<h3>Southbury VFW Post 1607 Hosts Blood Drive</h3><h3><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">1/10/2025 | 12:00-5:00pm</span></h3><p>Give blood and be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Organizer: Southbury VFW Post 1607 and American Red Cross.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9596" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><h3>ONGOING</h3><h3>Snow Sculpture Contest</h3><h3><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Submit by March 17, 2025</span></h3><p>Once we get a little snow that sticks, go outside and build a snowman, fort, or anything your creativity thinks of! Then submit a picture of your snowy creation to Parks and Recreation Department. Organizers: Southbury Parks and Recreation.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9581" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><h3>Guess the Toys in the Jar Contest</h3><h3><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Submit by March 28, 2025</span></h3><p>Stop by the Southbury Parks and Recreation office and guess the total number of toys in the jar. All ages are welcome to participate. Organizers: Southbury Parks and Recreation.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://southburyct.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29897" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><h3>COMING SOON</h3><p>1/23/2025 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9615" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Community Roller Skating Party</a></p><p>2/02/2025 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9597" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EyeRecycle Bottle and Can Redemption Popup</a></p><p>View more future events:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southbury-ct.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upcoming Events Listing</a></p><p>Submit your organization's event to the Town of Southbury listing:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/submitevent" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Submit Event</a></p>

<p>Flanders is thrilled to announce a special exhibition of founder Natalie Van Vleck’s artwork, titled <em>"Bringing Natalie Home."</em> The public is invited to the opening reception on <strong>Friday, February 7, 2025, at 6 PM</strong> in the newly renovated Van Vleck Gallery. Located inside the historic Van Vleck House at 5 Church Hill Road in Woodbury, this marks the first comprehensive exhibit of Van Vleck’s work in the gallery. The artwork will remain on display throughout the year.</p><p>The exhibition features works spanning diverse subjects, media, and periods from Van Vleck’s artistic career. Highlights include:</p><ul><li>Early studies under portrait painter Agnes Richmond.</li><li>Studies at the Art Students League with anatomy master George Bridgman, Ashcan School leader Robert Henri, and Modern Avant-Garde pioneer Max Weber.</li><li>Mature landscapes and portraits created during her later years.</li></ul><p>For years, much of Natalie’s art has been stored or displayed in her studio. Now, Flanders is “bringing home” her art to the very home she inspired her parents to purchase in 1926. The historic Van Vleck House, along with the studio she built next door in 1928, serves as a fitting backdrop for celebrating her legacy as an early American modernist painter.</p><h3>Illustrated Talk by Curator Marc Chabot</h3><p>On <strong>Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 7 PM,</strong> Marc Chabot, Curator of the Van Vleck Collections, will give an illustrated talk in the Flanders Studio, located next door to the Van Vleck House. His lecture will explore:</p><ul><li>The works featured in the exhibition and their significance to early American Modernist art.</li><li>The trajectory of Natalie’s artistic contributions during the 1920s and early 1930s.</li><li>Her decision to stop painting in 1934.</li><li>Flanders Art Committee’s plans to make her artwork and archives accessible to a wider audience, including art historians, educators, artists, and the general public.</li></ul><h3>Event Details</h3><ul><li><strong>Fee:</strong> There is a fee to attend the talk.</li><li><strong>Pre-registration:</strong> Call the office at <strong>203-263-3711</strong> or visit <a href="https://flandersnaturecenter.org/program-events/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">flandersnaturecenter.org/program-events</a> for more information.</li></ul><p>Celebrate the art, life, and enduring legacy of Flanders’ extraordinary founder through this unique exhibition and lecture series.</p>

<p>Danbury CT - SCORE Western Connecticut, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering vibrant small business communities, is calling on professionals, retirees, and business leaders to join its team of volunteer mentors. By volunteering, you can play a pivotal role in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals and strengthen the local economy.</p><p><strong>Why Volunteer with SCORE?</strong></p><p>SCORE mentors provide free, confidential business mentoring and educational workshops to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. These services have proven invaluable in helping local businesses thrive. Research shows that businesses with SCORE mentors have a 70% higher survival rate after five years, compared to those without mentorship.</p><p><strong>Who Can Volunteer?</strong></p><p>SCORE is looking for professionals with expertise in areas such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, or industry-specific knowledge. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, retiree, corporate executive, or experienced business owner, you can make a difference by sharing your knowledge and experience. Passion for giving back and strong communication skills are essential.</p><p><strong>Benefits of Volunteering:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Personal Fulfillment</strong>: Help local businesses thrive and make a lasting impact.</li><li><strong>Professional Development</strong>: Enhance your mentoring, coaching, and leadership skills.</li><li><strong>Community Connection</strong>: Strengthen ties to your community and join a network of like-minded professionals.</li></ul><p><strong>How to Get Involved:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Apply Online</strong>: Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.score.org/page/volunteer-score%20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">https://www.score.org/page/volunteer-score</a>&nbsp;to submit your application.</li><li><strong>Start Mentoring</strong>: Begin making a difference in the lives of entrepreneurs and small business owners.</li></ol><p><strong>About SCORE Western Connecticut</strong></p><p>SCORE Western Connecticut is part of a nationwide network of 10,000+ volunteer mentors. The chapter is dedicated to helping local businesses succeed through free mentoring and educational programs. By empowering small businesses, SCORE contributes to building a stronger, more resilient economy.</p><p><strong>Join us in empowering the next generation of business leaders. Volunteer with SCORE Western Connecticut today!</strong></p>

<h3>First Day Hike in Kettletown State Park</h3><h3><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">1/1/2025 | 9:30am</span></h3><p>Clear your head for the new year with a First Day Hike in the woods!! Organizer: Connecticut Forest &amp; Park Association.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9579" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><h3>First Day History Hike at Platt Farm</h3><h3><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">1/1/2025 | 1:00pm</span></h3><p>Southbury Land Trust hosts "First Day 2025" History Hike at Platt Farm Preserve. Organizer: Southbury Land Trust.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9580" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><p><strong>ONGOING</strong></p><p>Snow Sculpture Contest</p><p><span style="color: rgb(89, 89, 89);">Submit by March 17, 2025</span></p><p>Once we get a little snow that sticks, go outside and build a snowman, fort, or anything your creativity thinks of! Then submit a picture of your snowy creation to Parks and Recreation Department. Organizers: Southbury Parks and Recreation.</p><p>Click for&nbsp;<a href="https://southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9581" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the event's details.</a></p><p>COMING SOON</p><p>1/05/2025 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9519" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EyeRecycle Bottle and Can Redemption Popup</a></p><p>1/07/2025 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9573" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Winter Milkweed Sowing Workshop</a></p><p>1/10/2025 -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/events-feed/?FeedID=9596" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Southbury VFW Post 1607 Hosts Blood Drive</a></p><p><br></p><p>View more future events:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.southbury-ct.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upcoming Events Listing</a></p><p>Submit your organization's event to the Town of Southbury listing:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/submitevent" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Submit Event</a></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Congratulations to the winners of our fourth Holiday House Lights Contest! View all the Holiday House Lights addresses, map and directions on our website at </span><a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/holidaylights" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.southbury-ct.org/holidaylights</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The North Pole (best north pole design): 277 Charter Oak Drive (tie)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The North Pole (best north pole design): 55 Cedarcrest Drive (tie)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (best use of music, inflatables &amp; technology): 99 Poverty Road</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Shown in the photo - Santa’s Workshop (best use of holiday décor-local business category only): Southbury Kitchens, 77 Main Street North (Playhouse Corner) </span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Merry &amp; Bright (best use of lights): 25 Stonegate Drive</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Gingerbread Village (Heritage Village entries only): 869 Hilltop Road East</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Winter Wonderland (best winter-themed decor): 106 Luna Trail (tie)</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Winter Wonderland (best winter-themed decor): 140 Woodland Hills Road (tie)</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more and view photos of all of the winners =&gt; </span><a href="https://www.southbury-ct.org/holidaylights" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.southbury-ct.org/holidaylights</a></p>

<p>On Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, will become a place of reflection and gratitude as the annual Wreaths Across America event takes place. Organized by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and led by Commissioner Ron Welch, the ceremony serves as a powerful tribute to the men and women who have served our nation.</p><p>The Wreaths Across America program is a heartfelt tradition that ensures every veteran laid to rest at the cemetery is remembered and honored. As part of the ceremony, volunteers will read aloud each veteran’s name as a wreath is placed at their headstone, reinforcing the belief that a person dies twice: once when they take their final breath and again when their name is spoken for the last time.</p><p>This year’s gathering invites members of the public to join Commissioner Welch, local volunteers, and families in reflecting on the sacrifices made by Connecticut's veterans. The State Veterans Cemetery, located at 317 Bow Lane in Middletown, will host the solemn event amidst its peaceful grounds.</p><p>The ceremony provides an opportunity not only to honor fallen heroes but also to connect with the community in preserving their legacy. Each wreath represents a symbol of respect, placed with care and dedication by those who understand the importance of remembrance.</p><p>All are welcome to participate and contribute to the commemoration. The Wreaths Across America event demonstrates the unwavering gratitude felt toward those who have served and highlights the collective duty to ensure their memories endure for generations to come.</p><p>For more information about the program, visit <a href="https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.wreathsacrossamerica.org</a>.</p>