CALENDAR

Sunday, Dec. 17

CELEBRATION FOR SR. GRECO: Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center announces a celebration of gratitude for 27 years of service to Wisdom House and the Litchfield community for retiring Executive Director, Rosemarie Greco, DW, on Sunday, Dec. 17,2-5 p.m. There will be a short program from 3:00-3:30 pm. The public is invited to attend. RSVPs were due by Dec. 10; call 860-567-3163 or email programs@wisdomhouse.org for availability. Wisdom House is located at: 229 East Litchfield Rd., Litchfield.

KENT SINGERS: The Kent Singers will present Comfort and Joy: Lullabies and Dances for Christmastide, a concert of seasonal choral music on Sunday, 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Church, Kent. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, under 12 free, and can be ordered online at http://kentsingers.com/index.php/tickets/

CONCERT: The Kent Singers will present Comfort and Joy: Lullabies and Dances for Christmastide, a concert of seasonal choral music on Sunday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Church, Kent. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, under 12 free, and can be ordered online at http://kentsingers.com/index.php/tickets

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Volunteers are welcome to join the Litchfield Hills Audubon Society for the annual Christmas Bird Count. For more information contact Ray Belding, hoatzin1@optonline.net

LLAMA WALK: with Debbie Labbe from Country Quilt Llama Farm. Come and take a one hour walk with a llama on a beautiful trail. The cost is $20 per person with a percentage donated to the White Memorial Conservation Center. 2 p.m. Meet in the Museum parking lot. Call Debbie from Country Quilt Llama Farm at 860-248-0355 to preregister or to schedule your very own private llama walk.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: The Cantata, “Let The Whole World Sing” by Joel Raney along with excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented by the Ecumenical Crossroads Choir and Orchestra under the direction of Ken Beyer, Dec. 17, 3 p.m. with a Carol Sing led by the Crossroads Worship Band, at First Congregational Church, 835 Riverside Ave., Torrington. A free will offering will be taken for local missions. A reception will follow the performance. For further information call 860-482-4705 or 860-496-1289 or E-mail: beyermusic@snet.net.

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

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

LESSONS AND CAROLS: December 17, St. Johns’ Church, Washington, will have a Lessons and Carols Service Dec. 17, with music starting at 4:30 p.m. and the service at 5 p.m. based on a traditional and imagnitave worship setting, featuring music and readings ranging from the 17th Century to present day. All are welcome.

NORTHFIELD BREAKFAST: Northfield Fire Company, 12 Knife Shop Road, Northfield, will hold its monthl breakfast Sunday, Dec. 17, 7:30-11 a.m. Firefighters serve pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, bacon and home fries all made to order. Hungry man (all you can eat) $7, regular $6 and children are $4. For information, call 860-283-9303.

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

HOLIDAY MARKETS: The Goshen Farmers Market is once again holding Sunday afternoon Holiday Markets every Sunday through Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m. at St. Thomas Church Hall, 71 North Street, Route 63, Goshen. The market provides local seasonal produce for the holidays, as well as quality handcrafted gifts made locally.

Monday, Dec. 18

GUNN HISTORY CLUB: The Gunn Historical Museum’s Washington History Club in the Morning will meet at the Washington Senior Center,. 6 Bryan Hall Plaza, Washington Depot, on Monday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. The topic of discussion will be Christmas memories in Washington. We’ll talk about family traditions, church activities, parties and gatherings, favorite gifts and toys, and other holiday stories. All are welcome and the program is free. Call the Gunn Museum at 860-868-7756 or view www.gunnmuseum.org for more information.

BLOOD DRIVE: Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is hosting a Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross, Monday, Dec. 18, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at 540 Litchfield St., Torrington in the ground floor cafeteria. To make an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code CHHCT.

BOOK DISCUSSION: The Harwinton Public Library’s Evening Book Discussion group will meet Monday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry will be discussed. New members are always welcome. For information, call 860-485-9113.

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

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

Tuesday, Dec. 19

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

LUNCH AND LEARN: Lunch & Learn at the Morris Senior Center, Dec. 19, 12 p.m., free, sponsored by VNA NW. Topic: Tools and Tips for Living With Chronic Pain. Catered lunch provided. Registration required by contacting the Morris Senior Center at 860-567-7437.LUNCH

AND LEARN: Lunch & Learn at the Morris Senior Center, Dec. 19, 12 p.m., free, sponsored by VNA NW. Topic: Tools and Tips for Living With Chronic Pain. Catered lunch provided. Registration required by contacting the Morris Senior Center at 860-567-7437.

TALK: Adios, Coco Chanel: Diy Perfume Workshop December 19, 7:00 pm. Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main Street South, Woodbury. Contact: www.woodburylibraryct.org. The Grounded Goodwife duo encourages you to ditch your store-bought perfume that may contain chemicals not listed on its label at Adios, Coco Chanel: a DIY perfume workshop. Join them on Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 and experiment with base fragrances, mid-tones and top notes. All materials will be supplied at this fun and educational DIY program sponsored by the Friends of the Woodbury Library . Space is limited, please register at www.woodburylibraryct.org or call the library at 203-2633502 for more details.

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

SENIOR HOUSING: Keystone Place at Newbury Park will visit the Litchfield Community Center on Dec. 18, 10 a.m to answer questions on everything from variety of available senior housing options to determine the right fit. Allen S. Miloff, Director of Community Relations will present. Continental breakfast provided. This presentation is free, pre-registration is required, call 860567-8302 or visit www.thecommunitycenter.org

GIFT SHOP OPEN: The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield will be open starting Nov. 5, MOnday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (after Mass) to 4 p.m, until Dec. 23. The Shrine is located on 50 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield. For information go to www.shrinect.org

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

Wednesday, Dec. 20

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: The Spa at Litchfield Hills is hosting a free Holiday Open House as a thank you to the community, Dec. 20, 4-7 p.m. to to celebrate one year in our expanded and renovated facility. Browse our holiday gift boutique while you enjoy a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres. Shoppers who spend over $200 in gift certificate purchases and/or retail will receive a gift certificate for a complimentary manicure.

BINGO: Sons of Italy, Center Street, Torrington, hosts bingo games on Wednesdays, 4-9:30 p.m. with dinner at 5 and calling at 6. For information, call the lodge at 860-489-1226.

BINGO: St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church holds weekly bingo games at St. Anthony School, Oak Street, Winsted, on Wednesdays. Doors open at 5 p.m. with refreshments and snacks for sale. Games begin at 6:35 p.m. Progressive jackpots. For information call the church at 860-379-3369.

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

EARTH FILM, SUPPER: Church of Christ, 5 Old Middle St., Goshen, presents its monthly Earth Film and Soup Supper, Dec. 20, with supper at 6:30 p.m. and the film, “A Time to Choose,” at 7 p.m. Free, all are welcome.

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

Thursday, Dec. 21

INTERFAITH SERVICE: The United Methodist Church of Litchfield will hold an interfaith service of hope and remembrance, Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. For those who find rejoicing to be hard, this service offers hope and courage for the season. The church is at 69 West Street in Litchfield, at the western end of the Green. For more information, visit the church's web site at litchfieldumc.org or call the church at 860-5675022.