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

Core Luxe Pilates, located at 710 Bantam Road in Bantam, offers a transformative fitness experience for the Litchfield County community. Founded by STOTT-certified instructor Jennifer Nirenberg, the boutique studio focuses on Reformer Pilates, a low-impact, full-body workout performed on a specialized machine with springs and pulleys. This innovative practice improves strength, flexibility, and balance while being gentle on the joints, making it ideal for all fitness levels—from beginners to seasoned athletes.

Jennifer’s vision was to create a luxurious and welcoming environment where clients can focus on their health and well-being. Core Luxe Pilates provides small group classes and private sessions, ensuring personalized attention in an intimate, supportive setting tailored to individual needs and goals.

To help new clients explore Reformer Pilates, the studio offers a complimentary 1:1 preview session. This session provides the chance to try the Reformer, learn about the practice, and discuss personal fitness objectives.

Whether you’re seeking to build strength, enhance flexibility, or simply try a mindful and effective workout, Core Luxe Pilates offers a unique experience that blends luxury, mindfulness, and results.

Strengthen your body, calm your mind, and elevate your fitness journey with Core Luxe Pilates. coreluxepilates.com

Our readers voted for their favorite things about Litchfield County in a wide variety of categories for our annual 2025 Reader’s Choice Contest in this Best of Litchfield County issue. The results feature people and businesses in various industries—including food, health and wellness, apparel and accessories, home and design, education, spa and beauty, and many more! We are excited to share with you the top three choices in each category—not to mention, some of  the local businesses that make Litchfield County the amazing place it is.

Click HERE to view the 2025 results.

High and Mighty

Restoration of historic theater goes above and beyond

By Troy McMullen

Photos by Ryan Lavine

The elaborate dry fresco paintings that cover the ceiling of the Thomaston Opera House date back to 1884, when the Romanesque building was erected as a venue for theatrical performances and social events in Litchfield County.

The hand-painted panels were created in the Eastlake Victorian style, with more than 180 colors used to produce the intricate geometric shapes and other stenciled motifs that adorn the coffered ceiling. The illustrations have long been a treasured attraction for visitors to a landmark venue that still ranks as the county’s oldest and largest theater.

After years of neglect, though, the ceiling eventually fell into disrepair, with decades of dust, grime, and water damage obscuring the original colors and details. Now, some 140 years after its creation, the opera house is unveiling a $3.5 million facelift that includes bringing its original ceiling artwork back to life.

“It’s a point of pride for this community,” says Jeff Dunn, executive director of Landmark Community Theatre, a nonprofit arts organization that operates the opera house. “Restoring the original artwork in the building, especially the ceiling, was really a priority when we began this project.”

The yearlong renovations were spearheaded by Thomaston Selectman Mike Burr. who is the chairman of the Opera House Commission. Working with fundraising group Friends of the Thomaston Opera House, Dunn managed the capital campaign for the project through grants, solicitations, and events. More than $400,000 was raised for the first phase of the project, with another $2 million secured from the state’s Community Investment Fund.

The renovation includes much-needed structural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades, including adding a new stage-accessible elevator, expanded handicap access, and renovated dressing rooms. 

But restoring the ceiling to its former glory was the jewel of the project.

“Part of the draw to this building, along with the performances, is just the historic nature of the venue,” says Dunn, a Thomaston native who has been managing the opera house for nearly 30 years.

EverGreene Architectural Arts led the refurbishment. The Brooklyn-based firm has restored hundreds of historic properties around the country, including 41/50 of state capitol buildings.

Workers spent months cleaning the more than 30 ceiling panels with specialty materials applied by hand that wouldn’t harm the original paint, says EverGreene founder Jeff Greene. They also cleaned and restored the coves between the ceiling and walls and the stenciled wooden beams between the ceiling panels.

Once decades of old overpaint were removed, workers discovered the ceiling’s original 1884 artwork virtually intact, including the allegorical trompe l’oeil coffers representing the four cornerstones of the opera house’s mission: drama, architecture, music, and education. 

“That’s extremely rare in a building this old,” says Greene. “It was almost the pristine original once the debris was wiped away.”

Dunn says the restoration is more than just a vanity project.

“The theater is an important piece of Thomaston’s history,” he says. “So we’re restoring a living, breathing part of this community.” —landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

By Michelle Madden

Photographs by Ryan Lavine

“He’s a magician; it looks like they’re floating—as though butterflies are holding them up.” Anne Fuchs is one of Rex Todd Rogers’ many clients who speak with extraordinary reverence and awe. Rogers is a creator who has been crafting sculptural wonders out of flowers from as far back as he can remember. “My mother had a beautiful garden; I was probably ten when I created my first arrangement.” 

As often happens with individuals who lose one of their senses, others are heightened. Rogers is deaf, and perhaps because of this he has a gift for seeing and interpreting colors and texture. It is a talent that has been nurtured from a young age. “I traveled an enormous amount as a child, and was exposed to cultures and architecture that have informed much of what I do.” Rogers grew up in the Midwest. Seven years ago he chose Connecticut—where his mother’s family has deep roots—as his home.

Though many of Rogers floral creations are reminiscent of the great Dutch still-life paintings of the 18th century, he doesn’t imitate anything—least of all his own work. He is one of a kind, and proud of it. “I must have been eight when I wore what I thought was a very unique Oxford button down shirt to school. Horrified when another boy turned up in the same, I vowed never to wear it again.” It is this strong desire for originality, this urge to always be growing and challenging himself, that has fueled his career. He works for large corporations such as J.P Morgan, as well as local establishments such as the Litchfield Inn and Spa. He was hired to create floral designs for Henry Kissinger’s 100th birthday celebration in Kent.

Many of his projects are installations. For a wedding, he fabricated a blossoming apple tree, using baby’s breath to create the illusion of buds bursting on a ten-foot tree. It took two days and a lot of wire.

When asked whether a project was complex, or challenging, the words seem foreign to Rogers. He doesn’t find anything complex. Nothing is challenging. It’s as though creations just come to him through a divine force. They may take days to execute, but he is simply channeling them through his eyes and hands. He seduces the flowers, and they simply bend to his will. “He is an artist, with a depth of knowledge and an instinct for clients’ needs,” says Nancy Novogrod, a beneficiary of his skill.

Rogers is also an interior designer, something he has been focused on for decades. His passion is getting to the root of a client’s taste, and using existing art and furniture while weaving in new items that bring a timeless beauty to their space. 

With interior objects as with flowers, Rogers channels a client’s vision onto their private canvas. Though his work is flawless, it is also unselfconscious and serene. It delivers perfection to an imperfect world.—rtrdesign.com

As it commemorates its 10th anniversary, Litchfield Distillery has much to celebrate: a  sought-after lineup of award-winning spirits, and the support of a community appreciative of its benevolence through the years.

From classics like double-barrel bourbon whiskey to small-batch cocktails such as a Manhattan and an Espresso Martini, to innovative honey barrel-finished gin, and seasonal surprises like blueberry vodka, the distillery has come a long way from its initial offerings.

When the Baker brothers—Jack, Peter, and Dave—launched their venture with two bourbons and a gin, they had already been part of a beverage legacy started by their grandfather in 1914: Crystal Rock, a Stamford-based water-bottling company. Employing a “strong business background,” Litchfield Distillery became their trademark and passion.

“It was never meant as a hobby,” recalls Peter. “We started with the ‘go big or go home’ mentality, committed to building a brand.” 

Today, the distillery portfolio exceeds 20 products. Ranging from peppery finishes to sweet maple touches and caramel notes, the bourbon whiskeys are handcrafted from 100 percent Connecticut-grown corn, barley, and rye—something the brothers are especially proud of.

“I think we’ve had a significant agricultural impact,” says Jack, reflecting on the 200 tons of locally harvested grains Litchfield Distillery purchases annually. “It’s a steady value that allows Connecticut farmers to survive, and that means a lot to us.”

“The Spirit of Hard Work” isn’t just a corporate motto, but the Baker brothers’ habit. Hands-on in every business aspect, they oversaw distillery expansion, and became a major distributor and the county’s largest tourist attraction—while being “committed to making a positive social impact.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they voluntarily converted to production of hand sanitizer for a year, under an emergency license from the FDA and the state. They distributed more than 250,000 bottles. 

“It was a scary time,” Peter reflects. “We supplied first responders because they had nothing, and we left a stocked table outside with a collection jar.” 

Ultimately, they collected $44,000, which they donated to FISH, the Torrington-based shelter and pantry.

That generous spirit is further reflected in interactions with approximately 10,000 bourbon aficionados who visit the distillery every year, excited to learn the process behind the spirits housed in some 1,600 barrels: malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, and aging. Stored in American white oak charred barrels, the bourbons’ taste and color deepen with time.

Tours and samples are free because “it’s the right thing to do,” says Jack. “It’s our thanks to people who go out of their way to find us and stop by, and to support our brand.” 

The brothers gratefully reflect on their decade-long accomplishments: Named 2021 Connecticut Whiskey Distillery of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition, Litchfield Distillery has earned many national awards, and the respect of whiskey clubs, who request its spirits.

“The product line is more than we expected,” notes Jack. “We’re proud of it, our relationships with customers, and the fact that Connecticut-grown farm products have become nationally winning and recognized.”—litchfielddistillery.com

By Clementina Verge

Photographs by Ryan Lavine

In 2024, Litchfield County’s real estate market remained robust despite higher inter-est rates and limited inventory. Most new homeowners were Brooklyn and Manhattantransplants, drawn by the allure of more space and fresh air. The county’s excellentschools, lower taxes, top-notch restaurants, and stunning rural landscapes provedirresistible to buyers. Below is a selection of properties that changed hands.

Elyse Harney Real Estate

High on top of  Wells Hill, this 6,155 sq. ft. Georgian Colonial estate is set on 6.23 acres, offering breathtaking panoramic views in one of Salisbury’s premier locations. With seven bedrooms and 7.5 baths, the home features a stunning great room with 12-foot barrel ceilings, a first-floor primary suite with a spa-inspired bath and private office, and three additional ensuite bedrooms with private sitting areas. A soundproof home theater, three-bedroom carriage house, radiant-heated barn with pool house, and heated gunite pool complete this elegant retreat. Minutes from Lakeville Lake and nearby villages, this estate epitomizes luxury country living.

Price: $5,045,000

Town: Salisbury

Listing Agents: Elyse Harney Morris and Thomas Callahan

William Raveis Lifestyles Realty
Hedgelawn Farm
Perched at the pinnacle of the land, this newly renovated circa 1900 barn-style main residence offers breathtaking western views over the Shepaug River Valley and Steep Rock Land Trust. The three-bedroom home features a wellness level, pool, and expansive entertaining terraces. For guests, the property includes a beautifully renovated two-bedroom circa 1762 antique farmhouse; and a circa 1900 one-room cottage with a full bath and kitchenette, perfect for overflow accommodations or an office, yoga studio, or artist space. The grounds feature two ponds, mature landscaping with specimen trees, a wall of rhododendrons, fruit orchards, berry bushes, and flat fields—a serene countryside retreat.
Price: $5,000,000
Town: Washington
Listing Agent: Pels Matthews

William Pitt Sotheby’s, The Kimron Team
Windswept Farm
This quintessential New England retreat masterfully blends the charm of its 1850 Colonial farmhouse origins with modern updates and expansions, all set on 7 acres of pastoral beauty. Ideal for equestrian pursuits, the property includes a striking red barn with overhead doors, hay storage, and a tack room. Additional features include a detached three-car garage with a spacious workshop above, a garden area, fruit trees, a paddock, and timeless stone walls. The perfect blend of history and modern functionality, this farm offers a picturesque escape.
Price: $1,660,000
Town: Litchfield
Listing Agents: Roland Leal and Kim D’Andrea

William Pitt Sotheby’s, At Home in the Hills Team
GrayBarn on Wononscopomuc Lake
Located on the shores of pristine Wononscopomuc Lake, this vintage converted barn home epitomizes effortless luxury. The property includes a main residence, a two-story barn, and a two-car garage. High ceilings, exposed beams, and reclaimed wide-plank wood floors accentuate the light-filled, open-concept living spaces. Custom-built by Churchill Building Company, the mudroom is both stylish and functional. With expansive lake views and abundant outdoor space, this Lakeville gem is a Litchfield County dream come true.
List Price: $2,999,000
Town: Lakeville
Listing Agents: Lenore Mallett and Elvia Gignoux

William Pitt Sotheby’s, The Kathryn Clair Team
This custom-designed Contemporary home is set on 25-plus magical acres with southwestern views, a heated gunite pool, and an aerated pond. The striking modern design features a three-level stone foyer leading to an open great room and a dining area with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The updated kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, a large island, and a passive solar sunroom. Expansive decks offer breathtaking views of the pool, gardens, and level lawns, making this property ideal for both relaxation and entertaining.
List Price: $1,895,000
Town: Washington
Listed By: Kathryn Clair and Kathryn Bassett

Klemm Real Estate
This brand-new, state-of-the-art modern lake house offers four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, and breathtaking views of Lake Waramaug. Built by Pinnacle Peak, Inc., the home features Marvin windows, white oak floors, a custom kitchen, cedar siding, a granite stone veneer, and high-end appliances by Gaggenau, Wolf, and Miele. Additional amenities include a gas fireplace, elevator, central security system, backup generator, heated two-car garage, and a new floating wood dock. Professionally landscaped and set on 2-plus acres, this property combines luxury and privacy in a prime location.
Price: $4,500,000
Town: New Preston
Listing Agent: Peter Klemm

William Pitt Sotheby’s 

Historic Marsh-Whitlock House
Built in 1738, the Marsh-Whitlock House is the oldest recorded home in Warren. This exquisite Saltbox sits on 28-plus serene acres, complete with a pond, manicured gardens, and an orchard. The main house showcases historic details, including four fireplaces (one a cooking fireplace with a beehive oven), broad floorboards, original paneling, and exposed hand-hewn beams. The property also features a large detached barn and a luxurious modern sauna overlooking the pond, blending old-world charm with contemporary comfort.
Price: $1,650,000
Town: Warren
Listing Agents: Stephen Pener and Vanessa Henderson

William Pitt Sotheby’s, The Legacy Team
Step back in time with this classic Dutch-style farmhouse, blending pastoral charm with unique retro flair. Highlights include a 1950s-style diner, perfect for entertaining, and a baseball-themed lower level featuring memorabilia displays. The property boasts rolling pastures, traditional barns, a three-stall horse stable, and a pristine pool area with an outdoor kitchen. A true haven for equestrian enthusiasts and those seeking distinctive character, this Sherman estate encapsulates the essence of country living.
Price: $1,100,000
Town: Sherman
Sale Agent: Alan O’Doherty

Bain Real Estate
Situated in the heart of Kent Village, this four-bedroom, three and a half bath Colonial was custom built in 2010 by a master craftsman. Spanning 3,886 square feet, the home exudes traditional style and quality with features like wood-beamed great room ceilings, elegant windows, and a high-end kitchen designed for gathering. The main floor includes a primary ensuite, a formal dining room, and a large screened porch, while the second floor offers another primary suite and two additional bedrooms. Complete with a guest house and a 9-foot ceiling basement, this property is a showcase of timeless craftsmanship.
Price: $1,195,000
Town: Kent
Listing Agent: Chris Garrity 

William Raveis Lifestyles Realty
This charming Saltbox-style home, built in 1984, is nestled on a picturesque 2.07-acre lot in Bethlehem. The 2,604-square-foot residence features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two wood-burning fireplaces, creating a cozy, inviting ambiance. Listed for $449,000 in April 2024, the home sold for $500,000 in May 2024. A classic New England gem with timeless appeal.
Price: $500,000
Town: Bethlehem
Listing Agent: Alper Toydemir

Drakeley Real Estate
Set on 12 pristine acres of open meadow bordered by stone walls, this stunning country cape has been thoughtfully renovated with impeccable attention to detail. The property features five bedrooms, five full and two partial baths, four fireplaces, an in-ground gunite pool, a practice golf range, and both an attached three-car garage and a drive-under garage for additional storage. This Middlebury home blends timeless charm with modern amenities, offering a luxurious countryside retreat.
Price: $1,750,000
Town: Middlebury
Selling Agents: Tim Drakeley 

Christie’s International Real Estate Group, The Daniel Kramp Team

This sophisticated Palladian-style estate on 53 acres has five sun-filled bedrooms, seven baths, a dramatic two-story entryway, and breathtaking views of the Litchfield Hills. The chef’s kitchen has top-of-the-line appliances. A spacious primary suite on the main floor offers a wood-burning fireplace; upstairs are additional bedroom suites and an office. An elevator services all three floors. The garden level has a guest apartment, theater, gym, garden workroom, and access to a two-car garage. The pool/spa pavilion has an outdoor kitchen with two built-in grills. A stunning artist studio adds a perfect Ivory Tower to this magical estate. Also included in the sale were two adjacent properties with a guesthouse and a caretaker house.

Price: $9,225,530
Town: Washington 

Listing Agents: Daniel Kramp from Christie’s International Real Estate Group, Liza Reiss from Elyse Harney

By Michelle Madden

 Polar bears are not good runners. Apparently their bulky build and swinging gait cause them to use twice as much energy to move at a given speed than most other mammals. 

The mammals who complete the 7.8-mile Polar Bear Run around the serene, glacial Lake Waramaug do so with considerably more grace than a polar bear. I was one of those who set out on a frigid morning in 2024 along with my 12-year-old son, to join friends in doing something that would remind us why—even in February—we love Litchfield County.

The 40th annual run will be held this coming February (it is the oldest winter race in the state).  When I ran, there were a record 607 runners, from 13 different states, ranging in age from seven to 74, all circumnavigating the beautiful lake on a calm winter day. 

The excitement begins in the field-turned-parking-lot where runners, before leaving the protective cocoon of their car, perform the exacting calculations of how many layers to wear to avoid freezing pre-race but not overheating mid-race. They toss back last-minute energy bars, proceed to the start, sing the national anthem, take one more quad stretch, and they’re off!

Joining the field are a few canine athletes. The race benefits Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which trains more than 160 dogs each year to partner with blind and visually impaired people, while also offering a running guides program—the only one of its kind in the country. Over $10,000 was raised from the 2024 run.

The race is very much a community affair, powered by a team of more than 75 volunteers. The Lions Club managed the parking, South Kent and Brookfield High School students provided water for the runners, students from The Marvelwood School sang the national anthem, and Kent First Selectman Martin Lindemayer served as announcer.

Rebekah Cross, director of Donor Relations and a Guiding Eyes graduate says, “We’re so grateful to every participant for your incredible support! Our work at Guiding Eyes for the Blind is only possible through the kindness of donors and volunteers like you.”

The race is organized by Trail Heads, hosted by Hopkins Vineyard, and supported by numerous local businesses, including Kent Wine & Spirit, Davis IGA, J.P. Gifford, Lesser Evil, Athletic Brewing Co., Stonewalls by George, Randy O’Rourke Photography, Muddy Socks Photography and Kent Falls Brewing Co.

The finish is at Hopkins Vineyard, where racers cross the tape and make their way to the snack tent. Cream cheese and bagels, fruit gummies, and tray upon tray of chocolate chip cookies provide essential refueling. Socks adorned with polar bears, of course, are handed out.

And though it’s about the fun and not the winning, someone’s got to! Will Sanders took home top prize in the men’s division with a time of 40.48—breaking his course record, set in 2023 by 37 seconds—while Katie Overstrum won the women’s with a time of 50:09. And they accomplished this feat by using far less energy than a polar bear would have.—trailheads.com/lake-waramaug-polar-bear-run

Eleish Van Breems Home, the celebrated Scandinavian home furnishings and antiques brand, continues to thrive in New Preston, marking its second year in the charming Litchfield County village. Owners and lifelong friends Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems, passionate advocates for Scandinavian design, have transformed their shop into a serene Nordic retreat where timeless craftsmanship meets the relaxed elegance of country living.

For Edie and Rhonda, this shop represents a meaningful homecoming. They began their business 28 years ago in an 18th-century house and barn in nearby Woodbury before moving to Fairfield County for family life. Now nestled in the historic former Dawn Hill Antiques building on 11 Main Street, the location—once New Preston’s post office and market—overlooks a stunning waterfall that only adds to its charm. “It’s truly full circle for us,” says Rhonda Eleish.

Inside, visitors will discover a carefully curated mix of Gustavian and Rococo antiques, Scandinavian mid-century furniture, and modern designs from Verellen, Cane-line, and Thayer Coggin. The collection also features lighting by Louis Poulsen and St. Louis, as well as tableware, linens, and home goods from Scandinavian heritage brands like Skultuna, Marimekko, and Gustavsberg. Whether you’re seeking sophisticated contemporary furniture or one-of-a-kind gifts, Eleish Van Breems Home has something special for everyone.—www.evbantiques.com