Category: Connecticut Travel

Holiday Market Returns to Institute for American Indian Studies November and December

The Institute for American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington is hosting its annual Holiday Market on Saturday, November 27, December 4, and December 11, and on Sunday, November 28, December 5, and December 12. The market is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; visitors can also tour the museum for $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children; members are free.

If you are looking for something really unusual, make sure to stop in at the only Holiday Market featuring Native American-inspired artwork in Connecticut. Here you will find something truly unique for everyone on your list from Native American jewelry and artwork at a variety of price points. A chance to talk with the people that have created the many works of art is an added bonus.

This iconic market pays tribute to indigenous people across the United States and provides a spectacular opportunity to see Native American-inspired work exhibited and sold. Highlights of the market include the magical sounding flutes handcrafted by Allen Madahbee, Ojibwe. In addition to the one-of-a-kind flutes, Allen is offering beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, rock sculptures, and his inspirational original paintings.

Another vendor, Kim Lewis from Native Visions will be offering an astounding array of Native American Art from Oklahoma and the Southwest including a fine selection of original paintings and prints, Zuni Fetishes, silver jewelry, pottery by Mel Cornshucker, plus Hopi, and Navajo Kachinas.

A long-time favorite of the Holiday Market, Primitive Technologies will offer a tantalizing array of jewelry including hand-carved flint arrowhead and flint animal necklaces, masks, decorative gourds, carved stone art, containers made out of natural materials, traditional tools, and handmade pottery.
The Museum’s Gift Shop will also be open and is brimming with a distinctive collection of Native American jewelry, art, paintings, hard-to-find books, pottery, smudges, games, and much more. What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a visit to this popular signature event that offers unusual gift items and an immersive cultural experience that celebrates contemporary and traditional Native American-inspired art.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

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Walk Off Thanksgiving on November 27 @ White Memorial Foundation

There is no better way to walk off all the extra calories pf Thanksgiving than to head to White Memorial Foundation on November 27 at 2 p.m. for a walk along Cranberry Trail with educator, Gerri Griswold. This engaging walk will take hikers through Cranberry Swamp to Cranberry Pond. This hike is part of the Mattatuck Trail that passes through White Memorial Conservation Center.

This is the 11th year that White Memorial is hosting this walk on the cusp of winter. After strolling this spectacular trail, you will finish off the hike with a cup of hot coffee and a thick wedge of Crimson Pie swimming in a pool of thick ginger creme anglaise! Make sure to pre-register because this walk is limited to 50 people. The walk is free but donations will be accepted and will help defray the Conservation Center’s operating cost.

Hikers should pre-register by clicking here. The hike begins at 2 pm at the Cranberry Pond Trail Head on Webster Road in Litchfield.

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Holiday Pop Up Market this weekend

The Fairfield Museum, located on Beach Street in the heart of historic Fairfield has announced the 7th annual Holiday Pop-Up Market! This festive Market of holiday gifts at the Museum is a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season!

There is a five-dollar suggested donation to attend this exciting and colorful market. Your donation will enter you into a drawing to win a gift bag of items from the Museum shop, a one-year family membership to the Museum, and an Experience Fairfield poster. With a range of exciting vendors, will be fun to attend this festive fundraiser – for a good cause.

This year the festival is taking place on Saturday, November 20, and Sunday, November 21 – from 10 AM-4 PM. This year’s vendors are Adorn Accessories, Be Nice Today, Beauty Counter, Bespoke Caramels, Candle Delights, Elemental Allies, Esthetic Living, Gioiellajewelry, Hanesie Clothes, In2 Design, Jenny Wooh, KIS Skincare, The Lady Ming Collection, Old Fashioned Jewelry, Preppy Player, Sand Accessories, Sofia.co, Stroll Rock Designs, Two B’s Accessories, and the Wild Heart Boutique.

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The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England

“The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England” is the title of an upcoming FREE virtual program offered by the Torrington Historical Society on Wednesday, November 17th at 6:30 pm. Kenneth Turino, Manager of Community Partnerships and Resource Development at Historic New England, will be the presenter.

Mr. Turino has published several articles on the history of Christmas and has a book in development. To register please visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org. This program is sponsored by CT Humanities. This well-illustrated lecture traces the development of the celebration of Christmas from the time it was outlawed in 17th Century New England through the beginning of the 21st Century when all the trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place.

“Waking up the old mare” chromolithograph (1881) published by Currier & Ives (1813–1888)

For many, the celebration of Christmas today is the most important holiday of the year. But many of the customs which we take for granted as part of the current holiday festivities and religious celebrations are actually a product of more recent history. The presentation will look at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family-centered event. Among the topics discussed are how the Christmas tree became popular, halls were decked, and Santa Claus.

The next virtual program will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 6:30 pm. James Ashborn and America’s First Guitar Factory: How a Waterwheel on the East Branch of the Naugatuck River Changed History will tell the fascinating story of Torrington guitar, banjo, and string manufacturer James Ashborn. To register please visit http://www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

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Habitat Hike @ Kellogg Environmental Center

If you have wondered how animals prepare for the New England winter don’t miss the habitat, “Winter is Coming” hike at the Kellogg Environmental Center on Saturday, November 13, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Participants will learn how animals prepare for winter in Connecticut. All ages are welcome to join the hike. To get in the hiking mood, the fun begins with a hands-on activity that is followed by a guided nature hike exploring various habitats in adjoining Osbornedale State Park. Admission is free, but registration is required. For more information and to
register, please call (203) 734-2513.

The New Normal Health & Safety Guidelines for CT State Parks provides important guidance for participants and visitors https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/COVID-19/Health_Safety_Flyer_NN_Final.pdf

The Kellogg Environmental Center, a facility of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s State Parks & Public Outreach Division is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located at 500 Hawthorne Avenue off Route 34 in Derby, CT.

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Who Will You Vote for @ Beardsley Zoo?

Five animal candidates are vying for the much sought-after title of Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. This important election will decide the Zoo’s second Mayor, the highest-ranking animal official who will showcase the important role of animal ambassadors. Last year’s winner, Wiggles the Chinchilla, died in office, and runner-up Kallisto the Amur leopard is completing Wiggles’ term.

The five candidates who have made it past this year’s primary rounds to the general election are:

· Harry the Guinea Hog piglet. As the youngest candidate to enter the race, Harry has a maturity beyond his months. He demonstrates a remarkable ability to negotiate with his littermates on issues ranging from what to eat and when to eat it to what to roll in and how to roll in it. It’s rumored that there was a spiderweb in the barn that read “some pig.” This has not been verified.

· Zari the African Grey Parrot. As a long-time animal ambassador and a veteran of ZooMobile visits to senior centers as well as starring roles at children’s birthday parties, Zari has a calm demeanor and rarely flies off the handle. Her campaign slogan is “a bird on the hand is worth two of the other candidates.”

· K-Man the Yacare Caiman. Sometimes called the “piranha caiman” as yacare caimans are known to snack on the razor-toothed fish, K-Man’s campaign materials claim this ability makes him the perfect choice for choppy political waters. He says he is looking forward to sinking his teeth into the job of mayor.

· Jolene the Whistling duck. Jolene is a natural politician, and as such, has decided to put her wing in the ring for a second run at mayor. Sociable, boisterous, and noisy, she has openly supported the rights of ducks who prefer to walk on land as well as those who prefer to perch in trees. She considers all animals equal under the law.

· Clara the American Bison. As the country’s national mammal and official symbol of the country along with the bald eagle, Clara says that she has the dignity and gravitas demanded of a zoo mayor. A devoted single mother, Clara wants voters to know that she can run up to 35 mph, is extremely agile, and can spin around quickly. She calls her ability to spin an advantage in seeing all sides of an issue.

“Once again, the race for Mayor of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is highly contested as each candidate attempts to win the support of voters,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “Unlike other elections, we encourage people to vote early, vote often, and stuff the ballot box.”

The election will be decided by online votes. The general public can vote for the candidate of their choice by making a one-dollar donation for each vote at https://CBZMayor2021.givesmart.com. Voting begins on Thursday, November 4. Polls close at four p.m. on Thursday, November 18.

The winning Mayor will hold a 12-month term. All donations to the ballot box will be used to support the Zoo’s mission of conservation, education, research, and fun.

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo:

Let your curiosity run wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 99th year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tigers and leopards, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves. Other highlights include our new Spider Monkey Habitat, the Rainforest Building, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with Giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can ride on the carousel, grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a non-profit organization approaching its 100th year at a time when the mission of helping fragile wildlife populations and ecosystems is more important than ever.

Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. In accordance with the state of Connecticut COVID-19 guidelines: we recommend that guests continue to wear masks while visiting the Zoo, but when guests are outside and can maintain social distance, masks may be removed. In any indoor area, or when social distancing cannot be maintained, masks are required. Everyone over the age of two, with the exception of those with medical conditions that preclude wearing them, should have a mask available.

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