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US: Mystic, CT – Spiritual Recharging at Winter Solstice Celebration thru Yoga and a Gong Bath
Winter Solstice is a good time to feed your inner light with clarity that will prepare you for the New Year. It is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year.
Winter Solstice Celebration allows you to experience both the power of Baptiste Yoga with Elizabeth Johnstone and also the Gongs with sound healing artist Stephanie Marisca of In Divine Harmony. In this workshop learn to release tension through the powerful principles of Baptiste yoga. Allowing the heart to open the healing sounds of gong tones, sound relaxation will gently restore harmony to your body, mind, and spirit.
Bring whatever you need to be comfortable laying on the floor for the Gong Bath. Suggested to bring a change of clothes and a blanket. Cost: $35 In Advance/ $40 Day of
Location: Mystic Yoga Shala, 80 Stonington Road #2B, Mystic, CT 06355
Date: Sat, Dec 16
Time: 4 – 6 pm
Tel: 860-536-0237
mysticyogashala.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: ctvisit.com/mystic
thisismystic.com
US: Beaufort, SC – Dragon Boat Race For a Worthy Cause
Don’t miss one of the Lowcountry’s signature events, the annual DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day. The exciting dragon boat races will take place Saturday, June 24, 2017 at at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park on the river from 8-4.
Witness the fierce competition and camaraderie as teams of paddlers race on the Beaufort river to win trophies and raise money for local cancer patients. Among the fun and festivities will be an opening ceremony, three heats of races, the moving Carnation Ceremony for cancer survivors and their families and the closing medal ceremony.
DragonBoat Race Day will include many local businesses, community groups and teams of friends and family racing against each other. The mixed Cancer Survivor Division will be the showcase for the heroes and heroines, honoring the spirit of DragonBoat Race Day.
Twenty paddlers sitting side-by-side in a dragon-headed 42 foot-long vessel, paddling furiously to the beat of an emphatic drummer. The goal: physical wellness and psychological well-being through this thrilling, team-oriented support program that even offers opportunities to travel to competitions worldwide.
There will be 35 teams each racing three times. There will be two divisions – Mixed Community and Cancer Survivor teams. All teams race together. Cancer Survivor teams must have at least 8 cancer survivors in the boat during each race. After the first and second heats, teams will be placed in racing categories based upon their time; the third heat will decide the medals. Cancer Survivor placings decided by accumulating the two best times from each team. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded for the top three finishers in each racing categories during the Awards Ceremony at the end of the day.
Location: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, downtown on the Beaufort River, SC
Date: Sat, June 24, 2017
Time: 8am – 4pm
Tel: 843-473-4477
dragonboat-raceday.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: southcarolinalowcountry.com
US: Milford, CT – Search for Cap’n Kidd’s Treasure on Pirates Day
Ahoy Mateys! For over 300 years, people of all ages have searched for Captain Kidd’s treasure. Sunday, June 11th, 2017 is Pirates Day in Milford. Join Captain Kidd and his crew as they sail into Milford Harbor, ‘kidnap’ Mayor Blake and “take over” downtown Milford.
For the 13th annual Cap’n Kidd Treasure Hunt, participants will pick up a downtown treasure map, a strand of pirate beads, and a booty bag at Lisman Landing or by the Gazebo on the Green. Take part in the scavenger hunt by following the clues listed on the map, decipher the clue that matches the stop, and fill up your booty bags with treasures galore at the participating Pirate Stops. Don’t forget to get your map stamped for a chance to win a treasure chest of prizes. Here’s a clue…Only the places displaying Pirate Flags will have the loot you seek.
There will be pirate-themed activities for children on the Green by the Gazebo, and live, local bands for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to keep a look out for more crew members for great photo ops and join Cap’n Kidd and his motley crew for a spectacular pirate parade. 
So put on your best pirate garb, learn how to talk like a pirate, and search for Cap’n Kidd’s treasure. Matey, don’t miss this fun, family-friendly adventure, brimming with special treasures and pirate bustle all day long … or be prepared to walk the Plank! AAARRRGGGG…
Cap’n Kidd Pirates Day Treasure Hunt:
SUNDAY, JUNE 11th, 2017 Noon to 5:00 PM (subject to change)
Pirates Day
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Map Distribution Lisman Landing (can also be picked up at the Gazebo – after 1 pm pick up at Gazebo on the Green only)
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tim Payson & Friends
12:00 PM Cap’n Kidd, Captain Jack, colorful pirates and pirate ship arrive at Harbor/Lisman Landing
12:15 PM Mayor Benjamin G. Blake greets crowd, kicks off event
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Map Distribution continues by the Gazebo on the Green
12:30 – 2:00 PM Pirate Rock Painting with Rock On Pirate Girls By the Gazebo on the Green * Proceeds benefit the Get In Touch Foundation
1:00 PM Milford Volunteers Ancient Fife and Drum Corps – Park by Café Atlantique
1:30 – 2:00 PM Katie Gillick, musician/composer – Gazebo on the Green
2:30 – 3:00 PM Pirates Parade on the Green by the Gazebo – everyone invited to join in
2:00 – 3:00 PM The Elwoods (Classic Rock/Blues) Gazebo on the Green
2:30 – 3:30 PM Pirate-related Kiddie Activities by the Gazebo on the Green and story-time by Friends of the Milford Library
3:00 – 4:00 PM The Elwoods (Classic Rock/Blues) Gazebo on the Green
4:00 – 5:00 PM Drop off completed maps at the DMBA Exhibit by the Gazebo on the Green, for a chance to win a Treasure Chest of prizes (one adult winner & one child winner will be chosen); event closes promptly at 5:00 PM
Location: Lisman Landing or Gazebo on the Green, Downtown Milford, CT 06460
Date: Sun, June 11th, 2017
Hours: noon – 5pm
Tel: 203-745-4946
downtownmilfordct.com/copy-of-wine-trail
For Regional Accommodation, Restaurants & Attractions: milfordct.com
US: Richmond, VA – Mother’s Day Fun or Just Stop and Smell the Roses at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an oasis on a driving trip – 82 magnificent acres which started life as Powhatanhuntinggrounds and was at one time owned by patriot Patrick Henry.
In 1884, Lewis Ginter, who was orphaned at 17 and later became a millionaire from tobacco and real estate, developed a Wheel Club House here for Richmond bicyclists (now Bloemendaal House). His niece, Grace Arents, developed the gardens, and her original design is still here.
There are more kinds of gardens than we ever knew existed: four seasons, healing, Asian, rose, wetland, azalea and a community kitchen one where they grow food for the hungry. The children’s garden offers up a tree house and an activity center; there’s sidewalk chalk, hula hooping, digging and watering opportunities. They love the Kids Quest treasure hunt. For walkers, there’s a “walk on the wild side” and a bird trail, and as if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a lush indoor conservatory with exotic plants from around the world.
Featured Events:
A Million Blooms
Until Thursday, June 1, 2017 
A Million Blooms is included with Garden admission. A parade of blooms unfurls as the weather warms: daffodils, tulips, peonies, roses and more.
Butterflies LIVE!
Until Sunday, October 15, 2017
Experience the wonderful world of butterflies! Butterflies LIVE! is an indoor exhibit in the Conservatory and is geared for all ages. Get up close and personal as hundreds of tropical butterflies feed, flutter and take flight all around you. Explore their origins, preferred habitats and life cycles.
Mother’s Day Weekend
May 12, 13 & 14, 2017
Regular Garden admission
A three-day weekend with many opportunities to honor and spend time with mom. Enjoy the popular Butterflies LIVE! exhibit, shopping and dining:
- The long weekend kicks off Friday, May 12 with National Public Gardens Day.
- On Saturday, May 13, create the experience your mom would like. Stretch out on quilts in the Louise Cochrane Rose Garden and read favorite books. Explore woodland walks searching for fairies. Get down and dirty with digging activities. Help weave a Maypole, try the hula hoop and chase bubbles! (10 am – 4 pm)
- Sunday, May 14 is the popular Mother’s Day concert with Glenroy Bailey & Co. (1 – 4pm). Food available for purchase in front of Bloemendaal House. Guests are also welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs but no outside food or beverage. Activities in the Children’s Garden include “make-and-takes” for mom (10am – 4pm)
Location: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228
Hours: Daily 9am – 5pm
Tel: 804-262-9887
lewisginter.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitrichmondva.com
US: Florence, SC – Play Me, I’m Yours – Brings Pianos and Music to Florence Streets
Florence, SC Exit 160: No, you’re not seeing things, those randomly placed pianos throughout Florence are part of Play Me, I’m Yours, an initiative of a worldwide street piano project, geared to interconnect people in the community by “expressing themselves” by bringing pianos to the people and music to the streets.
Dozens of Pianos will be located all over Florence and Lake City, and will remain available until May 7, positioned for everyone to play and enjoy on streets, in parks, squares, markets and other public places. Play Me, I’m Yours invites the public to engage with, participate and take ownership of their urban environment. Decorated and personalized by local artists and community groups, the street pianos create a place of exchange and an opportunity for people to connect.
Touring internationally since 2008, Play Me, I’m Yours was created by British artist Luke Jerram. More than 1500 pianos have now been installed in over 50 cities across the globe, from London to Lima, bearing the simple invitation Play Me, I’m Yours. The project has already reached more than ten million people worldwide.
An opening-night festival will be held April 21 in the Willcox Plaza on West Evans Street. The event will include a dueling pianist team and a “Paint a Piano” tent for young artists. Don’t miss the featured noon concerts on various instruments by local pianists.
Location: Florence, SC
Date: Fri, April 21 – Sun, May 7, 2017
Tel: 843-260-6210
streetpianos.com/florence2017
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitflo.com
US: Fredericksburg, VA – Gingerbread Houses, Miniature Dollhouses, and even the Grinch
Looking for some fun, family friendly entertainment this holiday season, well Fredericksburg has you covered.
Why not check out the 30th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit at George Washington’s Ferry Farm . This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays.” A long-standing holiday tradition, adults and children alike will enjoy the sights and smells of the festive creations displayed at George Washington’s Ferry Farm.
Location: 268 Kings Hwy (Route 3 East) Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Dates: until Dec 30th (Closed December 24 & 25)
Hours: Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm; Sun 12pm – 4pm
Tel: 540-370-0733 x24
ferryfarm.org
Visit Historic Kenmore this holiday season for an exhibit of highly detailed, replica dollhouses – including the mansion – and miniatures in the Crowninshield Museum Building. A Wee Christmas – Dollhouses and Miniatures Show where you can share memories as you explore life in miniature. Put your mind and eye to the test with their “I Spy Miniatures” challenge – fun for young and old alike. 
Location: 1201 Washington Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Dates: until Dec 30th (Closed December 24 & 25)
Hours: Mon – Sat 10am – 4pm; Sun 12pm – 4pm
Tel: 540-373-3381
kenmore.org
And for the kid in all of us, Mr. Grinch is coming to Downtown Fredericksburg! Every Sunday in December Mr. Grinch will be available for a 15 minute ride down Caroline Street, sing some Whoville songs, admire the decorated store windows and enjoy the ride. This is a great photo opportunity and kids get a Christmas Goody Bag.
Location: 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Dates: every Sunday in December
Hours: 11 to 4pm
Tel: 540-371-0094
visitfred.com/events/mr-grinch-coming-to-downtown-fredericksburg
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants and Attractions: visitfred.com
Canada: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Sleep on a Straw Mattress
When visiting Fortress Louisbourg in Nova Scotia, you have the opportunity to sleep in an authentic 18th century home. Reach out to Parks Canada to set it up but be aware that in that era, they slept on straw mattresses (you can throw a sleeping bag on top, though). Test yourself to see if you can live without electricity. In Rodrigue House, this is the bigger room, fine for the lady. The other smaller room had 2 single beds.
