Arts & Entertainment
Gingerbread House Competition Highlights Simsbury Free Library
Sneak Peek of Culinary Creations for Annual Simsbury Celebrates! Townwide Spectacular
Get into the holiday spirit with a visual feast of colorful confections that smell as good as they look! The highly-anticipated annual Gingerbread House Competition returns to the Simsbury Free Library on November 24, 2019. The edible art display is a highlight of the Simsbury Celebrates! festivities. Each year, students, community members, regional artisans and bakers design culinary creations for the townwide holiday celebration held on Thanksgiving weekend.
The Simsbury Free Library is hosting other events guaranteed to make it a November to remember. On Thursday, November 14 learn about the Iron Horse in Tariffville, a small town with an oversized railroad history. The narrated slide presentation by Ferroequinologist (a person who studies trains) and life-long railfan Robert Joseph Belletzkie will answer curious questions about local railroad history: Where did a railroad run through the middle of a church? Where did the first skirmish in ‘The Battle for Springfield’ take place?
The popular Drop In Genealogy and the monthly Drop In Book Club continue on the event calendar. This month’s book discussion will feature “Britt-Marie Was Here” by Fredrik Backman and is open to anyone who is interested in exploring this fascinating book.
A full roster of November events offered by the Simsbury Free Library includes:
Saturday, November 9: Drop In Genealogy (10:00a – 2:00p)
Researching your family tree and don't know where else to look to find missing ancestors? Bring any information you have and let genealogist Alison Watson Maston help. Alison has over 40 years of experience. She specializes in researching vital records, land records, immigration and naturalization records as well as probate records. She has particular expertise in New England, New York City and Ireland. Free for members; $5 for non-members. To make a reservation or for more information, call (860) 408-1336 or email programs@simsburyfreelibrary.org###/a###.
Tuesday, November 12: Drop In Book Club: Britt-Marie Was Here (11:15a)
New members in search of great book discussions and even better company are always welcome at the Simsbury Free Library’s Drop In Book Club any time they are interested in the monthly selection. This month’s selection is the heartwarming novel, “Britt-Marie Was Here” by Fredrik Backman. This funny, moving, sweet and inspiring story celebrates the importance of community and connection in a world that can feel isolating. For more information, call 860-408-1336 or email programs@simsburyfreelibrary.org.
Thursday, November 14: A Tale of Two Railroads: The Iron Horse In Tariffville, 1850-1938 (6:30 – 8:00p)
Life-long railfan Robert Joseph Belletzkie will host a narrated slide presentation on the Iron Horse in Tariffville, a small town with an oversized railroad history. He will talk about intersections, depots and more using newspaper articles, maps, official documents and other primary sources. Mr. Belletzkie has given talks and tours as well as organizing and curating railroad collections all over the state. His TylerCityStation website has been acknowledged as authoritative and unique in its in-depth coverage of Connecticut railroad history. Free, open to the public and all welcome! To reserve a seat, call 860-408-1336, or email programs@simsburyfreelibrary.org.
Tuesday, November 26: Special Preview of Simsbury Celebrates! Gingerbread House Competition (11:00a-5:00p)
The Simsbury Free Library is pleased to be hosting the Gingerbread House Competition for Simsbury Celebrates! again this year. The judging will take place on Sunday November 24th at 3:00 pm. The entries and winners of these incredible works of culinary art will be on display and open for free viewing. Additional dates include Saturday, November 30 from 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Special extended viewing hours on Tuesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 5: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Bonus hours may be added. For more information, please visit www.simsburyfreelibrary.org.
About Simsbury Free Library
The Simsbury Free Library (the Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library), located at 749 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury, promotes interest in genealogy and history by providing access to research material and expertise, artifacts, and educational and cultural programs, to help visitors develop the skills required to create family trees, search local histories, look up census records, explore vital records, etc.
The Simsbury Free Library – the Gracious Yellow Lady – is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. as well as by appointment. To RSVP or for more information, visit www.simsburyfreelibrary.org or call (860) 408-1336.
PHOTO: The highly-anticipated annual Gingerbread House Competition returns to the Simsbury Free Library on November 24, 2019. The edible art display is a highlight of the Simsbury Celebrates! festivities. Each year, students, community members, regional artisans and bakers design culinary creations for the townwide holiday celebration held on Thanksgiving weekend.
