Connecticut Travel

Help create an enormous ocean scene using everyone’s favorite building blocks during “LEGO® Weekend” Jan. 26 and 27 in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

LEGO experts from Play-Well TEKnologies will be on hand both days to oversee a big fun coral-reef scene made entirely out of LEGO blocks in Newman’s Own Hall (near the seals).

The experts will create an underwater environment, but it needs animals! Aquarium guests can build a small LEGO marine creature that will be part of the finished piece. Choose from such creatures as a jellyfish, seal, shark, sting ray, turtle and fish, or build an animal unknown to science from your imagination.

“If you’ve been to The Maritime Aquarium lately, you’ve had the chance to create a two-dimensional marine animal in the clever ‘Sketch & Release’ activity on our giant video wall,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. “ ‘LEGO Weekend’ adds a dimension – literally – by letting you use your creativity to assemble three-dimensional creatures.”

Also during “LEGO Weekend,” Aquarium guests can build motorized LEGO machines that will duel for superiority on LEGO Battletracks.

The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, but Maritime Aquarium members can get to the LEGO tables first each morning beginning at 9 a.m. (with proof of membership).

“LEGO Weekend” is free with Aquarium admission: $24.95 for adults; $22.95 for seniors (65+); and $17.95 for children (3-12). Kids under 3 get in for free.

Learn more about “LEGO Weekend” and other events and programs at the popular South Norwalk family attraction this winter at www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Come to a reading group that focuses on books with a historical bent. The new selection is Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World by Linda Hirshman, a New York Times bestseller.

The relationship between Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg—Republican and Democrat, Christian and Jew, western rancher’s daughter and Brooklyn girl—transcends party, religion, region, and culture. Strengthened by each other’s presence, these groundbreaking judges, the first and second women to serve on the highest court in the land, have transformed the Constitution and America itself, making it a more equal place for all women.

Linda Hirshman’s dual biography includes revealing stories of how these trailblazers fought for recognition in a male-dominated profession—battles that would ultimately benefit every American woman. Hirshman also makes clear how these two justices have shaped the legal framework of modern feminism, setting precedent in cases dealing with employment discrimination, abortion, affirmative action, sexual harassment, and many other issues crucial to women’s lives.

Sisters in Law combines legal detail with warm personal anecdotes, bringing these very different women into focus as never before. Meticulously researched and compellingly told, it is an authoritative account of our changing law and culture, and a moving story of a remarkable friendship.

“Vital…Part of what makes Hirshman such a likable writer — in addition to her wit and ability to explain the law succinctly without dumbing it down — is her optimism.” – Washington Post

Participants bring a brown bag lunch, the Society provides a beverage and dessert. There is no charge, but please register. By email: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203- 762-7257

On Sunday, Jan. 20 (Snow date, Feb. 3) from 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a free A free family-friendly Service Day Project supporting the non-profit organization Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

Create welcome bags for immigrants and refugees settling into Connecticut. Participating families are encouraged to bring individually packaged non-perishable snacks to include in the welcome bags.

Along with filling the bags with goodies, children will be able to create cards and decorate the bags!

In addition to the service project, children will get the opportunity to create peace doves, heart origami and learn more about Dr. King’s mission for peace, freedom, and justice for all.

Suggested Snacks to Bring for the Welcome Bags
Individually wrapped packages of cheese or peanut butter sandwich crackers
Individual boxes of raisins or dry fruit
Individually wrapped granola or dry fruit bars
Individually wrapped meat sticks
Individually wrapped pouches of fruit snacks or fruit leather
Individual bags of pretzels, crackers or popcorn

All children must be accompanied by an adult. To RSVP click here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4021291

Welsh Rabbit (sometimes called Welsh Rarebit) is a dish consisting of a savory sauce of melted cheese and various other ingredients, served hot after being spooned over slices of toasted bread – nary a hare in sight! Welsh Rabbit dates from the early 1700’s and has long been enjoyed as hearty tavern supper. Museum Educator Laurie Walker will be showing the children how to make Welsh Rabbit, and some Molasses Bread, too, from a Revolutionary War period recipe.

The Colonial Cookery and Customs for Kids workshop at the Wilton Historical Society on Saturday, Jan. 26, from11 am – 12:30 pm teaches kids a “reciept” (recipe) used in the Connecticut region. While the food is prepared, they hear about Colonial manners, morals and way of life. The monthly workshops feature relatively simple dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients, adapted for modern kitchens. All participants will sample their own cooking and take home recipe cards – as well as any leftovers! The children will learn how a Colonial kitchen would have operated, in order to appreciate the modern conveniences we take for granted. Previous sessions have made bannock cakes, pease porridge, pickles, an amulet of green peas, apple tansey, fairy butter, pumpkin bread, cranberry shortbread, New Year’s “cakes”, New England chowder, hand pies, cheese and ramp soufflé, pea and watercress Rappahannock, blackberry maslin, thirded bread, pound cake with “Oranges” juice, maple cup custard, pepper pot soup, scalloped tomatoes, dressed macaroni and cheese, and gingerbread cakes.

Suggested for ages 6 – 12.
Members: $10; Non-members $15. Space is limited — please register by contacting info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257.

Did You Know?
Welsh Rabbit vs Welsh Rarebit: “Though the “Welsh” part of the dish’s name seems clear-cut, an etymological issue as sticky as melted Cheddar surrounds the second word: is it rabbit, or rarebit? The earliest reference we have to the dish, in 1725, is quite clearly rabbit: it’s not until over fifty years later that the mysterious alternative spelling starts to twitch its whiskers. John Ayto in his A Diner’s Dictionary writes that rarebit was probably “an attempt to folk-etymologize [the name] – that is, to reinterpret the odd and inappropriate-sounding rabbit as something more fitting to the dish”. The new name caught on and references to it multiplied a little like – well, rabbits.” – Leah Hyslop, London Telegraph, September 3, 2013