CALENDAR

Friday, Jan. 18

FAMILY HISTORY: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, with expert researchers. Bring your laptop and information. Jan. 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free for members, $10 guests. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No pre-registration necessary.

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday, Jan. 11, 18, 25; 10:30 a.m., Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St., Deep River. Stories and songs followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration. LETTERS TO Dr. KING: Dear Martin: Write a Letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 18, 4:30 p.m., for grades 7-12, in the Teen Area, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Honor and reflect on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy by reading “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone, and come in to chat about how the book reflects on current events. Copies of Dear Martin are available in the Teen Area. Registration suggested; call 860-3448479. ASHLEY HAMEL CONCERT: Singersongwriter Ashley Hamel will perform at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, Jan. 18, 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. To reserve or for information go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957 GLOW IN THE DARK: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, invites students in grades 6 and up foran evening of artistic fun as they learn how to create their own glow in the dark masterpiece, Jan. 18, 7-9 p.m. Using a variety of different methods,styles, and glow paints, students will create their own unique painting to bring home. Fee is $15, no reservations required. Cafe open to buy snacks. Learn more at www.epocharts.org

Saturday, Jan. 19 GENEALOGY RESEARCH: Genealogy Research by Era provides resources from periods of American history and how they can help with genealogical research, Jan. 19, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown. Bring your laptop. Free to members, $10 guests. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No pre-registration necessary.

HAM DINNER: Toop 16 Middletown will hold its annual ham dinner, Jan. 19, 5-7 p.m. at Third Congregational Church, Miner Street, Middletown. $12 adults, $8 children, $5 scouts in uniform. Menu is ham, sweet and white potatoes, ice cream and cookies, all you can eat. Takeout available; a silent auction will also be held. For more information, call Robert Olenick at 860-347-4208.

FAMILY STORY TIME: Family Story Time, 10:30 a.m., Jan. 19, free, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939 COMPOSERS, IMPROVISERS FESTIVAL: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main st., Middletown, will host the 14th Annual Composers and Improvisers Festival, on Saturday, Jan. 19, -10:30 p.m. $20. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

TEEN TALENT SEARCH: Oddfellows Playhouse is hosting the first Middletown Teen Talent Search, with the finalists showcase set for Saturday, Jan. 19, 7 p.m. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children. To register for the Talent Search, or for more information, call 860-347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org. OPEN MIC: Teen Open Mic at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, will be held Jan. 19, 3-5 p.m. For ages 12-18, musicians, poets, artists are welcome. For information go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957 . BALLEK’S GREENHOUSE EVENT: The Connecticut Horticultural Society (CT Hort) and Ballek’s Garden Center, 90 Maple Ave., East Haddam, invite guests to spend the afternoon with them and explore the world of indoor plants, Jan. 19, 3-5 p.m. Cost is $15 members, $25 guests, $5 students with ID. For more information and to register, visit www.cthort.org .

Sunday, Jan. 20

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist 9 a.m.; Sunday School, Adult Ed. on Forgiveness,10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

Monday, Jan. 21

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY: The East Hampton Senior Center is closed Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King day.

MLK CELEBRATION: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown will host its 26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, Jan. 21, with remarks at 12 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and Main Street, followed by the celebration at The Church of the Holy Trinity at 381 Main St., Middletown at 12:30 p.m. Contributions are appreciated and may be mailed to: MLK, Jr. Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 282, Middletown, CT 06457.

Tuesday, Jan. 22 CAREER WORKSHOP: The Gig Economy--What It Is, Who It’s For, and Where It’s Going, with Ellen Janpol, Jan. 22, 5 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Registration is requested but not required. For questions or registration contact Bob Carlson or Christy Billings at 860-3472520.

ADVOCACY GROUP: The East Hampton Senior Center’s Advocacy Group is looking for members. Older Adults are a large part of the community and need a voice to make a difference. To join, call Jo Ann at the East Hampton Senior Center, 860-267-4426. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m.

GMCHORALE REHEARSALS: Open rehearsals for singers who are interested in joining the GMChorale will be held Tuesdays, Jan. 22, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cromwell. Registered participants are asked to arrive at 6 p.m. To register, contact Margie Livengood at margie.livengood@gmchorale.org or 860-633-6198. For more information go to www.gmchorale.org/auditions

SISTERHOOD WORKSHOP: A Mythic Sisterhood Workshop – Demeter, will be held Jan. 22, 7-9 p.m. at the Red Barn, 352 Main St., Durham, hosted by Lianne Escher, MSW, LCSW, psychotherapist, author, speaker. Cost is $20 per session, $120 for 7 sessions. To register contact Lianne Escher at 203-457-0016, lianneescher@gmail.com, or visit www.amythicsisterhood.com

EXCHANGE CLUB: Learn more about the Exchange Club on Jan. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Time Out Tavern, Durham. Members fundraise for local projects to prevent child abuse, promote youth education and community development. For more information, email japhillips@comcast.net or call 860-463-8163 and leave a message. SCORE WORKSHOP: Bob Potter will present a free SCORE workshop on “How to Start and Run a Successful Non-Profit Organization” Jan. 22, 9:30-11 a.m., Old Saybrook Town Hall. Contact for questions/info: Anne Driscoll, anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org SPANISH CONVERSATION: Spanish Conversation Group at the Durham Public Library meets Jan. 22, 5-6:30 p.m. All levels of Spanish speakers can expand their speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. Meets monthly on the third Monday of the month. Drop in.

TRIVIA NIGHT: Trivia Night at the Durham Public Library will be held Jan. 22, 7 p.m. Enter as a team of 2-5 friends, coworkers, or family members to work together to answer questions in 10 categories. If you don’t have a team we’ll place you on one. Registration required; go to durhamlibrary.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 23

AUTHOR TALK: Connecticut Club 169 Marty Podskoch will share about his new Travel Book, “Connecticut Club 169,” Jan. 23, 10:30 a.m. at the East Hampton

Senior Center. Call 860-267-4426 to sign up or come in and sign up in the Activity book. GAME NIGHT: Family Game Night, Jan. 23, 5 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The entire family can get reacquainted with some classic board games or try some new favorites. All ages. Drop in; no registration required.

MLK COMMEMORATION: Wesleyan University’s 2019 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, sponsored by The Resource Center, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Center for African-American Studies, Center for Pedagogical Innovation, and the Wesleyan Library, will be held Jan. 23, 12:15 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall, followed by a lunch reception in Beckham Hall. The keynote speaker is Dr. Bettina Love.

Thursday, Jan. 24

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce, Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31; 10:30 a.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St., Deep River. Stories, songs and play. Best for children up to 24 months; older siblings welcome. Drop in, no registration. No class Jan. 3

CONCERT FOR DR. KING: State Troubadour Nekita Waller Concert Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will be held Jan. 24, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop in; no registration required.

WATER MAIN MEETING: The Army Corps of Engineers has awarded the contract for the Water Main Extension Project to Ludlow Construction Company, from Massachusetts. An informational meeting for the public will be held Jan. 24, 7 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. For more details visit https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/ cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0100108

DRUM CIRCLE: Middlesex Drum Circle meets Jan. 24, 7-9 p.m. at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. $5 donation. Bring your own instruments or they will be provided. Led by Andrew Prue. For information go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957 . TROUBADOUR CONCERT: Middletown native Nekita Waller, Connecticut State Troubadour, will perform with a five piece band to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 24, 7 p.m. at the Russell Library, Middletown. Actor Michael Scott will also present a reading. The program is free. PANEL DISCUSSION: An Informational Panel Discussion hosted by Tri Town Youth Services, will be held Jan. 24, 6 p.m. in the Deep River Elementary School Gymnasium. RSVP: Tri-Town Youth Services, 860-526-3600.

Friday, Jan. 25

GARY OLEYAR CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents a concert with soft jazz violinist Gary Oleyar, Jan. 25, 8 p.m. $15 admission, reservations suggested. Go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday, Jan. 11, 18, 25; 10:30 a.m., Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St., Deep River. Stories and songs followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration. *No class Jan. 4. TIME FOR MAKING: Make Time for Making, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Bring a project: adult coloring, beading, paper crafts, collage or decoupage, knitting, crocheting, sewing, and painting or drawing. Some materials may also be available upon request. Drop in; no registration required. PRESCHOOL FAIR: Preschool Information Fair, Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Meet local preschool providers. A simple craft will be available for children. Snow date Feb. 2. Inclusion in this fair is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of individual programs by the Russell Library. Drop in; no registration required.