Picture Book Celebration

November is National Picture Book Month. To celebrate, the Norfolk Library welcomes author Jessica Kulekjian, illustrator Madeline Kloepper, and Roaring Brook Nature Center director Jay Kaplan at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, via Zoom for a behind-the-scenes look at how they collaborated to create the nonfiction picture book “Before We Stood Tall: From Small Seed to Mighty Tree.” To register, go the library website or call front desk circulation. The library is also offering a reading challenge. Families who read 15 picture books between Nov. 1 and 30 will receive a $15 gift card from the Berkshire County Store (one gift card per household). Stop by the library to choose your books or ask Miss Eileen to pick books for you. To sign up, email thenorfolklibrary@gmail.com or call front desk circulation at 860-542-5075. 

Library Art Show

Works of art by the Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best will be on display for the month of November at the Norfolk Library. Best is a visual artist, author, the senior pastor of Redeemer’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Plainville, Conn., and the founder of The 224 EcoSpace, a social enterprise and art installation in Hartford. Her portfolio includes acrylics, mixed media, up-cycling and activist photography that emerges from her life of service. An opening reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, Nov. 7, from 3 to 5 p.m., hosted by the Church of Christ Congregational and the Library Associates. Please wear a face mask.

A Tale of Five Norfolks

Join in virtually on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. as the staff from five Norfolk libraries (in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Nebraska and England) come together to compare Norfolks. The librarians will share interesting facts about the history of their respective towns and libraries, including a short tour of each facility. One of the most interesting questions (to people in Connecticut’s Norfolk) may be “How does your community pronounce the town’s name?” To register, please visit the library website or call front desk circulation at 860-542-5075.

Youth Service Bureau Fundraiser

The Winchester Youth Service Bureau is holding its 16th annual fall fund-raiser “Celebration of Gratitude” on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Crystal Peak in Winchester from 6 to 10 p.m. The funds raised will help support at-risk youth and their families in the bureau’s area: Winchester, Barkhamsted, New Hartford, Colebrook, Norfolk and Hartland.

Baubles, Bangles and Beads at the Historical Society 

Baubles, Bangles and Beads is a private collection of over 100 pieces of jewelry created during the women’s suffrage movement. The collection will go on display at the Norfolk Historical Society on Nov. 7 and will remain on view for the following two weekends. An opening gala is planned for Nov. 6. Details are available at norfolkhistoricalsociety.org. 

Intuitive Painting Workshop Within

Intuitive art making is a gentle and effortless approach to partner with the artist and the healer within to utilize their life-fulfilling gifts. Viktoria Seavey, healing life coach, will lead a workshop in intuitive painting on Saturday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Norfolk Hub. Fee is $47. Go to intuitive-painting-norfolk.eventbrite.com to register and pay.

Black Friday Hike

The Norfolk Land Trust’s annual Black Friday “skip the shopping” and “hike without stopping” walk up Pine Mountain will be at 1 p.m. on Nov. 26. Meet outside the trailhead off of Grantville Road. The hike is at least an hour and can be steep in some spots. It can also be wet, so please be prepared. Please bring a mask.

Battell Arts Foundation Scholarships

Because of the pandemic, the Battell Arts Foundation has altered its scholarship calendar to offer more opportunities to the children in the area. Scholarships are awarded to young artists to help pay for their education, and funds can be used for activities such as individual lessons, workshops and other organized programs. Applicants must be residents of Colebrook or Norfolk and in grades 3-12. For an application, contact Kim Crone at kimcrone@sbcglobal.net. Deadline for applications is Monday, Dec. 13, and the awards will be made in January 2022.