Friday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. at Salisbury School

Please register here.

Join Casper ter Kuile, author of The Power of Ritual, for an evening to understand the root causes of our loneliness crisis, why so many of our friendships and family relationships are fraught, and what we can do about it. You will learn from wisdom practices across religious traditions and reflect on how to create covenants in your own life with the people you love. He returns to the Salisbury Forum having presented on Zoom in 2020 during the pandemic. 

 His work explores how we will make meaning, deepen our relationships, and experience beauty in the 21st century. He is the co-founder of The Nearness, a digital community of people exploring life’s big questions through deep conversations. Featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, and NPR, he has spoken widely on community trends, rituals, and emerging spirituality.

Friday, March 21, 7:30 p.m. at Housatonic Valley Regional High School

This event is co-sponsored with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

As in many other rural areas, the Northwest Corner of Connecticut can be described as a "healthcare desert." There are not enough primary care providers to meet the demand, and it is difficult to attract primary care providers to the region. The lack of adequate access to health care can make these towns less attractive for residents, which in turn impacts our stores, schools, and services due to a lack of employees. Second-home owners often travel outside of the region to access health care. 

A panel of local experts will discuss this issue and address what can be done to make the Northwest Corner a better and healthier place to live. Join us to hear from moderator Nancy Heaton, CEO of Foundation for Community Health; Joanne Borduas, CEO of the Community Health and Wellness Center; Meghan Kenny, director of SVNA Home Assistance and Litchfield County Home Assistance; Christina McCulloch, CEO of Sharon Hospital; and Maria Horn, Connecticut state representative.

SOLD OUT. Please watch for the video of the panel discussion on our website by the end of February. You will receive an email that the video is available if you are on our email list at the bottom of the page. The film "Food and Country" is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu / Fandango at Home, and Youtube.

Sunday, February 2, 2025, 1:30 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 27 Railroad St., Canaan, CT

A free screening of the documentary Food and Country followed by a panel discussion about the local food economy. 

Food and Country is produced by trailblazing food writer Ruth Reichl, who has served as a restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine, and a judge on Top Chef Masters. The film reports on the country's troubled food system and the innovators risking everything to transform it. View the trailer. 

Following the screening, attendees will learn about the local food economy from panelists who bring food from the farm to the table. Rebecca Busansky, executive director of Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV), will moderate the panel, which will feature Dan Carr, owner of Beavertides Farm in Falls Village, CT, and BAV team member; Amanda Freund, third-generation farmer at Freund's Farm in East Canaan, CT, and manager of the farm's CowPots business; and Peter Platt, chef and owner of The Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough, MA.