Author: Janet

I like to share travel deals, destinations, and travel tips!

A Lecture on Victorian Era Jewelry to Launches the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Lecture Series

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On Wednesday, May 21, at 11 a.m., the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located at 295 West Avenue in Norwalk, CT will launch its 2014 Lecture Series. CT Historic New England’s Associate Curator Laura Johnson will present the illustrated talk, Mottos, Messages and Gem Lore in Victorian Jewelry and introduce the messages, both hidden and overt, in Victorian gems. From the many meanings of turquoise to “fide” rings and the language of flowers, men and women alike in the nineteenth century used gems and ornaments to whisper sweet nothings or softly spell out their devotion. Lecture attendees are invited to bring their own Victorian jewelry for expert identification (please note- not for appraisal).

Laura Johnson is a specialist in American material life, focusing on identity construction and consumption. She is particularly interested in the intersections of memory and identity in American adornment. Ms. Johnson is currently working on an exhibition for Historic New England entitled Mementos: Jewelry of Life and Love, scheduled to open in 2016 but also works on needlework, children’s clothing, revival textiles, basketry, and Native American material culture. She received her Ph.D. in the History of American Civilization from the University of Delaware and an M.A. in Early American Culture from the Winterthur Program.

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This is the first in a series of lectures entitled, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion: Seventy-four years of Culture – Art, Life, and Love, 1864-1938 by curators and experts in the field of Victorian era material life. The lectures are $25 for members, $30 for non-members per session. A discount package for all seven lectures can be purchased in advance for $150 for members/ $180 for non-members. The price includes lecture, lunch and a Mansion tour. Lunch is courtesy of Michael Gilmartin’s Outdoor Cookers. The chair of the Lecture Committee is Mimi Findlay of New Canaan. Photo credits: Collection of Historic New England and photography by Andrew Davis.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Historic Landmark. For more information on schedules and programs please visit: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.

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For the love of Trees in Norwalk – the annual Tree Festival

The Connecticut Tree Festival, Norwalk’s annual spring tribute to leafy greenery is set for Cranbury Park, located on Grumman Ave. on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

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This family fun festival will be both entertaining and educational for the whole family with up to 40 exhibition booths on a U-shaped midway making it easy to explore. Best of all, this event is free, everything in the park is free to the public–admission, parking, door prizes, even a picnic-style lunch.

There are demonstrations of how trees are planted, trimmed and moved as well as information on how to care for trees. Bring a twig and leaf from home and look for the “Ask the Arborist” signs, certified arborists are on-site to help identify trees, foliage or unusual conditions. In a mid-day ceremony, an eastern redbud tree is to be planted to honor the late Dick Aime who died last year at age 93 after many years as secretary of the Norwalk Tree Alliance.

For kids there is face painting, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts activities. A highlight of the event are the cherry-pickers located around the midway that offers kids rides to the tree tops and tells them about the importance of tree care.

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Popular exhibitors include: the Wolf Conservation Center from South Salem New York, Wildlife in Crisis of Weston, CT, Earthplace of Westport and Connecticut’s Search and Rescue dog team.

Appearing for the first time is the Art Academy of Weir Farm in Wilton with a booth on the midway and a display of arboreal art called “A Celebration of Trees” in the neighboring Gallaher Mansion.

For additional information about this event visit https://www.ioby.org/project/2014-connecticut-tree-festival. For information on Fairfield County visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

About Cranbury Park

This is an expansive parkland of 227 acres that has a series of wooded trails, and a challenging 18- hold disc golf course. Also on the grounds is the Gallager Mansion built in 1913 by industrialist/inventor Edward Beach Gallaher. This limestone Tudor Revival mansion is styled with carvings, stained-glass windows and Walnut paneled rooms. It includes a large terrace and adjacent garden that make it perfect venue for outdoor entertaining. It’s available to rent for meetings, events, luncheons and weddings. The Carriage House Arts Center is located adjacent to the mansion. Contact Recreation and Parks for details. (203) 854-7806 or http://www.norwalkct.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/1

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BLACK • WHITE • COLOR • LIGHT: The Art of Rick Shaefer & The Sun As Art: NASA Photographs

The art and science behind the perception of light and color is explored in a new two-part exhibition entitled BLACK • WHITE • COLOR • LIGHT: The Art of Rick Shaefer & The Sun As Art: NASA Photographs, that is open to the public at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center through May 26.

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The exhibition invites the viewer to consider the different ways in which our world is awash in color and light, highlighted by the nuances of shadow, contrast and darkness. Through works of contemporary art and scientific documentation, BLACK • WHITE • COLOR • LIGHT explores questions concerning how the light from the sun influences the way we perceive color, and how our imagination is exercised and challenged by black and white imagery.

The exhibition features recent works by artist Rick Shaefer that are part of an ongoing series of large-scale, black and white, charcoal-on-vellum drawings, whose subjects range from the endangered American bison to massive trees and other flora found in close proximity to the artist’s home in Connecticut. The intricate markings that comprise his meticulously rendered, monumental drawings are part of a technique that Shaefer has cultivated within his artistic practice, one that aims to introduce the viewer to new ways of perceiving the drawn line and, ultimately, of considering the greater significance of the subjects of the work.

The Sun as Art is a collection of twenty colorful, high-definition images of the sun featured in a unique way that demonstrates the color spectrum of light. The engaging and educational collection is the brainchild of Dr. Steele Hill, media specialist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD.

The Galleries are open, Monday – Saturday 9 am – 5 pm; Sundays 11am – 5 pm. Members: Free/Non-Members: Free with gate admission. Admission Fees*: Adults $10; Seniors (65+) $8; Students (18+ with valid ID) $6; Children (4-17) $5; Children (3 and under) Free *excludes festival days & special events.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center is located at 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT (3/4 mile North of Merritt Parkway Exit 35.) For more information call 203.322.1646 or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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May Events at the Beardsley Zoo

The Beardsley Zoo has a series of exciting events planned for the lovely month of May that promises fun for the entire family.

The Beardsley Zoo is offering two special deals in May one for Moms to celebrate Mother’s Day on May 11 and the other for Veterans to commemorate Armed Services Day on May 17. To thank all moms on Mothers Day, bring your mom to the zoo and her ticket is on the Zoo! On Armed Services Day, Veterans and active service people are free and their family (up to 6 individuals) receives a 15% discount on admission.

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On May 13 and 14, the Zoo is hosting Zoo tots at 10:30 a.m. for children accompanied by an adult that are 22 months old to four years old. This popular monthly program may include: stories, games, crafts, and a live animal presentation. A special highlight is the “Garden Critters” session that will focus on animals that like gardens. The admission is $10 for Zoo members and one child; and $15 for non-members and one child. Participants may sign up for either day. To reserve a space in the program, pre-register by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 203-394-6563.

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To commemorate the Endangered Species Week, the Beardsley Zoo is holding a series of endangered species awareness events from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. from May 16- May 18. The events will encourage people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting endangered animals and plants and what actions can be taken to help preserve their future. A highlight of this event is for children and families to take part in a scavenger hunt featuring exotic and domestic endangered animals!

If you have been thinking about adopting a pet, head to the Zoo on May 17 for Pet Awareness and Adoption Day that takes place from noon to 3 p.m. Together with regional animal adoption and rescue organizations, you’ll learn about the wonderful animals we live with every day – our pets! The Zoo is hosting experts on pet care and safety, and a series of special craft programs for kids will be part of the fun along with other surprises.

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The month of May ends with an evening lecture on May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Hanson Exploration Station. The lecture series engages audiences of all ages, especially lifelong learners, who have an appetite for delving deeper into the wonders of wildlife. Attending these programs allows visitors to live vicariously through the Zoo’s experts, who often have had incredible close encounters with creatures across the globe. There is a suggested $5 donation for the lecture. Refreshments will be served.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s only zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won’t want to miss the Amur (Siberian) tigers and leopard, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include: the South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with “pop-up” viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on a colorful carousel. For more information, visit www.beardsleyzoo.org.

For area information on Fairfield County www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Treasure Hunt in the Book Basement and Dining in Washington Connecticut

The Gunn Memorial Library in Washington Connecticut is cleaning house through June 13. If you are a book lover, don’t miss this chance to fill up a grocery bag of great books at the library’s book basement sale that includes fiction, non-fiction, hard cover and soft cover books. There are over 10,000 books available on just about every topic imaginable and for every age.

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The quality of the books is outstanding and are being offered at $5 a bag — a regular sized grocery bag that is. The library is asking you to be “green” and to BYOB — bring your own bag! In addition to the bag of books sale, the library is also offering a sale of DVDs, music CDs, books on CDs as well as books that are deemed “special” that will are priced at $5 and up. All the “special” books are priced at 1/3 lower than prices found on the Internet.

The book basement hours are Thursday – Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. The Library is located on 5 Wykham Rd. in Washington at the junction of Rte. 47 opposite the Green.

After browsing for books, stop in at the Gunn Memorial Museum located next to the Library to view their new exhibition titled The Great War. This exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of WWI.

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For a delightful lunch or dinner Washington offers three fabulous restaurants to choose from.
GW Tavern www.gwtavern.com on 20 Bee Brook Road offers a rich blend of contemporary and traditional food sure to please any palette. GW has gorgeous decks perfect for seasonal outdoor dining that overlook Bee Brook.

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The Pantry located on 5 Titus Rd. offers an enticing selection of daily specials, salads, sandwiches, and more including excellent baked goods that are perfect for a quick light lunch, tea or takeout. It is fun to sit amid gifts and housewares while dining.

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The Mayflower Inn, www.gracehotels.com/mayflower/ on 118 Woodbury Road in Washington has an award -winning restaurant that offers a range of classic and grand New England dining experiences from their prix fixe and a la carte menus. Dishes here are locally sourced and inspired by the international experiences of Chef Jonathan Cartwright. In the summer months there is spectacular al fresco dining on the terrace overlooking the gardens.

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For more information on the Litchfield Hills www.litchfieldhills.com

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See celebrated zookeeper Jack Hanna at Maritime Aquarium Norwalk

Celebrated zookeeper Jack Hanna will recount his adventures in the wild while displaying a menagerie of live animal friends in two special shows on Wed., May 7 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The animal adventures will begin at 2 & 7:30 p.m. in the Aquarium’s IMAX Theater. Tickets are $50 ($45 for Aquarium members).

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The animal “guests” for Hanna’s upcoming visit haven’t been announced. Last year’s collection included Fennec fox kits, a 15-foot python, a Siberian lynx, a lemur, a lesser anteater, a penguin, a beaver, a young wallaby, a six-week-old black bear, and many others.

Hanna is one of America’s most beloved naturalists and adventurers. The director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo hosts two weekly TV shows and is a frequent guest on “Good Morning America,” “The Late Show with David Letterman” and other popular programs.

His route to becoming a national celebrity began in Knoxville, Tenn., where he raised bluegills in the family bathtub and then extended his menagerie to their backyard. After majoring in business in college, Hanna worked for a wildlife adventure company and then directed a small Florida zoo before moving to Columbus (1978-1992), where his improvements to exhibits and educational programs helped to transform the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium into a state-of-the-art park.

Now, in addition to public and television-guest appearances, Hanna takes millions of viewers on exciting journeys each week to learn about animals in his syndicated shows, “Into the Wild” and “Wild Countdown.”

Sell-outs of his Maritime Aquarium shows are expected. Reserve your tickets in advance online at www.maritimeaquarium.org or by calling (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

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