Presented by Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio

Mary Oliver is a favorite of poetry lovers of all ages for her lyrical, intimate, and sensitive poems, many of which use nature as a lens for exploring a wide spiritual spectrum of human emotions, from love and joy to sorrow and despair. The best Mary Oliver poems remind us to pause and take a breath, revel in our surroundings, and encourage us not to take anything for granted. 

Join us this August for our annual Mary Oliver Retreat Day, led by Br. Mark, one of Wisdom House’s most popular facilitators. Through reflection, discussion, and contemplative practice, we’ll explore the ways in which Oliver’s poetry teaches us to see the world with greater simplicity, and deeper wonder and gratitude. Together, we’ll support each other awaken to life’s everyday miracles and embrace poetry as a spiritual practice. 

Whether you’re familiar with her poetry or encountering her work for the first time, we hope that this year’s theme. The Beauty of the World, will move you with some of her best poems, including her own favorites — and perhaps inspire you to write some poems of your own. 

Though, sadly, Mary Oliver passed away in 2019, her poems serve as a poignant reminder to be present in every moment, whether it be a joyous occasion or a quiet, somber one. Join Br, Mark for an in-person retreat day poetry, reflection, and spiritual discovery as we, too, can learn what it means to be "saved by the beauty of the world.”

Guests are welcome to come overnight Friday, August 22 through Saturday, August 23. See the room options using the registration button below.

Lunch is included. Opportunities to stay overnight are also available.

This workshop will offer a comprehensive introduction to portraiture, still life and landscape photography. With access to professional lighting equipment, learn to manipulate lighting, shadows and compositional elements to create captivating imagery.

Instructor: Thaddeus Kubis

Saturdays, August 23, 30 & September 6, 2025

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Ages: 15+

Members: $121.50 / Non-Members: $135

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Discover the unique process of screen printing a custom design on fabric using single-layer printing techniques. Open to all levels of experience, you will be encouraged to bring a variety of cotton fabric material to experiment with including tote bags, t-shirts and canvas.

Instructor: Nick Colabella

Saturdays, August 23 & 30, 2025

10 AM - 4 PM

Members: $175.50 / Non-Members: $195

MORE INFO & REGISTER

The Litchfield Farmers Market is one of the few year-round markets in the Connecticut. The weekly Saturday market offers fresh seasonal produce, fruit, berries, herbs, sustainably sourced fish; artisanal cheeses, breads and baked goods, local honey, maple syrup and gifts - all raised, grown or crafted by 15+ local vendors. 

The market occasionally hosts live music and supports non-profits from throughout the Litchfield area.

INDOOR MARKET - November through mid-June (intermittent Saturdays through the winter months -- check the website for dates.) Open Saturdays 10am - 1pm at the Litchfield Community Center located at 421 Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT.

OUTDOOR MARKET - mid- June through October located at Center School, Litchfield.

Get ready to go big! The New Hartford Artisans Guild is thrilled to announce our upcoming Big

Works Art Show, celebrating artwork that makes a bold statement. This is your chance to showcase

your largest, most impactful pieces—the only requirement is that one dimension must be at least

24 inches. Whether it’s towering canvases, sweeping landscapes, or grand sculptural forms, we

want to fill the gallery with work that commands attention. Don’t miss this opportunity to take up

space and let your creativity shine on a larger scale!

Learn to utilize reference photos to paint in a creative, personal and expressive way. Dismiss the sense of obligation to create your subject exactly as it appears and manipulate your composition, assuring vitality and making the painting your personal creation.

Instructor: Souby Boski

Saturday, August 23, 2025

12:30 - 4:30 PM

Members: $72 / Non-Members: $80

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Saturday, August 23rd, at 7 PM, 2nd Home welcomes back Orb Mellon with Dave Robbins. Orb Mellon (https://www.facebook.com/orbmellon/) is the blues moniker of Mike Malone, founder and guitarist of the seminal 1990s indie rock band and Sony/Epic recording artists Dirt Merchants. Orb Mellon mines the raw energy of 20th Century American roots music, particularly whiskey fueled house party delta blues. They are one of the most dynamic performers we've had, and we don't use "don't miss" lightly. We are very much looking forward to having them back!

For reservations (encouraged but not required) call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

Google Street View

https://goo.gl/maps/eC7A4ZDEjenNqzpb6

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2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

GALVANIZED JAZZ BAND

Tickets: $35-50, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Visit 3 historic sites in Gaylordsville on Sundays in July and August. The Gaylord School (one room schoolhouse), Browns Forge and Merwinsville Hotel all welcome visitors from 2 pm to 4 pm each Sunday in July and August. Gaylord School is located on Gaylord Rd and the Forge and Hotel are on Browns Forge Rd. While exploring keep your eyes peeled for the elusive orbs hidden at these sites.

Gaylord School in Gaylordsville is open for visitors every Sunday in July and August from 2pm to 4pm. The one room schoolhouse is the longest running schoolhouse in Connecticut. It was opened in 1740 and was in use until 1967.

Luigi BOCCHERINI String Quartet in A Major, G. 206

Stefano SCODANIBBIO Due canzoni messicane 

Gonzalo CASTELLANOS YUMAR Fantasía

Alfonso FUENTES Clarinet Quintet (World Premiere)

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581

Tickets: $30-65, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Come early for a free pre-concert talk at 2PM

Alfonso Fuentes and the Making of a World Premiere 

Pre-Concert Talk with composer Alfonso Fuentes, including sound and video samples, and Q&A. 

Beginning in June, the Mattatuck Museum will be open on Mondays! As The Monday Museum, we’re thrilled to offer our visitors a cultural destination at the start of the week—whether you’re looking to kick off your Monday with a movie, join a tour, or enjoy a quiet moment with art.

The Morris Public Library offers Story and Music Time for participants ages 9 mo. - 5 y.o every Tuesday at 10 am.

Please call to ask if a spot is available: 860-567-7440.

Sing songs, read a story, do a craft!

Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 for new books, free play, and fun crafts!

“Ending Redlining through a Community-Centered Reform of the Community Reinvestment Act,” book talk and signing with Morris author Josh Silver, Wednesday, August 27, 6:30 PM

 This author talk describes a new book, Ending Redlining through a Community-Centered Reform of the Community Reinvestment Act, and will explore how and why members of Congress and community-based organizations developed the CRA law that emphasizes community participation in stopping redlining and rebuilding neighborhoods experiencing discrimination.

This talk will explain:

 ·        What is redlining and how it devastates communities

·        Why CRA is relevant for rural areas and smaller towns as well as urban neighborhoods

·        How and why CRA was devised as a means to rectify redlining through community empowerment

·        The successes and limitations of CRA

·        An overview of the legislative and regulatory history of CRA since its enactment in 1977

·        Recommendations for updates to CRA, its application to other industries, and the current threats to CRA

Please register with the library: 860-567-7440 or https://morrispubliclibrary.net/library-calendar-event-registration/

Get ready to go big! The New Hartford Artisans Guild is thrilled to announce our upcoming Big

Works Art Show, celebrating artwork that makes a bold statement. This is your chance to showcase

your largest, most impactful pieces—the only requirement is that one dimension must be at least

24 inches. Whether it’s towering canvases, sweeping landscapes, or grand sculptural forms, we

want to fill the gallery with work that commands attention. Don’t miss this opportunity to take up

space and let your creativity shine on a larger scale!

Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 for new books, free play, and fun crafts!

For the first year, we will be hosting a summer market located at Franklin Plaza on the same nights as our Summer Concert Series. Each Thursday between June and August, check out vendors of all different varieties from meats, veggies, maple syrup, handcrafted goods, and more! Check out our full vendor list soon! Inquire above if you would like to be a vendor!

Check out some of our confirmed vendors:

• Misfit Farms
• Sunset Meadow Vineyards
• Dancing Ferns Houseplants
• Oracle Mushroom Co
• Hathor Hill Farm
• Bloom Where Planted
• Bantam Bread
• Laura Rubino Crafts
• Forever Connected LLC
• and more!

Come check out the Torrington Recreations 2025 Summer Concert Series at Coe Park! Over the course of 14 weeks, every Thursday, starting June 5th and running through September 4th, we will be hosting 14 different bands who will perform a range of different genres. Concerts will be held on the outside portico at the Coe Memorial Park (101 Litchfield Road) from 6pm-8pm. Bring your blankets, chairs, food and drinks to enjoy our concerts in the park!

The Torrington Symphony Orchestra will be performing a wide range of selections consisting of Broadway favorites, familiar melodies, and more!