Wellness Walks @ Weir Farm National Historic Site

Weir Farm National Historic Site, on 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton will offer two-hour wellness walks from 9:00 to 11:00 am on the following dates:  July 28, August 18, and September 8.  These walks are open to the public, registration is free, but space is limited to twenty participants, so please call early to secure a spot! To register or for more information, please call 203-834-1896 ext. 28.

Shinrin Yoku Forest Bathing Wellness Walks are part of the park's Healthy Parks Healthy People program, Weir Farm National Historic Site is offering wellness walks, led by Certified Forest Therapy Guide Jennifer Salkin. Shinrin Yoku.

 

These walks are also called Forest Bathing and is a way to experience the natural world with increased attention to one's sense perceptions.  These walks are said to have many benefits including reduction of stress & improvement of immune functioning as well as lowering blood pressure, increasing vigor & improving your mood, increasing the ability to focus, and improving sleep. Join Jennifer for a slow-paced hike and re-connect with nature at Weir Farm National Historic Site!

Ahoy Mateys! The Pirate Adventure on Sheffield Island

Scallywags of all ages can step into a world of swashbuckling rogues, dastardly villains, infamous she-pirates and wicked wenches on July 14 and 15 when purchasing a ferry ride ticket to Sheffield Island for the annual Pirates Weekend hosted by the Seaport Association in Norwalk.

Find your sea legs and hop aboard the C.J. Toth Ferry for a cruise to Sheffield Island. Arriving on the Island, guests will be greeted and entertained by a roving gang of rowdy pirates.  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., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on both days, Saturday and Sunday.  It is best to arrive 30 minutes before the boat departs the dock that is 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 https://seaport.org/page-18092

About the Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had a 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 contribute to our quality of life.

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

New Oyster Exhibit @ Westport Historical Society

Oysters were the quintessential American food – especially in the estuaries and inlets of shoreline Connecticut where they grow in natural abundance.  The Westport Historical Society is celebrating the culture and lore of oystering on Long Island Sound with a month-long exhibit through July 29 entitled Westport Is Your Oyster.

The exhibit offers a glimmer into Westport and Norwalk’s oystering history using original artifacts and objects from the private collections of Ms. Robin Tauck and Mr. Norman Bloom as well as items from our permanent collection.  Ephemera relating to the consumption of oysters round out a display that includes tools of the trade and archival documents.  Oysters have been enjoyed by native people who seared them in hot coals, in a method later adopted by European colonists.  In those days, the oysters pulled from the waters around Westport were as large as dinner plates. 

The Westport Historical Society is located on 25 Avery Place in Westport and is open Tues.-Sat. 10 am - 4 p.m. and Sun. noon to 4 p.m. 

CT's Beardsley Zoo welcomes Eight Spur Thigh Tortoises!

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo welcomes eight spur-thigh tortoises (Geochelone sulcata) who are making the Zoo their home for the summer. The African spur thigh tortoise, also known as the spurred tortoise, is the third largest species of tortoise in the world, after the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra giant tortoise. It is the largest of all mainland tortoises.

“Summertime is the right time, so it’s a great time to bring such special animals here as our temporary guests,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Tortoises also love summer heat, and the spur thigh tortoise is particularly well-adapted to hot temperatures. Also there is the educational message that these wonderful animals do not make good pets! Make wise not wild choices!"

“The Zoo will be home to the tortoises until sometime this fall,” added Dancho. “Guests can find them next to the Victorian Greenhouse.” 

African spur thigh tortoises are large, and push and knock over heavy objects with ease. One of their unusual behaviors is that they may ram each other, with males especially ramming females. The force with which one tortoise rams another can be intimidating, given their strength. They are generally slow moving, however, in order to conserve energy. They dig burrows in the ground to take shelter from their harsh, hot habitat, with some tunnel systems extending ten or more feet underground. 

Adult tortoises average 18 inches in shell length and 70-100 pounds in weight. Specimens reaching two to three feet length and more than 150 pounds, however, are not uncommon.

They are able to go weeks without food. In the wild, they mainly eat grasses and leaves of desert scrub. They get the water they need from the plants they eat. African spur thigh tortoises’ conservation status is listed currently as vulnerable, due to habitat loss and over collection for the pet trade. 

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is closer than you think and open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $15.00, children (ages 3 -11) is $12.00, senior admission (62 and older) is just $11.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo:  About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo:

Spend the day a world away! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 96^thanniversary this year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers and tiger cubs, maned wolf family with three pups, Amur leopards, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican wolves, sloths, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful, indoor carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.com.

Take a Hike with White Memorial Foundation, June 30

Take a hike up Prospect Mountain with White Memorial Foundation June 30 with Lee Swift, Richard Heys, and James Fischer at 10:00 a.m. Hikers should meet at the A. B. Ceder Room at White Memorial Foundation. The hike is free for members of the Foundation and $5 for nonmembers, and registration is required by clicking here. If you have questions or want to register by phone, call 860-567-0857.

Prospect Mountain is a 328-acre preserve, located west of the Borough of Litchfield, and includes most of a locally prominent hill featuring a spectacular viewpoint near its 1350-foot summit, as well as a large pond to the west. It is mostly forested, with several meadows indicating past agricultural uses. The area was subject to significant nickel mining explorations in the 19th century.

Hike this beautiful property which is now owned by the Litchfield Land Trust with former land trust President, Richard Heys, local historian, Lee Swift, and White Memorial's Research Director, James Fischer. The history, geology, and natural beauty of Prospect Mountain will be discussed. Bring sturdy shoes, a hiking pole, and plenty of water.

Five Great Reasons to Take the Morning Yoga Cruise June with the Seaport Association

The 5000-year-old ancient tradition of yoga, originating in India, continues to gain popularity in the U.S.  A study conducted by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal found that the number of people doing yoga is up from 20.4 million in 2012 to 36.7 million in 2016 and that 34% or roughly 80 million Americans say that they are somewhat or very likely to practice yoga in the next twelve months.  With this in mind, the Seaport Association of Norwalk has put together the Morning Yoga Cruise to Sheffield Island on June 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

This relaxing excursion begins with an early morning ferry ride to Sheffield Island.  Early morning is one of the most beautiful times of day to be on the water.  Once on the island, there will be a one-hour session with Yoga Instructor, Amanda Boe who has received her YTT certification from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Boe has also been a student of many yoga teachers from around the globe. "I believe that yoga is a great equalizer, and teaching yoga offers balance in a hectic world."  

Five Reasons to take the Morning Yoga Cruise

1. Get Ready to Unplug.  Turn off your cell phone and get ready to engage your senses to the sounds of the sea.  Practicing yoga on the very private Sheffield Island with no more than 49 other participants is exhilarating.  Here, you will experience the kind of quiet that allows you to listen and become one with the sounds of the island leaving the work a day world far behind.  This is the kind of quiet that expands your senses and allows you to unwind as you breathe deeply, smell the fresh salt air, and listen to the mysteries of the wind.

2. Gain a Sense of Inner Calm. Yoga helps quiet the mind and teaches us how to step back from our churning thoughts and anxieties.  Many people practice yoga to "de-stress," which in turn, reduces its physical effects on the body. Yoga encourages relaxation, which helps lower the level of stress hormones like cortisol.  It is also known that when we are less stressed we sleep better; several studies have shown that yoga improves sleep quality. Lowering stress also lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate, improves digestion, and boosts the immune system.

3. Improve your Flexibility and General Fitness.   Yoga is a full body workout that improves flexibility, and more importantly, mobility.  Flexibility is what makes it easier to complete everyday movements like kneeling, bending or reaching; certain yoga holds build functional strength where you really need it.  Yoga also increases your mobility by making it easier to accomplish these things. As an added bonus, yoga is exercise and you will burn calories doing it!

4. Learn to Breathe.  Think of breathing as an endless feedback loop.  One of the central purposes of yoga is to bring awareness to the way emotions affect breathing.  When practicing yoga you will learn to breathe differently and how to use this knowledge in everyday situations.  To "take a deep breath" is much more than just a saying, taking a deep breath is sometimes the only thing between you and saying something you will regret.  Among the many health benefits to the heart, brain and immune system, deep breathing keeps the body in its naturally slightly alkalinized state.

5. Connect with yourself.   Yoga is about becoming attuned to our individual self.  The word yoga means "union" and refers to the union of mind, body, and spirit. The beauty of the Sunrise Yoga Cruise is that this time away allows participants to set aside a few hours to rejuvenate and connect or reconnect with their inner thoughts.  The natural beauty of Sheffield Island, the sound of the waves, the chatter of birds, and the sea breeze provide a perfect backdrop to give yourself an hour or so just let yourself go or to sort everything out.

About the Morning Yoga Cruise

The Morning Cruise and YogaSession is for adults only. It is open to all skill levels and to anyone looking to enjoy a serene ferry ride to Sheffield Island followed by an hour of yoga.  Fresh fruit and water will be provided.

The boat leaves from the Sheffield Island Lighthouse Dock located at the corner of North Water Street and Washington Street in historic South Norwalk. Parking is available adjacent to the dock and the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium Garage. 

Tickets are $40 ($42.39 with service fee) and may be purchased online by clicking here.

BBQ and Boating to Sheffield Island – June 30

 BBQ is trending in pop culture - on TV shows, at festivals and fairs and even on road trip itineraries. BBQ has become a quintessential American treat, especially around the 4th of July. Some dare to say that BBQ almost rivals apple pie in popularity! With this thought in mind, the Seaport Association in Norwalk has cooked up a special BBQ Cruise on June 30. The boat departs the dock at 5 p.m. and returns at 9 p.m. The capacity is limited to 49 lucky people (the Coast Guard sets the limit). This event does require advance reservations so get your tickets early!

The Lighthouse on Sheffield Island has a long history and is celebrating 150 years making this BBQ Cruise, the only one of the season, very special. Like the Lighthouse, BBQ has a long history whose roots go back to Caribbean cooking. In the U.S. there are four distinct styles of BBQ including Carolina, Texas, Memphis and Kansas City. These four styles were brought north from the Caribbean by Spanish conquistadors and then moved westward and beyond by settlers. Along the way, a few European spices were mixed in, and the techniques modified here and there resulting in the four basic types of BBQ found here today.

This BBQ Cruise is the perfect way to get inspired for your July 4th BBQ! The menu for the Sheffield Island BBQ includes all the classics - pulled pork, BBQ steak, BBQ Chicken, corn on the cob, tomato salad, orzo salad, three-bean salad, watermelon and soft drinks. Feel free to BYOB and don't forget your plastic cups! An added bonus of the Sheffield Island BBQ is that guests dine as the sun sets over Long Island Sound making for memorable photo opportunities.

It is undeniable that there is a certain pleasure when the slow-cooked flavors of meat hit the smoke and the BBQ sauce or rubs - combine that with our BBQ Cruise to Sheffield Island on June 30 and you are in for a perfect night. For tickets and additional information click here.

The Seaport Association dock is located on 4 North Water Street adjacent to the Maritime Aquarium IMAX Parking Lot. Parking is available at the adjacent Maritime Garage