Town of Warren Special Holiday Newsletter 2019

From the Office of the First Selectman

Welcome to our third annual Special Holiday Events Newsletter. The next few pages are jam packed with information on events and trips for November and December for all to enjoy. Take a few minutes to see what’s happening.

The Town and all the wonderful organizations in town are bringing you this year’s Holiday on the Hill Event on Saturday, December 7th starting at 5:00 pm . Santa will be arriving at 5:15 pm to light the Tree and start the holiday festivities. We are very happy to add the Warren Center General Store and Works to this year’s fun. For your convenience, we will have a Holiday Tractor Hay Ride driven by our own Art Downs to all festive-filled areas: the General Store, Church, Library, Fire House, Community Center and Academy.

Our Holiday Event is one way for the Town, organizations and businesses to say thank you for your support, and it’s a great way for residents to help each other. Many of us don’t realize that some of our residents could use a helping hand every now and then. We are asking that you help STUFF-A-FIRE-TRUCK with new toys and gift cards for children of all ages, donate items to our new Social Services program “COMFORT KITS” at the Warren SPECIAL POINTS Works and fill our FOOD BANK BIN, located in the Community Center, with non-perishable OF INTEREST: foods, household supplies, and toiletries. Thank you for donating and helping your fellow

 Events and Trips neighbor.  Town Organizations

 HOLIDAY ON THE HILL Wishing everyone a very safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Warren Church Community Childcare and Preschool WCCC is excited to partner this year with Warren Social Services again for the Holiday season!

WCCC will be sponsoring a Barefoot Book sale at Warren Works located right next to Warren General Store. WCCC will be donating our earned credits for free books to Warren Social Services to help facilitate the beginning of a new program called “Comforts Kits.” Comfort Kits will be created for individuals of all ages filled with blankets, books and items that bring a sense of security during a time of need. Comfort Kits can be distributed to members of our community in the event that a hardship, crisis, or tragedy occurs. Please come and check out our Barefoot Book sale to help support this excellent new project which will benefit our community greatly!

Social Services will also be hosting a donation collection for this program at the Warren Works. This year we are asking our generous community members who would like to donate to bring items to help create our “Comfort Kits.” Social Services will be creating kits for individuals of ALL ages, so please consider this as you choose your item to donate. Items Social Services are asking for include: blankets, stuffed animals, books, journals and gift cards for groceries and gas. (For these kits we ask that you donate new items with tags still on.)

WCCC would like to thank John Favreau for kindly hosting the Barefoot Book sale at Warren Works this year!

~Sarah B. Churyk, WCCC Director and Missy Woodward, Warren Social Services Director 1 WMG Basketball K-2 Check the Warren Website for FREE Starts on Saturday January 11th OPEN SKATE Place and Time: TBD at the Gunnery Check the Warren Website Dates & Time: TBD

After-School Ski/Snowboard Program at Mohawk Mountain After-school program on Thursdays starting on January 2, 2020. It is a six week program for ski or snowboard lessons. Registration forms are on the Town Website and are due by December 12th to Warren Park and Recreation Department.

WARREN WINTER WONDERLAND Saturday, December 14th—Community Center 10am– 1pm

The Library will be crafting with once again this year. We have arranged for some truly humongous gingerbread people to be available for decorating. A large selection of candy and frosting will be on hand for all of our young crafters to use for their creations. We are delighted to say that we have been collaborating with The Warren General Store to bring these one-of-a-kind people to you.

This year we will additionally be providing small Christmas trees (one per child) to be decorated and taken home. These little evergreen trees are adorable, perfect for a nightstand, or as a gift for a loved one. We will be providing a large selection of mini ornaments for the children to work with as they create their masterpieces. Other fun crafting projects will be featured to round out the day, including Holiday cards to design and ornaments to make. Guests are welcome to work on all of the crafts, or choose which activity best suits your child. Actually, the possibilities are endless, so we encourage you to sign up for this event soon. Warren residents will be given preference for this event. Sign up will be available by phone during regular library hours.

The Warren Congregational Church Presents the 3rd annual Christmas Feast and Song Gala WCC Silver Tea Saturday, December 14 Christmas Party and Bazaar in the Parish Hall This event features a gourmet dinner Saturday, November 23 and a performance by the Warren Parish Hall Goshen Festival Singers. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Proceeds from the program will benefit the Traditional Silver Tea organ restoration fund. Silent Silver Raffle Tickets on sale now - $30.00 per person, seating is limited. Homemade Items For more information contact the Church at 860-868-7106.

2 Sunday, December 8- Christmas in Newport

The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour two magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions. The Breakers and Marble House--two National Historic Landmarks and icons of the Gilded Age in America-- are filled with thousands of , fresh flowers, evergreens and wreaths. If time permits we will visit The Elms. Thirty decorated Christmas trees reflecting individual room decor anchor many of the magnificent spaces. Dining tables set with period silver and china complete the elegant setting. Windows of each mansion are lit with individual white candles, in keeping with the colonial tradition. All three houses will be decorated and open daily for tours. Buffet Sunday Brunch at the Atlantic Resort in Middletown, RI.

Cost: $100 Includes Motor coach transportation, driver gratuity, admission to mansions, brunch, snack bag, and prizes.

Wednesday December 18th Radio City Christmas Spectacular Or Just Spend a Day in the City

Radio City Christmas Spectacular What better way to get into the Holiday spirit than with The Rockettes! Enjoy some free time in the Greatest City on Earth - holiday shopping, visit to “The Tree”, window displays…along with a matinee performance of Christmas Spectacular at Radio City.

Cost: $120 includes admission to the 11am performance, popcorn and soda/water Spend a Day in the City voucher, motor coach transportation, having your own adventure driver gratuity, snack bag and prizes Cost: $55 includes motor coach transportation, driver gratuity, snack bag and prizes

3 5:15pm SANTA ARRIVES to turn on the newly decorated to start the Holiday Celebration at the Community Center. Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank. Food donation 5:30—8:00pm box is located in the dining Hall of the Community Center. HOLIDAY HAY WAGON driven by Mr. Art Downs, will be available to ride to and from the different events. So Hop Aboard and have a wonderful night! 5:30—7:45pm SANTA has a traveling workshop and it’s located at the Warren Academy. Stop by and meet Jolly Old St Academy Nick and tell him how good you were this year. 5:00—7:3pm Chilly Outside! Chili Inside! The Warren Church will have some homemade Chili and hot dogs and the Friends of Parish Hall Warren School will be providing a hot chocolate bar at the Parish Hall for all. This year we have Pete Miserendino strumming and singing as you enjoy your chili. 5:00-8:00pm LETTERS TO SANTA! Miss Abby is well prepared to help with the letter writing and promises to get your letters to Santa delivered in a timely fashion to have a response by the Winter Wonderland event on Dec 14th. After you Warren Public write your letter to Santa, spend some time with our furry visitors, Kittens from Wellsvalley Cat Sanctuary. Don’t Library forget to grab a packet of Magic Reindeer Food for Rudolph and his crew before leaving. The Warren Historical Society will be in the Library Common Room with storyboards depicting and describing “Christmas in Warren Through the Years!” Have a Victorian holiday beverage: or Smoking anyone? 5:00-8:00pm STUFF-A-FIRETRUCK at the Warren Volunteer Fire House— The Warren Elves could use your help with gifts for Warren Fire boys and girls of all ages. Unsure what teenagers like this year? Why not donate a GIFT CARD –to Walmart, House Target, Amazon, ITunes, or Dunkin Donuts. All donated gifts will go to Warren residents first before helping our surrounding towns. After you stuff the truck, grab a sweet treat in the Fire House before heading outside. 5:00-8:00pm BAREFOOT BOOK SALE: The Warren Childcare is sponsoring a Barefoot Book sale at Warren Works with earned Warren credits for free books being donated to the Warren Social Services to help facilitate the new “Comfort Kits” Works program. Social Services will have a donation area at Warren Works for those who would like to donate towards this new program. 5:00—8:00pm WARREN GENERAL STORE while you are at the book sale, stop next door to grab a savory bite or two! The New Warren General England Carolers will be there for your entertainment pleasure from 5:30-6:30pm . Store COMMUNITY CENTER will be filled with laughter and good cheer. The Warren Land Trust will be bringing the 5:00-8:00pm great outdoors inside with their tasty savory treats and festive decorations in the dining room to get us all in the holiday spirit. Warren Park and Rec will be serving up some pulled pork sliders to go with a sip of cheer from our friends at the Litchfield Distillery and Hopkins Vineyard. Watch for the Wamogo Choir as they will be entertaining us with their beautiful voices.

Thank you to the Warren Cub Scouts for their hard work putting together, placing and lighting the luminaries for this event.

Thank you to the Warren Volunteer Fire Police for keeping us safe as we travel to the different events tonight.

For Your Safety, Please use the Hay Wagon to check out the General Store and Warren Works

Parking: Warren School, behind the Library, Academy and Church parking lots. Limited spaces available at the Community/Fire House parking lot. Please DO NOT Park in front of the Fire House doors. Watch for kids when driving on Sackett Hill Road.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SAFE HAPPY ENJOYABLE TIME! HOLIDAYS

4 5 Christmas Tree Shops – Thursday December 5

By now, you must realize that the Christmas Tree Shops is our favorite bargain shop, ever! It just never gets old! We find new treasures that we cannot live without each and every time we go!

If you haven't joined us recently, you really need to come and see the newly designed Orange store—it’s beautiful! Much of our old favorite merchandise remains, but they’ve added some really beautiful new lines of household items.

We’ll be mixing things up this time around and possibly trying a different restaurant for lunch. You vote! We’ll wrap things up with our bonus stop at the Trader Joe’s Plaza after lunch.

9:00 am departure from the Warren Community Center - $5.00 per person

Holiday Celebration – Thursday December 12

“Here comes ! Here comes Santa Claus! Right down Santa Claus Lane! Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer are pulling on the reins….”

Yes, it IS that time of year once again!! We are excited to invite you all to our annual Holiday Party!! This year’s event will once again be held here Morris Senior Center at the Morris Senior Center. The Center will be decorated to the nines! (We’d LOVE volunteers to assist us with our decorating venture. Please call the office at 860-868-7881 ext. 113 So excited to collaborate once again with our friends from Morris Beach and Recreation! We know how to throw a party! local caterer! We will not disappoint!

As usual, we will have fabulous LIVE entertainment lined up for your personal enjoyment! Our celebration will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 12:30 pm. The all inclusive cost for this festive fun event remains at $18.00 per person, as it has been for the last several years.

This cost includes your beverages, complete holiday dinner with all the trimmings, delicious dessert, unique LIVE entertainment and a fun grab bag gift!

Get ready for a visit from a “special” surprise visitor straight from the North Pole! Oh, WHO could it be?? This is an annual event not to be missed! Tickets are now on sale—don’t delay! Seating is limited! Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

We hope that you’ll spend some of your precious time during this busy season, sharing some Holiday cheer with us! Any questions, please feel free to call Warren Parks and Recreation office at 860-878-7881 ext. 113 HO! HO!! HO!!!

6 Festival of Silver Lights– Thursday December 19

One of my favorite things about the Holiday season, are all of the beautiful lights and decorations galore we see all around us!

Join us for a lovely Holiday afternoon! Holiday lights to beat the band, a delicious dinner and a true Italian bakery visit!

We’ll start with a delicious dinner at the Salute Restaurant in our Capital City, Hartford. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a leisurely ride through Hartford’s beautiful Goodwin Park—to admire Holiday Light Fantasia! An incredible arrangement of over 100,000 holiday lights and displays!!

Holiday Light Fantasia is a special celebration with seasonal lights that are displayed throughout the park during the winter months. There are over 60 lighted attractions through-out the park! All proceeds benefit Channel 3 Kids Camp. We’ll even have a bonus stop at the amazing Mozzicato Bakery on Franklin Avenue in Hartford! Italian cookies, anyone? Full payment within seven days of sign up is absolutely required. 3:30 pm departure from the Warren Community Center - $10.00 per person

Wreath Making Workshop - Date: TBD

Join us for a holiday workshop and learn how to create your own personal, festive wreath! We will use a variety of fresh greens and dried materials from the flower market along with some items foraged from nature. The students from WAMOGO High School will lead the session. Program starts at 11:00 am in the Warren Community Center COST: TBD This is a CATERED LUNCH event—courtesy of Warren Park and Recreation. Pre-register is mandatory.

Legal, Financial and Healthcare Planning: Take an active role in planning your future!

January 7, 2020 Learn how legal, financial and healthcare planning are imperative to ensure a smooth transition into the later part of life. Topics will include power of attorney, advanced directives, wills and trusts, as well as the importance of taking an active role in planning your future. This is a CATERED LUNCH event—courtesy of the Warren Parks and Recreation. Beverages and dessert will also be provided. Pre-registration is mandatory! Lunch starts at 11:30am.

Blood Pressure Clinics will be at each of the Lunch and Learn Programs provided by the Northwest VNA

7 Town of Warren PRSRT STD 50 Cemetery Road Warren CT 06754 ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE Phone : 860-868-7881 PAID Fax: 860-868-7746 EDDM Retail

Local Postal Patron www.warrenct.org

Warren Congregational Church Winter Dinner Series Save the Dates: Saturday, January 11, 2020 Baked Ham Dinner Holiday Light Contest and Pink Flamingo Awards Saturday, February 1, 2020 Roast Pork Dinner One pink flamingo lawn ornament will be awarded in each of the following categories Saturday, March 14, 2020 by the Park & Recreation Commission Turkey Dinner Judges. Categories include: Most Traditional, Most Original, Most Griswold, and Commission’s Choice Warren Volunteer Fire Company All participants must complete form on the PANCAKE BREAKFAST town website and return to office by December 18. To benefit the scholarship fund Community Center Sunday, January 19th 7:30 - 11:00 am Watch for more details in the Winter 2020 Newsletter

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