Norwalk Seaport Association Announces 2019 Season

This past winter, members of the Seaport Association in Norwalk has been hard at work planning the 2019 Summer and Fall season.  The events that the Association is offering runs the gamut, but they are all perfect for aficionados of the great outdoors, Long Island Sound, private islands, and historic lighthouses.  Some events are pure family fun and, others highlight carefully curated themed events and cruises for adults.

This year on Memorial Day Weekend, the Seaport Association is offering its' inaugural cruises to Sheffield Island on May 25, 26, and 27.  On all three days, cruises will leave the dock at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m.  In accordance with Coast Guard  Regulations, the boat is limited to 49 passengers, so be sure to book your cruise online early.  The tour includes the journey out to Sheffield Island, a tour of the historic 151-year-old lighthouse and the cruise back to the dock.  It is best to arrive about 15 minutes before the cruise departs in order to facilitate boarding.  For more info click here.

In June, the Seaport Association is hosting five very special events.  If you love birds, don't miss the three special Birding Cruises on  June 9,16 and 23, 2019 that depart the dock at 8:30 a.m.  On this National Geographic-like three hour birding experience you will learn about the importance of migratory birds and their behavior.  Keep your eyes peeled for egrets, American oystercatchers, herons, terns, gulls, cormorants at a safe and inspiring distance with a birding expert.  For tickets click here.

If you have dreamed of Yoga on a Private Island, the Seaport Association can make this dream a reality on June 29, 2019, with their annual Sunrise Yoga Cruise that departs the dock at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 10:30 a.m.  For more information click here.

If you love oysters, don't miss Docktails and Oysters on June 29, 2019. At this fundraiser event that takes place dockside @ Norm Blooms Oysters, you will dine on unlimited raw clams and oysters literally fresh off the boat as well as on a variety of delicious passed and tabled appetizers. For tickets to this popular event click here.

Once again, on July 20 and 2, 2019, pirates invade Sheffield Island where children young and old get a glimpse of the legends and lore pirates. Scallywags of all ages will step into the world of pirates on Sheffield Island and be entertained with a myriad of fun activities like hunting for treasure on the beach, sword fighting, and listening to tall tales of adventure on the high seas.  For more information click here.  

Another fun-filled event, that is quintessentially an American treat, especially on Sheffield Island is the Seaport's popular Island BBQ  taking place this year on July 27 with the boat departing the dock at 5:30 p.m.  For more information click here.  If you love Italian food, then the special Sheffield Island Isola Italiana Night on August 24 is not to be missed! For more information click here.

If wearing a costume just one day a year on Halloween is not enough for you, no worries, on August 3 and 4 the Seaport Association is hosting "The Haunted Lighthouse" event. At this fun-filled kid-friendly event the Sheffield Lighthouse is decorated in a ghoulish way to provide thrills, chills, and giggles for youngsters of all ages.  Stories and other activities round out the fun.  New this year is the Haunted Lighthouse, after dark for adults only!  For tickets click here.

Each week beginning in June, the Seaport Association offers Wednesday Night Acoustic Cruises (June 19-Sept. 18, 2019), Thursday Night Clambakes on the Island (June 13-Sept.19,2019),  and Friday Night Sunset Cruises (June 14 -Sept. 20, 2019).  The Seaport Association is also planning to host several specially themed Saturday Night Cruises.

This year the 42nd Oyster Festival, the crown jewel of the events organized by the Seaport Association is being held on Friday, Sept. 6, Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept.8, 2019.  For up to the minute details check the website here.

Seaport Association to honor Norwalk Native Jerry Toni @ Gala April 27

April 27, 2019, marks the highly anticipated annual Lightkeepers Gala  Masquerade Ball at the Norwalk Inn hosted by the Seaport Association.  This event always promises a "boat-load" of fun, fine food, and drinks, as well as the opportunity to honor this year's Beacon Award Winners, Jerry Toni and Dick Harris that have given so much to the organization in helping it to evolve and surpass their mission.

Jerry Toni has had a love of Long Island Sound, Sheffield Island and the Norwalk Islands for years.  "As a  young boy, I would fish, harvest clams and tend to our lobster pots around the Norwalk Islands with my father.  I remember that the east side of Sheffield Island was a favorite fishing spot among the rocks. A favorite activity of ours would be to dig for clams and drag a net on the west side of Sheffield Island to catch shiners for bait."

Jerry's love of the area came to fruition in 1988 with the Seaport's purchase of Sheffield Island. "Two years after the Island was bought, the Association asked me and my business partner, Pat Cutrone, also an avid fisherman to manage the Sheffield restoration project, we were delighted and couldn't wait to start."   The restoration process was massive and included re-pointing masonry, glass repairs in the tower, restoration of cast iron details in the tower, structural repairs to the tower, a new slate roof on the lighthouse, painting and other cosmetic improvements.  "The work was fulfilling for us because it was the first major effort by the Seaport Association to restore the lighthouse back to its original condition. Pat Cutrone said it best when he stated we didn’t consider this to be work, but rather an honor to be involved in the project and trusted with the restoration of this historic lighthouse."

Jerry's current involvement with the Seaport Association began after a  presentation in 2007 by the President, Carol Pote at an Exchange Club meeting. In 2008, Jerry became a Trustee for the Seaport Association and its' Treasurer 2011-2013. In addition to his duties as treasurer, Jerry assumed the role of Oyster Festival Chair for five years, 2009- 2013.

In 2014 Jerry and his business partner decided to retire and cease operations of Cutrone / Toni, Inc. following a successful run of 28 years.  The timing was serendipitous.  "At this time, the Seaport Association decided to hire a part-time business manager to tend to the day to day operations and provide administrative support to the board and the chairpersons of the various fundraising events.  I was offered the position and proudly accepted it."  Jerry continues to serve in that position today.

In addition to his duties as business manager, this year Jerry has taken on the role of project manager for the construction of the new permanent pavilion on Sheffield Island, which will be completed in July of this year.  "This new permanent pavilion that will open this July not only provides the public with a new venue to hold events, it also is in keeping with the mission of the Seaport Association to preserve and enjoy the maritime heritage of Sheffield Island and Long Island Sound."

Jerry and his wife Patricia are Norwalk natives and have two daughters, Laura Toni-Holsinger and her husband Brent, and Beth Maringola and her husband Ryan.  Jerry and Patricia are the proud grandparents of Lucy, James, and Myles.

Tickets for the Lighthouse Keeper’s Gala are $150 per person and can be reserved by calling 203-838-9444 or visiting the website https://seaport.org/event-3265312.  Funds raised at this event will support the Seaport’s mission of preservation and restoration and will provide an opportunity to educate children of all ages about the importance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Long Island Sound, and our maritime history and environment.