Category: Connecticut Travel

Rooted in Remedy: Colonial Herbal Wisdom Comes Alive at The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden

In Colonial America, families didn’t have modern pharmacies around the corner. Instead, they turned to what grew nearby. Knowledge of these remedies was practical, personal, and often passed down through generations. This September, The Glebe House & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, in Woodbury, invites curious minds, plant lovers, and history enthusiasts to explore herbal medicine in Colonial America in a two-part series led by Dr. Eugene Zampieron, known as Dr. Z.

With more than 25 years of experience as a licensed naturopathic physician, medical botanist, registered professional herbalist, professor, author, lecturer, radio personality, and Caribbean ethnobotanist, Dr. Z brings deep expertise and a lively teaching style to this one-of-a-kind program.

The series begins on Wednesday, September 23 at 6 p.m. with an engaging online presentation that introduces the foundations of colonial herbal medicine. Dr. Z will guide participants through the plants and practices that shaped early American healing traditions, highlighting the cultural and scientific roots of herbal care. This session sets a strong foundation for the garden and hands-on experience that follows.

The learning continues in person on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. with a fascinating hands-on workshop that brings colonial herbal traditions to life. The day begins with a guided garden tour designed to help participants identify medicinal and edible plants. Along the way, Dr. Z will share insights into the folklore, chemistry, and traditional uses of the herbs growing at Woodbury’s historic Glebe House, which dates to the 1740s.

Then comes the fun part: making your own remedies. Using herbs gathered from the garden, foraged from the wild, and purchased locally, attendees will get hands-on experience crafting two traditional preparations: a healing salve and a choice between a classic Colonial-style cough remedy or an immune-supporting tonic. Best of all, each participant will leave with finished handmade medicines plus the knowledge and confidence to recreate them at home.

This is more than a workshop—it’s a chance to reconnect with a living tradition. Whether you’re interested in herbal medicine, history, gardening, or natural wellness, this program offers a thoughtful and practical experience rooted in place and heritage. It’s a reminder that the connection between people, plants, and wellness has deep roots—and that some of the best lessons from the past are still worth carrying forward.

Version 1.0.0

Registration Details

Program fee: $65 per person

Includes: both sessions, equipment use, and all supplies

Pre-registration required at https://www.glebehousemuseum.org/single-post/herbal-medicines-of-colonial-america-webinar-workshop

For additional information, email office@glebehousemuseum.org or call 203-263-2855.

JanetLeave a comment

Norwalk Oyster Festival Announces 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

The Norwalk Oyster Festival taking place September 11–13, 2026, at Veterans Park in Norwalk, has announced a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11, at 6 p.m.


“As we come together on this very 25-year milestone, the Norwalk Seaport Association would like to honor the 14 victims from Norwalk lost on that day,” said Rick McQuaid, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association.

The ceremony will feature remarks from McQuaid; a Presentation of Colors by the Norwalk Police Honor Guard; the National Anthem performed by Jonathan Peters; the Pledge of Allegiance led by former Mayor Harry Rilling, who served as Norwalk’s Police Chief during 9/11; and an Invocation by Reverend Artie Kassimis of the Word Alive Bible Church. Additional tributes will include the reading of the names of Norwalk’s 14 victims followed by the ringing of a bell, musical reflections, a Benediction by Reverend Artie Kassimis, and the retirement of the colors by the Norwalk Police Color Guard.

“We invite ticket holders to stand together in remembrance of those we lost and in gratitude for the first responders, service members, families, and neighbors forever impacted by that day,” McQuaid said.

Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association and presented by Mohegan Sun Online Casino, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting the ongoing preservation and restoration of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.

Festival admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5–12, with all entertainment included with the price of a ticket. Children age 12 and under receive free admission on Sunday with a paying adult. Discounted ride wristbands are available for $35 on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

default

This year’s entertainment includes Lita Ford at 8 p.m. Friday, Parmalee at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and JUMP: The American Van Halen Experience at 4 p.m. Sunday. Festivalgoers can also enjoy family entertainment including the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack and the Ready Go Dogs Shows, along with an international food court, the New England Crafts Village, and the Mohegan Sun Online Casino VIP Lounge.

At its heart, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is more than an end-of-summer tradition—it is a celebration supporting education, preservation, and the region’s maritime legacy. For tickets and more information https://www.seaport.org/norwalkoysterfestival_entertainment

JanetLeave a comment

Danbury Concert Association Opens 2026–27 Series with Acclaimed Pianist Ying Li, Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.

The Danbury Concert Association launches its 2026–2027 concert season on Sunday, September 20, welcoming internationally acclaimed Chinese concert pianist Ying Li to the Visual & Performing Arts Center at Western Connecticut State University.

The 1 p.m. performance will take place at 43 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury and promises an afternoon of dazzling technique, expressive depth, and a captivating program featuring celebrated masterworks of piano repertoire.

Single tickets for the September 20th concert are $33.85 and may be purchased online, at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com, or at the VPAC Box Office (203-837-8732) up to curtain time. Admission is free for ages 18 and under, courtesy of the Danbury Cultural Commission. Season subscriptions at $89 for all four concerts are also available at https://ticketscandy.com/e/danbury-concert-association-202627-series-18376

Ying Li, phonoto credit Shervin-Lainez

Born in China, Ying Li began studying piano at age five. Just nine years later, her exceptional promise led her to Philadelphia’s prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with Jonathan Biss and Seymour Lipkin and earned her bachelor’s degree. She continued her education at The Juilliard School in New York, completing her master’s degree in 2021 under the guidance of Robert McDonald.

That same year marked a major milestone in Li’s rapidly ascending career. She won the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone in Milan and was named a laureate of the Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York. These honors affirmed her place among the most exciting young pianists on the international stage.

Li has performed worldwide at renowned chamber music festivals and with leading orchestras. Her performances have brought her to celebrated venues, from Teatro alla Scala in Milan and Verizon Hall at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Cultural Campus to the Chicago Cultural Center and ACT Concert Hall in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Widely praised for her “nerves of steel,” technical brilliance, and profound musical sensitivity, Li brings a presence that is both commanding and deeply communicative. For her Danbury appearance, Li will perform a compelling and wide-ranging program featuring works by Bach/Busoni, Amy Beach, Stravinsky, and Qigang Chen. The repertoire offers audiences an opportunity to experience the breadth of her artistry—from clarity and control to sweeping virtuosity and emotional nuance. Following the concert, audience members are invited to stay and meet the rising piano star in person.

With Ying Li’s dynamic artistry opening the season, the Danbury Concert Association’s 2026–2027 series begins on a high note—inviting music lovers to experience a remarkable performer whose international career is already making an indelible impression.



About the Danbury Concert Association
The Danbury Concert Association is a nonprofit organization with roots dating back to the 1930s. Officially spun off from the Danbury Music Centre in 1957, the Association has brought internationally renowned talent to Connecticut every year since then, except during the COVID era. Today, performances are held at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Western Connecticut State University, featuring internationally acclaimed artists in a state-of-the-art concert hall. The Association presents four concerts per season, two in the fall and two in the spring, each followed by a meet-the-artists reception.

JanetLeave a comment

A Grand Finale to Summer: The 48th Norwalk Oyster Festival Returns September 11-13

Make the most of summer’s last hurrah at the Norwalk Oyster Festival, taking place September 11–13 at Veterans Park (42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk). Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association and presented by Mohegan Sun Online Casino, this festival is more than just a celebration—it’s the largest annual fundraiser supporting the continuing preservation and restoration of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Tickets are available online and at the gate at $20 for adults and $10 for children 5-12, with all entertainment included in the admission price. Families will appreciate that children ages 12 and under are free on Sunday with a paying adult, while discounted ride wristbands at $35 each (available Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) keep the thrills accessible for all ages.

default

For those looking to indulge, the Mohegan Sun Online Casino VIP Lounge returns with an upgraded, upscale retreat in the heart of the festival. For just $50 per day, festivalgoers 21+ will score the VIP Lounge plus festival admission, comfy seating, three adult drinks, exclusive giveaways, and delicious bites including grilled oysters, hanger steak, corn salad, and smoked salt potatoes. It’s a refined way to experience the festival—equal parts relaxation and fun. For combination tickets https://www.seaport.org/mohegan-sun-online-casino-lounge

The Xfinity Main Stage) is bringing three nights of can’t-miss entertainment—starting with the fierce, glam-metal legend Lita Ford on Friday, September 11, at 8 pm. Known for hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and the powerful duet “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne, her presence anchors opening night with grit, nostalgia, and undeniable star power.

Parmalee takes the Xfinity Main Stage on Saturday, September 12 at 8:30 p.m. With more than 1.6 billion on-demand streams and six No. 1 hits, Parmalee has redefined modern country music with powerful storytelling and a polished crossover sound. Expect a setlist stacked with fan favorites like “Carolina,” “Close Your Eyes,” and “Already Callin’ You Mine alongside newer chart-toppers including “Take My Name,” “Girl in Mine,” and “Cowgirl,” a track that recently made history as one of the longest-running No. 1 songs in over a decade on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

Dance to the multi-platinum country group Parmalee

On Sunday, September 13, the festival shifts into high gear one last time as JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend at 4 p.m. The band delivers a high-octane tribute to Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era—complete with faithful renditions, theatrical flair, and a setlist that dives beyond the biggest hits to the delight of true fans.

The high octane performance of JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend

Beyond the Xfinity Main Stage, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is packed with interactive entertainment for all ages. The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show brings the world of logging to life. Watch as World -Class and World -Champion Lumberjacks go head-to-head in epic battles of muscle vs. machine, showcasing skills like logrolling, axe throwing, and springboard chopping that have been wowing audiences for over 35 years! The Ready Go Dog Show, as seen on FOX, ESPN, and the Today Show, features a cast of rescued canine athletes that steal the show with their amazing stunts and boundless energy. After the show, meet the pups in person, making the experience even more memorable.

Food lovers can take a culinary journey around the world without leaving the fairgrounds at the International Food Court. Feast on everything from New England seafood favorites, including buttery lobster rolls, creamy clam chowder, and freshly shucked oysters, to Italian specialties, Southern soul food, Latin-inspired dishes, amazing sweets, and much more. Wander through the New England Crafts Village, where artisans and makers showcase their work. From handcrafted jewelry and fine art to ceramics and wearable pieces, each booth offers something unique—perfect for discovering a one-of-a-kind treasure.

At its heart, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is more than an end-of-summer tradition—it’s a celebration with impact, supporting education, preservation, and the region’s maritime legacy, Sheffield Island Lighthouse.

Festival Essentials
Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 5-12. Children 12 and under are Free with an adult paid ticket on Sunday. Tickets are available online at https://www.seaport.org/norwalk-oyster-festival or at the gate.

The daily festival combination ticket provides entrance to the festival and the Mohegan Sun Online Casino Lounge for 21+ for $50 per day. Combination tickets are available at https://www.seaport.org/mohegan-sun-online-casino-lounge.

Discounted business ticket packages are also available in blocks of 100 or more at 50% off general admission and available at https://www.seaport.org/business-ticket-packages.

Festival hours are Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For FAQs, including parking and shuttle information, visit https://www.seaport.org/faqs_norwalkoysterfestival

About the Norwalk Oyster Festival
Now in its 48th year, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is the main fundraiser for the Seaport Association and Sheffield Island Lighthouse. This is a three-day festival celebrating the maritime heritage of Norwalk held every September. The Norwalk Oyster Festival is known for music, a wide variety of entertainment, family fun, delicious food, children’s rides, and the New England Craft Village

About Mohegan Sun Online Casino
Mohegan Sun Online Casino is Connecticut’s premier online casino app with an array of online slots, table games, and live dealer games. Download the Mohegan Sun Online Casino app today to receive exclusive promotions, rewards, and game offerings. Also, link your Mohegan Sun Momentum Card to the Mohegan Sun Online Casino app to earn Momentum Dollars and Status Points from anywhere in the state of Connecticut. https://ct.mohegansuncasino.com/

JanetLeave a comment

A Special Treat at this Year’s Weekend In Norfolk for Gardeners, August 2, 2026

This year, Weekend in Norfolk is taking place from July 31 – August 2 and a highlight are Norfolk’s Gardens. There is something unmistakably magical about the summer gardens in Norfolk. At this summer’s WIN, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, one of the standout experiences is the rare opportunity to step inside four exceptional private gardens alongside a thoughtfully cultivated community garden. Each space offers its own personality, rhythm, and story—inviting visitors to slow down and truly see what makes a garden come alive. Private gardens have a special kind of quiet magic. Every path, planting choice, and tucked-away corner reflects the care and personality of the person who created it, making these spaces feel less like landscapes and more like deeply personal worlds.

At Feeding Body and Soul on 84 Maple Avenue, that idea comes to life beautifully: “Our garden’s focus is to feed us, our chickens, our bees—and our souls.” The garden is shaped by organic practices and a natural, thoughtful rhythm—from removing invasive species to working with challenging terrain and letting beauty emerge in its own time. Behind the house, a skillfully built kitchen garden rises from sloped, stone-filled ground, with raised beds lined with gravel, cold frames along a retaining wall, espaliered apple and pear trees, and space for bees, chickens, and future gatherings. Out front, the mood softens into a naturalized meadow, where native plants sway in shades of green and white, brightened by bursts of seasonal color.

At Connections (76 Maple Avenue), the garden does something rare: it stretches beyond a single property, seamlessly linking two neighboring landscapes through a network of peaceful woodland paths. As you wander along meandering, wood-chipped trails edged with salvaged sapling trunks, the journey gently guides you downhill through the woods. Along the way, the transition feels natural and unforced—paths glide through a shallow depression before opening into mature plantings that surround the house and lawn. The result is a landscape that feels truly connected in every sense. More than simply beautiful, these neighboring gardens are a quiet testament to the idea that outdoor spaces can unite people just as powerfully as they shape the land.

At 290 Bruey Road, professionally designed gardens create a beautiful story of transformation. What were once two separate properties have been thoughtfully brought together through woodland pathways, layered plantings, and carefully shaped garden spaces. Visitors move through a sweeping transition from structured lawn and mature shrubs into a more shaded woodland setting, where winding paths, curated shade gardens, and restored areas invite moments of discovery along the way.

The second property, now serving as the primary residence, continues to evolve as a living landscape. With expanded plantings and newly diversified vegetable beds, the garden remains a work in progress—one that keeps growing, changing, and revealing new layers of design over time.

Our next stop, Formal Borders, is at 152 Litchfield Road and features a lovely Arts and Crafts–style home and garden dating back to 1908. With care and thoughtful interpretation, the current owners have brought new energy to the original design by Marian Coffin, restoring the garden’s historic charm while giving it a fresh sense of life.

Highlights include a refined formal parterre stretching south from the house, along with a striking double border on the west side, recreated using guidance from an original working plan. One of the garden’s most delightful features is a graceful half-moon of dwarf and semi-dwarf evergreens. What began as a chance collection of gifted plants has grown into a lush natural screen, now enclosing an extra perennial bed and adding depth and intimacy to the space. Altogether, Formal Borders offers a serene blend of history, beauty, and thoughtful evolution.

The final stop, the Community Garden at 128 Greenwoods Road East, on the grounds of Botelle Elementary School, offers something just as meaningful as it is beautiful: a true sense of shared purpose. Sponsored by the town’s Recreation Committee, this welcoming space brings together neighbors, families, and young gardeners in a collaborative effort that blossoms throughout the season.
In the height of summer, visitors can see children from the Summer Gardening Club caring for their own beds, along with a vibrant mix of vegetables like pumpkins, tomatoes, peas, lettuce, kale, and more. Some plots are even dedicated to supporting the local Food Pantry, helping the garden make a difference in the wider community.

Guests will enjoy hands-on learning through composting demonstrations led by resident expert Doug Semmes, and the first 25 visitors will receive a complimentary herb seedling to take home. Looking ahead, the garden’s impact will continue to grow this fall through programming designed to engage local fifth- and sixth-graders in ongoing stewardship.

Whether you’re drawn by inspiration, tranquility, or the sheer visual beauty of a summer garden in full bloom, this experience offers more than a simple tour. It offers a way of seeing—one that stays with you long after the season fades. Because truly, there is something special about gardening. And in Norfolk, at the height of summer, you can feel it in every leaf, every blossom, and every carefully tended path. For more information about Weekend in Norfolk https://weekendinnorfolk.org/

JanetLeave a comment

Whispers of the Past: Step Into Revolutionary-Era Woodbury at the Glebe House July 18

On a warm July evening, history will come vividly to life at The Glebe House Museum & Garden, one of the nation’s earliest historic house museums. In partnership with the Woodbury Cemetery Association, the museum invites visitors to attend “Whispers of the Past – A Tour of the South Cemetery and the Glebe House Museum and Garden” on Saturday, July 18th, beginning at 4 p.m. This immersive, multi-sensory experience offers a rare opportunity to stand on the very ground where Woodbury’s Revolutionary War story unfolded, guided not only by historians, but by the voices of the past themselves.

The event is free to attend, though donations are appreciated, and advance registration is strongly encouraged at glebehousemuseum.org. Guests can look forward to a memorable journey through local history, brought to life through storytelling, historic settings, and the shared legacy of the museum and cemetery grounds.

The experience begins at South Cemetery along Main Street, where tours will run between 4:00 and 5:30 PM. Here, the stillness of the historic burial ground will be transformed by live actor portrayals of Woodbury residents who fought in the Revolutionary War, each stationed beside their final resting place. Visitors can expect more than storytelling. A historical presentation of Woodbury’s three cemeteries will provide deeper context, complemented by stone restoration demonstrations and displays—offering a fascinating look at how these sacred markers are preserved for future generations. Close your eyes for a moment, and the modern world fades. In its place: the rhythm of horse hooves, the creak of wooden cart wheels, and the quiet determination of a town of just 2,500 souls striving to survive—and to shape a nation. Names etched into stone—Judson, Strong, Minor, Mitchell, Franklin, and Bissell—become more than history; they become human.

As the cemetery tour concludes, guests are invited to continue their journey just down the hill to the Glebe House Museum & Garden at 49 Hollow Road, open from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Step inside and encounter the world of Rev. John Marshall, Woodbury’s first Anglican priest, and his wife Sarah, as they raised their nine children amid the turbulence of a divided colonial society. Through thoughtfully preserved period furnishings and locally crafted architecture, the home tells a story of resilience, faith, and quiet defiance. It was here, in the uncertain weeks following American independence, that a secret of Connecticut Anglican clergy took place—men determined to reconcile their religious identity with a newly independent nation. That pivotal moment helped shape the future of the Episcopal Church in America.

Guests are invited to linger on the lawn, enjoy refreshments, and reflect on the extraordinary history woven into this peaceful setting. “Whispers of the Past” is more than an event—it is an opportunity to stand where history happened, hear the stories where they began, and connect with the people who helped shape a nation. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a local resident, or simply curious, this program offers a meaningful experience for all. In a year when we commemorate America’s 250th birthday, “Whispers of the Past” serves as a particularly fitting and memorable way to honor the past.

About the Glebe House & Garden
Nestled in the scenic Litchfield Hills in the heart of historic Woodbury, the Glebe House Museum offers a unique look at Revolutionary War-era Connecticut. The restored 18th-century farmhouse, once home to Reverend John Rutgers Marshall and his family, is furnished to reflect daily life during the American War for Independence. Opened to the public in 1925, the Glebe House is one of the nation’s earliest historic house museums and has welcomed visitors for over a century. Its restoration was led by Henry Watson Kent, a leading figure in American decorative arts. Gertrude Jekyll, one of the most influential garden designers of the 20th century, designed the museum’s garden in 1926. This classic English-style garden features 350 feet of vibrant mixed borders and is the only surviving example of Jekyll’s work in the United States. The garden is now in its fourth year of full restoration.

Plan Your Visit
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Cemetery Tours: 4:00 – 5:30 PM (South Cemetery, Main Street)
Glebe House Tours & Refreshments: 5:30 – 7:00 PM (49 Hollow Road)
Admission: Free (donations gratefully accepted)
Parking: available along Main Street South near the cemetery, at the Glebe House Museum, and at Hollow Park’s soccer field lot.
Advance registration is appreciated:
https://www.glebehousemuseum.org
https://woodburycemetery.com
Questions? Call 203-263-4878 or 203-263-2855

JanetLeave a comment