CALENDAR

Saturday, Aug. 11

WESLEYAN POTTERS: High Tea, featuring work inspired by and used in the ritual of tea, shows in Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, through Sept. 9. Free admission. The work, including clay, jewelry and fabric, will be juried by Pam Erickson-Davis of the Erickson-Davis Gallery in Ivoryton, with prizes being announced at the opening reception to be held on Saturday, Aug, 25, 4-6 p.m. Information call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or on Facebook. TOWN CLERK HOURS: The Durham Town Clerk's office will be open this Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. to issue absentee ballots to those voters who will be out of town on the day of the primary, Aug. 14. FREE NATURE WALK: A free Nature Walk: Butterflies of Salt Meadow, will be led by naturalist Tom Kelly at McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, Aug. 11, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Reservations are required: email shaun_roche@fws.gov 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.

B&B OPEN HOUSE: The Nehemiah Brainerd House B&B, 988 Saybrook Road, Haddam, will hold an open house on Saturday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Guests can join preservationists at the Nehemiah Brainerd House B&B and cottages, built in 1765 with a significant renovation in 1932 by novelist Katharine Brush. The house was also featured on HGTV's “If Walls Could Talk.” RSVPs appreciated; call 203-562-6312. Parking available. Remarks about the house's history will begin at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments provided.

FILMS ON FOSS: Middletown Youth Services Bureaus is holding its annual Films on Foss summer movie 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 SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDENS:

The Clinton Historical Society in cooperation with the The Shoreline Actors Collectiv at Kidz Konnection Theater Academy will present William Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” for the 8th annual Shakespeare in the Gardens at Old Brick, 103 East Main St., Clinton, Aug. 11 at 5 p.m., and Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Bring a picnic and blankets for an evening of outdoor theater. Free and open to the public; for information call 860-227-2363/ or email shorelineactorscollective@gmail.com or go to www.kidzkonnectionct.org.

BOARD GAMES: Board Game Frenzy at the East Hampton Senior Center, Aug. 11, 1 p.m. Come enjoy a variety of board games. Sign up by Aug. 15.

Sunday, Aug. 12

FIBER ON THE FARM: Fiber on the Farm, an educational event at Cold Goats Farm, 68 Clarkhurst Road, Haddam Neck, will be held Aug. 12, 1-4 p.m. Visit the sheep and goats. Learn about fiber animals, animal care, wool preparation,

spinning and other uses of wool. Bring questions about raising sheep and Angora goats. For information call 860267-7906. SIT & BEG FUNDRAISER: Cat Tales Non-Profit Rescue is holding a Sit & Beg at the Cromwell Stop & Shop on Sunday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Donations of canned or dry food and cleaning supplies, such as paper towels, laundry detergent or disinfectant wipes are needed. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

THE FAST AND THE FURRIEST: Cat Tales presents The Fast & The Furriest Annual Car, Truck & Bike Show on Sunday, August 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Road, Middletown. Rain date Aug. 19. See cars, trucks and bikes from various years, manufacturers stules; informational and product vendors, raffle prizes, delicious food, a DJ, bounce house, and trophies. Proceeds benefit the abused, homeless and abandoned cats and kittens within our community. For more information go to http://www.cattalesct.org or call 860-344-9043. 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. SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDENS:

The Clinton Historical Society in cooperation with the The Shoreline Actors Collectiv at Kidz Konnection Theater Academy will present William Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” for the 8th annual Shakespeare in the Gardens at Old Brick, 103 East Main St., Clinton, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Bring a picnic and blankets for an evening of outdoor theater. Free and open to the public; for information call 860-227-2363/ or email shorelineactorscollective@gmail.com or go to www.kidzkonnectionct.org. TRINITY SUMMER SERVICES: Trinity Church, 345 Main St., Portland, has scheduled its summer services and events at the church. All services are followed by a coffee hour and fellowship time. For information, email trinitychurchportlandct@gmail.com. Aug. 12, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Aug. 19, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Aug. 26, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Sept. 2, Mass on the Grass interfaith service with area churches, 9 a.m.

PLACE CALLED HOPE CONCERT: A Place Called Hope, 154 Pond Meadow Rd Killingworth, a rescue, rehabilitation and education center for birds of prey, invites residents to its courtyard on Sunday, Aug. 12, 1-5 p.m., with an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live native drumming, singing and flute music by Quahannock Singers and BloodWood. Admission $10; bring a blanket or chairs. For information, go to aplacecalledhoperaptors.com

Monday, Aug. 13

WESLEYAN POTTERS: High Tea, featuring work inspired by and used in the ritual of tea, shows in Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, through Sept. 9. Free admission. The work, including clay, jewelry and fabric, will be juried by Pam Erickson-Davis of the Erickson-Davis Gallery in Ivoryton, with prizes being announced at the opening reception to

be held on Saturday, Aug, 25, 4-6 p.m. Information call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or on Facebook. RED CROSS PROGAM: Tri-Town Youth Services will host the American Red Cross program “When I’m In Charge” on Monday, Aug. 13 from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at Tri-Town Youth Services, 56 High St., Deep River. Fee: $25. To sign up go to our website www.tritownys.org or call 860526-3600.

SUMMER COOP: There are a few spaces still available for Tri-Town Youth Services’ Summer Coop Adventures, open to all incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in Chester, Deep River, and Essex. The final session runs Aug. 13-16 and includes: Bushy Hill Nature Center, Ocean Beach, IT Ropes Course and Laser Tag, and Canoeing Farmington River and mini golf. The bus leaves Tri-Town parking lot (56 High St., Deep River) at 9 a.m. and return pickup is at 4 p.m. each day. Cost is $235/ and $200 additional sibling. Admission costs are included. To sign up go to www.tritownys.org or call 860-526-3600. YOGA WITH KITCH: Yoga with Kitch at the East Hampton Senior Center, new session: Mondays, July 16-Sept. 24, 10 week session. $25 per session or $5 drop in. Sign up deadline is July 2. Sign up with staff. BOOK TALK AND WALK: Book Talk with a Walk, Mondays, Aug. 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. CORNHOLE CHARITY CHALLENGE:

Community Music School will present a Cornhole Charity Challenge Aug. 13, 6 p.m. on Essex Island, with live music, southern barbecue and cornhole competition. Tickets $25 adults, $12 children, free age 5 and under. Teams of two can enter the cornhole competition for $20. Rain or shine; covered area available. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit www.community-musicschool.org/cornhole or call CMS at 860-767-0026. FINAL SUMMER SING: The final Summer Sing of 2018 is Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” & “Missa Brevis in C” set for Monday, Aug 13, 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook, conducted by Ehren BrownThe Vernon Chorale All singers welcome. The event is co-sponsored by Cappella Cantorum and Con Brio. Fee $10 per person. Scores available, and the church is air-conditioned. For more information call 860-767-9409 or 203-530-0002 or visit www.cappellacantorum.org or www.conbrio.org

Tuesday, Aug. 14

BLOOD DRIVE: A Red Cross blood drive will be held Aug. 14, 1-6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Appointments can be made in advance at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Walk-ins are welcome.

POLITICS AND MUSICALS: Politics and the American Musical is a nonPartisan look at the influence of politics on the American Musical. See how Gilbert & Sullivan, Gershwin, Berlin, Cole Porter, Rodgers/Hart, Cohen and more, created very tuneful satires that were highly regarded by all Americans. A Broadway tune singalong follows on the library's baby grand, led by Wade Russo, Assistant Musical Director of Goodspeed Musicals, Aug. 14, 7 p.m. at the East Hampton Public Library,105 Main St, East

Hampton. Details are available at www.artsforeasthamptonct.org

Wednesday, Aug. 15

MOTORCYCLE MANIA: The 13th Annual Middletown Motorcycle Mania will be held Wednesday, Aug. 15 on Main Street Middletown from 4:30-8:30 p.m., in memory of a founding sponsor, Dan M. Hunter. It benefits Midd345letown youth programs, and past proceeds have supported the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program, Middletown Recreation and Community Services Department youth programs, and the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program. There is an entry donation of $10 per motorcycle, and $15 for bikes entered for awards. Complete information is available at www.middletownmotorcyclemania.com or contact Haley Duncan at Haley@middlesexchamber.com or 860-347-6924.

WESLEYAN POTTERS: High Tea, featuring work inspired by and used in the ritual of tea, shows in Wesleyan Potters Gallery/Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, through Sept. 9. Free admission. The work, including clay, jewelry and fabric, will be juried by Pam Erickson-Davis of the Erickson-Davis Gallery in Ivoryton, with prizes being announced at the opening reception to be held on Saturday, Aug, 25, 4-6 p.m. Information call 860347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or on Facebook.

MACRAME CLASS: Macrame is “in” again! Try this knotwork trend in miniature with a step-bystep workshop for adults and make your own mini macrame succulent plant hanger at Henry Carter Hull Library, Aug. 15, 5:30 p.m. All materials are provided at this free workshop but space is limited and registration is required. To sign up go to hchlibrary.org or call 860-669-2342.

SOLARIZE MIDDLEFIELD: The Solarize Middlefield program will hold another workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m., at the Middlefield Community Center Auditorium, 405 Main Street, Middlefield.