Connecticut Travel

Norwalk Now presents Norwalk City Hunt, an interactive “Amazing Race” throughout the Wall Street and SoNo neighborhoods of Norwalk, CT. This high-spirited afternoon of clues and challenges takes place Saturday, April 27 with a meet-up time of 10:30 AM at O’Neill’s Irish Pub.

Participants (21 and older) compete in teams of 4 and are guided through the hunt on the City Hunt phone app. From there, a series of location clues, questions, and challenges are tackled with the successful completion of these activities being answered, recorded, or photographed on the team leader’s phone and submitted. Participants will be walking, running, or catching a Norwalk Now Circulator Van or Wheels2U bus, which will shuffle them between neighborhoods to the over 40 destinations participating in the hunt.

“Here we go again, “says Norwalk Now Director Linda Kavanagh, excited for another entertaining afternoon of crazy antics and camaraderie, “The hunt challenges participants on all levels, from how well you know the city of Norwalk, to solving mind-bending clues and completing unusual tasks, most of which result in hilarious pandemonium.”

Destinations are comprised of Norwalk Now businesses, supporters, and public domains. The final destination is found by solving a series of clues along the journey. Upon completion of the hunt, the after party begins, where the winners will be announced. The team completing the most challenges in the shortest amount of time is the winner. Prizes include a $500 Norwalk Now gift card package and Free Parking gift bundles for the runners up.

Tickets are $40 per person ($140 for a team of 4) and include the City Hunt challenge and phone app, NCH swag, and the after party. Sign-up solo and form your team at the meet-up or sign-up your foursome at WWW.NORWALKNOW.ORG

Meet-up: O’Neill’s, 93 North Main Street, South Norwalk, CT
After Party: You’ve got to solve the clues to get there!

A program benefitting the Stamford Museum and Nature Center is taking place on Saturday, May 18 in the Knobloch Family Farmhouse on the grounds of the center. The guest of honor will be with renowned Master Chef, Jacques Pépin. Chef Pépin is a 16-time James Beard Award winner, celebrated author of 29 cookbooks, host and star of 12 acclaimed PBS cooking series, philanthropist, educator, and recipient of France’s highest distinction, the Legion of Honor. Please contact Karen Meizels at 203-977-6546 or kmeizels@stamfordmuseum.org to secure your sponsorship.

This intimate evening for 150 guests is sure to delight the senses with a four-course seated dinner, curated and prepared by Tim LaBant, Chef and Owner of Schoolhouse at Cannondale. Chef LaBant graduated from Johnson & Wales University with high honors and numerous awards. He went on to work with the Emmy Award-winning Chef, Ming Tsai, best known for his popular television show “Simply Ming.” Tim also developed strong skills in French cuisine during his years as a chef at the Four Star and Five Diamond L’Espalier Restaurant in Boston. There, he worked under Chef/Owner Frank McClelland, which helped him develop big flavors using unique ingredients and a combination of new and classic techniques. Tim continues his education by trailing in the kitchens of great restaurants like Le Bernardin, and Aureole, and building his library of cookbooks.

The evening’s menu will feature simple ingredients with direct influences from Chef Pépin. Each course will be expertly paired with spectacular wines and a sommelier will be on hand to discuss each pairing with guests.

<img src="https://janetserra.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eo_labant_schoolhouse.jpg?w=300&quot; alt="" width="300" height="226" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-7250" /

Top sponsors will enjoy a private cocktail reception with Jacques Pépin. Hors d’ouevres will be prepared by Chef Raquel Pablo-Rivera and her students. Chef Raquel Rivera-Pablo, owner of A Pinch of Salt, graduated with highest honors from the culinary program at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) after completing her externship at Le Bernardin in NYC. She was also invited to be one of the founding chefs of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Initiative. Chef Raquel provides cooking programming for children and adults at Easton Community Center, Hall Neighborhood House, YMCA Ralphola Center, Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, LifeBridge/FreshConnections, senior centers and the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative. She also provides at-home cooking classes and private cooking events in commercial kitchens in NYC and Fairfield County.

About

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and popular culture, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The Museum is a vital cultural and educational resources for the community, and a focal point for family activity, lifelong learning, and inspiration. As the SM&NC’s largest fundraiser, proceeds from the evening will directly support the rapid growth and development of our educational and cultural programming. A portion of the proceeds will also be given to the Jacques Pépin Foundation. The Jacques Pépin Foundation is committed to transforming lives through culinary education. The Foundation promotes Jacques’ generosity and passion for cooking by supporting individuals that seek, and organizations that create pathways to success through culinary professionalism, skills and technique.

Get ready for an exciting time this Saturday at the Fairfield Audubon Center’s annual Egg Hunt. Fun-filled family activities include an egg hunt, craft making and a visit from a special rabbit! This event will take place from 10 am to 1 pm. Activities include a morning hunt and continental breakfast and an afternoon hunt include healthy snacks. The cost of this event is Members $10/child, $5/adult; Non-members $15/child, $5/adult. For 10 am Pre-registration click here and for 1 pm registration click here.

The Nature Store at the Fairfield Audubon Center has a fabulous selection of chocolates for Easter. BE Chocolat (a Fairfield chocolatier) has crafted a beautiful and whimsical Easter Collection that will delight children and adults alike. The Nature Store has a delicious selection of small dark and milk chocolate bunnies, and boxes of filled dark and milk chocolate eggs, sure to please everyone (while supplies last).

• Milk eggs are filled with a praliné, crushing slow roasted hazelnuts into a toffee paste
• Dark eggs are filled with a smooth ganache made of natural vanilla and crispy delicate feuilletine

BE Chocolat exclusively uses Callebaut Fairtrade Finest Belgian Chocolate. All products are handcrafted in small batches in Connecticut to preserve the subtle tastes of these premium ingredients.

The Nature Store is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.

The Artwall of the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village, CT will hold a reception with refreshments for artist John J. Hodgson’s new exhibition of paintings “Audubon Reimagined” on Saturday, April 27th from 4 to 6 PM. The exhibition will be on display from April 18 through, May 11, 2019 during Library operating hours. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 860-824-7424 or visit huntlibrary.org. 63 Main Street, Falls Village, CT 06031. Hours: Tues 10-5, Thurs 10-5, Fri 3-7, Sat 10-1. The David M. Hunt Library is located on 63 Main Street, Falls Village, and the Library Hours are Tu 10-5, Weds 2-8, Thurs 10-5, Fri 2-6, Sat 10-2.

John J. Hodgson has been making art since 2008 with his teacher, Baris Gokturk. Since that time, John has had 11 solo exhibitions and has participated in eight group exhibits, including collaborations with Madison House Autism Foundation in Rockville, Maryland. Several of John’s works are included in private collections across the United States as well as Turkey, Germany, and Slovakia.

John’s creative sessions include time spent learning classic brush stroke techniques as well as experimenting with non-traditional tools and methods. Time, movement and creation of an individual pictorial language through an articulation of various painterly moves is the focus of his paintings. Mr. Hodgson is now participating in art classes at the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan where his classmates have been inspired to “create new kinds of art” after viewing his most recent solo exhibit.

His other interests include running in Central Park, visiting museums and galleries, hiking the Appalachian Trail, attending cooking classes and volunteer work. John currently enjoys volunteering with Orkesta Farm, the Central Park Green Team and at Materials for the Arts where he was featured in the Volunteer Spotlight of the Month.

To learn more about John Hodgson and view his paintings, visit parkbenchartist.com.

KidsPlay Children’s Museum located on 61 Main Street in Torrington is excited to power up the play with Spring Break Unplugged. The Museum will be open daily from 10 am to 4 pm until April 20. Families will explore, create and have fun with old and new friends in KidsPlay’s 11,000+ square feet of interactive exhibits. Each day families will find fun alternatives to screen time, the museum will host programs that build skills and spike the imagination.

Monday, April 15 – Cookin’ @ KP

Feed the body, soul, and mind. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills. Make yummy Chop and Simmer Applesauce at 11 am and Little Red Riding Hood’s Healthy Cookies at 3 pm. Learn the exciting science behind ice cream and make your own at 1 pm.

Tuesday, April 16 – Imagination Creation

Imagination is a building block of childhood development. Make magic wands and hats at 11 am, build fairy houses at 1 pm and become a superhero on stage at 3 pm.

61 Main Street • Torrington, CT 06790 http://www.kidsplaymuseum.org Tel: 860-618-7700
KidsPlay Children’s Museum, Inc. is a 501(C) (3) not-for-profit organization. Contributions made to the museum are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

Wednesday, April 17: Extended Hours 10 am – 6 pm – Ooey Gooey Day

Getting messy is a FUNdamental part of growing up. Let’s bring it back to the basics! Experiment with Sharpie tie dye at 11 am, finger paint a masterpiece at 1 pm, mix up an awesome bouncy ball at 3 pm and at 4 pm, build LEGO Brick boats and bridges.

Thursday, April 18 – Building Big

Let’s encourage our children to take risks and build big. Test your limits and help build a giant box castle at 11 am and test your creativity with LEGO Brick building challenges at 1 pm.

Friday, April 19 – Let’s Get Movin’

CNN reports in the last 1.5 years children have spent 59% more time in front of screens. Take a break from the screens and get active. Run through an obstacle course at 11 am, test your balancing skills in a spoon egg race at 1 pm and show off your moves in an exciting dance party at 3 pm.

The Museum will post up-to-date activity schedules and announcements on the museum’s website, http://www.kidsplaymuseum.org, and on the museum’s Facebook page. All programs are included in the daily museum admission of $8.00 per person. Members and children under one are free. For more information on Spring Break activities, contact the Museum at 860-618-7700.

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.

Vision:
A sustainable anchor institution, preparing a diverse community of children to thrive intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Mission:
Provide children with an environment that fosters imagination and creativity through interactive exhibits and play that will deepen their appreciation and understanding of the sciences, the arts and the world around them.

Beliefs:

Hands-On multi-sensory play is a natural mechanism for learning.

Curiosity motivates learning across all fields of study, including, but not limited to: all aspects of science; the visual and performing arts; history and culture; mathematics and health and wellness.

• Pre-academic skills such as perspective taking, sharing, communicating, motor control, and self-control are crucial to lifelong success.
• A safe and stimulating environment should be accessible to children and families across the socio-economic and educational spectrum.

Multicultural literacy informs creative work.

Child/caregiver engagement promotes the exploration of learning concepts and guides discovery.

• A children’s museum is an important part of a strong and vibrant community.