So Much to do Memorial Day Weekend in Norwalk!

For some Memorial Day family fun head to Norwalk! At the Maritime Aquarium the "Flutter Zone" is open! Find your wonder in a magical environment flittering with beautiful tropical butterflies in “Flutter Zone,” a special walk-through encounter at the Aquarium this summer! 

The exhibit features dozens of varieties of vibrant butterflies from Central and South America. The air itself seems to dance with color as you walk through “Flutter Zone." Some of the butterflies may even land on you! "Flutter Zone" will be open through Labor Day. For tickets, click here.

The Norwalk Seaport Association's dock is steps away from the Maritime Aquarium. This weekend the Association is offering cruises to Sheffield Island and Sheffield Island Lighthouse. On this three hour excursion that leaves at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. you will cruise through Norwalk Harbor to Sheffield Island where you can tour a historic Lighthouse, wander the private beach and look for shells and seabirds, and have a picnic snack on the beach or on the many picnic tables on the island. There is also a sunset cruise that leaves at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m.  For tickets HTTP://www.seaport.org

As an extra special highlight, the Seaport Association is also running eco-adventure bird cruises that depart at 8 a.m. and return at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. For tickets HTTP://www.seaport.org

Docktails & Oysters @ Norwalk’s Norm Bloom & Sons A Special Event Hosted by the Seaport Association

 Who doesn’t enjoy hors d’ouves, cocktails, and oysters on the dock? It is a veritable summer tradition in Norwalk and one that the Seaport Association has embraced. Back by popular demand, Docktails & Oysters is the Seaport Association’s signature event on the dock at Norm Bloom and Son, a fourth-generation oyster farm in Norwalk. This seaside, fun-filled event for gourmands is taking place on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This Luau-inspired party will get you in an “aloha state of mind” as you see folks in brightly colored Hawaiian shirts, listening to live beach music, sipping cocktails, and slurping the freshest oysters you will ever taste! “It’s a chance for folks to get to know what the Seaport Association does, have a little fun, and experience an authentic oyster farm,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association.

 

If you have never had oysters, literally fresh off the boat this is an unforgettable opportunity to eat your fill of them - our advice is to come hungry! It's fun to watch the pros shuck the oysters before your eyes (they make it look so easy) and set them on trays with lemons and an assortment of sauces. In addition to the unlimited clam and oyster bar, this Luau-themed event also offers passed and tabled appetizers such as citrus grilled shrimp, house-smoked pork sliders, blackened swordfish tacos with pineapple salsa, vegetable spring rolls, and black bean and corn salad, in keeping with the island vibe.

An added bonus is the opportunity to explore the dock at Norm Bloom Oysters and Son, one of the few remaining traditional oyster farms in the United States to learn how oysters are grown and harvested. The oysters are incubated under the dock and, when they are big enough, they are “planted” on the sandy bottom of the Sound that surrounds you. The result of this time-consuming and meticulous process is some of the best oysters you will ever taste. Norwalk oysters are prized worldwide and known for their sweet briny flavor and plump meats.

 

Tickets to this event are limited and are $75 online and $85 @ the door. For more information and to get your tickets http://www.seaport.org, if you have questions, call 203-838-9444.

 

About the Norwalk Seaport Association 

 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

 

June 5 - Traditional Native American Bark Basket Workshop At Institute for American Indian Studies

Native Americans have created baskets for centuries. In fact, archeologists believe that basket-making is one of the oldest known crafts in the world. If you have always wanted to learn how to create a bark basket of your own, join this in-person workshop conducted by Jennifer Lee of Pequot and Narragansett ancestry on Sunday, June 5 at the Institute of American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut. This four-hour workshop begins at 11 a.m. and has a break for lunch. 

About Native American Baskets 

Baskets have been an integral part of Native American material culture for centuries. Native American baskets range from very simple to very elaborate. Often the art of basket making was passed down from generation to generation among Native American Indian mothers to their daughters. It is a skill that takes place of pride among many Indigenous people today. Bark baskets made by Eastern Woodland Indians were used for cooking, gathering berries, hauling water, storing food, as cradleboards, and even burying the dead. Most often baskets were made from pine, ash or birch bark that was harvested in the spring when the bark was most pliable. The bark was then folded into the desired shape and sewn together with spruce root and rimmed with arrowwood or other natural materials. 

• White Pine Bark mokok with collar (4 ½H x 7W x 3D)

About the Workshop 

Jennifer Lee is an 18th-century re-enactor and material culture presenter. Bark basket making is one of the programs that she offers. "I want my programs to dispel old stereotypes and increase awareness of present-day Native Americans," says Lee. 

Participants in this workshop will learn about the lore and tradition of basket making from Lee while creating their very own bark basket. A highlight is to learn about how baskets were used in every day life and what role they play in Native American communities today. Lee will guide participants through the process of creating a bark basket using white pine bark, spruce root, and willow. During the scheduled lunch break (please bring your own snack and non- alcoholic beverage) participants can wander through the museum for inspiration and brainstorm with others for ideas. 

• White Pine Bark mokok with collar (7H x 4W x 3D).

Participants can choose from three different basket designs that include a white pine bark wall pocket, and two sizes of a white pine bark mokok with collar. Whatever basket you choose to make, it is something unique to treasure at the end of the day. 

Space is limited for this workshop that is expected to sell out, so sign up early. To participate, please register and pre-pay by June 2. The cost of participation, including all materials and tools is $75 for members of the Institute and $85 for non- members. To register click here. If you have questions call (860) 868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org. 

• White Pine bark wall pocket, curved bottom (7H x 7W x 4D)

About the Insitute for American Indian Studies

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

Kids Park Day @ Weir Farm National Park in Wilton

On Saturday, May 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. head to Weir Farm, National Historic Park for the National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day of celebration to encourage kids and families to visit the local, state, and national parks.

Kids will spend the afternoon with a Junior Ranger and delight in a black bear-themed activities. There will be an Art Bears scavenger hunt on the beautiful grounds of Weir Farm. Afterward kids and check out the new and very colorful Art Bears installation. Kids can also earn a Junior Ranger Badge by completing one of the fun activities that promote black bear awareness like creating their own bear hat. Take Part in Art will be providing free art supplies for children to borrow and create their very own work of art! 

While visiting the park don't miss hiking to the pond and stepping back in history by touring the fabulous Weir House and artists’ studios. It is sure to be a great day at the park. 

All activities are free and open to “kids” of all ages. Rain or shine. No registration is required, just stop by for some family fun.

About Weir Farm

Weir Farm National Historical Park is a National Park for Art, a place that has been inspiring artists since 1882 when America’s most beloved Impressionist, Julian Alden Weir, made this his summer home. Today, artists and visitors of all ages come to the park to enjoy the stunning landscape, walk in the footsteps of American masters, and create art! 

Litchfield Garden Tour

 On Saturday, May 28 at 4 p.m. the Litchfield Historical Society is hosting a tour of three iconic North Street Gardens. Tickets for this special event are $75 per person and can be purchased online by clicking here. 

Oil on board painting of a garden scene

by James Lamond

Helga J. Ingraham Library, Litchfield Historical Society

The tour begins with light refreshments at the gardens of the 1886 Frederick Barnard House before moving on to the historic 1771 Lynde Lord House which has five distinct garden rooms. The tour concludes with more refreshments in the garden of the 1775 Benjamin Tallmadge House.

The Tallmadge House's Gardens c. 1915

Litchfield Garden Club Records

Helga J. Ingraham Library, Litchfield Historical Society

If you miss the garden tour, no worries. The Litchfield Historical Society is offering weekly walking tours starting June 4 @ 1 p.m. These walking tours are the perfect way to discover Litchfield's vibrant history and celebrate the town's historic district. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history - from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings. Members are free and non-members are $10. To register click here.here.

 

Sheffield Island Gets Ready For Summer 2022

Sheffield Island Lighthouse located off the coast of Norwalk has been renovated and maintained by the volunteers of the Seaport Association since 1978 so that summer visitors taking the Association's ferry to the island can enjoy its' unspoiled natural beauty. The outing to Sheffield Island is one of the most popular activities in Connecticut, not only because of the thrill of being out on the water but also for the chance to tour a historic lighthouse on the National Register and, explore a private island. 

Paul Lourd cleans the Memorial Brickway at the entrance to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse

Seeing how beautifully maintained the island is, it begs the question, what goes into opening Sheffield Island for the season? The short answer is a lot! Linda Cappello, a long-time Trustee on the Executive Board has taken on the task of putting together a team of volunteers that get Sheffield Island ready for summer guests that take the Seaport's ferry to it. "The first thing I do is visit the island prior to putting together a work party to see how the island and lighthouse have weathered the winter. I have to access if there are any particular concerns that need to be addressed in addition to the routine tasks that have to be accomplished each year before we open," Cappello said. "I inspect the interior and exterior of the lighthouse and grounds to determine what tasks need immediate attention, as well as those that require eventual attention." 

On the initial trip to the Island, the work party spends about five hours cleaning the place up. Tasks like cutting up fallen limbs, painting picnic tables, cutting down all seagrass, and weeding the pathways are just some of the many things to do. Lighthouse tasks are a bit more challenging. All the windows, that were boarded up have to be uncovered, the gutters and downspouts have to be cleaned and checked for damage, the tower has to be checked, the lighthouse rooms have to be cleaned, and the furniture and displays polished and set -up for the season. The work party, consisting of 20 to 25 volunteers will go out to the island several times before Memorial Day Weekend in order to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. 

Expect a warm welcome

When asked, why she organizes this seasonal pilgrimage, Cappello says, "It is my passion. I have cruised the waters of Long Island Sound and the Norwalk Islands for as long as I can remember. My father introduced me to the Sound when I was a child, and I have loved it ever since! If I could live on the Island I would! As for our volunteers, and we always welcome the help, just contact us. I think it offers them a unique opportunity for a good cause, especially if they have a love for Norwalk's maritime history and Long Island Sound,” Cappello concluded. 

The work of course doesn't end there. Throughout the summer season, the lighthouse has to be cleaned, the grass has to be mowed, and the shells along the pathways have to be maintained, along with a myriad of other tasks to keep Sheffield Island and Lighthouse welcoming for visitors. 

This year, the Seaport Association is offering a sunset cruise on Thursday, May 26, Friday, May 27, Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A cruise to Sheffield Island is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special bird cruises departing at 8 a.m. are scheduled for Sunday, May 15, Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. Beginning in June sunset cruises will run from Wednesday to Sunday and three-hour cruises to Sheffield Island and Lighthouse will run on Saturday and Sunday. Starting June 28, cruises to Sheffield Island will run twice a day, Tuesday – Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The vessel does not offer cruises on Mondays. For tickets and more information http://seaport.org. 

Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. The vessel leaves from the Seaport Dock on 4 North Water Street in Norwalk. The dock is adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk. Parking is available at the adjacent lot or at the Maritime Center Parking Garage across the street from the dock. Tickets are available online in advance by clicking here. 

Take a summer cruise to Sheffield Island Lighthouse

About the Norwalk Seaport Association    

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Seabird Safari on Long Island Sound with the Seaport Association

 

New this year, the Norwalk Seaport Association has just announced that they will be starting their popular bird cruises on Sunday, May 1 and May 15, and on Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29th from 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Regardless of whether you are a veteran bird enthusiast or a beginner, this on the water avian adventure will give your birding routine a new perspective. This cruise is ideal for adults as well as children because it gives participants a sense of connection with the beauty of Long Island Sound resulting in the joyful feeling of being ‘one with nature.’ 

As the old saying goes, the early bird catches the worm, which is why many bird enthusiasts head outdoors in the early morning. With this in mind, the Seaport Association’s Bird Cruise will leave the dock on 4 North Water Street in Norwalk at 8 a.m. “Birds sleep at night and are hungry in the morning, so they have to go out and eat,” says Will Schneck, a passionate bird enthusiast that will be leading the cruise. “We are leaving at 8 a.m. because this is the time of day when birds are most active, particularly in the spring and early summer. Just like humans have daily schedules, birds also have daily patterns for feeding, roosting, and other activities.” On this guided tour with Schneck, a member of the esteemed Connecticut Young Birders Club, passengers will learn about local bird behavior and biology and, most importantly how to spot them. Every cruise is different because you never know what bird species might fly your way, making this excursion an adventure in itself! 

A highlight of this eco-styled bird cruise is the chance to spot birds close up in their natural habitat in a way, you would never see from shore. Among the types of birds, you may see on this eco-adventure cruise are nest sites and nest colonies of ospreys, and long-legged egrets with their graceful S-curved necks and long dagger-like bills, as well as playful American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, and cormorants to name a few. 

A special feature of this cruise is the chance to spot birds at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on Sheffield Island. Here you will see a variety of habitats that support nesting and wading birds. This spot is known for its small population of herring and great black-backed gulls that nest along Sheffield Island's rocky shoreline. The importance of the Norwalk Islands to wildlife, especially migratory birds is enormous, and the special Bird Cruises hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association give nature enthusiasts the chance to spot these magnificent seabirds up close with the added benefit of a knowledgeable guide. 

Bird Cruise Details 

Passengers are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the 8 a.m. departure. The vessel leaves from the Seaport Dock that is adjacent to the Stroffolino Bridge at the corner of Washington and Water Streets in South Norwalk. Parking is available at the adjacent lot or at the Maritime Center Parking Garage. Tickets are available online in advance HTTP://www.seaport.org , tickets are $25 for children and $30 for adults. The Seaport Association advises reserving your Bird Cruise early because these popular excursions sell out. Make sure you include your email when reserving your ticket. If the tour is canceled due to inclement weather the Norwalk Seaport Association will contact you via your email. 

Before embarking on this cruise, be sure to pack sunscreen, your camera, binoculars, water and snacks, and your sense of adventure! 

About the Norwalk Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

Summer Camp Registration Open @ Institute for American Indian Studies Scholarships Available

 Spend the summer of 2022 @ The Institute For American Indian Studies! Our camp program offers immersion into the natural world and the culture of Connecticut's Eastern Woodland Native Americans through the exploration of our replicated 16th century Algonkian Village, our forests, trails, gardens, and museum.

The 2022 Summer Camp program will offer six weeks of programming best suited for children from six to twelve years old. Starting June 27 through August 12 camp programs run from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Institute’s experienced and professional educators that continually engage young and curious minds with exciting team-building programs conduct the camp. Each week has a different theme, but all sessions are fun-filled and designed to help children learn valuable life skills while appreciating nature and connecting to a culture with more than 10,000 years of history.

 

Unique activities of this program include exploring the interactive exhibits in our museum and in our outdoor replicated 16th century outdoor Algonkian Village, going on hikes in Steep Rock Reservation and along the Shepaug River, and visiting our traditional herb and flower gardens. Each week camp activities will vary and may include participating in mock archaeological digs, learning how to track animals and identify plants, how to survive outside without access to modern technology, and how to practice survival methods using traditional skills. A highlight is a camp program on Etuaptmumk which refers to learning how to see the benefits of both traditional Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific thinking.

Once again this year is the chance to apply for a scholarship that is being offered by the Institute due to the generosity of our donors. To find out more about the scholarship program email Camp Director, Gabriel Benjamin @ gbenjamin@iaismuseum.org

The deadline for scholarship applications is June 1, 2022.

 

For complete registration information, visit http://www.iaismuseum.org. Pricing is $310 for members of the Institute and $345 for non-members, with special pricing for the week of July 5. To register click here. https://www.iaismuseum.org/summer-camp

 

The Institute will follow the most up-to-date COVID-19 policies for our summer camp in 2022, based on guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control, Connecticut’s Office of Early Childhood, and the American Camp Association. Given the fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation, families should be aware that policies are subject to change.

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 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.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum Opens April 7 featuring Contemporary Expressionism

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located at 295 West Ave., Norwalk, CT will feature a new exhibition titled, Fragments of Light, Impressions of Color. The exhibition will open on April 7, 12 p.m. and run through Aug. 28, 2022. An opening reception will be held on Thurs., April 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission will be included with the purchase of a guided tour ticket and available online at www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. The exhibition will feature emerging and established artists working in the style of contemporary impressionism and focusing on the effects of light and color, whether through portraiture, painting nature, or depicting the urban landscape. 

Jean Marcellino, “Elusive Skyline”, oil on mounted linen, 18 x 24, courtesy of J. Marcellino

The exhibition was juried by Artist and Trustee Gail Ingis, who selected approximately 33 works from digital submissions. “I am excited by the array of talent and submissions we received,” said Ms. Ingis, “and look forward to introducing their diverse interpretations and techniques, optical effects, and luxuriant color palettes offering unique visual experiences to LMMM’s viewers.” 

Featured artists will include Elizabeth Hasegawa Agresta; Huey-Min Chuang; Joseph Dermody; Katharine Draper; Yuko Ike; Richard Koleszar; Anni Lorenzini; Jean Marcellino; Kathie Milligan; Peter Millward; Judith Patterson-Lanyi; Jason Pritchard; Alex Ranniello; Malina Schneider; Clarice Shirvell; and Dmitri Wright. 

Dmitri Wright, “Weir Farm Daffodil Series - Go Gently Monarch and Blue Jay”, oil, 24 x 48, courtesy of D. Wright

Jean Marcellino, whose portrait of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is in the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection, won a 2020 Merit Award from the Salmagundi Club and was the winner of the 2019 Cecilia Cardman Memorial Award under the auspices of the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club at The National Arts Club, among others. 

Elizabeth Hasegawa Agresta studied painting, printmaking, and exploratory mixed media at Silvermine Arts Center. She is a leading member of the Fairfield County Plein Air Painters and is active with the New York Society of Women Artists, the Federation of Canadian Artists, and the Loft Artists Association. 

Dmitri Wright was the winner of the national scholarship at The Cooper Union and the Max Beckmann International Scholar Program at Brooklyn Museum Art School. He was valedictorian at the Newark School of Fine & Industrial Arts and majored in Fine Arts. His work is in hundreds of museum and corporate collections and focuses on the preservation and progress of Impressionism. 

Alex Ranniello received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting & Drawing from Hartford Art School (‘17) and completed his master’s degree at The University of Hartford (‘21). In addition to his role as a studio artist, his involvement in his community has been multifaceted and highly widespread across Connecticut. 

Alex Ranniello, “Peachy Keen”, oil on canvas, 24 x 24, courtesy of A. Ranniello

The 2022 Season is made possible in part by CT Humanities with generous funding provided by Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature and LMMM’s Founding Patrons: The Estate of Mrs. Cynthia Clark Brown; LMMM’s Leadership Patrons: The Sealark Foundation; and LMMM’s 2022 Season Distinguished Benefactors: The City of Norwalk, The Maurice Goodman Foundation and Lockwood-Mathews Foundation, Inc. For more information on tours and programs, please visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

Spring After School Program @ Glebe House in Woodbury

Students are invited to become part of living history at the Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden beginning April 21 on select Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Marshall Children Young Docent Program is perfect for children ages six years old and up. 

This unique opportunity allows children to learn about what life was like for families who lived here in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. Highlights of the program include learning to conduct guided tours of the museum in period costumes, how to make candles, and other colonial crafts, and how to write with a quill pen. Children will have a hands-on colonial cooking session and will visit other area museums. The majority of this program takes place in the Glebe House, one of the most authentic historic house museums in Connecticut on the most historic street in Woodbury. 

The Marshall Children Young Docent program is named for the nine children of John and Sarah Marshall who lived in the Glebe House from 1771to 1786. These young docents are our greatest ambassadors in the community and participate in events like All Hollow’s Eve and the Woodbury Christmas Festival. All Hollow’s Eve, a wonderfully scary event now in its 19th year would not be the same without the inclusion of our young docents in the roles of some of Woodbury’s early citizens. 

Please call the Museum Director for more information and to register at 203-263-2855. Information, registration forms, and scheduled dates are available on our website at www.glebehousemuseum.org. The cost for the Spring Session is $75/Members and $95/Non-Members. There is limited space available. Registration will remain open until all spaces are filled.

Sign Up Today for Drum Making Workshop @ the Institute for American Indian Studies March 20

 

Rhythm and sound are important to just about every culture around the world. Throughout the Americas, indigenous peoples have been using drums as part of their culture for thousands of years. 

 If you are asked to think about Native American music, there is a good chance you will think of the sound of drums, but did you know that the drum is considered to be a living and breathing entity to Native peoples and symbolize a strong relationship with the creator? 

On Sunday, March 20 the Institute for American Indian Studies, located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut is hosting an in-person drum-making workshop, with sessions at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. 

The highlight of this workshop is to learn how to make your very own rawhide drum. The drums made in this workshop will be 14- inches in diameter and constructed of a traditionally used material, elk rawhide. Each drum will come with a drumstick. While creating a drum for their own personal use, participants will learn about their cultural significance, and how they remain a vibrant part of today’s indigenous cultures in the Americas. 

Space is limited for this workshop and pre-payment and pre-registration is required. To register online, please visit the Museum website to register via Eventbrite. If you have questions about the workshop, please call 860-868-0518 or email events@iaismuseum.org. The price for this workshop is $90 for IAIS members and $110 for non-members.

Maple Sugar Festival @ Institute for American Indian Studies March 5

 

The sugaring off the process in the Litchfield Hills has a long history that began with the Native Americans living here. They were experts at knowing the perfect time to collect the sap which is when the days grow warm and the nights are still cold, and before the trees begin to bud. They would boil the sap down using time-honored techniques and materials collected from the environment. On Saturday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitors to the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut can join IAIS educators at an event that demonstrates and celebrates this golden syrup of spring. 

At 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm, IAIS Educator and Ecologist, Susan Scherf will demonstrate various traditional Native American techniques of collecting sap and boiling it down into syrup for sugar. It is interesting to watch how Native Americans used tools made from a variety of natural materials in this labor-intensive process. Visitors will learn about the importance of maple sugar to the diet of Native Americans as well as its usefulness as an item of trade. 

Historic records indicate that the collecting and processing of maple sap was a social as well as a working occasion. Women would tap the trees, men would cut the wood for the fire needed to boil the sap, and children tended the sap as it bubbled and boiled. In keeping with the convivial nature of traditional Native American maple sugaring, listen to Traditional Native American stories recounted by Education Director Darlene Kascak, Schaghticoke Tribal Nation at 12:00 and 2:00 pm. Throughout the day, there will also be traditional family-friendly games and activities to enrich the visitor experience at the Institute’s Maple Sugar Festival. If you have worked up an appetite, the Institute is serving up pancakes topped with real maple syrup sure to satiate your taste buds from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coffee and orange juice will also be available. 

The annual Maple Sugar Festival at the Institute teaches visitors about the importance of the maple season to local Native American cultures. Pre-registration for this event is requested by visiting www.iaismuseum.org to register for this event via Eventbrite. If you have any questions, please call the Institute at 860-868-0516 or email events@iaismuseum.org. The price to attend this very unique festival is $15 for Adults, $10 for Children, and $5 for Members. Pancakes are an additional $5. For the safety of the guests and staff of the Institute, masks are required inside the museum and research buildings regardless of vaccination status. Social distancing is practiced at all outdoor events.

Lamothe's Sugar House Watch Maple Syrup Being Made

The Lamothe family started farming in 1971 with a few pigs, a vegetable garden and seven taps for maple syrup. As requests grew for this amber elixir so did the number of taps and the size of the operation. Today, Lamothe’s Sugar House is the largest maple sugar producer in Connecticut with more than 4,000 taps and a state of the art sugar house located in Burlington Connecticut.

More than 15 miles of plastic tubing installed and cared for by the Lamothe family help to gather the sap. From there the sap is pumped into a tank onto their truck and brought back to the sugar house to be boiled and processed into maple syrup.

A new showroom offers not only amazing syrup but a multitude of products made from the sap from spice rubs and candy to kettle corn and maple-coated nuts. There are so many intriguing items to purchase both sweet and savory and farm fresh. Items can also be purchased online, but a visit to the store is a rewardingly sweet day out!

Lamothe’s Sugar House offers tours and demonstrations to show people how Maple Syrup is made on Saturdays and Sundays during February and March. Tours are from 1 to 4:30 PM and last about 20 to 30 minutes. The showroom is open year-round, Monday – Thursday 10 am – 6 pm, Frid. – Sat. 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm.

A Sweet Temptation - Hardcore Sweet Bakery

If you are looking to escape the sweet experience this winter, you might want to head to the Hardcore Sweet Bakery in Watertown. It is a little tricky to find because it is located in an office park in a stark brick building filled with offices. You have to take an elevator to the second floor to find them -- just let your nose guide you to this fabulous bakery that is as quirky as it is delightful.  When you do, you will think that you have struck delicious gold!

courtesy hardcore sweet bakery

If you are looking for a snack, look no further than the Hardcore Sweet Bakery in Siemon Business Park in Watertown. Located in an old factory building this upbeat and funky bakery offers cupcakes, cupcake pops, cakes, cookies, cookie bars, and donuts. They are also the proud winners of Cupcake Wars! Their mouth-watering menu of cupcakes includes everything from an infused Sugar Mama made from chocolate cake with cheesecake bites baked in and embellished with Tequila Rose mousse fill and topped with strawberry and vanilla swirled buttercream frosting to the Coconut Canoili that is made from coconut cake and filled with cannoli filling and frosted with vanilla buttercream then rolled in toasted coconut and crowned with a mini cannoli.

Courtesy hardcore sweet bakery

In addition, to all the sweetness this bakery offers up, they also have a "Party Room" that can be rented out. This is perfect for kids and families to get out and get creative. You can rent the party room for two to three hours and get a supply of aprons, cupcakes, and frosting plus pizza and juice for up to twenty people.

Courtesy hardcore sweet bakery

The Hardcore Sweet Bakery also offers a series of cooking classes as well as a book club and spiritual medium event. They are offering a buttercream and booze cooking class on March 17th where participants will learn how to decorate six cupcakes while drinking beer from Witchdoctor. Another highlight this bakery offers is a tasting session where you can sample a variety of their baked products...a sweet experience any time of year!

For more information visit their website.

In-Person or Zoom-In @ Weekend in Norfolk, Sat. Feb. 26 and, Sun.Feb. 27

The little village of Norfolk, Connecticut has organized Winter Weekend in Norfolk, consisting of a series of in-person and Zoom events taking place on Saturday, February 26 through Sunday, February 27 that are sure to chase the winter blues away.

If your kids are bored and like sports, take them skating at the Norfolk Skating Rink on Mountain Road where kids can warm up next to a roaring bonfire while enjoying steaming hot chocolate and s'mores on Saturday afternoon. A highlight at the rink will be a demonstration of an ancient Scottish game, curling, by the Norfolk Curling Club. Best of all, visitors are welcome to try their hand at learning this skill with experts.

Learn How to Curl!

Norfolk is an art lover's dream that comes alive during the Winter Weekend in Norfolk. Visitors will have the chance to tour Tiffany Stained Glass Windows at the Battell Chapel as well as windows designed by one of the most prestigious firms named by Pope Leo XII as a Pontifical Institute of Christian Art at the Immaculate Conception Church. Other stops for art lovers are the Norfolk Libary that is hosting "Hidden Doorways," photographs by Angus Mudge, and a photography display, "In the Woods," of Norfolk's Land Trust Properties at The Hub @ 2 Station Place where maps and event information is also available.

Marvel at windows made by Tiffany

To experience the natural beauty of Norfolk's great outdoors, don't miss the Wildlife Walk at 10 a.m. on Saturday or the Photography Safari beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Both of these in-person outdoor events will lead you through some of Norfolk's unspoiled scenery that it is famous for.

Look for Wildlife and go on a photo safari

If you can't make it to town, no worries, the Winter WIN organizers have that covered with a series of fascinating programs. If you like to cook don't miss the cooking demonstration with Martiña Gago, which will transport you to sunny Spain, where the culinary culture is as rich and varied as the country itself. Paella, Spain's National dish is on the menu today. This video will be available on-demand throughout the Winter WIN Weekend along with concerts by the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival in addition to several other virtual programs.  For links visit the WIN website.

You can learn how to make this @ WIN

Two Zoom programs are also scheduled. If you enjoy historic architecture, don't miss the program. Ladies, Legends, & Lakeside Dwellings - Alfredo Taylor in Norfolk presented by Ann Havemeyer and the Norfolk Library on Saturday, February 26 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Alfredo Taylor arrived in Norfolk in 1902 at the time when Norfolk was being transformed into the beautiful village that it is today.  For sports-minded historians, the Norfolk Historical Society has teamed up with author and coach, Ariel Picton Kobayashi on Sunday, February 27 at 4 p.m. This Zoom talk will highlight the popularity of ski jumping across the northeast including Norfolk, which was introduced by Norwegian immigrants. Learn how ski jumping became popular in the area and how and why it changed in the 1980s.

Experience Norfolk CT this winter! Photo Credit Savage Frieze

Winter WIN is one of Connecticut's most beloved winter traditions. The entire town of Norfolk has rolled out a "winter white carpet" for in-person and virtual events. This is the best way to warm up to winter! 

All these and more events are listed on the Weekend in Norfolk website (weekendinnorfolk.org), along with links for the virtual events and a downloadable copy of the schedule.

 

ABOUT THE WIN (WEEKEND IN NORFOLK) COMMITTEE

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