The Magic of Maple Syrup @ Husky Meadows Farm

 At Husky Meadows Farm in Norfolk, they enjoy watching the change of the seasons. One of their favorite times of year is March because it signals that winter is ebbing and our planting season will soon begin. 

What they think is extra special about March, is that the temperatures drop below freezing at night and go above freezing during the day. This weather pattern signals the sweetest time of year when the sap of the Sugar Maple tree begins to run.  The sweet sap rises from the roots of the maple tree bringing sweetness and nourishment to it, and delight to those that know how and when to forage it. Tapping Sugar Maples is a centuries-old tradition that began with  Native American communities living in the area.

About Maple Trees

The scientific name of Sugar Maple is Acer saccharum. This tree is native to North America and is the most commonly found species among the seven types of maples. It grows in abundance throughout southern Ontario, Nova Scotia, New England, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic states, and right here in Connecticut. Sap contains minerals, vitamins, and some natural sugars that feed this magnificent tree. Sugar Maples are slow-growing trees that increase in height by about 24 inches a year. Mature trees can grow up to 75 feet tall, and some, have grown over 100 feet tall. When Sugar Maple trees begin to bud with leaves, usually in April, the time for collecting maple sap is over, because it takes on a bitter taste. In addition to maple sap, in the fall, when this tree is ablaze with color, it also produces large quantities of seeds that are capable of germination with the added benefit of providing food for animals like turkeys, finches, squirrels, and chipmunks. 

Maple syrup is a centuries-old New England tradition

How Native Americans Used Maple Syrup

Native Americans introduced European settlers to the wonders of maple syrup. They honored the maple tree in ceremonies each year to ensure good maple harvests.  The tribe would gather around the tree, also known as a "sugarbush" address it in ritual language and offer the tree tobacco incense.  Historic records indicate that the collecting and processing of maple sap was a social as well as a working occasion.  Women would tap the trees; men would cut the wood for the fire needed to boil the sap, and children tended to the sap as it boiled. 

Native American Sugar Camp

The sap was considered a delicacy and one Ojibwa legend mentions a maple syrup feast.  It was often prepared as a cool drink with herbs in the warm months and made into a hot tea with a variety of roots, leaves, and bark in the winter. Maple sugar was also used as a basic seasoning year-round, eaten with grains, fish, fruit, vegetables, and dried berries.  Maple syrup could be stored for well over a year making it a valuable food source and was frequently eaten as candy for quick energy.  It was also used as a preservative.

Husky Meadows Farm & Maple Syrup

At Husky Meadows Farm, we don't believe that maple syrup is just for pancakes! With that in mind, each March, we celebrate this delectable amber nectar with an immersive and magical culinary event that highlights all that you can do with maple syrup in the kitchen. Our culinary team uses the freshest farm-to-table ingredients along with maple syrup in both sweet and savory ways that will amaze the palate. In addition to the food and cocktails, and different ways to use maple syrup we will learn about the different grades of this nectar of nature and the best ways to use it. For information about Husky Meadows Farm, their upcoming culinary events, dinners, and weekend overnight packages visit their website http://www.huskymeadowsfarm.com

Check out the events @ Husky Meadows Farm

Did You Know...

It takes at least forty years for a sugar maple tree to grow before it is big enough to tap.

On average, a tapped maple tree will produce ten to twenty gallons of sap per tap.  Most trees have just one tap.

The first full moon during sap running season is called the Maple Moon or the Sugar Moon.

The sugar maple is one of America's favorite trees and more states have claimed it as their state tree than any other species.

Squirrels, whitetail deer, snowshoe hares, and moose feed on the seeds, twigs, and leaves of the sugar maple.

John Smith was among the first settlers that noted the Native Americans' sugar processing and the fact that they used it for barter.

In 2001 baseball player Barry Bonds switched from an ash wood baseball bat to one made of maple and hit 73 home runs!

The largest and nationally acclaimed sugar maple champion tree is located in Charlemont, Massachusetts.  It is 112 feet tall with a diameter of 6.18 feet with a crown spread of 91 feet with a total point count of 368.

A sugar maple tree in Lyme, Connecticut measured in 2012 measured 123 feet tall with a circumference of 18.25 feet and a crown spread of 86 feet with a total point count of 364.

Visit Tina's Baskets and Woven Arts and a Rock and Mineral Show this Weekend

 Tina's Baskets and Woven Art has just announced the first-ever Rock and Mineral Show at Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting Street, Winsted, Connecticut on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Head to Whiting Mills and Tina's Basket's and Woven Art to Win this Basket March 18 & 19 

 

Start your day exploring the labyrinthine halls of Whiting Mills at Tina's Baskets in Suite 305, on the right as you enter this amazing factory complex. Tina, a National and International award-winning artist will be in her studio (with George her ginger-colored cat) weaving her colorful wares that range from baskets, bowls, wall hangings, and sculptures, to her newly released line of Hands, called “Perceived Languages.”

 

A highlight of this weekend’s visit to Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art is the chance to enter a contest she is sponsoring. The winner will receive one of Tina’s artfully created baskets made with hand-dyed reeds and locally foraged bittersweet vine, a signature of Tina's baskets. 

 

As you make your way, to the main hall where the Rock and Mineral Show is taking place, you may find several other artisans that have thrown open their studio doors to celebrate this event, the first of its kind at Whiting Mills. In addition to baskets and woven art @ Tina's, you may discover a fascinating selection of curios, antiques, jewelry, herbs and tea, crystals, candles, and even a hobby shop.

Visit a real life artist's gallery! 

Rock and Mineral shows are popular the world over. At this show, you will find amazing rocks, gemstones, minerals, and fossils from all over the world from thirty professional dealers. There will be a wide array of rock specimens, cabochons, crystals, and healing stones, in addition to jewelry. If you work up an appetite, there will be sandwiches and hot drinks for purchase. Best of all, the entrance to this show is free of charge.

 

The combination of visiting the working studio of an award-winning artist and learning what inspires her work and the chance to delve into the world of rocks and minerals is the perfect way to chase the end of the winter blues away!

 

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.

Creating A Ripple Effect Institute For American Indian Studies Joins World Water Day Celebration March 18

On Saturday, March 18, the Institute for American Indian Studies partnered with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Steep Rock Association, and the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition to celebrate World Water Day. This event is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Institute at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut.

Water is one of the most vital resources for all beings and has important cultural significance in many indigenous communities, not only as a source of life but also as a source of medicine and healing. The Institute is celebrating World Water Day, an initiative by the United Nations, with a series of fun and educational activities. 

The day kicks off with a hike to the Shepaug River with Matt Devine, a fisheries biologist with Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, to learn how to identify a healthy river ecosystem. This experience gives people the opportunity to learn about the importance of sampling, studying, and enhancing fisheries from a scientist that has done this work for more than 12 years. Participants will also gain insight into how local indigenous cultures have used water throughout time. 

In the afternoon, the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition will present an interactive program on springtime vernal pools and their importance to the local ecosystem. A highlight is to find out which organisms only use vernal pools to raise their young in a pop-up exhibit featuring a fascinating variety of aquariums and terrariums. 

If you like to make things and have fun learning at the same time, don’t miss the chance to create a cornhusk dragonfly with an IAIS educator, that you can take home as a memento of the day. While making the dragonfly, learn about its significance and importance to the indigenous and scientific communities. The day concludes with story time with IAIS Educator, Irene Norman (Mohawk descent) who will tell both traditional and contemporary Native American stories that have connections to water.

Not to be missed while at this event is the current exhibition at the Institute, “Nebizun: Water is Life” that will be on view through the end of March. This exhibition introduces visitors to the Abenaki worldview of the importance of water and features artwork by Abenaki artists of the Champlain Valley and the Connecticut River Valley. 

The tickets for the morning and afternoon portions of this program are $12 for non-members, and $8 for members, respectively. Space is limited so pre-registration is requested. To register visit http://www.iaismuseum.org, email events@iaismuseum.org, or call 860-868-0518. If you are spending the day, it is advisable to pack a brown bag lunch and to dress appropriately if you are planning to participate in outdoor activities. 

 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 allow 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.

Celebrate Native American Culture @ Maple Sugar Festival @ Institute for American Indian Studies March 11

 

Throughout the year, Native American communities give thanks for the gifts of the natural world. In this region, in late February and early March, it is a season to celebrate one of the sweetest gifts of all: the gift of maple sugar. On Saturday, March 11, from 11 am to 3 pm, join the Institute for American Indian Studies for their annual Maple Sugar Festival. 

"The Maple Sugar Festival is an excellent opportunity for families to experience nature at its finest and have fun at the same time," said Chris Combs, Executive Director of the Institute. "They'll discover how Native Americans harvested this sugary delight, and why this process has been such an important part of Eastern Woodland communities for centuries," Combs added. 

 The science of maple sugaring was discovered by Native Americans, who would set up sugar camps each year in groves of sugar maple trees. Maple sugar camps were a social as well as a working occasion. Women would tap the trees, men would cut wood for the fire needed to boil the sap, and children tended the sap as it bubbled and boiled sending a sweet fragrance into the air. 

At this event, IAIS Educator and Ecologist, Susan Scherf will demonstrate various traditional Native American techniques of collecting sap and boiling it down into syrup and sugar. Visitors will learn the importance of maple sugar to the diet of Native Americans as well as its usefulness as an item of trade. In keeping with the fun-filled traditions surrounding Native American sugar camps, children are invited to listen to Native American stories and play traditional family-friendly games that will take place throughout the day, adding to this culturally enriching experience. And, if you have worked up an appetite, no worries, the Institute is serving up pancakes topped with real maple syrup from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., which is sure to satiate your taste buds. Coffee and orange juice will also be available. 

The cost of participation for those that reserve in advance is $15 for adults, $10 for children, and $5 for members of the Institute; tickets at the door on the day of the event are an additional $5. For folks that want to indulge in the pancake feast, there is an additional $5 charge. To reserve in advance click here. 

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 allow 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, in Washington, Connecticut.

Learn the Art of Fly Tying @ Weekend in Norfolk

Fly fishing is a popular activity enjoyed by millions of Americans each year. It is considered to be an almost meditative activity. Spending time in nature has a calming effect on the mind and fly-fishing provides people with a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, giving them the chance to reflect and unwind.

Norfolk is a fly-fishing paradise that boasts streams and ponds that offer fly-fishermen a rich and diverse angling experience. Although Norfolk offers year-round fly fishing action in most lakes and ponds, the fly fishing season for rivers and streams runs from the third Saturday in April through the end of February. 

To fly-fishing at Campbell Falls State Park, take a woodland path to the base of the falls. Here anglers will find a deep pool perfect for fly-fishing. If you prefer to fly fish at a pond, head to Wood Creek Pond where you can fish for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, spotted bass, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. Another spot in Norfolk is the Blackberry River which is stocked by the State of Connecticut with 9,200 trout annually. For access points to the river click here.

Fly-fishing is angling with the use of a fly reel, fly line, fly rod, and leader. A fly is an artificial lure made with hair, feathers, tinsel, or thread and is used to imitate mayflies, stoneflies, or caddisflies in order to attract fish. Many consider fly-tying an art form because a fly tyer does his or her best to imitate the look, flutter, wiggle, color, and silhouette of a bug in order to present unwary fish with a delectable treat. 

At this year's Winter Weekend in Norfolk, join master fisherman and fly- tyer, Doug McDeavitt to learn the skills or sharpen your skills of making flys. This free fly-tying workshop is on Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, February 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fly fishing enthusiasts will learn about different flies and watch tying demonstrations. McDeavitt will offer tips on where to go for the best fly-fishing experience and trade fish tales with participants. This is the ideal event for fish enthusiasts of all ages and levels. It is sure to get you ready for the spring fishing season that begins in April.

For more information on other events happening at Winter WIN click here.

Winter Weekend in Norfolk - February 25 & 26 - Will Cure Your Cabin Fever!

 

For the past six years, Winter Weekend in Norfolk has warmed the hearts of locals and visitors alike by offering revelry as a respite from long, arduous winter days. This year, Winter WIN is taking place on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26. It is just the ticket to fight off those winter blues with a series of town-wide events held both indoors and outdoors. So bundle up and head to Norfolk and get ready to embark on a series of fun and educational winter events that are sure to please the whole family. Best of all, every event has been carefully planned by a team of dedicated volunteers, and most are free of charge. 

New This Winter 

There is nothing more exciting than the premiere of a new show. On Saturday, the Norfolk Library is hosting the world premieres of two, one-act plays, "Let's Play" and "Barren" by two local playwrights, followed by additional performances on Sunday. Both plays will be performed on February 25 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on February 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. These performances are perfect for pre-teens and up. 

 Do you want to know your future? It is easy to do @ WIN! Norfolk’s Wellness Center for Healing, Healing Nest is offering three-card Tarot Readings and 15-minute Reiki treatments from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. each afternoon at no charge. Tarot Cards are probably one of the most popularly used tools of divination in the world today. The Healing Nest also offers unique healing products to enhance individual and community wellness and well-being. 

If you have always wanted to learn about fly-fishing but didn't know where to start, don't miss the fly-fishing workshop taking place on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hub, located at 2 Station Place in the center of town, just off Rte. 44. A local expert conducts this informative and fun workshop, and will share tips and fish tales! Whether you are a first-time fly fisher or you’ve been fishing for quite some time, this workshop is designed to enhance your skills, review the types of appropriate gear, and teach you the art of knot tying and fly picking. 

Husky Meadow Farms located on 30 Dolittle Road, a few miles from the center of town, is hosting an open house on Saturday, February 25 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This certified organic farm grows a wide variety of vegetables and tends antique fruit trees that are on the property. Visitors to the open house will be treated to delectable treats from the kitchen, and have a sneak peek at the guest rooms. A highlight of the visit is to see a shiitake mushroom inoculation demonstration and to meet the new farmer, Brett Ellis, who recently relocated to Norfolk from the prestigious French Laundry Restaurant where he was the head gardener. For those that want to extend this experience, Husky Meadows is also offering a special "Meet the Farmer Dinner" at 6 p.m. 

In recent years, the art of knitting, a craft that has been around since the 5th century has had a resurgence, and it is now popular among people of all ages. If you love to knit, don't miss the Norfolk Knitters yarn sale on Saturday, February 25; from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fine yarns, knitting books sure to inspire, and notions are just some of the offerings that can be found at this sale, where all proceeds go to help local charities. 

The Great Outdoors 

Winter is the perfect season to explore the great outdoors and there is nowhere better to do this than on Norfolk's miles of trails that are meticulously maintained by the Norfolk Land Trust. Whether you go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or simply take a stroll through the woods, there is always something to see. 

A highlight on Saturday, February 25 at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. is to take a walk on the wild side with Great Mountain Forest staff. On this guided walk with a wildlife professional participants will learn how to detect and understand the signs wildlife leaves us along the trail. 

For families, on February 25, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a roaring bonfire, a hot chocolate table, and skating at the Town Rink on 50 Mountain Road. This is the perfect activity for families...don't forget the marshmallows! 

On Sunday, February 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a winter hiking adventure at Haystack Mountain State Park located on Rte., 272. Participants will learn to identify trees and shrubs based on their winter appearance and look for wildlife that forages for food along the trail. 

For Art Lovers 

For art lovers, there is an art show of beautiful landscapes and flowers in oil by Lilly Woodworth at the Hub, an art show of Caryn King's floral paintings in oil at the Norfolk Library, and an art show at the Guilded Artisan, of works by Ani Jenkins, whose wood sculptures are breathtaking. 

Norfolk is famous for its magnificent stained glass windows. Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the Tiffany stained glass windows at the Immaculate Conception Church and the Battell Chapel. 

The extraordinary stained glass windows by Tiffany at the Battell Chapel depict the four seasons. The center window shows a brilliant sunrise, to its left, are spring and summer, and to the right, are autumn and winter. In addition, there are three large stained glass windows designed by D. Maitland Armstrong of opalescent glass using a special layer technique that creates a great depth of field and a shimmering effect, especially on a sunny day. 

The Battell Chapel will be open on Saturday, February 25 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sunday, February 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Immaculate Conception Church will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and docents will be on hand to talk about these magnificent stained glass windows. Here visitors can view ten exquisite stained-glass windows designed by architect Alfredo Taylor and created by Franz Mayer & Company of Munich, Germany. At the time, this company was awarded the status of "Royal Bavarian Art Establishment by King Ludwig II and was named by Pope Leo XIII as a "Pontifical Institute of Christian Art." Today the company is managed by the fifth generation of family members and works with renowned artists around the world. 

ABOUT THE WIN (WEEKEND IN NORFOLK) COMMITTEE 

Now in its seventh year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. Norfolk’s town officials, the Economic Development Commission, and many local organizations, institutions, and individuals support these two town-wide festivals in order to welcome people from near and far to this lovely town in the Litchfield Hills.

Love is “Taylor-Made” for Red Wolves at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Love is in the air for animals at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, especially for one of the resident bachelors: Peanut, the red wolf.  The Zoo is now the new home for Taylor, an eight-year-old female red wolf, newly arrived from the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina. Taylor has spent the past several weeks in quarantine, required for all new arrivals, becoming accustomed to her new home. Once she was verified to be in excellent physical condition by the Zoo’s on-site veterinarian, Taylor was gradually introduced to Peanut.  

Wolves, like people and other animals, have individual characteristics. “Taylor is very shy and it may take some time for her to be comfortable in her new surroundings,” explained General Curator Rob Tomas, adding that guests may not see her immediately, or only catch a glimpse of her at first.   

 

Taylor and Peanut are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)’s Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program, and the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Seeing a red wolf in the wild today is one of the rarest sights in nature. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Census of July 2022, a single population in eastern North Carolina remains, consisting of a total of 19-21 red wolves in the wild. There are 243 red wolves in AZA facilities across the United States. 

 

Recovery Efforts

Recovery efforts began in 1987 when the federal government reintroduced red wolves to the 150,000-acre Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife introduced more than 100 wolves bred in human care into the refuge and saw the population peak at more than 225 wolves more than a decade ago. Their numbers have plummeted. Wolves have been shot by homeowners and farmers, hit by cars, and removed for doing what comes natural to wolves: roaming to find new territory. Today the only distinctly American wolf is losing its fight for survival. 

 

“Taylor is a beautiful and healthy red wolf, and an important ambassador for her critically endangered species,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Welcoming Taylor to the Zoo gives us a platform for alerting our guests to the fragile state of red wolves in the wild. They have a very uncertain future, except in SSP programs in zoos.”

 

“The Zoo’s SSP breeding program exists to bolster the dwindling number of animals still in the wild,” explained Dancho. “It’s a real testament to our Zoo’s strong reputation for working to protect endangered species and to educate our guests about them. It’s an important part of our mission.”

 

Managed by the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), inter-regional transfers are arranged with careful attention to gene diversity in the hope that successful breeding will take place. 

Take a Romantic Tour Around the Zoo

The red wolves are one pair among several at the Zoo you can visit on the most romantic day of the year. Bring your sweetheart and visit:

 

North American River Otters: Sedge and Tahu

Spider Monkeys: Gilligan and his troop, Janet, Bertha, and TT

Saki Monkeys: Ollie and Harriet

Goeldi’s Monkeys: Monty and Jovi

Golden Lion Tamarins: Cricket and Leão

Howler Monkeys: Cain and his troop, Ella and Lina

Guinea Hogs: Harry and Doris

Boat-billed Herons: Burt and Lonnie

White-naped Cranes: McDuffy and Cora

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Let Your Curiosity Run Wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 101st year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves and red wolves.  Other highlights include our 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.  As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. 

 

CT Wine Trail Announces 2023 Winter Wine Trail Passport Participants completing the 12-location program become eligible to win Prizes valued at more than $6,000

 “The Winter Wine Trail offers a fun and exciting way for residents and visitors to try award-winning wines made right here in Connecticut while overlooking scenic vineyards,” said Margaret Ruggerio, of The Connecticut Wine Trail and co-owner of Paradise Hills Vineyard and Winery. “It’s the perfect way to beat the winter blues while sipping and swirling your way through winter into spring! Best of all, the Winter Wine Trail gives friends and family a way to expand their palate and learn about the history of winemaking in the state.”

The twelve participating vineyards include the following wineries that will take you on a quest on and off the beaten path making it an excellent day or weekend adventure.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road, Sandy Hook. This is an experience-focused, climate-neutral certified vineyard, and event venue beautifully situated on 40 estate acres. Inspired by mythological tales of powerful women and a love of astronomy, this vineyard offers nine heavenly wines seasonally. They offer a fine selection of reds, rose, whites, and zesty Sangria by the pitcher.

Bishop’s Orchards, 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford. Located in a barn dating to 1928, visitors will experience a superb assortment of award-winning fruit wines and hard ciders made from produce grown here. Bishop’s Orchard also offers a unique wine selection that includes a mix of semi-dry and semi-sweet varieties that are similar to white and blush wines.

 

Gouveia Vineyards, 1339 Whirlwind Hill Road, Wallingford. Joe Gouveia, originally from Portugal, had a dream to bring the winemaking traditions of his home country to Connecticut…and he has! Built of stone and old timbers, this rustic wine-tasting room has a spectacular hilltop location where the views seem to go on forever. A highlight here is to experience a taste of Portugal while sipping on reds and white wines made from 17 varietals that are picked by hand.

 

Hawk Ridge Winery, 26 Plungis Road, Watertown. Located on 58 bucolic acres of farmland this winery grows eight varietals of grapevines that are used in eleven of their twenty-plus wines that include an evocative selection of dry or sweet, red, white, or rose wines. In addition to wine, they offer a large menu of food and appetizers that pair perfectly with their wine, completing this relaxing experience.

 

Hopkins Vineyard, 25 Hopkins Road, New Preston. This vineyard offers vistas of the blue waters of Lake Waramaug, from its hilltop site. A family farm since 1787, the first Hopkins vines were planted in 1979, and the nineteenth-century barn was converted to a state-of-the-art winery. Wine tastings are offered and favorites can be ordered by the glass or by the bottle, along with cheeses and pates, at The Hayloft, a wine bar with a stunning lake view. This vineyard has won many awards and accolades over the years and is a Nationally designated Bi-Centennial Farm.

 

Jonathan Edwards Winery, 74 Chester Main Road, North Stonington. The highlight of this vineyard is to sample their portfolio of wines, which includes four Estate varietals from their favorite growers in California without having to make the trip out west. Estate Connecticut wine is also handcrafted here. This unique experience allows guests to sample the East and West coasts’ distinctive climates. To accompany the wine in their cozy tasting room cheese and charcuterie that is locally sourced are also available.

 

Paradise Hills Vineyards, 15 Windswept Hill Road, Wallingford. Unwind in a sunny Tuscan-styled tasting room with its hand-crafted copper bar, decorative chandelier, mahogany tables, and wood-burning fireplace. This cozy tasting room provides the perfect setting to enjoy wine while overlooking the vineyard. Paradise wines have been awarded 85+ points from several renowned wine competitions making sipping a true pleasure while dining on a charcuterie platter.

 

Priam Vineyards, 11 Shailor Hill Road, Colchester. This vineyard has won numerous International wine competition medals for its wines that are produced in the style of Northern France and Germany. It has been voted the best vineyard in Connecticut for five years. Fifteen handcrafted wines are produced throughout the year in this magical setting with its breathtaking views of the Connecticut countryside. As environmentalists, they practice sustainable agriculture and are vegan-certified.

 

Sharpe Hill Vineyard, 108 Wade Road, Pomfret. This vineyard has won over 450 medals in International tastings and offers reds, whites, and rose in a setting of great natural beauty. It is such a treat to sip on a refreshing chardonnay or a robust cabernet while gazing out over 100-plus acres with vistas that stretch to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

 

Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington. This is one of the first farm wineries established in Connecticut and a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail. They are best known for their barrel-fermented Chardonnay and their proprietary blends, Seaport White and Triad Rose. Their European-style table wines have won many awards.

 

Sunset Meadow Vineyards, 599 Old Middle Street, Goshen. This family-owned and operated nationally and internationally award-winning vineyard is located on over 40 acres of sloping fields overlooking the picturesque sunsets and scenery of the Western Connecticut Highlands. In addition to winning many national and international medals for their wines, Sunset Meadow has been named one of the best 101 Wineries in America by the Daily Meal. In addition to tasting by the glass or bottle, they offer specialty chocolate and wine pairing as well as a variety of cheeses from local artisans.

 

Taylor Brooke Winery, 818 Route 171, Woodstock. This family-owned vineyard has 17 acres of wine production and has recently opened a brewery on 27 acres that are adjacent to the winery offering guests a double experience. Sparkling, dry whites, semi-sweet whites, red, still rose, and dessert wines abound here. For a change of pace, try the Spirit of Woodstock brandy that is aged like bourbon.

About the Connecticut Wine Trail

The Connecticut Wine Trail is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing wine regions in the United States. Made up of 22 participating wineries and vineyards throughout the state of Connecticut, the CT Wine Trail offers a tremendous variety of wine styles and stunning scenery—enjoyable in every season.

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.