Oddfellows announces fall theater programs

MIDDLETOWN » Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater has announced its fall schedule of classes and plays for young people, age 3 to 19. Programs begin the week of Sept. 11 at the Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

Two opportunities to perform in shows are scheduled. Teen Company, for ages 12 and up, will present “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Kids Company, ages 8 – 11, will perform The Lorax, adapted from the Dr. Seuss classic story.

A pre-audition workshop for A Christmas Carol will be held on Sept. 13 from 6:30 – 8 p.m., open to all interested actors, no registration required. Auditions are Sept, 18 and 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Actors should plan to come to one evening of auditions.

Classes for all ages include Backstage Wizards (Stage Tech & Design), creative drama, acting, circus arts, musical theatre, visual arts and improvisation. All classes have a final performance for family and friends.

Circophony, offered in partnership with ArtFarm, is a teen circus program open to youth ages 12-19. Fall training begins on September 12th and auditions for a winter production will be held in December.

The Playhouse is able to offer busing to the Playhouse for after-school classes provided by the Middletown Public Schools. There will be snack, homework help and activities before classes on school days, for students who ride the bus.

For more information about programs, fees and financial aid, visit www.oddfellows.org, or call 860-347-6143.

Youth volunteer nominations sought for award

HARTFORD »Through Nov. 7, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is looking for Connecticut’s top youth volunteers of the year.

Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months. The application is available at http:// spirit.prudential.com and www. nassp.org/spirit.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), was created in 1995 to recognize the exemplary volunteer work of middle level and high school students. The awards have been granted annually for the past 22 years on the local, state and national level.

To apply for a 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Award, students and certifiers must complete the following steps:

Students must complete the online application by Nov. 7. Then, students submit the application for certification to their principal or head of a local participating organization. Certifiers review all applications for their school or organization, then select a Local Honoree to nominate for state-level judging by Nov. 17. Applications can be certified by a middle or high school principal or head of a Girl Scout council, county 4-H organization, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or an affiliate of Points of Light’s HandsOn Network. Students can request a paper application by calling 855670-4787.)

Middletown Health Department receives FDA grant

MIDDLETOWN » City Health Director Dr. Joseph A. Havlicek announced today that the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded the Middletown Health Department a grant for $2,500 to educate the public about the importance of proper food handling practices during National Food Safety Month in September.

In recognition of the month, representatives from the Middletown Health Department will be at Price Chopper, 122 Washington Street on Sept. 28 to answer questions and offer advice on proper ways to handle, store, and prepare food. For more information For information on food safety, call 860-638-4972.

Grant info session set

MIDDLETOWN » The Rockfall Foundation will host an information session for its 2018 grant cycle on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at the deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington Street, Middletown. The foundation invites non-profit organizations, municipalities, and schools in the Lower Connecticut River Valley to apply for grants through the annual Competitive Grant Program. New and returning applicants will learn about requirements of the application and grantee expectations, and may ask questions about the process. Applications are due by November 9 and can be downloaded from www.rockfallfoundation.org. For detailed eligibility criteria or additional information, call 860-347-0340 or visit www. rockfallfoundation.org.