Fall Fun at the Weston History & Culture Center

Fall in love with history this autumn at the Weston History & Culture Center (WHCC), located at 104 Weston Road in Weston, CT. Every Thursday in November, as well as on Sunday, November 2, 2025, and Sunday, December 7, 2025, the Center opens its doors from 1pm to 4pm for an afternoon of exploration and fun. Tickets are just $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5–17, and free for children under 4 and WHCC members—making it the perfect family outing!

Step into the past with our brand-new, interactive exhibit, "Weston at Work," set in the historic Coley Barn. Here, you'll discover the rich history of agriculture, manufacturing, and textile production in Weston and Connecticut. Kids can card wool, weave on a loom, and even raise a hay bale using an old-fashioned rope and pulley! With fascinating hands-on activities, rare Bradley Axe tools, vintage farming implements, a working loom, and countless historic photographs, this exhibit brings history to life for visitors of all ages.

Don't miss a guided tour of the award-winning Coley House, where you'll get a glimpse into what life was like in the 1940s. This isn't just any old historic house—it's the only one in Connecticut to focus on this iconic era! Walk in the footsteps of the Coley family during World War II, and let the children play with classic 1940s toys, build with Lincoln Logs, type on a vintage typewriter, or even dial a rotary phone.

While you're here, stop by the Visitor’s Center to explore three engaging exhibits:

• "Twelve Stories of Weston History"—featuring highlights like the Weston Meteorite and the dramatic Flood of 1955
• "Images of a Forgotten Village: Valley Forge"—offering haunting photos of a community now beneath the Saugatuck Reservoir
• "May I Have This Dance?"—a delightful pop-up display about the history of social dance, complete with music and memorabilia

Take a break outdoors and bask in the beauty of autumn on the WHCC’s scenic property. Bring along a picnic lunch and stroll through the whimsical Daniel E. Offutt, III Sculpture Garden, featuring the unique works of former Weston resident Daniel E. Offutt, III.

Parking is free! Primary parking is available on High Acre Road, with overflow parking along the same street. Come join us this fall and make history an adventure for the whole family!

The Danbury Concert Association presents “Piano Four Hands” with Andrew Armstrong and Jeewon Park on Sunday, October 26 at 3 p.m.

The Danbury Concert Association (DCA) will present “Piano Four Hands” when two virtuosos, Andrew Armstrong and Jeewon Park, take to the keyboard together on Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m. The second concert of the DCA’s 2025/26 series, featuring Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” Grieg’s “Four Norwegian Dances, op. 25,” and other works by Fauré, Mozart, and Schubert, will take place at the Visual & Performing Arts Center of Western Connecticut State University.

Single tickets are available at $25 from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dca-presents-andrew-armstrong-and-jeewon-park-piano-tickets-1757648858049?aff=ebdsoporgprofile. Subscriptions to the remaining three concerts of the 2025/26 series can be purchased on www.danburyconcert.org. Free admission for ages 18 and under, courtesy of the Danbury Cultural Commission, lets young music lovers experience a live concert – and even meet the performers in person at a meet-the-artists reception that’s open to all. 

About the Performers
New Canaan native Andrew Armstrong has been praised for his passionate expression and dazzling technique, delighting audiences across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. He has appeared at notable venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. He also serves as Artistic Director of several music series in South Carolina, New York City, and Worcester, MA. 

Since her debut at age twelve with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Jeewon Park has captivated audiences worldwide. Her playing has been described as “ravishing in execution, radiant in timbre,” exhibiting “ultimate grandeur and sheer delight,” with warm musicality and effortless virtuosity.

About the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC)
The Veronica Hagman Concert Hall has been a premier performance venue since the VPAC opened on the university’s west side campus in 2014. The acoustics are excellent, and the atmosphere is both casual and refined. With the hall’s open, in-the-round seating (for up to 350), each concertgoer can sit back and enjoy the artist-audience connection.   

Upcoming Performances
The DCA’s series will continue with pianist Ilya Yakushev on March 22, 2026, and cellist Sophie Shao & Friends on June 7, 2026. Concerts are on Sundays at 3 p.m., and each is followed by a meet-the-artists reception. For details, see www.danburyconcert.org. 

About the Danbury Concert Association
The Danbury Concert Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, has a volunteer board that organizes its series. Kathryn Taylor Kloss, President, notes that “Community music began flourishing in the early days of the U.S.! In the 1930s, Danbury was fortunate to have a very active group (the Danbury Music Centre), which led to the creation of the DCA, devoted to presenting professional performances. Today, thanks to support from individual and corporate donors, and granting organizations like the Danbury Cultural Commission, we continue that mission, now in the beautiful concert hall on the WestConn campus. We invite everyone who wants to experience live music ‘where they live’ to come to our concerts.”

Pedal Through Autumn Splendor: Tour de Forest Bike Event Returns October 18

Cyclists and nature lovers alike are invited to gear up and get outside for this year’s Tour de Forest on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with proceeds supporting two local nonprofit organizations: Great Mountain Forest and Norfolk Rails to Trails.

This one-of-a-kind annual event is the perfect chance for gravel riders of all experience levels—including newcomers- to explore the sweeping beauty of Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest, one of Connecticut’s largest undeveloped woodland areas.

There’s a course for every rider: tackle the challenging 30-mile Icebox Gravel route starting at 9:30 am, or opt for the classic 13-mile Tour de Forest ride at 10 am. Both routes wind through a mix of gravel and paved roads, offering breathtaking views and a high chance of spotting local wildlife along the way. The roads are carefully maintained to support conservation, research, and recreation—so you’ll be riding for a good cause!

The day kicks off at the Norfolk Curling Club, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. After your ride, refuel with delicious shots of maple syrup made by the Great Mountain Forest team and a cash bar at the club. All proceeds benefit the programs of Great Mountain Forest and Norfolk Rails to Trails, organizations dedicated to preserving the land and improving public access to Norfolk’s unique natural resources.

Registration is just $50 per adult, $25 per teen, and free for young riders. So why not gather your friends and family and make a day of it? As Mike Zarfos, PhD, Executive Director of Great Mountain Forest, says: “When we are in the forest, we feel inspired, healed, and strengthened. Join us for a ride that’s good for your heart and soul—and enjoy sweet and savory treats at the finish!” 

Register here to secure your spot http://www.bikereg.com/norfolk-ct-tour-de-forest

About Great Mountain Forest

Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship, one of the largest research, education, and recreation forests in southern New England. For more than a century, we have demonstrated how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we spread the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,300 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village, Connecticut - a true jewel in the heart of NW Connecticut.

Step Into a Halloween Wonderland: Art, Oddities & Handmade Treats at Whiting Mills Spooktacular Weekend Event

Mark your calendars for a hauntingly delightful experience on Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whiting Mills, at 100 Whiting Street, will magically transform into a Halloween wonderland brimming with ghosts, goblins, witches, and wickedly creative fun!

Step inside over 30 vibrant artists’ studios, each open and ready to enchant you with frightful delights, curious oddities, and whimsically spooky creations. Whether you’re searching for handmade treats, unique Halloween décor, or simply want to soak in the festive spirit, there’s something spooktacular for everyone.

Looking for a hauntingly delightful stop this Halloween season? Don’t miss Tina’s Baskets and Woven Arts, Studio #305, where internationally acclaimed artist Tina Puckett transforms her studio into a celebration of spooky splendor! Step inside a world of creativity, with baskets, sculptures, and wall hangings all dressed up for frightful fun. As you wander through her festively decorated studio, don’t forget to enter the drawing for a chance to win a stunning Halloween basket—expertly handwoven, adorned with bittersweet vines, and filled to the brim with delicious Halloween treats! 

Can’t make it during the ghostly gathering weekend? No worries! Tina’s ghoulishly gorgeous studio will remain Halloween-ready every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout October. And if you’re inspired by her magical creations, you can learn more, sign up for her popular classes, or browse her breathtaking woven artworks that include wall hangings, baskets, bowls, and sculptures at www.tinasbaskets.com 

Meet the Artist 

Tina Puckett isn’t just any artist—she’s a true visionary who has been weaving her magic since 1981, using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet vines, and natural found materials like beads and seagrass. Her awe-inspiring creations have graced galleries around the world, but you can experience them up close right in her Winsted, Connecticut studio at Whiting Mills, Studio #305. Catch Tina in action on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or schedule a private visit by texting 860-309-6934. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this hauntingly beautiful celebration of art!