Seaport Association’s Margaritaville @ the Beach August 12th Let the Good Times Roll

 Is there anything more American than BBQ, casual beachside living, flip-flops, sea breezes, and sunsets? With that in mind, the Seaport Association is hosting a fundraiser, “Margaritaville on the Beach,” on Saturday, August 12, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Norwalk’s Calf Pasture Beach. For tickets to this event visit http://www.seaport.org

BBQ @ Calf Pasture Beach - Seaport Style!

Back in the day, BBQ’s were a family affair with plaid plastic tablecloths, homemade lemonade, and hotdogs and burgers on the grill. Today, this tradition has continued and evolved into a Saturday night bash with the Seaport Association that folks look forward to every year. “Gathering good friends and fans of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse for a party on the beach and alfresco dining is what summer is all about,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “It gives people the chance to catch up with one another and to find out what the Seaport Association is all about in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.”

BBQ Seaport Style for a good cause!

The center of every BBQ is the food, of course, and the Seaport Association with the help of Chef Clyde from of Ripka’s Beach Café has cooked up a menu that is incredibly delicious. The event will feature a variety of scrumptious dishes to please just about every palette with meat being the king of the grill along with a wide assortment of non-meat alternatives and veggies. Think of slow-cooked beef brisket, smoked pork shoulder, tasty BBQ chicken, oysters, fresh off the boat, corn on the cob, baked beans, zesty tomato salad, coleslaw, pizzas, focaccia, bruschetta, cookies, and watermelon…what a mouthwatering feast! There will be signature cocktails with two drink tickets per person as well as mocktails, and a cash bar.

 An essential part of any beach BBQ is the right mix of music. This is where DJ Matt Zako comes in. Zako will be spinning tunes sure to get you up and dancing in the sand! Even though grilling, music, and mingling are the main events of the evening there will be an assortment of beach games like corn hole, giant Jenga, spike ball, and can jam to add to the fun.

Celebrate with friends old and new

A beautiful sunset, great food and drinks, seeing friends, and a lively DJ are all part of summer fun Seaport style. This event does require advance reservations and is limited to 125 people. Tickets are available online at seaport.org or by calling the Seaport Office at 203-838-9444, so get them today so you don’t miss out on the fun. Proceeds from this event will be used in the maintenance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Connecticut’s Maritime Icon.

Sheffield Island Lighthouse - CT's Maritime Icon

About the Seaport Association

 

The Seaport Association in Norwalk 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 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 educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. 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 our maritime heritage.

 

Tips for Visiting the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival This Summer

One of the summer's pleasures in the Litchfield Hills is attending a concert at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. This summer concert series began in the 1880s and has become a treasured tradition in this hilltop town. There are several wonderful places to stay in Norfolk to add to the fun including the Manor House Bed and Breakfast, and Husky Meadows Farm, a unique 300-acre certified organic farm that offers farm stays and cooking classes.

The Historic Music Shed

What is the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival?

Hosted in Norfolk on the grounds of the Ellen Battell-Stoeckel Estate, this summer music festival traces its roots to the 1880s when the Battell family started to host concerts on the village green. Today, it is part of the Yale Summer School of Music and Art, and it hosts more than 30 concerts each summer featuring musicians, conductors, guest artists, and performers from around the globe, as well as Yale students and Fellows.

The Music Shed 

The Music Shed was commissioned by Ellen and Carl Stoeckel and was designed by New York architect, E.K. Rossiter. The Music Shed opened in 1906 and went on to host performances by such renowned artists as Rachmaninoff, Sibelius, and Padrewski. The Music Shed is built of cedar and lined with hand-picked California redwood. The Shed’s amazing acoustics and beautiful patina is attributed to the redwood. Today it comfortably seats 1500 people and is air-conditioned. 

Beautiful Grounds to Enjoy

 Concert Tips 

 Dress comfortably. Your experience is what is most important so wear whatever makes you comfortable; whether it is a suit and tie or blue jeans and a button-up shirt. The choice is yours! 

Arrive Early. The grounds of the Battell-Stoeckel Estate are beautifully landscaped and it is fun to explore them. There is a picture-perfect stone bridge over a fresh mountain stream, a rock grotto, a hilltop gazebo, and chairs scattered about the lawn. An added benefit of arriving early is that it gives you time to park and make your way to the Music Shed. 

Be Social. A big part of the summer concert experience is the social aspect. Many people bring a picnic to enjoy before the concert begins, as the grounds are absolutely idyllic. Husky Meadows Farm is happy to pack a special gourmet picnic for you to enjoy, or you can buy snacks on the grounds of the Estate. There are large areas of grass and stands of shade trees that offer perfect picnic spots. Bring a blanket or use one of the picnic tables on the grounds…and enjoy! 

Shaded Wooden Pavilion

Get a Snack. There is a concession booth located just outside the Music Shed that opens at 6 p.m. and remains open through intermission. They offer baked goods, ice cream, tea, and sparkling water. 

Applause Etiquette. Holding one’s applause until the end of a complete work evolved in music halls around the world in the early 20th century. As a rule of thumb, wait until the performers stand and face the audience, signaling the end of a performance. 

Social Etiquette. Cell phones, cameras, and tablets are prohibited in the Music Shed. Naturally, talking over the music and other distracting noises is discouraged.

For the Love of Music in Norfolk

Today, it is hard to believe that the village of Norfolk, set in the foothills of the Berkshires, was once a bustling manufacturing hub as well as a thriving farming community with more than 228 farms. Blessed with waterpower, early industry utilized the waterfalls and rivers for mills and iron ore production. Farmers raised sheep, cows, and even silkworms, in addition to cultivating the land. Records show that in the 1840s more than 200,000 pounds of cheese was made in Norfolk annually, and shipped to nearby cities. Husky Meadows Farm, one of the few working farms still operating and thriving, is proud to carry on Norfolk's farming tradition on our historic 300-acre property.

Husky Meadows Farm, a Working Organic Farm - where Norfolk's agricultural traditions thrive

Norfolk's Transformation

Norfolk slowly transformed from a manufacturing hub and farming community to a posh summer resort when the railroad came to Norfolk in 1871. The railway station, constructed of native granite had a sign in brass letters that proudly read, "Norfolk, the Highest Railroad Station in Connecticut." 

Norfolk's welcoming RR Station

Along with the railroad, came a steady stream of visitors lured by brochures promoting Norfolk's natural beauty, pure mountain air, and fresh spring water. The Eldridge Gymnasium (now the Town Hall), the Norfolk Library, a gift from Isabella Eldridge, and the Norfolk Golf Links offered entertainment and recreation. Large hotels were built and boarding houses, a popular alternative to hotels, were opened. Today, the hotels, known as Norfolk Inn and Robbins Battell's Hillhurst, are gone, but two of the boarding houses, located on Maple Avenue are still standing. They are now private residences that are proudly and meticulously maintained.  One of them, Fairlawn, located at 44 Maple Ave. was one of the most popular where guests enjoyed croquet on the lawn and outdoor concerts on summer evenings. A drive down Maple Ave. brings back memories of how the gilded age influenced this quintessential mountain village.

Still a Gathering Place - the  Norfolk Library was built in 1888, a gift of Isabella Eldridge

Most visitors stayed in Norfolk for the entire summer, with many building summer homes. Among the many residents, three prominent families, the Battells, the Eldridge sisters, and Stoeckels became benefactors of  Norfolk. These families are responsible for not only erecting several of Norfolk's most notable buildings but, are also responsible for creating what the town is best known for, the Yale School of Music's  Norfolk Chamber Music Festival located on the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Estate, an iconic landmark in the center of Norfolk. 

The historic Music Shed 

For the Love of Music

In the 1840s, Irene Battell from Norfolk moved to New Haven as the wife of a history professor at Yale University. Motivated by her love of music and the arrival of Gustave Jacob Stoeckel in 1847, she persuaded her brother, Joseph Battell, a successful merchant married to Sarah Robbins, daughter of Norfolk's first pastor, to fund an endowment for musical studies at Yale, with Stoeckel as the professor. The Battells continued this musical endowment and in 1890, Stoeckel was appointed, "Battell Professor of Music." Yale began to offer its first credits in music in 1891, and by 1894, the first class of students graduated with a degree in music. Several members of Norfolk's Battell family were Yale alumni and kept ties to the University, including funding the new music program. The love of music and a willingness to use privilege and inherited money for public good characterize the generations of giving by the Battell-Stoeckel family, which is relevant today.

Music Shed Interior, 1906

After his brother Joseph's death, Robbins Battell, an expert flutist and composer, managed the family's estate and businesses. His biggest contribution was to establish the Litchfield County Musical Association.  After his death in 1894, his only daughter, Ellen, was determined to carry on her family's love and dedication to music. Ellen Battell married Carl Stoeckel, a professor of Music at Yale, in 1895 that shared her love of music, and together they created a series of projects that enhanced the cultural life of the Norfolk area, that echoed worldwide. 

In 1897, musical philanthropists, Ellen and Carl began to sponsor English glee-singing, in their Norfolk home, the Whitehouse, which is a cherished centerpiece of today's Yale School of Music and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. In 1899, they founded the Litchfield County Choral Union, in memory of Ellen's father, Robbins Battell. Concerts became so popular that Carl and Ellen funded the construction of the Music Shed in 1906, whose excellent acoustics have been appreciated for more than a century. 

The Red-wood lined - Music Shed, is acoustically amazing

From 1900 until 1922, the Norfolk Music Festival, as it came to be known, presented some of America's and Europe's finest performers and musical works. Under the stewardship of Ellen and Carl, the Music Shed welcomed solo pianists, violinists, and singers, such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Fanny Bloomfield-Zeisler, Maud Allan, Fritz Kreisler, Alma Gluck, and Louise Homer; pieces for chorus and an orchestra of close to a hundred, brought in by special train from New York (largely Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera players); and numerous compositions for orchestra alone. The Choral Union grew, through the creation of local choruses in various towns, which then joined forces for an annual Norfolk Music Festival to house it. 

The Norfolk Music Festival carefully curated by Ellen and Carl saw the premieres of American works by such composers as Victor Herbert, Henry Hadley, Charles Martin Loeffler, Horatio T. Parker, Frederick Stock, Henry F. Gilbert, David Stanley Smith, John Powell, and Victor Kolar. Foreign luminaries include Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Jan Sibelius,  Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Jan Ignace Paderewski. 

When Ellen's husband died in 1925, she lived on until her death in 1939, when she left her estate in trust for the use of the Yale School of Music. In 1941, the Yale Summer School of Music and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival were established, and their summer music series has been pleasing audiences from near and far ever since. Every summer the redwood-lined walls of the atmospheric Music Shed, known for its superlative acoustics, continue the music traditions started generations ago by the Battell - Stocekel family.

Imagine, as you sit in this storied venue that almost everyone who is anyone in the history of American music has performed at Norfolk's Music Shed  -- and -- that you are here!  Our advice is to sit back and relax - listen for every single nuance on stage, it's easy because of the acoustics. Concert goers remark that there isn't a bad seat in the house!  No matter what type of music you enjoy, this is an experience, that is unforgettable and, according to our many guests,  at Husky Meadows Farm - it is like stepping back in time on an enchanted evening in Norfolk.

Pirates Invade Sheffield Island July 22 and 23, 2023

 Pirates have been around for as long as people have sailed the world’s waters, and, in some parts of the world, they still exist. Scallywags of all ages can step into a world of pirates on Saturday, July 22, and, Sunday, July 23 when purchasing a ferry ride ticket to Sheffield Island for the Pirates Weekend hosted by the Seaport Association in Norwalk and back once again by popular demand. 

Swashbuckling rogues, dastardly villains, infamous she-pirates, and wicked wenches will find their sea legs and hop aboard the C.J. Toth Ferry for a cruise to Sheffield Island. Arriving on the Island, kids can hunt for treasure on the beach, play games, sing sea chanteys, watch swordplay, listen to tall tales of thrill and danger, and hear colorful stories of pirates near and far. Who knows what secrets they will reveal? 

This is the weekend to experience the freedom of a pirate’s life, and to learn about their lore and history! The pirates that invade Sheffield Island every summer are different. They enjoy taking a break from their adventures on the seven seas and come to Sheffield Island to have a boatload of fun with those lucky scallywags visiting during the Pirates Weekend. All pirate fun and games are free with the purchase of a ferry ticket. The ferry departs the dock at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is best to arrive 30 minutes before the boat departs the dock located on 4 North Water Street in Norwalk in the parking lot of the Maritime Aquarium. Parking is available at the Maritime Garage. 

For tickets http://www.seaport.org 

 *This special event is not part of the Connecticut Summer Museum program. 

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 educational venue, which strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contributes to our quality of life.

Inspiration from the Garden – July Cooking Classes at Husky Meadows Farm

 

This July, if you are on a quest for sharpening your cooking skills, or feel like you need some inspiration from a pro, book a cooking class at Husky Meadows Farm, a certified organic working farm in Norfolk, Connecticut. The July line-up of classes are designed to help cooking dynamos learn techniques from professional chefs and guest instructors that know how to bring out the freshest flavors from the garden, with produce grown right on their bucolic 300-acre farm. 

Husky Meadows Farm’s cooking classes are open to all skill levels. The hands-on classes are small with no more than twenty participants. Tracy Hayhurst, the Culinary Director, has enjoyed over 25 years as a chef and organic farmer. Hayhurst’s passion is to share her deep understanding of fresh fruit, veggies, and locally grown products with participants and to teach them the best ways to cook them. “It gives me great joy to share my knowledge of creating delicious meals because I believe sharing a dinner or lunch together is a primal bonding experience that defines our humanity,” says Hayhurst. For more information and to book a cooking class, click here. 

On Saturday, July 15, Husky Meadows is hosting an interactive Mediterranean Feast Cooking Class that highlights summer vegetables and more infused with the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean. This is the next best thing to do besides buying a ticket to Tuscany! Participants will learn the secrets of using traditional ingredients, fresh veggies, and locally raised meats to create an unforgettable meal. Sipping a perfectly chilled glass of wine, you work in the kitchen with the Culinary Director; and learn how to balance the flavors in each dish so that you can easily make them at home. 

Food is medicinal and, that is what the July 29 Anti-Inflammatory cooking class is all about. This class takes a look at the nutritional side of the kitchen and dining table. During this class, participants will learn how to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into a meal as an alternative to typical inflammatory ingredients like dairy and wheat. As an added bonus, this class also incorporates non-alcoholic beverages for pairing dinners and lunches. 

The last cooking class in July, “Meet the Farmer Dinner with Ruby Farm” ends on a high note on July 30. Norfolk’s Lost Ruby Farm is well known for producing some of the best fresh chevre and aged goat cheeses around. At this dinner, guests will be privy to listening to how a farm transitions from one farmer to another as Lost Ruby Farm has a new owner and is moving to nearby Canaan. Participants will enjoy a dinner featuring Lost Ruby Farm cheeses around a communal table.  

Free Admission this Summer at Institute for American Indian Studies Funding Provided by a Grant from CT Humanities

 

The Institute for American Indian Studies was awarded a grant from CT Humanities for participating in Connecticut Summer at the Museum 2023 initiative. This program invites Connecticut children ages 18 and under plus one accompanying Connecticut resident adult to visit participating museums free of charge from July 1 through September 4, 2023. CT Humanities is honored to partner with the CT Office of the Arts again to administer the CT Summer at the Museum Initiative in 2023. The Department of Economic and Community Development, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Connecticut State Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood, and Connecticut Humanities, will deliver these financially accessible summer enrichment opportunities to families and children of all ages using funding provided through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act). 

“The Summer at the Museum program in 2022 was very successful. We were delighted to be able to introduce so many new children to Native American culture and history and can’t wait to do it again this summer. We are very proud to be among the grant recipients,” said Chris Combs, Executive Director of the Institute for American Indian Studies. “This grant program allows us to expand our reach and also helps us achieve our mission of education by introducing children from Connecticut to the 12,000-year-old history of eastern woodland Native Americans,” Combs continued. 

Children are welcome to explore the Institute’s galleries that trace the 12,000-yearlong stories of Connecticut’s Native American peoples from the distant past to their lives and culture today. The core exhibit takes children from a time at the end of the Ice Age to modern times. A second gallery presents artifacts, images, and themes reflecting both early colonial and modern tribal lifestyles across North America. The Children’s Discovery Room is an interactive space that shows children what life would have been like if they were Native American living 600 years ago. An indoor longhouse is an elongated wigwam that contains both original and replicated artifacts and provides an immersive experience. A highlight of any visit is taking the trail to the replicated Algonkian Village that depicts life common to an Algonkian village of 350 to 1000 years ago. 

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. 

About Connecticut Humanities 

CT Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. State and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources support CTH projects, administration, and program development. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org. 

About Connecticut Office of the Arts 

The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the state agency charged with fostering the health of Connecticut’s creative economy. The State of Connecticut as well as the National Endowment fund part of the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development, the COA for the Arts.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Joins the State’s “Connecticut Summer at the Museum”

 

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is pleased to announce that the Zoo will participate in the state’s “Connecticut Summer at the Museum,” offering free admission to Connecticut children from July 1 through September 4. Under the program, Connecticut children aged 18 and under plus one Connecticut adult can visit the Zoo for free. 

Mexican Grey Wolves  Photo Jack Bradley

Tickets will be available on the Zoo’s website beginning at midnight on June 30. Residents must register for tickets at www.beardsleyzoo.org, and show an ID with an address at the front gate. The Zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to visit anytime during the day, with the most crowded hours often occurring between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The last entry to the Zoo is at 3:00 p.m. The program is intended for individuals and families only; groups should register at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/field-trips.html. 

“A visit to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a beloved summer tradition for the state’s children and families,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “We’re proud to join the list of participating facilities throughout the state in offering free admission to children. Spending the day at the Zoo is a wonderful way to connect with nature, learn about wild animals and wild places, and spend time together as a family.” 

The program was established in 2021 to provide children with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences. Funded through a $15 million investment in Covid-19 recovery funding Connecticut received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Zoo joins more than 130 museums across the state in offering the “Connecticut Summer at the Museum” program. This is the third year the Zoo has participated. 

 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 new Andean Bear Habitat, 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.

Farm Stays, Music, and More @ Husky Meadows Farm

 

If you are a music lover that is looking for a special way to savor the summer season, look no further than booking a farm stay at Husky Meadows Farm, a working, certified organic farm in Norfolk, Connecticut. During the all-inclusive weekend farm stay guests are invited to experience, firsthand, the many facets of the thoughtful, and sustainable food production on the farm. There is always a multitude of activities offered that range from cooking classes and behind-the-scenes farm tours to sumptuous meals, guest speakers, hikes to the native wildflower meadow, and canoeing on the pond, all in a setting of great natural beauty with luxurious accommodations. 

Since the bucolic village of Norfolk has had a long love affair with music, Husky Meadows Farm is offering a special weekend farm stay from Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23, to celebrate Norfolk’s musical tradition that includes coveted concert tickets to the world–renowned Yale in Norfolk Summer Chamber Music Festival. Norfolk is known worldwide for the Yale in Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, which traces its roots to a prominent family in the town that began hosting concerts in the 1880s. The Music Shed which was built in 1906 went on to host performances by such legendary artists as Rachmaninoff, Sibelius, and Padrewski. Currently, it is the home of the Yale Summer School of Music and Art which has hosted musicians from all over the world since 1941. 

The “Husky Meadows Celebrates Music” farm stay package available, from Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23rd includes lodging, a perfect picnic cooking class, a welcome dinner, a sumptuous Sunday Brunch, a behind-the-scenes tour with Farmer Brett, plus plenty of time to explore this 300-acre farm property. The highlight of this package, especially for music aficionados, is that it includes tickets for two evenings of concert performances at the acoustically perfect, air-conditioned Music Shed, on the grounds of the Battell-Stoeckel Estate that is minutes away. 

The concert on Friday features the Miro Quartet, one of America’s most celebrated string quartets performing the works of Mozart, Caroline Shaw, and Antonin Dvorak. Saturday’s program is part of the new Insight Series titled “From Baroque to Beatles.” It will feature the works of Handel, Melanie Bonis, and a selection of Beatles songs arranged by Luciano Berio. It's always a special treat to listen to talented fellows that are the next generation of chamber music musicians playing alongside world-renowned festival artists. To book your all-inclusive farm stay visit huskymeadows.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.

Rooted in Tradition a Strawberry Festival @ Institute for American Indian Studies

 

Traditionally, Native American communities tracked time by observing the change of seasons and following the lunar full moon cycle. Native American named each full moon cycle after activities or events that they associated with that time of year. Colonial Americans adopted some of the Native American full moon names and applied them to their own calendars. These descriptive names are still in use today. 

The Algonquian’s of Connecticut named June's full moon the "Strawberry Moon" because this is the time of year when the wild red strawberries began to ripen. To celebrate this treasured fruit, the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut is hosting a family-friendly series of activities honoring the gifts and the significance this fruit has to many Native American communities. This fun-filled cultural event is being held on Saturday, June 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

 Most of us would agree that it is difficult to resist a perfectly ripe strawberry, which is one of the most popular fruits in the world! At this event, guests will learn how strawberries were used as a medicine, in cuisine, and in ceremonies. Visitors of all ages will enjoy strawberry refreshments as they listen to traditional Native American stories. A high point of the afternoon will be a guided plant walk along the museum’s trails with Jesse Rose Komaromi, a member of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation. Along the way, guests will learn about reclaiming relationships with the natural world as seen through an Indigenous lens. A takeaway from this experience is that this humble fruit represents life, good health and so much more. 

Pre-registration for this event is advised because space is limited on the walk. To register, visit https://www.iaismuseum.org, email events@iaismuseum.org, or call 860-868-0518, ext. 453. The price to participate is $15 for non-members, $5 for members, and an additional $5 for the guided forest walk. 

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 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 at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Savor the Season @ Husky Meadow Farm Stand Now Open in Norfolk, Connecticut

 

This summer and fall, at Husky Meadows Farm Stand, pick up certified organic fresh produce, a curated assortment of baked goods, and other culinary delights that will help you plan a meal while savoring the season! The Farm Stand at Husky Meadows is located at 26 Doolittle Drive in Norfolk, Connecticut, and is open to the public on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

In the summer and fall, the farm stand at Husky Meadows offers a treasure trove of produce to choose from. On any given weekend, look for a selection of hard-to-find produce like Julia Child tomatoes, Mara dus Bois strawberries, Ichiba Kouji melons, and Amarosa potatoes, to name a few. 

Don't feel like cooking? Husky Meadows Farm's kitchen also offers a delectable array of prepared foods, honey, free-range eggs, and fresh from the oven baked treats. A highlight of any visit to the farm stand is to enjoy a cup of locally roasted Ilse coffee while nibbling a freshly baked scone and relaxing in the fresh farm air scented that is fragrant with herbs and flowers. For many, the best part of the visit is to stroll through the massive garden for a sneak peek of what produce is on the horizon for the rest of the season. 

Today, farm stands like Husky Meadows are more important than ever because people want transparency about where their food is coming from. The farms stand at Husky Meadows first opened in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic because people wanted to know that their food was freshly harvested, organically grown, and raised in their own community. Since that time, Husky Meadows Farm has seen this trend increase. 

To meet the demand the farm team has revamped the Farm Stand experience by expanding the hours of operation and increasing the types of fresh produce and culinary goodies offered. "As the weather gets warmer and we have more and more food coming out of the ground, we hope to offer a variety of grab-and-go salads and other picnic fares for people to enjoy when visiting the farm," says Farmer Brett Ellis. “Getting field-fresh produce and artisan-baked goods has never been easier,” added Ellis. 

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.

Candle Dipping Workshop for Adults @ Wilton Historical Society

 Everyone loves candles, but most of us never think of making them ourselves!  This is where the Wilton Historical Society comes in! On Saturday, June 3, from 1pm to 2:30pm, the Wilton Historical Society will hold a beeswax candle-making workshop for adults. The recommended age is 18+. The cost of this workshop is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. To register, click here. The Historical Society is located on 224 Danbury Road in Wilton.

Participants will join museum Educator Catherine Lipper to learn about the history and techniques of crafting beeswax candles while making their own pair of candles for a keepsake or gift. In celebration of bees, the program will include a tasting of a homemade honey cake. Don’t miss out on this delightful opportunity to gather and learn a Colonial craft with friends!

While at the workshop, don't miss the new exhibition, The Town Book: E. Boyd Smith's 20th Century Wilton. The exhibition explores Wilton’s evolution from a small farming community into the modern suburb it is today. The exhibition will display Smith’s art alongside objects from the museum’s collection to offer different perspectives on Wilton’s development during the first half of the 1900’s. The museum is open Tues. - Sat. from 10 am to 4 pm.

Atlatl Workshop & Competition @ Institute for American Indian Studies

 

Atl means far. Think of the effort it takes to throw a spear far. Using an ancient weapon called an atlatl, you can throw a spear very far with minimal effort. An atlatl is a precursor to the bow and arrows and was used in hunting by Native Americans, along with many other cultures worldwide. Essentially, it is a throwing device using a spear, known as a dart that uses leverage to give it more velocity.

On Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. the Institute for American Indian Studies, located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut, is holding an Atlatl Workshop with the Institute’s educator, Susan Scherf. During this workshop suitable for children eight years and up, participants will learn about the fascinating history and different designs of this ancient tool and how it was used. A highlight is to learn how to make your own atlatl and to develop skills to be able to accurately throw it. Throwing an atlatl is similar to throwing a baseball with the difference being that you are flipping your wrist at the end of the throw. You will have plenty of time to experiment to find out what works best for you. Participants will learn how timing, balance, consistency and follow through lead to accuracy. Thrown correctly, darts can travel close to 80 miles per hour! After several practice throws, the group will join together for a just for fun competition.

Space and materials are limited and registration is required. Please note that a parent or guardian must accompany children under 18. The cost of this workshop is $20 for members of the Institute and $25 for non-members. To register click here. If you have questions, please email events@iaismuseum.org. 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 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.

Ten Hidden Gems by Motorcoach

America is a big county, and most small motorcoach group tours include a large city or two in their itineraries. While big cities are terrific to visit, at Tours of Distinction, we also like to get off the beaten track to experience real small-town America.  We have put together a list of some of our favorite hidden gems across America that we think you should consider exploring on your next small motorcoach group tour, the most economical and fun way to experience all America has to offer.

Solvang, California

Solvang, America's Danish Capitol

Founded in 1911, this community is located just two hours from L.A., in the heart of Santa Barabara's wine country, immerses visitors in Danish architecture, old-world traditions, folk dancing, and cuisine. Strolling the streets of downtown Solvang, you will see half-timbered houses with wooden shingled roofs, colorful shops selling Danish goods, and, of course, windmills. Don't miss popping into a Danish Bakery for Kringles filled with almond paste or cardamon bread. If you enjoy wine, be sure to check out one of the twenty-plus tasting rooms along Main Street. For museum-goers, be sure not to miss the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art which preserves the history and culture of Solvang, and the Hans Christian Anderson Museum, dedicated to one of Denmark's most famous authors known for publishing fairy tales in 1835. And, to satisfy your sweet tooth, head to the Swedish Candy Factory which is the only Polkagris bakery in the United States. Polkagris is a Swedish stick candy that was invented by Amalia Eriksson near the town of Granna, Sweden.

Oatman, Arizona

Fun and Quirky on Rte. 66 in Oatman

Located just two hours from Vegas, on historic Rte. 66, this dusty town located in the desert hills is home to meandering burros, interesting shops, abandoned mines, and a raucous history of shootouts and bootleggers. It is fun to stroll along the ramshackle Main Street and feed the burros that originally came to town with early gold prospectors. A visit to the Oatman Mine Museum gives visitors a look at the area's mines that are said to have produced 1.8 million ounces of gold. There are plenty of quirky stores to explore and the Oatman Hotel,.0 with its dollar bill-papered lobby where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stopped on their honeymoon in 1939.

Silverton Colorado

No Horsing Around in Silverton!

This is one of Colorado's most interesting historic mountain towns. Once known for rowdy miners and dance hall girls, this town still retains a wild west ambiance. This rough-and-tumble atmosphere is what gives Silverton its charming and authentic character. One of the most exciting things to do here is to take a scenic ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad that was used to haul silver and gold in the 1880s. The ride takes you past spectacular scenery including the rugged Weminuche Wilderness and along the Animas River. Another sightseeing option is to take a tour of the Old Hundred Gold Mine, where passengers ride deep into Galena Mountain to watch mining equipment in action. Another highlight is visiting Animas Forks, one of the best Ghost Towns in the United States that has been abandoned for more than 100 years.

De Smet, South Dakota

Walk in the footsteps of Little House on the Prairie

If you are a fan of Little House in the Prairie and have always wanted to walk in the footsteps of Laura Ingalls Wilder, then head to De Smet, South Dakota a place that inspired this series. Visitors can take an in-depth tour of Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes including the Surveyor's House, the original Ingalls House, Pa Ingalls Homestead, Almanzo Wilder's Homestead, the First School of De Smet, and the exhibition room that displays the original Ingalls-Wilder artifacts. A walk along the charming main street with its vintage businesses is like walking into the pages of one of this author's books.

Greenwood, Mississippi

On the Blues Trail in Greenwood

Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood is a charming town with a rich and sometimes painful history. Rural and majestic with endless cotton fields, pecan trees, shanty houses, and gracious mansions, this town embodies the South. A drive along the Grand Boulevard, developed in the 1890s, is one of the most beautiful in the state, offering excellent examples of Tudor, Prairie style, neo-classical, and colonial revival residences.  The majority of the movie, The Help was filmed here and today, you can do a self-guided tour of the movie locations. Greenwood is on the Mississippi Blues Trail and there are eight Blues Trail Markers throughout the town including one for blues singer, Robert Johnson and actor, Morgan Freeman.  One unexpected thing about Greenwood is that Viking Appliances are headquartered here. They offer cooking classes, a favorite is to learn how to make Minnie's pie from the movie, The Help. 

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Cruise the Cass River in this Bavarian Wonderland

Known as Michigan's Little Bavaria, visitors here often feel transported to a small German hamlet on the Rhine. A ride on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat to the Bavarian-styled Waterfall at River Place Shopping area is the ideal way to learn the history of this village. Afterward, a walk through the center of town is an immersive experience from the names of the streets to the German architecture including the magnificent Glockenspiel Tower that strikes on the hour and on each quarter hour. No visit to Frankenmuth is complete without stopping in at Bronner's, a Christmas wonderland of decorations, trims, trees, gifts, and goodies.

Assateague Island, Maryland/Virginia

Watch Wild Horses Graze and Run Free

This barrier island shared by Virginia and Maryland is a National Seashore, with 37 miles of pristine sandy beach, and is one of the few places in the United States where you can see wild horses roam free. While they are called "wild" the horses are actually animals that have reverted to a "wild state" according to the National Park Service. Visitors flock to see the horses running into the surf or grazing on hay or beach grass. There are many legends of how the wild horses of Assateague Island came to reside here, and, all of them are shadowed in the mists of the past. The legends range from dramatic shipwrecks to abandonment, glorious Spanish galleons, and farmers trying to avoid taxes. Regardless of what legend you believe - the chance to catch a glimpse of these wild horses frolicking in their natural environment is an unforgettable travel moment.

Ashville, North Carolina

Glorious and Moody the Great Smokey Mountains

This thriving mountain town is fun to explore. In addition to having a great art, food, and brew scene, it is where the largest house in America, the Biltmore is located. A walk through River Arts District is truly amazing. Here you can wander through more than 250 artist's studios located in dozens of huge historic buildings. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway dubbed America's favorite drive, is unforgettable not only for its bio-diversity but also for its amazing mountain views. If you work up a thirst, you are in the right place because Ashville is noted as one of the best beer cities in the country. For bookworms, head to the house museum of Thomas Wolfe that immortalized this residence turned museum in his book, Look Homeward Angel.

Litchfield, Connecticut

Litchfield's Autumn Glow

Named as one of the top small towns in America by the Smithsonian Magazine, Litchfield has often been compared to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The difference here is that the town's historic district is not only well preserved but lived in. The first law school is located in the center of town whose graduates include two U.S. Vice-Presidents, scores of legislators, governors, and lawyers as well as several famous artists including George Catlin. White Memorial Foundation offers visitors interested in the area's natural history an excellent museum to tour as well as 35 miles of trails to explore. The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy founded by the former Secretary of the Smithsonian is home to more than 80 species of waterfowl totaling more than 400 birds. A visit to this breeding facility gives visitors a glimpse of how genetic diversity is maintained in rare and endangered species. And, if you love flowers, don't miss the chance to stroll through the gardens at White Flower Farm and Topsmeade State Park.

Littleton, New Hampshire

Strike a pose with Pollyanna

Littleton is the charming gateway town to the northern White Mountains and Great North Woods of New Hampshire. Locals affectionately call it "the Glad Town," because this is where author Eleanor H. Porter wrote her classic series of books Pollyanna. In the center of town don't miss the photo op with the bronze statute depicting the iconic character from the 1913 children's novel, Pollyanna. The Main Street of downtown is lined with interesting shops in historic buildings and homes.  If you have a sweet tooth, head to Chutters, where you will find the world's longest candy counter, and, then pay a visit to Lahout's, America's oldest ski shop. To cap off this small-town New England experience, head to the Riverwalk Covered Bridge to watch the old-timey water wheels and the flow of the water tumbling over the rocky river.

America is full of small interesting towns off the beaten path... and these are just some of what this great country has to offer.