Get on the Water this May With the Norwalk Seaport Association

Seabirds have made Long Island Sound off the coast of Norwalk their home for millennia. Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts have spotted waterfowl, shorebirds, and seabirds along with migrating birds of all types in this rich natural environment. And, one of the most interesting places to view our avian friends is from the water.

Osprey Fight Michael Brinkley

May is one of the best times of the year to spot birds, so this year, the Norwalk Seaport Association is offering its first birding cruises of the season on Sunday, May 19th. This excursion is departing from the Seaport’s new Dock at 70 Water Street in Norwalk at 7:30 a.m. The vessel returns to the dock around 10 a.m. Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for children and are available online at seaport.org. It is advised that passengers arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Birding excursions are also scheduled for June 2, 16, and 30th.

This cruise is guided by a bird enthusiast who will be on board to point out migrating as well as nesting birds encountered along the way. One of the most exciting aspects of this harbor cruise is that you never know what species of birds or how many you will encounter.

Egret Up Close With Fish Michael Brinkley

A unique highlight 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.

Also happening in May, Sunset Cruises begin on May 22, and run from Wednesday – Sunday departing at 6:30 p.m. and returning at 8:30 p.m. throughout the season. This is the perfect way to unwind on the Sound. Pack a snack, BYOB, and sit back and watch the sunset over the water, it is like a mini vacation.

If you are looking for a memorable way to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, the Seaport Association is offering its first cruises of the season to Sheffield Island on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This three-hour excursion includes a narrated tour of the Norwalk Harbor and three historic lighthouses ending with a one-hour stop on Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Take a tour of the lighthouse, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beach or in our pavilion, and walk the trails of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge looking for birds.

Tickets are available at http://www.seaport.org

About the 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.

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Creative Day at Whiting Mills – May 11 Take a Free Class with Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art

On May 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the general public will have the opportunity to unleash their inner artist and let their creativity run wild at Whiting Mill’s “Creative Day” where a variety of classes and workshops are offered at no charge. It is the ideal way to step away from the mundane and get your creativity flowing by signing up for up to three classes. Jewelry makers, candle and soap makers, painters, photographers, special effect make–up artists, and a nationally awarded woven arts weaver have joined together to celebrate and nurture the creative spirit that lives in all of us.

The general public is invited to Whiting Mills located at 210 Holabird Rd. in Winsted at 9 a.m. to sign up for two classes of their choice. After completing their two-morning classes that run from one hour to one and a half hours long, they can sign up for one additional class that is not filled up at noon. The artists can offer these classes for free because of grants from a variety of sponsors. All materials are provided and participants will leave with a piece of art that they have created under the guidance of professional artists and craftspeople. In addition to classes, there will be a series of demonstrations throughout the building to show what the creative process entails and to encourage folks to pursue their dreams in the creative arts.

The classes offered by Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art, located in Studio 305, are three of the most coveted of the day because it gives people the chance to work with a nationally and internationally awarded artist. These intensive and fun classes are limited to six people per session and will run about an hour and a half. The lucky folks who sign up for these classes will leave with a small basket that they have handcrafted from Tina’s hand-dyed reeds. The studio itself is a pleasure to explore because it is a treasure trove of hand-woven work that includes baskets, bowls, sculptures, and wall hangings. Each piece is inspired by Tina’s imagination and woven with hand-dyed reeds into beautiful dynamic shapes in delightful color combinations that won’t be found anywhere else. They are an inspiration and may encourage participants to sign up for one of Tina’s extensive group classes that she offers throughout the year for all levels of weaving acumen.

This is the second annual Creative Day at Whiting Mills that is being held to have fun while learning new skills to encourage participants to keep creating!

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Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum & Fairfield Museum and History Center to collaborate on Gilded Age Tea

In collaboration with Fairfield Museum and History Center at 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will present, The Mansion’s Gilded Age Tea, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 2-4 p.m.

Co-chaired by LMMM Trustees Tatiana Mendoza and Kathy Olsen, this event will feature luxurious tea refreshments, a silent auction, a hat contest, music by Harpist Wendy Kerner, and a fascinating exploration of Fairfield Museum’s exhibit titled, Money Talks: The Gilded Age in Fairfield. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $60 for members and $65 for non-members (for both museums) available to purchase online at: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com. Proceeds will benefit LMMM’s and Fairfield Museum’s educational and cultural programs. Event co-chair Tatiana Mendoza said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Fairfield Museum for a memorable afternoon filled with history, culture, and tea delights. Guests will have an opportunity to stroll the beautiful flagstone patio, shop for gifts donated by local businesses, and revel in the Gilded Age era while learning about the estates that once graced Connecticut’s Gold Coast.”

The exhibition will explore immigrant labor and innovative businessmen, domestic servants, wealthy vacationers, growing public need and local benefactors. Dichotomies characterize the Gilded Age in Fairfield. The “Gilded Age” (1865-1912) was a period of immense growth in America known for lavish expressions of wealth and cavernous class distinctions. In 1873, Mark Twain gave the era its name with the novel, The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. Tremendous social and economic changes could also be found in Fairfield—changes that would not have been possible without the working class supporting the grand lifestyle of the upper classes. This exhibition presents the industrialists, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs who summered in the Fairfield area, including P.T. Barnum, Annie Burr and Oliver Gould Jennings, Dr. Ira DeVer Warner, and Jonathan and Harriet V.S. Thorne, alongside the people who made their lifestyles possible. Money Talks: The Gilded Age in Fairfield is on view at the Fairfield Museum and History Center through June 16, 2024.

About the Fairfield Museum and History Center
Fairfield Museum and History Center, located at 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, is a vibrant nexus of community life offering dynamic family programs and exhibitions, sparking dialogue and deliberating the challenges of the future. Central to our community-focused mission is a desire to provide important historical context to pressing issues of our time, and to offer a safe, trustworthy environment where multiple perspectives can be heard, and collective solutions explored. http://www.fairfieldhistory.org or call (203) 259-1598.

Wendy Kerner received her Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from The Juilliard School in NYC and is the principal harpist with The Norwalk and Ridgefield Symphonies in Connecticut and The Westchester Chamber Soloists in New York.
The Mansion’s Gilded Age Tea is made possible in part by Bigelow Tea and catering by Palmer’s. LMMM’s 2024 programs are made possible in part by LMMM’s Founding Patrons: The Estate of Mrs. Cynthia Clark Brown; LMMM’s Leadership Patrons: The Sealark Foundation; and LMMM’s 2024 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 http://www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com

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Griffin Kalin demonstrating traditional Native American Skills

Mind Over Materials: Traditional Skills Program April 28 @ Institute for American Indian Studies

In today’s world where most things are mechanized or electronic, learning traditional skills is meaningful because it takes participants back to a time that they only read about in history books. One of the most amazing things about traditional skills is learning how to transform natural materials into something useful, by hand and sheer human ingenuity. On Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., the Institute for American Indian Studies is offering two 1.5-hour traditional skills programs and walks that will focus on identifying and processing useful local minerals and stones used in tool making.

Griffin Kalin demonstrating traditional skills

Join Traditional Skills Expert and IAIS Head of Fabrication and Exhibit Production, Griffin Kalin, for a discussion and walk that will take you back in time where local minerals and stones were used to produce ceramics, stone axes, projectile points, and adzes. This realm of knowledge has ensured the survival of people in the Eastern Woodlands for millenniums, and more importantly, is part of our human heritage.

With both a discussion and a short hike, potential participants should keep in mind the second half will require adequate footwear and may not be accessible to those with limited mobility.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required for this program. To register visit www.iaismuseum.org, email events@iaismuseum.org, or call 860-868-0517. The price of participation is $10 for members of the Institute and $20 for non-members.


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 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 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, in Washington, Connecticut.

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Party for the Planet at Beardsley Zoo

oin Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Annual ‘Party for the Planet’ Celebrating Wildlife, Conservation, Environment

This April, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is calling on the community to join in celebrating Earth Day through its annual “Party for the Planet.” A series of engaging and educational activities are planned and designed to celebrate and inspire conservation action and appreciation for our planet’s incredible biodiversity.

Party for the Planet at Beardsley Zoo
Party for the Planet at Beardsley Zoo

Kicking off the Party on Saturday, April 20, at 9 am, the zoo will host an array of green-themed activities for all ages. In collaboration with the AZA SAFE program. One River School of Art & Design, an Art Sculpture Show will feature stunning sculptures of endangered animals created from recycled materials. Additionally, visitors can get hands-on at the DIY seed ball table and create custom seed balls to take home for their own pollinator gardens, contributing to local ecosystem support.

Also happening on Saturday, Energize Connecticut, in partnership with Avangrid, presents the “Energy In Action” Mobile Interactive Exhibit, a unique and innovative experience teaching children and adults alike how to become an Energy-Efficient Generation. Visitors can participate in energy-saving experiments while being introduced to green energy sources, emphasizing the benefits of an energy-efficient community.

Artwork created out of recycled items by students of One River Art School will be on display, showcasing the intersection of art, conservation, and sustainability. This exhibit, part of the “Party for the Planet,” demonstrates ways to repurpose materials and highlights the importance of recycling.

The weekend will also see the zoo leading a cleanup effort in Beardsley Park on both April 20 and April 21 from 9 am to 12 pm. This vital initiative aims to clean up litter and beautify the park, fostering a cleaner environment for all. Participants in the cleanup will receive free admission to the Zoo for the day they volunteer, with registration required to ensure a spot due to limited availability.

To round off the month’s events, on Saturday, April 27, the zoo invites the community to visit the Community Pollinator Garden in Beardsley Park. Volunteers, guided by the zoo’s educational staff, will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on conservation action, aiding in the garden’s upkeep and learning about the importance of pollinators.

“Our ‘Party for the Planet’ is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action,” said Gregg Dancho, Director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. “Through these activities, we aim to foster a connection between our community and the environment, highlighting the importance of every individual’s role in conservation.”

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2024 Summer Camp at the Institute for American Indian Studies Registration is Open

Registration is now open for the 2024 summer camp weekly programs for children ages 6 – 12 at the Institute for American Indian Studies at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut. The summer camp runs for six consecutive weeks from June 24 through the week of August 5 (excluding the week of July 1), Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Institute’s summer camp programs strive to get children unplugged from indoor activities through exciting hands-on programs that get them outdoors. Weekly programs encourage children to practice team building, make new friends, appreciate nature, and connect with an enriching culture that is more than 12,000 years old. To find out more and to register online visit https://www.iaismuseum.org/summer-camp. For questions call 868-0518 ext. 453 or email gbenjamin@iaismuseum.org.

Native American history comes alive through the educationally entertaining activities curated by the professional Educational Department of the Institute. Trailblazing through the woods, investigating the natural world, mock archaeological digs, educational games, listening to traditional Native American stories, learning new crafts, and working together to complete a group project are just some of the ways children will enjoy their time at the Institute. Each week the Institute will offer a different series of exciting programs to engage and educate children.

A connection to nature plays a critical role in a child’s development. Children that want to learn more about the natural environment and how they relate to it might want to register for, “Getting in Touch with Your Senses,” from June 24 – June 28.

“Planting Seeds for Growth: Project Week,” from July 8-July 12 will teach children invaluable skills that have been passed down through generations of Native American communities. Foraging, building from natural materials, sewing, and weaving, are just some of the topics that will be covered. This program will help build confidence, teach basic survival skills, and enhance understanding of the great outdoors.

Children who are budding writers, actors, actresses, puzzle solvers, and researchers will enjoy “A Play on Words: Imagination and Learning Through Storytelling,” from July 15- July 19. These programs are finely tuned to help further develop children’s communication skills by sharpening their abilities to record, pass on, and interpret information in many ways from storytelling to theatrical expression.

Perfect for children concerned about the environment and how to survive naturally, “Power of the Eighth Generation: Eco-Survival Skills,” from July 22 – July 26 promises to be as fun as it is informative. Campers will practice traditional survival skills like navigation, carving, lashing, and more as they explore technologies that Native Americans used for thousands of years to thrive in the Eastern Woodlands. Through these programs, campers will also learn how we impact our environment.

For children interested in archeology, “Time Travel: Understanding the Past, Present, and Future,” from July 29 – August 2 is a must. Campers will learn how to put scientific methods into practice and learn the power of oral tradition through games, mock digs, and other activities.

Ideal for children who have a thirst for knowledge and want a deeper understanding of our natural environment, “Ecological Explorations: Two-Eyed Seeing in the Natural World,” from August 5- August 9, is perfect for them. The programs being offered explore the concept of both traditional indigenous ecological knowledge and Western scientific concepts to help children better understand the natural environment from two informative and yet different perspectives. Plant and animal identification, traditional ways Native American communities have used and respected the land and water, animal adaptations, and much more make this a unique educational experience.

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 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 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.

JanetLeave a comment