Month: August 2013

Hometown Heroes Exhibit at Danbury Museum & Historical Society

Courtesy of the Danbury Museum
Courtesy of the Danbury Museum

The Danbury Museum & Historical Society located on 43 Main Street in Danbury has launched their new exhibit, Hometown Heroes: An Historic Tribute the Danbury Police & Fire Departments, now open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 3pm, through November 9, 2013. This exhibit tells the tale of the birth and development of both departments in the city of Danbury and honors the city’s Hometown Heroes, the men and women who serve and protect the citizens that live here in countless ways.

The eighteen display cases in Huntington Hall, the exhibit space, is filled with memorabilia, including: photographs, uniforms, artifacts, equipment and ephemera that commemorate the history and service of Danbury’s police officers and firemen.

In addition to vintage photo displays in each case, an hour-long photo slide show runs continuously and photocopied newspaper articles and other published materials are accessible to visitors to spark memories and spur conversation.

The exhibit is the backdrop for a full slate of films, lectures and special events for all ages. The history of national fire and police service will also be explored, and includes an August 17th visit from Damon Campana, Director of the New York Fire Museum who will discuss NYC fire history at 2pm.

For a nominal fee, visitors to the museum on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm can enjoy a guided tour of the historic buildings located at the 43 Main Street campus, including: The John & Mary Rider House (c.1785), The Dodd Hat Shop (c. 1790), The Marian Anderson Studio and the Little Red Schoolhouse.

About the DMHSA: The Danbury Museum & Historical Society was formed in 1947 to acquire, preserve, exhibit and interpret New England’s past; focusing particularly on the heritage of Danbury. Situated in downtown Danbury, the museum preserves the John and Mary Rider House (c.1785), the Dodd Hat Shop (c. 1790), the Marian Anderson Studio and the Charles Ives Birthplace. Huntington Hall, a modern exhibit building houses the museum offices and research library.

For more information contact: www.danburymuseum.org and for area information www.litchfieldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment

Stamford’s Restaurant Weeks farm to table through Sept. 2

CT: Fairfield County,Stamford

Hosted by the Downtown Stamford Restaurant Association, the Stamford Restaurant Weeks is kicked off on Monday, August 19 and runs through September 2. With 31 restaurants to choose from, all with tantalizing prix-fixe menus, there’s plenty of opportunities to try a new eatery or return to one of your favorites.

The highlight of this years’ Restaurant Weeks is the focus on farm to table dining. Just look for the tomato icon next to the menu item to know that this food is part of this initiative. The four local farms that have partnered with local chefs participating in this event include: Domus, Green Up Group, Hubbard Heights Farm and the Stamford Nature Center.

This summer’s Restaurant Weeks participants: Aria, Bar Q Stamford, Bar Rosso, Barcelona Wine Bar, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, California Pizza Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Capriccio Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Cotto Wine Bar, Emme of Capri, EOS Creek Cuisine, Fin II Japanese Restaurant, Hudson Grille, Kona Grill, Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Lola’s Mexican Kitchen, Lucky’s Classic Burger, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Morton’s, The Steakhouse, napa & co., Patrizia’s of Stamford, Quattro Pazzi, Remo’s Brick Oven Pizza, Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, SBC Downtown Restaurant & Brewery, Tengda Asian Bistro, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Volta Gelateria Creperia, and ZAZA Italian Gastrobar.

The Stamford hospital is a co-sponsor of this event and is promoting their KIDS’ FANS 5-2-1-0 Program, designed to promote health and fitness among Stamford’s youth.

Once again, the he Avon Theatre Film Center is returning as a co-sponsor, so be sure to be one of the first 3,000 Summer Restaurant Weeks patrons to receive a voucher for a free medium sized popcorn at the Avon Theater Film Center.

For up to the minute details visit www.stamford-downtown.com and look under Signature events.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

JanetLeave a comment

Don’t Miss One of the State’s Oldest Country Fairs in Goshen Aug. 31- Sept 2

Chain Saw Demo - courtesy Goshen Fair
Chain Saw Demo – courtesy Goshen Fair

‘Tis the season. In Connecticut’s rural Litchfield Hills, harvest time means the region’s favorite end-of-summer celebrations, old-fashioned country fairs. In the quiet hamlet of Goshen, one the largest agricultural fairs in the State will be taking place from August 31 through September 2 for the 101 time!

Many events featured at this country fair have been attracting families for generations. Baking contests, horse shows, and displays of prized sheep, swine, goats, cattle, cows, oxen, and draft horses offer a rare chance for city and suburban youngsters to see fine farm animals close-up. Live entertainment, mouth-watering food, a colorful midway and a multitude of displays and imaginative entertainment rounds out the fun.

This year’s celebration includes an Adult Spelling Bee, Fireworks, Hay Bale Toss Contest, a colorful Parade, Pie Eating Contest, Skillet Throwing Contest, Vater’s Monster Truck Show and performances by Hypno Lorezo, Changes in Latitudes: a Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band, Nashville Drive, and Apricot Brandy to name
a few.

Horse Show, courtesy Goshen Fair
Horse Show, courtesy Goshen Fair

There are some new additions for kids as well this year. Near the Antique Barn, be on the look out for the Frozen T-shirt Contest that will take place on Saturday at 3 pm. On Monday, at 11 a.m. Jester Jim will be on the scene with a show sure to delight youngsters. A special treat for kids on Monday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. is the offer of a $30 wristband for unlimited rides (admission not included).

Special highlights of the fair also include a draft horse show at 8:30 a.m. on Sat. Aug. 31, a Lumberjack Contest and woodcutting demonstration from 12 noon – 3 p.m. followed by the Hay Bale Throw Contest at 4:30 and fireworks at 9 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 1, some of the highlights include a Junior Open Dairy Show at 9 a.m., a 11 a.m. parade down the midway, a 1 p.m. horse draw exhibit, pie eating contest at 3 p.m., a skillet toss at 4:30 p.m. and Vater’s Monster Truck Show at 7:30 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 2 there will be Dairy Show and Dog Agility Demonstrations at 9 a.m., a woodcutting contest at noon and the adult spelling bee at 2 p.m and much more. For a complete list of entertainment check out the website.

Pie Eating Contest - courtesy Goshen Fair
Pie Eating Contest – courtesy Goshen Fair

Admission to the Goshen Fair is $8 for adults, children under 12 are free. Senior admission will be $5 on Sat. only. Visit http://www.goshenfair.org/coupon.htm for a discount coupon saving $1 off admission on Monday, Sept. 2 only. The Goshen Fairgrounds are located on the right approximately ½ miles south of the center of Goshen on Rte. 63. The GPS address is 116 Old Middle Street, Goshen, CT. For an up to the minute schedule visit http://www.goshenfair For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment

Step Back to the Summer of 1863 at the Civil War Reenactment in Woodbury

Woodbury, well known as Connecticut’s antiques Capitol will host well over 350 Civil War reenactors from all over New England as well as from points south. The reenactors will be camping out in Strong Preserve Park off of Rte. 6 on Scratchville Road on August 24 and 25.

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Visitors are invited to step back in time to the summer of 1863 and immerse themselves in this tumultuous period of American history. Begin your walk through history by strolling through replicas of period military camps as well as the civilian town of Unity. Camp layouts are garrison in style with formal company streets and include all of the amenities that one would expect to find in a military camp such as wood, water and hay for horses.

There will examples of both Union and Confederate camps. Along the way, reenactors will engage you with the trials and tribulations of their day — you may even meet some well known personalities. Listen to period music and enjoy the tales of well versed speakers and authors that make this event come alive. For family fun, kids are invited to take part in a scavenger hunt that will teach them about the American Civil War. Don’t miss the 19th century goods for sale on Sutlers Row while enjoying a treat from one of the food vendors.

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The camp comes alive with many special demonstrations that include battlefield medicine and surgery as well as period toys and games. The highlight of the event includes the colorful drills that take place and the roar of cannons during the orchestrated battles that are scheduled. This reenactment features unique and elaborate battle scenarios that are not found at other events.

Special battles times have been scheduled for Saturday, August 24 at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 25 at 1:30 p.m.

The gates to the event open at 8:30 a.m. giving guests ample time to see the many chores and activities of the reenactors as they begin their day. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, $4 for children 5 to 10 and kids under 5 are free. There is free parking and shuttles to the event. For up to the minute information www.woodburybattle.com. For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment

Coming to America: Washington’s Swedish Immigrants

Swedish Culture at the Gunn Museum in Washington CT
Swedish Culture at the Gunn Museum in Washington CT

The Gunn Memorial Museum on 5 Wykeham Road in Washington Connecticut is exploring its’ European roots with a new exhibit that runs through January 12, 2014 called Coming to America: Washington’s Swedish Immigrants. This exhibition shares the little-known story of Swedish immigration to this small New England town.

Known for their superior agricultural skills, 1.3 million Swedes immigrated to America during the 19th and 20th centuries, escaping conscription, famine, and poverty. Washington, Connecticut became one of their new homes, where many found employment as laborers and servants on local farms and estates owned by wealthy New Yorkers.

Swedish_Culture_Room_-_Dala_Horses

Beginning in 1870, over one hundred Swedish families settled in Washington and built two churches across the street from each other. One, the Salem Covenant Church, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Swedes made up 22% of Washington’s population in 1910, and many of their descendants still reside in town today. This exhibit tells their story.

Ellis Island Room
Ellis Island Room

The Gunn Museum is located at 5 Wykeham Road, at the intersection of Wykeham Road and Rt. 47, on Washington Green. The Museum is open to the public Thursday through Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday from 12pm-4pm. Call the Museum at 860-868-7756 or view http://www.gunnlibrary.org for more information.

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Kissable Camels at Beardsley Zoo

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is known for offering special family programming during the summer months. In years past, the zoo has featured a free flight bird show, Rainforest Reptiles, and last year’s Galapagos tortoises were a huge hit with the public. This summer, two camels have called Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo home through Labor Day.

The camels, named Toby and Goliath, may be found on the greenhouse lawn and rides will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $5 per person, which includes photos. Visitors will be able to purchase ride tickets at the front gate, gift shop, carousel, and at the camel ride. While there are no age restrictions for riders, anyone five years old and younger requires an adult rider with them. The zoo also is offering a combo ticket for both a carousel and camel ride for $6.00.

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Fun camel facts, courtesy of Environmental Graffiti:

Bactrian camels have two humps while Dromedary camels have one hump. (Toby and Goliath are Dromedary camels.)
The name camel comes from Arabic, meaning “beauty.”
A camel’s hump stores fat – not water – as many believe.
Camels can drink up to 40 gallons at one time.
Camels can go for long periods of time without drinking because of the shape of their red blood cells, which are oval, and allows them to flow easily without clumping. They are the only mammals to have this kind of blood cell.
Camels can kick in all four directions with each leg.
Camels can eat anything without injuring their mouths – including thorny twigs.
Camels can close their nostrils against wind and sand when necessary.
Their coats reflect sunlight and insulate them from the desert heat.
“Spitting” is actually a way that camels defend themselves. They don’t actually spit but rather throw up a nasty smelling fluid when provoked.

For more information about Connecticut’s only zoo visit www.beardsleyzoo.org. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

JanetLeave a comment