5
Special Section to: Greenwich Post  I The Darien Times  I New Canaan Advertiser  I The Ridgeeld Press  I The Wilton Bulletin  I The Redding Pilot  I The Weston Forum  I The Lewisboro Ledger HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS The Summer Theater of New Canaan is celebrating its 11th season of theater al fresco, as it were, as all its productions are performed in its open-air tent theater, located in New Canaan’s  Waveny Pa rk, ad jacent to Dun ning Fi eld at New Ca naan Hi gh School — all less than a mile from the Merritt Parkway’s Exit 37. “We’re thrilled to present our 11th summer season,” STONC’ s artistic director, Melody Libonati, said. “This year we are continuing our tradition of providing professional Broadway hit theater productions and great kids theater in addition to offering an established voice and platform for new original musicals and stage productions.” Entertainment for everybody The heat and humidity of summer can mean bad hair days for many, but STONC’s production of “Hairspray” is certain to fix your ’do! The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Hairspray” has delighted audiences of all ages since it opened on Broadway in 2002. Set in 1962 Baltimore, it tells the story of a lovable plus-sized teen, Tracy Turnblad, whose only desire is to dance on the popular “Corny Collins” TV show. When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network all without denting her ’do. The show runs until Aug. 3 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4. Every Thursday in July is Girl’s Night Out. Get your hair done, grab your girlfriends and head under the tent for fun and prizes. Summer Theatre’s family shows include the world premier of off-Broadway-bound “Merrilee Mannerly — A Magnificent New Musical,” which plays Saturdays and Sundays through July 19 with a special performance on Friday, July 4, at 1. The rules of summer may be more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean good man- ners go out the window. This fun and energetic new musical reminds us “Good manners are always in fashion!” On June 28, children’ s favorite, “The Little Mermaid” pre- miers and runs through Aug. 3. “The Little Mermaid” tells the story of the beautiful young mermaid Ariel who longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice.  Adapted from Disney’s 2008 hit Broadway produ ction , “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.,” features the hit songs “Part of  Yo ur W orld,” “She s in Lov e,” an d the O scar -win ning “ Under the Sea,” with performances Saturdays and Sundays. There will also be a special show on Friday, July 4, at 11 a.m. “Charlotte’ s Web” takes the stage for performances from July 12 through Aug. 3, with a special weekday performance Friday,  Aug. 1 . Generations of children and parents have enjoyed the book “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White, which has been heralded by the Children’ s Literature Association as “…the best children’ s book of the past 200 years.” The play begins after a restless first night in the Zuckerman family barn, where a wide-eyed young pig named Wilbur meets a witty and resourceful spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur learns through his fellow barnyard creatures of some unsettling plans for his future, Charlotte takes it upon her spinnerets and her trusty web to save him. This magical tale of what it means to be a good writer and a good friend features the much-loved characters created by White. New series In July, Summer Theatre of New Canaan premiers a new series, “Under the Stars” — New Artists Summer Theatre  Works — featur ing est ablis hed Br oadway and re gional direc tors, writers, composers and songwriters. “It’s an exciting opportu- nity to showcase a rising singer/songwriter one week, present a renowned Broadway director’s new project the next, followed by a new play about the adult life of Helen Keller the next,” said Ed Libonati, executive producer. “It is a chance to experience the work, the process and to talk with the artists making great theater today.”  Tickets for all shows are available online at stonc.org, by calling the box office at 203-966-4634, Monday-Friday, 11 to 4, or by email at [email protected]. Tickets are also available one-hour before each show at the tent theater box office. Stage- side picnic tables are available for show or pre-show dining and parties. Parking is free. by Nancy Bemis Summer Theatre Workshops Each event begins at 8 p.m. and will include a special post-show conversation with the featured artists. Tuesday, July 1— Nick Depuy & Friends: an intimate look at life through the eyes of a new songwriter and his songs. Featuring fellow performers and the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan choir. Wednesday, July 9 — ‘Money, the Musical:’ Broadway composer and cabaret lifetime achievement recipient David Friedman and two-time Tony nominee Peter Kellogg offer their Broadway-bound musical take on the journey and effect of money on us all. Featuring Broadway artists in concert. Wednesday, July 16 — ‘Route 66:’ The Connecticut premier of a new musical about adventure, romance and a trip down a highway we all wish we could take. See this staged concert version and get a peek at a great new show destined to touch hearts across our great country. By Connecticut theater artists Jerold Goldstein and William Squier, lyrics by William Squier and music by Fred Stark. Wednesday, July 23 — ‘Guns, A Cabaret:’ Liz Swados, the director of the hit Broadway show ‘Runaways,’ collabo- rated with NYU Tisch School Musical Theatre graduates to present a dynamic poignant musical narrative on gun issues. The piece is presented in a concert cabaret-sty le, with the cast singing and accompanying for the evening. Wednesday, July 30 — ‘Little Island of Joy:’ A staged reading of a new and profound play by Christopher Carlson, about Helen Keller, and the secret love of her life. Performed by a cast of local professional theater artists. The Summer Theatre of New Canaan Theater al fresco Molly Garbe, left (Merrilee Mannerly), and Sarah Mae Banning (Princess Posy), in the world premier of ‘Merrilee Mannerly — A Magnificent New Musical.’ Rebecca Spigelman (Tracy Turnblad) in The Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s production of ‘Hairspray,’ June 21-Aug. 3.

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Special Section to: Greenwich Post  I The Darien Times  I New Canaan Advertiser  I The Ridgefield Press  I The Wilton Bulletin  I The Redding Pilot  I The Weston Forum  I The Lewisboro Ledger

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

HERSAM ACORN NEWSPAPERS

The Summer Theater of New Canaan is celebrating its 11th

season of theater al fresco, as it were, as all its productions are

performed in its open-air tent theater, located in New Canaan’s

 Waveny Park, adjacent to Dunning Field at New Canaan High

School — all less than a mile from the Merritt Parkway’s Exit

37.

“We’re thrilled to present our 11th summer season,”

STONC’s artistic director, Melody Libonati, said. “This year we

are continuing our tradition of providing professional Broadway

hit theater productions and great kids theater in addition to

offering an established voice and platform for new original

musicals and stage productions.”

Entertainment for everybody

The heat and humidity of summer can mean bad hair days

for many, but STONC’s production of “Hairspray” is certain to

fix your ’do!

The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical,

“Hairspray” has delighted audiences of all ages since it opened

on Broadway in 2002. Set in 1962 Baltimore, it tells the story

of a lovable plus-sized teen, Tracy Turnblad, whose only desire

is to dance on the popular “Corny Collins” TV show. When her

dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to

sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone

the reigning teen queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link

Larkin, and integrate a TV network all without denting her ’do.

The show runs until Aug. 3 every Thursday, Friday and

Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 4. Every Thursday in July is

Girl’s Night Out. Get your hair done, grab your girlfriends andhead under the tent for fun and prizes.

Summer Theatre’s family shows include the world premier of

off-Broadway-bound “Merrilee Mannerly — A Magnificent New

Musical,” which plays Saturdays and Sundays through July 19

with a special performance on Friday, July 4, at 1. The rules of

summer may be more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean good man-

ners go out the window. This fun and energetic new musical

reminds us “Good manners are always in fashion!”

On June 28, children’s favorite, “The Little Mermaid” pre-

miers and runs through Aug. 3. “The Little Mermaid” tells the

story of the beautiful young mermaid Ariel who longs to leave

her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have

to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea

witch Ursula and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with

the enchanting voice.

 Adapted from Disney’s 2008 hit Broadway production,

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.,” features the hit songs “Part of

 Your World,” “She’s in Love,” and the Oscar-winning “Under the

Sea,” with performances Saturdays and Sundays. There will also

be a special show on Friday, July 4, at 11 a.m.

“Charlotte’s Web” takes the stage for performances from July

12 through Aug. 3, with a special weekday performance Friday,

 Aug. 1.

Generations of children and parents have enjoyed the book

“Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White, which has been heralded by

the Children’s Literature Association as “…the best children’s

book of the past 200 years.”

The play begins after a restless first night in the Zuckerman

family barn, where a wide-eyed young pig named Wilbur meets

a witty and resourceful spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur

learns through his fellow barnyard creatures of some unsettling

plans for his future, Charlotte takes it upon her spinnerets and

her trusty web to save him. This magical tale of what it means

to be a good writer and a good friend features the much-loved

characters created by White.

New series

In July, Summer Theatre of New Canaan premiers a new

series, “Under the Stars” — New Artists Summer Theatre

 Works — featuring established Broadway and regional directors,

writers, composers and songwriters. “It’s an exciting opportu-nity to showcase a rising singer/songwriter one week, present

a renowned Broadway director’s new project the next, followed

by a new play about the adult life of Helen Keller the next,” said

Ed Libonati, executive producer. “It is a chance to experience

the work, the process and to talk with the artists making great

theater today.”

 Tickets for all shows are available online at stonc.org, by

calling the box office at 203-966-4634, Monday-Friday, 11 to

4, or by email at [email protected]. Tickets are also available

one-hour before each show at the tent theater box office. Stage-

side picnic tables are available for show or pre-show dining and

parties. Parking is free.

by Nancy Bemis

Summer Theatre WorkshopsEach event begins at 8 p.m. and will include a special

post-show conversation with the featured artists.

Tuesday, July 1— Nick Depuy & Friends: an intimate

look at life through the eyes of a new songwriter and

his songs. Featuring fellow performers and the First

Presbyterian Church of New Canaan choir.

Wednesday, July 9 — ‘Money, the Musical:’ Broadway

composer and cabaret lifetime achievement recipient

David Friedman and two-time Tony nominee Peter Kellogg

offer their Broadway-bound musical take on the journey

and effect of money on us all. Featuring Broadway artists in

concert.

Wednesday, July 16 — ‘Route 66:’ The Connecticut

premier of a new musical about adventure, romance and

a trip down a highway we all wish we could take. See this

staged concert version and get a peek at a great new show

destined to touch hearts across our great country. By

Connecticut theater artists Jerold Goldstein and William

Squier, lyrics by William Squier and music by Fred Stark.

Wednesday, July 23 — ‘Guns, A Cabaret:’ Liz Swados,

the director of the hit Broadway show ‘Runaways,’ collabo-

rated with NYU Tisch School Musical Theatre graduates

to present a dynamic poignant musical narrative on gun

issues. The piece is presented in a concert cabaret-style,

with the cast singing and accompanying for the evening.

Wednesday, July 30 — ‘Little Island of Joy:’ A staged

reading of a new and profound play by Christopher

Carlson, about Helen Keller, and the secret love of her life.

Performed by a cast of local professional theater artists.

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan

Theater al fresco

Molly Garbe, left (Merrilee Mannerly), and Sarah Mae Banning (Princess Posy), in the world premier of ‘MerrileeMannerly — A Magnificent New Musical.’

Rebecca Spigelman (Tracy Turnblad) in The Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s productionof ‘Hairspray,’ June 21-Aug. 3.

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“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one

 page.” – St. Augustine.

“You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going,

because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra

Recently, I have been planning a family trip for my husband

and two teenage sons, the oldest of whom will be heading off to

his first year of college in the fall. Sob. The trip will entail a visit to

two West Coast cities with a fair amount of driving in between. I

am hoping for a magical bonding experience, but somehow Chevy

Chase and his family in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” are the

images that keep cropping up in my head. I am by nature and for-

mer career, a planner, so I have been doing extensive research on

where to go, what to eat and how to get there and wondering if it

will be possible to please everybody or anybody. While the Internet

has been very helpful, I am at heart a book person and would much

rather do my research flipping through pages while earmarking and

highlighting.

 Working in a bookstore, I get questioned fairly frequently on

which of the many guidebooks we carry is “the best.” Some of the

ones we carry are Lonely Planet, Fodor, Frommer, Rick Steves and

DK Eyewitness. And I always answer that it is a truly subjective

choice. Do you want a huge amount of information to lug around

or a thin book that will fit nicely into a purse or coat pocket? Are

pictures important? Do you want a fold-out map in your book

or in the individual pages? I often suggest that if a person is at all

familiar with a place in the books, he should read how that place is

described in each book and choose the book that fits his opinion of

that place the best.

Books to ‘take you away’

I love books on travel not only for help in planning trips, but for

the pure pleasure of inspiration for trips I may take or wish I could

take. In addition, I love the great travel writers who let me indulge

in my voyeuristic tendencies to accompany them on their adven-

tures while safely nestled in my own home.

One such book was Nina Sovich’s To the Moon and Timbuktu.

Sovich is a reporter who begins to feel the chains of her domes-

tic life and decides to leave it all behind and travel throughout

 West Africa. This is a beautiful memoir, which not only recounts

details of her travel with vivid descriptions of people and locales,

but the author’s own personal growth. You will feel the heat of the

 African sun and want to meet the lovely women in Nigeria that she

befriends.

 John Waters of Hairspray fame has come out recently with

his own not surprisingly quirky travelogue, Carsick: John Waters

Hitchhikes Across America, which tells the tale of ... wait for it. ..

 John Waters hitchhiking from Baltimore to San Francisco! Like his

movies, the book is not for everybody. In the beginning of the

book he spends a fair amount of time fantasizing about worst-case

scenarios of the types of people who might pick him up before the

trip even starts. Since I have been doing my own worst-case sce-

nario in planning my own trip, I understood where he was coming

from … sort of. Happily for him the reality is much tamer than his

imagination and ultimately more interesting.

 Another quirky book, “100 Places You Will Never Visit: The

 World’s Most Secret Locations,” just came out this past April. True

to the title, there are places in this book that you will never visit

because some of them are: 1. Terrifying (Snake Island, one venom-

ous snake per square meter), 2. Illegal (Area 51), and 3. Sacred, (the

 Vatican Archives.) From the Coca Cola deposit box to concentration

camps, to the mighty Fort Knox, author Dan Smith whets one’s

interest with as much information as could be compiled from placesthat the average Joe is unlikely ever to see, would probably never

want to see, or even knew existed.

But for those travelers interested in a more immersive experi-

ence, National Geographic’s “Where the Locals Go” is a great book

to go to. The title says it covers “more than 300 places around the

world to eat, play, shop, celebrate and relax.” There are beautiful

pictures as only National Geographic can take and brief descrip-

tions of happenings and places revealed from the perspective of the

people who actually live in the places.

 Also in the category of terrific local knowledge for the epi-

curean traveler is “Where Chefs Eat; A Guide to Chef’s Favorite

Restaurants,” by Joe Warwick. For anyone who has ever wondered

where a chef wants to eat at the end of his day or on his day off

this book provides the answer. This is a

worldwide compendium of places to eat

frequented by chefs with brief descrip-

tions, and maps.

 A similar topic, but more in the culinary

writing category, is “A Fork in the Road, Tales

of Food, Pleasure and Discovery on the Road,”

published by Lonely Planet. These are enter-

taining stories told by food writers and chefs

of their greatest food experiences in places such

as eating cassoulet in the French countryside to a

grand wedding banquet in India.

Lonely Planet also has a helpful travel guide,

“Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014.” As it sounds,

this book lists the top 10 regions to travel in 2014. It

is filled with truly gorgeous pictures and great ideas forall sorts of getaways. It has the top choice locations for

specific adventures such as mountain biking or surfing

in addition to historical and cultural information for the

more cerebral traveler.

However, if you only have a weekend, one of my favorite books

is the New York Times’ “36 Hours” series. Started as a column in

the New York Times in 2002 for travelers with only 36 hours to

spare, these books cover a little something for everyone in a variety

of locations worldwide.

 And lastly, National Geographic’s Travel Editor-at-Large

Christopher Elliot has recently written “How to Be the World’s

Smartest Traveler.” The book is divided into three main chapters —

Before You Go, Getting There and On the Ground. From packing

advice to resolving travel disputes, he arms you with good things

to know before you go and when you are there. He says, “The one

thread that runs through all the advice, and maybe this isn’t the sex-

iest thing to say, is, Think about it before it can become a problem.”This then leads me back to my own trip and pre-travel night-

mares. Is it possible for two teenage boys to stop texting and enjoy

the view? Will all four of us fit into one small hotel room at this

stage in life? Will we be able to agree on any of the activities I have

so lovingly prebooked?

It may well be as Dave Barry said, “That’s the wonderful thing

about family travel: It provides you with experiences that will

remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind.” Or, with any

luck it will be as Seneca says, “Travel and change of place impart

a new vigor to the mind,” and I might add with hope, to a new

appreciation of the journey we are taking with each other.

Melissa Thorkilsen of New Canaan is the floor manager at Elm Street

Grill safetySummertime, and the grilling is easy

by Fred BakerNew Canaan Fire Marshal

Now is the time for the greatest of sum-

mertime traditions — grilling! (or, if you are

like me, it never stops). To insure everyone can

enjoy their back yard bistros unencumbered

by unfortunate mishaps, below is a list of steps

you can take to avoid being “well done”:

• Make sure that your grill is serviced and

cleaned annually, following manufacturers

instructions for care and use.

• Leak check all hoses and fittings on gas

grill with a dish detergent and water solution.

If any “bubbling” appears, have the grill ser-

viced by a certified technician.

• Whenever changing propane tanks make

sure all connections are tight.

• When transporting propane tanks for

refilling/exchange they must be securedupright. An old milk crate works great to sta-

bilize tanks for transport. Never transport in

trunks.

• Never leave a tank in the car while doing

other errands — full tanks sometimes will start

to “off-gas” in the heat build-up inside of a

parked car.

• Keep grills at least three feet away from

combustibles (i.e. your home!)

• Always dispose of ashes from charcoal

grills in metal containers with a tight lid.

• Never use gasoline or other flammable

liquids to start your charcoal — only use

approved charcoal lighter fluid. Once the char-

coal is started never add lighter fluid.

• Never use a grill — gas or charcoal

— indoors.

For more information, contact the fire mar-

shal in your town or city.

Travel by the bookBooks to help get you from here... to there

by Melissa Thorkilsen

• 2 •  •  SummerScapes  •  Hersam Acorn Newspapers •  •  June 26, 2014 •

 

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It’s been around in the U.S. since 1916, in theNortheast since 1926 (when the first rooftop was used, in

New York City), and a big part of Connecticut summer fun

for generations. Myrtle Beach, S.C., may be considered the

mini golf capital of the world, but our state has plenty of

courses worthy of summer day-trip status.

 Why did mini golf make the family summer bucket list

for Jamie Johnson, Virginia Tantral and their twin eight-

year-olds, who live in Stratford? Jamie, who is from Texas,

knows it as “putt-putt” and only recently discovered it

with her family. “We like that it is a family game, though

for now as the kids are learning, we’re not even counting

score,” she said. “That keeps it more cooperative and fun

than competitive.”

But she has found there are plenty of lessons to be

learned on the green. “We discuss sportsmanship, the

physics of the ball navigating the course and putt-putt jar-

gon like ‘hole in one’ and par,” Jamie said. “We reminisceabout our own childhoods playing and talk about the

course; we like the ones with moving parts like a windmill

or running water.”

She calls it the “perfect outing” in that a game takes

about an hour and there are often food and other activities

on site. “The kids love it so much they’re becoming expert

course spotters,” she added.

 While going pro might only be for the best of us (yes,

there’s a United States ProMinigolf Association), the rest of

us can plan some tee-off play and other fun at the follow-

ing local putt stops.

Mini-Golf at Saybrook Point, 154 College St., Old

Saybrook; 860-388-2407; oldsaybrookrec.com; $5 per per-

son ($3 for kids on Mondays during the day). The slogan

“Putt a round by the Sound,” tells all about this course’s

stunning location, which overlooks the water. It sustained

damage in Hurricane Sandy, but reopened in 2013 witha new course that includes a number of local landmarks

and a clubhouse offering snacks and drinks. Or enjoy a

before- or after-course meal at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa

next door.

Sports Center of Connecticut, 784 River Road (Route

110), Shelton; 203-929-6500; sportscenterct.com; $8.50-

$10.50 (return your ball for $1 back). This nature-themed

course, featuring a waterfall and river, is open year round.

 And there’s much more on site: a weather-protected driving

Up to Par Area Mini Golf

Locales Worth A Visit

by Melissa Ezarik Woodsy places that make for a great nature walk or hike are

seemingly around every corner throughout our state. But adven-

ture-loving residents looking for a bit more mix in that trail canfind it on a treasure or scavenger hunt. Ranging from low-tech and

casual to high-tech and precise, these hunts can also be found all

over — if one knows where to look.

The key to not missing a thing along the four-mile trail system

at 171-acre Webb Mountain Discovery Zone in Monroe, which

opened in 2007, is to pick up an interactive scavenger hunt game

on the way in. Designed to heighten children’s awareness and

observational powers (as well as promote exercise), the scavenger

hunt includes searches for frogs and salamanders in vernal pools,

charcoal bits and arrowheads in Colonial quarries, mammal tracks

in sandpits and signs of life in rotten logs.

Twenty-eight learning stations, covering rocks and minerals,

plants and wildlife, ecology, biology and Native American and

Colonial history, are included throughout the trails and define

many of the scavenger hunt items. There are benches, too, where

kids can take a quick break or have a seat to check off items on

their scorecards.

Stamp Marks the Spot: Letterboxing

For a more structured hunt, try letterboxing. Letterboxes are

small, weatherproof boxes that can be located by following specific

clues. Once there’s a find, you open the box and stamp the log

book before hiding it again for the next adventurer. Those carry-

ing their own log books can also bring home a stamped memento.

 According to Letterboxing.org, there are about 20,000 letterboxes

hidden in North America.

Nature centers are good places to find letterboxing. (sub)

 At Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center, three boxes take about

an hour for a novice to find. A family starts near a slide and swing-

set, looks for a poison ivy marker and then begins the trail to the

left of that sign. When they reach a bridge and cross it, they’ll find

another marker, near which they can search for the “Mosquito” let-

terbox, hidden at the base of a “two-sister tree.”

Earthplace -The Nature Discovery Center, in Westport, is a wild-

life sanctuary with two miles of trails. The Swamp Loop Trail is theplace to be, as it contains five letterboxes. The clues require not only

good direction following but also some thought. For example: “Find

a ‘watchful mother.’ From here turn to 300 degrees and proceed

to the green sign. Turn right and follow the trail. Look for a bench

overlooking the field. Behind this bench is an old sugar maple. This

tree was hit by lightning long ago, leaving a large cavity. Look inside

the tree under some pieces of bark.”

Coordinates, please: Geocaching

Geocaching also involves cleverly hidden containers and log

books, but a geocaching app or GPS device as well. There are

more than two million geocaches to be found worldwide and six

million people who consider themselves geocachers, according to

Geocaching.com, run by the company Groundspeak. On the site,

one can enter a zip code to find nearby geocaches to try.

 Angela Capinera, who has lived in Stratford for 11 years and

homeschools her children, ages 5 and 8, has been on half-daygeocaching trips with other families. In the past year, they’ve made

about eight treks and found some geocaches to be very well hidden.

Her biggest recommendation: Head to Hamden. Lake

 Wintergreen and Sleeping Giant State Park both offer beautiful scen-

ery, her family found.

“My children like geocaching because they get to use maps and

get to explore different areas, and areas we know in different ways,”

she said. “It’s cool to be looking under rocks, and great for learning

and science exploration.”

Melissa Ezarik is a Stratford mom who has created more than one

on-the-fly scavenger hunt to make a visit to less interactive muse-

ums more fun. She is a journalist and editor of a national education

trade magazine.

More info on scavenger hunting• Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center: ansonianatu-

recenter.org; 10 Deerfield Lane, Ansonia; 203-736-1053

• Earthplace-The Nature Discovery Center: earth-

place.org; 10 Woodside Lane, Westport; 203-557-4400

• Geocaching-The Official Global GPS Cash Hunt

Site: geocaching.com

• Letterboxing North America:  letterboxing.org

(includes a kids-oriented introduction)

• Webb Mountain Discovery Zone: webbmountain-

discoveryzone.com; East Village Road (off Route 111),

Monroe; 203-556-9737

Ready, set... scavenge! Monroe’s Webb Mountain Discovery Zone

includes 28 learning stations for young scavenger hunters.

On the huntOutdoor fun with an adventurous twist

by Melissa Ezarik

Mini Golf continued on page 4

•  June 26, 2014 •  •  SummerScapes  •  Hersam Acorn Newspapers •  • 3 •

��   �

   

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 �

THERE’S SO MUCH TO

EXPLORE AT CAMP!

Camp Mini Preschool Summer CampAges 3-5NEW CANAAN YMCA

With unique activities such as swim lessons and

Bouncing Bears, Camp Mini provides a special

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and personal growth.

Learning to swim is crucial to

ensuring your family has a fun and

safe summer. With swim lessonsoffered as a part of our program,campers become stronger and safer inthe water just by attending camp!There’s no need to add another separateclass to your busy summer schedule!

There’s no playtime like Bouncing

Bears playtime!

Camp Mini campers have a blast withball pits, moon bounce, slides, swings,ropes, and so much more to discover inour Bouncing Bears preschool gym.

Swim Lessons

Bouncing Bears

Plus music, arts & crafts, end-of-session family

sing-a-longs, Wacky Wednesday themes, weekly

special events, and more!

Learn more about all of our summer camp offerings (ages 3 - 13)online at www.newcanaanymca.org/summer-camp

REGISTRATION IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT THE Y AND ONLINE

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range, a jungle-themed Lazer Tag arena, Fun Bowl

Bowling (kid-sized alley), the Game Zone arcade,

batting cages, and a double-decker ice skating

arena. Join the frequent mini-golfer club for the

chance to earn free future rounds.

Norwalk Cove Marina Mini Golf, 48 Calf

Pasture Beach Road, East Norwalk; 203-838-2326;

norwalkcove.com; $6 per person. Waterfront

views are the main attraction at this course, which

offers obstacles, sand traps and extreme contours

that help make each hole fun. Plan a trip on a kids

summer concert day, or visit SoNo or Stepping

Stones Museum for Children after your game.

Putter’s Paradise Mini Golf at Berlin Batting

Cages, 1801 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin; 860-828-

7518; berlinbattingcages.com; $5.75 per person.

Novices and experts will both find a home here.

There’s the Fun Course with traditional windmill,

bucketwheels and wishing well, or the Challenge

Course featuring rock traps and breaks in the

green.The Only Game in Town, 275 Valley Service

Road, North Haven; 203-239-4653; onlygamect.

com; $7-$10 per person. Options abound here,

with two different outdoor courses (one with

18, and the other 9, holes) and indoor Thriller

Mini Golf (featuring glow-in-the-dark effects and

music). go-carts, a driving range and the arcade

are other reasons to visit.

Sonny’s Place, 349 Main St., (Route 190),

Somers; 860-763-5454; sonnysplace.com; $5-

$7.50 per person. Just a few years old, the course

winds around fountains, ponds, a river and a

cascading waterfall with a variety of tilts, ramps

and obstacles. Other activities include an arcade,

batting cages, go-carts, a driving range, a rock

climbing wall and the Monkey Motion trampoline/ 

bungee jumping attraction. Some nights feature

live music in the pavilion.

Farmington Miniature Golf & Ice Cream

Parlor, 1048 Farmington Ave. (Route 4),

Farmington; 860-677-0118; farmingtonminia-turegolf.com; $6-$8 per person (weekday repeat

games cost $3). A peaceful setting with lots of

flowers, this course features a church, a windmill

and other building challenges. The ice cream

parlor has more than 40 flavors of hard scoop ice

cream.

Olde Sawmill Grill and Miniature Golf

Course, 345 Oxford Road (Route 67), Oxford;

203-888-3954; oldsawmillgolf.com; $5-$7 per

person. Open since 1996 and overlooking Little

River and a “real” golf course, this course has an

“in the country” feel and was designed and built

by the owner. A highlight (at hole 16) is a saw-

mill, which gives a nod to the sawmill history in

town. The restaurant, with both indoor and out-

door seating, offers a variety of food as well as ice

cream.Monster Mini Golf; 14 Starr Road, Danbury;

203-744-GOLF; monsterminigolf.com; $8-$9

per person. Second location opening late this

summer or in the fall in Orange. This indoor

monster-themed glow-in-the-dark course features

music to accompany play. Download the app from

iTunes and there’s no need to keep score the old

fashioned way. An arcade is on site for before- or

after-golf fun.

Melissa Ezarik of Stratford is the mother of a soon-

to-be second grader who scored his first hole in

one last summer. She is a a journalist and editor of a

national education trade magazine.

The Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton offers a nature-themed mini golf course.

Mini GolfContinued from page 3

• 4 •  •  SummerScapes  •  Hersam Acorn Newspapers •  •  June 26, 2014 •

 

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