CALENDAR

Thursday, April 26

AUTHOR TALK: Sam Rosenfeld, “The Polarizers”, 7 p.m., April 26, fee. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-685-3939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

ONE CHOICE: One Choice Changes Everything, presented by the Middlefield and Durham Wellness Coalition and Durham Public Library, will be held Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Jennifer DiMauro, PharmD at Omnicare, will give a talk and Q&A on prescription drug abuse awareness. Registration suggested. Register online at http://www.durhamlibrary.org/choice/

HUBBARD HOUSE CONCERT: The April Hubbard House concert will be held April 26, 7:30 p.m., with a string ensemble consisting of Wesleyan University students, The f Holes, who perform music ranging from classical chamber music to arrangements of modern songs and some of their own compositions. Admission is $10. The Hubbard House, 377 Ridge Road, Middletown. Seating is limited; reserve by contacting Robert at Rnastamail@aol.com. LIBRARY JOB GROUP: The library Job Group will meet Thursdays, April 5, 19 and 26, 10 a.m.-12:30 pm. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed. Presenters range from local business professionals to nationally renowned authors and career counselors. A networking session follows the presentation. Registration not required.

RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time meets Thursdays, April 5, 19, and 26, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For babies one year and under and their caregivers; sing songs, learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. No session on April 12. Drop in; no registration. STORY HOUR: Preschool Power Story Hour meets Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This program provides the opportunity for preschoolers to practice their listening skills and increase their social confidence while enjoying stories, music, movement and a craft with their caregivers. For ages 3 - 5 (Pre-k through kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration. MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, meets Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead the group, which invites veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. New members are encouraged to visit. Workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org TWILIGHT TALES: Twilight Tales meets Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for this special evening story time which includes time for play and a craft. For ages 3 - 6 (Prek kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration. FINANCIAL ADVICE: From Millennials to Boomers - Financial Advice Built for the Generations presented by Peter Leponnes-Apella Capital, will be held April 26, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. No matter our age, we experience many of the same financial pressures. Gain some helpful strategies and financial habits to help get you headed in the right direction. Free. Drop in; no registration. BRICK BUNCH: The Deep River Library’s Brick Bunch meets April 26; 3:45-4:45 p.m. Enjoy open Lego play with friends.

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce, storytime for babies to 24 months at the Deep River Library, 10:30 a.m. April 5, 12, 26. Older siblings are also welcome. No class April 19. Drop in, no registration required.

WATER SURVIVAL: Learn methods to avoid and survive water emergencies

whether they happen in the backyard pool or the open ocean at Henry Carter Hull Library, April 26 at 6 p.m. Awardwinning journalist, author, and survival expert Ben Rayner will share ways to prevent a tragedy that apply to every age and level of experience at this free program. Books will also be available for purchase. hchlibrary.org PARENT WORKSHOP: A Parent Educational Workshop on Positive Discipline, founded by Dr. Jane Nelsen, a parenting philosophy that focuses on building mutually respectful relationships with children, will be held April 26, 5:30 p.m. at the Children's Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Road, Old Saybrook. Free workshop. Dinner, childcare available for $10 per family. To register, call 860-3883536, or visit www.childrenstree.org. Friday April 27 FORESTRY COMMISSION: The annual celebration of Middletown’s Urban Forestry Commission will be held Friday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth St. The public is welcome to attend and the event is free.

FUN FRIDAYS: Fun Friday at the Deep River Library, for preschoolers, 10:30 a.m. April 6, 13, 27. No class April 20. ABC Amigos will visit April 13, with Spanish stories and songs. Drop in, no registration required.

FRIDAY MOVIE: Acton Goes to the Estuary, April 27, 1 p.m. The library will host a screening of a recently released movie on DVD. Go to www.actonlibrary.org for details.

GRANT FUNDING: How to Secure Grant Funding from Foundations led by Judi Margolin, will be held April 27, 10 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St. This workshop demystifies the process of securing foundation funding. Built into this session will be an overview of the Foundation Directory Online, the premier source for finding funders, available at the Russell Library. Light refreshments included. Registration is required; call 860-347-2520. ADULT COLORING: Adult Coloring for Stress Reduction, April 27, 11 a.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The library provides materials, or you may bring your own. Drop in; no registration.

BUILDERS’ CLUB: Builders’ Club meets April 27, 4 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For students ages 5 – 12. Drop in; no registration required. THE TREES OF ESSEX: Tree Warden Augie Pampel will give a free illustrated talk on trees in Essex, 6:30 p.m. April 27, Essex Library, 33 West Ave. focus on the planning and planting of trees around Essex and the best practices for selecting and planting healthy, beautiful trees for your own yard. RSVP: 860 767-1560. Saturday, April 28 BOOKSTORE DAY: Independent Bookstore Day, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., April 28, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-685-3939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

PHILOSOPHY NIGHT: Philosophy Night at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 6 p.m., April 28, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-685-3939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore. STORYTIME EXTRAVAGANZA: Independent Bookstore Day Story Time Extravaganza, 10:30 a.m., April 28, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown, 860-685-3939, Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

EPOCH ARTS PLAY: Epoch Arts presents an original play, “Paper Giants,” and a variety of skits and musical numbers, with a pasta dinner, April 28, 6:30 p.m. at 27 Skinner St., East Hampton. Tickets $10. To sponsor a skit or making a reservation, email elizabeth@epocharts.org. Reservations are recommended. www.epocharts.org

BELL TOWN U.S.A.: The New England Chapter of The American Bell Association International welcomes all who collect or love bells to attend its 111th semiannual meeting on Saturday, April 28 at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1 East High St., East Hampton. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Registration includes morning coffee and pastry, lunch and light dessert. The cost is $17 by April 23 or $22 at the door. Make check payable to, “NECABA”, and mail to: Marie Varian, P.O. Box 2, Sebasco Estates, ME. 04565. For more information go to americanbell.org or call 860 886-0762.

SPRING INTO HOPE: The Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Foundation, Inc. invites the community to its Spring Into Hope Celebration, April 28 at the Polish Falcons Nest 519 Grove in Middletown. The event will feature bands, a magician, food trucks, raffles, a moon bounce, games, appetizers, and drinks. Tickets $25 in advance or at the door. For information call Marie Field at 860-3019598, Howie Field at 860-301-4821, or email NBFMF@comcast.net.

SPRING CRAFT FAIR: A Spring Craft Fair will be held at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, on Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with garden troughs, jewelry, yarn and fabric crafts, shell art, goat’s milk body products and bake sale items. Learn more at hchlibrary.org. EMERGENCY SERVICES SPRING FAIR: Emergency Services Spring Fair and Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Open House, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 28. Meet volunteers, learn about opportunties to join a local company, giveaways and activities, at HVFC Station 1, 439 Saybrook R., Higganum. Members of the First Congregational Church of Haddam and the Higganum Congregational Church will serve popcorn, hotdogs and drinks, and the HVFC Auxiliary will offer baked goods to all fair-goers. For information email membership@haddamfire.org. KARMIC RELIEF FUNDRAISER: A Karmic Relief annual fundraiser with special guest, comedian Linda Belt, circus performance by OmFly, live band, DJ, delicious food and silent auction, will be held April 28, 6-11 p.m. at the Chester Meeting House. Admission $20 early bird, $25 at the door. For tickets, go to oursanctuary.org/karmic-relief-2018/

CELEBRATE EAST HADDAM: Celebrate East Haddam will be held April 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Heritage Park, an outdoor festival of businesses and organizations showcasing their products and services. 2018 marks the 5th anniversary of the East Haddam Business Association”s launching of the “Taste of East Haddam” as the gathering was formerly known. Admission is free FRENCH CLASS:A French Class for children will be held on Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11 a.m. in 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. YOGA IN THE COURTYARD: Yoga in the Courtyard, April 28, 11 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. No prior experience necessary, and no mats will be used. Yoga will be held in the Hubbard Room if the weather is bad. Drop in; no registration required.

CRAFTING FUN: Crafting Fun meets April 28, 12 p.m. for ages 3-6, in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for a special Week of the Young Child craft time. Materials of all sorts will be available for children to use to create special, unique works of art. Drop-in; no registration.

MISS MARTHA VISITS: The Deep River Library will host Miss Martha from the Community Music School for an interactive music program on Saturday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. This program is best suited for children ages 2-8. No registration is required.