Calendar

Today

BOOK DISCUSSION: Racial Justice Book Discussion, Sept. 5, 6 p.m., in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, on “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. Copies of the book are available at the check-out desk. For more information, contact Christy Billings by emailing cbillings@russelllibrary.org or by calling 860 347-2528 ext 122.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

OPEN MIC NIGHTS: On the first Wednesday of every month, all are invited to Jack ‘n Jill Open Mic Nights, to benefit New Horizons Domestic Violence Services, at the Msso Grille, 106 Court St., Middletown, and hosted by Old Lonesome Dave. Singers, songwriters, poets, musicians, comics and dancers as well as listeners and supporters are welcome. Signup starts at 7;30 p.m., and performances begin at 8 p.m. To reach Mezzo, call 860-346-600. Participants can win a chance to perform at The Jack n’ Jill Music Festival, which benefits New Horizons Domestic Violence Services (newhorizonsdv.com/history). LIFFELONG LEARNING LECTURES: Chester Village West, 317 W. Main St., Chester, continues its Lifelong Learning Program with six free-and open-to-the-public lectures in September, October and November, in partnership with the Wesleyan Institute for Lifelong Learning and Middlesex Hospital. Q&A and reception with light refreshments follows. To register for one or more programs, call 860-322-6455, email ChesterVillageWest@LCSnet.com. All begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 6, Working with a Hospitalist. MOOSE IN CT: “Moose in Connecticut” presented by DEEP wildlife biologist Andrew LaBonte, Sept 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook. The program is free; register with shaun_roche@fws.gov PAINTING DEMO: The Cheshire Art League’s “The Gesture Figure” painting demonstration by Jay Babin will be held Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Cheshire Library, 104 Main St., Cheshire. The program is free and the public is welcome. EMBLEM CLUB: The Middletown Emblem Club #452 will hold its monthly meeting Sept. 6, 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, Crystal Ballroom with president Sue Charter and presiding and refreshment hostesses Joyce Norman, Jean Jackson and Laurine Sierpinski. Plans for the Sept. 28 Military Whist and the Oct. 26 visit by national president, Anne Servello will be discussed. Officers, contact President Sue if you are unable to attend.

Thursday, Sept. 7

SAILING CLUB: Shoreline Sailing Club meeting, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. at the Westbrook Elks Club 142 Seaside Ave. Westbrook. The club welcomes anyone interested in sailing, fishing, kayaking, dancing and socializing. The first meeting is free , subsequent meetings $10. A cash bar is available. More information available at shorelinesailingclub.org. MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, will meet Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead the group. The workshop facilitator is Christy Billings; call 860347-2528 ext 122 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org BABY BOOM: Deep River Library’s Baby Boom program will be held Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m., for newborns to 24 months. Older siblings welcome, no registration required. BRICK BUNCH: Deep River Library’s Brick Bunch, an open Lego playtime, will be held Sept. 7 and 21, 3:45 p.m. ENGLISH GARDENS: Historic English Gardens of CT will be held Sept. 7, 6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. The program is free; to register call 860-669-2342 or go to hchlibrary.org EVERYONE OUTSIDE: Everyone Outside Family Fun will be held Sept. 7, 3:30-6 p.m. See the little critters, interesting plants and other things from nature that Lucy Meigs of Everyone Outside will share. Come to the Durham Library’s Farmer’s Market Story Time at 5 p.m. For information or to learn about our fun fall programs, see www.EveryoneOutside.org. BOOK DISCUSSION: Coginchaug Area Transition is sponsoring a book discussion of the book “The Ecology of Care” by Didi Pershouse of Vermont, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. Room 2 of the Middlefield Community Center. No need to RSVP; free event is open to all. Call Sue at 860349-0777 or Joanne at 860349-9713 with any questions. ILLUMINATING SCIENCE: Illuminating Science: Medical and Scientific Visualizations by Dena Winkleman Matthews, opens Sept. 7, 5-7 p.m. with a reception at Green Street Teaching and Learning Center of Wesleyan University, 51 Green St., Middletown. The show runs through Sept. 27. For information call 860-685-7871 or go to wesleyan.edu/greenstreet.

Friday, Sept. 8

TAG SALE: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, is holding its annual two-weekend tag sale. The sale has furniture, household goods, toys, pictures and art work and much more. Proceeds fund the center’s programs for local youth. The sale runs Sept. 8 and 15, 1-8 p.m., Sept. 9-10 and Sept. 16-17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. New items added every day. www.epocharts.org

BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Russell Library Book Sale will be held Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.

FUN FRIDAYS: Fun Friday at the Deep River Library, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29; 10:30 a.m. On Sept. 22, enjoy a dance demo with Rana; ABC Amigos Spanish story time Sept. 29. Stories, songs, craft, open play. Free, no registration required. ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Durham Senior Citizens will host an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social, Sept. 8, 12:30 p.m. at the Durham Activity Center. To attend, register with Jaclyn at 860349-3153 or at the center.

Saturday, Sept. 9

FARM, ARTISAN MARKET: Parmelee Farm & Artisan Market at the Parmelee Farm, 465 Route 81, Killingworth, Sept. 9. Fresh local produce, eggs, dairy products, honey, breads, soaps, and jams, artisan work, food trucks, children’s activities. Pets welcome. September will feature a Wellness Day. The farm also offers trails for hiking and the 1840’s farmhouse will be open with displays of Killingworth history and artifacts. For details go to www.parmeleefarmmarket.org or email manager@parmeleefarmmarket.org for more information. VENTURE SMITH DAY: The 21th annual Venture Smith Day Festivities will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 1-4 p.m. in the cemetery at the First Church of Christ, 499 Town Street (RT. 151), East Haddam, where he is buried (1729-1805). Those interested in learning more about Connecticut history in the 1700 and 1800s are encouraged to attend. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. In case of inclement weather the celebration will move into the parish house of First Church. There will be plenty of time to renew old friendships, talk with speakers, and Venture’s descendants and enjoy light refreshments in the Parish Hall next to the cemetery. For information, call 860-873-9375.