Gunn Memorial Library invites young readers to join a new program designed to build confidence and a lifelong love of reading. Aligned with the library’s Level-Up summer reading theme, the Read Aloud Book Club will run from the week after July 4 through the first week of August 2025, and is specially tailored for children entering Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

The program features a rich blend of read-aloud sessions and fun crafts, all designed to make reading both enjoyable and educational. The books selected span multiple genres to encourage engagement, imagination, and conversation.

This week’s book is This Book Just Ate My Dog by Richard Byrne

When her dog disappears into the gutter of a book, Bella calls for help, but when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right!

Registration Required.

Fulfill your summer reading goals and enjoy literary adventures with Gunn Junior Library’s Summer Reading Book Club, held every Monday afternoon in July!

Led by Ms. Ashley, this program is designed for rising 4th and 5th graders and will meet from 3:15 to 4:15 PM, July 7–28. Readers will explore Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. A laugh-out-loud story about a boy who takes a fortune cookie’s advice a little too seriously, leading to silly yet meaningful adventures. A 2024 Nutmeg nominee, this book offers the perfect blend of humor and heart, exploring themes of choice, friendship, and what truly matters.

Each session features a discussion and creative activities inspired by surprise weekly “mystery envelopes.” Let’s make summer reading a whole lot of fun.

Registration Required.

Books will be available for pickup in the Jr. Library starting Monday, June 23.

Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!

Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement. 

Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!

Two Sessions Available:

Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025

Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025

Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.

Register here: pilobolus.org/camp

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Abstract Meditations,” featuring the works of Leonard Kady and Heather Neilson. This show is on view beginning Friday, July 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. An artist talk will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 4 pm. These events are free and open to the public.

Leonard Kady is an artist and architect whose photography emerged from a personal reckoning with time and isolation during the pandemic. Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist whose work explores the interplay of nature, the passage of time, and a sense of place.

This exhibition offers visitors a moment to pause, observe, and reconnect—with nature, with self, and with the enduring rhythms that shape us all.

Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!

Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement. 

Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!

Two Sessions Available:

Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025

Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025

Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.

Register here: pilobolus.org/camp

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Abstract Meditations,” featuring the works of Leonard Kady and Heather Neilson. This show is on view beginning Friday, July 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. An artist talk will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 4 pm. These events are free and open to the public.

Leonard Kady is an artist and architect whose photography emerged from a personal reckoning with time and isolation during the pandemic. Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist whose work explores the interplay of nature, the passage of time, and a sense of place.

This exhibition offers visitors a moment to pause, observe, and reconnect—with nature, with self, and with the enduring rhythms that shape us all.

Explore the colorful and resonant work of artist Dana Bol. Using materiality and color, Bol creates emotional tableaux.

The Gunn Junior Library partners with Literacy Volunteers on the Green (LVG) to present a series of fun and interactive bilingual storytimes in English and Spanish this July!

Held every Thursday in July, these sessions will feature engaging stories, a literacy-focused book, and hands-on craft activities that inspire creativity and learning. Children and families are invited to join us for this celebration of language, culture, and community connection.

Based in New Milford, LVG provides free English language and literacy tutoring to adult learners across northwestern Connecticut. With a mission rooted in empowerment through education, trained volunteer tutors meet weekly with students to help build essential communication skills for work, home, and civic life. As part of their Family Literacy initiative, LVG uses bilingual children’s books and storytelling to support language learning and help families honor their native languages and cultural heritage.

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore stories, language, and creativity together!

To learn more about LVG, visit www.lvg-ct.org.

Registration Required.

Immerse Yourself in an Hour of French Conversation at the Gunn Memorial Library!

If you are an intermediate or fluent French speaker, join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation. 

Over the hour, participants will read articles 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 an excellent 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! 

Registration is required: www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/french-club-for-adults-2/ or call 860-868-7586

Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!

Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement. 

Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!

Two Sessions Available:

Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025

Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025

Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.

Register here: pilobolus.org/camp

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Abstract Meditations,” featuring the works of Leonard Kady and Heather Neilson. This show is on view beginning Friday, July 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. An artist talk will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 4 pm. These events are free and open to the public.

Leonard Kady is an artist and architect whose photography emerged from a personal reckoning with time and isolation during the pandemic. Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist whose work explores the interplay of nature, the passage of time, and a sense of place.

This exhibition offers visitors a moment to pause, observe, and reconnect—with nature, with self, and with the enduring rhythms that shape us all.

Explore the colorful and resonant work of artist Dana Bol. Using materiality and color, Bol creates emotional tableaux.

The Cricut is July’s Maker Machine of the Month! Discover this fantastic machine, explore some sample projects, and create your iron-on decal to personalize a t-shirt in this beginner-friendly workshop. You’ll discover how to use Cricut Design Space software to select a design for cutting, how to work with iron-on vinyl, and how to apply your design to a shirt using the heat press. Please bring a t-shirt to customize.

Ages 18+.

Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/adult-workshop-custom-t-shirts-with-cricut/

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Abstract Meditations,” featuring the works of Leonard Kady and Heather Neilson. This show is on view beginning Friday, July 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. An artist talk will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 4 pm. These events are free and open to the public.

Leonard Kady is an artist and architect whose photography emerged from a personal reckoning with time and isolation during the pandemic. Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist whose work explores the interplay of nature, the passage of time, and a sense of place.

This exhibition offers visitors a moment to pause, observe, and reconnect—with nature, with self, and with the enduring rhythms that shape us all.

Explore the colorful and resonant work of artist Dana Bol. Using materiality and color, Bol creates emotional tableaux.

Celebrate 30 Years of Great Jazz in the Hills!

Join us July 25–27 in Washington, CT for the 30th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival, a beloved summer tradition where world-class jazz meets small-town charm. Presented on the beautiful campus of The Frederick Gunn School, this year’s festival brings together jazz legends, rising stars, and Litchfield Jazz Camp alumni for three unforgettable days of music, food, and community. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-timer, this milestone year promises something truly special.

🎶 July 25 – Friday Night Opens In Style!

The celebration kicks off with our Opening Night Gala at 5:45 PM, featuring standout performances by our top Litchfield Jazz Camp student combos, delicious fare from local favorites, and Litchfield Distillery's top-shelf cocktails. At 7:45 PM, the mainstage lights up with the return of the Emmet Cohen Trio, featuring Emmet Cohen (a former Litchfield camper and now a global jazz sensation), Joey Ranieri on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Emmet first appeared at Litchfield fresh out of college in 2013—this marks his fifth performance at the festival, and we couldn’t be more excited.

🎷 July 26 – Saturday: All Jazz, All Day

Saturday brings a triple bill of powerhouse performances, starting at 3 PM with the Matt Dwonszyk Sextet. Matt, like Emmet, is a former camper and now one of the most in-demand bassists on the scene. He’s joined by a knockout lineup: Kris Allen (sax), Andrew Renfroe (guitar), Taber Gable (piano), Jonathan Barber (drums), and Shenel Johns (vocals).

Next up: Pasquale Grasso and Frank Vignola. Grasso, whom Pat Metheny called “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life,” returns after debuting at Litchfield in 2022 with Samara Joy. Vignola, a veteran performer heard regularly at NYC’s Birdland Theater, makes his Litchfield debut.

We close Saturday with international sensation Anat Cohen Quartetinho, led by the charismatic clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen. Joined by Tal Mashiach (bass), Vitor Goncalves (piano/accordion), and James Shipp (vibes/percussion), this ensemble blends jazz, Brazilian classics, and originals for a set that’s as uplifting as it is virtuosic.

🥂 July 27 – The Finale: Sunday Jazz Brunch

Wrap up the weekend with our 30th Anniversary Jazz Brunch at 12 PM, featuring a festive meal from Chef Charlene Dutka, Litchfield’s longtime chef.

On stage is the irresistible Champian Fulton Trio, led by the effervescent pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton, with Fukushi Tainaka on drums and Hide Tanaka on bass. A festival alum, Champian brings swing, soul, and joy to the stage—All About Jazz calls her “a balm for the soul.” The Jazz Brunch always sells out, so reserve your seat early!

Gunn Memorial Library invites young readers to join a new program designed to build confidence and a lifelong love of reading. Aligned with the library’s Level-Up summer reading theme, the Read Aloud Book Club will run from the week after July 4 through the first week of August 2025, and is specially tailored for children entering Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

The program features a rich blend of read-aloud sessions and fun crafts, all designed to make reading both enjoyable and educational. The books selected span multiple genres to encourage engagement, imagination, and conversation.

This week’s book is Training Day by Raúl the Third

Getting out of bed isn’t always easy, especially for Mexican wrestling star El Toro. But his coach, Kooky Dooky, knows that it’s essential for the wrestler to stay in shape and continue training — even when he doesn’t feel like it. Can Kooky Dooky raise El Toro’s spirits and get him to practice before his next big wrestling match? 

Registration Required.

Fulfill your summer reading goals and enjoy literary adventures with Gunn Junior Library’s Summer Reading Book Club, held every Monday afternoon in July!

Led by Ms. Ashley, this program is designed for rising 4th and 5th graders and will meet from 3:15 to 4:15 PM, July 7–28. Readers will explore Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. A laugh-out-loud story about a boy who takes a fortune cookie’s advice a little too seriously, leading to silly yet meaningful adventures. A 2024 Nutmeg nominee, this book offers the perfect blend of humor and heart, exploring themes of choice, friendship, and what truly matters.

Each session features a discussion and creative activities inspired by surprise weekly “mystery envelopes.” Let’s make summer reading a whole lot of fun.

Registration Required.

Books will be available for pickup in the Jr. Library starting Monday, June 23.

The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum's collections. 

July’s workshop is all about vintage games! See some examples of board games from the museum’s collection, learn about their history, and make a small tray using recycled playing cards and paper folding techniques. All supplies will be provided; however, you may also bring your own pack of playing cards for the craft.

Ages 18+.

Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/crafting-history-vintage-games/