CALENDAR

Friday April 6

SPAGHETTI DINNER: The 7th District American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary are hosting a spaghetti dinner on April 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Clinton Post 66, Boston Post Road. The cost is $7 per person and desserts are included.

EPOCH ARTS OPEN STAGE: Come speak, play music, dance, tell jokes, live paint, just watch Epoch Arts Open Stage, April 6, 7-9 p.m. Admission is $7, for grades 6 and up. Cafe will be open selling refreshments. Original dance performances by the Creative Dance Center will also be shared throughout the evening. Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner Street, East Hampton. www.epocharts.org FUN FRIDAYS:

Fun Friday at the Deep River Library, for preschoolers, 10:30 a.m. April 6, 13, 27. No class April 20. ABC Amigos will visit April 13, with Spanish stories and songs. Drop in, no registration required.

SHOPPING TRIP: Cromwell Shopping with the East Hampton Senior Center, Friday, April 6 leaving at 10 a.m. A $3 transportation donation is requested. Sign up at Front Desk.

CABARET AT ODDFELLOWS: Phoenix Theater presents “Cabaret” at the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Shows are 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.

FILM SCREENING: “2001: A Space Odyssey” Film Screening will be held April 6, 1 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Free. Drop-in, no registration.

MAPLE AND MAIN EXHIBIT: In the Stone Gallery at Maple and Main Gallery, Chester, during April, students from Haddam Killingworth High School’s art program will exhibit their newest works, with an opening reception April 6, 6-8 p.m. with refreshments created by the school’s culinary art students and live music performed by students in the music program. To see images from both exhibits go to MapleandMainGallery.com, or Facebook and Instagram. For information call 860-526-6065.

Saturday, April 7

NAACP LUNCHEON: Joelle Murchison, a university administrator, diversity champion and mom of four, will address the Middlesex County NAACP’s first Women in the NAACP (WIN) Luncheon on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 346 Butternut St. Middletown. This year’s theme “Purpose, Power, Platform” reflects the work of the local branch WIN committee. Diamond Daniels, Yvette Highsmith Francis and Mallory Perry will be honored with awards. The event will also feature several vendors and a fashion show sponsored by Marshall’s. Tickets are $35. The event is almost sold out. For information email bfortheyouth.@aol.com.

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.

WALK WITH A DOC: Walk with a Doc, a twice-monthly walking program, begins in April. In Middlefield, Walk with a Doc starts April 7 from 9-10 a.m .at Peckham Park, 161 Strickland Rd. and will be held on the first and third Saturday of the month. In Middletown, Walk with a Doc starts April 8, 12-1:30 p.m. at Harbor Park; park in the Melilli Lot and take the tunnel over to the river, and continues on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. All ages and abilities are welcome. Walk continue, weather permitting, through November. For information, go to walkwithadoc.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. GOODS AND SERVICES AUCTION:

The Higganum United Methodist Church, 248 Saybrook Rd., Higganum, will host its annual Goods and Services Auction on Saturday, April 7. Doors open at 6 p.m. to preview items for bid, and the auction will start at 7 p.m. There will also be a silent auction, door prizes, and a snack bar. Free admission.

SPRINGTIME PROGRAM: Students from Middletown High School’s Future Teachers of America Club will present a program around the book, “Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms” by Julia Rawlinson, April 7 at 10 a.m., with crafts, stories, coloring and other hands-on projects. For ages 4-9. Drop in; no registration.

SPANISH CLASS: A Spanish class for children will be held Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10:30 a.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Ages 5-8 can songs, draw, and learn our numbers and colors, the names of animals, and how to make a friend en Español. Drop in; no registration.

FRENCH CLASS:A French Class for children will be held on Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28, 11:00am. The Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Ages 5-8 can sing songs, draw, and learn our numbers and colors, the names of animals, and how to make a friend en Français. Drop in; no registration. LAST WINTER MARKET: Last Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market will be held on April 7, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Dudley Farm, corner of Routes 77 and 80, Guilford. Special feature: Needle-Felting. Liz Rinaldo, of Flat Brook Farm, will demonstrate making felted soap, using soap made from her own goats’ milk. Free lessons will be offered, first-come firstserved. The summer market will open May 19 with a special event: Planting Day. For more information, visit dudleyfarm.com or call 203-457-0770.

FAMILY SEARCH: Using Family Search at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St.,Middletown, will be held April 7, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Learn about Family Search, a treasure trove of digitized original records; most can be viewed from home, but some are only accessible in a Family History Center like the one at Godfrey. Free to Godfrey Premium Members or $10 a session. Call 860-346-4375 for more info. No preregistration necessary. Bring a laptop. PARKINSON’S WELLNESS EXPO:

Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s (CAP) will hold a Parkinson’s Wellness Expo on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott, 4 Sebathe Drive, Cromwell. Admission is free.

GREAT GATSBY AUCTION: April 7: 6:00-9:00pm. Great Gatsby themed Silent Auction to benefit the Children’s Tree Montessori School will be held April 7, 6-9 p.m. at the Pavilion at Saybrook Point, 155 College St., Old Saybrook. Live music, food and drinks. Public welcome. Tickets $20 per person, $25 at the door. To reserve or for information call 860575-7940 or visit www.childrenstree.org.

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 information. Sunday, April 8

PODIUM PLAYERS AUDITIONS: Podium Players Community Theatre is holding auditions for its June 7-9 production of the comedy “Elvis Has Left The Building,” Sunday, April 8, 22-4 p.m. at the East Hampton Public Library, 105 Main St.; and Tuesday, April 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the East Hampton Middle School Commons, 19 Childs Road. Those auditioning are asked to bring a current photo and resume, if available. Audition forms may be filled out at the audition, or be obtained at www.podiumplayers.org, and completed beforehand.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m.; Sunday School, 10:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org. HADDAM NECK QUILT SHOW: The Haddam Neck Congregational Church, 408 Quarry Hill Rd., Haddam Neck, will host the 29th Annual Quilt Show April 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the landmark meetinghouse in the village of Haddam Neck. More than 130 new and historic quilts will be on display and a tea room will offer refreshments and baked goods. The Ladies Aid Society will be selling crafts and a local quilt shop will offer fabric and other quilting supplies. Other highlights include quilt voting and a drawing for prize baskets. For information call 860-267-2713 or visit www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org

WALK WITH A DOC: Walk with a Doc, a twice-monthly walking program, begins in April. In Middlefield, Walk with a Doc starts April 7 from 9-10 a.m .at Peckham Park, 161 Strickland Rd. and will be held on the first and third Saturday of the month. In Middletown, Walk with a Doc starts April 8, 12-1:30 p.m. at Harbor Park; park in the Melilli Lot and take the tunnel over to the river, and continues on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. All ages and abilities are welcome. Walk continue, weather permitting, through November. For information, go to walkwithadoc.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.

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK: National Library Week: Libraries Lead, April 8-14 at the Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Find out how valuable a Russell Library card is. Visit the library’s website at www.russelllibrary.org for information on upcoming programs, or pick up a Russell Reminder to hang on your fridge.

NATURE HIKE: Ecotherapist Beth Lapin will lead a nature hike at Hubbard Brook Preserve on Sunday, April 8, at 10 a.m. This is a mostly level walk, including views of the Connecticut River. Details and registration information may be found at https://healingnaturect.com/news-and-events/

Monday, April 9

60 PLUS CLUB: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 9 at the Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. A blood pressure clinic will be available to the public at 12 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment with Dan Stevens playing his guitar and ukulele will follow the meeting. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome.

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.

MEDICARE CORNER: Medicare Corner at the East Hampton Senior Center, Monday, April 9, 10:30 a.m. Traci O’Brien from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Licensed Agent, will be here explaining what Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) Medicare Advantage plan has to offer. Sign up in Activity Book if interested.

READERS THEATER: Readers Theater presents “Doubt: A Parable,” Monday, April 9, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The play by John Patrick Shanley is set in a fictional Catholic school in the Bronx. Drop in; no registration.

Tuesday, April 10 PODIUM PLAYERS AUDITIONS:

Podium Players Community Theatre is holding auditions for its June 7-9 production of the comedy “Elvis Has Left The Building,” Tuesday, April 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the East Hampton Middle School Commons, 19 Childs Road. Those auditioning are asked to bring a current photo and resume, if available. Audition forms may be filled out at the audition, or be obtained at www.podiumplayers.org, and

completed beforehand.

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. FILM SCREENING: “The Killings at Badger’s Drift” will be screened on Tuesday, April 10, 12:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This is a two-hour long episode of the BBC Mystery program Midsommer Murders. Drop-in, no registration.

HOMESCHOOL HUB: Homeschool Hub: Bring Your Own Book!, will be held April 10, 1 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Homeschoolers in grades 3 — 6 are invited. For more about the game, visit www.bringyourownbook.com/ Drop in; no registration.

BULLET JOURNALING: Bullet Journaling, created by Ryder Carroll, will meet Tuesday, April 10, 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad St, Middletown. When traditional note-taking didn’t work Carroll, he developed a more efficient system to capture his ideas. Questions can be directed to Christy Billings at cbillings@russelllibrary.org or 860- 347-2528 x 160. Registration is encouraged.

RUSSELL READERS: Russell Readers will discuss “The Enormous Radio” by John Cheever, April 10, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month. For more information about participating in the group or acquiring the text, contact Chantal Foster at (860) 573-2946 or email Chantal.foster@comcast.net. Drop in; no registration. LIBRARY WEEK: Celebrate National Library Week at Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, April 10, 6 p.m. with an interactive presentation of collection highlights from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. Guests will learn about the history of the museum and its diverse collection. The program is free. For details go to hchlibrary.org

CULINARY LUNCH: Norwich Tech Culinary Lunch with the East Hampton Senior Center, Tuesday, April 10 leaving at 10 a.m.. Lunch is $10; $3 for transportation. Payment due at sign up at Front Desk. BOOK CLUB: Book Club at the East Hampton Senior Center, Tuesday, April 10, 1 p.m.. Book of the month is “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain. Sign up in Activity Book if interested.

Wednesday, April 11 BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES:

Free Program: Attracting Birds & Butterflies to Your Yard will be held April 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex. A park ranger and a wildlife biologist give a how-to presentation on simple ways to bring birds, butterflies and other colorful creatures to your home. Free informational booklets and handouts will be provided to all attendees. Registration not required. ESTATE PLANNING: Covenant Village of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Road, is hosting Certified Professional Organizer, Kathy Vines of Clever Girl Organizing, for a presentation on estate planning, April 11, 10:30 a.m. Vines will offer tips on creating a simpler, clutter-free lifestyle and preparing for the future with digital estate planning. . This event is free; RSVP is required by calling 877-236-0875.

HKHS COLLEGE FAIR: Had dam Killing worth High School will host its 9th Annual College Fair on Wednesday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Fieldhouse. Representatives will be attending from two and four year colleges, technical schools, the military, and other local community organizations. For further information contact Christine Smith at 860-345-8541 or csmith@rsd17.org, or visit our website — www.rsd17.org.

HOLOCAUST MURAL: A Holocaust Remembrance mural project will be held April 11, 4 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Join the Youth and Family Learning Department to create a mural to remember the victims of the Holocaust, and to celebrate peace. For ages 8-14, Drop in; no registration. JOB SEEKERS: National Library Week Event: ReferenceUSA for Job Seekers with T JP ride ll, will be held April 11, 6 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This interactive marketing seminar will cater to the Middletown business community. For details go to hchlibrary.org FISHERS OF CONNECTICUT:

Learn about fishers, or fisher cats, in Connecticut at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, April 11, 6 p.m. with a presentation by Richard Taylor, Master Wildlife Conservationist from the CT DEEP Wildlife Team. Hear overview of the natural history and management of the fisher and a discussion of some of Connecticut’s DEEP Wildlife Division’s work with fishers in Connecticut, a member of the weasel family, reintroduced into Connecticut in 1988. SEWAGE PLANT TOUR: A Tour of Mattabassett District Sewage Treatment Plant, hosted by the Jonah Center of Middletown, will be held April 11, 1:30 p.m. Reply to

jhall@thejonahcenter.org if you would like to attend. For adults over 18 only. ATTRACTING BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES: Park ranger Shaun Roche and wildlife biologist Kris Vagos will give a free illustrated talk on attracting birds and butterflies to your yard, 6:30 p.m. April 11, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., with a focus on what to feed birds, how to provide nest materials and which flowers to plant for butterflies. RSVP, 860-767-1560.

CREATIVE DANCE CLASS: The Deep River Library is hosting a Creative Dance Class for Preschoolers on Wednesday, April 11, 4 p.m., taught by Christine Finch from the Eastern Connecticut Ballet School. For ages 3-5. Wear dancing shoes or sneakers and explore different movements that celebrate the magic behind the making of a rainbow. Registration is required for this 45-minute class and limited to 15 children; younger siblings can enjoy playtime in the children’s area during class. To register visit thttp:// deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or email drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

Thursday, April 12 STORY HOUR:

Preschool Power Story Hour meets Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26, 1:30 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. This program provides the opportunity for preschoolers to practice their listening skills and increase their social confidence while enjoying stories, music, movement and a craft with their caregivers. For ages 3 - 5 (Pre-k through kindergarten) Siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration. MILITARY WRITING GROUP:

We Were There: Writing Your Military Experiences, meets Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Author Elisabeth Petry will continue to lead the group, which invites veterans to share their stories and photos in their own voices. New members are encouraged to visit. Workshop facilitator is Christy Billings. She can be reached at (860) 3472528 or cbillings@russelllibrary.org THE COLLEGE PROCESS:

Navigating the College Process with Jodie Small will be held April 12, 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, with Jodie Small of College Coordinators, to discuss what steps you should be taking now and through the fall of your senior year. Drop-in; no registration. AUTHOR TALK: “A Home Called New England” with author/ architect Duo Dickinson will be held April 12, 6 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. Hear a celebration of hearth and history across New England. Copies available for available for purchase and signing. Free event, no registration. For details, go to hchlibrary.org.