Calendar

Today

TWOS ARE TERRIFIC: Twos Are Terrific, Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Play, craft and circle time for two-year-olds and their caregivers. Twos Are Terrific will be held in the Hubbard Room on Tuesday, April 11. Drop-in, no registration ORIGAMI: Origami workshop will be held April 18, 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Explore the Japanese art of paper folding. For ages 7 and up; drop in, no registration. AUSTEN’S ‘PERSUASION’: Chuck Timlin, University of New Haven faculty member and former English teacher at Choate Rosemary Hall, will present a four-evening seminar examining the social satire “Persuasion” by Jane Austen. The four seminar meetings will take place at the Essex Library on Tuesdays, April 18 and 25 and May 9 and 16 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to watch a film version of Persuasion on Friday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Centerbrook Architects’ office. Admission to these events is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is suggested. For more information or to register, call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560. The Essex Library is located at 33 West Ave. in Essex. Centerbrook Architects’ office is located at 67 Main St. in Centerbrook. ELECTRONICS COLLECTION: In support of Earth Day, Portland’s Gildersleeve School and PTO is collecting used electronics for recycling April 17-22. Drop-off locations are (during business hours): Gildersleeve School office, Valley View School office, CT Valley School of Music, Savvy Swap Consignments, Portland Public Library, and the Portland Board of Ed Office. On April 22, collections will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TriTown Foods and Gildersleeve School bus circle. A complete list of collection items is available on the Portland CT PTO Facebook page. For more information, contact Abbi at 860-712-2857 or abbinori@aol.com. MILITARY MUSEUM: The Greater Middletown Military Museum will hold its next meeting April 18, 7 p.m. in the American Legion Building, 58 Bernie O’Rourke Drive, MiddletownAll are welcome. OPEN HOUSE: Middlesex Hospital’s Occupational Therapy Department will hold an open house on April 18, 4-6 p.m. Guests can receive a free screening, meet staff and enjoy refreshments. For more information, visit middlesexhospital.org/rehab or call 860-358-2700. PARENTING WORKSHOP: The Children’s Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Road, Old Saybrook, will hold a parenting workshop on Positive Discipline, April 18,5:30-7:30 p.m. Dinner, child care offered for $10 per family at 5:30 p.m. RSVP or register online at www.childrenstree.org, 860388-3536. CHILDHOOD FORUM: Wesleyan Early Childhood Forum: Bridging Research and Practice,” will be held April 18, 7-9 p.m. at Wesleyan’s Daniel Family Commons (3rd floor of Usdan University Center). The forum is free and open to the public. Speakers will be followed by a Q&A.

Wednesday, April 19

BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time is held Wednesdays, April 5, 19, 26, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for an afternoon of stories, rhymes and play for babies, birth to twelve months, and their caregivers. Drop-in, no registration.

SIGN LANGUAGE: Sign Language for Teens will be held April 12 and April 19, 6-7 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street. Middletown. Led by Gabriella Castorena, a Sophmore Psychology major at Wesleyan University, introducing Deaf Culture and teach all the basic types of sign-language, such as the alphabet, numbers, greetings, food, and much more! All materials will be provided for you to keep and try at home. For grades 7-12. Registration is required, in person or call 860-3448479. MORNINGS AT MERCY: “Mornings at Mercy!” will be held April 19 at Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade girls and their parents can meet students, faculty, school guidance counselors and administrators; tour the campus and visit classrooms; dine in the Mercy Commons cafeteria; visit the school store. Register in advance at wwww.mercyhigh.com or call 860-346-6659. ELECTRONICS COLLECTION: In support of Earth Day, Portland’s Gildersleeve School and PTO is collecting used electronics for recycling April 17-22. Drop-off locations are (during business hours): Gildersleeve School office, Valley View School office, CT Valley School of Music, Savvy Swap Consignments, Portland Public Library, and the Portland Board of Ed Office. On April 22, collections will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TriTown Foods and Gildersleeve School bus circle. A complete list of collection items is available on the Portland CT PTO Facebook page. For more information, contact Abbi at 860-712-2857 or abbinori@aol.com. VOLUNTEER PARTY: A volunteer appreciation celebration will be held Wednesday, April 19, 2 p.m. at the East Hampton Senior Center. Live entertainment, refreshments and a salute to all that donate their time and skills the center. Sign up at front desk or call, 860-267-4426, to save your seat. CULTURAL CONNECTIONS: Cultural Connections Women’s Group will meet April 19, 5:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Women of all nationalities are invited to come and meet other immigrant women in order to help one another adapt to American culture. Children are welcome. Fluency in English is not necessary. Drop-in, no registration. CT’S ROLE IN WWI: Connecticut’s Role in WWI will be presented April 19, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, led by Christine Pittsley, Project Director for the Remembering World War One community archiving project at the Connecticut State Library. The event is free and the public is welcome.

Thursday, April 20

BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time is held Thursdays, April 6, 20, 27, 10:30 a.m. Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join us for a morning of stories, rhymes and play for babies, birth to twelve months, and their caregivers. Drop-in, no registration. VETERANS WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Russell Library Veterans’ Writing Group, will meet Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30pm. Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This series invites Veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. Questions? Contact Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org or call 860347-2528 Ext 158. Drop-in, no registration. PRESCHOOL POWER: Preschool Power, Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 1:30 p.m. Activity Room, Russell Library 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Stories, rhymes and other literacy fun for ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Drop-in, no registration. SHOPPING TRIP: The East Hampton Senior Center will take a shopping trip on the Berlin Turnpike-Thursday, April 20 leaving at 10 a.m. $3 Trans.

Donation asked. Sign up at front desk. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce, for babies to 24 months, will be held at the Deep River Public Library, April 6, 20, 27, 10:30 a.m. No class April 13. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com. BRICK BUNCH: Deep River Public Library’s Brick Bunch meets April 6 and April 20, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Open Lego fun for all ages. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com. ELECTRONICS COLLECTION: In support of Earth Day, Portland’s Gildersleeve School and PTO is collecting used electronics for recycling April 17-22. Drop-off locations are (during business hours): Gildersleeve School office, Valley View School office, CT Valley School of Music, Savvy Swap Consignments, Portland Public Library, and the Portland Board of Ed Office. On April 22, collections will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TriTown Foods and Gildersleeve School bus circle. A complete list of collection items is available on the Portland CT PTO Facebook page. For more information, contact Abbi at 860-7122857 or abbinori@aol.com. CHAMBER FUNDRAISER: The Madison Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with retailers to present the 7th annual Sip, Shop & Sea, a scholarship fundraiser, April 20, 6-8 p.m. at the Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road. For more information, visit madisonct. com or call 203-245-7394. LESSER TO SPEAK: State Rep. Matthew Lesser will speak about environmental issues under consideration in the current legislative session at the next Meet Your Greens environmental networking event on Thurs- day, April 20, 5:30 p.m. at Cinder + Salt, 520 Main Street, Middletown. Refreshments will be provided. For information, contact the Rockfall Foundation at 860347-0340 or visit www. rockfallfoundation.org. LETTER FROM ITALY: Musical Club of Hartford will present “Letter from Italy, 1944: A Musical Moment,” by Jack Anthony Pott, tenor lead soloist, and Joseph D’Eugenio, Production Director, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford. The event open to the public free of charge. For further information, visit www. gmchorale.org. DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: “Letter from Italy, 1944: A New American Oratorio,” narrated by actor Meryl Streep, will be screened in the Noah Webster Room, West Hartford Public Library, 20 S. Main St., West Hartford The screening of the documentary, produced by filmmaker Karyl Evans, is free and open to the public. For further information, visit www. gmchorale.org. JAZZ UP CLOSE: Jazz Up Close with drummer and composer Sunny Jain and a quartet, bassist Henry Lugo and pianist and curator Noah Baerman, with a special guest, will be held April 20, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Free, public is welcome. HUBBARD HOUSE CONCERT: The next concert at the Hubbard House, 377 Ridge Road, Middletown, features folk singer/musician, and former Connecticut Troubadour, Thomasina Levy and bassist Matt McCauley, on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Reserve by contacting Robert at Rnastamail@aol.com.

Friday, April 21

CULINARY LUNCH: The East Hampton Senior Center invites members to a Windham Tech Culinary LunchFriday, April 21 leaving at 10:15 a.m. Lunch is $12 and a $3 Trans. Donation asked. Payment due at Sign-up. For information, go to www. easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. FUN FRIDAYS: Fun Fridays at the Deep River Public Library, for all ages, will be held April 7, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. Preschoolers can play, sing songs and hear stories, with open play time to follow. ABC Amigos visit April 21 for a Spanishthemed story time. For more information on any of these programs, call 860-5266039 or email at drplchildrensdept@gmail.com. ELECTRONICS COLLECTION: In support of Earth Day, Portland’s Gildersleeve School and PTO is collecting used electronics for recycling April 17-22. Drop-off locations are (during business hours): Gildersleeve School office, Valley View School office, CT Valley School of Music, Savvy Swap Consignments, Portland Public Library, and the Portland Board of Ed Office. On April 22, collections will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TriTown Foods and Gildersleeve School bus circle. A complete list of collection items is available on the Portland CT PTO Facebook page. For more information, contact Abbi at 860-712-2857 or abbinori@aol.com. BUDGET FORUM: State Reps. Devin Carney and Melissa Ziobron will meet with constituents on Friday, April 21 at the Hadlyme Public Hall, 1 Day Hill Road, Lyme, 6-7:30 p.m. Carney, a member of the legislature’s Finance Committee and Ziobron, the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee will provide an overview of Connecticut’s budget and fiscal situation. For information, call 800-842-1423. POET’S CORNER: Poet’s Corner with Middletown Poet Laureate, Susan Allison, will be held April 21, 1 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, in honor of National Poetry Month. Allison will be sharing her favorite poems. Participants are invited to bring their favorite poems. All ages are welcome; drop-in, no registration. ART PARTY: An Art Party for grades K-3 will be held April 21, 4 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Come and celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy. Drop-in, no registration. FORGOTTEN FELINES: Forgotten Felines will hold its 25th Anniversary celebration on Friday, April 21 at The WoodWinds in Branford, featuring a winetasting, silent auction and dinner. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance online at www.forgottenfelinesstore.com. More details on Facebook or visit www.forgottenfelinesct.org. IMMIGRANT ANCESTRY: The Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, holds ongoing informal sessions focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. This month’s meeting is April 21 at 9:30 a.m. Sessions are free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. No pre-registration is necessary. Call 860-346-4375 for more information.

Saturday, April 22

ELECTRONICS COLLECTION: In support of Earth Day, Portland’s Gildersleeve School and PTO is collecting used electronics for recycling. On April 22, collections will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at TriTown Foods and Gildersleeve School bus circle. A complete list of collection items is available on the Portland CT PTO Facebook page. For more information, contact Abbi at 860-712-2857 or abbinori@ aol.com. SPRING FLING: ASpring Fling with Interact Group will be held Saturday, April 22, 12-2 p.m. at the East Hampton Senior Center. Enjoy a pot luck lunch, dancing, finger painting. Sign up in Activity book and state what dish you will be sharing. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. OPEN HOUSE: VistaLife Innovations, a nationally accredited post-secondary program for individuals with disabilities, is hosting an open house on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at its Westbrook campus. To RSVP, register online at www.vistalifeinnovations.org/openhouse or contact the Admissions Office at 860-399-8080 ext. 106 by April 19. Vista’s Westbrook campus is located at 1356 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook. SPRING FLING FAIR: The Henry Carter Hull Library will hold its annual Spring Fling Craft Fair on Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All items are hand made and local. There will be a variety of jewelry, garden troughs, fabric art, wrought iron, goat milk products, bath bombs, baked goods, and more. hchlibrary.org. MERCY COLOR CRAZE: The Mercy Alumnae Association is hosting a the Mercy Color Craze, a colorful and family-oriented day including a 5K Cross Country Run (self-timed), Fun Color Run for children and adults, food trucks, children’s activities, a DJ, and a live concert by Mercy’s own rising country music duo, Presley and Taylor. Registration for the 5K is $20 and includes a commemorative T-shirt. All other activities are free; register in advance. For more information or to register online visit www.mercyhigh.com. All proceeds will benefit the Mercy High School Scholarship Fund. The school is located at 1740 Randolph Rd. Middletown and can be reached at 860346-6659. EARTH DAY CELEBRATION: The Killingworth Library Association celebrates Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, with events at Chatfield Hollow Farm, 10 Firetower Road, Killingworth. The twosession event, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. 1:30-4:30 p.m. is organized by the Killingworth Women’s Organization to benefit the library. Ticket are $10, free under age 5, and are available at the Library. Tickets include one food item and a beverage. Activities include mushroom inoculation and foraging, a composting station, wetlands information, a bee seminar, a Tai Chi demonstration, children’s crafts, music, reading and activities with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, s’mores, Zentangling, meditation and face painting. The Killingworth Garden Club will be selling plants and the library will be selling environment-related books. SWING BAND:A concert by the Survivors Swing Band will be held April 22, 1:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, playing classic melodies from the Swing Era for listening and dancing. Bring a dance partner, or come with friends and family to enjoy some of America’s most beloved songs. Families with children are welcome. Sponsored by The Friends of the Russell Library. GIANT AUCTION: The Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company Annual Giant Auction will be held April 22, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Fire Headquarters, 333 Route 81. The auction features household items, antiques, tools, furniture, small equipment and much more. The auction will be held rain or shine. Refreshments will be available all day. For information go to www. killingworth-fire.org. EPOCH ARTS PLAY: Join the Epoch Arts cast of the original 20-year play, Unfinished People, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. The cast serves a pasta dinner to guests, then performs skits, musical numbers and Wackadoodles —on the spot performances — during coffee and dessert. Tickets are $10. To sponsor a skit or making a reservation, email elizabeth@epocharts.org. Reservations are recommended. Epoch Arts is located at 27 Skinner Street, East Hampton. Learn more at www.epocharts.org.

Sunday, April 23

EARTH DAY: Tri-Town Youth Services invites the community to celebrate Earth Day and explore the great outdoors together, April 23, 1-3 p.m. at Bushy Hill Nature Center, 253 Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton. Activities include a guided hike at 1:30 p.m. and a bow drill demonstration at 2 p.m. Admission is $5.