New Milford Chamber of Commerce

Sunday Speaker Series: Book Talk with Author Jacqueline Guttman on "Widowhood and Other Altered States"
2026-01-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | JCC in Sherman, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman, CT
Widowhood and Other Altered States takes us on a tour of life in the 70-plus lane. Though there’s grief, loss of loved ones and physical abilities, and isolation, the good news is life remains as absurd as ever. What do you do with hundreds of leftover napkins from a bereavement gathering? Or well-meaning advice you didn’t want? Or cemetery decisions? Of course there’s sadness and confusion as to how to cope alone, but widowhood is another way of being, and as with anything else, we learn. How do you buy a car that accommodates arthritic knees, but – like you – still has some pizzazz? And the dating scene is as head-shakingly comical as it is at any age (spoiler: men don’t seem to get much better). When Guttman finds herself assailed by it all, her wry wit will show you that you can stay yourself, even in an altered state.
A coming of age book for those who have already aged (and their younger friends).
Format

Brief interactive discussion of how the book came to be
Writing humorously about grief and loss, sometimes all you can do is laugh!
Reading – 1-2 excerpts
Q & A
Sale of books, inscribed if desired, 25% discount off regular price

About the Author
Jacqueline Guttman was a flutist and arts educator whose playing and teaching were curtailed by rheumatoid arthritis. Armed with a masters degree in arts administration, she became a concert presenter, arts consultant, choir director and adjunct professor in the NYU arts administration program. Believing in the arts as a vehicle for remaining vital and engaged, upon retirement she founded Arts for Life NJ, which offered participatory programs for older adults in dance, acting, visual arts, and music, until COVID had other ideas. Although she had written curriculum materials, press releases, grant proposals and even a couple of educational resource books, she never thought of herself as a writer. Guttman began writing regularly to relieve her stress as her husband’s health deteriorated. After he died in 2017, casting about for something to hold her interest, she attended a conference on arts and health, selecting a writing workshop, which was the beginning of a brand new direction. Not having studied writing since Freshman English, she enrolled in a writing critique class at Sarah Lawrence College, moving on to the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center, where she found a wonderfully supportive group of colleagues. And so she started writing essays, which has been part of her life for the past eight years. Her remaining musical connection is the coaching she provides for an amateur trio. Jackie is also involved in a broad spectrum of volunteer activities, but notes that it’s the writing that is now part of her identity, “with a bit of imposter syndrome in the mix,” she says.

Dinner & Music: New Middle Class with Opener Liam Cooley
2026-01-04 19:00 - 21:00 | JCC in Sherman, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman, CT
Join us for a delicious dinner from caterer Lori Hendricks-Bechtold and stay for music from New Milford High School student Liam Cooley and for local musicians New Middle Class!
NEW MIDDLE CLASS
Playfully serious, heartfelt and slightly bent middle class acoustic pop. The award-winning music of Barbara Borok and Mike Borok has been played on over 60 radio stations world-wide. They were grand prizewinners in the Music To Life song contest at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival, and were featured in the Emerging Artists Showcase at the 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Most recently, Mike won first place in the 2024 Music for Humanity Songwriting Contest.
NMC appeared in the both 2024 and 2025 Sherman Opry concerts at the Sherman playhouse, and have played at two previous dinner/concert events at the JCC in Sherman. The food was outstanding both times!
This concert will be the Connecticut debut of their new album, “Prehistoric” – a collection of previously unreleased songs from the years before their 1999 self-titled album. Something for everyone: folk, blues, country, funk and rock.
“Great melodic songs, full of warmth, wit and truly delightful and surprising turns of phrase.” – Fast Folk
“This classy duo clearly knows how to make a song work on all levels…The vocals here are superb… Here are some lovely personal stories, some social commentary… It’s easy to understand why these songs win awards.” – SoundBytes
Music & videos at newmiddleclass.com and streaming on all platforms.
Liam Cooley
Liam Cooley, a junior at New Milford High School, began playing acoustic guitar in 2022. Often described as an “old soul,” he draws inspiration from singer-songwriters across generations. His musical influences stretch from the soulful sounds of the ’60s to the poetic ballads of today, creating a distinctive blend that resonates with audiences of all ages. Liam is grateful for the JCC community, where he gained his first on-stage experience performing at Open Mic Nights. Most recently, he showcased his artistry by winning the NMHS Talent Show, further cementing his place as a rising musician to watch.
Manu:
Char Sui Grilled Chicken
Maple Soy Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon
Sesame Noodles
Winter Veg Stir Fry w Garlic Ginger Sauce
Fortune Cookies / Assorted Cookies

Adult Program - Genealogy Club
2026-01-07 18:00 - 19:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Debbi Johnson, Boston University certified Pro-Gen Graduate, will be leading our new Genealogy Club. The Club will meet once a month on the first Wednesday of the month. Debbi will open the Club with some basics, and then she and the group will assist with projects depending on topic and attendance. Registration requested.

Coffee Talk
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-05 14:00 - 15:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Join NMPL’s Amy and Laura as they review new fiction and non-fiction books–hot off the presses!

ESL Cafe
2026-01-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-02-12 18:00 - 19:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Hello! Practice speaking English in a casual setting at the library. Tutors from Literacy Volunteers on the Green will be on hand to keep the conversation flowing.

3 Different Approaches to Meditation
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Did you know that meditation may help alleviate stress, improve clarity, and improve sleep? Meditation also induces the relaxation response, a state that promotes healing and wellness. Because there is no one size that fits all, three different types of meditation will be presented, and ways to augment their benefits. Alternatives to meditation will also be discussed. There will be opportunities for participants to try each method. Come learn about, experience, and see how meditation fits for you.
About Dr. Wendy Hurwitz:
A graduate of Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Wendy Hurwitz is a nationally recognized expert on stress. A former medical researcher for ABC News, Dr. Hurwitz is an expert in two fields: Mind/Body Medicine and Energy Medicine. She has a forthcoming book on stress. Dr. Hurwitz helps organizations and individuals achieve peak performance by enhancing vitality and wellness. She translates the latest and most sophisticated scientific research into practical, easy-to-use techniques people can use to maintain and enhance vitality even under the most trying circumstances. Dr. Hurwitz has provided training for AT&T, Unilever, Lowe Worldwide, the FDNY, and has been an invited guest speaker at the United Nations.

NMPL Chess Tournament
2026-01-10 13:00 - 17:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Like to play chess? Join us at the New Milford Chess Tournament–for everyone ages 8 and up! When you register, you’ll be asked your age and your rating, if you have one. (No worries if you don’t have a rating!) Plus, we’ll be raffling off a beautiful chess set! Sign up today!

Dirty Date Night
2026-01-10 18:30 - 21:30 | Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Dirty Date Night Saturday, January 10th 6:30-9:30 PM Grab someone special and come get dirty….with clay! This is a two-day course (plus a day for glazing) where you will throw one piece of pottery on the wheel, & trim the base during the second visit. You can glaze your piece at your leisure once it’s out of the kiln. $245 per couple. Needs a minimum of 2 couples to run this class. BYOB and a snack to share to make it more fun! BYOB Pre-registration is required. Fill out form from our website. Can’t make this one? Check our website for other dates. Needs a minimum of 2 couples to run this class. Registration and payment saves your spot in the class. Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT (860) 354-4318 villagecenterarts.org

Gentle Yoga
2026-01-12 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-02-09 13:30 - 14:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Robert Meko teaches with an emphasis on breathwork, meditation, and turning inward to observe mental, physical, and spiritual states without judgement. It is his goal to teach, promote, and support safe, sustainable, and deeply transformational yoga practices.

Women, Wine, & Wheel
2026-01-17 18:30 - 21:30 | Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Women, Wine, & Wheel
Saturday, January 17th 6:30-9:30PM
Ready for some serious fun with friends? Picture this: laughter, creativity, and a pottery wheel at your fingertips!
Join us for a super fun 2-day pottery adventure. On day one, you’ll dive in and create your first masterpiece on the wheel. Then, come back for day two and give it a perfect trim. On your third visit, you can glaze your creation however you like (no rush, take your time!). All this for just $129 each. It’s the perfect blend of fun and art—grab a spot and let’s get spinning!
pre-registration is required. Fill out form from our website.
Can’t make this one? Check our website for other dates.
Needs a minimum of 4 people to run this class
Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318
villagecenterarts.org

a Studio Affair
2026-01-17 18:30 - 22:00 | Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
a Studio Affair
Saturday, January 17th
6:30-10:00 PM
Ages 21+
As a nonprofit, we’re passionate about creating a space where adults can unwind, connect, and enjoy the arts in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to meet new people or simply take a break, our space is open to the community free of charge. It’s all about making art accessible and building meaningful connections through shared creative experiences.
If you’re already working on a masterpiece, feel free to bring it along to work on. You don’t have to be a professional artist to join in; all you need is the passion to create. Or simply explore the creative materials we’ll have available, including watercolors, chalk pastels, oil pastels, magazines, markers, colored pencils, and beautiful paper.
Just bring your enthusiasm!
Spread the word, invite your friends, and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
We will also play some vinyl to make it a fun environment!
Plus, if you’re feeling thirsty, don’t forget to BYOB.
This is a free community event we have on the 3rd Saturday.
Located at 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318
villagecenterarts.org

Winter Birds at Your Feeder
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Come enjoy an evening talking about the birds at your feeders. We will be focusing on the ones that come to your feeders, how to identify them, and how to attract birds to your property.

Peter, Paul & Mary Tribute Concert with Unbroken Glass & Friends
2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 | JCC in Sherman, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman, CT
Join us for a night of songs from folk legends Peter, Paul, & Mary!
Unbroken Glass, & the friends they will bring with them, are sure to do the songs you love justice at this tribute concert!
BYOB Venue!

Red Hot Mamas Outsmarting Menopause
2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
“SEX- Talking About Menopause and Sexual Health”- Join Carolyn Antonion, LCSW, from the New Milford Women’s Wellness Center for a discussion around sexual changes during menopause.

Derek Piotr and Folklife
2026-01-29 18:00 - 19:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
The Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive (fieldwork-archive.com) was established by Derek Piotr in August 2022. The Archive contains over 1,500 audio recordings made from March 2020 onward and preserves diverse representations of folklife: ballads, hymns, tales, poems, children’s songs, and interviews among them. The focus of this collection is on the “non-singer”: someone with no background in musical performance who can nevertheless relate a song or folkloric memory. In this lecture, Derek will walk you through the process of journeying everywhere from the United Kingdom to Appalachia to record these songs from non-musicians, as well as the organization and development of the Archive as a web-based repository.
Derek Piotr is a folklorist, researcher, and performer whose work focuses primarily on the human voice. His work covers practices including fieldwork, vocal performance, preservation and autoethnography; and is primarily concerned with tenderness, fragility, beauty and brutality. He has collaborated with artists including Scott Solter, Nathan Salsburg, and Thomas Brinkmann across various disciplines. His work has been supported by The Traditional Song Forum and The Danbury Cultural Commission and has featured on Death Is Not the End and the BBC.

Ukulele Club
2026-02-03 17:30 - 18:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Join this club to learn the ukulele and to improve your skills. Playing the ukulele with others is loads of fun! A collaboration between NMPL and NM Senior Center. If you are over 60 and need a ride to the library, please call 860-355-6075.

Stacey Dutton Author Talk
2026-02-05 18:00 - 19:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Come and listen to Stacey Dutton, the author of The Sovereign Self, at the Senior Center.
About the Book: The Sovereign Self is more than a guide—it’s a reclamation. A manifesto for women who refuse to fade quietly into the background. A reminder that you are not finished. You are becoming—again. By the time we reach our sixties, we’ve lived many lives. We’ve loved, lost, created, and endured. We’ve been daughters, mothers, partners, professionals, caretakers—and now, as the world grows quieter around us, something within calls for more. This is the moment to claim your sovereignty: to live by your own design, not by the expectations you’ve
outgrown. In this deeply honest and empowering book, Stacey Dutton invites women to step into a new era of wholeness. With warmth and candor, she illuminates how the physical, emotional, and spiritual shifts of aging can become portals to greater power, steadiness, and freedom. The Sovereign Self is more than a guide—it’s a reclamation. A manifesto for women who refuse to fade quietly into the background. A reminder that the next chapter can be the most vibrant, meaningful, and self-defined of all.

Poetry Showcase: Season of Winter's Retreat
2026-02-06 19:00 - 21:00 | JCC in Sherman, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman, CT
A night to both listen to and share poetry relating to the season of solitude – Winter!
Featured Poets

Cindy Davis
Sam Cross
Sandy Carlson
Amber Vlangas
Mike Pugh

Featured Musicians

Bernie Kaplan
Mike Latini
George Mallas
Dave Goldenberg

Event Details

Featured Poet Readings with Live Musical Accompaniment
Open Mic Poetry
Light Refreshments | BYOB Venue

Clay Play
2026-02-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Clay Play
Saturday, February 7th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Grab your friends and have fun with clay! This class is for all ages!
(7 and under can sit on parents lap)
This is your chance to try the pottery wheel and get your hands in some clay.
We show you how, then you get on the wheel right away. This class is perfect for all ages—little ones are welcome to sit on their parent’s lap and join the fun. $50 ea.
Each date is the start of a new class. Check our calendar.
Pre-registration and payment is required.
Needs a minimum of 4 people to run this class.
Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
Call us for more information or to register (860) 354-4318

Super Bowl Game Day Special
2026-02-08 11:30 - 23:00 | The Iron Rail, 10 Railroad Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Hail Mary Meal & Sideline Snacks available for pick up and dine in on Sunday February 8th.

Sensory-Friendly Social Time for Special Needs Adults Ages 18-28
2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Come join this social group for special needs adults and their caregivers. We’ll have fun crafting and more! Caregivers are welcome!

Mah Jongg
2026-02-11 13:00 - 15:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Come and learn how to play this fun game! Bring your friends! Beginners are welcome.

Poetry Workshop
2026-02-14 13:00 - 15:00 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Spend your Valentine’s Day with author Tom Ciccarone writing poetry for your loved ones–or just for yourself! This class is suitable for experienced writers and novice poets alike.

Kenn-Morr Band Valentine Concert
2026-02-14 17:00 - 18:30 | New Milford Public Library, 24 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Bring your special Valentine and listen to awesome live music from the Kenn-Morr Band!

Dirty Date Night
2026-02-14 18:30 - 21:30 | Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main Street, New Milford, CT, 06776
Dirty Date Night
Saturday, February 14th 6:30-9:30PM
Grab someone special and come get dirty….with clay!
You choose the date.
This is a two-day course where you will throw one piece of pottery on the wheel, & trim the base during the second visit. $245 per couple. This includes a visit to glaze your piece at your leisure once it’s out of the kiln.
Bring a beverage of your choice and finger food if you’d like.
Each month is a new start date.
You must pre-register for this event.
Needs a minimum of 4 people to run this class.
Village Center for the Arts
12 Main Street, New Milford, CT
(860) 354-4318

Dinner & Music: The Red Dirt Girls
2026-02-14 19:00 - 21:00 | JCC in Sherman, 9 Route 39 South, Sherman, CT
Menu
Beef Bourguignon
Chicken Au Poivre
Parisienne Potatoes
Ratatouille
Winter Greens Salad W/Tarragon Dijon Vinaigrette
Baguettes/ Butter
Dessert
Chocolate Mousse Tart W/Framboise
The Artists:
Born at the Sherman Song Swap nearly 20 years ago, The Red Dirt Girls (RDG) are all about harmonies. Inspired by the classic trio work of Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton, as well as Red Molly and the Wailin’ Jennys, these neighbors got together for the sheer joy of singing.
Susy Marker and Missy Alexander trade off on the lead vocals and high harmonies. They are the songwriters of the group, crafting lyrics that are sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, and often both. Pat Walker is the chief arranger, with a perfect ear, a passion for the unexpected, and a smoky bass line.
