Connecticut Travel

Escape rooms are the new medium for learning, storytelling, and play. In December 2020, Wigwam Escape located at The Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut won the coveted escape room “2020 Golden Lock Award” by the Room Escape Artist. They were impressed by Wigwam Escape’s unique take on learning through play, with their innovative and interactive puzzles allowing for problem-solving and critical thinking from multiple perspectives.

“We are thrilled that Wigwam Escape has won this award – it is truly an honor. It is really rewarding to have Wigwam Escape recognized not only for its educational value but also for the fact that it is fun,” said Lauren Bennett-Dionne, Manager of Wigwam Escape.

The Wigwam Escape journey begins in the year 1518 – players leave all modern-day devices like watches and cell phones behind, learning to take cues from the world around them. The room itself has hand-painted murals of New England forests, fields, streams, ponds, and gardens that allow players to be immersed in the pre-contact environment of Connecticut’s woodlands. The centerpiece of the room is a to-scale wigwam, crafted using traditional methods from local bark and trees. Players learn that a nearby fishing village has requested help, so they must hunt, forage, and gather supplies for a journey ahead. This unique, hands-on approach connects players to the ways Native peoples lived and the skills they relied on 500 years ago in their daily lives. Some of these lessons are timeless, allowing for an even broader takeaway from the experience of Wigwam Escape.

If you have friends and family members that are puzzle lovers, history buffs, story seekers, and enjoy immersive experiences, this adventure will definitely challenge and delight them! Wigwam Escape is committed to keeping visitors and staff safe by having each escape room be a private experience, with only one group playing at a time and strict sanitation of all touchable game surfaces and waiting areas between groups.

This spring from March 15th – April 25th, Wigwam Escape is offering players a special deal. 20% off your ENTIRE booking with discount code DEERANTLER

If you are looking for a safe and exciting outing that is sure to chase away the winter doldrums, call Wigwam Escape at 860-868-0151 or book online at https://wigwamescape.org/book-now

On Thursday, March 25 @ 5:30 pm tune into the Zoom lecture presented by the Norwalk Historical Society of Witches and Witchcraft in Early New England with guest presenter Dr. Leslie Lindenauer of WestCONN.

Mention Salem Massachusetts and most people will make an immediate connection to the witch trials of 1692 when the courts sentenced 19 people to hang for the crime of witchcraft and tortured a 20th to death. Salem unofficially calls itself “The Witch City.” Less known is that dozens and perhaps hundreds of people were tried for witchcraft in New England beginning over four decades before the events in Salem. At least sixteen people were executed for the crime, most of them women.

This lecture will explore witchcraft and witch-hunting in New England in the seventeenth century, with special attention to the role that gender played in accusations and trials, and in Puritan culture in general. Q & A will follow the lecture. Tickets: $5.00 per household. To register click here. The Zoom link will be included at the bottom of your confirmation email under Additional Details. Zoom link will also be emailed to you 24 hours and 1 hour before the event.

About the Presenter
Leslie Lindenauer is a Professor in the Department of History and Non-Western Cultures at Western Connecticut State University, where she teaches courses in early American history, gender studies, public history, and American Studies. Her book I Could Not Call Her Mother: The Stepmother in American Popular Culture, 1750-1960 was published by Lexington Books in 2014. Before her career in academe, Leslie worked for a couple of decades as an educator and administrator at a number of history museums in the Northeast.

The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the debut of new, nonstop service from Bradley International Airport (BDL) to Miami International Airport (MIA) on JetBlue. “This is great news for both business and leisure travelers who utilize Bradley Airport,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Bradley International Airport is a vital asset for our region, serving as a convenient option for businesses and families, and seeing JetBlue commit to yet another route builds confidence in our residents and our economy. We are proud to see JetBlue expand at Bradley.”

“Connecting customers in the Northeast and South Florida has been a hallmark of JetBlue’s success for more than 20 years and offering our award-winning service and low fares between Hartford and Miami means we can attract new customers and grow in both regions,” said Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning, JetBlue. “We appreciate Governor Lamont’s leadership and focus on safely driving Connecticut’s recovery to benefit residents and visitors to the Nutmeg State.”

“The announcement of new Miami service via JetBlue is a positive development for Bradley Airport as the aviation industry continues on its road to recovery,” said CAA Board Chair Thomas A. “Tony” Sheridan. “We thank JetBlue for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing this progress together so we can keep providing the vital services that the state’s tourism, meetings, and conventions industries rely on.”

“We welcome JetBlue’s expansion at Bradley International Airport and the addition of new, nonstop service to Miami,” said Kevin. A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the CAA. “This new route, which follows JetBlue’s other recent route launches, is a significant vote of confidence in our airport and the market we serve. We appreciate JetBlue’s continued investment in our region and are confident that our strengthened partnership will provide major benefits for our travelers.”

The new, daily service to Miami will commence on June 24, 2021 and will operate year-round as follows:

BDL to MIA: Departs 9:25 a.m. – Arrives 12:30 p.m.

MIA to BDL: Departs 1:15 p.m. – Arrives 4:10 p.m.

JetBlue recently commenced new service from Bradley International Airport to four popular, nonstop destinations. Nonstop service to Cancun launched in November, and nonstop service to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco launched in December.

The new Miami route complements JetBlue’s existing nonstop flights to other Florida destinations. The airline also offers nonstop flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

About Bradley International Airport
BDL Cares about your safety. In response to COVID-19, the airport has implemented new precautions, and was one of first airports in the nation to open an in-terminal COVID-19 testing site. Recently, the airport’s efforts were recognized with a health accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) World. Bradley International Airport is the second-largest airport in New England. The award-winning airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, and its operations are entirely self-funded. The airport contributes nearly $3.6 billion to the regional economy. For more info, visit http://www.flybdl.org.

About The Connecticut Airport Authority
The CAA was established in 2011 to develop, improve, and operate Bradley International Airport and the state’s five general aviation airports (Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham). The CAA Board consists of 11 members with a broad spectrum of experience in aviation-related and other industries, as well as government. The goal of the CAA is to make Connecticut’s airports more attractive to new airlines, bring in new routes, and support Connecticut’s overall economic development and growth strategy.

Lime Rock Park has just announced 2021 dated for the chance to drive on their iconic race track. If you are itching to drive an iconic road course but don’t know where to start, look no further than Lime Rock Park Tapas Days. Participants will be able to drive both the road course and the autocross track.

The program includes two hours on the track, one hour on the autocross track followed by one hour on the road course. All driving will be overseen by a professional instructor. The dates are May 6, June 1 and June 17 from 10 am to 12 noon on all three dates. To register click here.

In addition, the track has announced autocross lapping days that will be held on April 24,from 9 am to 1:30 pm, and May 1 from 9 am to 1 pm and 1:30 pm to 6 pm. Autocross Lapping Days give participants an opportunity to drive their car the way it was meant to be driven, with confidence. Each day is 4 ½ hours in length, run by three professional driving instructors, on our ½ mile, 9-turn, elevation changing autocross track. Utilizing the three different track configurations throughout the day, our Autocross Lapping Days are sure to get your blood pumping. To register click here.

If you are feeling like an interesting and short walk this weekend check out the Upper Bantam Preserve overseen by the Litchfield Land Trust. The Medicine Rock Trail is located in Litchfield on the west side of route 202, 1.6 miles north of the center of Litchfield. The trailhead parking is about 1000 feet south of the Town Farm Road intersection with route 202. This trail is 1.6 miles.

The trail follows a 500-foot access path that includes bog bridging and leads to a kiosk with a trail map. The yellow trail marks an old woods road and heads west to the Bantam River. From the kiosk, the red-blazed, north loop of Medicine Rock trail is located 280 feet on the right. This 0.4-mile trail loop heads north and then west as it descends to the river where it passes the terminus of the yellow trail. The Upper Bantam River Preserve is
an excellent example of a diverse mixed New England forest. The mature forest contains a wide variety of tree species including oak, birch, hickory, hemlock, beech, and maple. The trail along the river passes through an enchanting mature hemlock grove. The 0.8-mile southern loop follows the Bantam River south for less than a half-mile and then ascends the hill and reconnects with the yellow trail.

As you walk there is a lot to see. Look for scattered outcroppings of white quartzite which inspired the trail name. White quartzite was considered
a special gift to native Americans who believed that it held healing powers. White quartzite was also used extensively in forming arrowheads and tools.

After your walk, you might want to pop into The Dutch Epicure on Rte. 202 that is celebrating 50 years this year! They are known regionwide for their European style pastries, breads, cookies and cakes made on the premises, German meats and sausages, Dutch and European cheeses, various fine teas, jams, chocolates from all over Europe, and of course Dutch food and Dutch groceries.

Join the Norwalk Historical Society on Thursday, March 4th @ 5:30 pm and author Bill Whitbeck about his new book on Oystering in Norwalk via Zoom. This illustrated talk will highlight photographs from Mr. Whitbeck’s book as well as rarely-seen images from his personal collection. Join us as we explore a brief history of oystering in and around Norwalk and learn of Mr. Whitbeck’s reminiscences about growing up in East Norwalk and his love of oystering his relationship with the Bloom family and stories about his old photography business that was housed in the Radel oyster building. Learn how his waterfront studio allowed him to photograph every aspect of oyster and clam harvesting in the waters surrounding the Norwalk Islands.

Q & A will follow the lecture. This is a Free event however registration is required. Once registered, the Zoom link will be included at the bottom of your confirmation email under Additional Details. Zoom link will also be emailed to you 24 hours and 1 hour before the event. You can also access the Zoom link in this event’s Online Event Page on Eventbrite. Support the Norwalk Historical Society’s community programming with a suggested donation of $5.00. Donate Today. The Norwalk Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

About Bill Whitbeck’s new book, Oystering in Norwalk, Connecticut
A photographic collection that includes over 100 historical maritime photographs of oystering in Norwalk, Connecticut. Bill Whitbeck took the photos during the time he had his photography business in the old Radel oyster house in South Norwalk. Anyone who is interested in maritime history and nautical photographs will enjoy this book! The book can be purchased locally at Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk, CT: http://www.coppsislandoysters.com/ or online through blurb.com: https://www.blurb.com/b/10472959-oystering-in-norwalk-connecticut

About Bill Whitbeck
‘Oyster Bill’ Whitbeck is a Seattle-based photographer and writer. Originally from Norwalk, Connecticut, he became interested in shellfish farming while operating a photography studio in an old oyster house on Long Island Sound. It was during the 1970s and early 1980s that he photographed every aspect of oystering in Connecticut. After moving to the Seattle area in 1977, he found himself becoming more and more involved with the Northwest shellfish scene, and co-authored “The Joy Of Oysters- A cookbook and guidebook for shucking, slurping, and savoring nature’s most perfect food”, which was published in 2001. In October 2017, Bill retired from Taylor Shellfish Farms as their Seattle area sales manager, where he coordinated the sales and deliveries of fresh shellfish to roughly 200 restaurants. His direct contact with the Seattle area’s best chefs and restaurateurs made for a very enjoyable job! In addition to his involvement with Seattle’s bustling food community, Bill continues living life to the fullest as a photographer, writer, and musician, having performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2006. He is also a seasoned mariner, holding a US Coast Guard 100-ton Captain’s License. Bill received a BS in Photo-Illustration and Journalism from Kent State University in Ohio.

Photo Credit: Bill Whitbeck