CALENDAR

Saturday, July 21

BIG SUMMER BOOK SALE: Big Summer Book Sale, sponsored by The Friends of the Acton Public Library, will be held July 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., July 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (bake sale all day); and July 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., when you can fill a bag for $10 all day in the main room. Thousands of books on many topics. Proceeds suppot programs at the library, at 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. For information call 860-395-3184.

PASSPORT FAIR: Passport Application Fair will be held Saturday, July 21 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Durham Public Library, providing a convenient and time-saving opportunity to apply for or renew a passport. Once the process is complete, expect to receive a new passport in 4 to 6 weeks. Visit www.durhamlibrary.org for more information on required forms and fees.

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.

WRITING FAMILY HISTORY: Write Your Family History with help from the Godfrey Memorial Library’s geneaology writing group, July 21, 9:30-11 a.m. at the library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, Free to members $10 guests. Bring your laptop. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No pre-registration necessary.

SINGLES DINNER OUT: A singles dinner night will beh eld Jully 21 at Esca Restaurant, 437 Main Street, Middletown at 6:30 p.m. Buy your own dinner, make new friends. To reserve, call Gail at 860-5828229. Sponsored by Singles Social Connections.

MEET THE BEES MASCOT: Meet Sting, the Mascot of the New Britain Bees, July 21, 11 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For pre-k - 6th grade (ages 3 - 12). Drop in; no registration.

FREE FARM TOURS: Free farm tours, Saturday, July 21 & Sunday, July 22 at Chatfield Hollow Farm, 12 Firetower Road, Killingworth 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Family friendly tours of mushroom growing, organic vegetable production and native & foreign birds. Sponsored by Middlesex County Farm Bureau. More information, call 860-349-1250.

STORY TIME: Story Time, July 21, 10:30 a.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free, no registration needed.

Sunday, July 22

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.

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.

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

FREE FARM TOURS: Free farm tours, Sunday, July 22 at Chatfield Hollow Farm, 12 Firetower Road, Killingworth 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Family friendly tours of mushroom growing, organic vegetable production and native and foreign birds. Sponsored by Middlesex County Farm Bureau. More information, call 860-349-1250.

Monday, July 23

BOOK TALK AND WALK: Book Talk with a Walk, Mondays, July 23 and 30, Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27, 12-1 p.m. in the Lobby, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Weather permitting, meet in the lobby and go off-site for a short walk and book discussion. List available at the library. Discussions will be led by Christy Billings, Chair of One Book on the Riverbend. Contact: cbillings@russelllibrary.org or 860-347-2528 x 160.

BOOK DISCUSSION: Nonfiction Book Discussion group meets Monday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Durham Public Library, discussin “Kill ’em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul” by James McBride. Copies of the book are available at the library. Drop in.

YOGA WITH KITCH: Yoga with Kitch at the East Hampton Senior Center, new session: Mondays, through Sept. 24, 10 week session. $25 per session or $5 drop in. Sign up deadline is July 2. Sign up with staff.

WONDERFUL ONES-TWOS: Wonderful Ones and Twos Playtime, Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. One and two year old playgroup. For one and two year olds and their caregivers. Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required.

FAMILY CONVERSATION: Nightly Conversations: “Every Single Second” by Tricia Springstubb, with the theme racism/prejudice. July 23, 7 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free. For parents and children age 20 and up. An age-appropriate family conversation on select current issues and/or events. Participants are asked to read the book selection in advance to provide a framework for the discussion. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939. Register by emailing books@wesleyan.edu. Space is limited.

Tuesday, July 24

SNAP CIRCUIT MANIA: Snap Circuit Mania meets July 10, July 24, 3 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, with a variety of Snap Circuits on hand. For students in grades 3 - 6 (ages 8 - 12) and their families. Drop-in; no registration.

SUMMER STORIES: Summer Stories , Tuesdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 10:30 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come hear stories old and new, and move a little. For children ages 3 - 6. Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required.

FREE CONCERT: Bob Englehart will perform a free concert on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 12:10 p.m.in Wesleyan University’s Ring Family Performing Arts Hall, 287 Washington Terrace, Middletown.

JOB WORKSHOP: Job and Career Workshop: Boot Camp, part 1 of 3: The Tools: Targeted Resume, Cover Letter & LinkedIn Profile, will be held July 24, 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. In the first of a threepart Job Search Boot Camp 6.0 series, career and job-search expert Jan Melnik (M.A., MRW, CCM, CPRW; www.janmelnik.com) returns to Russell Library to share the best strategies and insider secrets that will help job seekers improve their efforts writing strategic resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. Registration is requested but not required; call 860-347-2520.

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.

MIDDLETOWN SUMMER CONCERTS:

The annual free “Summer Sounds” Concert Series in Middletown will be held at the Harbor Park Gazebo, 80 Harbor Drive at 6:30 a.m. Rain location is inside South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant Street, across Main Street from the Middlesex YMCA, opposite South Green (Union Park). July 24, Survivors Swing Band; Aug. 7, Bluegrass Characters; Aug. 21, Random Concept; Sept. 4, Middletown Symphonic Band.

GOODSPEED MUSICALS PREVIEW:

Goodspeed Musicals Preview: “Cyrano,” July 24, 7 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939.

Wednesday, July 25

CREATIVITY, BEEKEEPING: The Creativity Project: Beekeeping, July 25, 4 p.m., for grades 2 and up. Drop in for some creative fun, playing and learning about new hobbies. For this installment of The Creativity Project, come explore beekeeping and make a hive for bees. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free, no registration needed. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939.

BOOKS ON THE MENU: Books on the Menu, talk with RJ Julia Booksellers Chief Operating Officer Lori Fazio and Assistant Adult Book Buyer Brian Wraight, July 25, 12 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. Free. For adults. Get the inside scoop on all the latest new releases and best summer reads. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939.

MUSIC AT THE MANSION: The Friends of Long Hill Estate and the Long Hill Estate Authority with sponsorship from Middlesex Hospital host the Music at the (Wadsworth) Mansion series in July. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.; grounds open for picknicking at 5:30 p.m. Concerts will be held in light rain or the threat of showers, but cancelled with the proximity of electrical storms. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from a participating food truck. July 11, Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem; July 18: Funky Dawgz Brass Band; July 25: Mixed Signals; Aug. 1: Shaded Soul Band

SCRABBLE WEDNESDAY: Scrabble Wednesday will be held July 11, 18, 25, 2 p.m. in Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Carol Whitfield will lead players in scrabble games. We will have dictionaries, score sheets and scrabble boards. For ages 12 112. Just drop-in or sign-up online and get an email reminder.

READING BUDDIES: Reading Buddies will meet on Wednesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, 2 p.m. int he Story Telling Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Members of the Teen Advisory Council will help children learn to love reading or continue to love reading by being his or her Reading Buddy; bring a favorite book or find one at the library. For children entering pre-k - 6th grade (ages 3 - 10). Drop in; no registration required.

GAMERS’ REALM: Gamers’ Realm meets Wednesdays, July 11 and 25, 2 p.m. in the Totally Teen Area, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Gamers can try their hand at Magic: the Gathering, Forbidden Island, Once Upon a Time and other favorites. For students in grades 4 – 7 (ages 10 - 13). Drop in; no registration.

MIDDLETOWN BOOKMOBILE: The Middletown Bookmobile will be near the Russell Library’s Broad Street entrance, 1-2 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1. Children of all ages are welcome to choose free books they can take home to keep. In case of rain, a selection of free books will be available in the Activity Room.

TEEN DRAWING: Teen Drawing Class: Narrative Art, will be held July 25, 5:30 p.m. in the Storytelling Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Learn basic line drawing concepts and work on your own illustration. Drawing materials will be provided. This is a hands-on-class for artists at all levels. Recommended for individuals in grades 7 - 12 (ages 12 - 18). Registration suggested; drop-ins accepted if there’s room. Call the Information Desk at 860-347-2520.