Cranberry Pond Walk @ White Memorial Foundation Nov. 30

On Saturday, November 30 join Geri Griswold at White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield in the 10th annual walk to Cranberry Pond. This is the perfect activity to work off Thanksgiving Day dinner and enjoy the fresh Connecticut air and the beauty of the White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield.

Nothing could cap off a wonderful “on the cusp of winter” stroll along the spectacular trail Cranberry Pond Trail better than a cup of hot coffee and a thick wedge of Crimson Pie swimming in a pool of thick ginger crème anglaise! 

Meet in the Museum. 2:00 P.M., We’ll drive over to the trailhead together. Please pre-register for this pie-enhanced stroll by calling 860-567-0857 or by registering online: www.whitememorialcc.org

After your stroll head to the Nature Museum that interprets the natural history of the White Memorial Foundation property, and is the focal point of White Memorial’s environmental education program. The museum building was once the summer home of Alain and May White. 

Today you will find hints of the original architecture interspersed with wall-to-wall exhibits that engage and educate all age groups. The grounds surrounding the Museum, historically known as Whitehall, include 2 bird-feeding areas, picnic tables nestled in picturesque settings, and multiple trailheads. A rich variety of habitats are unveiled in this small area. A quick trip down the hill behind the Museum leads you to and around Ongley Pond, where wildlife abounds.

Photos - White Memorial Foundation

TREAT YOUR THANKSGIVING VISITORS TO THE 7th ANNUAL KENT HOLIDAY CHAMPAGNE STROLL

Skip the mall and head to Kent for a weekend of shopping, dining and champagne sipping.  The 7^th Annual Kent Holiday Champagne Stroll takes place Friday and Saturday, November 29 and 30 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM. The event is sponsored by the Kent Chamber of Commerce. 

Considered the benchmark for all holiday strolls, the town of Kent will play host to over 25 distinctive shops, galleries & restaurants set to serve delicious champagnes and other bubblies, poured alongside special promotions, exclusive sales, and a few outstanding events. Event strollers will find everything from stylish clothing, one-of-a-kind antiques, artwork, books, toys for kids, delicious teas and coffees, gifts, amazing jewelry to trendy western boots.

The Kent Champagne Stroll also coincides with “Small Business Saturday” — a nationwide marketing campaign sponsored by American Express — which celebrates and recognizes small retail businesses as being the backbone of local economies.

Once you have strolled, shopped and tasted, head to one of Kent’s fine restaurants for dinner where you will find unique menu items to compliment the weekend as well as more champagne.  As Sex in the City author and local resident Candace Bushnell wrote, "Champagne – it’s just beer for girls”, although men will enjoy this, too.

Advance tickets $22/person (must be 21 years or older to attend); day of event tickets $25/person (must be 21 years or older to attend).  To purchase tickets please visit www.kentstroll.com

To learn more about this great event go to www.kentct.com  or call 860-592-0061

Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market

Litchfield Hills is dotted with many holiday fairs and festivals. For those that are looking for something really unusual, take a trip to the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut to shop for authentic Native American Arts and Crafts.

At the Institute’s annual Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market you will find a wide array of unusual holiday gifts from local Native American crafters. Visitors can shop for a wide variety of Native American crafts, jewelry, and artwork. Among the more unusual items are beautifully handwoven baskets from colorful reeds and bark, hand-painted decorative gourds, authentically made Native American pottery, rattles, and elegant handcrafted flutes.

All the items found here are offered at a variety of price points so no matter what your budget is, you might very well find that perfect gift item. In addition to finding something truly unusual, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with Native American crafters as they create these unique and beautiful items.

The Native American Holiday Arts and Crafts Market is taking place at the Institute on November 30 and December 1; December 7 and 8, and December 14 and 15. This special Native American Holiday Market will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 pm to 5 p.m. The entrance to the Holiday Market is free!

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 that 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 on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Lockwood Mathews Mansion presents The Trained Eye: The Art of Railroads & Stations

If you have always been fascinated with railroad stations don't miss the fascinating art exhibit at Norwalk's Lockwood Mathews Mansion that is running through January 5, 2020. 

A subject matter explored by some of the great artists of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, such as Claude Monet, Edward Hopper, and Camille Pissarro, railroads, and stations are familiar places that continue to inspire contemporary artists and impact society and the environment.  

“The artists featured in the exhibition, The Trained Eye,” said Ms. Ingis, “will look at this kaleidoscope of images and colors and render their own interpretation with works that range from photo-realism to post-impressionism and in a variety of media including oil, watercolor, acrylics, etchings, and photography.”

Curated by artist and Trustee Gail Ingis and Trustee Julyen Norman, the exhibition will feature artists:  David Bravo, David Dunlop, Julie O'Connor, DeAnn Prosia, Helen Roman, Alexsander Rotner, Cathy Russell, Anthony Santomauro, Norm Siegel, and Rob Zuckerman. 

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.