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Today

ABOUT RACISM: What is it about Racism? will be presented Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This presentation and discussion-style workshop takes on dismantling the strongholds of racism by using an open-minded approach to engage all people. People will be invited to unpack some of the more difficult elements of racism. Drop-in, no registration. Produced and funded by Speak FIRE Communication. WINTER FEAST: The Italian American Civic Order will sponsor a Winter Feast Dinner on Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. at the club house 550 Arbutus Street. The dinner will consist of stuffed pork roast, roasted potatoes, salad, ziti and meat sauce, dessert, bread, soda, coffee and water. The cost is $25 per person. DOCUMENTARY FILM: The documentary film “13th” from director Ava DuVernay (Selma) will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m., with discussion following at 7 p.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main Street, Middlefield. Light refreshments will be served. All events are free.

Sunday, Feb. 19

VALENTINE TEA: The Ladies Aid Society of Haddam Neck Congregational Church will host a Valentine Tea on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Haddam Neck Congregational Church Parish House, 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. Donations to the event will benefit Heifer International, a nonprofit organization that works to eradicate hunger globally. Donations can also be mailed to Haddam Neck Congregational Church, 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. Visit https://www.heifer.org to learn more about Heifer International. Visit www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org for information and directions to the church. JEWISH WAR VETERANS: Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A, Major General Maurice Rose Post 51 will meet on Sunday, Feb. 19 AT 9:30 am, at Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown. All Jewish veterans, whether they served in war or peace time, are invited for a program planning meeting. Post 51 has set as a goal to hold programs that will be of interest to a wide range of Jewish veterans. SUNDAY SERVICE: Haddam Neck Congregational Church, the “Little Church in the Wildwood” worships Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. at 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. All welcome for worship, scripture readings and song, followed by coffee hour in the church parish house. Visit www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org for information or contact the Rev. James Simpson at 860-267-8606; 860-301-4124; james4056@ sbcglobal.net FREE FILMS: Live action Oscar nominated short films at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Feb. 19, 12:30 p.m. Free, with popcorn. SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist and music, 9 a.m., Sunday School and confirmation, 10:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www. faithelcamiddletown.org. CHESTER WINTER CARNIVALE: 26th annual Chester Winter Carnivale, Sunday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m. with food, music, art, shopping, ice carvers, Chilly Chili Cookoff, 15th Annual Chester Tractor Parade, free family activities all day. Details at Facebook.com/chesterctwintercarnivale or https://finditinchesterct.wordpress.com/

Monday, Feb. 20

DISABLED VETERANS: Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 7 is holding a meeting for all members, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., 58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, Middletown.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

TIME FOR TWOS: Time for Twos Playgroup Winter Sessions will be held Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. 2-year-olds and their caregivers invited for open play. Wear play clothes as we will also be using craft materials. Drop-in, no registration. ORIGAMI: Origami, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Explore the Japanese art of paper folding. Ages 7 and up. Drop-in, no registration.

CIRCUS FUN: Bending Gravity Circus Fun will be held Feb. 21, 11 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Eric Girardi presents a mesmerizing performance of circus skills choreographed to music. All ages. Drop-in, no registration. AARP MEETING: AARP Chapter #3310 will hold their monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m. at St. Pius Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Membership activities and trips will be discussed followed by a talk by The Honorable Joseph D. Marino, Judge of the Probate Court for the District of Middletown. Meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome. Remember to bring a non-perishable food item for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. MILITARY MUSEUM MEETING: The Greater Middletown Military Museum will hold its next meeting Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at the American Legion Building,58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, Middletown. All are welcome. Wednesday, Feb. 22 FAMILY STORYTIMES: Family Storytimes will be held at the Portland Library on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 22. Families with children ages 0-5 and their siblings are invited. Each week will feature stories, songs, games and a craft based on a weekly theme. Registration is required. Call the library at 860-342-6770 for more information. RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time is held Wednesdays, Feb.1, 8, 15, 22, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Songs and learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For birth-12 months, with caregiver. Drop-in, no registration. CALLIGRAPHY: The Deep River Public Library welcomes Ned Farrell, owner of the Bee Company in Clinton to teach the basics of calligraphy, the art of beautiful writing, on Wednesday, Feb. 22. $5 fee for supplies; call the library to register, 860-526-6039. WOMEN’S GROUP: Cultural Connections Women’s Group will meet Feb. 22, 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 3 at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Women of all nationalities are invited; get help with local resources and network; share stories, tips and make new friends. Children are welcome. Fluency in English is not necessary. Drop-in, no registration. 18TH CENTURY MIDDLETOWN: Living Large in 18th Century Middletown will be presented Feb. 22, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. In the fourth installment of the ‘Vanished Port” speakers’ series presented by the Middlesex County Historical Society, Bill Hosley

will discuss 18th-century Middletown architecture with an emphasis on the Wetmore House. Free.

Thursday, Feb. 23

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Public Library, a lap sit program for babies up to 24 months and their caregivers, followed by open play and social time, will be held Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10:30 a.m. Older siblings may attend. No registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com BRICK BUNCH: Deep River Public Library Brick Bunch meets Feb. 9 and 23, 3:454:45 p.m. for open Lego play, with large blocks for younger children. Drop in, no registration. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com JOB GROUP: Russell Library Job Group meets Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Hubbard Room at the library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed. Presenters range from local business people to nationally renowned authors and career counselors. A onehour networking session follows the presentation. . RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time meets Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Sing songs and learn rhymes, finger plays and more in this fun, interactive program. For birth-12 months, with caregiver. Drop-in, no registration. STORY HOUR: Preschool Power Story Hour meets Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Have a fun, energetic mix of stories, finger plays, puppets, music, dance, and crafts, with time to just play. For ages 3 to 5. Drop-in, no registration. DOCUMENTARY FILM: The documentary film “13th” from director Ava DuVernay (Selma) will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m., with discussion following at 7 p.m. at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main Street, Middlefield. Light refreshments will be served. All events are free. SCRABBLE BENEFIT: “An Evening of Words with Friends- -Minus the Electronics” hosted by Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore, will be held Feb.23, 5:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Madison Meetinghouse, 27 Meetinghouse Lane, Madison. Fun, refreshments and prizes; $25 per player. Call Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore at 860-3990280 or go to vsliteracy.org. HUBBARD HOUSE CONCERT: Steve Balkun of the Balkun Brothers Band will perform with his brother Nick and Chester “Big Boy” Coda, at the Hubbard House, 377 Ridge Rd., Middletown, on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Reserve seats by contacting Robert at: Rnastamail@aol.com. balkunmusic.com

Friday, Feb. 24

FUN FRIDAYS: Fun Fridays Preschool Power Hour at the Deep River Public Library, with stories, songs and open play, are held at 10:30 a.m., Feb. 10, 17, 24. Older siblings may attend. No registration is required. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-526-6039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com SHOPPING TRIP: A Buckland Mall/Christmas Tree Shopping trip with the East Hampton Senior Center will be held Friday, Feb. 24 leaving at 10 a.m. Lunch on you. $3 Trans Donation asked. Sign up required. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426.