Originally compiled By Libby Borden and Julie Scharnberg; updated By Julie Scharnberg

 

Don’t Miss These Dates

June 21: Out of This World! At 6 p.m. kick off the Norfolk Library’s Summer Reading Program with Liquid Body, a movement performance group. Get ready for a summer of otherworldly fun. Look for more information at the library detailing the entire summer reading program. Suitable for all ages.

June 30: Once in a Blue Moon: Stargazing. Join amateur astronomer Hartley Mead at 8 p.m. at the library and learn about the stars above.

July 14: Open House at the Battell-Stoeckel Estate. Start your day at the Young Artist Recital at 10:30 a.m. Children’s games start at 2 p.m. then cool off at the Ice Cream Social. Tour the Whitehouse. At 4 p.m. pianist Claude Frank, bassoonist Frank Morelli and Fellows of the Yale Summer School of Music perform music of Schumann and Beethoven. Picnic on the grounds sponsored by the Norfolk Lions Club at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m. the Mitchell-Ruff Duo will feature smooth jazz for piano, horn and double bass. Concert admission is free.

August 7: Summer Star Party at the library featuring the Star Lab from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Star Lab last appeared at Botelle School two years ago. This is your turn to boldly go where your kids have gone before!

Labor Day weekend (September 1, 2, 3): The Goshen Fair, Route 63, Goshen. Everything you want in a country agricultural fair including food, music, prize-winning produce, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and goats. Full schedule and more information on www.goshenfair.org.

Sports & Recreation

Far Post Summer Soccer Camp, July 9 – 13, 9 a.m. to Noon, Botelle School. For boys and girls, ages 5 to 17. Brochures available at Botelle School office, the library and the Norfolk Corner on the community shelf.

Tennis lessons at Botelle taught by Joel Nelson. July 16 – 20, 9 a.m. until Noon. For beginners, intermediate, advanced players. Sign up at Town Hall during the month of June. Any questions, contact Joel at 542-1960. Courts open to the public.

Highlander Basketball Camp, July 23 – 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northwestern Regional High School. For boys and girls entering grades 3 through 8. For information call Doug Sebach, Director, at 542-6864.

Torrington Twisters Baseball Clinics. Four-day clinics start June 26 at convenient locations throughout Litchfield County. For boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. Go to www.torringtontwisters.org for more information or contact Gregg Hunt at 203-266-5792 or via email at twisterclinics@cs.com.

Tobey Pond. Norfolk’s summer resort. Make sure to get your new car stickers from Town Hall. Swimming lessons will be offered. Look for flyers with details.

Camp Jewell YMCA, Colebrook. Week-long sessions start July 9 and run through August 17. Overnight and day camp programs available featuring sports, aquatics, creative and performing arts, horseback riding, outdoor skills. For information call 888-412-2267 or email camp.jewell@ghymca.org.

Silver Lake Conference Center, United Church of Christ, 223 Low Road, Sharon. Overnight programs for boys and girls, ages 9 to 19. For more information go to www.silverlake.ctucc.org or call 860-364-5526.

First Church Children’s Discovery Center, Winsted summer program, “On Safari – A Hunting We Will Go!” Discover life in the jungle and jungle habitat using books, poems, fingerplay, music and creative movement along with science and nature. July 10 – 19 from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. for boys and girls ages 3 and 4. For information call 379-4838.

White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield. Summer classes and programs for boys and girls ages 4 to 13. Go to www.whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857.

Audubon Sharon, 325 Cornwall Bridge Road, Sharon. Week-long summer nature programs for boys and girls, ages 3 to 11. Go to www.sharon.audubon.org or call 860-364-0520 for more information.

Fishing/boating. Tobey Pond (boat permit needed) and Woodcreek Pond in Norfolk, Winchester Lake and Park Pond in Winchester, Highland Lake in Winsted, Colebrook River Reservoir in Colebrook, Thousand Acre Lake and Lake Buel in New Marlborough, Stillwater Pond and Burr Pond in Torrington, Lakeville Lake, the Twin Lakes and Mudge Pond in Salisbury, Tyler Lake and West Side Pond in Goshen, West Hill Pond in New Hartford. For information on the Farmington River, go to www.frwa.org. Remember to first check an official source such as the Department of Environmental Protection Fisheries website before eating the catch of the day.

Paradise Under Par – Batting Cages and Miniature Golf at the Snack Shack, Route 7, North Canaan. Beautifully landscaped 18-hole miniature golf course and batting cages with both fast and slow hardball and softball. For hours call 824-8164.

Golf. Allyndale Driving Range, 860-824-4252. Lessons, pro shop, club repair. Turn onto Allyndale Road from Route 44 across from the East Canaan Package Store. Rock Pile Golf, 860-379-5161, on Route 44 in Colebrook near the Norfolk town line. Lessons offered.

Terra Cello Summer Riding Camps by Viktoria Sleeper. July 9 – 13, July 16 – 20, August 13 – 17 and August 20 – 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For boys and girls over age 7, along with boarding, training and lessons. For more information email info@terracellofarm.com or call 542-1115. For more area stables look under the Area Attractions section of the Mountain View Inn’s website at www.mvinn.com. Another good, but very extensive, website is www.justhorses.com.

Playgrounds. Botelle School, 128 Greenwoods Road East. Great for all ages. The Train Play Station behind the Norfolk Library, most suited to very young children.

Action Wild Life Foundation, 337 Torrington Road (Route 4), Goshen. Observe and learn about animals from North America, Africa, India, New Zealand, Asia and the Arctic. Petting and feeding stations (bring hand sanitizer and/or wipes). Summer hours (late June until August), everyday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Go to www.actionwildlife.org or call 860-482-4465 for more information.

Hiking/Trails. Norfolk has a wealth of great trails and places to hike. Buy a map of the Land Trust Trails at the Norfolk Library, Town Hall and Norfolk Corner. Information on local state parks (Campbell Falls, Dennis Hill, Haystack Mountain) can be obtained from www.dep.state.ct.us/stateparks, click on Outdoor Recreation, then State Parks & Forests, then Find A Park.

Pleasant Valley Drive-in Movies, 47 E. River Road, Pleasant Valley. You won’t find a cheaper movie ticket. Go early, bring a picnic or take advantage of the concession food (it is decent and reasonably priced). Kids from all over get together and play pick-up games of baseball or kickball before the movies start at dusk. Call 379-6102 for what’s playing or check out their weekly flyer posted on the green power pole in front of DQ in Winsted.

Pick-Your-Own Farms. Go to www.pickyourown.org for a bumper crop of places throughout the state that let you pick your own fruits and vegetables. The site also has recipes, picking tips and other links that will keep you in touch with the freshest and best stuff out there. Always call the farm before you set out as weather, heavy picking or other conditions could affect hours and crops. Most places are cash only so remember to stop at the ATM.

If you’ve never done it, take the kids on a carriage ride around town or a hayride. Loon Meadow Farm offers livery service and all kinds of packages including parties with their Barnyard Zoo. Go to www.loonmeadowfarm.com or call 542-6085 for more information. Word has it they sometimes have summer camps.

Stanton Equipment a/k/a The John Deere Store. Sit on the real thing outside, make brrrmmm sounds, then go inside and treat your youngsters to a miniature version. Located in Canaan on Route 44, just before the railroad tracks, take the driveway before the Maine Caboose.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Torrington Twisters Baseball. Great summer baseball right in your own backyard. The college age players from this league have gone on to MLB teams! The Twisters play in Fussenich Park, right off Main Street in downtown Torrington. Parking tip: spend the couple of extra minutes to walk from the far end of the parking lot; your windshield will thank you. Go to www.torringtontwisters.org for the game schedule, rosters and more on the team. Kids always walk away with at least one souvenir baseball and they get to run the bases after the game.

New Britain Rock Cats Baseball. Major-league-quality play without the major league ticket prices. The 2007 season marks the 34th anniversary of this ball club which is the Eastern League AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They have a great website (www.rockcats.com), including on-line ticket purchase. The Rock Cats play at New Britain Stadium located in Willow Brook Park at 230 John Karbonic Way, New Britain. The website has loads of information for kids including summer camps and clinics, and seasonal promotions. Kids who join the Rookies Club get to run the bases after every Sunday home game.

Vintage Base Ball! The Simsbury Taverneers play the game “as it was meant to be played,” the perfect mix of summer fun, nostalgia and history. Vintage base ball teams select a set of rules to follow, anywhere from the 1860’s through 1886. Each game is different and don’t be surprised to see them switch rules mid-game. The players use reproduction equipment and wear reproduction uniforms. Believe it or not, gloves weren’t used until the 1890’s so be prepared to hear the smack of the ball on bare palms. You’ll have to brush up on your base ball vocabulary. Pitchers are called “hurlers,” batters are “strikers,” catchers are “behinds.” Batter up is “striker to the line,” a pop-up is a “sky ball,” and the outfield is “the garden,” because flowers grew wild in the fields where early games were held. For more information including schedule, field locations and links to other vintage base ball sites go to www.simsburytaverneers.com.

Rainy Day?

The Norfolk Library’s children’s room is a lovely place to spend an hour or two and open seven days a week. Read through some books, play with the toys, pick out a movie to watch back at home.

Norfolk Historical Society Museum. This year’s exhibit is titled “Glimpses of Norfolk at the Turn of the 20^th Century.” A wonderful opportunity to see Norfolk through the lens of award-winning photographer Marie Kendall. Cool off in the back room with photos of The Ice Storm of 1898. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day until October 7 or by appointment. Go to www.norfolkhistoricalsociety.com or call 542-5761 for more information.

Laser Tag at Fusion Zone, Mallory Brook Plaza, 380 New Hartford Road, Barkhamsted. Completely painless (unlike paintball or phazerball). Fusion Zone also features arcade games. Open year round. Go to www.fusionzonect.com or call 379-9663 for information and hours.

R&B Sports World, 19 Rowley Street, Winsted. Indoor batting cages, arcade games, billiards room and Phazerball (for ages 10 +). When the weather clears, they also have outdoor batting cages, go carts and mini-golf. Open year round. Go to www.randbsportsworld.com or call 738-9799 for information and hours.

Cinerom Digital Movieplex, Mallory Brook Plaza, 380 New Hartford Road, Barkhamsted. First run movie theatre. Go to www.moviefone.com, check the local papers or call 738-6501 for what’s playing and times.

Colonial Theatre, 27 Railroad Street, Canaan. Newly restored and showing second run movies (in case you missed something the first time around in Winsted). Check the local papers or call 824-4488 for what’s playing and times.

Build-A-Bear at Westfarms Mall. Make a few new friends to round out the tea party table. Grandparents, be prepared. There are more accessories than you can imagine (each sold separately) to fully outfit each bear. While you’re there, the Rainforest Café and California Pizza Kitchen are great places to eat.

The Children’s Museum of Connecticut (formerly known as the Science Center of Connecticut), 950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford. Dedicated to igniting curiosity through science and nature. Amazing instructors and wonderful exhibits. Best of all, they have a Grandparent membership, perfect for you and your visiting family members. Membership entitles you to free (!) admission at an unbelievable number of other museums in the area and worldwide. Remember to also take advantage of related affiliates Roaring Brook Nature Center, UTC Wildlife Sanctuary and Gengras Planetarium. Go to www.thechildrensmuseumct.org or call 860-231-2830 for information.

Art, Music, Theatre

Yale Art Camp. Children’s week dates are June 21, 22, 25, 26 and 27. Adult sessions start May 30. Call 542-5701 for details.

Fiddle Fest 2007, Directed by Pat Daly, July 16 – 18, from 9 a.m. until Noon. Participation limited to students who have already taken some lessons. Register at the door on July 16. Call 542-5454 for details or email patsydaly@hotmail.com. Pat would like to know how many adults and children are interested in beginning string instruction. She may run a beginner’s session later in the summer if enough people are interested.

Music Lessons. Pat Daly will be available throughout the summer for violin lessons. Call 542-5454 for information or email patsydaly@hotmail.com.

Norfolk Chamber Music Festival Young Artist Recitals at The Music Shed on the Battell-Stoeckel estate. Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. in July and August; Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on July 31 and August 7 only. Saturday morning concerts are popular with children. Drawing materials provided to keep children inspired while they listen and refreshments are served at intermission. No admission.

Flying Cloud Institute, New Marlborough, Mass. Visual and Performing Arts and Science Programs for inquiring and creative children, ages 5 to 14. Contact Jane or Larry Burke at 413-229-3321 or email them at flycloud@earthlink.net for more information.

Warner Theatre Summer Arts Program, two-week sessions starting July 9. Intensive arts education and enrichment for boys and girls, ages 7 to 16. For more information call Isabel Hinman at 489-7180 ext. 128 or go to www.warnertheatre.org, click Arts Education then Summer Arts Program.

Day Trips

There are lots of great little museums throughout the state dedicated to things like locks, clocks, the circus, trolleys, art, history. Go to www.museumlink.com and find something fun to explore. Round out your itinerary for the day with some good food. Go to www.roadfood.com – a great resource for all the local places you long to discover but have been afraid to try.

Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street (Route 7), Pittsfield, MA. You can’t miss the enormous dinosaur out front. The Berkshire Museum enriches, educates and inspires through its diverse collections of art, natural science and history together with dynamic educational programs and special exhibits. Go to www.berkshiremuseum.org or call 413-443-7171 for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Hancock Shaker Village, Route 20 (just west of the junction with Route 41), Pittsfield, MA. Until Columbus Day all the historic buildings are open for self-guided tours. A variety of crafts, demonstrations and talks go on throughout the day. The Discovery Room has hands-on activities for kids. For information call 413-443-0188 or visit www.hancockshakervillage.org for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Old Sturbridge Village, Route 20 West (Exit 3B off I-84E), Sturbridge, MA. Ah, the good old days from 1790 through 1840. Discover 19^th century life in rural New England. More than 40 historical buildings including working mills and forges, shops, beautiful gardens and heritage breed farm animals. Watch out for the sheep stampede racing to their 4 p.m. meal! Tons of demonstrations (the musket firing is very popular with kids) and events throughout the day. There is so much to see that your admission ticket is good for a second visit within 10 days. For information call 508-347-3362 or visit www.osv.org for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA. Another building you can’t miss seeing from the highway – it is a gigantic silver sphere. Named for Dr. James Naismith who invented the game in 1891 as an “athletic distraction” for young men during the winter months. Loads of interactive, entertaining and educational exhibits celebrating the game of basketball. Shoot hoops for as long as you want on their full-size court. Compare shoe sizes with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan on your way in and out. The website has great links and answers to probably any basketball-related question your kid has ever asked (history of the 3-point shot anyone?). Go to www.hoophall.com or call 413-781-6500 for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA. From public art programs (free! with museum admission) to live performances to films, this museum is sure to delight everyone. Plan at least one very long day or consider staying overnight to take full advantage of all the museum has to offer. For information call 413-658-1110 or visit www.picturebookart.org for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road (Route 183), Stockbridge, MA. Who can resist? For information call 413-298-4100 or visit www.nrm.org for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Mass MoCA, 87 Marshall Street, North Adams, MA. Kidspace, located on the 3rd floor, is a contemporary art gallery just for kids! Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 4 p.m. No admission. Take the whole family to view and make artwork of your very own. Check the website www.massmoca.org or call 413-662-2111 for information on summer art classes, hours, directions.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket. One of the largest, state-of-the-art Native American facilities on the eastern seaboard. This dynamic learning center was designed to share the proud heritage and legacy of the Pequot people told from their perspective. It offers a wide variety of exhibit tours and special hands-on enrichment programs. Go to www.pequotmuseum.org or call 800-411-9671 for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport. Connecticut’s only zoo. Open everyday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wonderful for all ages and not too tiring for very young children. Beardsley Zoo offers great programs all year long. Go to www.beardsleyzoo.org or call 203-394-6565 for admission, hours, directions and programs.

Design a trip around the Connecticut Freedom Trail or the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail. There is one site on the Freedom Trail right here in Norfolk, the grave of James Mars in Center Cemetery on Old Colony Road. For more information about James Mars and the Freedom Trail go to www.ctfreedomtrail.com. The Norfolk Historical Society has a pamphlet available for $2.00 entitled “The Life of James Mars” that will tell you all about Mars, Norfolk’s role in the Underground Railroad and the Freedom Trail. The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame founded a statewide program known as the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail comprised of 13 museums and historic homes around the state committed to the interpretation of women’s history and culture. For more information about the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail go to www.cwhf.org.