Maplextravaganza at Stanley-Whitman Will Satisfy Sweet Cravings

This week, Frugal Family scoured the area to find family friendly activities at a reasonable price.

• On Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Northern Middlesex YMCA gym in Middletown, families are invited to a March Madness DodgeBall Tournament supporting the Strong Kids Campaign. Teams of 6-10 players will battle for bragging rights and the championship T-shirts. Donation is $5 per team member in fourth grade and older.

• On Saturday at 2 p.m., there is a family program at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford with Tricia Wilson Nguyen, New England Samplers: A Closer Look. Designer, teacher and materials scientist Nguyen has researched materials and techniques used in early embroidery.  In a close look at early samplers from Newburyport, Mass., she will highlight the individuality of the makers, explore repetition of styles and motifs, and make comparisons and parallels with the CHS collection. Call (860) 236-5621, ext. 209. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 seniors (65 and over), students (with ID), or youth (6-17).

• On Saturday from 5:30-8:30 p.m., there will be a Barn Owl Project fundraiser for A Place Called Hope at the Chester Meeting House. It includes an owl presentation, silent auction, raffle, light refreshments, slide show and music and more. Children will learn how to help this endangered species. Donation is $25, $20 for seniors.

• Sunday is Maple Day at the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington from 1-3:30 p.m. Bret Hodorski will demonstrate how to make maple candies and sugar on snow, and show how to make maple butter and maple jelly. Children may try maple crafts and activities, and walk through the 1720 historic house to find out what Colonial folk did during March.

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