CALENDAR

Saturday, March 27

GROTTO GIFT SHOP: The Grotto Gift Shop, located at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield, 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield, has new spring hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. are now Wednesday to Saturday 10:30 to 4:00 and Sunday, 11:30 to 4:00. New stock has arrived with Spring and Easter items, plus Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation gifts. For further information, call 860-567-0891 or visit www.shrinect.org.

MODERN RELIGION: “Teilhard TodayHis Influence on Modern Religious Leaders” at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, 9:30 a.m. March 27, presented by Sally Campbell Woodhall. Cost is $60 and includes lunch. For more information go to www.wisdomhouse.org , call 860-567-3163 or email programs@wisdomhouse.org

VIRTUAL READINESS FAIR: The 12th annual Torrington School Readiness Council Kindergarten Virtual Readiness Fair “Ready… Set … Kindergarten!” March 27. Teacher sessions on Zoom, 9:30-11 a.m., community sessions, 11 a.m.-noon. Get an activity kit at Torrington High School, drive-through, 10 a.m.-noon March 20. Children must be five years old on or before Jan. 1, 2022. Contact Paula Gajewski, 860-800-2352, if they do not have a way to access this event virtually.

EASTERN WOODPECKERS: The Natural History and Portraiture of Eastern Woodpeckers: A Workshop on Bird Painting with Artist Leslie Watkins and Dr Eileen Fielding, on Zoom, 2 p.m., March 27, Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury, scovillelibrary.org

ICE AGE ODYSSEY: An Ice Age Odyssey: The Pope Mastodon’s Epic Journey Through Life, Death, Storage Crates and Museum with Dr. Sarah Sportman, Connecticut State Archaeologist, 2 p.m., March 27, on Zoom and Facebook Live with the White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield. Free for members, $10 for guests. Pre-register at www.whitememorialcc.org. A link to the program will be emailed to you on March 26.

GRIZZLY STORIES: Grizzly Stories: Reflections on Natural History and Advocacy by Dr. David Mattson and Louisa Willcox, 4 p.m., March 27, on Zoom with the Scoville Memorial Library, Salisbury. Details at scovillelibrary.org

WINE TASTINGS: Haight Brown Vineyard, Litchfield, offers Wines of the World Tastings at 1 p.m. March 27. Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Pairings at 3:30 p.m. $35 per person; register at : www.haightbrownwinecom, call 860-5674045 or haightvineyard@aol.com

EASTER EGG HUNT: Torrington Parks & Recreation Easter Egg hunt, March 27, 11 a.m. Torrington High School turf field. For information, call 860-489-2274 or visit torringtonct.org and go to the parks and recreation link.

WISDOM HOUSE PROGRAM: “The Development of Harmony: From Plainsong to Palestrina” will be presented at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, 9:30 a.m., March 27. Marguerite Mullée, Ph.D. will lead the program.Cost for the program is: $60 per person and includes lunch. For more information or to register, go to www.wisdomhouse.org or call 860-567-3163.

H.O.R.S.E. BIRTHDAY PARTY: H.O.R.S.E. of Connecticut, 43 Wilbur Road, Washington, will hold a 14th Birthday Celebration for Fiona, a thoroughbred mare rescued in 2013, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 27. Rain date March 28. Due to new insurance restrictions, children under 12 are not permitted on the farm. Tack sale, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. For more information visit www.horseofct.org or call 860-868-1960.

EASTERN WOODPECKERS: Natural History and Portraiture of Eastern Woodpeckers, 2 p.m. A collaboration of Scoville Library, Sharon Audubon, Bushnell-Sage Library and Oliver Wolcott Library, on Zoom. Go to scovillelibrary.org. for details

A DOG’S JOURNEY: A Dog’s Journey:

From Prison to Walking the Beat - How Dogs are Transforming Community Policing, 4 p.m. Presented by Heather McClelland, Tawana Anthony, and Gloria Gilbert Stoga, founder, Puppies Behind Bars. Details at scovillelibrary.org.

Sunday, March 28

PALM SUNDAY BREAKFAST: Winsted Lions Club Palm Sunday Breakfast, 810:30 a.m. March 28 at Crystal Peak, located at 164 Torrington Rd., Winsted. This year, following COVID safe practices, meals are takeout, either hot or ready-toheat. Pancake breakfasts are $8 each and can be pre-ordered by calling 860-3076617 or by going to https://www.facebook.com/WinstedCTLions23B. Raffles with prizes, tickets $5 each. Call Gina at 860-307-6617 or email gsartirana@yahoo.com for more information.

HAM AND LAMB EASTER EVENT: Presented by St. Paul’s Church, Bantam, Lamb and Ham & "Bantam Baskets" Easter Event, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., March 28 at Patty’s Restaurant, Litchfield. Breakfast sandwiches, ready-to-cook lamb chops, ham steaks, and sides will be available for pick-up in the parking lot; alternate arrangements upon request. "Bantam Baskets" with spring and Easter themes will be available for a suggested donation of $20/basket. Contact the church office by noon March 26 for confidential sign-up: 860-567-8838 or office@saintpaulsbantam.org

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 until 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 860435-4747, or email a request for an application package at admin@habitatnwct.org.

COMMON GROUND: Common Ground Conversations: Listening Past Differences, facilitated by Dr Mary B. O’Neill, Scoville Library, Salisbury, 2 p.m., March 28. Made possible with a grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s special grant initiative Bridging Divides, Healing Communities funded by Berkshire Bank. In this final meeting, we will sum up the previous sessions and touch on some common problems you may encounter. Details at scovillelibrary.org.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES: First Congregational Church Of Litchfield announces its Holy Week services. March 28 - Palm Sunday service, 10:30 a.m. April 1, Maundy Thursday service, 7:30 p.m. April 4, Easter Sunday sunrise service on church steps, 7 a.m.; Morning worship, 10:30 a.m.

Monday, March 29

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Torrington schools kindergarten registration at Voge Wetmore School and Torringford School, March 29-April 2, April 5-9. Information on registration can be found at Torrington.org.

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.

BLOOD DRIVE: Red Cross blood drive, March 29, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 62 Bunker Hill Road, Watertown. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

Tuesday, March 30

CONTEMPLATIVE YOGA: Contemplative Yoga with Judith Ehrman-Shapiro on Zoom, Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. with the White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield.

No registration is required. Class is $10, paid on Venmo to @Judith-EhrmanShapiro; leave a note which says “White Memorial”, and $1 will to be donated to WMCC for each class. Other payment arrangements can be made by calling Judith at 860-309-9489.

BLOOD DRIVE: Red Cross blood drive, March 30, 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Litchfield Firehouse, 359 West St./Rte. 202, Litchfield. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org,call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE: Berkshire OLLI: The Right to Vote, Reexamining Women's' Suffrage, 1:30-3 p.m, March 23-May 4, on Zoom. Scoville Library, Salisbury. Details at scovillelibrary.org.

EASTER BASKETS: Three Torrington senior living complexes will be receiving Easter Meal Baskets March 30, courtesy of Friendly Hands Food Bank in collaboration with Mayor Elinor Carbone's office, Torrington Housing Authority and State Representative Michelle Cook. Koury Terrace, 10 a.m.; Torrington Towers, 11 a.m., Torringford West Apartments, 12 noon. A total of 374 baskets will be distributed containing a ham, potatoes, fruit, vegetable dessert, candy, etc.

Wednesday, March 31

BLOOD DRIVE: Red Cross blood drive, March 31, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW New Milford, 11 Avery Rd., New Milford. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

ROARING 20S: The Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury is excited to welcome Jason Scappaticci as he presents “The Roaring 20’s” 7 p.m. March 31. Free, registration is required. RSVP online at www.minormemoriallibrary.org to receive the Zoom link.

USS INDIANAPOLIS: The Indianapolis’ final resting place remained a mystery for more than 7 decades, until an expedition launched by philanthropist Paul G. Allen discovered the ship in Aug 2017, 18,000 feet below the sea. Hear story of Captain Charles Butler McVay III, a late Morris resident and the only captain in U.S. history convicted of losing his ship in wartime. His suicide in 1968 sparks a campaign by his loyal crew to clear his name. See the film at 1 p.m. March 31 at the Litchfield Community center. Free, seating limited. Register at www.thecommunitycenter.org

WINE PROGRAM: Wine On Wednesday With Jim Kennedy Of Salisbury Wines 6 p.m., March 31, free. Register at HuntLibrary.org or on the library’s Facebook page

MANGA CARTOONING: Live Zoom Event: Manga Cartooning Workshop – For Ages 10 - 14 4 p.m., March 31. For more information, go to owllibrary.org and click on "Programs & Events." To attend the events, click on the Zoom link at the time of the event or click on the Registration link.

Thursday, April 1

ESSAY SPEAKER: Kent Memorial Library and House of Books present an evening with essayist David K. Leff and author Eric D. Lehman as they discuss New England Nature, an anthology that celebrates all the natural world has to offer in this part of America. Free on Zoom, 7 p.m. April 1. Zoom link provided upon registration; go to kentmemoiriallibrary.org.

NATURE’S NURSERY: Virtual Nature’s Nursery Series with White Memorial Conservaton Center, 2 p.m. April 1. Time has been changed. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-5670857 or visit whitememorialcc.org to register. Space is limited. Before each session, receive an email with the Zoom link. Members: $5/session, guests, $8/ session.