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

Flanders Artisan Marketplace

Looking for one-of-a-kind distinctive gifts that will truly be appreciated by the special people on your list?
Decked out in festive style, the Van Vleck House is the setting for our annual “Artisan Marketplace.” One of the largest artisan markets in the area, you will find a wide variety of quality creations handmade by local crafters and artisans including fiber art, shawls, scarves, cards, Christmas ornaments, framed prints, baskets, soap, sugar scrubs, and lotion bars, fun children’s accessories, quilts, wreaths and greens, hand crafted jewelry, pottery, and more! Proceeds benefit local artisans and Flanders’ land conservation and educational programs.

Now through Monday, Dec 23 (closed on Thanksgiving Day) | 10 AM – 4 PM |The Van Vleck House @ Flanders Nature Center 5 Church HIll Road in Woodbury
Event Location

Van Vleck House @ Flanders Nature Center
5 Church Hill Road
Woodbury, CT 06762

Program & Events

Book Signing: Wendell Minor

The Hickory Stick Bookshop welcomes back bestselling author, illustrator and local friend Wendell Minor who will be signing copies of his latest book “Winter Magic” on Saturday, December 7th at 3 pm. The book is written by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Minor. After more than a half-century as one of America’s foremost illustrators, Minor was recently inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Discover the magic of winter in this heartwarming read-aloud full of cozy charm and beautiful artwork. Best enjoyed with a mug of hot cocoa in hand, this seasonal celebration captures a beloved time of year—from making snow angels and gingerbread houses to sledding and ice-skating, to lighting the menorah and decorating with holiday wreaths and trees. It’s all inside this timeless gift book that brims with both seasonal and holiday cheer. Winter is special for all to experience and enjoy!

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Wendell Minor has created over sixty award-winning children’s books. Among his collaborators are Robert, Burleigh, Jean Craighead George, Buzz Aldrin, Mary Higgins Clark, and last but not least, his wife Florence. Wendell and Florence’s “If You Were a Penguin”, was chosen by Pennsylvania for its “One Book, Every Young Child” early literacy program, and Wendell’s books have been featured on the PBS-TV program “The Reading Rainbow.”

Minor is also the cover artist and designer of over two thousand books for authors Pat Conroy, David McCullough, Fannie Flagg, and Nathaniel Philbrick among many others. His portrait of “Truman” by David McCullough is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

Among the many awards Minor’s books have garnered are: Cook Prize (best science, technology, engineering and math picture book for children), Notable Children’s Trade Books in Social Studies, International Reading Association Teacher’s Choices, Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children, and John Burroughs List of Nature Books for Young Readers.
Minor’s paintings have been exhibited widely throughout the country. The Norman Rockwell Museum hosted an exhibition of 25 years of his children’s book art, Wendell Minor’s America in 2013-2014 and a book featuring the art is available at the Museum’s gift shop. In 1988 Wendell was invited by NASA to join a team documenting the shuttle Discovery’s return to flight. He has also created paintings for the U.S. Postal Service.

Minor has received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Aurora University in Illinois and the University of Connecticut, and lectures at schools and universities across the country.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“Winter gets distilled into some of its signature components…. Each element is introduced through the same ‘I am’ sentence structure and linked through rhyme…. The carefully constructed scenes end on a contemplative note, comparing winter to a ‘very old story / or a beautiful poem’ and ‘a walk in the woods / and then back home’…. Minor’s gouache and watercolor art evokes holiday cards from bygone eras; the images accentuate the nostalgia with warmth and soft textures. A cozy poem to celebrate the winter season.”– Kirkus Reviews

“In the coldest months of the year, winter delights and surprises with the beauty, wonder, and magic it contains …. Rhyming lines and descriptive phrases celebrate Winter, while the accompanying illustrations bring the text to life ….Onomatopoeia and repetition round out the telling to create a multifaceted listening experience for children who are being read to. Readers who enjoy tales that celebrate the beauty in every season will appreciate the design and execution of this book. This is a fun addition to seasonal picture book collections for young readers.”– School Library Journal

This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve a signed copies of “Winter Magic” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.

The Hickory Stick Bookshop
2 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://hickorystickbookshop.com/event/2024-12-07/wendell-minor-book-signing

Consoling Beauty

Ways of Listening: Consoling Beauty
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Free, Donations Welcome
* Pre-registration encouraged.

David Stein returns for another fabulous musical experience. Some of the most beautiful music ever written is also intensely sorrowful. It is the nature of all art to delve deep into the experience of being human, but music has the capacity to lead us through the depths and into something beyond.

In this program we will listen to the masterpieces of Beethoven, Mozart and others in which the composers encounter their grief and shape it in musical experience. The results are unique, beautiful, and transformative, and consoling not least because they are shared. Using performance clips and illustration at the piano we will explore what we can understand and harvest from their music.

Litchfield Community Center
421 Bantam Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
860-567-8302
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=19381

Meet the Baby Goats

Open Farm Day and Selfies with Elfies – Meet the Baby Goats

Come snuggle and take pics with our tiny baby goats (and the big ones too!). Dress them in holiday outfits and snap photos with your family!

We are expecting baby goats on the 20th… I cannot promise they will be here but I do know we have three bottle babies who are ready to dress in elf costumes and pose for holiday photos with you! Walk the field with our goats, hang in the 2 acre pen with 50+ goats around you. You’ll understand why our mission statement is Goats Spread Joy.
Saturday, November 23 · 12 – 4pm EST. Doors at 11:55am

Got Your Goat Farm
59 Wheaton Road Washington Depot, CT 06794

Aldrich Museum: Conversation with Dannielle Tegeder

Please join The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum’s Executive Director, Cybele Maylone, for a conversation with artist Dannielle Tegeder at Standard Space.

Saturday, November 23 from 4-6PM
147 Main Street, Sharon, CT 06069
Talk to start at 4:30PM

Over cider and fresh doughnuts, Dannielle and Cybele will discuss the works in her newest exhibition, SIGNALS. Themes will include the history of modern painting and architecture, drawing inspiration from multi-disciplinary spirit of 20th century art practices, and seeking new experimental approaches.

Space is limited and please RSVP directly to hoodvictoria@gmail.com.

ABOUT CYBELE MAYLONE

Cybele Maylone joined The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in the fall of 2018. During her tenure the Museum’s attendance, budget, and profile have all grown significantly. This fall she completed construction to re-landscape the Museum’s three-acre campus, uniting The Aldrich’s outdoor spaces for pedestrian access and expanding access to the Sculpture Garden. Prior to joining The Aldrich, she was the Executive Director of UrbanGlass, where she completed a $33 million renovation of its headquarters in Fort Greene, Brooklyn and worked closely with artists including Tauba Auerbach, Patty Chang, and Titus Kaphar through the organization’s studio program. In addition, she was the Deputy Director of apexart and held a variety of positions at the New Museum. She has a BA in art history from Earlham College and an MA in Arts Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently a board member of the Connecticut Art Trail and a member of the Steering Committee for the Contemporary Art Museum Directors Group. She lives in Ridgefield, CT with her husband and two children.

ABOUT DANNIELLE TEGEDER

Dannielle Tegeder is a New York-based artist whose practice is grounded on painting but also extends to drawing, wall works, sculpture, installation, animation, music, artist books, conceptual strategies, and writing.

Throughout her career, her work has engaged with the history of modern painting and architecture, drawing from the multi-disciplinary spirit of 20th century art practices while seeking to find new experimental approaches. She has often developed collaborations to create dialogues between abstraction and music.

Her work engages with current debates around abstraction, design, and utopian thinking, often exploring the role that social and urban systems play in shaping contemporary life. More recently, in both individual and collaborative work, her practice has centered on topics around feminism, alternative pedagogies, and the spiritual. In 2020 she co-founded the two-person collective Hilma’s Ghost.

ABOUT SIGNALS

Featuring nine paintings and two mobiles and ranging in materials from walnut wood to linen and to acrylic, the exhibition highlights how Dannielle’s work engages with the history of modern painting and architecture, drawing from the multi-disciplinary spirit of 20th century art practices while seeking new experimental approaches.

“For the linen and walnut works, I was especially interested in texture: the grain of the wood and the weave of the fabric work almost like drawing,” says Dannielle. “The mobiles take that a step further, and since I’m always responding to architecture, they really free some of my frequent symbols and forms to interact with the space.”

Of all the pieces in the show, the two walnut works are of note as it is the first time the artist has worked with that specific material. Made over a period of two years, the combination of organic, living grain, and hard-edge abstraction creates a striking dynamic and truly unique relationship.

Watertown Holiday Light Parade

Parade starts at 4:45 at the Watertown Fire Department on Main St., arriving at the Gazebo at 5pm. The Tree lighting will start at 5:30, Watertown Fire department will hand out desserts and hot cocoa. Come decorate the tree with homemade ornaments, play some games and meet Santa Claus and the Grinch!

Parade info 

New Milford Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Get ready for the 58th lighting of the trees on New Milford’s Village Green Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m.
The event will coincide with Small Business Saturday, a day that encourages people to shop at small businesses. Highlights will include the lighting of the Christmas trees on the Green and visits with Santa. The tradition of the trees on the Green was started by Walter Schutte in 1967 and the practice continues in his memory. Over the years, many people have come from near and far to view the trees. Members of the New Milford United Methodist Men’s Club and other church members donate their time and effort to place the trees on the Green, string the wires and the lights, and take them down shortly after New Year’s.
5:30-7pm

PRIME FINDS Home for the Holidays

PRIME FINDS Home for the Holidays, now in its ninth year, is a pop-up store located in the greater Litchfield area. 100% of the proceeds benefit the mental health programs at Prime Time House. The shop is widely known for its attractively displayed, high quality used furniture, home and holiday goods, sold at great prices. It is fully staffed by volunteers with all items donated by generous supporters. Not only has it created awareness about Prime Time House but it has attracted hundreds of new supporters who have donated goods, time, services, and funds.

Schedule:

November 16 – December 29
Tuesday – Saturday:  10 am – 4 pm
Sunday:  11 am – 4 pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve: 10 AM – 1 PM
Closed Christmas Day

Lourdes of Litchfield – 50 Montfort Rd, Litchfield

Prime Time House

Kids Art Workshop

Kids Art Workshop: 3D Winter Scenes
December 21 @ 11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Join us for a reading of our story of the month at 11 AM which relates to the Kid’s Art Workshop that follows each story time. This month’s story is Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows .

Depict your favorite winter activities in miniature! Create a scene with a snowman sipping hot chocolate, or your family watching your favorite movie! These mini scenes will be personalized and fun to make.

Cost
$5.00 per Adult
$10.00 per Child
$5.00 per Children 5 and Under
FREE for Waterbury Public School, Charter School, and Magnet School students.

Support provided by Sponsored by American Savings Foundation, United Way of Greater Waterbury and Elisha Leavenworth Foundation.

Mattatuck Museum
144 West Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
https://www.mattmuseum.org/calendar/3dwinter/

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