Calendar

Today

FUNDRAISER: 3 Unique Ladies cafe, 143 William St., Middletown, is holding a fundraiser in July and August to benefit the animal control department. AFTERNOON COLORING: Coloring activity, for all ages, Aug. 4, 3 p.m., in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop in; no registration. MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 6th Annual Middletown Music Festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4-6, at Middlesex Community College. For more information visit jcherrypresents.com.

Saturday, Aug. 5

HEALTHLINE: Kara Robinson, Development Coordinator for the Connecticut Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation, is the guest on the next edition of the health-information radio program — Healthline. Ms. Robinson will discuss the causes of kidney disease, its symptoms, and how it is treated. Healthline is produced by the Middletown Health Department and can be heard Saturday, Aug. 5 at 3:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. on WIHS 104.9 FM. SUMMER THEATER: The East Haddam Stage Company is performing the original 30-minute comedy-drama “William Gillette: Senator’s Son to Super Sleuth,” at Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Rd., East Haddam. The shows are free to the public and are held Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 2:30 p.m. through Aug. 13. Admission is free. For information go to www.EHSCO.org, 860-8733521; bring chairs. Rain cancels. TAG, BAKE SALE: Tag, bake sale at Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Rd., Lyme, Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For information call 860-434-1929 or email wdenow@comcast.net. HOPYARD HIKE: A follow-up to the Essex Library’s folklore program, hike the Devil’s Hopyard State Park, 366 Hopyard Rd., East Haddam, Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. with Professor Stephen Gencarella, who will share stories about this unique park. The hike is free; call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560 for more information and to register. POETRY CIRCLE: The Poetry Circle will hold its monthly meeting Aug. 5, 11 a.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. August’s theme is music. Hear, read and discuss original poetry, all styles, levels and ages welcome. For details go to hchlibrary.org TAG SALE: A ‘gigantic’ tag sale will be held Aug. 5, 8 a.m.-1 p.m, rain or shine, at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham. More than 40 vendors, church hall sale, food available for purchase. Call Bill Shumway for more information at 860 349-3397. REFUGE HUNGER GAMES: The 4th Annual “Refuge Hunger Games” will be held Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Stewart B. McKinney N.W.R. - 733 Old Clinton Road., Westbrook, for ages 8-15. Guardian must accompany children. Preregistration required; email kristina_vagos@fws.gov or call 860-304-8977. CAR WASH, BAKE SALE: Ben’s Bath and Beyond Car Wash & Bake Sale, Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at G&S Service, 100 Main St., East Hampton, and meet Ben the Clydesdale. To benefit the CT Draft Horse Rescue’s Capital Campaign which is building their new farm, Autumn Ridge, in East Hampton, including the construction of a hay storage building. MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 6th Annual Middletown Music Festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4-6, at Middlesex Community College. For more information visit jcherrypresents.com. SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE: A Fill the Bus donation drive for school supplies will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Big Lots & Staples parking lots, 820 and 900 Washington St., Middletown. Items collected will be distributed to the community from Cross Street AME Zion Church Cultural Bazaar on Saturday, Aug. 26. PADDLE WITH A PURPOSE: Paddle With A PurposeWater Chestnut Pull will be held Aug. 5, 9 a.m., removing water chestnuts from the Mattabesset River’s Floating Meadows. Canoes and kayakers will gather and launch at the Phil Salafia Canoe and Kayak Launch at 181 Johnson St., Middletown, led by Alicea Charamut of the Connecticut River Conservancy, formerly known as the Connecticut River Watershed Association. Participants are asked to pre-register with Alicea by email at acharamut@ctriver.org or by calling 860704-0057. Gloves and bags will be provided. Participants must provide their own canoes, kayaks, lifejackets, and water. AUTHOR TALK: Old Saybrook resident and author Mike Urban will give a free, illustrated talk on New England clam shacks and lobster shacks, 7 p.m. Aug. 10, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., with a focus on a guide to New England’s best clam and lobster joints. RSVP by calling 860767-1560.

Sunday, Aug. 6

SUMMER THEATER: The East Haddam Stage Company is performing the original 30-minute comedy-drama “William Gillette: Senator’s Son to Super Sleuth,” at Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Rd., East Haddam. The shows are free to the public and are held Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 2:30 p.m. through Aug. 13. Admission is free. For information go to www.EHSCO.org, 860-8733521; bring chairs. Rain cancels. SUMMER CONCERT: Vital Connections Through Music summer concert series, Aug. 6, 4p.m., with singer Kerri Powers. Tickets $15, reserve at eventbrite.com or buy at the door. Doors open at 3:30p.m. For information call 860-342-0458. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Eucharist at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., in Middletown, 9 a.m., July 30. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 6th Annual Middletown Music Festival will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4-6, at Middlesex Community College. For more information visit jcherrypresents.com.

Monday, Aug. 7

SUPPORT GROUP: Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA), a group based on the 12 steps of AA for those suffering with any type of eating disorder, holds open discussion meetings on Mondays from 6-7 p.m. at the Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Deep River. For information call 860399-7313. SUPPORT GROUP: Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA), a group based on the 12 steps of AA for those suffering with any type of eating disorder, holds open discussion meetings on Mondays from 6-7 p.m. at the Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Deep River. For information call 860399-7313. PEACE CRANES: Make a Peace Crane, Aug. 1, 12 p.m. Aug. 7, 3 p.m., in the courtyard at the Russell Library, Middletown. All ages are welcome. Drop-in; no registration. SUMMER SING: Summer Sing Vivaldi’s “Gloria” & Haydn’s Te Deum, on Monday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook. Singers are welcome to perform; $10 fee, Scores available, and the church is airconditioned. For more information call 860-767-9409 or 203-530-0002 or visit www. cappellacantorum.org or www. conbrio.org SIMPLE TRIVIA: Play Simple Trivia, Aug. 7, 1 p.m., for grades 1-6, in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop in; no registration. NEW MOVIE MONDAY: See “Going in Style” at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, Aug. 7, with free popcorn. Details at hchlibrary.org

Tuesday, Aug. 8

ABC AMIGOS: The Acton Public Library presents ABC Amigos : Summertime Preschool Story Time, Tuesdays, July 11-Aug. 29, 10:30-11 a.m., a free and drop-in preschool bilingual story time. Sing songs, play games, and listen to stories in both English and Spanish. This series is open to all children regardless of Spanish-speaking ability. For information call 860-3953184. FUNDRAISER: 3Unique Ladies cafe, 143 William St., Middletown, is holding a fundraiser in July and August to benefit the animal control department. SUMMER MOVIES: Family Summer Movie Series at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton are held on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 8, Pete’s Dragon, Aug. 15, the Jungle Book, Aug. 22, Into the Woods, Aug. 29, Finding Dory. Bring snacks, blankets, stuffies, or anything else to make yourself comfy. ART BOOT CAMP: Teen Art Boot Camp, for grades 7-12, will be held July 18 at 6 p.m. in the storytelling room and July 25, Aug. 1 and Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. in the activity room at the Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, led by Maddy Geores. Registration is required. Sign up on-line, in person at the Youth and Family Learning desk or by calling 860-344-8479. Sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library. WESLEYAN POTTERS SHOW: Tribal, a jewelry members show, runs through Aug. 20 in the Wesleyan Potters Gallery Shop, 350 Main St., Middletown. Events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www. wesleyanpotters.com. SUMMER STORIES: Summer Stories, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 10:30 a.m., for ages 3-6, siblings welcome, in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Stories old and new, flannel board stories, puppet play and music. Drop-in; no registration. ART BOOT CAMP: Teen Art Boot Camp, Aug. 1, Aug. 8, for grades 7-12, in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown with Maddy Geores. Registration is required; register at www.russelllibrary.org, in person or at 860-344-8479 so we can plan for supplies. MEDICAID SEMINAR: Attorney Elizabeth Byrne, Elder Law Attorney with Farrell, Geenty, Sheeley, Boccalatte, and Guarino, P.C. will present a free educational seminar: Understanding the Medicaid/ Title 19 Rules, Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m. at Wadsworth Glen Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, 30 Boston Road, Middletown. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 860-346-9299 to reserve a seat. BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE: A back-to-school supply drive for needy kids, organized by William M.Prevatte, will begin collections Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Mayor Enzo Faienza’s office, 41 West St. 1st Floor, Cromwell. RUSSELL READERS: Russell Readers will meet Tuesday, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This month’s selection is ‘The Girl on the Plane’ by Mary Gaitskill from the collection 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month. For more information about participating in the group or acquiring the text, contact Chantal Foster at (860)573-2946 or email Chantal.foster@comcast.net TIP-A-COP: Officers with the DMHAS (Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services) will host a Tip-A-Cop event to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut at Taino Smokehouse, 482 South Main Street in Middletown, on Tuesday, Aug. 8 serving lunch from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 – 8 p.m. For more information, call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 9

PAIN SUPPORT GROUP: The Middlesex County support group for chronic pain meets every third Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. to connect with others for support, learn strategies to cope with chronic pain, how to talk to doctors, and information about LEARN complementary and alternative treatments. Meetings are held at the U.S. Pain Foundation, 670 Newfield Street (Route 3). For information, call 800-910-2462 or visit uspainfoundation.org. FARMERS MARKETS: East Haddam Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. at Ballek’s Garden Center every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. WWI FILM SERIES: WWI Film Series: The Great War on the Big Screen, at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Aug. 2, War Horse, Aug. 9, Testament of Youth, Aug. 16, The Silent Mountain, Aug. 23, A Very Long Engagement. Free, no registration. READING BUDDIES: Summer Reading Buddies, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m., for ages 3-10, buddy up with the Teen Advisory Council members. Registration is required. Register at www. russelllibrary.org, in person, or at 860-344-8479.

Thursday, Aug. 10

CLINTON FARMERS MARKET: Clinton Farmers’ Market is being held this summer at the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. from July 13 to Aug. 31, rain or shine. Stock up on fresh produce and baked goods from your favorite local vendors.