Centennial Event – Shepaug Railroad: A Historic Era Virtual Speaker Series with Peter Vermilyea, Thurs., Feb. 20, 2025

Many of Litchfield County’s most serene landscapes once hummed with the sounds of industry. This is certainly true of Washington’s Steep Rock Preserve, home for three-quarters of a century to the Shepaug Valley Railroad, which connected large portions of Litchfield County to the nation’s burgeoning railroad network. This virtual presentation will focus on the construction and operation of that railroad, while also exploring its impact on the local community and the environment.   About Peter Vermilyea Peter Vermilyea teaches history at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT, and for the University of Connecticut. He is the author or editor of three books including Hidden History of Litchfield County, for which he received the CultureMax award, and Litchfield County and the Civil War.

Steep Rock’s Centennial Events are made possible by the support of Platinum Sponsors Chipman Mazzucco Emerson, LLC; Fiorita Kornhaas & Company, PC; New Morning Market; William Raveis Lifestyles Realty; and Gold Sponsor Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management.

Here come the birds!  Migrating birds are coming north from southern wintering grounds to breed in the spring. Join Allison Middlemass of Bent of the River Audubon at the Woodbury Public Library on Thursday, March 20 at 6:30 PM as she shares information about spring migrations and the returning birds to Connecticut! She will use Audubon’s Migration Explorer to see how far they have traveled.  The talk will also cover why some birds migrate, how they do it, and when.  Register at www.woodburylibrary ct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information. 

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is thrilled to begin its 2025 season of art exhibits with a dual showcase by painter Doug Bloom and sculptor Justin Perlman. Their show, “Contrast,” will be on view beginning Friday, March 14.

An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.

This exhibition is a dynamic interplay of artistic perspectives—Bloom’s ethereal abstract watercolor landscapes meet Perlman’s sculptural narratives. Together, their works create a visual symphony of fluidity and form, inviting visitors into a space where nature, memory, and imagination collide.

The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, April 6. Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook. 

The Woodbury Public Library is delighted to once again host the Nonnewaug High School Senior Showcase featuring the award winning art of NHS Seniors Jackson Brent, Logan Feng, Kayleigh Gingras, Molly Hartmann, Kiera Jacobi, Ava Parks,  Audey Rogers, Zodie Smith, and Sophie Solury.  The student’s work will be on display in the Library’s Gallery Space February 4-27, 2025 with a reception for the artists on February 8^th at 2:00 PM.  The students were taught by NHS Art Teacher Leeza DesJardins, an award winning artist in her own right.  Her students go on to receive many art awards and many pursue a career in the arts after high school. For more information visit www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502.

Are you crafty?  Perhaps you’re looking for materials to start a new project?  Or maybe you have a lot of left over items from a previous one you’d like to donate?  This FREE Arts & Crafts Materials Swap is open to all ages interested in sharing art supplies! To donate items, drop them off in the Woodbury Public Library’s Gallery Space on Friday, February 14, 10:30 – 4:00 PM.  The Swap, open to all, will be held in the Gallery Space at the Woodbury Library on Saturday, February 15, 11:00- 2:00 PM (while supplies last).  Those who donate items on the 14^th will receive a ticket which will allow them to EARLY BIRD shop on Saturday at 10:00 – 11:00 AM. 

Supplies for all types of Arts & Crafts are accepted including jewelry making supplies, sewing, paper crafts, fabrics, paints and brushes, craft kits, kid’s craft materials, yarn crafts, knitting/crocheting materials, cake decorating, wire, clay, pens & pencils, etc.  Please only bring items in good, usable condition that you would want to bring home!  For more information, call the Library at 203-263-3502.

Prepare to discuss the world at the Woodbury Public Library with Great Decisions, America’s largest discussion program on world affairs!  The 8-week program is sponsored by the Woodbury Public Library in memory of former Director Jill Smith and is facilitated by resident and Woodbury Selectman George Hale.  Great Decisions will meet bi-weekly beginning on Thursday, March 13th at 6:00 pm, in person, at the Woodbury Public Library.  The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watching the DVD and meeting to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today.  This year’s topics are as follows: American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads, U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy, U.S.-China Relations, India: Between China, the West, and the Global South, International Cooperation on Climate Change, The Future of NATO and European Security, AI and American National Security and American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead.

Books are available at the library February 1^st (one copy per household).  Space is limited; please contact the library at 203-263-3502 for more information or to reserve your book.

The Woodbury Public Library invites you to “Meet Your Community”.  On selected Thursday evenings, members of Woodbury’s nonprofits will provide exciting details of the roles they play in the Woodbury community and surrounding towns.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about what each group does, how they give back to the community and how you can volunteer and share in their missions.

On February 13 at 6:30 PM meet Sheree Marcucci, Director of Special Projects & Curated Programs, who will speak about the historic Palace Theater in Waterbury and how community members can become involved in their mission.

The historic Palace Theater is a performing arts center and community gathering place that provides a focal point of cultural activity and educational outreach for diverse audiences.  Join Sheree as she gives a ‘virtual tour’ of the Palace through images and historical facts.  You’ll also learn about opportunities to volunteer.

On February 27 at 6:30 PM meet Peg Shimer, Site Administrator of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, for brief history of the famed house and gardens in Bethlehem.  Peg will share highlights and interesting facts about the property, and will also talk of ways to become involved with the historic landmark.  

The Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden (also known as the Joseph Bellamy House) is a historic house museum, was built between about 1754 and 1767 by the Rev. Joseph Bellamy, a prominent Congregationalist minister who played an influential role in the First Great Awakening. The property, the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The house and surrounding gardens are owned and operated by Connecticut Landmarks.

The “Meet Your Community” series is free and open to all.  Registration is requested at www.woodburylibraryct.org ; call 203-263-3502 for more information. 

In conjunction with an exhibit of his collage series, “They Are Not Disposable,” at the Woodbury Public Library, artist/author and college professor Steve Parlato will discuss his process and inspiration in creating the series, which depicts sixteen Black Americans whose lives were stolen due to racial violence. Part tribute, part call to action, the presentation, featuring Parlato’s poetry honoring those lost, will offer an opportunity for community conversation.  The presentation is offered on March 6 at 6:30 PM; register on the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

Annie Lisa of Seymour Connecticut will read from her memoir, What My Sister Told Me After She Was Murdered, at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, March 22 at 2:00 PM. Following the reading, Annie will give an engaging presentation about the power of our subconscious mind, which is foundational to the work she does with individuals today, and to her and her sister’s mission to help humanity during this precarious time on the planet.   Annie’s sister, Dr. Teresa Sievers, a renowned integrative physician in Southwest Florida, made international headlines after her brutal murder in June 2015. 

In this unusual memoir where murder is the catalyst for a spiritual transformation, Annie, a self-proclaimed spiritual teacher, beckons us to reconsider the nature of reality, using humor and anecdotes to distill the intangible and make the unbelievable believable. Annie says, “My book is a call to action to reclaim our birthright as conscious creators with unimaginable potential to create the life we want and a world we all want to live in.”  The event is open to all and registration is requested.  To register, visit the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.

Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main Street South, Woodbury CT 06798

www.woodburylibraryct.org

203-263-3502