Learn how to make Irish Soda Bread @ Wilton Historical Society

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day the Wilton Historical Society is offering a   workshop for children on Saturday, March 17 from 11:00 – 12:30. Kids will be making Irish Soda Bread. Soda bread was introduced in the early 1800’s in England, rapidly became popular in Ireland, and then in America. 

According to the Society for the Preservation of Soda Bread, “All recipes for traditional soda bread contain flour, baking soda, sour milk (buttermilk) and salt. That’s it!!!” -- which makes a plain daily bread.  Museum Educator Lola Chen will be showing the children how to make a more festive version, which includes raisins and butter, in individual loaves. She will also be talking about the cross on soda bread which has several explanations. Legend has it that folks did it to "let the devil out" while it's baking for good luck, and others say that it made it easy to divide into 4 pieces. It was also a symbol for a cross during Christian holidays.

Suggested for ages 6 – 12.  Members: $10; Non-members $15. Space is limited --- please register by contacting info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257.  The Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road/Rt. 7, Wilton, CT  06897  www.wiltonhistorical.org

Did You Know?

“Bread soda was introduced in the early 1800s and it suddenly meant that people who didn't have an oven — and virtually nobody had an oven then — could make soda bread. They cooked the bread in what's called a bastible — a big cast-iron pot with a lid on it that would have been put right onto the coals or onto the turf fire. The great thing about soda is that it was not so perishable and it would have been relatively inexpensive. And they would have had buttermilk from the cows [old-fashioned buttermilk is a by-product of making butter] and they would have been growing wheat, so they would have had flour.” Rory O 'Connell, Irish food expert, co-founder of the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School.  Interview with Megan O. Steintrager, Epicurious

GALLERY TOUR OF LIVING IN THE NEW WORLD ON VIEW AT PEQUOT LIBRARY

Join exhibition curator and Special Collections consultant, Elizabeth A. S. Beaudin, Ph.D at the Pequot Library in Southport for a guided tour of Living in the New World on Monday, March 19, 2018 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Discover unique items, such as Acts of Apostles from the New Testament in the Mohawk language/translated by H. A. Hill, with corrections by William Hess and John A. Wilkes, Jr.  published in 1835 and William Hubbards’ 1677 discourse on the Pequot War, which are included in Pequot Library’s collection on long-term deposit at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University and on display during the exhibition on view through May 6, 2018. This program is free. Pequot Library’s public programs are supported in part by the Town of Fairfield.

Dr. Beaudin believes that “this collection of poignant materials acquired by Pequot’s visionary founders – Virginia and Elbert Monroe, Mary Hull Wakeman, and William Holman – illustrates a received history written by the victors, that is, the settlers who brought their language, faith, and political aspirations to the region with the intention of making the ‘new’ world their own without full regard for the traditions, beliefs, and lives of the indigenous populations. Thanks to the books, maps, biographies, and artifacts, patrons and students alike can learn and exchange new ideas and insights on a history shared by us all.”

Dr. Beaudin received her Ph.D. from Yale University, writing her thesis on medieval love narratives from Muslim Spain. She recently retired after 30 years on Yale’s campus. During the last dozen years there, Dr. Beaudin worked on grant-funded projects to create digital repositories, all specializing in the Optical Character Recognition of Arabic text. In her role as the director of digital initiatives, Dr. Beaudin led colleagues to set policy, define processes, and publish guidelines for a sustained and integrated digital strategy at Yale University Library. Since retirement, Dr. Beaudin’s endeavors have included a project review of the Endangered Archives Programme at the British Library in London and a long-term consultancy in Special Collections at Pequot Library.

Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution. For information: (203) 259-0346 ext. 115. Follow

Celebrate Native American Culture @ Maple Sugaring Festival in Washington

Traditions of the Algonquian Indians, who lived in northwestern Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, are kept alive in many fascinating ways at the Institute for American Indian Studies, Curtis Road, Washington, CT.  One of the most interesting Native American traditions is taking place here on March 10, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when visitors are invited to an authentic Maple Sugaring Festival.

Lost in the mists of history, Native Americans discovered that sweet sap runs from maple trees in the spring as the days get warmer and the nights stay cold.  They discovered that boiling the sap in a hollowed out log with hot rocks reduced the water like liquid to an amber colored syrup; and that when cooked longer, it would also harden into a brownish colored “sugar”. 

The Native Americans used this precious sap to sweeten and flavor their food, and as a sought after item to barter with. Eventually, they taught colonists the art of tapping maple trees for their sap and how to turn it into delicious "Sweetwater".

To sweeten up spring join the staff of the Institute along with primitive technologists Jeff and Judy Kalin in the outdoor  Algonquian  Village for an afternoon celebrating the gift of maple syrup.  The Kalins will demonstrate the traditional technique of collecting sap using only stone and wooden tools that would have been used by Native Americans. They will discuss the importance of maple sugar to the diet of Native Americans as well as its usefulness as an item of trade.

A highlight of this event are the “made from scratch” pancakes served up with local maple syrup, coffee and orange juice. The Maple Syrup Demonstration is noon – 3 pm., the Pancake Brunch is 11 am – 2 pm and children’s activities are 11:30 am – 2:30 pm. The cost is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, children are $10 and members of the museum $5.

About Primitive Technologies

PTI has built nearly 200 aboriginal structures both free standing and congregated in villages using only the tools and practices of the time such as stone axes, flaked hand tools, and fire. In his work, Jeff Kalin, owner of PTI uses only primitive tools that he has made himself.

PTI has created the village at the American Indian Archeological Institute in the style of the Eastern Woodland Indians.  This reconstructed village was created to look as it would have in the 16th century prior to European contact.  There are several wigwams and a longhouse in the village.  The structures are covered in thatch or bark.

Mr. Kalin is recognized as an expert in stone tool replication and is a consultant to museum curators and archeologists in the analysis of artifacts.  He has constructed prehistoric sets for filmmakers and his wood-fired replica pottery hand built from river clay is in private and public collections. 

Native American Legends

 There are many Native American legends concerning maple syrup.  

 Abenaki Legend

The Abenaki believed that the Creator gave many gifts to help man during his life and one of these gifts was maple syrup that would flow freely year-round from a broken tree limb.  When the Creator saw the Abenaki not tending to their village or crops and just drinking the sweet sap the creator decided to teach them a lesson by making the sap flow once a year in the spring. The Abenaki learned to honor the creator’s gift by finding that it would now take a lot of work to make the syrup.  To honor this gift they collected sap in birch bark buckets and prepared hot rocks to boil the sap from a thin liquid into a thick syrup.

Mohegan Legend

 The Mohegan's believed that the melting snow caused the spring sap to run and considered it to be the dripping oil of the Great Celestial Bear, that was wounded by the winter sky hunters.  The bear that was represented by the Big Dipper was part of their own Pleiades story that weaves its way through many Native American origin stories.

Iroquois Legend

 An Iroquois legend tells of Woksis, an Indian chief that pulled his tomahawk from a maple tree while hunting resulting in sap dripping from the tree.  The chief’s squaw noticed the sap dripping from the tree and needing water to make dinner decided to collect the sap from the tree rather than walk all the way to the river.   The sap made the meal very tasty and as a result, the Native Americans decided to tap maple trees. 

Maple Sugaring Calendar!

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. While many sugarhouses invite visitors anytime during the first three weekends in March (see list below), some locations plan one festive day to celebrate the season.

The MAPLE Calendar

Visit Any Weekend

March 1-31

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. Their 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

Another sugarhouse open to the public on weekends is Brookside Farm on 79 East Chestnut Hill Road in Litchfield. Started in 1999 as a second act to corporate careers, the owners' overall goal is to promote the resurgence of sustainable agriculture in Connecticut. On their 30 acres farm, they produce hay (for horses) and maple syrup (for people). Their maple syrup won 3 rd place in the 2014 International Maple Syrup tasting contest. Call (860) 567-3890 before setting out to confirm the syrup operation. They are open for visits through March 30.

New Milford's Sullivan Farm is hosting maple syrup tours beginning on Jan. 10 and running through March, organizers announced. Cost is $5 per participant with chaperones for groups of 10 or more receiving free admission. In addition to syrup tastings and demonstrations, participants will also learn about processing techniques. Also syrup will be available for sale. The tour runs for about 45 minutes. Sullivan Farm is located at 140 Park Lane in New Milford. Click here for more information, or email vincent@youthagency.org or call 860-210-2030.

March 10 – 11

For those who can't make the first weekend, March offers many other special events. The Greenwich Land Trust is hosting two maple sugar events.

The Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington will have a different take on sugaring at its annual Pancake Festival on March 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Demonstrations will show how local Native Americans traditionally made maple syrup and its importance to their culture. Pancakes will be served with local maple syrup and there will be special activities for children. New this year is the Connecticut Valley Siberian Husky Club's dog sledding and mushing demonstration. www.iaismuseum.org

Flanders Nature Center is also hosting maple sugaring demonstrations at the Sugar House located on 5 Church Hill Rd. in Woodbury on March 10 and 11 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. www.flandersnaturecenter.org

The Annual Maple Festival at Sweet Wind Farm takes place in East Hartland on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The busy day will include tree tapping, maple syrup and maple sugar making demonstrations with free syrup samples, a narrated slide show and video, tours, live music, and --almost everyone's favorite activity-- a sugar-on-snow candy making demonstration. www.sweetwindfarm.net

Syrup Saturday at the New Canaan Nature Center on March 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 am. is always a festive day. Bring the whole family and join them for the annual end of syrup season celebration – you won't want to miss the center's famously delicious Pancakes & PJ's party, complete with TONS of fun syrup-related activities! They'll be serving up flapjacks, syrup, and an array of tasty toppings in the Visitor Center, while leading tree tapping demos, a real maple sap "boil down," campfire with marshmallows, real v. fake syrup taste test, and NEW maple syrup Instagram scavenger hunt. All are welcome and encouraged to dress in their PJ's! www.newcanaannature.org

March 17

March 17 is the date of the annual Maplefest! at the Sharon Audubon Center. From 12 noon. to 4 p.m. guided tours of the center's sugaring operation that includes at working sugarhouse and a re-creation of Native American and early colonial sugaring methods. Watch as pure sugar maple sap is collected from the trees and turned into delicious maple syrup. Fresh, homemade maple baked goods and coffee will also be available for purchase during the day as part of the Maple Bake Sale. Each treat will be made with the Center's very own maple syrup! Fresh syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last, as well as locally made maple candy. http://ct.audubon.org

The Curious Case of Ed Vebel @ Westport Historical Society

Meet Ed Vebell. He is 96, a nonagenarian, and he’s probably lived a more interesting life than you have. Like most of your older relatives Ed has stories to tell, but his span the globe, span time, and span famous events and his work will be presented at the Westport Historical Society through April 28, 2018.

It may sound cliché but it all started when Ed was shipped off to war. Ed nearly started out as an aircraft gunner, an occupation with a notoriously short lifespan, but when his superiors were alerted to his artistic ability he was quickly transferred to the US Army’s military newspaper, Stars and Stripes, as a field illustrator. As it turns out, illustrating battles was only the beginning of a decade’s long journey through odd, extraordinary and potentially lethal experiences.

Mr. Vebell spent years overseas in exotic places like Morocco and the cabarets of Paris. His decades as an illustrator, for publications like Sports Illustrated and Reader’s Digest,connected him with a cavalcade of characters including Grace Kelly and Matisse. Oh, and did we mention he also competed at the 1952  Olympics in fencing?

Like any traveler he collected some souvenirs along the way. A century gives you opportunities to acquire interesting life experiences and trinkets; only Ed’s trinkets aren’t the knick knacks you find in grandma’s attic but treasures like Buffalo Bill’s hat and a spear from the Maasai, an African lion hunter tribe.

Join us and become immersed in the life of arguably Westport’s most interesting man, and be sure to look for Ed’s recently published book “An Artist at War”. Signed copies will be available for sale at the exhibit opening and in our gift shop.

The Curious Case of Ed Vebell, runs through April 28 @ Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place across from Town Hall.  Donations Accepted, For more information call 203-222-1424 or vistiwestporthistory.org. 

Litchfield Hills Wine Trail

The Winter Wine Trail was started in 2009 by a group of farm wineries to show off the beauty of the Litchfield Hills in the winter and to remind consumers that Connecticut wineries in the hills are open year-round. The customers are given a "Trail Card" that lists the six participating wineries and upon visiting each winery the card is then stamped. Once stamped by all six wineries, completed cards are then handed into the wineries and entered into a drawing for prizes. The drawing will take place early April 2018.

The participating wineries for this season are:

DiGrazia Vineyards located on 131 Tower Road in Brookfield was founded in 1978 with the planting of a forty-five acre vineyard. The winery was founded in 1984, with an initial release of four brands of wine. Over 15 wines are offered, ranging from dry to sweet, using estate grown grapes, local fruit and honey. DiGrazia Vineyards grows premium French Hybrid grape varieties exclusively.

Haight-Brown Vineyard is located on 29 Chestnut Hill Rd. in Litchfield. More than two decades ago, Haight Vineyard planted Chardonnay and Riesling on the slopes of the Litchfield Hills, near the historic town of Litchfield. In 1978, the State Legislature passed a Farm Winery Act and Haight Vineyard became Connecticut's first established winery.The Haight-Brown Vineyard and Winery is situated on ten pastoral acres, representative of a New England farm winery. The Tasting Room includes a custom built wine bar for tasting each of the nine vintages, guided by the knowledge of educated and friendly staff, an upstairs patio and downstairs terrace for sipping wine on lazy summer days, and two stone fireplaces for lingering during chilly ones.

Hopkins Vineyard is located on 25 Hopkins Rd. in New Preston and is set on the northern shore of Lake Waramaug. Hopkins Vineyard, is a family-owned Connecticut Century Farm, that proudly maintains a tradition of making fine wines of award-winning quality. In 1787 Elijah Hopkins, returning from the Revolutionary War, chose this rich and fertile site on Lake Waramaug to settle his family and start the Hopkins Farm. -The unique location of Hopkins Vineyard makes it the only vineyard in Connecticut with a microclimate influenced by an inland lake; this allows an extended growing season and successful growing of grape varieties, which ordinarily would not thrive, in our northeastern climate. Classic grape varieties are grown on 30 acres adjacent to the winery.

Jerram Winery is located on 535 Town Hill Rd. in New Hartford and is a small vineyard that was planted in 1982. The conversion of an old horse barn and an impossible dream led to the opening of the winery in 1998. Located in the historic Town Hill section of New Hartford at an elevation of 1000 feet, the vineyards enjoy a longer growing season that enables the vines to produce well-matured grapes and wines of complexity and enjoyment. The winery is situated among vineyards and gardens with patios and decks for guests to relax and enjoy a glass of wine with a picnic lunch. Tasting and tours are available. Currently, eleven wines are in production, both white and red ranging from very dry to sweet; pure varietals and a variety of blends.

Miranda Vineyard is located on 42 Ives Rd. in Goshen and was planted in 2001. Miranda was first opened to the public May of 2007. Its bright and airy tasting room and large exterior deck make an excellent place to sit, relax, have a glass of wine and enjoy the company of good friends. The Vineyard is two hours from New York City and only an hour from the Hartford area. A visit to the area with its famous autumn foliage, historic sights and many wineries makes a great day trip or romantic weekend getaway. Vintner, Manny Miranda, has taken Old World techniques passed down through his family for generations and perfected them by applying the latest modern technological advances. The results are handcrafted, small batch wines for the discerning connoisseur.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards is located on 599 Old Middle Street in Goshen several miles from the center of Litchfield. Originally a working farm purchased in 1996 by George and Judy Motel, Sunset Meadow Farm, as it was known, raised beef cattle and hay. In 2003 Sunset Meadow Vineyards was established. Overlooking the captivating sunsets of the Litchfield Hills, the vineyards lie on 50 acres of rich and fertile soil that has a long tradition of agriculture dating back to the 1800's. The vines here are hand pruned, hand harvested and maintained with extreme precision. Visitors can take a step into the past while enjoying the warm and friendly atmosphere of the historic tasting room. The winery is located inside a 1800s German Bank Barn that has been used to support the properties numerous agricultural operations over the years.

Dreaming with Animal Power @ White Memorial Foundation

White Memorial Foundation, the state's largest nature conservation center is offering an interesting evening on March 3 on "dreaming with animal powers.  

photo David Jones

Where do we go every night? Why? Is it really "Just a Dream?!" Are you being "stalked" in your dreams – or in your waking life! – by a certain Animal? Get to Know Your Inner Tiger – or Dolphin or Eagle or Bear or...! Active Dreaming is a synthesis of modern dream work and ancient shamanic practices which views dreams as experiences of the soul. The Active Dreaming process respects the dreamer as the only authority on the meaning of his or her dreams – and thus, his or her Life.

As part of this lively evening, we will learn the Lightning Dreamwork process – a quick, fun and respectful way to share dreams or Waking experiences that helps us to develop our intuition and creativity, and helps us to bring their healing into our daily lives. We will learn about the many ways in which the Animals show themselves to us – in our Dreams and in our day-to-day lives – and how to discern their messages.

Come ready to learn more about the Magical world in which we live!

Please bring a drum or rattle if you have one, your Dream journal if you keep one, and your Imagination! 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $ 30.00 , Non-members: $45.00, Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online.

Bruce Museum Presents “Treasures of the Earth: Mineral Masterpieces from the Robert R. Wiener Collection”

Treasures of the Earth: Mineral Masterpieces from the Robert R. Wiener Collection," opens at the Bruce Museum, located on One Museum Drive in Greenwich and runs from November 11 and continues through April 1, 2018.

There will be approximately 100 dazzling specimens on display, ranging from intricately connected cubes of pyrite, to dazzlingly clear crystals of selenite, to fiery red hexagons of vanadinite.

Robert R. Wiener, chairman of MAXX Properties, a fourth-generation, family-owned real estate company based in Harrison, N.Y., has built this comprehensive collection over the past four decades. His collection includes minerals from Madagascar, China, Peru, Australia, Morocco, the United States, and beyond. Many examples of unusual crystal forms, rare combinations of multiple minerals growing together, and eye-catching enormous specimens are all featured.

Check website for programming.

Medicinal Monday from Institute for American Indian Studies - Sage

Sage is a small aromatic evergreen shrub with silvery green leaves that are held sacred by many Native Americans because of its excellent purifying attributes. The botanical name for this plant comes from the Latin word "salvere" meaning to be saved. It is a member of the mint family and closely related to rosemary.​

There are many health benefits of sage and in Native American culture, this herb was thought to provide balance healing the mind by clearing it of any negative thoughts such as anger, fear, and the body by cleansing it.  Interestingly, scientific research has shown that the smoke of sage actually clears bacteria out of the air.

Sage is known for its natural antiseptic, preservative and bacteria-killing abilities in meat; making it useful before refrigeration was invented.  Medicinally, this useful herb has been helpful in easing abdominal cramps, menopausal symptoms, bloating, colds, flu, sore throats cuts, and bruises. Sage tea, sometimes called "thinkers" tea helps ease depression.

People have cooked with sage for thousands of years. Fresh sage is the most flavorful and fragrant and is a main ingredient in many recipes. When sage is hung and dried it retains some of the pungent flavorful qualities for about a year. Sage pairs well with cheese, eggs, mushrooms, pasta, butternut squash and of course turkey!​

Did you Know...
People have used sage to flavor food for at least 2000 years. It was popular with the Ancient Romans and Greeks and used to treat sore throats, hot flashes, and ulcers. Arabian healers of the 10th century believed that eating it would grant immortality, and Europeans four centuries later used it to ward off witchcraft. Three cases of tea leaves reportedly were traded for one case of sage leaves by 17th century Chinese because they appreciated the medicinal qualities of sage tea. 

​

Finnish herbalist, Henriette Kress, and author of Henriette’s Herbal lists at least seven different varieties of sage, while other sources say there are over 700 species spread throughout the world. Some varieties are used for culinary purposes, while others have more medicinal properties and uses.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.
 

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.

​​

Tiger Cub Live Cam @ Beardsley Zoo

The two rare Amur or Siberian tiger cubs were born in November at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport have received worldwide attention. Unfortunately, the Tiger cubs, Reka and Zaya are too young to be viewed by the public, however, Blue Buffalo has sponsored a live streaming webcam in their nursery!

The webcam offers animal lovers a close-up view of these two stripped sweethearts at play from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Watching the live feed also gives the public a chance to see how hard the zoo staff is working to care for these little ladies that are genetically so important to sustaining their breed.

The Beardsley Zoo is an accredited zoo that does much more than just display animals. Accredited Zoos play an important role in conservation, saving animals and breeding them that are on the verge of extinction in the wild, like Amur Tigers.

In the wild, Amur Tigers are critically endangered due to poaching and the change in their habitat. Reka and Zaya will help keep the genetic pool diverse so these new arrivals are very important overall to this rare and beautiful species.

In late spring, the Beardsley Zoo will move the tiger cubs to a new tiger exhibit where the public can actually watch them frolic... but for now get ready to ohhhhhh and awwwww when watching the webcam!http://www.beardsleyzoo.com/tiger-cam/

Abenaki - Wearing Our Heritage Feb. 24 @Institute for American Indian Studies

On February 24 at 2 p.m. the Institute for American Indian Studies is welcoming Vera Longtoe Sheehan, Abenaki, one of the creative minds behind the exhibit, "Alnobak Wearing Our Heritage". Vera Longtoe Sheehan, notes "this exhibit is  unique because it is the first traveling exhibit about Abenaki people that are still here living on the land and creating wonderful things."  During this fascinating talk, Sheehan will explain how items in the current exhibition are made and used to express Native Identity.

This beautifully curated exhibit is composed of artifact clothing as well as contemporary pieces made by Vermont's Abenaki artists, community members, and tribal leaders.  The show offers a chronological look at Abenaki fashion and adornment.  There is everything from a beautiful 17th-century style buckskin dress by Melody Walker Brook to a hip looking denim jean jacket with a Tolba or turtle design created by Vera Longtoe Sheehan. "The message of this exhibit is that we are still here and that we know our history and still respect and practice our culture," said Longtoe Sheehan.  "Many of us practice both traditional designs and clothes such as the twined woven dress and handbag I made as well as contemporary designs using a jean jacket, in different ways, both connects my family tradition to thousands of years of our history." 

In addition to the many contemporary handmade items celebrating Abenaki culture, there is a "Wall of Honor" that includes a wealth of archival photos including a portrait of19th-century matriarch Nellie Longtoe Sheehan wearing an animal claw beside her crucifix pendant. "We can't separate our spirituality from our history from our art," said Longtoe Sheehan. "The very being of our art is a celebration of our culture." 

About Vera Longtoe Sheehan

As an Abenaki culture bearer, artist, educator and activist Vera   Longtoe Sheehan serves her community as the Director of the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA), a multi-arts services organization, supporting Native American artists in the decorative arts, fine arts, performing arts, music, and literary genres. Her BA in Museum Studies and Native American Studies combined with her current studies working toward an MA in Heritage Preservation from SUNY Empire allow her to act as a bridge between the Abenaki community and the mainstream art world in creating engaging exhibitions and educational programs and events that promote the vibrant culture of her people. Additionally, Vera leads the VAAA education team in the development of study guides and has developed the teacher a teacher training program entitled “Presenting Abenaki Culture in the Classroom.”

Vera has done extensive research of primary resources relating to textiles made in and traded through the Northeast United States and Southeast of Canada. She is a Master Artist in the areas of Twined Plant Fiber Textiles and Wabanaki Clothing. To date she has curated, four museum exhibitions involving Native American clothing from the Northeast, Alnobak: Wearing Our Heritage and Warmth and Protection were dedicated to the continuity of Indigenous clothing.

Having lectured and exhibited her work both nationally and internationally, Vera preserves the traditions of her ancestors by making twined, plant-fiber creations. Her father taught her the proper way to harvest and process plants to make cordage, as well as the twists, ties, and knots she uses to make her distinctive twined bags, baskets, and textiles. Her twined bags, baskets and textiles reside in museums and private collections and can be seen in films and literature. Vera is committed to bringing this endangered tradition back into practice.

For over twenty-five years, Vera has combined her Indigenous heritage, her knowledge of regional history, and a passion for artistic creation, in offering programs for schools, and museums.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies
The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

 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.

In addition to the many contemporary handmade items celebrating Abenaki culture, there is a "Wall of Honor" that includes a wealth of archival photos including a portrait of19th-century matriarch Nellie Longtoe Sheehan wearing an animal claw beside her crucifix pendant. "We can't separate our spirituality from our history from our art," said Longtoe Sheehan. "The very being of our art is a celebration of our culture." 

See Majestic Eagles Swoop, Glide, Dip, and Dive At Annual Eagle Watch In the Litchfield Hills

An outdoor buffet in winter may not sound tempting to most of us, but to our national bird, the regal American bald eagle, it is a rare treat. When fishing grounds in their homes further north freeze over, these graceful birds make an annual journey to the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury, in Connecticut's Litchfield Hills.

They favor this spot because the turbulent waters of the dam not only prevent freezing, but push fish to the surface, easy pickings for eagles who can swoop down and feast on their favorite dish. Thrilling to see in full flight, the majestic bald eagle can measure 34 to 43 inches in length with a wingspan of six to seven and a half feet.

Their flight speed is between 36 to 44 miles per hour. Everyone is invited to view these fascinating winter guests at the Eagle Observation Area near the Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station. An organized eagle watch takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March 12.

Admission is free but since space is limited reservations are required; group and individual reservations are accepted. In addition to eagle viewing,the CT Audubon will host a birds of Prey show on Saturdays throughout the viewing season. This year for the first time reservations can be made on-line 

The shelter, maintained by FirstLight Power Resources, is located 1000 feet from the river, affording safety for the eagles while providing an excellent vantage point. High powered telescopes are set up on tripods for visitors. Knowledgeable Audubon volunteers are on hand to assist in spotting and answer questions about the birds.

The volunteers maintain a helpful website, http://shepaugeagles.com, with information about eagles and recent visitor statistics. Reservations can be made on this site. Nearly 148,000 people have visited the observation area since it was opened to the public in 1986. On an average day in past years, six or seven eagles were sighted, but lucky viewers on the best days in the past have spotted as many as 15 to 21 eagles in action. Chances are best on cold clear days when the surfaces of most other rivers and ponds have frozen. Visitors are advised to dress warmly in layers and to allow plenty of time to wait for the eagle action to begin. 

The Magic of Native American Courting Flutes

The Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington has a perfectly unique way to top off Valentine's Day week.  On Saturday, February 17 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Ojibway artist, and musician Allan Madahbee will explain the cultural significance and the hauntingly beautiful sound of the Native American courting flute.   In Native American culture, the flute is deeply rooted in the traditional Eastern Woodland Indian traditions as well as in the culture of indigenous peoples of the Americas. 

Traditional Native American flutes are known by several names, one of the most common being the courting flute. As the name suggests, the courting flute was played during courting rituals by a young man serenading his intended bride. Courting was not a private affair, and this formal ritual normally took place in front of the entire tribe. It is said that once the young man and young woman were joined together, she would break the flute in half so he would never play it for anyone else. This is why some tribes do not allow, or at least discourage females from playing these sacred flutes.

Today, makers of Native American Flutes like Ojibway artist and musician Allan Madahbee craft their personal style and sound into their creations.   Madahbee began to research the Chippewa flute culture and was influenced and mentored by Joseph Firecrow of the Cheyenne nation. "We became friends and he provided guidance and feedback and explained some of his methods of flute making. With his passing last year, we have all lost a great Native American flute maker and musician. I am proud to continue our flute making traditions." The sound of the courting flute that is usually made of cedar has an uncommon scale for Western music and is entrancing.

Born on the shores of Lake Huron, Allan Madahbee is a registered Ojibway (Chippewa) Indian that has pursued the traditional arts and crafts of his ancestors. He has been making Native American flutes for about ten years. "I had always thought they were a product of the Southwest Indian tribes, but a book that I found that was written during the 1800s about Chippewa culture, had a passage about the Chippewa flutes, along with pictures. This made me realize that they were indeed a part of my Chippewa culture. Knowing that my ancestors constructed these flutes for hundreds of years has inspired me to continue this tradition. Also, the haunting sound from these mystical instruments is a large part of my inspiration."

Along with constructing Woodland flutes, beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, Native American regalia, and rock sculptures, Madahbee always returns to his artistic roots in paintings. Mainly self-taught, Madahbee had high school art courses with fellow Ojibway artists Blake Debassige and James Simon - two well known Anishnawbe artists that are respected and have their paintings displayed around the globe.

Space is limited and reservations are suggested.  To make sure you get a spot call the Institute for American Indian Studies at (860) 868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org to reserve your spot.  The program is included in the price of admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 children; IAIS Members free.