CALENDAR

2020-12-03 -

Thursday, Dec. 3

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.

FRENCH CONVERSATION: French Conversation Circle on Zoom, first Thursday, 4:30 p.m. at the Durham Library, facilitated by Simone Howe. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for the Zoom link to the meeting. All levels welcome.

UCONN AUCTION: UConn Master Gardener online Auction offers a variety of plants, home and garden accents, tools, gift baskets, art, jewelry, excursions, books, equipment, bird feeders and so much more, in a sale sponsored by White Flower Farm and running from 9 a.m. Nov. 28 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Register to bid at www.charityauction.bid/uconnmastergardener or text “Register” to 860-777-1246. For more information Sarah.Bailey@uconn.edu or 860-4099053.

AUDITIONS DUE: 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. Auditions are free and registration is required; call 203-453-8047. After registration, a packet will be emailed with paperwork, a program description and video requirement for submission.

Friday, Dec. 4

ARCHITECTS SERIES: California Architect Takashi Yanai, FAIA, free illustrated talk on modern Californian home design with strong connections to setting and blurred lines between interior and exterior spaces, 7 p.m. Dec. 4, Essex Library on Zoom. Focus on design with California Modernist ethos infused with reinterpretations of traditional Japanese elements. Registration is required. RSVP: www.youressexlibrary.org or call the Library at (860) 7671560.

CAR PARADE: A holiday vehicle parade,“Dashing Through Downtown” will be held by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, departing from Middletown High School at 6:15 p.m. Dec. 4. To participate, go to https://rb.gy/ck4fi0

STORY CITY TROUPE: The Buttonwood Tree welcomes the Story City Troupe for a recurring “Moth Style” storytelling event now online on the first Friday of the month. For information, go to buttonwood.org.

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Spanish Conversation on Zoom, 4 p.m. on Fridays with the Durham Library, with moderator Marilyn Horn. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for the weekly Zoom link to the meeting.

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.

DECORATING COMPETITION: Cromwell Creative District (CCD) is sponsoring a Holiday Home and Business Decorating Competition “#in the district”. The streets involved are Main Street from Rt. 9 to Valor Green including streets to the east to the Connecticut River and streets to the west to Timber Lane Road. Prizes awarded, judging is Dec. 10-11 after dark, awards announced Dec. 17.

STORYTELLING EVENTS:

The Connecticut Storytelling Center, in residence at Connecticut College, presents Stories Build Bridges at 8 p.m. Dec. 4. This concert for adults will feature personal stories that reflect joys, triumphs and disappointments, as well as stories about encounters with racism, prejudice, and micro aggression. As a followup, the center presents two storytelling workshops, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. space is limited to the first 25 who register. Free. All must attend the event and both workshops. Go to www.connstorycenter.org, for more information; to register email csc@conncoll.edu.

Saturday, Dec. 5

HOLIDAY VENDOR FAIR: Central Business Bureau Chairwoman Pamela Steele and Event Chairman Al Santostefano of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce invites the community and potential vendors to join a Holiday Pop-Up Vendor Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For vendor information or details, go to www.holidayonmain.com

VIRTUAL COMEDY NIGHT: AngelRide is holding a virtual comedy night, 8-9 p.m. Dec. 5, featuring Vin McElhone and Angel Rentas. To meet the comedians and purchase tickets visit www.AngelRide.org. Those who sell the most tickets will win gourmet cookies baked by The Flouring Cookie Company in Essex. Tickets are $20; reserve at 860-227-9452. For more information go to https://www.AngelRide.org

Sunday, Dec. 6

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.

VIRTUAL WORSHIP: Faith Lutheran Church, Middletown, Sunday worship, 9 a.m. For more information including the Virtual Link to join worship, please visit: www.faithelcamiddletown.org. All are welcome.

SERVICE CHANGE: CenterPoint Community Church, Cromwell will have Sunday services at First Congregational Church in Cromwell at 12:30 p.m.

HOLY COMMUNION: Faith Lutheran Church, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drive-Thru Holy Communion. It will be offered the first Sunday of every month. All are welcome.

TEEN GROUP: TAG Meeting (Teen Advisory Group), 3 p.m., Dec. 6, free on Zoom. Registered attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting from RJ Julia Booksellers. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959

Monday, Dec. 7

EQUIPMENT COLLECTION: Wheels for the World, a ministry of Joni and Friends, IDC in CA, collects mobility equipment, sends them for refurbishing and then distributes them to people who need them and can't afford them all around the world. Anyone wishing to donate equipment can call 203-235-4686 or 203-747-0542 and ask for Cindy or Marshall Dunbar.

GIFT-GIVING TREE: There may not be a physical Angel Tree this year in Durham, but staff members are still looking to match holiday helpers with families in need. A list of stores for each individual or family is available. Durham is accepting unwrapped gift cards only in an envelope. Residents and organizations are welcome to participate in this program by contacting Morgan in the Human Services office directly to be matched with an individual or family; call 860-349-3153 or mperry@townofdurhamct.org. All are needed by Dec. 7; mail to Human Services, P.O. Box 428, Durham, CT 06422. Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 8 at the Durham Activity Center, 350 Main St.

Tuesday, Dec. 8

WESLEYAN POTTERY SALE: Wesleyan Potters 65th Annual Sale is happening at the Gallery/Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, Nov. 20-Dec. 24. Those who prefer may visit the new online Etsy shop found at WesleyanPottersCT. The pottery shop is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 12-6 p.m. Saturday and and 12-4 p.m. Sunday, Mondays and Tuesdays by appointment. For infomration call 860-347-5925 or email info@wesleyanpotters.com GENEALOGY PROGRAM: Professional genealogist Bryna O’Sullivan, fee illustrated talk on tracing Connecticut ancestors who supported the American Revolution, 7 p.m. Dec. 8 on Zoom for the Essex Library. O’Sullivan will focus on genealogical resources to help trace Connecticut ancestors. RSVP: 860-7671560 or www.youressexlibrary.org BOOK TALK: Join the Jewish Historical Society for a virtual book talk: Red Hot Mama: The Life of Sophie Tucker by Lauren Rebecca Sklaroff, 7 p.m. Dec. 8, free on Zoom. Register at https:// jhsgh.org/tucker/

Wednesday, Dec. 9

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE: Women’s Suffrage in CT with the CT Historical Society, 7 p.m., Dec. 9 on Zoom. How did the women of CT work for - or againstthe right to vote? Go to www.durhamlibrary.org to register.

OPIOIDS PROGRAM: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce presents a free virtual webinar on opioids, “Facing the Holidays” 9 a.m. Dec. 9, free. To register for this free educational webinar, visit www.middlesexchamber.com

SCORE WEBINAR: Free SCORE Webinar on “Marketing Fundamentals”, 5 p.m. Dec. 9, with Business Executive and SCORE Mentor Margo Weitekamp provides marketing fundamentals for individuals with no formal training who want to grow their business. There will be time for questions and feedback. Registration required; email Anne Driscoll, anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org

FREE TO GO MEAL: Faith Lutheran Church, Middletown, will give out free to go meals at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays until further notice. All are welcome. Go to to the well-marked door located in the back of the church.

ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS: South Central CT Regional Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, Maria Tomasetti, free talk on COVID-19 and holiday challenges that can be especially difficult for families living with dementia, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 on Zoom for the Essex Library. Registration is required. RSVP: 860-767-1560 or see Essex Library’s website at www.youressexlibrary.org

Thursday, Dec. 10

CALENDAR

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States