CALENDAR

Monday, Jan. 18

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 1055 Randolph Road, Middletown. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

BLOOD DRIVES:Blood drives will be held Jan. 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., at Westbrook Elks Lodge, 142 Seaside Avenue, Westbrook. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

ONLINE LUNCH: Online Lunch with Shoreline Unitarian Minister, Mondays at noon starting Jan. 11 on Zoom, the Rev. Terry Sweetser, To receive the Zoom link for this virtual lunch and virtual Sunday services at 10:30 a.m., contact the church office: office@shorelineunitarian.org or (203) 245-8720.

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.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

LIBRARY PROGRAM: Adult program, Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 19. Registration required; email sarah@hchlibrary.org to sign up or call 860-669-2342. AUTHOR TALK: Melissa Albert, “Tales from the Hinterland” In conversation with Sarah Barley, 7 p.m., Jan. 19, ticketed event on Zoom; $19.99 includes the book, admission and a signed book plate, while supplies last. Registration required. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959.

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, Jan. 20

ORGANIZING PHOTOS: Professional photo organizer Cathi Nelson, free illustrated workshop on best practices for organizing digital photos, 1 p.m. Jan 20, on Zoom for the Essex Library, 33 West Ave. Nelson will focus on how to organize your digital photos. RSVP: www.youressexlibrary.org or 860-767-1560. Registration is required.

YOUR TELEMEDICINE VISIT: A free virtual class, “Making the Most of Your Telemedicine Visit,” is being offered Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging will provide information about different types of virtual services, pros and cons, tips for setting up, use of technology and preparation. Register by calling 855-4424373 or go to www.Hartford HealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

DISCUSSION GROUP: Virtual Discussion Group: The Atlantic Magazine, Henry Carter Hull Library, 9:30 a.m., Jan. 27, free, ongoing fourth Wednesday of the month, no meeting in February. Registration required, email sarah@hchlibrary.org to sign up or call 860-669-2342.

SCORE WEBINAR: Free SCORE Webinar: “Navigating the PPP Loan Forgiveness

Process”, noon, Jan. 20, for small business owners. Topics will include deadlines, eligible expenses, independent contractors, application forms, covered period, calculating payroll cost, and much more.. On Zoom. Contact for questions/information, Anne Driscoll, anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org

BLOOD DRIVES: Blood drives will be held Jan. 20, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 11:45 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fellowship Church, 1002 Saybrook Road, Middletown. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

AUTHOR TALK: Samuel P. Fortsch, “Pawtriot Dogs”, 4 p.m., Jan. 29, free on Zoom. Register and receive the zoom link and passwordk. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959.

D&D ON ZOOM: Zoom Dungeons & Dragons. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting Jan. 13. Grades 7 and up welcome. See www.durhamlibrary.org (Kids tab at top of page) to register.

Thursday, Jan. 21

VITA TAX HELP: Safe Tax Prep Assistance with VITA volunteers and Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton. Registration begins Jan. 2, 10 a.m. You must register to receive an appointment for this service. Visit hchlibrary.org for current service hours; to register call 860-669-2343.

STORY TIME: Terrific Thursday indoor Story Time at Deep River Library, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, in person or online, masks required. Take-and-make crafts are available on a first come, first serve basis. Room capacity is limited; registration is a requirement. Email the Children’s Department for more information: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

BLOOD DRIVES: Blood drives will be held Jan. 21, 8:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. and 1-5:30 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 31 Main St., East Haddam. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

DON WHITE CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center 605 Main St., Middletown, presents singersongwriter and humorist Don White at 7 p.m .Jan. 21 on YouTube. Free, virtual tip jar. For details go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957

TIME MANAGEMENT: Fast Track to Time Management, 7 p.m. Jan. 21. Learn how to get organized with Ronni Eisenberg! See www.durhamlibrary.org to register. Zoom program.

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.

Friday, Jan. 22

FAST FRIDAY: Fast Friday, live Zoom class to say hello to our friends and share stories, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29. Visit the library calendar for the Zoom link or email the Children’s Department: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com Recorded Story Times will be posted to our Linktree once weekly. You may also request to be on the weekly email list to automatically receive these story time links. https://linktr.ee/ deepriverpubliclibrary

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Spanish Conversation on Zoom. Fridays at 4 p.m.

Practice your Spanish with moderator Marilyn Horn. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for the weekly Zoom link to the meeting. All levels welcome.

Saturday, Jan. 23

SKATING RINK FREE: Admission to the Middletown skating rink at Veterans Park, on Walnut Hill Road, is now free for Middletown residents. Skate rentals are also no-cost to those living in town. Hours are Saturdays and Sundays through March 28 from noon to 4 p.m. Nonresidents are charged: adults, $5; children, $3 and $4 for skate rentals. Individual season passes are $15, with families’ prices at $25, while senior citizens are also free. For information, visit Middletown CT Rec on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3mxEim6.

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE: CELC Middle School Virtual Open House, Jan. 23, for grades 5-8. RSVP mandm@CTExperiential.org or 203-433-4658. Openings now available for 2021-22 academic year.

VIRTUAL COFFEEHOUSE: Cromwell Creative District’s (CCD) second annual Coffeehouse is going virtual and will be held Feb. 26. Performers can email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com with a video performance under five minutes; include name, contact info and brief background on the performer(s). Artists, email photos of work in jpgs with the name, contact information and description of work. Subject line to include Virtual Coffeehouse. Family event; all ages welcome. Performers of all ages are welcome. Fun family videos encouraged. Entries due Feb. 14; for information, email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com

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.

Sunday, Jan. 24

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.

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.

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

REIKI CLASS: Reiki Level 1 Class, a a healing practice that promotes rest, relaxation and stress reduction facilitated by light touch, 1-6 p.m .Jan. 24, 31. Learn the benefits, history and precepts of Reiki. Reiki stimulates the person’s self-healing response, which promotes relaxation, and centering. Reiki supports conventional medicine, regardless of whether the individual is healthy or ill. Small class, open for three participants at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown. $150 for Buttonwood Tree members, $160 non-members. Reserve at Buttonwood.org/ or Call 203-314-5401 or eilande@comcast.net. Learn more at www.ReikiwithEileenAnderson.com

Monday, Jan. 25

ONLINE LUNCH: Online Lunch with Shoreline Unitarian Minister, Mondays at noon starting Jan. 11 on Zoom, the Rev. Terry Sweetser, To receive the Zoom link for this virtual lunch and virtual Sunday services at 10:30 a.m., contact the church office: office@shorelineunitarian.org or 203-245-8720.