Connecticut Travel

The Litchfield Montessori school will have their artwork on display in the Jamie Gagarin Community Room and Gallery at the Oliver Wolcott Library located on 160 South Street in Litchfield from January 5- January 27. The exhibit has been curated by LMS Art Specialist Liliana Kleid. This year’s theme is “Masterpieces From Trash.”

The exhibition’s goal is to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing society. Society’s reliance on paper and especially plastic has created environmental problems including groundwater contamination, crowded landfills, and ocean debris. These environmental issues are a legacy that future generations will have to contend with. Techniques used include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture.

About the Montessori School
Established in 1972, Litchfield Montessori School’s curriculum and approach to learning reflects the commitment and vision of Dr. Maria Montessori. Dr. Montessori believed that the goals of the educational process should be to cultivate self-motivation, to encourage the child’s natural desire to learn, and to promote critical and creative thinking. LMS is committed to serving the whole child by nurturing their love of learning, preserving their sense of wonder, encouraging independence and fostering respect for our world’s social and cultural diversity. Located on a four-acre campus in the Northfield, the Litchfield Montessori School serves children 15 months through 12 years of age. To learn more about Litchfield Montessori School, visit their website at www.litchfieldmontessori.org.

After the busy holiday season, January is a wonderful time to relax and enjoy the Westport Arts Center’s winter Chamber and Jazz concerts.

For Chamber music enthusiasts, the Horszowski Trio will perform at the Saugatuck Congregational Church (245 Post Road East) on Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m. The members of the Horszowski Trio are considered to be up-and-coming “rock stars” in the chamber music world.

Hailed by The New Yorker as “destined for great things,” the Horszowski Trio – Jesse Mills, Raman Ramakrishnan, and Rieko Aizawa – will play a stellar program of Beethoven’s Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70, No. 2, Joan Tower’s For Daniel (2004), and Dvořák’s Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 “Dumky.”

Of the Trio, Westport Arts Center Chamber Music Co-Curator, Alexander Platt, explained, “The genre of the piano trio — violin, cello, and piano — is a unique treasure in classical music: a form which demands that three great artists play together, but simultaneously as soloists. The Horszowski Trio, with whom I’ve been developing a relationship over several years, is the finest of the younger American ensembles who’ve devoted themselves to this very special calling.”

After the concert, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a casual reception and meet the Trio and Chamber Co-Curator.

For Jazz fans, the Westport Arts Center will present the music of The Saxtet led by Darren Litzie on Thursday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. The Saxtet has developed into one of the Northeast’s most exciting eight-piece jazz ensembles.

The Arts Center will be transformed into a one-night-only jazz lounge complete with high top tables and complimentary wine and appetizers as the Saxtet presents a tribute to jazz legends Benny Goodman and Stan Getz. They will perform their own arrangements of songs such as “Sing, Sing, Sing,” “Flyin’ Home,” and “The Girl from Ipanema.”

The Thursday night Jazz Lounge has become a popular addition to the Westport Arts Center’s Jazz line-up in 2016. Attendees will also have an opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Arts Center’s upcoming exhibition opening January 27, featuring unique portraits of community members, government officials, students, and artists.

Curator for the Westport Arts Center’s Jazz program, Brian Torff stated, “The talented pianist Darren Litzie has assembled a unique and versatile jazz ensemble. The Jewish contribution to American jazz has been considerable, and this concert will pay tribute to two legends – swing clarinetist Benny Goodman and the cool tenor saxophonist Stan Getz. They are both major voices of the Jewish-American jazz experience.”

Tickets for both music events can be purchased at http://www.westportartscenter.org or by calling the Westport Arts Center at 203/222-7070. Tickers are $30 for non-members, $25 for members and $10 for students. A limited number of discounted Senior tickets will be available for presale at the Westport Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Avenue, Westport. Corporate sponsorship and group ticket opportunities are also available.

The Westport Historical Society will host children, ages 6 to 11,on Monday, January 16 for a fun-filled day of activities relating to Martin Luther King Jr. Nicole Carpenter, Education Director, will facilitate activities that celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. He was a champion of human rights, justice and equality.

His powerful words continue to inspire, teach and shape people throughout the world. In this program, children will read books about Dr. King and his strong messages of justice. Children will be able to express their own feelings about respect, kindness and peace for all beings.

Children’s creativity will shine as they discover important figures from MLK’s movement, including Rosa Parks and President Lyndon Johnson, through a variety of art projects! They will make their own dream cloud showing their hopes for the future, based on King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Children will play old fashioned games, explore the Wheeler House, and eat a snack enjoyed by the civil rights activists. Join us for a day to celebrate the positive influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with hands-on activities, personal expression and gratitude for his messages of hope and peace.

Please call (203) 222-1424 to register Members $45 / Non-members $55 Please bring a bag lunch. To sign up for a monthly newsletter on travel tips and deals for Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

If your New Years resolution involves improving your culinary skills the Silo at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford has planned a series of cooking classes perfect for every palate.

On January 14 for example, The Silo has invited Master Chef Suchanda Palmer to the school to teach a course in the flavors from Southeast Asia from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes: Japanese Scallop & Ginger Salad, Vietnamese Spring Roll, Chinese Wonton Soup with Bean Sprouts & Bok Choy, Thai Prawn Satay with Peanut Sauce, Malaysian Beef Sansaman with Jasmine Rice, Korean Bulgogi Sambap with Sweet Soy AND Suchada’s Sweet Crepes and the class is $80.

A second class, Intro to Vegan food is also offered on 1/14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The class is conducted by KJ Wein and the menu includes5 Pumpkin Hummus, Butternut Squash & Peas Pasta with Amaretto, Wilted Spinach with Grated Nutmeg, Lemon & Fresh Croutons, Pear Baklava.

To learn the art of using a slow cooker don’t miss the class on Jan. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on slow cookers with Trish Lobenfeld. The menu will include: Split Pea & Barley Soup with Smoked Ham Hock, Apple Cider Braised Chicken with Potato-Kale Pancakes, Braised Lamb Provencal over Creamy White Bean Puree, Simple Salad with French Vinaigrette, Candied Ginger Apple Pear Crumble, French Vanilla Ice Cream.

To finish off the month of January with flourish take the Asian Delights course that celebrates Chinese New Year on January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This full participation class includes with Chef Suchada Palmer the following menu: Crab Rangoon, Chicken Satay dip with peanut sauce, Coconut soup, Green curry Seafood with Thai basil, Drunken beef noodle, Spicy corn cakes, Banana Spring Roll dip with Honey.

A second class, Nuevo Italiano, is also offered on January 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm with Chef Bill Cosgrove. The menu for this full participation class includes: Basil, pumpkin crespelle (crepe), with spicy shrimp and acacia honey, Grilled vegetable goat cheese lasagne, Duck breast scalopinne saltimbocca, Sweet polenta cake with lavender Crema pasticciera (custard)

The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm is located on 44 Upland Road in New Milford. For more information about The Silo cooking classes and to sign up for one online visit http://thesiloct.org.

Mark your calendars and plan to join the Derby Historical Society to mark the end of the Christmas season with its annual “Twelfth Night Celebration” at the David Humphreys House. This event features tours of their 17th century house by costumed docents. You’ll take a trip back to an earlier time in American history.

Try mulled cider and punch alongside the lovely buffet. Partake in samples of some items which would have been served in this house during the American Revolution. There will also be modern-day samples to enjoy.

Colonial skills such as spinning and weaving and an open hearth cooking demonstration will take place. This year they will have a Dickens Reading at 3 pm. Before you leave, be sure to visit their Gift Shop, that will be open during this event.

For more information call 203 735 1908 or visit our website www.derbyhistorical.org. Limited parking is available in back of the house. Additional parking is available on nearby Thomas Street.

Admission price for 12th Night: $5.00 per per person. Thanks for your continued support of the Derby Historical Society!!

The feature exhibition, Rising Tide: Fairfield’s Coast: Past to Future at the Fairfield Museum and History Center located on 370 Beach St. just off the green in Fairfield is on display through February 28, 2017.

This timely exhibition explores the past and future of Fairfield’s coast, as rising sea levels are expected to reshape the experience of living in shoreline communities. Rising Tides looks at the history of the coast, from fishing, shipping, and recreation to how residents have dealt with devastating storms in the past. Looking towards the future, explore how rising sea levels are affecting the region and the efforts being made to promote coastal resiliency.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will host a variety of programs for all ages, including panel discussions, community forums, teacher workshops, family hikes and sailing tours. Program partners include the Town of Fairfield, Soundwaters, Save the Sound, Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), UCONN, CTDEEP, The Nature Conservancy, Common Ground High School and CT Audubon Center. Visit http://www.fairfieldhistory.org for a complete list of events.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com