MONROE, CT — Step back in time and experience the warmth and wonder of a Victorian Christmas at the Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church St., on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This beloved event invites visitors to celebrate the season with festive sights, sounds, and tastes inspired by the 19th century. Stroll through the Artisan Room, where local crafters will showcase handmade treasures; perfect for thoughtful, last-minute holiday gifts.
Enjoy hearty soups, handmade wreaths, and Advent kits prepared by the Senior Pilgrim Fellowship, with all proceeds supporting their upcoming summer mission trip. At the Parson’s Pie Shop, indulge in warm, savory hand pies and period-style mocktails while soaking in the holiday cheer.
History enthusiasts will enjoy guided tours of the Meetinghouse, beautifully adorned for the season, as costumed docents share stories of Victorian-era Monroe. Step into Dineson Parlor to admire an elaborate Victorian train display and meet Father Christmas, who will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit Covenant to Care, a local charity supporting children and families under DCF care. Families with young children can stop by the Art Room to create simple period-inspired crafts to take home.
With something for everyone—crafts, history, food, and fellowship—the Victorian Christmas Fair promises a heartwarming day of holiday spirit and community connection.
Mr. Gruber’s Silent Night
An original one act play depicting the story of how the Christmas Carol “Silent Night” came to be will be held at 10 a.m. on Dec. 7, during worship at Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church St. Donations of unwrapped toys for children and teens in the care of DCF will be gratefully received. All are Welcome.
At this year’s 24th annual Stepney Green Tree lighting, Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., the Save Our Stepney (SOS) Task Force will introduce a new Norway Spruce tree, donated by Keith and Connor Bunovsky of TLC nursery in Monroe.
The 12-foot Norway Spruce tree will be a blaze of colored lights, topped with a new sparkling tree topper. But the little tree still needs a name.
The Task Force is asking members of the community to submit names for the tree with the winning name to be announced at the tree lighting. The person or family with winning tree name will be given a baby Norway Spruce evergreen tree to plant at their home.
There are no restrictions in the number of naming submissions. Tree names should be emailed with your contact information, including a telephone number, to saveourstepneysos@gmail.
In celebration of the new tree, a commemorative Stepney Green Tree lighting ornament will be given out to all in attendance while supplies last.
The Norway Spruce, native to Europe, has a long history as a significant tree for timber, Christmas decorations, and land reclamation. It was introduced to the British Isles in the 16th century and to North America in the 18th century, becoming a popular choice for its fast growth and value in reforestation, windbreaks, and ornamentation.
Its Christmas tradition gained prominence after Prince Albert introduced a decorated Norway Spruce in the 1840s, and Norway has gifted a large tree to London since World War II as a symbol of thanks.
The Save Our Stepney Task Force welcomes donations from all members of the Monroe community for the tree lighting program. For information about the tree lighting, call Kathy Loehr at 203.261.7892.
Stepney Tree Lighting
The green has undergone an extensive face lift under the direction of Andrew Britell from Eastern Land Management (ELM), both of Monroe.
The 12-foot Norway Spruce tree will be festooned in all of its festive glory and topped with a new tree topper. Commemorative Stepney Green Tree lighting ornaments will be given out in celebration of the new tree for all in attendance while supplies last.
New four-foot pure white illuminated snowflakes, along with more than 200 luminaries will trim out the green. The snowflakes will hang in and around the Stepney Gazebo.
The Save Our Stepney Task force is looking for snowflake sponsors. A full snowflake sponsorship is $265 or for $45 sponsors may purchase a snowflake point. Those who are interested should call Kathy Loehr at 203-261-7892 for information.
The Stepney Volunteer Fire Company, Stepney Baptist Church, Frosty the Snowman, and individual members of Save Our Stepney Task Force are contributing to the 24th annual tree lighting.
First Selectman Terry Rooney will welcome the community to the annual event on Stepney Green. All will be treated to holiday music performed by the Just Voices Singers under the direction of Mike Pelligrino. Monroe Boy Scout Troop 62 will provide freshly made donuts.
Frosty the Snowman will make a special appearance aboard a Stepney Volunteer Fire Company truck. At the invitation of SOS, officers of TLC Nursery will join frosty to flip the tree light switch ushering in the holiday season. Candy canes will be given to all to welcome Frosty.
Non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be accepted for the for the Stepney Baptist food pantry.
Save Our Stepney welcomes donations from all members of the Monroe community for the lighting program. For information on the sponsorship program for the Tree Lighting, call Kathy Loehr at 203-261-7892.
Autumn Open House
The Monroe Historical Society is hosting an autumn open house at the Barn Hill-East Village Schoolhouse, 311 Wheeler Road, on Saturday, Nov. 16 from noon to 2 p.m.
Students in Monroe’s public schools have enjoyed visits to the schoolhouse, which was built circa 1790 and was a destination to education children until 1935. Now, it is used as a living history museum lovingly maintained by the Monroe Historical Society.
Parking is limited, so the Historical Society asks those coming to send a reservation by emailing Monroehistoricalct@gmail.com.
Barton Weller Scholarship finalists
Masuk High School congratulates students, Emily Barnhardt and Mary Morrison, for their selection as Barton Weller Finalists.
The Barton Weller scholarship selects only five finalists from five different town’s nominees. Masuk was fortunate to have two people selected.
Barton Weller was a scientist, engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who believed in curiosity, ambition and research. He established Vitramon, a Monroe business, in the 1960’s and his success was the catalyst of him establishing scholarships based on students’ independent study research projects.
The proposals that were presented and chosen were:
- “Dance for Every Body” by Mary Morrison
- “Understanding The Connection Between Urban Forestry and Economic Development” by Emily Barnhardt
Troop 26 Tag Sale
Scouting America Monroe Troop 26 will have a tag sale fundraiser in the parking lot of the former Rite-Aid at the corner of Routes 25 and 59 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Items to be sold include household décor, art, kitchen items, garden tools, antiques, toys and games, holiday décor, jewelry and more.
Harmony Grange newsletter
For a copy of a newsletter chronicling news and events at Harmony Grange this November, click here to download a copy.
All-Conference honors
Conor Rooney, of Monroe, was among four members of the Endicott men’s soccer team to earn Conference Of New England (CNE) Postseason All-Conference honors, the league announced Thursday. Rooney and a teammate earned third team honors.
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