Library hosting Mad Hatter’s Garden Party

DEEP RIVER — The Deep River Library, Deep River Garden Club and the Friends of the Deep River Library have joined together to host the 4th annual Mad Hatter’s Garden Party, set for Friday, July 27, 6-9 p.m

Tickets are available at the library or Ashleigh’s Garden for $25 per person. Enjoy a teapot auction, live music by Butter Jones, tasty hors d’oeuvres, wine and champagne punch. There will be prizes for the best hat and all proceeds benefit the library garden and grounds!

Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Food Pantry and receive a one-time fine free library coupon.

For more information, go to http://deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on the monthly calendar, or call the library at 860-526-6039.

Blood drives scheduled in area The _meric_n Red Cr_ss needs help to bring back the A’s, B’s and O’s. This is not a typo. These letters represent blood types, and the reality is that during blood shortages these letters do go missing from hospital shelves. The American Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent delays in patient care this summer.

Earlier this month, A’s, B’s and O’s began disappearing from brand logos, social media pages, signs and websites as part of the Missing Types campaign to draw attention to the need for new blood donors. More than 1,000 partners across the country, from small businesses to leading national brands, have signed on to join the #MissingType movement and raise awareness about the critical role of every blood donor.

While thousands of donors have answered the call to donate blood, more donors are needed now to help ensure blood types don’t go missing. During the summer, especially around holidays like Independence Day, donations often don’t keep pace with patient needs. The Red Cross is thanking all those who come to donate July 2-7 with an exclusive Red Cross Missing Types T-shirt, while supplies last.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In Middlesex County, the following blood drives are scheduled.

Clinton: July 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Mary's Church, 54 Grove St.

Cromwell: July 6, 1-6 p.m., Church of LDS, 130 South St.; July 13, 1-6 p.m., Covenant Village of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road

Higganum: June 28, 1-6 p.m., Haddam Volunteer Fire Department, 439 Saybrook Rd./ Route 154

Middletown: June 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.,. GoToFitness Ultimate Training Center, 1385 Newfield St.; July 3, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Road; July 11, 1-6 p.m., Middletown Elks Lodge, 44 Maynard St.

Portland: July 10, 1-6 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 183 William St.