"Fiddleheads are the new fronds of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), and get their colloquial name because their coiled form looks like the head of a fiddle."
-WikiHow
Glean information about edible and medicinal properties of wild plants and mushrooms while learning volumes about nature on a walk-tour with "Wildman" Steve Brill - who has also now developed a master foraging app. He leads foraging walks but also does programs for schools, Scouts, garden clubs and other groups.
A link is provided here.
A wonderful weekend can be yours, but try to pick which of these to get to: Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum Spring Power Up, Saturday, May 4, Route 7, Kent. Tractors, trucks, an operating sawmill, an on-site mining museum, steam train. Admission, $5; children, $3. For information call (860) 927-0050.
The annual Bishop's Orchards Donkey and Mule Festival is Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Guilford, Conn., with free apple blossom wagon rides. Free admission. There will be all sorts of activities going on in conjunction with the actual show - face painting, crafts and stories. Wine tastings (for the adults), local vendors, food.
Birch Mountain Pottery Mug Day spring open studio and sale, Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 223 Merrow Rd., Tolland, Conn. Teapots, sugar bowls and creamers, vases, pitchers, berry bowls - great Mother's Day gift ideas. Refreshments and live music with guitarist Jim Harkins, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring Farm Festival on Saturday, May 4 at the Nature Resources Trust of Easton Sheep Pasture, 307 Main S., North Easton, Mass. Games, animals, farm demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission (some activities may require a small fee for materials). More at www.nrtofeaston.org or call (508) 238-6049. The Green Mountain Weavers & Spinners Guild will demonstrate carding, spinning and weaving and there will be rug-hooking demonstrations, plus printing-on-cloth crafts projects for children and adults. Shepherds Kristen Whittle and Wendy Warner will herd sheep with Border collies. Admission is $5; $10 for families. This is a Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF) event.
Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m., check out Constitution Park in Madison, a new park at the former Griswold airport site that offers frontage on the Hammonasset River. Take I-95 exit 62, follow Hammonasset connector south to Route 1; go left and watch for signs to ‘Constitution Park’ - parking outside the fence.
Or make plans to attend "Stinkology: Fragrances of Field and Forest" with Peter and Barbara Rzasa who will speak about chemicals produced by plants as a defense against insect and animal predators and to protect against fungal and bacterial attack on May 21, 7 p.m., Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby, Conn. Suggested donation is $4; $2 for students. Samples of fragrant plants such as sassafras, sweet fern, garlic mustard, wild ginger, mugwort, and sweet Cicely will be brought to the session.
Call Donna Kingston at (203) 734-2513 for information.
