CALENDAR

Saturday, Feb. 20

WINTER BIRDS: Winter Birds in our Backyards : Feeding, Observing, and Preserving, part 1, 4 p.m. Feb. 20 with the Cornwall Library. Registration is required for this free event; go to cornwalllibrary.org/events to register. Part 2 is scheduled for March 13.

INDIGENOUS AMERICA: George Catlin and his Portraits of Indigenous America from the collection of the Smithsonian Museum with Dr. Donna Fowler, 4 p.m., Feb. 20, free on Zoom with the Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury. Details at scovillellibrary.org

ICELAND CONCERT: Live from Iceland ~ A Cozy (Virtual) Concert with Svavar Knutur and the White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, 2 p.m. Feb. 20, $10 guests, members free. Pre-registration is required; go to www.whitememorialcc.org A link to the concert will be emailed to you the day before.

WINTER WEEKEND: Norfolk’s 2021 Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk Festival, Feb. 20, a series of special virtual events. Go to https://weekendinnorfolk.org or www.facebook.com/weekendinnorfolk

COYOTES IN CT: Coyotes In Connecticut With Master Conservationist Ginny Apple, 2 p.m., Feb. 20. Register at HuntLibrary.org or on the library’s Facebook page.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration continues through Feb. 26 for the Little Owls Preschool Program. If you have a 3- or 4- year old child, go to www.winchesterschools.org/. For information about the Little Owls Preschool Program or need assistance with this process, please contact the Family Resource Center directly at 860-738-5262.

MAPLE SUGARING: If you have ever wondered how sap is transformed into maple sugar then don't miss the new two-part, in-person outdoor Maple Sugar Workshops at the Institute for American Indian Studies, Curtis Road, Washington, Feb. 20 and 27. This hands-on workshop is perfect for people that want to learn about the history of this sweet tradition as well as the ins and outs of making maple syrup. To sign up for Maple Workshop #1, “The Sweet Taste of Success” and Maple Workshop #2, “The History of a Sweet Tradition” visit the museum website, iaismuseum.org, or email events@iaismuseum.org.

CT LANDMARKS: Connecticut Landmarks' Hartford Sites Administrator, Jana Colacino, Historic Gardens of Connecticut Landmarks, 1 p.m. Feb. 24. See and hear an introduction to Connecticut Landmarks' gardens and historic properties, including the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in Bethlehem, the Butler-McCook House & Garden in Hartford, and the PhelpsHatheway House & Garden in Suffield. $5, registration required by noon Feb. 23, go to https://rb.gy/0dcqz8

Sunday, Feb. 21

HABITAT FAMILY WANTED: Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut will accept applications from eligible families eager to pursue their dream of homeownership in North Canaan from Feb. 14-April 11. Construction of a home at Salisbury Road in North Canaan starts soon, and members are seeking a partner family to work alongside Habitat volunteers and skilled tradespersons to see the project to completion. Call Bob Whelan now at 860-435-4747, or email a request for an application package at admin@habitatnwct.org. HVA AUCTION: Christine Baranski’s annual harvest-time tradition of hosting HVA’s Auction for the Environment will be a winter-time event, virtual, live and full of new treats, 4-5 p.m. Feb. 21, with a pre-auction reception at 3:30 p.m. with Baranski, Margo Martindale and friends for VIP Sponsor ticketholders. To view auction items as they are added, and to purchase auction tickets, visit www.hvatoday.org and click “Auction Info” on the home page.

THE BEECHER FAMILY: As part of its anniversary celebration, the First Congregational Church of Litchfield’s lecture series continues at 2 p.m. Feb. 21 with a lecture on “The Beecher Family.” Throughout the 19th century, the Beecher family exerted extraordinary influence on religion, politics and education. Dr. Valois will discuss the fascinating lives of this historic family. Socially distanced seating in the meetinghouse for those joining in person, the lecture will also be live at www.facebook.com/FirstCongregationalChurchLitchfield.

COMMON GROUND: Common Ground Conversations with Dr Mary B. O’Neill, facilitator, Feb. 7, 21, March 14, 28 on Zoom. Call 860-435-2838 or check event page at scovillelibrary.org

LECTURE SERIES: A series of lectures marking the First Congregational Church of Litchfield’s 300th anniversary, live on Facebook and limited seating at the meetinghouse, free. Feb. 21, 2 p.m., The Beecher Family, presented by Karl Valois; The Judge’s Judge, 6:30 p.m., March 3, Laura McEvoy; Civil War and Religion, 2 p.m., March 21, speaker Peter Vermilyea; The Connecticut Meetinghouse, Secrets and Stories, 2 p.m. April 18, speaker Rachel Carey. Other events are being planned throughout 2021 with information forthcoming depending on the state of the virus. Stay turned to the church website, Facebook page and Civiclift.

PUBLIC MONUMENTS: Hidden in Plain Sight: Decoding Public Monuments with David Anthone, presented by the League of Women Voters of the Litchfield Hills and the Litchfield Historical Society, 3 p.m. Feb. 21, free on Zoom. Registration required; email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

Monday, Feb. 22

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: Virtual Dementia Caregiver Support Groups meet online monthly with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. For a full schedule and registration information call 855-442-4373. After registration, participants will receive an email with easy instructions on joiningthe webinar. Groups meet this month: Feb. 22, 10:30 a.m.; call-in group, every Friday, 2 p.m.

MONDAY SCHOLARS: Live Zoom Event: Monday Scholars – American Military History: From Colonials to Counterinsurgents with the Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield, 1-2:30 p.m., weekly until March 29, no meeting Feb. 15. Information and login at www.owlibrary.org.

MEDICARE OPTIONS: Virtual Classes: Understanding Your Medicare Options. Virtual classes from now through March focus on topics including: how does it work; the different parts of Medicare; when to enroll; how to choose a plan; and options including Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans and Prescription Drug Plans followed by a question and answer period. Feb. 22, 24 and 25; and March 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 29 and 31. For convenience, the times vary. Registration is required; call 855-4424373 or visit HartfordHealthCare.org/ Virtual Classes.

WAA’S EARLY DAYS: The Gunn Historical Museum’s Artist Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Washington Art Association, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22, on Zoom, “A Mid-Century Artist's Haven and The Early Days of the Washington Art Association” with Sarah Griswold, former Curator of the Gunn Museum. Registration is required to receive the

Zoom link. Go to www.gunnlibrary.org/gunn-museum/museum-registrationpage/

Tuesday, Feb. 23

CT LANDMARKS: Connecticut Landmarks' Hartford Sites Administrator, Jana Colacino, Historic Gardens of Connecticut Landmarks, 1 p.m. Feb. 24. See and hear an introduction to Connecticut Landmarks' gardens and historic properties, including the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in Bethlehem, the Butler-McCook House & Garden in Hartford, and the PhelpsHatheway House & Garden in Suffield. $5, registration required by noon Feb. 23, go to https://rb.gy/0dcqz8

BESSIE COLEMAN: "Bessie Coleman, First Negro Aviatrix", 6 p.m., Feb. 23, free, with the Torrington Historical Society on Zoom, presented by Tammy Denease, storyteller/actor. Discover the story of Bessie Coleman, the first black female pilot, as told through this performance by Tammy Denease. Register at www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

CONTEMPLATIVE YOGA: Contemplative Yoga with Judith Ehrman-Shapiro on Zoom, White Memorial Conservation Center, Ltichfield. Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. No registration required; $10 per class on Venmo to @Judith-Ehrman-Shapiro; donate $1 by putting White Memorial in a note. Other payment arrangements can be made by calling Judith at 860309-9489.

LOUISE ERDRICH DISCUSSION: Live Zoom Event: Louise Erdrich Book Discussion Series with Mark Scarbrough, 2 p.m. Feb. 23. Discussion of “The Round House” that explores questions of individual and social morality surrounding a terrible crime from Erdrich’s Anishinaabe perspective. For more information go to www.owlibrary.org and click on Programs & Events. To attend, click on the Zoom link provided on our website at the time of the event.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

AUTISM FORUM: Free webinar by LARC’s Autism Resource Center, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, free. In this webinar, Beth Lambert, BCBA,LBA will discuss the techniques available to teach your child to tolerate having his/her hair cut and teeth brushed. She discusses how toleration skills are taught and shows videos of techniques being used. There is no fee for this webinar. To RSVP and receive the webinar link, email Kathy Riberdy, kriberdy@litchfieldarc.org. POST IMPRESSIONISTS: Live Zoom Event: Post-Impressionism Series with Michael Norris, Ph.D., 3 p.m. Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Oliver Wolcot Library, Litchfield. For more information about these programs, go to www.owlibrary.org and click on "Programs & Events." To attend the events, click on the Zoom link provided on our website at the time of the event.

Thursday, Feb. 25

HABITAT FAMILY WANTED: Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut will accept applications from eligible families eager to pursue their dream of homeownership in North Canaan from Feb. 14-April 11. Construction of a home at Salisbury Road in North Canaan starts soon, and members are seeking a partner family to work alongside Habitat volunteers and skilled tradespersons to see the project to completion. Call Bob Whelan now at 860-435-4747, or email a request for an application package at admin@habitatnwct.org.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration continues through Feb. 26 for the Little Owls Preschool Program. If you have a 3- or 4- year old child, go to www.winchesterschools.org/. For information about the Little Owls Preschool Program or need assistance with this process, please contact the Family Resource Center directly at 860-738-5262.