The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
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TIME FOR TWOS: Time for Twos Playgroup Winter Sessions will be held Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. 2-year-olds and their caregivers invited for open play. Wear play clothes as we will also be using craft materials. Drop-in, no registration. ORIGAMI: Origami, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Explore the Japanese art of paper folding. Ages 7 and up. Drop-in, no registration. CIRCUS FUN: Bending Gravity Circus Fun will be held Feb. 21, 11 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Eric Girardi presents a mesmerizing performance of circus skills choreographed to music. All ages. Drop-in, no registration. AARP MEETING:AARP Chapter #3310 will hold their monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m. at St. Pius Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Membership activities and trips will be discussed followed by a talk by The Honorable Joseph D. Marino, Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Middletown. Meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Remember to bring a non-perishable food item for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. MILITARY MUSEUM MEETING: The Greater Middletown Military Museum will hold its next meeting Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at the American Legion Building,58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, Middletown. All are welcome. Wednesday, Feb. 22 FAMILY STORYTIMES: Family Storytimes will be held at the Portland Library on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 22. Families with children ages 0-5 and their siblings are invited. Each week will feature stories, songs, games and a craft based on a weekly theme. Registration is required. Call the library at 860-342-6770 for more information. RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time is held Wednesdays, Feb.1, 8, 15, 22, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Songs and learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For birth-12 months, with caregiver. Drop-in, no registration. CALLIGRAPHY: The Deep River Public Library welcomes Ned Farrell, owner of the Bee Company in Clinton to teach the basics of calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, on Wednesday, Feb. 22. $5 fee for supplies; call the library to register, 860-526-6039. WOMEN’S GROUP: Cultural Connections Women’s Group will meet Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Women of all nationalities are invited; get help with local resources and network; share stories, tips and make new friends. Children are welcome. Fluency in English is not necessary. Drop-in, no registration. 18TH CENTURY MIDDLETOWN: Living Large in 18th Century Middletown will be presented Feb. 22, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. In the fourth installment of the ‘Vanished Port” speakers’ series presented by the Middlesex County Historical Society, Bill Hosley will discuss 18th-century Middletown architecture with an emphasis on the Wetmore House. Free.
Thursday, Feb. 23
BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Public Library, a lap sit program for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers, followed by open play and social time, will be held Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10:30 a.m. Older siblings may attend. No registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com
BRICK BUNCH: Deep River Public Library Brick Bunch meets Feb. 9 and 23, 3:454:45 p.m. for open Lego play, with large blocks for younger children. Drop in, no registration. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com JOB GROUP: Russell Library Job Group meets Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at the 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. . RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time meets Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Sing songs and learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For birth-12 months, with caregiver. Drop-in, no registration. STORY HOUR: Preschool Power Story Hour meets Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Have a fun, energetic mix of stories, finger plays, puppets, music, dance, and crafts, with time to just play. For ages 3 to 5. Drop-in, no registration. DOCUMENTARY FILM:The documentary film “13th” from director Ava DuVernay (Selma) will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m., with discussion following at 7 p.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main Street, Middlefield. Light refreshments will be served. All events are free. SCRABBLE BENEFIT: “An Evening of Words with Friends- -Minus the Electronics” hosted by Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore, will be held Feb.23, 5:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Madison Meetinghouse, 27 Meetinghouse Lane, Madison. Fun, refreshments and prizes; $25 per player. Call Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore at 860-399-0280 or go to vsliteracy.org. HUBBARD HOUSE CONCERT: Steve Balkun of the Balkun Brothers Band will perform with his brother Nick and Chester “Big Boy” Coda, at the Hubbard House, 377 Ridge Rd., Middletown, on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Reserve seats by contacting Robert at: Rnastamail@aol.com. balkunmusic.com
Friday, Feb. 24
FUN FRIDAYS: Fun Fridays Preschool Power Hour at the Deep River Public Library, with stories, songs and open play, are held at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 10, 17, 24. Older siblings may attend. No registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com
SHOPPING TRIP: A Buckland Mall/Christmas Tree Shopping
trip with the East Hampton Senior Center will be held Friday, Feb. 24 leaving at 10 a.m. Lunch on you. $3 Trans Donation asked. Sign up required. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. GENEALOGY GROUP: Genealogy, Anyone? will be held at the East Hampton Senior Center on Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. Don’t know where to start looking back at your family history? Meet with Brian and he may be able to help. Signup in Activity Book if interested. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. ABACUS CLUB: Abacus Club meets Feb.24, 3:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St. Middletown. Multiply your math knowledge with engaging math based activities and crafts. For ages 7 and up. Drop-in, no registration.
Saturday, Feb. 25
YOGA: Yoga In The Hubbard Room at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. No experience or mats needed. Instructor is Jeff Hush. Families with children ages 6 and up are welcome. The series is funded by The Friends of the Russell Library. LOVE/HATE: EpochArts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, is inviting all artists and people who are interested in participating in our annual Arts Response: Love Hate: Responding in Love, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Share stories, art, film, poetry, music or any healthy response to this overwhelming issue. Email Elizabeth if you are interested in participating, elizabeth@epocharts.org. www.epocharts.org ANIMAL TRACKING: Potapaug Audubon and the Westbrook Library present an animal tracking workshop, Feb. 25, 1 p.m. at the Westbrook Library, 61 Goodspeed Dr., Westbrook with Brendan Hylan From Bushy Hill Nature Center who will explain and demonstrate how to follow animal tracks and identify the animals. The program is free; families are welcome. For information call 860-399-0136. ‘SELMA’ FILM: The Russell Library will show the film Selma, Feb. 25, 12:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room. Selma is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis. Free. KERRY BOYS: The Kerry Boys return to the Henry Carter Hull Library for another rollicking performance, Feb. 25, 2 p.m. Come for just plain Celtic fun, featuring former Connecticut State Troubadour Pierce Campbell, and Clinton’s own Paul Neri. Free. hchlibrary.org. TEA PARTY: A tea party to benefit Feed My Starving Children Central CT Mobile Pack will be held Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin. Tickets are $15, 2/$25. Enjoy teas, foods, live music and a silent auction. For tickets call Kristen at 860-798-9825 or email: Scrapcookie@aol.com).
Sunday, Feb. 26
WEDDING SHOW: The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate, Middletown, is hosting the annual Wedding Show on Sunday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. For more information call 860-347-1064. CHOCOLATE RESCUE: 15th Annual Chocolate to the Rescue! will be held Sunday, March 26, 1-4 p.m. at the Inn at Middletown, 70 Main St., Middletown. All proceeds to benefit the Middlesex Family Shelter & Services. For information, tickets at $30, and sponsorships go to www.columbushouse.org/chocolate SUNDAY SERVICE: Haddam Neck Congregational Church, the “Little Church in the Wildwood” worships Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. All welcome for worship, scripture readings and song, followed by coffee hour in the church parish house. Visit www. haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org for information or contact the Rev. James Simpson at 860-2678606; 860-301-4124; james4056@sbcglobal.net SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist and music at 9 a.m., Sunday School and confirmation, 10:30 a.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information, go to www. faithelcamiddletown.org. CLOCKS LECTURE: The Clinton Historical Society presents the first lecture in the Victor & Lynnabeth Mays Lecture Series at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. with Bob Frishman, who has repaired, restored, collected, sold and researched antique clocks since 1980. His business, Bell-Time Clocks is located in Andover, MA. Anyone with a desire for information about old clocks or watches they possess is encouraged to bring them. Additional details can be found on the Clinton Historical Society website at www.clintoncthistory.org and the Henry Carter Hull Library website at www. hchlibrary.org
Monday, Feb. 27
WONDERFUL ONES: Wonderful Ones will be held Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, 27, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Play and circle time for one year olds and their caregivers. Drop-in, no registration.
BIRTHDAY BASH: The East Hampton Senior Center’s February Birthday Bash will be held on Monday, Feb. 27 at 12 p.m. Let the center know if you were born in the month of February and have lunch, cake and ice cream on us. Sign up required. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426.