The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
CALENDAR
Monday, March 26
BIRTHDAY BASH: March Birthday Bash at the East Hampton Senior Center, Monday, March 26, 12 p.m. Let the center know if you were born in March. Lunch, cake and ice cream on us. Sign up at front desk and with Janet in the Café for lunch.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: As part of Middlesex Chamber’s Legislative Leadership Series, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff will visit with chamber members to discuss the 2018 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly on Monday, March 26, 9-10:30 a.m. in Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and Legislative Committee will have the opportunity to ask questions about the legislative session and discuss some important issues on the Chamber’s 2018 Public Policy Agenda. Admission is $20.
60 PLUS CLUB: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26 at the Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. Refreshments and the monthly variety table follow the meeting. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome.
AUTHOR TALK: Author Paul Kix, free talk on his book The Saboteur, 7 p.m. March 26, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on heroic exploits of WWII French resistance fighter Robert de La Rochefoucald who trained with Churchill’s “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”. Copies of The Saboteur will be available for purchase and signing. RSVP: 860767-1560. ADULT COLORING: Adult Coloring. Fun for all ages, 6 p.m., March 26, at First Church, 190 Court Street, Middletown. If you have a coloring book, bring it along. If not, some supplies will be provided. Free. No experience required.
TEEN TIME: Totally Teen Time is held on Mondays, March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 3 p.m., for grades 7-12 in the Totally Teen Area, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Teen Librarian Heather, will be available in the Teen Area. Laptops will be on hand for homework or gaming. A variety of special programs are scheduled on the second Monday of each month. Drop in; registration is not required. WONDERFUL ONES: Wonderful Ones meets on Mondays, March 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:30 a.m. in theActivity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For one year olds (12 to 23 months). Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required.
Tuesday, March 27
WESLEYAN LECTURE: The 2018 Sturm Memorial Lecture. “Building Stars, Planets and Ingredients for Life in Space.” will be held March 27 at 8 p.m. in the Ring Family Performing Arts Hall (Wesleyan Center for the Arts), with a talk by Dr. Ewine F. van Dishoeck, an internationally renowned astrochemist and the president-elect of the International Astronomical Union (the organization that demoted Pluto from planet status). A reception and telescope viewing at the Van Vleck Observatory will follow the lecture. http://www.wesleyan.edu/
TERRIFIC TWOS: Twos are Terrific will be held Tuesdays, March 6, 13*, 20 and 27, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For 24-25 months with a caregiver. Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required. March 13 session meets in the Hubbard Room. APPALACHIAN TRAIL: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail, presented by Sam Ducharme, Tuesday, March 27. 7 p.m. at the Durham Library. His presentation will highlight the trail towns he visited and the mountaintops he climbed through the backcountry. Register online at http://www.durhamlibrary.org/programregistration/ NUTMEG AND COOKIES: 2018 Nutmeg and Cookies Cornucopia Shout Out, March 27, 5 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Find out all about 2018 Nutmeg
Book Award Intermediate Nominees and try the cookies based on the books. Be aware of food allergies; cookies may contain chocolate, dairy, gluten, nuts, sugar and/or other allergy-triggering ingredients. For grades 4-6 only, registration required. Go to RussellLibrary.org or call 860-344-8479.
OPTIMAL HEALTH: Eat Your Way to Optimal Health with Catherine O’Rourke, 6:30 p.m., March 27, in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Learn the latest science on food, nutrition and how to apply it in your life. Details, registration at RussellLibrary.org or call 860-344-8479. BOOK DISCUSSION: Classic Mystery Book Discussion: “Still Life” by Louise Penny, 7 p.m., March 27, in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Drop in; no registration.
Wednesday, March 28
ALL THINGS ANNUAL: The Portland River Valley Garden Club and the Portland Garden Club will host “All Things Annual – Adding Color To Your Garden” with Kate Capreol from E, Draghi & Sons Farm in South Glastonbury, March 28, 7 p.m. at the Portland Waverly Center, Waverly Avenue, Portland. The public is welcome. WELLNESS WEDNESDAY: Wellness Wednesday: Reiki & Relaxation, at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, March 28, 6 p.m. Explore ancient techniques used for stress reduction and relaxation with Deborah Huddy. Detals at hchlibrary.org.
Thursday, March 29
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Holy Week at First Church of Christ, 499 Town Street East Haddam. Palm Sunday, March 25, 10 a.m. worship; Maundy Thursday, March 29, Service of Tenebrae with communion, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March 30, Cross Walk, 8 a.m., from St. Bridget’s Church to St. Stephen’s Church. For information call 860-873-9084 LENTEN SERVICES: Mid-Week Lenten Series at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. March 21, 7:30 p.m., Palm Sunday, March 25, worship, 9 a.m., Maundy Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Good Friday, 12 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. PARENT WORKSHOP: The public welcome to “Montessori in Your Home” parent workshop, March 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Children's Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Road, Old Saybrook. Free; dinner and childcare available for $10 per family. Register at 860-3883536, www.childrenstree.org.
EASTER FLOWER SALE: Members of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will hold their annual Easter Flower Sale on Thursday and Friday, March 29-30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. outside the Higganum Branch of the Liberty Bank at the Village Plaza, 26 Killingworth Road. Easter lilies, hyacinths, tulips, and other spring plants will be available. For more information, call 860-345-8245. RAY ALLEN BOOK SIGNING: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown, welcomes University of Connecticut and Boston Celtics basketball great, Ray Allen, March 29, 7 p.m. for a book signing of his new memoir “From the Outside.” Books for siging available for purchase. For information call 860-6853939 or go to. https://wesleyan.edu/rjjuliabookstore WOMEN CENTER STAGE: Women Center Stage with the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, March 29, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. All ages are welcome; drop-in; no registration. Sponsored by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (www.cwhf.org) BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Library will be held March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 10:30 a.m. Join us for a story time for babies, newborn to 24 months. Older siblings may attend. Free.
PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR: Preschool Power Story Hour will be held Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 3 - 5 (Pre-k through kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration. MILITARY WRITING GROUP: We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, led by Elizabeth Petry and facilitator Christy Biillings, will meet March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. New members welcome. To reach Christy Billings, call 860-347-2528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org
CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are March 23-24, March 29-31 and April 6-7 at 8 p.m. and March 25 and April 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, general seating. For more information on tickets go to phoenixtheater.us or www.oddfellows.org or call 860-347 6143. MAUNDY THURSDAY SEDER: On Maundy Thursday at Trinity Church, Portland, a Seder meal will be held, all food provided, with Holy Eucharist, foot washing and stripping of the altar.
Friday, March 30
CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are March 23-24, March 29-31 and April 6-7 at 8 p.m. and March 25 and April 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, general seating. For more information on tickets go to phoenixtheater.us or www.oddfellows.org or call 860-347 6143.
GOOD FRIDAY WALK: The Rockville United Methodist Church Good Friday Walk will be held March 30. Registration begins 7 am at Rockville United Methodist Church 142 Grove Street, Rockville. The 20- mile route goes through three towns, beginning and ending at the church. Everyone is welcome to participate. Proceeds raised from the walk go to Sharing, Inc. and The Cornerstone Foundation. http://www.rockumchurch. com/good-friday-walk/ GOOD FRIDAY SERVICES: Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main St., Middletown, will hold a service at 12 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by an Evening Ecumenical Tenebrae service at First Congregational Church, UCC on Court Street, with the Praise Band. GOOD FRIDAY: Trinity Church, Portland, will lead Stations of the Gospel on Good Friday at 12 p.m., starting at St. Mary’s, processing to Grace & Mercy Family Ministries, followed by the United Methodist Church, then to True Vine Holiness Church, and conclude at Trinity Episcopal Church with light refreshments. The First Congregational Church, Zion Lutheran Church and Baha’i members are also participating. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE: A Good Friday Service with Zion Lutheran Church and Trinity Church, Portland, will be held Friday at 7 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 183 William St, Portland.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Holy Week at First Church of Christ, 499 Town Street East Haddam. Palm Sunday, March 25, 10 a.m. worship; Maundy Thursday, March 29, Service of Tenebrae with communion, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March 30, Cross Walk, 8 a.m., from St. Bridget’s Church to St. Stephen’s Church. For information call 860-873-9084
LENTEN SERVICES: Mid-Week Lenten Series at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. Good Friday, 12 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.
MALAQUIAS BLOOD DRIVE: The DeSoto Council # 6 and the American Red Cross will host their 15th Annual Dom Malaquias Memorial Blood Drive at 573 Main Street in Cromwell on Friday, April 13, 1-6 p.m. Ttere is always a need for blood donations; make an appointment by calling 800-RED-CROSS(1800-733-2767) or redcrossblood.org Walk-ins are also welcome.
Saturday, March 31
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Holy Week at First Church of Christ, 499 Town Street East Haddam. Palm Sunday, March 25, 10 a.m. worship; Maundy Thursday, March 29, Service of Tenebrae with communion, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, March 30, Cross Walk, 8 a.m., from St. Bridget’s Church to St. Stephen’s Church. For information call 860-873-9084
LENTEN SERVICES: Mid-Week Lenten Series at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. March 31, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, 7:30 p.m. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.
AMERICAN WOODCOCK: Naturalist Patricia Laudano will give a presentation on the American woodcock, one of the most unique shrubland birds to breed along the Connecticut coast, with a Powerpoint show, followed by a walk along the trails at dusk to witness their dazzling courtship flight. Sponsored by Potapaug Audubon and Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, March 31, 6 p.m., at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook. Call 860-3992513 or email Shaun_Roche@fws.gov for more information. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE: Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, will give a presentation March 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. NACA is a non-profit HUD Certified homeownership and advocacy organization that has been in the forefront in the fight for economic justice. Learn more about them at this event. No registration required. HOLY SATURDAY VIGIL: An Easter Vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m., at Holy Trinity in Middletown.
CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are March 23-24, March 29-31 and April 6-7 at 8 p.m. and March 25 and April 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, general seating. For more information on tickets go to phoenixtheater.us or www.oddfellows.org or call 860-347 6143.
Sunday, April 1
EASTER SUNDAY:First Church of Christ, 499 Town Street East Haddam, will have a Sunrise Service at Gillette’s Castle, 6:45 a.m., on Easter Sunday, followed by Easter breakfast at Hadlyme Congregational Church. For information call 860-873-9084
EASTER SUNDAY: Easter Sunday services will be held April 1 at 9 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.
MALAQUIAS BLOOD DRIVE: The DeSoto Council # 6 and the American Red Cross will host their 15th Annual Dom Malaquias Memorial Blood Drive at 573 Main Street in Cromwell on Friday, April 13, 1-6 p.m. Ttere is always a need for blood donations; make an appointment by calling 800-RED-CROSS(1-800733-2767) or redcrossblood.org Walk-ins are also welcome. EASTER SERVICE: Easter Sunday worship, 9:30 a.m. at Church of the Holy Trinity Church, Middletown, with Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m., and Festival Eucharist with Brass, Bells, Choir, Praise Band and Hallelujah Chorus at 10:15 a.m.
Monday, April 2
MEDICARE AND BEYOND: Medicare & Beyond Workshop will be held at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, April 2, 6 p.m. The event is free; for information call 860-669-2342 or visit hchlibrary.org
CREATIVE WRITING GROUP: Creative Writing Group monthly meeting on the first Monday of the month, April 1, 6 p.m. This is a casual gathering to read, listen to and discuss original writings up to 10
pages in length. Register to read. Henry Carter Hull Library, 860-669-2342, sarah@hchlibrary.org, hchlibrary.org. NEW MOVIE: New Movie Matinee: “Phantom Thread” (2017), Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, April 2, 1 p.m. with free popcorn from Chips Pub III. hchlibrary.org.
FILM SERIES: The next film in The Elements: An Annual Environmental Film Series will be Comfort Zone, about what climate change means locally, in our own backyards, will be shown on Monday, April 2, 7 p.m. at Chapman Hall on the campus of Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown (maps, directions and public transportation). All films are open to the public and free of charge. WONDERFUL ONES: Wonderful Ones meet Mondays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. One-year-olds and their caregivers will enjoy literacy-based, age-appropriate activities and toys with others. Siblings welcome. drop in; no registration required. BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC: Blood Pressure Clinic Monday, April 2 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.. at the East Hampton Senior Center. Sponsored by Chatham Health District. MEETING: Senior Center Monthly Meeting at the East Hampton Senior Center, Monday, April 2 starting at 12:45 p.m. Find out about upcoming Trips, Events, and upcoming seminars. Sign up in Activity Book.
Tuesday, April 3
SPRING INTO GENEALOGY: History & Genealogy Unit Librarian at the Connecticut State Library, Gerald Seagrave, a free illustrated talk on state genealogy resources available at the State Library, 5:30 p.m. April 3, Essex Library, 33 West Ave. RSVP: 860-767-1560.
TERRIFIC TWOS: Twos are Terrific meets Tuesdays, April 3, 10*, 17, and 24, 10:30 a.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This librarian-led program is designed to increase two-year-olds’ literacy and social skills as they enjoy story time, movement, music and play time. Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required. *The April 10th session will meet in the Hubbard Room. RACIAL JUSTICE BOOK GROUP: Racial Justice Book Discussion on “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot will be held April 3, 6 p.m. (and on the first Tuesday monthly) in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Copies of the book are available for check-out. Contact Christy Billings. at cbillings@russelllibrary.org or 860 347-2528 x 160. FAMILY RESEARCH: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with experts at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, April 3, April 20, 9:30 a.m., April 7, 11 a.m. Bring your laptop. Call 860-346-4375 for more information. No pre-registration necessary.
Wednesday, April 4
NURSES MEETING: The Wethersfield-Rocky Hill Professional Nurses Association (WRHPNA) will hold its monthly meeting, April 4, 7 p.m. in the Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield Street, Wethersfield. All area nurses are invited to attend. For more information on this meeting or the association, contact Patricia Rinaldi, WRHPNA President, at 860-563-4150. AUTHOR TALK: “The Sunken Gold” With Joseph A. Williams, a free illustrated talk with the authro, April 4, 7 p.m., Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on dramatic details of undersea diving and early 20th century naval operations. RSVP: 860-767-1560. GAMERS REALM: Gamers’ Realm meets Wednesday, April 4, 4:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Gamers can try their hand at Magic: The Gathering, Forbidden Island, Once Upon A Time and other favorites. For ages 10-13, drop in; no registration.