President Washington's Litchfield Journey

Hey! We've got a little warmth creeping in just as the long weekend winds down — hope you squeezed some snow time into your President's Day. Lots of good stuff coming your way this week, so stay tuned!

This Week’s Weather ❄️☁️

🌥 Tue 17 — 43° / 30°
Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower.
🌑 New Moon

🌧 Wed 18 — 38° / 27°
Rain / Freezing Rain (97%)

⛅ Thu 19 — 36° / 26°
Partly Cloudy (6%)

🌧❄️ Fri 20 — 34° / 29°
Rain / Snow (90%)

❄️ Sat 21 — 37° / 23°
AM Snow Showers (32%)

❄️ Sun 22 — 32° / 24°
Snow Showers (48%)

❄️ Mon 23 — 29° / 15°
AM Snow Showers (47%)

Remember that dinner club poll from a few weeks back? You spoke, and we listened — 95% of you were in, so we got to work. Everything is set, and we're so excited to finally share the details with you. This will be a night to remember!

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

First, you fill out a short (and surprisingly fun) quiz on our website.

It asks about your dinner preferences and personality style. Are you hoping to meet new friends, build professional connections, or simply enjoy great conversation? What are you comfortable spending on the evening?

It takes just a few minutes.

Then you reserve your seat for $15.

From there, we handle everything.

We match you with a small group of like-minded locals and book a reservation at a surprise restaurant somewhere in Litchfield. A place chosen intentionally. A place that feels special.

A few days before dinner, you’ll receive a simple email or text with all the details — where to go, what time to arrive, and what to expect.

Then the fun begins.

You walk in.
You give your name.
You’re shown to your table.

Six seats.
A warm room.
A flicker of candlelight.
And a group of people you likely never would have met otherwise — yet somehow, it already feels easy.

Conversation flows. Glasses clink. Laughter builds naturally. You find yourself leaning in, staying longer than expected, forgetting to check your phone.

This isn’t just dinner. It’s shared stories, surprising connections, and that rare feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be on a given night.

And when dinner winds down, the night doesn’t end.

We’ll guide everyone to a nearby bar for an optional after-dinner drink—cocktail or mocktail, your choice—so the energy shifts from seated conversation to a relaxed celebration.

You head home with new numbers in your phone, new stories in your pocket, and the quiet realization that your community just got a little bigger.

Seats are filling quickly. So grab yours today.

Speaking of Presidents’ Day, did you know President Washington once slept at a tavern right here in Litchfield?

In September of 1780, during the height of the Revolutionary War, George Washington traveled through Litchfield County on his way between Hartford and New York.

Rather than staying in a private home, Washington often chose public taverns. They were neutral ground, open to travelers, merchants, militia officers, and townspeople alike.

One of those stops was Sheldon's Tavern, built in 1760 on North Street. And it’s still there today.

Local tradition holds that he spent the night there, in what is said to be the northeast bedroom.

Imagine it.

Hooves striking dirt and stone.
Lantern light flickering in the windows.
Militia officers gathered around rough wooden tables.
The future first President of the United States slept under that very roof.

At the time, Litchfield was not a quiet rural town. It was a political and legal center. Just a few years later, the Litchfield Law School would open and help shape early American leadership.

The @hiddenvalleyct in Washington Depot opened this week. You may be familiar with their sister store in Cornwall. Stop by for some fresh pastries, fresh bread, coffee, and prepared foods, and tell them the Litchfield Ledger sent you! LINK

Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, Litchfield – Step into the season of renewal with New Beginnings – Resolutions to Transform Your Life, a reflective workshop designed to help you create meaningful, lasting change. Explore why resolutions often fail and learn practical tools to build intentions that truly transform your life and relationships. Workbooks provided and lunch included for in-person guests. 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM RESET

Gunn Memorial Library, Washington – A screening of Frontline: Plastic Wars, presented by the Washington Sustainability Committee. This investigative film examines the reality behind plastic recycling and its environmental impact. 6-7:30 PM WATCH

MUGS, Litchfield – Discover the art of crafting feel-good mocktails in this hands-on Good Sips experience. Blend functional ingredients into four delicious drinks—from ginger-forward digestion boosters to a dairy-free espresso martini nightcap—paired with gluten-free lite bites. Mix, sip, and savor as you learn recipes and tips you can recreate at home. 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM SIP WELL

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Bring the whole family for a warm, welcoming community dinner featuring spaghetti, meatballs, cheesy bread, and veggie wedgies. This free gathering is a wonderful chance to share a meal, connect with neighbors, and enjoy a relaxed evening together. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM GATHER

Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield – Winter Olympics Celebration invites you to rotate through mini curling, ice hockey challenges, winter sports trivia, a mini biathlon, and a bobsled push zone in a high-energy afternoon of friendly competition. Earn points, win prizes, and show off your team spirit while celebrating the thrill of the Winter Games. Wear your country’s colors with pride and get ready for nonstop winter fun. 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM GO FOR GOLD

White Tiger Acupuncture + Apothecary at Kent Barns, Kent – Ring in the Year of the Fire Horse with an energizing evening of insight, intention, and wellness. Discover what this dynamic year has in store, explore curated skincare and herbal offerings, and learn how acupuncture and infrared sauna can support your health, all while enjoying sips and bites. 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM IGNITE

Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, Litchfield – This intimate documentary explores Paul McCartney’s life after The Beatles, revealing how his love for Linda grounded him through uncertainty and inspired the formation of Wings and a new era of iconic music. Featuring never-before-seen home videos, rare photos, and new interviews, the film offers a deeply personal look at creativity, resilience, and enduring partnership. A must-see for music lovers and Beatles fans alike. 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM WATCH

New Milford Parks & Recreation, New Milford – Creative Kids CT brings big flavor to little chefs in this colorful, hands-on kitchen adventure. Kids will measure, mix, and create rainbow-inspired snacks using fresh, healthy ingredients—then wrap up with playful, food-themed art and sensory stations. 9:45 AM – 12:00 PM COOK COLORFUL

Sage & Salt, Litchfield – Get ready for a high-energy night of stand-up featuring some of the Northeast’s funniest comedians, many seen on Comedy Central, HBO, and top comedy clubs. Enjoy dinner downstairs before heading up for big laughs in an intimate showroom setting. 7:30 PM LAUGH LOUD

Woodbury Brewing Company, Woodbury – Struggle Monkey hits the stage for a high-energy night of live music, craft brews, and good vibes. Grab general admission at the door or reserve a front table for your crew and enjoy prime stage seating. 8:00 – 11:00 PM ROCK OUT

Downtown Norfolk, Main Street, Norfolk – Norfolk’s Ninth Annual Winter Weekend transforms the village into a festive winter playground filled with food, live music, art shows, curling, skating, hiking, pop-ups, open houses, and more. Enjoy two days of indoor and outdoor fun, celebrating the charm and beauty of Norfolk in winter. 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM WINTERFEST

Quinn Brew Coffee Company, Watertown – Steal My Style Market pop-up for a mini thrift experience, where you can sell your gently loved pieces or score curated fashion finds from your community. Sip coffee, swap stories, and give your closet a second life in this sustainable, style-forward event. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM THRIFT & SIP

Burr Pond State Park, Torrington – The 20th Annual Winter Festival brings families together for Connecticut’s largest winter celebration in a state park. Enjoy ice fishing (conditions permitting), bonfires, marshmallow roasting, winter hikes, animal ambassadors, husky visits, outdoor games, food vendors, and hands-on activities with dozens of community partners. Dress warmly and come ready to embrace the crisp air and snowy fun. 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM EMBRACE WINTER

Hopkins Vineyard, Warren – Winter Blues Festival of Flights & Flavors brings cozy barn vibes, curated beer, cocktails, cocoa, cheese, and meat flights, plus pop-up vendors and warm treats all day long. Enjoy live music by Two Dollar Hat while Cousins Maine Lobster rolls in and winter fun fills the vineyard. 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM SAVOR

Visit Millerton, Millerton – Discover the quiet art of dorodango, the Japanese practice of shaping and polishing earth into a smooth, luminous sphere. This hands-on workshop invites you to slow down, work with natural materials, and experience a surprisingly meditative creative process. 12 PM RELAX

Village Center for the Arts, New Milford – A Studio Affair invites adults 21+ to unplug, slow down, and reconnect through a relaxed, phone-free evening of creativity. Bring your own project or explore provided materials such as watercolors, pastels, collage, and more while vinyl plays, and you bring your own supplies. A free, welcoming community night designed to calm the mind and spark inspiration. 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM UNPLUG & CONNECT

Canaan Colonial Theatre, Canaan – George Washington’s Birthday Ball is a lively 21+ evening of music, dancing, traditional fare, and colonial-era libations as we celebrate America’s 250th in style. Enjoy live tunes by Jim Prentiss and Friends, a spirited dance caller to keep the boots stomping, and a festive crowd dressed to impress (period attire welcome but not required). Raise a glass, gather your friends, and step back in time for a night of history and high spirits. 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM CELEBRATE

Lake Waramaug, Warren – The 41st Annual Lake Waramaug Polar Bear Run challenges runners to a scenic 7.8-mile loop around the glacial lake, winding through Washington, Warren, and Kent before a final climb up Hopkins Hill. This beloved winter tradition supports Guiding Eyes for the Blind and includes prizes for top finishers and age-group awards. 10:00 AM RUN WILD

Undermountain Pantry at Belden House & Mews, Litchfield – A hands-on cooking workshop dedicated to mastering foundational stocks and transforming them into nourishing soups and stews. Learn essential techniques, flavor-building skills, and recipes you’ll return to all winter long. 11 AM COOK

Hopkins Vineyard, Warren – The Winter Wine & Music Series continues with live music by David Powers in a cozy vineyard setting. Sip your favorite wines, relax with friends, and soak in an afternoon of smooth sounds and scenic winter views. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM UNWIND

Watertown High School, Watertown – Chell’s Charcuterie Class with Michelle Richardson is a hands-on culinary experience where you’ll learn to craft a stunning board from start to finish. Create eye-catching details like salami flowers, kiwi stars, and provolone roses while working with curated cheeses, meats, fruits, herbs, and more. All tools are provided, and you’ll leave with a beautifully arranged 9” bamboo board ready to impress. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM BUILD BOARD

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If you’re able to chip in, your support keeps it going—and keeps local stories alive.
Thank you,
Patrick