New Animals Arrive to Mark Beardsley Zoo's 90th Birthday

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is excited to welcome new animals to the Zoo just in time for its 90th birthday, most notably an Andean condor. Desmond, a one year old male, arrived recently from the Denver Zoo in Denver, Colorado. The young condor is located in its exhibit near the Zoo's front gate. Also new on exhibit are a Yacare caiman, a Canada lynx, and nine vampire bats.
 
"The condor is an enormous bird and is the first exhibit visitors see when they enter our gates, acting as an ambassador for us," explained Gregg Dancho, director, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. "As we celebrate our 90th year of operation, being able to have our guests experience such magnificent creatures is what Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is all about."
 
Condors are the largest flying land birds in the western hemisphere with an average wingspan of about 10.5 feet. Andean condors are found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coast of western South America. It is a large black vulture with white feathers surrounding the base of the neck and large white patches on its wings. The head and neck are nearly featherless and are a dull red color, which may change color in response to the bird's emotional state. Unlike most birds of prey, the male is larger than the female. Condors prefer to munch on large carcasses, such as those of deer or cattle.
 
In Decemeber, the Zoo announced the arrival of two female Canada lynx. One female has since been transferred to make room for a male to arrive in its place. The male, age one, arrived in early April from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada and is now exhibited with the female in the lynx exhibit next to the tigers. The Zoo plans to try to mate the two lynx in hopes to have kittens sometime next year.
 
This spring the Zoo added nine vampire bats to its already existing colony to make a grand total of 18 male bats. Common vampire bats are small, furry grayish-brown bats with lighter brownish bellies. Ranging from just 2.75 to 3.5 inches in length, they have a wingspan of up to 15.75 inches and weigh just 1.2 ounces. The bats have large eyes, a rounded nose, pointy ears, and very sharp teeth. They enjoy warm climates, such as deserts and rainforests.  Common vampire bats are the only mammals in the world known to feed exclusively on the blood of their prey. Normally that prey includes sleeping warm-blooded creatures such as pigs, cattle, chickens, or even humans. Contrary to popular belief, these animals do not suck blood but make a small incision with their razor-sharp teeth and lap up the flowing blood. They have a chemical in their saliva that is 20 times more powerful than the most effective anti-clotting medicines!

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | 1875 Noble Ave. | Bridgeport | CT | 06610

Westport's Camp Mahackeno to Hold Annual Open House for Prospective Campers Sat. May 19

If you are not familiar with the Westport/Weston Family Y’s 32-acre Mahackeno Outdoor Center, bring your family to its Open House on Saturday, May 19, 12 to 2 p.m., 14 Sunny Lane. It’s a great time to tour the camp and ask important questions. You’ll see sample schedules for your campers, explore the facility, and meet the staff, many of whom are returning and are former campers themselves.

Exploring nature, gaining new experiences and making new friends are just some of the benefits of participating in Camp Mahackeno, the Y’s beloved summer day camp along the banks of the Saugatuck River. As summer fast approaches, the Family Y reminds parents that camping is a unique and invaluable experience for children and teens.

“Getting a summer break from learning in school doesn’t mean that kids should not spend the summer leaning outside the classroom,” says Meaghan George, the Family Y’s Youth and Camp Director. “At Mahackeno, campers learn how to be responsible and resourceful, work in groups, solve problems and make decisions that will help them grow as individuals – all while having fun.”

As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Family Y works to help children and teens discover their full potential by providing opportunities to learn and grow. According to camp and child development experts, there are five top reasons why kids should experience summer camp:   

1.    FOR ADVENTURE: Summer camp is all about fun adventures in the outdoors. YMCA camps have a new adventure for every child and teen. This especially true at Mahackeno, which this season is offering special “theme weeks,” from Olympics Week to Art Week to Space Week (visit westporty.org for details).

2.    FOR NEW EXPERIENCES: Day camps are about learning outside of school, exploring and appreciating the outdoors, developing new skills, making friends and showing leadership.

3.    FOR PERSONAL GROWTH: While being away from the routine at home, youth have a chance to develop confidence and independence by taking on new responsibilities and challenges.

4.    FOR NEW FRIENDSHIPS: Amidst the fun of camp games, songs, swimming, canoeing and talent shows, campers meet new friends. 

5.    FOR MEMORIES: Summer camp is an unforgettable experience that will give each camper memories (and campfire stories) that will last a lifetime.

Camp Mahackeno provides exciting and educational camp programming for children and teens, and their parents, including: canoeing, archery, performing arts, outdoor living skills, arts and crafts and more. Every two-week session also features “Family Nights,” with campers’ families invited to join in an evening of fun, including a show that involves every child. And on August 10, the Family Y hosts all camper families for our annual Camp-out at Mahackeno, which includes field games, an outdoor feature movie and a marshmallow roast by the campfire.

To ensure that every child and teen has the chance to go to camp, the Family Y offers financial assistance to those in need. It is also proud to offer a Special Cares Camp for children with special needs.

To learn more about camp opportunities, contact Meaghan George at 203-226-8981, ext. 179, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information and registration forms, please visit www.westporty.org.

Kids Helping Kids Building New Playground at St. Luke's Shelter in Stamford

Kids Helping Kids, a Stamford-based not-for-profit founded by Jennifer Kelly, its director, is focused on developing leaders through youth-led service projects by providing a platform to turn passion into action. Every project is inspired, managed and led by youth. 

Kids Helping Kids is actively engaged in numerous projects at Inspirica, a Stamford shelter connected with St. Luke's Church. For example, KHK hosts quarterly birthday parties for Inspirica children and distributes gently worn shoes at its regular “Share your Shoes Store” event. After speaking to a resident at its last event, KHK's middle and high school kids decided to take on another project there, all centered around PLAY.

”I am grateful to have a safe place to sleep for myself and my daughter but I desperately want a safe place for her to be able to play while we are living in this transitional housing," said the resident who inspired the project, about play conditions at the facility. "The sandbox is unsafe, the wood chips are so old they give the kids splinters and the small play set is rusting and unsafe."

The KHK members  decided they wanted to help so they dedicated KHK's annual Thanksgiving Bread Bake last November to raising funds to build a new playground. Their efforts raised $1800 to do just that and, now, on Thursday, May 17 from 10-2, KHK will begin the first phase of renovation. The work will be led by Cassie Christopher, Allie Christopher and Madeleine Ker, all juniors at St. Luke's. They designed a mural and will join 14 other teens to begin the work of painting a playhouse and decorating walls. The team will also be  helping install a new sandbox and attached play station. Five tricycles, along with helmets, were donated. The second phase involves laying down mulch.

For more information on how you can volunteer or contribute, visit www.KidsHelpingKidsCT.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Beardsley Zoo to Hold 90th Birthday Party May 19

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is marking its 90th birthday with its wildest party ever on May 19, 2012 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Visitors can expect to enjoy music, entertainment, and of course, birthday cake! Eight regional bakeries are working feverishly to bake their wildest creations and will take part in a Great Cake Bake Off that will be judged by hometown celebrities, the Twice Baked Twins. Well-known and local favorite radio host, WICC's Jim Buchanan, will serve as emcee for this fun filled celebration. The birthday party is free with paid admission to the Zoo and will take place rain or shine.
 
"We are so excited to celebrate our birthday with everyone and having eight cakes to choose from is every little kid's dream come true," shared Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. "My recommendation is: don't come that day if you're counting calories!"
 
Local bakeries facing off in the Great Cake Bake Off include Adam's Bakery of Fairfield, Billy's Bakery of Fairfield, Del Prete Italian Pastry of Bridgeport, DiSorbo's Italian Bakery of Hamden, Dorazio Sisters Bakery of Newtown, Lucibello's Italian Pastry Shop of New Haven, Luigi's Italian Pastry & Wedding Cake Center of Bridgeport, and Stew Leonard's of Danbury. Each bakery will create a three tiered, frosted, zoo and birthday themed cake to be judged on taste, look, and theme. Visitors may view the cakes in the Carousel building beginning at 10:00 am and the Twice Baked Twins will announce the winners at 1:00 pm. Guests may sample the cakes after 1:00 pm while supplies last. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best in Show, Best Zoo/Birthday theme, Best Looking, Best Frosting, Best Flavor, Best Cake Texture, People's Choice, and Kid's Choice.
 
The Twice Baked Twins, Joy Paoletti and Judy Vig of Trumbull and Monroe respectively, Connecticut, are identical twins who got their start by turning their love of baking into a delectable dessert business focusing on elaborate displays and presentation. They entered a Bobbly Flay contest called "Grill it with Bobby," and the network loved them so much they invited them back to do a holiday special called, "Dear Food Network." Enjoying television so much, they continued to earn a spot on Channel 3's Better Connecticut, where they share classic recipes with a new twist, called the "Twice Baked 2 Minute Take."
 
The birthday bash continues on Sunday, May 20 as the Zoo celebrates Bridgeport Day. All Bridgeport residents are invited to visit to the Zoo for a reduced admission fee of just $5 with proper I.D. WEBE 108 will be on site welcoming visitors who will have the chance to meet and greet with City officials, business and civic leaders, friends, and neighbors during a fun filled day for the whole family. Residents are welcome to spend the day visiting new animals at the zoo and enjoying the great outdoors. This event is presented in partnership with Mayor Bill Finch and the City of Bridgeport. The rain date is June 10.