CALENDAR

Friday, May 18 HERONETTES WATERSHOW: The Hamden Heronettes Synchronized Swim Team presents its annual Watershow extravaganza Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Hamden High School pool, 2040 Dixwell Ave. This year’s theme is “Pool House Rock.” The program features 16 spectacular aquatic routines performed in glittering swimsuits under the spotlights to up-tempo music. All competitive routines from the 2018 season will be presented, including a duet featuring Middletown resident Beatrice Brock. Tickets are $10 each (children 5 & under free) and are available at the door or from any team member. Entrance to the pool is at the back of the school. For more information on the Heronettes, including the next Intro to Synchro class which begins May 21, visit www.heronettes.org.

CHESHIRE SYMPHONY: The Cheshire Symphony Orchestra closes its 31st Season with a Family Pops Concert on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Cheshire. Under the direction of Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore, programming includes works that celebrate summer and our favorite summertime past times. The concert will remind all of parades, romances, attending camp, the sweltering heat and even a young boy's adventure such as in Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf with narration by Craig Cowing. Tickets $12 adults, $8 students/seniors, free 12 and under, at the door. Food pantry donations welcome. Details at www.cheshiresymphonyorchestra.org.

APPRECIATION DAY: Change Incorporated’s Client Appreciation Day will be held on Friday, May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. YMCA Camp Ingersoll, 94 Camp Ingersoll Road, Portland. The Open House includes live music, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet individuals in the community receiving home care services on the Mental Health, Acquired Brain Injury, Developmental Services, and Elder Care waivers. For information, call 860346-0771 or visit changeinconline.org.

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday on May 4, 11, 18, 25; 10:30 a.m. at the Deep River Library. Stories and songs in an interactive setting, followed by craft and open play. Free, drop in, details, call 860-526-6039.

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH: Godfrey Memorial Library researchers are available to consult on research questions and help find resources and answers. For best results, bring the information to the session and a laptop, May 18, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield Street, Middletown. Sessions are free to Godfrey Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No registration necessary.

IMPACT OF CATS: Find out the environmental impact of the common house cat — pet and feral — cat ancestry, lore and folklore, May 18, 7 p.m. at the East Haddam Grange Hall for the latest in the ongoing series of presentations brought to you by the East Haddam Library System and the DEEP. DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Maureen Heidtmann will present The Rise of the House of Sylvester: the story of the domestic cat. There will be a PowerPoint presentation followed by Q&A. Light refreshments will be served. Suggested age: 10 years and up. East Haddam Grange Hall 488 Town Street, East Haddam.

CHOWDER SALE: The Haddam Volunteer Fire Auxiliary will hold their annual clam chowder sale on Monday, May 28. This event is held across from the town green immediately following the Memorial Day parade. A cup of chowder is $3; a quart will be sold for $8. Quarts should be ordered in advance by calling 860345-8245 and they must be picked up by 11 a.m. in the kitchen.

Saturday, May 19

FAMILY HISTORY: Write Your Family History with the genealogy writing group at Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, 9:30-11 a.m. Free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No registration necessary.

SUMMER MARKET: The Dudley Farm Summer Farmers’ Market is holding its

grand opening with Planting Day, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19, at the Dudley Farm, corner of Routes 77 and 80. Support local farmers and artisans, stroll through the historic farm gardens and visit the sheep, oxen, and chickens. The market meets weekly through October, and offers a Children’s Corner 10-11:30. For more information, visit dudleyfarm.com, Facebook, or call 203-457-0770.

ANNUAL TAG SALE: First Church of Christ, Congregational, 499 Town Street (Route 151) East Haddam, will hold its annual Tag Sale and Family Fun Day on Saturday May 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m, rain or shine. Shop for tag sale treasures, bake sale items and enjoy a hot dog or hamburger for lunch, and enter in the silent auction.

FAMILY BIKE RIDE: Family Bike Ride will be held May 19, 9:30 a.m. starting in Harbor Park near the Mattabesset Canoe Club. The route will be along River Road, turning back either at Silver Street (3.5 miles round trip) or at the NRG Power Plant (9 miles). Given the ride length, suggested age minimum for independent riders is eight years old. This an informal group ride, being set up by members of the Bike Walk Middletown Facebook Group in conjunction with the Complete Streets Committee.

BICYCLE RODEO: A Bicycle Rodeo Bicycle Rodeo will be held Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-noon Children in grades K-8 from Durham and Middlefield are invited to bring their bicycles to the Coginchaug High School south parking lot (next to the track) for fun-filled bicycle skill and safety games and activities. registration for the Rodeo is required before May 15, go to https://durhamct.recdesk.com/ Community/Home. Rain date is May 20.

CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL AGE: Join Pediatric Psychologist Jodie M. Ambrosino, Ph.D. and Clinton Youth and Family Services at Henry Carter Hull Library on Sat. May 19 at 10:00am for a workshop, Raising a Competent Child in the Digital Age, that will explore the science behind the impact of the digital age on youths. Learn ways to foster a competent, responsible, and healthy relationship with social media at every age. Details at hchlibrary.org.

PLANT SALE:The garden clubs of Portland will hold their annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 19, in the parking lot at 265 Main Street next to the Town Green. The sale will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 10:30 a.m., or until all plants are sold. Many plants for sale will be perennials from the gardens of members of the two groups-the Portland Garden Club and the Portland River Valley Garden Club. CHURCH TAG SALE: First Church of Christ, Congregational, 499 Town St (Rte. 151), East Haddam, will hold a tag sale May 19, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Shop for treasures, baked goods and enjoy a hot dog or hamburger for lunch. Enter the silent auction. Rent a space for $25 for a generous spot. Email Karancon@yahoo.com or call 860-873-9084 to reserve space. ALISON CAR SHOW: Covenant Village of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, Cromwell, is hosting the Peter Alison Memorial Antique Car Show, May 18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., where dozens of automobiles from four car clubs will be on display for the public to enjoy. The day will also include live music by the Survivors Swing Band, Ted’s World Famous Steamed Cheeseburgers food truck, and the Covenant Village of Cromwell Auxiliary bake sale.

BUSHNELL FARM DAY: Bushnell Farm, Old Saybrook, invites people to Follow the Fibers to Bushnell Farm for sheep shearing, flax processing, hearth cooked shad and other free family activities, May 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The farm is located at 1445 Boston Post Road,Old Saybrook. for information call 860-767-0674. HOLY SPIRIT CELEBRATION: All are invited to a multi-parish, interfaith, informal prayer service in honor of Pentecost at Trinity Episcopal Church on May 19, 6-8 p.m. Bring a dish to share for the Potluck Dinner at 6 p.m., then move outside (weather permitting) to an informal service where we will be offering up our prayers to God by putting them in a bonfire. The Praise Band from Holy Trinity, Middletown will provide

music for the service and each parish will have the opportunity to light a candle to bring back to their home church. There will be activities for children and the evening will end by making s’mores. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for outside by the bonfire. RSVP to amcginley195@comcast.com

BOOK SALE: Durham Public Library Book Sale will be held Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. $10 at 9 a.m. for early birds, free after 1 a.m. Sale continues daily May 21-26.

PLANT SALE, EXCHANGE: A plant sale and exchange will be held at the Durham Public Library, May 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Plants may be dropped off at the library on Friday or before 9:30 am on Saturday. Plants must be in pots and labeled. Anyone wishing to exchange plants will receive a receipt, which will be credited for purchases at the sale.

STREETS CLOSED: On Saturday, May 19, 2018 the City of Middletown is hosting the Kids Health and Safety Fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street. Main Street between Dingwall Drive and Court Street will be closed between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. CHOWDER SALE: The Haddam Volunteer Fire Auxiliary will hold their annual clam chowder sale on Monday, May 28. This event is held across from the town green immediately following the Memorial Day parade. A cup of chowder is $3; a quart will be sold for $8. Quarts should be ordered in advance by calling 860345-8245 and they must be picked up by 11 a.m. in the kitchen.

Sunday, May 20

ART DAY: Art With KaReN, Sunday, May 20, 2 p.m. at the East Hampton Senior Center, with Beginners Art Class in Acrylics. Sign up ahead to make sure that there will be enough materials for all. Sign up in Activity Book or call 860-267-4426

BENEFIT CONCERT: Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main Street, Portland, is continuing its Music Series of “Vital Connections Through Music” with a concery b The Promise is Hope, opened by Driving Route 9, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. A free will offering will be taken to support the opening of a local faith intentioned recovery community residence - Follow Me Home. For more information visit "Trinity Church - Vital Connections Through Music" on facebook.

OPEN STUDIOS: The public is invited to explore the grounds of I-Park and meet this month’s six resident artists at a free Open Studios event Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. at I-Park, 428 Hopyard Road in East Haddam. Visitors are invited to meet the artists in their studios, attend a presentation featuring some of their work, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and stroll the trails winding through I-Park’s scenic, art-filled campus. Studios will only be open from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; guests are advised to arrive early so they have enough time to visit all six studios before the 3:30 p.m. presentation. A reception with refreshments will follow.

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.

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

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE: All are invited to First United Methodist Church’s new property, corner of Tuttle and Newfield Streets in Middletown, May 20 at 10 a.m.

CHOWDER SALE: The Haddam Volunteer Fire Auxiliary will hold their annual clam chowder sale on Monday, May 28. This event is held across from the town green immediately following the Memorial Day parade. A cup of chowder is $3; a quart will be sold for $8. Quarts should be ordered in advance by calling 860345-8245 and they must be picked up by 11 a.m. in the kitchen.