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5 Things to Do in Litchfield to Warm Up February

Litchfield events February 2024 Even in a leap year, February is still the shortest month with 29 days. That may be only a day or two less than other months, but it feels like it goes by fast. Maybe we’re urging the days to accelerate so we can get past Winter and welcome Spring, but whatever we feel about the month, the Visit Litchfield CT events calendar is packed with terrific February events and activities – and here’s a sampling of five of them.

Feb. 9 – Love in Litchfield Lantern Tour

Romance is in the air on this special Valentine’s Day “lantern” tour of Litchfield’s Historic District, presented by the Litchfield Historical Society.

The tour starts at the Litchfield History Museum, where guests meet at 5:30 to enjoy historically inspired cocktails and treats before grabbing lanterns and heading out to learn about the great love stories of Litchfield’s past. The tour will last approximately one hour and cover one mile. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly.

The cost is $15 for historical society members and $20 for non-members. Space is limited and registration is required. (As of Feb 2, spots were still available.)

Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance

Brandywine Living at Litchfield and the Town of Litchfield Park and Recreation & Human Services departments present a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance Feb. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., that features food and drinks, dancing to music provided by a DJ, and a dance instructor. Brandywine is located at 19 Constitution Way.

Feb. 24 – Cooking Demonstration: Dutch Oven Stews

Litchfield February events 2024 Enjoy the rich aromas and flavors of hearty stews with this cooking demonstration from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center.

“Join Chef Margaret as she guides you through the art of preparing tasty stews that will delight your palette and warm your kitchen,” the event listing says. “This experience shall leave you equipped with the skills to recreate delicious stews at home. Stews include Beef Stew, Chicken Stew, and Root Vegetable Stew.”

The cost is $30. Details and registration are here. Wisdom House is located at 229 East Litchfield Rd.

Feb. 25 – New Litchfield Historical Society Lecture Series

Litchfield events February 2024 The Litchfield Historical Society is launching a new lecture series this month entitled Migration and Removal: Documenting the Historically Underrepresented Voices of Westward Expansion, which begins with a Feb. 25 talk entitled Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain with Samantha Seeley.

The series will explore the experiences of women, free and enslaved African Americans, and Indigenous peoples during the period of Westward Expansion. To accommodate audiences in Connecticut, Ohio, and beyond, this series is primarily being hosted online via Zoom.

For the first lecture in the series on the 25th, the Litchfield Historical Society is hosting historian and author Samantha Seeley for a virtual discussion on her book, Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain: Migration and the Making of the United States at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 on Zoom.

Registration is requested and can be done online at www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/calendar. See the website at www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org to learn more about the lecture series.

Feb. 28 – Ask the Appraiser at Litchfield Community Center

Litchfield events February 2024 The Litchfield Community Center is presenting a special talk on antiques and appraisals with specialist and curator Nicholas Thorn of Litchfield County Auctions on Feb. 28, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

The event is billed as part adventure, part history lesson & part treasure hunt, and guests are encouraged to bring one or two of the following items for a chance to get a free appraisal.

Flea Market Finds
Family Heirlooms
Attic & Basement Items
Collectables & Antiques

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online.

Guests are advised to be mindful that the community center can’t guarantee all items will get an appraisal, though Nicholas Thorn will get to as many as possible.

Litchfield Community Center is located at 421 Bantam Rd.

Litchfield Magazine 2024 Reader's Choice Awards

50+ Litchfield Magazine Reader’s Choice 2024 Winners

More than 50 Litchfield people and businesses won awards in Litchfield Magazine’s 2024 Reader’s Choice Contest, published in this Best of Litchfield County issue.

That impressive total includes nearly 20 first-place winners. The Spa at Litchfield Hills led the local winners with a total of five awards, including several first-place awards. See Litchfield’s winners below and the full list online at Litchfield Magazine.

Best Restaurant

Arethusa al Tavolo

Chef Dan Magill focuses on inventive entrees with local ingredients in a chic setting.

Restaurant – Burger

The Village Restaurant

Offers a cheeseburger platter, a black bean burger, and a beyond burger.

Restaurant – Fine Dining

1^st Place: Arethusa al tavolo

Innovative impeccably prepared farm-to-table menu that celebrates the products of the Arethusa Dairy Farm.

Restaurant – New Restaurant

Clubhouse Provisions

Newly renovated interior clubhouse serving Modern American cuisine blended with French & Korean influences, along with classic golf fare.

Bakery

1^st place: Bantam Bread

Still living up to their mantra “from scratch, by hand, all natural after 25 years,” and produces some of the best artisan breads, fruit crostatas, and a variety of desserts.

The Bakehouse

Offers the finest array of breads, cakes, scones, and cookies.

Café

1^st Place: Toast & Co.

Litchfield County’s Toast & Co serves up delicious fresh brewed coffee, including their house roast, a customized two bean blend called Rain Forest Alliance Bold—smooth, delicious, and a customer favorite. Enjoy a comfy spot outside or indoors while sipping on their coffee or espresso.

Caterer

1^st Place: Meraki

Meraki offers a delicious variety of salads, including vegan, dairy free, nut free, gluten free and sugar free. They have fresh baked goods every day with muffins, scones, coffee cakes, and breads. For breakfast they offer local egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, hash bowls, and more. Their lunch menu is available all day.

Cocktails

1^st Place: Marketplace Tavern in the Old Litchfield Jail

The restaurant is in the oldest public building in Litchfield featuring “American tavern food” with craft beers and cocktails made with local spirits.

@ the Corner

Located in the heart of Litchfield, @ the Corner serves craft beer, cocktails, and artisanal food.

Distillery

1^st Place: Litchfield Distillery

Newly expanded, fine craft spirits are distilled one batch at a time. Tours and tastings are conducted seven days a week alongside a convenient retail outlet.

Wine Store

Village Wine Cellar

Providing wine, liquor and beer to the Litchfield community since 1982.

Antiques Shop

Housatonic Trading Company

Antiques, fine art, home furnishings, objets d’art, and other finds.

Auto Dealership

1^st Place: Litchfield Ford

Carries a wide range of used and pre-owned vehicles from Ford to other top makers.

Barber

2. Byrdeman

Provides cuts, color, wet shaves, beard maintenance, and more in a chic atmosphere in historic Litchfield.

Best Kept Secret

1^st Place: Byrde + the b

A full-service luxury salon, shop, and art gallery led by Emmy-award winning stylist, Scott Bond in the heart of Litchfield.

Brows

3. The Spa at Litchfield Hills

Offers eyebrow tints, brow design and shaping, and henna.

Campground

2. Cozy Hills Campground

Bring your own tent, trailer, motor home, or rent one of their RVs or cabins.

Clothing Shop – Men’s

3. R. Derwin

Offering a men’s section that includes European sportswear and a broad selection of American-made clothing.

Clothing Shop Women’s

3. Workshop Inc.

Workshop Inc. sells sophisticated and diversified women’s apparel and accessories.

Dance Studio

2. Sparkle & Shine Dance

SASD offers classes in acrobatics, jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, and more.

Dentist

2. Litchfield Dental Associates – Dr. Steven Sideris

Dr. Sideris prides himself on making sure that his patients have a great dental experience.

Eyelashes

2. The Spa at Litchfield Hills

The Spa at Litchfield Hills offers voluminous, thick, natural looking lash extensions.

Facials

1^st Place: The Spa at Litchfield Hills

Full-service day spa and salon with world-class treatments including luxe manicures and pedicures, skin care, massages, energy cleansing treatments, hair care, and spa and bridal packages. The Spa at Litchfield Hills offers voluminous, thick, natural looking lash extensions, waxing, facials, hair, spa, and nails. The place to be pampered, offering standard manicures/pedicures, the Glow, the Softie, the Spa, and the Luxe. Celebrity favorite treatments include their popular Fire & Ice Facial.

Farmers Market

3. Litchfield Hills Fresh Farm Market

Supports Connecticut artisans through selling sustainable locally grown produce and products.

Financial Advisor

1st Place: Cailyn Paradise – Edward Jones

Cailyn primarily focuses on helping retired individuals and families manage the complexities that come with wealth.

Fitness Studio or Gym

2. Litchfield Hills Fitness

Full service gym offering fitness classes, personal training, small group training, and more.

Florist

2. Bantam Blooms

This shop has provided expertly crafted, fresh, and affordable premium floral arrangements and gift baskets.

Hair Salon

1^st Place: The Spa at Litchfield Hills

3. DPZ North

Prescribes the service best fit for you from classic to trendy and everything in between.

Hardware Store

1^st Place: Ace Hardware of Litchfield

Ace Hardware have been in business for almost 40 year and is family owned. They pride themselves in being more than your typical hardware store—they have an extensive bbq section, a gift shop full of products made by other small and local businesses, and power equipment and rental departments.

Hiking Spot

2. White Memorial Conservation Center

White Memorial offers over 40 miles of trails that cover various habitats and are open to non- motorized recreation.

Historical Location

1^st Place: Topsmead State Forest

Nestled in the Litchfield Hills, Topsmead State Forest remains a precious piece of a past era with fine craftsmanship and understated wealth evident throughout the former summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase.

Kids Art or Music Classes

3. Litchfield Music Center

Provides a relaxing and welcoming environment to learn in and a audio recording studio.

Kitchen Store

3. CP Farmhouse

A family-run small business that features a wide variety of Amish-made furniture and country farmhouse home decor.

Library

3. Oliver Wolcott Library

Provides services, materials, programs, and facilities that creates lifelong learning and a welcoming environment.

Manicure/Pedicure

1^st Place: The Spa at Litchfield Hills

Museum

1^st Place: White Memorial Conservation Center

A 501(c)(4) organization, dedicated to protecting its forests and countryside, and offers countless trails and paths for visitors to explore. White Memorial offers over 40 miles of trails that cover various habitats and are open to non- motorized recreation, as well as a glimpse into the natural diversity found throughout the wildlife sanctuary.

Opthomologist/Optometrist

1^st Place: Eyes on Litchfield

Dr. Tommasina practices full scope optometry and is TPA and DPA certified. She relocated to Litchfield in 2013 from Michigan where she had six other optometric practices.

Pet Boarding

3. Katalyst Kennel

Each kennel consists of a private indoor and outdoor suite with an oversized outdoor space.

Pet Store/Boutique

2. Litchfield Pet Supply

Natural pet food, treats, and supplements available at this mainstay pet store.

Photographer – Portraits

1^st Place: Lindsey Victoria Photography

Lindsey Turner specializes in branding for businesses and professionals, family and in-home newborns, and fine art school portraits.

2. Nutmeg Photography

Terry and Melissa focus on newborn, children, and family photography.

Photographer – Weddings

2. Nutmeg Photography

Fun-loving and skilled photographers provide the finest in photography services.

School – Preschool/Daycare

3. School on the Green

Parent-cooperative preschool offers a flexible program with an enriching learning environment.

School – Private Grades K-8

3. Litchfield Montessori School

Nurturing the child’s love of learning, preserving the child’s sense of wonder, encouraging independence and fostering respect for our world’s social and cultural diversity.

Senior Living Community

2. Brandywine Living at Litchfield

This facility provides residents with quality care in the most appropriate setting based on a person’s needs.

Service Organization

2. Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals

Provides access to high-quality and affordable mental healthcare and related social services to all patients in need.

Shop – Hostess Gift

2. Byrde + the b

A full-service luxury salon, shop and art gallery located in Litchfield CT.

Spa

1^st Place: The Spa at Litchfield Hills

Wildlife Sanctuary

1^st Place: White Memorial Conservation Center

Litchfield’s Popular Restaurant Week Returns March 22-29

Litchfield Restaurant Week returns for a second delicious year March 22-29.

More than 20 restaurants participated in the first restaurant week last year, including many that recently scooped up statewide awards from Connecticut Magazine and the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

This year’s Restaurant Week will again feature a three-course prix fixe menu at either $25, $35, or $45 price points – which means the destinations for those dining out will range from bakery-cafes and delis to pizza places, gourmet shops, and fine dining establishments.

And food isn’t the only draw for those with discerning palates. Last year, Litchfield Distillery donated a bottle of its spirits to each participating restaurant that featured a cocktail or food item incorporating those award-winning spirits.

Visit Litchfield CT is the official source of news and updates about Litchfield Restaurant Week, which is sponsored by the Town of Litchfield CT Economic Development Commission.

An official Restaurant Week page featuring each participating restaurant’s menus will be published on the Visit Litchfield CT website in March.

Watch for updates on the Visit Litchfield CT Facebook page and Instagram feed, and head to the bottom of the website home page and sign up for the Visit Litchfield CT weekly newsletter so you don’t miss anything.

Last year’s inaugural Restaurant Week was covered widely by CT media, including a visit by Melissa Cole of WFSB – Channel 3 Eyewitness News. You can watch her Great Day Connecticut story here.

Email any Restaurant Week questions or notes to visitlitchfieldct@gmail.com, and when the time comes tag your dining out photos @VisitLitchfieldCT and @LitchfieldRestaurantWeek.

Memory jug, Litchfield Historical Society

Make Your Own Memory Jug at the Litchfield Historical Society

The Litchfield Historical Society added its first memory jug to the collection in late 2023, according to a Facebook post that said the donation sent Curator Alex Dubois on a research path that began in Litchfield, moved to the American South, and ended in Central Africa.

The Decorative Arts Trust calls memory jugs folk art with a compelling international origin and says in a blog post, “As a cultural artifact of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, memory jugs possess an intersectional history as a form of domestic craft with ties to African and African-American burial practices. Traditionally created by the Bakongo people in Central and West Africa as grave markers, memory jugs migrated to the Americas through the importation of slaves and became prevalent in the African-American communities of the South, subsequently merging with the craft pursuits of the Victorian period.^“

Read more about memory jugs in a Litchfield Historical Society blog post, and then make plans to attend the Make Your Own Memory Jug workshop on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum.

Jugs and base materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring small trinkets, such as buttons, pieces of pottery, beads, keys, etc. to add to their own memory jug.

This program is $15 for Litchfield Historical Society Members, $20 for non-Members. Registration is required. Find more information and sign up online.

The Litchfield Historical Society is located at 7 South Street, Litchfield, CT. The Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School are closed for the season, but programs take place year-round. Learn more online at www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

Top Restaurants 2024, Connecticut Magazine

Lots of Litchfield on CT Mag’s 2024 Top Restaurants List

Litchfield is very well represented on Connecticut Magazine’s new 2024 list of top restaurants in the state, as chosen by the magazine’s dining experts.

Arethusa al tavolo, Materia Ristorante and Winvian Farm (just over the Morris line) are honored for Overall Excellence, among other awards.

Materia and Winvian were also honored in the Most Romantic category.

Materia earned Best Italian honors as well, and Winvian was among the restaurants singled out for Best Wine Selection.

Arethusa, which also scored Best New American, Best Appetizers, Best Desserts, and Best Wine Selection listings, was also recent featured on CBS Mornings with Jeff Glor. Here’s a link to the segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/the-dish/

Other Litchfield restaurants praised for excellence by Connecticut Magazine’s dining experts include:

The Village Restaurant for Best Traditional American
West Street Grill for Best New American and Best Lunch
At The Corner for Best New American and Best Beer List
ATC South St. for Best Tacos
West Shore Seafood for Best Seafood and Best Lobster Rolls
Petraroia Deli for Best Deli/Sandwich Shop
Meraki for Best Lunch, Hidden Gem, and Best Deli/Sandwich Shop
Gooseboro Drive-In LLC. for Best Hot Dogs

The Connecticut Magazine honors follow other recent top awards.

In early December, David DiStasi of Materia was named Connecticut Chef of the Year in the Connecticut Restaurant Association‘s CRAZIES Awards 2023, and Materia won Restaurant of the Year Award for Litchfield County

Arethusa al tavolo was a CRAzies finalist for Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year.

At The Corner was a finalist for Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year.

Litchfield Distillery was a finalist for Vendor of the Year.

Ryan Pelletier of West Street Grill was a finalist for Bartender of the Year.

And Shannon Ciralli, who can sometimes be found at Market Place Tavern at The Old Litchfield Jail was a finalist for Bartender of the Year.

Four First Day Hikes in Litchfield to Welcome 2024

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) doesn’t have a hike scheduled in Litchfield this year as part of First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative to get outdoors via guided hikes in state parks and forests – so we thought we would highlight four of our favorite hikes in Litchfield that represent a perfect way to welcome 2024.

Point Folly on Bantam Lake (short, easy walking)

White Memorial’s Point Folly Family Campground, with 47 sites, is open from May through Columbus Day, and during that stretch it’s the domain of registered campers – but in off-season, the lasso-shaped dirt access road takes on a new role as one of the best short hikes in Litchfield.

It’s flat, easy walking (suitable for families with children and even all-terrain strollers), and Point Folly juts out into Bantam Lake, so you’re surrounded by water, views, beauty, and wildlife the entire time.

There’s a viewing platform near the beginning of the walk looking east and north into the protected cove where the lake drains into the Bantam River outlet. It’s a prime spot for migrating ducks, and if you’re lucky you might also see the lake’s resident bald eagles.

There’s a dirt parking area at the entrance to the campground, a smaller adjacent parking area along North Shore Road, and another place to park next to the campground store a short distance away.

For GPS, use the address 123 N Shore Rd, Bantam, CT 06750.

(Fortunately, with 4,000 acres and roughly 40 miles of trails, White Memorial offers lots of other great options. See the Trail Maps page to explore.)

Topsmead State Forest (varying distances, easy)

Topsmead State Forest was once the summer home of Miss Edith Morton Chase, and the old dirt access roads and lanes are now enchanting four-season walking trails that complement the Red Trail through Topsmead’s meadows.

There’s also the Edith Chase Ecology Trail through the woods and the Yellow Trail that edges a pretty pond and takes visitors through a cathedral of pines. Check out the trail map to plan a route.

Miss Edith came from a prominent and wealthy Waterbury family. Her father, Henry Sabin Chase, ran Chase Brass and Copper Company. He gave her 16 acres on Jefferson Hill in Litchfield in 1917 and the 1925 cottage was designed by noted architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr.

When Miss Edith died in 1972, she left the estate, which had grown to 511 acres, to the state “for the pleasure and enjoyment of the people of Connecticut.” Her landmark Tudor-style cottage is open for free guided tours on the second and fourth weekends of each month from June through Columbus Day weekend in October.

See the map for directions.

Mt. Tom State Park (moderately rugged hike)

Mt. Tom State Park actually spans three towns, Litchfield, Morris, and Washington. In warm weather, it’s a great spot for swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking – and all year-round the draw for hikers is a fairly rugged half-mile climb up to a stone observation tower that offers panoramic views to the west and southwest.

See the trails map to get started, and see this map for location and the entry point to the park, which has ample parking.

Prospect Mountain, Litchfield Land Trust
(difficulty & distance vary)

The Litchfield Land Trust’s 340-acre Prospect Mountain Preserve and its roughly 4.3 miles of trails are located less than 10 minutes from Bantam center off Cathole or Prospect Mountain roads – so it’s hidden in one sense but also close by and easy to access.

For one great hike, follow Blue Trail from Cathole Road to pass remnants of nickel mining operations and reach the summit, which at an elevation of 1,350 offers a long vista to the west/southwest.

Four First Day Hikes in Litchfield to Welcome 2024: Prospect Mtn. — Litchfield Land Trust photo of the overlook at Prospect Mtn.

For a shorter, less challenging walk, head to Prospect Mountain Road and the loop around Granniss Pond, a little less than a mile long and easy walking.

Check out the trail maps for access points.

For more hikes in Litchfield, also see:
10 Great Fall Foliage Walks in Litchfield, Autumn 2022

Lilac Hedges, Litchfield's greeting card company of the 1950s and 60s

Litchfield’s Holiday Card Company, Lilac Hedges

The Litchfield Historical Society has been posting festive holiday cards on its Twitter/X feed that were created in the 1950s and 60s by the Litchfield greeting card company Lilac Hedges, founded by Ralph P. Hinchman III.

“While Marcel Breuer was designing the town’s first modern house complete with art by Alexander Calder, Hinchman began what would become a national enterprise from his family’s property on Fern Road,” historical society archivist Linda Hocking wrote in a story that appeared in the Winter 2017-2018 issue of Connecticut Explored.

The story explained that Hinchman was born in Brooklyn in 1921, served in World War II, attended Cooper Union after the war, and spent time at his parents’ home in Litchfield. His grandparents had purchased the property on Fern Road in the early 1900s and the family named it Lilac Hedges.

Hinchman made drawings of Litchfield houses and that pursuit evolved into the creation of the greeting card company that counted among its artists a young Andy Warhol and Hilary Knight, who would go on to illustrate the “Eloise” series of children’s books.

The first commercial order for Hinchman came in November 1950 from Cunard Steamships, which ordered 1,000 cards with an image of a steamship on the front, according to Hocking’s story, which noted that Lilac Hedges initially focused on holiday cards that Hinchman sold to his friends in Litchfield, and then diversified to include greeting cards for other occasions, along with invitations, stationery, and note cards.

At one point, major department stores of that era, including Bergdorf Goodman and Bonwit Teller, carried Lilac Hedges’ cards, the historical society noted.

Despite the obvious charm and appeal of the cards, Lilac Hedges struggled, according to Hocking’s story, which said Hinchman sold his share of the business to friend and business partner Francis McIlhenney, who moved it to California, where it only continued for a short time.

“After the sale of his business, Hinchman traveled throughout the South painting murals in private homes,” Hocking wrote. “He occasionally held art shows in the Lilac Hedges studio. He died in 2005.”

The Litchfield Historical Society has a collection of Lilac Hedges cards and records donated by Hinchman’s sister, Elsa Hinchman Clark, and by artists Jac Venza and Harry Dunn, as well as the Henry D. Bowman Lilac Hedges Collection.

Henry “Denny” Bowman provided designs for cards for Lilac Hedges in the 1950s, later establishing his own separate studio and working in collaboration with Ralph Hinchman, according to the historical society.

More Lilac Hedges Cards 🔻

‘Blizzard’ of Holiday Events in Litchfield Part II

We published a post in early November previewing what we called a Litchfield holiday events “blizzard,” and the storm of seasonal fun hasn’t stopped. So, we figured Part II was in order.

’Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime – An Entwyned Early Music Christmas,
Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Oliver Wolcott Library

What better way to celebrate Christmas season and arrival of winter than with a live performance of beloved carols from around the world. Dee Hansen, Neil Humphreys, and Eric Hansen, collectively known as Entwyned, visit OWL to share a musical delight featuring 18th and 19th century familiar carols such as What Child is This, Good King Wenceslas, and Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella.

With their beautiful historic instruments, they will also perform lesser-known pieces from the 13th through the 18th centuries that express the magic and mystery of the season.

Dee Hansen is a Professor Emeritus of Music Education at The Hartt School, University of Hartford and author of “100 Years of Hartt, A Centennial Celebration.” Neal Humphreys is an administrator and advisor for The Hartt School. He graduated from Hartt with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Cello Performance. Eric Hansen is the retired Electronic Resources Coordinator for the Connecticut State Library. He performed as a professional bassist and lutenist in concerts and on recordings with nationally known musicians.

The McKrells Live Holiday Concert, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m., Litchfield Community Center

The McKrells return to the Litchfield Community Center Dec. 15 for another holiday concert featuring Celtic-infused bluegrass that includes traditional and original songs, holiday stories, and more. Singer/songwriter Kevin McKrell leads the band that also features Frank Orsini on fiddle, Scott Hopkins on banjo, Peter Pashoukas on guitar, Arlin Greene on bass, and Brian Melick on percussion.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the music starts at 7 for this BYOB and food event. Admission is $20 per person, and $10 per person for those 12 and younger. Click here for details and registration.

Jingle & Mingle (and Shop) with LHS Executive Director Jessica Jenkins,
Dec. 16, 1 to 5 p.m. at J. McLaughlin

Jingle, mingle, and finish off that holiday shopping while supporting the Litchfield Historical Society at J. McLaughlin on West Street, which is hosting a special holiday shopping event Dec. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., with 15% of sales benefiting the historical society.

LHS Executive Director Jessica Jenkins will be there, and shoppers will include a signed copy of her book “The House of Worth: Fashion Sketches, 1916-1918” with every purchase (while supplies last!)

Two more Bantam Fire Company holiday events are coming up this weekend!

Wreaths Across America, Dec. 16, noon, All Wars Memorial, Bantam

Breakfast With Santa, Northfield Fire Company, Dec. 17, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

The Northfield Fire Company is having breakfast with Santa this Sunday, Dec. 17, from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. Choose from pancakes, French toast, and eggs, along with bacon, sausage, and home fries. All orders are cooked to order. The cost for adults is $10, and for children, $5. The address is 12 Knife Shop Rd. in the Northfield section of town.

Annual Christmas Bird Count 4Kids, Dec. 17, 11 a.m., White Memorial

Join the Litchfield Hills Audubon Nature Explorers in counting winter birds by sight, using binoculars, sound, and the Merlin App. Participate in the 124th Christmas Bird Count and enjoy pizza and beverages after the count. Participants should meet at White Memorial Carriage House, dress warmly, and bring binoculars if you have a pair. (some will be available).

A Christmas Carol Live, Dec. 17, 3 p.m., Litchfield Community Center

Join actors Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby for a funny, heartfelt journey through Charles’ Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

This one-hour adaptation shows Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a grumpy, selfish misanthrope to a generous, wise, and kindly man, full of the spirit of Christmas. With Stephen playing Scrooge and Poornima swiftly changing between the other characters, this fast-paced, playful adaptation keeps the beauty and humor of Dickens’ original text, interspersed with melodious Christmas carols, and even a lively English folk dance.

The performance is free, but donations are welcome. Guests should pre-register online.

Holiday Arrangement Class With Rex Rogers, Dec. 21, 4 p.m.

The Litchfield Inn is hosting floral stylist Rex Rogers for a workshop in which you will create your own arrangement in to impress holiday guests. He will guide you and share his expert tips and tricks for crafting a stunning piece utilizing seasonal greens and a handcrafted pot by @benwolffpottery. This class experience will include all essential materials, tools, hors d’oeuvres, and a selection of wines, promising a delightful and memorable evening. The cost is $120 per person. Click here to register.

A Holiday Stroll Up Apple Hill with Gerri Griswold, Dec. 23, 10 a.m.

White Memorial says the Dec. 23 guided hike up Apple Hill is “actually just an excuse to savor homemade scones, guzzle outlandishly rich hot chocolate, and share friendship at the pinnacle of one of our most beautiful trails.” The event is limited to 12 guests. Please pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online. The hike is free, but donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Materia Ristorante and Chef David DiStasi Win Top Awards

Congratulations to Chef David DiStasi for being named Connecticut Chef of the Year in the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s CRAZIES Awards, and to his Materia Ristorante for winning the Restaurant of the Year Award for Litchfield County.

The awards were handed out Monday night, Feb. 4, at a gala at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Last year, Materia won the Restaurant Newcomer award, and this year Litchfield boasted a handful of CRAzies nominations.

Arethusa al tavolo was also a finalist for Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year, as was At The Corner.

Litchfield Distillery was a finalist for Vendor of the Year. (The award went to Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic).

Ryan Pelletier of West Street Grill was a finalist for Bartender of the Year, as was Shannon Ciralli of Marketplace Kitchen & Bar in Avon, who can sometimes be found at Market Place Tavern at The Old Litchfield Jail. (The award went to Sam Reyes from Mariposa Taqueria in Danbury.)

Restaurant of the Year awards were handed out for each of Connecticut’s eight counties, and from those county winners the 2023 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year award went to Coracora, an authentic Peruvian restaurant in West Hartford.

Materia photos at top, from left:

Chef David DiStasi

𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐢 𝐑𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐢, 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐚.

sᴄᴀʟʟᴏᴘs, sᴛᴜғғᴇᴅ ᴀʀᴛɪᴄʜᴏᴋᴇ, ᴇsᴄᴀʀᴏʟᴇ.

𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐨 𝐃’𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐚, 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐞.

ᴅʀʏ-ᴀɢᴇᴅ ʀᴏʜᴀɴ ᴅᴜᴄᴋ ʙʀᴇᴀsᴛ, ᴄʜᴇsᴛɴᴜᴛs, ᴏғғᴀʟ sᴛᴇᴡ.

𝐷𝑟𝑦-𝐴𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 8 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠…

Litchfield’s Holiday Tree Is Also a Poignant Memorial Tribute

When Litchfield’s holiday tree on the Green was lit for the first time this year on Sunday as part of Holiday Stroll festivities, it announced more than the formal arrival of the season in Litchfield.

This majestic tree, shining like a beacon in the center of a vibrant, historic town, is also a living tribute to Glenn “Chipper” Winn, who died in a car accident in 1997.

A Town of Litchfield Facebook post from the tree lighting in 2020 (Nov. 27), took note of the tree’s significance to the Winn family:

“It’s official, the Holiday season is upon us. The town always looks so festive this time of year. 600 Brand new LED lights charm the tree this year on Center Green. This tree was planted 22 years ago in memory of Glenn Winn, who died tragically in an automobile accident. Thank You to community volunteer John Langer who installs and double checks the bulbs each year.”

Donna Winn, a former director of Litchfield Park & Recreation joined with family and friends after her son’s death to plant a new community Christmas tree on the Green as a living tribute to Chipper.

“It was quite a project,” Ms. Winn said in an email to the town’s Economic Development Commission, which this holiday season remembered Chipper in a special note that appears in the window of the visitor’s booth across from the holiday tree on the Green.

“In the heart of the community stands a magnificent tree, a living tribute to the cherished memory of Glenn “Chipper” Winn from the Milton section of Litchfield — the beloved son of Donna and Glenn E. Winn Sr. and brother to Neal Winn,” the note says. “Planted in his honor, the evergreen has grown into a beautiful centerpiece in Litchfield. Adorned with twinkling lights, the tree takes on a special radiance during the holiday season, lighting up the Green and casting a warm glow over the town that Chipper held so dearly in his heart.” 1978 – 1997

Doug Clement

About Doug Clement

Posts by Doug Clement:

Feb. 9 – Love in Litchfield Lantern Tour

Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance

Feb. 24 – Cooking Demonstration: Dutch Oven Stews

Feb. 25 – New Litchfield Historical Society Lecture Series

Feb. 28 – Ask the Appraiser at Litchfield Community Center

Best Restaurant

Restaurant – Burger

Restaurant – Fine Dining

Restaurant – New Restaurant

Bakery

Café

Caterer

Cocktails

Distillery

Wine Store

Antiques Shop

Auto Dealership

Barber

Best Kept Secret

Brows

Campground

Clothing Shop – Men’s

Clothing Shop Women’s

Dance Studio

Dentist

2. Litchfield Dental Associates – Dr. Steven Sideris

Eyelashes

2. The Spa at Litchfield Hills

Facials

Farmers Market

Financial Advisor

Fitness Studio or Gym

Florist

Hair Salon

Hardware Store

Hiking Spot

Historical Location

Kids Art or Music Classes

Kitchen Store

Library

3. Oliver Wolcott Library

Manicure/Pedicure

Museum

Opthomologist/Optometrist

Pet Boarding

Pet Store/Boutique

Photographer – Portraits

Photographer – Weddings

School – Preschool/Daycare

School – Private Grades K-8

Senior Living Community

Service Organization

Shop – Hostess Gift

Spa

Wildlife Sanctuary

Point Folly on Bantam Lake (short, easy walking)

Topsmead State Forest (varying distances, easy)

Mt. Tom State Park (moderately rugged hike)

Prospect Mountain, Litchfield Land Trust (difficulty & distance vary)

For more hikes in Litchfield, also see:10 Great Fall Foliage Walks in Litchfield, Autumn 2022

More Lilac Hedges Cards 🔻

’Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime – An Entwyned Early Music Christmas,Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Oliver Wolcott Library

The McKrells Live Holiday Concert, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m., Litchfield Community Center

Jingle & Mingle (and Shop) with LHS Executive Director Jessica Jenkins,Dec. 16, 1 to 5 p.m. at J. McLaughlin

Two more Bantam Fire Company holiday events are coming up this weekend!

Wreaths Across America, Dec. 16, noon, All Wars Memorial, Bantam

Breakfast With Santa, Northfield Fire Company, Dec. 17, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Annual Christmas Bird Count 4Kids, Dec. 17, 11 a.m., White Memorial

A Christmas Carol Live, Dec. 17, 3 p.m., Litchfield Community Center

Holiday Arrangement Class With Rex Rogers, Dec. 21, 4 p.m.

A Holiday Stroll Up Apple Hill with Gerri Griswold, Dec. 23, 10 a.m.

Materia photos at top, from left:

Prospect Mountain, Litchfield Land Trust
(difficulty & distance vary)

For more hikes in Litchfield, also see:
10 Great Fall Foliage Walks in Litchfield, Autumn 2022

’Twas In The Moon Of Wintertime – An Entwyned Early Music Christmas,
Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Oliver Wolcott Library

Jingle & Mingle (and Shop) with LHS Executive Director Jessica Jenkins,
Dec. 16, 1 to 5 p.m. at J. McLaughlin