CALENDAR

Sunday, Nov. 29

HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW: The familyfriendly Holiday Train Show exhibit is back at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex for the 27th year, opening Nov. 24. The show runs through Feb. 14. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children age 6-12, free for children age 5 and under. For more information, call 860767-8269 or go to www.ctrivermuseum.org.

NORTH HAVEN BLOOD DRIVE: The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood or platelets and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season. For an appointment, cal 800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Nov. 29, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Best Western North Haven, 201 Washington Avenue, North Haven.

ARTISTS SUNDAY: West Haven is an official partner in a national effort to promote local artists as a source for holiday gift-giving. During the busiest shopping weekend of the year, Nov. 29 has been designated as “Artists Sunday.” For more details about Artists Sunday, visit https://artistssunday.com/

TOY DRIVE: The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 484 Firework Committee, along with the East Haven Fire Department, Local 1205 are holding the annual Christmas Toy Drive 10 a.m-2 p.m. Dec. 6, at the East Haven Beach House on Cosey Beach Avenue and at Krauszer’s Convenience Store at the corner of Foxon Road and Mill Street. Contactless curbside drop off will be available. A donation box will also be located at the East Haven Stop & Shop at 370 Hemingway Avenue. The box will be located under the Managers window in the front of the store until Dec. 10. Monetary donations can be made to VVA 484, and mailed to VVA 484 c/o Annarose Russo, 41 Hobson St. East Haven, CT 06512

Monday, Nov. 30

STORYTIME: Online 3-5-Year-Olds Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Join Ms. Michelle for stories, music, and movement. Registration is required. Please note: All registrants with a valid email address will be sent a link for storytime. For security reasons, we are unable to admit non-registrants to this program. Call 203-891-2170 or go to casememoriallibrary.org

CURBSIDE COLLECTION: Shelton’s first citywide curbside collection of bagged leaves Nov. 2-6, last pickup Nov. 30-Dec. 4. Only biodegradable bags accepted; leaves should be placed curside on regular trash day. Bags should have leaves only, no grass, sticks or rocks; they will not be accepted.

OA MEETINGS: Overeaters Anonymous Zoom Meeting are held Mondays online. Those who have problems with overeating, binge eating, bulimia, anorexia, food restricting are invited to attend. Call 203-980-9623 for information.

MILFORD BLOOD DRIVE: The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood or platelets and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season. For an appointment, cal 800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Nov. 30, 1-6 p.m., VFW Hall, 422 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford.

NAUGATUCK BLOOD DRIVE: The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood or platelets and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season. For an appointment, cal 800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Naugatuck Events Center, 6 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck.

ARTIST SUNDAY: Artist Sunday is an event which will be taking place all across the U.S., and Connecticut River Artisans has joined this initiative. Artist Sunday encourages consumers to shop with artists and something unique and hand crafted this holiday season. The group will hold its event from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 29 at 55 Main St., Essex. Guests can enjoy refreshments and meet the artists.

HOLIDAY SHOW: Spectrum Gallery Holiday Exhibit, Home Sweet Home, opens Nov. 20, runs to Jan. 10, at 61 Main St., Centerbrook. COVID-19 rules are in effect. Shop a wide varity of handmade items, or visit spectrumartgallery.org/ shop, which offers visitors the ability to browse and shop the online gallery and Artisans Store from home with shipping available throughout the U.S. Gift cards are also available. Between Dec. 12-24, gallery is open daily. For more information call 860-767-0742 and visit spectrumartgallery.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 1

STORYTIMES ONLINE: Online 2-YearOld Storytime, Case Memorial Library, Orange, 10:30 a.m., for ages 2-3, with music and movement, dive into picture books, and sing your favorite songs with Ms. Michelle. Registration is required. All registrants with a valid email address will be sent a link for storytime. For security reasons, no non-registrants. Call 203891-2170 or visit casememoriallibrary.org

SUPPORT GROUPS: Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is offering ongoing, free support groups for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one, which are facilitated by caregivers in Griffin’s Department of Spiritual Care and Education. Groups meet at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. All ages are welcome; groups are in person and virtual. To learn more or to register, contact Eric Jeuland at 203-732-1100 or Ejeuland@griffinhealth.org.

FORESTER FOR FERALS: The Greater New Haven Cat Project will hold “Fill the Forester for Ferals” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 1 atPremier Subaru, 150 North Main Street, Branford. Donations of unopened cans and bags of cat food are needed to help area feral cats.. For more information, contact GNHCP at gnhcp1@gnhcp.org.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

1,000 CAN CHALLENGE: The 1,000 Can Challenge, created by East Haven attorney Joe Zullo and Town Council chairman Deko, will benefit the East Haven Food Pantry. If students from the Joseph Melillo Middle School collect 1,000 canned goods by Dec. 23, they’ll earn $1,000 for their school’s parent teacher committee. For details go to Facebook @EastHavenFoodPantry.

FOOD DRIVE: The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive for holiday meal baskets starts Nov. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton. The drive continues through mid December. Visit www.actspooner.org for other donation locations and updates. Anyone may drop food items at the Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Contact the supervisor on duty to arrange a donation delivery at 203-225-0453.

TOY DRIVE: The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 484 Firework Committee, along with the East Haven Fire Department, Local 1205 are holding the annual Christmas Toy Drive 10 a.m-2 p.m. Dec. 6, at the East Haven Beach House on Cosey Beach Avenue and at Krauszer’s Convenience Store at the corner of Foxon Road and Mill Street. Contactless curbside drop off will be available. A donation box will also be located at the East Haven Stop & Shop at 370 Hemingway Avenue. The box will be located under the Managers window in the front of the store until Dec. 10. Monetary donations can be made to VVA 484, and mailed to VVA 484 c/o Annarose Russo, 41 Hobson St. East Haven, CT 06512

Thursday, Dec. 3

COVID TESTING: Griffin Health is offering free COVID-19 testing at Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Rd. in Farmington, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays. No appointment is necessary and individuals will receive their results within 24-48 hours. A valid ID is required.

WEEKLY BINGO: The West Haven Italian American Civic Association has resumed its weekly Bingo games; doors open at 6 p.m Social distancing, including masks, applies. No reserved seats; BYO snacks and drinks. Call 203937-8339 for information.

TAKE AND MAKE: Tween Take and Make: Pop Up Cards, Ded. 3, with Case Memorial Library Orange, for ages 9-12. The kit includes some arts and crafts materials for making your own pop-up card, along with a curated list of tutorials to show you how the experts do it. Registration is required. Call 203-891-2170 or visit casememoriallibrary.org.

LONG TERM CARE: Aldo Pantano from the CT Partnership for Long-Term Care with the State Office of Policy and Management wilL discuss how the State’s Partnership for Long-Term Care can help families plan ahead for future long term care needs, 6:30 p.m., Dec. 3 online with the Blackstone Library. Registration is required to receive a link to this online event. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203- 488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

Friday, Dec. 4

TAKE AND MAKE: Come pick up your kit to make Snowman Soup, 10 a.m. Dec. 4. Call the North Haven Senior Center at 203-239-5432 before November 2, to reserve your kit.

ELM SHAKESPEARE: Whose Shakespeare? will be presented via Zoom and Facebook Live, at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, the fourth event of Elm Shakespeare Company’s free, online series, Building a Brave New Theater: Exploring Shakespeare & Race in 2020. Registration is required at https://www.elmshakespeare.org/whose-shakespeare.

MILFORD TREE SALE: St. Mary School is holding its annual tree sale at the school, 72 Gulf St., Milford. 5-9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m-9 p.m weekends. Trees, wreaths and cemetery pieces will be available and usually sell out fast. Social distancing and masks required.

HOLLY FAIR DONATIONS: North Branford Congregational Church’s annual Holly Fair has been canceled by the pandemic, and the church is asking for donations. Send them to NBCC Church, 1680 Foxon Road, PO Box 410, Attn: Treasurer, or use PayPal to nbcctreasurer@gmail.com.

SHOWCASE AUDITIONS: Guilford Youth & Family Services: Musical Showcase auditions for youth in grades 5-8 are due Dec. 4. This year, the production will feature one song from each of the last 12 musicals produced. Auditions are free and registration is required, call 203-453-8047. After registration, a packet will be e-mailed with paperwork, a program description and video requirement for submission.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION: The Estuary Council of Seniors is hosting a free virtual cooking demonstration, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Food Service Manager Aaron Pratt will walk participants through how to make a simple steak pho soup, a Vietnamese dish. Free, registration required. Email events@ecsenior.org with PHO in the subject to sign up and receive the link to the demonstration as well as the recipe.