CALENDAR

Monday, Dec. 16

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. BETTER SLEEPING: Maria Kurisoo of the Americorp Service to Improve Community Help (STITCH), speaks about better sleeping habits, 11 a.m., includes lunch, Dec. 16, Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield, Free, pre-registration is required. Call 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

OUR CULTURE MEETING: Our Culture is Beautiful will hold its end of the year meeting at 6 p.m., Dec. 16 at Workman AME Zion Church, 60 Brightwood Avenue, Torrington. Networking, refreshments, 6 p.m, reflection of OCIB’s first year, 6:35 p.m., feedback and storytelling, 7 p.m, projects for year 2020, 7:30 p.m., music and socializing, 7:40 p.m. HISTORY CLUB: Gunn Historical Museum's “Washington History Club in the Morning” meets at 10 a.m., Dec. 16 at the Washington Senior Center, 6 Bryan Hall Plaza, Washington Depot. The topic of discussion is “Lost Washington.” HISTORY SERIES: Six-part History Series, “The Vote, America’s Most Fragile Right,” begins at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 16, Cornwall Libary, Pine Street, Cornwall. APPRECIATION BENEFIT: Appreciation Fundraiser, presented by Culture For A Cause, "Building Community through Music & the Arts" will be held from 6-8 p.m., Dec. 16, at Social House 29 Main St, Torrington. For information, call 860480-9676 or email jacquewilliamsent@gmail.com

BOOK DISCUSSION: Evening Book Discussion, 7 p.m., Dec. 15, Harwinton Library. This month’s book is “Farewell to Manzanar” by James D. Houston and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston.

HOLIDAY STORYTIME: Storytime for grades K-3, Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 16. Library events are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required unless otherwise noted and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org and clicking on Events/Adult Events or Events/Children & Teen Events. COOKING DEMOS: Cooking Demo, Tasting & Nutrition Talk, 3 p.m.,Dec. 16, in the dining room at the Sullivan Senior Center, Torrington. Registered dietitian Elizabeth Caruthers leads the monthly demonstrations, tastings and nutrition talks. To register, call 860-489-2211. Space is limited.

MONDAY SCHOLARS: Oliver Wolcott Library’s Monday Scholars study The Agency – A History of the CIA, 12:30-2 p.m., through Dec. 16, no meeting Dec. 2. Monday Scholars is a weekly series that combines the best of online learning with engaging discussion. Each week a new lecture topic is watched together and then discussed by the group. Registration is required; call 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

ALANON MEETING: An Alanon meeting is held weekly on Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Partial Hospital Building, 540 Litchfield Street.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

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. 19

SQUADRON MEETING: The Northwest Hills Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Auxiliary of the United States Air Force meets Thursdays, 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. HOLIDAY TOURS: Guided tours of the Hotchkiss Fyler House of the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main St., Torrington, Dec. 12-29, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. Tours start promptly on the hour at 12 p.m, 1 p.m, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission $10 for adults; $5 for Torrington Historical Society members. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, call 860-4828260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org. BOOK DISCUSSION: Afternoon Book Discussion, Harwinton Library, 1:30 p.m., Dec. 19. This month’s book is “What She Left Behind” by Ellen Wiseman. DINNER, MOVIE: BYOD and a Movie, 6 p.m., Dec. 19, Torrington Library, 12 Daycoeton Place,Torrington. All programs are free; registration is required. Call the library at 860-489-6684 or visit www.torringtonlibrary.org.

Friday, Dec. 20

A CHRISTMAS STORY: ‘A Christmas Story’ at Landmark Community Theater, Thomaston Opera House, 7 p.m., Dec. 7, 13-14, 20-21; 2 p.m., Dec. 8, 15, 22. Tickets, 860-283-6250 or admin@landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

MAKE A SNOW GLOBE: Make a Mason jar snow globe, for grade 5-6, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 20, Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield. Library events are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required unless otherwise noted and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org and clicking on Events/Adult Events or Events/Children & Teen Events.

MUSIC AND DANCING: Light lunch, music by Lew’s Good Time Band, with a holiday feast, lunch, 12-2 p.m., $7 per person, at the Litchfield Community Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Litchfield Community Center at 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

Saturday, Dec. 21

GIFT WORKSHOP: Chocolate gift (and eating) workshop, Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury, 11 a.m., Dec. 21, free. Licensed chocolatier Kim Larkin discusses how chocolate is made, where it comes from. Then dip cookies, marshmallows and other treats and make chocolate creations using various techniques of decorating and combing. There will be a demonstration and use of Kim's commercial tempering machine, toppings bar and more. Gift bags provided. For ages 10 and up, RSVP at 860-4352838

ARTISAN MARKETPLACE: Van Vleck House at Flanders annual“Artisan Marketplace” continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Flanders Nature Center, corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads, Woodbury. Wares from artisans in the area include handcrafts, chocolates, fiber art, ornaments, framed prints, baskets, soaps, children’s gifts, jewelry, pottery, quilts, wreaths and greens.

TSO CONCERT: The Torrington Symphony Orchestra, with chorus, presents “A Holiday Tribute” concert, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 21, Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre, sponsored by People’s United Bank. Under the direction of conductor Maurice Steinberg, the concert will feature pianist Kari Magg and seasonal favorites. General admission tickets $22. Children 12 and under are free. To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

FARMERS MARKET: The Litchfield Farmers Market has begun and will be held on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 14, Dec. 21, Litchfield Firehouse, Route 202, Litchfield. Visit www.litchfieldhillsfarmfreshmarket.org for updates, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter. If you wish to donate some time to the Litchfield Farmers Market, apply as a vendor or artist, sign up online. For more information call Market Master, Kay Carroll at 860-567-3890.

WELCOMING WINTER: Welcoming Winter at Five Ponds with Gerri Griswold, White Memorial Conservation Center, 10 a.m., Dec. 21, free, donations welcome. Dress for the weather. Meet at the trailhead at the intersection of Routes 63 / 61.

LLAMA WALK: Llama Walk with Debbie Labbe from Country Quilt Llama Farm, White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, $20, 10 a.m., Dec. 21. Call Debbie at 860-248-0355 to pre-register or to schedule a private llama walk.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: ‘A Christmas Story’ at Landmark Community Theater, Thomaston Opera House, 7 p.m., Dec. 7, 13-14, 20-21; 2 p.m., Dec. 8, 15, 22. Tickets, 860-283-6250 or admin@landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

Sunday, Dec. 22

GATOR PARADE: 14th annual "Gator" Christmas Parade, Winsted Fire Department, Dec. 22. Lineup at 6 p.m. on Meadow Street. The parade is dedicated to past WFD member Gaeton "Gator" Gangi. Members of the WFD and community organizations come together to decorate emergency apparatus and vehicles with lights and other holiday decorations.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: ‘A Christmas Story’ at Landmark Community Theater, Thomaston Opera House, 7 p.m., Dec. 20-21; 2 p.m., Dec. 22. Tickets, 860-2836250 or admin@landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

LLAMA WALK: Llama Walk with Debbie Labbe from Country Quilt Llama Farm, 2 p.m, Dec. 22, $20. White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield. Meet in the Museum parking lot. Call Debbie at 860-248-0355 to pre-register or to schedule a private llama walk. ARTISAN MARKETPLACE: Van Vleck House at Flanders annual“Artisan Marketplace”continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Flanders Nature Center, corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads, Woodbury. Wares from artisans in the area include handcrafts, chocolates, fiber art, ornaments, framed prints, baskets, soaps, children’s gifts, jewelry, pottery, quilts, wreaths and greens.

Monday, Dec. 23

HOLIDAY TOURS: Guided tours of the Hotchkiss Fyler House of the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main St., Torrington, Dec. 12-29, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. Tours start promptly on the hour at 12 p.m, 1 p.m, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission $10 for adults; $5 for Torrington Historical Society members. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, call 860-4828260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org. GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield, Rte. 118, Litchfield has stocked up for the Advent and Christmas season, with rosaries, medals, unique jewelry and Christmas cards; a large selection of Fontanini creches and Willow Tree items. The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The shop will be open from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 23. For further information, call 860-567-0891 or email: lourdesshrinect@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

ALANON MEETING: An Alanon meeting is held weekly on Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Partial Hospital Building, 540 Litchfield Street. For information, visit