CALENDAR

Wednesday, March 14 WEDNESDAY WORSHIP: A service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. Worship theme: God’s Will and My World View. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

DRIVE BY VIGIL: Trinity Episcopal Church will hold a Drive-by Vigil on Wednesday March 14, 5-8 p.m. to commemorate one month of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. All are invited to this lamentation that will be held in front of the church in the circular driveway. Candles will be lit in memory of the students, their families, and community that were affected by this tragedy, and for other various memorials. The Reverend Phil Bjornberg will be available at the candle lighting for prayer. Trinity Church is located at 345 Main Street, Portland.

BOARD GAMES WITH KIDS: East Hampton Senior Center members will play board games with fourth-graders on March 14 at 10 a.m. Sign up in Activity Book. EVENING ART FILM: Evening Art Film: “Darkest Hour” (2017) starring Gary Oldman, will be shown at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, March 14 at 5:30 p.m. Free, with free popcorn from Chips’ Pub III. EMBLEM CLUB: The Middletown Emblem Club #452 has changed its meeting night to the second Wednesday of each month. The March meeting will be held March 14, 7 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom, BPOE #771 Elks Lodge. Members will discuss the upcoming Military Whist fundraiser on Thursday, April 12. Members will also choose a nominating committee to elect new officers. New members are always welcome. Call Roz at 860-347-3629 for membership information and application. Officers are aksed to contact the president if they can’t attend.

COOK CLUB: Cook Club returns on March 14; 5:30 pm. at the Deep River Library to make Peanut Butter Popcorn. Registration is required for this program and limited to 10 participants. Best suited for ages 4-10. Go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com to register.

SUGAR, SUGAR! Sugar, Sugar! Recognizing sugar in your food and understanding its effects on the human body, will be held March 14, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Learn how to read a nutrition label and recognize sugar, understand some of the physiological roles of sugar, and discuss the latest science regarding sugar’s effect on human health. Drop-in, no registration.

AMERICAN MAHJONG: The East Hampton Senior Center is offering instructional classes, for adults 60 and over, on how to play American Mahjong, starting March 14 and then every Wednesday to the end of April at 9 a.m. Stop by the Senior Center to sign up at front desk or call 860-267-4426. Thursday, March 15 COMPOSTING BASICS: Residents are invited to learn about composting basics at 10 a.m., March 15 at the Middletown Senior Center, 61 Durant St. Discover the drivers of the decomposition process, find out how to troubleshoot and avoid problems and become aware of the many benefits of compost, presented by Dawn Pettinelli , an Assistant Extension Educator at the University of Connecticut. For more information, contact the Middletown Recycling Coordinator at 860-638-4855 or kim.orourke@middletownct.com. LEGALLY BLONDE: Cromwell High School presents “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16, 17 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Order at showtix4u.com. For more information, call 860-632-4841 ext. 14813 SAILING CLUB: Shoreline Sailing Club meeting, March 15, 7 p.m. Singles over 35 who love boating are welcome. Winter meetings located at Old Saybrook Estuary,

220 Main Street, Old Saybrook. See website for more information: http://www.shorelinesailingclub. camp8.org BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Library will be held March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 10:30 a.m. Join us for a story time for babies, newborn to 24 months. Older siblings may attend. Free.

BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time is held on Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15 and 29, 10:30 a.m. . in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For babies birth - 12 months and their caregivers. Drop in; no registration.

PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR: Preschool Power Story Hour will be held Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 3 - 5 (Pre-k through kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration.

MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, led by Elizabeth Petry and facilitator Christy Biillings, will meet March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. All veterans, either active or retired, are encouraged to come and share their experiences for their own benefit or to share with family and friends. New members are encouraged to visit to see what the group is all about. To reach Christy Billings, call 860-347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org

ESSENTIAL OILS: Essential Oils 101 will be held Thursday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join Elena Bigio, Wellness Advocate, who will discuss the healing benefits of essential oils and how they have helped many families and children. Drop in; no registration. GED TUTORING: Free GED tutoring is available at Adult Education 398 Main Street, Middletown, Days and evenings. Call 860-343-6044 for more information.

Friday, March 16 LEGALLY BLONDE: Cromwell High School presents “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16, 17 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Order at showtix4u.com. For more information, call 860-632-4841 ext. 14813

ARTISTIC FUN AT EPOCH: Students in grade 6 and up are invited to Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, March 16, 7-9 p.m. for an evening of artistic fun. Using a variety of different methods and styles, students will create their own unique painting to bring home. The cafe is open to buy snacks. For information and to register, go to www.epocharts.org

FAMILY HISTORY: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with Godfrey Memorial Library researchers on March 3, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and March 6 and 16, 9:30 a.m. Cost is free to members, $10 for guess. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No registration necessary.

CAT TALES DINNER: Cat Tales Semi Annual Spaghetti Dinner will be held Friday, March 16 at the Fox Parish Center, 10 Elm Street, Middletown. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets $12; bring 2 rolls of paper towels or 3 cans of friskies and get a door prize drawing ticket. For tickets, call Cat Tales at 860344-9043 or email info@CatTalesCT.org

FUN FRIDAYS: The Deep River Library’s Fun Friday will be held March 2, 16 and 23 at 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs in an interactive setting, followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Free. POET’S CORNER: Poet’s Corner with Susan Allison will meet March 16, 4 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Shy poets, famous poets, infamous poets, sly poets, wanna-be poets, poetry lovers, poet lovers or poets who would never attend such an event, are all welcome. Bring favorites to share. Drop-in; no registration. WESLEYAN POTTERS SHOW: Wesleyan

Potters recognizes and celebrates its instructors of pottery, jewelry, and weaving with a faculty exhibit in The Gallery/ Shop. The show will feature the creative work of nearly twenty teachers and run through March 25. Wesleyan Potters is located at 350 South Main Street, Middletown. Events are free and the public is welcome. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com.

ARGENTINE TANGO SOCIAL: Intensive Argentine Tango classes, with Instructors are Dale Ellison and Jorge “Gem” Duras, are being held around the state. On March 16, 7:30-11 p.m., an Opening Milonga, or Tango Dance Social, will be held at First Church of Christ, 190 Court Street, Middletown. Admission is $25 per person, which includes the dance class. To register, call 203-584-4480 or visit www.CTTangoFest.org.

IMAGES 2018: IMAGES 2018, 37th annual CT photography competition and exhibition will accept submissions for this year’s juried show on Friday, March 16, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, March 17 -18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Portfolios should be delivered to Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford during those times. Call for Entry and Submission guidelines are available at www.shorelinearts.org. For information call 203-4533890 or email eric@shorelinearts.org.

Saturday, March 17 LEGALLY BLONDE: Cromwell High School presents “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16, 17 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Order at showtix4u.com. For more information, call 860-632-4841 ext. 14813 IRISH NIGHT, AWARD: The Middletown Lodge #771 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will hold its annual Irish Night-St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance celebration on March 17. A cocktail hour starts a 6 p.m.; following at 7 p.m. with performances by the Middletown PBA Pipes & Drums and Irish Step Dancers from the Griffith Academy of Irish Dance; a traditional Irish corned beef dinner at 7:30 p.m.; and music and dancing to 11 p.m. Tickets are available from Gerry Daley at 86-347-9315. The lodge will also honor Captain Sean Moritarty as its Irish Member of the Year.

IMAGES 2018: IMAGES 2018, 37th annual CT photography competition and exhibition will accept submissions for this year’s juried show, Saturday and Sunday, March 17 -18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Portfolios should be delivered to Guilford Art Center, 411 Church Street, Guilford during those times. Call for Entry and Submission guidelines are available at www.shorelinearts.org. For information call 203-453-3890 or email eric@shorelinearts.org.

IRISH MUSIC CONCERT: A Kitchen Céilí concert, celebrating Irish music with reels, jigs, waltzes and songs old and new, will be held March 17, 1:30 p.m. in the The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The band features George Wilson on fiddle, banjo and vocals, Dora Hast on tin whistle and recorders, and Stan Scott on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and vocals. Irish dancers will be featured. All ages are welcome. Drop-in; no registration.

SCHOOL ART SHOW: Middletown Public Schools K-12 Art Show, running from March 17-25, opens with a public reception March 17, 5-7 p.m. at Wesleyan University's Zilkha Gallery at the Center for the Arts. Show hours are 12-7 p.m. on weekdays, 1-4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

WRITING A FAMILY HISTORY: Write Your Family History, a geneaology writing class, meets March 17, 9:30-11 a.m. at Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield Street, Middletown. Particpants can discuss methods and ideas for gathering information and writing a history, learn from examples of printed and published material by others, share writing and get feedback. Members will each have a chance to discuss what they are working

and/or ask for advice and help from the group. Discussion can be about the writing process as well as the nuts and bolts of creating a book. The class is free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No preregistration necessary.

Sunday, March 18

LEGALLY BLONDE: Cromwell High School presents “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” with performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 15, 16, 17 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Order at showtix4u.com. For more information, call 860-632-4841 ext. 14813

ARTISANS INVITED: The Connecticut River Artisans Co-op, 55 Main St., Essex, is hosting an open house for artists on Sunday, March 18, 12-3 p.m. Artists looking for a venue to show their work are encouraged to stop in, enjoy the refreshments, chat with one of the artists, compare the advantages of belonging to a co-op versus consigning work or selling at shows. Bring a portfolio, pictures or samples of your work and it will be juried that day; no jewelry or candles, imports, wholesalers or reps. To make an appointment call Gay Petruzzi Ritter at 860-578-9595. MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS EXPO: A Mental Health & Wellness Expo will be held March 18, 1-4 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Guess can learn about options for adult and youth mental health, parenting, substance abuse treatment, yoga, reiki, meditation and more. For details visit hchlibrary.org.

STORYTELLER EVENT: Nationally recognized storyteller Tom Lee will present his retelling of the biblical epic of King David at Saint Ann’s Parish, Old Lyme,

Sunday, March 18 at 4 p.m. This program, which is intended for an adult audience, “Prophets & Loss: The King David Story.” recounts the very human struggles of King David. Admission is by donation, with free parking adjacent to Saint Ann’s Church. For more information, email office@saintannsoldlyme.org or call 860434-1621 GED TUTORING: Free GED tutoring is available at Adult Education 398 Main Street, Middletown, days and evenings. Call 860-343-6044 for more information. CELTIC HARP CONCERT:

Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main St., Portland, will host Zoe Vandermeer, soprano and Celtic harp for a performance of Irish music, March 18 at 4 p.m. A free will offering will be collected for the Episcopal Relief Fund, which aids many domestic and international relief efforts. reception of Trinity Church's traditional Irish soda bread and whiskey cake follows.