CALENDAR

Wednesday, July 25

INSIDE HAMLET: Inside Hamlet, a roundtable discussion facilitated by Eric Dillner, CEO/Executive Director of Shoreline Arts Alliance and featuring The Legacy Theatre’s Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen, will be held in the shoreline area, discussing themes of Hamlet and sharing details about the mainstage production on the Guilford Green. Dates are: July 25, 7:30 p.m., Evergreen Woods, 88 Notch Hill Rd, North Branford; July 26, 7 p.m., Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Island Rd, Branford; Aug. 2, 11 a.m., Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St, Guilford. For more information visit www.shorelinearts.org

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.

DANCIN’ WITH HOOPS: The Deep River Public Library presents Dancin’ With Hoops on Wednesday, July 25 at 5:30 pm. Judi Jones, aka the Energizer, brings an interactive program designed to inspire and ignite creative movement, selfexpression

and laughter. Custom hulahoops will be available for use. For all ages and ability levels. Free and open to all.

CROMWELL CONCERTS: Cromwell Concert Series, will be held on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Frisbee Landing at Riverport Park. July 25, Big Deal Rock. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic supper or purchase dinner from the onsite food trucks. Rain dates are Thursdays, June 28, July 12, July 19 and July 26. For information go to www.cromwellrec.com or call 860-632-3467.

SHOWING DOGS: Getting Started Showing Dogs will be held Wednesday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. Jeanine Dell’Orfano, President of the Bergamasco Sheepdog Club of America, will lead a discussion about how to get your dog involved with showing. Register online at www.durhamlibrary.org.

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.

BOOK BUDDIES: Book Buddies at the East Hampton Senior Center are back. July 11,18, 25, Aug. 1, 1-2 p.m.The library and senior center are collaborating to bring together the young and young at heart. Enjoy reading a story and making a craft with a friend. Older adults sign-up at the center a week prior to the event.

BREATHING FOR STRESS: Pranakriya yoga instructor, holistic nurse, and stress management instructor Karen Wexell will teach effective breathing techniques to encourage stress reduction and overall wellness at the Henry Carter Hull Library, July 25, 6 p.m. Details at hchlibrary.org.

HALL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS: A public meeting on Hall Road improvements will be held July 25, 6:30 p.m. at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School. Feedback at community meetings over the past two years made it clear that developments along Halls Road need to be looked at in an integrated, long-term context. Old Lyme has retained the Yale Urban Design Workshop (YUDW) to help develop a proposed master plan for the Halls Road neighborhood. Group break-out sessions will follow to allow discussion among attendees and presenters. The presenters will describe what they can do, and to ask the community what it hopes to accomplish.

Thursday, July 26

INSIDE HAMLET: Inside Hamlet, a roundtable discussion facilitated by Eric Dillner, CEO/Executive Director of Shoreline Arts Alliance and featuring The Legacy Theatre’s Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen, will be held in the shoreline area, discussing themes of Hamlet and sharing details about the mainstage production on the Guilford Green. Dates are: July 26, 7 p.m., Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Island Rd, Branford; Aug. 2, 11 a.m., Guilford Free Library, 67 Park St, Guilford. For more information visit www.shorelinearts.org

LUNCTIME STORY ART: Lunchtime Story Art, July 26, 12 p.m. at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. For children. Bring your lunch or a snack and join us for themed stories, crafts and activities. Details at Wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore or call 860-685-3939

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 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.

FREE LUNCHES: Families can visit the Deep River Public Library’s Children’s Garden, on Thursdays, 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 860-5263600 for more information or to sign up to help.

GAZEBO CONCERTS: The Joseph N. Goff House’s 19th annual Gazebo Concert Series, held on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in the East Hampton Village Center at the Center School Gazebo. July 26, Dizzy River Band; Aug. 2, Seat of Our Pants; Aug. 9, Victor Cowles. Listeners are welcome to bring seating and a picnic. Dogs and children welcome. Local Cub Scouts will be on hand to sell snacks and refreshments.

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.

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.

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. 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 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 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.

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.

Friday, July 27

HAMLET, ABRIDGED: Shoreline Arts Alliance and Legacy Theatre will perform Hamlet Abridged” in the shoreline area. All shows are free. For more information visit www.shorelinearts.org. The schedule is: July 27, 2 p.m., Madison Green, Madison; (Sensory Friendly) July 29, 2 p.m., Nathanael B Greene Community Center, 32 Church St, Guilford; (Sensory Friendly) July 31, 10 a.m., Evergreen Woods, 88 Notch Hill Rd, North Branford; Aug. 3, 10 a.m.,Branford Green, Branford.