Tag: things to do in CT

Norwalk Seaport Association to Christen Captain M.C. Schlegel Vessel To Honor of Maritime Leader, June 22

The Norwalk Seaport Association will host a special maritime christening ceremony on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, celebrating the legacy of longtime member Mark Schlegel with the official naming of the Captain M.C. Schlegel vessel. The ceremony will take place at the Seaport dock at 90 Water Street in Norwalk.

“This event honors Mark Schlegel’s enduring contributions to the organization and to Norwalk’s maritime heritage,” said Rick McQuaid, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association.“ As passionate preservationist, Schlegel played a pivotal role in the restoration of the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse, helping transform it into the vibrant cultural and educational destination it is today.”

Beyond preservation, Schlegel’s impact extended directly onto the water. He oversaw the design and construction of the Seaport’s ferry vessel, ensuring generations of visitors could experience unforgettable journeys to Sheffield Island.

As fleet manager, he trained captains and lighthouse staff with patience, kindness, and a deep commitment to excellence, setting a lasting standard for the organization.

Schlegel was also widely known for his deep knowledge of Sheffield Island Lighthouse history, captivating passengers with stories that brought the past vividly to life.

The christening ceremony will be officiated by Pastor Artie and is expected to bring together community members, supporters, and maritime enthusiasts to celebrate Schlegel’s legacy and the future of the Seaport’s fleet.

The Norwalk Seaport Association, a nonprofit dedicated to providing cultural, environmental, and historical experiences on the Long Island Sound, continues to connect the community to its rich maritime heritage through lighthouse tours, cruises, and educational programming.

For more information about the Norwalk Seaport Association and upcoming events, visit event tickets and information at seaport.org

About the Seaport Association
The Seaport Association in Norwalk was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

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Docktails & Oysters A Seaside Celebration of Flavor & Tradition Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association June 20, 2026

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026, and prepare for an unforgettable evening on the water. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Norwalk Seaport Association, in partnership with fourth-generation oyster farmers Norm Bloom and Son, invites you to its signature summer celebration — Docktails and Oysters. Set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of the historic Norm Bloom and Son dock in Norwalk, this one-of-a-kind event blends fresh-from-the-Sound oysters, live music, local flavors, and maritime tradition into a celebration like no other.

Beyond the food and festivities, Docktails & Oysters supports a meaningful cause. Every ticket purchased benefits the Norwalk Seaport Association’s educational programming and the ongoing restoration and maintenance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse. “For guests who have sailed to the lighthouse aboard one of the Association’s popular cruises, this Sheffield Island–inspired gathering offers another way to connect with the organization’s mission in a relaxed and festive setting,” said Rick McQuaid, President of the Seaport Association.

This event is also a celebration of Norwalk’s deep-rooted oyster-farming heritage. The renowned Copps Island Oysters cultivated by Norm Bloom and Son are nurtured under the dock, and then planted in the sandy bottom of Long Island Sound. The time-honored farming techniques used today have been practiced for centuries. The result? Oysters prized worldwide for their sweet, briny flavor and plump, tender meat.

If you’ve never tasted oysters literally fresh off the boat, this is your moment. Watch skilled shuckers expertly open each oyster before your eyes — setting them on trays with fresh lemons and a variety of delicious sauces. It’s culinary theater at its finest! Not an oyster lover? No problem. The evening will also feature a delicious spread of stationed appetizers catered by Seaside Sliders, along with craft beer and wine to complement the coastal cuisine.

With Long Island Sound as your backdrop and live music filling the early summer air, Docktails & Oysters blends fun, flavor, and philanthropy. It’s a chance to reconnect with friends, meet new faces, and celebrate the working waterfront that defines Norwalk’s character. Attendance is limited to just 200 guests, and the event sells out each year. Tickets are available online at https://www.seaport.org/docktailsandoysters2026.

For those looking to toast summer while supporting a cherished Connecticut landmark, Docktails & Oysters promises an evening that is as meaningful as it is memorable.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment, and our maritime heritage.

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Great Mountain Forest Opens Sugarhouse for Maple Sugaring Day March 22, 2026

On Sunday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Mountain Forest invites the community to experience the art and science of maple sugaring at its sugarhouse on 201 Windrow Road. Visitors can meet GMF foresters, learn how sap becomes syrup, and take home a bottle of the forest’s acclaimed “forest-to-table” maple syrup.

For more than 80 years, Great Mountain Forest has combined maple sugaring with research and sustainable forestry. Its sugarbushes not only produce high-quality syrup but also support wildlife habitat for migratory birds. As Connecticut’s first bird-friendly maple syrup producer, GMF exemplifies how healthy forests can benefit both syrup enthusiasts and native wildlife.

Maintaining healthy sugarbush forests is more important now than ever as warming temperatures and shifting weather patterns challenge maple trees and the species that depend on them. This year, GMF is at the forefront of a new research initiative studying how sugarbush stands support early-season pollinators—an essential part of the regional ecosystem.

A unique feature of GMF’s sugaring program is its Sap House diary, a record kept for over 80 years that tracks sap production, syrup yields, weather patterns, migratory bird arrivals, and tree budding cycles. Executive Director Mike Zarfos calls it “an insightful window into the forest’s past and an invaluable resource for studying our changing climate, forest health, and syrup production.” It offers crucial, long-term data on climate change impacts, forest health, and the intricate relationship between trees and wildlife.

Location: Great Mountain Forest Sugarhouse, 201 Windrow Road, Norfolk, CT
Time: Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

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Great Mountain Forest Hosts Workshop @ The Annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference, March 21

The Annual Connecticut Land Conservation Conference is set to take place on March 21, 2026, at Wesleyan University, located in the Frank Center for Public Affairs. This gathering is the state’s premier one-day event for those involved in land conservation. It welcomes land trust professionals, community stewards, agency leaders, volunteers, and advocates to discuss key conservation issues.

This year’s conference agenda is packed with workshops and panels focusing on vital themes such as effective conservation, stewardship, climate resilience, community inclusion, and leadership. One of the standout sessions hosted by Great Mountain Forest is titled “Building Bridges Between Land Trusts and Researchers: Lessons from the Field.” The workshop will feature notable conservation leaders such as: Michael Zarfos, Ph.D., Executive Director, Great Mountain Forest, Kate Regan-Loomis, Forester, Great Mountain Forest, Dr. Danica Doroski, State Urban Forester, James Fischer, Research Director at White Memorial Conservation Center, Bill Gridley, Chief Steward, Aton Forest, Vince LaFontan, Executive Director, Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, and Dr. Elizabeth Ward, Agricultural Scientists, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.

This roundtable will explore the integration of research and conservation efforts, emphasizing the unique role land trusts can play in supporting research that improves conservation decision making and our essential understanding of nature. Participants will gain insights into initiating research collaborations, overcoming challenges, and using research to inform stewardship and outreach efforts. This session is designed to inspire connections, share achievements and challenges, and motivate participants in their conservation endeavors.

In the Forest, photo: Bill Gridley

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,200 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

For additional details and registration information, please visit the conference’s web page Connecticut Land Conservation Conference page.

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Bringing Women’s History Out of the Shadows

When we think of history, it’s easy to picture the famous kings, generals, and founding fathers—but what about the women whose lives were woven into the tapestry of revolution and empire? The Middlebury Historical Society invites you to a fascinating lecture, “Four 18th-Century Women of the Time of Rochambeau,” where these stories finally take center stage. Join historian and author Jini Jones Vail on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Shepardson Community Center for a fresh look at women who made their mark—often in the background, but always essential.

Vail’s talk will introduce you to remarkable figures from every corner of society: Queen Marie Antoinette, shining brightly at Versailles amidst growing unrest; Countess de Rochambeau, balancing diplomacy and the uncertainties of military life; Martha Washington, standing steadfast beside her husband through war; and an unnamed camp follower, whose tireless support kept armies marching. By sharing these diverse experiences, Vail brings to life a more vibrant and complete picture of the American Revolution.

After the video presentation, you’ll have the chance to join an in-person discussion with Jini Jones Vail herself. Whether you’re a dedicated history buff or simply curious, this is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts, and connect with fellow community members.

Admission is free, and all are welcome!
Location: Shepardson Community Center, Middlebury, CT
Details: middleburyhistoricalsociety.org
This event also highlights the Society’s ongoing work on the Rochambeau Monument Project at Meadowview Park, commemorating the pivotal 1781 French army encampment in Middlebury. If you’re interested in supporting this effort or learning more about the project’s impact, please visit the Society’s website. Let’s celebrate the past—and the remarkable women who shaped it—together!

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The Danbury Concert Association presents Ilya Yakushev, piano Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Renowned pianist Ilya Yakushev will make his Danbury debut at the stunning Visual & Performing Arts Center of Western Connecticut State University on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. The third of four concerts in the Danbury Concert Association’s

Renowned pianist Ilya Yakushev
2025/26 series will feature works by Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, and Liszt, and be followed by a meet-the-artist reception that is open to all.

Tickets will be available on WCSU’s Eventbrite page for $25, and admission is free for ages 18 and under courtesy of a grant from the Danbury Cultural Commission.

About the artist
Ilya Yakushev has mesmerized audiences at major venues around the world, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall; Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco; Sejong Performing Arts Center in Seoul, Korea; Great Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg; and Victoria Hall in Singapore. His many awards include first prizes at the 2005 World Piano Competition in Cincinnati and, at age 12, the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg. A New York Times critic has noted that “Mr. Yakushev…cultivates a fiery, impetuous persona with both energy and brash humor…ready to pounce but delicate…at the keyboard he can do just about anything he wants.”

About the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC)
The VPAC’s Veronica Hagman Concert Hall (located at 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury) has been a premier performance venue since it opened in 2014. The acoustics are excellent, and the vibe is at once casual and refined. With the hall’s open, in-the-round seating (for up to 350) each concertgoer can sit back and enjoy the artist–audience connection.

Mark your calendar for the fourth and final performance of the series, featuring cellist Sophie Shao & Friends, on Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m. See https://www.danburyconcert.org/ for details.

About the Danbury Concert Association
The DCA, a 501(c)(3) organization, has a local, volunteer board that organizes its series. Thanks to support from individual and corporate donors, and granting organizations like the Danbury Cultural Commission, it brings exceptional artists to the stunning concert hall on WCSU’s west side campus. The DCA invites everyone who wants to experience “beautiful music, where they live” to come to its concerts.

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