Matos exhibit
Southport Galleries, 330 Pequot Ave., Fairfield, hosts an exhibit of the works of graffiti artist John “Crash” Matos, “Coming Full Circle,” through Sunday, Oct. 21. For information, call 203-2926124 or go to southportgalleries.com.
German Oktoberfest
The Harugari GermanAmerican Society, 66 Highland Ave., West Haven, hosts its annual German Oktoberfest Sunday, Sept. 23, at 1 p.m., rain or shine. The event features German food, beer, music and dancing. Bavarian attire is welcome. Admission is $5 for adults, free for children 18 and under and veterans. For information, go to Harugari.org or call 203-9339930.
Social Security presentation
The Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., hosts a presentation by Rebecca Miller, from the Financial Awareness Foundation, on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. Miller will discuss when is the best time to start receiving Social Security benefits and strategies to maximize benefits and coordinate with a spouse. Seating is limited; registration is required at derbypubliclibrary.org or call 203-736-1482.
Historical society
The Stratford Historical Society meets Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in the Lovell Room of the Stratford Library, 2203 Main St. Presenter is Eric Chandler, who will discuss “Women in the American Revolution: Putting the ‘Her’ in Heroics.” For information, call Sandy at 203-378-0630.
YA Wednesdays
The Derby Public Library,
Send us your items
Brief items, 50 words or less, will be accepted for Community News by email only. Please do not send attachments. Information should be in the body of an email. Please send two weeks before the event to community-news@ctpost.com. 313 Elizabeth St., offers YA Wednesdays every Wednesday monthly from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for kids 12 to 17. Sony Play Station Four, Nintendo Wii, board games and Legos will be available. For information, call 203-736-1482 or visit derbypubliclibrary.org.
Pumpkin Patch
The Stratford United Methodist Church, 2600 Main St., hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch, offering various sizes of pumpkins, Oct. 6 to 28 on the front lawn of the church. Hours are 3 to 5:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For information, call the church at 203-375-5851.
Tag sale
Calvary St George’s Episcopal Church, 755 Clinton Ave., Bridgeport, hosts a tag sale Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale features home furnishings, knick-knacks, clothing, electronics, Christmas items, crafts, collectibles, crystal and china. For information, call Howard at 203-5223558.
Fall Festival
The Stratford Animal Rescue Society hosts its annual Fall Festival to Benefit Animals on Sunday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Paradise Green in Stratford. The event includes a one- mile dog walk, food, contests, games, music, local celebrities, entertainment, low-cost microchip clinic, a silent auction, crafters/vendors for people and pets and more. For information, visit starsfest.org.
Guild Mass
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Ave., Stratford, offers the opening Mass for the Guild of the Mother of Jesus membership on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 6:15 p.m. A dinner meeting will follow in the parish hall. Call the parish office at 203-375-5815.
Basket Bonanza
Great Hill United Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Road, Seymour, hosts its annual Basket Bonanza on Saturday, Oct. 13, beginning at 5 p.m. Admission is $15, and includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverage, along with 25 free basket tickets, a door prize ticket and grand prize ticket. Free for age 10 and under. Reservations not required. Call Faith at 203-910-5713.
Bulb fundraiser
The Olde Ripton Garden Club hosts a spring bulb fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Huntington Congregational Church on the Green, 13 Church St., Shelton. Proceeds support the club’s projects. Christopher Harley, of Colorblends in Bridgeport, will discuss planting, design and caring for spring bulbs. Admission cost is $5, applicable to the purchase of bulbs. For information, visit OldeRiptonGardenClub.org.
Boating class
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 24-3 offers an About Boating Safety Class on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 8 a.m. at its flotilla at 1 Helwig St., Milford. Successful completion of the eight-hour course satisfies the state licensing requirements for boats and personal watercraft. Cost is $60. Register in advance at http://a0142403.uscgaux.info. Walk-ins welcome. Call 860-663-5505 or email USCGAUX243@gmail.com.
Flea market
Greenfield Hill Grange, 1873 Hillside Road, Fairfield, hosts an Autumn Flea Market on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features a large variety of items for sale by various vendors. Vendor spaces are available. Call Steve at 203-367-4373.
Pasta fundraiser
The Knights of Columbus Cabrini Council 4096 hosts a pasta dinner fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Church, 395 Anton St., Bridgeport. The menu includes pasta, meatballs, sausage, salad, bread, dessert, coffee, tea and soda. Cost is $10 for age 10 and older, $5 for under 10, $30 maximum per family. Proceeds will go toward sending five youths to the World Youth Day in Panama with Pope Francis in January. Reservations recommended. Call Steve or Kathy Bacon at 203-380-0808 (leave message) or Sue Baldwin at 203-374-8118.
Hot To Trot
The Easton Arts Council presents “A Lighthearted Look at Love on the Rocks,” featuring the Hot To Trot Trio, on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m. in the Community Room of the Easton Public Library, 693 Morehouse Road. A reception will follow. The trio performs an eclectic repertoire that varies from Broadway to opera to the Great American Songbook. Free; donations appreciated for Arts Council scholarships. For Information, call 203-261-9160 or go to eastonartscouncil.org.
Bottles, cans collection
St. Mary Boy Scout Troop 721 and Cub Scout Pack 721 host their monthly bottle and can collection fundraiser Sunday, Oct. 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the parking lot behind the church, 70 Gulf St., Milford. The Scouts fundraiser is the second Sunday monthly. For information, call 203-606-8113.
Flu shots
The Milford Senior Center, 9 Jepson Drive, hosts a flu shot clinic Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, call Laura Daneault or John Cornelius at 203-8775131 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Have your insurance information available when you call.
Clothing donations
The Westport Woman’s Club seeks clothing donations for its annual Clothing Tag Sale fundraiser Friday to Sunday, Oct. 19 to 21. Desired items are gently used women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and accessories (shoes, handbags, scarves, jewelry, etc). No personal items (undergarments or bathing suits). Items can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the club, 44 Imperial Ave. For information, call the club at 203-227-4240.
Cat adoptions
The Stratford Cat Project hosts a cat and kitten adoption on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Baldwin’s Corner Adoption Center, H-3 Pet Supply, 475 Hawley Lane, in Stratford. The organization seeks food/supply donations and gift cards to H3 Pet Supply or Wal-Mart. For information, email scp4cats@yahoo.com.
‘Spooktacular’
The Baldwin Players present “Spooktacular,” a free musical Halloween show, on Friday, Oct. 26, at 12:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Center, 1000 W. Broad St., Stratford. For information, call 203-3854050. Limited seating.
Nonprofit grants
The Westport Woman’s Club is accepting grant proposals from Fairfield County nonprofits until Wednesday, Oct 31. Grant requests should be for projects that will make a continuing difference in the community and may be in the form of funds, or a onetime use of the Westport Woman’s Clubhouse for an event. Grants are considered for organizations in education, health and safety-related programs and in the arts. The grant application is available at westportwomansclub.org/community-services. Submit proposals to Westport Woman’s Club, Attention: Community Service Grant, 44 Imperial Ave., Westport CT 06880. For information, call 203-2274240 or visit westportwomansclub.org
Historical Society
The 1964-65 New York World’s Fair is the focus of a Seymour Historical Society program on Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. at the society, 59 West St. Speaker is historian Arthur Gottlieb, a former curator of New York City’s Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers. Seating is limited to 65. Doors open at 1 p.m. For information, call 203-881-2156, contact psussman@snet.net or visit seymourhistoricalsociety.org.
Prep open house
Fairfield College Preparatory School, a Jesuit school for boys in grades nine to 12, hosts an open house for prospective students and families on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees will meet students and faculty to learn about academic programs and extracurricular offerings. The school is at 1073 N. Benson Road. Entrance exams are Saturday, Oct. 13, at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Visit fairfieldprep.org.
Bereavement program
Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Road, Stratford, hosts a free 10-week Bereavement Ministry program on Wednesdays, Oct. 3 to Dec. 3, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Parish Center. Advance registration required. For information and to register, call Janet Gillick at 203-3774817 or the office at 203-3774863.
‘Evening with Teddy’
The Connecticut Audubon Society hosts a cocktail and buffet fundraiser, an “Evening with Teddy: The Conservation President,” on Friday Oct. 5, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Center at Fairfield, 2325 Burr St. Featured guest is President Theodore Roosevelt, portrayed by Joe Wiegand. Tickets start at $75. For information and tickets, go to ctaudubon.org/fairfieldhome or call: 203-259-6305, ext. 109. The event will support environmental conservation and education programs in Fairfield.
Coastal Chordsmen
The Coastal Chordsmen present their annual Cavalcade of Harmony, “Broadway in Barbershop,” on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Madison Middle School, 4630 Madison Ave., Trumbull. Broadway show songs from “Damn Yankees” to “Hamilton” featuring performances by the Coastal Chordsmen and special guests are on the bill. Tickets are $15 at the door or call 203-816-0462.
5k Fall Classic
Cooperative Educational Services hosts its 11th annual CES 5k Fall Classic on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Bridgeport’s Seaside Park. Start time is 10:15 a.m. The race benefits programs and schools, including Six to Six Magnet School in Bridgeport, the Regional Center for the Arts high school in Trumbull, a preschool program for Bridgeport children, and a special education division. Cost is $25 (run) and $20 (walk) through Oct. 4 and $5 additional after that. First 150 get a T-shirt. Register at ces.k12.ct.us/5k. For information, call Scott Griffin at 203-365-8879.
Cat adoptions
The Stratford Cat Project hosts a cat and kitten adoption on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Baldwin’s Corner Adoption Center, H-3 Pet Supply, 475 Hawley Lane, in Stratford. The organization seeks food/supply donations and gift cards to H3 Pet Supply or Wal-Mart. For information, email scp4cats@yahoo.com.
MusicFest
The fourth annual Monroe MusicFest is Sunday, Oct. 7, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church St. The event features live jazz, classical, folk and bluegrass music; artists; crafters and food. For information, go to monroemusicfest.blogspot.com.
‘Jesus’ trip
The Easton Pinochle Players host a bus trip to Lancaster, Pa., to see “Jesus” at the Sight and Sound Theater on Nov. 1. The trip includes lunch, orchestra seats and coach bus. Cost is $125. The bus will leave the commuter lot on Old Gate Lane, Milford, at 7:30 a.m. For information, call Darlene at 203-2433509.
School carnival
St. Mary School, 72 Gulf St., Milford, continues its annual carnival Saturday, Sept. 22, from 1 to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. The event features food, baked goods, 50/50 raffles, live bands Saturday night, rides and games. Wristbands for rides are $25 per day. The fireworks show is Saturday at 10 p.m., and the car raffle drawing is Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Call the church at 203878-6539 or go to saintmaryschoolmilford.org.