Calendar

Today

PAIN SUPPORT GROUP: The Middlesex County support group for chronic pain meets every third Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. to connect with others for support, learn strategies to cope with chronic pain, how to talk to doctors, and information about LEARN complementary and alternative treatments. Meetings are held at the U.S. Pain Foundation, 670 Newfield Street (Route 3). For information, call 800-910-2462 or visit uspainfoundation.org. FARMERS MARKETS: East Haddam Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. at Ballek’s Garden Center every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. WWI FILM SERIES: WWI Film Series: The Great War on the Big Screen, at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Aug. 2, War Horse, Aug. 9, Testament of Youth, Aug. 16, The Silent Mountain, Aug. 23, A Very Long Engagement. Free, no registration. READING BUDDIES: Summer Reading Buddies, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m., for ages 3-10, buddy up with the Teen Advisory Council members. Registration is required. Register at www. russelllibrary.org, in person, or at 860-344-8479. SUCCESSFUL AGING: Explore the secrets to aging with grace, humor and a motivating spirit when Covenant Village of Cromwell presents “Successful Aging with Joy Loverde,” on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. Covenant Village is a faith-based senior living community located at 52 Missionary Rd. in Cromwell. Space is limited and reservations are required; visit Covenant Village of Cromwell or call 877–236-0875. ORGAN CONCERT: Benjamin Henderson, a Middletown resident pursuing a degree in organ performance at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Nathan Laube, will present a concert spanning three centuries of organ music on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., at The Lutheran Church of Madison, 9 Britton Lane (located at the west end of the Madison Town Green). A freewill offering will be collected after the concert, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Contact the church at lcofmadison@aol. com or 203-245-4145 for further information. MOTORCYCLE MANIA: The annual Middletown Motorcycle Mania will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 4:308:30 P.M. resulting in road closures in the downtown area. Main Street between Dingwall Drive and Court Street will be closed from 2-9 p.m. The remainder of Main Street from Union Street to Washington Street will be closed from 3:30-9 p.m. There is an entry donation of $10 per motorcycle, and $15 for bikes entered for awards. Complete information is available at www. middletownmotorcyclemania. com or contact Cathy Duncan at Cathy@middlesexchamber. com or 860-347-6924. VFW POST MEETING: East Hampton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5095 Auxiliary will hold a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Post home on 20 North Maple St., East Hampton. Members will discuss the upcoming Lobster Fest, the Gold Star dinner and the Wreaths Across America program. Members are encouraged to attend to and help with the activities for the coming year. This will be an important but abbreviated summertime meeting. PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Photography Workshop & Travel Resources with world photographer C. Peter Chow will be held Aug. 9, 6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library. Learn editing basics, what to pack, and ways to capture great shots, even from your phone. Taking a trip? We’ll discuss how to make use of great library resources like AtoZWorldTravel, Mango Languages, and Passport Application Services. Free swag bags provided; to register go to hchlibrary.org. FILM SERIES: WWI Film Series: Testament of Youth, will be screened on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Testament of Youth (2014) is a British coming-of-age story about love, war, loss, and remembrance. Starring Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, and Taron Egerton. Free. CARTOONING WORKSHOP: A Cartooning Workshop with Christopher Brown will be held Aug. 9 and Aug. 16, 6 p.m., for grades 1-6, in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join Christopher Brown, a middle school teacher and graphic novel artist from East Haven, for a two part, handson workshop covering some basics of visual storytelling and character creation. Drop in; no registration. MURDER MYSTERY: Murder Mystery in the Planning stage at the East Hampton Senior Center, Aug. 9, 1 p.m. All are welcome to this gathering to help create another “Murder Mystery” play. We will need actors, props and creative juices. Sign up in Activity book. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426. GILLETTE CASTLE AUTHOR: Author Erik Ofgang, “Gillette Castle: A History”, 7 p.m., Aug. 9, free, at Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. For information, call 860-685-3939, www. wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

Thursday, Aug. 10

CLINTON FARMERS MARKET: Clinton Farmers’ Market is being held this summer at the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, Thursdays from 4-7 p.m. from July 13 to Aug. 31, rain or shine. Stock up on fresh produce and baked goods from your favorite local vendors. TEEN GAMING: Teen Gaming Workshops, July 27, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, 3 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Do you like to play video games, board games or card games? Or do you want to make and play games as a career? A real life game creator, Brandon Patten, will show you what he does every day. Drop in; no registration. BABY RHYME TIME: Baby Rhyme Time, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 10:30 a.m., in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Songs, finger-plays and more is for babies one year and under and their caregivers. Drop-in; no registration. GAMING WORKSHOP: Teen Gaming Workshop, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, 3 p.m,. for grades 7-12, in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Brandon Patten, a real life game creator, will show you what he does every day. Registration is required. Register at www. russelllibrary.org, in person, or at 860-344-8479. GOT GAME: Who Has. . .game?, for grades 3 and up, will be held Aug. 10, 1 p.m. in the Activity Room. Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Have fun and make some new friends playing I Have. . .Who Has. . .with a library theme. Drop in; no registration. BOOK DISCUSSION: Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale: A book discussion, will be held Aug. 10, 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room. Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Copies available at the Borrowing Desk.

BOOKS TO ART: Transform Books into Art!, 11 a.m., Aug. 10, for grades 7 and up, free, registration. Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. 860685-3939, www.wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

Friday, Aug. 11

FUNDRAISER: 3 Unique Ladies cafe, 143 William St., Middletown, is holding a fundraiser in July and August to benefit the animal control department. SUMMER CONCERT: Summer Concert Series at Acton Public Library continues with Elison Jackson, fronted by Acton’s very own former YA/Reference Librarian, Sam Perduta, Aug. 11, 4-5 p.m. Free and open to all. ADULT COLORING: Adult Coloring—Build A Better World, will be held Aug. 11, 18, 25, 11:30a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Our Adult Summer Reading theme this year is ‘Build a Better World’. Let’s start by relieving stress while making something beautiful by coloring pages! Adults are invited to bring their own supplies, or they may use the library’s supplies. Drop in; no registration. ART PARTY: Art Party! will be held Aug. 11, 3 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, for ages 5-9. Come celebrate your artistic side by creating something beautiful. Bring your imagination and a willingness to get messy. Drop-in; no registration. LET’S DO LUNCH: Let’s do Lunch will the East Hampton Senior Center, Friday, Aug. 11, departing at 10:45 a.m. for The Inishmor in Colchester, a cozy, inviting space that caters to good food and conversation. Authentic Irish flavor. $3 Trans Donation asked. Sign up required. For information, go to www.easthamptonct.gov and click on Senior Center or call 860-267-4426.

Saturday, Aug. 12

FUNDRAISER: 3 Unique Ladies cafe, 143 William St., Middletown, is holding a fundraiser in July and August to benefit the animal control department. FARM, ARTISAN MARKET: Parmelee Farm & Artisan Market at the Parmelee Farm, 465 Route 81, Killingworth, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9. Fresh local produce, eggs, dairy products, honey, breads, soaps, and jams, artisan work, food trucks, children’s activities. Pets welcome. August market has a flea & tag sale; September will feature a Wellness Day. For details go to www.parmeleefarmmarket.org or email manager@ parmeleefarmmarket.org for more information. OPEN HOUSE: Odiyana Meditation Center, 36 East Main St., East Hartford, will hold an open house Saturday, Aug. 12, 12-2 p.m. All are welcome to learn about the center and meditation, connect with new friends, browse the bookstore, find out about upcoming classes and events, and enjoy ice cream on the patio. For more information, visit meditationinconnecticut.org or call 860-266-6041. SUMMER THEATER: The East Haddam Stage Company is performing the original 30-minute comedy-drama “William Gillette: Senator’s Son to Super Sleuth,” at Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Rd., East Haddam. The shows are free to the public and are held Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 2:30 p.m. through Aug. 13. Admission is free. For information go to www.EHSCO.org, 860873-3521; bring chairs. Rain cancels. BUTTERFLY WALK: A free Butterfly Walk will be held Saturday Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. at Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook. Have you ever seen a silver-spotted skipper, a summer azure or a Juvenal’s duskywing? These are all butterflies that you may spot when volunteer naturalist Tom Kelly. Reservations are required: email shaun_roche@fws.gov REGIMENT ENCAMPMENT: Modern-day re-enactors of the 6th Connecticut Regiment will stage an encampment in the Mansfield House backyard, Saturday,. Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A camp follower will discuss medicines of the era; soldiers will engage visitors in discussions about the war. A “Kiddie Drill” allows youngsters to learn the manual of arms with wooden muskets. At 11 a.m., Professor Richard Buel will explore both Middletown’s contribution to the revolutionary movement. The Mansfield House, located at 151 Main Street, is the headquarters of the Middlesex County Historical Society. The Society’s current award-winning exhibit, A Vanished Port: Middletown & the Caribbean, 1750-1824 will also be available for viewing. Admission $5, free for 12 and under. For information call 860-346-0746. STORY TIME: Middletown: Story Time, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 12, free, no registration required. Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, Middletown. 860-6853939, www.wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore.

Sunday, Aug. 13

PADDLE REGATTA: The Connecticut River Museum’s first downriver paddle regatta to benefit the Museum’s education scholarship fund will be held Aug. 13, 8a.m.-3p.m. and is is open to all paddle craftcanoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards and rowboats. The 9-mile race starts at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam and ends in front of the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. Activities on the museum lawn include stand-up paddle board demonstrations by Paddleworks of Clinton and a family fun paddle parade in Essex Harbor at 12p.m. Refreshments will be available from Porky Pete’s, Deep River Snacks, and Cannoli’s on the Run. Pre –Registration is $30 per paddler with an additional $70fundraising goal or $110 registration fee day of event. Prizes will be awarded for race winners and top individual and team fundraisers. Proceeds will support the museum’s education scholarship fund.