Traprock Ridge Hiking Club at Ethel Walker Woods, Simsbury

Please join us for this hike through Ethel Walker Woods, led by Traprock Ridge member, Susan Klotz, along with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. The planned hike is a loop of about 2½ miles, and it’s expected to take 1.5–2 hours, depending on our group’s pace. We will hike......More

Please join us for this hike through Ethel Walker Woods, led by Traprock Ridge member, Susan Klotz, along with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. The planned hike is a loop of about 2½ miles, and it’s expected to take 1.5–2 hours, depending on our group’s pace. We will hike along mostly easy bridle paths with some hills and more moderate ups and downs. Some trails can be quite wet so wear appropriate footwear. There are many options if you want a shorter hike. Please bring snacks and water. Dogs on leashes are welcome. We’ll depart at 10:00 a.m. from the parking lot in Town Forest Park.  Alternate date of May 20 if we need to reschedule. Contact Dave Mogul at [email protected] with any questions.

Ethel Walker Woods, 86 Town Forest Road, Simsbury

Webster’s War of the Words Trivia Competition & Fundraiser

Webster’s War of the Words May 14th, 2026 We are pleased to announce the return of Webster’s War of the Words fundraiser on May 14, 2026, to be held at the Pond House Garden Room at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford! Click here to get tickets: ......More

Webster’s War of the Words May 14th, 2026 We are pleased to announce the return of Webster’s War of the Words fundraiser on May 14, 2026, to be held at the Pond House Garden Room at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford! Click here to get tickets: https://event.auctria.com/d6f97e28-787d-48fe-b9e6-8c2bdcf5b05b/ War of the Words is our signature fundraiser, featuring a challenging trivia competition, emceed by Peter Sokolowski of Merriam-Webster! Each table in the room is their own team… competing against 13 other teams for the title of Trivia Champion 2026! Single entry tickets are available to purchase…we will assign you a team to compete with for the evening. OR Bring your team of 8 participants and purchase a table together. In addition to the trivia competition, each guest will enjoy a bountiful meal prepared by the chefs at Pond House Café. The evening’s menu will include a variety of hors d’oeuvres, pasta dishes, dinner entrees, dessert, coffee, soda, and open beer & wine bar. A live online auction will be available for bidding before, during, and after the event. Compete with the best! Gather your friends and family to form a team and get ready to challenge other tables throughout the night in a battle of wits and words. Our esteemed Master of Ceremonies, Peter Sokolowski, Editor in Chief of Merriam-Webster Dictionary, will guide you through a series of thought-provoking questions that span realms of language, history, and local lore. Throughout the evening, teams can earn points and compete for the coveted title of trivia champion. Exciting prizes await the tables that come out on top during the final round, so bring your A-game and be prepared to showcase your knowledge! Mark your calendars for this memorable occasion at the beautiful Pond House Garden Room at Elizabeth Park, where you can enjoy a delightful atmosphere while supporting your local history museum. This event promises not only to be an engaging experience but also a wonderful way to connect with the community and celebrate our rich heritage. We can’t wait to see you there!

Pond House Cafe 1555 Asylum Ave West Hartford, CT 06117

Family Arts Festival presented by AFLCT

Family Arts Festival 2026 Presented by Arts for Learning Connecticut Saturday, May 16, 2026 • 10:00 AM–2:00 PM West Hartford Senior Center — West Hartford, CT Join Arts for Learning Connecticut for the second annual Family Arts Festival — a free, interactive ce......More

Family Arts Festival 2026 Presented by Arts for Learning Connecticut Saturday, May 16, 2026 • 10:00 AM–2:00 PM West Hartford Senior Center — West Hartford, CT Join Arts for Learning Connecticut for the second annual Family Arts Festival — a free, interactive celebration of creativity and arts learning for families across Connecticut. This hands-on event invites children and adults alike to explore visual arts, dance, music-making, theatre, storytelling, and more through drop-in activities and engaging mini-workshops led by professional Teaching Artists. Experience live performances, try short creative sessions in multiple art forms, and discover how the arts can inspire learning, connection, and joy for all ages. The festival is designed with families and children (ages 3–13) in mind — though everyone is welcome to participate in this vibrant community gathering. Admission: Free Registration opens March 15 — reserve your spot early for workshops and activities!  Corporate Sponsorships are available. Click HERE or contact us directly via [email protected].

West Hartford Senior Center @ Bishops Corner 15 Starkel Rd, West Hartford, CT 06117

The 10th Annual Hartford Jewish Playwriting Contest

Sunday, May 17th, 2026 @ 7pm Dessert reception beginning at 6 pm $10 General Admission *Plus a $3.50 service charge It's a combination of a TED Talk, a play reading and American Idol ... and it needs your vote! Join our Artistic Democracy and vote for Hartford's best ne......More

Sunday, May 17th, 2026 @ 7pm Dessert reception beginning at 6 pm $10 General Admission *Plus a $3.50 service charge It's a combination of a TED Talk, a play reading and American Idol ... and it needs your vote! Join our Artistic Democracy and vote for Hartford's best new Jewish play of 2026. Come see a fantastic cast in these plays. Directed and Hosted by Illana Stein Generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts FLATBUSH LYSISTRATA Lila Rachel Becker, Washington, DC Three Hasidic women gather at an axe-throwing parlor to plan a sex strike. A play about how women carve spaces for themselves within fundamentalism. HAVURAH Margot Connolly, Brooklyn, NY After a shooting at a synagogue, a club of Jewish college students is left reeling, while their Christian counterparts try to help without knowing how. SHURA: The mission of identifying life Roee Joseph, Tel Aviv, Israel A playwright-soldier documents the impossible task of identifying the dead after October 7th, uncovering the fragile line between witnessing horror and choosing life.

Playhouse on Park: 244 Park Road, West Hartford CT 06119

WeHa Wellness 2026

The West Hartford Chamber is proud to partner with Blue Back Square and the Town of West Hartford to bring back our Health & Wellness Expo on May 19 from 12–3 PM in Blue Back Square (Rain Date: May 20). This year, we’ve expanded capacity to welcome even more wellness ......More

The West Hartford Chamber is proud to partner with Blue Back Square and the Town of West Hartford to bring back our Health & Wellness Expo on May 19 from 12–3 PM in Blue Back Square (Rain Date: May 20). This year, we’ve expanded capacity to welcome even more wellness providers, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of professionals dedicated to helping you feel your best. We welcome a wide range of practitioners, including medical providers, spa & salon services, fitness centers, nutritionists, mental health assistance, and non-profits that support health and wellbeing*.  Health & Wellness businesses & organizations may reserve a space by clicking the "Register Now" button Want to see some of the fun from last year?  Take a peek at this Reel! Check out the participating Health & Wellness Provider: Hartford HealthCare - Gold Sponsor Connecticut GI Hartford - Silver Sponsor iHeart Radio - Media Sponsor Are You Dense Inc Azure Psychotherapy LLC Balance Massage & Wellness Center Be Mindful Clinic LLC Beem Light Sauna Care For You LLC Caspar Connie Delamar Spa Diabetes Plus with Dave Dilligence Training Cares Ellie Mental Health Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers GameDay Men's Health Greenwich Med Spa Herba Acupuncture LLP HomeWell Care Services Jenny Alzate LPC Klingberg Family Centers Mandell Jewish Community Center Mindful Transformations NeuroHealth of Connecticut Physical Therpay & Sports Medicine Center ProHealth Physicians ReStore Hyperwellness Riverbend and Skybrooke, Northbridge Communities Sharon Sklar Rolfing Shoreline Therapy Center Solidcore Sweatfluence Tagliarini Chiropractic, PC West Hartford Acupuncture West Hartford Department of Leisure Services & Social Services West Hartford Yoga West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District Check back for more participants! For more information on becoming a sponsor or a vendor click HERE, or email [email protected] Sponsors may request the option of a live demonstration. Direct selling of products on site strictly prohibited.  Client/appointment booking is allowed. Cancellations must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, May 15 in order to be eligible for a refund. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations received after this deadline.   *please note: this does not include ancillary heath and wellness services such as health insurance, non-medical transportation assistance, housecleaning services, etc.  

Isham Road & Raymond Road Lot Blue Back Square

Lunch and Learn – A Sucker Whig in Connecticut’s Court: Abraham Lincoln Comes to New England

Virtual Presentation! Abraham Lincoln traveled to New England only twice. In 1848, he was an unknown “Sucker Whig” from the western frontier. In 1860, he was a political celebrity from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. This virtual presentation by David J. Kent takes you alo......More

Virtual Presentation! Abraham Lincoln traveled to New England only twice. In 1848, he was an unknown “Sucker Whig” from the western frontier. In 1860, he was a political celebrity from the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. This virtual presentation by David J. Kent takes you along for the ride as we discover how Lincoln became the man we came to know, and how Connecticut helped Lincoln become president. David’s most recent book, Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours, was published in March 2026. Get free tickets to receive the Zoom link! This program series is generously supported by Camille and Gregory F. Servodidio. About the speaker: David J. Kent is an Abraham Lincoln historian, former scientist, avid world traveler, and multi-book author, the most recent being Lincoln in New England: In Search of His Forgotten Tours. David is the Immediate Past President of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln Institute, and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Lincoln Forum. He is a frequent speaker on Abraham Lincoln topics and served as Master of Ceremonies for the Lincoln Memorial Centennial program in 2022. David has won numerous awards both for his scientific work and as an Abraham Lincoln historian. His books include Lincoln: The Fire of Genius: How Abraham Lincoln’s Commitment to Science and Technology Helped Modernize America and Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, both of which were finalists for several book awards, as well as Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity, a worldwide bestseller translated into several languages.

Digital Events

The Marvel of Seeds Film Screening with Q&A

Join us at the screening of the film Old Forest or Young Meadow – The Marvel of Seeds  A New England Forests film, directed by naturalist, local nature documentary filmmaker, Ray Asselin. ......More

Join us at the screening of the film Old Forest or Young Meadow – The Marvel of Seeds  A New England Forests film, directed by naturalist, local nature documentary filmmaker, Ray Asselin. Registration Required – Register Here The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Ray Asselin and Trinity College Professor and Hartford County’s Old Growth Forest Network Coordinator, Susan A. Masino. Have you ever thought about how, almost magically, a brown, bulldozed piece of land turns green with plants again? How do all those plants get there so quickly? Where did they come from? It’s amazing that nature has developed this process of having new plants always ready to go, in tiny embryonic packages. Seeds allow us to readily raise crops. They replenish the forests we take down. They make burned habitat or lava-covered ground productive again. Plants, like all life forms, do not live forever, so they must reproduce. They cast themselves into the future via the seeds they produce, which can wait out poor or impossible growth conditions until such time as conditions become favorable. That could be days, weeks, years, even millennia. Since the parent plant can’t move around to place seeds here and there, it has to have some other way to get the seeds dispersed. And that’s the subject of the new film, Old Forest or Young Meadow – the Marvel of Seeds. Plants have evolved over many millions of years. In that time, nature has devised some fascinating methods for them to colonize new sites. Some are rather mundane, but others are intriguing; some are surprising and quite entertaining. This film describes the evolution of plants on Earth, and features many of the fascinating ways seeds are dispersed. Some are curious, some are downright delightful. Some, we guarantee, you have never witnessed. All attendees will receive a free packet of seeds donated by the New England Seed Company.  Co-sponsored by: Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy,  the Sustainable West Hartford Commission and the New England Seed Company.

Bishops Corner Senior Center, 15 Starkel Rd, West Hartford

Business After Hours-CT Museum

Join us for the Chamber Awards Reveal Party and an evening of food, drink, and networking at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.  About Our Host: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the st......More

Join us for the Chamber Awards Reveal Party and an evening of food, drink, and networking at Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.  About Our Host: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society, and cultural institution. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the Museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts.

5:30pm-7:30pm Connecticut Museum of Culture and History One Elizabeth Street Hartford CT, 06105

Spring Into Art! Gala

Join us for an enchanting evening! West Hartford Art League’s Spring Into Art! Gala will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 6 to 9 PM. This gala is a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, dedicated to supporting the arts in our area. Your participation helps f......More

Join us for an enchanting evening! West Hartford Art League’s Spring Into Art! Gala will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 6 to 9 PM. This gala is a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, dedicated to supporting the arts in our area. Your participation helps fund exhibitions, educational programs, and outreach initiatives that benefit artists and audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Tickets are $75 per person. This soiree will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, spring-inspired cocktails, live painting and lively conversation about the arts! Live Painting | Silent Auction | Spring Inspired Cocktails | Heavy Hors D’oeuvres

West Hartford Art League 37 Buena Vista Road West Hartford CT 06107

Traprock Ridge Book Club

Join our new book club! We will begin with an exploration of The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Rooted in the rhythms and cycles of the natural world, this brief, profound book invites us to reconsider reciprocity, ......More

Join our new book club! We will begin with an exploration of The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Rooted in the rhythms and cycles of the natural world, this brief, profound book invites us to reconsider reciprocity, generosity, and interdependence in our daily lives and within our community. We’ll read slowly and reflectively over three consecutive weeks, with ample time for sharing and discussion facilitated by TRLC member Kathy Simpson. Space is limited to 12 participants. Registration required. More details to follow after registering. Co-Hosted by Westmoor Park

Hunter Room at Westmoor Park 119 Flagg Rd, West Hartford

AM Connections

AM Connections returns to the Noah Webster Library as a full in-person program. Network with other business professional Open networking before and after program All attendees are invited to share a "30 Second Commercial" Member presentations, 5 Minute ......More

AM Connections returns to the Noah Webster Library as a full in-person program. Network with other business professional Open networking before and after program All attendees are invited to share a "30 Second Commercial" Member presentations, 5 Minute Spotlight - scheduled yours at [email protected] Presentation by Chamber staff Coffee & light refreshments  This event is offered at no cost to active members of the West Hartford Chamber as part of their member benefits. Non-member visitors and guests may request a courtesy registration by emailing [email protected] no later than 12:00 noon on the business day prior to the event. Courtesy registrations are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. **If West Hartford Public Schools are delayed or closed due to weather this meeting is canceled. Please refer to our calendar or local news for closing information. Please park in the Isham parking garage for ticket validation. Use the lower entrance, located in the Blue Back Square courtyard (opposite Barnes & Nobles). DO NOT pay for parking at the kiosk, have your license plate number available to enter at the meeting for complimentary parking.

Noah Webster Library 20 South Main Street West Hartford, CT 06107 Enter via Isham Road Entrance

Fourth Friday Lunches at Luna Pizza- Hosted by Minority Business Network

The Minority Business Network hosts a monthly open networking event at Luna Pizza on the fourth Friday of each month. All are welcome to come meet other area professionals and enjoy exclusive lunch specials.   No registration required for this drop-in lun......More

The Minority Business Network hosts a monthly open networking event at Luna Pizza on the fourth Friday of each month. All are welcome to come meet other area professionals and enjoy exclusive lunch specials.   No registration required for this drop-in lunch. (Pay for your own food & drink)

Luna's Pizza 999 Farmington Ave West Hartford

Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy Spring Bird Walk

Bring your binoculars for birding around the woods, meadow, and ponds of Westmoor Park. Led by Brian Kleinman, Riverside Reptiles Education Center owner and Hartford Audubon Society member. Dress in layers and meet in the parking lot.

Westmoor Park, 119 Flagg Rd, West Hartford

A Year With Frog and Toad

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Book and lyrics by Willie Reale Music by Robert Reale Based on the books by Arnold Lobel Directed by Kevin Cronin (née Barlowski) Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage as best friends Frog and Toad navigate four fun-f......More

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Book and lyrics by Willie Reale Music by Robert Reale Based on the books by Arnold Lobel Directed by Kevin Cronin (née Barlowski) Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage as best friends Frog and Toad navigate four fun-filled seasons. 3-time Tony Award Nominee, including Best Musical From swimming to raking leaves to baking cookies, best friends Frog and Toad do everything together – no matter what the weather. Waking up from hibernation in the spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, go sledding, and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make-believe... all charm! Based on the classic picture books, join Frog and Toad in a series of hilarious, sweet, and whimsical adventures through the seasons – a heartfelt musical ode to friendship.

Playhouse Theatre Group 244 Park Road West Hartford, CT 06119

Author Storytime with Carrie Finison!

Join us for a special author storytime with Carrie Finison at River Bend Bookshop, featuring a selection of her beloved children's books, including her newest releases! This event is free to attend. We hope to see you there!  About Carrie Finison Carrie Finison w......More

Join us for a special author storytime with Carrie Finison at River Bend Bookshop, featuring a selection of her beloved children's books, including her newest releases! This event is free to attend. We hope to see you there!  About Carrie Finison Carrie Finison writes poetry, stories, and books for kids, including the picture books Dozens of Doughnuts; Pigs Dig a Road; Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It); Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; and Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! She lives outside Boston with her husband, their son, their daughter, and two cats who allow her to work in their attic office.

River Bend Bookshop, 224 Park Road, West Hartford CT

Date Night: The American Revolution

Come to the Museum for a special evening edition of our popular Behind-the-Scenes tours. Celebrate 250 years of American independence with a close-up look at object highlights from our American Revolution collection. After the tour, relax with refreshments and cocktails......More

Come to the Museum for a special evening edition of our popular Behind-the-Scenes tours. Celebrate 250 years of American independence with a close-up look at object highlights from our American Revolution collection. After the tour, relax with refreshments and cocktails while you do a fun themed craft and play trivia games. Perfect for date night or friend groups! Questions? Contact Natalie Belanger, Public Programs Manager, at [email protected]. Space is limited! Get tickets to reserve your spot. Tickets $20 General Admission $15 for Members Free for Connecticut Museum Member levels $150+

Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 1 Elizabeth Street Hartford, CT 06105

Traprock Ridge Book Club

Join our new book club! We will begin with an exploration of The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Rooted in the rhythms and cycles of the natural world, this brief, profound book invites us to reconsider reciprocity, ......More

Join our new book club! We will begin with an exploration of The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Rooted in the rhythms and cycles of the natural world, this brief, profound book invites us to reconsider reciprocity, generosity, and interdependence in our daily lives and within our community. We’ll read slowly and reflectively over three consecutive weeks, with ample time for sharing and discussion facilitated by TRLC member Kathy Simpson. Space is limited to 12 participants. Registration required. More details to follow after registering. Co-Hosted by Westmoor Park

Hunter Room at Westmoor Park 119 Flagg Rd, West Hartford