Dec 19: 14th Annual Antique Stocking Stuffers Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, $4.50 seniors; 914/273-4667 (show phone 203/637-4583).

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: T-Sun 1-5 pm. Docent tours every Sun 2 pm. Call 438-4519.

Bachelier-Cardonsky Gallery, Main St, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri by appt. Call 860/927-3129.

Through Dec 19, “Celebrating The Millennium,” works in varied media by 41 artists.

Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Call 203/331-1104.

Through Jan 8, “That’s All Folks! Bugs Bunny and Friends of Warner Bros. Cartoons,” production artwork (drawings, paintings & celluloids) from Warner Bros. Cartoon Studio, ca 1930s-60s, also 2 finished cartoons continuously screened. Through Jan 8, “Shocked And Amazed: The World of Side Show,” mementos from & hands-on exhibits exploring the lives of side show performers, also antique & contemporary circus banners.

Beaux Arts Gallery, Barclay Square/16 Sherman Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Call 263-3939.

*(new show) Dec 11-Jan 31, “2M: The Crossroads,” multi-dimensional “artistic event” w/ works by Danielle Mailer, Carey McDougal, Paula Renee, Clare Chapman, Tom Adkins, Anda Styler, Nick Scalise & Lindsey Ruppel, also interior spaces designed by Country Loft Antiques & Eleish Van Breems Antiques; Dec 11, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Betts-Sturges-Blackmar House (Wilton Hist Scty), 224 Danbury Rd (Rte 7), Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-4 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203/762-7257.

Through Jan 31, “The World of A Child, 1870-1970,” dolls, toys, dollhouses & trains incl motionless & running trains, historic memorabilia, also re-created Ambler Family Parlor w/ Victorian holiday decorations.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Th 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 354-6937.

*(new show) Through Dec 31, “A Celebration of Quilts,” original designs & creations by Judith Flaxman.

Carole Peck’s Good News Cafe, 694 Main St, Woodbury. Call 266-4663.

Through Jan 18, colored pencil drawings by Clare Chapman, hand-built clay horses by Louise W. King, & paintings by Nancy Lasar.

Fine Line Art Gallery, Sherman Village, 682 Main St So, Woodbury. Hours: Th-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 266-0110.

Through Dec 26, “Deck The Walls…,” annual holiday art show & sale w/ works by 20 members in painting, sculpture, pottery & jewelry.

Grey Horse Gallery, Berkshire Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10:30 am-4:30 pm. Call 270-1199.

Through Jan 1, oil paintings & prints by Jerry Cable. Permanent display of pastels by Diane Dutchick, Ken Graff, Carol Hubbard, Richard McEvoy & Leslie Hudson-Tolles.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-6 pm. Call 203/852-0700.

Through Jan 2, “Great Big Bugs,” enormous robotic insects (40-120 times normal size) incl praying mantis, locusts, beetles, etc, also interactive displays & insect portrait gallery. Through March 10, “In Style On The Nile: Boats of the Pharoahs,” 14 large-scale models of vessels used by ancient Egyptians, loanced from The Pharaonic Village, Egypt.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 11 am-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Fr 10 am-8 pm, Sat 9 am-4 pm. Call 860/350-2181.

Through Dec 18, collages, watercolors & pastels by Plonia Nixon.

Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby. Hours: Tues-Thurs 10 am-3 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm. Call 203/922-7832.

 Through Dec 12, “The Nutmeggers,” original paintings by local award-winning artists.

Randall Tuttle Fine Arts, 742 Main St So/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Tues-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, Mon by appt. Call 263-2458.

*(new show) Dec 11-Jan 30, “1999-2000, The Millennium Exhibition,” final exhibition of season will feature works by 10 CT artists; Dec 11, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860/278-2670.

Through Dec 16, “Here’s Looking At You: Portraits from the Collection,” exploration of portraiture from Renaissance to present day through various media & broad themes incl social position, personality, glamour, transformation, self-portraiture & in memoriam through wide range of artists. Through Jan 30, “About Face: Andy Warhol Portraits,” paintings, print series & unique prints by the Pop artist, rarely-seen Polaroid photos, Warhol films (incl Blow Job, Eat & Screen Tests).

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203/254-4000 x2969.

Through Dec 13, “1960s International Arts Celebration,” shaped canvases by Charles Hanman.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203/762-3950.

Through Jan 2, “Nature Revisited,” landscape oils in pointillistic style by Beth Moffitt.

Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St So/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 10 am-9 pm. Call 263-3502.

*(new show) Through Dec 30, “Big Girl,” selection of sm drawings & limited edition artist book by Carey McDougall, who looks to dress form as basis for drawings & sculpture; Dec 11, artist’s reception (open to public), 2-4 pm.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203/432-2800.

Through Jan 9, “Patrick Caulfield: A Retrospective,” major retrospective by England’s foremost Pop artist (only US venue for traveling exhibition), includes over 50 paintings by Caulfield; Dec 16, free gallery talk, 11 am. Through Jan 9, “A Treasure House In Farmington: The Lewis Walpole Library,” treasures from the collection donated to Yale Center incl furniture, accessories & artwork.

CT Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury 06704-0053.

Dec 31: Entries due for 1999 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Competition, cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place ($150, $100 & $50, respectively) plus publication in CPS’ nat’l magazine, send SASE to above address for complete rules & details.

Dec 10: CT Choral Society Holiday Concert, St Rose of Lima, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15, $8 students/children, works of Poulenc (Gloria), Plainchant & Biebl (Ave Maria); 263-7603, 800/555-5250.

Dec 10: “Noel Noel,” holiday concert by Naugatuck Valley College Chorus & Orchestra, Naugatuck Valley College Mainstage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, $5; 203/575-8039.

Dec 10: “A Ceremony of Carols,” St John’s Chorale Candlelight Christmas Concert, St John’s Church, On the Green, Washington, 8 pm, ticekts $15, $7 students, 35-member choir will perform works of Poulenc, Howells, Britten & favorite carols; 860/868-2527.

Dec 10-12: 32nd Annual Danbury Music Centre Nutcracker Ballet, Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, general adm seating, cast of 160 dancers accompanied by 60-pc Danbury Symphony Orchestra; 748-1716.

Dec 11: Festival of String Chamber Music: Manhattan String Quartet Beethoven Workshop, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 9 am-5 pm, call for details; 837-8350.

Dec 11: Coloratura soprano Renata di Pietro, Weston Library, 58 Norfield Rd, Weston, 8 pm, free, accompanied by pianist & violinist Carl Hummer; 226-7792, 226-2205.

Dec 12: The Wizard Who Wanted To Be Santa, Connecticut Ballet with Island Moving Co., Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, performances 1 & 4 pm, tickets $15, $10 seniors, $7.50 age 12 & under, $50 family pack (6 tickets), performance hosted by CT Ballet w/ professional dancers from Providence-based Island Co., also 50 local children participating, full-length ballet based on poem by Gloria Nagy w/ score by Terry Grosvenor; 203/964-1211.

Dec 12: CT Choral Society Holiday Concert, St Rose of Lima, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $15, $8 students/children, works of Poulenc (Gloria), Plainchant & Biebl (Ave Maria); 263-7603, 800/555-5250.

Dec 12: “Picnic & Hanukkah Pops,” performance featuring David Grover & The Big Bear Band, Rochambeau Middle School, Peter Rd, Southbury, 1 pm, free, interactive Hanukkah & secular music performance for all ages, refreshments will be offered (picnic lunches welcome), toy drive will be ongoing (new, unwrapped toys); 263-5121 x308.

Dec 12: CT Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert, Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High), New Haven, 2 pm, free, CCO will perform works of Purcell, Britten & Holst; 203/432-2800.

Dec 12: 17th Annual Sing-In of Handel’s Messiah, Bettell Chapel, College & Elm St, New haven, 2:30 pm, adm $5 (scores available for $10 or bring your own), hosted by Yale Glee Club, conductors Fenno Heath & Marguerite Brooks; 203/432-4136.

Dec 12: Greater Waterbury Youth Symphony Winter Concert, Naugatuck Valley College Mainstage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm  (snow date Dec 19), $5 adults, $2 seniors & children, young musicians in three different orchestra levels will play symphonic music, chamber groups will also perform; 203/754-4911.

Dec 12: “Christmas Angelicus,” Washington Congregational Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $15 (gen adm) & $30 (reserved seats), musical holiday celebration performance by children’s choir Chorus Angelicus & adult vocal ensemble Gaudeamus, also poignant & humorous readings by John McDonough (“Captain Kangaroo”); 888/788-8882.

Dec 12: “A Ceremony of Carols,” St John’s Chorale Candlelight Christmas Concert, St John’s Church, On the Green, Washington, 4 pm, tickets $15, $7 students, 35-member choir will perform works of Poulenc, Howells, Britten & favorite carols; 860/868-2527.

Dec 12: “Holiday Jazz,” WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free (donations requested, with proceeds to jazz studies program), performances by WCSU Jazz Guitar Ensemble, Day Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra of jazz classics incl works of Ellington, Nestico, Hancock, et al; 837-8486.

Dec 17: Treblehook at The Fireside Inn, 123 Main St So/Rte 25, Newtown, music starts 9 pm, originals & few covers by acoustic trio.

Dec 17-19: Clara and The Nutcracker by CT Dance Theatre, Taft School, Watertown, Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 & 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15, full-length narrated production w/ student & professional dancers from CDT; 860/274-0004.

Dec 18: Messiah Sing-In, South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172, Southbury, rehearsal begins 3 pm, public invited to rehearse w/ CT Master Chorale, choruses of Part I & II (concluding w/ “Hallelujah” chorus), for public performance at 8 pm that evening; 775-2602.

Dec 18: “Holiday Pops: Home For Christmas,” New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Woolsey Hall, College & Grove St, New Haven, 7:30 pm, tickets $15-$48; 203/776-1444.

Dec 18: “Radio Holidays” by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, Lyman Performing Arts Center at Southern CT State Univ, 501 Crescent St, New Haven, 8 pm, tickets $20 & $25, new & original holiday program by CGMC will present an imaginary live Christmas Eve broadcast from the golden age of radio; 800/644-CGMC (2462).

Dec 18: Handel’s Messiah, South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172, Southbury, 8 pm, $5, performance by CT Master Chorale w/ addit’l support for “Hallelujah” chorus; 775-2602.

Dec 19: “Radio Holidays” by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, Ives Concert Hall at Western CT State Univ, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, tickets $20 & $25, new & original holiday program by CMC will present an imaginary live Christmas Eve broadcast from the golden age of radio; 800/644-CGMG (2462).

Dec 19: “Holiday Pops: Home For Christmas,” New Haven Symphony Orchestra at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St, Shelton, 3 pm, all tickets $30; 203/776-1444.

Dec 19: “A Christmas Concert,” Sacred Heart Church, Main St South & Rte 172, Southbury, 3 pm, adm $5, performance by church’s adult choir & youth chorale, music director John Dulina IV, accompanied by pianists Patty Richards & Mark Focarile, traditional favorites & sev children’s anthems, also selections from Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols; 264-5065, 267-7672.

Dec 19: St Stephen’s Chamber Singers, St Stephen’s Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, free performance of traditional & modern carols; 203/438-3789.

Chamber Music Scty at Yale, Morse Recital Hall/Sprague Hall, 470 College St at Wall, New Haven. Call 203/432-4158.

Tickets $23-$28, students $13: Dec 14, The Brentano String Quartet, 8 pm, works of Shostakovich & Schubert.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Music director/conductor Gustav Meier. Call 203/576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $16-$43 w/ student, senior & group discounts: Dec 11, “A Family Holiday Pops,” festive concert will celebrate the holiday season, works of Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Corelli & Anderson, other traditional carols, Hanukkah favorites & popular tunes; 7 pm, pre-concert performance by GBS Brass Ensemble.

/246-6807.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $15-$49: Dec 17-18, “Home For The Holidays,” performance 7:30 pm**, tickets $10-$35, holiday extravaganza will feature HSO w/ Hartford Chorale, Pilgrim Youth Laudate Handbell Choir, Community Children’s Chorus & CT Children’s Chorus.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Performances 8 pm, free unless otherwise noted: Dec 9-11, WCSU Opera Club presents Amahl & The Night Visitors, Thurs 10 am & noon, Fri 10 am, noon & 8 pm, Sat 8 pm, tickets $5, $3 ages 12 & under; Dec 12, “Holiday Jazz” by WCSU music dept, 7 pm, free.

Newtown Choral Scty, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St (at the flagpole), Newtown. Call 426-1849.

Dec 11, “Songs of the Season” concert, 7:30 pm, tickets $7, $5 seniors & age 12 & under, performance will include Durante’s Magnificat, des Pres’ The Ave Maria, et al.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203/254-4010, 877/ARTS-396 (877/278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 11, The Orchestra of St Luke’s, 8 pm, call for ticket info, music for oboe, harpsichord & violins, concluding w/ Bach’s Bradenburg Concerto No 2 F Major (7 pm, “Art to Heart” pre-concert talk).

Yale Glee Club, Woolsey Hall, Grove & College St, New Haven. Call 203/432-4136.

Dec 12, Annual Messiah Sing-In, at Battell Chapel, College St, 2:30 pm, adm $5.

Yale School of Music, Morse Recital Hall/Sprague Hall, 470 College St, New Haven. Call 203/4158.

Yale Brass Showcase w/ Yale Brass Ensemble, Dec 12, Chamber Music Celebration, 4 pm, free, young artists from chamber music program will perform complete masterworks for various chamber ensembles; Dec 13, Guitar Chamber Music, 8 pm, free, music for guitar ensemble & guitar w/ other instruments will be performed.

Faculty Artist Series, 8 pm, free: Dec 11, pianist Boris Berman, violinist Syoko Aki, cellist Ole Akahoshi, all Brahms program.

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Dec 10-16: Being John Malkovich (R), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:45 & 4:30 pm;  Dogma (R), daily 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 pm; Flawless (R), daily 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 3:45 pm; The Limey (R), daily 9:45, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 4 pm; Music of The Heart (PG), daily 7:10 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:15 pm; Straight Story (G), daily 6:45 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:15 pm.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Dec 10-16: Double Jeopardy (R), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Tues 1 pm.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-2282.

Free screenings, 1 & 7:30 pm, preceded by Movie Chat: Dec 14, Titanic (1998, PG-13, ***please note evening screening will begin at 7 pm).

Dec 11: Pancakes With Santa, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury, begins 8 am, $2 (reservations necessary), full pancake breakfast, visit w/ Santa, also story telling; 730-2733.

Dec 11: Gingerbread House Workshops, Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 10:30-11:30 am & noon-1 pm, free (space limited; registration required), for age 3 & over, volunteers from Women’s Club will help children create gingerbread houses to take home; 452-5459.

Dec 12: Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, Congregational B’nai Torah, 5700 Main St, Trumbull, curtain 2 pm, all tickets $6; 268-6940.

Dec 18: Breakfast at The Barnum, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, doors open 10 am, breakfast & program begins 10:30 am, $5, $4 seniors & college students, $3 ages 4-18, continental breakfast, performance of Russian folk tale The Snow Maiden by Young Audiences of CT & Purple Rock Productions (using marionettes), self-tours of current exhibits; 203/331-1104.

Dec 18: “Story Telling For All Generations,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby, 1:30-2:30 pm, free (registration required, donations welcome), reading/telling of story of how white-tailed deer lost its antlers, craft time follows, good for all ages & families, refreshments follow; 734-2513.

Betts-Sturges-Blackmar House (Wilton Hist Scty), 224 Danbury Rd (Rte 7), Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-4 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203/762-7257.

Through Jan 31, “The World of A Child, 1870-1970,” dolls, toys, dollhouses & trains incl motionless & running trains, historic memorabilia, also re-created Ambler Family Parlor w/ Victorian holiday decorations.

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203/371-1903.

Museum Magic Hour programs, story-telling & craft programs for ages 2½-5 w/ adult, 10:30-11:30 am, $12, reservations: Dec 11, Debra Frasier’s illustrated poem On The Day You Were Born; Dec 18, Beatrice Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203/576-1636.

A Christmas Carol, through Jan 2, curtain Sat 12 & 2:30 pm, Sun noon, tickets $10.50.

New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Rd, West Redding. Call 938-2117.

*Pre-registration & pre-payment required for all programs.

Dec 11, Holidays With Our Animals, 10:30-11:30 am, $8, for ages 4-5; Dec 11, Holidays With Our Animals, 1:30-2:30 pm, $8, for ages 6-8; Dec 19, Astronomy Open House, 7-8 pm, $4/person, open to all ages & families.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203/254-4010.

Young Audience Series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $10 adults, $8 children (series tickets available): Dec 19, Hans Brinker’s Christmas, suitable for grades 1-7.

Science Center of Connecticut, 950 Trout Brook Dr, West Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm (Thurs until 8 pm), Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860/231-2824.

Through Jan 2, “Beakman’s World On Tour,” biology, chemistry & physics for the young & young-at-heart based on Emmy Award-winning television show Beakman’s World, learn about rain forest, dinosaurs, human body, outer space, et al, through hands-on activities & demonstrations.

South Shore Music Festival, Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203/259-0346, 203/227-0695.

Young Persons Concerts series, 2 pm, free, audience participation, door prizes: Dec 18, The York Waits, music of Henry VIII by English group on cornett, saggbut, crumhorn, hurdy-gurdy, lute & bagpipes.

Through Dec 11: 32nd Annual Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd (@Rte 188), Middlebury, Fri 2-4 & 7-9 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, free parking & adm, entire village created w/ gingerbread & decorations; 723-4143.

Through Dec 12: Osborne Homestead Museum Holiday Celebration Tours, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby, 10 am-4 pm, free (donations requested), daily tours of museum decorated for holidays led by local garden clubs, holiday music, special evening tours Tues & Thurs until 7 pm; 203/922-7832.

Through Dec 19: 6th Annual Holiday Market, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, 17 Halpin La, Ridgefield, Tues-Sun 1-5 pm, free adm, exhibition & sale w/ fine art & quality crafts from wide range artists & artisans; 203/438-8863.

Dec 10: Plus-Level Square Dance, Hayestown Avenue School, Danbury, begins 8 pm, square & round dances at event sponsored by Mad hatters Square Dance Club, soft-soled shoes required, refreshments served; 746-5985.

Dec 11: Calling All Cookie Monsters: 3rd Annual Cookie Event, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave. Bethel, 9:30 am-2 pm, all cookies $5/pound, thousands of cookies & homemade fudge to choose from, gift-wrapping available; 748-2089.

Dec 12: Stone Walls Walking Tour, Weir Farm Nat’l Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton, 2 pm, free (reservations required), visit & learn about stone walls that inspired scores of 18th & early 19th C artists; 203/834-1896 x10.

Dec 15: WCSU Public Observatory Night, Higgins Hall (Room 216), White St, Danbury, 5-7 pm, free, public invited to view winter sky through university’s observatory, call if weather questionable; 837-8669.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-4519.

Rhyme & Reason Cafe, poetry readings & receptions, 7-9 pm, $5 (incl wine & light refreshments): next program Dec 17.

Booth Library, 25 Main Street, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Th 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm (closed Sun during summer). Call 426-4533.

Programs free unless noted, in cmmty room: Dec 12, book signing & slide show w/ Steven Kellogg, 1 pm.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, reservations required: Dec 12, Trout Brook Valley Hike, 1-3 pm, approx 4 miles, call for starting point; Dec 19, family nature walk, 1-3 pm, learn how nature is preparing for the winter months.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 263-3711.

Dec 12, Annual Christmas Fest, 10 am-4 pm, sleigh rides, Santa Claus, wreath-making, tree cutting, gift wrap service, arts & crafts, refreshments; Dec 13, Decorate Your Own Wreath workshop, 6-9 pm, $20 (pre-registration required), work w/ local wreath maker & florist using 12” balsam wreath, dried & fresh materials from area to create your own unique wreath.

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby. Call 203/734-2513.

Dec 11, “Crafts From Nature” workshop, 10 am-noon, $5/person (or household if family participates; all children must be accompanied), make paper cards, ornaments & candles, also stories read, advance registration required; Dec 16, Thursday Trek, 1 pm, $2 requested, interactive walk designed to develop observation & questioning skills for young & old; Dec 18, monthly bird walk for beginners, 9-11 am, free, families & individuals welcome, bring binoculars & field guides if handy (few available); Dec 18, “Story Telling For All Ages,” 1:30-2:30 pm, free (reservations required, donations welcomed), telling of tale of how white-tailed deer lost its antlers, related craft/activity will follow, refreshments, suitable for all ages & families.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations as follows (call hike leader if weather doubtful): Dec 11, Cross River, North Salem, NY, easy to moderate (Jack Donlon, 966-8421); Dec 18, Monroe/Trumbull Rail Trail (Ester Nichols, 426-2897), potluck lunch follows (contact Rita Qubick for food coordination & directions, 268-4119).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-2282.

Programs free: Dec 15, Fictional Milestones of the Millennium will feature discussion of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye.

Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury. Call 263-2254.

Sunday Meditation Programs, 6:45 pm, free talk, instructions, group meditation, refreshments: Dec 12, “Happiness in Each Moment: An Introduction to Yogic Principles For Daily Life,” by Vin D’Alessio; Dec 19, “Christmas: Recognizing Our Inner Christ & The Christ Within Each Other,” by Janaki Pierson.

Berkshire Theatre at WCSU, Osborne St, Danbury. Call 837-8732.

Holiday Happenings, Dec 18, curtain 2 pm, tickets $6.50, original holiday musical featuring WCSU’s theatre dept students, appropriate for all ages, visits w/ Santa & surprises follow performance.

Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam. Call 860/873-8668.

The Apple Tree, through Dec 19, curtain Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$43.

Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford. Call 860/527-5151.

A Christmas Carol — The Ghost Story of Christmas, through Jan 1, curtain Tues-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed-Thurs 10 am, Thurs-Sun 2 pm, tickets $35-$45.

Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr, New Haven. Call 203/787-4282.

Syncopation, through Dec 19, curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 & 8:30 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (also Wed, Dec 15, 2 pm), call for tickets; Dec 14, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ actors, directors & designers.

Polka Dot Playhouse, 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203/333-3666.

Annie Warbucks, through Dec 30, curtain Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $20-$25 (group discounts available.

Ridgefield Workshop for the Performing Arts, Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203/431-9850.

A Christmas Carol, through Dec 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $15, $12 seniors & students, $5 age 12 & under.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203/757-4676.

Nuncrackers (The Nunsense Christmas Musical), through Dec 18, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$35.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860/350-6863.

The Santaland Diaries, through Dec 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm (no shows Christmas weekend), tickets $12.50 adults, $10.50 students & seniors; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve performance regular time; patrons who bring unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item receive $2 discount.

Town Players of Newtown, Little Theatre, theatre is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Dec 17-19, curtain 8 pm, call for ticket costs, special holiday production by Town Players is suitable for all ages, based on Dylan Thomas’ classic writings.

Yale Repertory, 1120 Chapel St (at York), New Haven. Call 203/432-1234.

A Cup Of Coffee, through Dec 18, curtain Mon 7 pm, Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $10-$34; Dec 15, Pay-What-You-Can Performance, minimum $1, limit 4; Dec 18, ASL-interpreted matinee; Dec 18, also WSHU Family Dollar Matinee, kids’ tickets $1, adult tickets 25% off, complimentary lunch from Atticus Café.