If you haven't made it out to White Silo Farm & Winery in Sherman yet this summer, consider this your sign. Tucked into the rolling hills of Route 37 East, this family-owned gem sits on 17 acres of farmland on the site of a former dairy farm — and it's one of those places that just feels like a world away from everything.

The tasting room is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century dairy barn, all exposed wooden beams and stone walls, with local artwork on display and live music on weekends. Pull up a chair on the lawn, pour a glass of their rhubarb or raspberry wine, and you've got yourself a pretty perfect afternoon.

White Silo grows and harvests much of what goes into their wines right on the property — grapes, blackberries, raspberries, and rhubarb — and they host seasonal festivals throughout the year to celebrate each harvest. The food is worth the trip too: think cheese plates, small bites, and seasonal boxed lunches made with locally grown ingredients.

They're open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours until 8 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August. So summer is actually prime time to visit.

📍 32 Rt. 37 East, Sherman | 860-355-0271 | whitesilowinery.com

Summer is officially here, and there's plenty going on across the five towns. Here's your go-to roundup of what to put on your calendar before the season slips away.

🎨 New Milford Arts Festival — June 27
The New Milford Arts Festival returns to the Town Green on June 27, featuring fine artists, artisans, and performances by local dance, music, and theater groups. It's a great way to spend a summer afternoon supporting local talent right in the heart of town. Free to attend. Artsnewmilfordct

🎭 Bye Bye Birdie at The Sherman Playhouse
Sherman's beloved community theater is staging the classic musical Bye Bye Birdie this summer. If you haven't been to the Sherman Playhouse yet, this is a great excuse to go. Check shermanplayers.org for showtimes and tickets.

🎵 Concerts on the Green — Every Saturday in August, New Milford
A New Milford tradition for over four decades. The free music series runs every Saturday evening at 7 PM in August, right on the Town Green — bring a blanket and a lawn chair. The music ranges from blues to country to pop classics. It doesn't get more classic Connecticut summer than this. NewmilfordnowArtsnewmilfordct

🍷 White Silo Farm & Winery — All Summer Long, Sherman
Not a single event, but a whole summer destination. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays in July and August. Live music, wine tastings, and farm-fresh food — perfect for a laid-back summer afternoon. (See our full feature on White Silo elsewhere in this edition!) Whitesilowinery

🏛️ Gaylordsville Historic Sites — Sundays in July & August
New Milford's Gaylordsville neighborhood is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, and you can explore it up close. Three historic sites — the Gaylord School (a one-room schoolhouse), Browns Forge, and the Merwinsville Hotel — are open to visitors from 2 PM to 4 PM every Sunday in July and August. A cool, low-key way to connect with some seriously local history. Newmilfordnow

🎸 Housatonic River Brewing — Live Music All Summer, New Milford
If you haven't made it to Housatonic River Brewing yet, summer is the perfect time. Live music on the weekends, craft beers on tap, and a great community vibe. Check their social pages for the weekly lineup.

Know of an event we missed? Reply to this newsletter and let us know — we'll include it in our next edition!

Whether you've got a boat in the water already or you're just thinking about renting a kayak for the afternoon, here's everything you need to know to make the most of Candlewood Lake this season.

🚤 Know the Rules Before You Launch

Candlewood Lake is patrolled by both the Candlewood Lake Authority (CLA) Marine Patrol and CT DEEP, and they do enforce the rules — so it's worth knowing them.

You can get your CT Safe Boating Certificate online through the Candlewood Lake Authority at candlewoodlakeauthority.org.

📍 Where to Launch

Residents of Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, and Sherman can launch through their town's park and recreation department. Non-residents have two state boat launches to choose from: Squantz Cove in New Fairfield and Lattins Cove in Danbury. Both state launches max out at 100 vehicles and will close once capacity is reached — so get there early on summer weekends. Candlewoodlakeauthority

Dike's Point in New Milford also has a car-top launch, making it a great option for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Candlewoodlakeauthority

⚠️ Squantz Pond Parking Heads Up

If you're headed to Squantz Pond State Park, plan ahead. A state law now requires advance parking reservations for summer weekends and holidays to manage capacity. Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance at ReserveAmerica.com by searching "Squantz Pond." A $2 reservation fee applies on top of the park entrance fee. Don't risk the drive out only to find the lot full. CT.govCT.gov

🛶 Want to Rent? Here Are Your Options

Don't have your own boat or kayak? You're covered.

🏄 Beyond the Boat

Candlewood Kayak Rental also offers stand-up paddleboard yoga classes and low-impact kayak tours of both Candlewood Lake and Squantz Pond State Park. A great option if you want a little more structure — or just want someone else to lead the way. CTvisit

For everything else lake-related — regulations, conservation tips, and boating safety — the Candlewood Lake Authority is your best resource: candlewoodlakeauthority.org.