CALENDAR

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 860-526-6039.

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 860-3426770 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

Monday, July 6

AUTHOR EVENT: Virtual Author Event: James Patterson, Hawk, 5 p.m., July 6, tickets required, $18.99 includes book and event. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore Online Zoom event details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

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: Mondays July 6, 13, 20, 27 at 10:00a.m. Coffee Conversations with the Portland Library, 10 a.m., July 6, 13, 20, 27. Talk about what we are reading, watching, series we are binging and books we are looking forward to reading. All are welcome! To join go to rb.gy/robpfn/ and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed.

STORY TIMES: Adventures in Storytime, ages 0-5, 10 a.m., Mondays, July 6, 13, 20, 27, Portland Library. Grab-and-go craft kits for each weekly theme will be available at the library. Registration is necessary for each week. A Zoom link and password will be sent to you within 24 hours of the event. To join go to rb.gy/robpfn and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed

Tuesday, July 7

FLUTE MASTER CLASS: Dr. Barbara Hopkins, Assistant Principal flutist of the Hartford Symphony and faculty member at The Hartt School and Sacred Heart University, presents four free online flute master classes on the Connecticut Music Educators Association High

School Regional Audition Repertoire, 7 p.m., July 7, 14, 21, and 28. Sponsored by an Artists Respond Grant with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts. Participation is free; pre-register by emailing Barbara.Hopkins.masterclass@gmail.com.

BOOK TASTINGS: Virtual: Summer of Words & Pictures Read Aloud Book Tastings, 11 a.m., July 27, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore Online Zoom Event Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

WIZARDS AND MORE: Wizards, Warriors and Beasts (going into grades 3-5), 10 a.m., July 7, 14, 21, 28, Portland Library. A new adventure awaits each week in this modified library program. Take target practice with our own crossbows, conjure up spells and create potions, design dragon eggs, and more. 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 Miss Jenn. To join go to www.portlandlibrary.com 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 TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

Wednesday, July 8

CENSUS AND RESEARCH: Imagine Your Story: Using the US Census in Family Research, 7 p.m., July 8 with the Durham Library. Professional genealogist Bryna O’Sullivan will explain how to access enumeration forms to help you learn more about your family. Zoom program, see www.durhamlibrary.org to register.

GLOBE TRAVELS: The Deep River Public Library travels around the globe with Teralyn from Riverside Reptiles to meet some slithery friends, 10:30 a.m., July 8, free, on Zoom. Registration required; go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on our monthly calendar, or call 860-526-6039.

FREE WEBINARS: The MEWS+ Entrepreneurial Community is collaborating with Rebecca Mead of Chester-based INQ Creative & Consulting, to provide a free webinar series. July 8: E-mail Marketing for Start-Ups and Small Businesses. For a full schedule and to register go to https://midweekmarketing.co/

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. Let’s grow a beanstalk, make a flying dragon, decorate the witch’s candy cottage; and collect clues and information about fairy tale characters to solve a mystery during the last session. 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 www.portlandlibraryct.org/ and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed. 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 www.portlandlibraryct.org/ and click on "Join remote meeting access though Zoom"; the ID and password to join the meeting are listed. PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES: The Estuary Council of Seniors will host two virtual tutorials to enable beginning photographers to start taking better pictures and enjoy using their cameras, instructed by Ricahrd Spearrin of Essex, a a member of the CT Valley Camera Club Steering Committee. July 8, 10 a.m., Session 1, Principles of Photography; Aug. 5, 10 a.m., Session 2, Fun Principles of Photography. Free, public welcome; advance registration required. To register for one or both classes, please email events@ecsenior.org.