Calendar

Reminder: Events are often cancelled or rescheduled when it snows. Be sure to call ahead before attending an event or check for a snow date.

Today

GIFT SHOP HOURS: The Grotto Gift Shop, located at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield, Route 118, Litchfield, is offering a 30per cent discount on selected Christmas items. The winter hours for the gift shop are 11:30a.m. until 4p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, only until March 1. Regular daily hours will resume March 2. For further information, call 860-567-1041or e-mail: lourdesshrinect@gmail.com. BOOK TALK: The Kent Historical Society and Kent Memorial Library will present local author and prominent educator Peter Vermilyea as he discusses and signs his new book “Hidden History of Litchfield County” Feb. 8. 2p.m. Kent Town Hall. Snow date is Feb. 22. The program is free and open to the public. Donations are suggested and welcome. To register, call 860-927-4587or 860927-3761, email assistant@ kenthistoricalsociety.org or kmlinfo@biblio.org; or register at the Library and kentmemoriallibrary.org and click on the events calendar. LIBRARY’S JUMPFEST: To participate with the Salisbury Winter Sports Association’s annual Jumpfest, Scoville Memorial Library, 38Main St,. Salsibury, will offer activities for children Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m.-4:30p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, 11a.m.-3p.m. All events are free of charge and in collaboration with the EXTRAS program from Salisbury Central School. Indoor events include creating snowflakes, snow art, a screening of the movie “Frozen,” stories and coloring or playing outdoors, weather permitting; Sunday’s activities include beaded bracelet making, model snowmen, reading of “The Mitten” by Jan Brett and a craft. For information, call the library at 860-4352838or visit scovillelibrary.org.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

SILLY SCIENCE: Silly Science, a children’s program, will be held at the Burlington Public Library on Tuesdays, 4:30p.m. Feb. 10and March 10. The world is a fascinating one, particularly when we explore it as scientists. Join us as we experiment and discover. Registration required. Call 860-673-3331. SWEETHEART SOIREE: A Senior Sweetheart Soiree dance scheduled for Feb. 10at 12p.m. at the Litchfield Community Center has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a date in March. The event features lunch with food catered by Oliver Wolcott Technical High School culinary students, and live music for dancing provided by the Jerry Carillo Orchestra. Tickets are $10and are available at Murphy’s Pharmacy, Litchfield Parks and Recreation (the event sponsor) and the Litchfield Community Center. For information and reservations, call 860-567-7564.

Wednesday, Feb. 11

BINGO: Sons of Italy bingo, Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, 34Center St., Torrington. Doors open 4:30p.m.; Selling 5:30; Early Bingo 6p.m.; Regular Bingo 7p.m. Refreshments available. HIKING, HEALTHY EATING: Hiking and Healthful Eating with Gerri Griswold at White Memorial, Litchfield, Feb. 11, 6p.m. Take a brisk walk with Gerri, then settle into a delicious and simple to prepare healthful meal. Dress for the weather and pack a flashlight and bring your own place setting. $15members, $25 nonmembers. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857or visit whitememorialcc.org. EUDORA WELTY: Scoville Memorial Library, 38Main St., Salisbury, presents a literary discussion of Eudora Welty’s short stories, led by Mark Scarbrough, Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18and 25at 10a.m. Participants should have a copy of “The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty,” available from the Scoville library, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 1982. The program is free. Visit www.scovillelibrary.org or call 860-435-2838

Thursday, Feb. 12

SQUADRON MEETING: A Meeting Northwest Hills Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the United States Air Force will be held Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 7-9p.m. at the Torrington Armory South Main Street from 7-9PM. For more information , call Commander Tim Ceritello at 860-6203670or email timceritello@gmail.com. ANNUAL MEETING: The United Way of Northwest Connecticut will hold its 16th annual meeting Thursday, Feb. 12at Marino’s Restaurant, 12 Pinewoods Road, with a breakfast buffet. The cost is $20 per person. The program will include a report on 2014activities, presentation of a slate of officers and directors for 2015, and awards. For more information about the annual meeting or to attend, contact the office at 860-489-4131. GARDEN CLUB: The Harwinton Garden Club will meet Feb. 12, 7p.m. with a program on the Basics of Growing Orchids, presented by Susan Kennedy of the Litchfield Garden Club, who discuss the basics of growing, repotting, and care of orchids. The meeting will be held at the Harwinton Senior Center at 209Weingart Rd. Guests are welcome. Call 860485-1108for further information. PIZZA PARTY: Help the Litchfield Historical Society celebrate Presidents’ Day with a pizza party on Lincoln’s birthday, Thursday, Feb. 12at 5:30 p.m. Come learn more interesting facts about Litchfield’s experiences with Presidents, explore objects from our collection, and play Presidential-themed games. Feel free to come dressed as your favorite Commander-in-Chief. $3members, $5non-members, register by Feb. 10. Call 860-567-4501 or email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. SONGS OF LOVE: Songs of Sorrow and Love For Valentine’s Day at the Torrington Library will be held Feb. 12, 6:30p.m. with Rick Spencer. Take an entertaining, amusing and light-hearted musical journey through the adventures and misadventures of lovers. Registration begins Feb. 2. To register, call 860.489.6684 or email Jessica at jessh@torringtonlibrary.org DROP IN BRIDGE: The Drop In Bridge Group meets Thursdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19and 26at 3p.m. at Scoville Memorial Library, 38Main St., Salisbury. A small, informal group of library patrons gather to learn new tricks and conventions and remember old ones. Just show up, or call John Dippel for additional information at 860-480-5041. CHESS CLUB: Scoville Memorial Library’s chess club meets Thursdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19and 26, 4-6:45p.m. in the History Room. Join with chess players of all ages and experience levels. A great learning opportunity for students, and for more developed players a chance to test your skill level. The club is free. For information visit the library at 38Main St., Salisbury, call 860-435-2838, or visit scovillelibrary.org.