Connecticut Travel

One of the most popular and free events in the Litchfield Hills are the holiday house tours offered by the Osborne Homestead Museum located on 500 Hawthorne Avenue in Derby. This year’s tours take place from Friday, November 24 – Sunday, December 17 with tours being offered Thursdays thru Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each year, many wonderful clubs contribute to the holiday festivities here. The clubs are: Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Oxford Garden Club, Roxbury/Bridgewater Garden Club, Women Redefining Retirement from Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. Since the clubs rotate rooms each year to a different theme, the decorations are always new and creative.

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a classic colonial house constructed in the mid-1800’s and enlarged and completely remodeled in the Colonial Revival style during the 1920’s is transformed into a holiday showcase. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its restored interior is embellished with holiday decorations that are displayed amid the original contents of the estate, which constitutes a significant collection of antiques and fine arts. The theme of this years event is with the theme of “Night at the Opera”.

A special highlight of this event are the Holiday Twilight Tours that take place on Fridays on December 1, 8, and 15 from 4 pm. to 7 p.m. This is a magical time to visit this house that is bathed in soft lighting where beautiful holiday floral arrangements and decor are sure to put you in the spirit of the season. To round out the fun, a special holiday gift market is planned and will take place on Friday December 1, 4 PM to 7 PM and Saturday December 2, 9 AM to 12 PM. Groups of more than 8 people to call (203) 734-2513 to reserve a tour date and time.

Grab a friend and enjoy some relaxed holiday browsing at the Wilton Historical Society’s Holiday Sip and Shop on Saturday, December 2, 10:00 – 4:00. A glass of prosecco and some seasonal nibbles await! Pop-up shops will add to the selection and the fun!

Known for locally made, beautifully crafted items, the Betts Store is pleased to present a select group of area artisans and their wares for one day only. Offerings are fresh and giftable! Most pieces are made by hand – you will find bright ideas for stocking stuffers, winter warmers, hostess gifts, sparkly treats – and just the right surprise for hard to please friends and family. And a little something for you! KMC Jewelry Designs, Nod Hill Soap, and wonderful ornaments made by Carol Andrews.

The Society’s museum store, like the original 18th-century Betts Store, always features locally-made and one-of-a-kind items, many hand-crafted. Discover uncommon gifts for holiday giving, from jewelry, scarves, soaps, and letterpress note cards to nifty toys, games and puzzles for kids. The store is freshly stocked for holiday shopping, and is brimming with an eclectic and interesting collection of affordable finds and follies! There is an excellent selection of home accessories and hostess gifts… unusual candles, artwork, mugs, vases, and cups. The store is committed to supporting local craftsmen and businesses; some items are made in Wilton, some in Connecticut, and all are made in the U.S.A.

New offerings this season are an expanded section of carefully selected books; puzzles for all ages; Faribault wool scarves for men and women, 100% organic cotton striped socks for men and women, holiday napkins and placemats, beautifully crafted cheese serving boards and baguette cutting boards; honey infused with bourbon, and salted honey made in North Carolina; silk-screened tote bags, purses, and zipped pouches; candles in new shapes and colors by Greentree Home; and made in Maine wind bells, plus cashmere scarves, Pendleton blankets and much more!

There is a particularly good selection of Wilton-themed items featuring local landmarks. There are dish cloths, mugs, plates, key chains, holiday ornaments, and even hand-painted marble coasters with familiar Wilton buildings. Books about Wilton, including the must-have “Wilton Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress” by Bob Russell are in stock. Wonderful toys abound! The store stocks adorable sewing kits, nicely crafted classic wooden toys such as spinning tops and Jacob’s Ladders, fun games like jacks and marbles, and a variety of games to be played outside on the lawn. A selection of puppets, craft kits, books and other unexpected treasures round out the children’s section.

The Betts Store at the Wilton Historical Society is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 – 4, and during the holiday season on Sundays, 12:00 – 4:00.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Town of New Canaan’s acquisition of 300 acres from former resident Ruth Lapham Lloyd, the New Canaan Historical Society is proud to announce Waveny Now and Then.

This lovely park in New Cannan’s centerpiece is “the castle” built in 1912 built by William Tubby and that is surrounded by 300 unspoiled acres of land that was landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. The house was built for Lewis Lapham, one of the founders of Texaco who spent many summers here with his family. The family gave the Town of New Canaan most of the estate land and sold the estate to the town in 1967.

The house was used for exterior shots for the fictional ‘Cortlandt Manor’ on the soap opera, All My Children for many years; exteriors of the estate were also used in the 2004 remake film, The Stepford Wives.

This art exhibit features drawings, paintings, photographs and sculpture of work inspired by and/or created in Waveny Park. Mark Markiewicz, Torrance York, Antonia Betancourt, Dmitri Wright, Audrey Klotz, Drew Klotz and Jeanna Shepard will have work on display. The art will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to the Historical Society. The show will run through December 22.

Favorite memories, reminders, and images of home will be on display as the City of Norwalk Parking Authority’s Maritime Garage Gallery presents its new exhibit “Memories of Our Town” this fall. The exhibit will run through January 5, 2018.

“Memories Of Our Town,” features art in a variety of mediums that represents the unique memories of the place we call home: places, people, sounds, smells, events, etc. that are personally significant to the artist. Contributing artists include Eric Chiang of Westport, Cindy Sinor, Wilton, Al Coyote Wiener of Fairfield, Tania Canteli of Beacon, NY and Mary Mattingly of New York City, among others.

“Each piece in this exhibition is a materialization of memories of the places our hearts belong,” says curator Nadia Martinez. “We are excited to be showcasing the work of some of the area’s finest artists and their visions of home.”

The Maritime Garage Gallery is part of the Parking Authority’s “Art in Parking Places” initiative, an effort to support art in public spaces, making Norwalk a more vibrant destination. The gallery is located in the Maritime Garage at 10 North Water Street in Norwalk. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9:00am -5:00pm, Monday through Friday. For more information, call 203- 831-9063, or visit www.norwalkpark.org/public-art

Skip the mall and head to Kent for a weekend of shopping, dining and champagne sipping. What better way to experience a quintessential New England town during the holidays than to come to the 5th Annual Kent Holiday Champagne Stroll, November 24 & 25, from 4:00 – 7:30 pm?

Considered the benchmark for all holiday strolls, the town of Kent offers 30 shops serving 30 champagnes and bubblies, and offering 30 different promotions and sales. Kent has distinctive shops operated by the owners themselves. You can find everything from antiques, stylish clothing, teas and coffees, jewelry to cowboy boots. Many of the shops are featuring special sales and promotional events.

The event coincides with Small Business Saturday, a marketing event campaign created by American Express, celebrating the small businesses that are the backbone of local economies.
Strollers have two options for check-in this year: The Swift House, 12 Maple Street, or at SoDelicious HomeMade Bakery, 1 Kent Green Blvd. You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting http://www.kentstroll.com or purchase tickets on the day of the event. Ticket price is $22 for advanced registration; $25 on the day of the event. Pre-registration guarantees you a spot in the event of a sell out. Also there will be a separate line at check-in for pre-registration to speed you through and get you strolling! Check in begins at 4:00 PM where you will pick up a champagne flute and map to use for the evening.

The map divides the town into four zones. Visit at least three businesses in each zone, get your map stamped and your name will be entered into the drawing for one of three great bottles of champagnes. Once you have strolled, shopped and tasted, head to one of Kent’s fine restaurants for dinner where you will find unique menu items to complement the weekend as well as more champagne. Everyone is welcome, but you must be 21 years of age and present valid ID at check-in to get a flute & map. For more information, contact the Kent Chamber of Commerce, 860-592-0061.

The Gunn Historical Museum’s Washington History Club at Night will meet in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library on Tuesday, November 21 at 6:30pm. The topic of discussion will be The Dramalites. Many residents have been involved in this long existing community performance group which has provided a theater experience for generations of Washington’s residents. Join us for a lively conversation about its history, those who were involved in the organization, and the plays they performed. Bring your favorite stories and memories to share!

The Washington History Club at Night is a program of the Gunn Historical Museum and meets the third Tuesday of the months of November, February and May at 6:30 pm in the Wykeham Room of the Gunn Library to discuss the history of Washington, Washington Depot, Marbledale, New Preston and Woodville. Share your stories with the group or just come and listen to the fascinating conversation about our town’s past. Bring your photos and objects for show and tell!

Everyone is invited to attend this free program. The Gunn Library & Museum is located at 5 Wykeham Road in Washington. Call the Gunn Museum at 860-868-7756 or view http://www.gunnmuseum.org for more information.