Community Calendar

Out in the Corner and the David M. Hunt Library are partnering for a LGBTQIA+ game night on the first Thursday of the month, from 5:30-7 pm. Bring your own games, play those provided, or just hang out. Snacks are provided!

Children's Community School - Local Organization Partner Dinner at La Bella Vista! Family Style dinner with main course Grilled Sausage with Broccoli Rabe and Long Hot Peppers. Dinner includes Pasta Fagioli, Antipasto, Pasta and Meatballs, Sofritto, Salad and Oven Roasted Potatoes. Bottled wine included with dinner.

Please come out and support 2 great local community partners!

Thursday, October 2nd, at 6:30, 2nd Home is thrilled to have Chris D'Amato as a new addition to our Thursday Jazz/Blues nights.

Chris D'Amato, aka Smokin' Opey, (https://chrisdamatomusic.weebly.com) has been playing blues guitar professionally for the past 30 years. Whether Chris is

coaxing sounds of the Delta from his steel bodied National guitar, fingerpicking piedmont style rags or flatpicking colorful melodies on a vintage gibson, one can hear every style of Americana he has absorbed along the way. Chris’s guitar

playing will surely captivate fans of true roots music. Chris is a two-time Connecticut Blues Society solo/duo finalist and a finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

We know this will be a great evening of blues, and hope you will join us in making Chris feel welcome.

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/

A Comedy of Tenors

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Diana Canova • Produced by Keli Solomon

September 25 – October 18

One hotel suite. Four tenors. A double dose of chaos.

From the master of farce Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) comes a high-flying comedy packed with mistaken identities, outrageous misunderstandings, and operatic mayhem.

Join us for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romp that hits all the high notes!

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

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caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present the captivating floral photography of Nina McKitty, on view in the Stairwell Gallery from August 9th to October 4th.

Drawing inspiration from nature, travel, and the artistic traditions of both East and West, Nina McKitty brings a joyful and thoughtful lens to her digital photography. Her work explores the delicate beauty of flowers—each image carefully composed, captured, and refined in her studio to evoke both surprise and delight in the viewer.

Originally gifted a digital camera by her husband, McKitty transformed a curiosity into a profound creative journey. Over the past 15 years, she has immersed herself in the art and craft of digital photography, studying under acclaimed artists and continuously evolving her techniques. Her photographs are printed and framed by hand using archival materials, merging technical precision with artistic expression.

A former nurse practitioner and consultant, McKitty turned to photography in retirement, channeling her lifelong passions for nature and visual storytelling into a rich new chapter as a digital artist. Since 2019, her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including shows at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Employee Gallery, Kent Art Association, and Washington Art Association.

We'll explore the trails together and enjoy the sights and sounds of early fall. It's a great way to spend time outdoors and connect with nature. To register for the October First Friday Hike, visit https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/07/register-october-first-friday-hike/

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.

Designed for 2-year-olds and their caregivers, this program features stories, music, rhymes, and crafts that encourage imagination and help build essential early learning skills.

* Pre-registration REQUIRED BY Wednesday Oct. 1st

Menu: German Food & Beer

Band: Keith's Polkaparty Band

A compelling dual exhibition showcasing the artistic explorations of two distinguished contemporary artists. The show will run from Saturday September 20 through Friday October 17, with a public reception for the artists on Saturday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. An art talk featuring both artists in conversation will be held on Thursday October 16 at 5:30 PM, offering deeper insights into their creative processes and the thematic undercurrents of their work.

Geared toward 3- and 4-year-olds, these sessions include stories, fingerplays, flannel board activities, music, and crafts that spark creativity and promote a love of learning.

These programs feature seasonal themes and offer relaxed and friendly social time for moms, as well as preschoolers. Bring a friend or make some new ones!

Fridays from end of May through mid-October. 3:00 TO 6:00 PM Rain* or Shine!

Held at the KENT LAND TRUST FIELD, 37 South Main Street (Route 7 just south of the traffic light) and across the road from Kent Greenhouse & Gardens

Fresh produce, baked goods, homemade preserves, fresh poultry, gourmet mushrooms, herbal teas & products, honey, maple syrup, salsa, guacamole & chips, and more!!

*In case of heavy rains or storms we will be located at CT Antique Machinery Association, 31 Kent Cornwall Rd (Route 7 North) - advance notice will be given.

Jean Strouse, author of Family Romance: John Singer Sargent and the Wertheimers, in conversation with Susan Galassi, author of Picasso’s Variations on the Masters

Curious about the art and science of taxidermy? Join us for a rare behind-the-scenes demonstration featuring the vivid and iconic ring-necked pheasant. Expert Divya Anantharaman will walk you through the process of preparing, posing, and preserving this striking bird. An inspiring evening for artists, naturalists, and the creatively curious.

🎤 Q&A to follow. Cameras welcome. Limited seating—reserve early!

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lakeview High School, 98 Wamogo Road, Litchfield, CT

FEE: Students: $25.00 Adults: $35.00

Pre-registration is required.

Open to 12 and up. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Join our newest Children’s Book Club, grades 3-5, at the Morris Public Library, on Friday, October 3, at 5 pm. Make friends, socialize and discover stories to love!

The group will discuss “Because of Winn-Dixie” by Kate DiCamillo. Ask for your copy of the book at the library.

Parents or guardians must stay at the library with their children during the event.

To register:

860-567-7440 or https://morrispubliclibrary.net/library-calendar-event-registration/

This Fall, join us for Voices, Venues, & Vibes, a FREE networking series in Torrington aimed to engage teens and young adults in local politics and civic community life. 

Bring a friend, enjoy light refreshments and live music while you meet new people. Learn how you can get involved, speak with local community and organizational leaders, and most importantly, voice your opinion!

On October 3rd, play like a kid at KidsPlay, explore the Warner's costume shop, and don't be too afraid to meet some of the candidates of our upcoming local elections!

Registration is recommended! https://airtable.com/appSDGNUvDclaCAYE/shrcjfnneQgdXm46Q

The Brendan Gill Lecture Betsy Lerner, author of Shred Sisters (a novel).

Experienced quilters will have the opportunity to create an original piece of art. Meandering, curving strips of colored fabric of various widths can create exciting patterns and textures. Participants will design their own patterns and create the quilt top. The instructor will provide individual consultation throughout the workshop, ending with a demonstration on creating a faced binding and mounting quilted artwork onto stretched canvas.

Instructor: Catherine Lavoie

Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, and 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday

Members: $121.50 / Non-Members: $135

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Friday, October 3rd, at 7:00 PM, Michael Wilson returns to 2nd Home. Everyone had a great time the last time he was here, and no reason to expect any less this time around. Great music, food, drinks, and fun. Come down and enjoy!

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/

A Comedy of Tenors

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Diana Canova • Produced by Keli Solomon

September 25 – October 18

One hotel suite. Four tenors. A double dose of chaos.

From the master of farce Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) comes a high-flying comedy packed with mistaken identities, outrageous misunderstandings, and operatic mayhem.

Join us for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romp that hits all the high notes!

The Sherman Players present Faith Healer by Brian Friel, directed by Kyle Minor.

Join us at 7:00 for a pre-show Irish music session in the Green Room. Refreshments available.

September 20th - Jan11th, 2026

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR, is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. 4 performances weekend of January 9, 10, and 11.

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

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caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

Join us each Saturday and Sunday for UPicks in the flower fields! Walk through 50+ rows of colorful blooms and cut your own bouquet. Enjoy the scenic views and peaceful sounds of nature while you're here and discover your new favorite place to be.

Experienced quilters will have the opportunity to create an original piece of art. Meandering, curving strips of colored fabric of various widths can create exciting patterns and textures. Participants will design their own patterns and create the quilt top. The instructor will provide individual consultation throughout the workshop, ending with a demonstration on creating a faced binding and mounting quilted artwork onto stretched canvas.

Instructor: Catherine Lavoie

Friday & Saturday, October 3 & 4, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 PM Friday, and 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday

Members: $121.50 / Non-Members: $135

MORE INFO & REGISTER

The Gunn Memorial Library is pleased to present the captivating floral photography of Nina McKitty, on view in the Stairwell Gallery from August 9th to October 4th.

Drawing inspiration from nature, travel, and the artistic traditions of both East and West, Nina McKitty brings a joyful and thoughtful lens to her digital photography. Her work explores the delicate beauty of flowers—each image carefully composed, captured, and refined in her studio to evoke both surprise and delight in the viewer.

Originally gifted a digital camera by her husband, McKitty transformed a curiosity into a profound creative journey. Over the past 15 years, she has immersed herself in the art and craft of digital photography, studying under acclaimed artists and continuously evolving her techniques. Her photographs are printed and framed by hand using archival materials, merging technical precision with artistic expression.

A former nurse practitioner and consultant, McKitty turned to photography in retirement, channeling her lifelong passions for nature and visual storytelling into a rich new chapter as a digital artist. Since 2019, her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including shows at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Employee Gallery, Kent Art Association, and Washington Art Association.

Join the Friends of the David M. Hunt Library for their monthly book sale on the first Saturday of every month from 10 am to 1 pm. New, used, cds, dvds, coffee table books, recent fiction and mystery, children's books- there is something for everyone! All proceeds benefit the library.

How to Hew Log Hewing Workshop

October 4th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Join us as we explore hand-hewing techniques and methods through a hands-on workshop at the Eric Sloane Museum. Have you ever wondered how hand-hewn beams are created? This hands-on class will be taught by preservation carpenter, Nevan Carling. Students will learn the basics of timber selection and beam layout all while using traditional tools and methods to create a hand-hewn finished product. Pre-Registration is required. Registration Information

The Litchfield Farmers Market is one of the few year-round markets in the Connecticut. The weekly Saturday market offers fresh seasonal produce, fruit, berries, herbs, sustainably sourced fish; artisanal cheeses, breads and baked goods, local honey, maple syrup and gifts - all raised, grown or crafted by 15+ local vendors. 

The market occasionally hosts live music and supports non-profits from throughout the Litchfield area.

INDOOR MARKET - November through mid-June (intermittent Saturdays through the winter months -- check the website for dates.) Open Saturdays 10am - 1pm at the Litchfield Community Center located at 421 Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT.

OUTDOOR MARKET - mid- June through October located at Center School, Litchfield.

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.

Fire Prevention Day will feature local and area fire departments and other public safety professionals with the goal of broadening public education related to fire safety. Participation is FREE for the public and fire departments to attend, display apparatus and conduct a demonstration.

There will be live demonstrations, food vendors, games, face painting, local vendors and friendly competition with muster events including:

• Deadman Drag

• Barrel Chase

• Midnight Drill

• Tug of war

The only fee associated with the event is for fire department team registration in the muster events. There is a registration fee of $100 for each team of 4. Call 860-355-6099 or email firemarshal@newmilfordct.gov with questions.

A compelling dual exhibition showcasing the artistic explorations of two distinguished contemporary artists. The show will run from Saturday September 20 through Friday October 17, with a public reception for the artists on Saturday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. An art talk featuring both artists in conversation will be held on Thursday October 16 at 5:30 PM, offering deeper insights into their creative processes and the thematic undercurrents of their work.

Saturday mornings 10-1 in West Cornwall

Locally grown , foraged , produced artisanal products , French and other baked goods , Lindera Farm Native Plants , Mother Tree Remedies, Jams and Preserves , Knife sharpening by Nick the Knife , Goat milk products by Cabra Farm , Produce by Church Farm , Coffee - Tea -Etc. Coffee and more

www.cornwallfarmmarket.org

Give your child an experience that will teach them creativity and confidence! Each session will present a new project and weekly themes will be dedicated to adventure and exploring, all with simple, fun materials.

Instructor: Macayla Muzzulin

Saturdays, October 4, 18, November 1, 15 & December 6, 2025

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Ages: 4 - 8 years

Members: $9 per session / Non-Members: $10 per session

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Hone your woodcarving skills in this comprehensive workshop designed for any level of experience. Participants will learn safe and effective carving techniques used to create a finished spoon made of maple or birch. Master woodcarver, Leo Hein, will demonstrate tool safety, tool maintenance, and guide participants through the safe carving process using their own tools.

Instructor: Leo Hein

Saturdays, October 4 & 11, 2025

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Members: $81 / Non-Members: $90

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Hampton Sides, author of The Wide, Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook, in conversation with Adam Higginbotham, author of Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.

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.

Dagmar Herzog, author of The Question of Unworthy Life: Eugenics and Germany’s Twentieth Century, in conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld, author of The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in Modern Life. 

Presented by Kathleen Kryspin

Spend an afternoon immersed in the Poetry of one of our greatest literary and visionary geniuses, Emily Dickinson. Dickson's highly inventive verse widens the borders of consciousness and expands what is possible. In her own words, "My business is Circumference."

During this session, Teacher/scholar, Kathleen Kryspin will take you on a tour through some of the great poems of Emily Dickinson. More than just a reading, this tour de force will open up possibilities of a higher level creative and mystical life.

Caleb Smith, author of Thoreau’s Axe: Distraction and Discipline in American Culture, in conversation with Jennifer Fleissner, author of Maladies of the Will: The American Novel and the Modernity Problem. 

What is Expressing Motherhood?

Expressing Motherhood is a gathering of voices and stories all about the journey of motherhood. Since 2008 #ExMoShow has showcased women (and men) sharing their personal stories on stage. Initially created and produced in Los Angeles by “two moms who had never done anything like it before.” Since, Expressing Motherhood has been taken on the road to an Off-Off-Broadway theater in New York City and to numerous other cities from Boston to Tacoma. 

The Merryall Center is thrilled to be its next stop in bringing these stories to our stage for our Litchfield County community. It’s an opportunity to share with one another in spoken word, monologue, skit, or song all the nuances and experiences that are forever attached to motherhood.

To find out more information, see Merryall Center’s Call for Submission

Deadline is 6/30/25.

Long before Bridgerton broke the Netflix algorithm, Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) had helped establish classical crossover as a genuine force in contemporary music. Fresh off high-profile placements in Seasons 1 and 2 of the aforementioned streaming smash, VSQ has “reached a mainstream, global audience” (Variety) and “charmed the world with their classical covers” (Nylon). New York Observer wrote, “VSQ’s atmospheric hits have made classical versions of pop music cool.”

On their latest tour, VSQ have created fresh arrangements of the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift, performing spellbinding and innovative renditions of Swift’s music, alongside familiar hits from Billie Eilish, BTS, Bridgerton, The Weeknd to Daft Punk.

On Saturday, October 4th, at 7:30 PM, 2nd home is thrilled to have Kayla Rae for her first time here. Kayla has been performing for the past 15 years, was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice”, and ABC’s “American Idol”. Throughout her career so far, she has had the opportunity to play for crowds of thousands at some of the biggest events/festivals on the east and west coasts, collaborated with lots of musicians (including a few well known artists), and even got to record her EP album with Elvio Fernandes (Chris Daughtry’s pianist/songwriter). According to Kayla "it has been an amazing, wild ride so far." Please come down and make Kayla 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/

Set in the little town of Anatevka, the story centers on a poor milkman, Tevye, and his five daughters. As Czarist Russia encroaches upon the small-knit community, Tevye struggles to cope with the changing times and uphold his traditional values. As his three older daughters rebel, Tevye is forced to choose between tradition and family. Fiddler is the perfect mix of audience-pleasing humor and heart. 

October 4, 10 , 11, 17, 18 at 8 p.m.

October 5, 12, 19 at 2 p.m.

Admission $26 (not including fees)

Box Office 860-283-6250

www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org

A Comedy of Tenors

By Ken Ludwig

Directed by Diana Canova • Produced by Keli Solomon

September 25 – October 18

One hotel suite. Four tenors. A double dose of chaos.

From the master of farce Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor) comes a high-flying comedy packed with mistaken identities, outrageous misunderstandings, and operatic mayhem.

Join us for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud romp that hits all the high notes!

The Sherman Players present Faith Healer by Brian Friel, directed by Kyle Minor.

Join us at 7:00 for a pre-show Irish music session in the Green Room. Refreshments available.

A Walk in the Woods with Brian Donahue and Mike Zarfos* Registration is required: Limited to 20 people. Location: GMF Sugar House, top of Windrow Road.

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

#         #         #         #

caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

Join us each Saturday and Sunday for UPicks in the flower fields! Walk through 50+ rows of colorful blooms and cut your own bouquet. Enjoy the scenic views and peaceful sounds of nature while you're here and discover your new favorite place to be.

Create four beautiful abstract landscapes using fluid acrylics, mediums, layering, and distinctive mark-making techniques. Heather will teach you how to work with GOLDEN fluid paints and mediums to build layers to add depth and complexity to your pieces. You will also learn color principles to apply to your paintings and experiment with mark-making to bring character and texture to your artwork.

Instructor: Heather Neilson

Sunday, October 5, 2025

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Members: $90 / Non-Members: $100

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Brian Donahue, author of Slow Wood: Greener Building from Local Forests, in conversation with Mike Zarfos Executive Director, Great Mountain Forest.

Kevin West, author of The Cook’s Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Selecting, Growing, and Savoring the Tastiest Vegetables of Each Season, in conversation with Sara B. Franklin, author of The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America

Set in the little town of Anatevka, the story centers on a poor milkman, Tevye, and his five daughters. As Czarist Russia encroaches upon the small-knit community, Tevye struggles to cope with the changing times and uphold his traditional values. As his three older daughters rebel, Tevye is forced to choose between tradition and family. Fiddler is the perfect mix of audience-pleasing humor and heart. 

October 4, 10 , 11, 17, 18 at 8 p.m.

October 5, 12, 19 at 2 p.m.

Admission $26 (not including fees)

Box Office 860-283-6250

www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org

The Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to welcome author Richard Babcock, who will be signing copies of his new book A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon on Sunday, October 5th at 2 pm.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the stark Nevada landscape of the 1950s, A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon explores the aftermath of a murder through the intertwined lives of three individuals. Tom Lang, a deputy sheriff, finds solace in a secret affair with Ettie Calvert, the wife of his overbearing partner, Ronnie. Their lives unravel when Adam Ott, a troubled teenager, impulsively murders Ronnie, setting off a harrowing chain of events that culminates in a deadly pursuit through the rugged mountains. Against the backdrop of the country’s nuclear bomb tests, which ominously shadow the narrative, Tom, Ettie, and Adam each wrestle with their choices and seek redemption from the haunting consequences that relentlessly pursue them.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native of the Midwest, Richard Babcock trained as a lawyer but has spent a career as a writer and editor moving between fiction and nonfiction. He was a top editor at New York magazine, then longtime editor in chief at Chicago. He has taught writing at Northwestern University, among other schools. A resident of Litchfield County, Babcock has published three novels, including Are You Happy Now?, a finalist for adult fiction from The Society of Midland Authors.

 PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon is so well written, so well crafted, and so deeply moving that it climbs beyond most novels of its genre and into the realm of true art. Dick Babcock is one of the best in the business.”

-Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize winning author of King: A Life

 "If John Updike had gotten together with Cormac McCarthy to write a novel called No Country for Young Men Either, they might have come up with a book as urgent and finely-wrought as Richard Babcock’s A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon. This is a page-turner for the thoughtful reader: sensitive, suspenseful and deeply forgiving of its all-too-human characters. Babcock shoots for the heart and his aim is true."

-- Peter Blauner, New York Times bestselling author of Picture in the Sand and Slow Motion Riot

 “The starkly genuine western landscape of A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon is likely to make you think of Cormac McCarthy, but the moral universe of this novel is unique and true unto itself. And, as in all of Babcock’s work, the pages are suffused with a knowing tenderness. He writes with a very smart heart and in his latest book he takes you on a suspenseful, soul stirring ride through a realm whose barrenness makes his characters seem all the more vibrantly alive. Babcock is all hat and all saddle.”

--Michael Daly, author of New York’s Finest and The Book of Mychal

 This event is free and open to the public. If you are unable to attend this event, you may reserve signed copies of “A Small Disturbance on the Far Horizon” by calling The Hickory Stick Bookshop at (860) 868 0525, or shop our website 24/7 at www.hickorystickbookshop.com. 

Learn how to capture nature’s beauty with photography tips on composition and technique with local photographer Christy Bonaiuto. This fun and confident beginner-friendly photo walk through the stunning fall foliage at Deer Pond Farm is perfect for all skill levels. Just bring your camera or smartphone and a love for the outdoors! $5 members, $10 non-members.

To register for the Fall Photo Walk visit, https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/07/register-fall-photo-walk/ 

The Sherman Players present Faith Healer by Brian Friel, directed by Kyle Minor.

A journey through three powerful musical visions: American simplicity & optimism, a spiritual journey and a stormy, passionate quest. All connected by a common thread: Fate.

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

#         #         #         #

caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

Come and dance to the music of fairy tale princesses while learning the fundamentals of basic ballet and ballet terminology. Parents are invited to stay and watch their "princesses" perform! Feel free to dress up in ballet attire and/or your favorite character, or comfy clothes are ok.  

Classes:

Parent & Tot 2-2.5 years: 9:00-9:30 AM

2.5-3 Years: 9:30-10:00 AM

3 Years: 10:00-10:45 AM

4 Years: 10:45-11:30 AM

Requirements:

A water bottle, ballet shoes are encouraged.

For more information or to register, visit newmilfordct.myrec.com

Tikes will have a great time playing with friends in a safe environment designed to promote social, physical, intellectual and creative growth. During this 2 hour class, the children will sing, paint, listen to stories and have gym time, all while learning to respect and share with others, as well as follow directions.

Ages 3-4: 9:30 - 11:30 am

Ages 4-5.5: 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Requirements:

All "Tikes" MUST be potty trained

Please Bring: A peanut free snack and drink

Please Wear: Sneakers and clothes you don't mind getting paint on 

For more information or to register, visit newmilfordct.myrec.com

This program is open to children up to age 5 and their caregivers and offers an hour of engaging indoor play and creative fun. It is a perfect way to start the week with joy, movement, and social interaction.

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.

The Gunn Junior Library invites 4th and 5th-grade readers to join Fall Book Explorers, a youth book club held on Mondays from September 22 through November 18.

*There will be no meeting on Monday, October 13.*

Participants will explore a variety of books spanning mystery, fantasy, humor, and adventure. Each session begins with a creative activity inspired by the week’s selection, followed by a group reading through the first chapter and an open discussion. Every week offers a fresh journey into a new story, and the chance to discover books they’ll treasure.

This program is designed to spark curiosity, build discussion skills, and help readers find new favorites in a supportive setting.

Registration required. When you RSVP for one session, you may check a box to automatically register for all remaining sessions this season. 

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!

Fall warblers are small, fast moving, and have molted out of their breeding plumage, making them an identification challenge for new and experienced birders alike. Join our Naturalist Lori Lichtenauer in the classroom for a brief presentation on fall warbler plumage, behavior, and habitat characteristics, then we will hit the trails around the main campus for a bird walk. $5 members, $10 non-members 

To register for the Fall Warblers Class & Walk, visit https://www.ctaudubon.org/2025/07/register-fall-warblers-class-walk/ 

A compelling dual exhibition showcasing the artistic explorations of two distinguished contemporary artists. The show will run from Saturday September 20 through Friday October 17, with a public reception for the artists on Saturday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. An art talk featuring both artists in conversation will be held on Thursday October 16 at 5:30 PM, offering deeper insights into their creative processes and the thematic undercurrents of their work.

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

Start to explore the creative potential of painting with watercolor! Learn about mark making, negative space, pigments, transparency, and wet and dry techniques from this highly experienced artist and educator. Each week, participants will produce a painting based on the day's demonstration. No experience is necessary, all levels are welcome.

Instructor: Terry Donsen Feder

Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2025

2:00 - 4:30 PM

Members: $99 / Non-Members: $110

MORE INFO & REGISTER

As the cooler days of September come, stay cozy at the library with books while listening to stories about colorful leaves, apples galore, fall festivities, and ghoulish celebrations!    

This after school program for kindergarteners and first graders features seasonal themes, books, crafts, and games. Snack provided. The Library follows the Region 12 calendar and will not host After School Programs when WPS is closed or has early dismissal. 

Registration Required.

September 20th - Jan11th, 2026

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR, is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. 4 performances weekend of January 9, 10, and 11.

Children will explore with paint, oil pastels, clay and other medium to create their own masterpieces. They will complete and take home a different art project each week!

Requirements:

Clothes that you don't mind getting paint on!

Coordinator:

Roberta Baker

Join this club to learn the ukulele and to improve your skills. Playing the ukulele with others is loads of fun! A collaboration between NMPL and NM Senior Center. If you are over 60 and need a ride to the library, please call 860-355-6075.

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.

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.

Learn the fundamentals of slab construction to create bowls, mugs, boxes, and/or tile art. Participants will explore surface techniques such as sgraffito, slip trailing and various glaze applications. An emphasis will be on individual experimentation and expressive conceptual designs.

Instructor: Kathy Cady

Wednesdays, September 24, October 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2025

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Members: $378 / Non-Members: $420

MORE INFO & REGISTER

A compelling dual exhibition showcasing the artistic explorations of two distinguished contemporary artists. The show will run from Saturday September 20 through Friday October 17, with a public reception for the artists on Saturday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. An art talk featuring both artists in conversation will be held on Thursday October 16 at 5:30 PM, offering deeper insights into their creative processes and the thematic undercurrents of their work.

The final offering of the National Council on Aging's Aging Mastery Program, a 10-week series that focuses on 10 topics such as nutrition, financial fitness, exercise, sleep, healthy relationships, and more. With a different guest speaker each week. Limited to 20. Light supper served.

Meets Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Runs until 6:15-6:30 p.m.

$25 for the series. Payment received confirms RSVP.

For more information, call 860-355-6075.

Senior center is located at 40 Main St.

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

#         #         #         #

caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

A compelling dual exhibition showcasing the artistic explorations of two distinguished contemporary artists. The show will run from Saturday September 20 through Friday October 17, with a public reception for the artists on Saturday September 20 from 5 to 7 PM. An art talk featuring both artists in conversation will be held on Thursday October 16 at 5:30 PM, offering deeper insights into their creative processes and the thematic undercurrents of their work.

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

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.

This program will be hosted by guests from the community who will share their interests and love of books with children.  

This after school program for second and third graders features seasonal themes, books, crafts, and games. Snack provided.

The Library follows the Region 12 calendar and will not host After School Programs when WPS is closed or has early dismissal. 

Registration Required.

September 20th - Jan11th, 2026

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR, is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. 4 performances weekend of January 9, 10, and 11.

Hello! Practice speaking English in a casual setting at the library. Tutors from Literacy Volunteers on the Green will be on hand to keep the conversation flowing.

On Thursday, October 9th, at 6:30 PM, 2nd Home is excited to have the Jerrod Cattey & Rick Baumer Jazz Duo back. Baumer and Cattey combine jazz vocabulary with electronic looping and effects to create an exciting and unique sound. Listeners can expect a range of music from Classical to Jazz, Rock to Modern R&B emphasizing experimentation and extended jams throughout. We are sure it will be an evening of great music, and hope you will join us is welcoming this duo.

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/

EXHIBIT TO FEATURE THREE LOCAL ARTISTS

(New Preston, Connecticut) – The Smithy Café & Market is pleased to announce an art exhibit to be displayed September 1 to October 31, 2025, titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont.

Join us for a collaboration of three women and their varying forms of artwork, style, and perspectives.

The three artists have painted together for several years using a variety of mediums.They have formed friendships and enjoy working together while sharing ideas and support.

Becky Butler founded the not-for-profit, Arts Escape in Southbury in 2012. Arts Escape’s mission was to focus on arts education for adults. After witnessing firsthand how art created camaraderie and joy with those who participated, it was time for Becky to do the same. She retired in 2022 to follow her own art journey. She has been taking painting classes in Abstract, Pastel and Acrylics for the past two years and is excited to keep learning and exploring new mediums. Her pastel, Tethered Beauty, was accepted into a National Pastel show and she also won Best in Show for mixed media in Roxbury’s Art at the Meeting House show in 2024 for Somewhere Out There. Becky lives in Woodbury, Connecticut with her husband Paul.

“I love working in pastels – the colors are limitless and immediate. My pastel paintings are primarily painted realistically. Breaking the barriers of painting realistically has been a challenge. My love for color has recently launched my exploration in creating abstract work. Using color and mark making intuitively is exciting and challenging as well as inspiring. During my exploration I found the medium of oil and cold wax. While having no expectations as to the outcome of my work, my eyes have opened to a whole new world of creativity. I love the freedom of experimentation and the joy of playing. I want my work to reflect my emotional insight into today’s world while uncovering the beauty that still exists,”  explains Becky.

Sandra Daignault, a Woodbury resident, was the Fine Arts Director at Arts Escape, Inc in Southbury, CT and teaches classes in acrylic painting. Her artwork has been shown in galleries and organizations across CT (Stamford, Litchfield, Washington, New Milford, Brookfield, Bantam, Ridgefield, West Hartford, Southbury, Rowayton, Newtown), as well as having a permanent piece at the US Headquarters of Jägermeister in Westchester County. In addition, she has published two books of poetry with illustrations and has recently published a climate change fiction novel. Visit her website at sdaignaultfineart.com.

“My painting process is all about creating an open mind and letting go. While I often do not have a predetermined subject I am always influenced by my fascination with our place in the universe. Letting go of preconceived forms allows for the mystery and essence that makes up everything around us. While my influences are abstract artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, contemporary Peter Wileman as well as English romantic artist (JW Turner) I strive to create from the words of favorite poets (Pablo Neruda, Wislawa Szymborska, Mary Oliver). It will please me if viewers respond with wonder and wanting( not knowing what),” states Sandra.

Woodbury resident, Lucy C. Pierpont has worked in the marketing/graphic design field ever since graduating from Hartwick College as an art major. She has created art her whole life and has had her photographs and paintings displayed in exhibits at the Mattatuck Museum, Majors Inn, Hartwick College, Oneonta Art Association, Kent Art Association, Washington Art Association, Burnham Library, Kent Memorial Library Art at the Meetinghouse, Ridgefield Art Walk, Flanders Nature Center and now, The Smithy. She currently works part-time with the Kent Memorial Library and the Washington Depot Office of Klemm Real Estate doing graphic design & public relations. Her artwork can be viewed at lucypierpont.carrd.co. Her graphic designs for the Kent Memorial Library have been the recipient of eight Connecticut Library Association Publicity Awards in recognition of design, marketing, and publicity created to promote a Library service or event.

“From my earliest recollections, art has always been in the forefront. I chose the graphic design route and spent my career in it. Now art embodies my life- through friends, work, play, and travel!” claims Lucy.

Please join us for a reception on Saturday, October 11 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Smithy at (860) 868-9003 or go to their website at thesmithymarket.com.

10 Main Street New Preston CT 06777

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caption: Heat by Lucy C. Pierpont, Parade by Sandra Daignault, and Opening Night by Becky Butler are a few of many paintings in an exhibit titled Perception and Perspective: Three Artists-Becky Butler, Sandra Daignault and Lucy C. Pierpont. The show will be on display from September 1 to October 31, 2025.

This solo exhibition marks Brewster’s return to public exhibition after a significant studio hiatus, shaped by the pandemic and the arrival of his two young children.

Spanning two to six feet in width, Brewster’s latest works are immersive and meditative, exploring vast, perhaps virtual, landscapes. These meticulously layered oil paintings hint at human presence through subtle traces—a balanced stone, a resting stick—evoking a haunting stillness. In his signature style, Brewster uses old-master techniques and translucent glazes to explore the tension between presence and absence, clarity and ambiguity. “Some of these paintings verge on the apocalyptic while others suggest eerie calm or quiet hope,” Brewster notes. “They balance loneliness and community, action and avoidance. They are tightly tied to the physicality and geometry of the canvas itself.”

Brewster studied at Yale University and received his MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has held solo exhibitions in New York City, North Carolina, and Newfoundland, and has participated in numerous curated group shows including Icons of the 21st Century in New York and Academy 2003 at Conner Contemporary in Washington, D.C. His work has been featured in New American Paintings and reviewed in publications such as ForbesLife and The National Post.