Category: Connecticut Travel

What better way to start off 2018 than with a winter full moon hike in the Litchfield Hills…and, this is not just any hike, it is one with snowshoes organized by Sportsmen in Litchfield. In recent years, snowshoeing has become a popular recreational sport. An Outdoor Industry Association report released in January 2014 estimated snowshoeing participation grew more than 40 percent in the previous five years.

With winter in full swing, snowshoeing is an outdoor activity that can be done in virtually all types of weather. Snowshoes distribute a person’s weight over a wider area, making for easier travel over ice and snow.

On January 31 from 6 pm to 9 pm another hike will take place with a hike around Camp Columbia that was established by Columbia University for their School of Surveying. The hallmark of the park is the 75-foot-high observation tower built in 1942 by members of Columbia University’s Class of 1906. The tower is the only remaining structure on 591 acre property. We will hike through the remains of the camp, which some note to be haunted, where we hope to catch a beautiful view of the Super Moon!! A great hike for history buffs and veteran and new snowshoe enthusiasts!!

Following the hike we will enjoy a cozy camp fire, snacks & libations! The meeting point to start this hike is the Camp Columbia Parking area off Rte. 109 in Morris @ 6 pm.

The final hike of the season takes place on March 1 at 6 pm. at the Litchfield Town Beach. To reserve your spot and snowshoes contact 860-567-3167 or email info@sportsmens.biz.

On January 22 at 2 p.m. the Glebe House located on Hollow Road in Woodbury is hosting a program, Pudd’nheads: Childhood in Colonial America presented by Velya Jancz-Urban – of “The Grounded Goodwife” & Ehris Urban. Pilgrim and Puritan colonists had children, and though it would be hard to tell from historical records, so did African slaves and the indigenous families whom they encountered.

Velya Jancz-Urban – author, teacher, and creator of The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife – has partnered with her herbalist daughter, Ehris Urban, on this unique presentation. Pudd’nheads: Childhood in Colonial America is similar to The Not-So-Good Life of the Colonial Goodwife in that it is funny, sad, sweet, and shocking. Dive deeper into our history. There was much more to childhood than hoop rolling and horn books! Registration for this event is required by calling 203-263-2855 and is $20.

Pudd’nheads: Childhood in Colonial America examines the unique aspects of childhood between the late sixteenth and late eighteenth centuries and explores themes including birthing and childrearing practices, parenting, children’s health and education, naming, gender, play, and rites of passage.

Providing fresh historical perspectives on key features of children’s lives, this program offers compelling information on colonial children – as well as Native American and slave children, who are too often left out of conventional coverage. This new program will be presented in the “kitchen” of the Glebe House Museum (c.1750), immersed in colonial artifacts and history. Light refreshments will be served.

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Flanders Nature Center located in Woodbury Connecticut is holding a photography contest from January 9th through February 15th with prizes for the best submissions based on composition, image quality, originality and the story the image tells.

This “Winter Scape” photo contest is an invitation to capture the spirit and beauty of the winter season in all of its beauty with images that might include landscapes, or wildlife pictured in a wintery context. The photos do not need to be taken on a Flanders’ property but instead can be taken anywhere that provides the photographer inspiration. Entries must be in digital formats of 6MB or less in size.

All the submitted images will be judged by Flanders staff and experienced photography associates and shared in a special gallery on the Flanders web site after the winners have been announced.

The cost for one submission is $5.00, 2/$7.00, 3/ $10.00, 4/$13 and 5/$15. All proceeds to benefit Flanders programming.

Entry blanks as well as details on the contest can be found on their website at http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call Flanders at (203) 263-3711; Ext 10.

The Litchfield Montessori school will have their artwork on display in the Jamie Gagarin Community Room and Gallery at the Oliver Wolcott Library located on 160 South Street in Litchfield from January 5- January 27. The exhibit has been curated by LMS Art Specialist Liliana Kleid. This year’s theme is “Masterpieces From Trash.”

The exhibition’s goal is to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing society. Society’s reliance on paper and especially plastic has created environmental problems including groundwater contamination, crowded landfills, and ocean debris. These environmental issues are a legacy that future generations will have to contend with. Techniques used include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture.

About the Montessori School
Established in 1972, Litchfield Montessori School’s curriculum and approach to learning reflects the commitment and vision of Dr. Maria Montessori. Dr. Montessori believed that the goals of the educational process should be to cultivate self-motivation, to encourage the child’s natural desire to learn, and to promote critical and creative thinking. LMS is committed to serving the whole child by nurturing their love of learning, preserving their sense of wonder, encouraging independence and fostering respect for our world’s social and cultural diversity. Located on a four-acre campus in the Northfield, the Litchfield Montessori School serves children 15 months through 12 years of age. To learn more about Litchfield Montessori School, visit their website at www.litchfieldmontessori.org.

After the busy holiday season, January is a wonderful time to relax and enjoy the Westport Arts Center’s winter Chamber and Jazz concerts.

For Chamber music enthusiasts, the Horszowski Trio will perform at the Saugatuck Congregational Church (245 Post Road East) on Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m. The members of the Horszowski Trio are considered to be up-and-coming “rock stars” in the chamber music world.

Hailed by The New Yorker as “destined for great things,” the Horszowski Trio – Jesse Mills, Raman Ramakrishnan, and Rieko Aizawa – will play a stellar program of Beethoven’s Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70, No. 2, Joan Tower’s For Daniel (2004), and Dvořák’s Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 “Dumky.”

Of the Trio, Westport Arts Center Chamber Music Co-Curator, Alexander Platt, explained, “The genre of the piano trio — violin, cello, and piano — is a unique treasure in classical music: a form which demands that three great artists play together, but simultaneously as soloists. The Horszowski Trio, with whom I’ve been developing a relationship over several years, is the finest of the younger American ensembles who’ve devoted themselves to this very special calling.”

After the concert, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a casual reception and meet the Trio and Chamber Co-Curator.

For Jazz fans, the Westport Arts Center will present the music of The Saxtet led by Darren Litzie on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. The Saxtet has developed into one of the Northeast’s most exciting eight-piece jazz ensembles.

The Arts Center will be transformed into a one-night-only jazz lounge complete with high top tables and complimentary wine and appetizers as the Saxtet presents a tribute to jazz legends Benny Goodman and Stan Getz. They will perform their own arrangements of songs such as “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Flyin’ Home,” and “The Girl from Ipanema.”

The Thursday night Jazz Lounge has become a popular addition to the Westport Arts Center’s Jazz line-up in 2016. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Arts Center’s upcoming exhibition opening January 27, featuring unique portraits of community members, government officials, students, and artists.

Curator for the Westport Arts Center’s Jazz program, Brian Torff stated, “The talented pianist Darren Litzie has assembled a unique and versatile jazz ensemble. The Jewish contribution to American jazz has been considerable, and this concert will pay tribute to two legends – swing clarinetist Benny Goodman and the cool tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. They are both major voices of the Jewish-American jazz experience.”

Tickets for both music events can be purchased at http://www.westportartscenter.org or by calling the Westport Arts Center at 203/222-7070. Tickers are $30 for non-members, $25 for members and $10 for students. A limited number of discounted Senior tickets will be available for presale at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Avenue, Westport. Corporate sponsorship and group ticket opportunities are also available.

The Westport Historical Society will host children, ages 6 to 11,on Monday, January 16 for a fun-filled day of activities relating to Martin Luther King Jr. Nicole Carpenter, Education Director, will facilitate activities that celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. He was a champion of human rights, justice and equality.

His powerful words continue to inspire, teach and shape people throughout the world. In this program, children will read books about Dr. King and his strong messages of justice. Children will be able to express their own feelings about respect, kindness and peace for all beings.

Children’s creativity will shine as they discover important figures from MLK’s movement, including Rosa Parks and President Lyndon Johnson, through a variety of art projects! They will make their own dream cloud showing their hopes for the future, based on King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Children will play old fashioned games, explore the Wheeler House, and eat a snack enjoyed by the civil rights activists. Join us for a day to celebrate the positive influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with hands-on activities, personal expression and gratitude for his messages of hope and peace.

Please call (203) 222-1424 to register Members $45 / Non-members $55 Please bring a bag lunch. To sign up for a monthly newsletter on travel tips and deals for Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com