How to Make Exploring Norfolk, Connecticut Easy this Spring

Norfolk is an enchanting small community located high in the Litchfield Hills. Although it is a small town, it has an amazing number of things to do and see, sure to delight the whole family. Known for its natural beauty, classic village green, interesting shops, good eateries, and architectural treasures, this community also makes it easy for visitors to find their way around town. The folks that live here have made a series of videos that give visitors a sneak peek into the life in Norfolk that they enjoy and like to share with others. These videos are part of a town-wide event called WIN, Weekend in Norfolk that takes place every winter and summer.

Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 1.50.22 PM

If you are in the mood to explore one of Connecticut’s hidden gems, you might want to watch these short videos to get the lay of the land.  A must-see video before an in-person exploration of Norfolk is the guided tour of the Bartell Chapel’s beautiful stained glass windows, designed by D. Maitland Armstrong and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Three large windows designed by Armstrong and made of opalescent glass fill the west end of the chapel. Tiffany’s five smaller windows face them from the east; they depict the four seasons, with a brilliant sunrise as the center. In addition to highlighting the magnificent stained glass windows, this video provides an overview of all of the attractions that surround Norfolk Green including the First Congregational Church, the White House of the Yale Summer School of Music, the Stanford White Fountain, Norfolk Historical Society, Norfolk Library, the Battell House and the Town Chapel. To view, the Stained Glass Windows and more click here. Another option for history and architectural lovers is the nine-minute tour of Norfolk with historian, William Hosely. For the architectural tour of Norfolk click here. 
Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 1.49.09 PM
Originally founded in 1744 as a farming community, today Norfolk’s farmers proudly carry on the town’s agricultural heritage that can be seen in a fascinating video, “What Farmers Do in the Winter.” Everyone knows that summer is the busiest time for farmers when they are taking care of their crops and produce, making cheese, and tending to their animals. This video gives viewers a sneak peek into life on a New England farm in the winter. To watch the video click here.
Lost ruby farm2
Husky Meadows Farm is situated on three acres and is an organic-certified farm sustainably growing a wide variety of vegetables. In addition to vegetables, they tend to antique fruit trees including a one-hundred-year-old pear tree, planted by John Curtiss. A new venture that is highlighted in this video is the cultivation of log-grown mushrooms including shitake, chestnut, and pearl mushrooms. Coming in the summer of 2021, Husky Meadows Farm will also be offering a Seed and Spoon Culinary Retreat to one Covid pod per weekend. For more information click here.  This is your chance to actually live on a Connecticut farm!
Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 2.26.14 PM
 
Broad Field Farm grows organic tomatoes and fresh vegetables and sells them at local farmers’ markets as well as at their own stand on Winchester Road in season. In this video, enter an empty greenhouse and learn about the work and different techniques used to cultivate organic produce. The surprising amount of winter office work from ordering seeds to planning for crop rotation and getting the greenhouse ready for cultivation is also discussed.
Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 2.56.11 PM
Lost Ruby Farm is a micro goat dairy and creamery specializing in crafting small-scale handmade cheeses. They use only milk from their small herd of pasture-raised goats. This video is heartwarming and shows how lovingly these goats are cared for. It is an interesting glimpse of how the goats live in the winter. If you are a cheese lover and want to try their cheeses, Lost Ruby Farm is open for farm pick-ups Thursday – Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pre-orders 24 hours in advance are required and can be made by clicking here.
Screen Shot 2021-04-01 at 2.14.13 PM

These are just a few highlights of the many videos to choose from when visiting the Weekend in Norfolk website. There is something for everyone online that will appeal to the entire family and make in-person visits easy. For a complete listing of videos click https://weekendinnorfolk.org

JanetLeave a comment

Kent Art Association gallery opens

Get ready to join the Kent Art Association for the Spring Juried Show on April 25. This is followed by a Student Show from May 2 – 15. The final Spring show, Elected Artist and Solo Show takes place May 22 – June 13 and is highly anticipated. A series of summer shows can be viewed on the website. Follow their Facebook Page for updates.

10985107_857732704310221_7184554774297894433_n

About the Kent Art Association 

The Kent Art Association was founded in 1923 by nine well established artists who knew each other when they lived in New York before moving to Kent: Rex Brasher, Elliot Clark, Floyd Clymer, Williard Dryden Paddock, F. Luis Mora, George Laurence Nelson, Spencer Nichols, Robert Nisbet and Frederick Waugh. Six were National Academicians.

At first, the nine held an annual show in which only their work was exhibited. Later, more artists were accepted and others were invited to be associates. By 1935, they had a membership which voted upon and accepted a set of rules as the Association’s By-Laws. In that year they were issued a Certificate of Incorporation by the State of Connecticut, and in 1940 were authorized by the Federal Government to be tax exempt, making it possible for future donations to have a tax free status.

Up until 1956, the KAA held exhibitions wherever space was available in Kent. In that year the Association acquired a two-story colonial house on South Main Street (Route 7), and as time went by, architectural improvements were made to allow the entire interior to be converted into its present spacious well-lighted and air conditioned galleries.

JanetLeave a comment

Call for Exhibitors & Sponsors for the Norwalk Oyster Festival 2021

The Seaport Association is looking for vendors, sponsors, and exhibitors that want to get in on the fun at the 43rd annual Norwalk Oyster Festival being held this year on September 10,11, and 12, 2021 at Veterans Park in Norwalk. The festival has a proven track record making it the perfect place to showcase your business or non-profit organization.

The Norwalk Oyster Festival offers artists and craftspeople, non-profit community groups, museums and institutions, vendors, food concessions, and sponsors the opportunity to be associated with one of the most popular events in New England that attracts tens of thousands of people year after year. “We are seeking local and regional food merchants, clothing, jewelry and merchandising vendors, museums and institutions as well as artists and craftspeople that have interesting and unusual items to sell at our event,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. “We are always open to talented and innovative vendors and exhibitors. The festival is ideal for people in search of an opportunity to earn money and work at a high-energy and popular event that has been successful for 42 years. Our reputation is stellar because our festival provides valuable exposure for all that participate because it is well known and popular with the public.”

Applications for sponsors are now available online. Sponsors get extensive in-person exposure at this event and are aggressively promoted on the Seaport’s social media platforms and in their highly successful public relations and advertising campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business in a highly cost-effective way. For sponsorship opportunities click here. For an arts and crafts application and all the details of how to display your products click here. Applications are being accepted now through August 17, 2021. The Seaport Association will select approximately 125 arts and crafts exhibitors for the festival, so get your applications in today. Applications for nonprofits are available by clicking here.

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is tailor-made for brands and specialty products that want to interact and engage with the public. A booth at the festival allows sales and merchandising participants to enjoy valuable face time with prospects. Click here to get your Marketing and Merchandising application. If you are a food vendor or have a concession and would like to be considered for this year’s festival click here for details.

Slots are expected to fill up quickly for this highly anticipated annual event so it is recommended to get your applications in early.

About the Norwalk Oyster Festival
Started in 1978 by a small group of people to celebrate Norwalk’s maritime heritage, this festival has grown exponentially over the years attracting tens of thousands of people to one of the best events in New England of its kind. Proceeds from the Festival’s support the Seaport’s Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Ferry service for public access and environmental programs. Over the years, the Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival has been recognized by the state of Connecticut, Library of Congress, American Bus Association and the International Festival and Events Association as one of the top events in the country and for the vital role of the volunteers and nonprofit organizations in the production and continuing success of the Oyster Festival.

JanetLeave a comment

Frothy Forage @ Woodcock Nature Center April 24

If you like beer and a walk in the woods, the Woodcock Nature Center in Wilton has dreamed up a one-of-a-kind hike on Saturday, April 24, from 12 pm to 5 pm. The “Frothy Forage” hike and beer tasting experience is fun for the whole family. A good walk, a good beer, and a good soft drink should be savored and enjoyed…and what better way than to do this than at a “forage party!”

Hike to secret locations along the Woodcock trails, they will feature a unique craft brew from our partner Nod Hill Brewery plus soda tasting with Hosmer Mountain Soda!

Nature Center Staff will delight the senses along your trek with everything from animal encounters, to live music and food for purchase from Taproot Restaurants On the Fly food truck. Furry family members will enjoy some sips and goodies along the way, courtesy of Ridgefield Pet!

For your tickets that go on sale April 10, 2021, click here.. The raindate for this event is April 25, 2021.

JanetLeave a comment

The Law of Slavery and Alumni of the Litchfield Law School with Professor Justin Simard

The Litchfield Historical Society is hosting a program via Zoom on Thursday, March 25 at 6 pm about the Law of Slavery and the Alumni of the Litchfield Law School, the first in the United States.

After attending Tapping Reeve’s law school, graduate Eugenius Nisbet traveled home to Georgia, where he used his legal education to uphold the institution of slavery. The work done by alumni of the Litchfield Law School brought them into direct contact with the law of slavery. Join the Litchfield Historical Society for a special virtual lecture, “The Law of Slavery and Alumni of the Litchfield Law School” with Professor Justin Simard on Thursday, March 25th at 6:00pm. In his talk, Simard will explore the legacy of slave law, the involvement of graduates from Tapping Reeve’s Litchfield Law School, and how slave cases continue to be a part of modern judicial decisions.

Justin Simard is an assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Law, where he teaches Professional Responsibility, Legal History, and Commercial Law. He received his bachelor’s degree in History from Rice University, and he completed his J.D. and Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. Justin’s research focuses on the relationship between lawyers and economic development. His recent work analyzes how the commercial role of lawyers brought them into direct contact with the law of slavery and how this encounter supported slavery and shaped the development of the profession and the law.

To register, email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

JanetLeave a comment

Palace Theater Presents Mary Lou Piland April 20

Not many people can tell their story to such acclaim that they get invited to be a presenter for the MOTH, have a play written about it, and now have a movie deal in the works! And that is just how the beginning of Mary Lou Piland’s 2ND ACT story begins! On April 20 at 3:00pm, come meet the effervescent author of For the Love of Spumoni (with12 a million FB Fans & counting!) and hear her tell her own story firsthand with a brand new (and surprising) epilogue!

Tickets are $20 and available for either in-person or virtual streaming of the event and may be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St, Waterbury. Hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm and Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to noon. Box Office doors remain locked. Please ring the doorbell for entry. Masks are required. To ensure the safety of all during the presentation all COVID -19 safety guidelines will be adhered to.

ABOUT 2NDACT
2ND ACT is a storytelling series featuring ordinary people sharing the extraordinary things they are doing in the 2ND (half) ACT of their lives! Inspirational, experiential, and comical, these after-50 life stories will ignite your own imagination to join the growing community of 2ND ACTers!

About the Palace Theater
The Palace’s primary purpose is to revitalize the Greater Waterbury community through the presentation of the performing arts and educational initiatives in collaboration with area cultural and educational institutions. Its mission is to preserve and operate the historic Palace Theater as a performing arts center and community gathering place that provides a focal point of cultural activity and educational outreach for diverse audiences.

JanetLeave a comment