Valentine’s Day activities to spread the love

By Brooke Geery

Sunday is Valentine’s Day, and like everything else in the last year, it won’t look like ever before. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate safely with your sweetie, and to help you we’ve put together a list of local ideas and happenings to make the 14th day of February special.

Travel the world without leaving home

RUTLAND—Take part in Grace Church’s Shetland Night for a taste of Scotland and some in-home entertainment. Pre-order a baked potato with all the toppings for $5. Potatoes come with four toppings (on the side): vegetarian chili, shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream and bacon bits and are available to pick up at the Grace Church West Street entrance from 5-5:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. Call the church to order a dinner by Feb. 10 at 802-775-4301.

Then at 6:30 p.m., all are invited to a Zoom presentation on the Shetland Islands given by Grace Church Minister of Music, Alastair Stout. Stout’s father was a Shetlander, and Stout spent his early childhood there. The presentation will guide you around the islands and explore the culture and traditions found on Shetland. There will also be an online tutorial on traditional Scottish dancing. Grace Church dancers will demonstrate the steps and choreography of traditional Shetland reels.

You can access the Zoom presentation by visiting gracechurchvt.org and clicking on the Zoom link on the main page.

Talk a walk in East End Park

WOODSTOCK—The perfect Valentine’s Day is a walk in the park! Woodstock Community Trust will sponsor We Love Woodstock at East End Park on Feb. 13 and 14. The park will be decorated for Valentine’s weekend so folks can share their love for Woodstock, their families and that special someone by taking pictures to post on social media. Tag @woodstockcommunitytrust on Instagram or Facebook with #welovewoodstock.

East End Park is located just before the 90-degree bend on Route 4 at the eastern end of the village.

Take a sleigh ride

WOODSTOCK—Conditions permitting, Billings Farm & Museum will offer horse-drawn sleigh rides Feb. 13-20 to families and couples (socially distanced) from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reservations for rides will be taken upon arrival at the ticket desk, on a first come, first served basis. The cost is $5 per person in addition to the purchase of a general admission ticket.

Fold up a love letter

MIDDLEBURY—Valentine romance is in the air and the Sheldon Museum is offering you a way to express your love – “Folded Love” is a virtual origami Valentine card activity. Tell them you love them in more than words with a origami Valentine card. Start with the image of the vintage Cupid Valentine pictured above from the Sheldon Museum’s archives and fold it into an origami heart with your message inside. The Sheldon will provide an instructional video for creating the card. Print-at-home cards ($10) enable you to download a PDF of the Valentine to print at home with the card-folding video tutorial. Visit henrysheldonmuseum.org for more info.

Valentine’s day at The Vault

Springfield—Enjoy Valentine’s Day with a stop at Gallery at the Vault. Lake Champlain Chocolates will be hidden around the gallery and in the former bank vault. Free card craft kits for all ages are available to take and make (all you’ll need is a glue stick.) And all artist cards are 10% off month of February.

Treat yourself

RUTLAND—Don’t get left out in the cold this Valentine’s Day! Come visit the Mammoth Skin Care pop-up at Strangefellows Pub this Saturday to stock up on all the best skin care products for yourself or your favorite person.

Find hearts in the parks

HARTFORD—Get ready for an adventure as you explore Hartford’s parks to find hearts in this community scavenger hunt. Each heart you locate will have a question you will need to solve. Participants can complete the scavenger hunt in a few hours or take their time and find a couple hearts a day. Once complete, participants send us their completed worksheet or photos (selfies of you in pursuit of the hearts) to be entered into a prize drawing. Winners will be announced Feb. 18.

Perfect for individuals or the entire household.  You will love solving questions and exploring parks as you take part in hearts in the parks. No registration is required.  To participate, download the hearts in the park worksheet at hartford-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/4937/Hearts-in-the-Parks-Tally-Sheet. If you would like Hartford Parks & Recreation to email you a hearts in the park worksheet, give them a call at 802-295-5036 or email recreation@hartford-vt.org. Worksheets may also be picked up at the Town Hall (located in a box on the parking lot side door).

 Go skating with your sweetheart

HARTFORD—Grab that special someone, whether it’s your daughter, son, or that special household member and head to the Wendell A. Barwood Arena for the sweetheart skate on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 at 5:30-6:15 p.m. or 7 -7:45 p.m. Enjoy romantic jams on the ice with your sweetheart. Includes 45 minutes of ice skating and a special treat for each couple. Pre-registration required.  Space is limited. Couples may arrive ten minutes prior to their scheduled time. A couple = 2 people only. No outside food or beverages. Ice skates available, if needed. Mask and social distancing required. This is a Covid-19 safe, special activity. To register, visit hartfordvt.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30135.