Connecticut Travel

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

The Webster Bank Arena located on 600 Main Street in Bridgeport is presenting Disney on Ice Dream Big on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, @ 7 pm, Jan. 7 at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm. and on Jan. 8 shows at 1 pm and 5 pm. Tickets sold online.

Enter a world where adventure is awaiting and courage leads the way at Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. Through enchanted pixie-dust, Tinker Bell takes you on a journey of beloved Disney tales LIVE ON ICE.

Audiences make a splash with the fearless dreamer Ariel as she yearns to explore life above the waves and watch Rapunzel, Cinderella and Belle as they learn about the power to make their own magic.

Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa, and the hilarious Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love is the greatest magic of all.

Be there to discover a whole new world with the daring Jasmine, and join Snow White, Aurora and Tiana as they remind you to always be strong, kind and fearless.

High-flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends make this an experience your family will never forget. Believing is just the beginning when Disney On Ice presents Dream Big.

A long awaited tradition in Fairfield County, the Holiday Express is now open through January 8, 2017 at the Fairfield Museum and History Center located on 370 Beach Road in Fairfield. This year features even more tracks and set-ups where the trains can zip around and weave their magical spell. Kids and adults alike will delight in the magic of the train show.

A Fairfield Museum holiday tradition! Kids and adults alike will delight in the magic of this wondrous display of model trains winding around a spectacularly decorated tree and through beautiful holiday scenery.

Holiday Express Schedule is Weekends: Sat. & Sun. through January 8: 10am – 4pm and Weekdays: Monday, December 26 – Monday, January 2: 10am – 4pm. (including Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve) Thursday, December 29 & Friday, December 30: 10am – 7pm Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Thursday, December 29 & Friday, December 30: 10am – 7pm Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

A special build a train workshop for kids ages 6 to 10 is taking place on Dec. 27-30 from 11 am to 12 pm. Kids will put together wooden parts with glue to construct a mini model train. They will finish their toy by painting it with colorful and creative designs. It is recommended that participants bring a smock for painting.

To sign up for a monthly newsletter on travel tips and events for Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com