CALENDAR

Monday, June 29

OPEN MIC: Anything Goes Open Mic with Moments of Gratitude, Mondays, 7 p.m., free, Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission. COFFEE CONVERSATIONS: Coffee Conversations with the Portland Library, 10 a.m., Mondays in May and June. Talk about what you’re watching, reading, series binging, books you want to read. All are welcome. To join the meeting go to rb.gy/89d1zx and click on “Join remote meeting access though Zoom,” scroll down to the bottom of the Town's home page. LAUGHTER YOGA: Tuesdays: Laughter Yoga - 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

SUMMER READING: Summer Reading Tracking Log Folders are available in a bin by the entrance to the Durham library. Go to www.durhamlibrary.org for our list of summer activities (click on the “Kids” tab at the top).

FANTASTIC FUNGI: Coginchaug Area Transition (CAT) presents “Fantastic Fungi,” a documentary by Louie Schwartberg, which presents ideas based on scientific exploration of the world. To join CAT for this online film presentation, use rb.gy/7dtztp. If you would like to join only the conversation via phone, call 929-436-2866; Meeting ID: 912 6498 2742; Password: 090276. Screening starts at 7 p.m., film is 80 minutes, discussion follows. See a trailer at rb.gy/ymrjfy If you have questions, email jennifer.kleindienst@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 30

BOOK TASTINGS: Virtual: Summer of Words & Pictures Read Aloud Book Tastings, 11 a.m., June 30, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore Online Zoom Event Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

FIVE MODERN GARDENS: Architect Jim Childress, free illustrated zoom discussion on five modern gardens, 7 p.m. June 30, hosted by Essex Library, 33 West Ave. focus on La Louve in Provence; La Mare Aux Trembles in Normandy; Piet Oudolf's design for the Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Somerset, England; Arne Maynard's garden at his house in Wales; and one of Luciano Giubbilei's renowned projects in London. To register go to rb.gy/jkmilo After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. FRIENDS OF GILLETTE CASTLE: Communications Meeting, 6 p.m., June 30, on Zoom. to join the meeting, go to rb.gy/izv2fi; Meeting ID: 953 1179 4339; Password: 6AVHaG. ADULT SUMMER READING: 2020 Adult Summer Reading Program (Imagine your Story!), through Aug. 31. Read for a cause again this summer to provide music scholarships for 5th and 6th graders at Brownstone Intermediate School., Portland. Sign up online and/or receive a paper summer reading log when you pick up materials curbside. To join go to rb.gy/89d1zx and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed.

LAUGHTER YOGA: Tuesdays: Laughter Yoga - 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, email TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

Wednesday, July 1

FREE WEBINARS: The MEWS+ Entrepreneurial Community is collaborating with Rebecca Mead of Chester-based INQ Creative & Consulting, to provide a free webinar series. July 1: Value of Communications when Starting Your Business… and Beyond. For a full schedule and to register go to https://midweekmarketing.co/

BOOK JOURNALS: Virtual: Summer of Words & Pictures Altered Book Journals, 11 a.m., July 1, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore Online Zoom Event Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

GARDEN TIPS: What’s growing in your garden?, Portland Library, 1 p.m., July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Chat about planting, share gardening tips, with Lynn Keller, Master Gardener and Portland resident, lending her expertise and answer questions. Open to all levels of expertise. To join go to rb.gy/89d1zx and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed.

NEARLY NEW SHOP: The Nearly New Shop at St. Ann’s Parish, 70 Shore Road, Old Lyme reopens July 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Summer consignments now being accepted Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Clothes should be clean, wrinkle free and on hangers. Masks must be worn at all times. ONCE UPON A CRIME: Once Upon a Crime! (going into grades K-2): 10 a.m. July 8, 15, 22, 29. Join Ms. Patty each week to explore familiar fairy tales through crafts and STEAM activities. Visit the library in advance of the program each week to pick up instructions and supplies to do the activities at your own pace, or log onto Zoom to do the activities “live” with Ms. Patty. Registration is required; go to rb.gy/89d1zx and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed.

Thursday, July 2

SUMMER MARKET: Durham’s summer market, Thursdays, 3-6:30 p.m. Residents are reminded to follow state guidelines with physical distancing, proper handwashing and masks; all vendors will be wearing coverings and masks; one customer at each booth at a time. A wide variety of vendors are expected For information, email farmersmarket@townofdurhamct.org or visit www.townofdurhamct.org The gates for the Durham Fair will be opened for market parking and looping around to exit. Enter through Broadway and exit on Canfield as noted in the map. Do not hang out or go anywhere else on the Durham Fair property, it is private.

YARN CREATIONS: Take a stroll through the center of East Hampton and you’re likely to see a pink elephant, giant loaf of bread, jelly fish, as well as other amazing objects. They are amazing because they are all created from yarn. Various knitting and crocheting enthusiasts from East Hampton, Hebron, and Marlborough and students from Epoch Arts have created this special fiber arts installation for everyone’s enjoyment, June 4-July 12.

GOTTA’S OPEN MIC: Thursdays, Bob Gotta's Open Mic, 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

SUMMER MARKET: Durham’s summer market starts May 14 from 3-6:30 p.m. and continue weekly. Residents are reminded to follow state guidelines with physical distancing, proper handwashing and masks; all vendors will be wearing coverings and masks; one customer at each booth at a time. A wide variety of vendors are expected For information, email farmersmarket@townofdurhamct.org or visit www.townofdurhamct.org

STEM WITH STEF: STEM with Stef Facebook Watch Party at Deep River Public Library, 10:30 a.m., July 2, for a science lesson where we will investigate the life cycle of plants. This program is suited for preschool to early elementary students. Go on a backyard scavenger hunt, look for wild plants, flowers, seedlings. Helpful tools include a magnifying glass, paper, tape, and tweezers. Email the Children's Department to arrange a pick-up of a mini magnifying lens. For information go to rb.gy/br9phm and click on our monthly calendar, or call 860526-6039.

Friday, July 3

EPOCH CAMP: Epoch Arts is holding a virtual summer arts camp, with a variety of artistic activities where campers can build new skills in creativity, connect with their peers in a fun environment while being led virtually by Epoch artists. Camp runs 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 20-24. Sign up for the week or individual classes. Art supplies for the week will be for curbside pick up so that you will have all the supplies you need for creating a variety of amazing art projects. There are three daily class offerings with down time; campers can eat a virtual lunch with favorite past staff camp counselors. Registration is required; camps are for preschool through grade 10. Register at www.epocharts.org

STORY TIME AT HOME: Story Time @ Home: Birth to early elementary, with the Durham Library. Each Friday we’ll release a whole new themed package of book recommendations, songs, and a craft following the Summer Reading Program theme. First theme is magic. Go to www.durhamlibrary.org for more information.

Saturday, July 4

GUILFORD MARKET: Guilford's Farmers' Market at the Dudley Farm Museum now open, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through November, 2351 Durham Road, Guilford. Regular vendors are back with several new vendors joining the summer season, safely spaced out around the farm. Visit us for weekly updates on social media: Facebook or Instagram.

ALIGNED WITH SOURCE: Saturdays, Aligned with Source with Annaita Gandhy - 10:30 a.m.-noon, free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

VIRTUAL 5K: Independence Day Virtual 5K, to benefit the horses of the CT Draft Horse Rescue, July 4, the anniversary of CDHR rescuing eight horses: Gulliver, Willow, Callie, Dean, Dan, Spencer, Oliver, and Lila. The link to register for the Virtual 5K is available on Facebook or www.ctdraftrescue.com. Registration is $30 for adults and $10 for kids, plus a small service fee. SUMMER READING: The Portland Library’s 2020 Summer Reading Program, Imagine Your Story!, has begun. Families and individuals can register and log each day they read 15 minutes or more. Visit rb.gy/89d1zx or call 860-342-6770 for more information.

Sunday, July 5

CHURCH SERVICES: First Congregational Church of Cromwell is "Welcoming Home" members, friends and guests as it resumes in-person services. Summer worship begins at 9:30 a.m. Masks must be worn and social distancing will be practiced. Temperatures are taken prior to entering the sanctuary, those with a temperature less than 100.4 will be admitted. Parking lot is just north of church and handicapped accessible. Services are also streamed live Facebook or on our web site page at www.firstcongregationalchurch.com

ONLINE WORSHIP: Virtual Worship, 9 a.m., with Faith Lutheran Church, Middletown. For more information, go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. All are welcome.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Rather than having in-person volunteers this summer, the Portland Library encourages teens to work on projects that help the library and the community from home. A variety of literacy- and community-based activities is listed on the Volunteer section of the Teen Page at www.portlandlibraryct.org. Students going into grades 6 and up can complete these activities on their own. Send a picture and be awarded the amount of "hours" listed on the Volunteer section online. To join go to rb.gy/89d1zx and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed