Tag: things to do in CT

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Invites the Public to Join Citizen Scientist FrogWatch USA

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo invites residents to become Citizen-Scientist volunteers and participate in a “FrogWatch” census in area wetlands. In a collaboration between the Zoo, The Maritime Aquarium, and Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, volunteers will make regular visits to wetlands in their neighborhoods and keep a frog log to record the frog and toad calls they hear. Working with experts, volunteers will learn about local frog species, then visit wetlands once or twice a week for about 15 minutes each night this spring and summer.

The watch begins a half hour after sunset, making the watch ideal for families with older children. Observations are reported to a national online database to contribute to amphibian conservation efforts. FrogWatch coordinators at each facility keep up to date on data results for participants. This year, training will be presented online for the first session, and the second session will be offered either in person at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo or online. During this training, participants will learn about Citizen Science, the important role amphibians play in the ecosystem, and how to identify ten species of frogs heard in Connecticut. After the training, participants will be sent a virtual assessment to complete to become a certified FrogWatch Volunteer.

As of 2023, the Peabody Beardsley Maritime Chapter leads the nation in frog call acoustic observations. The chapter was responsible for 1,122 observations out of the 6,982 observations made nationwide, equaling 16.07% of collected data. “FrogWatch USA is a fantastic educational program that demonstrates how everyone can play a part in protecting wildlife,” explained Jim Knox, education curator at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Volunteers do not need any prior experience or knowledge about frogs. Only one training session is required, each from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Choose from A virtual training session on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024: 7-8:30 P.M. or a hybrid training session, either in-person at the Zoo or online on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 7-8:30 P.M. For more information and to register: www.beardsleyzoo.org/frog-watch

Why Frogs? Frogs and toads play a vital role, serving as both prey and predator, in wetland ecosystems and are considered indicators of environmental health. Many previously abundant frog and toad populations have experienced dramatic population declines both in the United States and around the world. Scientists must understand the scope, geographic scale, and cause of these declines. The data collected by FrogWatch USA volunteers is used to help inform conservation and management efforts.

JanetLeave a comment

Hot Chocolate Festival @ White Silo Farm

There is no better way to warm up to winter than sipping on Hot Chocolate at White Silo Farm in Sherman. On Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. White Silo Farm is celebrating its third hot chocolate and s’mores festival!

Guests will have the chance to taste four types of hot chocolate – white, milk, dark, and Mexican. It is fun to top off your cups with homemade marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and other fixings. They have also added homemade S’mores to eat with your hot chocolate(s). Bring your friends and enjoy a WARM afternoon in their winery, it is an ideal way to spend a cold winter day. Special food items to pair with your hot chocolate will be available to purchase To add to the fun, there will be live music on both days from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday Al Rivoli will perform and on Sunday Don Lowe will be at the farm to entertain guests.

The price is $25 per person. It includes one glass of wine or nonalcoholic beverage to sip with your hot chocolate(s). They have scheduled two sessions each day, the first from 12 noon – 2 p.m. and the second from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Advance tickets are required and limited. We hope that you can join us. For tickets click here.

JanetLeave a comment

Skiers Soar Through the Air Feb. 2-4 @ Salisbury’s Jumpfest

This year if you are looking for a new winter sport to fall in love with ski jumping may be the exact option for you! One of the best places to see this highly respected sport on the East Coast is at Salisbury’s Jumpfest on Friday, February 2nd Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th. The thrill of this event is that there are often Olympic hopefuls competing. And, even if there is no snow where you live, Satre Hill is always glistening in all its Alpine beauty, with white powdery snow thanks to the Salisbury Winter Sports Association’s (SWSA) state-of-the-art snow guns.

Let’s face it, some of us can’t ski, let alone fly through the sky with the hope of landing with elegance. Watching ski jumpers, many of whom just might be future Olympians is an unforgettably thrilling experience. One thing that keeps this sport exciting is that the margins are so fine and unpredictable that there is always a wide variety of winners and performances. Once you realize how difficult and technical this sport is it becomes even more interesting and inspiring to watch, live. “Salisbury’s Jumpfest is going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Willie Hallihan, SWSA Director. “It’s a winter event that you won’t want to miss. The hint of frost in the air, the sound of ringing cowbells, and the crowds cheering on their favorite as the skis slap the landing hill make this event one of a kind.”

Jumpfest offers three days of heart-pounding excitement and competitions to watch. The tower stands 70 feet atop Satre Hill and jumpers perch on their bar 350 feet above the ground. As the go flag is dropped they speed their way down the 300-foot run, picking up speed along the way. Imagine watching as jumpers soar up to 200 feet through the air at speeds of 50 miles an hour! There are only six ski jumping venues on the East Coast and Salisbury is one of the oldest and most respected because of past hopefuls that competed in the Olympics.

Friday’s events kick off when the gate opens at 6 p.m. The highlights of the night begin with Target Jumping at 7 p.m. The popular Human Dog Sled Race follows the Target Jumps where teams of six compete in this madcap event for a variety of prizes. There are only half a dozen places or so in the country that host this type of event and most of them are pretty far from Connecticut making this a spectacle of fun something not to be missed! To enter, email info@jumpfest, attention Brian. The fee to enter is a modest $25 per team that includes free entrance to Jumpfest! Proceeds benefit SWSA’s Junior Ski Programs.

On Saturday, February 3, the small hill opens at 8 a.m. for practice jumps. The Junior Competition on the 20-meter and 30-meter hills starts at 9:30 a.m. and is followed by the Salisbury Invitational Ski Jump on the 65-meter hill at 1 p.m. The day ends with the Snowball Fundraiser at the Lakeville Town Grove with music by the Steve Dunn Band.

On Sunday, February 4 the 65 meter hill opens at 11 a.m. The Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships, the big event of the weekend begins at 1 p.m. The crowd murmurs as they watch these expert athletes sit on a bar at the top of the hill waiting for the signal to go. You can almost feel the focus. Jumpers lead with their helmet; throw their hands back, and crouch low into a tuck with a flat back for aerodynamics. Balance and flexibility are the order of the day. The most critical part of the jump is the take-off which lifts the jumper’s body for flight. Most folks can’t believe how quickly time flies when watching this sport, a mere 20 seconds or so from the top of the hills to the bottom! The winners of the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships will make up the Eastern Division of the Junior National Team and will be named after this competition awards ceremony concludes.

To add to the festivities there are food trucks, craft beer, hot toddies, and bonfires to enjoy against the backdrop of skiers flying through the air! And, if you work up an appetite, no worries, the Cook Shack offers a range of burgers, dogs, hot chocolate, and more, and the Low N Slow Food Truck serves BBQ, authentic poutine, mac n’ cheese, and many other selections on three days. There will also be a wine tent, a hot toddy tent, and the Great Falls Brewing Company’s beer tent.

Tickets will be available at the gate and are $15 for adults on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free all three days. The cost of the Snowball is $20 and includes a cash bar, music, raffles, and pizza at 10 p.m. The ski jump complex is located at Satre Hill on Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Before setting out check www.jumpfest.org for updates, scheduled changes, or more information or email the Association at info@jumpfest.org.

ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION
The mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is to acquaint the public with Nordic ski-jumping, cross –country and Alpine skiing, and to teach the skills necessary for their enjoyment. One way of fulfilling this mission is to host the annual Jumpfest Competition on Satre Hill to sustain and ski jumping in Salisbury, Connecticut, and the Eastern United States.

JanetLeave a comment

Warm Up to Winter – with Virtual Programs @ Institute for American Indian Studies

Whatever the weather is like outdoors, learning something new indoors can be the perfect way to spend a cold winter afternoon. With that in mind, the Institute for American Indian Studies has developed a new Saturday series of virtual programs that are intriguing and ideal for those seeking indoor diversions this winter.

This presentation is the third in the Institute’s Annual Native American-Archaeology Roundtable series. This ongoing series seeks to explore ecological ties, past and present, through the sharing of new technologies, new findings, and new analysis that helps bring Indigenous communities into greater focus.

On Saturday, January 27 at 2 p.m. the topic will focus on “Lessons in Food Sovereignty from White Tailed Deer and Wampum in 17th century New England.” Participants will join Elic M. Weitzel, a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology from the University of Connecticut along with the Institute’s Staff for this virtual presentation. Weitzel specializes in human ecology and anthropology and will discuss how recent analysis of deer and quahog remains from archaeological sites in Southern New England suggest that European colonialism and capitalism put unprecedented pressure on these species even though fewer people lived in this region at the time. The discussion will highlight that overexploitation wasn’t a demographic problem and that pre-colonial Indigenous methods of gathering the bounty of the land appear to have been more sustainable. According to Mr. Weitzel, these results corroborate traditional and Indigenous ecological knowledge asserting that food sovereignty can permit long-term sustainable resource use, a concept that is very important around the world today.

To participate in this program and to receive the Zoom link please register online at https://www.iaismuseum.org or call 860-868-0518 or email events@isismuseum.org. The price of participation is free for members of IAIS and LHAC members and $10 for non-members.

Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our website for dates and times of further talks in this series in the coming months.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

JanetLeave a comment

Take Part in Salisbury’s JumpFest Human Dog Sled Race February 2 @ Satre Hill

Jumpfest, organized by the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA), isn’t just about aspiring Olympic Ski Jumpers, it also offers tons of fun including one of the most sought-after winter events found only in six or so other places around the world…the Human Dog Sled Race! As a beloved tradition at Jumpfest, this year’s Human Dog Sled Race is taking place on Friday, February 2 at Satre Hill in Salisbury. The race will begin just after the Target Jumps conclude around 8:30 p.m. The ticket booth opens at 6 p.m. and that is when team members should arrive to organize their sled and confirm their registration.

If you are wondering what a Human Dog Sled Race is…think traditional dogsledding with a twist! Participating is easy. All you have to do is gather up a kennel of friends who are at least 18 years old and have a moderate level of fitness because this .3-mile snow course is not without peril. The teams consist of six people including five pulling the sled and one riding in it.

Teams compete for trophies in men’s, women’s, and mixed categories. In addition to awards for speed and fleet of foot, a very special award is given out, the People’s Choice Award for the Best Costume and Sled, making designing your sled part of the fun and challenge. Sleds can be made from just about anything that will glide over the snow track. They can be as simple as an inner tube, elaborately colorful contraptions, or techy steam-punk inventions! Let your team’s imagination run wild! Many contestants dress for the occasion to raise team camaraderie.

Registration is open through February 1; just send an email to info@jumpfest, attention Brian to enter. The fee to enter is a modest $25 per team that includes free entrance to Jumpfest! Proceeds benefit SWSA’s Junior Ski Programs.

An added bonus is that Friday night of Jumpfest is an all-around great time in a beautiful alpine setting. An eighth of a mile of luminaries guide visitors to the site where there are two roaring bonfires and plenty of food and beverages to snack on. The target ski jumping and the Human Dog Sled Races are held under the lights, and both are professionally announced.! For more information about Jumpfest https://jumpfest.org

ABOUT SALISBURY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION
The mission of the Salisbury Winter Sports Association is to acquaint the public with Nordic ski-jumping, cross –country and Alpine skiing, and to teach the skills necessary for their enjoyment. One way of fulfilling this mission is to host the annual Jumpfest Competition on Satre Hill to sustain and ski jumping in Salisbury, Connecticut and the Eastern United States.

JanetLeave a comment

Play Snow Snake @ IAIS January 20

The snow snake game was once one of the most popular winter games played in North America. Many Native American Communities played it from Maine to California, Oklahoma to Alaska. Today, this game is being revitalized across the country. On Saturday, January 20 at 1 p.m. at the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut, competitors can make their very own snow snake and then test their skills playing this traditional game.

Originally, snow snake was the traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) game played during the winter. The sport has its history in hunting when long spears were thrown like snow snakes across the ice and snow to catch prey, without coming too close and scaring them away. Most often, snow snake was played when the men of the village returned from their annual winter hunting trip. It was – and still is – an exciting game of skill to the Haudenosaunee people and many other Native Communities.

Snow Snake!

Snow snakes are hand-made from a flattened piece of wood with a notch at one end that makes them easy to throw. Some sticks are carved in intricate patterns that resemble a snake and then coated with wax. Participants in this workshop will learn how to make their very own snow snake with Susan Scherf, Educator, and wood crafter at the Institute. This workshop includes materials and wood-burning kits. Participants are welcome to bring their whittling knife if they have one although it is not required

A friendly competition follows the snow snake workshop at the specially prepared snow snake track. The object of the game is to see how far participants can throw the snow snake along a snow trench. The person who throws the snake the farthest after a number of rounds is the winner! The snow snake game is a test of both skill and strength, and a good throw can go more than 100 yards.

This game is often referred to as a medicine game because it lifted the spirits of the people during the long winter months. The Institute for American Indian Studies is excited to share this game that is great for socializing, and remembering the traditions of generations of Native Americans who came before us.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register / The price of participation including materials is $20 for non-members and $10 for members. For more information call 860-868-0518, email events@iaismuseum.org, or click here to register online.

About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

JanetLeave a comment