CALENDAR

Saturday, April 7

NAACP LUNCHEON: Joelle Murchison, a university administrator, diversity champion and mom of four, will address the Middlesex County NAACP’s first Women in the NAACP (WIN) Luncheon on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 346 Butternut St. Middletown. This year’s theme “Purpose, Power, Platform” reflects the work of the local branch WIN committee. Diamond Daniels, Yvette Highsmith Francis and Mallory Perry will be honored with awards. The event will also feature several vendors and a fashion show sponsored by Marshall’s. Tickets are $35. The event is almost sold out. For information email bfortheyouth.@aol.com.

STORY TIME: Story Time! Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back?, April 7, 10:30 a.m., at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free, no registration needed.

HEALTHLINE: Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator for the City of Middletown, is the guest on the next edition of the health-information radio program — Healthline. O’Rourke will discuss how recycling works and why it is not only environmentally friendly but economically viable. Healthline is produced by the Community Health Education Section of the Middletown Health Department and can be heard Saturday, April 7 at 3:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. on WIHS 104.9 FM.

CELEBRATING SUSAN LOURIE: Dance Department Celebrates Susan Lourie: 40 Years of Excellence in Teaching at Wesleyan, will be held April 7, 7 p.m. in the CFA Theater, 271 Washington Terrace, Middletown. Admission is $5 Wesleyan students, youth under 18; $10 all others.

MALAQUIAS BLOOD DRIVE: The DeSoto Council # 6 and the American Red Cross will host their 15th Annual Dom Malaquias Memorial Blood Drive at 573 Main Street in Cromwell on Friday, April 13, 1-6 p.m. Ttere is always a need for blood donations; make an appointment by calling 800-RED-CROSS(1-800-7332767) or redcrossblood.org Walk-ins are also welcome.

WALK WITH A DOC: Walk with a Doc, a twice-monthly walking program, begins in April. In Middlefield, Walk with a Doc starts April 7 from 9-10 a.m .at Peckham Park, 161 Strickland Rd. and will be held on the first and third Saturday of the month. In Middletown, Walk with a Doc starts April 8, 12-1:30 p.m. at Harbor Park; park in the Melilli Lot and take the tunnel over to the river, and continues on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. All ages and abilities are welcome. Walk continue, weather permitting, through November. For information, go to walkwithadoc.org.

CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are March 23-24, March 29-31 and April 6-7 at 8 p.m. and March 25 and April 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, general seating. For more information on tickets go to phoenixtheater.us or www.oddfellows.org or call 860-347 6143.

GOODS AND SERVICES AUCTION: The Higganum United Methodist Church, 248 Saybrook Rd., Higganum, will host its annual Goods and Services Auction on Saturday, April 7. Doors open at 6 p.m. to preview items for bid, and the auction will start at 7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction, door prizes, and a snack bar. Free admission. SPRINGTIME PROGRAM: Students from Middletown High School’s Future Teachers of America Club will present a program around the book, “Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms” by Julia Rawlinson, April 7 at 10 a.m., with crafts, stories, coloring and other hands-on projects. For ages 4-9. Drop in; no registration. SPANISH CLASS: A Spanish class for children will be held Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Ages 5-8 can songs, draw, and learn our numbers and colors, the names of animals, and how to make a friend en Español. Drop in; no registration.

FRENCH CLASS: A French Class for children will be held on Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11:00am. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Ages 5-8 can sing songs, draw, and learn our numbers and colors, the names of animals, and how to make a friend en Français. Drop in; no registration.

LAST WINTER MARKET: Last Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market will be held on April 7, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Dudley Farm, corner of Routes 77 and 80, Guilford. Special feature: Needle-Felting. Liz Rinaldo, of Flat Brook Farm, will demonstrate making felted soap, using soap made from her own goats’ milk. Free lessons will be offered, first-come firstserved. The summer market will open May 19 with a special event: Planting Day. For more information, visit dudleyfarm.com or call 203-457-0770.

FAMILY SEARCH: Using Family Search at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St.,Middletown, will be held April 7, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Learn about Family Search, a treasure trove of digitized original records; most can be viewed from home, but some are only accessible in a Family History Center like the one at Godfrey. Free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No preregistration necessary. Bring a laptop. PARKINSON’S WELLNESS EXPO:

Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s (CAP) will hold a Parkinson’s Wellness Expo on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott, 4 Sebathe Drive, Cromwell. Admission is free.

GREAT GATSBY AUCTION: April 7: 6:00-9:00pm. Great Gatsby themed Silent Auction to benefit the Children’s Tree Montessori School will be held April 7, 6-9 p.m. at the Pavilion at Saybrook Point, 155 College St., Old Saybrook. Live music, food and drinks. Public welcome. Tickets $20 per person, $25 at the door. To reserve or for information call 860575-7940 or visit www.childrenstree.org.

FAMILY RESEARCH: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with experts at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, April 3, April 20, 9:30 a.m., April 7, 11 a.m. Bring your laptop. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No pre-registration necessary. Sunday, April 8 EARLY EARTH DAY HIKE: Beth Lapin will lead an early Earth Day hike at Hubbard Brook Preserve in the Maromas part of town through Middletown's Recreation Division, April 8 at 10 a.m. Explore this 75-acre park protected by an easement from Eversource to CT Forest and Park Association. Wear hiking shoes, bring a snack and water, camera, binoculars if desired. Children under age 16 must attend with an adult 18+. Leashed dogs allowed. Information, call 860 262 2788. This trip will be cancelled if inclement weather. PODIUM PLAYERS AUDITIONS: Podium Players Community Theatre is holding auditions for its June 7-9 production of the comedy “Elvis Has Left The Building,” Sunday, April 8, 22-4 p.m. at the East Hampton Public Library, 105 Main St.; and Tuesday, April 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the East Hampton Middle School Commons, 19 Childs Road. Those auditioning are asked to bring a current photo and resume, if available. Audition forms may be filled out at the audition, or be obtained

at www.podiumplayers.org, and completed beforehand. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

HADDAM NECK QUILT SHOW: The Haddam Neck Congregational Church, 408 Quarry Hill Rd., Haddam Neck, will host the 29th Annual Quilt Show April 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the landmark meetinghouse in the village of Haddam Neck. More than 130 new and historic quilts will be on display and a tea room will offer refreshments and baked goods. The Ladies Aid Society will be selling crafts and a local quilt shop will offer fabric and other quilting supplies. Other highlights include quilt voting and a drawing for prize baskets. For information call 860267-2713 or visit www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org

WALK WITH A DOC: Walk with a Doc, a twice-monthly walking program, begins in April. In Middlefield, Walk with a Doc starts April 7 from 9-10 a.m .at Peckham Park, 161 Strickland Rd. and will be held on the first and third Saturday of the month. In Middletown, Walk with a Doc starts April 8, 12-1:30 p.m. at Harbor Park; park in the Melilli Lot and take the tunnel over to the river, and continues on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. All ages and abilities are welcome. Walk continue, weather permitting, through November. For information, go to walkwithadoc.org.

CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are March 23-24, March 29-31 and April 6-7 at 8 p.m. and March 25 and April 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, general seating. For more information on tickets go to phoenixtheater.us or www.oddfellows.org or call 860-347 6143. NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK: National Library Week: Libraries Lead, April 8-14 at the Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Find out how valuable a Russell Library card is. Visit the library’s website at www.russelllibrary.org for information on upcoming programs, or pick up a Russell Reminder to hang on your fridge.

NATURE HIKE: Ecotherapist Beth Lapin will lead a nature hike at Hubbard Brook Preserve on Sunday, April 8, at 10 a.m. This is a mostly level walk, including views of the Connecticut River. Details and registration information may be found at https://healingnaturect.com/ news-and-events/

SHAD MUSEUM: The Haddam Shad Museum will be open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April 8 to June 11. The museum displays the history of shad on the Connecticut River since Colonial days. The museum is located at 212 Saybrook Road, behind the American Oil gas station. Admission is free. For more details, call 860-267-0388.

Monday, April 9

60 PLUS CLUB: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 9 at the Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. A blood pressure clinic will be available to the public at 12 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment with Dan Stevens playing his guitar and ukulele will follow the meeting. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome.

WONDERFUL ONES: Wonderful Ones meet Mondays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. One-year-olds and their caregivers will enjoy literacy-based, age-appropriate activities and toys with others. Siblings welcome. drop in; no registration required.