Chocolate Fest in Portland

On Saturday, February 3 from 1-4:30p.m. the Portland First Congregational Church will hold their 21st Chocolate Fest. Snow date February 4. 

Come to enjoy the Chocolate Mousse Cafe where a variety of desserts from the ladies of the church will be offered. Some of the possibilities are Lemon Truffle Pie, Ambrosia White Chocolate Cheesecake, and Turtle Cheesecake. Linda Rumsey Dolega of Sweet Memories Bake Shop will offer her Double Truffle "Black Beast". 

In addition, there will be a Valentine Craft Booth, a Candy Booth, Baked Goods Booth and a 'Not Just For Kids" craft room. 

Admission is free. 

Westport Farmer's Market

"Farmers' markets are cool. They usually have fresh produce. Shopping there boosts local economies. It's hassle-free and homey. The Westport Farmers' Market is that - and much, much more. It's dynamic, constantly evolving, and a true community event. One element contributing to all that is programming. There are demonstrations, projects, and ongoing partnerships. One of the most creative and meaningful is called Farmers to Veterans to Community. The program gives military vets affiliated with Homes for the Brave in Bridgeport a chance to prepare farm-fresh food under the guidance of WFM's vast chef network. Through the Farmers' Market, veterans learn about the health benefits of local food - and job opportunities with area restaurants. It's a win-win-win - for vets, farmers and restaurateurs. Of course, it helps the entire community - and economy - too.  Homes for the Brave helps homeless men and women, and their families, attain housing and learn life skills. FVC began 2 months ago, with 6 women. Chef Jennifer Balin - a Westporter who owns Sugar & Olives, just over the Norwalk line - and chef Dan Sabia of Jesup Hall pioneered the program. They shop at the indoor farmers' market, then bring ingredients to the kitchen at the women's home. They demonstrate cooking techniques. Then, at dinner, they share recipes, and discuss life skills and employment opportunities. One job may already be in the works. More dinners are planned for February. Chefs Geoff Lazlo, Bill Taibe and Matt Storch, along with food blogger Liz Rueven, will participate. Westport Farmers' Market executive director Lori Cochran-Dougall is justly proud of her creative programming. But, she admits, Farmers to Veterans to Community is special."This puts to work - literally - our values of giving back to the community, by helping those who have given so much of themselves," she says. What a wonderful recipe for success!"   Thank you Dan Woog for sharing our story and a big shout out to Newman's Ownfor believing in this concept and providing the seed money to get it off the ground.  Do you love your dog? or maybe a friend's dog?  We have a special presentation this week from Paul's Custom Pet Food at 11:00.  They will launch our new series of vendor presentations this Saturday with: 7 Farmers' Market Foods You Can Share With Your Dog PLUS A Free Recipe! Lynn will present seven healthful human foods you can bring home from the market to enjoy yourself and to feed to your four-legged friend. Be sure to sign up for a free easy recipe PCPF will share that you can make at home.

Saturday's Vendor List: 1. Fort Hill Farm 2. Riverbank Farm 3. Sport Hill Farm  4. Beltane Farm 5. Oxhollow Farm 6. Aradia Farm  7. Two Guys from Woodbridge 8.  Arogya 9.  Wave Hill Breads 10. Boxcar Cantina 11. Raus Coffee 12. Simply Local 13. Local Catch  14. Huckleberry Pastries 15. Beaver Brook Sankow Farm 16. Paul's Custom Pet Food Rotating This Week: 17. EHSTO - prepared food 19. Calcutta Kitchen 20. Nit Noi Provisions 21. Healing Home Foods 22. Woodland Farm 23. Park City Honey  24. Cross Culture Kombucha 25. Farm Culture Ghee 26. Skinny Pines

Winter Concerts in Wethersfield

Wethersfield Historical Society Proudly Presents the 25th Season of the Keeney Cultural Series!   Join us for our 25th year of the Keeney Cultural Series!  Concerts will be held in Keeney Hall Sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center at 200 Main Street.  Tickets for individual concerts are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.  Tickets for the complete series are $25 for members and $30 for non-members.  Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.wethersfieldhistory.org orhttp://www.eventbrite.com or in person at the Old Academy, 150 Main Street, Wethersfield, Tuesday-Friday 10:00-4:00 or via mail by sending payment to Old Academy, 150 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109.  Checks should be made out to "Wethersfield Historical Society". Contact the Old Wethersfield Country Store at http://www.owcsct.com or 860-436-3782 to order customized themed wine and cheese tray packages to enjoy at our concerts! These concerts are supported by the Robert Allan Keeney  Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

January 21: Goza Latin Jazz Band - Goza is an engaging Latin/Latin Jazz musical ensemble comprised of Connecticut's most seasoned and versatile musicians.  Goza performs exciting music and dance rhythms from Latin America, Brazil and Spain with guitar, violin, horns, Latin percussion and beautiful, romantic vocals.  Snow date: January 28 at 4:00pm.

February 18: Band of Steady Habits - Band of Steady Habits came together as a group in 2014 to share their love of music, and to use their talents to help create a new kind of public history presentation.  They use banjo, guitars, violin, recorders, bass, percussion, and beautiful harmonies to perform songs-some old, some original, and some contemporary-to accompany the visually rich and evocative stories of state historian Walt Woodward.  They will be presenting "Handed Down in Song: New England History and Culture."  Snow date: February 25 at 4:00pm.   March 18: The Jolly Beggars - The Jolly Beggars bring the rich tradition of Celtic folk music and storytelling to modern day audiences.  Based out of Connecticut, their traditional songs and musical arrangements have exposed many to the joys of Celtic music.  Characterized by their tight harmonies and use of guitars, mandolin, tin whistles, octave mandolin, mandola, tenor banjo, double bass, bodhran, spoons, and more, The Jolly Beggars have quickly built a solid following and continue to spread their music around the east coast.  Snow date April 22 at 2:00 pm. Information provided by the Wethersfield Historical Society