In-Person Event @ Winter WIN - Skating Away & More!

The charming town of Norfolk located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills organizes a town-wide weekend celebration of art, music, and nature every August and February. Although most of the events being planned this year for the Winter Win are virtual, Mother Nature permitting, the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department is hosting an in-person event on Saturday, February 20th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Town Skating Rink. 

Bring your skates and enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty of Norfolk while skating on this pond that is surrounded by the beautiful Litchfield Hills. There will be a bonfire going to keep skaters warm and even s'mores for that extra energy boost! WIN organizers ask that skaters wear masks while at the event and social distance in accordance with CDC protocols. If you can't make it on February 20th, no worries, the Fire Department maintains the rink through the winter season.

After enjoying your time on the ice, take time to explore all that Norfolk has to offer. There are fabulous hiking trails at Haystack Mountain State Park and at Dennis Hill State Park. The views of the surrounding countryside are spectacular any time of year so don't forget your camera. Don't miss the Norfolk Village Green that is located at the junction of Rte. 44 and Rte. 272. Surrounding the green you will see the Stoeckel Estate, home of the Yale Summer School of Music, a Federal-style Congregational Church, a Romanesque styled Church, and the shingle style Norfolk Library that was built in 1888. At the southern tip of the Green is a memorial fountain designed by architect Stamford White. The On-Demand Video featuring an Architectural Tour of Norfolk with William Hosely, a prominent Connecticut Historian, and Preservationist is a fascinating introduction to the many treasured buildings in town. Watch it before visiting Norfolk to get the lay of the land. 

If in-person events aren't on your agenda, Winter WIN has a fantastic number of Live-Streamed and On-Demand videos that will be available to view beginning Saturday, February 20th. There are so many videos to choose from in five different categories including music, art, nature, fun for kids, and more! 

There is something to please every viewer on the list. Visit the studio of a costume designer and puppet maker or attend a workshop on winter photography. If you like music, there is plenty of it with everything from a classical Quartet to piano, drum, and guitar performances.  If you like the great outdoors take a walk on the wild side with John Anderson or check out Norfolk's miles of pristine cross country ski trails with Star Childs. If the winter night sky is of interest don't miss the video with astronomer, Mathew Moore Johnson.

If you want to try something new to eat, check out the Spanish cooking class with Martina Gago from Santiago de Compostela.  Viewers will learn how to make Tortillas de Patatas, one of the signature dishes of Spanish cuisine made with eggs, potatoes, and onions. This tasty dish can be served hot or at room temperature as tapas.

Curling has a long and rich history that is thought to have originated in Scotland in the 16th century. In Norfolk curling has been alive and well since 1956. The On-Demand video shows the camaraderie among the players as well as how the club makes ice! 

Animal lovers will enjoy the On- Demand videos by Lost Ruby, Husky Meadows, and Broad Field Farms because they give viewers an inside peek of what life is like on a farm in the winter! 

The length of each video and a short description is included on the website. For complete information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org. The winter weekend videos are slated to go live on February 20.  In the meantime to help you pass the weary winter days, the videos from the 2020 Summer WIN are still available to watch on the website. 

 About Weekend in Norfolk 

Now in its sixth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. Norfolk’s town officials, the Economic Development Commission, and a multitude of local organizations, institutions, and individuals support these two town-wide festivals.

Celebrate Winter Weekend in Norfolk A Virtual Getaway Starts February 20, 2021

 

For the past five years, the lovely village of Norfolk, Conn., has welcomed visitors every summer and winter to a free town-wide festival, Weekend in Norfolk, affectionately known as WIN. This year something is different: Norfolk’s winter festival is coming to you. Rather than totally canceling Winter Weekend in Norfolk because of the pandemic, about 25 businesses, organizations, and individuals have come together to welcome folks from near and far to a Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk beginning Saturday, February 20, 2021. The videos run the gamut from visiting a puppet makers’ studio, architectural tours, and learning about the winter night sky, to a music lesson for the kids, visits to local farms, and even a Spanish cooking class that will help you warm up to winter.

Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk celebrates the music, art, and nature that this small village is known for far and wide. Everyone is invited to view live-streamed and on-demand events free of charge from the comfort and warmth of their home. A special Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk website lists video events by category, making it easy to choose from all the delights of Norfolk’s winter wonderland. The length of each video and a short description is also included on the website. For complete information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org. For a printable list of events https://weekendinnorfolk.org/printable-list-events 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC If you are a music lover, Winter WIN has an impressive line-up of musical performances. There will be a performance by guitarist Michael Cobb, a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has performed all over the world including the USA, Spain and Vietnam. Cobb specializes in Americana—country, bluegrass, blues, folk, and rock and roll. The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival will rebroadcast a Brentano String Quartet concert for Winter WIN featuring music by Beethoven and Hayden. There will also be a riveting performance by Dale Savage on drums and a session with John and Tobin DeShazo, a father and son team who love to sing together. Musical Winter WIN is rounded out by a performance by the students from Botelle Elementary School.

THE ARTS To get your creative juices flowing, you are invited to take a studio tour of professional puppet-maker and costume designer Susan Aziz, who has worked with the Nutmeg Ballet Company and the Hartford Stage Company. If photography is of interest to you, don’t miss the workshop on winter photography with professional photographers Doug McDevitt and Christopher Keyes. Their tips on lighting and framing among other techniques are sure to make your photos pop! Another highlight of Winter WIN is a visit with potter Laura Nichols, who makes and fires all her pottery at her studio, Pig Pen Pottery. She explains how she decorates her stoneware pieces for the kitchen and table. A guided tour of Battell Chapel’s beautiful stained glass windows designed by D. Maitland Armstrong and Louis Comfort Tiffany is sure to brighten up a gray winter day! Finally, the Norfolk Historical Society is offering an illustrated talk by author Valerie Balint on noted artists’ homes and studios preserved throughout New England.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS There is nothing as intriguing as the winter night sky. Norfolk is one of the best dark sky areas in the state, making a look at the night sky with astronomer Matthew Moore Johnson a must for lovers of the stars and the winter moon that will be full on the 27th. If you want to get out and experience all the unspoiled beauty of Norfolk on your own, be sure to go along on the wildlife walk with John Anderson and the guided tour of Norfolk’s cross-country ski trails with Star Childs. Their tips and knowledge will give you the lay of the land for all Norfolk’s great outdoors has to offer. And don’t miss the talk on northern forests, sponsored by the Norfolk Land Trust.

FUN FOR KIDS Kids are an integral part of Winter WIN, which offers them programs designed to entertain and educate. Professional musician Michael Cobb is teaching a music lesson and the Norfolk Library is hosting a puppet show. Norfolk’s Botelle Elementary School has organized an art workshop, as well as a Lego challenge that is sure to keep your children occupied for hours.

ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES & FARMS Norfolk is famous for its beautiful buildings and homes. There is no one better than the eminent Connecticut historian William Hosley to take you on a guided architectural tour of the town. Then tour a Gilded Age mansion: the Alders, built as a summer home for railroad magnate Charles Spoffard in 1898. If you like to spend winter afternoons in your kitchen, don’t miss a Spanish cooking class with Martiña Gago and Michael Cobb. And remember to check in with Lost Ruby, Husky Meadows, and Broad Field Farms to find out how the animals are doing and what farming is like in the winter. You may even get a sneak peek of what to expect on the farm this spring! 

About Weekend in Norfolk Now in its sixth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. These two town-wide festivals are supported by Norfolk’s town officials, its Economic Development Commission, and a multitude of local organizations, institutions and individuals. More information is available at https://weekendinnorfolk.org.

Winter WIN - Special Events

Winter Weekend in Norfolk is around the corner and is offering so many interesting events to tune into for the young and young at heart alike. 

If you love children's stories don't miss the author's talk with noted author Leonard Marcus who discusses Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952) the inspired poet and mercurial free-spirit behind America's best-loved bedtime book, Goodnight Moon. During her brief but comet-like career, Margaret Wise Brown combined a fascination with child psychology and modern art with a passion for storytelling to create over 100 of children's literature's most original picture books. Meet the irreverent, strong-minded modern woman who gave sweet dreams to millions while insisting that children deserve great words and great art in their books. In this illustrated talk, noted author Leonard Marcus introduces Marcus' writings and exhibitions have earned him acclaim as one of the world’s preeminent authorities on children’s books and the people who create them. He is the author of more than 25 award-winning biographies, histories, interview collections, and inside looks at the making of the enduring classics of children's literature.  

Photo by Bruce Frisch

For music lovers, Winter WIN never disappoints. The Brentano String Quartet will perform music by Beethoven and Hayden, in a concert rebroadcast by the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. 

A Winter Weekend in Norfolk Goes Virtual Starting February 20, 2021

The town of Norfolk, Connecticut is hard at work this winter organizing virtual events for the 2021 Winter WIN Weekend in Norfolk that is taking place this year beginning Saturday, February 20th. The residents, businesses, historic and natural attractions, and other organizations have pulled together, once again, this year to showcase Norfolk’s many treasures. 

Photo Credit Katherine Griswold

The only difference is that this year’s Winter WIN will take place online rather than at various locations throughout Norfolk. “We believe that our online WIN series of events show the resilience of the citizens of Norfolk. Our goal is to be a bright spot in people’s lives this winter,” said Sue Frisch one of the founders of the WIN event. Now in its sixth year, Winter WIN is one of the state’s premier winter events. 

The videos run the gamut from visiting a costume makers' studio, architectural tours, and learning about the winter night sky to a music lesson for the kids, visits to local farms, and even a Spanish cooking class that will help you warm up to winter. The Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk celebrates the music, art, and nature that this small village is known for, far and wide. Everyone is invited to view live stream and on-demand events free of charge from the comfort and warmth of their home. 

A special Virtual Winter Weekend in Norfolk website has been set up that lists video events by category making it easy to let your fingers do the walking to all the wonders that can be found in Norfolk's winter wonderland. The length of each video and a short description is also included on the website. For complete information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org. The winter weekend videos are slated to go live on February 20th. In the meantime to help you pass the weary winter days, the videos from the 2020 Summer WIN are still available to watch on the website. 

About Weekend in Norfolk 

Now in its sixth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. These two town-wide festivals are supported by Norfolk’s town officials, its Economic Development Commission, and a multitude of local organizations, institutions, and individuals.

Virtual Weekend in Norfolk - Ready - Set -Go July 31, August 1 and 2!

For the past four years, the bucolic village of Norfolk, Connecticut has welcomed visitors to a town-wide festival where all the events are free. Rather than totally canceling the event because of the pandemic, more than 25 businesses, organizations, and individuals have come together to welcome folks from near and far to a Virtual Weekend in Norfolk on July 31, August 1, and August 2.  This year all events will be online, some will be live, and others, will be On-Demand allowing viewers to watch them from home at their convenience. Best of all, every event is free of charge.

A special Virtual Weekend in Norfolk website has been set up that lists live and On-Demand events by category. The length of each video and a description are included to make planning your viewing time easy. On-Demand events begin at 12:01 a.m., July 31, and run through August 2. Five live events are also scheduled.

 On-Demand Event Highlights

Natural foods and herbs have been used medicinally for centuries. If you want to learn more about how to prepare healthy food don't miss the 39-minute video by Wendy Roberts from Norfolk's Mountain View Green Retreat on how to prepare a variety of food from Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers, Chocolates with coconut oil, good for  HDL cholesterol levels, a virgin Pina Colada, Nut Cheese made with heart-healthy raw cashews, and fresh-pressed juice to supercharge your health. These fun and instructive videos guide viewers in a step by step presentation with recipes included.

Viewers are invited to take a 20-minute virtual walking tour of the delightful village of Norfolk. Highlights of this tour include the classic village green, an extraordinary fountain, and interesting architectural buildings, and homes. The highlight is a tour of Battell Chapel's Stained Glass windows designed by D. Maitland Armstrong and Louis Comfort Tiffany. An in-depth view of the techniques used that make these windows special and a discussion on the restoration process of these historic gems makes this video riveting. 

One of the most interesting ways to understand the history and cultural heritage of a town is to visit a graveyard. The backstory told on the gravestones helps to define the character and tradition that gives people a sense of place. Don't miss the chance to dive into Norfolk's history with Historian William Hosley, former curator of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, and the former Director of the Connecticut Landmarks Society. Hosley's fascinating 12-minute video visits Norfolk's Center Cemetery established in 1757. Every stone here tells a story from first settlers dating back to the 1770s and war heroes, to children, ministers, and politicians. A highlight is the story of Jupiter Morris. No rural town has the depth and richness of African American history as Norfolk; this video explains why.

If you have always wondered what it was like to live on a farm with goats, chickens, and pigs, then plan to spend a few minutes to see what life is like on Lost Ruby Farm in Norfolk, makers of some of the best goat cheese you will ever taste. Join owners Adair Mali and Antonio Guindon as they share their life on the farm and the love they have for their animals, and their commitment to fresh healthy food. 

If architecture is of interest don't miss the four-minute architectural glimpse of four of Norfolk's most historic homes with Tom McGowan. Highlighted homes include The Joseph Battell House circa 1799 known locally as "The White House," Knolly Brook circa 1875 that offers a melange of architectural styles, Beechwood Cottage, 1895 that looks like it should be in the English Cotswolds, and the Victorian style Tea Cozy Cottage, circa 1898. Another video details the story of the Victorian-styled Norfolk Library that was designed in the 19th century's Golden Age of architecture and compares it to different libraries throughout the U.S. designed in a similar style.

Kids are not forgotten at this year's Virtual Win.  They can tune in any time over the course of this three-day weekend to watch a fun, 18-minute video with artist and printmaker, Susan Rood. Kids and adults are guided through the process of printmaking using paper, paint, leaves, and found material.  This video encourages imaginations to run wild with artistic creations!

Live Events

Virtual Weekend in Norfolk also features five live streaming videos including a Puppet Show called Lisa the Wise on Friday, July 31, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. that is perfect for kids and family fun. On Saturday, August 1 there are two different concerts by The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival's Emerging Artist Showcase at 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. For art lovers don't miss Saturday's watercolor workshop with artist Pamela Harnois from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. On Sunday, August 2, the final live virtual workshop from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is with renowned artist and metal sculptor, Karen Rossi; participants will learn how to make metal flowers with soda cans! Visit the website to register for a live event. After registration, a Zoom link will be sent about 30 minutes before the event streams live. 

Live Events @ Virtual Weekend in Norfolk July 31, August 1, and 2, 2020

No holds barred! Virtual fun for all is the watchword in Norfolk, Conn., this coming July 31, August 1, and 2 during the town’s fifth annual three-day, town-wide festival that will be held all online this year.

Everyone’s invited to view live streaming and online demand events starting July 31 with family and friends. Viewers will enjoy more than 20 events that Norfolk’s organizations, businesses, and individuals have put together to share the resilience, art, music, food, and natural beauty of this delightful community located in the heart of the Litchfield Hills.  

 

Live streaming events are a highlight of this year's Virtual Weekend in Norfolk. It is easy to sign up for a live event by visiting the website and registering. After registration, which is quick and simple a Zoom link will be sent to you about 30 minutes before the event streams live. Best of all, every event is free of charge!

 

The first live event on July 31 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. is a Puppet Show called Lisa the Wise that is sure to delight young and old alike. This colorful Russian folktale is told with imaginative shadow puppets and features a brave young girl, witches, enchanted dolls, and even dancing houses! This story has a contemporary twist sure to entertain and is recommended for children ages four and older. Expect lots of laughter and fun while watching these amazing puppets that will take you on an adventure without leaving home!

 

On the second virtual day of Weekend in Norfolk, Saturday, August 1 is perfect for art and music lovers. 

The day kicks off with a very special concert from the highly acclaimed and internationally known Norfolk Chamber Music Festival from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon. The program is the rebroadcast of an Emerging Artist Showcase concert that features the works of Klughart, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn for winds and strings. If you miss the live stream of this event, no worries, the event will be available via the Weekend In Norfolk website on-demand section on Sunday, August 2, 2020.

If you have always wanted to be a watercolor painter or if you have wondered how to improve your technique, don’t miss the loose watercolor painting demonstration by Pamela Harnois, a visual artist specializing in transparent watercolor from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. This is your chance to learn from an award-winning artist - free. Classically trained in watercolor, Pamela’s work has appeared nationally in art shows and in various publications. She has spent the last decade documenting woodland landscapes and wildflowers from across the country from Connecticut to California.

 

Saturday concludes with a final concert from the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. making it a perfect prelude to cocktail hour and dinner.  This rebroadcast of the Emerging Artist Showcase features the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann for piano ensembles. If you miss this live stream broadcast, you can see it on-demand on Sunday, August 2, at 10 a.m.

On Sunday, August 2, from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. get ready to have some fun at the final live streaming event that features nationally renowned artist and metal sculptor, Karen Rossi. Limited to 12 adults this fascinating workshop will teach you how to make upcycled metal flowers from something as simple as aluminum soda cans! Have fun drilling, punching and riveting these whimsical flower creations together and decorating them with mixed media to create stunning three- dimensional flowers! No experience is needed and this event is free.

In addition, to live events, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, Weekend in Norfolk offers a series of on-demand events that can be watched any time of day or night! On-demand events are conveniently organized on the website by category making it easy to pick and choose what you want to watch. Here you will find everything from art studio tours and nature hikes to craft workshops for kids', and a demonstration of ways to prepare healthy food. 

 

 

Weekend In Norfolk 2020 Goes Virtual

The town of Norfolk Connecticut is hard at work this summer organizing virtual events for 2020 WIN that is taking place this year on July 31, August 1, and 2! The residents, businesses, historic and natural attractions, and other organizations have pulled together, once again, this year to showcase Norfolk’s many treasures.

The only difference is that this year WIN will take place only online rather than at various locations throughout this peaceful hamlet. “We believe that our online WIN series of events and videos show the resilience of the citizens of Norfolk. Our goal is to be a bright spot in people’s lives at this uncertain time. We’re striving to entertain and educate all our WIN fans with the variety of videos that we are developing,” said Sue Frisch one of the founders of the WIN event.

 Now in its fifth year, this family fun event has managed to evolve with the times. They hope to reach even more people with their virtual programs and videos that have an irresistible price tag -- they are all free of charge! Best of all, all videos can be viewed from the comfort of your home.

 

A new WIN website makes planning your time in advance easy so you don’t miss a thing. The website has a day by day schedule that highlights virtual events that will be happening live and those events that will be posted to celebrate WIN 2020 on demand. Get ready to see an exciting line-up! The virtual events range from a not to be missed tour of the Tiffany stained glass windows at the Battell Chapel, and a demonstration by a professional artist, to a cooking demonstration on how to prepare healthy foods that could have medicinal advantages.

 

For the most up to date information visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org/