CALENDAR

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-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins are welcome.

POLITICS AND MUSICALS: Politics and the American Musical is a non-Partisan 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 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 860347-6924.

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 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com or on Facebook.

MACRAME CLASS: Macrame is “in” again! Try this knotwork trend in miniature with a step-by-step 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 860669-2342.

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. Learn about the program, talk to other solarize participants, meet their solar installer, learn about financing options, and see if their house is good for solar. Middlefield and Rockfall homeowners who want to find out if their home is good for solar can go directly to Solarizect.com/ Middlefield. Durham residents are also welcome to participate in the Solarize Middlefield program.

KOCO GANG: Visit by the Koco Gang with the library and the East Hampton Senior Center, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. Sign up by Aug. 8.

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with geneaology club members at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, Aug. 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Aug. 15, 5:30-8 p.m. $10 session for guests. Bring your research and laptop. No need to register. For information call 860-346-4375

AUTHOR DISCUSSION: Author Christopher Buckley wil lead a free discussion with Sam Tanenhaus on a lifetime of sailing with his father, William F. Buckley, Jr., 7 p.m. Aug 15, in The Cube at Centerbrook Architects, 67 Main St. Centerbrook. RSVP: The Essex Library, 860767-1560.

Thursday, Aug. 16

SWING DANCES: First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational), 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook, will offer a series of Thursday night swing dances in August. The cost to attend the 7 p.m. program is $12 per evening, including free lessons from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 16, Johnny and the East Coast Rockers; Aug. 23, Hot Cat Jazz Band. For more information, contact First Church at 860-388-3008.

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.

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.

FREE CONCERTS: The Clinton Chamber of Commerce will host a series of free concerts sponsored by Guilford Savings Bank, on Thursdays. Aug. 16, The Navels. In case of rain, an alternative site for the concert may be designated.

SAILING CUB DANCE: Members and friends of the Shoreline Sailing Club will hold a dance Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. at the Westbrook Elks CLub, with music provided by RJ Entertainment. Open to the public; bring a friend. The club includes active singles who like to sail, socialize, dance, fish, kayak and more. Learn more at www.shorelinesailingclub.com

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. 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.

Friday, Aug. 17

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with geneaology club members at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, Aug. 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $10 session for guests. Bring your research and laptop. No need to register. For information call 860-346-4375.

Saturday, Aug. 18

FLEA MARKET: Deep River Congregational Church Flea Market will be held Aug. 18, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Marvin Field, located on Route 154, just as you enter Deep River from the south. Details at www.deeprivercc.org.

YOUR FAMILY HISTORY: Write Your Family History with genealogy club members at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield, St., Middletown, Aug. 18, 9:30-11 a.m. Free to members, $10 guests. Bring your laptop and research and receive advice and help. Call 860-346-4375 for information. No pre-registration necessary.

WINERY HOSTING FUNDRAISER:

Staehly Farm Winery, 278 Town St, East Haddam, will host a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event will be held Aug. 18-19, Saturday from 120-6 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. 15% of all sales and $1 for each wine tasting will be donated. Wolfski's Food Truck will be there on Sunday serving Polish fare.

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.

Sunday, Aug. 19

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.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. Forinformation, email trinitychurchportlandct@gmail.com. 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.

TALENT SHOW: A Talent Showwill be held Aug. 19, 6 p.m. at Haddam Neck Congregational Church, 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. Share your talents, sing, dance, recite poetry, play an instrument. www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE: The Knights of Valhalla car club will collect school supplies and backpacks in front of Big Lots, 820 Washington St., Aug. 19 and Aug. 25 from 12-4 p.m. Supplies will be given out Aug. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Macdonough Elementary School, 66 Spring St. or as long as supplies last.

Monday, Aug. 20

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.

LAND TRUST PARTY: East Haddam Land Trust (EHLT) is throwing a party on Aug. 20, 6-9:30 p.m., on the lawn of the Goodspeed Opera House and all are invited. More than 20 musical friends and family will be placed in one of three pickup bands and perform music from a carefully curated song list that lends itself to a lot of creative improvising. Iso will donate all the proceeds from his BBQ grill and the land trust pass the basket, all to be used to help purchase the 87-acre Miller Farm Preserve on Tater Hill Road. Guests can collect local trail maps, ask EHLT directors questions about preservation efforts, ask about the many benefits of joining us in membership of EHLT.

BOOK TALK AND WALK: Book Talk with a Walk, Mondays, Aug. 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.

Tuesday, Aug. 21

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). Aug. 21, Random Concept; Sept. 4, Middletown Symphonic Band.

COMEDY FILM: Evening Comedy Film: Tully (2018), Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, with free popcorn provided by Chips' Pub III. hchlibrary.org.

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.

Wednesday, Aug. 22

CHRONIC CONDITIONS: Preventing Chronic Conditions, presented by Certified Holistic Health Coach, Tracy Livingston, will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Deep River Public Library. This class is free and open to 20 participants. Registration is required; go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or call 860-526-6039.

KOREAN CULTURE: Learn about 15th century Korea during a presentation by the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project at the Henry Carter Hull LIbrary, Clinton, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Guests will be treated to a traditional Korean dessert after the program. Registration is required for this free event. To sign up go to hchlibrary.org/event/korean-culture or call 860-669-2342.