Connecticut Travel

The Wilton Historical Society located on 224 Danbury Road in Wilton is hosting a chocolate workshop for kids on Feb. 10 from 11 am to 12 noon. 

This very popular chocolate-making workshop for kids in grades K-8 on Saturday. Program participants will make something extra nice for their Valentine – delicious, professional-looking chocolates and a decorated box to put them in! The fun and easy one hour session will make use of an extensive collection of small, charming chocolate molds. Hearts, flowers, a multitude of animals, stars and even tools are just some of the shapes that will be on hand.

Registration is required and space is limited. Please register by email: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call (203) 762-7257 to reserve your place. Members: $10, maximum $25 per family; Non-members: $15, maximum $35 per family Parents are welcome to stay.

Did you know?

“Although 18th-century Americans did not enjoy candy bars or other modern chocolate treats as we know them today, they did love chocolate. In fact, George Washington ordered 20 pounds of chocolate from British merchant Thomas Knox in 1757 . . . . as hot chocolate was a favorite breakfast beverage at Mount Vernon. . . . This was the first of many chocolate orders he placed over the course of his life.” — From George Washington’s Mount Vernon website

Oohs and ahs and gasps of disbelief are guaranteed when the best young ski jumpers in the Northeast compete, sailing through the air in the 92nd. Annual Eastern National Ski Jumping Championships Sunday, February 12.

The event takes place at Satre Hill in Salisbury, a classic New England village in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. The masters of this challenging sport will show the amazing coordination and grace needed to fly some 200 feet in the air with a happy landing, a feat that always brings admiring cheers from the crowd. The jumpers you watch at Satre Hill are Junior National hopefuls, and some will go on to represent the US in the Olympics!

The championships are the highlight of a gala three-day Jumpfest, which features night time target jumping, human dog sled racing, ice carving, a chili cook off, a pancake breakfast, a bourbon tasting and a Snow Ball dance in addition to ski jumping contests.

Friday, Feb. 9

The fun begins on Friday, Feb. 9 with target jumping under the lights beginning at 7 p.m. with jumpers flying under the lights, unfettered by judges points- their only goal is to land on a bulls eye target for big prizes- and big fun! When the target jumping ends, the real zaniness ensues with the Human Dog Sled Races. These are teams of six slightly crazy folks, five pulling and one riding on a sled of the group’s own design. They careen around a .3 mile course, and, well, accidents do happen. Crazy fun to watch! Friday Night Lights admission is $15.

Saturday, Feb. 10

The fun continues on Saturday, February 10 with the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition when jumpers compete for prestigious SWSA trophies! The fun warms up with practice from 11 a.m. to noon; withe the competition beginning at 1 p.m. Spectators on Saturday can also watch Junior 20 and 30 meter jumping at 9 a.m.

Saturday events also include an ice carving demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the White Hart Green featuring two nationally recognized carvers and the Snow Ball Dace at the Lakeville Firehouse Annex from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission for the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition is $15 and admission to the Snow Ball Dance is $15.

Sunday, Feb. 11

The Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships takes place on Sunday, February 11. This is the big one. Jumpers vie not only for trophies but also a spot on the Junior National Team! Practice and warm ups for this event is held from 11 a.m. to noon with the competition beginning at 1 p.m. Admission for this event is $15.

If you have never seen ski jumping live, you have never truly witnessed the sport. Standing amidst the ringing cowbells, with crowds cheering on their favorites, hearing skis slapping against the landing hill as these brave jumpers soar up to 200 feet through the air at speeds up to 50 miles an hour, is something you will never forget. Even if the winter looks brown outside your window, it’s white over at Satre Hill thanks to state-of-the-art snow guns.

For happy viewing, fans are advised to dress warmly in lots of layers and to bring a cowbell, the traditional way to cheer on the jumpers. Hot food and beverages are available to help watchers keep warm. Limited bleacher seating is provided or guests can bring their own lawn chairs.

Proceeds help fund the all-volunteer, non-profit Salisbury Winter Sports Association, host of the annual event. SWSA provides cross-country and jumping equipment and training for area children. For a full schedule and complete information, see www.jumpfest.org.

For more area information on what to see and do in the Litchfield Hills and to sign up for a monthly newsletter visit www.litchfieldhills.com

The Friends of The David M. Hunt Library (63 Main St.) in Falls Village will hold its winter fundraiser, A Midwinter’s Night in the Village, at the library on Saturday, February 17 from 5pm to 8pm. Warm up with old friends and make new friends while enjoying an evening of tasty breads, hors d’oeuvres, and chocolate with music and poetry focused on love and laughter. Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic refreshments are included in the ticket price. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and can be purchased by stopping by the library, visiting http://www.huntlibrary.org or by calling 860-824-7424.

The main feature of A Midwinter’s Night in the Village will be the library’s famous 16-ft long bread board piled high with a variety of homemade breads ranging from sweet dessert loaves to hearty savory breads, delicious hors d’oeuvres and chocolate treats. For entertainment, a roster of local personalities from Falls Village and beyond will perform poetry, song, and comedy focused on love and laughter with a round of the Name that Tune game for good measure.

Mineral collector and Stamford Mineralogical Society president Dr. Howard Heitner will give a talk and demonstration on the importance, properties, and structure of minerals on Sunday, February 4, 2018, (with a snow date of February 11) at Greenwich Point Park. The event is open to all ages and no reservations or beach pass are needed.

Presented as part of the Bruce Museum’s Fred Elser First Sunday Science Series at the Seaside Center, Dr. Heitner’s presentation will begin at 2:00 pm and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Family friendly activities on the rock-and-mineral theme will also take place from 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

“My objective is to get people interested and to understand more about the minerals they see at exhibits in the Bruce Museum and other collections,” says Dr. Heitner, who has been collecting minerals for over 50 years. He is retired from Cytec Industries, where he worked in new product development and holds a number of patents.

Heitner will answer questions such as “What is a mineral?” and” What is a crystal?” as well as demonstrate some of the physical properties of minerals such as fluorescence, cleavage, fracture, hardness, color and streak, variability of color, specific gravity and flame testing. Participants are welcome to bring samples for identification after the lecture.

The Fred Elser First Sunday Science programs are supported in part by Osprey Private Client and are organized by the Bruce Museum. The event is held at the Innis Arden Cottage/ Seaside Center in Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich, CT.

The New England Carousel Museum will be in full New Orleans-style celebration mode during its 28th annual Mardi Gras party on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 7:30 PM – midnight. Come join us for an evening of fun and frolicking with great music, good food, bourbon, and beads.

The Big Easy evening features music and dancing in the magnificent museum ballroom. Along with a 50/50 raffle and live entertainment that will include face painters, temporary tattoos, balloon twisting and magic, there will be bourbon and wine tastings in the Speakeasy, beads and doubloons, and a catered dinner! This is a BYOB event. “This unique party brings a taste of New Orleans to Bristol.” said Louise DeMars, the museum’s Executive Director. Attendees are encouraged to wear an optional mask or come in full costume. Masks are available to purchase in the museum gift shop.

The evening’s festivities will culminate in the crowning of a king and queen of the ball. Gather your friends and come kick up your heels to help us celebrate our 28th Anniversary year, while supporting the wonderful programming and events produced by the Carousel Museum for the Greater Bristol community.

Tickets are on sale at the Carousel Museum or you may order them by mail, by phone, or on-line. RSVP by Monday, February 5, 2018. The cost is $50 per person and pre-paid tables of 8 may be reserved. The event will be held at the New England Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave, Bristol, CT.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact The New England Carousel Museum at (860) 585-5411 or email manager@thecarouselmuseum.org.

BOOK ONLINE:
www.thecarouselmuseum.org/book-online

Calling all little princes and princesses! Stepping Stones is rolling out the red carpet as the museum transforms into a snow-kissed wonderland for its sixth annual Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball on Saturday, February 10 from 4:00 – 8:30 pm.

Children are invited to dress up in their party best for a memorable evening of fun and entertainment. Moms and Dads, sons and daughters will be treated like the princes and princesses that they are as they enjoy a magical wintry celebration featuring dancing and full access to all the exhibits in the museum. Families will enjoy posing for the paparazzi as they arrive, learning ballroom moves from the experts and making wonderful winter crafts.

Be sure you bring your camera. Photo opportunities abound as we celebrate the magic and wonder of the season amidst a whimsical winter backdrop of a lighted courtyard, a play-sized igloo, a life-sized snow globe, spectacular winter murals, snowflake-adorned galleries and a myriad of snow people. Bring your appetite as well. The Stepping Stones Cafe will be open for purchases of their healthy fare.

Bubbleology – The Secret World of Bubbles” is a mesmerizing performance for audiences of all ages. Be dazzled by a bubbly Eiffel Tower or a dancing snow-white snow-man, while learning about the art and science of soap bubbles. Bubble artist Keith Michael Johnson uses bubbles—large and small—to explain liquids, solids and gasses, geometry, tension and pressure. He has appeared on the Discovery Channel and National Geographic TV. Performance times are: 5:00 pm, 6:00 and 7:00 pm.

Get your tickets early as this event traditionally sells out. Early bird tickets for Members are $8/person, Non-members $13/person. After Friday, February 2nd, tickets for Members are $10/person, Non-members $15/person. Register online at www.steppingstonesmuseum.org, call 203 899 0606, ext. 264, or visit the Welcome Desk. Reservations are required.

About Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Located on five acres in Mathews Park, the LEED Gold certified museum encompasses five hands-on galleries, state-of-the-art Multimedia Gallery, Family and Teacher Resource Center, cafe and retail store. Stepping Stones is located at 303 West Avenue, exit 14N or 15S off I-95 in Norwalk. Museum hours are Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children. Children under 1 are free. To learn more, call 203 899 0606 or visit http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.