All quiet on the northwestern front? I don't think so.....

When one thinks of the town of Litchfield, you probably think of rolling hills, scenic landscape and quiet
times and maybe that's it, right? This much is true, but has history has taught us, never judge a book by its cover. Not to take
anyt...hing from Litchfield, but there so much to do. For starters, The Litchfield Hills 7.1 Mile Road Race
that takes place every June, always pumps up the volume in town. This historic race, which started in
1977 showcases hundreds of runners as they ramble they're way through downtown and back.
Hundreds come out to cheer, and volunteer on this day. The after party is legendary and goes on
for hours after the race. After that, things do calm down but there is still much to do. The state’s very
first winery operates here, in what is called The Haight Brown Vineyard. This winery which opened in
1975 grows many of its grapes on its 25 acres of open land. From there, their chardonnays, Rieslings and
Whites are produced and served to many of it’s patrons. My favorite is their Honey Nut Apple. Don't
miss their festivals and cheese pairing events as well. Right down the road you have the very 1“
proprietary law school in the country, called the Litchfield Law School. This school was opened by
Tapping Reeve, who was born and raised in the town. Others notables born in town include, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Revolutionary War Hero Ethan Allen and our 24“ governor Oliver Wolcott Junior. Things
get really quite when you enter the Lourdes Shrine just east of town green. The shrine is a replica of
Lady of the Lourdes Shrine in France were apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been seen. Here at the
Lourdes you can pray at the outside grotto, or walk up the hill to review the Stations of the Cross. No
matter what you do here, it will truly be a religious experience and a peaceful one at that. Of course one
cannot ignore Litchfield's historic town green. The green is surrounded by cute little Shoppe's, the
Corner Restaurant and Connecticut most picturesque church that is across from its northeast section.
Things got even quieter here in 2011, as a matter of fact they went silent. ln what is the village of
Bantam, of course part of Litchfield, lays the oldest continuously operated movie house in the state. The
Bantam Theater has been showing movies since it opened in 1927. At first the theater showcased only
silent movies, but then as you know the times changed. Well in 2011 the theater returned to its roots
and played its first silent movie in years called, The Artist. It was my first ever viewing of a silent movie,
and my fiancé and l enjoyed it right here at the Bantam Theater. They even make the popcorn the old
fashion, while the price for admission is 1/2 the price as current theaters. As it turns out, this movie won
the academy award for best picture for the year 2011. How about that!!!
It may all quiet in Connecticut's northwestern town of Litchfield,
but if you listen a bit closely, you will realize
there are a storm of things to do.

http://www.shrinect.org/Lourdes_in_Litchfield/Welcome.html