Tag: Litchifeld Hills CT

Falls Village Holiday House Tour

The Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society is hosting the 3rd Annual Holiday Historic House Tour on Saturday, December 7 in Falls Village (snow date Sunday, December 8). Tickets can be purchased to benefit the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society at the advance price of $25 or $30 on the day of the tour. Children ages 8 to 16 are free.

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The tour will begin with a brief welcome and introduction to the five houses on the tour at P.D. Walsh’s Country Store (107 Main Street) at 10:30 a.m. and at 11:00 a.m. ticket holders may begin their self-guided tour. Four of the five locations on the tour will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Houses on the tour are not wheelchair accessible and strollers are not permitted in the houses.

There will be a Musical Review by the Children’s Theater at 2 pm (tickets for that event are $12) at the Center on Main located on 103 Main Street in a former Methodist Church. The Center will be open from 11am to 1pm on the day of the tour.

A superbly maintained single story Cape Cod style house known as “Twin Chimneys,” that was probably built by Charles Belden, Jr. in 1778 is a stop on the tour.

Another stop is the Samuel Robbins House built in 1790 that was once the main house at Robbins Farm that originally comprised more than 1000 acres. Ten direct descendants of the original Samuel Robbins have lived here including one Samuel Robbins that helped form the Robbins Burrall Trust Company that later merged to become the Salisbury Bank and Trust.

On Point of Rocks Road, leading out of the village center, is an 1840 barn at the home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli. Repurposed with Mr. Roselli’s keen eye, it has become a relaxing space for entertaining while keeping a rural rustic feeling. An ongoing shopping quest for accessories that fit that goal goes on to this day.

On the day of the tour the Toymaker’s Cafe (7 AM-4 PM) and The Falls Village Inn will be serving guests and tour goers. The Falls Village Inn will be donating $5 to the Historical Society per meal for tour guests (Brunch 11 AM-3 PM, Dinner 5-10 PM). Be sure to show your tour ticket at either venue. There will also be a bake sale benefitting the Historical Society at P.D. Walsh’s Country Store.

Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 day of tour. Children 8 to 16 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations: P.D. Walsh’s Country Store, Toymaker’s Cafe, The Falls Village Inn, Jacob’s Garage, D.M. Hunt Library, Falls Village Town Hall and at the Douglas Library and Stadium Systems in North Canaan or by calling the Historical Society at 860-824-8226. Cash or checks only.

Proceeds from the tour will help the Society renovate the museum at the Falls Village Railroad Depot.

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Sharon Audubon Enchanted Forest and Kids’ Day in Litchfield Hills

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Family fun is in the works at the Sharon Audubon Center the last two weekends in October. Both events are “non scary” and geared toward families with children pre-K through 2nd grade.

The Audubon’s popular Enchanted Forest will be held on Saturday, October 19. Guided groups will meet friendly costumed animal characters along a candlelit trail and hear how the animals live their lives on the Audubon grounds. After the tour, which lasts approximately 45 minutes, participants can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate inside the Center building before taking a hayride back to the parking area. This non-scary program is ideal for children up to 8 years old and their families. Tours begin every 10-15 minutes between the hours of 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.. Participants should bring an extra flashlight. Admission is $4 per person. Children under 2 are free.

enchanted forest

Audubon Kids’ Day is taking place on Sunday, October 27 from 12-3 p.m. This is a fun, autumn afternoon for young children and their families that features carnival-type games, kids’ crafts, a hay bale maze, hay wagon shuttles, and food to name a few of the fun activities. Children are encouraged to come in costume and join in the costume parade that will be lead by a real life marching band around the Center grounds at 2:30. The event is held rain or shine. Admission is $7.00 per carload.

The Sharon Audubon Center is located on Route 4 in Sharon, for more information, contact the Audubon Center at (860) 364-0520 or visit http://sharon.audubon.org.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

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Waterbury Symphony Orchestra Opens 76th Season with: Force of Nature

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A new season, a new brand! The Waterbury Symphony is launching it’s 76th season with a new brand to exemplify the creative and imaginative concert performances that they offer.

The season opening concert, “Force of Nature” set for Saturday, September 28 at 8 pm, at the NVCC Fine Arts Center will feature programming from two American composers; Alan Hovahness and John Williams, sandwiched between works from two European composers, Bedřich Smetana and Ottorino Respighi.

The spotlight will be on the harp when the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra presents “On Willows and Birches.” The soloist will be Ann Hobson Pilot who was a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 40 years, 28 as principal. In addition to the Williams piece, three other composers are on the evening’s program. Smetana’s “The Moldau,” Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” and Hohaness’ “Mysterious Mountain”. Each piece conjures natural beauty and the wonders of nature.

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In addition to the concert, patrons are invited to a Champagne Reception in honor of Ruth Ann Leever, philanthropist and longtime supporter of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, in the Playbox Theater at the NVCC Fine Arts Center, from 6:30p.m. -7:45 p.m. on the evening of the concert. Reception tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased in conjunction with a Premium concert ticket for $75.

Tickets for the Force of Nature concert are $20, $30, and $50. Student tickets are $5, (rush only), please remember to bring your student ID. For tickets or more information, please call: 203-574-4283 or www.waterburysymphony.org.

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2013 Taste of Greater Danbury

The Taste of Greater Danbury is one of the area’s most anticipated family fun annual events that offers a world map of cuisines and music.

NEW ZEALAND 2011

The Taste provides an affordable family outing that provides for every taste and is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 from noon to 10:00pm and Sunday, September 15 from noon to 7:00pm on the CityCenter Danbury Green.

THE FOOD:
A diversity of state, regional, and international cuisines awaits: Italian. Indian, Middle Eastern, Jamaican, Thai, BBQ, South American, and of course, American. Top your tastings off with Ice Cream, Italian Ice, and Dessert. Newcomers include Green Brook Sugar House, Mimi’s Meatballs, The Pretzel Princess, Olive Oil Factory, and Tom Reid Rippin’ Hot Sauce.

THE MUSIC:
On the Bandshell Main Stage

Saturday, September 14

12:00pm – 1:00pm Opening Ceremony -Welcome-Bantam Band

1:00pm – 1:45pm Marc Huberman & Deborah Gillespie

2:00pm – 4:00pm Back to the Garden 1969

4:15pm – 5:15pm Easy Street wth Ethan James

5:30pm – 7:00pm Pete Herger

8:00pm – 10:00pm Edwin McCain

Long time touring friends with Hootie and the Blowfish, Edwin McCain has been recording music since 1991, winning fans with such signature songs as “I’ll Be” and “3 a.m.” His latest – and tenth album, “Mercy Bound,” is a first full-album collaboration with Maia Sharp. This pop-rock troubadour has morphed, over two decades, into a road warrior playing throughout North America most of each year. (McCain will also appear on the Bandshell Main Stage on Sunday, September 15 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.)

Sunday, September 15

12:30pm – 1:30pm The Traveling Danburys

2:00pm – 3:30pm Edwin McCain

5:00pm – 7:00pm Philly LoPresti the Clark Eno Big Band

THE COOKING DEMOS:

On the Fairfield County Bank Ives Street Stage

Saturday, September 14

2:00pm – 5:00pm -An afternoon block party with guest chef and food bloggers cooking up awesome demos, fantastic “penny” beer tastings by Saranac brewery, and “food challenges.” Pro Player Insiders will be on hand with great giveaways, a fun “touchdown dance competition” and surprise current and former pro athletes. Williams Sonoma of Danbury will also be on hand helping out. Your host, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and featured on Food Network, ABC’s “The Taste,” and Jamie Oliver’s “Food Tube” is Chef Plum from Plum Luv Foods, who will be joined by Sarah Caron, Alicia Ghio, Chef Jeanette Chen, and Melissa Mahler. Presented by Fairfield County Bank, Plum Luv Foods and Pro Player Insiders.

THE KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

Balloon Bouncers, Sand Art, and the return of Curious Creatures with their host of alligators, turtles, rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, and geckos are sure to occupy the kids while Mom and Dad share Thai spring rolls, shish kabobs, cannoli, or fajita wraps.

Parking
Parking is readily available at the Patriot Garage (behind the Bandshell), the Bardo Garage (off Main Street on Library Place), and throughout CityCenter. For more information, call CityCenter Danbury at (203) 792 1711.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment

FAMILY FUN IS GUARANTEED, RAIN OR SHINE IN LITCHFIELD HILLS AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY

When the beach outing or the picnic is rained out, what to do with restless kids on a wet summer weekend? Plenty of possibilities await in Western Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County, where special indoor exhibits from bats to dinosaurs to a working carousel are guaranteed to bring smiles. Families can join a workshop learning how to make their own clocks or even have a “stay-cation” at a resort with an indoor water park.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY FUN
Fairfield County’s perennial family favorite museums are offering special don’t-miss exhibitions this summer.

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In Norwalk, the Maritime Aquarium is featuring Africa: From the Desert to the Sea, starring amazing creatures from exotic fish to adorable meerkats, geckos and awesome giant boas. Playful meerkats are a favorite, and special windows allow following them into their underground burrows. A viewing bubble even lets young visitors stand up right among the meerkats. www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Not far away in Norwalk at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Dinosaur Revolution, a special exhibit through September 8, lets youngsters uncover fossils and facts about dinosaurs as they navigate a giant maze. www.steppingstonesmuseum.org

Big Chicken by Clementine Hunter Minnesota Children’s Museum
Big Chicken by Clementine Hunter Minnesota Children’s Museum

The Stamford Museum and Nature Center has a new exhibit through September 2 called Masters of the Night, starring bats, those mysterious and often misunderstood mammals. Visitors can try out a variety of fun and informative interactive stations featuring life-like models, such as “Bat Ears,” “Feast in Flight,” and the “Echo – Echo Unit.” www.stamfordmuseum.org.

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In Greenwich, Eggs-hibition: Unscrambling Their History at the Bruce Museum through October 20 promises to enthrall all with its array of bird eggs, edible eggs, and eggs both ugly and beautiful. www.brucemuseum.org.

LITCHFIELD HILLS TREATS

A ride on an old-fashioned merry-go-round is a treat for all ages, and it is included in the price of admission at the Carousel Museum in Bristol. This unique museum offers one of largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country in its “Golden Age of the Carousel” exhibit. Visitors also see the workshop where antique carousel creations are restored. Upstairs, a Museum of Fire history awaits and the museum includes a changing art gallery and a children’s craft center, as well. www.thecarouselmuseum.org.

New England Carousel Museum
New England Carousel Museum

Waterbury’s Timexpo: The Timex Museum is a fascinating place for older kids with its Time Tunnel and a colorful history of watch making. Fun for all is the museum’s Make A Clock workshops offered every Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshop participants choose among many designs, decorate and assemble their own working clock. http://timexpo.com.

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Waterbury also offers a unique splurge solution for a rainy weekend. It is always 84 degrees and sunny at the Coco Key Water Resort and Conference Center, where a 50,000 square foot indoor water playground offers an Adventure River, water slides, raft rides, activity pools with water basketball and the Parrot’s Perch Interactive Play Island with a special shallow Kiddie Entry Area. If you don’t want to stay the night, day passes are available. www.cocokeywaterbury.com.

For more information about family activities and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color,
152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine in
Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968,
Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.litchfieldhills.com and www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

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Kent Historical Society presents art of George Laurence Nelson

Portrait of the Hirschberg/Nelson family by George Laurence Nelson
Portrait of the Hirschberg/Nelson family by George Laurence Nelson

The Seven Hearths, the Kent Historical Society Museum, will re-open this summer after being closed for two years with a series of new art exhibits focusing on the life and work of George Laurence Nelson. The Seven Hearths Museum is located on Rte. 7 north of Kent center on the corner of Studio Hill Road in Kent in the historic Flanders area that was once the original center of Kent.

George Laurence Nelson, trained at the Art Students League and the National Academy, and began teaching at the Art Students League in his early 20s. Nelson was among the founders of the Litchfield Hills Art Colony, and later one of the nine founders of the Kent Art Association.

The Litchfield Hills Art Colony played a meaningful role on a national scale in twentieth century American art. George Laurence Nelson’s studio in Seven Hearths is the only remnant of the colony that is open to the public today.

Set within Nelson’s beloved pre-Revolutionary Seven Hearths, which he donated to the Historical Society located on Rte. 7 in Kent Connecticut in the heart of the Litchfield Hills, the Historical Society is presenting three changing exhibits of Nelson’s work in August, September and October.

Nelson portrait of Arturo Toscanini Credit: Kent Historical Society
Nelson portrait of Arturo Toscanini Credit: Kent Historical Society

The August exhibit beginning on the 3rd and running through the 25th will feature large and interesting selection of Nelson portraits. He made his money by doing portraits, and the subjects range from well-known celebrities such as Arturo Toscanini, to NYC society dames, to familiar local faces such as Frank Goodsell as a child.

In September from the 1st to the 29th Nelson’s floral paintings will be on display. While he made money-painting portraits, his heart was devoted to stunning renditions of the lovely flowers that he and his wife Helen grew in their gardens at Seven Hearths. Some are exquisitely colored oil paintings and some are perfectly detailed pencil drawings. Some even are featured on the cover of matchboxes!

Floral painting by Nelson, Kent Historical Society
Floral painting by Nelson, Kent Historical Society

A show that will fill the Seven Hearths Museum with works by Nelson that are borrowed from private collections will be the final exhibit of the season and will take place from October 5 – 27.

The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the month.

Call the Historical Society office, 860-927-4587 or visit the web site for more information www.kenthistoricalsociety.org.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

JanetLeave a comment