Ice cream social raises funds for Safe Haven shelter

WOODBURY — Every June, New Morning Market hosts an Ice Cream Social and Cookout for a Cause to benefit Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury. This year marked the event’s 19th year and, true to previous years, it was an overwhelming success, organizers said. New Morning Market’s customers donated more than $2,000 and contributed items from Safe Haven’s wish list, including several carloads of diapers, wipes, shampoo, soap and more.

“Every year this event grows and we love to see the community join together for an amazing organization like Safe Haven. Another benefit is that we are able to give out information about Safe Haven to anyone who is in need or knows someone who is,” said Emily Hunt, coordinator of the event, in a written statement.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 4 adult women have experienced severe physical violence by a partner in their lifetime.

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more information about Safe Haven visit http://www.safehavengw.org or call 203-575-0388.

37th annual Family Nature Day Sept 22

LITCHFIELD — White Memorial’s Family Nature Day is an annual celebration of Mother Nature, and the 37th edition is chock full of presenters. Brian Bradley will be there with his beautiful, free-flying hawks and falcons. Family Nature Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Learn about bats and porcupines from Gerri Griswold. Riverside Reptiles’ Brian Kleinman is perhaps the greatest mind in reptiles in our state. Come visit the many friends he’ll be bringing along. Meet a bald eagle, golden eagle, and more with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center. Music will be provided by The Redwood Hill Band and The Zolla Boys. The day is filled with live animals, guided nature walks, information booths, horse drawn wagon rides, with food provided by the Litchfield Lions Club, Hardcore Cupcake Truck, and Cups and Cones Ice Cream.

An artisan market, a silent auction and nature crafts and activities for children will also be available. Guests can bid on auction items including a trip for two to Iceland, donated by Krummi Travel LLC with Gerri Griswold in January, or three nights in the Catskills at The Beaverkill Valley Inn — the first and second prizes in the annual raffle. Admission is $6, free for members and children under 12.

Fall fundraiser planned at Tapping Reeve Meadow

LITCHFIELD — Residents are invited to join the Litchfield Historical Society on Saturday, Sept. 15, 6-9 p.m., for the annual fall fundraiser to benefit the organization’s education mission. The event will be held in the newly opened Tapping Reeve Meadow, behind the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School.

The evening will feature a signature drink provided by the Litchfield Distillery, live music from Switch Factory, and delectable, small plate offerings from The Pantry. A special silent auction will help raise money for the education programs hosted by the historical society — including field trips from local schools, off-site programs for neighborhood partners, community events, monthly lectures and walking tours, and craft and game afternoons for families.

The silent auction includes an exclusive two-week stay at the private home of Alexander and Jo-Anne van den Berg-Ohms in Mensingeweer, Netherlands. The home sleeps six and comes with all the amenities. Bidders can also enjoy a delicious lunch and informal discussion about Litchfield artist Adelaide Deming while her work is on display for one day only at the home of Frank Fontana and Andrew Becker. Or attend a cocktail event at the Tallmadge House, with a presentation by Rachel Smith, a Tallmadge history expert from the office of the Connecticut state historian at the University of Connecticut. Additional items will be included in the silent auction. Visit the historical society’s website at www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/fallfundraiser for more details.

Tickets for the event start at $75 per person and can be purchased in advance or at the door. To purchase tickets, call 860-567-4501 or email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. For more information about this fundraiser, visit https://bit.ly/2N5AREO.

The evening is sponsored by Torrington Savings Bank and Carmody Torrance Sandak Hennessey LLP.

Torrington house tour scheduled

TORRINGTON — The Torrington Historical Society and the Northwest CT Chamber Education Foundation are teaming up once again to showcase six Torrington homes and raise funds for educational programs.

The 2018 Torrington House Tour includes two separate events: a preview party on Sept. 21, and the tour on Sept. 22. This year’s house tour includes five historic homes and one from the 21st century. Details of the house tour are available online at www.torringtonhousetour.org. Tickets may be purchased at the house tour website or in person at the Chamber of Commerce or the Torrington Historical Society.

Tour tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. The tour begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m. Participants start at the Chamber of Commerce, 333 Kennedy Drive, where they receive a program guide and map. Shuttle buses will circulate between the chamber and the featured homes. Participants may also drive their own cars and park near each home.

The House Tour Preview Party on Sept. 21 will feature a bus tour of the 2018 homes followed by a reception with music and refreshments at the Torrington Library, where attendees can see the first floor of the recently renovated library. The preview party bus tour runs from 5-7 p.m. and the Preview Party runs from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $75.

The presenting sponsor for the Torrington House Tour is Eastside Electric Inc., electrical contractors.

For more information contact Mark McEachern of the historical society at 860-482-8260 or JoAnn Ryan, NW Connecticut Chamber Education Foundation at 860-4826586