Month: February 2012

How Sweet It Is – March 3 & 4 at Stamford Museum and Nature Center

Sugaring Off at Stamford Museum and Nature Center

This family favorite returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with plenty to do for the whole family on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday March 4th from 11 am – 3 pm. This year marks the 12th anniversary First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

This event offers a multitude of activities sure to please everyone in the family! Visit the little red sugar house on Heckscher Farm and see firsthand how sap is turned into sweet maple syrup. See how trees are tapped and sap is collected, make a maple-themed craft, enjoy the popular pancake brunch, go on a scavenger hunt, get your face painted and more. A special treat is to watch local chefs create delicious dishes using maple syrup in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off!

Sweet Delight!

On Saturday, watch four local chefs create delicious dishes using SM&NC maple syrup and vote for your favorite in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off. Competing Chefs include David Cingari from David’s Soundview Catering, Susan Kane from Susan Kane Catering, Jonathan Mathias, owner of A Dash of Salt and the Glekas owners of Eos Greek Cuisine.

On Sunday, enjoy the popular pancake brunch. Don’t forget to purchase a pint of your very own fresh maple syrup, made from our very own trees at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.

Daily Admission Fees: Members: $5; Non-Members: $10; Family Plus Members and above levels and all children 3 & under: FREE; Pancake Brunch (SUNDAY only, 11am – 2pm) Additional $5 fee. For more information, call 203.977.6521, or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

Lamothe's Sugar House

Additionally, people can help support the Maple Sugar Education Program at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with their Sponsor-A-Bucket program! Your support will be acknowledged with a personalized name tag that will hang on your personal sap bucket throughout the season…with a “sweet” end result! At the end of the season each Sponsor will receive a pint of SM&NC’s very own pure Connecticut Maple Syrup. Each sponsorship opportunity is $100. To sponsor a bucket, call Kristen at 203.977.6548 or order online at www.stamfordmuseum.org.

If you miss this event, take a trip to Lamothe’s Sugar House, the state’s largest sugar house in Burlington Connecticut. On weekends, through March, Lamothe’s offers free tours on their farm from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Visitors will learn how maple syrup was discovered and how it developed over time and is made today. Delicious samples of maple syrup, complimentary coffee and hot cider is served.

Lamothe’s Sugar House is located on 89 Stone Road, Burlington, CT (860-675-5043). For more information visit their website at www.lamothesugarhouse.com.

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They’re Back! The Watch Is On As Eagles Return To The Litchfield Hills!

Eagle Viewing at Shepaug

Some snowbirds head to Florida in the winter, but the majestic American bald eagle doesn’t have to travel so far for a choice retreat. Every year Bald Eagles fly down from more frigid climes in search of the annual fish buffet provided by the running waters of the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury, a town in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. They favor this spot because the turbulence of the dam water pushes the fish to the surface where eagles can swoop down and feast on their favorite dish.

The best place to watch the swoops and glides of these graceful winter guests.
is the Eagle Observation Area near the Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station,
where an organized eagle watch takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid-March. Wednesdays are popular with school groups.

In spite of the record snowfalls in 2011, 3,500 visitors came to the Shepaug Dam. On an average day, they saw seven eagles, but lucky viewers on the best days last year spotted as many as 21 eagles. The low count day saw only one lone eagle. Chances are best on cold clear days when the surfaces of most other rivers and ponds have frozen. Over 133,00 people have visited the observation area since it was opened to the public in 1986.

The shelter, maintained by FirstLight Power Resources, is located 1000 feet from the river, affording safety for the eagles while providing an excellent vantage point. High powered telescopes are set up on tripods for visitors and volunteers from Connecticut Audubon are on hand to assist in spotting ad answer questions about the birds. The volunteers have set up an informative web site with facts and figures about these fascinating birds.

Admission to the viewing area is free, but advance reservations are required to insure that the observation site is not overcrowded. They can made by calling (800) 368-8954 Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The volunteer web site, http://www.shepaugeagles.info, has many tips for visitors. Among them is the advice to dress warmly in layers and to allow plenty of time to wait for the eagle action to begin.

For more information on the eagles and other winter activities and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit the web site at http://www.litchfieldhills.com.

Photos: Frank Procaccini

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Lamothe’s Sugar House Maple Sugaring Weekends Through March

Lamothe's SugarHouse, Burlington CT

If it seems as though this winter will never end, take heart, the sweet scents of maple syrup in the making clearly announces that spring is coming—and this is a good reason to plan a visit to Litchfield Hills.

Although self-guided tours and samples of maple syrup products are available year round – one of the most exciting time to visit Lamothe’s Sugar House in Burlington Connecticut is on any given weekend in February and March.

The Lamothe family started farming in 1971 with a few pigs and a vegetable garden. They began making maple syrup for their own use with a modest 7 taps. As word got around, so did requests from far and wide to purchase the precious maple syrup they made.

Lamothe’s has come a long way since their first 7 taps; today, Lamothe’s is Connecticut’s largest sugar house with more than 4,000 taps and a state-of-the-art sugar house.

On weekends, in February and March, Lamothe’s offers free tours on their farm from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Visitors will learn how maple syrup was discovered and how it developed over time and is made today. Visitors will see how maple syrup and sugar are made and enjoy delicious samples. Complimentary coffee and hot cider is also served. Store hours are Mon. – Thurs. 10-6, Fri.-Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 12 – 5.

Showroom at Lamothe's Sugarhouse

Lamothe’s maple syrup is available in Grade A Light Amber, Grade A Medium Amber, Grade A Dark Amber, and Grade B. They suggest that you serve their maple syrup on ice cream and cereal, as well on pancakes or waffles.

Lamothe's Products

Lamothe’s also makes a full array of maple sugar based products from granulated make sugar to popcorn, spices, sauces, preserves and spreads to name a few.

Some of the candy that Lamothe’s makes includes pure maple candy including Pure Maple Flavor Drops and Maple Walnut Caramels, Maple Salt Water Taffy and Peanut Clusters. For a wonderful snack try the Maple Sugar Coated Nuts and maple farmhouse kettle corn.

Consistently innovative, Lamothe’s also makes spice rub for pork and chicken from maple sugar and spices, savory sugar and spice, maple barbeque sauce and a maple tinted marinara sauce.

Lamothe’s even offers a line of unique New England bridal or shower favors such as a lovely 100ml plastic container of maple syrup, or several elegant imported glass containers in 40 or 50 ml sizes. They also offer pure maple candies in one, two, or four packs that are tied with a ribbon in the color of your choice.

Favor Boxes

On March 3, Lamothe’s is hosting Billy Steers the Connecticut Author of “Tractor Mac” at the sugarhouse from the 11am-3pm to do a book signing, reading, meet & greet visitors. Billy Steers illustrates all of his own books and will be bringing Tractor Mac for the children to take pictures with.

Lamothe’s Sugar House is located on 89 Stone Road, Burlington, CT (860-675-5043). For more information visit their website at www.lamothesugarhouse.com.

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Disney’s Aladdin Jr at The Warner Theater Feb. 25 and 26

Warner Theater

The Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education’s students will present Disney’s Aladdin Jr on Saturday, February 25 at 2 & 7pm and Sunday, February 26 at 2pm.

Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! All of your favorite characters are here in this stage adaptation of the Disney hit, including Aladdin, Jasmine, and of course, the Genie. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences’ spirits will soar with excitement. Most of all, the tuneful, Academy award-winning score with songs including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me” will certainly make this musical a favorite for many years to come!

This performance is part of the Young Actors Series and will be directed by the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education’s Director, Isabel Carrington. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased by calling the Warner box office at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org.

About the Warner

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as “Connecticut’s Most Beautiful Theatre.” Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre.

The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat studio theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed.

Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA’s mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region. To learn more about the Warner Theatre, visit our website: www.warnertheatre.org.

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Audubon Greenwich ~ The Birds & The Bees?

Since the beginning of society, the origin and nature of the honeybee has awakened the curiosity of humankind. For five million years, bees, best known for their sweet gift of nature, has been an animal of special sanctity, symbolizing many things to a diverse cultural cross section of people world-wide. Today, more than ever, bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Over one- third of the fruits and vegetables we eat depend on bees for pollination. Because of their important role as pollinators, the tracing of their sudden-die off (Colony Collapse Disorder) in recent years is a critical environmental issue. On February 25 and 26 the Greenwich Audubon is offering two important programs on Bees and how it relates to our environment and future.

FILM SCREENING & PRESENTATION BY GUNTHER HAUK
Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?
Saturday, February 25 ~ 6:30-9:00 pm
Join Gunther Hauk for a local screening of the acclaimed film ‘Queen of the Sun’. Gunther has been a biodynamic beekeeper for 35 years and is featured in the film. An introduction by Gunther will precede the film. The film is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. $10-$20 suggested donation for Audubon and Spikenard Farm. Space very limited. RSVPs required to Jeff: 203-869-5272 x239.

BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP WITH GUNTHER HAUK
Toward Saving The Honeybee: An Introduction to Sustainable & Biodynamic Beekeeping Practices and Principles
Sunday, February 26 ~ 1:00-4:00 pm
This workshop is for current beekeepers and those who are interested in learning more about beekeeping with natural approaches, including biodynamic beekeeping. Don’t miss this exciting and rare opportunity to learn from the master himself! Gunther’s beekeeping workshops are full of information, lively discussion, Q&A, and inspiration. Space very limited. $50 workshop fee will be donate to the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary efforts for bees and to Audubon Greenwich’s conservation and education initiatives. RSVP required to Jeff Cordulack: 203-869-5272 x239

More about Gunther Hauk: Gunther Hauk was a Waldorf teacher for 23 years and was co-founder of Spikenard Farm in 2006 and the Pfeiffer Center in 1996. Hauk is the author of Toward Saving the Honeybee (published by the Biodynamic Association). He and his wife Vivian are now located in Floyd, Virginia, where they are building up the honeybee sanctuary in which people can experience the healing of the land, the honeybees, and, ultimately, the human being. www.spikenardfarm.org.

For more information about Gunther Hauk, the Spikenard Farm Sanctuary, and the issues facing honeybees and other native pollinators, visit our event website: www.greenwich.audubon.org

Audubon Greenwich’s Nature Store Hours:
Tues-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m./ Sundays 12-5 p.m. / Store Closed Mondays

NATURE SANCTUARY ADMISSION
Members: No charge
Nonmembers: Adults $3.00/Students & Seniors $1.50
(Please pay in the store)

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Fairfield Museum and History Center Will be Open During its Regular Weekday Hours for Presidents Week and Limited Space is Still Available for Kids and Family Programs

Fairfield History Museum

Fairfield Museum and History Center www.fairfieldhistory.org will be open everyday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends during the Presidents Week vacation and there is still space available for kids of all ages to come and explore theatre with activities. An array of exciting programs, including a family time gallery tour, sketching of costumes and set designs; making mixed media masks, improvisation and so much more are open to various ages. Details are below. And pick up a Scavenger Hunt for a family-friendly activity.

And there are two ongoing exhibitions on view in the Museum’s galleries. Bravo! A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County continues through April 1st . Visitors will discover Connecticut’s theatrical history, a legacy that dates from the 19th century to the present.

Fairfield Historical Society

And an innovative exhibition, showcasing innovative computer models, writing, poetry and photography of a group of 8th grade students from The Unquowa School in Fairfield, who partnered with 5th grade students from New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport on sustainable plans for empty lots and abandoned buildings on upper Main Street in Bridgeport along with the students should be a must-see for visitors. Through their collaboration, the students looked to the future and became problem-solvers and urban planners to develop proposals for revitalization in Bridgeport.

Here are the February vacation programs and there is still time to make reservations through our web site www.fairfieldhistory.org

Special Family Time Gallery Tour!
Monday, February 20 2pm
Free for members, free with admission
Get a whole new perspective on theatre with this family-friendly tour featuring a Scavenger Hunt and Reader’s Theatre!

Sketching Theatre
Tuesday, February 21
with artist and illustrator Deborah Bassino 10am – 12pm Workshop for ages 8 – 13 $25; Members, $20
Learn sketching techniques inspired by the rich and glorious costumes and set designs in the theatre exhibition.

Mad Masks
Wednesday, February 22, 10am – 12pm Workshop for ages 6 – 10, $15; Members, $10. Create a mixed media mask inspired by the costumes and creatures in the Bravo! theatre exhibition, like Egyptian gods, feathered headdresses, donkeys and lions!

Theatre Explorers
Wednesday, February 22, 1pm – 3pm, Workshop for ages 6 – 10, $15; Members, $10. Dive in to our costume trunk and explore fun theatre games, playwriting, improv and more in the Bravo! theatre exhibition.

*Consider a Wednesday all-day option: $35; Members, $30, includes both workshops and a staff-supervised lunch break. Please bring a peanut-free lunch.

American Girl Afternoon
Thursday, February 23, 1pm – 4pm, Workshop for ages 8 – 12, Materials Fee; $30; Members, $25. Explore the history and adventures of the historical American Girl dolls, including the new pair from New Orleans, Marie-Grace Gardner and Cécile Rey, who lived in 1853. Learn about the fascinating culture of New Orleans and the French traditions that were adapted in America. We’ll make mardi gras masks, inspired by a fancy masquerade ball in the storybooks. Find out about the delicious foods popular in New Orleans and create a delicious snack!

Winter Back in Time
Friday, February 24, 9am – 12pm, Grades 3 – 6, Materials Fee; $30; $25 Members. Discover how boys and girls spent the dark days of winter in colonial times. Participants will get the chance to try on period costume and write their own stories with a feather pen and ink. We’ll also prepare a recipe inspired from times past.

Rapunzel
Presented by Purple Rock Productions, Friday, February 24, 2:30pm, $7 adults, $5 children. Free for children 3 and under.
n this wild and wacky adaptation of the classic tale, an old washerwoman tells the story of Rapunzel, who is very clever in this version. She has learned a few tricks from the witch, especially how to “sing” things to grow. She is able to “sing” a boat into existence in order that she and the Prince can get away on the ocean. The washer woman tells the story using a variety of household objects, as well as puppets. The audience is encouraged to participate in creating the story. Contact http://www.purplerock.org/html/shows/Rapunzel.html for more information.

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