Baby Leopards Named @ Live Cam Working @ Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

The two new Amur Leopard Cubs, some of the rarest and most endangered cats in the world born at the Beardsley Zoo located on Noble Ave. in Bridgeport nine weeks ago are thriving. They are very important protection this species that are critically endangered with less than 100 in zoos around the world and 30 to 50 in the wild.  As a member of the Accredited Zoo Asscoationthe Beardsley Zoo plays an integral part in making sure endangered species survive and thrive and are here for generations.

 Within the first 24 hours, these rare cubs had to be taken away from their first-time mother because she was over grooming them with her rough tongue.  Due to mon's zealous overgrooming the black female leopard cub had to undergo emergency surgery for her tail.

Dedicated and professional zoo "moms and dads" keep an eye on the cubs 24/7 and are responsible for feeding them, monitoring their health and making sure they have plenty of fun things to play with. Zoo staff affectionately called leopard moms and leopard dads watch the Cubs 24/7, clean up after them. track their health, and feed them six times a day.   They also monitor their growth and weight and food intake as they weaned.   Without the professional and dedicated staff, the world might have lost these rare creatures.

In keeping with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo tradition, hand-reared baby animal names are chosen by their professional care staff, recognizing the depth of the round-the-clock, seven-day-a-week commitment required for newborn care.

Here's why the names were chosen:

Orion was a hunter in Greek mythology, a perfect fit for an Amur leopard, an apex predator who hunts for survival. One of the most conspicuous constellations in the night sky, the trio of stars’ widespread recognition fits an endangered leopard whose role as an ambassador for his species assures his own recognition. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology, Orion is known as the “swordsman of the sky.”

Kallisto is another well-known constellation, more frequently referred to as Ursa Major. In Greek mythology, Kallisto was a nymph, a divine spirit who maintains nature for the environments where they make their homes. The origin of the name in Greek means “most beautiful,” a tribute to the female Amur cub’s striking appearance due to her melanistic coat color, an extremely rare black color variant.

The cubs won't be out for public viewing for about six weeks in the meantime, the zoo has set up a Leopard Cam that operates from 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.  It is a true joy to watch them play.

Get into a Spring Mood @ Colorbends House and Garden

The Colorblends House & Spring Garden will be open April 1- May 12, 2019.

In spring, visitors to the Colorblends House & Spring Garden can  stroll through an evolving display of color as snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs come into bloom. Design ideas and creative blends abound in this intimate garden, which is a collaboration between Bridgeport-based Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs and distinguished Dutch  garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet.

The garden and restored 1903 Colonial Revival  mansion  are at 893 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport’s  Stratfield Historic District. Access is easy from I95, the Merritt Parkway and US Route 1, and street parking is plentiful.

An Evening with Jacques Pepin

A program benefitting the Stamford Museum and Nature Center is taking place on Saturday, May 18 in the Knobloch Family Farmhouse on the grounds of the center.  The guest of honor will be with renowned Master Chef, Jacques Pépin. Chef Pépin is a 16-time James Beard Award winner, celebrated author of 29 cookbooks, host and star of 12 acclaimed PBS cooking series, philanthropist, educator, and recipient of France’s highest distinction, the Legion of Honor.  Please contact Karen Meizels at 203-977-6546 or kmeizels@stamfordmuseum.org to secure your sponsorship.

This intimate evening for 150 guests is sure to delight the senses with a four-course seated dinner, curated and prepared by Tim LaBant, Chef and Owner of Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Chef LaBant graduated from Johnson & Wales University with high honors and numerous awards.  He went on to work with the Emmy Award-winning Chef, Ming Tsai, best known for his popular television show “Simply Ming.”  Tim also developed strong skills in French cuisine during his years as a chef at the Four Star and Five Diamond L'Espalier Restaurant in Boston. There, he worked under Chef/Owner Frank McClelland, which helped him develop big flavors using unique ingredients and a combination of new and classic techniques. Tim continues his education by trailing in the kitchens of great restaurants like Le Bernardin, and Aureole, and building his library of cookbooks.

The evening’s menu will feature simple ingredients with direct influences from Chef Pépin. Each course will be expertly paired with spectacular wines and a sommelier will be on hand to discuss each pairing with guests.

Top sponsors will enjoy a private cocktail reception with Jacques Pépin. Hors d’ouevres will be prepared by Chef Raquel Pablo-Rivera and her students. Chef Raquel Rivera-Pablo, owner of A Pinch of Salt, graduated with highest honors from the culinary program at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) after completing her externship at Le Bernardin in NYC. She was also invited to be one of the founding chefs of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Initiative. Chef Raquel provides cooking programming for children and adults at Easton Community Center, Hall Neighborhood House, YMCA Ralphola Center, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, LifeBridge/FreshConnections, senior centers and the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative. She also provides at-home cooking classes and private cooking events in commercial kitchens in NYC and Fairfield County.

About

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and popular culture, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The Museum is a vital cultural and educational resources for the community, and a focal point for family activity, lifelong learning, and inspiration. As the SM&NC’s largest fundraiser, proceeds from the evening will directly support the rapid growth and development of our educational and cultural programming. A portion of the proceeds will also be given to the Jacques Pépin Foundation. The Jacques Pépin Foundation is committed to transforming lives through culinary education. The Foundation promotes Jacques’ generosity and passion for cooking by supporting individuals that seek, and organizations that create pathways to success through culinary professionalism, skills and technique.

Looking for Daffodils in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County

We are looking for the first signs of Spring in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County so we decided to watch for daffodils that herald spring with their bright yellow blooms.  We expect spring's blooming bonanza to erupt in color over the next three or four weeks.

In the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, thousands of daffodils will bloom in the next three to four weeks over ten acres of woodlands and fields at Laurel Ridge Foundation in Northfield and we will be there to check their progress.

A walk among the daffodils at Laurel Ridge Foundation is a rare early spring outing in an unspoiled oasis. The wild natural landscape of gently sloping woodland, fields, and aged stonewalls overlooks a small lake dotted with two tiny islands. The parkland and one of the islands is completely carpeted with gold and white blossoms, a glorious sight that is nirvana for photographers.

In Fairfield County, we are keeping tabs on Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton CT. Most daffodils here are found on the historic property surrounding the Visitor Center. You will also find them in open fields and growing alongside the site's many stone walls.

Once the home and workplace of J. Alden Weir (1852-1919), Weir Farm is now considered to be the best-preserved landscape associated with American Impressionism.

Red Panda Webcam Live @ Beardsley Zoo

The Beardsley Zoo has just announced that its red panda viewing area has a live webcam that allows zoo lovers to take a peek at how these beautiful and rare red pandas live.  The camera hours will feature a live feed from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The red panda cam may be reached by clicking here.

Red pandas have a taste for bamboo, but unlike their larger relatives, they eat many other foods as well: fruit, acorns, roots, and eggs.  Similar to giant pandas, they have a modified wrist bone that acts as a sixth digit or thumb.

While the red panda’s scientific names mean ‘fire-coloured cat,’ they actually have more in common with bears and raccoons.  Their soft, dense fur covers their entire body, including the soles of their feet.  They use their long, bushy tails to balance when they’re in trees – and also to cover themselves in winter.

This mild-mannered animal can defend its territory by standing on its hind legs and using its sharp claws to strike out if threatened.  The red panda can also release a strong odor from scent glands at the base of the tail that may make a predator think twice about a red panda meal.
The Zoo is located on 1875 Noble Ave. in Bridgeport and is open from 10 am to 4 pm.

Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places

On April 10 at 6:30 p.m. the Torrington Historical Society is welcoming Christopher Wigren from the CT Trust for Historic Preservation.   The lecture will take place in the Carriage House Gallery behind the Hotchkiss Fyler House.  Admission to this event is $5 for non-members.

Wigren's presentation based on the recent publication, Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places. Discover the wealth and variety of architecture in our state including Colonial structures, Modernist houses, and refurbished nineteenth-century factories. The state’s history includes landscapes of small farmsteads, country churches, urban streets, tobacco sheds, quiet maritime villages, and town greens, as well as more recent suburbs and corporate headquarters. The buildings, neighborhoods, and communities that surround us have an impact on our sense of place.

In his guide to this rich and diverse architectural heritage, Christopher Wigren introduces readers to 100 places across the state. Written for travelers and residents alike, the book features buildings visible from the road, including three Torrington structures.  A project of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Connecticut Architecture reflects more than 30 years of fieldwork and research in statewide architectural survey and National Register of Historic Places programs. Copies of Connecticut Architecture will be available for sale at the program.

Christopher Wigren is an architectural historian and Deputy Director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. His articles and essays have appeared in the Hartford Courant, the New Haven Register, and Connecticut Explored magazine. He lives in New Haven, Connecticut.  

Open House @ Weir Farm National Historic Site April 13

On April 13 from 10 am to 12 noon Weir Farm National Historic Site located on 735 Nod Hill Road is hosting an open house for volunteers that want to know how they can get involved with this Connecticut treasure.  Join Park Staff for a fun opportunity to learn how you can get involved at your local national park through the Volunteers-In-Parks program! Stop by for some light refreshments, a chance to tour the historic house and studios before they open for the season, meet the current crew of super-awesome volunteers and learn more about how you can become part of this amazing organization!

With the 2019 season fast approaching, Weir Farm National Historic Site is seeking friendly, reliable people interested in working with the public to become a part of the park team. Volunteering here means you could greet visitors in the historic artist studios, work in gardens designed by the people who once lived here, or help visitors create their own artwork to take home. Hours are flexible and training and enrichment programs are provided. Ages 13 and up are welcome to volunteer.

For additional information, if you can't make it on April 13 contact call Volunteer Coordinator  Carly Buta at (203) 834-1896 ext. 12 or visit www.nps.gov/wefa

About Weir Farm National Historic Site 

Visit the home and studio of America's most beloved Impressionist, J. Alden Weir, and walk in the footsteps of a world-class artist. Set against a rural Connecticut landscape that has been painted by thousands of artists from 1882 to the present, Weir Farm is a national legacy of American Impressionism and the creative spirit. Explore this National Park for Art and experience what Weir described as "The Great Good Place."  Learn more at www.nps.gov/wefa and visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/WeirFarmNHS, YouTube www.youtube.com/WeirFarmNHS , and Instagram @WeirFarmNHS.

About the National Park Service More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter  www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube  www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

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.