New Exhibition @ The Institute for American Indian Studies The Legend of Lover’s Leap

When visiting Lover's Leap State Park in New Milford, you might wonder how this relatively new State Park founded in 1971 got its name. If you want to know about the legend of Lover's Leap and the fascinating history of this scenic spot then head to the Institute for American Indian Studies located on Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut to see the new exhibition.  The Lover's Leap Exhibition will be on display through July 2019.

The Heart of the Matter

The Legend of Weantinaug tells the story of Lillinoah, daughter of Chief Waramaug who fell in love with a European settler from Stratford.  The elders of her village, Weantiaug, wanted to kill him; she pleaded for his life and saved him.  The young man stayed in the village for several seasons and, consequently, he and Lillinoah became engaged.  Eventually, he told Lillinoah that he had to leave the village so he could tell his family of their engagement.  Lillinoah waited for the young man to return for more than a year, to no avail.  Like any concerned parent, Chief Waramaug told Eagle Feather, one of his bravest warriors to marry his daughter, Linninoah.  Distraught at the thought of marrying someone she did not love, Lillinoah slipped out the night before her wedding and rowed over the falls, just as she did, her lover came upon her and jumped in to join her.  They drowned together giving the bluff that overlooks the Housatonic River the name, Lover's Leap.

Painting of Lover's Leap courtesy of the New Milford Historical Society

The Legend of Weantinaug has become part of the cultural heritage of the Litchfield Hills and is told in this exhibition with interesting historical notes and lavish illustrations.  Ironically, the Institute has identified fifty Lover's Leap stories around the country where lovers are said to actually take the plunge.  Most of the stories identified have at least one Native character, usually, a woman falling in love with a white man or forbidden lovers from two warring tribes.

Visitors to this exhibition will travel from the Pre-European contact life of Native Americans and the legends they left behind for us to ponder to the gilded age of the Hurd Estate.  As the exhibition moves through time it traces the exciting development of the regions industrial heritage and the ways in which the landscape was altered forever as the need for hydroelectric power became increasingly important in the 20th century.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.  Book Connecticut's exciting new attraction, Wigwam Escape 1518 and get into the Museum for half price.

Public Sugarhouses Open in March!

It's a sweet New England tradition—toasting old man winter out the door with delicious new maple syrup. As soon as days are above freezing and the sap begins to run, the annual spring ritual begins. Turning thin sap into thick, fragrant syrup is a fascinating process and Western Connecticut, where sugar maple trees abound, is one of the best places to see it in action. More than a dozen sugar houses in Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills invite visitors to see how it is done, from tapping the maple trees to collecting the sap to boiling down the thin watery sap until it turns to the thick, fragrant syrup.

A variety of settings, from farms and nature centers to museums are among the maple possibilities, most offering tastes as well as show and tell, and many have take-home syrup for purchase as a sweet souvenir. 

The sugaring season starts early at large facilities like Lamothe's Sugar House in Burlington, where the public is invited to see how syrup is made every weekend through March 30. This family-owned operation began as a hobby with seven taps and has grown to over 4500 taps and a year-round showroom. The showroom is open Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fri. and Sat. 10 am - 5 pm and Sun. 12 noon to 5 pm.

Their newly expanded shop offers a tempting array of unusual foods like maple mustard and maple apple butter plus original maple-themed items from embroidered aprons, decorating sets, and cupcake-shaped rubber spatulas to a cupcake carrier in the shape of a big cupcake. www.Lamothesugarhouse.com


Brookside Farm II, located in Litchfield CT, is a relatively small and very high-quality maple syrup operation. Mark Harran and Kay Carroll, owners of the farm since 1999, make about 250 gallons of maple syrup per year, depending on weather conditions, which dictate the flow and sugar content of the sap. The owners both had careers in the food industry prior to buying the farm. They have applied all their collective knowledge and experience, along with Mark’s childhood experiences on his family’s large sugar bush in upstate New York, to their operation in Connecticut.

Brookside Farm’s production process yields 100% pure and basically 100% organic maple syrup. Unlike some older sugaring operations, they do not use equipment that contains lead, solder or galvanized metal. Most of the sap is collected with tubing and processed in an evaporator and canning equipment that are 100% stainless steel with tig welds.

Mark and Kay welcome visitors, just call ahead. They like teaching folks of all ages where maple syrup comes from, how it is made and the differences in the four grades of maple syrup. A tour includes a tasting and recipe suggestions. Phone: 860-567-3890.

Tomas Savrda @ Sharon Historical Society April 16 - May 10

The Sharon Historical Society & Museum located on 18 Main Street in Sharon has announced the opening of the new exhibit in Gallery SHS, works by the Kent artist TOMAS SAVRDA.  This show is being held at the Sharon Historical Society & Museum Art Gallery April 16 through May 10.  The public is invited to attend the artists’ opening reception on Saturday, March 16, from 5-7PM. 

Tomas is known for creations that are somehow charming and whimsical, but also distinctly edgy and thought-provoking. Constructed from wood, tin, stone, and found objects, his masks, mini stage scenes, and free-standing kinetic sculptures look like they have tumbled from some nineteenth-century cabinet of forgotten toys. Some are meditations on memory, innocence, and isolation; others are traditional folk stories filtered through dreams. They are also beautiful. A portion of all purchase proceeds will support the Sharon Historical Society & Museum's mission.

Gallery SHS is located in the Sharon Historical Society & Museum at 18 Main Street in Sharon, CT. Museum hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 4:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and by appointment. For more information and directions to Gallery SHS, call (860) 364-5688. For additional information about the Sharon Historical Society & Museum, visit http://www.sharonhist.org.

Woodbury's Restaurant Week March 24-30

Eleven local eateries are participating in Woodbury Restaurant Week 2019, which will be held from March 24-30. These participating restaurants will offer select menus and/or discounts during the event.

"We are excited to have these excellent restaurants onboard for Woodbury Restaurant Week," said Tim Parry, Editor, and Publisher of Just Woodbury, the presenter of the event. "These establishments offer something for everyone, and are an excellent representation of the Woodbury dining experience."

The participating restaurants are Carlito's, The Charcoal Chef, Constantine's, John's Café, Market Place Kitchen & Bar, Mix Prime Steakhouse, Fish, & Sushi Bar, Good News Restaurant & Bar, San Remo Restaurant & Pizzeria, The Olive Tree, The Split Rail, and The Woodbury Diner.

This is the second year that Just Woodbury has sponsored this event, and Woodbury Restaurant Week is receiving promotional support from the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the Community Theater at Woodbury is offering $2 off tickets to its upcoming show, Rabbit Hole, to patrons who show a receipt from participating restaurants dated during the event.

More information about the restaurants, including their special menus and deals, is listed on https://woodburyrestaurantweek.com.

About the Restaurants

Carlito's features exquisite food in a stunningly decorated setting, reminiscent of an Italian countryside. Enjoy an extensive menu including steak, seafood, chops, gourmet pizza and much more. Carlito's offers weekly specials, a professional staff, and a picturesque dining experience.

The Charcoal Chef is one of the only restaurants in Connecticut that still cooks on charcoal, Kingsford charcoal to be exact. The Charcoal Chef is an American restaurant that serves steaks, hamburgers, seafood, and much more straight from its charcoal grill. The restaurant boasts a rustic interior that emanates a warm and homey feel, which is perfect for a relaxing hangout.

Faithfully serving its customers high quality food, consistently prepared, all for an affordable price, Constantine's is a restaurant for friends, families, and strangers alike. Known for their fresh fish, daily and weekly specials, including Steve's famous New England Clam Chowder, succulent Grade A Angus Prime Rib, and their authentic home-style Greek specialties, Constantine's has more than enough to satisfy even the pickiest of dinners.

John's Café offers a bistro-style dining experience featuring fresh, innovative New American dishes that resonate a Mediterranean flair. John's Café's wine list includes the best of the West Coast as well as special French, Italian and Spanish selections. As a complete gustatory event, chef and owner Dennis DeBellis hopes you'll savor the simple, intimate marriage of food, wine and ambiance found at John's Café.

Good News Restaurant and Bar is a pioneer in the Farm-to-Table movement Its handcrafted cooking is seasonal, local, and most organic as possible and is prepared by owner and renown chef, Carole Peck. Good News Restaurant and Bar partners with local farmers and businesses, when possible, and enjoy sharing the fruits of their labors with you.

Market Place Kitchen & Bar is new modern American restaurant in the heart of Woodbury. It is run by General Manager Jim Kara and Executive Chef Matt DeLongis. Market Place Kitchen & Bar celebrates and encourages local, organic and sustainably harvested food and spirits.

Mix Prime Steakhouse, Fish, & Sushi Bar features the area's only 40 day prime aged beef along with fresh seafood, raw bar, and sushi bar. Mix Prime's diverse menu offers diners the experience of their choosing, from the finest prime steaks and freshest seafood bought daily. For an upscale experience you can dine in their main dining room, or enjoy the relaxed casual feel in the bar area.

From steak to saganaki, The Olive Tree serves up American fare with a Mediterranean flair for lunch and dinner. Their drink menu includes a variety of wines and martinis, including seasonal offerings. The homey, long-running restaurant is at the former Longwood Country Inn, which was built in 1798.

San Remo Restaurant & Pizzeria was voted Best Pizza in Woodbury by Just Woodbury readers. While it offers Italian specialties, San Remo owner Chris Gogas said his restaurant has something for everyone. "The kids can have a pizza, Mom can enjoy a shrimp dish, and Dad can have a steak, and everybody is happy," Gogas told Just Woodbury in 2017.

The Split Rail changed hands at the end of 2018. Its new owners have cleaned and painted the inside (and will be working on outside in the spring) and have changed to a scratch menu with many natural and organic ingredients. As one Facebook commenter wrote, the new Split Rail is the best of the old split rail and fantastic new things as well.

The Woodbury Diner offers good food for a good mood. It's a place for friends and families to come together and enjoy a variety of great meal choices. Breakfast is served all day, so you come and get pancakes for dinner. The diner is known for fast feel good foods, but The Woodbury Diner also strives to uniqueness. The Woodbury Diner also offers a great family atmosphere.

Water Lantern Festival in Danbury and Norwalk

While they're called many things such as lantern festivals, lights festivals, floating lanterns, or Chinese lanterns - only Water Lantern Festival allows you to Light The Water in a way you'll never forget. Now you can experience the magic of over 1000 lanterns as the soft lights reflect upon the water.

Water Lantern Festival is an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. At the Water Lantern Festival, we cherish these moments and will do our best to help you have a memorable experience that you'll never forget as you witness the beauty of over 1000 lanterns reflecting upon the water.

Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven't met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience.

Each adult ticket comes with Entry into the festival area - Floating lantern  - Commemorative drawstring bag  - Marker and - Wristband.  In addition, the price covers the cost of collecting and removing the lanterns from the water following the event as well as cleaning up any trash that may have been previously been in or around the water.

The Danbury Water Lantern Festival is being held on May 11 at the Ives Concert Park on 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The Gates open at 5:30 pm and the event ends at 10 pm. Early bird tickets are available and start at $25 online. For tickets click here.

Dates for the Norwalk Water Lantern Festival are being worked out.  If you want to go to the Norwalk Water Festival click here to be put on a list that will notify you of the date, time and place for this event in Norwalk.

TOWN-WIDE FEEL-GOOD EVENT IN KENT - APRIL 4-10

Excitement is building for the return of the popular Meet.Play.Flow event established by RT Facts Gallery, Kent Barns, Kent, CT., one of Kent’s premier galleries. After three successful years, RT Facts’ Meet.Play.Flow. wellness event has taken wing by forming a partnership with the Kent Chamber of Commerce extending the feel-good vibe for a full week.

 Visitors and residents alike can enjoy “Meet.Play.Flow & 7 Days of Wellness”  beginning Thursday, April 4^th and running through Wednesday, April 10^th.     During this unique wellness event, residents and visitors are welcome to enjoy week-long promotions, as well a weekend full of body, soul, and uplifting events.  Throughout the week, several of Kent’s charming restaurants, cozy inns, unique shops, and caring service providers, will be offering healthy menus, yummy tastings, special room rates, as well as discounts on wellness-related products and services.

On Sat., April 6^th, RT Facts Gallery will kick-off the weekend roster of special events. That day, RT Facts Gallery will host a series of seminars, workshops, and discussions guaranteed to jump-start healthy ambitions. Here, attendees will literally Meet. Play… and Flow onto a path of well-being. 

Saturday’s all-day wellness event will see the return of many local instructors offering classes every half-hour in practices such as, hula-hoop dancing, yoga, Barre, tai chi, foam rolling, playful improv, drawing as meditation, etc. Attendees are welcome to explore aerial yoga, massage therapy, as well as making your own flower essences and smoothie/kimchi-tastings. With a $25 donation, attendees will have complete access to the many wellness practices and classes being offered. All proceeds will be matched by RT Facts Gallery and donated to the Connecticut ambulance squads of Kent and Cornwall. For further information on RT Facts Meet.Play.Flow Sat., April 6^th event, visit www.meetplayflow.com.

The high-energy continues on Sunday, April 7^th when the Kent Chamber of Commerce will be staging free sessions comprised of lectures, demonstrations and workshops. Experts in their chosen fields are on tap to conduct a healthy lineup of weekend events. Participants include: Chestnut Woodworking, Davis IGA, Fair Skies Acupuncture, Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant and Inn, J. P. Gifford Market, Kent Land Trust, Kent Yoga & Bodyworks, Movement Learning Resources, Prism Health Advocates, Starbuck Inn, Strong Core Team Training, Terston, Kent Victorian Inn, Villager Restaurant, W Rhythm Fitness & Wellness, among others. These free Chamber events will be held in various commercial locations throughout town. Attendees will nourish mind and body by listening to and partaking in sessions ranging from Chinese medicine, Pilates, and Essential Oils to understanding health care and successfully navigating an illness.

Meet.Play.Flow & 7 Days of Wellness is an inspiring event that affords attendees an opportunity to experience a variety of wellness practices while having fun and meeting friends both old and new.  It’s also an event that serves as a novel introduction to the various shops, restaurants, and services that make up Kent, one of Connecticut’s most charming New England towns. For details on Meet.Play.Flow & 7 Days of Wellness, visit www.kentct.com or email info@kentct.com.

Rare Amur Leopard Cubs Born @ Beardsley Zoo

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s six-year-old Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), Freya, gave birth to three cubs on January 25, with two cubs surviving. The surviving cubs, a male and a female, were removed from Freya when she began hyper-grooming behaviors, which posed a danger to their wellbeing. One cub was euthanized due to maternal-induced injuries. Both six-week-old cubs are in seclusion in the Zoo’s Animal Health Care Center.

The surviving female cub suffered the loss of her tail due to the hyper-grooming, and underwent lifesaving surgery shortly after birth. She was treated with antibiotics for an infection, but has completed the medication and is doing well.

Amur leopards are critically endangered, which means they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, with approximately 80 animals remaining there. There are approximately 200 in human care worldwide, with slightly more than 100 in Russia and Europe, and slightly fewer than 100 in the U.S. With such a small population, each Amur leopard born is extremely important to the survival of the species. Six Amur leopard cubs were born in the U.S. in 2018, with five surviving.

“Amur leopards are on the brink of extinction,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “The Species Survival Plan’s breeding recommendation is designed to bolster the number of individuals in human care, for potential future breeding, as well as the opportunity to return certain members of the species back to the wild someday. The birth of these cubs brings a few more precious Amur leopards to the population, which can help ensure the survival of these majestic animals for future generations.”
Zoo veterinary and animal care staff are providing around the clock care, hand feeding the babies five times a day, with a feline milk replacement formula, supplemented with vitamins. In the past several weeks, both cubs have increased in weight, to roughly 2.5 kilos each (5.5 lbs.). The male cub is somewhat larger than the female. Zoo staff was aware of the leopard’s pregnancy through fecal hormone testing and weight gain, and had been keeping a 24-hour watch on Freya during the weeks leading up to the cubs’ birth. The cubs’ survival to six weeks is a critical milestone. It will be several more weeks before the cubs will be available for viewing by the public.

The female cub has melanism, an extremely rare black color variant in big cats. Melanistic cats have a condition where the body produces an excess of black pigment, the opposite of albinism. There are nine leopard subspecies, ranging from Africa all the way to the Amur leopard in eastern Russia. And while 11 percent of leopards alive today are thought to be melanistic, most are found in Southeast Asia, where tropical forests offer an abundance of shade. An extremely rare melanistic leopard was recently sighted in Africa for the first time in a century. There is currently one other melanistic Amur leopard in this country at the San Diego Zoo.

The Zoo is home to the cubs’ parents: a female, Freya, born in 2013, from the Copenhagen Zoo, and a male Sochi, born in 2013, from the Denver Zoo. Their habitat features rock outcroppings that enable the leopards to explore their surroundings at ground level. It also includes areas as high as 10 feet off the ground, to enable them to view their domain from a different level. Amur leopards have been known to leap more than 10 feet vertically, so there is plenty of room to stretch their legs.
According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA), the goal of the SSPs is to make sure each species has enough genetic diversity and population numbers to last for the next 100-200 years. Since many Felid species haven’t reached population targets, the SSP considers it of vital importance to focus on reproductive research. The future of the Amur leopard has been a major concern of the world’s zoos for many years.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will provide updates on the Cubs’ condition on its website and on Facebook. The Beardsley Zoo is located on 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport CT

About Amur leopards
A rare subspecies of leopard that has adapted to life in the temperate forests from Northeast China to the Korean peninsula and the Russian Far East, Amur leopards are often illegally hunted for their beautiful spotted fur. The Amur leopard is agile and fast, running at speeds up to 37 miles per hour. Males reach weights of 110 pounds and females up to 90 pounds. They prey on sika, roe deer, and hare, but the Amur leopard has to compete with humans for these animals. Some scientists have reported male Amur leopards remaining with the females after mating, and possibly even helping to rear the young. They live for 10-15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in human care. In the wild, Amur leopards make their home in the Amur-Heilong, a region that contains one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world, vast steppe grasslands, and the unbroken taiga biome.

Audubon Sharon hosts MapleFest along with Maple Bake Sale

Audubon Sharon will be holding its annual MapleFest on Saturday, March 16 between 11am  and 4 pm at the Sharon Audubon Center, Route 4, Sharon, CT.  On-going guided 45-minute tours will lead visitors through the Center’s sugaring operation, including a working sugarhouse and a re-creation of Native American and early colonial sugaring methods.  

Participants can watch as pure sugar maple sap is collected from the trees and turned into delicious maple syrup.  Admission for the event is $6.00 adults and $4.00 children (2 and under free.) Wear warm clothes and boots, as much of the tour is outdoors.

  

Fresh, homemade maple baked goods and coffee will also be available for purchase during the day as part of the Maple Bake Sale. Each treat will be made with the Center’s very own maple syrup!  Fresh syrup will be available for purchase while supplies last, as well as locally made maple candy, maple cream, and maple sugar.

For more information on MapleFest or the Audubon Sharon sugaring operation, contact the Audubon Center at (860) 364-0520, visit www.sharon.audubon.org.

Creating Better Smartphone Photos-National Park Artist Presents Free Workshop at Mark Twain Library

A free four-hour smartphone photography workshop and photo walk is being offered at the Mark Twain Library in Redding on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The Art of Phoneography will be presented by Xiomaro, who is the Visiting Artist at Weir Farm National Historic Site.  Xiomaro, a nationally exhibited photographer and author, will demonstrate five principles for creating dynamic, artistic photos with any smartphone.  Space is limited, so registration is required by calling the library at (203) 938-2545 or submitting an RSVP.

Point-and-shoot cameras and professional dSLRs are welcome, but the workshop is primarily designed to take advantage of the “best” camera – the smartphone that is always in one’s pocket.  “The secret to better photographs is not in the camera.  It’s in applying the principles used by artists like painter Julian Alden Weir and photographer Edward Steichen” noted Xiomaro.  Steichen (1879-1973) lived in Redding and is regarded as one of the most important photographers of the 20thcentury.

Xiomaro explained that seeing and creating a photograph is different than looking and taking a snapshot.  His workshop will present five key artistic principles demonstrated with slides of smartphone photographs, paintings and Steichen’s iconic images.  “We’ll immediately put what we learned into practice during our photo walk on the grounds.  We’ll have fun experimenting and trying out new things,” said Xiomaro.

For Xiomaro, the Mark Twain Library is an ideal setting.  “The library’s slogan is ‘books are just the beginning’ –  and so is my workshop.”  His aim is to make photography accessible by minimizing the technical know-how that is often a barrier.  “I’ve seen big expensive cameras set on automatic because the hundreds of choices presented by the knobs, switches and software menus are overwhelming.  For many, the workshop can be the beginning to learning the technical complexities.”  The Mark Twain Library was founded in 1908 by the most popular American author of the time, Samuel Clemens – best known as Mark Twain – who lived in Redding for a while.

Workshop attendees will have an opportunity to win several giveaways including a smartphone accessory by Xenvo Pro, which manufactures lenses, tripods, and remote shutters.  Attendees will also be invited to submit photos for publication on Xiomaro’s blog and a booklet he authored will be available for those interested in learning additional photo techniques.

Xiomaro (pronounced “SEE-oh-MAH-ro”) has worked with Weir Farm since 2011.  He is an internationally recognized artist and speaker whose photography has been covered by The New York Times, CBS Eyewitness News, and News 12.  His work has been exhibited at Harvard University and throughout Connecticut at the state Capitol building in Hartford, the Mayor’s Gallery in Stamford, and Congressman Jim Himes’ Bridgeport and Stamford offices.  This June, Arcadia Publishing is releasing Xiomaro’s history/photo book, Weir Farm National Historic Site, with the foreword written by Senator Joe Lieberman.

The Art of Phoneography workshop takes place on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Road, Redding, CT 06896.  The workshop is free of charge but space is limited.  Registration is required by calling (203) 938-2545 or submitting an RSVP.  Participants need only bring their fully charged smartphone (any brand is fine) or camera with plenty of available storage space for the new photos that will be created.  A portable USB phone charger or spare battery is helpful.  Comfortable walking shoes or boots are suggested along with some snacks.  For more information, visit www.xiomaro.com or www.marktwainlibrary.org.