CALENDAR

Wednesday, May 30

BOARD GAMES: Board Games with 4th Graders at the East Hampton Senior Center, Wednesday May 30 at 9:30 a.m. Spend an hour enjoying the company of kiddos while playing board games. Sign up in Activity Book if interested.

MEMBER LUNCHEON: Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce welcomes author and former editor of USA Today and USA Today network, as the guest speaker for the chamber’s Special Member Luncheon on Wednesday, May 30 at the Red Lion Hotel Cromwell. The cost for Members is $26 and $51 with a pre-sale purchase of her book; $36 or guests or $61 with the book. Go to www.middlesexchamber.com to register.

GARDEN CLUB PROGRAM: Portland River-Valley Garden Club will sponsor a program on The Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut at The Waverly Center on Waverly Avenue in Portland, May 30 at 7 p.m. Paul Colburn, a Master Wildlife Conservationist, will focus on the history of coyotes in Connecticut, their habitat, diet, behavior, and reproduction. He will also provide practical recommendations for optimum coexistence with the coyote population. The public is welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served. HEALTHY LIVING: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body, presented by the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, will be held at the Durham Library on Wednesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. Register online at http://www.durhamlibrary.org/ program-registration/

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Wellness Wednesday: Failure to Launch, presented by clinical social worker and therapist Alissa Goldberg, sharing strategies to foster confidence and resiliency in emerging adults, will be held May 30, 6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Details at hchlibrary.org

TASSY WALDEN AWARDS: On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, Shoreline Arts Alliance will celebrate the 18th annual New Voices in Children’s Literature competition and bestow the 2018 Tassy Walden awards at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St, Branford, May 30 at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend and will feature presentations of winner’s work.

CROMWELL MEMORIAL DAY: The 2018 Cromwell Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at 6 p.m. Participants should arrive no later than 5:15 p.m. Cromwell is honored to have the CT Patriot Guard Riders at this year's parade. Special guests include Man of the Year Mark Walsh, Woman of the Year Janice Czapiga, Grand Parade Marshal Don Swanson, Honorary Parade Marshal Sue Schein, and Guest Speaker Cliff Pierson MSGTE8 USA (Ret).

APPETITE FOR LIFE: Appetite for Life, a month-long fundraiser that benefits Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, kicks off May 30 with a party from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Tuscany Grill, 120 College St., Middletown. A second party will be held June 6 from 4-6 p.m. at The Essex, 30 Main St., Centerbrook. Each party will feature beer, wine and spirit tastings, music and a chance to win great prizes. Tickets $20, proceeds benefit the cancer center. Learn more at middlesexhospital.org/appetiteforlife. ANNIE THE MUSICAL: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy presents back to back weekends of performances showcasing young talent. “Annie, the Musical” June 2, 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 all seats general admission. Order at https://kidzkonnection.regfox.com/ tickets-for-annie-junior. For all information regarding shows go to http:// www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

LES MISERABLES: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s “Les Miserables” will be presented June 8, 7 p.m. or June 9, 7 p.m. in the the academy’s new space, the Shoreline Theater Academy located across the street from the town hall at 61 East Main St. Tickets are $20 all seats general admission. For tickets, contact Kidz Konnection directly at 860-227-2363 or email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com. For all information regarding shows go to http://www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

Thursday, May 31

EDIBLE PLANTS: Edible Wild Plants of the Northeast, presented by naturalist and landscaper John Root, to discuss the identification and uses of edible wild plants, will be held May 31, 6:30 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Details at hchlibrary.org.

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce on May 31; 10:30 a.m. at the Deep River Library, for newborn to 24 months. Older siblings welcome. Free, drop in, details, call 860-526-6039 RIVERFARE 2018: Connecticut River Museum presents RiverFare 2018, May 31, 6-9 p.m. with 25 gourmet food and drink tasting stations plus a silent auction. Food from RiverFare includes newcomers The Essex, Grano Arso and The Essex Clipper Dinner Train. Back by popular demand are Red House, Fromage Fine Foods & Coffees, Gourmet Galley Catering, Griswold Inn, Essex Coffee & Tea, Catering by Selene, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook, Cloud Nine Catering, Coastal Cooking Company, Atria Crossroad Place and The Blue Hound Cookery & Taproom. For tickets and information and additional auction items go to ctrivermuseum.org.

LES MISERABLES: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s “Les Miserables” will be presented June 8, 7 p.m. or June 9, 7 p.m. in the the academy’s new space, the Shoreline Theater Academy located across the street from the town hall at 61 East Main St. Tickets are $20 all seats general admission. For tickets, contact Kidz Konnection directly at 860-227-2363 or email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com. For all information regarding shows go to http://www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

ANNIE THE MUSICAL: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy presents back to back weekends of performances showcasing young talent. “Annie, the Musical” June 2, 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 all seats general admission. Order at https://kidzkonnection.regfox.com/ tickets-for-annie-junior. For all information regarding shows go to http:// www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

CONCERT IN THE GARDEN: Concert in the Garden with Last Fair Deal will be held May 31, 7-9 p.m. at Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio, 1 Spring St., Chester. $20 admission, BYOB and a picnic. Outdoor seating, inside if it rains. For information and tickets call 860-526-2077 or visit http://www.nilssonstudio.com Friday, June 1

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday at the Deep River Public Library, June 1, 8, 15; 10:30 am. Stories and songs in an interactive setting, followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set.

ART PARTY: Art Party! Friday, June 1, 4:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come and celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Art Party. will celebrate each month with a new creative project. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy. For grades K-3, drop in; no registration.

BARBERSHOP MUSIC: All men are welcome to sing Barbershop Music with the Hilltop Barbershop Chorus, made up of the Hilltop Four Quartet, Len Dongweck, Bob Johnson, Tony Carrano and Rolf Peterson and chorus members, June 1, 9:45 a.m. in the Community Music School, Spencer’s Corner , 90 Main St. Centerbrook, a part of Essex, CT 06409. Call Barry at 860-388-2871 or e-mail barrybasch@gmail.com to confirm and we will have music for you.

EPOCH ARTS PLAY: Paper Giants: An Original Epoch Arts Production, will be presented at 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, June 1-3, 7 p.m. Admission is $10. The original 2-act play includes 22 students who have been in rehearsal since February. With a tough concept of “facing your giants,” the play takes on themes such as fear, oppression, hatred and selfishness. Reservations recommended at 860-365-0337 or info@epocharts.org www.epocharts.org

ANNIE THE MUSICAL: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy presents back to back weekends of performances showcasing young talent. “Annie, the Musical” June 2, 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 all seats general admission. Order at https://kidzkonnection.regfox.com/ tickets-for-annie-junior. For all information regarding shows go to http:// www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

LES MISERABLES: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s “Les Miserables” will be presented June 8, 7 p.m. or June 9, 7 p.m. in the the academy’s new space, the Shoreline Theater Academy located across the street from the town hall at 61 East Main St. Tickets are $20 all seats general admission. For tickets, contact Kidz Konnection directly at 860-227-2363 or email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com. For all information regarding shows go to http://www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

ANNUAL SHAD BAKE: The Connecticut River Museum hosts the 2018 Essex Annual Shad Bake on Saturday, June 2, 306 p.m. at the Connecticut River Museum, in Essex. The $30 adult (shad or chicken dinner option) and $10 child (10 and under) ticket includes the full meal (child ticket includes a hot dog and salads) and admission to the Museum. Tickets are an additional $5 on the day of the event. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase with a valid ID. Freshly shucked clams and oysters will also be available at an additional price beginning at 3 p.m. No carry-in alcohol will be permitted. To purchase tickets go to shop.ctrivermuseum.org or buy them in person at the Centerbrook Package Store, Essex Hardware, or the Connecticut River Museum.

Saturday, June 2

AIR LINE TRAIL: The opening of Phase 1 of the Portland Air Line Trail will be celebrated with a formal ribbon cutting event at 10 a.m. on June 2 at the new Portland Trail Head and parking area located at 82 Middle Haddam Road.

POETRY WORKSHOP: A poetry workshop with local wordsmith, Jody Kaplan, will be held June 2, 1-3 p.m. at the Deep River Library. Kaplan will share his style of poetry; discuss the use of language and syntax and guide participants through the creation process to pen their own poems. This class is free and open to 15 participants. Registration is required. To register with Signup Genius, http://deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on the monthly calendar, or call the library at 860-526-6039

TRAILS DAY WALK: CT Trails Day Walk to Bunny Habitat Restoration Project Phase 2, will be held June 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Lyme Land Trust’s Slawson Preserve, Nehantic State Forest and adjacent properties, Lyme. For information, email openspace@townlyme.org.

READING WITH ELLA: Ella the therapy dog is coming to the Acton Public Library, Old Saybrook, June 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ella comes to us through the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program of Cold Noses, Warm Hearts, Inc. Make a reservation for a 15-minute session by calling the library at 860-395-3184 or register online at actonlibrary.org. Bring your own book or use one of ours.

HUGE TAG SALE: The annual Huge Tag Sale will be held Saturday, June 2 at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham, 8 a.m.-1 p.m, rain or shone. More than 40 vendors in the parking lot selling antiques, tools, plants, pictures, produce, furniture, crafts, records, jewelry, yarn, greeting cards, handmade items. Hidden treasures inthe church hall including clothing, toys, Christmas and holiday items, jewelry, china, a variety of linens, brass, kitchen supplies, craft supplies. Refreshments in the Church Hall include breakfast sandwiches, pastry, hotdogs, hamburgs, coffee, soda and water. Call Bill Shumway for more information 860 349-3397. Future tag sales will be held June 30, Aug. 4, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6. No tag sale July 7.

EPOCH ARTS PLAY: Paper Giants: An Original Epoch Arts Production, will be presented at 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, June 1-3, 7 p.m. Admission is $10. The original 2-act play includes 22 students who have been in rehearsal since February. With a tough concept of “facing your giants,” the play takes on themes such as fear, oppression, hatred and selfishness. Reservations recommended at 860-365-0337 or info@epocharts.org www.epocharts.org