Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Welcomes Baby Golden Lion Tamarin

 onnecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is happy to announce that a baby golden lion tamarin was born to mother Cricket and father Leão earlier this month. Born fully furred with its eyes open, the baby will spend its first weeks clinging to its mother or father’s back. The adult male usually does the largest share of caretaking, with the mother taking the infant only for nursing. Guests in the Rainforest Building may see the baby clinging to its mother’s or father’s back, but the family has free access both to their main habitat in the Rainforest Building and to their inside habitat, so they may not be visible all the time. 

After about five weeks, infants begin to explore on their own but will nurse for 90 days. A small endangered species of monkey from the Brazilian rainforests, often referred to as “GLTs”, these tiny monkeys weigh about one to one and a half pounds and are roughly ten inches tall as adults. The Zoo last had golden lion tamarin babies born in 2006 and again in 2007.

 

Found only in southeast Brazil, the golden lion tamarin is threatened by collection for the pet trade,  habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation. While protection of the species has resulted in an increase in their numbers, they are still classified as endangered. Their forest habitat has been reduced to only two percent of its original area, with habitats fragmented into unconnected areas, each supporting only a small group of monkeys. Deforestation has been ongoing for centuries to make way for sugar cane and coffee production, cattle grazing, logging, charcoal, and urbanization.

 

“There are only about 2,500 golden lion tamarins remaining in the wild, and a third of those are descended from GLTs raised in human care,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho.  “We’re proud of our contribution to the restoration of this species, with babies born here released in Brazil to help stabilize the population.” To see the baby click here

“This new baby is an important part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), helping to preserve golden lion tamarins for future generations,” he said. “All species raised in human care in accredited zoos are important ambassadors, raising awareness of habitat protection and contributing to the survival of their species.”

 

About Golden Lion Tamarins

 

Considered the most beautiful of the four tamarin species, the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is named for the thick mane of hair around their necks, reminiscent of the great cats of Africa. Golden lion tamarins live primarily in the trees. They sleep in hollows at night and forage by day while traveling from branch to branch. Once down to 200 individuals in the wild and on the brink of extinction, intensive conservation efforts helped the population recover. 

 

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Get your ticket to adventure! 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. 

Mother’s Day is More Important than Ever @ Tina’s Baskets & Woven Art

 Celebrating Mother’s Day goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of mother goddesses. Like Mother’s Day, the art of basket weaving goes back to time immemorial. Tina Puckett, owner of Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art @ Whiting Mills in Winsted, believes that this year, celebrating Mother’s Day is more important than ever. “Today’s mothers are taking on multiple roles and responsibilities as caregivers, mentors, breadwinners, and volunteers in their community. For me, Mother’s Day is a way to honor your mom, or a mother figure in your life, like an aunt, grandmother, daughter or friend for the important work they do every day,” says Puckett.

Visit a working artist studio on Saturdays and Sundays

If you are looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift, head to the working art studio of Tina Puckett, a nationally and internationally award-winning artist, whose woven work is far from ordinary. Each piece is inspired by Tina's imagination and woven with hand-dyed reeds into beautiful dynamic shapes in delightful color combinations that won’t be found anywhere else. What enhances the character of each piece is the addition of the Bittersweet Vine foraged by Tina in the woods near her home in northwest Connecticut. The natural beauty of bittersweet inspires each custom piece and often dictates the form a basket or sculpture will take.

Puckett’s highly collectible baskets and woven art pieces are functional and unusual, with heirloom qualities making them an unforgettable gift for Mother’s Day that will be used and cherished for years to come. If you can’t make it to the working art studio, head to the website 

@ http://www.tinasbaskets.com.

If you are looking to take Mom or that special someone on a road trip, head to Tina’s working art studio in Winsted and make a day of it. Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art Studio is located in Room 305 @ Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting Street in Winsted. The Studio is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you need a special appointment or want to inquire about custom work, please text 860-309-6934 or email tina@tinasbaskets.com.

About Tina's Baskets

Tina Puckett is a nationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven art that is the owner of Tina's Baskets which is located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet, and a variety of objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at a variety of galleries across the United States as well as at her gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Custom orders are accepted and appointments can be arranged by texting 860-309-6934.

Cirque Alfonse – Animal: A Farm Story

On Sunday, April 23 @ 7 p.m. the Barnum Museum is partnering with its friends at the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts to bring you Cirque Alfonse: A Farm Story which is a dynamic and exciting show!  Best of all, the Museum has arranged a special discount code for tickets - ANIMAL20 that entitles those that use the code to tickets to this show for just $20. For the discount code, click here.

Animal: A Farm Story takes us on a journey of discovery through a series of slightly surreal farm fables served up with a touch of irreverence, impressive virtuosity, and the irreverent circus company’s familiar comic touch. In this re-invented “farm fantasy,” the farm is turned upside down and the barn is turned inside out. A production for young and old alike, Animal is the Farm gone haywire!

Cirque Alfonse’s founding members have all worked with some of the most renowned “nouveau cirque” companies around the world. The company favors a multidisciplinary approach where circus, song, dance, and theater come together, driven by original live music in an irresistible mix of trad and soul that the troupe calls “agricultural funk.”

ABOUT THE BARNUM MUSEUM: 

The historic Barnum Museum is undergoing a major restoration of the magnificent exterior of the landmark building. To ensure safety, the Museum is closed for general public visitation.  The staff continues to work and is available for questions and inquiries.  Contact us here.  We apologize for this inconvenience, but a new, immersive, 21st-century Barnum Museum is on the horizon!

Bridgeport's Barnum Museum is one of P. T. Barnum's many philanthropic gifts. Completed in 1893, the architecturally significant building boasts a unique combination of styles and terracotta ornamentation and is listed on the National Register. Today the museum proudly shares the history and legacy of the world-famous entrepreneur, showman, and museum proprietor, who was also a state legislator, mayor, real estate developer, and philanthropist. 

The museum is home to thousands of artifacts, many pertaining to Bridgeport native Tom Thumb and his wife, Lavinia Warren, as well as the acclaimed Swedish soprano Jenny Lind. 

Celebrate Earth Day @ Husky Meadows Farm in Norfolk CT from April 21 - 23

 

Husky Meadows Farm, located in Norfolk, Connecticut kicks off its 2023 season of events with a weekend-long Earth Day Celebration from Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23. While primarily an organic market garden, the entirety of Husky Meadows Farm includes 300 acres of mixed native meadows, woodlands, hay fields, and an orchard. Earth Day offers the perfect opportunity for visitors to explore the whole farm ecosystem. 

Guests can join for a full weekend farm stay that includes overnight lodging, meals, a farm tour with farmer Brett Ellis, a wild foods cooking class with Culinary Director Tracy Hayhurst, and a tour of the farm’s apiaries with Dan Watkins of Beeworks, LLC, as well as break-out sessions that are also open to the public. Husky Meadows is delighted to offer these sessions with acclaimed teachers from the community to help guests identify ways to create healthy ecosystems for flora and fauna in their own backyards. 

On Friday, April 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Husky Meadow Farms will host a screening of “What’s the Rush.” The film, presented by co-founder Michelle Alfandari features the work of Homegrown National Park®, a grassroots movement to increase biodiversity one person at a time. In the film co-founder renowned ecologist Doug Tallamy, a New York Times best-selling author and leading voice on solving the biodiversity crisis, showcases the importance of creating new ecological networks by replacing invasive plants with native plants, right in your own backyard. Alfandari will lead a Q&A after the film when light refreshments will be served. This event is open to the public at the Norfolk Hub @ 2 Station Place in the center of Norfolk. 

On Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mike Nadeau will present “Native Grasses and Wildflowers.” There is a limited number of individual tickets for the program, Mike is a leading authority in the field of sustainable and ethical land care strategies and the co-founder of NOFA’s Organic Land Care Program. Mike recently transformed one of the fallow pastures at Husky Meadows into a native grass and wildflower meadow while using only organic methods and materials. He’ll use this meadow as the backdrop for his discussion. 

On Sunday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the farm presents brunch with author and gardener, Page Dickey, well known for her books, "Uprooted" and “Embroidered Ground.” Page has rich experience with classical horticulture and a deep understanding of the interdependent nature of native plants and pollinators. Page will share how these elements can complement each other in one’s home landscape and gardens. For more information, event tickets, and farm stay bookings visit huskymeadowsfarm.com or email tracy@huskymeadowsfarm.com 

About Husky Meadows Farm 

 Situated on three hundred bucolic acres in Norfolk, Connecticut, Husky Meadows Farm grows certified organic produce for its kitchen, farm stand, and community-supported agriculture membership. The farm kitchen offers year-round prepared foods. At the height of the growing season from May - October the farm also offers intimate farm stays, cooking classes, community dinners, and special workshops on a variety of farm-to-table and ecological topics.

W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project Announces Finalist Sculptors

The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, will hold a press conference and public reception on April 19, from 6-8:30 p.m. to introduce the three sculptors who have been selected as finalists for the creation of a monument to W.E.B. Du Bois that will be placed in front of the town’s Mason Public Library. The event will be held in the main reading room of the library, located on Main Street (Rt. 7) in Great Barrington.

Seventeen artists applied for this commission. The Sculpture Project’s search committee selected Vinnie Bagwell, Richard Blake, and Dana King as finalists. All three are nationally recognized artists experienced in creating public art.

“We were awed at the astounding talent of the applicants to our RFP (Request for Proposal),” said Lauren Clark, a Sculpture Project board member who headed the Search Committee. “Though all of our applicants knew of Du Bois, a few were surprised that he grew up and was nurtured by this small New England town in Western Massachusetts.”

The two other judges for the competition were artists Delano Burroughs and Reginald Madison, both with longstanding ties to the community. The three finalists will be commissioned to create a small model of their Du Bois vision, which will be delivered in June. Those models will be displayed this summer at the Mason Library and The Berkshire Athenaeum so the community can comment.

The finalists are:

VINNIE BAGWELL is a representational and figurative artist who uses traditional bas-relief techniques as visual narratives to expand her storytelling. Her statue of Ella Fitzgerald, “The First Lady of Jazz,” was commissioned by the city of Yonkers. She has also done sculptures for New York City’s Central Park and the city of Memphis, TN. https://www.vinniebagwell.com/

RICHARD BLAKE’S sculpture projects commemorate those who have fought for social justice. Texture, gesture, and composition all contribute to imbuing his works with a spiritual quality. Blake is the 2023 Recipient of The Medal of Honor presented by The National Sculpture Society. His statue of Rosa Parks sits in the U.S. Capitol. https://www.richardblakesculptor.com/

DANA KING is a classical figurative sculptor whose public monuments capture the resilience of famous and everyday Black Americans, ennobling their tenacity and courage. Her sculpture of the women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott is featured at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. https://danakingart.com/

Donations to the Du Bois sculpture 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.

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 the Great Barrington Library Trustees and 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 work in African American literature. 

Gone Fishing – Traditional Native American Fishing Technologies & More @ Institute for American Indian Studies

The end of a long winter signals the first in a stream of returning opportunities. It is the time of year when rivers and streams come back to life with the opening of the fishing season. If you have ever wondered what resources Native peoples had access to local waterways, then join Institute for American Indian Studies Educator and Traditional Skills expert, Griffin Kalin, on April 30, at either 11 a.m. or 1 p.m., for a program along the Shepaug River, which boasts a 10,000 plus year history of Native American communities living along its banks. This event will begin at the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut.

The programs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. include an informative hike to the banks of the Shepaug River that borders the Institute’s grounds and runs through Steep Rock Reservation.  Through hands-on experiences and engaging demonstrations, participants will get their feet wet with traditional fishing methods including learning how to make and maintain a fish house, and how to make a fish trap from the surrounding environment. Participants will also learn about the production and function of fishing weirs, a technology used by Native American communities that is still widely used today.

Participants will also wade into discussions about the role that turtles, crayfish, freshwater mussels, and edible and useful aquatic plants played in Native American communities that lived along rivers and streams.

 

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Visit the website to register, call 860-868-0518, or email events@iaismuseum.org. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $5 for IAIS 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 16^th 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.

Mercury Glass Votives Workshop @ Wilton Historical Society

 

Dating back to the mid-1800s, mercury glass was originally created as a replacement for sterling silver, yet actually contains neither silver nor mercury. As traditionally practiced, the process of blowing mercury glasses utilized a double-walled technique which involved pouring the silvering solution in between two glass layers. Mercury glass remains a popular material for Christmas ornaments and other decorative household goods. Today, this art form can be mimicked on glass objects using common household vinegar and a spray-can technique. 

On Saturday, April 22, from 11 am to 12 pm, the Wilton Historical Society located at 224 Danbury Road in Wilton is holding a mercury glass votive workshop with museum educator Catherine Lipper. Participants will create their own decorative votives complete with candles, and enjoy a snack of sugar cookies decorated with silver confectionery. Suggested for ages 6-10. Members: $10 per child; Non-members $15 per child. To register email info@wiltonhistorical.org 

 Did You Know? 

 Silvered “mercury” glass originated in Germany as an inexpensive alternative material for candlesticks, vases, goblets, and other objects. The name “mercury glass” may have originated from early attempts to create a silvery appearance using actual mercury, but the practice quickly disappeared due to the toxic nature of the element. 

W.E.B. DU BOIS SCULPTURE PROJECT AWARDED $15,000 BY ADAMS COMMUNITY BANK

 The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, has received a donation of $15,000 from the Adams Community Bank of Adams, MA. The funds will be used to finance a monument to W.E.B. Du Bois, a native son of Great Barrington, and to renovate the plaza in front of Mason Public Library, where the statue will be sited.

 

“The Adams Community Bank will be opening a branch in Great Barrington this summer,” said bank president Charles O’Brien, “and we believe this is an excellent way to support our new friends.”

 

The Adams Community Bank donation joins a $10,000 grant from Berkshire Bank and a $10,000 donation from The Whitehead Foundation to bring our totals to $175,000,” said Julie Michaels, co-chair of The W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project.

 

The group will introduce the three finalists for the sculpture commission on April 19, 2023, at an evening reception at the Mason Library.

 

Donations to the Du Bois Sculpture Project 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.

 

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 work in African American literature.

 

On the Hunt for Daffodils in Litchfield and Bridgeport

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

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

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

The Colorblends House & Spring Garden in Bridgeport will be open April 1- May 7, 2023. In spring, visitors to the Colorblends House & Spring Garden can  stroll through an evolving display of color as snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs come into bloom. Design ideas and creative blends abound in this intimate garden, which is a collaboration between Bridgeport-based Colorblends Wholesale Flowerbulbs and distinguished Dutch  garden designer Jacqueline van der Kloet.

The garden and restored 1903 Colonial Revival  mansion  are at 893 Clinton Avenue in Bridgeport’s  Stratfield Historic District. Access is easy from I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and US Route 1, and street parking is plentiful.

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.