Share the Goodness: Community Events
At New Morning Market, not only can you discover new foods, flavors and products, but also a whole community of goodness.
Check out upcoming local events below:
Woodbury Earth Day 2025 | Hollow Park | April 27th 11am-4pm
Welcome to Woodbury Earth Day 2025, where we come together as a community to honor our planet, promote sustainability, and inspire positive change. Hosted by Woodbury Parks & Recreation and powered by a passionate team of volunteers, this event continues a decades-long rich tradition of celebrating Earth Day with engaging family-friendly activities, environmental education, and local partnerships.
Join us, on April 27, for a day filled with interactive exhibits, Eco-friendly vendors, live music, hands-on workshops, children’s activities, and so much more!
ASAP! Summer Camps | ASAP! | Rumsey Hall School | August 4th-15th Monday – Friday 9AM-3:30PM | Grades 1-6 & 7-10
Centennial Event: Virtual Speaker Series – Washington CT: From Industrial Roots to Leadership in Land Conservation | Steep Rock Association | March 20th 6-7PM
Until the early 1900s, Washington CT was a busy industrial town on the banks of the Shepaug River. Today, the town is a regional leader in conserving its natural beauty for the public benefit. Two individuals—Frederick Gunn and Ehrick Rossiter—were instrumental in the town’s transformation. In this engaging presentation, Edwin Matthews traces the industrial history of Washington leading to the founding of Steep Rock Association and includes the influence of writings of Emerson, Thoreau, Marsh, and others who have influenced land conservation in our town over the past century.
For thirty years Edwin Matthews has led the fight to restore water flows in the Shepaug River. He was responsible for the footbridge at the entrance to Hidden Valley named for Henry Thoreau. His engagement with the natural world began as a boy in Idaho. He went on to study the history of science and to law school. For many years he practiced law in Paris, New York and San Francisco.
He was a founder of Friends of the Earth now in 75 countries and is a trustee emiritas of Steep Rock and Earthjustice, a non-profit law firm for the environment. He has published a book of essays on wildness around us entitled “Litchfield Country Journal”.
He lives on an old farm in Hidden Valley with his wife, Patricia, and their dog, Sable. REGISTER NOW
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.
Vignettes & Portals by Greg St. John | Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens | Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 27
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “Vignettes and Portals,” an art exhibition by Greg St. John on view Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 27.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. A closing reception and artist talk will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 2 to 4 p.m.
The drawings and paintings in this show were inspired by the urgency of the passing of time and the preciousness of life. The work consists of imagery inspired by the natural world as expressed in abstract marks, values, shapes and colors. They are meant to convey the artist’s thoughts and feelings about his life and the world we live in.
Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.
In Transit by Jeff McCracken | Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens | Reception May 3rd 3-5PM
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome “In Transit,” an art exhibition by Jeff McCracken on view beginning Friday, May 2.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 3 to 5 pm. The public is invited to attend.
The paintings in this show demonstrate a mastery of realism, mood, and human presence.
The foundation of McCracken’s practice is linked to being emotionally influenced by the story each individual conveys. His subway series of paintings focus on individuals being private in a public place, capturing that fleeting moment when their inner humanity is revealed regardless of who they are or where they’re from.
Check our social media for weekly open hours: @judyblackpark on Instagram and Facebook.
Fishing Seminar | Woodbury Public Library | Saturday, April 12th 2PM
Join avid fisherman Dylan Napoleone for a captivating informational session on how to get your fishing season off to a good start at the Woodbury Public Library on Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 PM.
The program talks about fishing locally for trout and bass. All ages and interest levels are welcome, no matter if you’re new to the sport or just want to share in the camaraderie of this pastime. Get tips on great places to fish for trout and bass, what baits to use, and more. As an accomplished fisherman, Dylan competes in fishing tournaments throughout the year and welcomes sharing his knowledge of fishing through talks around the state. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Please register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call 203-263-3502 for more information.
Knit So As to Turn Water: The History of New England’s Maritime Knitting | Woodbury Public Library | Tuesday, April 29th 6:30PM
It followed the fish, the flight paths of immigrants, the sea-lanes of war: the knitted clothing of New England reflects maritime cultures the world over. Rich with origin mythology and salty with sailors’ yarns, garments like nippers, half-handers, and the infamous fisherman’s sweater each hold a romantic yet real place in our coastal history. Explore knitting a WWI submariner’s outfit with the Navy League! Imagine learning to knit with a pair of whalebone needles you carved yourself! Join Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue, historian & knitter, for an ode to wool and marvel once again at how the sea connects us all. Register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call the library at 203-263-3502 for more information.
Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue of Niantic has knit historical garments in between setting sails aboard New Bedford whalers, splitting codfish aboard Grand Banks fishing schooners, and lounging on O’Day Mariners. After more than 20 years at a major Connecticut maritime museum, she co-founded the Dirty Blue Shirts living history collective, whose participatory programs encompass everything from historic fashion & foodways to maritime culture & shipboard skills. Rebecca’s personal interest in historical hand-knitting stems from always being cold, no matter what century she’s interpreting. With all the plastic in today’s oceans, she thinks it’s time to revisit wool as the preeminent fiber of sustainability, versatility, and global community.
Staycation for Teens | Woodbury Public Library | Spring Break April 14th-17th
Teens in grades 6 & up can take a “staycation” at the Library during Spring Break April 14 – 17. Grades 6 & up can have lunch at the Library and make naan pizzas from scratch with Food Explorers on April 14th at 12:00 PM. On Tuesday, April 15th at 1:00 PM, Furry Scaly Friends critter hangout will be in the teen department for petting, cuddles and photos. On Thursday, April 17th at 1:00 PM, teens can join Nick Switz for Teen Yoga and Mindfulness. A drop-in teen gaming program is also scheduled for April 16th at 2:00 PM. Programs are free and open to students grades 6 &up but registration is required for all events. Register on the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org or call the library at 203-263-3502 for more information.
Region 15 Students March & April 2025 Online Exhibit | Southbury Public Library
Region 15 Schools are observing Youth Art Month at the Southbury Public Library again this year! But this year in an extended virtual show!
Each year, Youth Art Month is celebrated in March and highlights the creativity and talent of young artists in our community, giving them a platform to showcase their work. While the unexpected circumstances at the library required the event to be moved online, it still ensures the artwork remains accessible to the public. An online platform also offers the opportunity to extend the time the show is available to the community through March and April.
This year’s collection includes pieces from students from all of Region 15 Schools and includes a selection of two-dimensional mixed media, paintings, photography, and drawings. Region 15 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade will be part of the virtual display, including work from students in Advanced Placement Fine Art and Photography classes.
“We appreciate the opportunity to celebrate and recognize our student artists. A virtual show ensures that the artwork remains accessible to the public and provides a stage to share student work with an even broader audience,” said Jeromy Nelson, Director of Fine, Applied and Technical Arts in Region 15. “We are extremely grateful for our community’s continued support of the Arts programs in Region 15 and encourage community members locally and beyond to visit and support the young artists who have put their passion and creativity into their pieces,” he continued.
The displays coincide with Youth Art Month; a program administered nationally by the Council for Art Education (CFAE) and is celebrated by the Southbury Public Library and the Region 15 community. The event emphasizes the value of art education for all students, encourages support for quality school art programs and provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences. Please visit us at www.southburylibrary.org to view this exhibit virtually and for any updated hours and information. Or you may call us at 203-262-0626. Region 15 Youth Art Month: https://www.southburylibrary.org/using-the-library/spaces/art-gallery The full gallery: https://www.southburylibrary.org/gallery
The Southbury Public Library Youth Services
The Southbury Public Library Youth Services department is pleased to announce additional offsite and virtual events for October 2024 for children and their caregivers. All programs are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. For more information and to register online please visit our website: www.southburylibrary.org/events/
Treasures of the Gardner Museum | Southbury Public Library | Friday, April 11 2-3:30PM
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston houses an exquisite collection of art spanning centuries and cultures, all displayed in a stunning Venetian-style palazzo. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Isabella Stewart Gardner, an eccentric patron of the arts who carefully curated every aspect of her eclectic museum.
Jane Oneail is an independent scholar and holds a Master’s in Art History from Boston University and a Master’s in Art in Education from Harvard University. Jane is a New Hampshire native and has worked at some of the state’s most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
The Sonnet | Southbury Public Library | Tuesday, April 15th 2-3:30PM
Join us as we explore one of the most frequently used poetic forms–the Sonnet–and trace the history of these 14-line gems from their beginnings in Italy during the early Renaissance to the modern period.
Led by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, a retired college professor who taught a variety of Arts and Humanities courses for 32 years at several New York universities and colleges, including St. John’s University and Dowling College. He holds a Ph.D. in English, with minors in theater, art history and music history.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register
Bette Midler | Southbury Public Library | Thursday, April 17 2-3:30PM
How did a nice Jewish girl from Hawaii become the outrageous “Divine Miss M?” Join us as we follow her rise from nightclubs and Broadway to screen stardom.
Entertainment historian John Kenrick has worked in the theatre at every level from amateur to Broadway, eventually serving as personal assistant to six Tony Award winning producers, including the team behind the original production of Rent. He has taught musical theatre history courses at New York University’s Steinhardt School, The New School University, and Philadelphia’s University of the Arts.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
Patti Maher Online Exhibit | Southbury Public Library | May 2025
The Southbury Public Library will be virtually showcasing the artwork of artist Patti Maher for the month of May 2025.
Artist Patti Maher works primarily in watercolor, though she also enjoys pen & ink and graphite. In most recent years her artwork has developed into what she describes as her version of minimalism. There is a simple elegance that she creates by using a limited palette and sparing, yet free flowing lines, which evoke a strong feeling of peace. Maher’s subject matter tends to be the emotions and feelings one gets from a scene or object, rather than the object itself.
Maher is a writer, which also influences her artwork. She thinks of both her writing and artwork as a conversation. She loves to hear or see the reaction to her work, and when it touches someone deeply she feels that she is being “heard” and she feels connected to the world in a deep and meaningful way. She views her minimalist artwork as a type of visual poetry.
An artist for over thirty years, Maher offers a line of note cards. You can find more of her artwork at www.PattiMaher.com. Please visit us at www.southburylibrary.org to view this exhibit virtually and for any updated hours and information. Or you may call us at 203-262-0626. Patti’s Bio: https://www.southburylibrary.org/using-the-library/spaces/art-gallery The full gallery: https://www.southburylibrary.org/gallery
Crowned in Brilliance: Tiaras and Jewelry of the British Royal Family | Southbury Public Library | Tuesday, May 13th 2-3:30PM
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 2-3:30pm on Zoom, join us for a virtual program and learn more about the history of the British royal jewels.
In this lecture, presented by accomplished historian and storyteller Valerie Gugala, we will embark on a dazzling journey into the world of tiaras and jewelry belonging to the British royal family. Join us as we explore the history, significance, and stories behind some of the most iconic and cherished pieces in the royal jewelry collection.
Valerie Gugala, is not only an accomplished historian but a storyteller. Over the last 25 years, Valerie has spoken at libraries, schools, churches, senior groups, and park districts throughout the country. She loves to share her knowledge of and enthusiasm for history.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
The Hollywood Blockbuster: How Steven Spielberg and George Lucas Changed the Movies | Southbury Public Library | Thursday, May 15th 2-3:30PM
Hollywood is an industry that has always depended on blockbusters. But beginning in 1974, two young filmmakers, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, would together change the way the movie industry made movies. Join us as we explore their five decades of filmmaking and how they have changed the movies.
Brian Rose is a professor emeritus at Fordham University. He’s written several books on television history and cultural programming, and conducted more than a hundred Q&A’s with leading directors, actors, and writers for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Directors Guild of America.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
Perennial Muses: Flowers in Art | Southbury Public Library | Friday, May 23rd 2-3:30PM
Have you ever wondered about the hidden messages blooming within famous paintings? Throughout the history of art, flowers have been more than just beautiful decorations – they’ve served as powerful symbols, carrying secret meanings known to artists and their patrons. This fascinating exploration of flora in art will unveil the language of flowers, revealing how these delicate blooms have shaped our visual culture and continue to inspire artists – and flower lovers! – to this day.
Jane Oneail is an independent scholar and holds a Master’s in Art History from Boston University and a Master’s in Art in Education from Harvard University. Jane is a New Hampshire native and has worked at some of the state’s most esteemed cultural institutions, including the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, where she served as Executive Director, and the Currier Museum of Art, where she held the role of Senior Educator.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
LLama Walk with Debbie Labbe, Country Quilt Llama Farm | White Memorial Conservation Center | March 16th 1-2PM
Bulgaria: A Journey to the Edge of Europe with Gerri Griswold | White Memorial Conservation Center | Saturday, March 22 2:00-3:30PM
Travel to the far reaches of Europe with Gerri Griswold and discover the riches of Bulgaria. Griswold and her “traveling triumvirate” were drawn here to experience the annual Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games in Pernik, where, since pagan times, men and now women, dress in elaborate costumes representing spirits who chase away evil winter and welcome the upcoming spring. The costumes cover most of the body and include decorated wooden masks of animals (sometimes double-faced) and large bells attached to the belt. Lively dancing is part of the event. We’ll also visit Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, and learn about this ancient nation’s rich history both past and present. From Roman ruins to decrepit reminders of Communism, from the Black Sea to the breathtaking Rila Monastery set high in the mountains…..you’ll fall in love with this ancient country. 2:00 p.m., A. B. Ceder Room and Microsoft Teams, Members: FREE, Non-Members: $10.00. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Register online:Bulgaria Registration
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Llama Walks are back!! Walk your own llama on the Cranberry Pond Trail, 87 Webster Road. Minimum 4 walkers. $55.00 per person ages 8 and up, $35.00 ages 4 – 7. Cash or Venmo on the day of the walk. Call Debbie to reserve your llama at 860-248-0355. A portion of the fee will be donated to White Memorial.
Llama Walk with Debbie Labbe, Country Quilt Llama Farm
March 16 at 1:00 p.m. April 5 at 10:00 a.m., April 19 at 10:00 a.m., May 3 at 9:00 a.m., May 18 at 9:00 a.m., June 1 at 9:00 a.m., June 14 at 9:00 a.m.