CALENDAR

Saturday, April 21

PAPER SHREDDING: Middletown residents may bring sensitive personal documents to the Palmer Field parking lot, on Bernie O’Rourke Drive, on Saturday, April 21, 9-11 a.m. No junk mail, no regular recyclable paper, no business records, no hanging folders, no plastic. Maximum 5 boxes or paper bags per car.

LAND TRUST SPEAKER: Kealoha Friedenburg, Research Scientist & Lecturer with Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, will speak about amphibians in suburban landscapes at the Middlesex Land Trust’s meeting, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. She will explain how the increase in human pollution of habitat shifts the food web and endangers frogs and salamanders.

WESU RECORD FAIR: WESU Spring Community Record Fair, April 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Beckham Hall, Wesleyan University campus, 55 Wyllys Ave., Middletown. Early bird special, 10-11 a.m. for $5. Exclusive and discounted WESU swag, $1 records and CDs. WESU DJs will be spinning records and tunes all day. Record donations welcome. Limited vendor space still available; contact WESU Ben Michael, WESU General Manager. 860-685-7707 generalmanager@wesufm.org w ww.wesufm.org.

KIDS AUTHOR EVENT: Kids Author Event: Sara MacSorley, “Super Cool Scientists,” April 21, 10:30 a.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free, no registration needed. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939

RUMMAGE SALE: The United Church of Chester Spring Rummage & Bake Sale will be held April 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, housewares, linen, toys, books. A bag sale will begin at noon. Donations accepted through April 19. For more information, call 860-526-2697.

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. 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. SHREDDING EVENT: The next City of Middletown Paper Shredding event will take place on Saturday, April 21, 9-11 a.m. at the Palmer Field parking lot on Bernie O'Rourke Drive. Middletown residents only. Sensitive documents only. No business documents. Limit: 5 bags or boxes. FAMILY HISTORY: Write Your Family History group meets April 21, 9:30-11 a.m. at Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield Street, Middletown. 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. Free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No pre-registration necessary. UP CLOSE WITH ORANGUTANS: Up Close With The Orangutans of Indonesian Borneo, a lecture with field primatologist Katherine Meier, will be held April 21, 1 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Free. hchlibrary.org. Sunday, April 22 READERS THEATER: Readers Theater

performs Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Disgraced” by Ayad Akhtar, April 22, 3 p.m. at the Woodhead Lounge, Exley Science Center, Wesleyan University. The play asks, “What does it mean to be Muslim in post 9/11 America?” and runs for about 80 minutes. Free, public is welcome and the community is encouraged to attend. Readers Theater is produced and directed by Anne Cassady and Richard Kamins. CHURCH HISTORY SERIES: First Church In Middletown celebrates 350 years in 2018 and will hold a series of public events telling how our society evolved, as reflected in events in the church and community. Historian and writer Dione Longly will lead conversations. The second session will be held on Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. after services. The event is free and open to all with free parking nearby.

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.

SHAD MUSEUM: The Haddam Shad Museum will be open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until 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.

EARTH DAY: Celebrate Earth Day with Cappella Cantorum Masterworks Chorus’ performance of Joseph Haydn's “Creation” April 22, 3 p.m. at John Winthrop Middle School, 1 Winthrop Road, Deep River. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information or tickets visit www.CappellaCantorum.org or call 860-526-1038.

LADIES CHOIR: The Walter Hoving Home Ladies Choir will sing and give testimony at the 9:30 Service at First Congregational Church, 355 Main St, Cromwell, on Sunday, April 22. All are welcome. EARTH DAY IN LYME: Come celebrate Earth Day April 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Diana’s Field in Banningwood Preserve, 19 Town Street, Lyme. Just a short halfmile walk from the parking area will bring you to Diana’s Field and a host of family-friendly activities! At 11:15 a.m., A Place Called Hope raptor rescue present a “Birds of Prey.” Beginning at 12:30 p.m., biologist Jim Arrigoni leads an ecology walk , and Pat Young of the Eight Mile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee leads a Bug Discovery at Roaring Brook. Lyme Park and Recreation will be in the field all day with arts and crafts, and games. Pack a picnic and bring a blanket. Follow Facebook and Instagram for updates and cancellations. Lymelandtrust.org. Rain date: Sunday April 29. MUSIC SERIES: Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main St., Portland, is continuing its Music Series of “Vital Connections Through Music” on Sundays at 4 p.m., doors open at 3;30 p.m. Donations welcome to support the opening of a local faith intentioned recovery community residence, Follow Me Home. Sunday April 22, Cathy Kreger with Fyfe and Stone opening. Sunday May 20, The Promise is Hope with Driving Route 9 opening Sunday June 24, The Rivergods with Frank Critelli opening. For more information visit Trinity Church - Vital Connections Through Music on Facebook. Monday, April 23 AUTHOR TALK: Domenico Starnone & Jhumpa Lahiri, “Trick”, 7 p.m., April 23, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-6853939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

INTERNET SAFETY: Internet Safety for Individuals with Disabilities, presented by Vista Life Innovations, will be held April 23, 1 p.m. Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Learn about new trends and techniques for safe internet use. Free. To register, visit www.vistalifeinnovations.org/ internetsafety. DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: A screening of “Equal Means Equal,” and a dicussion, presented by the CT Chapter of the National Organization for Women, will be held April 12, 5:30 p.m. at Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Complimentary popcorn and snacks provided; free. hchlibrary.org 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. INTRO TO GRANTS: Introduction to Grant Resources, April 23, 10:30 a.m., in Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. To kick off Money Smart Week at the Russell Library, hear this discussion and handson session related to grant seeking. Those who have an interest in pursuing grant funding can also attend the workshop on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m., How to Secure Grant Funding from Foundations, led by Judi Margolin. Registration is required for both events; call 860347-2520.

BUDGETING, DEBTS: Monday, April 23, 2018, Budgeting, Managing Debts, Savings and Investing, part of Money Matters Week, will be held April 23, 6 p.m. at the Acton Library, Old Saybrook. Key Bank representatives will hold an informational presentation on the in and outs of budgeting and managing debt, and present a basic understanding of savings and investment modules. Designed for beginners but open to all. Registration and details at www.actonlibrary.org

60 PLUS CLUB:The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23 at the Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. Following the meeting, refreshments will be served and the monthly variety table will be held. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome. Tuesday, April 24 POETRY READING: Poetry Reading and Signing with Stephanie Burt, 7 p.m., April 24, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-685-3939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore. RETIREMENT AND TAXES: Tax Free in Retirement will be held at the Durham Library on Tuesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. Michael Alimo, of USA Financial & Tax Services, will discuss strategies that can help you get closer to a tax-free retirement. Registration suggested. Register online at http://www.durhamlibrary.org/ program-registration/

LET’S DO LUNCH: Let’s do Lunch with the East Hampton Senior Center, Tuesday, April 24 leaving at 11:15 a.m. The Adam’s Mill, Manchester. Lunch on you, a $3 donation requested. Sign up a Front Desk. THE AMERICAN DINER: Middlesex County Historical Society will present a talk, “The Architecture of the American Diner,”with CT River Museum Director Chris Dobbs, 7 p.m., April 24 in the Hubbard Room at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. The talk is free. Learn the story of the diner’s form and function. For further information, contact the Historical Society at 860346-0746.