Tag: Litchfield Hills CT

Ride a Vintage Train to Visit the Easter Bunny !

The Danbury Railway Museum is planning to greet the Easter Bunny once again this spring. The Easter Bunny will make his home in a authentically restored train car where he will greet young and old alike on special weekends this April!

To reach the Easter Bunny you will first enter the historic Danbury Railroad Station where you will board a vintage train that will take you on a fun filled ride through the historic railyard to the Easter Bunny. The short train ride in a fully-restored 1953 New Haven RR Rail Diesel Car (Budd RDC), will take visitors past the fully operational turntable, over 70 vintage railroad cars and locomotives, and many unique pieces of railroad history, including a Boston & Maine steam locomotive built in 1907. Of special note is the museum’s beautifully restored circa-1910 Railway Post Office (RPO) car that will also be open.

The train ride will stop at the Easter Bunny’s special railroad car. Each child will receive a small gift from the Bunny making this a great time for memorable photos that will be cherished though out the years.

An extra treat for those visiting the Easter Bunny are the exhibits inside the restored 1903 Danbury Station that include a coloring station, temporary tattoos, Thomas® play table, and operating model train layouts. A fully-stocked gift shop will also be open.

This popular annual family event will take place on Sunday, March 25; Saturday & Sunday, March 31 & April 1; and Friday & Saturday, April 6 & 7. Museum hours are 10:00-4:30 on Friday and Saturday; noon-4:30 on Sunday. Reservations are suggested and may be made by visiting the museum’s Web site at www.danburyrail.org.

The Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit organization, staffed solely by volunteers, and is dedicated to the preservation of, and education about, railroad history. The museum is located in the restored 1903 Danbury Station and rail yard at 120 White Street, Danbury, CT. For further information, visit the Web site at www.danburyrail.org, email info@danburyrail.org, or call the museum at 203-778-8337.

JanetLeave a comment

How Sweet It Is – March 3 & 4 at Stamford Museum and Nature Center

Sugaring Off at Stamford Museum and Nature Center

This family favorite returns to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with plenty to do for the whole family on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday March 4th from 11 am – 3 pm. This year marks the 12th anniversary First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

This event offers a multitude of activities sure to please everyone in the family! Visit the little red sugar house on Heckscher Farm and see firsthand how sap is turned into sweet maple syrup. See how trees are tapped and sap is collected, make a maple-themed craft, enjoy the popular pancake brunch, go on a scavenger hunt, get your face painted and more. A special treat is to watch local chefs create delicious dishes using maple syrup in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off!

Sweet Delight!

On Saturday, watch four local chefs create delicious dishes using SM&NC maple syrup and vote for your favorite in a winner-takes-all maple cook-off. Competing Chefs include David Cingari from David’s Soundview Catering, Susan Kane from Susan Kane Catering, Jonathan Mathias, owner of A Dash of Salt and the Glekas owners of Eos Greek Cuisine.

On Sunday, enjoy the popular pancake brunch. Don’t forget to purchase a pint of your very own fresh maple syrup, made from our very own trees at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.

Daily Admission Fees: Members: $5; Non-Members: $10; Family Plus Members and above levels and all children 3 & under: FREE; Pancake Brunch (SUNDAY only, 11am – 2pm) Additional $5 fee. For more information, call 203.977.6521, or visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.

Lamothe's Sugar House

Additionally, people can help support the Maple Sugar Education Program at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with their Sponsor-A-Bucket program! Your support will be acknowledged with a personalized name tag that will hang on your personal sap bucket throughout the season…with a “sweet” end result! At the end of the season each Sponsor will receive a pint of SM&NC’s very own pure Connecticut Maple Syrup. Each sponsorship opportunity is $100. To sponsor a bucket, call Kristen at 203.977.6548 or order online at www.stamfordmuseum.org.

If you miss this event, take a trip to Lamothe’s Sugar House, the state’s largest sugar house in Burlington Connecticut. On weekends, through March, Lamothe’s offers free tours on their farm from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Visitors will learn how maple syrup was discovered and how it developed over time and is made today. Delicious samples of maple syrup, complimentary coffee and hot cider is served.

Lamothe’s Sugar House is located on 89 Stone Road, Burlington, CT (860-675-5043). For more information visit their website at www.lamothesugarhouse.com.

JanetLeave a comment

They’re Back! The Watch Is On As Eagles Return To The Litchfield Hills!

Eagle Viewing at Shepaug

Some snowbirds head to Florida in the winter, but the majestic American bald eagle doesn’t have to travel so far for a choice retreat. Every year Bald Eagles fly down from more frigid climes in search of the annual fish buffet provided by the running waters of the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury, a town in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. They favor this spot because the turbulence of the dam water pushes the fish to the surface where eagles can swoop down and feast on their favorite dish.

The best place to watch the swoops and glides of these graceful winter guests.
is the Eagle Observation Area near the Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station,
where an organized eagle watch takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid-March. Wednesdays are popular with school groups.

In spite of the record snowfalls in 2011, 3,500 visitors came to the Shepaug Dam. On an average day, they saw seven eagles, but lucky viewers on the best days last year spotted as many as 21 eagles. The low count day saw only one lone eagle. Chances are best on cold clear days when the surfaces of most other rivers and ponds have frozen. Over 133,00 people have visited the observation area since it was opened to the public in 1986.

The shelter, maintained by FirstLight Power Resources, is located 1000 feet from the river, affording safety for the eagles while providing an excellent vantage point. High powered telescopes are set up on tripods for visitors and volunteers from Connecticut Audubon are on hand to assist in spotting ad answer questions about the birds. The volunteers have set up an informative web site with facts and figures about these fascinating birds.

Admission to the viewing area is free, but advance reservations are required to insure that the observation site is not overcrowded. They can made by calling (800) 368-8954 Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The volunteer web site, http://www.shepaugeagles.info, has many tips for visitors. Among them is the advice to dress warmly in layers and to allow plenty of time to wait for the eagle action to begin.

For more information on the eagles and other winter activities and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit the web site at http://www.litchfieldhills.com.

Photos: Frank Procaccini

JanetLeave a comment

Winter Carnival Hi-Jinks in Salisbury CT Jan. 28 and 29

Salisbury CT Ski Fest!

A new Winter Carnival Weekend January 28th and 29th will be a festive prelude to the annual Jumpfest Ski Jumping Championships in Salisbury, the town in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills that has been a mecca for ski jumping for nearly a century.

The Carnival Weekend highlight will be a wacky Gelande Jumping Exhibition, from 5 pm – 7 pm on Jan. 28th and from 11 am – 2 pm on Sun., Jan. 29. This event, also known as “Alpine Skiing” is where skiers burdened with downhill equipment try to emulate the ski jumpers who will soon be showing for real what it takes to excel at this challenging sport.

Another new event debuting during Winter Carnival will be the Human Dogsled Race that will feature five people pulling a sixth on a sled over a .5 k course. The race will be held around 2 pm on Sunday after the Gelande Jumping event ends. In addition, activities for youngsters such as ice carving and the Children’s Ski Jumping Meet from 1pm – 3 pm have been planned.

Admission to all events is $10 for adults, children 12 years old and under free. For happy viewing, the Association recommends that spectators dress warmly in lots of layers. Satre Hill is on Indian Cave Road, off Route 44 in Salisbury. Signs in the center of Salisbury point the way to ample free parking. For up to the minute information, please visit: http://www.jumpfest.org. For dining and lodging information visit www.litchfieldhills.com.

About SWSA
A Salisbury Connecticut tradition for 80 years, this all-volunteer organization has fostered the exhilarating sport of ski jumping among all ages and generations. SWSA continues to improve its snowmaking capabilities, ensuring that the Eastern National Ski Jumping Championships will remain an annual event in Salisbury, CT.

JanetLeave a comment

TAKE A GINGERBREAD BREAK IN LITCHFIELD HILLS AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONNECTICUT

Lots of places feature colorful gingerbread houses for the holidays, but Kent, Connecticut goes a step further.
The whole town will take part in the second annual Kent Gingerbread Festival from November 25 to December 30. Everyone is invited to follow the Gingerbread Walk through town to view imaginative and ingenious gingerbread delights in over 50 shop windows. Visitors can enjoy the displays as they stroll, then vote for their favorite creations at the Gingerbread Station, 1 Kent Green Boulevard. The station will have its own displays of entries from the local gingerbread baking contest and will also offer baking and craft classes Phone (860) 927-1463 for schedules. Besides gingerbread displays, Kent will have special events every weekend, from pancakes with Santa to caroler and a Messiah sing-along.

MORE SWEET TREATS

Kent has the biggest show, but Connecticut’s Litchfield and Fairfield Counties offer several other impressive gingerbread displays guaranteed to delight, as well as the chance to take home some of the prize creations or make your own gingerbread confection.


More than 60 buildings, with horse and sleigh teams, ponds, boats, and sledders, all dressed up in Christmas splendor will be featured at the 44th annual Gingerbread Village, a lavish display from December 3 to 10 at St. George’s Church on Tucker Hill Road in Middlebury. Everything is for sale, available to take home when the display ends. Admission is Free. Hours are Saturday, December 3rd 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, Sunday, December 4th, Noon to 8 p.m., Monday, December 5th to Friday, December 9th 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 10th, 10a.m.to 4 p.m. Call (203) 758-9557 for information.

The third annual Visions of Gingerbread: The Sweetest Architects at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center November 12 through December 18 shows off imaginative confections made by some of the area’s best pastry chefs, restaurants, and caterers. DiMare’s Pastry Shop of Stamford, SoNo Baking Company of South Norwalk and Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes of Greenwich are among those who are vying for first prize from a panel of special judges. These are far from ordinary houses; one of the past displays was a perfect miniature of the Duomo Cathedral in Florence, Italy. Visitors are invited to vote for the “Fan Favorite” of the year. Learn more at www.stamfordmuseum.org.


MAKE YOUR OWN

Those who are inspired to make their own gingerbread houses should contact the Silo Cooking School in New Milford. Each year The Silo offers classes for parents and children (ages 5 and up). There are classes also for adults, who enjoy appetizers and mulled wine as they assemble their architectural masterpieces.

Classes are held several times on November 25-27, December 2-4 and December 9-10. The cost is $85 for each adult team or each parent-child team, up to 3 people. The classes sell out every year but would-be bakers can check for openings or waiting lists at (860) 355-0300. The Silo is part of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust so they are found on-line at www.hunthillfarmtrust.org

For more information about gingerbread adventures, 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, www.visitwesternct.com. They offer a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to the attractions in the Litchfield Hills and a free color Fairfield County Getaway Guide.

JanetLeave a comment

Woobury Connecticut Holiday House Tour Dec. 10

Saturday, December 10, 2011 marks the day for a holiday favorite, the 17th Annual Holiday House Tour, which will feature a 19th century Rectory as a Designer Showcase House as well as four other fine Woodbury homes. In keeping with the holiday spirit, the tour will include the Leroy Anderson House, where the American musical classic “Sleigh Ride” was composed. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance / $25 if purchased on the tour day.

Tickets may be purchased by sending a request for tickets to The Woman’s Club of Woodbury, PO Box 1014, Woodbury, CT 06798. Requests should include a check, payable to WCW, to pay for tickets ordered and a Stamped, self addressed #10 envelope. Tickets will be available on the day of the tour at the Woodbury Senior Center. For more information call 203– 263– 3810.

Designer Showcase

New this year, the the Designer Showcase House will be decorated by area designers and artisans reflecting “Christmas in Connecticut”. A special Preview Party is planned on Friday evening December 9th, the day before the tour. Preview party ticket-holders will stroll through the beautifully decorated rooms of this 19th century Greek revival rectory, meeting the designers and enjoying wine, hors d’oeuvres, and Christmas music. Raffle tickets will be available for prizes which include: A Wine Basket from Walker Roads Vineyards, A Catered High Tea from Kate Valentine, A Gift Certificate for a stay at Cornucopia at Oldfield B&B, Southbury, A Catered Brunch in your own home by Duncan Stephens, and An Organizing/Clutter Clearing Session from Top Results Coach Maureen Moreau. Special tickets for the Dec 10th tour that also include the Dec 9th preview party are $50.

Houses to Tour

In addition to touring the Designer Showcase located in an 1830’s Greek Revival styled house, built as a rectory, for St. Pauls’s Church, located across the street, the following four private homes are open and offer a wonderland of decorative ideas for the season.

Cape Cod Revival – Every room of this quaint, rambling saltbox decked out for the holidays is a visual feast. The house showcases framed artworks, interesting decorative touches, and in particular the striking crewel-work pieces. The living room has a large multi-paned window that looks out over the pleasant grounds. A classic dining room features a Duncan Phyfe style table, crewel-work cornices, an antique corner cupboard, and, overhead, beams from an antique barn.

Whipstick Farm Colonial – Set beside a lovely pond, this 1992 home looks like it was built 200 years ago. Inside, handsome old antiques and carefully chosen reproduction furniture continue the illusion. The home, on property called Whipstick Farm, is filled with colorful artwork, books and decorative pieces.

Home of “Sleigh Ride” Composer- One of the most interesting homes on the tour was once the home of the world-renowned composer Leroy Anderson. The house, built in 1953 is set on a picturesque sweep of lawn and woods and features modernist furniture, burnished colors, and wonderful mementos of the composer. It centers on a living room where a grand piano takes center stage in front of a great wall of windows looking out on the inviting landscape. Anderson, who wrote Sleigh Ride, Syncopated Clock, Blue Tango, and many, many other celebrated orchestral pieces, has been the pride of Woodbury for many years.

Stately Tudor – This grand Tudor-style home features gorgeous rooms filled with handsome antique and reproduction furniture—many pieces with a Scandinavian feel. Decorated for the Holidays, the glowing dining room features a restored barn-board table, comfortable Windsor chairs, and a cupboard displaying a wonderful collection of china and decorative objects. An inviting tea service on a tray is set out in the bright library, which is crammed with books, cozy seating, and family mementos. Upstairs, the serene, gently colorful bedrooms feature beautiful bed linens and quilts. The gorgeous kitchen looks out on a garden patio and a lovely “English Summerhouse,” for reading and lounging on warm days.

JanetLeave a comment