CALENDAR

Sunday, Dec. 23

FAMILY SERVICE: A Christmas family sevice will be held Dec. 23, 10 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, Main Street, Kent.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: Christmas Village is open to the public from 1-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23. The Village will also be open on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. although Santa will already be traveling in other parts of the world on his way to Torrington later than night. The elves will be in the workshop, Mrs. Claus will be welcoming visitors, and the reindeer will be in residence.

ADVENT SERVICE: Last Sunday of Advent Service at the Barkhamsted Congregational Church, Dec. 23, 10 a.m. Christmas music, prayers. All are welcome and all events and services are free. For more information call Rev. Susan Wyman at 860-379-7300 or call the church on the day of the planned service at 860-379-5864. www.barkhamstedfirstchurch.org

Monday, Dec. 24

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: Kent: Dec. 24, 9 p.m., Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols, First Congregational Church, Main Street, Kent. www.fccofkentct.org

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: Christmas Village will be open on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. although Santa will already be traveling in other parts of the world on his way to Torrington later than night. The elves will be in the workshop, Mrs. Claus will be welcoming visitors, and the reindeer will be in residence.

BARKHAMSTED SERVICE: Christmas Eve candlelight service, 7 p.m. at the Barkhamsted Congregational Church, Barkhamsted. Carols, carols, short readings, a brief message and personal candles. All are welcome. Dress as you like. This will be a good and inspiring hour-or-less for families and individuals. All are welcome and all events and services are free. For more information call Rev. Susan Wyman at 860-3797300 or call the church on the day of the planned service at 860-379-5864. www.barkhamstedfirstchurch.org

BURLINGTON SERVICE: Christmas Eve Services at the Congregational Church Of Burlington, 268 Spielman Highway, Burlington, will be held Dec. 24. Family service, 5 p.m., Candlelight service, 11 p.m. All are welcome.

Tuesday, Dec. 25

MERRY CHRISTMAS: Municipal offices, libraries and senior centers are closed for Christmas Day. Call ahead before attending any event.

TORRINGTON TRASH, TREE PICKUP: There will be no curbside collection of garbage and recyclables on Christmas Day, and a one-day delay for pickup of all municipal solid waste and recyclables for the remainder of the week following Christmas Day. Friday’s regularly scheduled collection will be on Saturday. Tree pickups will be held Jan. 7-11. Don’t place trees curbside before Jan. 7; no stands, ornaments, lights or bags allowed. For condos, tree pickups begin Jan. 7, 6 am.

CHRISTMAS DINNERS: Free Christmas Dinners for anyone needing a meal or anyone alone on Christmas Day, will be held Dec. 25, 12 p.m. at the Winsted YMCA, 480 Main St., Winsted. Enter through the back doors of the Y. Dinners are sponsored by the Winsted Elks Lodge.

CHRISTMAS DINNER: The Winsted United Methodist Church, 630 Main St., will also have a Christmas Day dinner, beginning with appetizers at noon and dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. Call the church at 860-379-6386 and say you’ll be there.

Wednesday, Dec. 26

REPTILES AT THE LIBRARY: Children ages 4 to 17 are invited to meet Riverside Reptiles at the Torrington Library, De. 26, 6-7 p.m. Learn about the evolution of the reptiles we are familiar with including turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, alligators, and introduce you to an 80-lb swamp monster. Register at torringtonlibrary.org. BOXING DAY READING: Annual Boxing Day Reading at the Cornwall Library will be held Dec. 26, 4 p.m. at the candelit North Cornwall Meeting House, where Tom Walker will read Chapter 9 of “The Rings of Saturn” by W.G. Sebald. Free.

MOVIE NIGHT: Family Movie Night at the Harwinton Library, “Eloise at Christmastime!”, Dec. 26, 6:30 p.m. Space is limited; register by calling 860-485-9113

BINGO: Sons of Italy, Center Street, Torrington, hosts bingo games on Wednesdays, 4-9:30 p.m. with dinner at 5 and calling at 6. For information, call the lodge at 860-489-1226.

BINGO: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church holds weekly bingo games at St. Anthony School, Oak Street, Winsted, on Wednesdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. with refreshments and snacks for sale. Games begin at 6:35 p.m. Progressive jackpots. For information call the church at 860379-3369.

Thursday, Dec. 27

DAY OF FUN: A day of fun for grades 1-3 will be held Dec. 27, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield. OUtdoor adventures, games, crafts, live animals. Snacks provided; bring lunch. Parents welcome, but not mandatory. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. $40 members, $70 guests. Payment due with registration. Call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org.

FAMILY MAGIC SHOW: Families are invited to the Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Road, Washington, Dec. 27, 5 p.m., to see Steve Woyce from Full Effect Productions present a 45 minute magic routine with everyone’s favorite things about winter; snowmen, penguins, candy canes, and snowballs. Audience participation is encouraged. Free; registration is requested. Call 860-868-2310 or visit www.gunnlibrary.org

SQUADRON MEETING: A meeting of the Northwest Hills Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the United States Air Force will meet Thursday, 7-9 p.m. at the Torrington Armory South Main Street. For information, call Cmdr. Tim Ceritello at 860-620-3670 or email timceritello@gmail.com.

CHESS CLUB: 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.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE: Duplicate Bridge at the Sullivan Senior Center, East Albert Street, Torrington, Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For 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. 28

DAY OF FUN: A day of fun for grades 4-6 will be held Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield. OUtdoor adventures, games, crafts, live animals. Snacks provided; bring lunch. Parents welcome, but not mandatory. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. $40 members, $70 guests. Payment due with registration. Call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org.

BINGO: St. Maron’s Church, 613 Main St., Torrington, holds bingo games every Monday and Friday. Doors open at 4 p.m. Early bingo beings at 6 p.m., with progressive jackpots and food for sale.

Saturday, Dec. 29

THE RED SCARE: “Red Spies and Lavender Lads: McCarthyism, Communism, and Morality,” will be held at the Beekley Library, New Hartford, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. McCarthyism was part of a phenomenon that affected thousands. The Red Scare, as it was called, brought to light some of America's deepest fears of foreign agents and domestic traitors. The talk will focus on McCarthy and McCarthyism in the 1950s, how America's political and social foundation was challenged by a new sense of morality, and how the nation reacted to that challenge.

NADER BOOK PREMIERE: Winsted Community Bookstore hosts the world premiere of Ralph Nader's new book, “How the Rats Reformed Congress,” Dec. 29, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes a copy of the book. RSVP to winstedbooks@gmail.com.

ANNUAL WINTER WALK: White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, hosts its 5th Annual Winter Walk Along the Lake and Butternut Brook Trails with Marlow Shami, Dec. 29, 10 a.m., Free. Meet in front of the A.B. Ceder room. Donations welcome. For information, call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org.

NEW YEAR KIDS PARTY: New Year's Eve Party for Kids at the Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury, Dec. 29, 10:30 a.m. Count down with a large group and then smash eggshells full of confetti and throw balloons around — it’s fun no matter when you do it. Crafts, games, and refreshments. For details, visit scovillelibrary.org.

BINGO: Sons of Italy, Center Street, Torrington, hosts bingo games Saturday, 4-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m., games begin at 6 p.m. For information, call the lodge at 860-489-1226.

Monday, Dec. 31

COMEDY NIGHT: Laugh in the New Year with four professional New York City comedians at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury on Monday, Dec. 31, featuring Phil Selman, Sally Ann Hall, Kevin Dombrowski and Bob Nelson. Two shows, 6 p.m.., 9:30 p.m. Late show has appetizers and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets $55 for 6 p.m., $65 for 9:30 p.m. Doors and the Devil’s Corner Bar open 45 minutes ahead. For tickets call the Seven Angels Theatre box office at 203-7574676, or purchase online at SevenAngelsTheatre.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 1

POSSUM QUEEN CONTEST: The 29th annual Possum Queen Contest will be held Jan. 1, 12 p.m. at the Litchfield Inn, 432 Bantam Road, Litchfield. Join a merry group of revelers who donate money (known as bribes) to raise funds for local families who need help with medical expenses. A mock beauty pageant, costumes, enteraining skits, performance by the Mattatuck Drum Corp; live and silent auctions, and food and libations offered by The Tavern Off the Green. The Possum Queen Foundation has raised hundreds of thousands for charity since it started on the Green in Litchfield.

Wednesday, Jan. 2

WINTER READING BINGO: Winter Reading Bingo at the Morris Public Library begins Jan. 2 and continues to Feb 28. Patrons are encouraged to visit the library and receive a Winter Reading Bingo Card or download it from www.morrispubliclibrary.net. Adults, teens and children will each have their own card. Fill it and be entered for prizes. Drawing is March 1. For information, call 860-567-7440 or visit www.morrispubliclibrary.net

BINGO: Sons of Italy, Center Street, Torrington, hosts bingo games on Wednesdays, 4-9:30 p.m. with dinner at 5 and calling at 6. For information, call the lodge at 860-489-1226.

BINGO: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church holds weekly bingo games at St. Anthony School, Oak Street, Winsted, on Wednesdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. with refreshments and snacks for sale. Games begin at 6:35 p.m. Progressive jackpots. For information call the church at 860379-3369.

QUILTS THAT CARE: Quilts that Care meets the first and third Wednesday of the montha t the Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road, Litchfield. New members are welcome. Quilts That Care group of volunteers that make and donate handmade quilts to cancer patients. Non-quilters can also join. For information, call Deb Van Steenberge at 860-782-1043 or email quiltsthatcare.deb@gmail.com