fall 2016 volume 40

Officers

William M. Aron* President

Jason A. Bonadio* Treasurer

Harry Day* Vice President

Karen M. Kelly* Vice President

Daniel L. Schwartz* Secretary

Board of DirectorsLynn Villency CohenCarole Dell’AquilaWilliam DeMeoAnn KraftDana MontanezSonja S. NarcisseRobert M. PhillipsPauline RauhArthur SelkowitzRoberto Vannucchi

Melissa H. Mulrooney Executive Director & CEO

*Executive Committee

Lynn Villency Cohen Advisory Council Chair

Melissa H. MulrooneyExecutive Director & CEO

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Summer sets and Autumn rises.

What a great summer … happy campers, lots of Member visitors, fresh market produce, and picnic-perfect weather for the summer.

Fall will float in on a colorful carpet as we celebrate The Art of Lolita Valderrama Savage: Nature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond. Lolita and I first met more than a decade ago, thanks to Juanita James. I am so pleased to have re-united with Lolita and Frank, courtesy of our good friend Connie

Hubbard, in May 2015. Immediately, the idea of presenting an exhibition began to captivate us all, and I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to Lolita for her exceptional work and talented vision for a “cultural celebration and exchange,” as the exhibition took shape. Lolita’s warmth and joy showed brightly when Curator Kirsten Brophy and I were developing the show right on through every detail of planning for what will be an extraordinary Opening Reception on September 16, 2016.

And THEN, on Saturday, October 1, at our Fall Farm to Table Supper, Lolita will welcome guests with an exclusive tour of her beautiful work during cocktails and artisanal hors d’oeuvres in the galleries. Lolita and her husband Frank will be with us as very special guests for dinner as Executive Chef Forrest Pasternack of Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield works his magic for a sumptuous supper in the Bendel Mansion. What a great opportunity to dine with friends and support the SM&NC in one fell swoop. Get your tickets now.

At Oktoberfest on the Meadow, Friday, September 23, from 7 to 10 pm, savor seasonal beers from local breweries, dine on another outstanding Oktoberfest menu, create your own dessert at our S’Mores Bar, and enjoy a lively soundtrack from Scratch Entertainment. Thanks to Bill DeMeo, the newest member of our Board, and Reckson/SL Green for their generous sponsorship.

Harvest Festival Weekend carries on our fun-for-all-fall on Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, with a marvelous array of fall harvest and cidering activities for the family. Harvest time is a wonderful time at the SM&NC.

We thank you for your devotion to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and ask that you continue to champion and support us as a cultural jewel in the crown of Stamford. Give as generously as you can to our year-end Annual Appeal, which will roll out this fall.

We look forward to seeing you here soon and often.

Another highlight of summer: The SM&NC’s 80th Anniversary Food & Wine Celebration!

Left to Right Back Row: Sen. Carlo Leone, Harry Day, Melissa, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Mayor David Martin, Bill Aron.

Left to Right Front Row: Gov. Dannel Malloy, Captain Susan Bretthauer, Robert Phillips, Patricia Phillips, Rep. Caroline Simmons.

photo by: chichi ubiÑa

MISSION STATEMENTThe Stamford Museum & Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and popular culture, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The Museum is a vital cultural and educational resource for the community, and a focal point for family activity and interaction. We seek to inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, promote environmental stewardship, and nurture an appreciation for lifelong learning through exhibits, educational programs, and special events that enhance the visitor’s experience of our unique site.

An evening to savor: Our Farm toTable Supper in the Bendel Mansion.

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SM&NC Sunday Farm Market Sundays, through October 9, 10 am–2 pm Market Madness Sundays Sundays, Through October 9, 10 am–2 pm The Art of Lolita Valderrama Savage: Nature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond exhibition Saturday, September 17–Sunday, October 30 A BILLION BRICKS: LEGO® Superheroes in Gotham exhibition Saturday, November 19, 2016–Sunday, February 5, 2017 Sunday Explorers Sundays, November 13, 20, 27, 11:30 am–4 pm (no program Nov. 6)Astronomy Nights: Fall Fridays at the Stamford Observatory Fridays, 7 pm–Presentation (rain or shine) 8 pm–Telescope viewing (weather permitting)

ONGOING

SEPTEMBER 9 Fri Astronomy Nights: Passport to Space: Martian Tracks

16 Fri 6:30–9 pm The Art of Lolita Valderrama Savage: Nature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond Exhibition Members’ Opening

23 Fri 7–10 pm Oktoberfest on the Meadow* (Adults Only) 25 Sun 4:30–6 pm Outdoor Adventures: Stream Hunters*

OCTOBER 1 Sat 6–10 pm Farm to Table Supper* 2 Sun 2–4 pm Scarecrow Making* 3 Mon 11 am 3 pm Fall Break Out Day: Fabulous Fibers 9 Sun 2–4 pm Scarecrow Making* 14 Fri 7 pm Astronomy Nights: Passport to Space: Capturing Space, the OSIRIS-Rex Mission 15 Sat 11 am–3 pm Harvest Festival Weekend 16 Sun 11 am–3 pm Harvest Festival Weekend 28 Fri 6–7:30 pm Outdoor Adventures: Slimy, Scaly, Creepy, Crawly* 28 Fri 7 pm Astronomy Nights: Fall Constellations 30 Sun 1–3 pm Trick-or-Treat on the Farm 30 Sun 1–4 pm Ick-Fest

NOVEMBER 6 Sun 11 am–3 pm Touch-A-Truck & Stamford Charity Chili Cook-Off 8 Tues 11 am–3 pm Fall Break Out Day: Election on the Farm 18 Fri 7 pm Astronomy Nights: Billions & Billions & Billions: An Explanation of Stars 17 Wed 6 pm SM&NC Salon Series: Discussion & Book Signing by Jane Alexander, actress, activist and author of Wild Things, Wild 18 Fri 6–8 pm A BILLION BRICKS: LEGO® Superheroes in Gotham Members’ Opening 19 Sat 9 am A BILLION BRICKS: LEGO® Superheroes in Gotham opens to the public

* Pre-registration and pre-payment are required

Events in Brief

A BILLION BRICKS 4: LEGO® Superheroes in GothamSaturday, November 19, 2016– February 5, 2017

Members’ Opening: Friday, November 18, 2016, 6–8 pm

photo by: david konow, tech guru daily

Places

Session I: Oct. 2 2–3 pmSession II: Oct. 2 3–4 pmSession III: Oct. 9 2–3 pmSession IV: Oct. 9 3–4 pm

Bring your family to our 7th annual scarecrow making program and create a life-sized scarecrow! Your creation will be exhibited and entered in our scarecrow contest at Harvest Festival, Oct.15 &16. You can then take your scarecrow home to decorate the lawn for Halloween. Although some materials are provided, families are encouraged to bring clothing or accessories to help with their creation. One scarecrow per family. Supplies are limited to 12 families per session, pre-registration is recommended due to popularity. Participating families must agree to leave the scarecrow for the Harvest Festival and pick it up the week after the Festival.

Members: $5 per family | Non-Members: $5 per family, in addition to admission

Scarecrow MakingSundays, October 2 & 9, 2–4 pm

Trick-or-Treat on Heckscher Farm Sunday, October 30, 1–3 pm

Don your Halloween costume and head up to Heckscher Farm to trick-or-treat with your favorite farm friends! Make your first stop at the otter pond to get your first clue. Follow the clues to find all six trick-or-treat stations. Then, stop by Heckscher WILD! for Ick Fest to get slimy with our slime table, visit live reptiles and bugs, and create crafts around some of our favorite Halloween critters.

Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with admission

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Harvest Festival WeekendOctober 15 & 16, 11 am–3 pm Celebrate the fall season with family and friends at our annual Harvest Festival Weekend. Enjoy apple-cider and pumpkin-carving demonstrations, a scarecrow-making contest, and fun activities for the whole family! Wear a costume and participate in the costume parade each day, as we join in the celebrations of Stamford’s 375th anniversary. Learn about colonial life from the 5th Connecticut Regiment through their recreation of camp life, military drills, crafts, uniforms, and weapons of the period. Other activities include an apple slingshot, farm animal demonstrations, live music with Jay and Ray, face-painting, storytelling with Ms. Karen, and children’s crafts.

Feast on the delicious fare at an array of locally popular food trucks. Hayride tickets will be available for purchase.

DAILY ADMISSION FEES: Members: $5 per person | Family PLUS, Director’s Circle Members, and all children 3 & under: FREE | Non-Members: $10 per person.

Visit stamfordmuseum.org to purchase tickets in advance and for a schedule of the weekend’s activities.

Touch-A-Truck & Chili Cook-OffSunday, November 6, 11 am–3 pm

Get hands-on with some cool, larger-than-life vehicles during Touch-A-Truck. Find out how these trucks work, what purposes they serve, and climb inside a few. Also sample some of the finest chili from area competitors at the Stamford Charity Chili Cook-Off. The Cook-Off supports the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. For a suggested donation of $10 per person (ages 10 and over) or the donation of a bag of non-perishable food items, you can taste each competitor’s chili and vote for your favorite!

If you are interested in participating in the Chili Cook-Off, please email [email protected] by October 1.

Members: FREE | Non-Members: FREE with admission $10 donation per person (ages 10 and up) or the donation of a bag of non-perishable food items for Chili Cook-Off.

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Ick Fest Sunday, October 30, 1–4 pm

Celebrate all things creepy and crawly at our annual Ick Fest. After trick-or-treating on the Farm, stop by Heckscher WILD! to visit our snakes, tarantulas, lizards, worms, and other animals! Explore our slime table, make crafts featuring bats and spiders and more!


Sunday ExplorersSundays, November 13, 20, 27 (no program Nov. 6) 11:30 am–4 pm

Our popular Sunday drop-in programs return for November, with a jam-packed day of crafts, hikes, animal meet & greets, and more each week! At 12:30 pm, help feed some of our animals in Heckscher WILD! Enrollment is limited for this program; participants 5 and up can sign up at the Heckscher WILD! exhibit anytime after 10 am. New this November is a weekly scavenger hunt at 2 pm. Searches may be on the farm or in the forest, depending on the week, but each hunt will be different. Prizes awarded to those who participate!

11:30 am–4 pm Self-guided crafts11:30 am Oxen demonstration (at Oxen Pasture) 12:30 pm WILD! Feeding (at Heckscher WILD!)1 pm Otter feeding demonstration (Otter Pond) 2 pm Museum scavenger hunt (Meet at Overbrook)3 pm Animal Meet & Greet (Heckscher WILD!)

Members: FREE | Non-Members: FREE with admission

photo by: ty foster

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Sundays, through October 9, 10am – 2pm

Support these local farmers and producers at the SM&NC Sunday Farm Market:

Beldotti BakeryHomemade breads, pesto & fresh mozzarellaWeekly

Conant Valley JamJams & Marmalade Weekly

Heckscher FarmEggs, Maple Syrup & WoolWeekly

Oronoque FarmsPies. Voted “Best Apple Pie” in ConnecticutWeekly

Seasonal SweetsNut-free bakery goods (muffins, cookies, etc., and prepared breakfast foods)

Weekly

Sisters Wicked Good SoapGoat’s milk soapEvery other week

Smith Acres Produce, plants & flowersWeekly

Truelove FarmsMeat Products (pork, beef & chicken) will be sold from SM&NC cart Weekly

Join us on Sundays for fresh food straight from local farms. This year, we’ve added some new vendors to offer a wider variety of items. We’re also selling our very own Heckscher farm-fresh eggs, maple syrup made in our own maple sugar shack, and wool from our flock of sheep.

There are weekly farm-related family activities with our Market Madness program led by one of our environmental educators. Tell your friends!

Free admission for Farm Market only.

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stamfordmuseum.org

Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Market Madness SundaysSundays, September 11–October 9, 10 am–2 pm

Support local farmers and explore the SM&NC through hands-on activities. Our Sunday Farm Market is the home base for our Sunday programs. Come for a self-guided craft & market scavenger hunt on the meadow, meet our animals up close, and see our North American River Otter have lunch each week. At 11:30 am, we’ll bring live animals to the Meadow (weather permitting), at 12:30 pm, we’ll have our fall installment of Treats and Eats, where we’ll make a great treat to try or take home! Find the location of our Market Gnome each week and win a prize! Clues will be posted at the market and on our Facebook page.

Events Schedule

10 am–2 pm Self-guided craft & market scavenger hunt on the Meadow

11:30 am Meet the Animals live animal program

12:30 pm Treats & Eats (see schedule for cooking activity)

1 pm River Otter Feeding

Treats & Eats Schedule

Sept. 11 Make your own Butter

Sept. 18 Press your own Apple Cider

Sept. 25 Make your own Pizza Dough

Oct. 2 Make your own Quick Pickles

Oct. 9 Roll your own Cinnamon Dough Snakes (over the campfire!)

Members: FREE | Non-Members: FREE with admissionFREE entry to Farm Market does not include Market Madness programming.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO CELEBRATE

oktoberfestoktoberfest

Celebrate the beginning of fall at SM&NC’s Oktoberfest in September! Sample seasonal brews, dine on authentic German fare and enjoy our delicious “S’mores Bar,”

all with the backdrop of a festive soundtrack provided by Scratch Entertainment.

Purchase your tickets online today and save! Adults only, please. For more information and to purchase tickets:

visit stamfordmuseum.org/oktoberfest2016 or call 203.977.6536. ADVANCE DISCOUNT TICKETS: $70 (through September 9) | Regular priced ticket: $85

PRESENTED BY

@ THE STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER@ THE STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTERFRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 7 to 10 pm HH HH

The SM&NC is thankful for the generous support of our event sponsors. All proceeds support the SM&NC’s mission and programs.

DELICIOUSGERMAN FOODHH

SEASONALGREAT BEERSHH

TASTY TREATSS’MORES BARHH

REALLYGOOD TIMES&&HH

in september!in september!

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The Art of

LOLITA Valderrama SavageNature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond

saturday, september 17–sunday, october 30, 2016

Opening for SM&NC Members and Invited Guests: Friday, September 16, 6:30–9 pm rsvp by September 1 to [email protected] or 203.977.6546

Lolita Valderrama Savage is a native of the Philippines, a resident of Stamford and a global artistic talent. She earned a BFA from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and a Diploma from the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, under the supervision of Professor Silvio Loffredo. For many years while living in Sweden, she was mentored by the late famous artist Staffan Hallstrom.

Lolita has exhibited her artworks across Europe, Asia and the U.S. In 1999, she was one of the internationally acclaimed artists represented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2006, after an exhibition

at UNESCO in Paris, she participated in the “Art for

Peace” auction at the Victoria and Albert Museum in

London. Her one-woman exhibition at the Palazzo

Medici-Riccardi Museum in Florence in 2013 was

sponsored by the Comune di Firenze, Bloomberg L.P.,

the Philippine Embassy in Rome and the U.S. Consulate

General in Florence. In 2014, Valderrama Savage was

honored by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III for

her distinct cultural and artistic accomplishments.

While Lolita and her husband, the noted author and

global financier Frank Savage, raised their three

children in Stamford, she exhibited her works in

numerous Stamford venues and art festivals including

the Mayor’s Gallery, the Landmark Gallery, the Ferguson

Library and the Stamford Festival of the Arts.

Her passion for fine art was combined with her

dedication to humanitarian causes when she chaired

Stamford’s First Scholarship Benefit Art Auction in

“Lolita’s paintings reveal a universal theme – there is beauty in nature, wherever it may be.”

—melissa h. mulrooney

montjovet, 2002, siena

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1987 to support local high school student artists. Lolita is also passionate about the diversity of cultures and languages. She chaired the First International Culture Festival at the Westover Magnet School, a celebration designed to stimulate awareness, sensitivity, greater understanding, and tolerance within the community. For her service, she received an official citation from the State of Connecticut for her use of the arts to promote awareness of multicultural understanding.

Her newest exhibition, at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, will include sketches, drawings, and oils created at various locations, with a focus on the tranquil beauty found in the landscapes of Tuscany, Italy, and Stamford. The works have been chosen to illustrate the parallel elements of beauty found in all countries, while demonstrating the diverse color palettes and visual textures created by the differences in the seasons, sunlight, and landscape composition found in each locale.

“Lolita’s paintings reveal a universal theme — there is beauty in nature, wherever it may be,” says Melissa H. Mulrooney, Executive Director and CEO of the SM&NC. “Her work also inspires a sense of serenity and optimism for the global community, and that is a message that we wholeheartedly embrace here at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. We are absolutely delighted to be able to present Lolita’s art and vision to our members and to all in our community who have an appreciation for fine art.”

mercatale, 2013, tuscany

The Nature of the Artist: An Interview with LOLITA Valderrama Savage

How an artist’s creative process develops is often a combination of life experience and personal preference. To learn how the artist featured in the Stamford Museum fall exhibition developed her particular style, Curator Kirsten Brophy sat down to have a conversation with Lolita Valderrama Savage.

KB: Tell me about your background . . .LVS: I am from the Philippines, from Manila. I was born in a very busy, big city. It’s a typical city with a lot of commotion, noise. Growing up in a city, I always longed to be somewhere else — away from the confusion. My mother’s family lived in the country, and when I was a little girl we would go to the countryside to visit them. For me that was beautiful. That’s actually how I learned to appreciate nature.

KB: Do you remember when you decided – “I am going to be an artist”?LVS: No. I was born with it. I was a very independent little girl. My mother would set me up with papers and pencils and I was so content. In elementary school we had art contests, and they would give little prizes. I would always win these contests. For our high school yearbook, they asked me what I would be. I said, “I have no other future but art because it’s always been with me.” Later, I recognized that it is a natural gift, and I am very thankful to have that gift.

KB: What is your dream project? LVS: You know, I don’t have a big dream of becoming a famous artist because I am happy that I can help people and organizations through my art. For example, I have been helping children through the Foundation for Filipino Artists. They have afterschool programs for children who don’t have the means to enroll in extracurricular activities. The Foundation offers programs in traditional Filipino art, music and dance. I am happy with that because I don’t think you need to do big things or have a lot of money to impact the world. It’s the little things that each person can do that add together to make a difference, like the exhibition we’re going to have at the museum. If the artwork affects just one or two kids, I am happy with that.

KB: One of the goals of the SM&NC is to get people outside and engaged with nature. What do you hope the visitor takes away from the exhibition? LVS: A love for nature because I love nature. It would be so wonderful for people to go outside and appreciate nature, just take time to see the seasonal changes and to see how lucky we are to have all this natural beauty in our lives.

During its 80-year history, the Stamford Museum has moved three times. After outgrowing the original location in the Stamford Trust building at 300 Main Street, in 1945 the Board of Directors leased the coach house and stable, located on 8 acres in Courtland Park, from the City of Stamford.

The stable was remodeled as a lecture hall, with the Bailey Butterfly Collection exhibited on the walls and the Eric Collection of Native American rugs hung from the gables. The coach house had two stories. The first floor featured exhibits on the natural history of Connecticut. The second floor had offices, a library, storage rooms, and an apartment for Museum Director Ernest T. Luhde.

June 16, 1946, marked the formal dedication of the Stamford Museum at Courtland Park. The opening art exhibition featured works by local sculptor Karl Lang, a student of Gutzon Borglum. In June 1948, Connecticut’s first retractable planetarium, with a state-of-the-art Spitz projector, was dedicated in memory of museum founder Dr. H.R.R. Hertzberg. Projector inventor, Armond Spitz, gave a demonstration. The “Live Museum,” featuring two eagles and various small mammals, opened in April 1949. The “Barnyard,” complete with a miniature barn and farm tools, opened that same summer. The Junior Curator program was established to care for the live animals, and in July 1950, the National Weather Bureau recognized the Museum as a Cooperative Weather Station. In October 1950, the art gallery reopened. The former outdoor patio was enclosed with a glass roof to create a permanent gallery. The majority of exhibitions featured artworks by local artists.

Of note was an exhibition held in April 1947 titled, “In Courtland Park, 1776.” The park is located on a portion of the former E. Y. Weber Estate, formerly the Hoyt Estate and the sight of a dramatic confrontation during the American Revolution. In 1947, Mrs. E.Y.

Weber and Mrs. I.F. Harris donated a Colonial era gold bead necklace and a small, hand-typed booklet titled, “The Cost of a Dinner.” The book was written in 1901 by Dorothy Heroy, when she was just 14 years old. It recounts the story of Sally Hoyt, Dorothy’s great- great-great aunt. Sally, as the story goes, wore a necklace of small gold beads that had belonged to her mother. During the Revolution, a troop of British soldiers entered her home and demanded a meal. After eating, a corporal took the family silver but stated that he would spare the gold necklace if Sally gave him a kiss. She refused. The gold necklace had been handed down through the generations to Eva Maria Hoyt, who married Edward Yale Weber, whose former coach house and stable became the new home of the Stamford Museum.

Other significant donations during the Courtland Park years were the Porter bird study skins, The Dondlinger Fossil Collection, the Condé Nast Sculpture Collection (the Four Seasons), the Lockwood Whittling Collection and the Bradley-Norman Native American Collection.

The Museum officially closed its Courtland Park location on August 19, 1955.

Next chapter: The move to High Ridge Road.

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Collections Spotlight The Courtland Park Years and ’The Cost of a Dinner’

Gold necklace, Colonial era, 105 beads. Gift of Mrs. Edward Yale Weber & Mrs. I.F Harris SM&NC Collection 47.8.1.

After eating, a corporal took the family silver but stated that he would spare the gold necklace if Sally gave him a kiss. She refused...

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 • 6–10 pm @ STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER

LIMITED SEATINGfarm toTableSupperCelebrating The Art of Lolita Valderrama Savage

An exceptional farm to table dining experience in the elegant setting of the Bendel Mansion... featuring executive chef Forrest Pasternack of Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield, Connecticut

Join us for the SM&NC’s Fall Farm to Table Supper on Saturday, October 1. The evening will begin with cocktails and a tour of our latest exhibition, The Art of Lolita Valderrama Savage: The Nature of Tuscany, Stamford & Beyond, by the artist. Proceeds from this exceptional dining experience will support the mission and programs of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center.

OPEN BAR | FALL CHIC ATTIRE | LIMITED SEATINGSingle tickets: $100 per person Table sponsor: $1,250 (10 people)

Purchase tickets at www.stamfordmuseum.org/farmtotable or by calling 203.977.6536.

Born and raised in western Connecticut, Forrest and his family would often spend their days at local farms picking vegetables for the family table. Summers were spent on Cape Cod fishing the waters of Nantucket Sound, as well as digging clams in Chatham, Mass. He spent his formative years in Ridgefield, CT, and honed his passion for food at the Culinary Institute of America, graduating with honors.

Forrest has worked with many of the best modern chefs at some of New York’s finest restaurants, including Chef David Honeysett of Zoe; Chef Laurent Tourendel of the BLAT Restaurant Group; and Chef Jeremy Spector of Eats on Lexington, Employee’s Only, and The Brindle Room.

Returning to his home state of Connecticut, Forrest became the chef of Terra Restaurant in Greenwich, where under Executive Chef Albert DeAngelis his focus was on local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. Along with a love of music (he is also an accomplished guitarist), Forrest has a passion for keeping diners on the edge of their seats by fusing solid technique with modern flourishes.

Bailey’s Backyard has garnered many awards, including the Overall Excellence Award in dining from Connecticut Magazine in 2016. Forrest was also named an Ambassador Chef of the Greenwich Food and Wine Event this fall.

“Let the ingredient be the star, buy locally and eat seasonally.” – chef forrest pasternack

MEET EXECUTIVE CHEF FORREST PASTERNACK

TABLE SETTINGS BY: FLOWERS BY: Stamford Garden Club

MEDIA SPONSOR:

SPONSORED BY:

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Stream Hunters Sunday, September 25, 4:30–6 pm

From mayflies to salamanders, there is a hidden world beneath the rocks and leaves of a stream! Join SM&NC staff as you explore Poorhouse Brook for the amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and fish that call it home. We’ll walk a few different parts of the stream to see what we can find. Please be prepared to walk in the stream; water shoes are recommended.

Limited enrollment. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Fall Owl Prowl Friday, December 2, 6–7:30 pm

Discover the secret lives of our favorite feathered nocturnal friends — the owls. Take a look at an owl’s role in the food chain by dissecting an owl pellet. Meet our new, non-releasable, teaching Barred Owl and discover the types of owls that call Connecticut home. We’ll then head out into the woods to call for our local owl species, who at this time of year will be preparing for winter. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Slimy, Scaly, Creepy, Crawly Friday, October 28, 6 –7:30 pm

Get into the Halloween spirit by meeting some super slimy, scaly, and crawly critters! We’ll discover if animals such as snakes, spiders, toads, and cockroaches are truly creepy and icky, or if they just look different! Meet some of our live teaching animals up close, touch Connecticut’s longest snake, and even hold one of our tarantulas, if you dare! We’ll end our evening adventure with a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach race, where the winner will take home a fun prize!

Limited enrollment. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

This series of family programs, led by the Stamford Museum & Nature Center environmental education team, explores the amazing natural wonders found right here on our campus. Each month look for a new adventure! Recommended for ages 6 and older. Limited enrollment. Pre-payment and pre-registration are required. Call 203.977.6521 register. Meet at the Overbrook Nature Center. Members: $5/person | Non-Members: $8/person

photo by: ty foster

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Fall Break Out Days

Fabulous Fibers Monday, October 3, 11 am–3 pm

Get wild about wool and fawn over flax as we celebrate National Wool Week. Learn about the farm animals that we can get fibers from as you meet our goats, sheep, alpacas and llamas. Try your hand at washing and carding wool, practice dying wool, and create other crafts. Trek a llama and meet other animals that have body coverings other than fur. We’ll celebrate the end of the day with our favorite treat over the campfire, S’mores!

A schedule of events will be available at stamfordmuseum.org closer to the event.

No school? No problem! Join us for a day of special programs and self-guided activities for all ages during select school holidays. Come for a few activities or stay for the day. The complete schedule of events will be posted on-site and on stamfordmuseum.org. Registration is not necessary.


Election on the FarmTuesday, November 8, 11 am–3 pm

Vote for your favorite farm animal during our annual Election on the Farm! Will our guinea hogs take the vote or be edged out by Dakota the Clydesdale? Perhaps our new baby goats? The ballot box is open until 3 pm, so make your vote count! Have a chance to meet and shake “hooves” with some of the candidates, try self-guided crafts, scavenger hunts, and more. Join us for hayrides from 11 am–1 pm (weather permitting). You’ll also get a chance to “Vote Local” with a local ice cream tasting from 2:30–3 pm. A complete schedule of events will be available on our website closer to the event.

Join us for our exciting series of astronomy programs this fall! Head to the Observatory on

selected Friday nights for an out-of-this-world experience as we explore the night sky, planets, stars, galaxies, and more! Start by enjoying an astronomy presentation, followed by a visit to view the night sky through our 22-inch telescope.The presentation portion of the program will take place regardless of the weather.

Location: Behind the Heckscher Farm, enter from Scofieldtown Road. GPS users — 151 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT.

Members: FREE Non-Members: Adults $5, Children (5–17) $3This program is suitable for all ages 5 and over

Astronomy Nights: Fall Fridays at the Stamford Observatory

HOURS (Labor Day 2016–March 2017):7 pm: Presentation (rain or shine) 8 pm: Telescope Viewing (weather permitting)

ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS @ 7PM:

September 9: Passport To Space: Martian Tracks (Jupiter Joe) October 14: Passport to Space: Capturing Space: The OSIRIS-Rex Mission (Jupiter Joe) October 28: Fall Constellations (Tim Haag) November 18: Billions & Billions & Billions: an Explanation of Stars (Katherine Troche)

Call 203.977.6537 for weather updates regarding telescope viewing.

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SM&NC Annual Appeal: Support the Extraordinary

Every day something simply extraordinary happens at the SM&NC, and over the past 80 years we have accomplished much.

Did you know that last year over 33,000 people toured our five museum exhibitions, and we served more than 50,000 local schoolchildren through our After School and Aligned with the Schools programs? Or that we delivered a record number of educational programs last year — 1,651 in all?

Our continued growth in all of our programs and services depends on your donations. Please know that

membership and program fees cover only a portion of our operating expenses. Your 100% tax-deductible contribution directly supports everything we do.

Thanks to your generous support, we can continue to be a beloved resource for cultural enrichment, environmental education, and recreation for Stamford and beyond.

It’s easy to give! To make an online donation today, please visit stamfordmuseum.org/give. For more information about our Annual Appeal, including how to make your gift twice as significant through our Matching Gift Program, please contact Allison Biele at 203.977.6546.

Upcoming Volunteer OpportunitiesHeckscher WILD! Volunteer Training, Sept. 19 & 29

Oktoberfest, September 23 (age 21 and older)

Harvest Festival, October 15 & 16

Trick-or-Treat on the Farm, October 30

Touch a Truck & Stamford Chili Cook-off, November 6

Contact Cathryn Oulighan to find out more about volunteering at the SM&NC. [email protected] or 203.977.6530.

Celebrating SM&NC VolunteersWe celebrated our wonderful volunteers at the 11th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on July 13. On a delightful mid-week evening, nearly 200 guests enjoyed music, Caribbean food, and a variety of fun games on the Meadow. Twenty-four outstanding volunteers received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. This award is given by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of President Obama “to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.” Thank you to ALL of our wonderful volunteers!

Some of our Presidential Volunteer Service Award winners with Cathryn Oulighan, Volunteer & Community Relations Manager, and Executive Director & CEO Melissa H. Mulrooney.

During recent visits to the SM&NC, you may have noticed a variety of improvements, courtesy of a number of terrific corporate volunteer groups that have helped out over the past several months.

On May 20, a dozen volunteers from Aquarion Water Company made a difference by completing two major projects. Some group members rejuvenated the landscaping in front of the Overbrook building, while others stained the deck of Otter Bridge, making it look almost new. Aquarion also donated the funds for materials used in these projects.

On July 6, hardworking employees and college interns from Frontier Communications painted 21 picnic tables, planted 10 trees and native shrubs at the Wheels in the Woods picnic area, spread two truckloads of wood chips

on our preschool nature trails, and stacked firewood to be used in the Maple Sugar House this winter. We thank Frontier for the donation of shrubs and trees.

A team of 20 college interns from Indeed arrived on the steamy afternoon of July 14. Despite the heat, they planted 20 flats of pachysandra, spread wood chips around the Wheels in the Woods picnic area, and stacked more firewood for the Maple Sugar House (see photo above ).

Most recently, on August 3, a group of 20 volunteers from the Stamford office of RSM US took on the challenging task of painting the railings of the Otter Bridge and Observation Deck. We salute these volunteers and the local corporations that encourage employee involvement in the communities where they work and live.

Corporate Volunteers Pitch In at the SM&NC

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The Holidays Are Just Around the Corner!Cate Carlucci, our Private & Social Events Manager, has designed holiday rental packages that are guaranteed to put you in the spirit. Cocktail parties, dinner parties, and corporate gatherings are simple to schedule and guaranteed to impress. Numerous options are available — one is sure to fit your idea of a memorable holiday party. Cate has so many great ideas to make your party truly one of a kind.

Special pricing is available if booked before October 15. Contact Cate at [email protected] or 203.977.6523 to book your holiday event; dates are limited.

Join us for what promises to be a memorable evening at the SM&NC with Jane Alexander as she discusses her new book, Wild Things, Wild Places: Adventurous Tales of Wildlife and Conservation on Planet Earth. Alexander is not only a four-time Academy Award nominee, a Tony Award, and two-time Emmy Award winning actress (and former chairperson of the National Endowment of the Arts), she’s also a longtime, much-admired activist, impassioned wildlife proponent, and conservationist.

Wild Things, Wild Places is an inspiring, personal look at the vastly changing world of wildlife on planet Earth as a result of human incursion, and the crucial work being done by scientists, field biologists, zoologists, environmentalists, and conservationists to preserve wildlife across the globe.

Alexander writes movingly of her steady and fervent immersion into the world of wildlife conservation, of her coming to know the scientists throughout the world who are steeped in this work, of her travels with them — and on her own — to the most remote and forbidding areas of the world as they work to save many species, including ourselves.

Alexander’s unique position and ability as an award-winning actress and her long-standing associations with those at the center of the worlds of science, politics and conservation makes Wild Things, Wild Places an important addition to the discussion of wildlife conservation and for a compelling evening at the SM&NC on November 16.

For more information or to register, visit stamfordmuseum.org or contact Patti Byrns at [email protected] or 203.977.6545.

ADMISSION PRICES:$35 admission for one and book$45 admission for two and book$25 for one and no book

Discussion, Q&A & Booking Signing with Jane Alexander, actress, activist and author of Wild Things, Wild Places: Adventurous Tales of Wildlife and Conservation on Planet EarthWednesday, November 16, 6 pm*

* Reserve your seat today!

Fantastic fall fun is going to happen on the Heckscher Farm!

Join us as we explore what is happening on the farm as everybody gets ready for the colder weather. Create your own signs of fall.

All classes take place on Heckscher Farm, in the Heckscher Barn classroom.

RegistrationDirector’s Circle & Family PLUS member levels: Thursday, September 1

Open registration: Tuesday, September 6

Register online at stamfordmuseum.org

Preschool Child with Adult Fall 2016

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Harvesting the Farm • 9:30–10:15 am Age: 2+/Instructors Beth Strauss or Teri BarryEC1F 3 weeks, Mondays, Sept 12, 19 & 26 OR EC2F 3 weeks, Tuesdays, Sept 13, 20 & 27 OR EC3F 3 weeks, Wednesdays, Sept 14, 21 & 28 OR EC4F 3 weeks, Thursdays, Sept 15, 22 & 29 OR EC5F 3 weeks, Fridays, Sept 16, 23 & 30

Visit the farm and learn about the food that comes from our farm. We will make something yummy or create a project to remember your farm experience. Members: $45 | Non-Members: $75

Three-week Mini Session:NEW!

Little Farmers • 9:30–10:15 am Age: 18 months and older / Instructor: Beth StraussEC6F 8 weeks, Tuesdays, October 11–December 6 (no class November 8) OR EC7F 8 weeks, Wednesdays, October 19–December 14 (no class November 23) OR EC8F 8 weeks, Thursdays, October 13–December 8 (no class November 24)

Meet in the Heckscher Barn classroom. Children will go outside, weather permitting, to visit animals and see the beauty of fall. They will create a project that reflects their experiences. Members: $120 | Non-Members: $150

Art Farm • 9:30–10:15 am Age: Just 2 / Instructor: Teri BarryEC9F 8 weeks, Mondays, October 17–December 5 (no class November 8) OR EC10F 8 weeks, Fridays, October 14–December 16 (no class November 11 & 25)

Join in the fall fun in the Heckscher Barn classroom and on the farm. Children will go outside, weather permitting, to visit animals and see the beauty of the fall. They will create a project that reflects their experiences.

Members: $120 | Non-Members: $150

Farmtastic Fall Fun • 10:30–11:15 am Age 2+ / Instructor: Beth StraussEC11F 8 weeks, Tuesdays, October 11 – December 6 (no class November 8) OR EC12F 8 weeks, Wednesdays, October 19 – December 14 (no class November 23) OR EC13F 8 weeks, Thursdays, October 13 – December 8 (no class November 24)

Meet in the Heckscher Barn classroom. Children will go outside, weather permitting, to visit animals and see the beauty of the fall. They will create a project that reflects their experiences. Members: $120 | Non-Members: $150

Fall on the Farm • 10:30–11:15 am Ages 2+ / Instructor: Teri Barry

EC14F 8 weeks, Mondays, October 17–December 5 (no class November 8) OR EC15F 8 weeks, Fridays, October 14–December 16 (no class November 11 & 25)

Meet in the Heckscher Barn classroom on the farm and go out and see this beautiful season. Visit the farm animals and see what they are doing to get ready for winter. Your child will create their own interpretation of what they see happening outside.


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After-School Classes

Junior Curator 101Ages 10-13Monday through Friday, 3:30-5 pm

This unique hands-on program provides an overview of basic animal care and experiential learning on Heckscher Farm. The course gives students a behind-the-scenes view of Heckscher Farm and includes a variety of hands-on experiences, such as daily animal care, cleaning, and feeding. Upon completion of the program, each participant will be eligible to become a farm volunteer. Space is limited.

CODE #: September 12–16 CODE #: October 17–24


Fall on the Farm After School Ages 5–10 Wednesdays, Sept 21–Oct 12 (4 weeks) 3:45–5 pmDiscover what is happening on the farm as the fall season begins! We’ll see how the farmers start to prepare animals for winter, visit the garden for an end-of-season harvest, and learn what crops grow on Connecticut farms in the fall. Help take a goat for a stroll, decorate a local pumpkin, see how our spring and summer babies have grown, and use the fall apple harvest to make yummy treats. Class will be taught by two SM&NC environmental educators and limited to 12 children for a great small-group experience. Meets at Heckscher Barn.

CODE: EEF1 Members: $60 per child | Non-Members: $70 per child

Wild Woods Adventure After SchoolAges 5–10 Wednesdays, Oct 19–Nov 9 (4 weeks) 3:45–5 pmOur popular after-school class is back with a fall session! Explore the autumn forest like never before as we search for salamanders and snakes, work on our woodland fort, learn how to make fire, and more! We’ll use our zip line in the forest, learn some basics of wild edibles, dig in the dirt, search the stream for creatures, and develop our engineering skills as we make a small dam for our stream. We’ll test our outdoor adventure skills in a safe, fun atmosphere that will allow kids to challenge themselves while exploring our wild woods! Limited to 12 children, so register early.

CODE: EEF2 Members: $60 per child | Non-Members: $70 per child

NEW! WildPlay Farm & Forest Explorers (for ages 4-5)Session I: 3 weeks, Mondays & Wednesdays Oct 17–Nov 2 (WPF1)Session II: 3 weeks, Mondays & Wednesdays Nov 14–Nov 30 (WPF2) 1–2 pm (Lunch Bunch from 12:30–1 pm, optional*)

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of nature-based play and exploration for developing confidence, motor skills, creativity, and increased cognitive function. Get your littlest naturalist outside as we explore our forest and farm through hands-on, seasonal discovery. Through a variety of guided and children-led activities, we’ll investigate the seasonal happenings on our forest trails and on Heckscher Farm. We’ll work with our farm animals, explore the garden, see who lives in the stream and under logs, dig in the dirt, and more! Open to all preschoolers/homeschoolers ages 4-5. Taught by Lisa Combs, Head Pre-School Teacher, and a member of our Environmental Education or Farm staff. Limited to 12 students. Meets at Heckscher Barn.

Members: $180 | Non-Members: $210 Register for both sessions: Members: $340 | Non-members: $400

Lunch Bunch (optional): Members: $40 | Non-members: $60

*Come early and bring your lunch at 12:30 pm

GENERAL INFORMATION . . . ABOUT FALL CLASSESRegistration

Family PLUS & above member levels: Thursday, September 1

Open registration: Tuesday, September 6

Register early as classes fill up quickly! Please include class code and numbers when registering [example: EC1F].

• Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Registration form must be accompanied by payment in full.

• Registration closes one week prior to program start date.

• No phone registrations.

• Fax registrations will be handled as mail-in registrations.

• We do not send confirmations. Registrants are notified if classes are cancelled or full.

• Children must reach the required age prior to the first class of a session.

• No guests or pets allowed.

Class Schedules

Based on the Stamford Public School Calendar, some classes will not be held. Some programs may still be scheduled.

Please read class listings carefully.

Weather Related Closings

Please listen to radio station WSTC-1400 AM for cancellation of any class due to the weather. If the Stamford Public Schools are closed, we will be closed. Make-up classes will be scheduled.

Refunds

No refunds are given unless a class is cancelled by the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Emergency situations will be considered at the Museum’s discretion.

Please register carefully.

For more information, call: 203.977.6521 Main Office203.977.6528 Early Childhood Education (class code EC) 203.977.6529 Farm Office [class code F) 203.977.6515 Environmental Education (class code EE)

**NOTEFrom time to time Stamford Museum & Nature Center representatives photograph children during SM&NC classes, workshops, and camps. These photos may be used on the SM&NC website, in brochures, newsletters, class catalogs, and for publicity. If you do not want your child to be photographed, please send a note to Scott Smith, Director of External Affairs, [email protected]. Thank you!

Register online for SM&NC [email protected]! 18

Fall Home School Day: Life of the Woodland Indians (For ages 5 & up)Tuesday, September 27, 10:30 am–3 pm

Bring your home schoolers and join us to explore the lives of the Woodland Indians who called Connecticut home many centuries ago. Through stories, a hike, games, artifacts, and other hands-on activities, we will study what life was like for these native inhabitants.

Home School Programs

Limited enrollment to foster the ideal small-group experience. No charge for teachers/chaperones and non-participating siblings. A group lunch will allow for home schoolers to meet each other and exchange ideas. To register, please call Max Barresi at 203.977.6540 or e-mail [email protected]. Members: $15/child | Non-Members: $15/child

015.5.1 Birch bark container. Eastern Woodlands. Gift of Rosa Portell.

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FALL CLASSES 2016 Registration Form

• Make checks payable to Stamford Museum & Nature Center• Mark envelope “Registration”• Mail to: Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road,

Stamford, CT 06903 or Fax to: 203.322.0408

1st Parent’s Name Dr. | Mr. | Mrs. | Ms. | circle one

Name (last) (first) email

2nd Parent’s Name Dr. | Mr. | Mrs. | Ms. | circle one

Name (last) (first) email

Address

City State Zip

Tel (home) (business)

Emergency Contact Name Tel

1st Child’s Name

Date of Birth Age Entering Grade

Documented serious allergies

1. Class # Title Fee



2nd Child’s Name

Date of Birth Age Entering Grade

Documented serious allergies




Total Class Fee

Membership Fee

Annual Appeal Donation

Total Amount Enclosed

Membership fee for new members and renewals must accompany this registration form.

o $175 Family Pluso $100 Familyo $ 30 Nanny Card add-on

Please note: Replacement cards $10 each

Method of Payment: MasterCard Visa AmEx Cash (in person only) Check (make checks payable to Stamford Museum & Nature Center)

Credit Card MasterCard Visa AmEx

Acct No. Name (as it appears on card)

Exp Date CVV Code Signature

Billing Address: Street City State Zip

Check one: Current Member New Membership Renewal Membership Non-Member

o Check this box to opt in to membership auto-renewal. Terms and conditions can be found on our website.

39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT 06903

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

SM&NC Membership Information203.977.6533

stamfordmuseum.org203.322.1646

Skylines and superheroes! Bring the whole family to our popular annual “A Billion Bricks” exhibition and be awed by five famous architectural landmarks made completely out of LEGO® bricks. The team from ILUGNY will recreate a fantasy Gotham City — featuring some of the most iconic buildings in New York City. LEGO trains, trams, and subways will travel over, under and around a totally new LEGO landscape where superheroes will save the day!

A BILLION BRICKS: LEGO® SUPER HEROES IN GOTHAM November 19, 2016–February 5, 2017

WE WILL BUILD IT, YOU SHOULD COME!

LEGO® is a trademark belonging to LEGO Systems A/S and is used throughout the exhibition with this understanding. We thank them for allowing the use of the term within our educational context.

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HOURS:Stamford Museum Galleries & Bendel MansionMonday–Saturday, 9 am–5 pm; Sunday, 11 am–5 pm

Heckscher FarmDaily 9 am–5 pm; April–OctoberDaily 9 am–4 pm; November–March

Heckscher WILD!Tuesday–Friday, Noon–4 pmSaturday–Sunday, 10 am–4 pmSchool vacation days & summer, 10 am–4pm

Nature’s Playground, Hiking TrailsDaily, 9 am – 5 pm (weather permitting)

Overbrook Nature CenterHours vary

SM&NC ClosedNew Years Day, Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day

fall 2016 volume 40

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