CALENDAR

Thursday, Dec. 14

HOLIDAY TOURS: Christmas display in the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, Torrington. Guided tours through Dec. 30, Thursdays through Sundays, 12-4 p.m, last tour at 3:30 p.m. $10 adults, free to members, $5 for children. For more information, call 860- 482-8260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

ACCESS HEALTH INFO: Learn about Access Health CT and health care registration at the Torrington Library on Thursday, Dec. 14, 4-7 p.m. No registration is necessary and the event is free. If you need health insurance, time is running out to enroll for coverage for 2018 through AccessHealthCT.com. The deadline for the open enrollment period is Dec. 22.

WINTER RECITAL: Noteworthy Music & Tutoring, located at 733 East Main Street in Torrington, will be holding a Winter Music Recital, Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. at LaSalle Market, 104 Main St., Collinsville, featuring individual and duet performances by Noteworthy Music students, as well as a special performance by the Noteworthy Music instructors. For more information about Noteworthy Music & Tutoring, see their website at http://www.noteworthymusicllc.com or call 860-201-5488.

LIGHT UP BEARDSLEY: Friends of the Beardsley & Memorial Library are holding a fundraiser to "Light up Beardsley, and are asking for donations. Donations are $1 per light; $25 for 50 lights; $50 for 100 lights. All proceeds benefit the library. Checks should be made out to The Friends of the Library. On Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., the Friends will hold a tree lighting ceremony at the library.

OPEN MIC NIGHT: Open Mic Night will be held weekly on Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. at the at the Silo at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Road, New Milford, hosted by Don Lowe, with music, spoken word, comedy and more. For details call 860355-0300 or visit thesiloct.org

SQUADRON MEETING: A Meeting Northwest Hills Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the United States Air Force will be held Thursday, 7-9 p.m. at the Torrington Armory South Main Street. For more information , call Commander Tim Ceritello at 860-6203670 or email timceritello@gmail.com.

NEW CHESS CLUB: A new group, the Litchfield County Chess Club, meets Thursdays at the Torrington Library, 12 Daycoeton Place, Torrington, from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Thursdays. The informal club has held several meetings. Membership is free — just show up and play. Adults, teens and older children with an adult are welcome. There are plenty of boards and pieces, or bring your own. For information, call Alan at 850-430-9317.

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: Duplicate Bridge at the Sullivan Senior Center, East Albert Street, Torrington, Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information call John Townsend at 860-567-0671. Leave a message, he will return your call. Bringing a partner is encouraged but not required. Games are now free of charge.

Friday, Dec. 15

HOLIDAY TOURS: Christmas display in the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, Torrington. Guided tours through Dec. 30, Thursdays through Sundays, 12-4 p.m, last tour at 3:30 p.m. $10 adults, free to members, $5 for children. For more information, call 860- 482-8260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org. OVERNIGHT PARKING: From now through March 31, 2018, all parking on city streets in Torrington is banned. Any vehicle parked for more than an hour during this time period will be fined $20 for each time they are in violation. During a storm, vehicles may be towed at owner expense if the owner is not available to move it. This ban is a safety measure for motorists and emergency vehicles, improving the efficiency of plowing and clearing over 40 square miles of city streets.

FRIDAY FEAST, DANCING: Friday Feast and Dancing Feet, held the third Friday of the month, returns Dec. 15, 12 p.m. at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202, Litchfield, with music by “Lew and the Good Time Guys” and LHS Woodwind & Brass Ensemble and Chamber Choir. $7 per person, pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org.

RIVERTON GRANGE: The regular meeting of Riverton Grange will be held Friday, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m at the grange hall on Route 20. Lecturer Raine Pedersen will present “Holiday Traditions.” There will also be a secret grab-bag; those planning to participate should bring a wrapped gift of no more than $10 value. Members are also reminded to bring non-perishable items to be distributed to the local food banks.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT: Holiday Bereavement Support Group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one will be held Friday, Dec. 15, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202, Litchfield, led by Eileen L. Epperson. The group is free, and sponsored by the Friends of Hospice. Call Eileen at 860605-6576 for more information or the center at 860-567-8302, or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: A Holiday Spectacular,for ages 3-5, will be held Dec. 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South St., Litchfield. Hear holiday classics about Christmas and Hanukkah, sing songs, and make a craft. Library events are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org and clicking on Events/Children’s Events.

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (after Mass) to 4 p.m, until Dec. 23. The Shrine is located on 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield. For information go to www.shrinect.org

Saturday, Dec. 16

FREE GIFT WRAPPING: Rev. Allen Latimore, pastor of Advent Christian Church, Torrington, announces that the church will provide a free gift wrapping event on Saturday, 1-5 p.m. at the church, 217 New Harwinton Road, Torrington. All that’s needed are gifts and their necessary boxes, and members will do the rest. “This totally free event is a gift to our community to show God's love in a practical way,” the Rev. Latimore said.

COOKIE WALK: A Christmas cookie walk and soup sale will take place Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harwinton Congregational Church, 1 Litchfield Road. For information, call 860-485-1043.

CHARLIE BROWN JAZZ BAND: The Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz Band, an 8 piece jazz ensemble directed by Dylan Vadakin, will be performing songs from the 1965 TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Dec. 16 at the Center on Main, 103 Main Street, Falls Village. The concert is free and Donations appreciated and concessions on sale. Doors open at 6 p.m. for seating and the 45 minute performance starts promptly at 6:30 p.m.

COOKIE WALK, CRAFT FAIR: 17th Annual Cookie Walk & Craft Fair will be held Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Torrington, 835 Riverside Ave. Choose from a large variety of homemade Christmas cookies, fudge and peanut brittle for the trays you make up. Also featuring crafts, jewelry, ornaments and much more. Church is handicapped accessible. Questions call 860-482-4705.

BENEFTI PASTA DINNER: Burlington Chamber of Commerce and the Burlington Lions Club will hold a Pasta Dinner fundraiser to benefit Tommy Martin, a member of the chamber’s Board of Directors, who was severely injured this fall in an accident. The dinner is Saturday at the Burlington Men’s Club, 44 Covey Road, Burlington, iwth seatings from 2-4 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, 12 & under $10, 2 and under free with a family max of $50. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, however, walk-ins are welcome. The event will feature a cash bar and raffles. For tickets and information call Rob Cook at 860-965-6269, Colleen at 860-916-7732 or Peter at 860-673-1953. Sponsors and raffle prizes are also welcome; contaact the individuals listed above to contribute. SANTA & MRS. CLAUS VISIT: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Thomaston Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Take a moment to tell Santa what you would like for Christmas. Get in the holiday spirit with carols and Santa’s favorite snack of milk and cookies. For more information and to register, call 860-283-4339.

CAT ADOPTION, HOLIDAY PARTY: Wells Valley Cat Sanctuary will be having a Holiday Party and Book Signing on December 16 at 3pm at the First Congregational Church, 36 Main Street, New Milford. We are pleased to announce that Ethan Jenkins will be signing and selling his book Believe and will be sharing his story of hiking the Appalachian Trail in memory of his Grandmother who passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. He will be donating a portion of the sale of his book to WVCS. We are also going to have many wonderful raffles: gift certificates from local shops and restaurants, Dancing with the Stars tickets, Boston Museum of Science tickets, Amazon gift baskets, and much more. We will also have our kittens who are available for adoption at the event as well. Admission is free and the books will be available to purchase at the event.

CIRCUMNAVIGATING FIVE PONDS: with Gerri Griswold. Spend quality time exploring one of the most magical areas on our property! We’ll be tackling every pond! Pack a lunch and bring plenty of water. Sturdy footwear and rain gear are a must. We are conquering Five Ponds rain or shine! Meet at the trailhead at the junction of Route’s 63 / 61. 11 AM — 3:00 P.M., Please call 860-567-0857 to preregister. FREE … Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses. White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield.

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Gentle Chair Yoga with Meditation with Barrie Kavasch. Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent.

POETRY & JOURNALING: 10:00 a.m. Bring a journal and come join a small writing circle to develop your creativity. Share poetry and writing ideas. The workshop is led by author/illustrator E. Barrie Kavasch, who has published four books of poetry, her most recent volume is ShamanSongs: Life ShapeShifting Into Poetry. Please register. Donation: $20 per class. Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent.

CHESS @KML: 1:00 p.m. Come enjoy playing chess in the Reading Room. Bring your own pieces and a friend to play or use the chess sets in the Library. Chess players gather here, especially, on the third Saturday. Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE: Representatives from Health Pathfinder (healthpathfinder.org), along with local health insurance brokers and healthcare advocates will be in the Reading Room at the Kent Library, 12-2 p.m. to answer questions and help you enroll in health insurance for 2018 as well as helping you find the right path to affordable prescription medicines, or assistance with medical bills. Free. Drop-ins Welcome. Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent.

HENNA WORKSHOP: The Kent Memorial Library is happy to present a series of workshops on the ancient art of henna, Saturdays from 4-5 p.m. Each class will focus on different design elements used to create beautiful henna art. Classes can be taken as a series or as individual learning experiences. Participants will receive their own henna cone to practice with during the class. Cost for each participant is $20 per class Call the Library for more information. Kent Memorial Library, 32 North Main Street, Kent.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: State Representative David Wilson (R-66) has announced that he will be hosting legislative update events throughout the 66th District, giving residents the opportunity to hear the latest updates from the State Capitol and ask questions. The first of these events are scheduled to be held in Litchfield. Rep. Wilson encourages residents to attend the meetings and also discuss any issues they feel should be addressed in the upcoming 2018 Legislative Session. Saturday, December 16. 10-11 a.m. at Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South Street, Litchfield. The events are free and open to the public. Details, contact Rep. Wilson at 800-842-1423 or email David.Wilson@housegop.ct.gov.