Connecticut Travel

On Saturday, December 16 at 2 p.m. the Sharon Historical Society hosts scholar William Hosley in his debut lecture on the history of chairs. This picture show and lecture will delve into chairs as one of the oldest most universal elements of household furnishing in human history.

The history of chairs actually started in ancient Egypt with chairs made of ebony and ivory,they were often carved and the wood was gilded and supported upon representations of the legs of beasts or the figures of captives. Egyptians believed that the chairs need to represent natural forms to avoid creating chaos in the universe, by creating an artificial object. Fast forwarding through time, the oldest dated example of American furniture is a chair. Chairs have use. They have artistic expression. They reflect evolving technology and, especially in the pre-industrial era, they mark the places they come from stylistically, especially here in Connecticut.

Chairs from Norwich or Wethersfield or Woodbury are as distinctive as a thumb print. Chairs were also abundant enough that we have plenty of evidence – thousands of chair – to show the scope and scale of change from the earliest years of settlement to today. This program will provide a fast-paced overview of 350 years of chairs and chair-making in America.

Looking for a distinctive handmade gift that will truly be appreciated by the special people on your shopping list? Decked out in festive style, the historic Van Vleck House at Flanders Nature Center located at the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads in Woodbury is the setting for their annual “Artisan Marketplace”.

This popular annual event will run through December 17, 2017. At the Artisan Marketplace you will find a wide variety of quality creations handmade by local crafters and artisans including quilts, wreaths and greens, jewelry and pottery, toys, chocolates, ornaments, home décor, hand painted wine glasses, hats and hand dyed scarves, skin care and pet items as well as wool from Flanders own sheep and much more.

Artists and crafters will also be exhibiting their items and also showcasing their talents through demonstrations and workshops as featured artisans of the day. Proceeds benefit local artisans and Flanders land conservation and educational programs.

The Van Vleck house is located at the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads in Woodbury. The “Artisan Marketplace” will be open Saturdays and Sundays 11-4 through December 17th. This holiday season keep your shopping handmade and local!

Lake Compounce, located on Lake Ave. in Bristol is proud to announce their “Lake Compounce Holiday Lights”, a seasonal holiday-themed family event taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings beginning November 24 and running through December 20. The park gates will open at 5:00 P.M. on Fridays, and at 4:00 P.M. on Saturdays and Sundays.

‘Holiday Lights’ will provide full family entertainment for all ages, and include festive activities such as a spectacular light show every half hour at the main gate, which will feature tens of thousands of dancing lights set to holiday music. Kiddieland rides and family-themed rides will be in operation. The Train will be transformed into the North Pole Railway, operated by a very special, uniformed train conductor with a magical holiday story to tell.

There will be indoor activities such as cookie decorating and gingerbread house making. Children will be given the opportunity to customize their very own letter to Santa, and will then receive a personalized letter sent directly to them, from Santa, just a few days later. On the Kiddieland stage children can enjoy Story Time with Mrs. Clause. There will be carolers strolling throughout the park, an ice carver creating unique, frozen sculptures, and lots more festive entertainment including clowns making balloon animals and lots of holiday characters greeting guests. The childhood favorite; photos with Santa is not to be missed in the Winter Wonderland Starlight Theatre.

The park’s gift shops will also be loaded with holiday-themed merchandise for sale, so guests can get their holiday shopping done, and new this year great food will be served hot from unique and festive food trucks. There is also a pet-friendly night on December 17 when guests are invited to bring their well behaved dog or cat to Lake Compounce, if you bring a can of cat or dog food, you will get $5 off admission at the gate.

New for 2017 is dinner with Santa on Dec. 2,9,16, and 23. Enjoy dinner from 2:30-3:30pm, followed by a visit with Santa! After you’re done with pictures, the entire night of Holiday Lights is yours to enjoy with family and friends until 9 pm! Buffet menu: will include lots of child and adult favorites! Adults are $29.99, kids 4-10 $23.99 and children 3 and under are free.

Admission is $11.99 online and $15.99 at Gate per adult, $11.99 for children 4 thru 10, and free for children 3 and under. Senior tickets are $11.99. Platinum Season Pass holders may enter for free with their 2016 season pass. Tickets may be purchased online now, or at the park gate once the event begins. For more information https://www.lakecompounce.com

For a monthly newsletter on events in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.litchfieldhills.com

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s new exhibition that runs through Jan. 7, 2018 is called Illumination, which is the theme for CCP’s members show. The accumulation and spread of human knowledge is deeply indebted to the labor of print and paper artists. It is their work, which allows concepts and ideas to be inscribed, transcribed and preserved into a physical manifestation.

Printed materials were cherished objects and the artists who created them not only preserved their illuminating wisdom, but also shed their artistic light on the pages. Illumination originally meant specifically the addition of gold or silver painting but grew to mean any hand addition, marginalia, or embellishment added to the page. For Illumination, members will respond to these traditions and ideas; perhaps through telling a new story, by adding the illuminating light of metal leaf, jewel-bright ink or an exploration of light.

The Gallery is located on 299 West Ave. in Mathews Park in Norwalk and is open Tuesday 9am–9pm · Wednesday–Saturday 9am–5pm · Sunday 12pm–5pm and is closed Mondays.

The image is Frances Ashforth, 2016 Members Exhibit 1st prize winner, will have an exhibition in the Lithography Studio.

Hear ye, hear ye! All little princesses across the land are invited to enjoy an afternoon of magic and fantasy at New England Carousel Museum’s final Princess Tea of 2017, Sunday, December 10th 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

This enchanted tea party for children and their caregivers features cookies and juices, a wand craft, story time, carousel rides, and magic and balloons by Amazing Magical Paul. The fairy-tale will continue with a royal meet and greet and photo opportunity with our special guests the snow sisters, Ice Queen & Ice Princess. The Princess Tea is priced at $15.00 per child and $5.00 per adult. Tiaras and princess dresses are highly encouraged. Princesses are provided by Castles and Confetti of West Hartford.

Reservations are required. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this afternoon of fun and make-believe. To make your reservation call 860-585-5411.