Event Types: Community

The Frederick Gunn School will present “Rowland Scherman ’55: Peace Protest, and Promise,” an exhibit featuring iconic photographs of significant cultural, political, and musical events, April 12 – June 8 in the Perakos Family Cares Art Gallery of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. An opening reception and gallery talk with the artist will be held April 24 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.The gallery is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the Upper Parking Lot off Kirby Road, with a limited number of accessible parking spaces outside TPACC. Please see the Campus Map for details.

A Gunn alumnus, Scherman studied photography at Oberlin College and became the first official photographer for the Peace Corps. He photographed for LIFE magazine, Look, the United States Information Agency, and others. Through his lens, he captured many historic events in the 1960s, including the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, the March on Washington, D.C., and Woodstock. He traveled with U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, toured with Judy Collins, and was in the studio when Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded their first album. He won a Grammy Award for “Best Album Cover, Photography” in 1967 for his photograph of Bob Dylan, which was used for “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits.” Scherman’s work is archived at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and featured in the book, “Timeless,” and he was the subject of the documentary film, “Eye on the Sixties.”

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
April 12 – June 8
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION & GALLERY TALK
Thursday, April 24 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Photo caption:
John Lennon and Yoko Ono at a protest, London, August 1971 ©Rowland Scherman
Courtesy of Rowland Scherman and The Rowland Scherman Collection, Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

For preschool children and their caregivers. A cheery program of stories, music, rhymes and crafts designed for busy toddlers.

No registration required

Something GIANT is coming to the Gunn Memorial Library! The Junior Library invites all members of our community to join us for Story Mode, a creative storytelling adventure leading up to the start of Summer Reading in June!

In collaboration with the GIANT Room, a New York City-based innovation hub for kids, the Junior Library will provide four Remix activities Stations. These stations will allow you, your friends, and your family to draw and invent unique characters, settings, and plot twists and see them transformed into published trading cards, games, and comic strips.

Every Remix Station is a self-directed activity, so you can complete it on your own time with or without the help of a librarian. The Junior Library also offers “Creation Hours” every week, during which you can use supplies from the Makerspace to bring your vision to life. Be sure to check the library’s website for the complete schedule!

Each month focuses on a different part of your story:

– May 3-24, create challenges for your character. Help create a deck of “Would You Rather” questions by submitting a question that help you reflect on your emotions, make you smile with a rhyme, spark a debate, or give you the giggles! The GIANT Room will remix your creation into a printed trading card.

– June 7-28, tell a story about your character. Write and illustrate a comic strip using a pre-made template, and the GIANT Room will remix it into a printed poster.

– Saturday, June 21, from 10-12 pm kick off summer reading and level up your character’s story as you visit several activity stations at this community event with the GIANT Room.

This is a great opportunity to express your creativity, collaborate with your community, and see your ideas come to life!

This program was made possible by the Connecticut State Library

On View May 22nd through June 1st at Judy Black Park!

Featuring works by K-12 students from Region 12 Schools. These young artists demonstrate what happens when curiosity meets creativity!

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next few months, we will focus on collections from Joy Harjo, Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original food content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Register here

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal is a critically acclaimed novel that offers a compelling blend of magical realism, family legacy, and cultural exploration. It is an ideal choice for thoughtful discussion and reflection.
Set in 1970s Puerto Rico, The Storyteller’s Death follows Isla Larsen Sanchez, a teenage girl navigating the complexities of identity, grief, and belonging. After her grandmother’s death, Isla begins to experience vivid visions of her ancestors’ stories—visions that both unsettle and enlighten her. As Isla unravels generations of hidden truths, the line between past and present, myth and reality, becomes increasingly blurred.
Ann Dávila Cardinal masterfully weaves together themes of intergenerational trauma, storytelling, and cultural identity in a novel that is as emotionally resonant as it is thought-provoking.

All community members are invited to participate in this literary exploration. Whether you are a longtime participant or new to the group, we welcome your insights and perspectives.

Faux Stained Glass Bookmarks: May 23rd, 10:00-11:30 am

Paint a bookmark that looks just like stained glass in this Makerspace workshop! Ages 18+

Registration required

The Washington Lions Club will hold its annual Memorial Day lobster sale on Saturday, May 24th, from 9am to 1pm at the Washington Primary School Pavilion located at 11 School Street, Washington, CT.

Cooked and uncooked lobsters from 1¼-pounds and larger will be available. Pre-order by leaving a message at (860) 499-0783 with your name, phone number, and the amount and size of lobsters requested. Pre-orders may be made no later than 5 p.m. on May 22nd. All pre-ordered lobsters must be picked up before noon on the day of the sale. Payment is made at pick-up. Cash and check are preferred, but credit cards are also accepted.

The Lobster Sale coincides with the Field of Flags celebration, also hosted by the Lions Club. For a $5 donation, anyone may honor a veteran or member of the military by emailing [email protected] with the name of the member and the branch of service in which they served. Donations may be mailed to PO Box 1261, Washington, CT, 06793.

Proceeds from the Field of Flags and the lobster sale support several Lions Club initiatives, including the Washington Ambulance Association, scholarships for graduating high school seniors, and donations to other projects that benefit the town.

Mark your calendar and ready your totes—the seasonal Washington farmers market will soon be returning to The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens beginning May 24! Your Saturdays are about to get a whole lot fresher with the bounty that comes from the fields, greenhouses and kitchens of Litchfield County’s best growers and makers.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Get ready for warmer weather by creating beautiful, seasonal crafts! Youngsters can use colorful paper, craft sticks, gems, and paper butterflies to design their own unique creations to take home. All materials will be provided, and the activity is fun for all ages!

Registration required, please register on our website

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

May 29th at 6:00-7:00 pm

Feeling stressed? Visit the Makerspace to relax and unwind at this calming craft night. Work on a project from home or make a collage as you listen to tranquil music and spend time with friends. Ages 18+

Register here

Calling gardening volunteers – help us get those warmer weather plants in the ground on planting day as we kick off our 16th growing season. It’s a fantastic opportunity to roll up your sleeves, dig into the soil, and make a positive impact on our community!

Judea Garden supports local families in need with fresh, healthy produce including tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and more. It has also become a vital community hub where volunteers unite to cultivate the land and make a difference. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, everyone is welcome!

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Get ready for an unforgettable literary event! The Hickory Stick Bookshop and the Gunn Memorial Library proudly present a highly anticipated Author Talk with Martha Hall Kelly, celebrating the release of her latest novel, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Mark your calendars—this must-attend event coincides with the book’s arrival in stores on May 27, 2025! Don’t miss the chance to hear from the bestselling author behind Lilac Girls as she delves into her riveting new story.

About the book:
A mesmerizing tale of love, war, and hidden family ties, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club takes readers on a journey between past and present on the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard.

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She comes from California and has nothing but a name on paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.

1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst.

About the Author:
Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and The Golden Doves. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she was inspired to write this novel by her mother’s family, the Smiths, who settled on Martha’s Vineyard in 1891. She received journalism degrees from Syracuse and Northwestern universities and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before becoming a novelist. With more than two million copies of her books sold and translated in fifty countries, Martha Hall Kelly lives in Litchfield, Connecticut, and Hobe Sound, Florida.

ASAP!’s annual fundraiser is not only a night of celebration but a crucial source of funding for the arts-infused educational programming we provide to youth in our community. Your participation in this extraordinary evening of art and live performances directly supports a world where young people’s passion for learning is ignited.

Join us to honor Founder JoAnne Torti’s remarkable 26-year legacy and welcome our new Executive Director, Ali Psomas. Let’s celebrate the rich history and exciting future of ASAP! with host Ellen McCourt!

Families are welcome. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Attire
Casual cocktail

Program
5:30-6:00 pm – Check-in, snacks, and open bar
6:00-7:00 pm – ASAP! Youth Ensemble and Celebration of Young Writers performances
7:00-8:00 pm – Food, open bar, and Celebration of Young Photographers exhibition

The Frederick Gunn School will present “Rowland Scherman ’55: Peace Protest, and Promise,” an exhibit featuring iconic photographs of significant cultural, political, and musical events, April 12 – June 8 in the Perakos Family Cares Art Gallery of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. An opening reception and gallery talk with the artist will be held April 24 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.The gallery is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the Upper Parking Lot off Kirby Road, with a limited number of accessible parking spaces outside TPACC. Please see the Campus Map for details.

A Gunn alumnus, Scherman studied photography at Oberlin College and became the first official photographer for the Peace Corps. He photographed for LIFE magazine, Look, the United States Information Agency, and others. Through his lens, he captured many historic events in the 1960s, including the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, the March on Washington, D.C., and Woodstock. He traveled with U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, toured with Judy Collins, and was in the studio when Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded their first album. He won a Grammy Award for “Best Album Cover, Photography” in 1967 for his photograph of Bob Dylan, which was used for “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits.” Scherman’s work is archived at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and featured in the book, “Timeless,” and he was the subject of the documentary film, “Eye on the Sixties.”

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
April 12 – June 8
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION & GALLERY TALK
Thursday, April 24 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Photo caption:
John Lennon and Yoko Ono at a protest, London, August 1971 ©Rowland Scherman
Courtesy of Rowland Scherman and The Rowland Scherman Collection, Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

On View May 22nd through June 1st at Judy Black Park!

Featuring works by K-12 students from Region 12 Schools. These young artists demonstrate what happens when curiosity meets creativity!

Calling gardening volunteers – help us get those warmer weather plants in the ground on planting day as we kick off our 16th growing season. It’s a fantastic opportunity to roll up your sleeves, dig into the soil, and make a positive impact on our community!

Judea Garden supports local families in need with fresh, healthy produce including tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and more. It has also become a vital community hub where volunteers unite to cultivate the land and make a difference. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, everyone is welcome!

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

Launch of Steep Rock’s Passport to the Trails Program

Join Steep Rock Association for a fun and family-friendly afternoon as we launch our brand-new Passport to the Trails Program—designed by students from Shepaug Middle School and Henry Abbot Technical High School!

Be among the first to receive a Steep Rock Passport Booklet. Explore the trails, collect impressions at designated stations, and work your way toward earning a special prize when your booklet is complete!

This program encourages youth and families to get outdoors, learn about nature, and engage with the incredible trail systems throughout Steep Rock’s preserves.

📍 Location:
Steep Rock Preserve Riding Ring
Steep Rock Preserve, 2 Tunnel Rd., Washington Depot

📅 Date & Time:
Sunday, June 1st at 1:00 PM

🌿 Perfect for:
Families, kids, hikers, educators, and nature lovers of all ages!

📌 RSVP today and take the first step on your passport journey through Steep Rock!

Enjoy an acclaimed movie taken from a celebrated book!
Small Things Like These, the acclaimed 2024 historical drama directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize–nominated novella, offers a powerful meditation on moral courage and institutional silence. Set in 1985 in a small Irish town, the film follows coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy). He uncovers disturbing truths about the local convent’s treatment of young women, echoing the real-life atrocities of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

Registration is required
1H 38M
PG-13

Do you know how to chain and double crochet? Come to the Makerspace and learn how to combine these foundational techniques to create colorful squares for blankets, pillows, and scarves. Whether you’ve joined our previous crochet workshops, made a few granny squares at home, or are diving into this classic craft for the first time, this workshop is for you!
Guest instructor Missy Stevens will guide participants through decoding crochet pattern language, crafting a modern granny square block, and joining multiple blocks to build a larger project. Bring your questions, four colors of worsted-weight yarn, and an H-8 (5mm) crochet hook.

About the Instructor:
Missy Stevens is a maker and studio artist who works with thread, fabric, and clay to create distinctive pieces inspired by the natural world. Introduced to sewing in childhood, she has since explored many textile arts, including weaving, embroidery, crochet, and punch needle embroidery—a technique she uses to produce richly colored thread paintings. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in numerous books and magazines.

Ages 18+
Registration Required

Join The Pantry for Open Mic Night on the first Wednesday of each month! Dinner orders are from 5:30pm-6:00pm and readings start at 6:00pm.

The Gunn Memorial Library and the Washington Ambulance Association are pleased to offer CPR Training in Spanish on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. This free, hands-on session will provide participants with life-saving skills in a supportive and accessible environment.

Led entirely in Spanish by a certified instructor, the training covers the basics of adult and child CPR, how to respond to choking emergencies, and using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Participants will gain practical knowledge that can help save lives in their homes, workplaces, and communities.

This program is ideal for parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants to be better prepared in a medical emergency. All materials will be provided.

Registration is required.

Entrenamiento de RCP en Español en la Biblioteca Gunn Memorial
Jueves, 5 de junio de 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM

La Biblioteca Gunn Memorial se complace en ofrecer un entrenamiento gratuito de RCP en español el jueves 5 de junio de 2025, de 6:00 a 7:30 PM. Esta sesión práctica brindará a los participantes habilidades esenciales para salvar vidas, en un ambiente accesible y de apoyo.

Impartido completamente en español por un instructor certificado, el entrenamiento cubre los fundamentos de la RCP para adultos y niños, cómo responder ante emergencias por atragantamiento y el uso del desfibrilador externo automático (DEA). Los participantes obtendrán conocimientos prácticos que pueden marcar la diferencia en situaciones de emergencia en el hogar, el trabajo o la comunidad.

Este programa es ideal para padres, cuidadores y cualquier persona que desee estar mejor preparada ante una emergencia médica. Todos los materiales serán proporcionados.
El cupo es limitado y se requiere inscripción.

Para registrarse o recibir más información, visite [sitio web de la biblioteca] o llame al [número de teléfono].

Enjoy great music and great friends at our 5th annual Music on the Green. See the flyer for dates and performers – it’s a great line-up that you won’t want to miss!

Special notice – our kick-off show on 6 June will be dedicated to our beloved friend Sheila Anson.

Bring your blanket, your beverages, and your friends for a relaxing night of great music and community.

No performances on 20 June or 11 July.

To stay up to date about Music on the Green, or to check on any weather cancellations, follow @washington_green_events on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Summer is the perfect season for card games with friends—make it even more enjoyable with your handmade playing card holder! In this beginner-friendly sewing workshop, you’ll learn how to:
Thread a sewing machine
Sew straight stitches with an accurate seam allowance
Pivot around corners
Add neat topstitching for a polished finish

By the end of the session, you’ll have a practical and gift-worthy item you made yourself. No experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity!

Ages 18+
Registration Required.

Join us for a time of family-friendly fun, games, and more in celebration of our LGBTQ friends and neighbors. Chat with representatives from many local organizations. Be sure to stop by The PO for lunch, a cold drink, or yummy treats.

Save the date for Pilobolus’s Annual Ball on June 7th, 2025, which supports new works, education programs, and performances in the year ahead by attending our most important fundraiser of the year!

On June 7, 2025, our evening will begin with a sun-kissed cocktail reception followed by an outdoor stage performance with casual lawn seating for the audience. As the sun sets, we’ll enjoy dinner under a glittering tent and a joy-filled dance party featuring the Pilobolus artists. The event address will be provided upon registration.

The Ball is our most important fundraiser each year, and your ticket purchase will help support our new works, education programs, and performances in the year ahead.

Schedule of the Evening
6:00 pm Cocktail Party
6:30 pm Outdoor Stage Performance
7:30 pm Remarks & Dinner
8:30 pm Dancing
10 pm End of Evening

The Frederick Gunn School will present “Rowland Scherman ’55: Peace Protest, and Promise,” an exhibit featuring iconic photographs of significant cultural, political, and musical events, April 12 – June 8 in the Perakos Family Cares Art Gallery of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. An opening reception and gallery talk with the artist will be held April 24 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.The gallery is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the Upper Parking Lot off Kirby Road, with a limited number of accessible parking spaces outside TPACC. Please see the Campus Map for details.

A Gunn alumnus, Scherman studied photography at Oberlin College and became the first official photographer for the Peace Corps. He photographed for LIFE magazine, Look, the United States Information Agency, and others. Through his lens, he captured many historic events in the 1960s, including the 1963 Newport Folk Festival, the March on Washington, D.C., and Woodstock. He traveled with U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, toured with Judy Collins, and was in the studio when Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded their first album. He won a Grammy Award for “Best Album Cover, Photography” in 1967 for his photograph of Bob Dylan, which was used for “Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits.” Scherman’s work is archived at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and featured in the book, “Timeless,” and he was the subject of the documentary film, “Eye on the Sixties.”

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
April 12 – June 8
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Photo caption:
John Lennon and Yoko Ono at a protest, London, August 1971 ©Rowland Scherman
Courtesy of Rowland Scherman and The Rowland Scherman Collection, Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

The Annual Pride Party at the Owl is back on Sunday, June 8th with a silent auction benefiting Pride in the Hills Fund for queer youth in the Litchfield Hills and Greater Waterbury!

Admission is free! Complimentary pizza & cash bar.

🍷 get drenched in rose
🍕 chase it with a slice
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️raise $$$ for queer youth in CT
💃🏾 dance the Sunday away

Join us as we continue to explore contemporary American poets. For the next three months, we will focus on collections from Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, and Dianne Seuss. We will examine how these poets transform personal experiences through their craft.
* Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk

About Mark Scarbrough:
A former academic, Mark Scarbrough, left the seminary to pursue his doctoral work in nineteenth-century American literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has presented papers on medieval literature at the International Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and American literature at MLA and regional MLA conferences. He wrote screenplays for various production companies and developed much of the original content in the early 1990s for a small internet startup called America Online. Mark Scarbrough is the co-author of thirty-five titles and has a thriving cookbook career. In 2020, Mark published his memoir, “Bookmarked: How The Great Works Of Western Civilization F*cked Up My Life,” which Will Schwalbe described as “equal parts charm, wit, and withering self-reflection.” Having left the classroom, Mark now finds himself immersed in literature, leading grant-sponsored book groups and six- to eight-week literary seminars throughout Litchfield County, Connecticut, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

Registration is required

Join us for a night of words, wit, and friendly competition at the Gunn Memorial Library’s Scrabble Evening! Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or love the fun of playing, this event is perfect for all skill levels. Scrabble is an excellent way to test your vocabulary, figure out strategies, and tap your creativity in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We’ll provide the boards, tiles, and plenty of snacks—bring your love of the game!
Whether you come to win or to play for fun, Scrabble Night at the Library promises a fantastic evening of community and connection.

Registration is required

This month, the Gunn Library afternoon is reading Orbital, by Samantha Harvey. Join us for a meaningful discussion.

A slender novel of epic power and the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, Orbital deftly snapshots one day in the lives of six women and men traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the Earth reels below. We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communications with family, their photos and talismans; we watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles; we witness them form bonds that will stand between them and utter solitude. Most of all, we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate.

Profound and contemplative, Orbital is a moving elegy to our environment and planet.

Registration is required

Enjoy great music and great friends at our 5th annual Music on the Green. See the flyer for dates and performers – it’s a great line-up that you won’t want to miss!

Special notice – our kick-off show on 6 June will be dedicated to our beloved friend Sheila Anson.

Bring your blanket, your beverages, and your friends for a relaxing night of great music and community.

No performances on 20 June or 11 July.

To stay up to date about Music on the Green, or to check on any weather cancellations, follow @washington_green_events on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

The third Wednesday of each month is Open Mic at The Hen’s Nest Gallery.

All are welcome to join Open Mic Night at The Hen’s Nest! Read a poem, tell a story, sing, play an instrument, do a magic trick. People share and listen. It is a fun evening of the unexpected and spontaneous.

Kids Sewing Workshop: Sew a Playing Card Holder (Grades 4-5) | June 17, 3:30-5:00 pm
Summer is an excellent time to play card games with friends. Make it easier to track all the cards with a handmade playing card holder! In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to thread a sewing machine, sew straight stitches with an accurate seam allowance, pivot around corners, and sew topstitching as they create a practical item that’s also great for gifting.

Grades 4 & 5
Registration Required

Celebrate the approaching summer solstice with Steep Rock Association! Take a short guided hike through the hayfield, then gather around the firepit for refreshments, conversation, and fun. Parking is at Macricostas Preserve, 124 Christian St, New Preston. Optional hayfield hike at 5:00pm, firepit starts at 5:30pm.

The Gunn Memorial Library invites intermediate and fluent French speakers to join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation.

Over the hour, participants will read articles extracted from French magazines, covering cultural topics and current events. Guided conversations will encourage lively exchanges, helping participants refine their French while deepening their appreciation for Francophone culture. This program is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow Francophiles, share perspectives, and experience the richness of the French language in a welcoming environment.

Join us for a meaningful cultural and linguistic experience!

Register here

Enjoy an acclaimed movie taken from a celebrated book!
Small Things Like These, the acclaimed 2024 historical drama directed by Tim Mielants and adapted by Enda Walsh from Claire Keegan’s Booker Prize–nominated novella, offers a powerful meditation on moral courage and institutional silence. Set in 1985 in a small Irish town, the film follows coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy). He uncovers disturbing truths about the local convent’s treatment of young women, echoing the real-life atrocities of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries.

Registration is required
1H 38M
PG-13

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

Join the Sherman Chamber Ensemble for a special concert celebrating the genius of Antonín Dvořák.

Featuring Susan Rotholz on flute, Suliman Tekalli and Jane Chung on violin, Sarah Adams on viola, and Eliot Bailen on cello.

Works include String Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 106 and Terzetto in C Major, Op. 74 for flute (originally violin), violin and viola.

Joining the Sherman Chamber Ensemble for the first time is violinist Suliman Tekalli. He has established his unique voice as an exciting and versatile soloist and chamber musician through his visceral yet elegant and mature performance style, captivating audiences with the depth of his interpretations an assured technique. As the top prize winner of the 2015 Seoul International Music Competition and prize winner in the Sendai, Lipizer, and Szeryng International Violin Competition, Suliman Tekalli’s performing career has taken him throughout the U.S., Canada, Central America, Europe, and Asia, gracing the stages of numerous halls including Stern Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Seoul Arts Center, Wigmore Hall, and the Millennial Hall at the Kennedy Center among others. His performances have been broadcasted on live TV and radio from KBS TV in Korea, Montreal Canada’s CBC Radio 3, WQXR, and NPR.

Tickets $30. Children ages 16 and under free.

Get tickets

Level up your sewing skills with this intermediate workshop! Do you like the look of intricate quilt blocks but dislike fiddly cutting, measuring, and trimming? Foundation paper piecing might be the technique for you! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to “sew by number” and create a beautiful quilt block by machine stitching fabric on top of a removable paper template. Once you know the basics, you can visit the Makerspace during Open Hours to create more blocks and transform them into a fully finished quilted project!

Ages 18+
Registration Required

Join the Gunn Library Book Club on Thursday evening for a rewarding discussion on celebrated author Niall Williams’s beautiful book, The Time of the Child.

Doctor Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow, and remains there, having missed one chance at love – and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man.

But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Doctor Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.

Set over the course of one December in the same village as Williams’ beloved This Is Happiness, Time of the Child is a tender return to Faha for readers who know its charms, and a heartwarming welcome to new readers entering for the very first time.

Registration is required

Enjoy great music and great friends at our 5th annual Music on the Green. See the flyer for dates and performers – it’s a great line-up that you won’t want to miss!

Special notice – our kick-off show on 6 June will be dedicated to our beloved friend Sheila Anson.

Bring your blanket, your beverages, and your friends for a relaxing night of great music and community.

No performances on 20 June or 11 July.

To stay up to date about Music on the Green, or to check on any weather cancellations, follow @washington_green_events on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Continue the Journey: Meditation for Everyday Life

Join us for additional sessions that delve deeper into the art and science of meditation—an age-old practice known to steady the mind, nourish the heart, and ground us amidst life’s constant changes. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to refresh your practice, these gatherings offer a welcoming space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

Together, we will:

1. Learn practical techniques for cultivating inner steadiness—anytime, anywhere
2. Explore how to navigate common challenges and distractions in practice
3. Sit in guided meditation sessions to experience stillness firsthand
4. Share reflections, questions, and insights in a supportive group space
5. Build a toolkit for sustaining a meaningful home practice

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to quiet a racing mind—or to greet yourself with gentle awareness—this is your invitation. Come with curiosity. Leave with clarity. All are welcome.

BIO: Sheila Klapper’s unwavering dedication to meditation spans many decades, practicing within various traditions. In 2021, she completed an intensive 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center, Sounds True, and the Awareness Training Institute. For 9 years, Sheila taught in community centers, adult education programs, and libraries in Northwestern, CT. During COVID, she began leading virtual groups that continued for several years. She started a bi-monthly meditation group at the Litchfield Community Center more than 5 years ago that continues to serve a welcoming group of meditators.

Sheila became a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor in 2000 and briefly ran her own yoga studio in Glastonbury, CT. Later, she brought her commitment to wellness to Hartford Hospital, where she taught yoga and meditation to both staff and patients while serving as a Medical Librarian.

Join us in the Junior Library for a fun project using one of our high-tech maker machines! Create a work of art on cardstock paper and transform it into a puzzle with a little help from the Cricut and our Makerspace Specialist. Stop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.!

Ages 5+ with a caregiver
No registration required – just drop in between 10 am and 2 pm!

Join us at Steep Rock Preserve for a day filled with kid-friendly games, exploring, pizza, and family fun – what better way to kickoff the summer season!

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

Join The Pantry for Open Mic Night on the first Wednesday of each month! Dinner orders are from 5:30pm-6:00pm and readings start at 6:00pm.

Join us at the Annual 5K Freedom Run on Friday, July 4th at 8:30am at the Horse Ring at Steep Rock Preserve. This event is sponsored by Washington Parks & Recreation.

Enjoy great music and great friends at our 5th annual Music on the Green. See the flyer for dates and performers – it’s a great line-up that you won’t want to miss!

Special notice – our kick-off show on 6 June will be dedicated to our beloved friend Sheila Anson.

Bring your blanket, your beverages, and your friends for a relaxing night of great music and community.

No performances on 20 June or 11 July.

To stay up to date about Music on the Green, or to check on any weather cancellations, follow @washington_green_events on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes

Farm Yoga is back! Join us for a nourishing outdoor yoga practice every Sunday morning at the Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, we gather rain or shine—either out in the field or under the shelter of the barn—for a unique and grounding class surrounded by the beauty of nature.

This steady-paced class weaves together a blend of styles including Kundalini, Katonah, and Chromatic Yoga. Each session includes breathwork, creative flows that often build toward a peak pose or theme, and meditation. The practice is designed for all levels, with thoughtful modifications for beginners and deeper options for experienced students looking to expand their practice. Please bring your own towel, water, and sunscreen—and get ready to move, breathe, and connect in community.

Sundays at 10:30 AM | Memorial Day through Labor Day
Location: The Red Barn at Waldingfield Farm (Across from 41 East Street, Washington, CT)

Visit washingtonctwellness.com to register.

Enjoy locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, delectable dairy, scrumptious seafood and more. The market also features fresh-cut flowers and handmade pet food, too. Rotating musicians will also be performing during many of our farmers markets.

Catch the market every Saturday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm through November 22.

Follow the market on Instagram at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for the latest news and updates.

Farmers Market Photo by @byalexandrabarnes