Bird Cruises to Sheffield Island Experience a Safari through your Binoculars

Although Connecticut is a small state, it is rich in birdlife with more than 430 different bird species to spot. If you are a bird lover with a checklist of bird species that you have seen in Connecticut, and want to add seabirds to your list, hop on board the CJ Toth Quest, a 49 passenger ferryboat with the Seaport Association on Sunday, June 9, June 16 or June 23 for the annual Bird Watching Cruise that runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. only in June. 

Each cruise is exciting and different because you can never anticipate what will fly your way.  The final destination of this three-hour cruise is Sheffield Island, a noted birding hotspot.  The Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge that is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is on part of Sheffield Island and offers a crucial waterbird and nesting ground.  It is an excellent place to spot birds because it offers many different habitats in a relatively small area from woods and grasslands to the beach.  The trees on Sheffield Island attract herons and egrets, making the island an invaluable place to view and learn about wildlife and birds. There is also a small population of herring and great black-backed gulls that nest along Sheffield’s rocky shoreline.

This cruise is ideal for novice and experienced birders so whether you are looking through your binoculars for the first time or for the hundred thousandth time this excursion never disappoints. Best of all, these three birding cruises are guided by an experienced and avid birder, Preston Lust who will help participants spot and identify seabirds. Preston is an officer in the Connecticut Young Birders Club who has a special interest in nocturnal migration and has conducted research on nocturnal flight calls for the last three years.  He has also participated in bird-watching competitions such as the World Series of Birding and the Megabowl of Birding (the latter of which placed first place for three years straight!).  

Among the types of birds, you may see on these National Geographic styled cruises are nest sites and nesting colonies of ospreys and long-legged egrets with their graceful S-curved necks and long dagger-like bills.  On this three-hour cruise, passengers may also spot American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, cormorants, and many others. 

The importance of Sheffield Island to wildlife, especially migratory birds is enormous, and these special bird cruises give passengers the chance to spot these magnificent creatures on and off the water at an awe-inspiring and safe distance with a knowledgeable guide.

The bird watching cruise will depart at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 16 and 23. Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. The boat leaves from the Seaport Dock at 4 North Water Street adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk.  Parking is available at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium Parking Lot. Tickets are Adult: $28, Members and seniors: $23, Children 4-12 years old: $16 and Children 3 and under are $7.  For Reservations contact 203-838-9444.  On the day of the cruise contact the dock phone at 203-838-2898.  For Tickets click here.

On June 2- Go on a Treasure Hunt in Norwalk

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will launch a Treasure Hunters’ Adventure in collaboration with the Center for Contemporary Printmaking and Stepping Stones Museum for Children on Sunday, June 2, 2-4 p.m.SundayJune 2, 2-4 p.mat Mathews Park, Norwalk, CT. at Mathews Park, Norwalk, CT. 

In this park-wide, family-fun adventure, participants are tasked with solving the mystery of a long lost treasure. Using an old faded map as a guide, treasure hunters will need to complete activities, answer questions, and solve puzzles to unlock the escalating levels of the game outside of all three buildings, leading participants to the endgame inside the Mansion.


“While hunting for the hidden bounty, participants will discover history, science, and the arts and become part of an exciting learning adventure with LMMM and its terrific neighbors, CCP and Stepping Stones Museum for Children,” said Executive Director Susan Gilgore. Treasure hunters will be able to play alone or as a team, while all contestants will need to bring their skills, power of observation, talent, and A-Game to find the treasure.

“Stepping Stones is excited to partner with the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking for this fun, park-wide treasure hunt,” said Rhonda Kiest, President and CEO of Stepping Stones Museum for Children. “This is a great way to get people into Mathews Park to explore and learn more about its history and the park tenants.”

In addition to being part of a great exploration, the top participants who complete this important mission will be awarded a few exciting prizes. “We’re thrilled to again be part of this fun, family activity bringing together our neighbors in both Mathews Park and the Norwalk community. This event provides a unique adventure for curious mystery solvers looking for an exciting challenge,” said Kimberly Henrikson, Executive Director of CCP.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Stepping Stones Museum for Children and Center for Contemporary Printmaking are all located in Mathews Park in Norwalk, CT. LMMM’s school tours are offered February through December. For more information on the Treasure Hunters’ Adventure and tours and programs please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799. 

June @ Beardsley Zoo

The Beardsley Zoo located on 1875 Noble Ave. in Bridgeport is gearing up for summer fun.  Below please find the rooster of fun events taking place at the Zoo in June, 2019.

June, 2019

June 1, Wild Wine Safari

Zoo closes at 3 p.m. Join us for a fabulous night of great fare from local vendors and tastings of 100 different wines and more than 60 different beers from around the world and close to home.

Zoo Tots, June 11-12, 10:30 a.m.

This monthly 45-minute program, for children 22 months to four years who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, crafts, and a live animal presentation. This session is "Some Like It Hot," where we learn about how animals handle a variety of temperatures. $10 for Zoo members and one child; $15 for non-members and one child.Participants may sign up for either day. To reserve a space in the program, pre-register by calling the Zoo's Education Department at 203-394-6563, or register by email: programming@beardsleyzoo.orgwith name, child's name and age, and membership status.

June 16, Father's Day

Dads and Granddads get in free with one paying guest. Cannot be combined with other offers.

June 19, Evening Lecture Series, 7:00 pm; Action for Cheetahs in Kenya

The zoo's evening lecture series engage audiences of all ages, especially lifelong learners, who have an appetite for delving deeper into the wonders of wildlife.Sarah Omusula will highlight the amazing work Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) is doing to save wild cheetahs. Learns about the use of scat detection dogs, how ACK is working to mitigate human/wildlife conflicts, and about their unique education and outreach programs, ACK is a non-profit organization under the Carnivores Livelihoods and Landscapes Program whose mission is to promote the conservation of cheetahs through research, awareness and community participation in Kenya. $10 suggested donation. Refreshments will be served. Location: The Zoo's Hanson Building, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport.

June 28, AARP Fourth Fridays FREE; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If you're an AARP cardholder, show your card or invitation and you get free admission to the Zoo! Up to three additional guests will receive a 15% discount off regular admission prices.

About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 97thyear, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican and red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarin. Other highlights include our Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, and the Pampas Plain, with Giant anteaters, maned wolf family, and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful, indoor carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.org.

‘Connecticut 169 Club’ Lecture & Book Signing at Torrington Historical Society

On Wednesday, May 29^th, 6:30 pm, the Torrington Historical Society will host author and historian Marty Podskoch for an illustrated presentation based on his recent publication, Connecticut 169 Club: Your Passport and Guide to Exploring Connecticut.  The lecture and book signing will take place in the Torrington Historical Society Carriage House Gallery, 192 Main Street, Torrington.  Admission is $5 for non-members; free for Torrington Historical Society members.  Refreshments will be provided.

This new travel book encourages travelers to visit all of the towns and villages in Connecticut.  Connecticut 169 Club has 376 pages with hundreds of photos & maps and sells for $24.95.     The book will be available for purchase at the end of the program.

Marty Podskoch was a teacher in the Catskills before coming to Connecticut in 2005.  While writing a book about Connecticut’s CCC camps, he visited over 100 towns in the state.  Connecticut Civilian Conservation Corps Camps: History, Memories & Legacy of the CCC was published in 2016.  As he traveled throughout the state he marveled at the great diversity of villages, cities, rivers, lakes, mountains, and seashores. He realized that most of the residents of the state had not traveled as widely as he had and he wanted them to explore his beautiful state. Mr. Podskoch created a book to be a guide and a passport. Marty recruited an individual from each of Connecticut’s 169 towns to write a short description highlighting the town’s location, history, and interesting places to visit.  In addition, the book has space for travelers to journal about their experiences and a place to get the book stamped or signed by a resident or business.  The intention of this book is for travelers to learn about Connecticut and its various towns.

For more information about the Torrington Historical Society (membership, exhibits, programs and events) please visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Two Programs @ Torrington Historical Society

Located on Main Street in Torrington, the Torrington Historical Society has planned two programs that will be of interest to those that enjoy history.

The first program will be held on  Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 pm and is titled Another Look: Legacies of World War I.  The presenter, Pat Conroy will shed light on the tremendous impact World War I had on society - including women, African-Americans, and veterans and their families. Ms. Conroy will share insights and observations from her recent participation in a special program sponsored by National History Day in conjunction with the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.  This program is free of charge and open to the public.

The next program is slated for Wednesday, June 5 at 6:30 pm and is titled The Long Journeys Home. The presenter, Nicholas Bellantoni, Emeritus Connecticut State Archaeologist will be the guest speaker at this lecture that is $5 per person.  Dr. Bellantoni will share the story of two indigenous men who came to Connecticut - Henry ‘Opukaha‘ia (ca. 1792-1818) and Albert Afraid of Hawk (ca. 1879-1900). Both men died young and were buried in Connecticut cemeteries but in 1992 and 2008, descendants of these men began the process to bring their ancestors home. Dr. Bellantoni oversaw the archaeological disinterment, forensic identification and return of the skeletal remains back to their Native families and communities. This fascinating story is recounted in his book, The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriations of Henry ‘Opukaha‘ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk. The book will be available for purchase at the program.

All programs will be held at the Torrington Historical Society Carriage House located on 192 Main Street in Torrington.

Cruise to Sheffield Island this Memorial Day Weekend May 25, 26, 27, 2019 and Start a Family Tradition

The Sheffield Island Lighthouse is an iconic symbol of Connecticut’s maritime history.  This historic lighthouse and light keeper’s cottage is located at the southern end of Norwalk’s necklace of islands on the west entrance of the Norwalk River in Long Island Sound. One of the best ways to kick of the season is to take a cruise on the C.J. Toth on Saturday, May 25, Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27. at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on all three days.  Tickets for this exciting excursion can be purchased in advance by clicking here or at the dock, space permitting.

Activated in 1868, Sheffield Island Lighthouse, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places was in service for thirty- four years before it was retired in 1902.  Today a visit to this historic Connecticut landmark gives visitors a first-hand experience on how important this the lighthouse was to coastal and oceangoing shipping as these vessels plied their way on Long Island Sound, a major artery of communication and transportation.  A bonus is that once on the island visitors get to explore the 151- year old lighthouse.  A highlight of this journey is the cruise itself.   The cruise allows passengers to experience the beauty of Norwalk from the water with wonderful views of the shoreline, islands and the harbor. The fresh sea breeze and birdlife are enjoyed in the comfort of the Seaport’s modern vessel on the way to and from the island.

Reaching the Island, passengers take a tour of the ten-room light keeper’s cottage and the lighthouse that is furnished in period furniture giving visitors a glimpse of what life was like as a lighthouse keeper.  If the day is clear, the New York City Skyline can be seen.  Make sure to save time to look for shells, play on the lawns, and unwind with a picnic lunch on your own private island before heading back. A new telescope that is free to use affords spectacular views all the way to New York! Visitors to the island this spring will also get a sneak peek at the Pavilion that is being built on the Island that will be available for parties and special events. The Pavilion is expected to be completed July 2019.

If you love nature and birdlife, don’t miss the chance to explore the Nature Trail through the Steward B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge that is also located on Sheffield Island. There is a wide array of bird and wildlife to be seen here including nesting herons, wading birds, shorebirds, terns and many others.  A special viewing platform enhances the viewing experience. Don’t forget to charge your cell phone up and to bring your camera and binoculars.

Round trip ferry tickets are $28 for adults, $16 for children 4-12,  and, children 3 and under are $7. The boat leaves from the Sheffield Island Dock located at the corner of North Water Street and Washington Street in historic South Norwalk. Parking is available in the adjacent Norwalk Maritime Center Garage.  Be sure to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes.  For safety reasons, flip-flops are not allowed.  The capacity of the boat is limited to 49 passengers, so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended by visiting the website or visit ticketing.

About the Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. 

The Norwalk Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands.  The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and the educational venue, which strives to increase awareness, appreciation and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contribute to our quality of life.

It is our belief that preservation strengthens the perpetual the partnership between the past, the present and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment and maritime heritage.

Seaport Association Plans 2019 Season

This past winter, members of the Seaport Association in Norwalk has been hard at work planning the 2019 Summer and Fall season.  The events that the Association is offering runs the gamut, but they are all perfect for aficionados of the great outdoors, Long Island Sound, private islands, and historic lighthouses.  Some events are pure family fun and, others highlight carefully curated themed events and cruises for adults.

This year on Memorial Day Weekend, the Seaport Association is offering its' inaugural cruises to Sheffield Island on May 25, 26, and 27.  On all three days, cruises will leave the dock at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m.  In accordance with Coast Guard  Regulations, the boat is limited to 49 passengers, so be sure to book your cruise online early.  The tour includes the journey out to Sheffield Island, a tour of the historic 151-year-old lighthouse and the cruise back to the dock.  It is best to arrive about 15 minutes before the cruise departs in order to facilitate boarding.  For more info click here.

In June, the Seaport Association is hosting five very special events.  If you love birds, don't miss the three special Birding Cruises on  June 9,16 and 23, 2019 that depart the dock at 8:30 a.m.  On this National Geographic-like three hour birding experience you will learn about the importance of migratory birds and their behavior.  Keep your eyes peeled for egrets, American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, cormorants at a safe and inspiring distance with a birding expert.  For tickets click here.

If you have dreamed of Yoga on a Private Island, the Seaport Association can make this dream a reality on June 29, 2019, with their annual Sunrise Yoga Cruise that departs the dock at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 10:30 a.m.  For more information click here.

If you love oysters, don't miss Docktails and Oysters on June 29, 2019. At this fundraiser event that takes place dockside @ Norm Blooms Oysters, you will dine on unlimited raw clams and oysters literally fresh off the boat as well as on a variety of delicious passed and tabled appetizers. For tickets to this popular event click here.

Once again, on July 20 and 2, 2019, pirates invade Sheffield Island where children young and old get a glimpse of the legends and lore pirates. Scallywags of all ages will step into the world of pirates on Sheffield Island and be entertained with a myriad of fun activities like hunting for treasure on the beach, sword fighting, and listening to tall tales of adventure on the high seas.  For more information click here.  

Another fun-filled event, that is quintessentially an American treat, especially on Sheffield Island is the Seaport's popular Island BBQ  taking place this year on July 27 with the boat departing the dock at 5:30 p.m.  For more information click here.  If you love Italian food, then the special Sheffield Island Isola Italiana Night on August 24 is not to be missed! For more information click here.

If wearing a costume just one day a year on Halloween is not enough for you, no worries, on August 3 and 4 the Seaport Association is hosting "The Haunted Lighthouse" event. At this fun-filled kid-friendly event the Sheffield Lighthouse is decorated in a ghoulish way to provide thrills, chills, and giggles for youngsters of all ages.  Stories and other activities round out the fun.  New this year is the Haunted Lighthouse, after dark for adults only!  For tickets click here.

Each week beginning in June, the Seaport Association offers Wednesday Night Acoustic Cruises (June 19-Sept. 18, 2019), Thursday Night Clambakes on the Island (June 13-Sept.19,2019),  and Friday Night Sunset Cruises (June 14 -Sept. 20, 2019).  The Seaport Association is also planning to host several specially themed Saturday Night Cruises.

This year the 42nd Oyster Festival, the crown jewel of the events organized by the Seaport Association is being held on Friday, Sept. 6, Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept.8, 2019.  For up to the minute details check the website here.

Historic Grounds & Modern Gardens @ Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located at 295 West Ave., Norwalk, CT has opened the exhibition entitled, Historic Grounds & Modern Gardens. The show will run through June 23, 2019. 

The exhibition has been juried by artist and Trustee Gail Ingis. “I am very pleased by the amount of submissions we received and the quality of the work presented. Submissions come from very diverse regional areas including N.Y., Greenwich, Norwalk, Westport, and Old Saybrook, to name a few,” said Ms. Ingis. “Works range from realism to post-impressionism that fit well with the exhibit theme and the history of the Mansion.” The exhibition will feature more than thirteen artists including: Cindy Bernier, Christopher Breining, Richard Koleszar, Kara LaFrance, Laura Levine, Werner Liepolt, Anthony Santomauro, Marjorie Sopkin, Lee Skalkos, Clarice Shirvell, Jayson Tobias, Maxwell Wiesen, and Gregory Ziebell.

The award-winning Laura Levine has been featured in exhibitions at galleries and cultural centers in New York and Connecticut including Gallery East in East Hampton, New York; Mill Gallery in Guilford, Connecticut; Munson Gallery, John Slade Ely House and Ives Library in New Haven, Connecticut; Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to name a few.  Her work was selected by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts for exhibitions at the Capital Building and the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Richard Koleszar studied at the Silvermine Guild Arts Center and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University. He started painting at the age of 7, encouraged by his father, and later embarked in an advertising career. His passion for art led him to return to painting in the 1980s and since then, he has won numerous awards including, most recently, Best in Show at the 2016 Brushwork Exhibition at the Rowayton Arts Center.

Gregory Ziebell graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a major in Fine Arts and continued his studies at the GSAA Commercial School of Art where he obtained a degree in Advertising Art, Layout and Design.  His graphic design work has been featured in Computer Currents magazine and Ad Week.

Kara LaFrance is a fine artist and graphic designer living in Tuckahoe, N.Y. with a BFA in Graphic Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology.  An acromegaly patient and advocate, she spreads awareness of this rare disease and chronic illness through her art.

Maxwell Wiesen paints largely with oil, on canvas and sometimes on metal panels, and has been developing his own “voice” and “continuing to see the beauty in each and every day…. recorded in landscape and still life.” He has exhibited in several juried shows sponsored by Greenwich Art Society, Greenwich Arts Council, Old Greenwich Art Society, Stamford Art Association, Silvermine School of Art, and solo shows at The Bendheim Gallery in Greenwich. 

The contemporary art exhibitions are sponsored in part by Gail Ingis and Tom Claus. The Museum’s 2019 cultural and educational programs are made possible in part by generous funding from LMMM’s Founding Patrons: The Estate of Mrs. Cynthia Clark Brown, LMMM’s 2019 Season Distinguished Benefactors: The City of Norwalk and The Maurice Goodman Foundation. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Historic Landmark. For more information on schedules and programs please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.