Going to the Dogs — Mystic Seaport Style

When I read that ‘so and so’  is Grand Marshal of a parade coming to a town near me, I immediately envision someone very distinguished looking, riding in an open convertible, smiling and waving to the crowd as the car passes by.

On Friday, August 27 from 5-7 p.m., Mystic Seaport is having its first-ever dog parade, but the Grand Marshal  won’t be waving to the crowd.  Instead he’ll be wagging his tail and possibly woofing a greeting as he passes by.  His name is Rufus , and this Bull Terrier is well-deserving of his status in the parade.

Awarded  the 2006 Westminster Best in Show Champion medal, Rufus holds a total of 700 titles in all. This winning dog has since used his fame to raise money for multiple animal and human charities in addition to bringing a touch of cheer to humans as a Certified Therapy Dog.

On August 27^th, Rufus will be leading a multitude of fellow canine parade participants, some of whom have already had their own ‘moment of fame’ by being selected as Sea Dog of the Week in Mystic Seaport’s  photo contest.  For the parade, all dogs can compete for prizes in the categories of Best Dressed, Best Nautical Theme and Judge’s Choice. Rufus will be head judge along with fellow judge Lee Elci, dog owner and radio personality on 104.7, WXLM.

We humans don’t need to beg for this treat. All we need to do is register our costumed dogs at 5 p.m. if they are to participate in the parade. Otherwise, we can just come, with or without our pooch, and watch from the sidelines. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission to this after- hours event is FREE! And, everyone that comes Friday night will receive a coupon for reduced admission on the weekend.

What a fun way to kick off Dog Days weekend at Mystic Seaport.  ‘See you at the parade….and at all the other special events and demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday.  These animals are amazing in what they can do. No wonder dogs are considered man’s best friend!

This entry was written by Museum volunteer Trudi Busey. Trudi no longer has a dog, but she is known to spend time dog sitting for friends and family.

Ever-changing Exhibits

I learned something new today.

Working at Mystic Seaport you would think I’d be keenly aware that all the permanent and changing Museum exhibits don’t just happen overnight. Well, I DO realize that —  but this morning was an eye-opening education.

Jeff Crewe, a key member of the Museum’s Exhibits Department, spoke about all the research, brainstorming, planning and teamwork that goes on before the ultimate construction of an exhibit. It’s an awesome process with a singular goal – to have the exhibit engage, entertain and educate visitors during their visit and make them want to visit Mystic Seaport more often.

Jeff likens making an exhibit to film-making: it must have appeal and reach the right audience; there are actors (interpreters who man an exhibit); and there’s a script (explaining the exhibit). The big difference is that an exhibit has about 15 minutes or less to keep a visitor interested, whereas a film has up to two hours to do that. Hmm.

Bet you never thought about that either.

There’s a term called ‘museum fatigue’ that refers to a feeling of too much information to absorb by reading only. At the risk of sounding partial, I don’t think that affliction is likely to happen at Mystic Seaport.  From games on the green, building a wooden boat, drawing your own map, learning to tie sailors’ knots, boarding amazing vessels, taking a carriage ride or a steamboat ride, gazing at the star-studded universe….the list goes on and on. The only museum fatigue you might have is physical exhaustion from a great day at Mystic Seaport!

I hope when you do visit, that you’ll think a bit more about the exhibits Mystic Seaport has provided with you in mind. Come not just once, but over and over again. Exhibits are always changing.

This post was written by volunteer Trudi Busey. Just try and catch up with her as she explores all Mystic Seaport has to offer!

Mystic Seaport’s Version of Liberty

February is a month chock-full of calendar-worthy days. First, there’s the day the groundhog predicts the remaining days of winter (Can we really trust a groundhog?). It’s also the month when visions of chocolates dance in our heads as Valentine’s Day nears. (Who doesn’t like getting one of those heart-shaped boxes full of yummy candy?) This year, those who vow to abstain from eating candy during Lent have just a few days to savor those valentine sweets before going “cold turkey” for awhile. Then there are the birthdays of presidents Lincoln and Washington, now celebrated together on Presidents Day. (I wonder how they’d feel about that.)
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I think Liberty Days at Mystic Seaport deserve a few squares on the February calendar as well, specifically February 13 and 14 and February 18-21.  Planned to coincide with February school vacation, the program has fantastic activities for kids that will replace  “I’m bored” with “that was fun.”  Kids can choose from a whole menu of interesting things to do and see, including boarding the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan or building a paper Dory or wooden boat of their own design. 

Kids, build your own wooden toy boat to take home!

Best of all, during Liberty Days, kids are admitted to the Museum FREE with a paid adult admission, both valid for a second day as well, no coupons needed – just a validated ticket.

Sailors of bygone years would be granted “liberty” or shore leave by the ship’s captain when the vessel arrived in port. This month, plan to come to our port – Mystic Seaport – and take the liberty of exploring all this unique Museum has to offer.

For membership information and more details on Liberty Days, visit our website at: www.mysticseaport.org./libertydays.

 Blog written by Trudi Busey.

No Tricks, Just Treats at Mystic Seaport this Saturday!

With symbols of Halloween jumping out at us at every turn, I wondered – how and where did this October 31^st day originate? Turns out, we owe it largely to Irish immigrants. They brought versions of their Celtic festival, Samhain (pronounced sah-wen), to North America. Combine that with the northern European pagan tradition and religious festivities associated with “All Hallow’ Evening” (now known as All Saints Day) and VOILA – October 31^st is what we all now know as  Halloween!     

Too much information? Sorry. But wait – here’s some really important information for anyone with children ages 10  and under. Want a really safe place to take your little goblins trick-or-treating on Halloween?  Then come to Mystic Seaport. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 31^st , children in costume will gather up treats at designated locations within the Mystic Seaport village. It’s a scene guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of all, whether participants or simply onlookers.

Parents, you can vicariously relive this fun time of childhood because it’s a requirement that children be accompanied by an adult. You don’t have to come in costume yourself,  but please come with  $2 for each child you bring (to help defray candy costs). If you’re lucky, maybe your little ghosts and goblins will share some of their Halloween treats with you!

Park in the Seamen’s Inne parking lot, enter through the Museum’s library gate and follow the pumpkin path. You’ll be given a map to lead you to all those treats in waiting.

Sound fun?  You betcha!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Blog post written by Trudi Busey.

It Rained on the Parade…

…and most of the hours leading up to it. However, the Antique Vehicle Show at Mystic Seaport the last Sunday in September was still a treat for determined Museum visitors decked out in rain gear and carrying umbrellas. I know. I was one of them!

Although only a fraction of the expected 120 exhibitors were willing to subject their restored motor vehicles to Sunday’s persistent rain, those who did provided visitors with a tantalizing taste of what this annual event must be like when clear skies prevail and exhibitors are out in full force.

It was so cool seeing century-old vehicles parked along the Museum’s Village Green as though their owners were off running errands or shopping. Movies depicting that era or a painting or nostalgic Christmas card scene are just no match for actually admiring these awesome motor vehicles in person.

Restoring these beauties is obviously an expensive labor of love, but to John Parker III of North Stonington, CT,  it’s a passion well worth it. His magnificent red, brass-trimmed 1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Tourer led the 3 p.m. parade.

Among the vehicles parading several times around the Village Green with “ooga-ooga” horns sounding, were a snappy royal blue 1924 Studebaker Light Six Coupe, a magnificent 1927 yellow Cadillac sporting big white wall tires, several shiny black Ford Roadsters, a vintage Mystic Seaport truck, and a bright red 1912 Overland Roadster with beautiful brass rimmed lamps and headlights. Seeing Chick and Gail Chandler rounding the bend in their open orange1914 Metz Speedster, I couldn’t help thinking that their happy waves and smiles were partially showmanship but also happiness that they would soon be headed home to Charlton, MA and dry clothes!

It was unfortunate that the weather dampened this year’s Antique Vehicle Show,  but when this special event is advertised next year, do yourself a big favor. Don’t miss it! You’ll take a step back in time and probably wonder, as I do, if any of our 21^st century cars will some day make it to antique status and warrant an exhibition spot at the Mystic Village Green curb.

Blog written by Trudi Busey

Labor Day Weekend Fun a No-Brainer at Mystic Seaport

The early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes.  So here’s what you need to do this Labor Day weekend… 

Set your inner shopping alarm.  Flap your wings and fly over to Mystic Seaport for a fantastic Labor Day Sidewalk Sale. Gates are open at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Believe me, you’ll find lots better fare than worms!

Ties, scarves, books, note cards, glassware, posters, etc. for $10 or less. Some things even bear that irresistible sign – FREE!  For art enthusiasts, Mystic Seaport’s Maritime Gallery is offering select prints at reduced prices.

But here’s the catch. The sidewalk sale items are first come, first served, and carry the warning – while supplies last. How’s that for motivation to get you bargain shoppers up, out and over to Mystic Seaport this weekend?

You’ve seen the mall store displays already hinting that it’s not too early to think Christmas gifts. Distasteful as that thought may be, we won’t tell anyone if you decide to make some great early Christmas purchases.

Mystic Seaport this Labor Day weekend offers two bonuses for making the Museum your destination. The Fish & Ships seafood festival is going on, the Sidewalk Sale is going on. Both are tantalizing but in different ways – one for the tummy; one for the pocketbook. How can you resist?

Enjoy fresh seafood this weekend at our Fish & Ships festival!

Come. Enjoy the food; find a bargain; take a ride on the steamship, Sabino; climb aboard a tall ship; play a 19th-century game on the Village Green; gaze at the stars in the Treworgy Planetarium; explore the exhibits.

What a terrific way to celebrate this last official summer weekend!

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Dog Days – A Real Dog Treat this Weekend!

Rufus, the 2006 Westminster Best in Show Champion Bull Terrier dressed in a Cat in the Hat outfit? You might be thinking – how humiliating! But this dog is a “cool cat.” As representative of the National Education Association’s Read Across America, Rufus dons the Cat in the Hat costume for his official duties. The weekend of August 28-30, Rufus is the celebrity guest at the first-ever Dog Days event at Mystic Seaport.

Meet Rufus this weekend at Mystic Seaport.

Museum visitors have a couple of opportunities to meet and greet Rufus. The first is during story time, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Museum’s Stillman Building. (For a nominal fee, visitors can pose for pictures with Rufus with all proceeds benefitting the Charles W. Morgan restoration.). Then it’s off to the playscape area where Rufus will meet visitors from 2 – 4 p.m. As a certified Therapy Dog, Rufus is obviously calm and friendly and used to greeting strangers.

Although 9-year-old Rufus brings star quality to Dog Days with an impressive 35 Best in Show titles to his name, plenty of other awesome dogs will amaze visitors with their skills and talents throughout the weekend. Take a look at some of the things going on:

 Special Friday events:

• Canine search and rescue demonstrations
• A visit from Connecticut Humane Society Therapy dogs

 Special Saturday and Sunday events:

• Newfoundlands demonstrate their life-saving water rescue skills;
• police dogs show their mettle; hunting dogs show off their special aptitudes;
• guide dogs for the blind demonstrate their remarkable abilities and intuitive talents;
• therapy dogs visit, epitomizing the gentle side of dogdom;
• a canine flyball demonstration introduces visitors to a fun and competitive sport for dogs.

During Dog Days, even menu choices will be dog-themed! Enjoy hush puppies, slush puppies, hot dogs and more.

So all you humans out there don’t need to whine or bark to enjoy this special weekend treat. Just visit Mystic Seaport during Dog Days this weekend, August 28-30. You’ll be happy as a pup!

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Pick Your Favorite at Garden Days at Mystic Seaport

I must confess, gardening is not my strong suit. My attempt to grow herbs didn’t work; I’m nervous about dividing my humongous hosta plants come fall; my one healthy African violet plant also should be divided, but I fear killing it totally. You get the picture.

So….Garden Days weekend at Mystic Seaport, August 21-23, may provide just the inspiration and confidence I need. There are so many interesting demonstrations and talks to choose from, for novice gardeners like me as well as seasoned gardeners whose passion for getting down and dirty in the soil is their idea of heaven.

The Burrows Garden at Mystic Seaport.

Tovah Martin, a regular on the PBS series Cultivating Life, will be the featured speaker for Garden Days, talking about houseplants and terrariums. She will be available for signings of her authored books after her 1 p.m. presentation on Saturday, the 22nd.  

Who hasn’t enjoyed the sight of colorful butterflies? There will be a lecture on how you can create your own backyard garden that attracts these beauties of nature. It’s just one of the myriad of activities and presentations offered in the Demonstration Tent on the Museum’s Village Green.

Overall, an impressive roster of Master Gardeners, landscape designers, plant science educators and vendors knowledgeable in various aspects of horticulture, pest control and invasive plant species will all be on hand to answer questions and give demonstrations.

As always, there are activities geared especially to kids – like a garden scavenger hunt in the Children’s Museum. Also, the first 150 youth visitors each day during Garden Days weekend will be given a free sapling to take home and plant, courtesy of Sprigs and Twigs Landscapes.

For a complete listing of all the demonstrations and activities, log on to   www.mysticseaport.org/gardendays. Then plan your visit  – August 21-23. I suggest you come equipped with paper and pencil so you can jot down all the great tips from the experts on grounds!

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Mystic Seaport’s Neverland

The age span of children having fun at Mystic Seaport’s playscape area sometimes surprises me. One would expect the appeal of climbing on the boats “anchored” there would be limited to the younger set – but not always.  I think of that song “I Won’t Grow Up” from the Peter Pan soundtrack. The lyrics start like this: I won’t grow up; I don’t want to go to school….

Whether pretending their playscape boat is being attacked by pirates; or that they are fishermen hauling in a net full of fish; or they are on the lookout for whales,  harpoon at the ready – it’s refreshing to see that outdoor play can once in a while  trump indoor video games. Childhood imaginations remain alive and well as boys and girls act out their own playscape adventures.

But as the carefree days of summer vacation draw to a close, it will probably get a little quieter and less raucous outside our office window. The toddlers and preschoolers will reclaim the playscape boats for themselves  until one day they, too, will grow up and have to go to school. Peter Pan’s followers shouted – “Not me! Not me! No sir! Not me!” But alas, we all do.

The sound of children at play is music to my ears and a reminder of just how sweet those childhood years are.  I hope I never grow up past the point of vicariously joining the children at Mystic Seaport’s playscape.

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

A Lovely Day at Mystic Seaport

I love a day like this at Mystic Seaport!

There are loads of children of all ages on Museum grounds, and their excitement over new discoveries and accomplishments fills the air with laughter and shouts of success.

At the Discovery Barn, staff member Jon Capozzoli was explaining the Cleat knot to Alex. Good teacher; Alex completed the knot and his smile said it all.

Lots of cheers and the sound of a successful Skittles game resounded throughout the barn while others took on quieter pursuits with shells and blocks. Just outside, a long line of eager children waited to put their heads through the cut-outs for a Kodak moment on the high seas.

Catching a cool breeze along the river, while awaiting today’s Tale of a Whaler performance, was the Accetta family from Clinton, CT.  They say Mystic Seaport is a favorite destination, and visiting at least 3 or 4 times a year is the norm.

Mom says there seems to be something different each time they visit, while dad never tires of the history the Museum unfolds in so many different ways.

Son Scott’s favorite thing is boarding the boats, especially the Charles W. Morgan. Sister Jess agrees, but adds “Mystic Seaport is just fun to visit regardless of weather” and sisters Jillian and Jennifer sum it all up with the comment, “We like everything!”

The whistle on the steamboat Sabino signals its departure for a cool trip down the river- offering visitors a chance to catch a breeze on this very warm summer day.  Old Joe clomps by with a wagon full of sightseers.

It’s a lovely day at Mystic Seaport.

Blog written by Trudi Busey