Tuesday, Jan 6: High ~34°F / Low ~30°F — Overcast; light freezing rain early, mixing with rain overnight. Possible icing. 🌧️🧊 Waning Gibbous 🌖

Wednesday, Jan 7: High ~39°F / Low ~32°F — AM light rain and ice. 🌧️🧊
Waning Gibbous 🌖

Thursday, Jan 8: High ~40°F / Low ~29°F — Partly cloudy. ⛅
Waning Gibbous 🌖

Friday, Jan 9: High ~44°F / Low ~38°F — Rain. 🌧️
Waning Gibbous 🌖

Saturday, Jan 10: High ~42°F / Low ~34°F — Rain. 🌧️
Last Quarter 🌗

Sunday, Jan 11: High ~37°F / Low ~23°F — AM rain/snow showers. 🌧️❄️
Waning Crescent 🌘

Monday, Jan 12: High ~36°F / Low ~28°F — Mostly sunny. ☀️
Waning Crescent 🌘

91 North Street, Litchfield, CT LINK

This Friday, January 10th, is the 250th anniversary of Thomas Paine's radical work "Common Sense."

What's Happening?
A bonfire will be lit at sunset on North Street Extension in Litchfield to mark the occasion and celebrate America's 250th anniversary (1776 - 2026). The fire will burn from 4:45 to 8:15 p.m., and the community is invited to gather around it, just as Americans did 250 years ago when news and resolve spread by firelight and voice.

Why Does This Matter?
Paine's pamphlet sold half a million copies in a country of 2.5 million people. It didn't just argue for independence; it made independence inevitable. And Litchfield wasn't a bystander in that moment. In the 1770s, this small Connecticut town produced signers of the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War generals, governors, and diplomats. When the nation was being imagined, Litchfield had a voice in the conversation. Lighting a fire here, on this anniversary, connects us to the moment when the most consequential movements in American history began with people standing together in the cold, deciding they'd had enough.

When?
Friday, January 10th, from 4:45 to 8:15 p.m. on North Street Extension in the Town Center.

Come stand by the fire. Bring your neighbors. Mark the anniversary of the words that changed everything.

“A body of men, holding themselves accountable to nobody, ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
— Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)

Want to add an event? Use this link, neighbor!

John Pettibone Community Center, New Milford – Parent & child playtime featuring music, singing, creative play, and indoor playground fun. Designed to build sensory awareness and motor skills while making new friends. Siblings may attend but are not permitted on equipment. 9:15 AM – 11:00 AM PLAY

Guiding Light Wellness LLC, New Milford – Outdoor New Year’s Fire Burning Ceremony. Learn about the Four Directions, enjoy a guided meditation, and release intentions from 2025 while manifesting goals for 2026 through a ceremonial fire ritual. Partially outdoors; dress for the weather. 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM REFLECT

Shakesperience Productions, Inc., Waterbury – Neighborhoods After-School. A free humanities-based after-school program exploring time, history, and community through storytelling, performance, and creative activities. For ages 7–20. Casual dress. 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM REGISTER

White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield – Nature’s Nursery: Winter 2026. A monthly program for ages 3–6 featuring a story, live animal encounter, and hands-on activity or craft. Some activities may be outdoors; dress for the weather. One caregiver required per child. Advanced registration required. 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM LEARN

The Music Lab, North Canaan – Open Jam Night for musicians of all levels. Bring your tunes and play in a relaxed, informal setting—no pressure, just great music and collaboration. Happens every Thursday. 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM JAM

Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury – NVCC Broadway Cabaret Performance. Students from CT State Naugatuck Valley perform songs and scenes from beloved Broadway musicals in a lively cabaret-style evening. A dynamic showcase under the direction of Professor Gil Harel. Non-members $15; members $20. 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ATTEND

The Moviehouse, Millerton – Screening of Labyrinth, Jim Henson’s beloved musical fantasy starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. A magical cult classic filled with unforgettable music, creatures, and imagination. Multiple dates available. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM WATCH

Oliver Wolcott Library, Litchfield – A lively, story-filled dive into American Cookery (1796), the nation’s first homegrown cookbook, with historian John Cilio exploring early kitchens, curious ingredients, and the surprisingly inventive roots of American food culture. 1–2 PM (In-person & Zoom) REGISTER

Gunn Library, Washington - French Club for adults. If you are an intermediate or fluent French speaker, join us for an hour of stimulating and immersive French Conversation. 3 PM SPEAK

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Teen Night for grades 6–8. A fun, safe hangout with pool, ping pong, video games (including Nintendo Switch), movies, and more. Snacks available; bring extra cash if desired. $5 donation suggested. Select Fridays. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM HAVE FUN

Village Center for the Arts, New Milford – Dirty Date Night pottery wheel class. A fun, social two-day course where participants throw a piece on the wheel, return to trim, and glaze later once fired. BYO beverage and finger food welcome. $129 per person; pre-registration required (minimum 4 participants). 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CREATE

Sage & Salt, Litchfield – Comedy Lounge at Sage & Salt. Enjoy a night of laughs with some of the Northeast’s best comedians in an intimate lounge setting. $20 admission. 7:30 PM LAUGH

St. John’s Episcopal Church, New Milford - Winter Weekly Farmer’s Market featuring incredible food from local farms. 9 AM - 3 PM EAT

Millerton Farmers Market, Millerton – Weekly farmers market featuring seasonal produce, pasture-raised meats, cheeses, baked goods, and prepared foods from local vendors. Managed by the North East Community Center. Located at Millerton Methodist Church. Multiple dates available. 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM SHOP

Kenise Barns Fine Art, Kent - Smoke Signals in Sunlight, a two-person exhibition featuring new work by Hudson Valley–based artists Susan English and Laura Moriarty. 11 AM VIEW

Litchfield Farmers Market, Litchfield – Litchfield Hills Farm Indoor Market. A year-round Saturday market featuring fresh seasonal produce, plants, fish, cheeses, breads, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, and local artisan gifts from 15+ vendors. Occasionally includes live music, book swaps, and space for local nonprofits. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM SHOP

Hawk Ridge Winery, Watertown – Live music with Tom Scarola. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of music, wine, and good company at the winery. 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM LISTEN

North Street Extension, Litchfield – America 250 kickoff celebration marking 250 years since Thomas Paine published Common Sense and welcoming the start of 2026. An outdoor community gathering launching a year of America 250 events. Weather-dependent; check website or social media for updates in case of rescheduling. 4:45 PM – 8:15 PM CELEBRATE

Water Street Potters, Torrington – Make Your Own Ceramic Mug in one night! Learn simple hand-building techniques in a relaxed, social workshop—perfect for beginners. BYO libations welcome; wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM CRAFT

Woodbury Brewing Company, Woodbury – Live music with Zac N’ Fried. Enjoy an energetic night of country-rock favorites in the taproom. Reserved front table seating available for groups; general admission also available at the door. 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM VIBE

Hopkins Vineyard, Warren – Winter Wine & Music Series featuring live music by Bruce Gregory. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon with wine, music, and cozy winter vibes. No cover—just good vibes. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM RELAX

Oneglia Auditorium, Torrington – Dinosaur World Live, a roar-some, family-friendly live stage show featuring life-sized dinosaurs and interactive prehistoric fun. Perfect for kids and dinosaur fans of all ages. 3:00 PM ROAR

New Milford Parks & Recreation, New Milford – Field Hockey Program at the JPCC Gymnasium. Beginner and intermediate sessions by grade level, with separate Sunday and Monday schedules. No practice on select holiday dates. Registration required. Residents $60; non-residents $85. Monday sessions 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM REGISTER

Enjoying the Ledger so far? Just reply here and let us know. We’ll write back!