chosen to be the Madison Square Garden back up dancers at the half -time show of the WNBA Liberty game with Laura Marano; they will also be performing at the NBA game on March 5, 2017. At the Holiday Open House, NCDA will be performing a mix of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap, and Lyrical dance performances. NCDA was founded in 2001 by Elaine Young.

Matthew Surapine Studio will  perform a selection of holiday favorites, ranging from classical masterpieces to music from the Great American Songbook from 3 pm to 3:45 pm.  Mr. Surapine, a nationally acclaimed opera singer who has been welcomed at major opera houses across the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, to name a few, will see one of his students perform at Carnegie Hall in the spring of 2017 as part of the All High School Voice Festival. 

For more information on schedules and programs please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.  To sign up for a monthly newsletter on travel tips for Fairfield County and Litchfield Hills visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Holly Jolly Saturday! in Wilton!

What could be more in-the-holiday-spirit than a chance to confide in Santa, see chuffing trains run, savor the scent of cloves and gingerbread, have an heirloom-quality silhouette portrait made, and find one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends? Saturday, December 10 is a Holly Jolly day at the Wilton Historical Society, with something for everyone.  From 11:00 – 2:00 Santa will be visiting! Workshops in pomander-making and gingerbread cookie decorating will be open for drop-in fun from 11:00 – 2:00 in the 1860 Abbott Barn.  Silhouette artist Debbie O’Connor will be creating her amazing portraits in miniature, (12:00 – 4:00) and offering them by appointment; call 203-762-7257 to reserve a booking now.

The Great Trains Holiday Exhibit: An Interactive Wonderland will be open from 10:00 – 4:00. Dressed for the holidays, the Society’s historic 18th and 19th century buildings have been transformed into a train-lovers delight with eight different train layouts winding through tiny towns with many different kinds of buildings, tunnels, cable cars, and two working Ferris Wheels. The interactive display enchants visitors of all ages with lots of buttons to push and knowledgeable “train engineers” on hand to “talk trains”.  In a special train play room for the youngest guests, there are buttons galore to push, plus Thomas the Tank Engine and a Brio set for hands-on fun.

The Betts Store museum shop, which is freshly stocked and brimming with an eclectic mix of beautifully hand-made items, many made locally, is a “best bet” stop for great gifts.  Admission to the Great Trains Holiday Exhibit: An Interactive Wonderland: Free for all children and Members, $10 per adult Non-member.  Holiday Workshops -- includes both pomander making and gingerbread men cookie decorating -- are $5.00 per person.   

The Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road/Rt 7, Wilton, CT  06898   203-762-7257 www.wiltonhistorical.org

Holiday Juried Art Show and Sale @ Sharon Historical Society

Once again this year the Sharon Historical Society located on 18 Main Street in Sharon has put together the popular "What's the Big Idea 2?", a juried exhibition and sale of small scale artworks in varied mediums by local artists. This show runs through December 16.

Just in time for the holidays, the show is once again juried and judged by Sharon residents Carl Chaiet and Lynn Kearcher, creators of the Earnest and Telford series of children's books. Cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 will be awarded opening night to three works selected by the judges. In addition, guests who attend the show's opening will have the opportunity to select their favorite work of art which will receive the "SHS Crowd Pleaser" award. The wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and awards presentation to which the public is invited free of charge will be held on Saturday, November 5 from 5:00 to 7:00PM. All purchases support the Sharon Historical Society & Museum's mission.

Carl Chaiet was born in New York City and grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY. He attended Hunter College as an undergraduate, Lehman College for graduate work, and completed his doctorate in Aesthetics at New York University. Chaiet taught painting and drawing in the New York public school system for many years. As an artist he worked in a variety of mediums from the 1970s through the 1990s, primarily sculpture and painting, before teaming up with his wife, Lynn Kearcher, to create their book series. His work has been exhibited throughout the Northeast.

Lynn Kearcher is a Sharon native who was raised to love restaurants. Her father owned The Woodland Restaurant in Lakeville. As a teenager she took cooking classes with James Beard in New York and later attended schools in California, New York and London. While living in New York she was a lifestyle editor for GQ magazine and a senior editor for Penthouse magazine, writing articles about food, wine and men's fashion. Kearcher was very involved with The Gallery @the SHS in its early days and currently works with artist Jasper Johns.

The Gallery @the SHS is located at the Sharon Historical Society & Museum, 18 Main Street, Route 41, Sharon, CT. The Gallery and Museum are open Wednesday through Friday from 12-4, Saturday from 1-5 and by appointment. For more information and directions to The Gallery @the SHS, call (860) 364-5688. For additional information about the Sharon Historical Society & Museum and The Gallery @the SHS, visit www.sharonhist.org.  To sign up for our monthly newsletter visit the homepage of www.litchfieldhills.com

Frosty and Friends @ Beardsley Zoo!

Frosty the Snowman was a popular song written in 1950 and became an overnight classic by being adapted to a popular television special. The song of Frosty recounts the fictional tale of a snowman that is magically brought to life through a black top hat that a group of children place atop his head. Although Frosty enjoys frolicking and romping throughout town with the children who constructed him, the sun becomes too much for him to bear and Frosty is forced to leave town, promising his friends that he will return.

On December 10 & 11, 17 & 18, and 12/24: The Beardsley Zoo is getting into the holiday spirit by offering a special "Breakfast with Frosty & Friends" that will take place from, 9 a.m. - 10 am. Families are invited to join Frosty and his friends for breakfast at Connecticut's only Zoo. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Amanda Bolanos at (203) 394-6574. The cost of this special event that includes Zoo admission and breakfast is $10 per person for Zoo members and $15 per person for non-members.

ZOO GIFT GIVING IDEAS:
As the holidays are approaching fast if you are looking for something unique you might consider picking up an unusual and thoughtful gift from the Beardsley Zoo for everyone on your list!

Membership to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo for example can be enjoyed year-round. Your loved one gets free admission to the Zoo and free or discounted admission to over 150 zoos and aquariums nationwide. Membership also includes ZooBucks, carousel rides & guest passes! Contact Amanda Bolanos at 203-394-6574 for more information.

If you are looking for a more permanent gift, consider purchasing and engraving a Zoo Brick for someone special. Bricks will be displayed at the Zoo's Front Gate for all to see! Contact Emily Bobowick at 203-394-6569 for more information.

If you have a real animal lover on your list, consider a gift of Animal Sponsorship. With this gift, you will receive a Sponsorship Certificate, Fact Sheet & Photograph of your sponsored animal that you can visit at the Zoo.

If you are seeking something different, don't forget to check out the gift shop at the Zoo. The Beardsley Zoo's fabulous gift shop offers everything from children's games and handmade jewelry to clothing and animal-themed Christmas ornaments. You'll be amazed at the wide selection of gifts for him and her and for the little ones, too!

Give a Zoo Birthday Party -- Party like an animal and make your loved one's wishes come true by gifting a party at the Zoo! Connecticut's only zoo is available on Saturdays and Sundays year round for birthday parties. Make a lasting impression with a

Zoo animal guest, a critter craft, and a ride on our colorful carousel! Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a fun and exciting place for any child's birthday party. To learn more, call (203) 332 4243 or email lisner@beardsleyzoo.org for more information!

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About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates its 90th birthday in 2012 and is closer than you think! Connecticut's only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Brazilian ocelot, Red 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 Grasslands 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