Free, and Freeing

It’s too soon to say whether winter will drag on, and on, and on, but we’ve already had occasions for fun, indoors and out—and all for free.

The blizzard of the Christmas holiday weekend dumped heavy snow—the kind that’s great for sledding and building snowmen and snow forts—throughout the area. And you didn’t have to participate to enjoy, just take a walk or a drive and watch life in your town at play. This weekend’s snow was a different kind, thick but fluffier—easier to trudge through, and shovel off lakes and ponds for skating (as this photograph of Candlewood Lake by Walter Kidd, taken Saturday, shows), but not as good for exhilarating sledding.

Will there be more to come? It’s probably safe to say that.

The New Milford Public Library offered visitors a treat during the week leading up to Christmas, showing the film “Christmas in Connecticut”—the classic 1945 comedy (not the 1992 remake that Arnold Schwarzenegger directed), with a silly plot line but sparkling delivery and a shimmery winter-scape.

The movie, by the way, was reportedly filmed in Hollywood and the same Connecticut home set that was featured in the 1938 comedy “Bringing Up Baby” was used.

You can judge for yourself just how accurately “Connecticut” the set was when the library offers a screening of that movie on Jan. 28 at the senior center at 40 Main St. The movie, a screwball comedy that is a personal favorite (and it’s a toss-up who is funnier, Katharine Hepburn or Cary Grant?), will kick off a mini classic comedy film series that will include “The Philadephia Story,”.on Feb. 25; and “Harvey,” on March 25. The films are free, but registration is requested; call 860-355-6075.

In case you may be wondering how well comedy translates, the library will be showing a modern Chinese comedy, the 1999 film “Shower,” on Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. The movie, which is in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles and is rated PG-13, garnered many film awards.

For more free screen entertainment possibilities, check the weekly calendar in this paper and on its Web site or contact your local library.