How Cigars and BraeVal Tartan Shirts are Alike

BraeVal is the go-to shop for men and women in Connecticut for the most amazing tartan and checked shirts inspired by the patterns from the Highlands of Scotland. BraeVal is not only a destination shop (no worries, they have a website http://braeval.net) it is a lifestyle that makes me think of the finer things in life and how to enjoy them. 

Like BraeVal apparel, the woody savory aromas of cigars evoke a lifestyle that is robust, authentic, and refined. Cigars are just one of the ways some of us like to unwind, after a night on the town or a day in the field. During the two hours, it takes to smoke a cigar, you can unwind and kick back. It is the perfect time to contemplate whatever comes to mind -- or nothing at all! 

All Natural 

Cigars and BraeVal are both made from natural products. BraeVal's shirts, for example, are made from a technologically advanced, proprietary all-natural Tiera fabric that is ring spun of Merino wool and long-staple cotton that is naturally regulating and is known for its softness and high absorption rate. The fabric these shirts are made from is 100 percent natural and even biodegradable.

Cigars are made of one thing, and one thing only, pure, unadulterated tobacco that is not artificially altered to change their taste. Everything from their flavor, whether it is spicy or sweet, to their color is achieved naturally, which is part of their allure.

Artisanal

Another similarity between BraeVal and cigars is that both are artisanal products. BraeVal's colors and patterns were designed by Founder, Gregor McCluskey, and inspired by classic checks and plaids of the Scottish Highlands. Artisanal elements include a combination of features found nowhere else like a hidden vented bi-swing back, roll-up sleeve stays, a below-the-waist zippered security pocket, triple stitching, and double-layered pockets. Depending on the style of the shirt, patches on the elbows, or waxy cotton shoulder patches are also included as a feature. The end result is a uniquely comfortable shirt that is as rugged as it is sophisticated. 

Like BraeVal's shirts, on the craft side, hand-rolling a cigar is an art form that takes many years to master. Blending tobacco is an artisanal art as well. Tobacco is a natural product that is subject to the whims of nature that creates crop variations. Like wine, some years are better than others, and only a master cigar maker understands this and blends the tobacco accordingly. The beauty of this time-honored process is that no two cigars taste quite the same. At the end of the day, the taste and experience of the finest cigar are subjective and based on the natural combination of the skill of the tobacco blender, the expertise of the cigar roller, and the soil where the tobacco has grown.

Made With Pride

 BraeVal prides itself on creating the finest apparel that is comfortable and distinctive. The process of drawing patterns, choosing color combinations, integrating functionality into the design, overseeing the spinning of fabric, and the hands-on production is all part of the fun and fulfillment of creating something to be treasured for years to come. 

Cigars also go through a long process before they make it into your humidor. After the tobacco leaf is picked, it must be cured, fermented, then laid out to dry. The outer leaves that are used to wrap the tobacco have to be destemmed and deveined. Then there is the rolling process, where aged tobacco is doled out to be rolled by hand. Finally, finished cigars are sorted for color consistency and sent to the aging room before they are boxed out and shipped. Like BraeVal, cigar production requires the hands-on work and discerning eye of experts at every stage of the process.

If you love fine craftsmanship, whether it is a fine cigar, a glass of whisky, or a comfortable shirt, the joy of creation always results in something admirable, and enjoyable - and that is what the BraeValian Lifestyle and cigars are all about.

See Future Olympians @ Salisbury’s JumpFest Feb. 3-5

This year marks the 97th year of Salisbury Connecticut’s annual Ski Jump Competition called Jumpfest where spectators can watch some of the finest potential Olympic hopefuls compete on Satre Hill, at 80 Indian Cave Road in Salisbury, CT. Even if you have no snow where you live, the organizers of this event make it; so get ready to experience a winter wonderland that has a lot of action!

 

“If you have never seen ski jumping live, you have never really witnessed this sport,” said Willie Hallihan, Association Director of  SWSA (Salisbury Winter Sports Assoc.) “The hint of frost in the air, the cacophony of ringing cowbells, spectators cheering on their favorites, and the slap of skis as they hit the landing hill, make this event unforgettable.”

 

Jumpfest offers three days of heart-pounding excitement and competitions to watch. The tower stands 70 feet atop Satre Hill and jumpers perch on their bar 350 feet above the ground. As the flag is dropped they speed their way down the 300-foot run, picking up speed along the way. Imagine watching as jumpers soar up to 200 feet through the air at speeds of 50 miles an hour! There are only six ski jumping venues on the East Coast and, Salisbury is among the oldest. Satre Hill is also one of the most respected jump venues because of past hopefuls that have competed in the Olympics.

Jumpfest kicks off on Friday, February 3 at 7 p.m. with target jumping under the lights. This is an exciting warm-up for the events on Saturday and Sunday and a great time to spot your favorites and cheer them on. Target jumping is followed by a crowd favorite, the Human Dog Sled Race where teams of six compete in this madcap event for a variety of prizes. There are only half a dozen places in the country that host this event and most of them are pretty far from Connecticut making this spectacle of fun something not to be missed! If you want to compete contact info@jumpfest.org, the cost is $25 per team with proceeds going to the mission of SWSA, youth skiing programs.

 

On Saturday, February 4, the day begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Junior Competition on the 20-meter and 30-meter hills. It is thrilling to watch these young athletes that have trained so hard tackle the hills.

The Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition begins at 11 a.m. with practice jumps followed by the competition that begins at 1 p.m. Jumpers come from far and wide making it exciting to watch them demonstrate their strength, skill, and conditioning that makes them fly effortlessly through the air. At the conclusion of the competition, medals are awarded on the hill. They are the next generation of jumpers to watch.

 

To end the day on a high note, spectators are invited to attend the “Snowball” taking place at the Lakeville Town Grove at 42 Ethan Allen Street from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be plenty of food and music by the Steve Dunn Band at this beautiful venue replete with a stone fireplace and chandeliers. Entry to the Snowball is $20 per person with children under 12 free.

 

On Sunday, February 5, the highly anticipated Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships begins with practice jumps that run from 11 a.m. through noon. The long-awaited annual competition starts at 1 pm. At this event, there are often Olympic hopefuls competing. These expert jumpers seem fearless as they display the tremendous coordination, skill, balance, and strength that it takes to soar so far and so high in the air and, most importantly, to land smoothly. If you want to see some of the bravest athletes in sports just stand at the bottom of a ski jump and watch them soar. It is something that you will never forget because as most jumpers will tell you, it is the closest you get to flying…without wings or a parachute!

To add to the festivities there are food trucks, craft beer, hot toddies, and bonfires on all three days. Tickets are available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free all three days. Parking is free. The ski jump complex is located at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Proceeds for Jumpfest fund the SWSA youth skiing programs. Before setting out check www.jumpfest.org for updates, scheduled changes, or more information or email the Association at info@jumpfest.org.

 

ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION

In the winter of 1926, John Satre a resident of Salisbury jumped off the roof of his shed wearing skis to show his friends and neighbors a sport he learned in his native homeland of Norway. Town residents were so amazed as they watched Satre soar through the air that they decided to build a proper ski run that summer, and form the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. The Association hosted the first ski jump competition in January 1927. JumpFest has become a highly anticipated event in Connecticut and throughout much of the East Coast.

 

W.E.B. DU BOIS SCULPTURE PROJECT ANNOUNCES MATCHING GRANT

The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project of Great Barrington, Massachusetts has announced a matching grant in honor of the birthday of W.E.B. Du Bois, born on February 23, 1868. Donations will fund a statue of W.E.B. Du Bois in front of the Mason Public Library.

Anne G. Fredericks and Marc Fasteau will match $7,500 in donations during the month of February, which is also Black History Month,  to honor Great Barrington native son and civil rights scholar, W.E.B. Du Bois. “How wonderful that we can celebrate Du Bois’ 155^th birthday with this generous grant from Anne and Marc,” said Julie Michaels, Chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project. “It means that all donations, up to $7,500, that are made to the Project during February will be matched and doubled.”

To date, the DuBois Sculpture Project has raised more than $100,000 toward its $325,000 goal. Funds will go toward creating a life-size bronze sculpture of Du Bois, who will be seated on a marble bench in front of the Mason Public Library. Funds will also go to repairing the library’s front steps and help establish a Du Bois reading room in the Library.

 

Donations can be made online at www.webduboissculpture.org or mailed to W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project, P.O. Box 155, Great Barrington, MA 01230. “Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated; they will help us reach the goal of recognizing this great man who is part of our nation’s story,” said Michaels.

 

About the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project

The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project was launched in May 2022 by a volunteer group of local citizens with the goal of recognizing Du Bois’ scholarly achievements in the fight for racial equality. The Project celebrates Great Barrington, a town whose long abolitionist history and powerful commitment to public education helped shape the person Du Bois became. The Sculpture Project is endorsed and supported by town officials including the Great Barrington Select Board, the Great Barrington Library Trustees, W.E.B. Du Bois Town Legacy Committee, among many others.

About W.E.B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was born and educated in Great Barrington. He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard.  A world-famous sociologist, historian, and founder of the NAACP, he wrote The Souls of Black Folk, a seminal

Jewelry Workshop Just in Time for Valentine’s Day @Institute for American Indian Studies

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Instead of giving a box of candy or a bouquet of flowers to that someone special, this year think out of the box and give them a piece of jewelry that you have made yourself. The Institute for American Indian Studies is hosting a Jewelry Making Workshop on Sunday, January 29 beginning at 1 p.m. just in time for Valentine’s Day! 

At this fun and creative workshop, participants will learn how Native American communities across the country have used materials such as stones, shells, bone, clay, seeds, multicolored beads, and even porcupine quills to make jewelry. 

This Sunday Funday workshop provides participants of all ages with an exciting opportunity to learn a new creative outlet. The Institute’s Educational staff will be on hand to help participants decorate their very own piece of jewelry. Participants will combine traditional items from nature and multi-colored beads into a piece of jewelry that is one-of-a-kind, and more importantly, their own creation. A highlight of this workshop is to create a piece of jewelry using different colors and textures that are sure to dazzle! 

Space for this workshop is limited and pre-registration is required. To register visit our website or click here, call 860-868-0518 or email us at events@iaismuseum.org. The price of participation is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. 

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 a 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Where to Go Solo

Some of us have played around with traveling alone for one reason or another. This is especially true in the post-pandemic environment where we all want to make up for lost time on the road. Traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to be completely on your own. The best way to travel solo, especially if it is for the first time, is to travel with a small group tour. This experience allows plenty of time to explore on your own without the worry of logistics. If you are not sure traveling solo is for you, try a day trip first. If you like the experience, then it might be time to book a longer trip to a destination on your bucket list.

Solo Travel in a small group allows you to experience things at your own pace

In 2022, 16% of Americans took a solo trip and, in 2023, 25% of Americans (83 million people) are considering taking a solo trip. According to Solo Traveler World, 70% of solo travelers take a tour to destinations that they are not confident in going to themselves. Moreover, 66% take a group tour because the tour manager handles all the details, and the tour company takes care of all the planning. More than 40% of those surveyed take a group tour because some adventures are only available on an organized tour. And, when it comes to safety 41% take a tour when traveling alone because they feel safer. Google data shows that post-pandemic solo travel has risen by 761.15%. Not surprisingly, 85% of women 55+ continue to travel solo.

Just like out of a storybook - Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

“Over the past few weeks, 25% of our small tour group bookings have come from those traveling alone,” says Tyler Zajacz, President of Tours of Distinction, an exclusive group tour operator for 51 years in Connecticut. “Our tours are curated to allow solo travelers plenty of time to explore on their own; knowing that all the logistics are taken care of. We always send a Group Tour Leader on our trips to keep things running smoothly and to point folks in the right direction. Going in a group is a great way for solo travelers to see the world in a way that won’t break their budget.”

Mackinac Island, the jewel of the Great Lakes

According to Tours of Distinction, some of the most popular destinations booked by solo travelers include a smattering of intriguing destinations. One favorite is Mackinac Island, the jewel of the Great Lakes where visitors get around by horse and carriage as no cars are allowed. “Solo travelers feel safe here because this destination is like stepping back in time to the Victorian era,” says Zajacz. “It is known as one of the “world’s friendliest islands” according to Travel and Leisure making it easy for solo travelers to explore.”

 

According to Tours of Distinction, another hot destination for solo travelers is Nova Scotia. “This island experience offers an extraordinary coastal getaway that is close to home with the added benefit of dining on some of the best seafood around,” says Zajacz.

Spot Eagles in West Virginia 

For those that want to get off the beaten track, Zajacz notes that West Virginia is a trending destination. “We offer an amazing scenic railroad ride along the Southern Bend of the Potomac River that is one of the best places to spot the American Bald Eagle. It seems to have attracted people that are in search of a soft eco-adventure.”

Visit the home of "the King" in Memphis

Known for their friendly people and southern charm, other popular solo destinations include Charleston and Savannah. “This past week our music cities tour that includes Memphis and Nashville has generated a lot of interest. A highlight of this trip is an exclusive tour of Graceland. It has always been popular, but it is in demand right now because of the new movie Elvis and the untimely and tragic death of Lisa Marie,” Zajacz notes.

The Palace Theater launches Annual Raffle

 

The Palace Theater’s Annual Raffle will launch today, Tuesday, January 24th at My Fair Lady. Patrons attending the hit Broadway musical will be among the first to be able to purchase 2023 Raffle tickets. 

The Raffle’s lucky first-prize winner will receive $3,000 in cash. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office at 100 E. Main St. The drawing will take place Monday, June 22, 2023, at 10:00 PM. 

 This year, participants who purchase or sell a book of tickets will be entered to win three (3)22kt yellow gold, diamond-cut bracelets appraised at $6,900. The bracelets were donated by Selim and Linda Noujaim. Tickets are $25 each and books of 10 are available for $250. Each month, raffle ticket purchasers will be entered into a drawing for a $25 LaBonne gift card. 

RAFFLE PRIZES 

Six (6) prizes are to be awarded Only 2,000 raffle tickets printed Proceeds will benefit the Palace Theater Annual Fund 

First Prize: $3,000 Cash Prize 

Second Prize: $1,500 Cash Prize 

Third Prize: $500 Gift Card Redeemable at Amazon.com 

Fourth Prize: $500 Gift Certificate Redeemable at LaBonne’s Market 

Fifth Prize: $500 Gift Card Redeemable at Home Depot 

Sixth Prize: $250 Gift Card Redeemable at Adam Broderick Salon & Spa 

About the Palace Theater 

 Located in Downtown Waterbury, Connecticut, the Palace Theater is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit performing arts center with a mission “to preserve and operate the historic Palace Theater as a performing arts center and community gathering place that provides a focal point of cultural activity and educational outreach for diverse audiences.” The Palace Theater gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support by Webster Bank, Post University, ION Bank, Savings Bank of Danbury, CT, Xfinity, Powerstation Events, Bank of America, City of Waterbury, CT DECD Office of Tourism, Republican-American and WATR Radio.

Registration is Open for the Human Dog Sled Team @ JumpFest & the U.S. Eastern Ski Championships in Salisbury, CT

 

Organized by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association, 97th JumpFest & the Eastern Ski Jumping Championships, are taking place this year on Friday, February 3, Saturday, February 4, and Sunday, February 5 @ Satre Hill. This prestigious event isn’t just about the aspiring Olympic ski jumpers, it also offers loads of fun, and one of the quirkiest competitions found anywhere… the Human Dog Sled Race! 

The good news is that registration is now open for the Human Dog Sled Race, which is taking place on Friday, February 3. The Human Dog Sled Race begins just after the Target Jumps scheduled for 7 p.m. end. This is the chance for you and five of your friends to get together and be creative with the added bonus of entertaining others. It is easy and fun to do and worth at least a year of bragging rights and Instagram photos! 

At Friday’s February 3rd Human Dog Sled Race your team will compete for trophies in men's, women's, and mixed categories as well as a people's choice award for best costume/sled. This evening event is professionally announced and a crowd favorite. To register for this entertaining and unforgettable event contact Brian @ info@jumpfest.org and tell them that you want to register. The Association will respond with all the documentation and rules. Registration is just $25 per team and is used to help sustain the mission of the Association. 

Participating is easy. All you have to do is to gather up a kennel of friends who are at least 18 years old and have a moderate level of fitness because this course is not without peril! The course is just over .3 miles in the snow. The teams consist of six people that include five pulling and one riding. Many contestants dress for the occasion to raise team camaraderie. 

Next, and this is when the fun really starts, you will design your own sled that can be anything from elaborate, whimsical, or techy, to something as simple as an inner tube. The point is to have fun for a good cause because proceeds go to help sustain the mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. 

 Also, keep in mind that Friday night of Jumpfest is a great time! An eighth of a mile of luminaries guide you to the site where there are two roaring bonfires to keep you toasty, and plenty of food and beverages to snack on. The target ski jumping and the Human Dog Sled Races are held under the lights!  

ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION 

The mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is to acquaint the public with Nordic ski-jumping, cross–country, and Alpine skiing, and to teach the skills necessary for their enjoyment. One way of fulfilling this mission is to host the annual Jumpfest Competition on Satre Hill to sustain and ski jumping in Salisbury, Connecticut, and the Eastern United States.

A Full Moon Walk on January 6, 2023 @ The Institute for American Indian Studies

 

If you are looking for a fun and refreshing way to celebrate the New Year, take a walk through the beautiful Connecticut woodlands on January 6 @ 6 p.m. with the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington. There is something rejuvenating and primeval about taking a walk under the first full moon of the year with the educators of the Institute as your guides. 

Get ready to walk along the beautifully wooded trails on the grounds of the Institute where you will experience the serenity of nature under the bright nighttime sky that Eastern Woodland Native Americans have celebrated for centuries. Many Native American communities call the January full moon the “Moon of the Crackling Trees,” because it is so cold out, so make sure you dress appropriately! 

The highlight of this easy walk is to experience, firsthand, the beauty of the January full moon from a Native American perspective. 

After this walk, you will look up at the full moon with a new appreciation and knowledge, passed down by Native Americans through the centuries. The woodland walk ends at the newly restored 16th-century Algonkian village where a warm fire, hot chocolate, and stories will greet participants. 

Space on this walk is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 860-868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org to reserve a spot. The price for participation is $10 for non-members and $5 for members of the Institute. Remember to dress for the weather, wear proper footwear, and bring along a flashlight. 

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 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Work of Award Winning Artist, Tina Puckett On Display @ Four Locations

 

Tina Puckett, owner of Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art has been awarded nationally and internationally is displaying her work at four locations this holiday season. At the heart of all of Puckett’s baskets, sculptures, wall hangings, and “Dymentional Weaves” is the bittersweet vine that she forages throughout northwest Connecticut. Her work comes at a variety of price points and is highly sought, making her work a special holiday gift.

Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art will be participating in the prestigious Artists Collective of Westport’s “Small Works Holiday Show” on December 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and December 15 – 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Gallery at the Westport Playhouse located on 25 Powers Drive in Westport. The Artists Collective of Westport is a group of creative individuals that display their work at a variety of galleries and pop-up shows that draws visitors in because it is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Beginning on December 22, 2022 and running through, February 14, 2023, Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art will be participating at the Brice S. Kershner Art Gallery, in a show titled, “New Beginnings After the Pause,” at the Fairfield Public Library at 1080 Old Post Road in Fairfield, CT. There will be a reception on December 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where guests can meet the artists to find out what inspires their work. The Gallery is open Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and Sun. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Branching out of Connecticut, into New York, Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art will be participating in the Spencertown Academy Art Center show, “Crafts by Any Other Name,” on Saturdays and Sundays through December 18, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a fine selection of baskets, bowls, and wall hangers available. In addition to Tina Puckett, other participating artists include ceramicist, JoAnn Axford, artist, Shaari Horowitz, woodworker Alistair Jones, quilter, Katharina Litchman, and metal artist, Munya Avigail Upin. Spencertown Academy is known as a hive of creative activity that offers a variety of signature events and gallery shows, including this show that offers a variety of superlative work. Spencertown Academy is located at 790 Rte. 203, in Spencertown, New York. The holiday merriment continues, year-round at Tina’s studio located at #305 Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting Street in Winsted on Saturdays and Sundays through December 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. A visit to Tina’s atmospheric studio gives folks the chance to chat with the artist to find out what inspires her work and watching her weave her wondrous wares.

About Tina's Baskets Tina Puckett is an internationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven arts. You can see her works in her studio #305/ Tina's Baskets. Located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet vines and a variety of found objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at galleries across the World and as well at her own gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be arranged by texting 860-309-6934.

New Exhibit Nebizun: Water is Life @ Institute for American Indian Studies

 

The Institute for American Indian Studies at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut, has just unveiled a new traveling exhibition, “Nebizun: Water is Life.” This exhibition is a collaboration of artwork by Abenaki artists of the Champlain Valley and the Connecticut River Valley. Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Elnu Abenaki, and founding director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association curates the exhibition. 

“Water is Life “ by Francine Poitras Jones. Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe.

Sheehan will be giving a gallery talk on Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. that is free and open to the public. Sheehan serves as an Executive Board Member for the Vermont Humanities Council, on the Vermont Arts Council’s IDEA Committee, and is a core member of the Education Justice Coalition of Vermont. She formerly worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Her curatorial work reflects her deep knowledge of Indigenous history and culture in the northeast. The exhibit will be on view at the Institute through March 2023. 

 “Nebizun: Water is Life”, draws visitors into the Native American worldview of water from the very first word Nebizun which means medicine, and the root word, Nebi, the Abenaki word for water. Water is one of the four sacred elements of life, along with air, earth, and light/fire. As stewards of the environment, Native American people know the importance of clean water. Water is essential for life, it is important to fish and other wildlife, it is essential for the growth of crops, and it is an important component in medicine and healing. 

The Abenaki community, among many others, knows how important clean water is to everyday activities that some take for granted. During the recent controversial construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through the homelands of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the anthem, “Water is Life, was born by Water Protectors and, this traveling exhibit recognizes this controversy through its name and some of its artwork. 

 “Nebizun: Water is Life” reflects awareness of both traditional values and contemporary issues. This exhibit draws inspiration from Native American grandmothers who have been doing water walks to pray for the water and the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. We hope this exhibition inspires everyone to be a Water Protector. 

About Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape Room, 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.

BETHLEHEM (CT) OFFERS A FESTIVE START TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON

They call this little town in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut “Christmas Town” with good reason. Bethlehem’s Christmas Town Festival is scheduled for December 2 and 3, celebrating its 42nd birthday this year as one of New England’s favorite ways to kick off the season. Wherever you turn, special treats are waiting, from the town green to the post office to the Abbey of Regina Laudis and the 1754 Bellamy-Ferriday House. Some of the unique attractions continue when the festival is over. The opening ceremony and Tree Lighting on the Green will take place on Friday, December 2 @ 6 p.m. with Honorary Emcee WFSB TV3 News personality, Irene O'Connor. On Saturday only there is a Santa Made Me Do It 5K road race that begins at 10 a.m. For details click here.

Vendors and More On the Green

The quaint town green, centered with a giant tree, is home to over 70 vendors with unique gift items, wreaths, and delicious foods for sale. Strolling carolers and musicians help keep things lively, Santa will be waiting at the firehouse to pose for pictures with young friends, and everyone is invited to climb aboard for hayrides offered in front of First Church. Collectors can garner this year’s unique limited edition Christmas Town pewter ornament, sold only during the Festival. 

Bethlehem’s beautiful eighteenth-century Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be festively decorated and open for tours and holiday cheer during festival hours. Guides will offer house tours and there will be hot cider and a scavenger hunt for children. The home is located at 9 Main Street North, information can be found at www.ctlandmarks.org

Hours for the Christmas Town Festival are Friday, December 2 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.christmastownfestival.com or phone 203-266-7510, ext. 300.

Christmas Town Mailings at the Post Office

 

 

The Bethlehem post office is busy in December serving the many who come every year to mail holiday cards with their unique postmarks.  Visitors can select favorites among the “Christmas Cachet” designs, hand-stamp, and mail these unique greetings to friends and family. The idea of the special stamps dates to 1938, when a local Postmaster, the late Earl Johnson, designed a “cachet,” a special rubber stamp featuring a tree and lettering that said, “From the Little Town of Bethlehem, Christmas Greetings.” New cachets have been added almost every year since. Over 70 designs are now available and nearly 200,000 cards are mailed each year from this small post office.  Located at 34 East Street, the post office will have extended hours during the festival, Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Precious Crèches at the Abbey

One of Bethlehem’s not-to-be-missed jewels is open all month for visitors. The museum-quality eighteenth-century Neapolitan crèche on view in a vintage barn at the Abbey of Regina Laudis includes hundreds of beautiful hand-carved figures. Made of wood, terra cotta, and porcelain, the figures portray the Holy Family, angels, the Three Kings, merchants and peddlers, children, peasants, and farm animals.  This fabulous gift from artist and philanthropist Loretta Hines Howard is similar to the one Howard donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is prominently displayed every Christmas. 

A second Crèche, The Lauren Ford Crèche, created by a favorite Connecticut artist, is displayed in a farm shed near the Lower Abbey Chapel. This charming rustic Nativity scene displays figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph dressed in typical New England garb.

The Monastic Art Shop on the property offers crafts, cheeses, jams, herbal teas, flavored vinegar, herbs, and honey, all created on-site by Abbey’s residents.

The Abbey of Regina Laudis, located at 249 Flanders Road, is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.abbeyofreginalaudis.org

Indigenous Artists & More Holiday Market @ Institute for American Indian Studies November 26 & 27, December 3 & 4, 10 & 11

 

Once again this year, the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington is hosting a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience that celebrates Native American culture. What makes this Holiday Market unique is that it pays tribute to indigenous people across the United States and provides a spectacular opportunity to see Native American-inspired work that is handmade, artfully displayed, and sold. 

The Holiday Market located in one of the Institute’s impressive exhibition galleries takes place on Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27, and Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4. The final weekend for the holiday market is on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. The market is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

A tour of the museum is an insightful experience that compliments this unique shopping experience. Entrance to the museum is a nominal fee ($12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for children; members of the museum are free), and includes the newly installed national traveling exhibit, “Nebizun: Water is Life, “curated by Vera Longtoe Sheehan (Elnu Abenaki) of the Abenaki Arts and Education Center. 

The Holiday Market has so many gifts to choose from including Native American jewelry, paintings, photography, and unusual ornaments perfect for Christmas trees to decorative gourds, pottery, rattles, flutes, and more at a variety of price points. The chance to talk with the artists that have created these one-of-a-kind objects and to learn about the culture that inspired them makes your gift purchase even more meaningful. 

For music lovers, musicians, and collectors, the magical-sounding authentic Woodland Native American flutes handcrafted by Allan Madahbee are truly unique. Madahbee is an Anishnawbe, born on Manitoulin Island, and is a registered Native American in Canada and the United States. In addition to the one-of-a-kind flutes, Madahbee is offering handmade beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, rock sculptures, and original paintings inspired by his ancestors and experiences. 

Another vendor, Kim Lewis from Native Visions will be offering an astounding array of Native American Art from Oklahoma and the Southwest including a fine selection of original paintings and prints, Zuni Fetishes, silver jewelry, pottery by Mel Cornshucker, plus Hopi, and Navajo Kachinas. 

A long-time favorite of the Holiday Market is Primitive Technologies, a nationally known small business that has worked with everyone from filmmakers to museum curators to recreate the material culture of prehistoric Native American life. They offer exquisite wood-fired replica pottery, hand constructed from local river clay, hand-carved flint arrowheads and flint animal necklaces, carved stone art, traditional stone tools, containers made out of natural materials, unusual jewelry, and decorative gourds. 

Jessie Rose, from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and owner of Rooted in Alchemy will have an array of herbal mixtures including sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and more. Brandy Sawyer, of Cherokee descent, will also be at the holiday market with a wonderful selection of contemporary Native American-inspired art. 

The Museum's Gift Shop will be open and brimming with gifts large and small in many price ranges. Highlights of the gift shop include a distinctive collection of Native American jewelry, including wampum jewelry crafted by Annawon Weeden, Mashpee Wampanoag, and Pequot artist Dan Simonds, head of the Wampum Wear Collective. There are decorative gourds and ornaments created by Jeanne Morningstar Kent, a member of the Nulhegan Coosuk-Abenaki of Vermont, and Native American food from Sweet Grass Trading Company from the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Let your holiday merriment begin at the Institute’s Holiday Market signature event which offers unusual gift items and an immersive cultural experience that celebrates contemporary and traditional Native American-inspired art. 

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 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Open Holiday Weekends @ Tina's Baskets - Studio of a Award Winning Weaver

The holiday spirit is alive and well in Studio #305, Tina's Baskets and Woven Arts, at Whiting Mills, Winsted, Connecticut. Master weaver, Tina Puckett is a national and international award-winning artist known for her woven arts and dimensional weaving. The studio is open on weekends this holiday season giving folks the chance to shop in a highly acclaimed artist's studio with the added bonus of meeting Tina, watching her weave, and learning what inspires her sought-after woven pieces, which are available at a variety of affordable price points. 

Finding the perfect present can be a tricky business - and yet a local artist Tina Puckett weaves baskets, bowls, wall hangers, and sculptures that are pieces of art. Tina's Baskets & Woven Art is sure to satisfy even the most discerning on your holiday list. Visiting her rustic art studio is an adventure in itself, especially if you are on the hunt for something special that is sustainable, ready to be used time and time again, and loved for years to come. 

Many things make Tina's Baskets and Woven Arts, unusual. Each piece is inspired by Tina’s imagination and the natural beauty of bittersweet vines that she weaves into the dynamic shapes with hand-dyed reeds that create a mélange of colors that will not be found anywhere else. What enhances the character of each piece is the addition of the bittersweet vine that is foraged by Tina in the woods near her studio in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. 

Tina's atmospheric studio # 305 is located in Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting Street in Winsted, Connecticut, and will be open and welcoming the public on Friday, November 25, Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On the following weekend, Tina's Baskets & Woven Art will be participating in the highly anticipated Whiting Mills Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to Tina's studio, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit other studios that are not normally open. 

The holiday merriment at Tina's Baskets & Woven Arts continues for two more weekends on Saturday, December 10 & 17, and Sunday, December 11 & 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information please email tina@tinasbaskets.com or visit the website. 

About Tina's Baskets & Woven Art 

Tina Puckett is an internationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven arts. You can see her works in her studio #305/ Tina's Baskets. Located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet vines, and a variety of found objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at galleries across the World and as well at her own gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be arranged by texting 860-309-6934.

Learn about the beautiful parks of Bristol

 Bristol, Connecticut has some of the most undiscovered parks in the state whose history is not well known. To learn more, join the Bristol Historical Society on Thursday, November 17 @ 7 p.m. The Historical Society is located at 98 Summer Street in a classic brick building.

Join Sarah Larson, Deputy Superintendent of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, as she discusses the history of Bristol’s park system, the role that Rockwell and Page Park played in shaping Bristol during the 20th century, and future park projects. There will also be a display of old park maps, postcards, and more for the guest’s viewing pleasure.

Doors will open at 6:30. Seating is limited to the first hundred that enter. Admission is free for BHS members; a $5 donation is requested for non-members. Parking is available behind the building. Refreshments will be served. For more information click here.