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:
Knife Sharpening with Sharper Harper | Sunday, May 4th & 11th | 10AM-2PM | New Morning Market
Bring your kitchen knives, scissors, serrated knives, straight edged garden tools & more.
How To Get Your Knives Sharpened:
- Please rubber-band your knives in a towel or newspaper. Label the outside with your name and number.
- Drop your bundle off with Harper outside the store.
- Wait-time depends on the number of knives you bring and how many people are already in line.
- The wait is usually around 30 minutes, but can be over an hour.
- Payment is due at pick-up. Harper accepts cash or card.
- Alternate pick-up time can be arranged if necessary.
ASAP! Summer Camps | ASAP! | Rumsey Hall School | August 4th-15th Monday – Friday 9AM-3:30PM | Grades 1-6 & 7-10
Hidden Valley Legacy | Steep Rock Association | Hidden Valley Preserve 120 Bee Brook Road | Saturday May 3rd 10am-12pm
From Carriage Roads to Trails: Hidden Valley Legacy, Hidden Valley Preserve, with Steve Solley and Amy Campanaro
Join Steep Rock Trustee, Steve Solley and Gunn Museum Curator, Amy Campanaro for a walk while they share the story of Adrian Van Sinderen, an equestrian who created his own Hidden Valley in Washington, Ct and subsequently donated the 650 acre Hidden Valley Preserve.
Spring Wildflower Walk | Steep Rock Association | Hidden Valley Preserve 120 Bee Brook Road | Saturday May 10th 10am-12pm
Come explore the thawed trails in Hidden Valley Preserve with SRA Naturalists Peary and BK Stafford and discover the magnificently rich community of spring ephemerals adorning the forest floor. Participants should wear hiking boots or other appropriate shoes, and we highly recommend bringing water and binoculars. We will meet in the main parking lot at 198 Bee Brook Rd., Washington Depot.
Please note, this program is limited to 12 participants.
Monthly Trail Work Party | Steep Rock Association | April – November | Saturday May 10th 10am-12:30pm
Join our monthly trail work party! The work party meets at 10:00am-2:30PM. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and have fun. Ages 16+.
Judea Garden Spring Planting Day | Steep Rock Association | Judea Garden 124 Christian Street | Saturday May 10th 1pm-4pm
Help kick off the growing season at Judea Garden Spring Planting Day on Friday, May 10, from 1–4 PM! Volunteers of all ages are invited to dig in, get their hands dirty, and help plant fresh produce that will be donated to local families in need. No gardening experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm!
Come be part of a rewarding community effort in a beautiful setting. Gloves and tools provided. Judea Garden is located at Macricostas Preserve in Washington, CT.
Rossiter Run 5K Fun Run/Walk | Steep Rock Association | Sunday, May 18th 9am-10:30am
Are You Up for Steep Rock’s Fourth Annual 5K Challenge?
You’re invited to Steep Rock Association’s 2025 Rossiter Run 5K Race and Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, May 18th at 9:00am in Steep Rock Preserve!
The racecourse follows a scenic route along the Shepaug River with a gradual incline in the stunning Steep Rock Preserve, gifted by our founder, Ehrick Rossiter, in 1925.
🏆 Awards: The top 3 overall finishers will receive special awards.
🎖 Age Division Recognition: The top 3 finishers in each age group will earn recognition and well-deserved bragging rights!
Join us for the challenge and the chance to celebrate your achievement at the finish line!
Spring Saunters | Steep Rock Association | Wednesday, May 21st 5:30pm-7:00pm
Join us for a series of casual walks through Steep Rock’s Preserves. Wednesday, May 21, we will explore the trails at Steep Rock Preserve.
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.
Paintings by Sue Healy | Woodbury Public Library | May 1 – 31
Paintings by artist Sue Healy will be on display in the Woodbury Library’s Gallery Space May 1- 31. Sue Healy, an accomplished atist and graphic designer, paints in several mediums and paints a diverse subject matter ranging from landscapes, still life, wildlife and portraits. Sue has painted several murals for private individuals but the most notable was for the Middlebury Public Library, records room, and the Greenway murals tunnel at HWY 64 &188; the first side is completed and the other side will be started in May. Sue is the author of “24 Crows and the Walking Tree”, a children’s book that follows the personal experience she had with crows and how they can identify individuals as friendly or threatening. A reception for the artist is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at 2:00 – 4:00 PM. For more information visit the Library’s website www.woodburylibraryct.org.
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/
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.
Classical Music Concert – Alyce Cognetta Bertz | Southbury Public Library | Friday, May 9th 7-8PM
Join us for the return of this talented duo. Alyce and Meg will be performing a program of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, John Williams and Fritz Kreisler.
Alyce Cognetta Bertz is the Concertmaster of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. She studied violin with Syoko Aki of the Yale School of Music and with Charles Tregor of the Hartt School of Music.
Pianist Meg Cognetta Heaton is active in the Finger Lakes region of New York, accompanying choral groups, Suzuki classes and soloists.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event 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 and the United Church of Christ Southbury. Registration is required. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
Valley Shakespeare Festival presents “Much Ado About Nothing” | Southbury Public Library | Tuesday, May 7-8PM
Join us for a production of “Much Ado About Nothing” performed by Valley Shakespeare Festival.
Join us for Valley Shakespeare Festival’s family-friendly 60-minute production of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”! This performance will be followed with a Q&A with the actors so that the audience can get to know more about the performance.
Each year, Valley Shakespeare Festival brings professional, high-quality theater to communities across Connecticut’s Lower Naugatuck Valley. Performances in the past have been noted for their fresh takes on classics (Macbeth, As You Like It, Pericles, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona) that are performed intimately and invite the audience to participate.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event 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. 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
Fresh Start Hiking Club | White Memorial Conservation Center | Tuesday, May 6th
Tuesdays: January 7, February 11, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, 2025
Hop out of bed and head to White Memorial for our latest hiking series! Join Gerri Griswold on the first Tuesday of each month for a one-hour hike! It’s the perfect way to engage with Nature, spend time with old friends and meet new friends! With over 40 miles of trails from which to choose, you never know where Gerri will take you! 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room. FREE…but you must pre-register online: Fresh Start Hiking Club Registration Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
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community, whether virtual or with social distancing practices in place.
Submit event posting requests to contact@newmorn.com
(Note: We prioritize events that align with New Morning Market’s guiding principles. We will refrain from posting events that are religious, political or outside our guiding principles.)
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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.