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

Monday, February 9 from 3:15 – 4:15 PM

February Selection:
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard – an Edgar Award Winner in 2012.

Registration required for In-Person. Visit our website
Zoom link active on our website the day of event.

“Crisp, concise and revealing history. . . . A fresh narrative that plumbs some of the most dramatic days in U.S. presidential history.”
—The Washington Post

James Abram Garfield was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, a renowned congressman, and a reluctant presidential candidate who took on the nation’s corrupt political establishment. But four months after Garfield’s inauguration in 1881, he was shot in the back by a deranged office-seeker named Charles Guiteau. Garfield survived the attack, but became the object of bitter, behind-the-scenes struggles for power—over his administration, over the nation’s future, and, hauntingly, over his medical care.

Meticulously researched, epic in scope, and pulsating with an intimate human focus and high-velocity narrative drive, The Destiny of the Republic brings alive a forgotten chapter of U.S. history.

Books are available at OWL to borrow. E-books and e-audio books available on the Libby app for OWL card holders as “instant access”.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759

2026-02-09

https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx

An exercise class for senior women with Nancy Schuler.
Tuesdays in February at 10:15 am – * No class February 24

In-Person & on Zoom:
Registration required for in-person.

Let’s talk balance, posture and well being.
Join this senior women’s exercise group on Tuesdays at 10:15 and let’s work to keep moving at any age.
You may attend the class in person at OWL, or online with Zoom.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759

2026-02-03

https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx#anchor_ageless

Romance is in the air on this special Valentine’s Day “lantern” tour of Litchfield’s Historic District. Join us on Friday, February 13th at 5:30 p.m. The tour starts at the Litchfield History Museum where we will enjoy historically inspired cocktails and treats before grabbing lanterns and heading out to learn about the great love stories of Litchfield’s past. Tickets cost $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
To Register, visit https://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/calendar-grid/

Litchfield History Museum (7 South Street, Litchfield, CT 06759)

Calendar of Events

Treat your valentine to a unique experience!
Tour our world-class aviaries and observe our waterfowl in their brilliant breeding plumage during our ‘Ducks in Love’ weekend!
Walk the property with our aviculturists. Observe many of the most colorful and interesting birds in the world. Keep an eye out for extraordinary breeding behaviors.
Afterwards, cozy up by the fire with refreshments & a warm cup of spiced cider.

Private Guided Tours
Friday, Feb. 13th; Saturday, Feb. 14th; Sunday Feb. 15th; & Monday, Feb. 16th
Private Tours: 45min tours on the hour, beginning at 10:00AM
Includes: Private Guided Tour, Thorncrest Chocolates, fire, refreshments, & warm spiced cider
Tours for TWO: $100
Tours for UP TO SIX: $175
Pre-registration required

Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy
55 Duck Pond Road, Litchfield CT 06759

https://www.ripleyconservancy.org/ducks-in-love-2025

The Hickory Stick Bookshop is pleased to welcome renowned cardiologist and ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Tara Narula, who will be here signing copies of her new book “The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being” on Saturday, January 24th at 3:00pm. The book signing will be accompanied by sips and small bites from The Owl Wine & Food Bar in New Preston, CT.

Hickory Stick Bookshop
2 Green Hill Rd, Washington Depot, CT 06794
https://hickorystickbookshop.com/event/2026-01-24/book-signing-tara-narula-md

Gallery Opening featuring Patricia Porco
“Inner Play” Multi-Fragments of Creation
Saturday, February 7
6:30–8:00 PM
Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT

This exhibition features the work of Patricia Porco, a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist born in Colombia and based in the United States since 1991. Using clay sculpture, watercolor, oil, and encaustic, her work explores emotion, memory, and the layered fragments that shape our inner worlds.

Inspired by travel and cultural symbolism, especially the Katrinas of Día de los Muertos encountered during time spent in Mexico. Inner Play celebrates creativity as both reflection and release.

The opening reception is free and open to the public, with additional viewing available throughout the month of February.

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of art, conversation, and creative connection.

12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar

Women, Wine, & Wheel
Saturday: February 21st
6:30-9:30PM
Each month is a new start date.
Ready for some serious fun with friends? Picture this: laughter, creativity, and a pottery wheel at your fingertips!
Join us for a super fun 2-day pottery adventure.
What could be more fun than a bunch of friends laughing and learning the pottery wheel?
Add a little wine or beverage of your choice – you are making memories and a functioning piece of art with your own hands!
This is a two-day course – you will throw one piece of pottery on the wheel, & trim the base during the second visit. Your third visit you can glaze your piece at your leisure once it’s out of the kiln. $129 Each.
You must pre-register for this event.
Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318

12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar

A Studio Affair
Saturday, February 21
6:30–10:00 PM
Ages 21+

Step away from your screen and into the studio. A Studio Affair is a chance to unplug, slow down, and reconnect with yourself, with others, and with the simple joy of creating.

As a nonprofit, we’re dedicated to offering adults a relaxed, welcoming space to unwind and explore the arts with no pressure, no expectations, and no experience required.
Whether you’re meeting new people, taking a creative break, or just craving a phone-free evening, this is time well spent. Creating art has a powerful way of calming the mind, boosting well-being, and helping you feel present and this night is all about that.

Bring a project you’re already working on, or use some of our materials: watercolors, chalk and oil pastels, magazines, markers, colored pencils, and beautiful paper.
We’ll be spinning vinyl to set the vibe, and it’s BYOB if you’d like to sip while you create.
a Studio Affair is a free community event
Held every 3rd Saturday of the month.
Village Center for the Arts is located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318
villagecenterarts.org

Invite a friend, spread the word, and give yourself a night to unplug and create.

12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar

Dirty Date Night
Saturday: February 14th
6:30-9:30PM
Grab someone special and come get dirty….with clay!

This is a two-day course where you will throw one piece of pottery on the wheel, & trim the base during the second visit. $245 per couple. This includes a visit to glaze your piece at your leisure once it’s out of the kiln.
Bring a beverage of your choice and finger food if you’d like.
Each month is a new start date.
You must pre-register for this event.
Needs a minimum of 4 people to run this class.
Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318

https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar