Calendar

have invited local wellness professionals offering items, services, and 30minute breakout sessions throughout the day, including fitness classes, workshops, and demonstrations. Get a free raffle ticket for every session you attend. Children will enjoy story time with Miss Kara at 10 a.m. and an ongoing craft in the Community Room. Donations for the Bare Essentials Diaper Drive will be collected. For more information about vendors and breakout sessions, visit www.hchlibrary.org/ wellness2017 ART GUILD SHOW: The Art Guild of Middletown will hold its fifth annual exhibit of Artwork by Members, Jan. 7-28 at the Portland Public Library at 20 Freestone Avenue. The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2-4 p.m. The snow date is Jan. 14.Refreshments will be served and awards for first, second, third place and honorable mention will be announced. Library hours are MondayFriday, 10a.m.-8p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Art Guild’s website is www. middletownartguild.org. To reach the library, call 860342-6770.

Today

LIBRARY JOB GROUP: Russell Library’s Job Group meets Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed. Presenters range from local business people to nationally renowned authors and career counselors. A one-hour networking session follows the presentation. Free, open to all.

Friday, Dec. 30 Saturday, Dec. 31

FIRE OF HOPE: Fire of Hope, a celebration with music, healing and other programs, will be presented on New Year’s Even from 3-4:30 p.m. and will be presented at the gazebo adjacent to the Mattabesett Canoe Club in Harbor Park, Middletown. Donations are welcome to support the Buttonwood Tree programming and other peace charities. The ceremony begins and ends with sound healings and includes various speakers, music, dance and the ‘Burning of our burdens” in the Fire of Hope, concluding at sunset. For information go to buttonwood.com.

Sunday, Jan 1

NEW YEAR’S DAY: The Friends of Long Hill Estate and the Long Hill Estate Authority will host their 18th Annual New Year’s Day Open House on Sunday, Jan. 1 from 1-4 p.m. The program is free and includes entertainment for visitors of all ages. The event will feature docent tours, horse-drawn carriage rides provided by Allegra Farms, and music by the Americana acoustic musical group Horizon Blue. Visitors are encouraged to walk on the trails that surround the house. For more information on the event call 860-347-1064 or visit www. wadsworthmansion.com. SERVICE: Lessons & Carols with Holy Communion at 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown.

Monday, Jan. 2

AUDITIONS: Madhatters Theatre Company will hold auditions on Jan. 2 for the May production of “Shrek.” Auditions and rehearsals will be held at Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau in Old Lyme and are by appointment only. The production will be held at Chester Meeting House. Auditions are open to ages 6-18. To schedule an audition, email madhattersctc@aol.com Get listed: Submit items at EDITOR@MIDDLETOWNPRESS.COM. or call (860) 395-1861 GENTLE YOGA: Beginning Jan. 2, the Middlesex YMCA and the East Hampton Senior Center are offering a Gentle Yoga Class. This will be an eight week course every Monday at 1:45 p.m. The class includes sitting and standing yoga moves that are directed by a Certified YMCA Instructor. Classes are $5 per class or $40 for the 8 week session. Payment due at sign up or each session you attend. Check-in at the Front Desk when attending this and any other classes offered at the center. For more information call the center at 860-2674426.

Tuesday, Jan. 3 Wednesday, Jan. 4 Thursday, Jan. 5

BABY BOUNCE: Deep River Public Library’s Baby Bounc, a lap sit program for babies up to 24 months with a caregiver, will be held on Thursdays, Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 10:30 a.m. Older siblings may attend. No registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com.

TRAVEL MEETING: East Hampton Senior Center Travel Meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend to find out the 2017 Trip choices. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860267-4426.

Friday, Jan. 6

FUN FRIDAYS: Deep River Public Library’s Fun Fridays will be held Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, with stories, songs and open play, starting at 10:30 a.m. All ages welcome, no registration required. ABC Amigos are the special guest on Jan. 27. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail. com. LEARN BRIDGE: Learn to Play Bridge at the East Hampton Senior Center on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Bridge Group has offered some instructional time to teach individuals this fun and challenging game. If interested, sign up in Activity Book. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. WII BOWLING: Wii Bowling practice is held on Fridays starting Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. at the East Hampton Senior Center. Let’s get back to ‘honing’ our skills for the next tournament. If interested sign up in activity book to save a time slot. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. SHOPPING TRIP: East Hampton Senior Center Cromwell shopping trip will be held Friday, Jan. 6 leaving at 12:30 p.m. $3 Transportation donation asked. Sign up required. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860267-4426.

Saturday, Jan. 7

DANCE PARTY, STORY TIME: A special dance party and story time will be held at the Deep River Public Library on Jan. 7 at 10:30 a.m. with stories, songs and disco lights. It’s best for children 2-6, but all ages are welcome and no registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com.

BREWERY TOUR: Take a walking tour of the Fat Orange Cat Brewery on Tartia Road in East Hampton on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m., part of the “Explore East Hampton” series organized by the East Hampton’s Chatham Historical Society and sponsored by the East Hampton Recreation Dept. For further information about upcoming walks or the Chatham Historical Society, contact Marty Podskoch, coordinator of the “Explore East Hampton” walks at 860-2672442, podskoch@comcast. net, or visit http://www. easthamptonrec.com

TACK SALE: CT Draft Horse Rescue’s tack sale will be held on the first Saturday of every month, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4 and April 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Available tack includes saddles, blankets, bits, bridles, supplements, saddle pads and so much more. All sizes and styles. New and slightly used. All proceeds go to support the horses at the CT Draft Horse Rescue. CDHR is located at 15 Rock Landing, Haddam Neck, by the fairgrounds. For more information, visit www. ctdraftrescue.com or www. facebook.com/ctdraftrescue.

WELLNESS FAIR: The Henry Carter Hull Library will hold a New Year New You 2017 Wellness Fair on Saturday, Jan. 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In celebration of finding a healthy lifestyle in the New Year, we

CALENDAR >> PAGE 10