LAKE COMPOUNCE OFFERS SPECIAL DEAL FOR BLACK FRIDAY

On November 26, also known as Black Friday and the biggest Holiday shopping day of the year, those who purchase their 2011 season passes to Lake Compounce will also receive something extra; two free general admission tickets to the Connecticut Science Center. This offer will be extended through November 28, if supplies last. In addition, for the first time ever the park is offering unlimited parking passes for only $33, to all season pass holders.

Lake Compounce wanted to offer Holiday shoppers a little something extra, and so they thought people would enjoy taking advantage of this great offer to visit another fun Connecticut attraction. The season passes for Lake Compounce cannot be used until May, but the Connecticut Science Center tickets can be used now, so guests can do
something fun right away, too !

Lake Compounce, part of the Palace Entertainment family of parks, is New
England’s Family Theme Park and the oldest continuously operating
amusement park in North America and is preparing for its 166th season.
Season passes are now on sale for the 2011 season, and can be purchased for $69.99 until December 31, 2010 (Regularly $79.99). Unlimited parking passes are available to all season pass holders for $33.00. Regular admission price for the 2011 season will be $34.99. Junior admission, which is for guests under 52 inches tall, is $25.99. Senior admission, for ages 61 and up, will be $17.99. Children 3 years of age and younger are admitted free. All tickets and season passes may be purchased by visiting www.lakecompounce.com.

The LEED-Gold certified Connecticut Science Center, located in downtown
Hartford, sparks creative imagination and an appreciation for science by
immersing visitors in fun and educational hands-on, minds-on interactive
experiences while maintaining an environmentally conscious presence.
Visitors experience over 150 exhibits in ten galleries and a range of
topics, including space and earth sciences, physical sciences, biology,
the Connecticut River watershed, alternative energy sources, Connecticut
inventors and innovations, a children’s gallery, and much more. Other
features include four educational labs, a 200-seat 3D digital theater,
function room, gift store and café, and ongoing events and lectures for
all ages. The Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to
enhancing science education throughout the state of Connecticut and New
England, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all
ages, and engaging the community in scientific exploration.

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Bartlett Arboretum Receives Green Coast Award

The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens was recognized as a Fairfield County Green Coast Award winner for Organic Gardening/Education. The awards were announced Wednesday, November 17th, at The Annual Green Faire Business Expo. The Green Coast Awards, sponsored by the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, honor and recognize individuals, businesses, services, and organizations throughout Fairfield County that are socially and environmentally responsible, promote sustainability, have high ethical standards and make conscious decisions everyday to improve our communities and the health of the planet.

The Bartlett Arboretum, a non-profit organization, is a dynamic educational and recreational resource for residents of Fairfield County and beyond. The 91-acre property located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford is a living museum of champion majestic trees, rare plant collections, themed gardens, and natural landscapes traversed by hiking and walking trails as the former residence and training school of Dr. Francis Bartlett since 1913. When the Bartlett Arboretum was opened to the public for the first time in 1966, the grounds and facilities were under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Protection while the University of Connecticut’s Department of Plant Science managed the operations and programming. In 2002, the title to the land was transferred to the City of Stamford with the Bartlett Arboretum Association responsible for al oversight of the property.

The Bartlett offers on-site and outreach community education programs for all ages, an extensive horticultural library, a herbarium, summer plant clinics, and seasonal events and family festivals.

In 2011 the Silver Educational Center will open and will enhance the Center’s offerings to the community including topics on sustainability, environmentally friendly plant care, good gardening practices, and a wide variety of topics that preserve the integrity of botanical study and appreciation of our natural resources.

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SANTA’S ON BOARD FOR FUN IN LITCHIFELD HILLS

If you want to find Santa in Northwest Connecticut, catch a train. On weekends, you can join Mr. and Mrs. Claus taking a break for a fun ride aboard the Santa Express, a restored 1920s train from the New England Railroad Museum in Thomaston. To see Santa at work, ride a train to visit the great man and his busy elves in the weekend Toyland he sets up in a vintage train car at the Danbury Railroad Museum. Santa works late this time of year, and the special Northern Lights tours from Thomaston let you make a stop to see him at Santa’s Train Workshop. Wherever you find him, you can be sure that Santa has gifts ready for all young children.

Fans of miniature trains also will find irresistible holiday exhibits of whizzing, whirring miniature trains at many spots in this scenic part of the state.

Riding the Rails

The Santa Express leaves the 1881 station in Thomaston on Saturdays and Sundays for an hour and a quarter round-trip scenic ride beside the Naugatuck River in 1920s-vintage coaches. Mr. and Mrs. Claus make sure to visit with each child on board and often they bring elves along. Evening light displays inside and outside the train greet passengers after dark on the very special Northern Express journey to Santa’s Train Workshop.

The gift shop inside the gaily decorated historic station has a host of ideas for train fans young and old, including railroad books, children’s books, Thomas the Tank Engine™ merchandise and lots of train memorabilia. And there is an operating miniature Christmas train layout.

Santa Express trains, $14 adults, $12 children, leave at 2 p.m., Northern Express trains, $22 depart at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on 12/4-5, 12/11-12 and 18/19. Additional Northern Express trains are scheduled for 11/27-28 and 12/3.

Santa’s Rail Yard

At the Danbury Railway Museum, which includes a classic 1903 station and a railroad yard with vintage train cars, visitors can ride a working vintage train through the yard to Santa’s own train. They will find him in his workshop supervising his elves, who are busy making toys. Santa rides begin at noon and run every half hour until 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, December 11 and 18, and Sundays December 5, 12 and 19 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The $8 admission includes the ride, a gift from Santa, and exhibits and displays in the yard and indoors. A miniature layout is in action in the station, along with a coloring station.

Once again, there is a tempting Gift Shop, with over 600 different items, including Thomas the Tank™ and Little Engine That Could™ merchandise, books, clothing, puzzles, and other railroad items. The station is at 120 White Street in Danbury. Reserve tickets in advance at http://www.danbury.org/DRM or phone (203) 778-8337.

Mini Magic

Miniature train displays are a traditional holiday favorite for many families. The Wilton Historical Society’s annual Great Trains exhibit features a range of makes, models and gauges of model trains rolling around curves, passing scenic local landscapes and rushing through mountain passes. Each model landscape is intricately designed by the Society’s “Trainmen” and the holiday exhibit includes a vast collection of toys, dolls and miniatures. Dates are December 4 through January 17. Admission is $5; Hours are Tuesdays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sundays 1 – 4 p.m. The Society is located at 224 Danbury Road. Check online or phone for holiday closings: http://www.wiltonhistorical.org or 203-762-7257.

The 23rd Annual Hands On Train Display at New Milford’s restored vintage train station December 18th through 31st offers four big operating train layouts. Each year the waiting room of the station is transformed into a Lilliputian landscape of hills, valleys and villages. The towns, populated by tiny figures dressed in winter finery, are crisscrossed by whizzing layouts of scale model Lionel trains. The setup includes almost 100 feet of track. Visitors can do more than admire the trains. They are invited to take the controls, starting and stopping the action and operating signals and lights. The trains operate daily from noon to 4 p.m. This yearly free event is sponsored by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about trains, directions to events and listings of all the holiday doings in the region, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, http://www.visitwesternct.com. They offer a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to the Litchfield Hills and a free Fairfield County Getaway Guide.

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Hunt Hill Farm’s December Holiday Happenings Craft Workshops and Christmas Concert

The Henderson Cultural Center at Hunt Hill Farm invites you to take part in their December Holiday Happenings to help make your season bright!

A Holiday Knitting Workshop takes place on December 4th with Bruce Weinstein, the author of Knits Men Want: The Ten Rules Every Woman Should Know Before Knitting For A Man from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn to make reversible cables for a scarf either for a man or a woman. The cost is $75 per student (materials not included) and it includes a copy of Weinstein’s book and a light lunch from the Silo Cooking School prepared by Silo Cooking School Director, Chef Mary Kravec. Participants will receive a materials list with their registration receipt.

On December 8th from 10 a.m. to Noon Loretta Stagen is teaching a Fresh Holiday Wreath Decorating Workshop that uses a 28-inch double-sided balsam wreath at Hunt Hilll Farm. Students will learn to decorate the wreath with pomegranates, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, acorns and ribbons. In her Fresh Boxwood Topiary Workshop, students will create an 8-inch ball on top of a 24-inch stem and braid it festively with ribbons. The fresh topiary that you create will last two months. Class sizes are limited to 12 and last one hour. The cost for each workshop is $55 and materials are included.

On Dec. 11 in The Skitch Henderson Museum at 6 p.m., there will be a “Christmas Concert in the Country” with Alecia Evans, lyric coloratura soprano. Alecia Adams Evans has performed regionally and nationally throughout the United States. Her second performance at the farm will be a rich presentation of joyful holiday music from a repertoire of traditional Christmas standards and carols. Adding a spark to some of these holiday tunes will be an “Andrew Sisters” style sound, featuring the musical trio, Nobody’s Business which includes Evans, along with Cadden Jones and Linda Sue Moshier. Joining her on the museum’s famous Steinway piano once housed at NBC’s Tonight Show and signed by all four Steinway brothers, will be legendary Broadway Conductor Phil Hall. A reception will immediately follow the concert. Reservations Required. Ticket prices are $25 for members, $35 for non-members and $5 for students/children.

While you are at the farm this holiday season, visit The Silo Gallery to see the 38th Annual Christmas Tree and Holiday Exhibition on display through January 2nd, 2011 and don’t forget to browse The Silo Store, overflowing with special gifts and culinary items.

Visit

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PREPARE TO BE AMAZED! STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN PULLS BACK THE CURTAIN TO REVEAL THE NEW 22,000 SQUARE FOOT/ $17 MILLION FACILITY

After more than two years of planning and construction, and three and half months of closure for final renovations, Stepping Stones Museum for Children http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.
will re-open its doors on Saturday November 20, 2010 and embark on its future.

The build and renovation, which more than doubles the space of the original museum, is one of the largest development projects in the city of Norwalk. The new structure features solar panels, a “green” roof, a wind turbine and the use of recycled materials throughout the construction, all of which has qualified for LEED Gold Certification. The focus on conservation, reusable materials and energy-themed education and learning extends throughout the museum’s new exhibits, galleries and programming.

Among the most amazing attractions is the technologically unique Multimedia Gallery designed to help prepare children for a changing and diverse world. Simultaneously a theater, technology lab and broadcast-ready environment, the Multimedia Gallery includes a 43 x 11 foot immersive high-definition screen, interactive floor projection, video-conferencing technology and a state-of-the-art camera, lighting and sound system. Programs will include distance learning, live performances, interactive games, short films, youth-hosted forums and opportunities to create meaningful and relevant connections with children, communities and cultures around the world.

Joining exhibit favorites Build It!, Healthyville and Rainforest Adventure is the exciting new exhibit Energy Lab, a futuristic, wet and windy environment that will inspire children to explore and invent while learning about the science of energy and energy sources.

Also new is Tot Town, inspired by the latest research in early childhood development and play and designed to promote literacy for little learners. Nursery rhymes play a large role in Tot Town as they are placed throughout the exhibit. Tot Town will encourage infants and toddlers to investigate the real world in ways that stretch all of their abilities just as nursery rhyme characters use all their skills and senses to investigate and explore their imaginary world.

Rounding out the expansion is a larger and more robust parent and teach resource center, an all new art studio, a science lab, an expanded Café and the Age of Reason museum store.

Stepping Stones will open its doors to the public Saturday, November 20 at 10 am. With the newly renovated museum comes new opening days as Stepping Stones will be open 7 days a week from 10 am-5 pm.

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Annual Christmas Luncheons & Holiday Boutique at Ridgefield’s Keeler Tavern

On of the most popular holiday traditions in Connecticut is the Annual Christmas Luncheons and Holiday Boutique at the historic Keeler Tavern Museum located on Main Street in the heart of Ridgefield Connecticut. This year’s luncheon and boutique are scheduled for Tuesday, December 7th through Saturday, December 11th.

The highlight of this event is the lavish lunch that will be served in the festively decorated Garden House that overlooks the sunken garden. There will be two seatings each day the first at 11:30 AM and the second at 1:00 PM. To make your reservation please call the Museum Office at 203-438-5485 from Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, or download a reservation form by going to the events page on the museum web site http://www. keelertavernmuseum.org.

Prepaid reservations are $23 per person. This event is a major fund raiser that helps support the Keeler Tavern Museum and has become a seasonal pleasure for many.

The Holiday Boutique will be open each day from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM and Sunday, December 12 from 1:00-4:00 PM. A wide variety of seasonal ornaments, gift items and crafts will be on display in the Cass Gilbert Dining Room in the Museum building. Gifts for family, friends and some especially to please you are there to purchase.

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