“Walking into your garden should feel like walking into yourself,” is the advice Zarinna Mulla shares when clients ask for a consultation. And that approach is exactly how she designed her own Warren landscape.

Outsiders can sense it—writers, artists, and musicians have flocked here for years to tap into that nexus of body, mind, and spirit. Knowing this, several non-profit retreat centers have set up shop in these woods, too—willing to serve the faithful, the seekers, and everything in between.

Trail Magic is the name hikers give to the spontaneous acts of kindness from “trail angels” that help fuel their journeys. It might include snacks or drinks left along the trail, access to a shower, or a ride to a nearby town.

orrington resident Patricia Martin has been named the State of Connecticut National Beat Poet Laureate 2023 – 2025 by the National Beat Poetry Foundation.

Pamela Brown, a writer and owner of PMB Writing & Consulting, recently published Faithful Love, a contemporary romance novel with a dose of mystery that brings readers into the lives of Candace Crestworth and Corey Matthews.

Gerald Incandela is bullish on Torrington. “He sees through the warts,” says Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone, adding that he sees the struggling municipality “through a different lens, an artist’s lens.”

The Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford must be one of the worst-kept secrets in the world. It’s not exactly advertised but certainly it has its own website, and certainly everyone in Litchfield County who loves vintage fashion and home design goods—and, of course, toys from the 1970s and old 33 RPM vinyl records—already knows about it.

Julie Haesche’s journey into the healing arts was prompted by struggles with psoriatic arthritis and the desire to empower others. Today, the Washington resident is a certified, award-winning yoga and meditation teacher hosting outdoor classes throughout Litchfield County.

Renee Bouffard has always had an innate sense that animals, particularly horses, have a healing effect. Back in high school when she was having a bad day, she would hang out in the barn with her horse Sparky. Just being around him lifted her spirits.

Children dream of becoming astronauts, firefighters, star athletes. Their parents dream of taking charge of a newspaper, a restaurant, or a movie theater. It all sounds so fun! But of course nothing worth dreaming about is easy. It all requires work, and an array of skills.

Over two days they featured visits to striking local gardens, a talk by a renowned horticulturist, and the sale of new and out-of-print gardening books.

Haystack Book Festival in Norfolk brings together writers and thinkers who have something to talk about.