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In the world of arts and crafts festivals, Denise Morris Curt is a household name, having worked for 51 seasons promoting sophisticated handmade creations throughout the region.This weekend, Curt brings her 40th annual Labor Day Weekend/Meet the Artists and Artisans event to Olde Mistick Village, next to Mystic Aquarium.A China Stone Carving concept that would double as a quick charge station for gadgets. 

The juried show features "all original works presented by their creators," said Curt, a Milford-based artist."This late-summer weekend has been a popular rendezvous for families to gather at the orchard for 40 years -- to reunite with favorite artists, creative crafters and to meet new juried exhibitors ... ," Curt writes in her introduction to the show. 

About 50 artists are scheduled to participate. "It's not a fair, or a flea market or a carnival, but fine art and original crafts," she said.Known as the Connecticut Limner, Curt has directed Meet the Artists since 1962, presenting several shows each year around the state.Her works, she said, are in collections throughout Europe, South America, and nearly every state . 

This year's 40th show will be a "celebratory finale the outdoor art show season," she said."Exciting new exhibitors join a ... group proven to be `must-see' favorites," she added.Among the fine artists participating are Charles Tersolo, of Boston, "whose translucent oil paintings are hand mixed to include varnish, and painted with more than 500 brushes used once, to create seven layers of vibrantly colored harmonies depicting `grand places,' " she said. 

Also featured: Richard Farrell, of Virginia, whose pastel drawings and oil paintings highlight the serene beauty of the Shenandoah Valley; Bette Anne Wygant, of Connecticut, whose large-scale impressionistic oil paintings on canvas explore the "lingering and radiant power of light, through moonlit clouds and open meadows"; Shara Osgood, of Massachusetts, featuring "ebullient paintings and illustrations of funky fairies and fanciful delights"; Staci McLaughlin, of Florida, offering handcrafted Batik, mounted and framed on canvas; and Smadar Livne,Shop for the largest selection of Granite tiles at everyday low prices. of Maryland, whose 3-D, flamboyant painted-and-fiber-embellished canvases of dancers and musicians `joie de vivre.' " 

Among the other specialties on display will be original watercolors of light houses,What's the difference between Marble tiles and Porcelain Tiles? ships and nautical themes; cut paper and acrylics on faux painted wood; mermaids, muses, heavenly musicians, cellos and violins painted with archaic recipes from ancient alchemists; hand-painted slates personalized on the spot; paintings of Nantucket cottages; burl fountain pens; carved shore birds; domestic and exotic hardwood dovetailed chests; and quilts, birdhouses, table linens, pottery, photographs and free-form wooden bowls. 

Rhode Island artist Greg Stones returns with humorous miniature watercolors and his latest book, "Penguins Hate Stuff," published last month by Chronicle Books.Stained-glass boxes, abstract glass panels, mirrors, beveled glass window panels and glass serving pieces also are among the items. Jewelry will include pearls in many colors, shapes and sizes; natural gems in sterling silver; cameo and Victorian roses of clay; and Peruvian woven jewelry, as well as glass holographic necklaces, earrings and bracelets. 

The Victoria Falls is no ordinary falls. Known as the greatest curtain of water on earth, with 550 million litres of water crashing over the 100 metre edge of the falls every minute at peak season, this world heritage site is a breathtaking vision. Nothing can prepare one for the stunning sight of the waterfall, with the spray rising from the crashing water visible more than 30 kilometres away. Thrown into the basalt rock chasm of the 1.7 kilometres long and 1708 metre wide Batoka George, the water travels into the Boiling Pot and meanders down a zigzag pathway, occasionally bursting over the rock to form rapids. 

Scottish explorer David Livingstone is believed to be the first European to set eyes on the Victoria Falls or as the local people call it the Mosi-oa-Tunya, which is located on flat basalt plateau, with the Zambezi basin above the falls, when he did so on November 16, 1855. 

Dr Livingstone is said to have peered into the chasm of the Batoka George beneath the thundering spray of the falls from Livingstone Island, perched on the lip of the falls. He wrote in his diary that local people took him to an island situated in the middle of the river, on the edge of the lip over which the water rolls. Creeping with awe to the verge, he peered down into a large chasm, and saw the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa. 

That is why for many people, Livingstone is all about the Victoria Falls, especially that there is more to it than just viewing the falls.At the Victoria Falls bridge, apart from the adrenalin pumping activities such as bungee jumping, there is also a tour which includes a rare opportunity to walk on the bridge and the catwalks beneath, providing a theatrical and entertaining presentation on the construction of the historical bridge and the men who built it. 

The single-arched cantilevered steel bridge, was designed by Sir Douglas Fox, located so that spray from the falls would land on the carriages and cool passengers inside. Then, there is the Livingstone Island, where David Livingstone took his first glance of the falls in 1855 C an amazing place to have a Tongabezi-operated picnic or breakfast, lunch or high tea. A short thrilling boat trip away from the Royal Livingstone Hotel jetty, only 16 guests are allowed to visit the island at a time so that the world heritage site is protected while guests enjoy a full tour of the island that includes a talk about its ancient history.

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