CALENDAR

Thursday, Aug. 23

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 volunteers 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.

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. The final dance is Aug. 23, Hot Cat Jazz Band. For more information, contact First Church at 860-388-3008.

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: 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. 23, Homemade Jam, Larry Batter’s fun 50’s, 60’s easy jazz band; Aug. 30. Klezmer/Folk band from a local synagogue.

EVENING WITH THE GILLETTES:

The Killingworth Library hosts Harold and Theodora Niver, aka William and Helen Gillette, on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Killingworth Firehouse, 333 Route 81 in Killingworth. Not only do the Nivers talk about William and Helen Gillette, they become the Gillettes, flitting back and forth between being presenters and portrayers. The program is free but advance sign-up is required; call 860663-2000 or visit www.killingworthlibrary.org for additional details.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP: A free Youth Leadership Program for area youth, ages 13-21, is held on the first and third Thursday of the month, 7-9 p.m. at North End Action Team 654 Main Street Middletown. The program is free and interested young people are encouraged to attend. Share your ideas, connect with others and let your voice be heard. The next meeting is Aug. 23. For information, contact Shanay Fulton at 203-514-0095 or tli@neatmiddletown.org. instagram.com/NEATYouthLeaders

Friday, Aug. 24

FRIDAY SPEAKER SERIES: The Rathbun Library, 36 Main St., East Haddam, presents author and horsewoman Janet Barrett discussing her book: “They Called Her Reckless - A True Story of War, Love and One Extraordinary Horse” Aug. 24, 7 p.m. $5 admission, with refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Rathbun Library.

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.

Saturday, Aug. 25

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.

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. SQUARE DANCE: The Chatham Historical Society is organizing a square dance at the Bay Point Club at 24 Spellman Point Road near Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, Saturday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m. The dance is sponsored by the East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept. Bill Mager from Andover will be calling at the dance. Admission is $5 and space is limited to 60. For further information about the dance or the CHS, contact Don Burr, coordinator at 860-267- 2974, dburr10289@aol.com or visit https:www.chathamhistoricalct.org.

Sunday, Aug. 26

CULTURAL CELEBRATION: Celebrate Me Cultural Bazaar & Back-to-School Community Day, will be held at Cross Street A.M.E. Zion Church, 440 West St., Middletown, Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free backpacks and school supplies, food, games, vendors, and special entertainment by the Destiny Africa Children’s Choir. For more information, go to www.crossstreetamezion.org or call 860-344-9527. SUMMERFEST AND FIREWORKS:

Clinton Summerfest & Fireworks will be held Aug. 25, 4 p.m. Fireworks at dusk from the town beach. Summerfest, 4-8 p.m. behind the Andrews Memorial Town Hall and the lawn of the Pierson School. At town hall, music by the Rock Bottom Band, and a wine and beer garden with craft brews and wine and food from Frank Andrews Wood Fired Pizza and [chow] Food & Beverage’s truck. At Pierson, live music with DJ Ron Click, photo booth, moomwalk, YMCA’s Gaga Pit, pinewood derby races with the Boy Scouts, face painting with the Girl Scouts and food for sale. 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. 26, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Sept. 2, Mass on the Grass interfaith service with area churches, 9 a.m. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information, go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

Monday, Aug. 27

BIRTHDAY BASH: August Birthday Bash at the East Hampton Senior Center, Aug. 27, 12 p.m. Enjoy a free lunch, cake and ice cream. Guests are welcome to attend; CRT requests a $2.50 donation from the guests for lunch on the day of. Sign up at the front desk or call the Center by Aug. 20 if planning on attending. For more information call 860-267-4426.

WRITERS GROUP: Durham Public Library Writers’ Group meets Monday, Aug. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meet other writers and learn from each other in a supportive environment. Participants are encouraged to bring samples of their current writing projects to share and receive constructive feedback. For writers ages 17 and up. Drop in.

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

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.

Tuesday, Aug. 28

AUDITIONS: Con Brio Choral Society, Aug., 28, 7 pm, St. Paul Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd., Old Saybrook. Rehearsals Tuesday evenings in Old Saybrook. All concerts with professional soloists and orchestra. The group’s 70 singers come from 11 towns. Go to www.conbrio.org for info or call Sue at 860-575-9668.

SEARS PARK PICNIC: The East Hampton Senior Center’s Annual Sears Park Picnic wll be held Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with music, games, and a great lunch. Sign up by Aug. 23; $5 per person. For more information call 860267-4426.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

CLASSICAL PILATES: Candace Barnes, Certified Instructor of the U.S. Pilates Association from the Pilates Barn of Madison, will speak at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. She will share an explanation of Classical Pilates and an opportunity to experience some of Joseph Pilates’ beginner and intermediate mat exercises. Wear comfortable clothing and bring your own mat or borrow one from the library. Details at hchlibrary.org.

Thursday, Aug. 30

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 860-526-3600 for more information or to sign up to help.

BOOK SWAP AND A MOVIE: Bring a book (or more!) and take a book (or more) for a Book Swap at Henry Carter Hull Library. Aug. 30, 5:30-6 p.m., then stay after the swap for a screening of the 2018 comedy “Book Club” at 6:00pm. While you’re here, browse the book sale with 50¢ paperbacks and $2 nearly-new hardcover books. Free popcorn provided.

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. 30. Klezmer/Folk band from local Synagogue.

DANCE AT KOKO: Dance @ Koco with the East Hampton Senior Center, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. at KOCO. Celebrate the end of summer with dance and fun! Sign up at the Center by Aug.. 23. For more information call 860-267-4426.

Friday, Aug. 31

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.