Tickets available for Cheers for Adelbrook

CROMWELL — Cheers for Adelbrook, a wine tasting fundraiser, is held annually to benefit the children and young adults with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders served by Adelbrook.

The event will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Cromwell, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. Tickets are $50. There are only 350 tickets available.

In its 15th year, this event includes more than 15 distributors, each with a variety of wines and other spirits to taste thanks to the event sponsor Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe. The event will also have live music by Will Evans, a silent auction and teacup auction tables, hand passed hors d’oeuvres, light fare and desserts by Sweet Harmony Cafe and Bakery, as well as a photo booth and a wine pull.

Sponsorships from local businesses are available in various levels. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Sharon Graves at 860-635-6010 x327 or via email sgraves@adelbrook.org

Seagriff named clinical director

MIDDLETOWN — Dr. Nicole Seagriff, family nurse practitioner and medical director of the Norwalk and Stamford primary care practices at Community Health Center, Inc., has assumed the newly-created role of Clinical Program Director in CHC and its Weitzman Institute’s Postgraduate Nurse Practitioner Residency Program.

CHC developed the model of postgraduate nurse practitioner residency training and launched the country’s first formal program in 2007 for family nurse practitioners. .

Dr. Seagriff received her BSN from Boston College, her MSN from Yale University, and her clinical doctorate from Duke University. She was a member of the 20122013 cohort of CHC’s NP residency program, following which she assumed her role as primary care provider and then medical director of the CHC of Stamford and Norwalk practices.

In her new role, she will provide expert clinical leadership in the areas of NP Residency program development, curriculum, training and evaluation both at CHC and to CHC’s partners in states across the country, serve as a faculty preceptor, and provide technical assistance to other program clinical directors. Dr. Seagriff is also well known nationally for her advocacy work as President of The Pink Agenda®, a not-for-profit organization committed to raising money for breast cancer research as well as awareness of the disease among young professionals.

“I’m excited to be taking on this new leadership role in creating exceptional postgraduate training opportunities for nurse practitioners, particularly those committed to practicing as primary care providers in community health centers,” said Dr. Seagriff, in a written statement. “As someone who sought and found an outstanding training opportunity at the Community Health Center, I know how important not only the rigor and quality of clinical training is, but also the way we can train the next generation to a high performance model of care.”

Shasha Seminar at Wesleyan University

MIDDLETOWN — Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15 at Wesleyan University. This year’s theme is “Suicide & Resilience: Finding the Words.” The public is welcome to attend. Registration is available at https://securelb.imodules.com/s /1318/hybrid/alumni-match.aspx? sid=1318&gid=1&pgid=6857 &cid=11825

Featured speakers include Eric Marcus, who will deliver the keynote address Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.. He is the author of “Why Suicide?” and many other books on suicide. He lost both his father, a World War II Navy Veteran, and his sister-in-law to suicide, which inspired his decades-long advocacy for suicide loss survivors.

Ann P. Haas, professor emerita of health sciences at The City University of New York and an independent consultant specializing in suicide research and prevention, who worked for nearly two decades with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her research and prevention activities focused on suicide risk in vulnerable populations, particularly sexual and gender minorities, teens and college students, and military veterans.

Kathy Leichter, an award-winning documentary and development and impact producer and director. Her most recent film, Here One Day, about mental illness and suicide in her own family, premiered at the International Film Festival Amsterdam and won Best Documentary and the Jury Prize at the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival.

Carla Fine, author of the international best-seller, No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One, as well as a lecturer and workshop leader who has presented to suicide survivors’ groups and professional organizations around the world.

The event is being organized by Karl E. Scheibe, professor emeritus of psychology at Wesleyan, and Jennifer T. D’Andrea, director of Wesleyan’s Counseling and Psychological Services.

First Church schedule, events

OLD SAYBROOK — First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational), 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook, offers three worship opportunities and an expanded learning hour for all ages. Each worship service is unique, and Faith Exploration for All, a between-the-services learning time, serves ages Pre-K through adult. All are welcome.

The Early Bird worship service, from 8-8:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room, offers a more casual service with prayer, reflection, quiet music and communion.

The Soul Service, from 9-9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, features a variety of music, centered around Rhythm & Blues and Jazz, with time for prayer and scripture message, all underscored by a live band.

Faith Exploration for All takes place from 9:40-10:20 a.m., with Church School for children in grades Pre-K through 8, and workshops for adults and teens, including Bible study, spiritual practices, such as meditation and praying, and faith and health workshops.

Traditional Worship, from 10:3011:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, offers music, including the First Church Choir, singing, times for prayer and silent meditation, scripture readings, a sermon, and an opportunity for giving.

Nursery care is available for children ages infant to 3 years old from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

For more information visit www.firstchurchsaybrook.org, or call 860-388-3008.