MARINE LIFE ENCOUNTER CRUISES” OF THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK

Get a deeper new appreciation for Long Island Sound when you meet some of its resident fish, crabs and other creatures brought up wriggling and wet right out of the water right before your eyes, during a Marine Life Encounter Cruise offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

These fun and memorable outings will be offered on most Saturdays and Sundays in May and June, with departures at 1:15 p.m.  (There is no cruise on May 11.) Beginning June 25, they’ll run daily Tuesdays through Sundays through the summer.

The 2.5-hour cruises give participants close-up, often hands-on introductions to a variety of fish, crabs, mollusks and other animals brought up onto the Aquarium’s research vessel.

“Any boat ride is fun, but the Aquarium’s cruises offer the exciting bonus of giving participants an amazing window into what’s below the waves,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth.

The Marine Life Encounter Cruises bring up animals from different levels of the Sound’s depths. A video microscope hooked up to a giant-screen monitor provides a magnified look at wriggly plankton gathered at the sunlit surface. Sponges, mollusks, worms and tiny crabs are revealed to be hiding in a sample from the muddy bottom. And everyone inspects the trawl net's bounty: varieties of fish, crabs, mollusks and always a few surprises; maybe squid; maybe even a small shark!

Maritime Aquarium educators involve participants in the processes, including sorting through samples, logging data, helping to pull in the trawl net and returning animals to the water.

“Every cruise is different depending on what animals come up onto the boat,” Sigworth said. “And it is the thrill of witnessing first-hand how alive Long Island Sound is – even within sight of Manhattan – that will best inspire stewardship on behalf of the Sound.”

 Besides being fun and eye-opening, Marine Life Encounter Cruises also contribute to local scientific research. Water-chemistry and weather readings are taken. And details about the animals brought onboard are entered into the Aquarium’s Long Island Sound Biodiversity Project, a database of physical and biological features available online to teachers and researchers.

Cruises take place aboard R/V Spirit of the Sound, the first research vessel in the country with quiet and “green” hybrid-electric propulsion.

Through June 30, cost of a Marine Life Encounter Cruise is $29.95 per person ($24.95 for Maritime Aquarium members).  

The Maritime Aquarium’s cruises are perfect for family fun. However, all passengers must be at least 42 inches tall. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Capacity is limited so reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets will be sold space permitting.

Cruises depart from the dock near the Aquarium's IMAX Theater entrance.

Marine Life Encounter Cruises also are available by charter for schools, camps, Scouts and other groups.

To reserve your spot or for more details, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org/cruise-schedule or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

Summer Camp @ Institute for American Indian Studies 2019 Explore, Create & Discover!

Spend the summer of 2019 @ The Institute For American Indian Studies!  Our camp programs offer an immersion into the natural world and culture of Connecticut's Eastern Woodland Native American people through the exploration of our replicated 16th century Algonkian Village, our forests, three sisters garden, and museum.  Experienced and professional educators provide young and curious minds with exciting programs that engage and educate.

The programming for the Institute for American Indian Studies Summer Camps have been created to inspire and engage children from ages  5-12 and 13 to 16 in explorations of the natural world and history of Connecticut's first inhabitants on Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended camp options available with pre-registration.  Young people from ages 13 - 16 can apply to a counselor in training program.  Interactive activities include traditional stories, crafts, team building activities, and games that bring history to life in age-appropriate contexts. Kids will explore hands-on exhibits in our museum as well as in our outdoor replicated 16th century outdoor Algonkian Village and Three Sisters Garden located on 15 unspoiled acres,  go on hikes to Steep Rock and the Shepaug River, and visit our traditional herb and flower garden.  The week specific programming includes a group project that allows campers to practice the skills that they have learned to create something to take home and share with their friends and family or to leave at the museum for future visitors to enjoy.  Kids will make friends, enjoy the summer and learn about Native American culture.

Weekly camps with different themes run from July 8 -August 16, 2019.  Kids that love archeology and wonder what tools archeologists use to discover the past will enjoy Digging Detectives: Archeology Week, July 8-12.  If your children are interested in food, Eating with the Seasons: Foraging in the Forest from July 15-19 teaches children how Native Americans were able to thrive in the natural world using their knowledge of the forest and rivers.  Crafty Creations week on July 22-26 is sure to inspire the budding artist in your child. In this program, kids will learn about crafts, music, arts, and storytelling from a variety of Native American cultures, past and present.

To experience the beautiful natural environment at The Institute as well as to sharpen outdoor survival skills, Get Out! Woodland Survival, July 29 - August 2 will teach children outdoor living skills from knot tying and navigation to the safe use of fire in an outdoor setting and much more.  On August 5-9, Tech It Out! Not So Primitive Technology will uncover the mysteries of the past and show kids how Native Americans figured out creative ways to thrive in their environment.  The creation of tools, the construction of shelter and how to find food in the natural world that surrounds them will be on this week's agenda.  The final program of the summer, Nature Nuts: Forest and River Ecology from August 12-16 teaches the valuable lesson that all living things are connected.  This important life lesson will be taught through games, stories, crafts and more.

For complete registration information, visit http://www.iaismuseum.org. Pricing is $228 for members of The Institute for American Indian Studies and $285 for non-members; families with two or more children registered to get a family discount. Registration forms and a non-refundable deposit of $100 is due by May 17, 2019.  The summer camp director is Gabriel Benjamin and he can be reached at gbenjamin@iaismuseum.org.

THE 2nd ANNUAL NORWALK CITY HUNT

Norwalk Now presents Norwalk City Hunt, an interactive “Amazing Race” throughout the Wall Street and SoNo neighborhoods of Norwalk, CT. This high-spirited afternoon of clues and challenges takes place Saturday, April 27 with a meet-up time of 10:30 AM at O’Neill’s Irish Pub.

Participants (21 and older) compete in teams of 4 and are guided through the hunt on the City Hunt phone app. From there, a series of location clues, questions, and challenges are tackled with the successful completion of these activities being answered, recorded, or photographed on the team leader’s phone and submitted. Participants will be walking, running, or catching a Norwalk Now Circulator Van or Wheels2U bus, which will shuffle them between neighborhoods to the over 40 destinations participating in the hunt.

“Here we go again, “says Norwalk Now Director Linda Kavanagh, excited for another entertaining afternoon of crazy antics and camaraderie, “The hunt challenges participants on all levels, from how well you know the city of Norwalk, to solving mind-bending clues and completing unusual tasks, most of which result in hilarious pandemonium.”

Destinations are comprised of Norwalk Now businesses, supporters, and public domains. The final destination is found by solving a series of clues along the journey. Upon completion of the hunt, the after party begins, where the winners will be announced. The team completing the most challenges in the shortest amount of time is the winner. Prizes include a $500 Norwalk Now gift card package and Free Parking gift bundles for the runners up.

Tickets are $40 per person ($140 for a team of 4) and include the City Hunt challenge and phone app, NCH swag, and the after party. Sign-up solo and form your team at the meet-up or sign-up your foursome at WWW.NORWALKNOW.ORG

VIEW VIDEO

Meet-up: O’Neill’s, 93 North Main Street, South Norwalk, CT

After Party: You’ve got to solve the clues to get there!

Barnum, Jumbo & Dumbo!

From the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport... With the showing of Disney’s live-action/CGI feature film DUMBO, it is no wonder that there is “a little Barnum” in the story.  The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport thought they would take this opportunity to share some interesting bits about Barnum’s legendary elephant JUMBO, and illuminate the ties to the story of Disney’s acclaimed, animated film DUMBO.

The 2019 film, directed by Tim Burton will loosely follow the story-line of the beloved 1941 Walt Disney film DUMBO.  Although it’s reported that there will be no speaking animals or snappy Disney show tunes, fear not! The film will take viewers on a heart-warming journey of the adorable large-eared elephant’s discovery of flight!

Like many Disney-animated classics, the original Dumbo film was not an original Disney’s concept.  Based on the children’s story Dumbo the Flying Elephant by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, the book was intended to be published as a Roll-a-Book.  The Roll-a-Book design was a newly patented device where the illustrations could manually scroll from left to right giving the effect of an ongoing visual narrative.  Advertised as ‘a fast-moving adventure story packed with mystery and surprises,’ it is believed that Dumbo was only produced in a ‘test copy’ as no known editions survive.  However, a prototype version was seen by a Disney story manager who brought it to the attention of Walt Disney.  The story captivated the hearts and imaginations of animators and Disney himself, and an agreement was reached with Roll-a-Book publishers who sold the rights to the Dumbo story and illustrations to Walt Disney Productions in 1939.

So where does Barnum fit into the story?  In 1882, P.T Barnum made an offer to the London Zoo to buy their acclaimed African elephant, Jumbo.  Known as the “Children’s Giant Pet,” Jumbo stood over 11 feet tall and weighed 6.5 tons. The sale provoked an outcry from the English public, who protested Jumbo’s departure, but the Zoo’s decision was final.  Arriving in the United States in time for his debut on Easter Sunday in 1882, Jumbo joined Barnum’s Greatest Show On Earth.  To this day, Jumbo is heralded as the first international animal super-star.

Born in 1907 in Syracuse, NY, Dumbo the Flying Elephant author Helen Aberson likely grew up with stories about Barnum’s legendary Jumbo.  Although Aberson’s story is not a factual account of Jumbo’s history, in her book she writes: “That night, the circus train carried two very sad elephants. One was Mother Ella. The other, little Jumbo. They had put him in the donkey car. And on his water pail, they had crossed out the ‘J’ in Jumbo and painted a big ‘D’. And from that moment on, little Jumbo was known as DUMBO.” 

While little Dumbo is never referred to as Jumbo in the 1941 film, Dumbo’s mother is indeed Mrs. Jumbo.  In Disney fashion, Aberson’s tale of a sad little elephant was transformed into an uplifting story.  Walt Disney said:  “Right from the beginning, Dumbo was a happy picture….Since we weren’t restricted by a set story, we gave our imaginations free play. When a good idea occurred to us, we just put it in the picture. And we all had a wonderful time.”

Walt Disney’s DUMBO went on to be a Disney classic, netting almost $2.5M between its 1941 October premiere and New Year’s Day.  Dumbo was actually the very first animated feature that Disney released on videotape in 1982.  With the upcoming movie remake, it’s certain that the enchanting story will continue for future generations to enjoy.

So, once again, a small bit of Barnum’s impact lives on in the modern culture.  Molded, refined and shaped for our modern tastes and sensibilities, it’s a wonder how our spirit and imagination can still be lifted by the glory and majesty of a wondrous elephant….no matter how big or how small.

Fascinating facts about the real Jumbo!

• Jumbo’s name is most likely a combination of two Swahili words: jambo, meaning “hello” and “jumbe” meaning chief.  Because of Jumbo’s popularity in America and England, advertisers began to use the word “Jumbo” in promotional material to mean anything LARGE!  We still use the word “jumbo” in modern language today and it is defined in the dictionary as: huge, enormous, vast, immense, gigantic, monumental, tremendous and stupendous!

For information on Jumbo: https://barnum-museum.org/collections/

For more information on Dumbo history:

• https://www.mouseplanet.com/12316/The_Original_Dumbo
• http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/wade_sampson/archive/2004/12/27/the-original-story-of-dumbo.aspx
• http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Essays/DumboRollABook/DumboRollABook.html

Farm Tea @ Flanders Nature Center May 5

To celebrate Flanders Nature Center’s first beginnings as a working farm, the Art Committee of Flanders will host a 1920s-themed Farm Tea on Sunday, May 5, from 4-6 pm in the original Flanders farmhouse, at the corner of Flanders Road and Church Hill Road in Woodbury.

In 1926, on a visit to friends in Southbury, 25-year-old New York artist Natalie Van Vleck fell in love with a farm on Flanders Road in Woodbury. She promptly persuaded her parents to buy it, and so set in train the events that led to the jewel in the crown of Woodbury, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust.

Van Vleck was a gifted painter in the Modernist style, and additionally an artisan who worked in metal and wood. As time went on, she came to be a highly skilled farmer and ultimately preservationist of the natural landscape, which became one of the first Land Trusts in Connecticut.

To celebrate her accomplishments, the third annual traditional Flanders Farm Tea will feature a selection of teas as well as local jams, homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches, and cookies. A highlight will be a raffle for a basket filled with locally sourced items, including a handmade needle-felted sheep.

The Farm Tea will further herald summer with a talk by plant expert Fabienne Audette on wildflowers that can be found in the meadows and woods in the Van Vleck Sanctuary and a display of Natalie Van Vleck’s paintings that feature plant life. The talk will be held in The Studio, which is situated a few steps away from the farmhouse. Van Vleck not only designed and oversaw the studio construction, but also made the iron door handles, oak tables, and furniture, much of it still in the studio.

We look forward to taking you back in time to the 1920s, to when farm teas were commonplace, and to when a young New York artist fell in love with the beautiful landscape, subsequently making it her home where she painted, then went on to farm those original 200 acres and purchased more land, now accessible to all as the Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust.

Reservations are necessary by calling Flanders at 203-263-3711, ext. 10 or visiting flandersnaturecenter.org to purchase tickets. The raffle drawing is included in the $25 ticket for the talk and tea.  Proceeds from the Tea will support the preservation and the furthering of Van Vleck’s artistic legacy. Please reserve early since space is limited and last year’s tea sold out.

                                                      

                                                    About Flanders

Flanders is a community organization dedicated to preserving our environment and history through land acquisition, conservation and management, and using its stewardship of land to foster better understanding and appreciation of nature, art and the wonders of the natural world. Our vision is a future in which our important forests, wet lands, agricultural lands and wildlife habitats are preserved forever, and in which we follow best practices for land stewardship, be a leading center for environmental education for all ages, partner with all levels of government and private organizations to conserve our natural heritage, and insure the financial resources needed to achieve these goals.