COMMUNITY NEWS
Neighborhood picnic
Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, 163 Ortega Ave., Bridgeport, hosts a free neighborhood picnic on Sunday, Aug. 19, from noon to 5 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda and water will be served, and there will be a bounce house and face painting for children. For information, contact Chris Elsberry at Celsberry@ctpost.com or 203-4004765.
Tag sale
United Church of Christ in Bridgeport hosts its annual Clearance Tag Sale on Saturday, Aug. l8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bessemer Center, 2200 North Ave., second floor. The sale features clothing (new and like new), jewelry, linens, books, records, CDs, DVDs, household goods and miscellaneous box lots. Free admission. For information, call Barbara Poruban at 203-367-5213.
Oyster Festival
The Milford Oyster Festival is Saturday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Eddie Money is the headliner. Parking will be available at St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf St., for $5. Proceeds will help the charities of the Santa Maria Council Knights of Columbus.
Charity golf
The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation hosts its 13th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 20, at Oronoque Country Club in Stratford. The event begins at 11 a.m. and includes lunch, raffles, cocktail hour, full dinner, live and silent auctions, and more. Raffle and silent auction donations are being accepted, and sponsorship opportunities are available. The DiMatteo foundation raises money for various national charities. The proceeds of the tournament will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley, Alliance for Prevention & Wellness and Valley Angels for Families. For information on sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation, call 203924-4811.
Author talk
The Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave., Fairfield, hosts a Meet the Author event with Brooke McAlary on Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m. McAlary will discus her new book, “Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World.” A question-andanswer session, book sales and signing will follow. Light hors d’oeuvres served. Free. For information, go to pequotlibrary.org
Bellamy-Ferriday House
The Westport Historical Society and Westport Garden Club host a book discussion, garden and house tour. A book discussion of “Lilac Girls,” by Martha Hall Kelly, is Friday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to noon at the society, 25 Avery Place; a tour of the Bellamy-Ferriday House and garden is Saturday, Aug. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Cost for each event is $12 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and for both events, $22 members, $25 nonmembers. Reservations are strongly suggested at westporthistory.org or by calling 203-222-1424.
Photo show, sale
Patrick Doyle, of Shelton, hosts a photo show and sale to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Three Bridges Coffeehouse in the Conti Building, 415 Howe Ave., Shelton. Doyle was diagnosed with frontotemporal lobe dementia at 53, and despite challenges, is a very avid photographer. For information, contact Maria Tomasetti at mtomasetti@alz.org or 203-230-1777, ext. 9706.
Ballroom show
United States Youth Ballroom champions Kristers Smits and Liza Shlimovich will perform a show on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Premier Ballroom Co.’s monthly event at the Holy Trinity Greek Church ballroom, 4070 Park Ave., Bridgeport. The couple are 17 and 15, respectively. Showtime is 9:30 p.m., with general dancing 7 to 11:30 p.m. and a dance lesson at 8. PVS Sound is the deejay. Cost is $20. Singles and couples welcome. For reservations, call 203-374-7308.
Shorebird workshop
The Audubon Coastal Center in Milford, 1 Milford Point Road, offers a free shorebird workshop on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 8 to 11 a.m. The workshop is led by Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins, and includes an indoor session and outdoor field study of migrating birds. Rain date is Aug. 26. Co-sponsored by Connecticut Ornithological Association. For information, contact Chris Loscalzo at closcalz@optonline.net or 203389-6508.
Pig roast
The Harugari Singing Society hosts its annual Pig Roast Beerfest on Sunday, Aug. 26, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Harugari German-American Club, 66 Highland St., West Haven. The event features German food and beer for purchase, and entertainment by The Adlers and Harugari Schuhplattlers. Admission is $5 for adults, free for under 18 and veterans who show veterans’ ID. For information, go to Harugari.org.
Interfaith Council
The Trumbull Interfaith Council meets Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. at Unity Hill United Church of Christ, 364 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Final plans will be discussed for the annual clergy supper on Sept. 12. For information, call Carole Fanslow at 203375-1284.
Church choir
The Choir of St. Mary Church begins the season with rehearsals Thursday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Choir Loft of the church, 72 Gulf St., Milford. The choir is open to Precious Blood Parish members, regardless of skill level or experience. The choir sings at the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass, and for special services throughout the year. There are no auditions. For information, go to preciousbloodparishmilford.org/music.
Book club
The Ellen Aftamonow Woodmont Library, 16 Dixon St., Milford, hosts the Morning Book Club on Thursday, Sept. 6, at 10:30 a.m. The book is “Little Fires Everywhere,” by Celeste Ng. The book for October is “Caroline,” by Sarah Miller. The group meets the first Thursday monthly. For information, call 203-874-5675.
Sunday School
The Congregational Church of Easton, 336 Westport Road, offers Sunday School registration to all. Children will learn the message of the Bible and the concept of God. The program begins on Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. with kickoff Sunday, featuring worship, followed by an ice cream social. For information, go to eastonchurch.org, call 203-261-2527 or email echurch@snet.net.
Compassionate Friends
The Bridgeport Chapter of the Compassionate Friends meets the second Tuesday monthly from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Sterling House Community Center, 2283 Main St., Stratford. Attendees are asked to bring a canned good or nonperishable food item for the food pantry. The group is a nondenominational support group for parents and grandparents grieving the death of a child. For information, visit tcfbridgeport.org or call 475-8829695.
Healthy talk
The Alzheimer’s Associa- tion, in partnership with Hall Neighborhood House, 52 George E. Pipkin’s Way, Bridgeport, hosts “Healthy Living for your Brain & Body: Tips from the latest research,” a free education program, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. For information, contact Sarah Menard at 203-345-2028 or smenard@hnhonlin.org.
Football trip
Catholic War Veterans, St. Michael Post 1562, 112 Derby Ave., Derby, hosts a bus trip to West Point for the Air Force vs. Army football game on Saturday, Nov. 3. Cost is $100, with full payment due by Sept. 15 to guarantee a reservation. The cost includes round trip bus, football game, and “tailgating” food and beverages. Bus departs Post 1562 at 7 a.m. For information and reservations, call 203-734-9748 after 1 p.m.
Memorial walk
Bridges Healthcare hosts its Step Forward Memorial Walk 2018 (formerly Suicide Awareness Walk) fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 16, at Fowler Field in Milford. The walk honors lives lost to addiction, overdose, suicide or other mental health-related issues. The ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m., with the 5K walk at 10. The event supports survivors and allows them to pay tribute to their lost loved ones. Advance registration is $25, $35 the day of the walk. Visit bridgesct.org to register or for information.
Women’s Fellowship
The Women’s Fellowship of Unity Hill United Church of Christ hosts a tour of the Trumbull Historical Society, 1856 Huntington Turnpike, on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. For reservations or information, call the church office at 203-374-8822.
Bereavement support
Precious Blood Parish in Milford hosts a 10-week Bereavement Support Group beginning Thursday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the St. Agnes Church hall, 400 Merwin Ave., Milford. The group meets every Thursday until Dec. 8. Anyone coping with the loss of a loved one, recently or years ago, is welcome. For information and to register, call Ellen at 203283-1934 or Margaret at 203-874-2376; preciousbloodparishmilford.org.
Book, Author Luncheon
The Bridgeport Area Branch of the American Association of University Women hosts its annual Book and Author Luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2301 Main St., Stratford. Cost is $30. The event benefits the AAUW Scholarship Fund. For information and reservations, call Carole Fanslow at 203-375-1284.