Open House @ Weir Farm National Historic Site April 13

On April 13 from 10 am to 12 noon Weir Farm National Historic Site located on 735 Nod Hill Road is hosting an open house for volunteers that want to know how they can get involved with this Connecticut treasure.  Join Park Staff for a fun opportunity to learn how you can get involved at your local national park through the Volunteers-In-Parks program! Stop by for some light refreshments, a chance to tour the historic house and studios before they open for the season, meet the current crew of super-awesome volunteers and learn more about how you can become part of this amazing organization!

With the 2019 season fast approaching, Weir Farm National Historic Site is seeking friendly, reliable people interested in working with the public to become a part of the park team. Volunteering here means you could greet visitors in the historic artist studios, work in gardens designed by the people who once lived here, or help visitors create their own artwork to take home. Hours are flexible and training and enrichment programs are provided. Ages 13 and up are welcome to volunteer.

For additional information, if you can't make it on April 13 contact call Volunteer Coordinator  Carly Buta at (203) 834-1896 ext. 12 or visit www.nps.gov/wefa

About Weir Farm National Historic Site 

Visit the home and studio of America's most beloved Impressionist, J. Alden Weir, and walk in the footsteps of a world-class artist. Set against a rural Connecticut landscape that has been painted by thousands of artists from 1882 to the present, Weir Farm is a national legacy of American Impressionism and the creative spirit. Explore this National Park for Art and experience what Weir described as "The Great Good Place."  Learn more at www.nps.gov/wefa and visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/WeirFarmNHS, YouTube www.youtube.com/WeirFarmNHS , and Instagram @WeirFarmNHS.

About the National Park Service More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter  www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube  www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

New Exhibition @ The Institute for American Indian Studies The Legend of Lover’s Leap

When visiting Lover's Leap State Park in New Milford, you might wonder how this relatively new State Park founded in 1971 got its name. If you want to know about the legend of Lover's Leap and the fascinating history of this scenic spot then head to the Institute for American Indian Studies located on Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut to see the new exhibition.  The Lover's Leap Exhibition will be on display through July 2019.

The Heart of the Matter

The Legend of Weantinaug tells the story of Lillinoah, daughter of Chief Waramaug who fell in love with a European settler from Stratford.  The elders of her village, Weantiaug, wanted to kill him; she pleaded for his life and saved him.  The young man stayed in the village for several seasons and, consequently, he and Lillinoah became engaged.  Eventually, he told Lillinoah that he had to leave the village so he could tell his family of their engagement.  Lillinoah waited for the young man to return for more than a year, to no avail.  Like any concerned parent, Chief Waramaug told Eagle Feather, one of his bravest warriors to marry his daughter, Linninoah.  Distraught at the thought of marrying someone she did not love, Lillinoah slipped out the night before her wedding and rowed over the falls, just as she did, her lover came upon her and jumped in to join her.  They drowned together giving the bluff that overlooks the Housatonic River the name, Lover's Leap.

Painting of Lover's Leap courtesy of the New Milford Historical Society

The Legend of Weantinaug has become part of the cultural heritage of the Litchfield Hills and is told in this exhibition with interesting historical notes and lavish illustrations.  Ironically, the Institute has identified fifty Lover's Leap stories around the country where lovers are said to actually take the plunge.  Most of the stories identified have at least one Native character, usually, a woman falling in love with a white man or forbidden lovers from two warring tribes.

Visitors to this exhibition will travel from the Pre-European contact life of Native Americans and the legends they left behind for us to ponder to the gilded age of the Hurd Estate.  As the exhibition moves through time it traces the exciting development of the regions industrial heritage and the ways in which the landscape was altered forever as the need for hydroelectric power became increasingly important in the 20th century.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.  Book Connecticut's exciting new attraction, Wigwam Escape 1518 and get into the Museum for half price.

Public Sugarhouses Open in March!

It's a sweet New England tradition—toasting old man winter out the door with delicious new maple syrup. As soon as days are above freezing and the sap begins to run, the annual spring ritual begins. Turning thin sap into thick, fragrant syrup is a fascinating process and Western Connecticut, where sugar maple trees abound, is one of the best places to see it in action. More than a dozen sugar houses in Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills invite visitors to see how it is done, from tapping the maple trees to collecting the sap to boiling down the thin watery sap until it turns to the thick, fragrant syrup.

A variety of settings, from farms and nature centers to museums are among the maple possibilities, most offering tastes as well as show and tell, and many have take-home syrup for purchase as a sweet souvenir. 

The sugaring season starts early at large facilities like Lamothe's Sugar House in Burlington, where the public is invited to see how syrup is made every weekend through March 30. This family-owned operation began as a hobby with seven taps and has grown to over 4500 taps and a year-round showroom. The showroom is open Mon. - Thurs. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fri. and Sat. 10 am - 5 pm and Sun. 12 noon to 5 pm.

Their newly expanded shop offers a tempting array of unusual foods like maple mustard and maple apple butter plus original maple-themed items from embroidered aprons, decorating sets, and cupcake-shaped rubber spatulas to a cupcake carrier in the shape of a big cupcake. www.Lamothesugarhouse.com


Brookside Farm II, located in Litchfield CT, is a relatively small and very high-quality maple syrup operation. Mark Harran and Kay Carroll, owners of the farm since 1999, make about 250 gallons of maple syrup per year, depending on weather conditions, which dictate the flow and sugar content of the sap. The owners both had careers in the food industry prior to buying the farm. They have applied all their collective knowledge and experience, along with Mark’s childhood experiences on his family’s large sugar bush in upstate New York, to their operation in Connecticut.

Brookside Farm’s production process yields 100% pure and basically 100% organic maple syrup. Unlike some older sugaring operations, they do not use equipment that contains lead, solder or galvanized metal. Most of the sap is collected with tubing and processed in an evaporator and canning equipment that are 100% stainless steel with tig welds.

Mark and Kay welcome visitors, just call ahead. They like teaching folks of all ages where maple syrup comes from, how it is made and the differences in the four grades of maple syrup. A tour includes a tasting and recipe suggestions. Phone: 860-567-3890.

Tomas Savrda @ Sharon Historical Society April 16 - May 10

The Sharon Historical Society & Museum located on 18 Main Street in Sharon has announced the opening of the new exhibit in Gallery SHS, works by the Kent artist TOMAS SAVRDA.  This show is being held at the Sharon Historical Society & Museum Art Gallery April 16 through May 10.  The public is invited to attend the artists’ opening reception on Saturday, March 16, from 5-7PM. 

Tomas is known for creations that are somehow charming and whimsical, but also distinctly edgy and thought-provoking. Constructed from wood, tin, stone, and found objects, his masks, mini stage scenes, and free-standing kinetic sculptures look like they have tumbled from some nineteenth-century cabinet of forgotten toys. Some are meditations on memory, innocence, and isolation; others are traditional folk stories filtered through dreams. They are also beautiful. A portion of all purchase proceeds will support the Sharon Historical Society & Museum's mission.

Gallery SHS is located in the Sharon Historical Society & Museum at 18 Main Street in Sharon, CT. Museum hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon to 4:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and by appointment. For more information and directions to Gallery SHS, call (860) 364-5688. For additional information about the Sharon Historical Society & Museum, visit http://www.sharonhist.org.

Woodbury's Restaurant Week March 24-30

Eleven local eateries are participating in Woodbury Restaurant Week 2019, which will be held from March 24-30. These participating restaurants will offer select menus and/or discounts during the event.

"We are excited to have these excellent restaurants onboard for Woodbury Restaurant Week," said Tim Parry, Editor, and Publisher of Just Woodbury, the presenter of the event. "These establishments offer something for everyone, and are an excellent representation of the Woodbury dining experience."

The participating restaurants are Carlito's, The Charcoal Chef, Constantine's, John's Café, Market Place Kitchen & Bar, Mix Prime Steakhouse, Fish, & Sushi Bar, Good News Restaurant & Bar, San Remo Restaurant & Pizzeria, The Olive Tree, The Split Rail, and The Woodbury Diner.

This is the second year that Just Woodbury has sponsored this event, and Woodbury Restaurant Week is receiving promotional support from the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the Community Theater at Woodbury is offering $2 off tickets to its upcoming show, Rabbit Hole, to patrons who show a receipt from participating restaurants dated during the event.

More information about the restaurants, including their special menus and deals, is listed on https://woodburyrestaurantweek.com.

About the Restaurants

Carlito's features exquisite food in a stunningly decorated setting, reminiscent of an Italian countryside. Enjoy an extensive menu including steak, seafood, chops, gourmet pizza and much more. Carlito's offers weekly specials, a professional staff, and a picturesque dining experience.

The Charcoal Chef is one of the only restaurants in Connecticut that still cooks on charcoal, Kingsford charcoal to be exact. The Charcoal Chef is an American restaurant that serves steaks, hamburgers, seafood, and much more straight from its charcoal grill. The restaurant boasts a rustic interior that emanates a warm and homey feel, which is perfect for a relaxing hangout.

Faithfully serving its customers high quality food, consistently prepared, all for an affordable price, Constantine's is a restaurant for friends, families, and strangers alike. Known for their fresh fish, daily and weekly specials, including Steve's famous New England Clam Chowder, succulent Grade A Angus Prime Rib, and their authentic home-style Greek specialties, Constantine's has more than enough to satisfy even the pickiest of dinners.

John's Café offers a bistro-style dining experience featuring fresh, innovative New American dishes that resonate a Mediterranean flair. John's Café's wine list includes the best of the West Coast as well as special French, Italian and Spanish selections. As a complete gustatory event, chef and owner Dennis DeBellis hopes you'll savor the simple, intimate marriage of food, wine and ambiance found at John's Café.

Good News Restaurant and Bar is a pioneer in the Farm-to-Table movement Its handcrafted cooking is seasonal, local, and most organic as possible and is prepared by owner and renown chef, Carole Peck. Good News Restaurant and Bar partners with local farmers and businesses, when possible, and enjoy sharing the fruits of their labors with you.

Market Place Kitchen & Bar is new modern American restaurant in the heart of Woodbury. It is run by General Manager Jim Kara and Executive Chef Matt DeLongis. Market Place Kitchen & Bar celebrates and encourages local, organic and sustainably harvested food and spirits.

Mix Prime Steakhouse, Fish, & Sushi Bar features the area's only 40 day prime aged beef along with fresh seafood, raw bar, and sushi bar. Mix Prime's diverse menu offers diners the experience of their choosing, from the finest prime steaks and freshest seafood bought daily. For an upscale experience you can dine in their main dining room, or enjoy the relaxed casual feel in the bar area.

From steak to saganaki, The Olive Tree serves up American fare with a Mediterranean flair for lunch and dinner. Their drink menu includes a variety of wines and martinis, including seasonal offerings. The homey, long-running restaurant is at the former Longwood Country Inn, which was built in 1798.

San Remo Restaurant & Pizzeria was voted Best Pizza in Woodbury by Just Woodbury readers. While it offers Italian specialties, San Remo owner Chris Gogas said his restaurant has something for everyone. "The kids can have a pizza, Mom can enjoy a shrimp dish, and Dad can have a steak, and everybody is happy," Gogas told Just Woodbury in 2017.

The Split Rail changed hands at the end of 2018. Its new owners have cleaned and painted the inside (and will be working on outside in the spring) and have changed to a scratch menu with many natural and organic ingredients. As one Facebook commenter wrote, the new Split Rail is the best of the old split rail and fantastic new things as well.

The Woodbury Diner offers good food for a good mood. It's a place for friends and families to come together and enjoy a variety of great meal choices. Breakfast is served all day, so you come and get pancakes for dinner. The diner is known for fast feel good foods, but The Woodbury Diner also strives to uniqueness. The Woodbury Diner also offers a great family atmosphere.

Water Lantern Festival in Danbury and Norwalk

While they're called many things such as lantern festivals, lights festivals, floating lanterns, or Chinese lanterns - only Water Lantern Festival allows you to Light The Water in a way you'll never forget. Now you can experience the magic of over 1000 lanterns as the soft lights reflect upon the water.

Water Lantern Festival is an incredible experience where thousands of family, friends, and strangers celebrate life together. Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. At the Water Lantern Festival, we cherish these moments and will do our best to help you have a memorable experience that you'll never forget as you witness the beauty of over 1000 lanterns reflecting upon the water.

Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven't met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience.

Each adult ticket comes with Entry into the festival area - Floating lantern  - Commemorative drawstring bag  - Marker and - Wristband.  In addition, the price covers the cost of collecting and removing the lanterns from the water following the event as well as cleaning up any trash that may have been previously been in or around the water.

The Danbury Water Lantern Festival is being held on May 11 at the Ives Concert Park on 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The Gates open at 5:30 pm and the event ends at 10 pm. Early bird tickets are available and start at $25 online. For tickets click here.

Dates for the Norwalk Water Lantern Festival are being worked out.  If you want to go to the Norwalk Water Festival click here to be put on a list that will notify you of the date, time and place for this event in Norwalk.