Author: Janet

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

Fun in the Meadow in Litchfield

The Tapping Reeve Meadow, named after Judge Tapping Reeve, the gentleman that started the first law school in America is hosting crafts week from August 18-20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Located in Litchfield, behind the Tapping Reeve House and Law School participants will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment. There are many newly installed outdoor exhibits and, visitors are invited to take part in crafts and games inspired by the fight for women’s right to vote.

A highlight of this event includes Ballots for Both: The Fight for Equal Voting Rights Exhibit! Visitors are invited to explore the newest outdoor exhibit exploring the battle for woman suffrage in Litchfield and the state of Connecticut. Kids can make their own Votes for Women pin and discover historic buttons in the Society’s collection and make a suffrage-inspired button. Participants will also see the artwork of Adelaide Deming, painter, and a local leader of the suffrage movement. Be inspired by her paintings and paint your own landscape. To top off the fun there is also croquet on the lawn.

To protect the safety of attendees and to eliminate overcrowding, we are requiring attendees to pre-register for an arrival time. Visitors required to wear a mask at all time, to stay with their family groups, and to stay at least six feet from other groups. All equipment used by visitors will be thoroughly cleaned between groups. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the program will not be held.

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Take a Walk Around Litchfield August 22 @ 10 a.m.

There is nothing more relaxing than strolling the village green and walking in the historic borough of Litchfield on a warm summer day. The houses and town center is so well preserved it is like stepping back in time.

The Litchfield Historical Society will be making this walk much more interesting on Saturday, August 22 at 10 am with a narrated themed walking tour with a staff member of the Historical Society. The theme for Saturday, August 22 is William Grimes. Participants will explore Connecticut’s complicated history with slavery through the life of William Grimes, a man who escaped slavery in Georgia and found work in Litchfield. Walking tours last approximately 1 hour. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water.

Space is limited! Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the program will not be held. To register click here.

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KidsPlay Museum offers Bilingual Storytime August 19

The KidsPlay Children’s Museum located in Torrington is partnering with the Litchfield Historical Association to present Bilingual Stories in the Meadow. These storytimes in English and Spanish by volunteers Humphry Rolleston and Carmen Neale will take place Wednesday, August 19 at 10 am. Families can join the volunteers for storytime at The Tapping Reeve Meadow located behind the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, at 82 South Street, Litchfield, CT 06759. Parking is available behind the Litchfield Historical Society Museum and on the street. This free event has limited registration due to social distancing requirements. Visit our website, www.kidsplaymuseum.org to learn more.


About KidsPlay Children’s Museum

Founded in 2012, KidsPlay Children’s Museum is a not-for-profit organization that operates over 11,000 square feet of interactive exhibits that spark curiosity and creativity. The Museum currently targets the developmental needs of children ages 1 to 10. KidsPlay provides opportunities for children and their caregivers to share intrinsically memorable, whole family learning experiences and build skills that extend beyond the museum. The Museum enriches the educational landscape for families from across the socio-economic, cultural, and educational spectrum. The Museum is open to the public Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit http://www.kidsplaymuseum.org.

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Wilton Historical Society’s Booked for Lunch…August 24

If you are a history buff don’t miss the new program offered by the Wilton Historical Society on August 24, Creating Connecticut: Critical Moments that Shaped a State from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward helps us understand how people and events in Connecticut’s past played crucial roles in forming the culture and character of Connecticut today.

Woodward, a gifted story-teller, brings the history we thought we knew to life in new ways, from the nearly forgotten early presence of the Dutch, to the time when Connecticut was New England’s fiercest prosecutor of witches, the decades when Nutmeggers were rapidly leaving the state, and the years when Irish immigrants were hurrying into it.

Whether it’s his investigation into the unusually rough justice meted out to Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale, or a peek into Mark Twain’s smoking habits, Creating Connecticut will leave you thinking about our state’s past–and its future–in a whole new way.

To register email info@wiltonhistorical.org. After you register, you will receive a confirmation, Zoom session ID Code, and instructions about how to submit questions. Suggested contribution $10.00

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This Weekend @ Jones Family Farm in Shelton

Jones Family Farm Winery in Shelton has planned a weekend of summer fun for wine and music lovers. The weekend kicks off on Friday, August 14 with the music of Seth Adam who will be performing at the Hones Winery Courtyard. The seating starts at 4:30 pm and the music starts at 4:45 and runs through 6:45 p.m. leaving plenty of time to catch dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Jones Farm is also running a special summer wine special. For the month of August, enjoy a glass of Sunshine White or Pure Rosé for only $6. Also, mix and match any combination of 3 bottles of our Sunshine White and Pure Rosé, and receive 25% off. Perfect for picnics or poolside. Pair with all your favorite summer fare.

To book your table, visit the farms online reservation system on their website.
Click on the BOOK NOW bar for Winery and all farm reservations. Please remember, Jones Farm is an outdoor venue. Limited indoor seating also available within their spacious, well-ventilated tasting room.

Their Online Wine Store is another a great way to place an order for pick up. The Summer Bottle Special is available online as well.

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Virtual Weekend in Norfolk July 31, August 1 and 2

For the past four years, the bucolic village of Norfolk, Connecticut has welcomed visitors to a town-wide festival where all the events are free. Rather than totally canceling the event because of the pandemic more than 25 businesses, organizations, and individuals have come together to welcome folks from near and far to a Virtual Weekend in Norfolk​ on July 31, August 1, and August 2. This year all events will be online, some will be live, and others will be On-Demand allowing viewers to watch them from home at their convenience. Best of all, every event is free of charge.

A special Virtual Weekend in Norfolk website​ has been set up that lists live and On-Demand events by category. The length of each video and description is included to make planning your viewing time easy. On-Demand events begin at 12:01 a.m., July 31, and run through August 2. Five live events are also scheduled.

The “White House” in Norfolk, CT

On-Demand Event Highlights

Natural foods and herbs have been used medicinally for centuries. If you want to learn more about how to prepare healthy food don’t miss the 39-minute video by Wendy Roberts from Norfolk’s Mountain View Green Retreat​ on how to prepare a variety of food from Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers, Chocolates with coconut oil, good for HDL cholesterol levels, a virgin Pina Colada, Nut Cheese made with heart-healthy raw cashews, and fresh-pressed juice to supercharge your health. These fun and instructive videos guide viewers in a step-by-step presentation with recipes included.

Viewers are invited to take a 20-minute virtual walking tour of the delightful village of Norfolk. Highlights of this tour include the classic village green, an extraordinary fountain, and interesting architectural buildings, and homes. The highlight is a tour of Battell Chapel’s​ Stained Glass windows designed by D. Maitland Armstrong and Louis Comfort Tiffany. An in-depth view of the techniques used that make these windows special and a discussion on the restoration process of these historic gems makes this video riveting.

One of the most interesting ways to understand the history and cultural heritage of a town is to visit a graveyard. The backstory told on the gravestones helps to define the character and tradition that gives people a sense of place. Don’t miss the chance to dive into Norfolk’s history with Historian William Hosley​, former curator of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, and the former Director of the Connecticut Landmarks Society. Hosley’s fascinating 12-minute video visits Norfolk’s Center Cemetery established in 1757. Every stone here tells a story from first settlers dating back to the 1770s and war heroes, to children, ministers, and politicians. A highlight is the story of Jupiter Morris. No rural town has the depth and richness of African American history as Norfolk; this video explains why.

If you have always wondered what it was like to live on a farm with goats, chickens, and pigs, then plan to spend a few minutes to see what life is like on Lost Ruby Farm​ in Norfolk, makers of some of the best goat cheese you will ever taste. Join owners Adair Mali and Antonio Guindon as they share their life on the farm and the love they have for their animals, and their commitment to fresh healthy food.

If architecture is of interest don’t miss the four-minute architectural glimpse of four of Norfolk’s most historic homes with Tom Mc Gowan. Highlighted homes include The Joseph Battell House circa 1799 known locally as “The White House,” Knolly Brook circa 1875 that offers a mĂ©lange of architectural styles, Beechwood Cottage, 1895 that looks like it should be in the English Cotswolds, and the Victorian style Tea Cozy Cottage, circa 1898. Another video details the story of the Victorian-styled Norfolk Library​ that was designed in the 19th century’s Golden Age of architecture and compares it to different libraries throughout the U.S. designed in a similar style.

Kids are not forgotten at this year’s Virtual Win. They can tune in any time over the course of this three-day weekend to watch a fun, 18-minute video with artist and printmaker, Susan Rood. Kids and adults are guided through the process of printmaking using paper, paint, leaves, and found material. This video encourages imaginations to run wild with artistic creations!

Live Events

Virtual Weekend in Norfolk also features five live streaming videos including a Puppet Show​ called Lisa the Wise on Friday, July 31, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. that is perfect for kids and family fun. On Saturday, August 1 there are two different concerts by The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase​ at 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. For art lovers don’t miss Saturday’s watercolor workshop with artist Pamela Harnois​ from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, August 2, the final live virtual workshop from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is with renowned artist and metal sculptor, Karen Rossi​; participants will learn how to make metal flowers with soda cans! Visit the website​ to register for a live event. After registration, a Zoom link will be sent about 30 minutes before the event streams live.

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