Community Calendar

Join us for an hour of story time hosted in our Children's Section at Honeybee Books & Tea!

Our story selection is thoughtfully curated including Caldecott Honor books and Newberry Medal winners. Our staff brings excitement to reading through their storytelling, and all books that are read are available for purchase for you to bring the magic home. The readings can be curated by age group, offering an assortment of reading-level material.

For more information, visit our website or speak to an associate in-store.

Weekly starting June 7 through August 16

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Litchfield History Museum

Cost: Free for Members, $10 for non-Members

Registration Requested

The Litchfield Historical Society’s weekly walking tours are the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. The history and stories of old Litchfield are preserved in the architecture of the town. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history - from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings. 

The walk will begin at the Litchfield Historical Society (7 South Street) and lasts approximately 1 hour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Walking tours are free for members and $10 for non-members.

Walking Tours are sponsored by Berkshire Alarm

This is a 21+ event.

Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe.

The event takes place inside a dark speakeasy. Four of his most famous stories will be retold and re-imagined by our Poe historians. Our macabre lead mixologist will transform each of those stories into a 4-part cocktail experience.

Reservations are restricted to a small number of guests for a 90-minute experience.

The experience takes place for two nights only. Tickets are extremely limited.

This is a 21+ event.

Saturday August 2. , 3-6 pm Opening Reception for 

Photographer Sarah Blodgett 

&

Master Basket Weaver Tina Puckett

About the Artists 

Sarah Blodgett

Sarah Blodgett is a photographer from the Hudson Valley in New York. Born in New York City, daughter of a professional advertising photographer, she bought her first camera at the age of ten and has been shooting ever since. A commercial & portrait photographer professionally since 1993, her passion now lies with creating images of wildlife and natural areas. Her primary focus is on birds as well as landscapes, seascapes, still lives and florals. She also offers speaking programs to accompany her work with a focus on ecology and preservation of the natural world around us.

Tina Puckett

American Master Weaver Tina Puckett is a self-taught Artist. who has been weaving since 1981. For over 40 years the woven arts have been evolving and each one is indescribably dynamic and colorful. The character of each piece is an expression of Tina's imagination and her sense of color that she applies to the weaving and structural form. Throughout Tina’s career she has exhibited her woven arts at museums, art galleries, libraries and art shows. Also, has been featured in magazines, books, newspapers, TV and on different platforms on the web.

Artist Statement

My woven pieces from baskets to wall sculptures, ceiling hangers, to furniture has evolved and is the way I define myself as an artist, and as a woman. I am fulfilling my dreams that started out with my imagination as a set designer. My creative path took a turn. It was not set design—but the woven arts with its many forms and functions where I found the passion for my life’s work.

The natural beauty of Bittersweet always sparks my imagination and is at the heart of the many pieces I weave. My imagination guides all that I do and it has become very attuned to the harmony of shapes, forms, and colors of the vines and reeds. I am also influenced by the beauty of our natural world and wonder how to weave it.

My palette for color is very much influenced by this experience of growing up in South America. I mix my own dyes and enjoy building a palette for the reeds that will shape textures and forms with color into a

​ one of a kind woven art!

The Brass City Jazz Fest is a free, day-long contemporary jazz festival held at Library Park in Downtown Waterbury.

This is a 21+ event.

Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe.

The event takes place inside a dark speakeasy. Four of his most famous stories will be retold and re-imagined by our Poe historians. Our macabre lead mixologist will transform each of those stories into a 4-part cocktail experience.

Reservations are restricted to a small number of guests for a 90-minute experience.

The experience takes place for two nights only. Tickets are extremely limited.

This is a 21+ event.

The Galapagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, are famous for their unique wildlife and as a source of inspiration for Charle Darwin’s theory of evolution. These glorious islands are a province of Ecuador and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet British Explorer, Stewart McPherson as he introduces you to the extraordinary animals that inhabit the Galapagos Islands. Stewart’s company, Redfern Natural History Tours has donated a trip for two to the Galapagos as first prize in our annual Family Nature Day Raffle (drawing on September 27)! Meet the man, learn about the islands, buy some raffle tickets! A reception precedes McPherson’s talk. 6:00 p.m. Reception in the Museum. 7:30 p.m. talk in the A. B. Ceder Room. Please pre-register: www.whitememorialcc.org FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

This is a 21+ event.

Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe.

The event takes place inside a dark speakeasy. Four of his most famous stories will be retold and re-imagined by our Poe historians. Our macabre lead mixologist will transform each of those stories into a 4-part cocktail experience.

Reservations are restricted to a small number of guests for a 90-minute experience.

The experience takes place for two nights only. Tickets are extremely limited.

This is a 21+ event.

Village Center for the Arts presents our gallery opening featuring artist Alissa De Gregorio "In Plain Sight".

Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT

Saturday, August 2nd at 6:00-8:00PM

This is a free event and all are welcome.

Alissa DeGregorio is a lifelong artist who enjoys painting the magical qualities of nature. She is inspired by the world around her, particularly the New England countryside, from pastoral landscapes to the beauty of a single flower.

Before focusing on painting, Alissa worked in a variety of creative fields such as floral design, prop fabrication, graphic design and art licensing. She holds a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from Western Connecticut State University and has created branding design for various non-profits and small businesses as well as licensed art to companies such as Bentology lunch boxes and Cheerios. All the while she has been honing her skills as a painter and enjoying its meditative qualities.

"What I most hope to capture as an artist is to show the extraordinary in the ordinary.

To highlight what we see, but don’t always really truly see. The elegant forms of a leaf, the beauty of a familiar landscape, a simple moment with a child... there’s so much beauty in the everyday, right in plain sight".

Alissa currently offers commissioned art as well as originals, house portraits, pet portraits and murals. She also teaches art classes locally. You can buy prints and greeting cards of her work at Compass Rose Boutique on Bank Street or contact her directly at alissadegregorioartist@gmail.com.

When she’s not painting she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and three children.

Her show will be available for viewing for the month of August.

To see more visit www.villagecenterarts.org

(860) 354-4318

In August 12 Moons Coffee House will feature Ed Thorney with his stories from life & a soulful harmonica that tells its own tale. 12 Moons is a community-organized, grass-roots, not-for-profit, all volunteer event begun in 2012. It brings people together to enjoy live, local music, poetry, and storytelling. 12 Moons gathers once a month on the first Saturday from 6:30 – 9:00. The format for the evening is open mic followed by a featured performer(s) at 8:00. The setting is intimate and casual with light refreshments or BYOB. Patrons are seated at candle-lit tables, conducive to bringing in dinner to enjoy while listening to live music. The coffee house depends entirely on donations at the door. Sign-up for open mic starts at 6:00pm.

BILL CHARLAP TRIO

Tickets: $50-65, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Saturday, August 2nd, at 7:00 PM, 2nd Home welcomes Akoustic Groove for their first time here. Keith and Julius play a varied collection of acoustic music, and we've been told they are great. Please come down and make them feel welcomed.

For reservations (encouraged but not required) call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

New Milford's Concerts on the Green is a free music series held every Saturday evening at 7 p.m. during August.

Residents are invited to gather around our historic bandstand with blankets and lawn chairs. There's something for everyone, as the music ranges from blues to country to pop classics.

Go to artsnewmilfordct.org for more information.

Concert Line Up:

August 2nd - Nina Et cetera

August 9th - Ace & Friends

August 16th - The Afro-Semitic Experience

August 23rd - Mike Burns and Highway 53

August 30th - The Red Dirt Girls

*In the event of rain, concerts will be held at First Congregational Church, 36 Main Street, New Milford.

🎭 Step into the rehearsal room—where the real drama unfolds.

In a small-town community center, five strangers gather for an acting class. As they play theater games and push their boundaries, buried secrets, quiet heartbreaks, and unexpected connections come to the surface.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker, Circle Mirror Transformation is a masterful exploration of human vulnerability, the power of storytelling, and the unspoken moments that shape us. Under the direction of Gale Alexander, this intimate, poignant, and darkly humorous play invites audiences to witness the raw beauty of ordinary lives unfolding in extraordinary ways.

Don’t miss this quietly mesmerizing and profoundly moving theatrical experience!

This is a 21+ event.

Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage.

The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe.

The event takes place inside a dark speakeasy. Four of his most famous stories will be retold and re-imagined by our Poe historians. Our macabre lead mixologist will transform each of those stories into a 4-part cocktail experience.

Reservations are restricted to a small number of guests for a 90-minute experience.

The experience takes place for two nights only. Tickets are extremely limited.

This is a 21+ event.

Praised by The New York Times as “vivid, propulsive, and fun,” Porat's improvisations for silent film makes for an evening you will want to experience! Watch Porat play live to three silent films. Featuring the films Daisy Doodad’s Dial (1914), An Optical Poem (1938), and Sherlock Jr. (1924). The historic Music Shed is in Connecticut’s pastoral Litchfield Hills. Come early for a brookside picnic or stroll the gorgeous grounds before the concert. 

Tickets: $35 – $70; $10 Young Adults (19-35);  Kids Under 19 Come Free! 

ACCLAIMED MAGICIAN BELINDA SINCLAIR PERFORMS HER THEATRICAL MAGIC WITH CAPTIVATING SLEIGHT OF HAND, FUSING ALLEGORY WITH HISTORICAL STORIES ABOUT MAGIC IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN, AND HOW THEY CONVINCED US ALL THAT MAGIC WAS REAL AND THAT OUR POTENTIAL IS GREATER THAN WE THINK IT IS

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

The Tour of the Litchfield Hills is a non-competitive cycling event for all ages and abilities. We offer 12, 30, 55, 75 or 100 mile bike ride routes through the scenic Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. Walkers can also join us for a 2.4, 4.2 or 6 mile walking route through downtown Torrington. The event begins and ends at Coe Park and includes food, music and free t-shirts for all participants. There is also a trophy for the team that raises the most money. All proceeds from this event benefit the Cancer Care Fund of the Litchfield Hills.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Now Dark, Now Glittering,” featuring the works of Chris Barnard and Jeff Joyce. This show is on view beginning Friday, August 1.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, August 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Barnard was born in New York City and received his BA from Yale and his MFA from The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Deeply informed by the pandemic and his parents’ decline, his need to engage with the natural world and create beauty led to many nature-based paintings, echoing his love for gardening. 

Joyce’s work is a meditation on nature. The pieces in this show, selected from a time span of nearly 20 years, are engaged with the landscape. They aim to demonstrate how cultural history mediates and defines the ways we perceive nature.

This show will remain on view through Sunday, August 24. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.

Gallery 25 Presents: Heatwaves & Hues – A Summer Art Show

Heatwaves & Hues, running from Friday, May 2 – Sunday, August 17. This vibrant exhibition will showcase works bursting with color and inspired by the warmth and energy of summer.

Plan a Fun Weekend in New Milford!

New Milford is an exciting destination, offering a variety of activities for visitors. Enjoy well-reviewed restaurants, pubs, and unique shops, take in a film at our charming Art Deco movie theater, or catch a live performance at the innovative TheatreWorks playhouse. Stroll through our beautiful historic New England Green, a perfect spot to relax and soak in the town’s charm.

Experience Gallery 25

Gallery 25 is an artist-run gallery featuring 25 members working across all genres. Along with our exciting exhibitions, we invite you to take part in our workshops, live demonstrations, artist discussions, and photography walks!

We welcome you to explore, create, and be inspired!

August 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes.

 These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Explore the colorful and resonant work of artist Dana Bol. Using materiality and color, Bol creates emotional tableaux.

Outside of the World

Peggy Mercury is pleased to announce the opening of its next show “Outside of the World” recent painting by Deen Modino.

With inspirations ranging from 60s sci-fi movies and Looney Tunes scene-scapes to Holiday Inn muted carpets and pop art flower bedspreads, Modino’s paintings are like stills in a moving diorama. At once familiar and unfamiliar, these works buzz with an underlying tension of drama and even revolt.

Email hithere@peggymercury.com or DM us on IG @itspeggymercury for more information.

For more information about Deen Modino:

deenmodinopaintings.com

@deenmodino

Peggy Mercury

9 Maple Street

Unit 2

Kent, CT 06757

Enjoy the works of

Photographer Sarah Blodgett & Basket Weaver Tina Puckett

About the Artists 

Sarah Blodgett

Sarah Blodgett is a photographer from the Hudson Valley in New York. Born in New York City, daughter of a professional advertising photographer, she bought her first camera at the age of ten and has been shooting ever since. A commercial & portrait photographer professionally since 1993, her passion now lies with creating images of wildlife and natural areas. Her primary focus is on birds as well as landscapes, seascapes, still lives and florals. She also offers speaking programs to accompany her work with a focus on ecology and preservation of the natural world around us.

Tina Puckett

American Master Weaver Tina Puckett is a self-taught Artist. who has been weaving since 1981. For over 40 years the woven arts have been evolving and each one is indescribably dynamic and colorful. The character of each piece is an expression of Tina's imagination and her sense of color that she applies to the weaving and structural form. Throughout Tina’s career she has exhibited her woven arts at museums, art galleries, libraries and art shows. Also, has been featured in magazines, books, newspapers, TV and on different platforms on the web.

Artist Statement

My woven pieces from baskets to wall sculptures, ceiling hangers, to furniture has evolved and is the way I define myself as an artist, and as a woman. I am fulfilling my dreams that started out with my imagination as a set designer. My creative path took a turn. It was not set design—but the woven arts with its many forms and functions where I found the passion for my life’s work.

The natural beauty of Bittersweet always sparks my imagination and is at the heart of the many pieces I weave. My imagination guides all that I do and it has become very attuned to the harmony of shapes, forms, and colors of the vines and reeds. I am also influenced by the beauty of our natural world and wonder how to weave it.

My palette for color is very much influenced by this experience of growing up in South America. I mix my own dyes and enjoy building a palette for the reeds that will shape textures and forms with color into a

​ one of a kind woven art!

FREE EVENT, Donations Appreciated!

An immersive multi-sensory storytelling experience intended to spark creativity! The Story of Little Bird aims to teach children about goals, listening, bing kind, and being yourself through puppets, poetry, & song! With some laughs along the way, this performance is sure to entertain your children and yourself too!

Cindy Davis is a fun-loving educator that shaped her 30-years experience into puppet and poetry performance suitable for

audiences of all ages. Her puppetry teaches the necessity for community and the need for one to be in tune with their emotions. Her poetry turns words into music as she delves into the wonders of life. Cindy’s stories encourage children to actively listen and awaken the imagination with a multi-sensory experience.

This performance requires a quiet audience. Please ensure your child is able to sit and listen for the 30 minute show.

Visit 3 historic sites in Gaylordsville on Sundays in July and August. The Gaylord School (one room schoolhouse), Browns Forge and Merwinsville Hotel all welcome visitors from 2 pm to 4 pm each Sunday in July and August. Gaylord School is located on Gaylord Rd and the Forge and Hotel are on Browns Forge Rd. While exploring keep your eyes peeled for the elusive orbs hidden at these sites.

Gaylord School in Gaylordsville is open for visitors every Sunday in July and August from 2pm to 4pm. The one room schoolhouse is the longest running schoolhouse in Connecticut. It was opened in 1740 and was in use until 1967.

🎭 Step into the rehearsal room—where the real drama unfolds.

In a small-town community center, five strangers gather for an acting class. As they play theater games and push their boundaries, buried secrets, quiet heartbreaks, and unexpected connections come to the surface.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker, Circle Mirror Transformation is a masterful exploration of human vulnerability, the power of storytelling, and the unspoken moments that shape us. Under the direction of Gale Alexander, this intimate, poignant, and darkly humorous play invites audiences to witness the raw beauty of ordinary lives unfolding in extraordinary ways.

Don’t miss this quietly mesmerizing and profoundly moving theatrical experience!

Historic 1842 railroad hotel open for tours every Sunday. See our newly restored ballroom, museum and gallery spaces, and period decorated rooms. Lovingly restored since the restoration began in 1971.

Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary Hosts Book Launch to Raise Awareness for Donkey Slaughter Crisis and Expand Humane Education Programs

LITCHFIELD, CT — Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary invites the public to a heartfelt book launch and vegan fundraiser on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at The Lost Fox Inn in Litchfield, celebrating the release of Rico’s Road Home, a children’s book forages 7+, based on the true rescue story of Rico, a rare donkey-zebra hybrid (zonkey) who survived unimaginable abuse.

Light refreshments will be served including vegan cheeses, wine from local vineyards and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be a silent auction, book signing and more!

The event will raise critical funds for the sanctuary’s expansion and launch of The Stewardship Project: Compassion, Conservation, and Community, a long-term initiative that combines animal rescue, humane education, environmental stewardship, and animal-assisted therapy programs for children and families in Connecticut.

“This event is more than a celebration of a book—it’s a call to action,” said Lisa Miskella, founder of Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary and cancer survivor. “We want to raise awareness about the suffering of donkeys around the world and the critical need for sanctuary space, education, and healing—both for the animals and for the people who connect with them.”

Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary to Host Children’s Book Launch and Fundraiser on August 3rd in Litchfield, CT

Event celebrates true rescue story of Rico the zonkey and raises funds for a new sanctuary site and educational programming.

LITCHFIELD, CT — On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary will host a heartfelt book launch and fundraising event at the charming Lost Fox Inn in Litchfield, celebrating the release of Rico’s Road Home, a children’s book based on the powerful true story of a rescued zonkey.

The event will raise critical funds for the sanctuary’s relocation and expansion through The Stewardship Project: Compassion, Conservation, and Community, an initiative to integrate animal rescue, environmental education, and therapeutic programming for children and families across Connecticut.

Founded in 2018 by Lisa Miskella, Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary was born from a deeply personal journey. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2012, Lisa sought meaning and healing through connection with animals. Her research led her to the shocking truth that farm animals are among the most abused and neglected beings on the planet. Fueled by compassion and a desire to make a lasting difference, Lisa founded the sanctuary to provide a forever home to animals no one else would save.

Since then, over 100 animals have been rescued from cruelty, abandonment, and slaughter pipelines.

One such animal is Rico, a donkey with zebra stripes—later confirmed to be a rare zonkey—who was rescued from a kill pen after enduring horrific abuse, starvation, and trauma. Though blind in one eye and severely dehydrated, Rico made a long journey across the country to the sanctuary, where he now lives in peace. Rico’s Road Home tells his story of survival, healing, and learning to trust again—offering young readers an inspiring message about kindness and hope.

📚 Event Details:

• What: Book Launch & Fundraiser for Rico’s Road Home
• When: Sunday, August 3, 2025
• Where: The Lost Fox Inn, 571 Torrington Road Litchfield, CT
• Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
• Highlights: Signed copies of Rico’s Road Home, Wine and light refreshments, including vegan cheeses, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, silent auction with amazing items up for bid, and information on The Stewardship Project

All proceeds from the event and book sales will benefit Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary’s capital campaign to relocate and build a new sanctuary facility with dedicated space for:

• Humane education programs for children and teens
• Animal-assisted therapy for individuals with emotional and physical needs
• Environmental initiatives like pollinator gardens, rainwater systems, and composting
• Community involvement through seasonal events, volunteer opportunities, and off-site programming

“This event is more than a celebration of a book—it’s a call to action,” said Lisa Miskella. “Through The Stewardship Project, we’re creating a place where people can learn to care more deeply—not just for animals, but for one another and our planet.”

🐾 About Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary

Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Connecticut, providing lifelong sanctuary to abused, neglected, and abandoned farm animals. With a mission rooted in compassion, conservation, and community, FFAS is expanding to educate and empower the next generation through hands-on humane education and environmental stewardship.

Felix MENDELSSOHN String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 13, "Ist es wahr?" ("Is it true?")

Duke ELLINGTON Cotton Club Stomp

Donald HEYWOOD I'm Coming Virginia

Bix BEIDERBECKE In the Dark

Vincent YOUMANS Tea for Two

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH String Quartet #9 in E Flat Major, Opus 117

Tickets: $30-65, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Recent work by Norfolk artist Turi Rostad will be on display through the month of August. Turi is a contemporary artist whose work is punctuated by her vibrant spirit and originality of vision. Her art is optimistic, and her colors lush and lively. Energetic, spontaneous form infuses her canvases and drawings. She is the proprietor of Turi’s Framing Art.

Please join us for a reception for the artist on Sunday, August 3, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., graciously hosted by the Library Associates.

ACCLAIMED MAGICIAN BELINDA SINCLAIR PERFORMS HER THEATRICAL MAGIC WITH CAPTIVATING SLEIGHT OF HAND, FUSING ALLEGORY WITH HISTORICAL STORIES ABOUT MAGIC IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN, AND HOW THEY CONVINCED US ALL THAT MAGIC WAS REAL AND THAT OUR POTENTIAL IS GREATER THAN WE THINK IT IS

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

School’s OUT! Summer Camp @ the Mattatuck Museum

Join in on summer fun at the Mattatuck Museum through our School’s OUT! Summer Adventures Camp. This year we are hosting 6 weeks of summer camp — with new themes and experiences each week. During these week-long camps children will be immersed in the Museum’s galleries while learning about history and developing their art skills with unique materials and techniques.

Camp hours – 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM; FREE Before and After Care from 8 AM – 9 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

Support provided by American Savings Foundation and Post University.

Summer camp payment and registrations are being accepted on a rolling basis, however, the refund policy (no refunds after May 21) remains in effect, even if registering or paying past that date. The registration form MUST be completed prior to the first day the child will be participating in camp.

WEEKS:

June 30-July 3: Marvelous Me!

July 7-11: Mini MIXMASTER

July 14-18: Georgia’s Garden

July 21-25: Melodic Masterpieces

July 28-August 1: Capes and Canvases: A Superhero Spectacular

August 4-8: Theater Arts Camp with Grumbling Gryphons

Scholarships Available through United Way’s Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.

Campers with a Kids Adventure Pass will receive 50% discount on weekly rate.

Join us at Rumsey Hall School for ASAP! Summer Camp 2025! Our camps are a unique opportunity for children in grades 1-6 and 7-10 to build friendships, get creative, and discover new interests. Visit our website to see the full list of camp activities and sign up!

Registration for Robot Rush Accelerator: Design, Build, Compete! is open! A one-week summer camp for students in grades 6-8.

 Explore Robotics This Summer!

Join the Robot Rush Accelerator for a week of building circuits, programming robots, and designing automated devices! Perfect for middle school students interested in STEM and technology.

August 4th - 8th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

215 Hogan Drive, Torrington, CT, EdAdvance’s Kitching Regional Learning Center

$450 | Financial aid available

Register now: https://cca.edadvance.org/summer-camp

Summer Camp will be running for 9 weeks for the summer 2025 season!

• June 23, 2025- August 22, 2025
• 9:00a - 4:00p
• $200 per week or 10% for all 9 weeks ($1620)
• Ages 5-12
• Located at Pleasant View Park (Durand Street) & Elise Besse Pool

Get ready for an unforgettable summer of adventure, creativity, and exploration at our themed summer camp! Each week, campers dive into a new, exciting theme, engaging in activities that spark their imagination, build new skills, and encourage teamwork. Our dedicated staff create a supportive and inclusive environment where every camper feels welcome and motivated to try new things. Each week is packed with themed games, creative arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and memorable experiences that will have campers eagerly looking forward to each new day!

Weekly Themes:

• Circus: Step right up to the greatest show at camp! Learn juggling, create clown costumes, and try your hand at acrobatics as we explore the wonders of the circus world.
• Holiday: Celebrate holidays from around the world in a week of festive fun! From Halloween to New Year's, each day is a different celebration with themed crafts, games, and treats.
• Under the Sea: Dive deep into ocean adventures! Explore marine life, create ocean-themed art, and embark on underwater-themed challenges.
• Superheroes: Unleash your superpowers! Design your own superhero persona, participate in "hero training," and work together to solve camp "missions."
• Around the World: Take a journey across the globe as we explore different cultures, languages, and traditions through games, food, and creative projects.
• Sports: Get your game face on! Try out various sports, build team spirit, and compete in friendly matches while learning the value of teamwork and sportsmanship.
• Outer Space: Blast off into space for a week of cosmic exploration! Learn about planets, create space crafts, and go on an epic space-themed scavenger hunt.
• Flora and Fauna: Discover the beauty of nature! Learn about plants and animals, explore local ecosystems, and create nature-inspired art.
• Challengers: Push your limits and test your skills! Compete in exciting team challenges, obstacle courses, and problem-solving activities designed to build confidence and collaboration.

 Each week campers will have the opportunity to enjoy our Besse Pool on Mondays and Wednesdays, so don't forget your swimsuit!

Register HERE

Monday, Aug 4 - Friday Aug. 8

Pokémon Engineering using LEGO® Materials

Calling all Pokémon trainers! With the Pokémon Championship approaching, join our enthusiastic Play-

Well Instructors as we build and catch our favorite Pokémon, rescue Pikachu from Team Rocket, take a

ride on the S.S. Anne to uncover rare and mystic Pokémon, and battle to see who will hold the title of

Pokémon Master. Come along on our journey to catch 'em all!

* Online Registration Required

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Now Dark, Now Glittering,” featuring the works of Chris Barnard and Jeff Joyce. This show is on view beginning Friday, August 1.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, August 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Barnard was born in New York City and received his BA from Yale and his MFA from The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Deeply informed by the pandemic and his parents’ decline, his need to engage with the natural world and create beauty led to many nature-based paintings, echoing his love for gardening. 

Joyce’s work is a meditation on nature. The pieces in this show, selected from a time span of nearly 20 years, are engaged with the landscape. They aim to demonstrate how cultural history mediates and defines the ways we perceive nature.

This show will remain on view through Sunday, August 24. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.

Advanced topics in robotics and design for older students in grades 7-12 and those who have completed intermediate levels. Financial assistance available. Register at https://roboticsandbeyond.org/summer-stem-camp/.

Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater, an award-winning educational theater, now celebrating 45 years, will engage children in a weeklong theater arts camp -August 4-8th for children ages 6 and older at Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury. Campers will work with Grumbling Gryphons actors, musicians and artists in a fun week-long exciting theater camp centered around the story of Anansi, the Trickster Spider from the Ashanti people of Ghana in West Africa. Children will engage in acting, singing, dancing, and arts and crafts activities including mask making.

The camp will give children the opportunity to become part of a professional children’s theater, make new friends and learn more about Anansi and his adventures as they take on the roles of the animals in the jungle including bees, lions, monkeys, crocodiles and more!

 In this infamous tale, Anansi manages to trick the various animals of the jungle and retrieve the stolen stories from Nyame- the greedy sky god of the Ashanti people.

 At the culmination of a week of arts and drama, children will perform

Anansi- the Trickster Spider: A West African Folktale  on Friday, August 8th at 2 pm for parents and the general public. Live music will be provided by award winning keyboardist Brian Bender from Shutesbury, MA

Grumbling Gryphons will make masks with artist and actress Natalie Resto of Apples N’ Oranges Studio to wear and enhance their participation in the performance. This play is participatory and engages the general public in a lively, interactive performance where the audience will become part of the production!  

Grumbling Gryphons is renowned for its fantastic masks and captivating costumes, made by Ellen Moon of Cornwall, CT., and for its innovative interaction with children. Grumbling Gryphons has been performing in schools, museums, libraries and festivals throughout the United States since 1980. In 2003 they won the Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award. They are now celebrating their 45th year of providing educational and participatory theater throughout New England and beyond!

7/14 Super Hero Day

7/21 Music and Movement, Interactive Hoop Dancing with special guest Judi Jones

7/28 Suprise Day

8/4 Circus Days with Matica Arts

Join your friends on the playground for a fun, filled morning. Free Play, Activity Stations, Group Activities and Story Time.

Remember to bring water, a hat, sunscreen and a snack.

This program is suitable for children from birth to kindergarten age.

Quinoco Energy Services proudly sponsors this program.

Mondays at 10:30 AM - June 23 - August 18*

For ages 4 - 8

*No class July 7

Using Letters are Characters® Parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers. Ensuring that your child learns to read to their highest potential is one of the greatest gifts that you can give them. Using Letters are Characters and Letters are Builders trademarked play-based methods, we will laugh and play our way to literacy and deep reading and empower you to be a confident and competent literacy guide for your child!

This program is funded by the generous support of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Register and receive a Letters are Characters or Letters are Builders kit while supplies last. In addition to the in-person program, you will also receive weekly guidance delivered right to your inbox.

Does your child need to learn to recognize the letters and know the sounds that they make?

Visit the Oliver Wolcott Library Website for more details and links to receive Letters are Characters Kits.

August 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes. The first pairing, Flowers and Landscapes, showcases artists who tackled similar subject matter to O’Keeffe and participated in emerging art movements, yet also occupied marginalized spaces in society. These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Beginning in June, the Mattatuck Museum will be open on Mondays! As The Monday Museum, we’re thrilled to offer our visitors a cultural destination at the start of the week—whether you’re looking to kick off your Monday with a movie, join a tour, or enjoy a quiet moment with art.

"Finding the Light": an exhibit of oil paintings by Chandra Rogers.

Chandra Rogers is a contemporary painter residing in Litchfield County with her husband and two daughters. Primarily self-taught, Chandra began consistently painting in 2012 after signing up for a local oil painting class, which led to a deluge of personal development through various classes and workshops and a lifelong passion for art. Her diverse subjects have included animals, portraiture, still lifes, landscapes, abstracts and commissioned pieces primarily in oil paint, pastels, and charcoal. Her current work is inspired by the study of light, color, mark-making, and a spirited painterly brushstroke, and has been described as capturing the soul of her subjects.

Chandra is a member of the Washington Art Association and Kent Art Association and her work has been displayed in various juried and solo shows throughout Connecticut, receiving numerous awards, most notably the Barbara Goodspeed Award, Award for Graphics, and multiple Awards of Excellence at the Kent Art Association, Honorable Mention at the Washington Art Association, and most recently Best in Show at Gallery 25 in New Milford, CT. Susan Grisell, a judge at a recent juried show, stated “Chandra’s draftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in her expressive portraits of people and animals.”

Chandra’s current show is a collection of primarily recent works reflecting her love for experimentation and trying new techniques, from traditional glazing techniques to achieve a photorealistic effect, to loose abstracts with a focus on gestural brushstrokes and mark making. Subjects include a collection of sunsets, still lifes, florals, abstracts, landscapes, portraiture, and animal paintings.

Designed to hone your artmaking, expand your creative problem-solving skills and build a strong portfolio, this fully funded program offers comprehensive workshops in Ceramics, Printmaking, Alternative Photography, and Painting & Drawing. Each workshop meets one afternoon per week for six weeks. Attendees can register for any individual or all four workshops.

Instructors: Jill Van Slooten, Caleb Portfolio, Kimberly Jo & Christine Mitchell

Mondays - Thursdays, July 7 through August 14, 2025

1:00 - 4:30 PM

Ages: 13 - 17

Members & Non-Members: FREE

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Monday, Aug 4 - Friday Aug 8, 2025

* Online Registration Required

LEGO® Master, I choose you!! In the race to be crowned the Ultimate Pokémon Champion, we need your

help! Learn to build your favorite Pokémon, level up by teaching them special moves, evolve them into

more powerful versions, and come face to face with the current champion in an epic battle for the title.

Learn from our Play-Well Pokémon Masters so you can make it to the top!

Pre-registration required.

The 2025 season of free concerts in the Park, produced by the Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston, Inc., continues on Monday, August 4th at 7 pm with a concert by The Tradesmen. The concerts are returning to the renovated Seth Thomas Park on South Main St. in Thomaston. Each concert begins at 7 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm. The Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston's concert series is indebted to the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation for core funding.

The Tradesmen, a 4-piece rock, blues, oldies, and country band that performs a deep catalog of well-known material and classics. The band promises a program of favorite covers and crowd-pleasers that will get you clapping and wanting to dance! The group first appeared on the Thomaston stage in 2023 to great acclaim.

Alcohol is not permitted in the Park by Town ordinance. Bring your lawn chair, your friends, and your love of music to Seth Thomas Park on Monday, August 4th!! All ages welcome, and the Park is handicap-accessible. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Thomaston High School, 185 Branch Road. Visit the FACT website for further information or weather alerts concerning concert

relocation: www.thomastonfinearts.com.

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

School’s OUT! Summer Camp @ the Mattatuck Museum

Join in on summer fun at the Mattatuck Museum through our School’s OUT! Summer Adventures Camp. This year we are hosting 6 weeks of summer camp — with new themes and experiences each week. During these week-long camps children will be immersed in the Museum’s galleries while learning about history and developing their art skills with unique materials and techniques.

Camp hours – 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM; FREE Before and After Care from 8 AM – 9 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

Support provided by American Savings Foundation and Post University.

Summer camp payment and registrations are being accepted on a rolling basis, however, the refund policy (no refunds after May 21) remains in effect, even if registering or paying past that date. The registration form MUST be completed prior to the first day the child will be participating in camp.

WEEKS:

June 30-July 3: Marvelous Me!

July 7-11: Mini MIXMASTER

July 14-18: Georgia’s Garden

July 21-25: Melodic Masterpieces

July 28-August 1: Capes and Canvases: A Superhero Spectacular

August 4-8: Theater Arts Camp with Grumbling Gryphons

Scholarships Available through United Way’s Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.

Campers with a Kids Adventure Pass will receive 50% discount on weekly rate.

Join us at Rumsey Hall School for ASAP! Summer Camp 2025! Our camps are a unique opportunity for children in grades 1-6 and 7-10 to build friendships, get creative, and discover new interests. Visit our website to see the full list of camp activities and sign up!

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

Registration for Robot Rush Accelerator: Design, Build, Compete! is open! A one-week summer camp for students in grades 6-8.

 Explore Robotics This Summer!

Join the Robot Rush Accelerator for a week of building circuits, programming robots, and designing automated devices! Perfect for middle school students interested in STEM and technology.

August 4th - 8th | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

215 Hogan Drive, Torrington, CT, EdAdvance’s Kitching Regional Learning Center

$450 | Financial aid available

Register now: https://cca.edadvance.org/summer-camp

SUMMER TREE ID (Class / Walk) @ Deer Pond Farm

August 5, 9 to 11 a.m. 

$5 members, $10 non-members 

Join us for a lively summer stroll at Deer Pond Farm as we uncover the secrets of Connecticut’s native trees with two amazing guides: John Ehrenreich, author of Native Trees of Connecticut, and CT Audubon Naturalist Diane Nizlek. Learn to ID trees by their leaves, bark, and quirky traits—no botany degree required! Whether you're a nature nerd or just tree-curious, this walk promises plenty of 'aha' moments, forest fun, and a fresh way to see the green world around you. 

Register at https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/06/summer-tree-id-class-walk/. 

This program meets at Deer Pond Farm, 57 Wakeman Hill Road, Sherman, CT 06784. 

Monday, Aug 4 - Friday Aug. 8

Pokémon Engineering using LEGO® Materials

Calling all Pokémon trainers! With the Pokémon Championship approaching, join our enthusiastic Play-

Well Instructors as we build and catch our favorite Pokémon, rescue Pikachu from Team Rocket, take a

ride on the S.S. Anne to uncover rare and mystic Pokémon, and battle to see who will hold the title of

Pokémon Master. Come along on our journey to catch 'em all!

* Online Registration Required

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Now Dark, Now Glittering,” featuring the works of Chris Barnard and Jeff Joyce. This show is on view beginning Friday, August 1.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, August 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Barnard was born in New York City and received his BA from Yale and his MFA from The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Deeply informed by the pandemic and his parents’ decline, his need to engage with the natural world and create beauty led to many nature-based paintings, echoing his love for gardening. 

Joyce’s work is a meditation on nature. The pieces in this show, selected from a time span of nearly 20 years, are engaged with the landscape. They aim to demonstrate how cultural history mediates and defines the ways we perceive nature.

This show will remain on view through Sunday, August 24. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.

Advanced topics in robotics and design for older students in grades 7-12 and those who have completed intermediate levels. Financial assistance available. Register at https://roboticsandbeyond.org/summer-stem-camp/.

Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater, an award-winning educational theater, now celebrating 45 years, will engage children in a weeklong theater arts camp -August 4-8th for children ages 6 and older at Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury. Campers will work with Grumbling Gryphons actors, musicians and artists in a fun week-long exciting theater camp centered around the story of Anansi, the Trickster Spider from the Ashanti people of Ghana in West Africa. Children will engage in acting, singing, dancing, and arts and crafts activities including mask making.

The camp will give children the opportunity to become part of a professional children’s theater, make new friends and learn more about Anansi and his adventures as they take on the roles of the animals in the jungle including bees, lions, monkeys, crocodiles and more!

 In this infamous tale, Anansi manages to trick the various animals of the jungle and retrieve the stolen stories from Nyame- the greedy sky god of the Ashanti people.

 At the culmination of a week of arts and drama, children will perform

Anansi- the Trickster Spider: A West African Folktale  on Friday, August 8th at 2 pm for parents and the general public. Live music will be provided by award winning keyboardist Brian Bender from Shutesbury, MA

Grumbling Gryphons will make masks with artist and actress Natalie Resto of Apples N’ Oranges Studio to wear and enhance their participation in the performance. This play is participatory and engages the general public in a lively, interactive performance where the audience will become part of the production!  

Grumbling Gryphons is renowned for its fantastic masks and captivating costumes, made by Ellen Moon of Cornwall, CT., and for its innovative interaction with children. Grumbling Gryphons has been performing in schools, museums, libraries and festivals throughout the United States since 1980. In 2003 they won the Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award. They are now celebrating their 45th year of providing educational and participatory theater throughout New England and beyond!

“Level Up at Your Library” Summer Reading Program for all ages, Morris Public Library, June 24 -August 20, 2025.

We are excited to offer a fun and engaging Summer Reading Program “Level Up at Your Library,” June 24 – August 20, 2025.

Each reading level has their own “Level Up at Your Library” Activity Card to participate in the program. Youngsters (PreK and under) will enjoy reading with their families and engage in fun activities. Students (Grades K-Grade 5) will count the number of their new reading adventures by writing them down in their cards. Teens (Grades 6-12) and adults will explore new and special book selections, which they can easily find at their Library.

Submit your completed cards (could be more than one!) to enter for a chance to win a Level Up at Your Library Prize.

Find weekly coloring projects for children and adults throughout the program – complete yours and share it for our library display!

No registration is required – obtain your card at the kickoff, at the library or download it from the website https://morrispubliclibrary.net (all levels!).

The Morris Public Library offers Story and Music Time for participants ages 9 mo. - 5 y.o every Tuesday at 10 am.

Please call to ask if a spot is available: 860-567-7440.

Sing songs, read a story, do a craft!

The David M. Hunt Library is pleased to announce COLLAGE REDUX!, a vibrant exhibition showcasing the innovative work of artist Ingrid Freidenbergs. The show will run throughout the month of July, with a special artist reception on Saturday, July 12, from 5 to 7 PM and an artist’s talk on Thursday July 24 at 5:30PM.

Freidenbergs’ exhibition is packed with both collages and box constructions that run riot with the intricate layering of found images and objects, textures, and colors – red is prominent in the artist’s visual language. Her approach transforms disparate elements into compelling therapeutic visual storytelling.

Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 for new books, free play, and fun crafts!

It’s a special Makerspace Open Hours session just for kids and families! Watch the 3D printer in action, build with Legos, play with robots, try one of our Monthly Makes kits, or bring your imaginative ideas to life using any of the supplies from the craft wall! On August 5, we’ll also be demonstrating the embroidery machine and creating customized fabric bookmarks.

Ages 5+ with a caregiver.

All participants must have a signed GML Makerspace waiver on file. Please arrive a few minutes early to complete this paperwork if this is your first Makerspace program.

Registration is required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/kids-crafternoon-in-the-makerspace/

Designed to hone your artmaking, expand your creative problem-solving skills and build a strong portfolio, this fully funded program offers comprehensive workshops in Ceramics, Printmaking, Alternative Photography, and Painting & Drawing. Each workshop meets one afternoon per week for six weeks. Attendees can register for any individual or all four workshops.

Instructors: Jill Van Slooten, Caleb Portfolio, Kimberly Jo & Christine Mitchell

Mondays - Thursdays, July 7 through August 14, 2025

1:00 - 4:30 PM

Ages: 13 - 17

Members & Non-Members: FREE

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Monday, Aug 4 - Friday Aug 8, 2025

* Online Registration Required

LEGO® Master, I choose you!! In the race to be crowned the Ultimate Pokémon Champion, we need your

help! Learn to build your favorite Pokémon, level up by teaching them special moves, evolve them into

more powerful versions, and come face to face with the current champion in an epic battle for the title.

Learn from our Play-Well Pokémon Masters so you can make it to the top!

Pre-registration required.

Jonathan Doster is back! Join “Mr. D” for fun summer evenings of chess. Jonathan will teach, guide, and talk strategy with players of all skill levels. Adults and children over the age of 6 are welcome; please note this is not a drop off program for children under 12. Please register.

Tuesdays at 6:00 PM - July 1 - August 5

For children of all ages and their grown-ups

This summer, Tuesday evenings at OWL are all about families--take the stress out of planning dinner and an activity and instead have some complimentary pizza and then play! This program is for children of all ages and their grown-ups. 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR EACH PROGRAM!

7/1: 6-8pm - Bring the Hoopla (Hula Hoop Program)

Bring the fun back into fitness with this high energy, unique Hoopla hoop program!

7/8: 6-8pm - Mini Golf to Go!

Play a round of mini golf in the stacks at OWL!

7/15: 6-7pm - “Predator & Prey” LHAS Outdoor Bird Watching Program

The Litchfield Hills Audubon Society presents this fascinating bird watching program!

7/22: 6-8pm - Pokemon Party

Pizza and Pokemon?! What a perfect combo!

7/29: 6-8pm - Harry Potter Digital Escape Room Party -

Use your HP trivia skills and general knowledge to unlock digital escape rooms! 

8/5: 6-7pm - Science Heroes - 

Science Heroes is back with another exciting and interactive STEM program!

Join us at Honeybee Books and Tea for our weekly Open Mic Night!

With a full technical assortment of equipment, we are more than happy to welcome:

• Musicians
• Poets
• Stand-up Comedy
• Reading Excerpts
• Dance
• Puppetry
• Whatever Makes You Buzz

We ask that attendees arrive promptly at 6:00 pm to respect performers. For more information, check out our website or stop by in-store.

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union