How to Celebrate Mardi Gras @ Home

 Mardi Gras is a splendid celebration -- it is a kaleidoscope of color, music, revelry, and joy. It is one of the few regional festivals that have spread across the country. It is a festival that says - catch the gold beads, dress up in outrageous costumes, dance, drink, and be merry! It is a festival that says, tomorrow we shall be virtuous, but today, we party! Mardi Gras is the French word for Fat Tuesday and is celebrated in towns along the Gulf Coast including Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Most of us think of New Orleans, known affectionately as NOLA by the locals as Mardi Gras party central. 

The History

Historians have traced the origin of Mardi Gras to Medieval Europe. It is thought to have originated in Rome and Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries. Eventually, this pre-Lentian celebration moved to France and from there it moved to Louisana. The first Mardi Gras celebration was held in 1703 in the tiny settlement of Fort Lous de la Mobile, which is now Mobile, Alabama. New Orleans was founded in 1718 and the first Mardi Gras was celebrated there in the 1730s. Louisiana's governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today. By the late 1830s, New Orleans held street processions of markers with carriages and horseback riders to celebrate Mardi Gras. 

By 1856, dazzling gaslight torches or "flambeaux," floats and a masked ball was added to the festivities. In honor of a visit of a Russian Grand Duke, a parade was started in 1872 and is one of the most popular spectacles of the celebration today. The colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold and were selected to honor the visiting Grand Duke's imperial house colors. These royal colors are symbolic; purple stands for justice, gold for power, and green for faith.

The floats, that are the centerpiece of today's parades are financed by private social clubs known as Krewes that work year-round to get them ready. By law, all riders on the floats must wear masks and on Fat Tuesday, decorative carnival masks are legal for everyone else. Many people get into the spirit of the celebration by wearing elaborate costumes, wigs, and masks. The most delicious aspect of New Orleans' Madri Gras traditions is the King Cake which is only eaten at this time of year. 

How to Celebrate Mardi Gras @ Home

Even if you can't make it to NOLA this year, there is no reason why you can't celebrate Mardi Gras at home. This holiday isn't limited to just those folks that live in New Orleans, it is celebrated all over the world. It is easy to adopt some of the traditions of Mardi Gras no matter how far you are from New Orleans!  Here are our favorite ways to get into the spirit of this celebration.

Decorate Your House & Dress the Part

This is a great opportunity to brighten up a dreary February day and night! Decorate your house in gold, green and purple. For your dining table put on a green table cloth, use gold napkins and glittery gold placemats and plate chargers. Complete the look with purple confetti or beads around the placemats and glowing purple candles at the head and end of the table. For a centerpiece use an assortment of purple flowers wrapped in gold surrounded by colorful masks and glittering Mardi Gras beads. And, don't forget to dress the part by wearing something gold, green, and purple - the more glittery the better!

Pass Out Party Favors & Colorful Masks

Throws from the colorful floats of the Mardi Gras parade are one of the most beloved traditions. Head to the store and stock up on coins, beads, and other trinkets that you can give out to your friends and family. Make sure to have a selection of colorful masks on hand to liven things up. It is fun to look like you have just left the revelry of Bourbon Street with colorful beads and trinkets around your neck. After all, masks are such a big part of the festival it helps revelers get into the spirit of Mardi Gras - no matter where you are!

Mardi Gras for All Y'all 

A three-night signature celebration is being planned virtually in 2021, called Mardi Gras for All Y'all that is being presented by NOLA.com and Blain Kern's Mardi Gras World. This live streaming event will have appearances by Emeril Lagasse, Hoda Kotb, Preservation Jazz Band, Archie Manning, Marine Forces Reserve Band, Ashton Ramsey, and Jimmy Buffett. There will also be special guest performances by Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Leo Nocentelli and George Porter, Jr. For the full line-up click here.

The Music

Music inflames temperament and adds to the festivities of any Mardi Gras party at home. Everyone knows that food and music are the heart and soul of NOLA. Organized by the New Orleans Visitors and Convention Bureau, to tune into concerts that are live-streamed directly from the clubs of NOLA click here. You will find everything from steamy jazz and funky brass to soulful blues, honky-tonk piano, and much more.

Shaken, Stirred, and Savored!

If you like cocktails then you will feel right at home in New Orleans where vendors sell drinks of all manner outside and in. If you want to start your celebration off with a cocktail try the Sazerac, the cocktail most linked with New Orleans and, as of 2008, the official cocktail of the state of Louisana. It is named after the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac brandy that is the original main ingredient.  Often described as a cousin of the Old Fashioned the Sazerac's secret ingredients, a dash of absinthe and bitters, makes this cocktail a strong aromatic drink that embodies the spirit of NOLA. For a recipe click here. Another popular drink is the sweet, red Hurricane, a rum-based drink served in a glass that resembles a hurricane lamp and embellished with a cherry and slice of orange. First served at Pat O'Brien's in the French Quarter in the 1940s, this drink remains one of the most popular today. For a recipe click here.

Cook Themed  Food or Order Out

Cook an inspired NOLA meal like po'boys or gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, or red rice and beans. Perhaps the most iconic dish of New Orleans is gumbo, a thick seafood stew served over rice. The roots of this dish go back to its French and African heritage. There are a number of variations of gumbo and each one is delicious. For the recipe by late famed chef, Paul Prudhomme that is served at Mr. B's Bistro in the French quarter click here.  A trip to NOLA isn't complete without having sweet and creamy pralines. Aunt Sally's Creole Pralines have been around since the early 1900s and are still made the traditional way starting with Louisiana pecans. For a special surprise to add to your festivities order a Mardi Gras NOLA gift basket from Aunt Sally by clicking here.

Bake a King Cake 

The King Cake is only available during Mardi Gras. It is a circular cake that looks like a braided crown that is frosted with green, gold, and purple icing and sugar. The cake is made of rich brioche dough and can be filled with pralines, cinnamon, chocolate, or cream cheese. Basically, a King Cake is baked like your average bundt cake, except that buried inside the batter is a tiny, plastic baby figurine. There are two theories of why a plastic baby is baked into the cake. The first is that the baby is symbolic of the infant Jesus because of the religious connections of this holiday to King's Day. The second theory is that whoever had the piece of cake with the baby in it was crowned King or Queen of the Mardi Gras celebrations. Today, it is a symbol of good luck. 

For a King Cake recipe click here. If you don't want to make a King Cake from scratch you can order Mam Papaul's King Cake mix on Amazon that includes praline filling, colored sugar, and even a plastic baby! To order click here.

We hope that until you travel with us to NOLA and take our Mississippi River Cruise that these suggestions will make your Mardi Gras at home fun and festive...it's time to let the Good Times Roll!  For information on Tours of Distinction's Mississippi River Cruise that includes NOLA click here.

Winter Weekend Walk - Lover's Leap

Since Valentine's Day is on Sunday, we decided to feature a romantic walk to Lover's Leap in New Milford. This scenic 160-acre park has a storied past as well as hiking trails, scenic vistas, and historic ruins.

Heading away from the parking lot, visitors will walk over the Berlin Iron Bridge, built-in 1895 that spans the Housatonic River. It is only one of five remaining bridges that span the river. This bridge is closed to auto traffic but can be enjoyed by hikers. The bridge provides scenic views of the Housatonic River.

Across the bridge, the Lovers Leap Trail heads southeast 1,200 feet to the rock formation that gives the park its name. From here, tradition has it, that the Pootatuck Indian Chief Waramaug’s daughter, Princess Lillinonah, fell in love with an Englishman. He left her with the intention of returning one day, but in her despair, she flung herself into the Housatonic River. As she plunged into the now buried "great falls" in her birch canoe, her lover having just returned dove in after her. Both drowned. The Chief himself died in 1735.

The path through the woods follows the Housatonic River to a lookout of Lake Lillinonah and the surrounding hills. The path is easy to walk on and shaded with oak trees.

The blue trail leads to the highest point of the area and hikers will traverse a bit of an incline. Along the way, hikers will pass the ruins of a castle and other overgrown foundations, and the tea house. The blue trail leads to a splendid scenic view of the Housatonic River and the rolling Litchfield Hills.  

For a map of the park click here. The park is located off Grove Street in New Milford. There is also a small parking area off of Town Farm Road.

This Valentine’s Day Take Your Romance to New Heights @ Salisbury Jumpfest, February 12, 13, 14

Coming up with something unusual and unforgettable for Valentine’s Day is never easy, regardless if you have been together for five years or five decades! This year, the 95th annual in-person Salisbury Jumpfest is taking place on Valentine’s Day Weekend, February 12, 13, and 14th making it perfect for people that love excitement, daredevils, amazing athletes, and the beauty of the great outdoors. 

Jumpfest promises to be the highlight of the 2021 Winter Season in Connecticut because it offers the rare opportunity to watch ski jumpers glide through the air – up close and personal. This is a sport that gets your heart pumping as you watch ski jumpers travel up to 200 feet through the air at more than fifty miles an hour! 

When it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day, it is important to make the day extra special for your significant other, especially if you want to do something beyond a box of chocolates and flowers. Jumpfest is perfect for people looking for a fun, safe, and different way to spend the sweetest day of the year. Here are five tips on taking your romance to new heights at Jumpfest! 

Enjoy A Change of Scenery – Jumpfest is situated in the heart of the Litchfield Hills that gently rise into the Berkshires. This area is known worldwide for its’ natural beauty. If you are looking for a change of scenery and an escape from the confines of home or the office, this unspoiled landscape is ideal for a romantic getaway. It is so rewarding to be able to unplug and enjoy the landscape together! 

Warm Up to Winter – For extra cuddles, bring a cozy blanket and outdoor seating pads so you can snuggle up and watch the ski jumpers fly through the air. 

Don’t Forget the Hot Chocolate – Everyone knows that chocolate and Valentine’s Day go together. On your way to Jumpfest stop in at Milk House Chocolates in Goshen, the best chocolatier in Connecticut and pick up a selection of chocolates – they are the sweetest treat ever! Don’t forget to bring along a thermos of hot chocolate and your favorite snacks…like heart-shaped cookies and sandwiches! 

 Bring Your Cowbell – Choosing your favorite ski jumpers together and cheering them on by ringing your cowbell is a great way to bond and make memories. Draw a heart on your cowbell for luck! 

 Take a “Together” Selfie – Photos are the perfect way to make memories…and you will have tons of fun taking them. Photos taken at Jumpfest are especially meaningful because they are taken amid a magnificent landscape with the skiers gliding overhead. Photos that you will both treasure of this unique experience for years to come. 

Tickets and Regulations 

The Salisbury Winter Sports Association has initiated several changes in order to comply with all COVID-19 regulations to keep spectators and athletes safe. This is an outdoor event in a wide-open area. Attendance each day will be limited to the first 400 tickets sold. This number reflects 25% of the facility’s capacity as required by Connecticut regulations. Additional spectators will be admitted as people leave the venue. Tickets will be available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Saturday and Sunday, on Friday night there is no admission charge. Kids under 12 are free all three days. In compliance with CDC and State mandates six-foot social distancing should be adhered to and masks must be worn at all times throughout the facility. 

 The Jump Schedule 

There are only half a dozen ski jump facilities on the East Coast, with Satre Hill in Salisbury being the southernmost location. Some of the best athletes will be here competing in JumpFest, an event that has launched many Olympians including three of the four men that participated at Sochi. Friday, 

February 12, 2021 

JumpFest kicks off on Friday, February 12 at 6 p.m. with practice jumps. Target Jumping under the lights begins at 7 p.m. Two large bonfires and warm food and beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks. There is no admission charge on Friday night. 

Saturday, February 13, 2021 

On Saturday morning, February 13, things warm up with the strongest Junior Jumpers from Lake Placid, New York, and the Salisbury Winter Sports Association competing on 20 to 30-meter hills. The action kicks off at 9 a.m. with these youngsters showing off their strength, skill, and conditioning that makes them fly effortlessly through the air. Medals will be awarded on the hill. The real action of the day starts at 11 a.m. with warm-up jumps by the Development Team, composed of an elite group of jumpers from around the country. These competitors are the best of the best that have been in rigorous training at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, which was built for the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. The competition begins at 1 p.m. This event is thrilling to watch as these expert flyers go from 0 to 50 miles an hour in seconds and seem to defy gravity with runs up to 70 plus meters. 

 Sunday, February 14, 2021 

he highly anticipated Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships on Sunday, February 14th beginning with practice jumps that run from 11 a.m. through noon. The long-awaited annual competition starts at 1 pm. At this event, there are often Olympic hopefuls competing. These expert jumpers seem fearless as they display the tremendous coordination, skill, balance, and strength that it takes to soar so far and so high in the air and to land smoothly. If you want to find some of the bravest athletes in sports just stand at the bottom of a ski jump and watch them soar through the sky. It is exhilarating. Even the most sedentary spectators will appreciate the extraordinary coordination and skill required to make a jump! After all, most jumpers tell you that it is the closest you get to flying…without the wings or a parachute.  

About the Salisbury Winter Sports Association

 In the winter of 1926, John Satre a resident of Salisbury jumped off the roof of his shed wearing skis to show his friends and neighbors a sport he learned in his native homeland of Norway. Town residents were so amazed as they watched Satre soar through the air that they decided to build a proper ski run that summer, and form the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. The Association hosted the first ski jump competition in January 1927. JumpFest has become a highly anticipated event in Connecticut and throughout much of the East Coast.

New This Year – Two Maple Syrup Workshops @ Institute for American Indian Studies

Maple syrup is among the oldest natural food products produced in North America. Native Americans were the first to discover maple syrup and refine the process of how this magically sweet amber elixir is made. If you have ever wondered how sap is transformed into maple sugar then don't miss the new two-part, in-person outdoor Maple Sugar Workshops at the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut on Saturday, February 20, and Saturday, February 27. This hands-on workshop is perfect for people that want to learn about the history of this sweet tradition as well as the ins and outs of making maple syrup. The two-part Maple Sugar Workshop is part of the Institute's Winter Survival Program taught by Susan Scherf, an Educator at the Institute. 

“The Sweet Taste of Success”

At the first workshop, “The Sweet Taste of Success” on Saturday, February 20, with one-hour time slots running from 11:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. for twenty people per session. Participants will learn the basics of modern maple syrup production. This workshop is designed for backyard hobby producers that want to start collecting sap for their own enjoyment. The first thing participants will learn is proper tree identification and how to prepare the tree for the tapping season. They will learn about tree health and why and when sap flows. The final lesson is to learn about the tapping process, what to look for, and what to avoid, and examples of the different methods of collecting and boiling sap. There will also be a discussion on the impact of climate change on maple syrup production. 

“The History of a Sweet Tradition”

The Second Maple Syrup Workshop, “The History of a Sweet Tradition” taking place on Saturday, February 27 also offers one-hour time slots for twenty people running from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. This workshop focuses on the fascinating history of maple syrup as it was produced and enjoyed through the centuries. The workshop begins with a demonstration of the traditional techniques including the collection of and boiling down of sap into maple syrup used by Native Americans living in the Eastern Woodlands. The demonstration will include different traditional technologies used for the collection and boiling process in order to gain an understanding of what methods were used and why. A highlight of the program involves the history of this sweet tradition as participants gather around the fire in the Indian village and listen to traditional Native American stories about maple syrup that have been handed down from generation to generation. 

To sign up for Maple Workshop #1, “The Sweet Taste of Success” and Maple Workshop #2, “The History of a Sweet Tradition” visit the museum website in order to reserve a space through Eventbrite or email the museum at events@iaismuseum.org. The workshop is booked in one-hour time slots from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for twenty people. The price for each Maple Syrup Workshop is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $11 for children, and $5 for members. If you have questions, call the museum at 860-868-0518. All reservations must be made in advance, as space is limited. 

About 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 the 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.

A Winter Weekend in Norfolk Goes Virtual Starting February 20, 2021

The town of Norfolk, Connecticut is hard at work this winter organizing virtual events for the 2021 Winter WIN Weekend in Norfolk that is taking place this year beginning Saturday, February 20th. The residents, businesses, historic and natural attractions, and other organizations have pulled together, once again, this year to showcase Norfolk’s many treasures. 

Photo Credit Katherine Griswold

The only difference is that this year’s Winter WIN will take place online rather than at various locations throughout Norfolk. “We believe that our online WIN series of events show the resilience of the citizens of Norfolk. Our goal is to be a bright spot in people’s lives this winter,” said Sue Frisch one of the founders of the WIN event. Now in its sixth year, Winter WIN is one of the state’s premier winter events. 

The videos run the gamut from visiting a costume makers' studio, architectural tours, and learning about the winter night sky to a music lesson for the kids, visits to local farms, and even a Spanish cooking class that will help you warm up to winter. The Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk celebrates the music, art, and nature that this small village is known for, far and wide. Everyone is invited to view live stream and on-demand events free of charge from the comfort and warmth of their home. 

A special Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk website has been set up that lists video events by category making it easy to let your fingers do the walking to all the wonders that can be found in Norfolk's winter wonderland. The length of each video and a short description is also included on the website. For complete information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org. The winter weekend videos are slated to go live on February 20th. In the meantime to help you pass the weary winter days, the videos from the 2020 Summer WIN are still available to watch on the website. 

About Weekend in Norfolk 

Now in its sixth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. These two town-wide festivals are supported by Norfolk’s town officials, its Economic Development Commission, and a multitude of local organizations, institutions, and individuals.

Wine for Your Valentine @ Jones Family Farm

Jones Family Farm in Shelton is offering two of their wines for Valentine's Day at a discount. The Blush and Bubbles Special is a holiday delight with their lightly sweet, pretty pink First Blush and their refreshing Whimsical White sparkling wine.  

For a fun twist, combine the two wines to make your own Blush and Bubbles wine cocktail! You can customize the sweetness to your sweetheart's taste. This First Blush and Whimsical White combo will be at a 15% savings.

The Sweetheart Special is a special surprise and delight for your Valentine. Surprise that someone special with the Red Orchid and Strawberry Serenade gift set. The Red Orchid, a deep, ruby-red wine, that is perfect for sipping by the fireplace, and the very special, bubbly Strawberry Serenade is a perfect way to toast your love!  This gift set includes a bottle of each wine, four dark chocolate medallions, and two Jones winery glasses, at an approximate savings of 20%.

These specials are available this Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6 as well as next Friday and Saturday, February 12, and 13 at Jones Family Farm Wine Stand on 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road in Shelton from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. You can also order online at https://jonesfamilyfarmswinery.myncrsilver.com

Derby Historical Society Celebrates Black History Month by Highlighting Quash and Rosewell Freeman

Black history is everyone's history. We celebrate Black History Month by remembering accomplishments that helped shape our Nation by Black individuals and their contribution to our communities. Included in that narrative are the realities that history records, whether dark and shameful or worthy of celebrating - the events of the past influenced the path that led to today. 

This is an interpretation by The Hartford Black History Project of Black Governors

The Derby Historical Society is highlighting Quash and Roswell Freeman. Father and son, both men went on to become Derby’s first and third Black Governors, the latter serving three terms. This was an office that began in the northeast in 1755, and in Derby, 55-years later, that officer would be held by Quash. Indeed, Connecticut would need to come a long way before satisfying the duty to abolish slavery, which in Derby still existed until 1840, one-year after the Amistad Rebellion, eight-years prior to the State ending slavery as a whole, and 56-years after Connecticut passed gradual emancipation laws. The context and significance of the date here must be understood and these revolutionary individuals are thus remembered. 

What a powerful story it is to share - Quash who was born in Ghana, was captured and sold into slavery, traveled the Middle Passage, and received his freedom in Derby to then become Derby's first Black Governor. There is much discourse that we could have on the institutions that appointed them or the reasons behind the Governorship.

An anecdote that Orcutt (1880) shares about Quash describes that, "He [Quash Freeman] was a man of herculean strength, a giant six-footer, and it is said of him that he could take a bull by the horns and the nose and at once prostrate him to the ground. No one ever dared to molest or tried to make him afraid, and when he was approaching from a distance he awakened the sense of a coming thunder cloud... Physically speaking. Quash was probably the strongest and largest man that ever shared the gubernatorial honors of this commonwealth." At the time of the Rev. War/Pork Hollow incident, when Quash was still a slave, he was Isaac Smith Sr.'s personal bodyguard.

Below is a listing of CT’s Black Governors, courtesy of The Hartford Black History Project - you will notice that Jubal, Nelson, and Wilson Weston were Humphreysville Governors. Horace Weston, whose father was Nelson, was regarded as the world's best banjo player in the 1880s (Raechel Guest, 2018). 

Name	Location	Approximate date
Quash Freeman	Derby	1810
Tobias	Derby	1815
Roswell Freeman	Derby	1830-1835
Eben Tobias	Derby	1840-1845
Caesar	Durham	1800
Peter Freeman	Farmington	1780
William Lanson	New Haven	1825
Quash Piere	New Haven	1832
Thomas Johnson	New Haven	1833-1837
Boston Trowtrow	Norwich	1770
Sam Huntington	Norwich	1772-1800
Jubal Weston	Seymour	1825
Nelson Weston	Seymour	1850
Wilson Weston	Seymour	1855
London	Wethersfield	1760
Cuff	Woodbridge	1840

The Derby Historical Society is located on 37 Elm Street in Ansonia. It was founded in 1946 to serve the Naugatuck Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. For more information visit their website.

Watch them Fly @ Salisbury's 95th Annual JumpFest February 12,13, and 14, 2021

This year marks the 95th anniversary of Salisbury Connecticut’s ski jumping tradition that officially began in 1927. It all started in 1926 when Salisbury resident, John Satre soared off the roof of his barn with skis on to show his neighbors a sport he learned in his native Norway. Town residents became fans of the sport and formed the Salisbury Winter Sports Association that winter. The first ski jump competition was held in January 1927 and has become one of New England’s signature winter events.

This year ski jumpers and lovers of winter sports will converge in Salisbury at this highly anticipated in person winter event, JumpFest, on February 12, 13, and 14, 2021. The ski jump complex is located at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. For updates and more information www.jumpfest.org. or info@jumpfest.org. Although this is an in-person event, the Salisbury Winter Sports Association has initiated several changes in order to comply with all COVID-19 regulations to keep spectators and athletes safe. This is an outdoor event in a wide-open area. Attendance each day will be limited to the first 400 tickets sold. This number reflects 25% of the facility’s capacity as required by Connecticut regulations. Additional spectators will be admitted as people leave the venue. Tickets will be available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Saturday and Sunday, on Friday night there is no admission charge. Kids under 12 are free all three days. In compliance with CDC and State mandates six-foot social distancing should be adhered to and masks must be worn at all times throughout the facility. For the Tri-State area and beyond, JumpFest offers a very special opportunity to watch these graceful athletes fly through the air --- up close! The anticipation of watching competitors travel up to 200 feet through the air at more than fifty miles an hour and, guessing who is the fastest -- and highest in real-time -- is an unforgettable experience. It is so much fun to be part of the excitement! The crowds' ring cowbells to cheer on their favorites and the jumpers take notice. The excitement reaches a crescendo when the slap of skis hits snow in a smooth landing with everyone hoping that this jump beats the Salisbury record, an impressive 231-foot jump. And, if you work up an appetite, no worries, there will be several food trucks on the grounds.

Festival Schedule There are only half a dozen ski jump facilities on the East Coast, with Satre Hill in Salisbury being the southernmost location. Some of the best athletes will be here competing in JumpFest, an event that has launched many Olympians including three of the four men that participated at Sochi. Friday, February 12, 2021 JumpFest kicks off on Friday, February 12 at 6 p.m. with practice jumps. Target Jumping under the lights begins at 7 p.m. Two large bonfires and warm food and beverages will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks. The popular Human Dog Sled Race has been canceled this year because of the pandemic, and for this reason, there is no admission charge on Friday night. Saturday, February 13, 2021 On Saturday morning, February 13, things warm up with the strongest Junior Jumpers from Lake Placid, New York, and the Salisbury Winter Sports Association competing on 20 to 30 meter hills. The action kicks off at 9 a.m. with these youngsters showing off their strength, skill, and conditioning that makes them fly effortlessly through the air. Medals will be awarded on the hill. The real action of the day starts at 11 a.m. with warm-up jumps by the Development Team, composed of an elite group of jumpers from around the country. These competitors are the best of the best that have been in rigorous training at the Olympic Ski Jumping Complex, which was built for the 1980 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York. The competition begins at 1 p.m. This event is thrilling to watch as these expert flyers go from 0 to 50 miles an hour in seconds and seem to defy gravity with runs up to 70 plus meters. Sunday, February 14, 2021 The highly anticipated Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships on Sunday, February 14th begin with practice jumps that run from 11 a.m. through noon. The long- awaited annual competition starts at 1 pm. At this event, there are often Olympic hopefuls competing. These expert jumpers seem fearless as they display the tremendous coordination, skill, balance, and strength that it takes to soar so far and so high in the air and to land smoothly. If you want to find some of the bravest athletes in sports just stand at the bottom of a ski jump and watch them soar through the sky. It is exhilarating. Even the most sedentary spectators will appreciate the extraordinary coordination and skill required to make a jump! After all, most jumpers tell you that it is the closest you get to flying…without the wings or a parachute.

ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION In the winter of 1926, John Satre a resident of Salisbury jumped off the roof of his shed wearing skis to show his friends and neighbors a sport he learned in his native homeland of Norway. Town residents were so amazed as they watched Satre soar through the air that they decided to build a proper ski run that summer, and form the Salisbury Winter Sports Association. The Association hosted the first ski jump competition in January 1927. JumpFest has become a highly anticipated event in Connecticut and throughout much of the East Coast.

Mattatuck Museum Public Re-Opening and New Exhibits

After nearly two years and $9 million, the Mattatuck Museum located in Waterbury, Connecticut is proud to announce its re-opening on Sunday, February 28th, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The Museum opens with four new exhibitions, an artist installation in the Plaza, reinstallation of the permanent collection, and a re-interpretation of the Orton P. Camp, Jr. History Exhibit. The renovation project has brought to life a reimagined space that continues to be a welcoming, inclusive, stimulating, and enriching community anchor. 

The “new” Mattatuck Museum includes an extensive 14,000 square foot renovation to the existing building and an addition of almost 7,000 square feet to expand educational programming, collections storage, and exhibitions. 

 In keeping with the idea of blending the historic and the modern, the new Museum plans to showcase a broad array of exhibitions and programs in the coming months, kicking off with the inaugural exhibitions opening on February 28th: 

· Free as Air and Water (on view through April 11): Guest curator Tajh Rust presents works by five emerging artists, all Yale MFA graduates, that remind us of the fluidity and buoyancy of these elements: Genesis Báez, Maria de Los Angeles Rodriguez Jimenez, Naomi Lisiki, Allison Minto, and Anne Wu. While air and water are classic examples of simplicities we often take for granted, access to both is still a difficulty for many people. 

· Unleashed: The Art of Robert C. Jackson (on view through April 18): Full of wit and character Robert Jackson's paintings celebrate contemporary life while consistently drawing from his rich knowledge and love for art history. 

· Collecting Presidential History: Signatures and Ephemera: This exhibit represents a significant gift to the Mattatuck Museum of presidential signatures collected by Francis T. “Fay” Vincent Jr. augmented with ephemera from the collection of the Museum. Vincent, a Waterbury native and Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1989-1992, made this donation in honor of his parents. 

· The Future Starts Now: Recent Gifts to the Collection (on view through April 11): Our collection continues to grow in prominence with gifts of fine and decorative art, historical objects, and archives. We are extremely grateful to the generous donors of these recent additions of works that represent a diverse group of artists, Nazca textile fragments, 19th-century Tonalist paintings, political ephemera, and texts for our library. 

 · Cross Currents: A commissioned work by Connecticut artist Don Gummer has been permanently installed in front of the new Museum addition. Inspired by the beautiful and open Green and the intersection of the many roads surrounding it, Gummer has created a new monument to the life of Downtown Waterbury. 

These exhibitions are accompanied by a full roster of exciting and engaging programs for adults, families, and children including studio workshops, lectures, artist talks, and more. In response to COVID-19 and social distancing protocols, these programs are being offered both virtually and in-person. For more information on all of the Museum’s upcoming programs, events, and exhibitions visit the Museum’s website at mattmuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381. 

ABOUT THE MATTATUCK MUSEUM 

Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination, known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. The collections at the Mattatuck Museum span the history of American art from the colonial era to the present day with special strengths in Naugatuck Valley history and Connecticut artists, as well as artists from around the world representing the diversity of our community. The Mattatuck Museum houses 15,000 objects in its varied collections and is also recognized for its collection of buttons, a group of 20,000 miniature works from around the world, donated by the Waterbury Companies in the 1970s.

Winter Weekend Walk @ Institute for American Indian Studies January 29

The ideal way to finish the month of January is to take a walk through the winter woods under the first full moon of January 2021 with the educators of the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut. The full moon walk will take place on Friday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. Hikers will walk along beautifully wooded trails on the grounds of the Institute and experience the serenity of nature under the bright nighttime sky that Eastern Woodland Native Americans have experienced for centuries. 

Many Native American communities call the January full moon the Wolf Moon because wolves are heard more often at this time of year. Traditionally, it was believed that wolves howled because they were hungry this time of year. Researchers today believe that wolves howl in January to defend their territory and to locate members of their pack to go hunting. 

The January full moon has other names that emphasize the cold temperatures this time of year. The Cree living in the Lake Superior area and Canada call the January full moon the Cold Moon or the Frost Exploding Moon. The Algonquin, a community indigenous to Connecticut calls this moon the Freeze Up Moon, and the Dakota of Minnesota and Wisconsin call it the Hard Moon. 

A highlight of this easy walk will be to learn about the phenomena that people in the Eastern Woodlands have been experiencing for thousands of years. After this walk, you will look up at the full moon with a new appreciation of it and, new knowledge, that has been passed down through the centuries. The woodland walk ends at the newly restored and built 16th-century Algonkian village where a warm fire and hot chocolate will greet hikers. 

Space on this walk is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 860-868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org to reserve a spot. The price for participation is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children. The cost for members of the Institute is $5. Remember to dress for the weather, to wear sturdy shoes, and bring along a flashlight. 

If you can't make it on the 29th, the Institute and its trails will be open all weekend from 11 am - 4 pm.

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 the 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.

Sunset Walk @ Woodcock Nature Center January 27, 2021

 There is nothing like exploring the winter landscape with an educator that knows the trees, birds, and animal tracks that can be found in the woods. On Wednesday, January 27 take a sunset walk with educator Sam Nunes from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Woodcock Nature Center located on Deer Run Road in Wilton.

Participants will watch the transition from day to night on the center's trails. Along the way, Sam will describe what you're seeing and what is happening as the sun goes below the horizon. All ages are welcome although this program is geared towards adults. Dogs are not welcome for this program as they may spook nocturnal wildlife. 

To register for this program, click here. A $25 donation is recommended for each family participating. If you have questions,  email snunes@woodcocknaturecenter.org.

In Search of Lost Frogs - Zoom with White Memorial Foundation January 30

On Saturday, January 30 at 2 pm White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield has organized a Zoom presentation with Twan Leenders and Roger Tory Peterson from the Institute of Natural History. To register click here.

From a young age Twan Leenders has been fascinated by tropical rainforests and the exotic plants and animals that inhabit them. Growing up in a small town in The Netherlands, he devoured every relevant book his local library had to offer. While finishing up his degree in Biology and Animal Ecology at the University of Nijmegen in the early 1990s, Twan spent six months in the rainforest of Costa Rica to study coral snake mimicry and survey the herpetofauna of the rainforest canopy -  from that point on there was no turning back...

 

After living and working in various parts of Central America for more than a decade, Twan moved to the U.S. in 2000 where he worked as a researcher in the Division of Herpetology and Ichthyology of Yale University's Peabody Museum of Natural History. Since then, he has worked as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, and returned to the trenches of conservation research and outreach while leading the Science and Conservation Office of the Connecticut Audubon Society. As Senior Director of Science and Conservation of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI), he now applies his experience to Western New York. However, Twan returns to Costa Rica and Panama regularly, with or without student researchers in tow, to band migratory birds on their wintering grounds and to study some of the planet's most endangered amphibian populations.

 

Based on the notion that all stewardship starts with education, Twan has always been keenly interested in sharing his experience and knowledge. He has authored four books and numerous magazine and journal articles on the flora and fauna of Costa Rica, including the very first field guide to amphibians and reptiles for that country in 2001. As an avid photographer and wildlife artist, his images adorn the pages of these books. However, Twan's photographs have also appeared in publications by the National Geographic Society, GEO, Dorling Kindersley's 'Eyewitness' publications, and numerous other magazines and books. His field guide illustrations are currently in use for educational purposes and displays at the Royal Ontario Museum, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, the California Academy of Sciences,  

and Smithsonian's 'BioMuseo' in Panama City, Panama.

 

In 2013, Twan joined the 'Meet your Neighbours' Global Biodiversity Project as a contributing photographer and administrator. Participants in this project use striking high-key photography to draw attention to the plants and animals living in their backyards - wherever on the planet these backyards may be. Combining his love for photography and his work at RTPI, Twan tries to follow in the footsteps of the Institute's namesake, Roger Tory Peterson, to provide the general public with the tools and knowledge to better understand - and hopefully better protect - the fascinating biodiversity that surrounds us.

 

Join Twan on a mid-winter virtual journey to tropical places and enjoy some of the fascinating creatures he encounters along the way.

 

 

Weekend Winter Walk @ Woodcock Nature Center on January 24

Take a walk with Cindy Olsen, on February 24 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm at the Woodcock Nature Center in Wilton. Olsen is an award-winning certified guide with the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and a guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy  She is a meditation teacher at Pause To Be Present Meditation and certified with Mindful Schools. Additionally, Cindy is an environmental educator with Sheldrake Environmental Center. 

This walk on the beautiful trails of the center will be a refreshing end to the week. Hikers will participate in a mindful winter walk in the forests of Woodcock Nature Center. Winter is a beautiful time to embrace the natural world with our senses and invite in a slower pace of things to unwind and restore. We’ll gather safely and enjoy the winter sunset as a community. 

​Cindy will provide blankets, seat cushions, hot tea, and other warming comforts for your time with the trees. Extra layers of clothing are essential to staying comfortable as we’ll be moving slowly and spending some time sitting in stillness. 

To register for this walk click here.  The cost of this relaxing experience is $20 per person.

Valentine's Day Virtually in Danbury @ the Hat City Ball

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day? Look no further than the Hat City Ball on February 12, 2021, hosted by the Danbury Museum. This year, the ball is virtual! Not to worry, food is still playing a part... you can pick up a 3-course meal that you can pick up at the Amber Room and enjoy (in your favorite PJs or your favorite gown!) in the comfort of your home with your favorite person! Or treat yourself to a delicious pre-Valentine's Day Meal. It is easy to order your meal online using a drop-down menu. To purchase a ticket click here.

The biggest upside of this year's Virtual Hat City Ball is that for each ticket purchased, a meal will be donated to Danbury senior citizens--our storytellers and memory keepers--in cooperation with The New American Dream Foundation and the Amber Room Colonnade. 

These two groups have worked tirelessly since the start of the pandemic to give added food security to our senior population. The Friends of the Danbury Museum are honoring The New American Dream Foundation and the Amber Room Colonnade with our annual award, The Hat City Award for Preservation Excellence, as a way of thanking them for the great work they have done. The goal is to provide all 600+ meals for the Saturday, February 13, delivery.

Winter Weekend Walk to a Lighthouse

 Winter is a wonderful time to get out in the fresh air and explore the beauty of the season. In Connecticut, we have 22 historic lighthouses, most are best viewed from the water like Sheffield Island Lighthouse. The Black Rock Harbor Lighthouse located in Bridgeport can be reached by taking a short walk about one mile long. A walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse gives hikers fabulous views of Long Island Sound. After traversing the breakwater hikers can take a sandy path to the 47-foot tall lighthouse and to the edge of this island. From the shore, if you look out into the Sound, you will also see Penfield Reef Lighthouse just offshore in the distance. The lighthouse is located on Fayerweather Island at the end of a breakwater off of Seaside Park in Bridgeport.

In the 18th century, the city became a shipping center and this lighthouse was built in 1808 on a tract of land purchased from David Fayerweather for $200. The keeper’s dwelling was originally a one-and-a-half-story home, having a kitchen, living room, and one bedroom, but over time, the residence would grow to eleven rooms. John Maltbie, the first keeper, died only five months after taking charge of the light. The lighthouse was destroyed in a storm in 1821. The lighthouse we see today was built in 1823.

Despite the short tenure of the first keeper, the position at Fayerweather Island rarely turned over, and the station only nine keepers in its 125 years of operation. John D. Davis was the last keeper of the lighthouse until it was officially decommissioned on March 3, 1933.

Although you can't get into the lighthouse today, visitors can walk around the lighthouse and imagine what it was like to live in a lighthouse and how exciting it was to help guide boats safely into the harbor. The lighthouse was relit in the year 2000 although it is not used for navigational purposes.