December 1

After Hours Holiday Sip & Shop

Enjoy our beautifully decorated Nature Museum while listening to festive music, sipping mulled cider, and indulging in holiday treats! Get your Christmas shopping in high gear in our gift shop. Choose from a huge selection of locally sourced items and one-of-a-kind gifts for adults and children. Become a member or buy a membership for those you love! Happy Holidays! Museum Open House 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

December 2

The Snow Queen

This outstanding holiday program was featured in Diane Smith’s book, A Connecticut Christmas!  Artist and puppeteer Robin McCahill returns to the Carriage House at White Memorial for one performance of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of friends lost and found, visits to distant lands, travels through changing seasons, and encounters with strange and exotic characters. McCahill’s whimsical troupe of hand-felted marionettes tells the story. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. They will escort guests to the Mott-Van Winkle classroom in their horse drawn wagon. While Santa receives guests in the classroom, Mrs. Claus will lead a carol sing around the bonfire. An embarrassment of sweets and cups of velvety hot chocolate sweeten the day.  Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in their horse drawn wagon at 1:00 p.m. Performance: 3:00 P.M. in the Carriage House.  This beautiful program is made possible by an anonymous donor.

There will be a Museum Open House from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.! The Gift Shop is full of wonderful stocking stuffers and one-of-a-kind gifts!

ADMISSION: A donation of warm socks, mittens, gloves, or hats of any size or color and a non-perishable food item for the pantry at FISH, Torrington CT. You must call and make a reservation: 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org

December 6

Dark of Winter Yoga with Judith Ehrman-Shapiro

This class will run twice a month for 17 weeks, from the change of the clock in November to the change of the clock in March, specifically November 9 to March 20. This class will meet on Zoom, but there are a few spaces in the studio for in-person students who are vaccinated (please contact Judith directly if interested). There is no previous yoga experience required. The purpose of the class is self-care during the winter season; increasing self-awareness, emotional balance, physical strength, flexibility, and muscular endurance. The class will integrate mindfulness, breath technique, yoga postures, kinesthetic awareness, and alignment in an hour of relaxing, quiet, guided movement.

About Our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a psychotherapist, dance-movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and registered yoga teacher. Her private practice, the Evolving Center, is in Winsted. She is a proud member of White Memorial Conservation Center, where she has been sharing her love of yoga for over 6 years.

December 7

Help Save a Life with the McCall Behavioral Health Network

White Memorial partners with McCall to offer these two important training sessions. Attend one or both!

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: QPR Gatekeeper / Suicide Prevention

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper, you’ll learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to offer hope, and how to refer someone to resources in the community to help save a life. QPR nis a nationally recognized, evidence-based training that grants participants certification considered active for three years.

7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.: Naloxone Administration / Overdose Prevention

Attendees will receive a FREE Naloxone kit with two 4-ML doses of Naloxone.

Topics that will be discussed: Overdose prevention strategies, a brief history of opioid waves, local resources and support, signs and symptoms of an overdose, how to administer Naloxone, current protective legislation.

These sessions are FREE to the public and will be held in the A. B. Ceder Room beginning at 6:00 p.m.

December 7

Nature’s Nursery

Join us on the first Thursday of each month from September – December for an engaging program designed just for your young nature lovers. Every session will include a story, an encounter with a live animal, and an activity or craft. Some of our activities might be outside, so dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. Parents/Caregivers, we ask that you stay for the duration of the program. Meet in the A.B. Ceder Room. 4-5pm. Advanced registration is required. To register, please call 860-567-0857 or visit whitememorialcc.org. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series 

December 9

Let’s Look for Porcupines with Gerri Griswold!

Begin the morning with donuts and coffee and a brief presentation about porcupines with Gerri Griswold. We’ll then hop in our cars and drive  backroads through Goshen, into Norfolk, and Winchester in search of our prickly friends in their favorite haunts! Many Connecticut residents don’t believe porcupines live here. Hopefully you’ll have bragging rights at the end of our time together! Dress for the weather! 5:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room, Members: $5.00  Non-Members: $10.00. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 860-567-0857 or register online www.whitememorialcc.org  LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS!

December 16

Circumnavigating Five Ponds with Gerri Griswold

Spend quality time exploring one of the most magical areas on our property! We’ll be tackling every pond! Heron, Plunge Pool, Fawn, Teal, and Beaver! Learn fun facts about how the Whites managed this property! Pack a lunch and bring plenty of water. Sturdy footwear and rain gear are a must. We are conquering Five Ponds rain, snow, or shine! Expect a three mile hike, give or take. Meet at the trailhead at the junction of Route’s 63 / 61. 11 AM – 2:00 P.M., Please call 860-567-0857 to pre-register or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org  FREE … Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

December 17

Litchfield Hills Audubon Christmas Bird Count

To volunteer, email Dave Tripp: [email protected]

December 20

Dark of Winter Yoga with Judith Ehrman-Shapiro

This class will run twice a month for 17 weeks, from the change of the clock in November to the change of the clock in March, specifically November 9 to March 20. This class will meet on Zoom, but there are a few spaces in the studio for in-person students who are vaccinated (please contact Judith directly if interested). There is no previous yoga experience required. The purpose of the class is self-care during the winter season; increasing self-awareness, emotional balance, physical strength, flexibility, and muscular endurance. The class will integrate mindfulness, breath technique, yoga postures, kinesthetic awareness, and alignment in an hour of relaxing, quiet, guided movement.

About Our Facilitator: Judith Ehrman-Shapiro, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, RYT is a psychotherapist, dance-movement therapist, nationally certified counselor, and registered yoga teacher. Her private practice, the Evolving Center, is in Winsted. She is a proud member of White Memorial Conservation Center, where she has been sharing her love of yoga for over 6 years.

December 21 – 27

Museum Children Free Week

Courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick.  Free admission to children ages twelve and under when accompanied by an adult.

December 21

Babies in Backpacks with Kelly Orr

For ages 6 months to 2 years!

Children ages 6 months through 2 years can explore the great outdoors with us on the third Thursday of every month from September – December. This is a place for caretakers to learn about being outside in all safe weather with babies and toddlers, to try out different hiking carriers, swap suggestions on gear, and help encourage each other to be outside more! The very flexible schedule will typically be a half hour of walking and a half hour of outdoor sensory exploration. Having fun is our only expectation! Bring any milk, snacks, and supplies you will need, but we won’t go too far from your car. Dress for the weather! We will go out in snow, rain, and sun, as long as it is safe! Caretakers must stay for the duration of the program. Meet in the Pollinator Garden. 10-11am. Advanced registration required. Register at whitememorialcc.org or call 860-567-0857. Space is limited. Please inquire about financial aid as needed. Members: $9/child per session or $30/whole series, Non-Members: $13/child per session or $50/whole series 

December 23

A Holiday Stroll Up Apple Hill with Gerri Griswold

It’s actually just an excuse to savor homemade scones, guzzle outlandishly rich hot chocolate, and share friendship at the pinnacle of one of our most beautiful trails. Comfort and Joy! 10:00 a.m., Meet at the Apple Hill Trailhead off East Shore Road. The event is free and limited to 12 guests. Please pre-register by calling 860-567-0857 or register online: www.whitememorialcc.org  FREE…Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

December 24 & 25

CHRISTMAS

MUSEUM CLOSED

December 30

New Year’s Eve EVE Morning Hike to Little Pond Boardwalk with Gerri Griswold

Let’s ring in 2023 together on an early morning hike to our beloved Boardwalk! Wear your finest party hat! We’ll supply the sparklers and a glass of cheer at the end of our walk! 9:00 a.m., Meet in the A. B. Ceder Room, FREE… Donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

December 31 / January 1

NEW YEAR’S DAY

MUSEUM CLOSED