THOMASTON — Landmark Community Theatre is presenting “A Christmas Carol” in a socially-distant seating plan at the Thomason Opera House. Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 11, 12,18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

The best part about winter is hot chocolate. I think we can all agree on that.

TORRINGTON — The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory has worked hard to ensure that its traditional holiday presentation of “The Nutcracker” will go on. The 2020 production will be presented virtually from the Warner Theatre’s Main Stage during the first two weekends of December. Six performances wil…

WASHINGTON — The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens has a new exhibit of works, “School Lunch” by Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt. The show is on view to Dec. 30.

WASHINGTON — The Gunn Historical Museum is offering a free virtual presentation on Zoom titled “The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England” with Kenneth Turino on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:30p.m. Registration is required by accessing the Museum’s page to sig…

ROXBURY — When Jeff Belanger speaks, people listen, often in a very rapt, finger-biting manner.

Even scaled-back celebrations are a time to appreciate our family and friends. Here are some recipes for smaller — but still delicious — dishes.

TORRINGTON — Margaret Gumbs was considering what to do with her time when she retired — some day. Being a quilter and having studied interior design, she took the advice of her husband, Rodney, and turned a hobby into a new line of at-home work.

As temperatures drop, so do the options for in-person blues music. Some venues are working to provide indoor shows. Keep an eye out for new shows and band announcements.

WASHINGTON — Megan Marden, a Danbury native, teaches art history, painting, and drawing as an Associate Professor at Post University as well as an Adjunct Professor at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury. Marden’s work has been shown both in group exhibits as well as solo exhibit…

Leesa Lawson “came East” in the late 1980s and at the age of 28 she launched an eminently successful career as a public relations writer for a large New England advertising agency. She was part of a creative team that won a number of awards and achieved “outstanding results” for her clients.…

TORRINGTON — Five Points Gallery, located at 33 Main Street in downtown Torrington, will open three new exhibitions. In the East Gallery, “CIPHER: Works from Another Country Quilt Cycle,” features work from DARNstudio, a collaboration of multidisciplinary artists David Anthone and Ron Norswo…

Sure it’s a little over-reliant on powerful Amazon.com, but here’s an 8-step plan to ditch cable TV for free (or less costly) TV and DVR. A how-to.

Knitted pumpkins are not only adorable, but now you don’t need to worry about them slowly dissolving into a nasty puddle on your dining room table.

Jamie Vincent Bordonaro, sous chef at Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, talks about his inspiration, motivation and favorite foods.

TORRINGTON — Jacque Williams (“Jacque J.J.”), a personality on WAPJ Torrington Community Radio and a recording artist, recently released a new single, “America the Beautiful?”

WEST CORNWALL — Space — it’s all around us but do we ever notice it unless it is filled with something or someone? What about empty space? Do we think about it? Does it serve a purpose? Author Jacque Lynn Schiller and illustrator Lydia Nichols have created “Space Matters,” a delightful and i…

Tapas, family-style plates and a bounty of delicious desserts — as well as an extensive drink menu — will have your taste buds dancing.

CORNWALL — When Harriet Beecher Stowe was the sister of your great-great-great grandfather, writing courses through your blood.

The versatility of kasha makes it an ingredient you want to have on hand. It can be steamed, boiled, baked or served as is, with seasoning for a delicious side dish.

Four artists at Judy Black Park’s gallery profiled

TORRINGTON — Four well-known local artists recently held an exhibition at Five Points Gallery, one in spirit only. Ernest Bozenhard Barker, who died April 12, 2019, was a writer, painter, wood-worker, furniture craftsman and art teacher. His one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture are carved out o…

KENT — Alison Palmer has been an artist as long as she can remember. “My mother is an artist, so I was encouraged as a child. There were always supplies available to me. I discovered clay in nursery school and knew at that time that clay was the path I’d pursue.”

COLLINSVILLE — Tom Rush is scheduled to perform at Bridge Street Live at 8 p.m. Nov. 7.

A recent survey conducted by the National Pasta Association shows pasta is eaten seven times a month, nearly twice a week.

LITCHFIELD — When a production receives a Grammy nomination it makes those involved beam with pride. But for those involved in “The Warrior Women of Afro-Peruvian Music” the accolade went far beyond smiles, congratulatory words and a photo op.

WOODBURY — Paintings by artist Carol Thoma Moore will be on display in the Woodbury Library’s Gallery Space for the month of November, according to an email from organizers. An in person, socially distanced, meet and greet for the artist is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 2 — 4 p.m.

WASHINGTON DEPOT — The Washington Art Association & Gallery invites you to view the “Lay of the Land”, an exhibition that will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 7. This is the last in a series of themed juried exhibits open to current members of WAA in 2020, according to an email from organizers.…

WOODBURY — The leaves on the trees are turning shades of red, yellow and orange, there is a crisp coolness to the air and the hours of darkness are growing longer. In short, autumn has arrived. With the turning of the season come all sorts of fun fall activities, with carving Jack-O-Lanterns…

LITCHFIELD — From the slums of northern Brazil to the classroom at Litchfield High School, Maria Souza Hogan has fairly mimicked the legendary phoenix bird, rising from what could have been the ashes of her challenging childhood to fly on self-made wings and become an eminent scholar, teache…

Fall flavors seem to be my theme the past couple of weeks, apples followed by squash. To continue the fall flavor roundup, let’s talk maple syrup.

TORRINGTON — Five Points Gallery, located at 33 Main St., and Five Points Annex Gallery, 17 Water St., have announced their next exhibitions.

WOODBURY — Bruce S. Clark has been obsessed with color his whole life. That fascination stayed with him through his childhood, his teaching years, and started him on his career as a self-taught painter.

KENT — Someone once said a first love sets you up for what is to come and it is the one you ever forget. Alan Shayne, former actor and president of Warner Brothers Television, affirms this belief in his new memoir “The Rain May Pass.” It is the story of a young boy in the year before World W…

People love squash because the flavor connects them to holidays, special occasions. The mild flavor is a blank canvas to create soups and salads, appetizers, casseroles and dessert.

FALLS VILLAGE — The David M. Hunt Library presents GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! Painting and Sculpture by Robert Cronin, Robert Andrew Parker, and Sam Posey, opening Sept. 25.

“Right now, things are good,” the owner said. “... The governor tied our hands with these restrictions. It was a struggle to get through the summer.”

Cantelon’s exhibit features photos taken during his three years of travel throughout Nigeria to document women and girls rescued or released from Boko Haram.

From drinks and salads to breads, main dishes and, of course, my favorite, dessert, we’ll have some new ideas of what to do with all of those apples.

Planning the perfect holiday menu can maintain traditions, but add a few new twists.

WINSTED — Northwestern Connecticut Community College is launching a series of online exhibits that will feature former art students who own art-related businesses.

“I started thinking, these cases are ridiculous. They clog the courts, and drive up the costs. That’s what really got me interested in the class-action side of my book,’ he said.

KENT — William Shakespeare. The name conjures some of most exquisite English language, great tragedy, whimsical humor, lyrical sonnets, characters who remain with us long after the last act is over. Most college and high school students study Shakespeare; in fact, he is being taught to child…

“Most of our rehearsals so far have been done remotely, via Zoom,” Houk said. “We were able to bring back all but two cast members.

Whether you drink it straight up, as a cocktail mixer, or as an ingredient in savory or dessert dishes, the lemon-lime flavor beverage has you covered.

KENT — Kent artist Christine Lombardi will have her work displayed Sept. 2-Oct. 30 in the Kent Memorial Library Gallery. The show is “By the Sea.”

From Harry Potter’s Butterbeer to “Game of Thrones-inspired lemon cakes, it’s time to bring these dishes to life in your own kitchen.

“My career’s in transition right now, and we’ve been watching it grow and grow,” he said.