Special Event: A talk by Tehama M Lopez Bunyasi “Stay Woke”

 

2020 is the year that many Americans woke to the enormous disparities still faced by people of color in the United States.  One question facing white Americans is how can they responsibly bridge some of these differences in their minds and everyday lives. Dr. Lopez Bunyasi,  Professor at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University will discuss her co-authored book Stay Woke: A People's Guide to Making All Black Lives Matter, and expound upon how to continue the commitment to antiracism in a Biden-Harris administration. Bunyasi’s work is broadly concerned with matters of race, racism, and antiracism,  especially with racial attitudes, ideologies, marginalization, and the politics of whiteness.

She illuminates lessons from the current Movement for Black Lives to equip people to become effective racial justice advocates and antiracists. Blending together a wealth of scholarly work with critical reflections from popular culture, Stay Woke sheds light on the precarious nature of Black lives in the United States by unmasking structural racism and explaining how even well-meaning people can reproduce racial inequality. Created as a toolkit and written in accessible language, Stay Woke empowers its readers to become more knowledgeable participants in public dialogue, activism, and American politics.

The program will be presented live on Zoom by the Scoville Memorial Library

on Thursday, January 6 at 2:00 pm. Registration for the talk is posted on the library’s event pages https://www.scovillelibrary.org/events/.

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Welcomes New River Otter Following Renovation of Habitat

 Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is the new home for Tahu, a one-year-old female North American river otter newly arrived from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wash. After the Zoo’s last river otter passed away in 2019 from advanced age, the Zoo engaged in long-planned improvements to the otter habitat. With renovations complete, Tahu has joined the Zoo family and will be joined by a male companion in the future. 

 

As a species, river otters have suffered from habitat loss, water pollution, and fur trapping. Their numbers are on the rise due to reintroduction programs in parts of the U.S., better water quality, and protection of their habitats.

 Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said, “Our river otters have always been some of the most popular animals who make their home here at the Zoo, for their playful nature and intelligence as well as their role as an iconic North American animal. We’re pleased to welcome Tahu to the Zoo.” Tahu joins the Zoo at the same time as the Amur tiger, Changbai. 

About North American River Otters

River otters, members of the weasel family, can run on land as well as swim. They are playful and agile athletes, sliding down hills of mud or snow to land with a splash in water. Their tails are muscular and comprise up to 40 percent of the otter’s body length. They can move through the water as fast as eight miles per hour and can dive to 36 feet. Found throughout most of North America, the river otter lives in aquatic habitats: streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes. They prefer unpolluted water with minimal human disturbance. 

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 98^th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican grey and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100^th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. 

 

The Zoo reopened on June 1. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them. 

 

 

Amur Tiger Changbai Returns To Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

 Changbai, a thirteen-year-old Amur tiger and the mother of cubs born at the Zoo in 2017, has returned to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. After arriving from her most recent home at the Columbus Zoo, Changbai underwent a normal quarantine period. Once again comfortable with her surroundings, Changbai is now residing in the tiger habitat in the predator area, next to her daughter, Reka.

Born on May 24, 2007, at the Philadelphia Zoo, Changbai resided at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo for two years before being transferred to Columbus as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan. Amur tigers are very rare and are critically endangered in the wild. According to the AZA, today Amur tigers are thought to occupy less than seven percent of their original range. Threatened by habitat loss and degradation, poaching, tiger-human conflict and loss of prey, four of nine subspecies have disappeared from the wild just in the past hundred years. The future of the Amur tiger has been a major concern of the world’s zoos for many years. 

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s Deputy Director, Don Goff, is the Co-Chair of the National Felid Taxon Advisory Group (TAG). He leads a committee of AZA-accredited zoo members whose goal is to help have sustainable populations of felid species.

“The planned transfer of animals to other member zoos ensures the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied AZA population,” explained Goff. “We’re happy to welcome Chang back to the Zoo, where she can continue to be an ambassador for her species, educating our guests about the importance of conservation.”

About Amur tigers

The Amur tiger is a rare subspecies of tiger and the largest cat in the world. Adult male tigers can weigh up to 675 pounds, with females weighing up to 350 pounds, although they average 200-250 pounds. Chang is large for a female Amur tiger, weighing 340 pounds. Similar to people’s fingerprints, no two tigers have the same striped pattern. Amur tigers differ from other tigers with fewer, paler stripes, and a mane that helps to keep them warm. They live in southeast Russia as well as small areas of China and North Korea. They live for 10-15 years in the wild and up to 22 years in captivity.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 98^th year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and Amur leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican grey and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100^th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and eco-systems is more important than ever. 

The Zoo reopened on June 1. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. Face masks are required for everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them. 

 

Choose an Audubon Adventure

The  Bent of the River Audubon Center in South Britain is offering personalized guided outings. Participants are invited to join a Bent of the River naturalist for a personal outdoor adventure at the sanctuary. 

The guided nature experiences offer fun themes to choose from. You may have up to 9 people attend your program session. Please make sure each member of your party brings and wears a mask. Each program is up to two hours and is a daytime event unless otherwise noted.

The guided walks include the following options:

BIRD WALK - $150

• Available any time of year
• Suitable for ages 8 and up

 

NATURE HIKE - $150

• Available any time of year
• Suitable for ages 6 and up

 

POMPERAUG RIVER EXPLORATION - $150

• Available June and July only
•  Suitable for ages 8 and up

 

OWL PROWL - $225

• Available January and February only
• Evening event
• Suitable for ages 8 and up

 

WOODCOCKS AND WHISKEY - $250

• Available April only 
• Evening event
• Ages 21 and up only

 

PEEPER PROWL - $200

• Available March and April only 
• Evening event
• ​Suitable for ages 8 and up

 

AFTERNOON VERNAL POOL STUDIES - $150

• Available April, May, and beginning of June only
• Suitable for ages 8 and up

 

PLEASE NOTE: Ticket purchases are final and non-refundable. If you cannot attend the program for any reason, you can share your ticket with another guest. In the event of extreme, inclement weather, we will work with you to reschedule. By signing up for this program, you are consenting to receive emails from Audubon about this program and our conservation work. You may opt-out of our emails at any time.

 

After booking your program, one of our naturalists will reach out to you (or your giftee) to discuss the date, time, and personalized program you are interested in doing.

To register click here.

Join the Chowda Club for a Tasty Chowda...this December

This year upwards of  20,000 people were not able to attend the 13th Annual Chowdafest due to its postponement and enjoy the unlimited chowder, soup, and bisque sampling from 40 New England restaurants that are invited to participate.   This annual people’s choice event determines the best in New England. During the course of the year, Chowdafest goes all over the region in search of restaurants that produce the best to invite to compete.

The Chowda Club was created a few months ago to keep the Chowdafest brand alive and provide some semblance of normalcy to those who are fans of both chowder and the event. Every month they announce two featured restaurants representing past award winners as well as those new to the chowder scene! This month the Chowda Club is currently taking online orders for both a decadent lobster bisque from Rory’s in Darien CT and a popular cheeseburger chowder from the Smithsonian Cafe & Chowder House in MA. Orders are taken online now through Dec. 23rd and arrive at your home on Dec. 30th via FedEx.

Giving the taste of memories past makes quite a gift” said Jim Keenan, creator of Chowdafest and the Chowda Club. “Plus it also makes a great present they can enjoy anytime” he added. Each order includes a quart of each soup. For more details and to make an order, go to www.chowda.club/store.

Bid and Buy @ Institute for American Indian Studies Online Auction

The Institute for American Indian Studies https://www.iaismuseum.org located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut is hosting its’ first online auction this year from December 3 – December 16, 2020. This online auction offers fans of the museum and of Native American art to switch from being observers of art to active collectors. Whether you are a long time collector of Native American art and artifacts, art-curious, or a first time collector, this online auction offers a rare opportunity to purchase items specially curated by the Institute for Native American Studies.

The Institute’s online auction is offering nineteen items at a variety of price points that make looking and bidding easy and fun. The proceeds from the auction will raise essential funds for the Institute’s core mission and will help to underwrite new educational programs and exhibitions. The artists represented in this first online auction play an intrinsic role because all items featured are authentic and have been carefully curated by one of the leading Native American museums in the country. Bidding on one of the four Iroquois Corn Husk dolls offered, a hoop-dancer, a lacrosse player, with bow and arrow, and a doll with a shield is the chance to own an iconic figure that represents a cherished Native American legend. The Iroquois People’s legend of the Corn Husk doll tells the story of how the first doll was made by the Corn Spirit. It says that this doll had a beautiful face and played with Iroquois children. When the doll saw its reflection, it became vain and treated the children badly. After many warnings, the Corn Spirit took the beautiful features away from the doll as a lesson in humility. Since that time, the Iroquois people do not put a face on their Corn Husk dolls to remind them not to think that they are better than anyone else.

Another hard to find item offered are handmade one-of-a- kind porcelain dolls by Navajo artist Cheryl Yazza of Four Corners. The dolls are not only realistic they are also highly collectible. Yazza creates her own molds and hand pours the porcelain. After she fires the porcelain three times, she meticulously hand paints each face. The clothes are handmade and the jewelry is hand stung or hand sewn on the clothes. Bidding starts at $125 for dolls that often cost over $500. Two of the most unusual items in this auction include an authentic fox bow quiver wall hanging by Navajo artist Curtis Bitsui that comes with a certificate of authenticity. This wall hanging was made by hand using genuine Red Fox fur including the tail, leather fringe, beads, a medicine wheel, and prayer feathers. It also has a hanging cord making it easy to display. The handwoven twined bag by Abenaki artist Vera Longtoe Sheehan is another gem offered in this auction. This twined bag is based on traditional fiber arts that have been passed down for countless generations. It represents the way Vera preserves the tradition of her ancestors with the knowledge of Wabanaki culture to create one of kind bags like this work of functional art. The auction also offers a distinctive selection of jewelry from turquoise cuff bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

If you are in the market for a truly stunning sculpture, don’t miss the chance to bid on the piece called “Strength of our People” by Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux artist, Janice Albro of South Dakota. The sculpture is signed and numbered 3 out of 20 pieces that date to 1993. This spectacular bronze depicts a fire with smoke rising up, forming into the image of the head of a person holding a pipe that transforms into a skull and finally into a crow. The crow symbol signifies wisdom, some Native American tribes believe that the crow has the power to talk and is considered the smartest bird. The crow is also the sacred bird of the Ghost Dance.

To join the Institute in celebrating the exhilarating intersection of collecting and patronage visit https://www.auctionninja.com and start bidding! The sale closes on December 16, 2020, at 3 p.m. Pick–up for items is available at the Museum from Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Shipping is available for an additional fee. About the Institute for American Indian Studies Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT

Two Ways to Shop this Holiday Season @ Institute for American Indian Studies

The holiday season is here and, this year it will be more challenging than ever to find a thoughtful gift for that special someone on your list. Not to worry, the Institute for American Indian Studies has you covered at their annual Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market. This year, the Institute is providing shoppers with two choices, a visit to the museum to shop in person and an online shopping experience. Admission to the Institute's Gift Shop and the Holiday Market is free, but capacity is limited in accordance with State regulations, and masks are required.

In Native societies art was integrated into the act of making everyday things, and art objects were often ceremonial. Some of the most famous Native American artists have been painters, sculptors, jewelers, basket makers, beaders, and potters. Native American artists in the 21st-century preserve, present, and represent their culture, heritage, and traditions using a variety of genres and mediums. Some Native artists create contemporary works of art, while others use materials that are more traditional. Some of the most interesting works of art invoke cultural heritage framed by values rooted in a distinctly indigenous worldview and blended with contemporary life.

If you plan to shop at the museum, get in the mood by visiting the Institute’s exhibitions that take visitors on a Native American journey through time with displays of astounding artifacts and exhibits that present information from prehistoric to contemporary time. A highlight is a special exhibit on Trading Posts and Native art. The Holiday Arts and Crafts Market at the Institute is open Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, and Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13. If you plan on shopping in person at the Institute, give them a call in advance at 860-868-0518 or email them at events@isismuseum.org to reserve a spot.

In addition to the Holiday Arts and Crafts Market, the Gift Shop at the Institute of American Indian Studies is open and chock full of a variety of items to fit every budget. The Gift Shop offers an excellent selection of Native American jewelry, crafts, artwork, tea, smudge, and books. The Museum and Gift Shop is open Friday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and will be closed on December 24 and 25 and 31 and January 1. If you can't get to the Institute in person, visit the Virtual Holiday Market that opens November 27 and runs through January 3, 2021, on the Institute's website. Here you will find a curated webpage of the bios and contact information of Native American Artists that you can purchase from directly.

Several of the featured artists including Dawn Spears (Narragansett – wearable art, corn husk dolls, and paintings), Vera Longtoe Sheehan (Elnu Abenaki – hand-woven textiles, baskets, and accessories), Brenda Hill (Tuscarora – pottery), Jeanne “Morningstar” Kent (Abenaki – gourd artwork), Sarah Sockbeson (Penobscot - baskets) and Annawon Weeden (Mashpee Wampanoag - jewelry) will do Zoom-based presentations and submit videos demonstrating their work and explaining how they incorporate cultural elements. These programs will be listed on the Institute's website and will add meaning to the gift items that they are offering for sale. On December 5 from 1 pm - 2 pm Sarah Sockbeson will be hosting a virtual Zoom call for information click here. On Sunday, December 6, from 1 pm - 2 pm Vera Longtoe Sheehan wll be hosting a zoom program, for more information click here.

Woodbury's New Morning Market Finds New Ways to Pay it Back

 New Morning Market​ in Woodbury has found a clever way to give back to one of their favorite causes this holiday season. ​The year 2020 has shown no shortage of canceled events.  One of which was the New Morning Market Ice Cream Social, which supported the work of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.  For many years this event brought the community together for food, music, and face painting, all while giving back.  And so, much like many other businesses this year, New Morning Market had to pivot in the ways that they would support local organizations.

 After brainstorming new and innovative ways to fundraise, New Morning Market is excited to share the New Morning Market Coloring Book, with proceeds benefiting Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.  The images in this coloring book have been drawn by local artist Charlotte Chapman and is chock full of whimsical pictures of produce along with witty food puns sure to chase the winter blues away.

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury is a nonprofit committed to providing free, confidential services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in a safe, caring environment. Says Lee Schlesinger, Executive Director of Safe Haven “We were saddened when the Annual Ice Cream Social was canceled this year, but we totally understand why, as we had to cancel our two major fundraisers this year as well. New Morning Market has been such a loyal supporter of Safe Haven over the years. We always look forward to this event; to stand there alongside their staff and greet the customers as they come by. We were thrilled when New Morning contacted us with an idea to continue that support by creating the coloring book.”

Stop by New Morning Market located on 129 Main Street in Woodbury to pick up one of these coloring books for a perfect holiday gift that also gives back. The store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Curbside pick up is also available.

 
About New Morning Market 

New Morning Market​ has been committed to a good food lifestyle since opening its doors in 1971. With a team of over 100 employees working with countless local producers as well as partnering with dozens of local non-profit organizations throughout the year, they ensure that the environment and the community continues to be at the forefront of their vision. Recognized by Connecticut Magazine, Republican American, and Natural Awakenings as the Best Health Food Store in Connecticut they are always working to bring new, exciting, and healthful foods & products to their customers. New Morning believes good food is key to a good life. That good life is shared among good people. That good people are good to the earth and that goodness is all around.

Crafting and Image - Trading Posts and Native American Art Virtual Program November 28

The Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting a special virtual program on Saturday, November 28 at 4:30 p.m. centered around the Institute's new temporary exhibition, Crafting an Image. The Zoom program will kick off with a tour of the new exhibit with Curator, Paul Wegner who will delve into the history of some of the artifacts on display. To register for this event click here.

The new exhibition centers on trading posts as marketplaces where people could go to purchase a myriad of items, from furs to food to rugs. They were a quintessential part of Native trade in the 20th century, particularly when it came to Native art. They shaped the projects of many artists and artisans, urging them to create for the wider American public in ways that they hadn’t done previously.  This exhibition focuses on what happened to these trading posts, and, more importantly, what happened to Native arts as a result?

A highlight of the program will be a live discussion with managers of the Cameron Trade Post in Arizona about the importance of trade posts to Native American Art throughout the post's long history. This historic trading post was established in 1911  by two brothers. At that time the trading post was visited by the Navajo and Hopi locals to barter their wool blankets and livestock for dry goods.  Cameron Trading Post has existed for more than a century and people that work here have done so for generations making their perspectives and insights fascinating.

In addition to the live discussion, there will be the chance to listen to a previously recorded interview with Kwagu’l (Kwakwaka’wakw) artist Calvin Hunt about his work, his family legacy, and the importance of art to indigenous peoples throughout the Americas. This interview is part of IAIS's Native Artist Series, co-sponsored by the Connecticut Community Foundation, which features interviews and lectures by Native artists beginning November 21, 2020. 

About the Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT

Sign Up for a Lantern Tour in Torrington on December 5, 2020

The Mayor’s “Christmastime in Torrington” committee and the Torrington Historical Society will present a series of eight, 45 minutes long, Holiday Lantern Tours of downtown Torrington on Saturday, December 5th.

Each tour is limited to eight persons and the tours will start every 15 minutes from 5 pm to 6:45 pm. Registration is required and admission is $3 per person. To register for a tour, visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org/lanterntour. Tours will begin at the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street and will end on lower East Main Street. Join in the holiday spirit by bringing your own lantern or flashlight to carry on the tour. Face masks and social distancing are required. Holiday tours will include information about the historical buildings on Main Street and the fascinating story of Torrington’s first Christmas tree. Under the Warner marquee, Dick Terhune will present Marley's ghost scene from his one-man show “A Christmas Carol." Several featured storefronts will have displays of vintage toys, clothing, and household goods from the 1950s that would have been available for purchase at that time in Main Street department stores.

All proceeds from the tours will support the city’s “Christmastime in Torrington” celebration. In case of inclement weather the lantern tours will be rescheduled for Sunday, December 6th at the same times. For more information contact Mayor Elinor Carbone 860- 489-2228 or Mark McEachern at Torrington Historical Society, 860-482-8260.

Enter the Warner Theatre's Gingerbread House Contest!

 

In the spirit of the festive winter season, Torrington's Warner Theater is welcoming young baking artists between the ages of 8-17 to put their creative hats on and enter our first-ever Warner Community Gingerbread House Contest!  To enter/participate, baking artists between the ages of 8-17 must design, build, and decorate your own gingerbread house/building/setting and submit a short video (45 seconds or less) of you showing off your creation and explaining why you chose your design and what it means to you. The winners’ entries will be featured on our Facebook page and in our e-Newsletter!  Register to enter by Tuesday, December 1 by emailing your name, age, and town to Isabel Carrington at icarrington@warnertheatre.org. Once registered, completed video entries via email must be received by Tuesday, December 15.  Most creative/unique design(s) will win! For more info email icarrington@warnertheatre.org. Happy Holidays to all!

About the Warner Theatre

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat studio theatre, 200 seat restaurant, and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website:

Five Animals Announce Candidacy for Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

 Five animal candidates are vying for the much sought-after title of Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. This important election will decide the Zoo’s first Mayor, the highest-ranking animal official who will showcase the important role of animal ambassadors. The five candidates who have made it past the primary rounds to the general election are:

 

·      Peaches the Nigerian dwarf goat. Peaches is the mother of two sets of triplets and a set of twins. She has raised all the kids on her own, demonstrating her can-do spirit. She’s quiet and friendly unless she needs to assert herself and is rarely in a baaaaad mood.

·      Wiggles the 18-year-old chinchilla. As a long-time animal ambassador and a veteran of ZooMobile visits to senior centers as well as starring roles at children’s birthday parties, Wiggles has the experience and know-how to get the job done. Plus this crepuscular rodent has very cute ears.

·      Matilda the red-footed tortoise. Matilda is one of the quietest candidates, signaling her position on issues with head movements. Her campaign materials state that while she may not have lightning speed, she believes that slow and steady wins the race. 

·      Jolene the Whistling duck.  Jolene is a born politician. Sociable, boisterous and noisy, she has supported the rights of ducks who prefer to walk on land as well as those who prefer to perch in trees. She considers all ducks equal under the law.

·      E.O. the Giant anteater. E.O., named for famed American biologist E.O. Wilson, shares Wilson’s love of science. A devoted father of two with his partner Pana, E.O. champions ambitious science-based agendas when not enjoying an insect slurry. 

 

This highly contested race will be decided by online votes. The general public can vote for the candidate of their choice by making a one-dollar donation for each vote at https://CBZMayor.givesmart.com. Voting begins on Wednesday, October 21. Polls close at four p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. 

 

“Similar to other elections taking place around the country, the race for Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is highly contested as each candidate attempts to win the support of voters,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Unlike other elections, we encourage people to vote early, vote often, and stuff the ballot box.”

 

The winning Mayor will hold a 12-month term. All donations to the ballot box will be used to support the Zoo’s mission of conservation, education, research and fun. 

It Takes A Village - New Exhibit @ Keeler Tavern Ridgefield

The Keeler Tavern House Museum in Ridgefield is hosting an award-winning exhibition that explores the interdependency of farms, families, and businesses across Ridgefield’s history–showcasing individual trades and their tools. For much of its history, Ridgefield was a farming community, however, no family farm could be entirely self-sufficient. Members of the community developed specialized trades to accommodate the needs of a growing village, and by the turn of the 19th century, the nature of Ridgefield’s Main Street shifted to reflect this new market. Small enterprises had sprung up all over town, and by 1820, roughly one-third of Ridgefielders were engaged in some type of manufacturing. An online exhibit—combining maps, narrative text, and multimedia content—takes visitors on a virtual tour of the businesses on Ridgefield’s 19th-Century Main Street. To visit the online exhibit click here.

In addition to the virtual event, a number of trades and their tools will be featured in the Carriage Barn. The barn is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m., through November 8. Pre-registration for timed entries required. COVID-19 guidelines apply, including masks, social distancing, and one-way traffic. FREE admission.

FREE family demonstrations will be offered outdoors on weekends, including blacksmithing this coming Sunday (see photo) and shoemaking on November 1. No pre-registration needed for outdoor demonstrations. For timed registrations and additional details click here.

And, for those of you that love scarecrows, the 8th annual scarecrow contest is going on until October 31. Voting for the scarecrow of your choice is taking place on the museum's FACEBOOK page. The scarecrow with the most "likes" by 11:59 PM on October 31 will receive a prize. Check out the pinned post at the top of our Facebook page, and cast your vote today! Vote here

35th Annual American Artisan Show Returns to Benefit Wilton Historical Society

The Wilton Historical Society will host the 35th annual American Artisan Show – but with a big change! The important benefit will take place online for an entire month, from Thursday, November 5 – Thursday, December 5! Shop online at your convenience from a “by-invitation” group of makers. There is plenty of time for thoughtful gifting and shipping for the holidays. Go to www.wiltonhistorical.org to start shopping!

 Every purchase will support the Wilton Historical Society, as well as the talented artisans who have hand-made wares for sale of states represented by artisans. According to Janet Foster, President of the Board of Trustees of the Wilton Historical Society, “We will really miss having the show and a festive party in our beautiful historic buildings, but this year that is just not possible. So we have worked very hard to find a new way to support these wonderful artisans who are hard-hit by a lack of fairs and shows at which to sell. 

You won’t have to spend a frustrating time searching online for well-made and interesting items. The American Artisan Show has pre-selected a terrific group for you, just like our usual show.” The event is an important fundraising effort for the Wilton Historical Society, supporting the education and historic preservation mission. 20+ highly-skilled artisans from across the country will be presenting their hand-crafted contemporary and traditional furnishings and wearables in an easy to use online shopping venue. Furniture, art, pottery, fine leather goods, Nantucket-style baskets, candles, Windsor chairs, art, tavern signs, fine jewelry, photography, and much more – will be available for purchase. Every purchase benefits the Wilton Historical Society. Plus, a fabulous Silent Auction is also accessible from the same site, with a diverse selection, including vintage evening purses, art, and other surprises. 

The Silent auction will run at the same time as the American Artisan Show, November 5 – December 5.

All Hollow's Eve @ the Glebe House in Woodbury October 24

As the leaves are changing color and the hint of the first frost is in the air get ready to celebrate autumn at the All Hollows Event event hosted by the Glebe House located on Hollow Road in Woodbury on Saturday, October 24. This celebration takes place during the witching hours of 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tours go out every hour. To reserve your time, click here.

Ghosts, goblins, and assorted scary creatures will be on hand along Hollow Road, following a path lit by over 300 luminaries, some of Woodbury's earliest citizens will come back from the dead to lead mystery tours of the nearby Ancient Burying Grounds.

You will walk amongst the dead in burying grounds over 350 years old and hear stories of those mortal remains that lie beneath your feet as their spirits rise for the occasion and are dying to share their true-yet often-dark tales. New surprises will await visitors as the cemetery comes to life in a flurry of spectral activity. The Museum will be following all current State & CDC guidelines for the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. **Due to current COVID-19 safety guidelines there will not be a haunted museum or any indoor activities. Masks and social distancing rules will be observed.

Tickets will be limited to maintain safety standards. Tours will be available by timed ticket entry beginning at 5:30 pm and will leave the grounds of the Museum every fifteen minutes, ending at 9:00 pm. To ensure your participation, pre-purchased tickets are strongly suggested. Once, a tour-slot is full, walk-ins will not be added. Tickets are $10 per adult, children 5-12 years old $5, and children under 5 years of age are free. Rain Date: Sunday, October 25th. Parking for the evening will be in Hollow Park, whose entrance is next to the Glebe House.