CALENDAR

Thursday, July 12

FREE LUNCHES: Families can visit the Deep River Public Library’s Children’s Garden, on Thursdays starting July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to receive a bag of nutritious food. Arts and crafts will also be available for the children. Program sponsors are looking for volunteer help and food donations, especially easy-to-carry, kid-friendly, nutritious lunch and snack items. Call Tri-Town Youth Services at 860-526-3600 for more information or to sign up to help.

COMMISSION ON AGING: The East Hampton Commission on Aging will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 12 at 4 p.m. at the Senior Center 105 Main Street in East Hampton. On the agenda is a continued discussion of future projects. The public is invited to attend and participate. For further information call the Senior Center at 860-267-4426.

SILVER SNEAKERS: Silver Sneakers balance and stretch classes offered Tuesday and Thursdays 10:45-11:45 a.m. at the East Hampton Senior Center. Classes are limited to 20 students. Drop in for more information.

HIDDEN HISTORY: Robert & Kathleen Hubbard: Hidden History of Middlesex County, Connecticut, will be held July 12, 7 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-6853939.

CLINTON FARMERS MARKET: The Clinton Farmer’s Market runs on Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m. through October at its new home on the grounds of the historic Adam Stanton House & General Store Museum, 63 East Main St., Clinton.

SWING DANCES: First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational), 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook, will offer a series of Thursday night swing dances in July. The cost to attend the 7 p.m. programs is $12 per evening: July 12, Johnny and the East Coast Rockers; July 19, George Manstan Big Band; July 26, Johnny and the East Coast Rockers. For more information, contact First Church at 860-388-3008.

FREE CONCERTS: The Clinton Chamber of Commerce will host a series of free concerts sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank, on Thursday evenings beginning July 5 and running through August 16. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Vece Gazebo in front of the Pierson School on 75 East Main Street. July 12, Rock Bottom Band; July 19, Airborne; July 26, Three57 Band; Aug. 2, Hot Cat Jazz Band; Aug. 9, Shaded Soul Band; Aug. 16, The Navels. In case of rain, an alternative site for the concert may be designated. For a detailed schedule and list of sponsors, call the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 860-669-3889 or visit the chamber’s website at www.clintonct.com. Updates are available on Clinton Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

FREE CONCERTS: A series of free concerts are being held in the Courtyard at Masonicare Chester Village, 317 W. Main St., Chester, all beginning at 6:30 p.m. Call 860-526-6800 if the weather is inclement. July 12, John Banker performs music with a Caribbean Islands theme; July 19, Eight to the Bar, July 26, The Meadows Brothers, American rock/roots; Aug. 2, Tom Callinan, folk singer, Sea Shanties, and stories; Aug. 9, Riddim Makers, Reggae band; Aug. 16, Java Groove, Dan Bernier’s smooth Jazz/Swing band; Aug. 23, Homemade Jam, Larry Batter’s fun 50’s, 60’s easy jazz band; Aug. 30. Klezmer/Folk band from local Synagogue.

LIBRARY JOB GROUP: Job Group meets Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10- a.m.-12 p.m. 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. Free. Registration not required.

BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time will be held July 12, 26, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This program is for babies one year and under and their caregivers; sing songs, learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For babies birth - 12 months and their caregivers. Drop in; no registration.

YOUNG SCIENTISTS: Young Scientists will meet Thursdays, July 12 and 26, 4:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come and explore with your inner scientist as you test, create and experiment with a variety of materials. For students in grades 2 - 4 (ages 7 - 10). Drop in; no registration.

BOOKS AND BREWS: Books and Brews Book Discussion: “Geography of Bliss” by Eric Weiner, will be held Jully 12, 6 p.m. at Stubborn Beauty, 180 Johnson Street, Middletown. Discussion will be facilitated by Christy Billings, Library Assistant in Programming and Community Engagement. Contact info: cbillings@russelllibrary.org or 860-347-2528 x 160. Copies of available for checkout at Russell Library.

STAGED READING: Toto Kisaku will present a staged reading, “Requiem for an Electric Chair,” July 12, 7:30 p.m. at Crowell Concert Hall, 50 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown. Admission $10 or what you wish.

Friday, July 13

GLORIOUS GALLOP: The running of East Hampton’s Old Home Days “Glorious Gallop” 5K road race will be held on Friday July 13. It is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. and is expected to end at 8:15 p.m. Motorists traveling in or around East Hampton should expect traffic delays.

GUILFORD CRAFT EXPO: Guilford Art Center’s 61st annual Craft Expo will bring more than 180 nationally-recognized craft artists to the scenic and historic Guilford Green on July 13-15. Artists from over 20 states will display and sell their highquality, handmade work in a variety of media, including clay, glass, leather, metal and non-metal jewelry, wearable and non-wearable fiber, metal, mixed media, paper, painting, photography, printmaking, soap and wood.

WESLEYAN POTTERS EXHIBIT: Say it with Color, an exhibit of current work by Wesleyan Potters Jewelry Members, runs to July 29 at the gallery, 350 South Main St., Middletown. Free, public welcome. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or find us on Facebook, Istagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

WHITE ELEPHANT SALE: The annual White Elephant Sale (WES) hosted by the Ladies Benevolent Society of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, will be held July 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and July 14, 8 a.m-12 p.m. Most departments offer items at half-price on the second day. For more information about the sale or to volunteer to help in any capacity, whether with intake, the sale itself, or clean-up, call the church office at 860.434.8686 and/or visit www.fccol.org.

ART PARTY: Art Party! will be held July 13, 27, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy. For students in grades k - 3 (ages 5 - 9). Drop in; no registration.

CRAFTS, COLORING FOR ADULTS: Crafts for Adults and Adult Coloring will be held July 13, July 20, 11 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Check the events calendar the week of the workshop; coloring pages also provided.

MYSTICAL UNICORN: Celebrate the Mystical Unicorn, July 13, 3:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, with crafts and games. For kindergarten - 6th grade (ages 5 - 12). Drop in; no registration required.

MOANA BEACH PARTY: Deep River Public Library invites all to a special Moana Beach Party Story Time on Friday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. Moana will visit to share her life adventures, read stories, sing and mingle as preschoolers enjoy making their own leis. This event is best suited for children ages 2-7.

Saturday, July 14

GUILFORD CRAFT EXPO: Guilford Art Center’s 61st annual Craft Expo will bring more than 180 nationally-recognized craft artists to the scenic and historic Guilford Green on July 13-15. Artists from over 20 states will display and sell their highquality, handmade work in a variety of media, including clay, glass, leather, metal and non-metal jewelry, wearable and non-wearable fiber, metal, mixed media, paper, painting, photography, printmaking, soap and wood.

OLD HOME DAYS PARADE: East Hampton’s Old Home Days Parade will be held on Saturday July 14. It is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and is expected to end at 1:30 p.m. Note that the detour of traffic will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. The detour route will be sufficiently marked to aid motorists in their travels.

WHITE ELEPHANT SALE: The annual White Elephant Sale (WES) hosted by the Ladies Benevolent Society of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, will be held July 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and July 14, 8 a.m-12 p.m. Most departments offer items at half-price on the second day. For more information about the sale or to volunteer to help in any capacity, whether with intake, the sale itself, or clean-up, call the church office at 860.434.8686 and/or visit www.fccol.org.

EAST HADDAM STAGE SHOWS: East Haddam Stage Company, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present “The Professor,” a comedy based on William Gillette’s 1890 Victorian farce, at Gillette Castle State Park, with performances on weekends, July 7-Aug. 12 with shows at 1 p.m.. and 2:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the castle at 67 River Road. All shows are free. Seating limited; bring lawn chairs and / or a picnic blanket. Pouring rain cancels.

FILMS ON FOSS: Middletown Youth Services Bureaus is holding its annual Films on Foss summer movvie program in Middletown. The outdoor evening movie program is free and the public is welcome to bring a picnic and blankets or chairs. Picnic time begins at 7 p.m. and the movies start at 8:30 p.m. Details can be found at filmsonfoss.com. The schedule: June 30, “Toy Story”; July 14, “Hidden Figures”; July 28, “Coco”; Aug. 11, “Goonies.” For information, email Justin.Carbonella@middletownct.gov

FINDING WALDO: It is time for Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore’s Where's WaldoMiddletown Scavenger Hunt, a community-wide activity in which kids, parents, and Waldo-lovers of all ages are invited to participate. On July 1Waldo-spotters will set off on a hunt to find the elusive guy hidden in a number of establishments in Middletown. Waldo spotters will be eligible for prizes, culminating on July 27 with a grand celebration held at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore at 4 p.m.

ARIEL IS VISITING: “Ariel” is coming to the Acton Public Library on Saturday, July 14, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. She’ll read stories, sing songs, play games, and do glitter tattoos. Best for children ages 3 to 10. To register go to actonlibrary.org.

SUMMER FLING BARN DANCE: The third annual Summer Fling at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown will be a Family Barn Dance featuring legendary contra dance caller Billy Fischer. The event runs 5:15 to 8 pm on Saturday, July 14, 5:15-8 p.m. at the Playhouse, 128 Washington St., Middletown. Tickets $15 and up; reserve at https:// oddfellowsplayhouse.ticketleap.com/ For more information, email info@oddfellows.org or call 860-347-6143.

DUDLEY FARM MARKET: The Dudley Farm Farmers’ Market meets July 14, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 2351 Durham Rd, Guilford. Free Children’s Corner activity (10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.), will be Native American Story-Telling with Barbara Kiesel and the Dudley Farm String Band will provide entertainment. For more information, call 203-457-0770, visit www.dudleyfarm.com, or Facebook: Dudley Farm Farmers’ Market.

MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT PROGRAM: Mashantucket Pequot Research Center Presentation at the East Haddam Historical Society, 264 Town St., East Haddam, will be held July 14, 1-2:30 p.m. outdoors on the grounds of the Museum. Guests should bring a blanket or chairs.

Sunday, July 15

EAST HADDAM STAGE SHOWS: East Haddam Stage Company, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present “The Professor,” a comedy based on William Gillette’s 1890 Victorian farce, at Gillette Castle State Park, with performances on weekends, July 7-Aug. 12 with shows at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the castle at 67 River Road. All shows are free. Seating limited; bring lawn chairs and / or a picnic blanket. Pouring rain cancels.