Bradley Airport Celebrates National Dog Day!

Bradley International Airport (BDL) is helping to spread joy by celebrating National Dog Day. Several four-legged members of the Bradley Buddies therapy dog program, along with their human counterparts, were at BDL today, walking through the terminal and interacting with travelers.

The larger-than-normal grouping of fury friends allowed passengers to stop and pet the dogs and even take photos for National Dog Day. Some of the breeds that were part of today’s visit included a German shepherd, Australian shepherd, border collie, goldendoodle, golden retriever, and Yorkshire terrier.

The Bradley Buddies program, which was launched in August 2017, is marking its seventh anniversary this month. The certified therapy dogs visit the airport regularly to help brighten the day of passengers as they arrive and depart from BDL. There are currently a total of 16 teams participating in the program.

Bradley Buddies is organized in partnership with Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. For more information about the Bradley Buddies program, visit www.bradleyairport.com/bradley-buddies

About Bradley International Airport

Bradley International Airport (BDL) is New England’s second-largest airport. Recognized nationally by leading travel publications for its ease of travel, Bradley International Airport is ready to welcome you with new nonstops and expanded services. The award-winning airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, and its operations are entirely self-funded. The airport contributes nearly $3.6 billion to the regional economy. For more info, visit http://www.bradleyairport.com.

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#HandsOnHistory – Threading the Needle: From Field to Fabric @ Keeler Tavern

Ridgefield’s Keeler Tavern Museum‘s award-winning exhibition, #HandsOnHistory, is back for another year of interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. Threading the Needle: From Field to Fabric highlights the production of the three types of textile fibers commonly produced in our region in the 18th and 19th centuries – linen, wool, and silk – from their cultivation as raw materials to the finished fabric. Hands-on activities include carding wool, spinning fibers, dying fabric, and replicating and creating patterns for weaving and embroidery.

This exhibition is open August 17 through November 3 on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Educator-led tours of the exhibit for school and youth groups are FREE thanks to our generous sponsors. Email education@keelertavernmuseum.org to book.

Sponsored by NCL Ridgefield, Jean and Michael Jaykus, Anita and Nick Donofrio, Annette and Dan O’Brien, Joel Third, and Rhonda Hill.

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Entertainment Line-Up for 46th Norwalk Oyster Festival Something for Everyone

The Norwalk Seaport Association has announced the music entertainment line-up for the 46th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival taking place on Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8 at the 35-acre Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk. Tickets are on sale online now @ http://www.seaport.org and will be available at the gate during the event.

What makes the Norwalk Oyster Festival special is that it brings music lovers together for three days of fun. “This is the last big event of the summer that is put together to support the continuing restoration of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. We have a variety of top entertainment that will please all age groups,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association and Chairman of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. “It’s a great family-fun event that won’t break the bank because all the entertainment is included with the price of the ticket. We couldn’t put this festival together without the support of our many sponsors including our Presenting Sponsor, First County Bank, and Optimum for our Main Stage sponsor,” Reilly concluded.

Entertainment Line-Up Optimum Main Stage

Friday, September 6

Funky Dawgs – 7 p.m.
Funky Dawgz kicks off the festival on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. on the Optimum Main Stage with an exuberant performance that combines a contagious upbeat mix of original music, hip-hop, funk, and today’s top hits played with a brass twist. From playing sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden as the horn section for Dispatch to Okeechobee to closing out The Peach Music Festival, Oyster Festival attendees are in for a rocking good time.

Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes – 8:30 p.m.
Southside Johnny, who has been dubbed, “the Godfather of New Jersey Sound,” has been bringing “the party” to stages around the world for close to 50 years. On Friday night at 8:30 p.m., he is bringing his powerful sound, gritty vocals, charismatic personality, and quirky sense of humor to the Norwalk Oyster Festival. Fans are likely to hear some of the band’s best-known songs like “I Don’t Want to Go Home”, “Havin a Party”, and “The Fever,” along with some new music from the highly acclaimed Soultime album and Live from E Street. Tinged with exuberant rhythm and blues, the high-energy performance of these Jersey rockers encompasses a legendary horn section along with the driving sound of rock, soul, and R&B, that always gets the audience up, and moving. The band has released more than 30 albums, with Hearts of Stone named as one of the “top 100 albums of the 70s and 80s,” by Rolling Stone. Southside Johnny is an incredibly talented frontman who is backed by a band of extremely talented musicians that are bursting with energy and enthusiasm making the band’s camaraderie entertaining to watch.

Saturday, September 7
BADBOY – 1 p.m.
Saturday’s music on the Optimum Main Stage starts when BADBOY takes the stage at 1 p.m. They are rocking music from every decade and genre from 80s classics to top forty hits to country music and more. Their performance gets the afternoon off to an exciting start as attendees immerse themselves in the irresistible spirit of their sound.

JD Leonard @ 7 p.m.A long-established “go-to” singer/songwriter, J.D. Leonard, who hails from Tennessee, is opening for Mike DelGuidice on Saturday at 7 p.m. He’s written singles for the likes of Bonnie Tyler (“Love is the Knife”) and placed several songs in over a dozen films. Tonight get ready to celebrate the music of JD Leonard, his “Just Drive Show” and much more. His newly released album, “Just Drive,” made with Nashville legend, David Huff and recorded at Blackbird Studios has been highly acclaimed for its modern country vibe that is unique today. JD entertains with lush melodies, poignant lyrics, chart-topping hits, and storytelling that keep fans mesmerized. Backed by top-notch musicians his high-energy performance highlights the best of modern country music that is timeless.
Mike DelGuidice @ 8:30 p.m.“The Norwalk Oyster Festival is excited to be welcoming back renowned vocalist, singer /songwriter, and recording artist, Mike DelGuidice,” said Mike Reilly. “Currently DelGuidice tours the world with Billy Joel including performances every month at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City and we are happy that he will be here at the Norwalk Oyster Festival on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 8:30 p.m.,” Reilly continued. “This will be an unforgettable evening with Mike DelGuidice and his band, performing a show of astonishing renditions of some of the biggest names in Classic Rock and a few of Mike’s eclectic original songs, and much more,” Reilly concluded.

DelGuidice has been wowing audiences around the world with his powerful vocals, showcasing his talent, eclectic songwriting, friendly, and engaging stage presence, and has built a national following as a full-time touring member of Billy Joel’s Band. If you’ve been to a Billy Joel concert in the past 11 years, then you’ve seen Billy Joel spotlight Mike’s powerful vocals and talent. While on tour with Billy Joel, DelGiudice has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bryan Adams, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, and Adam Levine, to name a few. Mike has appeared on CNN, The NBC Today Show, and the CBS This Morning Show, and has been written up in Rolling Stone Magazine, and The New York Times among others. At present, while touring with Billy Joel, Mike is releasing new music including three albums, “My Street,” “Miller Place” and most recently “Mask Production,” while working on his fourth. Mike also scored the Theme song to Actor/Comedian Kevin James Sitcom ‘Kevin Can Wait’ with his original song “Ordinary Guy” with Kevin featured in Mike’s original song video “Mona Lisa.”

Sunday, September 8

Drew Angus – 2:30 p.m.
The fun continues on Sunday afternoon with the soulful voice and riveting performance of Connecticut’s own, Drew Angus, who has shared the stage with Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Ann Wilson of Heart, Andrea Bocelli, and many others. He has appeared on SNL with Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Lopez has called him, “A real talent,” and in 2023, Elton John shared one of his recordings with millions of followers. Oyster Fest attendees are in for a musical treat, as this rising star performs a combination of his music and covers by other artists that is polished, free-spirited, upbeat, and irresistible. Fans describe his shows as flawlessly blending Americana sounds and Rock n’ Roll with a dash of Funk and Retro-Soul that overflows with stirring vocals and heartfelt lyrics that are captivating and timeless.

Let’s Sing Taylor @ 4 p.m.
Calling all Taylor Swift fans to the Norwalk Oyster Festival on Sunday at 4 p.m. for this riveting live band experience celebrating the music of Taylor Swift. This has been hailed as the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift that has taken the country by storm! All “Swifties” should get ready to dance and sing their hearts out to some of the most famous songs of this music icon’s catalog. Led by a look-alike Taylor, Emily’s pitch-perfect voice, charismatic stage presence, sequined costumes, flashy jewelry, and exuberant dancers makes this show amazing. This show exudes feel-good energy! So put on your Taylor Swift-inspired clothes and get ready to sing along with the band. It may not be the real thing, but it is packed with all the fun that comes with a Swift concert.

About the Norwalk Oyster Festival
Now in its 46th year, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is the main fundraiser for the Seaport Association and Sheffield Island Lighthouse. This is a three-day festival celebrating the maritime heritage of Norwalk that is held every September. The Norwalk Oyster Festival is known for music, wide variety of entertainment, family fun, delicious food, children’s rides, and the New England Craft Village.

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Tee Up with the Salisbury Winter Sports Assoc.

On August 11 the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is holding its 17th annual Golf Tourney and Pig Roast at the Undermountain Golf Course in Boston Corners, New York, just a few miles from Salisbury, Connecticut. The proceeds for this program will go toward the programs for children offered by SWSA as well as the maintenance of their ski jumping towers on Satre Hill.

The Undermountain Golf Course offers unparalleled views of both the Taconic Range of the Berkshire Mountains to the east and the magnificent Catskill Mountains to the west, making this golfing experience unique. This meticulously maintained nine-hole course offers alternate tees for a back nine and executive yardage that offers a challenging layout for experienced golfers and isn’t intimidating to novices.

There will be two 18-hole flights, one at 9 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. The entry fee is $110 per player and includes Greens Fees, Dinner, and on-course beverages. This tourney is limited to 50 two-member teams. For more information and to register call 518-329-4444.

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Learning to Manage Forests to Meet Today’s Needs – The Woodland Academy at Great Mountain Forest Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village

People who own and manage woodlands play a vital role in our region because a healthy forest delivers essential benefits for our climate, wildlife, and communities, including recreational and economic opportunities.

To spread the art and science of making sound forest management decisions, Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is launching a Woodland Academy for people who steward forested land on three Saturdays, Aug. 3, Aug. 17, and Sept. 14. GMF is one of Connecticut’s leaders in sustainable forest management, located on 6,000 acres in Norfolk and Canaan. These first Woodland Academy workshops will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Yale Forestry Camp located in the heart of this independent non-profit’s vast forest.

One of the goals of the Woodland Academy is to assist both experienced and new stewards of the land to develop, reevaluate, or enhance their forest management plan to keep their land productive and healthy, now and into the future.

While this program is best suited to landowners and forest managers, such as land trust stewards, GMF welcomes all who love the woods including foresters, environmental advocates, engaged citizens, educators, and students. This workshop’s modules will help participants navigate the evolving woodland landscape they manage amid the challenges of sustainability, invasive pests, and climate change.

The curriculum was created and will be delivered by the foresters at Great Mountain Forest and collaborators from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and Sharon Audubon. The Woodland Academy is inspired by the Coverts Project previously led by UConn Extension, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and CT DEEP. The three modules will cover the ecological underpinnings of land management, how to assess habitat viability for wildlife, show participants how to identify and interpret woody plant species, and review the public management resources and tools of the trade available to manage one’s forest.

“We believe that forest management strategies should be flexible and adaptable over time, meeting the needs of each unique forest, landowner, and community. This workshop will help forest stewards to make the informed decisions needed to achieve their goals” said Michael Zarfos, Ph.D., and Executive Director, Great Mountain Forest.

Pre-registration for each workshop is required. Each seminar is $75 and includes time in the classroom as well as in the field, and lunch. Sign up via the GMF events page: https://greatmountainforest.org/events/

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, recreational, and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

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Swashbuckling Adventure Pirates Weekend Cruises to Norwalk’s Sheffield Island July 27 and July 28

It will be yo, ho, ho, and a barrel of fun on Sheffield Island at the annual Pirates Weekend and Cruise. Scallywags of all ages can step into a world of pirates and roguish fun on Saturday, July 27, and, Sunday, July 28 when purchasing a ferry ride ticket to Sheffield Island for the Pirates Weekend hosted by the Seaport Association in Norwalk and back once again by popular demand.

Swashbuckling rogues, dastardly villains, infamous she-pirates, and wicked wenches will find their sea legs and hop aboard the C.J. Toth Ferry for a cruise to Sheffield Island. Arriving on the Island, kids will be entertained by nationally known pirate re-enactors, the Bawdy Buccaneers. They will hunt for treasure on the beach, play games, sing sea chanteys, watch swordplay, and listen to tall tales of thrills and danger from visiting pirates. Who knows what secrets they will reveal?

This is the weekend to experience the freedom of a pirate’s life, and to learn about their lore and history! The pirates that invade Sheffield Island every summer are different. They enjoy taking a break from their adventures on the seven seas and come to Sheffield Island to have a boatload of fun with those lucky scallywags visiting during the Pirates Weekend.

All pirate fun and games are free with the purchase of a ferry ticket. The ferry departs the dock at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on both days, Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. It is best to arrive 30 minutes before the boat departs the new dock located at 70 Water Street in Norwalk. Parking is available at the Maritime Garage. For tickets http://www.seaport.org

About the Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Norwalk Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue, which strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contributes to our quality of life. We believe that preservation strengthens the perpetual partnership between the past, the present, and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

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