Fly and Tour a Legacy – B-17 Returns to Oxford- Waterbury Airport

B-17

“Aluminum Overcast,” the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EEA) restored B-17 bomber, will descend upon Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Oxford, Connecticut (330 Christian St.) on August 7-8 as part of its 2012 “Salute to Veterans” national tour. The “Aluminum Overcast” presents an opportunity for the public to experience, firsthand, the allure of this historic war bird on the ground and in flight that helped turn the tide of World War II.

“Aluminum Overcast” brings a living link of aviation’s and World War II’s past for people of all ages to enjoy. Known as “The Flying Fortress,” the B-17 bomber is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best- known aircraft types of the World War II era.

History comes alive as you step back in time and imagine the role of bombardier, navigator, and waist gunner as you walk around this magnificent aircraft. This authentic and unforgettable experience allows visitors to relive the legacy of the thousands who heroically flew World War II bombing missions.

Aluminum Overcast has been doing national tours since 1994.

EAA’s “Aluminum Overcast” B-17 was built in 1945, but was delivered to the Army Air Corps too late to see active service in World War II. In 1981 this B-17 was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation with the provision that the aircraft be maintained in airworthy condition. After being displayed at the EAA Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., for a decade, the B-17 made its national tour debut in the spring of 1994.

Among the original military equipment restored to EAA’s B-17 are the installation of a replica top turret just behind the pilot and co-pilot seats, waist guns located on each side of the bomber, rebuilding the radio compartment (including original communication).

At each stop, flight “missions” are available. For more information, including rates for flights and ground tours, visit www.B17.org or contact EAA’s B-17 Tour Office at 800-359-6217. Special pre-book rates on flights are available for EAA members and non-members. Flight purchase is also available on site.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take a mission flight or ground tour when Aluminum Overcast comes to Oxford –Waterbury Airport.

Ground Tours 2-5 p.m.

$10 Individual Rate
Family Rate: $20
(adults & children up to age 17; immediate family)
Free: Children under 8
(with paying adult)
Free: Veterans / Active Military

Mission Flights

10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
weather permitting
Pre-book
$409 EAA Members
$449 Non-Members
Walk-Up
$435 EAA Members
$475 Non-Members

About The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress

The Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” is a World War II bomber used primarily in Europe. B-17s from the Eighth Air Force participated in countless missions from bases in England. These missions often lasted for more than eight hours and struck at targets deep within enemy territory. Because of their long-range capability, formations of B-17s often flew into battle with no fighter escort, relying on their own defensive capabilities to ensure a successful mission.

During the war, B-17s were among the most modern aircraft in the U.S. inventory. However, the advent of the jet age and advances in technology made the Flying Fortress obsolete soon after the conclusion of the war. In the years following World War II, most B-17s were cut up for scrap, used in Air Force research or sold on the surplus market.

In 1934, the Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle, Wash., began construction of a four-engine heavy bomber. Known as the Boeing model 299, it first took flight on July 28, 1935. The government ordered production of 13 of these aircraft, now designated the Y1B-17. Delivery of these first production models was between January 11 and August 4, 1937.

The B-17 received the name “Flying Fortress” from a Seattle reporter who commented on its defensive firepower. The B-17 underwent a number of improvements over its 10-year production span. Models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17-G model. Throughout the war, the B-17 was refined and improved as battle experience showed the Boeing designers where improvements could be made. The final B-17 production model, the B-17G, was produced in larger quantities (8,680) than any previous model and is considered the definitive “Flying Fort.” With its 13 .50-caliber machine guns – chin, top, ball and tail turrets; waist and cheek guns – the B-17G was indeed an airplane that earned the respect of its combatants. In addition, air crews liked the B-17 for its ability to withstand heavy combat damage and still return its crew safely home.

Between 1935 and May of 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions.
Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition. At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions, less than 15 of Boeing’s famous bombers can still take to the air.

About EEA

EAA, a non-profit membership organization based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 170,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to http://www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with http://www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.

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Norwalk Oyster Festival September 7-9

Fun for families and friends from nine to ninety, the 35th annual Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival will be held this year from Friday, September 7 through Sunday, September 9. This year’s entertainment highlights include music from nationally known-bands such as: The Rising on Friday, Village People on Saturday and Lou Gramm on Sunday. Festivalgoers will enjoy a wide variety of rides, cooking competitions, arts and crafts and a diverse assortment of attractions and entertainment that promise unforgettable fun.

New this year the festival will feature the action packed Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Festival that will feature world champion lumberjacks demonstrating their log rolling, axe throwing, chopping, sawing, tree climbing and dragster chainsaw skills. Another new event venue will offer hands on interactive race-themed attractions by nationally recognized Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment. These dynamic additions to the Oyster Festival are awe inspiring and unforgettable.

For the Kids

The festival’s Pirates Coast Adventure will wow children of all ages. Here, kids can meet real life pirates and look for booty in treasure hunts, hear storytelling and join in other fun-filled activities. The Kids’ Cove includes games, rides and entertainment. This interactive pirate encampment gives kids a taste of what seafaring was like during the golden age of piracy from 1650-1750. In addition, there will be an action-packed performance by Marvel Super Heroes.

Sunday is Family Day with special family and children’s packages for entrance, rides and meals. The perk of family day on Sunday is that one child under 12 gets in free with each adult paid admission and for a mere $15 can ride all the amusement rides free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To round out the family fun there will be live shows for kids on the festival’s main stage.

For the Whole Family

The festival offers a wide array of attractions the whole family will enjoy, including continuous entertainment by local musicians and national acts. A multitude of fine artists and crafters display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets and ages. For on the water fun, head to the festival docks to tour historic vessels and to cruise the scenic and historic Norwalk Harbor.

For the Foodies

Food demonstrations and competitions, including the always-popular chowder and chili cook-offs will take place throughout the fesitval. A highlight of the Festival is the wide variety of great food from around the world that is available at the International Food Court. This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise vital funds for their charitable causes. At the Oyster Pavilion, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history while watching slurping and shucking contests.

The event is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $5 on Friday, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Sunday is Family Day with special pricing on that day only — 1 child (age 5-12) free with each paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.seaport.org. Free Parking and Free Shuttle Bus service is provided from four (4) local parking lots, just follow the signs to Oyster Festival Parking.

Festivalgoers can save on admission and rail fare when they purchase the Metro-North Railroad/Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival discount package. Packages are available at all ticket offices and ticket machines (except South Norwalk Station) or by visiting www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_oyster_fest.htm

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse and its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. For more information, visit www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

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August Events at the Fairfield History Museum

War of 1812 Exhibit at Fairfield Museum through September

For the dog days of summer, why not visit Fairfield Museum and History Center’s (www.fairfieldhistory.org) new, special art exhibition, The War of 1812 at Sea: Marine Paintings from the J. Russell Jinishian Gallery collection, Fairfield, Conn. (jrusselljinishiangallery.com). The exhibition, which will be on display through September 9th, 2012, will chronicle the great sea battles around the War of 1812, some of which occurred off the Connecticut Coast, and will feature dramatic marine paintings and models from art dealer J. Russell Jinishian.

The War of 1812 at Sea exhibition will include 16 works, including two intricate models, from some of the most prominent marine artists working today. The paintings and models in this exhibition capture pivotal moments during the War of 1812, a troubled and dark time for our young nation and for Fairfield as well.

In addition to this fascinating exhibit other events hosted by the Museum include the following events.

A Docent Meeting on Thursday, August 9 at 2:30 p.m wil introduce participants to Fairfield’s past. If you have a knack for telling a good story this program could be just for you. The Fairfield Museum and History Center hopes to introduce participants to the importance of becoming a docent and sharing the history of Fairfield. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP, please call Christine Jewell, Director of Education at 203-259-1598.

On Saturday, August 18, at 2 p.m. the Fairfield Museum will feature a Town Hall Green Walking Tour that is expected to last one to two hours. On the tour, you wil learn about the fascinating colonial history of Fairfield, including the establishment of the town’s original “four squares” in 1639 and the historic British invasion that took place in 1779. Participants will learn about the “witch dunking experiment” at Edward’s Pond, the legacy of the Sun Tavern and more. $7; Members, $5. Please pre-register by calling 203-259-1598.

If you find walking an enjoyable way to experience a town center, then make sure to pick up a colorful new brochure at the Museum and follow the nine new signs created jointly by the Museum and the town of Fairfield. Visitors can begin their exploration of this intriguing historic site at the introductory sign adjacent to the Fairfield Museum and History Center and discover the hidden corners of Fairfield’s fascinating past.

A special summer treat is a tour of the Ogden House built in 1750 on Sundays from 1 pm – 4 pm through September. Visitors will enjoy docent-led tours of the 1750 Ogden House and see how people lived in the 18th century. The house is furnished with period objects including textiles and fine pieces of furniture with Fairfield provenance. Participants will be invited to take a stroll through the not-to-be-missed kitchen garden, generously maintained by the Fairfield Garden Club, and view plantings used in colonial times. The Ogden House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is an exceptional survivor of a typical mid-18th century farmhouse.

If summer camps are your thing, Fairfield History Museum is also offering a series of camps through August. Camp goers will explore history and culture in a creative and fun learning environment at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. Programs include sessions about the early settlers and how children lived in the past, through historic house tours, the garden, cooking, games, arts and crafts and more at the 1750 Ogden House and the Fairfield Museum. Campers will explore the secret corners of the house and learn its mysteries! The final day will be spent at the Fairfield Museum where students will experience a day in the life of a student in the 1804 Academy Schoolhouse and learn to use antique tools in the Victorian Barn. For more information and to register, please call 203-259-1598 or visit http://www.fairfieldhistory.org. The August sessions runs as follows:

Session 1: August 13 – 17 9am – 12pm Grades 1 – 2

Session 2: August 13 – 17 1pm – 4pm Grades 3 – 5

Session 3: August 20 – 24 9am – 12pm Grades 1 – 2

Session 4: August 20 – 24 1pm –4pm Grades 3 – 5

$175 Each Session + $50 family membership

ABOUT FAIRFIELD MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER

Fairfield Museum and History Center (www.fairfieldhistory.org) was established in 2007 by the Fairfield Historical Society. The 13,000 square-foot museum presents engaging exhibition galleries, a special collection library and reading room, a family education center, an 80-seat theater overlooking Fairfield’s Town Green and a delightful museum shop. The Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Fairfield, Connecticut and surrounding regions for present and future generations. The Museum provides educational programs to schools in and around Fairfield County, and helps to enrich the cultural and social life of the area. The Museum has quickly become an integral part of Fairfield, serving nearly 18,000 visitors a year.

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Art is Timeless at the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Clock by Michael Johnson

Peter Lawrence Gallery is presenting a new exhibit, “Art is Timeless” that will feature functional art/clocks by Michael Johnston and oils, watercolors and ceramics by Jessie Novik.

The exhibit runs from Friday, August 3 to Sunday, September 2 with an opening reception on Sunday, August 5 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided by Johnny’s New Fairfield Food Center.

Michael Johnston of Norwalk, CT is a muralist and street artist. This art form drove Michael’s passion to understand the vast dimensions, styles and genres of art. He realized his own personal obsession with sharp edges, technical designs, futuristic concepts, mechanical images, and clocks could all be channeled into his art. Using recycled and discarded materials whenever possible, often times old electronics, Michael tries to convey movement, flow, and continuity in his art. He considers himself an abstract expressionist, frequently utilizing additive sculpture to intensify and bring to life thoughts and ideas.

Village by Jessie Novik

Jessie Novik has been inspired by the many places she’s traveled, including a hike up to Machu Picchu, exploring rice fields in Bali, camping with Bedouins in Sinai, and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. She is an artist and a craftswoman, and states, “No matter what is my vehicle, I will always make art, and I cannot wait to acquire new methods for birthing my overactive imagination.”

About the Peter Lawrence Gallery

Peter Lawrence Gallery is located at 703 Kent Road (Rt. 7), Gaylordsville, Connecticut, and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, or by appointment. For more information please contact Peter at 203-746-5533 or by email at peterlawrencegallery@ymail.com or http://www.peterlawrencegallery.com. For area information visit http://www.litchfieldhills.com.

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Structural Perspectives: Greenwich Community Artists Series at Historical Society through September

Structural Perspectives, an exhibition featuring artists Michael Chait, Lily McCarthy and Heather Sandifer, will be on view through September 5, 2012, at the Greenwich Historical Society’s Storehouse Gallery Museum Shop.

Fruits and Shadows

The exhibition features works that examine intricate forms and explores how visual themes occur and repeat in both organic and manmade contexts. From recurring natural forms, to the relationship of natural and manmade objects in the framework of a still life, to the juxtaposition of angles in architecture, each artist interprets and explores structure from a unique perspective.

The Community Artists series was established to support and encourage contemporary local artists by offering a welcoming venue for the exhibition of their work in a historic setting. All works on display will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Greenwich Historical Society.

The show may be viewed at the Historical Society’s Storehouse Museum Shop, Wednesday through Sunday, from noon to 4:00 pm. Admission to the Museum Shop is free. For more information and to read artists’ statements, visit www.greenwichhistory.org.

For Regional information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Explore the Shore and the Sound at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center

Bruce Museum Seaside Center

The Bruce Museum Seaside Center is an environmental and cultural facility located in the Innis Arden Cottage on Greenwich Point, one of the East Coast’s most scenic coastlines. During summer months, Seaside Center personnel encourage Point visitors to drop-in and explore the local shore and marine life.

Daily activities at the Seaside Center may include guided nature walks which incorporate the geology and ecology of Greenwich Point; study and identification of Greenwich Point flora and fauna; marine organism anatomy dissections; plankton viewing with microscopes; arts and crafts; and much more! Guests can also enjoy the Seaside Center’s facilities at their own leisurely pace viewing the dioramas, interactive exhibits, and live specimens in the marine-life touch tank and aquariums.

Open through September 2, with special events scheduled throughout the year, regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Beach passes are required for entrance into Greenwich Point. Fees for non-residents are $5 per person plus $20 for parking. For additional information call the Bruce Museum at 203 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org.

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