Tour the burying ground in Colchester

The Discover Colchester Series sponsored by the Colchester Land Trust and Colchester Historical Society is offering a walking tour of the Colchester Burying Ground which dates from 1713 and Linwood Cemetery on Sunday July 10, 2016 at 1 p.m.

The walk will begin at the Colchester Historical Society  on Linwood Avenue. Expect the tour to last about two hours. While children are welcome to come along please leave your pets at home. If it is raining heavily in July 10th the walk will be cancelled. 

Music at the Mansion Middletown

If you are looking for something fun to do this July, Music will be offered again on Wednesday evenings at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown for FREE. 

 

The mansion will open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking, and shows on the mansion’s back lawn will begin at 6:30 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public and guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnics.

• July 6, 2016 – Shaded Soul
• July 13, 2016 – Hartford Jazz Orchestra
• July 20, 2016 – Doo Wop Deville
• July 27, 2016 – Michael Cleary Band
• August 3, 2016 – Rain Date

9th Annual Portland Exchange Club Truck Pull

If you are a fan of trucks pulls, head to the Portland Fairgrounds on Route 17a on Saturday June 25, 2016. The pull begins at 5 p.m. Donation is $10 for adults, children under 12 are free and part of the proceeds will benefit the Portland Volunteer Fire Department. 

Food and drink will be available for purchase. Please no alcohol, coolers ma be searched. 

There will be two class of trucks:

CLASSES: GAS: 5,000 lb, 6,000 lb, 7,000 lb, 7,000 lb Street Improved 

DIESEL: 7,000 lb, 8,500 lb Work Stock, and 8,000 Street Improved 

Mashantucket Pequot Museum 17th Century Encampment June 24-25, 2016

Visit the Pequot Museum farmstead on June 24 & 25, 2016 for a unique chance to experience Native American and European life in the 17th Century! Native, English, Dutch, and French reenactors will portray different aspects of daily life (circa 1600-1700) outdoors for two full days. Visitors are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities including wampum making, cooking, militia drills, cannon drills, basket making, potter, archery, lacrosse, children’s games and much more. See living history displays from the Pequot War (1636-1637) and King Philips War (1675-1677) period. There will also be live cooking demonstrations, a stone tool workshop where visitors can make their own arrowheads and special food dishes available in the museum restaurant. Learn how to make an arrow, corn husk dolls, dip candles, and see how pottery was made three hundred years ago. 

ADMISSION:

Daily admission to this event is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket to the museum. A general admission ticket must be purchased for each day of the event.

If you are a Museum Member, there is no additional cost to attend this event.

HOURS:

Friday, June 24, 2016 from 9:00am – 4:30pm

Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 9:00am – 4:30pm

SCHEDULE:

Talk & Walk – Discovering Monhantic Fort – Kevin McBride

Join Dr. Kevin McBride, Director of Research, for a guided tour of a King Philip’s War era Pequot fort located on the reservation in walking distance from the museum.  The Monhantic Fort site was discovered in 1992 by Dr. McBride and remains on the most pristine remains of a Native fort from the period.  The tour includes an introduction by Kevin McBride in the Monhantic Fort exhibit followed by a short hike to the forts location to discuss archaeological field methods, findings, and the significance of this unique site.

Please be prepared for a moderate hike through the woods by wearing appropriate footwear and outdoor clothing.

Time:    

Friday, June 24, 2016 from 11:00am – 12:00pm

Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 11:00am – 12:00pm

Training Day - Drill with the Colonial Militia – Salem Trayned Band

It’s Training Day at Mashantucket!  Fall in with a Massachusetts Bay Militia unit, the Salem Trayned Band, and learn the school of the solider.  Participants will drill with the militia and learn basic 17th Century “Pike and Shot” tactics which were employed during the Pequot War, the English Civil War, and in the early months of King Philip’s War.  Do not miss this unique opportunity to experience early colonial militia drills and practice English pike exercises!

Limited to 25 participants. This program will take place outdoors so please dress appropriately.

Time:

Friday, June 24, 2016 from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm;  2:00pm – 3:00pm

Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm; 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Make Your Own Stone Tool! - Lithic Workshop

Join a master lithic tool maker as they demonstrates the basic methods of stone tool production. Participants will follow Jason as he teaches basic knapping techniques and have the opportunity to make their own tool!

This program will take place outdoors so please dress appropriately.

Time:    

Friday, June 24, 2016 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Atlatl & Bow Technology Demonstration

Join Connecticut College Professor Manuel Lizarralde and Staff Educator & Pequot tribal member, Nakai Northrup, on the museum Farmstead Bow Range for a demonstration of Atlatl spear throwing technology and the Bow and Arrow.  Learn how these ancient tools were developed and see first-hand how they were used.  Visitors will have the opportunity to try some supervised target practice with these tools.

This program will take place outdoors so please dress appropriately.

Time:  All Day, Periodic Demonstrations. 

Native Foods Cooking Demonstration – Leah Hopkins (Eastern Niantic)

Eastern Niantic tribal member Leah Hopkins will demonstrate open fire cooking with traditional Native foods.  Learn the foods that Native people prepared and ate and learn open hearth cooking techniques!

Time:  All Day  

17th Century Games – Kevin Sandy (Haudenosaunee Lacrosse)

Join Kevin Sandy of the Kevin Sandy Haudenosaunee Lacrosse and Kanata Village along with Pequot Museum staff members and play a variety of popular 17th Century games. Learn the basics behind the Native American game of Lacrosse.  Try your hand with both traditional and modern sticks on the farmstead.

Time:  All Day

Music at the Bartlett Arboretum Summer Concert Series

The Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford will present a summer concert series. The season kicks off with Rockin the Bartlett a musical fundraiser featuring local artists on June 18 from noon to 8 p.m

Concert dates:

June 26        5-7 p.m.    Kerry Boys (Irish balladeers)
July 3           5-7 p.m.    The Barons (Doo wop)
July 10        10 -11 a.m. Fontenay Chamber                                                               Players(Classical)
                   5-7 p.m.     Dave and Emma Hart                                                           (American Roots)


Check out their website for the remained of the schedule for the summer.

Stamford's favorite food truck Rockin Rooster will be on hand to sell delicious hot food. 

Ladies Aid Strawberry Festival June 15, 2017

The Third Congregational Church on Miner Street in Middletown will be having their annual Strawberry Festival on Thursday June 16, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have never gone to this festival you are missing the best strawberry shortcake in the world.

I try to never miss getting here to enjoy this special treat. 

Cruise on Main Middletown

June 15, 2016 is the 19th year that the Cruise on Main has taken place in downtown Middletown. It is will be happening from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

If you are coming to the event as a spectator, you can park in Melilli Plaza Parking Lot (access it on Washington or Court Streets), or Middle Oak Parking Garage (access it on College St.) or Municipal  Lot A or B (access them on Broad Street).  Parking is free during the event!

Plan to make an evening of it by dining at one of the many restaurants on Main Street. 

Taste of Mystic June 9-11, 2017

Olde Mistick Village will come alive with the Taste of Mystic event next weekend. More than 20 restaurants will participate.   

Last year's event welcomed over 45,000 people and even more are expected this year.  

For a complete list of entertainment and eateries who will be present check out the Taste of Mystic website. 

Strawberry Festival St Mary Church Middletown

St Mary Church of Middletown will be holding its annual Strawberry Festival on Tuesday June 14, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Parish Center. Large portions are $8 and small are $6.

All berries are native Connecticut berries and the whipped cream is freshly whipped. They are served on a warm biscuit. A beverage is also included. 

Advance orders can be called in 860-347-7638 or 860-301-0054. Proceeds go to the St. Mary Scholarship Fund. 

Strawberry Fest June 10th at Lyman's Orchard

Lyman's Orchard offers event almost all year long. Usually their are associated with some of the fruits that are currently available at the Apple Barrel. 

The annual Strawberry Fest kicks off Lyman's summer season, celebrating family fun, Lyman's fresh grown strawberries, and sweet strawberry treats.

Fun activities include: 

• Breakfast on the Deck
• Strawberry picking in the orchard
• Live music
• Complementary food tastings and demos
• Pie eating contests
• Pony rides
• Interactive activities for children throughout the day

Enjoy the musical journey of Ian Biggs, a New Haven-born singer/songwriter, who will take you from the quiet depths of a weathered soul to the heart-pounding, rug-cutting thrill of being alive.

Go to Lyman's Website for complete details. 

Pathways and Blooms 2016 A South Windsor garden tour and plant sale

Have you ever wanted to get into some of the most gorgeous gardens in South Windsor. Here is your chance. On Sunday June 12, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The tour and sale is presented by the Down To Earth Garden Club and Wood Memorial Library. Eight beautiful gardens will be featured on the tour and it  includes two on historic Main Street. Each garden features its own unique design and character reflecting the natural terrain of the landscape as well as the interests and creativity of the garden owners.  Home-grown plants from members’ own gardens will be on sale on the grounds of Wood Memorial Library on Main Street.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 or $20 on the day of the tour. The tour ticket book has the history, address and map for each of the locations. 

Tickets may also be purchased in advance at these locations:

i                     

• Agway of Ellington             74 West Road, Ellington
• Broad Brook Gardens         938 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor
• Crandall & Daughter          544 Buckland Road, South Windsor
• Foster Family Farm            90 Foster Street, South Windsor
• Garden Sales                       308 Oakland Street, Rt. 83, Manchester
• Mitchell Fuel Co.                1209 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor
• Wood Memorial Library      783 Main Street, South Windsor

If you go to the garden club website you can pre-order a box lunch that you can pick up at the library on the day of the tour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Connecticut Open House Saturday June 11

If there are museums around Connecticut that you have always wanted to visit, here is your chance to do it for free or at a discounted price. 

The Connecticut Office of Tourism is sponsoring the 13^th annual Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 10^th.  The one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art, and tourism.  It is a terrific way for residents to discover or rediscover all that is wonderful in our state.  

Once Connecticut residents learn about the treasures in their own backyard, they will share their newly gained love and excitment with visiting family and friends.  

To find out all the amazing places you can visit for free or a  discounted price please check out this website. 

Here is a small sample. 

Ansonia

• General David Humphrey's House
  Free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., along with a plant sale, gift shop and handcrafted items available for purchase.

Greenwich

• Bruce Museum
  Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Middletown

• Wesleyan Potters
  From 12 noon until 4 p.m. the center will have free tours and demonstrations, including pottery wheel throwing and fun children activity.

Stonington

• Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House
  Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
   
• Old Lighthouse Museum
  Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Last year I visited the New Britain Museum of Art and the Daniel Webster House. I can't wait for this year to try more.