Month: July 2016

On September 10 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the Hollister House Garden is hosting a weekend Symposium called “A Passion for Gardens” at the Heritage Inn in Southbury as well as on the grounds of the Hollister House Gardens.
There will be five expert speakers that will be moderated by garden designer and preservation specialist Bill Noble.

The speakers include:
Arne Maynard, celebrated English garden designer, will share his secrets on the creation of his gardens, unique and rich in detail with a particular sense of harmony and belonging, as he introduces his latest book, The Gardens of Arne Maynard.

David Culp, noted plantsman, author, and creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage, will tell us what’s new, unusual, and steadfast in the world of perennial plants in the “Best of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Page Dickey, beloved garden writer and passionate gardener, will describe how we can enjoy drifts and pools of flowers that give our gardens unexpected charm in “Self-Seeding in the Garden.”

Quill Teal-Sullivan, preservation professional and garden manager, will speak on “Courage, Vision and Manure” and bringing back the beautiful and historically rich gardens of Helena Rutherford Ely at Meadowburn Farm.

Andy Brand and Christopher Koppel of Broken Arrow Nursery will engage in a friendly yet competitive debate as they present and compare a wide range of plants native to both Japan and America in “East vs West.”

The day concludes with cocktails and early buying at the Sale of Rare and Unusual Plants at Hollister House Garden in Washington, CT. from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission to the Symposium is: $180 for members of Hollister House Garden and/or the Garden Conservancy, $180 for general admissions purchased by July 15 and $195 for general admissions after July 15. The Cocktail Party and early buying event is open to symposium participants as well as to the general public not attending the symposium.

Admission to Cocktails and Early Buying is included in the registration fee for symposium participants. Admission (Cocktails and Early Buying only) is $40 for Hollister House and Garden Conservancy membersand $45 for general admissions.

On Sept. 11 there is a Rare Plant Sale open to the public from 10 am t0 4 pm and admission is $10.

To register for this event visit http://www.hollisterhousegarden.org/events/garden-study-weekend. For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Fairfield is rolling out a red, white and blue carpet on July 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that promises to be fun for the whole family. The day begins on the historic town green to celebrate the final day of the display of the Declaration of Independence. Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy food from a food truck from 1 a.m. to 1 pm. while enjoying crafts, games and even a British encampment.

The British encampment that will simulate what Fairfield looked like when the redcoats invaded. Participants will experience life during the Revolutionary War by visiting with members of the 54th CT Regiment of Foot, a British regiment like the ones who invaded Fairfield in 1779. The members of the 54th will set up a British soldier’s encampment, explaining the equipment that was likely used during the British invasion of Fairfield as well as demonstrating the manual of arms. There might also be a need to proclaim the “King’s will” to those in attendance while being part of the force occupying the town for the day!

Of special historic interest in honor of the 240th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, take a look at an early version of the Declaration of Independence and other historical artifacts such as a document bearing John Hancock’s famous signature! Connecticut signers of the Declaration included Oliver Wolcott, Roger Sherman, William Williams and Samuel Huntington.

The highlight of this event are the Burning of Fairfield Walking Tours on: Sunday, July 10 at 12:30 p.m., 1p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.; to reserve a spot visit the website tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

This walking tour brings the burning of Fairfield back to life as your guide explains the history and events surrounding the attack on Fairfield by the British on July 7-8, 1779. Participants will listen to the Proclamation from the British General William Tryon and Admiral Collier, to the people of Connecticut. You will hear the anguished words of Eunice Burr, as she witnesses the ransacking and destruction of her home, at the site where it happened. Young William Wheeler’s voice speaks to you of his family’s struggle to evacuate the town and his feelings of pride at the heroic actions of the local militia and the Fort at Black Rock as they work to fend off the Crown Forces. The walk ends with the somber after action report of Reverend Andrew Eliot as he reflects on the events of those two days in July, and their meaning for the town and its future. This popular event is one that is not to be missed.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Now in its tenth year, SOLOS is a celebration of the artistic talent and diversity of the Arts Center’s artist members. The exhibition will feature a diverse range of works, including paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and mixed media. With entries from across the country, selected artists are from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

Selected artists include: Nina Bentley, Mixed Media Artist (Westport, CT), Cynthia Cooper, Painter (Farmington, CT), Larry Gordon, Painter (Larchmont, NY), Allan Gorman, Painter (West Orange, NJ), David Kalman, Photographer (Westport, CT) ,Daniel Lanzilotta, Sculptor (Westport, CT), Barbara Ringer, Photographer (Ridgefield, CT) and David Sheskin, Printmaker (Bethel, CT). This exhibition celebrates a disparate group, which in fact is the underlying purpose of SOLOS – it’s about 21st century artists embracing daring innovations, unusual media and bold new techniques.

For more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at (203) 222-7070 or www.westportartscenter.org. The Westport Arts Center gallery is open Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT. For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

This year on July 23 and 24 at the Goshen Fair Grounds located on 116 Middle Road (Rte. 63) in Goshen thriteen Connecticut Vineyards have come together to present the 2016 Connecticut Wine Festival.

The participating vineyards include:Bishop’s Orchards Winery Paradise Hills Vineyard DiGrazia Vineyards Priam Vineyards Holmberg Orchards & Winery Sharpe Hill Vineyard Hopkins Vineyard Sunset Meadow Vineyards Jonathan Edwards Winery Taylor Brooke Winery Jones Winery White Silo Winery and Miranda Vineyard.

Visitors are invited to come and sample the best of Connecticut’s wineries as well as sample delicious locally produced specialty foods, browse for handicrafts while listening to live music. The tickets are 27.00 in advance/$35.00 at the gate and $10.00 Designated Driver. Advance Tickets are available until midnight on Saturday, July 16th and can be purchased online or at the gate.

Tasting Tickets include admission to the festival, samples of up to 4 wines at each of the wineries, a free CT Wine Festival wine glass and a CT Wine Festival tote bag. Designated Driver Tickets include admission to the festival, a free CT Wine Festival tote bag and free water.

If you are part of the 2016 Passport to Connecticut Wineries this is a perfect opportunity to get your passport stamped; wineries will not be stamping their individual pages, but the CT Wine Festival has a page of it’s own to be stamped. Please remember to bring a valid I.D. and remember that there are no pets or outside food and beverages allowed on the fairgrounds.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com