Book Talk by Hans Carlson

Hams Carlson, executive director of Blue Hill Heritage Trust in Main, and former director of Great Mountain Forest, will read from and discuss his new book, “Walking Toward Moosalamoo,” an inquiry into the relation between humans, the land and the historical and cultural terrain of New England. The talk will be Saturday, March 2, at 4 p.m. at the Norfolk Library, with a reception to follow. To register, call the library at 860-542-5075 or contact Jean Bronson at jean@greatmountainforest.org.

Hilary VanWright Exhibit at the Norfolk Library 

During the month of March, Hilary VanWright’s paintings on wood burls will be on display at the Norfolk Library. Inspired by the beauty of the Berkshires and the surrounding area, VanWright honors the natural patterns and shape of the burl while adding geometric and organic designs as revealed to her by each piece. Please join us for the opening reception for the artist on Sunday, March 3, from 4 to 6 p.m., hosted by the Library Associates.

Dinner and Raffle to Support Botelle 6th Grade

On Friday, March 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Botelle School is holding a pasta dinner and a raffle for their annual fundraiser. Tickets are $8 per person, or $25 for a family of four or more. The fundraiser is to help Botelle 6th grade families pay for the end-of-year class trip to Rhode Island as well as to offset other costs such as the class yearbook and other traditional end-of-year activities.

Land Trust End-of-Winter Celebration

Join us for a guided hike, ski or snowshoe in Barbour Woods on Saturday, March 16, to celebrate the last weekend of winter. Meet at the Lovers Lane trailhead at 1 p.m. Some snowshoes are available to borrow; to reserve a pair, leave a message on our Facebook page. Dress appropriately for the weather and follow the parking signs to the trailhead off Lovers Lane. In case of bad weather, this will not be rescheduled. For more information, contact June Peterson at 860-542-5040 or jgpeterson754@gmail.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Concert at the Norfolk Library

The Norfolk Library’s celebration of St. Patrick’s Day has become an annual tradition for fans of the Emerald Isle. On Saturday, March 16, from 6 to 7:15 p.m., the Murphy Beds & Friends will present a program of traditional and original Irish folk songs with close harmonies and deft instrumental arrangements of bouzouki, guitar, mandolin, concertina, flute and fiddle. Please call the library at 860-542-5075 to reserve a seat for this free concert. 

Mondays at the Hub

On March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. Husky Meadows will present “Look and See,” a program about the life and work of Wendell Berry. A 90-minute film will be followed by a discussion with Tracy Hayhurst about the relationship between community and rural agriculture.On March 25, Phillip Allen, project manager of Mad River Market, a food co-op start-up being developed in Winsted, will be on hand from 6 to 7 p.m. to share ideas about shaping a vision for ensuring access to healthy food and supporting local agriculture and businesses. Events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited. For information and registration, go to www.norfolkfoundation.net/hub-events, or contact Dawn Whalen at 860-542-7185 x250 or dawnwhalen@norfolkfoundation.net.

Paint ’n’ Sip Fundraiser, Church of Christ Congregational

Join us in Battell Chapel on Thursday, March 21, at 6:30 p.m. for a fun night of painting and fellowship. We will be painting “Mount Greylock at Dusk” on a 16-by-20-foot canvas. Instruction and all materials are provided. This is a BYOB evening, with appetizers and nonalcoholic drinks available. Tickets are $35, and all proceeds will benefit the church mission trip to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. Call Ashley Allyn at 860-671-1309 or Tina Olsen at 860-303-0925 for tickets.

Building on Success with Affordable Housing

See what’s next on the drawing board for affordable and energy-efficient green living in Norfolk. On March 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., join the board members of the Foundation for Norfolk Living and guest speakers, including State Representative Maria Horn, to discuss past, present and future affordable housing projects. There will be refreshments by Wood Creek Bar & Grill. Snow date will be March 28.

Thursday Classic Film Series at the Library

The 1991 film “The Commitments”will be shown at the Norfolk Library on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, the film tells the story of a music fanatic who assembles a group of working-class youths to form a soul band in Dublin. The film has gained cult status and is regarded as one of the best Irish films ever made, perfect for Irish-American Heritage Month.

NPR’s Anne Garrels and Neal Conan Perform with Ensemble Galilei

On Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m. come to the Congregational Church in Norfolk for a celebration of resilience, courage, loss and hope entitled “Between War and Here.” After playing every Friday for seven years at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, one of the musicians in Ensemble Galilei composed a searing set of poems/postcards about her experience. Combining music, poetry and memoir, this extraordinary work of art is as mesmerizing as it is timely.