Indoor farmers market at The Silo in New Milford all winter, featuring fresh produce, local goods, and lunch.
By Frances Chamberlain
You’ve put your garden to bed and the summer markets have closed, but there is another option in Litchfield County. The Silo, 44 Upland Road, New Milford, has an indoor Farmers Market every Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm. They provide a delicious array of fresh produce, meats, and other organic products.
Also, Dino Kolitsas, chef-owner of Greca in New Milford, offers lunches like asparagus soup, lamb burgers, and French toast, often with ingredients from the Farmers Market.
Nicky Zooks, a 9th grader, the youngest vendor, makes fresh mozzarella on-site. He learned this as a child and went professional last year.
Murphy’s Mushrooms features Italian Oyster mushrooms, Chestnut, Black Pearl, and Lion’s Mane. Symbiosis Microgreens offers amaranth and basil for tasting and sells greens including radishes, broccoli, and pea shoots.
The Health Rescue’s hot drink includes cacao, seaweed, and Lion’s mane mushrooms. A turmeric-ginger mix is very popular.
Pawling Coffee Roaster sources beans from around the world. There is maple syrup from Litchfield Distillery.Bittersweet Ranch features duck products, and Mayapple Farm provides all cuts of their sheep.
A chocolatier, cheese producer, and fresh fish will join next week. The purpose, according to organizer Alessandro Piovezahn, is “to serve and survive.”With warm weather, they plan to spill out of the barn and feature arts and crafts made by local youth.
Its size, shallow depth, and strong breezes have made Bantam Lake one of the best ice boating lakes in the Northeast.
A Mecca for Ice Boaters
By Joseph Montebello
On a frigid January day, I was introduced to ice yachts. While I had been assigned to write a piece about the sport of iceboating, my knowledge of it was minimal, to say the least. After discovering the archives of the Connecticut Ice Yacht Association at the Litchfield Historical Society I learned its history and obtained a membership list. Reading about the sport and watching boaters in action are decidedly different experiences. Thanks to member Ted Bent, I had the chance to meet some of the club’s participants and watch them in action.
Philip Dutton
Sailing the lake’s crystal clear waters in the summer is the perfect escape. But winter brings a whole new dimension. Its size, shallow depth, and strong breezes have made Bantam Lake one of the best ice boating lakes in the Northeast. Since its inception in 1939 the Connecticut Ice Yacht Association (renamed a “Club” in 1941) has attracted both locals and enthusiasts from outlying states to experience the joys of winter yachting.
Philip Dutton
By 1941 there were 37 active members sailing on Bantam Lake. Today the membership totals 54 and even though women were accepted in 1947, there is only one honorary female member.
Philip Dutton
Boat design varied from those built by professional makers such as Mead Glider Company in Chicago, Illinois, and the Palmer Boat Company in Fontana, Wisconsin, to homemade versions. Alexander Bryan, an early member, designed and built eight Tumbleweeds, known as T-Boats, in his garage at a cost of $110.00. In 1937 a build-at-home design called the International DN became available and has become the most popular iceboat in the world.
Philip Dutton
“Bantam Lake is one of the best sailing lakes in the Northeast and people come from all over to sail here,” says Commodore Tony Bosco. “The snow melts just enough during the day and then freezes over at night. The crust remains until the following afternoon. The process keeps repeating itself so we can ice boat here all winter.”
Joining Bosco to test the lake for safety are George Neyssen, Dave Danielson, and Owen Mehle. Dressed in several layers of warm clothing, wearing spiked hunter’s boots and armed with Eagle Claw ice safety picks, a whistle, a safety line, and a foot-long drill to determine the depth of the ice. It has to be at least four inches to be sailable.
“We set up races,” explains Bent. “I have a DN. The plank goes horizontally, like a tricycle. There is a runner, similar to an ice skate blade, on each side and in the front. That blade is used to turn the pedals. If the wind is blowing 20 miles per hour, you can go 40 because there is no resistance holding the boat in the water.”
Philip Dutton
The ice level is perfect and the men are ready to start their adventure.
“It’s the competition and the camaraderie that get us revved up,” says Bosco. “You’re on the starting line and pushing off, racing at 50 to 60 miles an hour. You can’t beat that feeling.”
Bundle up in layers and head outdoors to enjoy all the fun outdoor activities that Litchfield County has to offer.
Litchfield County is your go-to for winter fun—ski, skate, sled, or sleigh!
The winters in Litchfield County may be cold but they can also be fun. Make the most of it! Bundle up in layers and head outdoors to enjoy all the fun outdoor activities that Litchfield County has to offer. From downhill skiing and snowboarding, to ice skating and sledding, from taking a sleigh ride, to tasting the naturally sweet goodness of maple sugar, we’ve made a list of outdoor activities for you to enjoy this winter. And for more winter fun, make sure to check out our list of 30 Things to do in Litchfield County this Winter.
Down-Hill Skiing, Snowboarding, and Tubing
Mohawk Mountain
Mohawk Mountain is the state’s oldest and largest ski area. The family owned and operated resort offers down-hill skiing and snow boarding, with 19 open ski trails, 5 ski lifts and snowmaking coverage on 95 percent of the mountain. Daily night skiing (except on Sundays).
Ski Sundown
Fifteen trails serviced by 5 lifts with one hundred percent snowmaking coverage offering varied terrain choices for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Day and night skiing and snowboarding from early December through late March. Full service rental and repair shop, snowsports shop, modern and spacious lodge with two self-service food courts, apres ski lounge and mountain view decks. Showsports School offers group and private lessons for ages 4 and up.
Black Rock Park
439-acre Black Rock offers a variety of outdoor activities. Steep, wooded ledges covered with pine, hemlock and oak provide the setting for Black Rock Pond. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Route 6 Thomaston 860.677.1819
Burr Pond State Park
Burr Pond is the 343-acre site of Borden’s first condensed milk factory in the U.S. A scenic path encircles the 88-acre pond contained in the Park. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Route 8 Torrington 860.482.1817
Dennis Hill
Dennis Hill, a 240 acre estate. A unique summit pavilion, located at an elevation of 1627 feet, is a popular attraction. Winter activities include cross-country skiing.
Route 272 south Norfolk
Drady Rink
Open weekday mornings for skating: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 to 10:15 a.m., and Fridays from 9 to 11:15 a.m. through February. The fee is $5 per skater per session.
Canterbury School 101 Aspetuck Avenue New Milford
Hotchkiss School Rinks
Ice skating.
11 Interlaken Road Lakeville
Housatonic Meadows State Park
Located in the rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River amid the rugged hills of the Northwestern uplands, the 451-acre Housatonic Meadows is an ideal setting. Limited cross-country skiing.
Route 7 Sharon 860.927.3238
John A. Minetto State Park
This 678-acre Park was once the location of the first house constructed in the Town of Winsted. The rolling, open land was formerly known as Hall Meadow after the adjacent Hall Brook. Winter activities include cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Route 272 Torrington
Linen Rink
Ice skating. Open to the public for family skates on Sundays from 4:45 to 7 p.m.
Gunnery School 99 Green Hill Road Washington
Macedonia Brook State Park
Macedonia Brook became the property of the State in 1918 through a gift from the White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield. Two peaks within the Park are near 1,400 feet in elevation and offer outstanding views of the Catskills and Taconic mountains. Winter activities include cross-country skiing.
159 Macedonia Brook Road Kent 860.927.3238
Mohawk Mountain State Forest
With rugged hills, deep forests, panoramic vistas and 30 miles of trails, Mohawk Mountain State Forest in Cornwall is the ideal place for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Explore the Mohawk Trail, once part of the Appalachian Trail. The trail leads to Mohawk Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the rolling Litchfield Hills. The cross-country skiing trail is another option that offers a sampling of the mountain’s diverse landscape. Those in need of snowshoes can rent them at the nearby Housatonic River Outfitters, Inc. in Cornwall Bridge.
Mt. Tom State Park
Mt. Tom is one of the oldest parks in the state park system; it is named for the mountain within its boundaries. There is a stone tower on top of the mountain which is a favored destination among hikers. The summit of Mt. Tom is 1325 feet above sea level, 125 feet higher than its Massachusetts counterpart. The tower trail is about a mile long and rises some 500 feet. Winter activities include ice skating.
Rte. 202 Litchfield 860.424.3200
Nadal Rink
Ice skating.
Kent School Macedonia Road Kent
Norfolk Ice Skating Rink
Ice Skating.
23 Mountain Road Norfolk
Peoples State Forest
Along the Farmington River, this forest features hiking and cross-country ski trails. There are several tranquil trails here, including the Agnes Bowen Trail (Orange) which is a traditional 1930’s ski trail. Distance – 2.5 miles.
East River Road Barkhamsted 860.379.2469
Pratt Nature Center
A year-round resource where you can spend time enjoying the joys of nature in a carefully maintained environment. Miles of trails for snowshoeing are perfect for a family outing.
163 Papermill Road New Milford 860.355.3137
Lufkin Rink
They offer three family skates to the public each year. They also offer lessons to students and their siblings who wish to learn to glide across the ice.
Rumsey Hall 201 Romford Road Washington
Salisbury School Rink
Ice skating.
251 Canaan Road Salisbury
Topsmead
Topsmead is an English tudor mansion set on 511 acres. During the summer the house is open for tours. The grounds are open year-round and feature hiking, sledding, and cross country skiing.
Buell Road Litchfield 860.567.5694
White Memorial Foundation
The White Memorial has miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It is located in Litchfield on 4,000 acres, free and open to the public.
Yes, Ice boating. There are ice yachts and people who race around them when it’s safe on Bantam Lake. Read more about it here.
You will also find many people ice fishing on Bantam Lake. Before dropping your line into the icy waters, you must get a permit. Permits may be purchased at local town halls, tackle shops, or through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s store.
Bantam Lake
At 947 acres, Bantam Lake sits as the largest natural body of water in the State of Connecticut. It is fed by Bantam River and Whittlesey Brook in the western part of the state. Fishing is excellent and there are more than an average of 20 annual bass fishing tournaments per year. Ice fishing is very popular here.
Bantam Lake, Morris
Lake Waramaug
Bass enthusiasts can head to Lake Waramaug in Kent, rated one of the state’s “Top Winter Bass Lakes” by New England Game & Fish magazine. Covering more than 656 acres, it is Connecticut’s second-largest natural lake. During the winter season, anglers can pursue largemouth and smallmouth bass, brown trout, chain pickerel and yellow perch.
Lake Waramaug, New Preston
The 25-acre property—like a Currier and Ives scene, with two ponds—has been in his family for five generations. Ken, a farrier, began running sleigh rides in 1972; they do more than 200 in a good season.
Loon Meadow Farm
Offerings include a two-passenger antique surrey sleigh (for couples) and the larger 10-passenger sleigh pulled by two horses. Winter sleigh rides are offered in antique sleighs complete with cozy lap robes, jingling sleigh bells and hot, mulled cider. Special accommodations for groups can be arranged.
Interlaken Inn
Interlaken Inn’s “Sleigh Ride Package” is available through most of the winter, and includes the sleigh ride, dinner, an overnight room and breakfast the next morning.
Interlaken Inn Resort and Conference Center 860.435.9878 800.222.2909 www.interlakeninn.com
Here in the Northwest Corner we are fortunate to have a myriad of things to do year-round. Even during the cold, dark days of winter Litchfield County offers up plenty of activities for everyone. Whether you’re a winter sport enthusiast or prefer to stay indoors on blustery days, check out this list for inspiration.
Even during the cold, dark days of winter Litchfield County offers up plenty of activities for everyone. Whether you’re a winter sport enthusiast or prefer to stay indoors on blustery days, check out this list of things to do for inspiration. And for more fun check out our list of sugar houses to visit for some home-made local maple syrup.
3. Go ice fishing at one of the many lakes or ponds. (Bantam Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Burr Pond and Saltwater Pond, Mohawk Pond, East Twin Lake, etc.) But please read about ice safety before you go.
5. Visit the Sharon Audubon Society in Sharon where you can explore their visitor’s center, learn about their wildlife rehabilitation clinic, and participate in programs and events.
9. Sample some delicious hard cider and purchase some local food stuffs at Hogan’s Cider Mill in Harwinton, which has been making cider since 1912. The second floor of their barn is also filled with quirky antiques to explore (not for purchase), including a phone booth from the 1800s.
15. Learn about Native American life in the Washington area during the 16th century at The Institute for American Indian Studies where you can visit a life-size replica of an Algonquin village with wigwams and longhouses constructed using traditional techniques. Try out their award-winning Wigwam Escape room.
20. As soon as Bantam Lake freezes with ice thick enough for sailing, enjoy the ice yachts flying across the surface on weekends and also some weekdays.
Photo by Philip Dutton
21. Check out your local library to find out what programs, events, and talks they are offering this winter.
25. Peruse Whiting Mills in Winsted. These old former mill buildings now house an eclectic mix of artists, craftspeople, retail shops, and small manufacturing companies who all offer their wares for sale.
For 100 years, Merritt Clarke’s Store in Bantam has encapsulated quality and service. Named after the man who established it, today the reins belong to Yvonne Gilyard, who has kept Clarke’s story intact while adding her own chapters to it.
Where Quality and Memories Intersect
By Clementina Verge
For 100 years, Merritt Clarke’s Store in Bantam has encapsulated quality and service. Named after the man who established it, today the reins belong to Yvonne Gilyard, who has kept Clarke’s story intact while adding her own chapters to it.
Jim Henkens
“It’s about resilience, loyalty, the willingness to understand customer needs and wants, and always insisting on quality,” Gilyard shares.
The legacy began in 1923, when Merritt Clarke became a door-to-door businessman, outfitting area residents by selling clothing and footwear from his truck.
Jim Henkens
In 1943, when the tires on his Ford Model AA wore out and World War II made rubber a rare commodity, he parked in the barn behind his home, added shelves, and launched a store.
Gilyard met Clarke when she and her late-husband Kent moved to town in 1979. She watched Clarke defy competition for decades—with no advertising or even a sign on the door.
Upon Clarke’s death in 1992, a nephew inherited the business but intended to close it. Gilyard wasn’t going to let that happen. In fact, she was determined to expand it.
In 1993, she purchased it all: the merchandise, famous truck, barn, and land. When the house next door went on the market, Gilyard acted.
Jim Henkens
After a few lives of its own—a 1795 inn along a stagecoach route, a boarding house, 1970s apartments, and eventually a private residence—1101 Bantam Road underwent extensive renovations and became the new home of Merritt Clarke’s Store.
“It’s a true ‘mom and pop’ store infused with Yvonne’s care and commitment to quality,” says her husband, David Reynolds, whose artistic eye for detail has also transformed the property.
From Clarke’s old money safe, to exposed original beams, a colonial red fireplace, and a staircase crafted with reclaimed wood from Vermont, the rustic space is inviting and immaculate.
Jim Henkens
With a quintessential New England feel, it features local products including soy candles, soaps, maple syrup, Squamscot soda, established in New Hampshire in 1863, and Raye’s Mustard, crafted on the Maine coast since 1900.
“It’s very important to us to offer items that tell stories, capture histories, and are also of outstanding quality,” Reynolds notes.
As always, from rainwear to barn boots, clothing and footwear are main attractions. The business that once represented 15 brands now features about 75. The first floor “honors America’s laborers” while the second includes mostly women’s apparel.
Jim Henkens
From Carhartt workwear to Aventura organic cotton shirts, Muck boots, Dovetail denim, and Schott peacoats, shelves brim with high-quality brands. Woolrich. Arborwear. Pendleton. Gilyard researches every line, ensuring durability from companies with proven customer service.
Unlike in Clarke’s day, shoppers may touch clothes and no one is dispatched to a cold, dark cellar to try them on, Gilyard jokes. “The book” inscribed with the names and sizes of everyone who ever bought boots at Merritt Clarke’s is now cherished memorabilia, replaced by electronic records. But the human connection has remained.
Jim Henkens
“This store and its customers mean a tremendous deal to me,” Gilyard reflects. “It surpasses transactions. I love the interaction, conversations, and friendships. They are a part of this story.” 860-567-9221
Woodbury landscape designer Anna Haines remembers the warm compliments she received from friends, neighbors, and assorted strangers who toured her home during last year’s Woodbury Holiday House Tour. But she says one comment left a lasting impression.
“They said, ‘If I die and go to heaven, I want it to be here, in your house,” Haines recalls, referring to the Yuletide decor she installed inside the saltbox Colonial she shares with her husband and two children. “In a strange way, it was probably the best compliment you could ever receive.”
This Christmas, amid the magic of the season, Haines is again employing her talent for holiday decor. Though she won’t be showcasing her home in any tours, she’s busy helping clients decorate their homes for the season.
From tree designs and tablescapes to garland installations and wreaths, the Connecticut native uses her deft handling of material, color, and texture in helping homeowners express their own distinctive style for the holidays.
“I want to make the whole house feel festive and welcoming,” says Haines, who has lived in Litchfield County for 17 years. “But I also like to push the envelope by not always using traditional colors and themes.”
A landscape designer for two decades—primarily tending the gardens of large estates—she has spent nearly as much time decorating homes for the holidays. She’s also expanding the boundaries of traditional holiday decor by avoiding the over-the-top approach to Christmas decorating. Instead, she introduces more minimalist interior design schemes that find harmony in understated colors, organic textures, and strong, simple forms.
Nature also plays a role in her work, with designs that incorporate elements of the great outdoors; tree branches, wild berries, and acorns adorn many of her interiors. Dried hydrangeas with spray-painted tips give homes a colorful, festive feel.
“It’s important to include some surprises so nothing ever feels too conventional,” she says.
Haines and her husband, Kyle, both grew up in Connecticut and moved back to the state after college. The couple eventually settled in Woodbury, a picturesque town at the southern edge of the Litchfield Hills that they both fell in love with.
They purchased their current house 12 years ago, and set about handling the renovations themselves. Reconfiguring the downstairs, adding kitchen cabinetry and outdoor decks, and building some of the home’s furnishings—including a massive, single-board dining table designed by Haines that her husband handcrafted from an oak tree that fell on the property.
“Doing it ourselves has always been a sort of mantra for us,” Haines says. “We’re very much a DIY family, and like to collaborate.”
That collaborative spirit also extends to the couple’s daughters, Fiona, 11, and Emeline, 8, who join their mom each Christmas season on her holiday decorating projects. “I love that they like getting involved,” Haines says. “It’s so important to get the kids involved, but it’s more rewarding for me and Kyle to know they really enjoy the whole experience just as much as we do.”
Support Litchfield County’s nonprofits, including food pantries, pet shelters, and schools, through donations or volunteering.
In Litchfield County it truly does take a village—and in each village there are organizations that do a wonderful job helping people and animals in our community. These nonprofits need our help in a range of ways. Of course, there are numerous food pantries, land trusts, schools, arts organizations, pet shelters, and libraries that also need a helping hand. Reach out to your favorites to see how you can help.
Housatonic Youth Service Bureau
Strengthening the emotional health of youth and families through free behavioral health services and empowerment programs in the Northwest—hysb.org
The Little Guild
For more than 60 years, The Little Guild has been dedicated to rescuing, healing, and individually nurturing homeless dogs and cats.—littleguild.org
Habitat for Humanity of NW CT
Building stronger communities, helping families achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Donate or volunteer.—habitatnwct.org
Sharon Audubon Center
A nature education center with four nature sanctuaries and more than 2,100 primarily wooded acres, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic,trails, exhibits, summer programs for children and more. Donate or volunteer.—sharon.audubon.org
Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County
Health and hospice care services to Litchfield County, including home nursing, and clinics for blood pressure, vaccinations, and more.—vnhlc.org
ASAP!
A nonprofit fostering creative learning through the arts for diverse families across 100 towns since 1999.—asapct.org
Steep Rock Association
Protects more than 5,500 acres of land, promoting healthy ecosystems, preserving natural resources, and providing recreational opportunities.—steeprockassoc.org
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust
Protects open space and natural resources in Woodbury, actively identifying future land preservation opportunities.—flandersnaturecenter.org
Animal Welfare Society
Since 1965 has rescued hundreds of homeless cats and dogs, providing care and finding them loving homes.—aws-shelter.org
Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition
Promotes science and education to ensure high-quality water in the Pomperaug Watershed through collaboration and community engagement.—pomperaug.org
FISH: Friends in Service to Humanity of NWCT
Supports the homeless with a 35-bed shelter, and meets food needs for 643 families at the FISH Food Pantry year-round in Torrington.—fishnwct.com
Helping Hands for Wildlife
Dedicate themselves to rehabilitating injured or orphaned native wildlife, releasing them back into their natural habitats.—helpinghandsforwildlife.org
Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals
Offers affordable mental health services in Litchfield County, matching individuals with resources for emotional and psychological support.—greenwoodsreferrals.org
JP Farm Animal Sanctuary
A safe haven for rescued farm animals, the sanctuary promotes compassion, shares inspiring stories, and fosters deep connections with visitors.—jpfarmsanctuary.org
Project SAGE
Works to create a community free of domestic violence, providing a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, and education.—project-sage.org
Food Rescue US/NWCT
Mission is to fill plates, not landfills. Involves 39 donors, 130 volunteers, and 28 food pantries serving 20,000 food-insecure residents in Litchfield County.––foodrescue.us
Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House
For more than three decades, New Milford’s Loaves and Fishes has provided daily meals, inspired by the motto “Feed the hungry, empower the weak.”––loavesandfishesofnewmilford.org
Susan B. Anthony Project
Offers 24/7 crisis and support services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Support their efforts this holiday season.—sbaproject.org
Litchfield County Creating Hope Corp
LCCH helps those affected by suicide and raises mental health awareness, providing financial assistance to families and scholarships for education in Connecticut.—lcchcorp.org
New Milford Hospital
Join New Milford Hospital’s team of volunteers to make a difference. Opportunities include animal assistance, music therapy, hospitality, and more. Email volunteer@nuvancehealth.org or call 203-739-7277.
Camella’s Cupboard
Provides year-round hunger relief to children, seniors, and vulnerable populations in Greater New Milford, without bias.—camellascupboard.com
Chore Service
Since 1992, Chore Service has provided essential non-medical support for seniors and disabled residents in northwest Connecticut, fostering a healthy community.—choreservice.org
Literacy Volunteers on the Green
Offers free English literacy instruction to adults in Litchfield and northern Fairfield Counties, promoting independence through reading, writing, and speaking skills.—lvg-ct.org
The Donkey’s Cross Rescue and Sanctuary
Rescues and rehabilitates unwanted donkeys. Their mission now extends to helping special needs children through their “Read to a Donkey” program.—thedonkeyscross.org
Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
Protects more than 12,000 acres of natural and working lands, including 23 public preserves and 30-plus farms.—ctland.org
Housatonic Valley Association
A Tri-state nonprofit dedicated to conserving the Housatonic watershed’s natural character and health, through land and water protection, water quality monitoring, and trail development.—hvatoday.org
CJR Impact
Providing the necessary therapeutic treatment, education, and support for young people and their families to promote positive change and transform lives. —cjrimpact.org
Fundación Perros Sin Nombre
Mission is building a shelter, rescuing animals, providing medical care, and promoting responsible pet ownership.—perrossinnombre.org
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity
Support Housatonic Habitat’s Aging in Place program to provide free, crucial home repairs for low-income seniors and veterans, helping them live safely and independently at home. —HousatonicHabitat.org
Celebrate the season with joy and ease by shopping local in Litchfield County for unique, heartfelt gifts.
Photos by Tony Vengrove, Styled by Beth Fowler
The holidays fill a need—for joy and excitement, gathering together, and the deeper things of life. Done well, it’s a season with equal parts celebration and serenity. Letting that inner mirth bubble over by gifting those in our sphere should be FUN …and simple. Shopping local not only keeps it easy, but ensures your gifts are unique to the Litchfield County way of life.
Creature Comfort
Seeing friends and family at this time of year is certainly special. But when January rolls around, only one remains by your side to slog out winter: that precious pooch (or two or three)! Make sure they’re spoiled with a stylish new Canine Styles barn-and-horseblanket coat, available at not one but two Depot Dog locations in Litchfield County. These plush coats aren’t just sporting, they’re warm and functional, too. While you’re at it, you can stock up on local, sustainable, and artisanal treats for your favorite dog and cat at this unique pet boutique. $95+
11 Titus Road, Washington Depot, 860-619-0430
7 North St., Litchfield, 860-361-6001
—depotdogboutique.com
Ringing in a Decade
In honor of its 10th anniversary, Litchfield Distillery is rolling out its first seven-year-old bourbon whiskey. Bottled under their prestigious Founders’ Reserve appellation, this expression is distilled from Connecticut-Grown grains and bottled at 100 proof. Every bottle is handsigned by each of the three distillery owners (David, Jack, and Peter Baker). The bourbon is lush, with delicious butterscotch notes and a hint of cinnamon. The special spirit also comes packaged in a limited-edition wood gift box, with a 10th anniversary Glencairn glass, and a note card for easy gifting. Stop by seven days a week (and check out the complimentary tastings and tours). $89.95
569 Bantam Road, Litchfield, 860-361-6503—LitchfieldDistillery.com
Give Them A Moment
You hear it all the time: “Just give me a moment, please!” This season, give someone permission to retreat, with this 20-minute candle gift set from The Safari Collective. The rose-gold tin contains 20 tiny candles, each of which burns for precisely 20 minutes—time to squeeze in a mini-workout, meditation session, or power nap. The kit also includes a stand, matches, and user guide. The 100% beeswax candles are crafted in the USA and are just the type of conscientious product you expect to find within the hip confines of The Safari Collective. This is the perfect item to stock up on for friends, colleagues, hosts …and that person you forgot! $30
The Safari Collective, 57 Bank St., New Milford 860-210-7901 — thesafaricollective.com
Yum and Done!
For some, there’s nothing better than the gift of a fabulous meal. Keep the cashmere sweater—show me a Sunday brunch, signature cocktails, and a cool place to catch up with friends! They’ll find it at Good Eats Restaurant & Bar, by the Housatonic River in New Milford. Good Eats just celebrated two years, with executive chef Kevin Deluca continuing to crank out modern American cuisine influenced by Korean, Mediterranean, British, and Indian flavors.The tap beers are local, the fries are triple cooked, and the service is top notch. Land here after a day of holiday festivities, and leave with gift cards for everyone on your list.
300 Kent Road, New Milford, 860-799-6611 —goodeatsrestaurant.com
Elevated Beauty
Indulge your friends, loved ones, and colleagues this holiday season with a gift from LaFrance Medical Aesthetics. For over a decade, this medical practice has ensured natural, subtle results, and exceptional service with every rejuvenating or transformative visit. Select from their most popular treatments—Clear + Brilliant® laser, Botox® Cosmetic, and DiamondGlow®—or let your giftee choose a service for themselves with their go-to gift card. Mention this offer with your $500 gift card purchase and receive a complimentary Alastin Holiday Bag (value $130). There’s something for all the special people in your life.
17 Old Barn Road, Kent, 860-845-8296
72 Pine St., Bristol, 860-845-8296—LaFranceMed.com
Winter Chill
Treat your loved ones (and yourself) to a Spaliday in the Hills this giving season. This limited-edition package is the ultimate gift of relaxation, designed to envelop you in tranquility with a 50-minute Cause+Medic CBD Massage, OSEA Organic Spa Facial, Spa Pedicure and Spa Manicure. You can also build your own spa day from The Spa’s thoughtfully curated menu of beauty, health, and wellness experiences. Gift cards to this award-winning salon and day spa can be purchased online, by phone, or in the boutique. In-store pickup and shipping available. $430
The Spa at Litchfield Hills, 407A Bantam Road, Litchfield, 860-567-8575—litchfield-spa.com
Rare and Exquisite
For that one-of-a-kind person, only something unique will do. New Preston’s third-generation family jeweler, Hays Worthington, specializes in fine and period jewelry—and, at this time of year, jeweled holiday trees. Their featured piece this season is a special New England country church brooch, circa 1930. The art deco design nestles a steepled church between two topiaries, surrounded by a jeweled forest. The bauble brings a burst of holiday sparkle and magic, with diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and onyx. Handmade in platinum, and approximately one inch by one inch, this gift is proof that good things come in small packages.
13 East Shore Road, New Preston, 860-619-0714—haysworthington.com
Onyx Jewelers 1 18k yellow gold one-of-a-kind crescent moon with vintage diamonds, $14,000 2 14k yellow gold confetti set diamondcigar band, $3,250 3 Black South Sea Tahitian pearls with 14k white gold and black diamond clasp, $4,900 4 18k yellow golddiamond starburst with dendritic opal drops, $4,475 5 14k yellow gold and black rhodium diamond scatter band, $2,700 6 14k yellow gold and diamond geometric hoop earrings, $2,400 7 14k yellow gold and diamond radiating charm, $2,650 8 14k yellow gold mixed paper clip link charm chain.
740 Main Street, Woodbury, 203-405-1969—OnyxJewelers.com
Kingsley Tavern in Kent offers creative comfort food, including poutine, jerk chicken, and miso-marinated salmon.
Kent’s favorite gastropub
By Charles Dubow
Photos by Lisa Nichols
When my daughter was a student at Kent School, we often went to Kingsley Tavern, where her favorite dish was the poutine. I hadn’t been back since she graduated four years ago, but when we returned the other night, its poutine—a glorious mélange of French fries, beef, and veal demi-glace, Ellsworth cheddar cheese curds, and white truffle oil—was the first thing she asked for.It was as sinfully delicious as ever.
Of course, owner Anna Gowan knows just how to appeal to Kent students, being an alumna herself. Her father, the late Donald Kingsley Gowan II, was for many years Kent’s dean of students. “I remember when this building was where we used to rent videos,” says the vivacious Anna, who opened her gastropub in 2013 after many years of bopping around the restaurant business. “I found myself in Key West in my 20s with no job skills—but I was able to land a job at Blue Heaven, which was a pretty wild place.” She worked there for three years before her travels took her to Martha’s Vineyard, Stowe, and Portland, Maine, becoming a pretty darn good cook along the way. “The secret is learning from other chefs. It’s not stealing if you don’t do it in the same town,” she laughs.
Eventually she returned to college, graduated from Tufts, and then worked for an environmental lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. It was the untimely death of her brother that brought her home to be with her mother. Her brother had always wanted her to have her own restaurant, so when a building in the heart of Kent became available shortly after she returned, she went for it, naming her new place in honor of her brother, father, and grandfather.
Over the years her menu has evolved from above-average pub food, with a heavy emphasis on burgers, to more eclectic fare. “It was thanks in many ways to COVID,” she says. “We did a lot of take-out, and we were able to get more creative with a captive audience. It allowed us to get away with some cool things.” It also helps that she has Lance Feola, a veteran of Carol Peck’s Good News Café and John’s Café, cooking in the kitchen.
While old favorites such as the poutine, French dip, and hamburger (using beef raised by Anna’s husband, Billy McCann) are still prominently featured on the menu, there are now new favorites as well. Top among these are the Jamaican jerk chicken with a mildly spicy marinade, black beans, brown rice, plantains, and mango salsa; the miso-marinated salmon with kimchi butter, sticky rice balls, and smashed cucumber salad; and cornmeal-fried fish tacos with cabbage slaw and chipotle aioli.
When not working in the kitchen, Anna can be found working the room, greeting regular guests like old friends, which is what many of them are. “I never dreamed when I was younger that I would ever find myself living again in Kent but here I am.”
Holiday in the Depot, a cherished winter tradition, held in the snug hamlet of Washington Depot for the last 33 years.
By Michelle Madden
Photos by Phil Dutton
What is it about snow globes that draw us in? Is it the sense of familiarity and the knowledge that it will always be the same, whether we pick it up again in a minute or in a year? Holiday in the Depot, put on by the Washington Business Association and by Washington Parks & Recreation, is our snow globe: A cherished winter tradition, held in the snug hamlet of Washington Depot for the last 33 years.
On Friday, December 13, approximately 3,000 friends and families will gather. A horsedrawn wagon will take bundled travelers into the cold, and Santa will welcome children to his lap. Local businesses will throw open their doors, hot chocolate will be enjoyed and songs will be sung. Kids will get lost with their friends, reveling in the freedom of the night; when hands are cold and bodies weary, they’ll be found again.
“I have Polaroids of my girls, taken over 20 years, sitting on Santa’s lap. In the toddler years there were sometimes tears, later there were boyfriends, but the constant was always Santa,” shares Michelle Gorra, a Washington resident and Economic and Community Development director for the Town of Washington.
What keeps this tradition going year after year is the sense of pride and commitment to the community. The tree is always lit by individuals who have made a significant contribution to the town. Last year, it was a group of Shepaug coaches and their winning teams. One year, Ray Reich (a former member of Park and Rec) trailed behind the horse wagon with a large shovel. “If you’re looking for the Stars Hollow/Gilmore Girls vibe, this is it,” shares Kerry Gallagher, who used to come as a young child and now works at the Hickory Stick Bookshop.
Every organization contributes: Judy Black Park & Gardens has invited Frosty the Snowman, who will arrive in a red vintage truck. National Iron Bank will host a marshmallow roast. The library will host children’s activities. The Food Market will welcome craftspeople to sell wares out front. The Washington Primary School chorus will sing. And the Hickory Stick will continue its tradition of serving eggnog and shortbread.
Jenn Pote, Community Services director for the Town of Washington, said the event keeps growing. “We now draw from a wider reach as friends bring friends; but the feeling of connection is still strong.”
Adding to the wonderland are the fairy lights, hanging like earrings from the mighty oaks. It began with one, spread to four, and has now multiplied to a dozen trees that stay lit all season. They are the stars in a dark winter sky—and now an integral part of Washington’s winter.
There has never been a year in the event’s history, when the show did not go on. During the pandemic the event was transformed into a drive-through with colored lights on firetrucks and cars. Songs were still sung, and Santa still waved. COVID raged, but in the Depot, Christmas went on.
—explorewashingtonct.com
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