CALENDAR

Tuesday, Oct. 30 FILM FESTIVAL:

The 10th Middletown International Film Festival is being held Tuesdays in October and November at 6 p.m. Oct. 30: Chapman Hall, 100 Training Hill Road, Middlesex Community College. Santa & Andres, (Cuba, 2016, directed by Carlos LeChuga) Speaker: Victor Triay, Professor of History, Middlesex Community College HAUNTED HOUSE: A Haunted House is being held at at Wadsworth Glen Health Care Center, 30 Boston Road, Middletown, Oct. 28, 28, 30, 31, 1-4 p.m. HAUNTED HAPPENINGS: Haunted Happenings: The Connecticut Paranormal Research Society, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. Come and learn about the Connecticut Paranormal Research Society (CPRS). Registration suggested. Register online at durhamlibrary.org CHICKEN BBQ: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 31 Main St., East Haddam, will hold its annual Chicken BBQ Oct. 27, 5-7 p.m. Dinner includes a half chicken with a baked potato, salad, roll, and desert, all for a great price. For more information visit www.ststeves.org/event/annualchicken-barbeque/

CANDIDATES FORUM: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is holding an all-divisions meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 3 at The Connection, 100 Roscommon Drive, Middletown, 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Candidates for the upcoming election have been invited to present a brief overview of their platforms. There will be a question and answer period as time allows. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided, courtesy of The Connection. To register, email cathy@middlesexchamber.com

REGISTRARS IN SESSION: Cromwell Registrars of Voters special session will be held Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at Cromwell Town Hall, Elections Department, 2nd Floor. It is the regular session for admission of elector for those who become 18 years of age, U.S. citizens, or residents of the municipality on or before Oct. 30 to vote on Nov. 6.

CAREER WORKSHOP: Career Program Workshop: Dr. Annie Wilder, Interpersonal Communication in a Digital World, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Participants will learn what is meant by interpersonal communication, why it is needed, and its impact on interviewing for, and succeeding, on the job. Sign-ups are recommended. Call the Information desk at 860-347-2520. Questions or special accommodations contact Christy Billings at 860-347-2528 ext 160.

MYSTERY BOOK DISCUSSION: Classic Mystery Book Discussion group meets Oct. 30 ,7 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Led by librarian Amy Slowik, this month’s mystery is “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware. Copies of the books are available one month before the discussion at the Russell Library Borrowing Desk. BUSINESS EXPO: The East Haddam Business Association (EHBA) will host a “Business Development Expo” on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1-5 p.m. at the new East Haddam Town Office Building, 1 Plains Road, Moodus. Networking reception, 5-7 p.m. will follow at the Gelston House, 8 Main St., East Haddam. For more information contact: Judith M. Dobai at 800-595-4912, visit ehbact.org, or www.facebook.com/ EHBusinessAssociation. WITCHES IN CONNECTICUT: Connecticut Historical Society’s Adult Programs Manager Natalie Belanger will give a free illustrated talk on trials and executions of witches in Connecticut, 7 p.m. Oct. 30, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on the women and men accused, tried, and executed as witches and learn how Connecticut successfully controlled the spread of witch accusations. RSVP: 860-767-1560.

Wednesday, Oct. 31

SYMPHONY CONCERT: The George Flynn Classical Concerts will present a concert featuring the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. at the Morgan School, Route 81, Clinton. The concert is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained by sending a

self-addressed stamped envelope to The George Flynn Classical Concerts, P.O. Box 473, Clinton, CT 06413, or you may call 860-669-1208, leaving your name, phone number and the amount of tickets you require and they will be saved for you to pick up the day of the performance. Please state the number of tickets you require.

CARDIO DANCE: Dance Syncopation: Cardio Dance, is offered Wednesdays at the East Hampton Senior Center, 9:15 a.m. Register with Sue, the Instructor the day of, cost is $5.00 per class.

PRESCHOOL POWER: Preschool Power Story Hour, Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 10:30 a.m. The Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 3 - 5 (pre-k - kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration. SCRABBLE CLUB: Scrabble club meets Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 5 p.m..=, Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 12 – 112. Drop-in or sign-up online and get an email reminder.

SYMPHONY CONCERT: The George Flynn Classical Concerts will present a concert featuring the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 4, 3 p.m. at the Morgan School, Route 81, Clinton. The concert is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to The George Flynn Classical Concerts, P.O. Box 473, Clinton, CT 06413, or you may call 860-669-1208, leaving your name, phone number and the amount of tickets you require and they will be saved for you to pick up the day of the performance. Please state the number of tickets you require.

DATA BASICS: Data Basics Workshop/ CT Data Collaborative, Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This is an introductory session designed to expand data literacy. Participants come away with a greater understanding of data collection and analysis, and a more critical eye towards data encountered in everyday life. Registration suggested. Call 860-347-2520. FUNDING SOURCES WORKSHOP:A

SCORE workshop, “Simple Steps #5: Funding Sources”, co-sponsored by the Action Public Library, Old Saybrook, will be held Oct. 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the library, 60 Old Boston Post Road. Anne Driscoll, anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org HAUNTED HOUSE: A Haunted House is being held at at Wadsworth Glen Health Care Center, 30 Boston Road, Middletown, Oct. 28, 28, 30, 31, 1-4 p.m. FLU CLINIC: Flu Clinic at East Hampton Senior Center, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., sponsored by Chatham Health District. No appointment needed. Call Chatham Health district 860-365-0884 for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 1

HALLOWEEN DANCE: Shoreline Sailing Club’s Halloween Dance will be held Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Westbrook Elks Lodge.Shoreline Sailing Club welcomes new members and sailing experience not necessary. Details at www.shorelinesailingclub.com AUTHOR TALKS: Kathryn Gillespie, “The Cow with Eartag #1389” and Lori Gruen, “Critical Terms for Animal Studies” will speak at 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown. The program is free. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

BOOK DISCUSSION: “The Life We Bury” by Allen Eskens will be discussed Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Library.

UKULELE LESSONS: Ukulele Lessons will be held Nov. 1, Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Library, taught by David Kuzminski, Jr. from the CT Valley School of Music. Free to interested library patrons. No prior musical experience is necessary and ukuleles are available if you don’t own your own. Space is limited and registration is required. Call the library at 860-342-6770 or visit www.portlandlibraryct.org.

COLONIAL KIDS: Colonial Kids for grades K-2 begins Nov. 1 and continues on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. at the Portland Library. Take a step back into colonial times for this four-week program, and explore the food, games, and crafts of colonial kid ancestors. Registration is required. Call the library at 860-3426770 or visit www.portlandlibraryct.org.

FRENCH CONVERSATION: French Conversation Group meets Thursday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m. at the Durham Public Library All levels of French speakers: Expand your speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. Meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month. Drop in.

ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St, Middletown, will hold its acoustic open mic session with Bob Gotta, Nov. 1, 7-9 p.m. To sign up or for more information go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957 ALL SAINTS DRIVE BY: An All Saints Day Drive-By Lighting of the Candles will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main Street, Portland, Nov. 1, 4:30-7 p.m. at the front of the church in the circular driveway. Anyone wishing to have a candle lit for a loved one is welcome The Reverend Phil Bjornberg and Deacon Jesse Karpf will attend.

Friday, Nov. 2

SOUP & SALAD: The Durham Senior Citizen’s Board will hold a “Soup & Salad” event at the Durham Activity Center, Nov 2, with lunch at noon, followed by a PowerPoint presentation by William Corvo on the work by his father, Max Corvo who served with the OSS during World War II. STORYTELLER EVENT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the storytelling troupe Story City for a recurring Moth Style storytelling event, Nov. 2, 8-10 p.m. Details, go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

MEETING HOUSE PLAYERS: The Meeting House Players present “The Ladies Foursome,” Norm Foster’s heartwarming story of friendship, at the Meeting House, 4 Liberty St., Chester. Performances are Nov. 2, 3 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $15. Reserve tickets at www.TheMeetingHousePlayers.com or by calling 860-526-3684. For additional information contact TheMeetingHousePlayers@gmail.com.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE: The Durham Historical Society will present a lecture by Sal Tarantino from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. at the Durham Historical Society, located next to the Durham Town Hall, corner of Town House Road and Maple Avenue. For information call 860-7165497 or email durhamhistoryct@gmail.com,or visit www.durhamhistoryct.org.

FIRST FRIDAY: The merchants of Chester are kicking off the season of Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 2, by collecting canned goods for Hinka’s Cupboard, the Middletown food pantry. Drop off a can at your favorite shop (or brewmaster), and then enjoy the quaint boutiques, talented artists and the top-notch brewery and restaurants that Chester has to offer during the First Friday activities from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 3

BIRDIE BASH: The 17th annual Birdie Bash will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Elks Club., 44 Maynard St., Middletown. There will be a marketplace, exhibits and refreshments. Horizon Wings will present a raptor show at 11 a.m. and parrot behavior consultant Sheila Blanchette of Heart of Feathers Education will talk about making inexpensive foraging toys for birds at 1 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids under 12. Nonmembers may not bring birds. Info: theparrotclub.org, facebook.com/theparrotclubct.

FAMILY HISTORY :Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History from the genealogy experts at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown. Bring a laptop and information with you. Nov. 3, 11 a.m., Nov. 13, Nov. 16, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Nov. 14, 5:30-8 p.m. Free to members, $10 session for guests. Call 860-346-4375 for information. No pre-registration necessary.