Your guide to the heart of Litchfield County:
Discover local stories, hidden gems, and must-know events.

Join the Housatonic Valley Association, the Friends of Topsmead, and author Brad Timm of the Northeast Wildlife Team from 10 am to 12 pm on June 14, for a nature walk at Topsmead State Forest!

Did you know that Blue Jay feathers aren’t actually blue, or that some foxes can climb trees? Brad, a wildlife ecologist and the Executive Director of the Northeast Wildlife Team, will share some of his favorite interesting facts from his recently published book, “Wildlife Out Your Window: Fascinating Facts About 100 Animals Commonly Seen in the Northeastern U.S.,” while leading a walk on the beautiful Topsmead State Forest grounds.

Participants will meet at the Welcome Center at Topsmead. This is a family-friendly event for ages 8-108! Reserve your free spot here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildlife-out-your-window-nature-walk-and-author-event-at-topsmead-tickets-1355268246809?aff=oddtdtcreator

Topsmead State Forest
Litchfield, CT

We will meet at the Welcome Center at 10 am.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildlife-out-your-window-nature-walk-and-author-event-at-topsmead-tickets-1355268246809?aff=oddtdtcreator

Poems Without Words
Janna Watson – new paintings

Kenise Barnes Fine Art is honored to present a solo exhibition of new paintings by Janna Watson. Watson is a conceptual painter based in Toronto, Canada. Poems Without Words is Watson’s fourth solo exhibition with the gallery who has included Watson in eight other exhibitions and placed her work in numerous private collections. The gallery has represented the artist since 2017.

Through her practice, Watson works to reframe spirituality into objects that reflect fluidity, agility, and joy. She communicates this through a queering of the painterly process, into one that is diversely applied, gestural, and multi-oriented. Janna intentionally forgoes the use of borders on her paintings to create a sense of the infinite, and the inherent vulnerability of a spirituality that is not contained by a canon.
Janna Watson’s compositions and color choices are both careful and spontaneous, each gesture evoking an unstated emotional response. The paintings are generous passages of vivid color with swooping buttery paint strokes, and calligraphic marks floating on fields of saturated color. They are not spare, but they have an implied economy of language, each gesture gathered towards the others with an unseen gravitational force coalescing into a graceful equilibrium.
Part of the exhilaration I acquire from painting is being able to see shifts within myself manifested into a physical reality. The most truthful form of expression I have found in my life thus far has been the abstract language of painting. – Janna Watson, 2025
Janna Watson’s work is widely exhibited internationally including in Canada, the United States and Taiwan. Watson’s paintings can be found in significant collections including Google, Air Canada, TD Bank Financial Group, Toronto, CIBC, Toronto, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Toronto, HBC Global Art Collection, New York, to name a few. Watson earned a BFA in Drawing and Painting from Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto.

Please contact Lani Ming Holloway, Associate Director, Lani@kbfa.com, 860 560 3085 with inquires or to arrange a preview of the exhibition.

Kenise Barnes Fine Art
7 Fulling Lane, Kent, CT 06757
Gallery hours: Thursday – Saturday 11:00 – 5:30, Sunday 12:00 – 4:00 and by appointment
https://www.kbfa.com/exhibitions/274-janna-watson-poems-without-words-opening-reception-june-14-4-6/works/

Waldo’s Back in Washington Depot This July!

Once again, in celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and two hundred and fifty independent bookstores across the country for some hide-and-seek fun to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.

Where’s Waldo? In Washington Depot, of course! Beginning on Tuesday 1st July, the iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 19 local businesses throughout the community.

Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement.
Anyone who wishes to join in the fun can pick up a “Find Waldo in Washington Depot” passport from any of the participating stores.

When you spot Waldo collect a store stamp or signature. And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo’s magnifying glass will also be hiding in The Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Great prizes for participants who get 16 or more stamps in their passport. Completed passports should be handed in to the Hickory Stick Bookshop by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday July 31st.

We will be having a celebration party from 3-4 pm on Saturday August 2nd. Check our website for further details!

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for all of July.
For more information about hunting for Waldo in Washington Depot, call The Hickory Stick Bookshop at 860-868-0525 or visit our website at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.
Event Location

Selected stores throughout Washington Depot, CT.
“Headquarters” is The Hickory Stick Bookshop, 2 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot, CT 06794

https://hickorystickbookshop.com/event/2025-07-01/wheres-waldo-2025

Free outdoor family movie nights are back at The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens on the third Friday of each month June through September, this time with an exciting new twist. Each screening will be part of a themed evening experience, featuring pre-movie fun which might include trivia, games, live music, sing-alongs and interactive audience activities.

On September 19, we’ll be screening the 2012 animated Tim Burton film, “Frankenweenie.” Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. But then, tragedy strikes, and Sparky shuffles off this mortal coil. Victor is heartbroken, but his science teacher (Martin Landau) gives him an idea of how to jolt old Sparky back to life. The experiment is successful, and all goes well, until Victor’s fellow students steal his secret and use it to resurrect other dead animals—with monstrous consequences.

Movie rolls at dusk. Check our website, Instagram or Facebook accounts for any changes or updates.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
One Green Hill Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://judyblackpark.org/movies

Please join us Saturday July 12. 10 am – 1 pm on the Wish House Lawn ,meet local Author Gregory Galloway and his hot of the press book ALL WE TRUST.
Books available for purchase at The Wish House

About the Book
From a true modern master of noir fiction comes a twisty new tale about two small town crooks who get in over their heads . . .

Peck and Al have a good thing going. The two brothers own a bar and a hardware store and make a comfortable living. They also launder money for a criminal organization. Everything is perfectly fine until Peck begins to suspect that his brother is going to betray him to the local District Attorney. Things get even more complicated between them when Al’s hard drive with millions of dollars in Crypto goes missing – Peck was the only other person with access.

What starts out as a family squabble turns into an international battle between competing crime organizations, moving from small town New England to San Francisco to Mexico. Along the way the brothers encounter betrayal, double-dealing, kidnapping, and ultimately, revenge.
more info at wishhouse.com

The Wish House
413 Sharon Goshen Tnpk
West Cornwall CT 06796
t.: 860 672 2969
http://www.wishhouse.com

Join Rentrayage, a shirt story, Eòlas, Lindquist Object, Misha & Puff, Pleasure Plants, Odièle, and more at the debut of RE-MARKET—a seasonal outdoor market featuring a curated lineup of fresh, sustainable, independent, and local brands. Discover thoughtful design, slow fashion, and one-of-a-kind finds.

Here are IG handles for all the vendors:

rentrayage
a.shirt.story
eolasstore
lindquist.object
misha_and_puff
pleasureplants
odielebeauty

RE-MARKET
Saturday, June 7
12pm-6pm
12 Old Barn Rd Kent, CT 06757
Event Location

Join Judi Jones aka ENERGIZER for a musical and interactive hula-hooping program at the David M. Hunt Library on July 1st at 2:00pm! Participants will learn how to use hula-hoops for dance, exercise, creative movement, and play. One custom hula-hoop will be given away at the end of the program.

Please register on the library website or contact the library via phone, email, or in-person.

David M. Hunt Library
63 Main Street
Falls Village, CT 06031

“Dancin’ with Hoops” Hula-Hooping Workshop

New Venue Vibes: Sushi Night at Vineyard!

We’re rolling into summer with a brand new location — and it’s a vibe.

Join us at @hopkinsvineyard in June for a sushi-making experience like no other — think chill outdoor energy, refreshing drinks, music, and all the sushi fun.

✨ What’s Included:

• Hands-on sushi class
• Your own handmade sushi to enjoy
• Delicious drinks available for purchase
• A night out that’s way cooler than dinner and a movie

Tickets Are Live Now! Spots go fast — don’t wait!

Hopkins Vineyard

Let’s roll in Warren this June!

18 E Shore Rd, New Preston

Join us for Happy Holigays, a vibrant Pride celebration featuring a lively village procession, a dazzling drag performance by NYC’s Logan Hardcore, beats by DJ Waly Verdun, a silent auction, Queer Beer from Kent Falls Brewing, and more. Enjoy flowing rosé, cocktails, and free pizza all day long!
Click Here

Free outdoor family movie nights are back at The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens on the third Friday of each month June through September, this time with an exciting new twist. Each screening will be part of a themed evening experience, featuring pre-movie fun which might include trivia, games, live music, sing-alongs and interactive audience activities.

On July 18 we’ll be screening the 1964 Bond movie, “Goldfinger,” sponsored by William Ravies Lifestyle Realty. In this film, the powerful tycoon Auric Goldfinger has initiated Operation Grand Slam, a cataclysmic scheme to raid Fort Knox and obliterate the world economy. James Bond, armed with his specially equipped Aston Martin, must stop the plan by overcoming several outrageous adversaries.

Movie rolls at dusk. Check our website, Instagram or Facebook accounts for any changes or updates.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens
One Green Hill Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://judyblackpark.org/movies