Elyse’s Country Journal – December 5, 2013 – HarneyRE – Salisbury, CT

Salisbury and the surrounding communities of northwestern Connecticut offer a wide range of unparalleled opportunities. Please enjoy Elyse’s Country Journal, published weekly on Wednesday. Elyse’s hope is that it will help open up a new perspective of our area.

• The Tri-State Chamber Regional Hometown Holidays 2013 with area tree lightings and parades of lights — as well as local concerts — will start with events on November 29 and continue through Sunday, December 8. For a detailed account of activities and events in each village, please check the COMPASS supplement of today’s Lakeville Journal or visit TriCornerNews.com.
• The Arts at Hotchkiss presents Hotchkiss Ensembles in concert: Hotchkiss Orchestra and Right Brain Logic Jazz Ensemble on December 6 at 7 PM, in the Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center. This is the first concert of the academic year by the Hotchkiss Ensembles. The concert is free and all are welcome to attend in support of these young musicians.
• On December 8, at 7 PM, The Hotchkiss Chorus will present its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols in the Hotchkiss Chapel. Part of the program of biblical readings and traditional carols is performed by candlelight, ushering in the spirit of the Christmas season. The service is free, all are welcome. Please arrive early as seating is limited at this very popular tradition that draws students and residents from all over the community.
• The Salisbury Forum presents THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING with David Kirkpatrick, author of bestselling “The Facebook Effect,” former senior editor at Fortune, journalist, media entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Techonomy Media. Friday, December 6, at 7:30 PM at Salisbury School on Canaan Road in Salisbury. Free admission.
• The Friends of the Scoville Library will hold their first-ever holiday sale on Saturday, December 7, from 10 AM to 1 PM at the library. The event is the last of four book sales held by the Friends in 2013 as part of it new approach to fundraising. The holiday sale will offer “books in all categories for both adults and children,” including coffee-table art and design books, barely-used fiction and nonfiction and a terrific group of books for children and young adults.” The holiday sale will be in the library’s Wardell Room and the stacks behind it. Enter from the library parking lot.
• The Lakeside Holiday Ball will take place on December 14 at The Grove in Lakeville. “Two Guys in Suites and Ties” will perform with many special guest musicians. The suggested donation at the door is $10 to $20. Food and personal hygiene donations are welcome and will be donated to local food pantries. Hors d’oeuvre will be served. This is a BYOB event. All proceeds from the ball will benefit local charities.