CALENDAR

Friday, Aug. 23

MAMMA MIA: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St, Clinton, presents “Mamma Mia” full length musical, Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Aug. 24, 12 p.m., 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 4 p.m. Free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic. Family event. For details, contact kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com/860-227-2363/ kidzkonnectionct.org. INDIE ROCK BAND: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents Lucy’s Neighbor, indie rock/power pop band, 8 p.m., Aug. 23, $10. For details and tickets go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957

MAKING TIME: Make Time for Making, 10 a.m., Aug. 23, free, for adults, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Enjoy the company of other crafters while working on their own projects such as coloring, beading, paper crafts, knitting, sewing, painting or drawing. Some materials may be available upon request. Adults. Drop in; no registration required. BUILDERS CLUB: Builders Club, for ages 5-12, 4 p.m., Aug. 23, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop in; no registration required. MERCY REUNION: Mercy High School Class Reunion - Class of 1979, will be held from 5-9 p.m., Sept. 8, at ESCA Restaurant and Wine Bar, 437 Main St., Middletown. Tickets are $35 and include appetizers, with a cashbar. RSVPs are needed by Aug. 26; go to https://www.mercyhigh.com/mhs_ products/mercy-class-of-1979-40threunion.

Saturday, Aug. 24

LAWN THEATER: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s free Summer Theater on the Lawn Series. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Programs are held on the lawn of the Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St. Aug. 24, 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 12 p.m, 6 p.m., Aug. 26, 4 p.m., “Mamma Mia.” For more information call 860-227-2363. Email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com or visit kidzkonnectionct.org. JAZZ CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., will present the Mary Ellen Longergan Jazz Trio Aug. 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. The band is Kent Hewitt on piano, Mike Asetta on bass, and Mary Ellen Longergan with vocals. The group will be performing some standards. Cost is $10 at the door or make a reservation at buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

STORY TIME: Family Story Time, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 24, free, no registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939 JAZZ TRIO: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the Mary Ellen Longergan Jazz Trio, 8 p.m., Aug. 24, $10. For details and tickets go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957

SURF AND TURF DINNER: The Italian American Civic Order will sponsor their annual Surf and Turf dinner, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 24, at the clubhouse on Arbitus Street, Middletown. Tickets $35, includes stuffed shrimp, steak, roasted potatoes, corn, bread, dessert and beverages. Live music by Rich DiPalma. The hall and grounds are available to rent for social gathering and parties. Call 860-346-3721 for information. CRAFT TIME: Drop-in Craft Time—Frog Puppets, 9 a.m., Aug. 24, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Hop on back to school with your own frog puppet, while supplies last, for ages 3-12. Drop-in; no registration required.

Sunday, Aug. 25

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, and back to school backpack blessing, 9 a.m., Adult Education “Loving Jesus,” 10:30 a.m.: at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

BOOK TALK: Author and parenting expert Mindie Barnett is a co-parenting expert who shares her professional insight in her inspirational self-help memoir, “Intermission: How Fervor, Friendships and Faith Took Me to The Second Act.” Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore at 413 Main St., Middletown, is hosting a book talk with Barnett and writer “You Glow Girl” Beth WilsonParentice Aug. 25 at 3 p.m.

HEALING BELL RINGING: Trinity Episcopal

Church, 345 Main St., Portland, will hold a Healing Day Bell Ringing Ceremony, 2:45 p.m., Aug. 25 at the church. The ceremony commemorates the 400th Anniversary of the first landing of enslaved African persons in English North America. Trinity’s ceremony, which will include prayers led by Deacon Jessie Karpf, is one of many taking place at churches across the country at 3 p.m.

SACRAMENT MEETING: Sacrament meeting, 10 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 130 South St., Cromwell.

LAWN THEATER: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s free Summer Theater on the Lawn Series. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Programs are held on the lawn of the Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St. Aug. 24, 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 12 p.m, 6 p.m., Aug. 26, 4 p.m., “Mamma Mia.” For more information call 860-227-2363. Email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com or visit kidzkonnectionct.org

ADOPTION FAIR: CT Draft Horse Rescue’s adoption fair, "Make Adoption an Option" will be held Aug. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The farm will hold demonstrations of their adoptable horses, a companion horse parade, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and CDHR retail items. Guests can meet the CDHR horses and members of their adoption committee, along with CDHR founder, Dr. Stacey Golub. Admission is free, donations are welcome. To find out more about the adoptable horses and how to adopt them, visit: www.ctdraftrescue.com/availablehorses. For information, call Jessica at 860-754-4858.

MAMMA MIA: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St, Clinton, presents “Mamma Mia” full length musical, Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Aug. 24, 12 p.m., 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 4 p.m. Free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic. Family event. For details, contact kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com/860-227-2363/ kidzkonnectionct.org. SACRAMENT MEETING: Sacrament meeting, 10 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 130 South St., Cromwell.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, 9 a.m., Adult Education “Loving Jesus,” 10:30 a.m.: at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org

MORNING PRAYERS: Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street, Middletown, invites all to join them for morning prayers, 9 a.m. in the chapel, enter through the red double doors and into the Victorian room.

AUTHOR TALK: Mindie Barnett in conversation with Beth Wilson- Parentice, 3 p.m., Aug. 25, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939.

OPEN STUDIOS: The public is invited to come to I-Park, 428 Hopyard Road, East Haddam, for its last summer open studios and experience a multi-disciplinary group of artists from around the globe, 2 p.m., Aug. 25, free. Studios will only be open from 2 to 3:30 p.m., guests are encouraged to arrive early so they have enough time to visit all the studios before the 3:30 p.m. presentations. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Monday, Aug. 26

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing will be held at 8 p.m.. Aug. 26, third floor meeting room, Durham Town hall. The purpose of this public hearing is to present information, discuss and provide an opportunity for public comment on the Proposed Ordinance for the Removal of Animal Waste. All are encouraged to attend. This hearing is accessible to the handicapped. Any disabled persons requiring special assistance or nonEnglish speaking persons should contact Laura L. Francis, First Selectman at 860-349-3625 at least five days prior to the hearing. Applicatio online at www.townofdurhamct.org/qcontent/ NewsFeed.aspx. or call 860-349-3625 to request a copy.

OPEN MIC: Weekly open mic at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, 7-10 p.m., signup starts at 6:30 p.m. $5 per person. Host is musician and singer Jacob Wiseman. From 8-8:15 we host Moments of Gratitude.

EDUCATORS NIGHT: Educators' Night: How to Book and Host a Successful Author Event, 5 p.m., Aug. 26, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUP: Ones and Twos Playgroup, Aug. 19, Aug. 26, 10 a.m., Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Playtime, simple crafts, for ages 1-2. and their caregivers. Siblings welcome. Drop-in; no registration required.

BOOK DISCUSSION: Mystery Discussion Group: Malice (Detective Kaga #1) by Keigo Higashino, 7 p.m., Aug. 26, Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop-in; no registration required.

MERCY REUNION: Mercy High School Class Reunion - Class of 1979, will be held from 5-9 p.m., Sept. 8, at ESCA Restaurant and Wine Bar, 437 Main St., Middletown. Tickets are $35 and include appetizers, with a cashbar. RSVPs are needed by Aug. 26; go to https://www.mercyhigh.com/mhs_ products/mercy-class-of-1979-40threunion.

Tuesday, Aug. 27

KINDERGARTEN SOCIAL: Kindergarten Social, 11 a.m., Aug. 27, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939

HYPNOTHERAPY: Hypnotherapy for Change, 7 p.m., Aug. 27, free, at the Durham Library. Learn the science behind why hypnosis works. Registration required; call 860-349-9544 or go to www.durhamlibrary.org

BLOOD DRIVE: A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Aug. 27, 1-6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Walk-ins welcome. CON BRIO AUDITIONS: Auditions for Con Brio Choral Society (conbrio.org), St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd., Old Saybrook, 7 p.m., .Aug. 27. Call Sue at 860-575-9668 or email at ssaltus97@gmail.com

OPEN MIC: Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 27, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

Wednesday, Aug. 28

EVERYTHING GARDEN TALK: The Deep River Public Library will host Kristy from Bittersweet Farm speaking on “Everything Garden” Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. Learn tips on growing tomatoes, dealing with pests, how to wrap up a summer garden and what to plant for fall. Registration is required. Sign up at http://deepriverlibrary.accountsupport .com by clicking on the monthly calendar, or call 860-526-6039. AUTHOR LUNCHEON: Middlesex Chamber Author Luncheon with Jerry Remy, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Aug. 28, $25, lunch and book, $44. Open to the public. Registration is required. Red Lion Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell. For information and tickets call the chamber office at 860-347-6924. WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Wellness Wednesday: Anyone Can Meditate, 6 p.m., Aug. 28, free, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Details at hchlibrary.org.

SCRABBLE GROUP: Scrabble Wednesdays, Aug. 21, 28, 5 p.m., Meeting Room 2 or 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. We will have dictionaries, score sheets and scrabble boards. For all ages. Drop in; no registration required.

Thursday, Aug. 29

HADDAM NECK FAIR: The Haddam Neck Fair is celebrating its 108th year, with agricultural events, competitions, animals, carnival rides, food, vendors, contests and challenges for children and adults, history walk, 5K road race on Sunday, Sept. 1. Exhibit entries are accepted only on Thursday, 3-8 p.m. Fair opens Friday, 4 p.m., with a tractor parade and opening ceremony with CT National Guard. Fair continues Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Additional information is available at the website: haddsmneckfair.com.

Friday, Aug. 30

HADDAM NECK FAIR: The Haddam Neck Fair is celebrating its 108th year, with agricultural events, competitions, animals, carnival rides, food, vendors, contests and challenges for children and adults, history walk, 5K road race on Sunday, Sept. 1. Exhibit entries are accepted only on Thursday, 3-8 p.m. Fair opens Friday, 4 p.m., with a tractor parade and opening ceremony with CT National Guard. Fair continues Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Additional information is available at the website: haddsmneckfair.com.