New England

Free admission at five Mass Audubon sites this week for Winter Recess

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Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, Massachusetts (photo by Cheryl Landes) Check out five Mass Audubon sites this week for free. A different property is featured each day. Although admission is free, reservations are required because capacity is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. The featured properties are: Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln on Monday, February 15Broadmoor … Continue reading Free admission at five Mass Audubon sites this week for Winter Recess

2021 Nantucket Daffodil Festival to be replaced with Help Our Businesses Bloom

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Photo by Cheryl Landes The Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce has cancelled the 2021 Daffodil Festival Car Parade and Picnic in Siasconset, Massachusetts, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, planning for an event called Help Our Businesses Bloom is underway. The chamber is planning shopping and dining promotions to support local businesses, along with virtual … Continue reading 2021 Nantucket Daffodil Festival to be replaced with Help Our Businesses Bloom

Relive the Newport Jazz Festival with a three-part NPR special

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The Brubeck Brothers Quartet at a previous Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, Rhode Island (photo by Cheryl Landes) The 2020 Newport Jazz Festival didn't happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, concerts and other highlights from past festivals were streamed and broadcast from websites and radio stations. During that time, National Public Radio (NPR) hosted … Continue reading Relive the Newport Jazz Festival with a three-part NPR special

Go on a whale watch at home with the New England Aquarium

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A humpback whale diving in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary east of Boston (photo by Cheryl Landes) Take ride on the Aurora with Boston Harbor Cruises and Laura Howes, the head naturalist at the New England Aquarium in Boston, to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary east of Boston. The sanctuary was created in … Continue reading Go on a whale watch at home with the New England Aquarium

Stream the Commonwealth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker en Masque” for free through January 31

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Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay One of my traditions during the holidays is to catch a performance of the Commonwealth Ballet's version of The Nutcracker during my trips to New England. With large gatherings restricted this year due to COVID-19, the Commonwealth Ballet could not hold live performances this year, so they created a … Continue reading Stream the Commonwealth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker en Masque” for free through January 31

Ice Castles opening January 14 in North Woodstock, New Hampshire

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Photos by Cheryl Landes Explore sculptures, tunnels, thrones, tunnels, slides, fountains, and other objects handmade from thousands of icicles at Ice Castles. The event is held in four cities in the U.S.: Dillon, Colorado; North Woodstock, New Hampshire; Midway, Utah; and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Ice Castles in Colorado and Utah are open already, and the … Continue reading Ice Castles opening January 14 in North Woodstock, New Hampshire

Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts

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The giant globe at the Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts Editor's note: The Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine was cancelled in 2020 due to safety concerns from COVID-19. While it's uncertain yet whether the festival can return this year, I'm posting photos from a … Continue reading Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts

Christmas at the Gillette Castle

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Decorations on one of the Christmas trees inside Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut Photos by Cheryl Landes In November and December, volunteers decorate the Gillette Castle inside and out for the holidays. The 24-room mansion overlooking the Connecticut River Valley resembles a medieval-style castle. It's the former home of William Gillette (1853-1937), an actor … Continue reading Christmas at the Gillette Castle

Armchair photo tours: A fall day trip in the Connecticut River Valley with a stop at Gillette Castle

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A view of the early fall colors in the Connecticut River Valley near East Haddam Photos by Cheryl Landes The Connecticut River Valley is a beautiful mix of scenery, history, and wildlife. In the fall, the changing colors enhance the experience. I joined some local friends on a day trip through the valley one day … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A fall day trip in the Connecticut River Valley with a stop at Gillette Castle

Armchair photo tours: Fall colors at the Lime Quarry Reservation

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Fall colors in the Lime Quarry Reservation in Chelmsford, Massachusetts Photos by Cheryl Landes The Lime Quarry Reservation in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, is a pleasant place to take a walk year-round, but fall is an extra special experience because of the vibrant colors. The trails, a combination of dirt and boardwalks, wind through 64 acres of … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Fall colors at the Lime Quarry Reservation