"Bizarre Bazaar" @ New England Carousel Museum

To get you in a holiday mood, the New England Carousel Museum located on 95 Riverside Ave. in Bristol is hosting the "Bizarre Bazaar, a holiday art and craft fair on November 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a juried show and sale of work by phenomenal artists and artisans handpicked by the Museum and one that you don't want to miss  especially if you are looking for unusual holiday gifts.

Expect to be dazzled as you wander among the work of artists and artisans at the Carousel Museum that will be displaying a variety of homemade crafts, amazing treats, and holiday gifts. There will be two floors with over 50 exhibitors showcasing their unique gifts among the Museum's holiday environment and gorgeous carousel horses.

As adults shop, there is plenty to do for the little ones. The Arts and Crafts Room of the Museum will be open for children and, "Amazing Magical Paul" will be back to create whimsical balloon animals!   Best of all, admission is only $1.00 with free carousel rides for children all day.

Colonial Life of Women Series at Glebe: “The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife” & “There’s still thyme…”

The Glebe House Museum will kick off its brand new “Colonial Life Series” focusing on the Colonial Life of Women. This series is presented with the help of a grant received from the “Women’s Giving Circle of the Connecticut Community Foundation”. The Colonial Life Series was designed to present the “lost” arts of colonial life, in an intimate setting, at our historic site. Immerse yourself in history in these programs based on the important contributions of women during the colonial period that affected not only their immediate household but their local community and beyond. This six-part series will present lectures & hands-on workshops including the life of colonial women, herbalist basics, painting theorems, vinegar etched framing, colonial textiles and the basics of hand-weaving.

 The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife

Monday, November 11 at 6:30 pm

 

Ever wonder what the real life of a colonial “good-wife” was like? Here about all of the subjects not covered in your favorite history docudrama and discover what life was really like for New England’s colonial women. Presented by Velya Jancz-Urban - author, teacher, and creator of The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife - has partnered with her herbalist daughter, Ehris Urban, on this unique presentation that it is funny, sad, sweet, and shocking. Dive deeper into our history. “It’s not all about spinning wheels and quilting bees!” This program will be presented in the “kitchen” of the Glebe House Museum (c.1750), immersed in colonial artifacts and history. Light refreshments will be served.

There’s still thyme… Herbal Lore, Herbalism Basics, & DIY Herbal Tea Blends

Friday, November 15 @ 6:30 pm

Colonial women did not have the benefit of the local pharmacy for health & healing. They did have knowledge of herbs. This class is a novice’s guide to the power of plants for health & healing, herbal lore and herbalism basics. Make your own organic Women’s Tonic and herbal teas.   Join Ehris Urban -herbalist, public speaker and author and her mother, Velya Jancz-Urban – author, teacher and creator of the Grounded Goodwife for this hands-on workshop presented in the “kitchen” of the Glebe House Museum (c.1750), immersed in colonial artifacts and history. Light refreshments will be served.

Fee: $20 each for members - $25 each for non-members

Sign up for both programs and receive a $10 discount.  

All proceeds benefit the Glebe House Museum.

Registration is required / Limited seating. Call 203-263-2855 or office@glebehousemuseum.org

HVA’s Annual Auction for our Environment Sunday, Nov. 10th, 2019

The Housatonic Valley Association’s Annual Auction for our Environment is set for Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. at the Washington Primary School, 11 School Street, Washington Depot. Proceeds fund HVA’s water and land conservation work across the Housatonic Valley.

Christine Baranski, HVA Board member and star of CBS’s The Good Fight and movie Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, chairs the Benefit Auction Committee. Auctioneer CK Swett takes center stage at 3 p.m., keeping bidders on their toes with trademark energy, humor and warmth.

Joining Christine on the committee are co-chairs Linda Allard, Rebecca Neary and Alexandra Peters as well as Jack and Pam Baker, John Favreau, Pat Lahoud, Margo Martindale, Diane Meier, Seth and Alexi Meyers, and Anne Swift and Lee Lord.

Washington’s own Chris Zaima is bringing design expertise to the setting this year and, along with Debby Bennett of Kent Greenhouse and Gardens, will create just the right ambience for music (the Sean Sheridan Band), delectable edibles (Executive Cuisine), cocktails, wine, and exuberant bidding.

The auction lineup of donations from friends throughout the Valley includes vacation and weekend getaways as well as theater and sporting event tickets, dining, home furnishings, antiques, artwork, outdoor gear and unique opportunities!

The auction has sold-out in recent years, so reserve your seats by calling 860-672-6678 or purchase your tickets online at hvatoday.org.

Proceeds help conserve riverfront land and woodland corridors, clean up pollution, protect drinking water, save wildlife habitat, allow countless children to enjoy and learn about our natural world – and so much more in the Housatonic River Valley.

Founded in 1941, HVA is uniquely dedicated to protecting the entire Housatonic River Watershed. The watershed includes about 2,000 square miles of land stretching from western Massachusetts through western Connecticut and eastern New York to Long Island Sound. HVA’s offices are in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut; Stockbridge, Massachusetts and Wassaic, New York. For more information, please visit hvatoday.org.

Kent Historical Society's Historic House Tour

A special November tour is taking place in the charming town of Kent that is hosted by the Kent Historical Society on November 9 from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m.  Houses on the Kent Historical Society's House tour will feature the architecture of Sherwood Mills and Smith AIA. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 on the day of the tour. For your tickets click here.

This tour features six of Kent's architectural gems that have been preserved with great care.  This house tour will give residents and visitors an inside look at homes and structures built in the first decade of the 18^th century through a modernist mid-century and help them understand how people lived and are living in this bucolic community.

There is an interesting variety of home on the tour. Some were grand dwellings in their day, others were much more modest. The highlight is that the variety of homes offer a number of curiosities and beauty that tour-goers will appreciate on this journey into the past.

The tour starts at Seven Hearths Museum on 4 Studio Hill Road in Kent, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Ticket holders will get a map and a description of the houses and are free to go on a self-guided tour of the homes. Tickets may also be purchased that day at the Seven Hearths from 11 a.m. through the afternoon. It promises to be a fun event -- who doesn’t like peering back in time in old houses? 

White Silo Farm in Sherman Celebrates the Quince

Quince is an ancient fruit, found in Roman cooking and grown across Turkey and southeast Asia. It grows on small trees and is closely related to apples and pears, but it lacks their immediate edibility and appeal.  The fruit is knobbly and ugly, with an irregular shape and often a gray fuzz — especially when the fruit has been picked underripe. The ripest, nicest quince will have a golden tone and smooth skin like pictured directly above. But even ripe quince doesn’t taste very good raw.

Quince was popular in 18th century New England. Nearly every home had a quince tree in the yard because quince provided a natural and plentiful source of pectin that was necessary for home canners to ensure that preserves they were putting up for the winter were properly set and preserved. After powdered pectins were invented, quince fell out of favor.

The first clue that quince hides something special is its aroma. If you leave a quince on a sunny windowsill it will slowly release a delicate fragrance of vanilla, citrus, and apple into your kitchen. It’s a heady, perfumed scent that is completely at odds with its appearance. Maybe this is why the quince is slowly making a comeback and is celebrated at White Silo Farm in Sherman on November 2, and November 3 at the 6th annual Quince Festival from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

They will be serving 6 scrumptious dishes made with quince. Their menu includes Butternut squash and quince soup; Quince Cippolini onion and bacon; Quince Pumpkin, quinoa salad with pomegranate seeds; Quince and Manchego Empanada; Panacotta with spiced quince and amaretti and hazelnut crumble; Quince gingerbread cake; and Pretzels with quince mustard.
Admission is free. Pay for wine and food. Quince mustard and Quince jam will be available to take home. There will be live music on Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm with the Hummingbirds and live music on Sunday, from 1pm-4 pm with Al Rivoli. Free outdoor tours weather permitting.

“Spirits of the Past” at historic Sharp Hill Cemetery in Wilton Nov. 2

On Saturday, November 2 from 11:00 – 12:00 a most unusual tour of Wilton’s oldest burial ground, the historic Sharp Hill Cemetery, will be offered by the Wilton Historical Society.  Portrayed by re-enactors, six of our town’s intrepid early settlers (each buried there) will describe their role in Wilton’s history.  Some of the historic figures portrayed will include the thrice-married Sarah Lockwood Selleck Hickox (1678 – 1765), Matthew Gregory (1680 – 1777) and Hannah Keeler Gregory (1687 – 1767).  The history of the cemetery itself will be explored by Wilton history expert and former First Selectman Bob Russell.

The Sharp Hill Cemetery, owned by the Wilton Congregational Church, is the oldest surviving cemetery in Wilton, dating from 1738. That year,  John Marvin gave 64 square rods (4/10 of an acre) to the “Presbyterian or Congregational Society of Wilton” as the site of a meeting house for the worship of God, as the Society had outgrown the small building in which they had started 12 years earlier.  The cemetery was to surround the new meeting house.  Although the church building which was built there only lasted until 1790, the cemetery was used actively until the mid-1800’s and then was gradually replaced by Hillside Cemetery on Ridgefield Road, which had the advantage of more space.

The men and women who are buried in Sharp Hill Cemetery include founders of Wilton, church leaders, and 23 veterans of the Revolution or the French and Indian Wars.  Many of the family names found here are still familiar in Wilton today in person or on street signs, including Abbott, Belden, DeForest, Dudley, Fitch, Gaylord, Gilbert, Gregory, Grumman, Hurlbutt, Lambert, Olmstead, Raymond, St. John, and Sturges.  There are about 150 legible gravestones, including about 70 from the 18th century, plus another 150 or so stones no longer legible or graves marked only with common fieldstones.  Many of the older gravestones have ornate skull carvings and other interesting designs.  Because of the fragile nature of many of the stones, gravestone rubbing is definitely discouraged.

Please register.  E-mail: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257. Suggested donation: $10

Still Time to Get a Pumpkin @ Jones Family Farm

Fall at Jones Family Farm in Shelton is a festive time of year.  A highlight is the pumpkins at Pumpkinseed Hill Farm! Bright orange pumpkins lie nestled amongst hay and green vines, ready to be harvested and carried home. The Market Yard features farm animals, hayrides, corn maze, fall flowers, fresh apples and piles of autumn squash.

Families enjoy roaming the pumpkin fields looking for the perfect jack-o-lantern. A hayride offered daily, weather permitting is great way to enjoy the harvest views or the pumpkin fields. If you are feeling daring, the family friend corn maze is a perfect way to experience autumn fun.

This year, the farm is having an amazing pumpkin and squash crop and are inviting the public to stock up on their carving pumpkins. They are offering an "All You Can Carry" for only $39.

Curator's Tour Decorative Arts @ the Weir House Oct. 30

Weir Farm National Park is well known for its beautiful grounds that have inspired painters, writers, and photographers for decades. What many people don't realize is that the house has an impressive decorative art collection as well.

On Wednesday, October 30 from 10 am to 11 am the public is invited to join the curator in a special tour of the Weir house that will provide a peek at some of the most treasured objects of art to be found in the house. 

The Weir house and studio is the home of famous impressionist J. Alden Weir that is set amid a rural Connecticut landscape on 775 Nod Hill Road in Wilton. To register for this very special decorative arts tour of the house call 203-834-1896 ext. 28. 

Haunted Museum in Woodbury @ Glebe House Oct. 26

As the leaves are changing color and the hint of the first frost is in the air getting ready to celebrate autumn at the All Hollows Event event hosted by the Glebe House located on Hollow Road in Woodbury on Saturday, October 26. This celebration takes place during the witching hours of 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Ghosts, goblins, and assorted scary creatures will be on hand along Hollow Road, following a path lit by over 300 luminaries, some of Woodbury's earliest citizens will come back from the dead to lead mystery tours of the nearby Ancient Burying Grounds.

Besides touring the cemetery, visitors should plan to enter the Haunted Glebe House to experience a spine-tingling tour with the home's frightening inhabitants and have a tarot card reading. The 275-year-old Glebe House has a history of hauntings.  Recently, paranormal investigators from Ghost Hunters, Inc. spent an evening in the Museum. With the help of a psychic, an empath, special equipment, and cameras they determined the presence of spirits throughout the three-story house. 

Dare to walk through the frightful rooms filled with special effects and creepy things that are guaranteed to be hair-raising.  A highlight is a presentation by Linda Barr-Gale that will bring the “Witch of Woodbury”, Moll Cramer, to life in a special presentation in the museum cottage. 

  

Complimentary refreshments of hot chocolate, cider and autumn treats will warm up our guests on this fall evening. Parking for the evening will be in Hollow Park, whose entrance is next to the Glebe House. 

Artifact Identification Day - Oct. 27

The very basic definition of an artifact is an item, large or small that is made or given shape by humans.  Through the centuries, artifacts have taken many forms with the most common being a tool, a work of art, or an object of archeological interest.  Many times these items in the world of archeologists have some type of cultural meaning and in the context of Native Americans, these items can represent stone tools and weapons, pottery, and items for personal use or adornment.

On October 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lucianne Lavin, Ph.D., the Director of Research and Collections, at the Institute for American Indian Studies will be available to identify and provide expert commentary about your local stone objects and other Northeastern Native American cultural items. The public is invited to bring up to 12 objects to be examined. Although the Institute cannot offer an appraisal of your object, they certainly will be able to enlighten you as to the what, where, when, and how of your mystery items!

Artifact identification can be a tricky business. You might want to ask if your object is archaeological or geological. Another question may be who made the artifact and where does it come from. To help with the identification be prepared to tell Dr. Lavin where you found the artifact - in the field, in a shop, or if you inherited it from a relative or friend. Anything about the context of an artifact is important in terms of identification. A final question might where you can learn more about your mysterious treasure from the past.

Artifact Identification Day is included in the price of admission, members of the Institute are free, Adults $10, Seniors $8 and children are $6. The Insititute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut. 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Haunted Graveyards and Witches Dungeon Deliver Chills and Thrills

It is that spooky time of year again and Bristol Connecticut in the Litchfield Hills is "spook central"! 

For chills, make haste to the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol, which has been called "The granddaddy of the horrifically good time." An unholy order of monks keeps watch over the graves in the dark caverns of the Catacombs here and a dark and misty fog envelops the graveyard where zombies and night stalkers have wakened from the dead. Some are real, others are amazing animatronic creations made by The Haunted Graveyard's crazed staff. Visitors walk through 14 different themed houses with over 200 ghosts and ghouls haunting the grounds of this spooktacular event.

The Haunted Graveyard is recommended for adults, teens and very brave children, the park opens at dusk weekends through November 2 and runs to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Lake Compounce will also be operating 15 thrill rides including Phobia, Boulder Dash, Ghost Hunt, Down Time, and Zoomerang.  The Zombie Lounge returns this year to the Croc Pot and is the perfect place to relax, pick up some snacks, craft beer, and signature Halloween drinks after your haunting one-mile hike through the park.  For tickets click here.

This will be the 55th season for the annual Witch's Dungeon Halloween Classic Movies Museum in Bristol, the longest-running exhibition of its kind started in 1966. This wax style museum is a tribute to the actors and make-up artists that gave audiences classic movie monsters. A highlight of the event is the guest appearance of Argyle Goolsby (musician Steve Matthews) plus the screening of the Mel Brooks classic movie, Young Frankenstein on real film at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25.

The Graveyard Of Classic Ghouls sets the atmosphere as you enter the dungeon where accurate life-size figures of Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and others are featured in 13 scenes or dioramas based on the vintage movie chillers. Many of the figures are made from the actual life casts of the actor's faces, plus some original costumes or props, in a wax museum style setting with special voice tracks by Vincent Price, Mark Hamill, and John Agar. Many Hollywood props are on display and vintage films will be shown in the auditorium on "real" film until 10 p.m.

While waiting for each wax museum tour, you can view actual film props, actor's life casts and movie posters, or step into our film room, to view classic silent horror movies, shown on film, not video. Featuring far more life-size figures & original movie props than we have ever had on display before! Figures based on the classic films of Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi and more.

The location for Witches Dungeon is 98 Summer Street in Bristol at the Bristol Historical Society.  The hours are weekends in October, Friday through Sunday evenings, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Oct. 25-27 and Oct. 31- Nov. 3.  The Museum is not recommended for children under age 7. A $6 donation is suggested.   For additional information visit http://www.preservehollywood.org.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s Newest Feathered Friend is a White-naped Crane

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is the new home for a White-naped crane (Antigone vipio). The male crane, named McDuffy, arrived from Turtleback Zoo in New Jersey several weeks ago, and after a quarantine period (required for all new arrivals), has taken up residence in a large grassy habitat located next to the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat.

White-naped cranes are an elegant species native to northern Mongolia, southern Siberia, Korea, Japan and central China.  They have a white nape and vertical gray stripes on their necks, as well as a distinct red patch surrounding their eyes. They are found in in grassy marshes, wet sedge meadows and reedbeds in broad river valleys, lake depressions and boggy upland wetlands. They prefer areas where their nests can be concealed and there is little grazing pressure.

Habitat destruction of wetlands due to agricultural expansion, as well as hunting, pose the most critical threat to their survival. This species is classified as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Since 1994, AZA institutions have been sending surplus White-naped crane eggs to Russia to be reared and released to the wild. Currently, the International Crane Foundation is also involved in the conservation of White-naped cranes throughout their range in eastern Asia.

“McDuffy is a beautiful new addition and contributes to the Zoo’s demonstration of the rich biodiversity in nature,” said Gregg Dancho, zoo director. “We continually look for new and unusual species to educate and delight our guests, that also meet our mission of wildlife conservation.”

The White-naped crane is a popular symbol of the Korean New Year celebration, and a symbol of peace for the people of the Korean peninsula.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

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

Head Out to Hopkins Vineyard's Wine and Cheese Market

Hopkins Vineyard overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug is a perfect spot to visit this autumn.  If you are foodies that love wine and cheese, don't miss the Wine and Cheese Market on October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Hopkins Vineyard has teamed up with Jones Winery, Land of Nod Winery, Spring Hill Vineyards and Sunset Meadow Vineyards to host a wine and cheese tasting and market. This event will feature wine from each of the vineyards as well as cheese and food samples from a host of local vendors. Another highlight of this event are the handmade gift items from talented local craftspeople and artisans that will be for sale. If you want a bit more than cheese samples, not to worry, food for purchase will be available from the Clambaking Company.  This company specializes in fresh seafood and BBQ, so there will be something to delight every palate.

Hopkins Vineyard is located on 25 Hopkins Road in Warren Connecticut.  The tickets for this event are $25 per person and $12 for a designated driver. For tickets click here.

If you miss this event, keep in mind that the picnic area at Hopkins Vineyard is open daily this October. You can either bring your own picnic lunch and pick up a bottle of Hopkins wine from the shop or purchase one of the cheese platters stocked with Arethusa and other gourmet cheeses at the shop.

Go on a Magical Garden Hike

If you are looking for an enchanting and whimsical walk this fall, plan to take a walk to the Garden of Ideas located on 653 N. Salem Road in Ridgefield that is open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.  Here you will find 12 beautiful acres of cultivated and wild gardens, marshlands and woodlands that are sure to please garden lovers of all ages.

courtesy garden of idea

Visitors will enjoy ornamental, vegetable, sculpture and woodland gardens amid 12 unspoiled acres.  The treehouse is a special delight especially for children because of its' storybook setting.  The boardwalk trail that meanders through the wetlands is especially scenic in the autumn. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for ducks and birds that make their home here.

Playful sculptures that pop up along the garden trails offer a touch of whimsy and a circular stone labyrinth encourages meditation. Visitors should be on the lookout for the traveling garden gnomes that appear in different places throughout the garden.  Best of all, spots to sit back and take in the beauty of this enchanting garden are located throughout this charming garden.

Native American Ceremony and Dancers Celebrate the New Algonquian Village @ Institute for Native American Studies - October 12, 2019

 The Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington has good reason to celebrate and you are invited to join the fun at the Algonquian Village Renewal Ceremony on October 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

This is your chance to be one of the first people to visit the new revitalized Village consisting of wigwams and a longhouse and, to be part of a special Native American Smudging Ceremony by Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke. This fascinating ceremony will cleanse the new longhouse and chase away evil spirits in the village. The Thunderbird Dancers, the oldest Native American Dance Company in New York that have performed all over the world will be on hand to perform dances of celebration in the village. This amazing dance troupe keeps alive the traditions, songs, and dances they have learned that would otherwise be lost. For those interested in how the village was actually constructed, Kalin Griffin, IAIS Educator and, primitive technologist will be on hand to talk about the techniques used to reconstruct the village using only stone tools.

Since the 1980s the replicated 16^th century outdoor Native American Village at the Institute has been a favorite of visitors, students, teachers, and staff. Walking on a winding forest path leading to the village that was constructed to resemble the way a Native American community in Connecticut would have looked centuries ago is one of the most memorable aspects of a visit to the Institute. Entering the village, visitors feel transported back in time as they explore the longhouse, a cluster of wigwams, shelters, and gardens. One of the most intriguing aspects of the village is that it is made using only trees and bark and other things found in the natural environment using traditional tools and techniques. Today’s visitors to the Institute and those that plan to visit in the future will continue to enjoy this beautiful village and learn about the fascinating culture of the Eastern Woodland Indians.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. We have a 16^th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.