MHS ag-science center holding open house

MIDDLETOWN -- The Middletown Agriculture Science & Technology program at Middletown High School will also be hosting an Open House for interested 7th and 8th grade students and their families. The event will take place on Tuesday November 20th at the Agriculture Science center, located at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Lane, Middletown.

The evening will begin with a brief presentation at 6:30 pm. Afterwards, the program will feature an interactive, self-guided tour of the agriculture facility where interested students can learn more program offerings and meet with staff and students. The Ag Science curriculum offers instruction in Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources and Agricultural Mechanics, in conjunction with a comprehensive academic program at Middletown High School. The program is now accepting applications for the 2019-20 school year.

The Middletown Regional Agriculture Science & Technology Program is available to high school students from Chester, Clinton, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Hampton, Essex, Guilford, Haddam, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland, Rocky Hill, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

For more information about the Middletown Regional Agriculture Science and Technology Program, please call (860) 704-4594 or visit our website at https://mhs.middletownschools.org/departments/agricultural_science___technology

Chordsmen seek singers to join

WATERBURY — The Valley Chordsmen barbershop chorus is singing for the holidays and looking for additional singers. The group sings traditional Christmas music at area venues, notably North Church in Woodbury; "Small Shop Saturday" in Seymour; Caroling on the Floors at St. Mary's Hospital, in Waterbury; and Southbury's KMart Plaza. All men who enjoy singing, and don't mind singing outside, are welcome to one or several of these events.

Singers can choose to sing the melody or try a harmony part. Barbershop music is arranged for 4-part close harmony and is great fun to sing.

The Chordsmen rehearse on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at Waterbury's First Congregational Church, 222 West Main Street in the city. Contact Rich Dziura at 860 747-5451 or dzfam@att.net for more information.

Goodspeed Musicals holding food drive

EAST HADDAM — Goodspeed Musicals kicks off its annual food drive to benefit the East Haddam Food Bank on Monday, Nov. 19. Goodspeed will collect donations during Thanksgiving week in the hopes that they will have another record-breaking year for participation. The need is even greater this year as the number of households served by the East Haddam Food Bank has grown once again to record levels, according to a press release.

Goodspeed Musicals is offering a special buy one ticket, get one free to patrons who bring a generous donation of non-perishable foods to the Nov. 19, 2 p.m. matinee or the 7:30 p.m. performance of “The Drowsy Chaperone” at The Goodspeed in East Haddam .

The East Haddam Food Bank is in need of many non-perishable food items, especially “the basics” such as soups, pastas, canned fruits and vegetables, and cereals, as well as paper goods and personal toiletries.

“The Goodspeed family acknowledges the tremendous need right here in our community,” said Executive Director Michael Gennaro, in a statement. “We encourage all of our visitors to participate in this marvelous opportunity to share with our neighbors in the spirit of giving.”

During Thanksgiving week, performances of “The Drowsy Chaperone” are Monday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m and 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 25, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Donations will be accepted in the lobby of The Goodspeed Nov. 19 through Nov. 25 which will mark the final performance of “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Tickets are available through the Goodspeed Box Office at 860.873.8668 or at www.goodspeed.org. Advance reservations are recommended. This offer is subject to availability, with no adjustments for prior sale.

Wreaths Across American Day coming

MIDDLETOWN — Dec. 15 is Wreaths Across America Day. It began as The Arlington Wreath project started by Morrill Worcester in 1992 with the donation and laying of 5,000 Christmas wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. It was relatively obscure until 2005 when a photo of the stones adorned with wreaths and covered in snow circulated around the internet. The project received national attention. In 2006 over 150 State & National cemeteries held wreath laying ceremonies simultaneously. By 2008 over 300 locations held ceremonies in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries. More than 100,000 wreaths were placed on veterans’ graves, and more than 60,000 volunteers participated.

Now the opportunity to adorn every hero’s grave at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown has been made available to the community through the efforts of the Doolittle Funeral Home in Middletown & Cromwell Funeral Home in conjunction with the nearly 1,000 veterans and Family Memorial Care Funeral Home Providers nationwide.

The wreath laying is now held each year on the third Saturday of December and was unanimously voted by the US Congress as “Wreaths Across America™ Day”. By offering sponsorships to the public, Wreaths Across America hopes that one day every veteran’s resting place will be adorned with a wreath for the holiday season.

Residents may honor a hero buried in the State Veterans’ Cemetery in Middletown by sponsoring a $15 Wreath or for every two wreaths purchased, three wreaths will be provided to adorn their graves. Now through Dec. 3, stop in and order a wreath at Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown. For information call 860-346-6464.