Steep Rock Association, Washington Environmental Council, and the Town of Washington are organizing events this Saturday April 22 in celebration of Earth Day.

There will be an Annual Roadside Clean-up: adopt your road for Earth Day and participate in cleaning up Washington. Trash bags and a dumpster are available at Bryan Memorial Town Hall. A shredder truck will also be available to residents from 9 am until noon.

     

Join WEC & Steep Rock Association in the Steep Rock Preserve for their first annual Earth Day 5K. It is one of the prettiest 5Ks in CT! The race starts at 9 am. Come and cheer on the participants and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Shepaug River and Steep Rock Preserve have to offer. There will be fresh baked goods after the race!

To register for the race visit active.com

We hope to see you there!

 

 

While many realtors exit your life after you have finished buying or renting a home, we look forward to forging a lasting relationship and introducing you to the community in every way. Litchfield County is a special place with wonderful restaurants, galleries, land trusts, lakes, plenty of children's activities, and talented residents.

Check out one of our favorite local blogs that explores just how great the Litchfield County community is: Happening in the Hills. Happening in the Hills embraces all the great things Litchfield has to offer. From the variety of restaurants, to the various art galleries, museums, antique stores, high-end boutiques, tag sales, and more, Happening in the Hills keeps you up-to-date on all local events, gatherings, workshops, seminars, and outings throughout Litchfield County. 

A great aspect of the blog is the series of in-depth articles on our talented residents. Litchfield County is a unique community with an abundance of residents who want to share their talent with others. Happening in the Hills does a great job of highlighting their expertise and promoting their work for all of us to see.

A new addition to the blog is the local life coach expert Tal Fagin. In her "coaching corner" she answers reader's requests for advice.

Make sure to check out their blog for great recommendations if you need something to do, or if you want to give your friends a better idea of why Litchfield County is so great!

Don't forget to Subscribe! 

Washington Montessori School is hosting a special edition of "Conversations on the Green" and narrow in on the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Political analysts, Chris Hayes (MSNBC) and Andrew Rosenthal (New York Times), will explore the administration's initiatives and the impact of the groundswell of activism that has been present in our country. The discussion will cover Mr. Trump's controversial domestic and international agenda, the odds of its implementation and whether his first three months in office warrant praise or panic.

Set up as an interactive town hall format, there will be ample opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Jane Whitney, a former NBC News correspondent, will be moderating the panel.

The event will take place on Sunday, April 9 from 3:00-4:30 pm at the Washington Montessori School Theater. There will be a reception after with Chris Hayes and Andrew Rosenthal in the WMS Library.

General Admission: $45

Reserved seating and the reception with panelists: $100

All proceeds will benefit the Washington Montessori School (240 Litchfield Turnpike, New Preston, CT 06777)

The online blog Mommy Poppins just released their top nine things to do with kids this spring in Litchfield County. With warmer weather (hopefully) around the corner, it is a great time to explore the nature and other outdoor activities Litchfield County has to offer. Check out these recommendations and let us know which one is your favorite!

1. Sharon Audubon Center: the center encompasses four nature sanctuaries and 3,000 acres in Northwestern Connecticut, an education center, and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. Come and meet 21 different birds of prey at the raptor exhibit, including a bald eagle and great horned owl. Take a hike through one of its many beautiful nature paths, and stop by the museum to see more fun animals and areas to play. (Sharon)

2. John J. McCarthy Observatory: a world-class astronomical observatory with a built to scale model solar system! (New Milford)

3. White Memorial Conservation Center: dedicated to protecting its forests and countryside, the center provides year-round environmental education programs for kids. Go geocaching at the Little Pond Trail, view the live snake habitat and fluorescent rock cave in the children's room, or take a hike along a boardwalk trail through a wetland environment. Make sure to check their spring break camps! (Litchfield)

 

4. Arethusa Farm & Dairy Farm: take an open house tour at the farm in Litchfield, and stop by their dairy store in Bantam to get some homemade ice cream, and cheese! (Litchfield & Bantam)

5. Litchfield Hills Farm Fresh Market: stop by the indoor farmer's market and check out the different vendors offering seasonal field-fresh produce. Besides the stands there are guest artists, workshops, and children's activities including story hour for the little ones. (Litchfield)

6. Daffodil Display: a lovely daffodil garden that began in the 1930s and covers a couple of acres. Open from sunrise to sunset! (Litchfield)

7. Wisdom House: this retreat and conference center is home to a classical 7-circuit labyrinth. (Litchfield)

8. Cricket Hill Garden: a specialty plant nursery, one of the first nurseries in the U.S. to sell true-to-name varieties of the Chinese Tree Peonies. Go explore their seven-acre peony festival! (Thomaston)

9. Eric Sloane Museum: a prolific artist, author, and illustrator of over 30 books. Go visit Eric Sloane's studio as well as the Kent Iron Furnace museum next door. (Kent)

 

Sign up for a class at New Preston newest Indoor Cycling Studio: RIDE.

"Ride indoor cycling is a unique form of group exercise that focuses on endurance, strength, high/low intensity intervals and recovery that involves using a stationary bike with a weighted flywheel."

This great cardio workout burns calories, increases stamina and metabolism, and helps you develop a toned and strong body. The sessions are adapted to your fitness level, so anyone is welcome!

RIDE even offers the studio for private parties and local events!

Located next to Community Table on 202, check out their website for their class schedule.

                                                                         

 

Check out these two fun local events that are happening in the area this weekend!

Holiday in the Depot

This Friday night Washington Depot will be hosting Holiday in the Depot for the 25th year! Join in on the holiday celebrations and walk around to the local businesses in town. All the local businesses will be open and are hosting various pop-up shops as well as art shows. So come by and say hi! Make sure to visit The Judy Black Memorial Park and Garden to check out all the different Gingerbread Houses that the businesses have made, and vote for your favorite one.

Friday December 9, 6pm - 8pm

New Preston Winter Walk

This Saturday join in on the New Preston Winter Walk:

The Seventh Annual New Preston winter bash will be more fun than ever, with several new spots to visit and more stores full of goodies. All manner of Grod will be imbibed, and many tasty treats consumed, from one end of the Village to the other.

Join in and discover New Preston and all of its great shops.

Saturday December 10, 2pm - 5pm

 

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens at 1 Green Hill is organizing a couple of fun family events this weekend!

Family Movie Night

Start getting in to the Christmas spirit and stop by this Friday night for a viewing of the family classic Elf.

There will be complimentary beverages, popcorn and pizza. Make sure to bring a blanket and pillow for the floor.

Friday, November 25, 6:30pm

"Families have discovered how funny and how well this little film tells its King-sized holiday message: the only size that counts is how big your heart is." - Joel Siegel, Good Morning America

         

 

Children's Holiday Crafts

Looking for something creative to do with your kids this Saturday? The Park is hosting an arts and crafts session for the whole family to enjoy. Come create memories and holiday crafts!

Saturday, November 26, 10am-2pm

If you have some free time this weekend and are looking for fun and educational events in Washington, check out these events open to the public!

Thanksgiving Floral Design Demonstration

On November 18th at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Loretta Stagen, a professional floral designer for over twenty years, will be giving a free lecture and demonstration on designing Thanksgiving centerpieces.

During the event Loretta will demonstrate her designs by creating 5 different Thanksgiving centerpieces with flowers, foliage, and vegetables.

Loretta Stagen's floral designs are described as lush arrangements that are both stylish and timeless. Her designs will bring joy to your Thanksgiving meal!

Friday November 18th at 10:00am (Free)

                                     

Evening Owl Prowl with Steep Rock Association!

Join Fran Zygmont and Rory Larson in search of Saw-whet, Screech, Barred, and Great Horned owls.

The event will start at the Macricostas Preserve parking lot, off Christian Street. There will be a 15 minute informative talk about the different owl species, then the group will go and search for them in the preserve and around Lake Waramaug

.

Participants are required to bring a flashlight and wear quiet clothing.

Saturday November 19th  6:30pm - 9:00pm (ages 6 and above)

Check out their website to register and for more information on the event!

 

 

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Stars Hollow Coming to Life!

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

On October 21, 22, and 23 Washington Connecticut, the town widely known as the home to many of the sites Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino gathered inspiration from for her original script, will transform into the fictional Stars Hollow and host the Gilmore Girls Fan Fest. This weekend will give Gilmore Girls fans the chance to visit and stroll through the town where the story took place.
Fans will be able to experience familiar events from the show, such as tea at the inn, a cake tasting at the market, coffee at the hardware store, a staged knit-a-thon, and a Friday night dinner.

One of the highly anticipated events is a cast panel which will take place on Saturday, October 22. Confirmed appearances during the festival include: Jackson Douglas (Jackson, Rini Bell (Lulu), Aris Alvarado (Caesar), Biff Yeager (Tom), Kelly Bishop (Emily), Yanic Truesdale (Michel), Vanessa Marano (April), Rose Abdoo (Gypsy) and Ted Rooney (Morey). 

Other events include:
-    Town troubadour
-    Screening of the pilot on Friday and the finale on Sunday.
-    A cocktail hour and a Friday Night Dinner (food truck style)
-    Screening of the top two episodes (by vote) on Saturday at the Town Hall
-    A cooking segment to introduce the new 'Eat Like a Gilmore’ cookbook. Kristi Carlson, the author of the cookbook (coming out the end of October), will also be on hand to discuss recipes you might find at Luke's Diner or Sookie's kitchen.
-    Photo Opps "on the Green"
-    Book Readings at The Hickory Stick Bookstore
-    A Dance Recital at The Pavilion
-    Antique Shopping in Washington Depot & New Preston     
-    Gilmore Trivia

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

What comes to mind, for me, every time I think about the festival, is a direct quote from Amy Sherman-Palladino in a 2001 Desert News interview about her thoughts on the series. Pulling one from Amy's book I'll say, 'If I can make people feel this much of what I felt walking around this fairy town, I thought that would be wonderful'. And that's really why we're doing this, it's all for fun, for fellow fans.

The festival offers fans a chance to experience parallels of the fictional town, Stars Hollow, highlighting some of the most crucial elements that made the town so impressionable to the creator. 

*The event is sold out.

For more details about the event go to www.gilmoregirlsfanfest.com. 
 

 

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Join Us for Fall Fun with Steep Rock Association!

Check out the fun-filled and educational nature exploration programs that Steep Rock is hosting this fall. From studying reptiles and insects to historical hikes in our beautiful Steep Rock Preserve, there is something fun for everyone!

Space is limited! Register online to secure your spot for one of these great programs!

Snakes of Connecticut                               

Tuesday September 20, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Join Brian Kleinman of Riverside Reptiles for a power-point presentation on the natural history and identification of Connecticut's native species of snakes. This will be followed by an introduction to several of Connecticut's snakes, including the famous Northern Copperhead.

The program will be held at the Gunn Memorial Library: 5 Wykeham Road, Washington CT.

For Ages 12+ - children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information on this program visit their website.

River Bug Hunt!

Saturday September 24, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Join Rory Larson, Steep Rock Association's Land Steward, for a morning in the Shepaug River. Scour submerged rocks immediately upstream of the riding ring bridge in Steep Rock Preserve and identify the dislodged bugs! All equipment (nets and bins) will be provided.

The program will start in the parking lot near the riding ring in the Steep Rock Preserve.

All ages welcome – children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information on this program visit their website.

Hike with us on the Roxbury-Tunnel Road Connector

Saturday October 1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Hike from the Tunnel Road from the Steep Rock Preserve Riding Ring in Washington, to Roxbury’s Battle Swamp Preserve during a collaborative Roxbury Land Trust – Steep Rock Association hike. Guides from both the Roxbury Land Trust and Steep Rock Association will lead the three-mile, one-way hike. Along the way, these hike leaders will discuss, among other things, the history of the preserves, land trust resource management, and the Shepaug River.

The program will start in the parking lot near the riding ring in the Steep Rock Preserve.

For Ages 15+ - children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information on this program visit their website.

Nature on the Go…at the Library!

Saturday October 1, 1:00 p.m. for families

Tuesday October 4, 3:00 p.m. for K-1st graders

Thursday October 6, 3:30 p.m. for 2nd and 3rd graders

Explore nature indoors with stories and crafts. Nature books read to you by Steep Rock Association (SRA) staff & volunteers surely add delight to your day. From sunflowers to butterflies, children will discover some of nature’s joys and mysteries.

The program will be held at the Gunn Memorial Jr Library.

Please contact the Gunn Memorial Library for registration: 860 868 2310

For more information on this program visit their website.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday October 2, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In honor of St. Francis Assisi’s birthday, an interfaith Blessing of the Animals will be held at the Riding Ring near the main parking lot of Steep Rock Preserve.  Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, hamsters, parakeets...all creatures great and small are welcome to bring their human companions and receive a blessing for health and well-being. Photographs of beloved animals who are no longer with us can also be brought for blessing. Volunteers from Steep Rock Association will welcome you while First Congregational Church of Washington volunteers will be on hand to offer blessing and refreshments of all sorts for animals and their human attendants.

Registration is not necessary!

For more information on this program visit their website.

Holiday House Hike into History

Saturday October 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Join Steep Rock Trustees for a historic trip back in time to explore the ruins of the magnificent hotel designed by Architect Ehrick Rossiter, which once stood on a Steep Rock hillside overlooking the Shepaug River, and examine how the Holiday House impacted the lives of so many of its visitors.

The program will start at the parking lot near the riding ring in the Steep Rock Preserve.

For more information on this program visit their website.