Connecticut Travel

The holidays start early at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury, CT, most notably marked by the distinct warm scents of gingerbread and candies wafting through the halls. This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the beloved Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar, and promises to be an extra special celebration full of both joy and delight.

Fifty years ago, the village humbly began as a few small gingerbread houses in the corner of the church Christmas Bazaar. Today it has evolved into a week long tradition cherished by the entire community. This December, come back and visit for the very first time, or for the 50th! Experience everything this magical occasion has to offer.

Each piece displayed in the village is handcrafted and completely edible. Houses are often built from not just gingerbread, but pretzels, pasta, beans, candies, gum and breakfast cereal. In addition to houses, visitors will likely see sleigh riders, snowman, reindeer and perhaps even Santa. All items are on sale and will be available for pick up on the final day.

In addition to the village, gingerbread kit houses will also be for sales which provide everything needed to create your own masterpiece at home. The bazaar offers a bake shoppe (with delicious breads, cookies, cakes, muffins etc.), the opportunity to decorate your own gingerbread cookie (fun for all ages), raffle baskets galore (with many great gifts), and our own version of dollar store with holiday items. The children of St. George’s will again host a room with Christmas crafts for sale. The proceeds go to support their mission work with the Indian nation of South Dakota.

Lunch will be available on Saturday December 2nd and Saturday December 9th from 11:00am to 2:30pm. All you can eat breakfast on December 9th from 8:30-11am.

Village hours are Saturday December 2 – 10 am to 7pm, Sunday Dec 3 – 12(Noon) to 7pm. Monday through Friday 2:00 pm-4:00pm, 6pm-8pm.
Saturday, December 9th – 10am-4pm. As always, parking and admission are free (donations welcomed). The church is handicap accessible.

For more information, please visit www.gingerbreadvillagect.com.

‘The Holidays in the Hollow’ Gala is slated for Friday, December 1 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at The Glebe House, 49 Hollow Road in Woodbury. Guests will be treated to savory hors d’oeuvres and an array of wines to toast the holidays; complimented by the elegantly decorated museum. In this magical candlelit setting, the rooms of the museum will be brimming with good cheer and beautifully decorated. All of the one of a kind wreaths, swags and table top decorations will light up your holiday and be available for purchase. Guests will also have a wonderful opportunity to wrap up their Christmas gift list at the Silent Auction and Holiday Boutique, where original art work, gift baskets, silver, and other treasures will be found. The cost to attend this year’s event is $25 per person.

To continue the Holiday Festival, the Museum will hold its open house on Saturday, December 2 from 10AM to 3PM. The public may enjoy the beautiful decorations to purchase, along with gift items available in the Holiday Boutique, presented in the Cottage Annex. Visitors will enjoy experiencing life in this Revolutionary War era house during the holidays re-enacted by adult and youth volunteers. The costumed docents will give first person accounts of the Marshall family who lived at the “Glebe” from 1771-1786, and share stories about how the family prepared for the holiday season. Admission is free for the day. Donations are gladly accepted to help the Museum reach its goal for the Connecticut Community Foundation’s Matching Challenge grant.

All proceeds from this weekend event will help support The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden. For more information and to purchase tickets for the Home for the Holidays in the Hollow Gala, please call the museum at 203-263-2855 or mail a check to: The Glebe House Museum, PO Box 245, Woodbury, CT 06798.

The Torrington Historical Society and the Torrington Trails network is hosting a Twilight Hike to memorialize John Brown on December 2 at 4 p.m.

On December 2, 1859, abolitionist and Torrington native John Brown was hanged for treason after leading a raid on a federal armory at Harpers Ferry. John Brown was a radical abolitionist who believed in the violent overthrow of the slavery system. During the Bleeding Kansas conflicts, Brown and his sons led attacks on pro-slavery residents. Justifying his actions as the will of God, Brown soon became a hero in the eyes of Northern extremists and was quick to capitalize on his growing reputation. By early 1858, he had succeeded in enlisting a small “army” of insurrectionists whose mission was to foment rebellion among the slaves. In 1859, Brown and 21 of his followers attacked and occupied the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Their goal was to capture supplies and use them to arm a slave rebellion. Brown was captured during the raid and later hanged, but not before becoming an anti-slavery icon.

Participants on this twilight walk will walk around the birthplace of the abolitionist John Brown and talk about the sacrifices made for the cause of racial equality. This is a relatively short hike (3/4 mile) the trail is a flat wooded trail that goes around his birthplace. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear proper hiking shoes.

Directions: Route 4 west toward Goshen. Turn right onto University Drive then left onto John Brown Road. The birthplace is approx. 1/2 mile on the right. Parking is on the roadside.

For additional information call the Torrington Historical Society or visit their website.

Jingle & Mingle is a festive Holiday dinner party to support Litchfield Jazz Camp and hosted by the Litchfield Jazz Festival on December 9 at Litchfield Community Center located at 421 Bantam Road in Litchfield. This festive dinner party is being held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The evening includes appetizers, dinner, and dessert by Ciesco Catering and a complimentary signature cocktail courtesy of Litchfield Distillery. A cash bar will be available and contribute to the benefit proceeds thanks to their support.

Music throughout the evening will feature vocalist Nicole Zuraitis, bassist Zwe le-Pere, and campers Anton Kot on drums and 11 year-old prodigy pianist Brandon Goldberg. Brandon has already appeared on network television and at Jazz at Lincoln Center!

Tickets are available online.

One of the most popular and free events in the Litchfield Hills are the holiday house tours offered by the Osborne Homestead Museum located on 500 Hawthorne Avenue in Derby. This year’s tours take place from Friday, November 24 – Sunday, December 17 with tours being offered Thursdays thru Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each year, many wonderful clubs contribute to the holiday festivities here. The clubs are: Derby Garden Society, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Oxford Garden Club, Roxbury/Bridgewater Garden Club, Women Redefining Retirement from Milford, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. Since the clubs rotate rooms each year to a different theme, the decorations are always new and creative.

The Osborne Homestead Museum, a classic colonial house constructed in the mid-1800’s and enlarged and completely remodeled in the Colonial Revival style during the 1920’s is transformed into a holiday showcase. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its restored interior is embellished with holiday decorations that are displayed amid the original contents of the estate, which constitutes a significant collection of antiques and fine arts. The theme of this years event is with the theme of “Night at the Opera”.

A special highlight of this event are the Holiday Twilight Tours that take place on Fridays on December 1, 8, and 15 from 4 pm. to 7 p.m. This is a magical time to visit this house that is bathed in soft lighting where beautiful holiday floral arrangements and decor are sure to put you in the spirit of the season. To round out the fun, a special holiday gift market is planned and will take place on Friday December 1, 4 PM to 7 PM and Saturday December 2, 9 AM to 12 PM. Groups of more than 8 people to call (203) 734-2513 to reserve a tour date and time.

Grab a friend and enjoy some relaxed holiday browsing at the Wilton Historical Society’s Holiday Sip and Shop on Saturday, December 2, 10:00 – 4:00. A glass of prosecco and some seasonal nibbles await! Pop-up shops will add to the selection and the fun!

Known for locally made, beautifully crafted items, the Betts Store is pleased to present a select group of area artisans and their wares for one day only. Offerings are fresh and giftable! Most pieces are made by hand – you will find bright ideas for stocking stuffers, winter warmers, hostess gifts, sparkly treats – and just the right surprise for hard to please friends and family. And a little something for you! KMC Jewelry Designs, Nod Hill Soap, and wonderful ornaments made by Carol Andrews.

The Society’s museum store, like the original 18th-century Betts Store, always features locally-made and one-of-a-kind items, many hand-crafted. Discover uncommon gifts for holiday giving, from jewelry, scarves, soaps, and letterpress note cards to nifty toys, games and puzzles for kids. The store is freshly stocked for holiday shopping, and is brimming with an eclectic and interesting collection of affordable finds and follies! There is an excellent selection of home accessories and hostess gifts… unusual candles, artwork, mugs, vases, and cups. The store is committed to supporting local craftsmen and businesses; some items are made in Wilton, some in Connecticut, and all are made in the U.S.A.

New offerings this season are an expanded section of carefully selected books; puzzles for all ages; Faribault wool scarves for men and women, 100% organic cotton striped socks for men and women, holiday napkins and placemats, beautifully crafted cheese serving boards and baguette cutting boards; honey infused with bourbon, and salted honey made in North Carolina; silk-screened tote bags, purses, and zipped pouches; candles in new shapes and colors by Greentree Home; and made in Maine wind bells, plus cashmere scarves, Pendleton blankets and much more!

There is a particularly good selection of Wilton-themed items featuring local landmarks. There are dish cloths, mugs, plates, key chains, holiday ornaments, and even hand-painted marble coasters with familiar Wilton buildings. Books about Wilton, including the must-have “Wilton Connecticut: Three Centuries of People, Places and Progress” by Bob Russell are in stock. Wonderful toys abound! The store stocks adorable sewing kits, nicely crafted classic wooden toys such as spinning tops and Jacob’s Ladders, fun games like jacks and marbles, and a variety of games to be played outside on the lawn. A selection of puppets, craft kits, books and other unexpected treasures round out the children’s section.

The Betts Store at the Wilton Historical Society is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 – 4, and during the holiday season on Sundays, 12:00 – 4:00.