CALENDAR

Wednesday, Nov. 25

GUILFORD 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 800-7332767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Nov. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., East Creek Landing, 390 South Union St., Guilford. TREE LIGHTING CANCELED: Due to rising coronavirus cases and restrictions limiting large public gatherings, West Haven wll not hold its annual Christmas tree lighting festivities. The tree will still be lit in honor of the holiday, despite any large gathering.

HAMDEN 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. 25, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Whitneyville Cultural Commons,

1253 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.

FOOD DRIVE: The Spooner House annual frozen turkey and fixings drive for holiday meal baskets started Nov. 18 at 1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton. The drive continues through mid December. The goal is to prepare 650 meal baskets. 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 203-2250453. ORANGE 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. 25, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange. WOODBRIDGE 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. 25, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Woodbridge Ward Church of Jesus Christ LDS, 990 Racebrook Road, Woodbridge.

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. THANKSGIVING OUTDOORS: Saint Ann’s parish, Old Lyme, will hold an outdoor Thanksgiving service at 3 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Memorial Garden. Masks and social distancing required. All are welcome. Bring a chair or cushion. In case of inclement weather, go to saintannsoldlyme.org for confirmation of the service. Bring canned goods for the soup kitchen if possible. Advance registration is not required. Parking is available adjacent to the church.

Thursday, Nov. 26

NO PICKUPS: Shelton public works will suspend trash and recycling pickup Nov. 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Pickup will be on Nov. 27; Friday collection will begin Friday and completed Saturday.

Friday, Nov. 27

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. www.saintmaryschoolmilford.org.

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 e-mailed with paperwork, a program description and video requirement for submission.

COAT DRIVE: Peace Islands Institute is collecting coats for people in need until Nov. 27 at 9 Research Drive, Milford. Coats should be clean and gently used. Coats for children and young people are especially needed. Coats can also be dropped off in advance from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 22, at Trinity on the Green, 230 Temple Street, New Haven.

Saturday, Nov. 28

FRANCISCAN FAIR: This year, because of the pandemic, our Franciscan Christmas Fair, benefitting the Franciscan Life Center and Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care’s Franciscan Christmas Fair will be online, Nov. 21-Dec. 20. Living creche, handmade items, gifts, basket raffle, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit franciscanchristmasfair.org.

HAMDEN TOY DRIVE: Hamden Town departments are working together to collect toys and gifts for over 500 children for the holiday season. The Hamden Kids Holiday Toy Drive will take place at the Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Avenue, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12. This is a drive-up event. Drop off a monetary donation or mail your donation to: Community Services Gift Fund, 11 Pine Street, Hamden, CT 06514. For more information contact Y’Isiah Lopes, Community Services Coordinator at 203-5625129 ext. 1111 or YLopes@Hamden.com.

SEYMOUR 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 800-7332767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Nov. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Seymour Land Trust, 13 Chatfield St,. Seymour. 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 203-4538047. After registration, a packet will be e-mailed with paperwork, a program description and video requirement for submission. CHRISTMAS FAIR: Because of the pandemic, the Franciscan Christmas Fair, benefitting the Franciscan Life Center and Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care will be online, Nov. 21-Dec. 20. Items online include Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, pottery, handmade miniature reindeer, handmade candles, Merry Miscellaneous items, Holy Land pieces; a Basket Raffle and Santa and Mrs. Claus live from the North Pole. To attend go to franciscanchristmasfair.org 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.

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 860-7771246. For more information Sarah.Bailey@uconn.edu or 860-409-9053.

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 860-767-8269 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 /

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.