CALENDAR

Thursday, Feb. 27

MYSTERY CLUB: Mystery! meeting, 7 p.m., Feb. 27, meeting room 2, Russell Library, Middletown, discussing “Hollywood Homicide” by Kelleye Garrett. Books available to borrow. Drop-in; no registration required. New members welcome. Details at www.russelllibrary.org.

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27; 10:30 am, Deep River Library. Stories, songs and play. Best for children up to 24 months; older siblings welcome. Drop in, no registration. KNIT AND SEW: The Middlefield Federated Church invites knitters and sewers to its Knit and Sew group that meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, 7-9 p.m., Feb. 27, March 12, March 26, at the church, Main Street, Middlefield. All levels and skills welcome. For more details 860-349-9881. Friday, Feb. 28 FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Deep River Library. Stories and songs followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration. ARCHITECTS LECTURE SERIES:

Architectural designer Misha Semenov, free illustrated talk on building projects and ideas designed to reconnect with nature, 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in The Cube at Centerbrook Architects, 67 Main St., focus on a new emphasis on biophilia and the emotional connection to nature in architecture. RSVP: 860-767-1560.

THE MODERN RIFFS: The Buttonwood Tree will present jazz and classic rock band The Modern Riffs, 8 p.m., Feb. 28, $15. For information and reservations, visit Buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce 2020 Legislative Breakfast, 8 a.m, Feb. 28, at the Courtyard By Marriott, 4 Sebethe Drive, Cromwell. The event will feature legislators that represent the 15 Middlesex County towns in the State Senate and in the House of Representatives. For more information visit www.middlesesxchamber.com or contact the Chamber office at 860-347-6924 or info@middlesexchamber.com. Saturday, Feb. 29

YOGA: Jeff Hush leads a Yoga class for all ages, 11 a.m, Feb. 29, Hubbard Room, Russell Library, Middletown. Wear clothing that is comfortable. Drop-in, no registration.

STORY TIME: Story Time with Special Guest Cat in the Hat, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 29, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

OPEN MIC: Open Mic Night, 6 p.m., Feb. 29, free, no registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

CATS IN THE CASTLE: Cat Tales presents the Annual Cats In The Castle, a fundraising event benefiting homeless cats and kittens, 6-10 p.m., April 18, at the Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville. Tickets include appetizers, dinner, complimentary beer and wine, desserts, silent auctions, raffles. Reserve at www.CatTalesCT.org/CITC. The event is for 21 and older. all All funds raised go directly to homeless cats and kittens under the care of Cat Tales Non-Profit Rescue in Middletown, CT. Must be 21 years or older to attend. MEET THE LAND TRUST: Chair of the Essex Land Trust Nominating Committee and Steward of Windswept Ridge, Jeff Croyle, free illustrated talk on the Essex Land Trust properties, 4 p.m. Feb. 29, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on the Essex Land Trust’s mission and accomplishments and highlighting its properties. RSVP: 860-767-1560.

AUTHOR TALK: James Hatch, author of Touching the Dragon and Other Techniques for Surviving Life’s Wars, will give a talk at Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek, 2 p.m., Feb. 29. Hatch is a former special ops Navy SEAL, master naval parachutist and expert

military dog trainer, and founder of spikesk9.org. Copies of his book will be for sale and signing. Donations welcome. For more information: wwml.org or call 203-488-8702.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERIES: The Sustainable Essex Committee, in collaboration with the Essex Library, begins an eight-part Environmental Discussion Series with “How Our ‘Solid Waste’ (Garbage) Contributes to Climate Change” presented by Sherill Baldwin, an Environmental Analyst with the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, noon, Feb. 29, Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Free, light refreshments will be served. For details call 860-767-1560.

MARDI GRAS GALA: Shoreline Arts Alliance annual Mardi Gras Gala, 6-11 p.m., Feb. 29, live music, food, complimentary Got Attitude Vodka and wines and Prosecco from Mionetto, a live and silent auction, and a Mardi Gras Parade. Individual tickets are $150 per person ($95 tax deductible), sponsorships are available at different levels, including the purchase of a 10 person table starting at $2,500 ($1,950 tax deductible). Reserve at www.shorelinarts.org/mardi-grasgala. LEAP DAY: Leap into Leap Day, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 29, Deep River Library. The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will visit to help us learn all about our animal friends who are able to navigate nature in great leaps and bounds! No registration required; best suited for children ages 4 and up. Details visit deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or call 860526-6039 LECTURE SERIES: Bauer Lecture Series: Maple Sugaring, 12-4 p.m., Feb. 29, free, families welcome, 623 Green Hill Road, Madison. Jim Matteson will demonstrate the Native American tradition of making maple syrup using a modern, stainless steel, Small Brothers evaporator. A variety of maple syrup grades will be for sale. Details, contact Lorrie Shaw at programs@meigspointnaturecenter.org DRAFT HORSE BENEFIT DANCE:

Dancing, dinner and drinks to support the CT Draft Horse Rescue, 6 p.m., Feb. 29, St. Clements Castle, 1931 PortlandCobalt Road, Portland. Tickets $80 per person, deadine is Feb. 19. Call Lori to purchase tickets at 860-267-1542. www.ctdraftrescue.com, ctdraftrescue@aol.com or in Facebook.

POETRY LEAP NIGHT: The Buttonwood Tree presents Leap Night: A Night of Original Poetry, Riddles and Music, with poet David Houston. Themese are Re-acquaintance, Inspiration, Motivation, and Renaissance, Feb. 29. Live music, audience participation. $10 admission. Reservations and more information at Buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957

PHILOSOPHY NIGHT: Philosophy Night, 6 p.m., Feb. 29, free, no registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

Sunday, March 1

PANCAKE BREAKFASTS: The Old Saybrook Fire Department's Junior Division is holding Sunday pancake breakfasts, 8 a.m.-noon, March 1, March 15, at fire headquarters at 310 Main St. $6 per person, features eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, coffee, tea and juice. Members will give tours of fire headquarters and the firefighting equipment on request. For cancellation information call 860-395-5550. ALCHEMY CONCERTS: Alchemy’s Soirées Musicales have been scheduled. March 1, 4 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, 50 Court Street, Cromwell, Free-will donation; a reception follows the concert; March 21, 8 p.m., Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford. Tickets $20 at www.ahcc.org

BUTTER BRAIDS: The First Church of Christ in East Haddam is selling Butter Braids just in time for Easter, with a variety of flavors for $14 each, as well as Joyful Traditions Cake Rolls, also in a variety of flavors, for $15. Rolls are frozen and can be thawed and served. The fundraiser supports the church’s fuel and electric bills. To order, see a member of the church or call Kathy at 860-8731830. Orders must be made by March 15;

orders will be delivered to the church March 28.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Sunday worship, 9 a.m. Worship and Holy Communion; 10:15 a.m. Sunday School, Confirmation & Adult Ed. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information, please visit: www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

HEALING IN RWANDA: Healing and Reconciliation in Rwanda, a talk by Olivia Stokes Dreier, Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, 2 p.m., March 1, WilloughbyWallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road, Branford. Free. For further information, contact rabinkux@sbcglobal.net.

Monday March 2

TEEN LOUNGE: Unplugged Teen Lounge, 2:30 p.m., Mondays, with games, crafts and snacks, Durham Library. No registration. Details, 860-349-9544 or www.durhamlibrary.org

LEGO CLUB: The Durham Library’s Lego club meets at 6 p.m., for ages 4 and up, Mondays in March. A new challenge each week. To register, call 860-349-9544 or go to www.durhamlibrary.org

FLOW YOGA: Vinyasa Flow Yoga, March 2-April 6, 6-8 p.m., led by Dr. Audra Stawicki, doctor of physical therapy, certified yoga instructor, and wellness enthusiast, at Branford Rec, 46 Church St., Branford. Fee $75. Bring a mat and water. Register at branfordct.myrec.com. Information, call 203-488-8304.

NEW MOVIE: New Movie Matinee: “Knives Out (2019)” 1 p.m., March 2, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, held every first Monday of the month, with free popcorn, compliments of Chips’ Pub III. TAX HELP: AARP Tax Assistance is offered on Mondays, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30. By appointment only; call the East Hampton Senior Center at 860-267-4426.

Tuesday, March 3

AUTHOR TALK: Martha Hall Kelly, Lost Roses, 7 p.m., March 3, free, registration is required. Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME: The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame come to the Connecticut River Museum, 6-7 p.m., March 3, bringing the Votes for Women and the fight for women’s suffrage through the eyes of Connecticut’s suffragists including the Smiths of Glastonbury, Isabella Beecher Hooker and Alice Paul. Seating is limited. Reserve a seat at 860-767-8269 ext 121. Free for members, guests $5. MEN OVER SIXTY: The Shoreline Men Over Sixty luncheon and meeting, March 6, at Hubley Hall of the First Congregational Church of Madison on the Madison Green. Speaker is Charlie Fischer, presenting The Citizen Soldier and the Civil War. Barbequed beef brisket lunch, $12, at 11:30 a.m. Reservations due by March 3, call Hank Petroskey at 203-484-9002 or email Pete Hughes at ct.smos.ph@gmail.com Reservations are required.

Wednesday, March 4

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: Drop-in Dungeons & Dragons, 2:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Durham Library, using premade character sheets. Grades 6 and up, no registration. Details, 860-349-9544 or www.durhamlibrary.org.

MEDICARE BOOT CAMP: Learn about Medicare, how to sign up, and options, 2-4 p.m., March 4, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., Essex. Free, public welcome. For more information or to register, call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560.

WESTEEN READERS: WESteen Readers, 6 p.m., March 4, free, contact the store for more information. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

OPEN HOUSE: CT Experiential Open House, 9 a.m.-noon, March 4, 28 School Street, Accepting applications now for 2020-21 academic year. RSVP mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203.433.4658. Visit www.CTExperiential.org.