CALENDAR

Sunday, Dec. 10

CHORALE CONCERT: The Connecticut Yankee Chorale, Inc. will present its annual holiday concert Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. at Center Congregational Church, 155 Main St., Torrington, accompanied by organist/pianist Laurie Hall and guest violinist Dana Saccomano. Non-perishable food and cash donations will be accepted for Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington. Tickets $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children 12 and under, at the door. A festive reception will follow the program.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Barkhamsted Historical Society’s Annual Christmas Open House at Squires’ Tavern, 100 East River Rd., Barkhamsted ,will be held on Sunday Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m. The Tavern will be decorated as in “days of old”, there will be refreshments as well as special vintage music presented by the Greenwoods Consort from 2-3 p.m., in the ballroom this year for better viewing. For information, call Noreen Watson at 860-738-1152.

HOLIDAY MARKETS: The Goshen Farmers Market is once again holding Sunday afternoon Holiday Markets every Sunday through Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m. at St. Thomas Church Hall, 71 North Street, Route 63, Goshen. The market provides local seasonal produce for the holidays, as well as quality handcrafted gifts made locally. GFM Holiday Market is still accepting vendors of quality locally produced items. See the website for details: http://goshenfarmersmarket.com/gfm-holiday-markets.

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (after Mass) to 4 p.m, until Dec. 23. The Shrine is located on 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield. For information go to www.shrinect.org

ARTISAN MARKETPLACE: The historic Van Vleck House at Flanders Nature Center is the setting for the annual “Artisan Marketplace, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 17. The Van Vleck house is located at the corner of Flanders and Church Hill Roads in Woodbury.

OVERNIGHT PARKING: From now through March 31, 2018, all parking on city streets in Torrington is banned. Any vehicle parked for more than an hour during this time period will be fined $20 for each time they are in violation. During a storm, vehicles may be towed at owner expense if the owner is not available to move it. This ban is a safety measure for motorists and emergency vehicles, improving the efficiency of plowing and clearing over 40 square miles of city streets.

HOLIDAY TOURS: Christmas display in the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, Torrington. Guided tours Dec. 9-30, Thursdays through Sundays, 12-4 p.m, last tour at 3:30 p.m. $10 adults, free to members, $5 for children. For more information, call 860- 482-8260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

HOUSE TOUR: “Historical House Tour 2017,” a Kent Historical Society event, begins Dec. 10, 12 p.m. at Swift House, located at 12 Maple Street, Tickets are $45 in advance, and $60 on tour day. For more information, see www.kenthistoricalsociety.org

LESSONS AND CAROLS: St. Michael’s Parish will present Candlelight Advent Lessons and Carols, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. Admission is free, donations accepted. A reception in the community house l follows the service and all are invited. St. Michael’s is located at 25 South Street, just off the Litchfield Green. For more information, call 860-567-9465.

Monday, Dec. 11

LIGHT UP BEARDSLEY: Friends of the Beardsley & Memorial Library are holding a fundraiser to "Light up Beardsley, and are asking for donations. Watch as the lights of love for the library grow on the outside evergreen tree through the month of December. Stop by the library, mail in your donation or visitbeardsleylibrary.org and donate from now through the month of December. Donations are $1 per light; $25 for 50 lights; $50 for 100 lights. All proceeds benefit the library. Checks should be made out to The Friends of the Library. On Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., the Friends will hold a tree lighting ceremony at the library.

GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (after Mass) to 4 p.m, until Dec. 23. The Shrine is located on 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield. For information go to www.shrinect.org

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST: Torrington’s Annual Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest will be held on Tuesday, Dec 12, sponsored by the Torrington Parks & Recreation Department in conjunction with Torrington Lions Club. Displays should be lit from 6-9 p.m. and consist of the following:Commercial: Christmas Display, and Residential: Decorated Doorway, Nativity, or Christmas Display. For questions regarding the Decorating Contest, contact the Torrington Parks and Recreation Department at 86-489-2274.

LIVE, LEARN LUNCH SERIES: Live and Learn Lunch Series presents “Estate Planning Basics: How to Provide for Loved Ones” Dec. 11, 11 a.m. at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202, Litchfield. Attorney Molly Ackerly, of Ackerly Brown, willdiscuss Estate Planning Basics and answer any questions. Light lunch at 11:45 a.m. This series is free and pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

BOOK DISCUSSION: Afternoon NonFiction Book Discussion group meets Dec. 11, 2 p.m. at the Harwinton Public Library, 80 Bentley Drive, Harwinton. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer will be discussed. New members are always welcome. 860-485-9113.

NUTMEG BOOK CLUB: Nutmeg Book Club at the Burlington Public Library meets Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. For grades 9 and up, including adults. Discussion on ‘We Are the Ants’ by Shaun David Hutchinson. Registration required; go to www.burlingtonctlibrary.info.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (after Mass) to 4 p.m, until Dec. 23. The Shrine is located on 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield. For information go to www.shrinect.org

HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST: Torrington’s Annual Outdoor Holiday Decorating Contest will be held on Tuesday, Dec 12, sponsored by the Torrington Parks & Recreation Department in conjunction with Torrington Lions Club. Displays should be lit from 6-9 p.m. and consist of the following:Commercial: Christmas Display, and Residential: Decorated Doorway, Nativity, or Christmas Display. For questions regarding the Decorating Contest, contact the Torrington Parks and Recreation Department at 86-489-2274.

HATHA YOGA: Hatha Yoga Classes at Wisdom House will be held Dec. 5, 12, 19, 5:30-6:45 p.m. Breathe, stretch and deeply relax with Barbara Putnam. All levels welcome. For more information or to register: bdputnam@alum.mit.edu or call 860-567-4465 to register.

HOLIDAY LIGHT COMPETITION: Burlington Holiday Light Competition, for Burlington residents only, will be judged Dec. 12-13, weather permitting. Prizes will be awarded for Best Multicolored, and Best White Lights. Lights must be turned on for viewing between the hours of 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Register online at myburlingtonrec.com or fill out form at the Town Hall Recreation Department. Pre-registration required by Monday, Dec. 11.

SPEAKER SERIES: White Hart Speaker series with David Tanis will be held Dec. 12, 6 p.m. The program is “Market Cooking: Recipes and Revelations, Ingredient by Ingredient.” The White Hart Speaker Series is presented in collaboration with Oblong Books & Music & Scoville Memorial Library. For information, call 860435-2838 or visit scovillelibrary.org. SPIRITUAL DRUMMING: Spiritual Drumming with Susan Strand, all levels welcome, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. at Wisdom House, Litchfield. To register or for more information: sstrand@snet.net RETIREMENT CLASS INTRO: Charlie Enz will hold a Free Intro Class at the Litchfield Community Center, Dec. 12, 11:15 a.m. on his upcoming 6 week series, Retirement Investing and Avoiding Bear Market Losses. A second info session will be held Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The series runs Jan. 23-Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m.Pre-registration is required by calling 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

Wednesday, Dec. 13

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 860-379-3369.

THRIFT SHOP: Christmas at the Auxiliary Thrift Shop,120 Willow St., Winsted, is now open through Dec. 16.

LIGHT UP BEARDSLEY: Friends of the Beardsley & Memorial Library are holding a fundraiser to "Light up Beardsley, and are asking for donations. Watch as the lights of love for the library grow on the outside evergreen tree through the month of December. Stop by the library, mail in your donation or visitbeardsleylibrary.org and donate from now through the month of December. Donations are $1 per light; $25 for 50 lights; $50 for 100 lights. All proceeds benefit the library. Checks should be made out to The Friends of the Library. On Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., the Friends will hold a tree lighting ceremony at the library.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY READING: Jerry Geci returns to The Litchfield Community Center on Wednesday Dec. 13, 2 p.m., for his annual reading of “A Christmas Memory.” First published in 1956, this much sought after autobiographical recollection of Truman Capote’s rural Alabama boyhood has become a modern day classic. Bette Geci’s famous homemade fruit cake will be served. Free; pre-registration is requested, call 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

SAFE DRIVERS COURSE: AARP will hold their Safe Drivers Course at The Litchfield Community Center, Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $15 for AARP members, $20 non-members. Pre-registration is required; call 860-567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org.

COOKIE SWAP: The Cookbook Club: Holiday Cookie Swap Party, will be held Dec. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South St., Litchfield. We will sample our delicious treats, then swap and package them to take some home. Patricia and Audra will provide festive take-home boxes. Library events are free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org and clicking on Events/Adult Events.

Thursday, Dec. 14

HOLIDAY TOURS: Christmas display in the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum, Torrington. Guided tours through Dec. 30, Thursdays through Sundays, 12-4 p.m, last tour at 3:30 p.m. $10 adults, free to members, $5 for children. For more information, call 860- 482-8260 or visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.

LIGHT UP BEARDSLEY: Friends of the Beardsley & Memorial Library are holding a fundraiser to "Light up Beardsley, and are asking for donations. Donations are $1 per light; $25 for 50 lights; $50 for 100 lights. All proceeds benefit the library. Checks should be made out to The Friends of the Library. On Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., the Friends will hold a tree lighting ceremony at the library.