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

America’s 250: Exploring US Poets Laureate: A four part series.
Part One: The Common Touch
With Poet-Teachers Sandy Lee Carlson, Margaret Hunt & Jim Kelleher

Saturday, October 25 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
In-Person & on Zoom. Registration required for In-Person.

Connecticut poets from around the state will participate in the Oliver Wolcott Library’s four-part discussion series celebrating US Poets Laureate. The poems each group will discuss will be available as a PDF and on paper in advance of each event.

The exploration of important poets expands our understanding of ourselves, our community, and our country. What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than a survey of some of our most esteemed poets guided by current poets.

The lens of the October 25 discussion will be “the common touch” and will include poetry by Billy Collins, Robert Frost and Robert Hayden.

Sandy Lee Carlson will lead the discussion of Billy Collins. She is a public school teacher and poet laureate emerita of Woodbury. She hosts the Orenaug Poetry Group, a chapter of the Connecticut Poetry Society, on the second Saturday of each month in Woodbury. She and her husband run Orenaug Mountain Publishing, an independent press that promotes Connecticut poets and fosters an international poetry community through anthologies and monthly online poetry fora. Find out more about Sandy and her work at sandycarlson.net.

Margaret Hunt will lead the discussion of Robert Frost. She taught high school English for 24 years and made it her mission to introduce her students to poetry: the reading, the writing and the performing. She started poetry clubs, organized slam poetry events, and advised literary magazines for her students. Now retired, she has time to spend on her own poetry.

Jim Kelleher will lead the discussion of Robert Hayden. He earned an MFA at 60, with Kumin, Stern, Ostriker, and Waters as his mentors. He has worked as a carpenter and certified tech and language arts teacher in Boston and Sheffield, Massachusetts, as well as Torrington and Litchfield, Connecticut. Kelleher has published two books with Antrim House, and he has published poems in magazines and newspapers.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx

Meet the authors: Patrick Scalisi & Valerie Ruby-Omen

Tuesday, October 28 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM
In-Person and on Zoom. Registration required for In-Person.

Don’t miss this spooky, magical, and delightful lecture about the weird and wonderful creatures of Connecticut!

For over three years, Patrick Scalisi and Valerie Ruby-Omen did extensive research on creature folklore throughout the state to compile a definitive survey of Connecticut “cryptids” – that is, creatures that are believed to exist (like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster) but never proven to exist. In doing so, they learned that cryptids have been part of Connecticut culture and history from as far back as the 1600s to as recently as the 2020s.

Join us as they introduce us to the concepts of “cryptids” and “cryptozoology” and talk about its history. Then, they will engage in storytelling that will focus on a creature of interest from our area.

Patrick Scalisi is a writer, editor, journalist, and communications professional from Connecticut. He has published short fiction in a number of magazines and anthologies, and served as the editor of the bestselling steampunk collection The Ghost Is the Machine. Pat’s debut novel, The Key to the Universe, was released by Owl Hollow Press in 2019. In addition to his fiction work, Pat is also an award-winning journalist with a particular interest in pop culture and storytelling. He lives in Connecticut with his partner, Crystal, and their cadre of cats. Learn more at patrickscalisi.com.

Valerie Ruby-Omen is a Connecticut-based freelance illustrator. Connecticut Cryptids is her second published work, preceded by the children’s book Tennille and the Tale of Princess Penelope. She also recently partnered with Armada Brewing in New Haven to design the label artwork for Queer Occult, a Pride Month beer collaboration with local retailer Strange Ways. When Val is not creating art, she is an event coordinator and organizer in Connecticut queer artist communities. She lives blissfully in Connecticut with her partner, Dee, and their tiny black cat named Ashiok.
The program lasts about an hour and is for all ages, though we recommend parental guidance for discussion of monsters.

Copies of their book, Connecticut Cryptids, will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx

Americas 250: The President’s Club with Historian Peter Vermilyea

Monday, October 6 from 3:15 – 4:15 PM
In Person & on Zoom
Registration is required to attend In-Person.

Join us each month for one year as we explore 12 influential Presidents through selected biographies spanning from George Washington through John F. Kennedy.

About the Series:
Each month, read the selected biography then join us as historian, author and teacher Peter Vermilyea leads the discussion exploring Presidential personalities, opportunities and failures, challenges, and legacies. Through lecture and discussion, we will delve deeper into our Presidential and shared history.

In October we will be exploring Thomas Jefferson through the book American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis – A National Book Award Winner.

In American Sphinx, Ellis sifts the facts shrewdly from the legends and the rumors, treading a path between vilification and hero worship in order to formulate a plausible portrait of the man who still today “hover[s] over the political scene like one of those dirigibles cruising above a crowded football stadium, flashing words of inspiration to both teams.”

Physical books are available at OWL to borrow, and e-books and e-audio books are instantly available for OWL card holders.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield, CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/presidents-club.aspx#anchor_jefferson

Join Nicole Carpenter, Curator of the Litchfield Historical Society

Thursday, October 2 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM
In-Person & on Zoom:
In-Person Registration required

For generations, artists have captured the landscapes and views of Litchfield, Connecticut through a variety of mediums. From watercolors and pencil sketches, to oil paintings and photographs, these works of art not only capture the beauty of the region, but prompt viewers to consider the many questions and perspectives that fueled each artist’s work.

In the early 20th century, Theobald Van Laer, Adelaide Deming, A. Sheldon Pennoyer, and Emily Noyes Vanderpoel, captured the landscapes of Litchfield and its surrounding area. Working during the height of the Progressive Era and Colonial Revival Movement, their artwork embodied both the rapid change of the nation, as well as the heavy dose of nostalgia craved by many.

As part of “Paint the Historic District” day (10/2) of the 2025 Litchfield Plein Air event, Nicole Carpenter, Curator of the Litchfield Historical Society will present a special talk exploring the work of these artists, and the important role artists play in documenting community and regional history.

As Curator of the Litchfield Historical Society, Nicole Carpenter connects audiences with the story of Connecticut—and American history—through the stories and material culture created in local communities. With over ten years of experience in Connecticut Museums, she has received the Connecticut League of Museums Award of Merit (2017) as well as the Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History for her work on the exhibition Remembered (2019).

This event is co-sponsored with the Litchfield Historical Society.

Watercolor by artist Emily Noyes Vanderpoel depicting James Gould’s law office titled, “Gould Law School.” Credit Litchfield Historical Society.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/adult-events.aspx

Tuesdays In October at 10:30 AM

Perfect for Birth – 18 months, but fun for everyone!

Meet us in the Children’s Room for Baby Time! This calm, cozy program is designed for pre-walkers who aren’t quite ready for the high energy of Rhyme Time. We will focus on nursery rhymes, lullabies, and bonding with your baby.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/childrens-events.aspx

Women, Wine, & Wheel
Saturday:
September 20th or October 18th

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.
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

Wednesdays in October at 10:30 AM

Perfect for 18 – 36 months, but fun for everyone!

Lots of rhymes, a sprinkling of songs, and one or two shared board books round out this library program that is perfect for little ones who need to get those wiggles out. Stay to PLAY! After the rhymes, stay for some unstructured play time with other kiddos.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/childrens-events.asp

Thursdays in October
Perfect for 3 – 5 year olds, but fun for everyone!

Join Mrs. Tricia for a classic library storytime–books, songs, bubbles, and more! Come for early literacy skills, social connections, and fun! We will focus on one special picture book author each week.

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/childrens-events.aspx

Saturdays In October at 10:30 AM

All ages welcome!

Come to OWL for an all ages storytime in the children’s room every Saturday at 10:30 then stay to play. In addition to our puppet theater, wooden blocks, and train set, we now have sorting toys! We also have an ongoing BINGO treasure hunt with prizes for completion.

As always, our craft table is stocked with drawing supplies and coloring sheets for younger children.
And most importantly come in to browse our collection of print books, Nutmeg nominees, and Wonderbooks!

Oliver Wolcott Library
160 South Street
Litchfield CT 06759
https://www.owlibrary.org/childrens-events.aspx

Dirty Date Night
Saturday:
September 13th or October 11th

6:30-9:30PM
Grab someone special and come get dirty….with clay!
You choose the date.

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

Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
https://www.villagecenterarts.org/eventscalendar